Martin Guitar Comparison on Jim Croce's "Dreaming Again"

[@Nort-Graham]

The HD-35 reminds me most of the original by Croce, I believe he was playing a D-28 at the time, the HD-35 is a little bass heavy, overweighing the mid and trebles. The D-18 was my favorite to compliment your voice and arrangement, certainly enough bass, but I felt that the mids and trebles were very clear, overall well balanced. The OM-18V I had assumed at the beginniing of the video would probably be my favorite, it was a close second, the 18V seemed to be slightly constrained on the bass, the notes didn't ring as clear, the mids and the trebles were balanced and clear, the CEO-6, is a 00 size, and didn't have the openess of the other guitars, still a beautiful guitar, but not the best for this song. my .02 cents worth, your performance was wonderful, and I enjoyed the back and forth during the recording well done!

[@kieranlobo1752]

Where did you hear he was playing a D28? I thought it would be one of the following: 1. His friends D21, 2. Maury's D35, 3. His own, repaired Gibson Dove. I've never heard of him known to play a D28, so I am interested ! Thank you

[@kylecravens6501]

Very cool! I liked the HD-35 and OM-18V best :) All beautiful guitars - nice job on the song, too!

[@judcaswell]

Thanks Kyle!

[@LouisGuitarable]

For me, it's the HD-35 by a mile. It has a warm, 'liquid' sound that I love. Wish you had a smaller body -28, maybe a 000-28. A lovely song beautifully played!

[@judcaswell]

Thanks Louis - yes, I'm kinda feeling the same way. I'm curious about the M36 - do you think that qualifies as a "smaller body 28?" It's certainly smaller than the dread - in depth. And I think it has more the balance of an OM...

[@LouisGuitarable]

@@judcaswell I don't know that I've heard an M-36. Specs show a hybrid jumbo/OM dimensions? My main guitar is a spruce/mahogany OM. Someday a Martin 000-28, but I'm a long way from that.

[@thehappyhour3095]

HD-35! Love it.

[@dgbooth]

I’ll admit to a bias, I have 1971 D-35, original owner. I mentioned on your FB post that I only had to close my eyes and listen, and I could identify the HD-35 consistently because it sounded “right”. This was a really enjoyable comparison, and a real feat of editing on your part. Thanks for sharing, Jud.

[@judcaswell]

Thanks! There's just so much room for personal preference with this - I think there's something just "right" about that 35 as well.

[@larrnew]

Beautiful song! All the guitars sound great!

[@dougsanders6034]

They are all very good sounding guitars, but if I had to be the judge, the HD35 seems to have a better over all sound from the boomy bass to the high notes. Thanks for the demo. Love your great fingerpicking.

[@wdrexler]

Hi Jud. I narrowed it to the HD35 and D15. Then I wondered if I was swayed by the volume. I think I lean to the D15. It sounded a little crisper and maybe brighter to my ear. Of course they all look and sound beautiful when you play them. Great Croce song too. Thank you for sharing the comparison.

[@judcaswell]

I'd love to try one of these with your new guitar, Wendy - it's got such a great sound!

[@lilycat1694]

Really like the HD35 and D18. Dreadnought fan here.

[@judcaswell]

It’s funny - folks on Facebook who only see the little clip tend to favor the OMs, but people who hear this dull comparison are leaning toward the dreads!

[@TLMuse]

Copying this comment from the shortened version of this, which I saw first! For me the OM is my favorite. Of course, they're all great guitars. But to my ears, that one best compliments your vocals. The others have a more prominent midrange twang in their tones that competes with your vocals. The OM sits back and provides a nice, warm bed for your fine singing. Of course, for a gig, if you're not using a mic on the guitar and instead have to rely on a pickup, you should opt for whichever one sounds best amplified. That's more of a hit-or-miss kind of thing, even with Martins. ;-) -Tom

[@judcaswell]

Thanks! The way the instrument works with a voice really matters, doesn't it? The OM is certainly the "cleanest" sound to my ears - very uncluttered. The CEO is the most midrange-heavy to me. It's a really amazing little instrument - it really barks. One thing this comparison doesn't allow for is the ability to tweak the recording setup between instruments. If the mic were raised a little higher (closer to my voice, further from the soundhole) I think it would take a touch of bass out of the dreads and bring the vocals up a bit in the mix - and I think in that setting, the 35 would be very clear and stay out of the way of the voice quite nicely.

[@dougsanders6034]

Do you have Martin strings on them and if you do what guage?

[@vettezeppelin]

Those HD Martins are just hard to get past. Gotta have one in the line up and then you can add different guitars from there but if U don't add others, the HD will do what U need it to!

[@judcaswell]

Yeah, there's just nothing wrong with the sound of that HD on this - to my ears anyway!