Martin HD 28 LSV vs 37 Authentic

[@williamjver]

I've been looking for someone with an honest review. Most reviews are done by guitar stores who sell the guitars they are reviewing. When I see a review done by a guitar store I know that I'm not going to get an honest review. Please do more reviews. Thanks for your valuable option the good and bad

[@ericfischer996]

Wow! Bryan, great comparison! I have never heard two rosewood dreads sound so different! I'd go for the LSV too. WHy don't all flattops have a larger soundhole? My current Huss and Dalton DM has a slightly larger soundhole and I love it. But that's mahogany and I tend towards that direction anyway. But good job!

[@Bryankimsey]

Search for Marquis LSH. That's an AB.

[@peanutavalon]

I like the LSV...I can hear a louder midrange which I like.

[@steveb9325]

I'd love to play poker with you: it was obvious you liked the 2nd one better before I heard your words. Btw: me too! That 2nd one rings like a bell. Plus, neck fits you better! Q: whars the string spacing at the bridge on both guitars? Back n sides on both guitars? Thank you!

[@bradsparks6008]

Damn you sure are right when you say 'constipated' it just wants to let more sound out!!! Whereas the big hole has an amazing sound

[@MrMikepresley]

Nice guitars and I agree with your choice on the HD28; what sting guage do you recommend for the Martin dreadnaught?

[@Bryankimsey]

You can use whatever you want, but I like a hybrid "True Medium" set of .056, .042, .032, .024, .017, .013. D'addario EJ24, or what I use is Elixir Nano PB HD and substitute a .056" single. Nothing wrong with straight lights or mediums, either... the HD is perfectly capable of handling mediums.

[@MrMikepresley]

@@Bryankimsey thank you so much Bryan.

[@thepokerpilotapp]

Does this one have the Smokie Adirondack top?

[@Bryankimsey]

No idea. It was years ago and I'd only know it was a Smokies if John Arnold said it was.

[@dennispurdy3533]

To my ears the LSV sounds more clear and pure whereas by comparison the 37A sounds like it has sinus congestion.

[@Bryankimsey]

"Constipated" is the term I usually use. :) I personally REALLY prefer LSH guitars.

[@vwdlamont]

Mr Kimsey, I have a Martin HD28 VR. Do you know what the VR stands for. I have head two different answers Vintage Rosewood and Vintage Reissue. and it is made like the pre war D28. Any information you know would be great. Thanks. David

[@Bryankimsey]

"28" is automatically rosewood, so "Vintage Rosewood" is redundant. "Vintage Reissue" makes a lot more sense, but I really don't know exactly what the VR stands for. I do know that "VR" was dropped for the simple "V". So, an HD-28 VR is the same thing as an HD-28 V and really close to the "Custom 15" before that. They're all made "sort of like" a wartime- late '39 to '44 or so D-28. I say "sort of" because you've got a Sitka top, Titebond glue construction, partially scalloped braces, adjustable truss rod, Indian RW back/sides, thicker headstock, wider herringbone, long-drop-in saddle, non-stepped tuner holes, tall back braces, and a non-slotted bridge all of which are different from a 1940 D-28. You do have herringbone, scalloped braces, a maple bridgeplate, and a long saddle. The best modern Martin "vintage recreation" is going to be one of the Authentics and even they are only as accurate as they can be (no Brazilian RW). None of this matters because the VR is a nice guitar all on its own. Forget the pre-war cachet.

[@vwdlamont]

@@Bryankimsey Thank you. I enjoy your youtube channel.

[@thepokerpilotapp]

@@BryankimseyI’m curious about the comment about the non-stepped tuner holes on the LSV. Does that imply Authentics have stepped tuner holes? If so, is that simply to accommodate the tuner shaft profiles or is there a tonal attribute associated with the step?

[@Bryankimsey]

Prewars had a smaller hole that the tuner shaft almost touched on the tuner side, then a larger hole up by the grommet. I have converted them using plugs and, yes, I think there is a very small audible difference. I am fairly certain I feel more vibration in my hands. However!!!!... because of the increased friction on the tuner peg, the tuner will turn stiffer and won't "un-tune" as well. And it won't be consistent... one tuner will be fine and the other stiff. You could open up the tuner side holes a little but that defeats the whole purpose. Therefore I have pretty much stopped doing that mod. Authentics are smaller but not tight, so... see next to last sentence.

[@thepokerpilotapp]

@@Bryankimsey Thanks! Makes sense.

[@BlindTom61]

Happy July 4th Bryan! Is that guitar Indian Rosewood?

[@Bryankimsey]

Yup.

[@Bluegrassboy49]

I wouldn't turn either guitar down as they both work well for bluegrass. I own a 2014 non-VTS Authentic and I agree the Authentic has more tapper in the neck and takes some time adjusting to but I found the Authentic you played had a richer tone than the LSV. Could be the strings; nevertheless, if I had to choose, it would be the Authentic simply because I thought it sounded better. I like a rosewood guitar to have a rich sustaining tone v. a mahogany guitar that I believe is better for note separation and flatpicking where the notes decay faster.