#Martin

In this video we take a look at the Martin HD-28V and compare it with the Sigma DM-1 and see if there's a diffenece between the two and if so, how much?
First up is the Martin HD-28V with its Sitka spruce wood top material with East Indian Rosewood on the back and sides. Retailing at an eye watering price of RRP: £4,250.00, this guitar is certainly not cheap.
Then Mick switches to the Sigma DM-1, constructed of Sitka spruce top material, with mahogany back and sides. With a modest RRP: £269.00 - a mere fraction of the cost of the Martin, is the Martin really 85% better than the Sigma?
Both guitars were recorded using the Decca Tree method which we believe yields fantastic results, as well as using a spot mic, culminating in a fantastically natural sound. The Decca Tree comprised of a stereo pair of AKG 414 on the outside and an Neumann KM184 in the middle. A neumann U87 was the spot mic and all four were blended to give a great sound on both guitars.
Well, we had a listen to the recorded results and we came to our conclusions as you'll see in the video. What do you think? Let us know in the comments section and don't forget to like and subscribe and help the channel grow.
www.martinguitar.com/guitars/...
www.guitar.co.uk/sigma-dm-1

[@Airavida]

Thanks for this video mate. I appreciate the recording setup and putting the time in to make this video and record the sound properly for us :-) Cheers mate

[@Jimmyzapata193]

I have a 1978 sigma and it sounds beautiful, it’s the oldest and longest I’ve had a guitar besides my very first guitar, a hohner given to me by my father when I was 15

[@logunsrun5]

I like taking these lower end Sigma guitars with a solid top and replacing the laminated back with a solid one. The DM-1,2,3,4,5 are all good for this. There's DR models as well. It changes tone tremendously.

[@rodneykitchen3869]

I can’t tell much difference, I’ve owned a few Martins and just about to get a Sigma( can’t afford a. Martin anymore ) thanks For the vid Mate…. Rod in London

[@lafiddler1846]

The Martin sounded tons better to my ears. So much fuller sound. Tone. The Sigma sounded good for the price.

[@lgmnowkondo938]

I think all those who think the Martin is miles better or worlds apart in sound quality would have a very, very, very tough time picking the Martin over the sigma in a blind listening test.

[@callhimd1zzy]

Nice video but weird pairing. Would make more sense to do hd-28 vs dr-28h ?

[@NDSTraveller]

I have a Sigma DR-1ST and love it. That said, I'd be willing to trade you for the Martin....😁

[@digchevelle]

5 points for the Legend of Zelda Deku Tree reference.

[@jorgeantonio326]

I have a 88 Sigma DR2, Ana amazing guitar ygta I wouldn't trade for the world. I got mine for $300USD 3 years ago.

[@renmad0078]

Yes as i was suposed the Sigma DM st1 is much brighter than the Martin D28 but i think if you try the other model of Sigma DR st1 which is with rosewood as the Martin it could be much closer because of the same wood back and side. Of course not really the same as the Martin but a little bit closer. Nice video thanks a lot 🙏👍😉

[@gerardoromano3436]

Hi 1:04 Martin Demo, 4:42 Sigma Demo, thank me later. Cheers, I prefer the clear sound of the Sigma, It cuts best in a mix IMHO and It won´t break the bank, I´m not Chinese so I can say in Asia workers have the same skills as Noth America, UK or any part of the world just my 3.000 pounds in cents :-) Cheers BTW even diffrent string brands and materal can make a guitar sound brighter than others and from the harmonic structure off the sound I can tell they added a bit top end to the recording off the Sigma (unintentional of course)

[@andyr8805]

Love the comparison but the uncertain presentation actualy makes it difficult to follow and find the patience to watch it out. Great playing though.

[@curtisy6234]

Yeah I didn't know we were going to get a history lesson within a guitar comparison, even though I can appreciate that it was not very concise

[@bt1163]

How can you do a comparison video when you don't use same strings for both ? 🙄

[@PeterStrachanMusic]

The Sigma sounds as good as the Martin.. £3000 difference is astonishing...

[@gerardoromano3436]

Have a current production Sigma 00MSE It´s a great little guitar, feels nice, sounds awesome, has a loud voice, I wouldn´t sell It for twice of what I paid, SIgma are great guitars (traded an Epiphone EJ200 Super Jumbo for the Sigma). no regrets, A bit overpriced now, post Covid prices gone mad

[@bobberry9306]

You do like the sound of your own voice.

[@davidledford3522]

I like laminate myself sounds great not as fussy as a solid wood instrument

[@robertjohnson3855]

Trying to compare 2 guitars constructed of 2 totally different tone woods is really a worthless comparison in my opinion, with no disrespect to you. If you're going to compare a guitars of rosewood back and sides and a Sitka spruce top the 2nd guitar should be the same, not mahogany. These woods ability to project and sustain are quite different

[@gregg2086]

First of all, the Sigma is laminate back and sides and is 90% cheaper, secondly, let your ears and wallet do the judging, not some spec sheet

[@vegetableswife]

At least compare to an all solid sigma with the same woods like the sigma SDR-28H.

[@johnnydogg746]

Martin is way muddier and raw, earthy sounding.i found the sigma to be over bright and all top end, really no boom.i only have experience in the D18 department, and I have owned a vintage sigma from mid 70' s I'm guessing.both are very similar in looks, but are holding two different hands....

[@TedSchoenling]

a 'proper wage' in the US or UK would make somebody at a guitar factory in Indonesia wealthy beyond it is relative.

[@sc12100]

Maybe I didnt catch it, but I didnt hear you say anything about the back and sides being different. The Martin has solid Indian Rosewood and the Sigma has (Laminate) Mahogany. Not trying to be a prick, but that is a pretty big difference and if you're gonna compare the two based on price and quality, it helps to get two guitars with close specs for a thorough comparison. Not only that, the DM-1 has "Laminate" back and sides and its not even solid wood and thats why you're not getting the sustain of a solid wood instrument - let alone like that Martin. Budget is always a part of the equation when choosing a guitar. Martin has value written all over it and if you have to sell it, (especially in today's market) you'll probably get close to getting all your money back. Sigma will be half or even less on the used market. Now this is just my opinion, but there are far better choices regarding PACRIM guitars than Sigma. I'd rather have an Eastman, Blueridge, or even a Recording King over Sigma. Those guitar brands I mentioned will be more money but you can get an all solid wood copy (or close to it) of the HD28V for less than half the price. Good video but these two guitars couldn't be any more different and imo - its not really a good comparison.

[@guitarfool70]

solid rosewood vs laminated mahogany, not a very good test

[@sanooki]

i have the Sigma DT-28H+, which more closely matches the Martin here. Or, you could have matched the DM-1 to a Martin D-18...

[@Brenners2010]

I'm researching Sigma guitars at the moment and I'm wondering is the DT-28H their version of the Martin D-28? I read that the D-28 is Martin's flagship guitar model so am I right in saying that the DT-28H is Sigma's flagship model also? Any help would be appreciated!

[@sanooki]

@@Brenners2010 sorry for the slow reply. It's a copy of the HD28. But, if you look into the history of Martin, the original D28 model had the herringbone also, from what I've seen. Actually, the 45 models I think are the top. In Sigma, they also have all-solid models that are more expensive than the DT-28H, which has laminate back and sides. I'd call it a mid-level in their line, but i like it a lot. Good hunting.

[@spiritualawakenings6251]

Here is some truth. Blinfolded anyone listening couldnt tell Martin from a sigma or any other dreadnought style. Martin is a highly advertised placebo .

[@g.j.armstrong5119]

pointless comparing different guitars, imho strings top back and sides must be the same or it's chalk and cheese

[@chaipod]

R u comparing your speech or the guitars

[@Bobby007D]

The Sigma has a laminated top ! The Martin has a solid top !! I think /:

[@sanooki]

solid

[@TonyBurke100]

Sigma is a solid top that's why it sounds as good as the Martin. Laminated sides and back don't add a lot to the sound.

[@stroker93]

If it's a new Sigma, it's not a Martin... Old Japan made Sigmas are as close as you get, my Japan Sigma passes all over the Mexican Martins... The new Sigmas are Chinese made and owned by a large corporation, just cashing in on the reputation of Martin /Sigma history..

[@jltrem]

I have 3 Sigmas, Martin made. Two Korean DM4s and a Japanese made DR7 in Ambertone. I'm curious what the AMI made ones are like.

[@spiritualawakenings6251]

The Chinese far surpass America in workmanship and quality. Made in China now stands for quality.

[@bruceskelton8160]

pause, pause

[@richard9492]

I can't decipher a word this guy is saying; BLIMEY !!!

[@gerardoromano3436]

Brit

[@Red-wave2024]

You should have at least used a sigma dm3