How Much Better Does A Martin Have To Sound?

An update on the sound of my 1971 Martin D-28. Several years after "hot-rodding" the guitar has settled in and opened up.
In 2014 this guitar had the X braces scalloped, the original (huge) bridge plate replaced, new bridge installed in correction location for intonation, bone nut, pins & saddle. New Waverly tuners.
The tone and sound improvement is vast.

[@allenhughes12]

Just bought a 1969 D-28 and I love it. Bought it for 2 reasons 1. For the Brazilian 2. I'm a 1969 model myself. Of course the sound is out of this world.

[@snuffyballparks6501]

I have a 2008 D-28 Marquis... the tone & balance is stunning. Bought it used and will never sell it. The Marquis is now discontinued, so glad I have mine.

[@solice8844]

70s dreadnought Martins are now just like the pre-war dreadnoughts during the 80s --- they're between 40 and 50 years old!! The tone woods have come of age!

[@tincupco]

That little song sounds like it should be played during the final credits of a Clint Eastwood Western film. Love my Martin too.

[@ZachDames]

There's just nothing quite like a Martin, love hearing these guitars sing.

[@mrtambourineman6107]

I bet dollars to donuts if I blindfolded you, you couldn't tell the difference between this and a bran new similar solid body guitar, e.g. Taylor, Blueridge

[@ZachDames]

Flat Globe Bear I can without a doubt tell the difference between a Martin and a Taylor. Blueridge to Martin would be a little more difficult but I’m sure I could pick it out. Martins resonate much different than Taylor’s, Taylor’s have so little low-end, they sound almost identical to some Lowden guitars. Beautiful instruments, but different tones.

[@mrtambourineman6107]

@@ZachDames well I also have a 10" penis...my point being anyone can say that, but in my experience it is very rare to be able to do in real life. Obviously I would have to put you to the test before I believe you. No offence

[@Pinrod93]

To those of you knocking Martins all I can say is some of the copy cats have probably made better guitars, but Martin started it all with the introduction of the Dreadnought and have been building guitars longer then anyone else has. They definitely know what the hell they are doing! 😋 David

[@patricelongchamps9880]

A fabulous sweet sound !!!

[@marcusvaldes]

I've got a 1993 Martin D-16H that has made me a believer. Everyone who plays it loves it.

[@jkmorrison1013]

Nice one bro. I have a 2014 Martine D 35 and love it. also A J-200, and Hummingbird. Had to sell my J-45. To me it's not Gibson vs Martin vs Taylor. Love em all, buy em all, play em all.

[@garethparry4823]

Great sounding d28, can't beat old wood sound

[@charlesschrader2988]

Damn that sounds GREAT.

[@bobsyeruncle4841]

Looks like a Martin smells like a Martin more importantly SOUNDS like a Martin.

[@jrlopez4341]

The guitar sounds awesome

[@jimbom1629]

Man of many talents - just lovely, thank you

[@magnus7439]

A good Martin is a good Martin, no matter when it was made. Your D28 sounds spectacular, well worth the money you spent to get it in a good shape.

[@bradh.689]

Sounds great to me!!

[@kevinpaul1719]

I heard Martin had some trouble in the 1970's. I had a D28 made in 1976 and it was fantastic. It was stolen when I moved to Europe. I bought a new Martin D28 and I don't believe how much better it is than my 1976 Martin. Tone, neck and everything just fits better.

[@jaydavis7258]

70s Martins got a bad rap for a good reason. The fact that you had to have a luthier do all that work on it and put the bridge plate/ saddle at the right place is evidence. Now today’s Martins are killer!

[@brianralph5036]

I agree

[@markstaggs7342]

New martin guitars suck

[@reverendmississippi]

I own a 2017 martin it is awsome martins have a beautiful voice even tbe new ones but for 2400 pounds they should have

[@johntait491]

I've got a D28 same age as yours (#290901). No modifications or damage other than a replacement pickguard. It sounds fantastic. Like you say, maybe 47 year old wood..!! ;-)

[@robrychlinski]

Sweet sounds. Peace, Light, Love. Aloha from Kihei.

[@jefferyhill4857]

Very nice sounding guitar. The work was worth it.

[@Rachels123]

Sooo comforting.

[@filthwhistle]

Very nice!

[@JohnShalamskas]

Scalloped braces... so it is more like an HD-28. The Retro strings add a little bite to the treble. Have you tried the D'Addario Nickel Bronze strings yet? They have slightly less twang but otherwise are fairly similar to the Retro strings. I agree with the bone nut, saddle, and bridge pins. My 2002 Martin HD-35 has bone in all 3 places as well, and it sounds amazing. I was surprised how much improvement in sound there was after changing my bridge pins from plastic to bone.

[@SergeCeyral]

John Shalamskas I tried a set of those strings, given by my music store and I must say they disappointed my expectations : few sparkle and harmonics, ni thump in the basses...Way way under the Martin SP or d'Addario phosphor bronze

[@realtalk5931]

Sounds awesome

[@davesiler4064]

Martin knows it's stuff!!!! I have a Martin Dreadnaught Centennial. torrefied top and braces, limited edition, and I defy you to find a better sounding guitar, As long as they can stay with genuine tone woods, not "plywood," they will be among the very best. I also have a very beautiful Taylor 522e...one of the prettiest guitars I have ever seen. Different body, different "scale," but a very sweet voice. Not as loud perhaps, but it does what a very expensive guitar is designed to do; it looks and sounds fantastic!

[@RURALELECTRICBAND]

Chris Martin of Martin Guitars says and I quote him " The first day you play your new Martin is the worse it will ever sound" I agree My D-18 a 1933 Ambertone with Scallop bracing actually sounded good the first day out the box in Dec 2021. I play it non stop every day of course it now sounds better and it is on its way. I have owned many high end vintage Martin's before I had to sell them, because of needing money at various times. Some were great some weren't. I've played late 40s D-18 s that didn't sound or play as well as my new Martin. "Old Wood" theory that a Guitar sounds better is unfortunately not true. I know I bought into that theory for years myself. Actually, the older the wood the more it's dried out does not equal better sound. Actually, it's been proven in the Violin world. It all comes down to how well the Guitar was constructed what grade species was used for the top ect and who played the Guitar and also well accomplished the Musicians were who pre owned the Guitar. That is were the magic and mojo come from. My comment go against the conventional thinking of course but I have found it be very true. Also anthropy can set in with any good quality Guitar, if it's put away in the case for a long time say 6 months plus. Playing it opens it up 2 hours max. Vintage Guitars and "Old Wood" are borderline scams. Again just my opinion.

[@jixxxxer17]

Dear Sir, are you selling this guitar ? it sounds nice really nice thank you for showing us all this beauty. Peace !

[@whitefoamsea8070]

Martin's are country, Gibson's rock'n'roll

[@smartti1970]

thanks it put things into perspective before one goes and spends on a 60's one

[@amazingme1408]

or 50s as i did

[@haroldrull4943]

If Martin guitars are bad they won’t be around anymore. There’s a lot of good brand guitars but I end up having a Martin HD 28 after a long search and comparison. I’d love to have a D35 Limited Edition 50Th Anniversary.

[@cammoguy2]

Excellent!

[@peterlundgren8090]

Ok you dont like Martins , price or tone? Im talking feeling here not sound I have Yamaha guitars , Old ones red labels sounding great but the feeling dead , after 5 minuts i put them down If Martins or Gibson , Guilds are so bad Why does so many play them I wonder Dreads are Martins the rest is copys I buy more brands from USA If im not living in Sweden, that for sure

[@j.p.7708]

Sounds awesome through the vintage tuned iphone 6 speaker 🤣.

[@davidshaw5979]

lovely.

[@Jarcademis]

Nice tuners as well.

[@bobaldo2339]

How much did you spend on the "hot rodding"?

[@mragunathan1627]

Brian Kimsey had it for 5 months. Id bet it would be $1.5k at the least for the bill. Almost the street price for a used d-28.

[@robinskitube]

Very nice too..............

[@markvguitars]

I only have one question. If you felt the improvements were"vast," why did you feel like you needed a way out by adding that your strings were due to be changed....a month in a nice, dry and berber carpeted house is not gonna kill strings in a month.

[@bobaldo2339]

Sounds great! And I assume it has a 1 & 11/16" nut width - which I prefer over the 1 & 3/4" nut width of the new ones. The only question is what you spent on it vs what a D-28 from another era that would not need modification would have cost you.

[@mcdee56]

Clear, crisp, and mature sounding! Seems to be re-inspiring your picking? Are you still having fun with your 00018?

[@maxwellfan55]

Did he scallop the braces in situ with the spruce top in place or did that need to come off, dismantled and be re-fitted? The top also looks great, refurbished? or just polished?

[@Gibson45er]

Mr. Kimsey scallops the braces by reaching in the soundhole. He fully scalloped my 1972 D-28 and it sounds awesome. Scalloped both the x braces and the tone bars.

[@goteverlastinglife]

sounds fantastic!

[@tonycurtis2891]

Excellent bro Dickie! Mate, what is the problem over this guitar? Amazon timber or something similar?? Please let me know??

[@gwormgoor]

Great sounding guitar and lovely piece of music. Can anyone help me to find the notes, tabs or name of it?

[@mmatth2194]

Bravo

[@LeRide2012]

I’ve got a 1970 D-28 that needs basically the same work done. Can I ask how much you paid for this work to be done? I hear you about the properties of 50 year old wood, but economically, is it worth it? A used HD-28V is probably not that much more than what selling the guitar and putting the repair money into buying it would be.

[@dallgire]

This guitar had sentimental attachments for me. (My first Martin.) I'm glad I spent this money-- about $900. Part of that was shipping from Hawaii to New Mexico. Bryan Kimsey is the luthier in New Mexico. Google his name. Bryan Kimsey. Well worth the money. You could have a GREAT Martin. The change was astounding! Here's a video of the project: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l56neKako9F1rs0

[@amazingme1408]

i just bought a hd28v ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE GUITAR WORTH EVERY PENNY contact Jon from my favorite guitars in florida paid 2800 shipped to nyc...just mind blowing sound

[@martincurtis2257]

Ever heard of Tony Rice?

[@marclalonde8127]

Hi I'm back

[@peterlundgren8090]

Sounds great, the feeling of holding a guitar and playing a quality from the United States hits everything, No Chinese can handle it and im born in Sweden!!!

[@stevenboulton9911]

Peter Lundgren not so sure I have some very high end Japanese guitar's that are superb. I would not trade them for a 70s Martin.

[@Life-of-Bluegrass_Music]

D28 never had a bridge in the wrong place. They claim D18 did in the 70's, butI will trade you a Gibson RB250 banjo for it.

[@jakewildwood]

LOL, almost every Martin AND Gibson from the early-'60s onward that I've worked-on had the saddle slot located incorrectly at the factory... though really, factory-built guitars of all stripes have had this problem as long as there have been factory-built guitars.

[@mrtambourineman6107]

Needs some newer strings, sounds almost like Nylon strings to me at first...

[@PulledPurk]

Better than what?

[@tcoakley2265]

Nice warm sweet sound. However, the biggest factor in how any guitar is will sound is the ability of the player. For most guitarists the best investment is in time spent playing, rather than money spent on expensive instruments. Nowadays a good easy playing guitar can be bought quite cheaply, and if played well enough, can sound almost as good as an expensive instrument. The name on the headstock is irrelevant.

[@steveb9325]

T mandozouk good point, though after years of playing you deserve a great axe no matter who's name is on it. For me: Martin!Thank you

[@JohnShalamskas]

You need a good player and a good instrument to get the best tone. Like links in a chain, the weakest link will limit the strength of the whole chain.

[@johnafagerquist8235]

While I acknowledge Martin started it all, and I'm grateful for it, I am just not a fan of their sound. Same with Taylor, whose sound is quite similar. Both of these makes (all models I've tried of both) sound rather akin to the child sized Harmony my dad bought me from Sears when I was 6. I play a 73 Guild D35, which runs over any Martin or Taylor I've ever played or heard. Don't panic or get your knickers in a knot because you were sucked in to buying a guitar for thousands of dollars, and because of the price, believe it's the best. I got no use for 'em. Door stop maybe?

[@MrZiggy-pm9rz]

Guild makes a good guitar but ... your comment may be the stupidest one I've read in quite some time. Doorstop? Maybe a little jealousy (of those who can afford Martins) creeping into your nonsensical statement?

[@lexusvip4003]

The best sounding Guitar I ever played was my fathers 64' Gibson Hummingbird. One of my acquaintances broke it by accidently kneeing it. I hate that asshole now. He didn't even offer to fucking help pay the repairs. Pisses me off thinking about it... He wasn't even a friend in the first place. He was the boyfriend of my girlfriends friend. They slept in my music room and he broke it walking to the bathroom at night. Dumbass couldn't have turned the light on?... God if I ever see him again.... He isn't dating that girl anymore, so it's free reign if I beat his ass into the ground. He is gonna realize what the repercussions of breaking somebodies $6800 guitar is. (Yes, it had recently been appraised a month before it had been snapped in two, Dad showed me the receipt and certificate when i didn't believe him) I'm shaking angry right now because it's not about the money. It's about the principle. That was an heirloom that was going to get passed down to me, and it still is, but now it has repair marks that will forever remind me of the shithead I let stay in my house. Moral of the story is, buy one of these cheap guitars to pluck on and leave out. If he had threw one of these in a fire I'd be less angry than him "accidently" snapping a piece of history... If you have a piece of art, treat it like it is. Keep it on a wall or in a safe, and when you want to admire it you can do so in private, away from destructive people. Just some friendly advice.

[@Edward1312]

IMHO there's nothing exceptional about the sound of your guitar and for the money charged, it needs to be exceptional.

[@johnnycmajor]

It has to do with sound projection also Tony,,, you play a cheap guitar in a jam session and you can hardly hear.. I have d28 hd.. it projects so you can hear it with mando's banjo's and the rest.. Most less expensive guitars are rarely heard in these settings.. and they sound tinny.... not enough sustain or projection on the highs, lows or mid range.

[@Edward1312]

I don't agree with you , I have loads of inexpensive guitars (round $700 mark) and they certainly don't sound "tinny" they have excellent projection and sustain and the fit and finish is superb.

[@markstaggs7342]

Martin your buying the name I have Martin's and the truth taylor makes a better built and sounding and like I said I have both guild is better then Martin the new Martin's suck

[@Edward1312]

Martin guitars are over rated by people like you because you automatically assume that because they are more expensive then they must be better than the competition so you never even look at say, a Yamaha. Have you ever heard of the law of diminishing returns?

[@HenryPipes]

You've obviously never played a good Martin my friend. It has nothing to do with price, except for the fact that quality isn't cheap. Have you ever heard of you get what you pay for?

[@Edward1312]

I've played plenty and been consistently unimpressed to such a level that I thought that this is an outrageous ripoff and case of the Emperor's new clothes. Martin need to be called out. Basically by buying Martin all you are doing is supporting high US labour rates and living standards. The Chinese can produce just as good a product for about 75% less.

[@dylans3983]

Tony smith it's obvious your Anti American.Why don't you do us all a favor and move there if you think China is so great.Its more affordable scooter.

[@Edward1312]

I'm not anti American I just want to point out to you that Martin, Taylor, Collins etc are overpriced and overrated compared with the completion that now exists in the acoustic guitar market. Take the Chinese made Epiphone Masterbilt all solid guitars easily comparable as are the Chinese made Yamaha LL all solid wood series with ARE treated tops. These guitars are as good as your Martins and your Taylors but cost 50-75% less.

[@JunkWoodProjectswithJacob]

I own a epiphone master built. Aj500 all solid wood guitar, rosewood back and sides. And let me tell you after ten years it is still one of my favorites to play on all levels. BUT, I also own a Martin American built beautiful master piece and I cant put it down. Let’s just say there is quite a different in build construction, sounds and playability between the to that cannot be compared. I will gladly pay the price for a Martin because you just can not compare my friend