Adirondack VS Sitka Spruce Tops - Martin HD-28 Comparison Video!

[@mojobrando]

The guitar industry likes to generalize but in reality not all sitka or adirondack are created equal. There are Sitka tops that are stiffer than some addy tops and vice versa. Theoritcal general rules tend to get thrown out the door quickly. Ive played 3 exact guitars built on the same day with the same materials and all sounded different enough to notice. Thats what makes guitar hunting so addicting each snowflake is a little different.

[@fpm_j2_12_muhammadkhuluqin4]

i agreed with you. I've tried 3 guitars with same brand, specs, body, type, material, hardware, etc. Surprizingly there's a big different sound. Between spruce or adirondak or engleman, dude it's only about marketing.

[@teamrockettes]

I have friends who are so rough with my guitar and they don't really understand how difficult it is to find or replace a great acoustic...

[@zororosario]

@@teamrockettes If they are really your friends they would treat a guitar with as much respect as it deserves, simply don't let others ruin your beloved possessions. Cheers.

[@mattnelson8325]

Great analogy Mr. Mojo. It is addicting. I have 17 acoustic and electric. My 12 step program: 1. Admitting to yourself you have a problem. 🙂 My favorite acoustic is my Breedlove Concert CE Redwood/East Indian Rosewood.

[@8865jb]

Yes I agree with this. I actually bought a custom Martin with Adi top and played several others built from the same materials, style and what not. one in particular stood out to me and I left with it. It was so noticeable the difference. It must be noted that we do not all hear sound precisely the same just as we do not all see colors the exact same.

[@lastofthemohicans1]

I just bought a D28 Adirondack with scalloped Adirondack bracing. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to how beautifully it rings. The Sitka I compared it to sounded a little warmer but duller. The Adirondack is much brighter and just rings forever. Very happy with my purchase.

[@el34glo59]

Yep. And onxe it breaks in it will sound like the best of both

[@robbiefest]

Adi topped and braced guitars can take a very long time to mature in sound. They also need to be played for longer to wake up and they can really go to sleep if you don't play them. It can take up to 10 years for an Adi guitar to really wake up and mature. Sitka will sound mature sooner. I like Sitka tops with Adi bracing. You sort of get the best of both worlds. I do love Adi tops as well. Englemann spruce can be lovely too as it sort of sits right in the middle between sitka and adi.

[@ubertwerpify]

adirondack does make a noticeable difference - prefer clarity of adirondack

[@lukechandler4094]

Tony was the best one to compare guitars. He played the same thing for every video, which is why it worked.

[@uvp5000]

I respectfully offer that Tony's playing numbed me to the different guitar sounds. I do understand playing the same thing to even out any comparison, but I find Quinton's playing does bring out the strengths of the guitars being compared. I would quickly get restless hearing the same single notes and chords over and over again to the point that different instruments just sounded the same to me. Not so with Quinton's choice of single notes and chords.

[@lukechandler4094]

@@uvp5000 that is a good point. They both have strengths.

[@seangrover140]

The Adirondack top sounds more open to me, I can hear more shimmer in the high end as well as a bit more bass thump.

[@GroovesAndLands]

Sitka surprisingly has a boomier bottom end (is the Sitka forward shifted and the Adi NOT?), but the Adi definitely has more punch and headroom.

[@billghazey4649]

I thought the Adirondack had more separation between notes but that the Sitka had more volume. Perhaps the Adi takes longer to open up. They both sound pretty good to my ears and not much difference between the two.

[@rzh3443]

I was amazed I could hear the difference. I have guitars in both woods. The Adirondack can be driven harder but takes more effort to move it. The Red spruce trees used to be plentiful and grew in this area Most guitars up until WW2 were made with those tops but clear cutting eliminated availability. Nice to see the newest growth of RS trees is able to be used again.

[@Iamnickdude09]

Funny.. I assumed the first guitar was the adi because it sounded so good. When they revealed it was actually the sitka it really made me think. I thought the sitka was a bit more open and clear than the adi.

[@kevinrobins764]

That was exactly my thought too. However, i would like to hear the adi vs spruce in a year or so time . I think the adi would be noticeably better by then. Either way - it was a good demo. I have a 10 year old Sitka HD28 ( bought from new) they are amazing guitars.

[@kevinrobins764]

Sorry - that should read adi vs Sitka

[@el34glo59]

@@kevinrobins764 it would

[@달총-j1c]

If you just play guitar alone, Adi would be punchier and strong. However, Sitka sounds more balanced and warm which means get along with human voice better.

[@el34glo59]

Depends on the guitar and how it's aged and the voice

[@justinvanderschaaff5545]

I dig the Sitka, it sounds more balanced across all the strings to me. The highs are too high for my ear on the Adi. I wouldn’t mind seeing a baked Adi vs this current Adi Quinton is playing

[@texhaines9957]

The VTS (baked) top adds another dimension. Try a D-28 1937 Authentic...Madagascar Rosewood with Adirondack VTS top. I said try it, buying it is another thing.

[@justinvanderschaaff5545]

@@texhaines9957 yeah that’s a little out of my range and if I had it, it would certainly be a case queen

[@texhaines9957]

@@justinvanderschaaff5545 with this COVID stuff, you can play it at home & record so it never leaves the house. Those guitars are above my current playing abilities but not beyond my singing. I sing & play for folks in assisted living and memory care (aka Alzhiemers). Now I play for them over the phone. Zoom & internet is beyond their abilities, so little by little for us "pick up the phone " generation.

[@justinvanderschaaff5545]

@@texhaines9957 That is awesome that you do that for them!

[@texhaines9957]

@@justinvanderschaaff5545 thanks be to God I can. Very different from my engineering work & I never thought I was all that good, till some band folks wanted me to join them. Maybe. But I won't leave these folks. Kinda extended family.

[@xetexuk12]

I like any spruce top tbh, rather have spruce top than cedar. The sitka top here sounded great, i tend to think adi spruce needs time to open up.

[@ericcross7863]

Mind blown!.............Sitka sounded so amazing!

[@kosemkamtsan]

I’m with you guys. Sitka had a woodiness and lovely balance that led to a more inviting sound. Adi felt too shimmery and therefore less fundamental.

[@shawnsnow6413]

Yep. It's the classic Martin sound that I hated when I was young and didn't know any better. I'm surprised at the amount of people on here that prefer the note seperation of the Addi. Maybe they should try Taylor.

[@el34glo59]

@@shawnsnow6413 LOL what. Martin Addys sound absolutely nothing like Taylor's and with all due respect, the Sitka wasn't that much better. Just different on this particular guitar. Every piece of wood is different. I'll take Addy everyday, and especially on a Martin. That Sitka will get muddy in a few years I will say I like Sitka on rosewood and Addy on hog tho. Sitka is too fundamental at times on hog

[@G_Demolished]

@@el34glo59 Disagree. I chose a Sitka D18 over an Adirondack. Sitka and Mahogany is a great pairing.

[@dietmarkennard1031]

To my ear, overall the Adi sounds better. The sitka has more warmth which I like, but without the clarity and harmonic/overtone bloom the Adi has. Thing is another piece of Sitka on another guitar could well have much of what the Adi has. And another piece of Adi may sound more like the sitka on this example. Great comparison.

[@el34glo59]

EXACTLY

[@rarobe01]

Wow, that Sitka has some pop!

[@DixieBlue]

To my ear the Adi top has more of that classic "Country/Bluegrass" sound, while the Sitka sounds more generic, and would probably work better in most other genres. That said, they both sound great, and as "mojobrando" pointed out, not all Sitka and Adirondack tops are created equal, it really depends on the individual guitar.

[@el34glo59]

Addy honestly works in any genre. Idk why people push it to the bluegrass corner. Well aged Addy is as versatile as anything imo

[@littlewing2357]

In the comparison the Adi sounds alive, and the Sitka sounds muffled. Big difference.

[@cooloutac]

That's crazy I felt the exact opposite lol. Guess it's all subjective.

[@johnsee7269]

I think I like the Sitka Spruce top the best but the difference was negligible (to me) when I listened without watching the prompts...

[@martinkleinman2522]

Methinks I prefer the Adi. Very big, very "whole" sound. The Sitka seemed a tad more "stringy" if I may use that term. Both great. But I'll take the Adi.

[@texhaines9957]

I really like the Adirondack sound. Probably harvested in West Virginia, not much in the Adirondacks any more. That wood had been the popular wood before WW 2. Might be better to call it Appalachian Spruce, or like many do, Red Spruce. Grown and harvested in the USA.

[@Vbluguitar]

Yeah - I agree - I love the Adirondack tone - definitely a bit less midrange. I also agree about calling it "Adirondack". The "good" Adirondack tops came from 200 year old trees that were mostly all cut down during WWII - These newer "Adi" guitars are all new growth (like 40-70 year old wood). Not that its bad, but the wood isn't the same as a true vintage Adirondack guitar.

[@el34glo59]

It's all red Spruce that's what it should be called that's what it should always have been called. No matter where it comes from

[@mikearlington6748]

I think they sound almost indistinguishably similar. You'd likely hear the same difference in two guitars of the exact same model. That said, depending on the price difference, it might be better to purchase the Adirondack since it is more rare and thus likely to hold its value better.

[@dalesearcy5734]

This was my thoughts. The Addi top did appear to have a bit more bottom end but not much. Both are outstanding guitars. I would love to own either one.

[@AchillesWrath1]

I'd buy the one i liked the sound of better. Because i like to play them instead of putting them away in a case in hopes they go up in value some day. I could tell the difference in sound it was night day to me. The adirondack was tinny or twangy sounding good if bluegrass or banjo picking sound is your thing. The Sitka has a deeper more mellow overall tone would be more versatile in other genres of music.

[@huggyjd]

I have the HD28 VTS. Wonder how that would sound against the others.

[@jamisf914]

Could immediately tell which was which the incredible projection and punch of the adi is so distinct

[@rodolphep0nthus555]

Right on, Adi is so powerful!

[@TheThinker39]

Thanks! Very interesting! I play a guitar with an adi top, and I expected to like the sound of that one better. But I preferred the sitka top.

[@el34glo59]

Just depends on the guitar

[@ManchurianCounterweight]

I did as well.

[@peterabbey1539]

Does the Adirondack have the MV thinner top? The Sitka?

[@teamrockettes]

IF you tend to play hard and strum hard, apparently Adirondack might be for you. _"The harder you hit, the more you get."_ It's a little heavier than Sitka.

[@boydbc]

In my opinion the Addy top has a nice, effortless tone going for it. The sitka was a little muddy to me. I'd definitely go with the adirondack. Good video!

[@bobaldo2339]

Yes, I can hear a little mud in the sitka, but for me its extra warmth wins out.

[@el34glo59]

Yeah Sitka gets a bit muddy with certain bracing. There's a reason Addy was used on Martins and the best pianos when it was available per war

[@bobaldo2339]

I prefer the warmer, and surprisingly louder, sitka. At my age I cannot afford to wait for a guitar to open up.

[@G_Demolished]

As long as you can still buy green bananas, you’re good.

[@brendangray]

Lol

[@rickcar94]

I already have a Martin with a Sitka Spruce Top, so I might as well get an Adirondack next :D

[@NaijaBoiTellEm]

I'm in the same boat haha.

[@TheTrollMastah]

I have a D18 Golden Era with an Adirondack top, it’s relatively new still as the original owner didn’t play it much. It is very beautiful sounding, very deep and full

[@sbolfing]

...that's what I did! (love them both)

[@uvp5000]

Granted the two instruments at the time this video was produced are new. I could hear a difference and I would choose a good Adirondack top over a good Sitka top in general. Still, I was surprised to hear how similar the two instruments sounded after accounting for the tonal differences between their respective soundboards.

[@freethinksman4393]

Unlike a lot of other instruments a guitar can be judged for how it will sit in an ensemble very differently from how it sounds by itself. I like the Adirondack quite a bit by itself, but it feels somewhat scooped and there seems to be more harmonics that comprise the sound. By itself I really dig it. But it sounds to me (with that player in that room and that microphone in that position) like the Sitka top would provide more definition in a mix. They both sound full- almost to the point of too boomy- but the Sitka has a bit more cut to it. It's one of the reasons I generall prefer Martins as solo instruments and Gibsons as something to poke through a mix. Even if a Gibson might not have the oomph of a Martin the midrange definition and fewer harmonics jangling allow me hear a J45 more distinctly in a dense mix. My general philosophy has always been that I like Martins for songs that make me want to laugh and Gibsons for songs that make me want to cry.

[@dezscott46]

Sounds to me on a blind test nobody would be any wiser. Lets face it all depends all lots of factors and I do think after 50 years of playing the pick has a big influence on the tone and clarity of the sound.

[@sc12100]

The adi sounds more focused. It also sounds pretty stiff and its probably less than a year old. Let the adi age a couple years and then do a part 2!

[@sc12100]

@yumpladukfoo Focused means the tones are focused more on the mid range and less on the bass and trebles. And reading your responses to other comments .......... All you're doing is trolling. SHUT UP!

[@rodolphep0nthus555]

Yeah that guy is so stupid. A troll for sure, and a dumb troll to the least

[@jasper_north]

Inlay snowflakes vs dots? HD?

[@andrewdunn6793]

Can you make the same comparison between a Right Handed Guitar and a Left Handed Guitar? I can’t decide.

[@carpetcrawler79]

Funny how the guy on the left never wants the other guy to talk. As soon as the right hand guy says something he starts playing and tuning. This is in all these videos.

[@pirhala]

That’s also a great indicator of how well a person will perform as a fellow musician. That guy who talks too much and also cuts you off while speaking will generally play the same way in a band environment... always playing over you and not letting the music breath.

[@geoffreycarter3981]

There seems to be a slight relativly muted quality to the Sitka top that the Adirondack breaks free from. I don't know if thats the top variety or the glue or any number of things, but that's my take away.

[@MarkLysaght]

Unfortunately it's not clear from the video whether or not the Adi model has forward shifted bracing. Initially I assumed that the Sitka model was the Adi model which confused me a lot. Assuming that both models are the same in every other respect, it may be that the Adi model needs to be played more for the sound to develop fully. I own a D-28CW and have had this experience with it. It took about 2 years of constant playing for the sound to really shine through, but once it did...!!! It's a stunning and unique sound with LOTS of volume. The Reimagined HD-28s are fantastic guitars, the specs are essentially those of the old HD-28v with a different neck profile. Very happy with my HD-28E.

[@shawnsnow6413]

I liked the Sitka. The bass was cleaner and the mid and highs were warm and balanced(Classic Martin sound). The Addi was almost too much, like a Taylor on steroids. It sounded harsh to my ears.

[@A2an]

Lovely as always. The Sitka was more open...

[@이하영-g2i]

Hey guys did you use EQ? And What mic did you use?

[@perryiasiello3058]

Adirondack sounds more balanced to my ear. Both sound great but I prefer the Adirondack. Might be biased because I play a CEO IV.

[@stephenhenion8304]

I was playing rhythm guitar at an outdoor event, awhile back... 6 piece Bluegrass. All acoustic, no amps. Everyone was really kicking it up. For kicks , I stopped the guitar for about 4 bars!! It left such a Sound Hole!!! Then I kicked back into gear, much to the relief of everyone else!!🎵🎶🎵.

[@trollstjerne]

Adirondack sounds better to me, but i would like to hear two identical Martin HD-28 models with sitka tops.

[@LifesLikeThat]

Those are some sweet delicious sounding guitars!

[@tommagnum6302]

Wait, I thought you wanted the POS Kopp?

[@patricklundquist9869]

It's hard to believe it has been two years since I wrote a response to this video. Since writing that I have purchased four Eastman guitars; an E40om Adirondack top and an E8om Sitka. Both are rosewood. They sound virtually identical. I also purchased two Eastman dreadnoughts: E10D-TC and an E20D-TC. They have the same Adirondack top wood but one is mahogany and one is rosewood. There is a huge difference in tone. The side and back woods are part of the equation. You can't compare top woods without also considering back and sides.

[@kamarienedwards1757]

Out of both body sizes which one do you like more?

[@patricklundquist9869]

@@kamarienedwards1757 Truthfully, my favorite guitar is whichever one I am playing at the time. I still own four Eastman guitars but no longer all the same ones. I kept the E40om and the E10D-TC. That E10D-TC really taught me to love mahogany. I sold the other two and replaced them with an Eastman DT30GACE (Double Top Auditorium Cutaway) and a PCH3-GACE. That PCH3 playability, body shape and size is identical to the double top. The tone is not quite as lush or complex but other than that, it sounds exactly like a solid wood guitar. Considering it is listed for around three thousand less, it is an amazing deal. I honestly don't know how Eastman does it. Before you ask, I sold the E8om because it sounded so much like the E40om, , but wasn't nearly as pretty what with all the abalone inlay and sunburst. I sold the E20D-TC because there were so many overtones and resonance that the tone would get muddy when I pushed it hard. It sounded phenomenal whenever I was able to stay off the gas pedal...

[@kamarienedwards1757]

@@patricklundquist9869 ahhh I see, I own the ac622ce! played a bunch of Furchs, Taylor’s, martins and eastmans way above it but found the perfect responsive guitar out the box. I’ve been looking at the Eastman dreadnoughts and im currently a mahogany hater at the moment. I just love the complexity and responsiveness of rw but my favorite Eastman dealer hasn’t gotten a new batch of the dreads yet so hopefully he gets them soon so I can do a shootout of the dreads e20d, e8d, e10d, e6d. With your mahogany has it opened up? Is there more of a bass response? I know Eastman compared to Martin doesn’t have the “boomy” bass and I prefer that but I would prefer a tiny bit more bass in my dread instead of it being balanced.

[@patricklundquist9869]

@@kamarienedwards1757 A came so close to buying an ac622ce like yours, mostly for those gorgeous maple leaf inlays. I just couldn't justify the purchase because I have a Breedlove focus maple cutaway electric, which has virtually the same body shape and materials. I read in a story about S. Yairi guitars that the Asian philosophy for guitar design leans towards balance over booming bass whereas Americans love their booming bass. I recently tried out a 2016 Gibson J-45. It has booming bass but the rest of the strings are balanced to keep up with that bass. It's a fantastic box with a wide open woody tone, and it is loud. Being mahogany sides and back, you might not like it though. Since you don't mind maple, I'm wondering if the Eastman AC630-BD jumbo would have enough bass?

[@kamarienedwards1757]

@@patricklundquist9869 I don’t like the Eastman jumbos, there’s nothing that wows me about the extra size. Boucher release a grand reserve sg 163 that sounds phenomenal and completely torrefied but it’s far out my price range…… I know I want an Eastman dread for its quality in materials since dreadnoughts aren’t my favorite, I love my Cort gold o8 om and Taylor gs mini. I just need a louder beater campfire guitar because I don’t enjoy my seagull s6 (cedar) anymore. I’ve also gotten more into bluegrass and the eastmans with adi tops seems to be the best bet for my wants and needs. It seems like Eastman sent out a few shipments so I’ll have to let you know which dread I end up getting. It’s the e6d vs e8d vs e10d vs e20d shoutout. Preferably leaning towards responsiveness, balance and how much I can overdrive the top with a pick:)

[@scottblah2147]

I'm an adi fan but my first listen I liked the sitka. Second listen I liked the adi.

[@riverbard8287]

That ‘adding RoCKs! Just spoke to my local dealer to order a Custom Shop.

[@douglasthompson9070]

Is it me or does the Sitka have more boom and the Adirondack have more thump in the low harmonic tones? Not sure how else to describe it.

[@banjo1434]

Started preferring the Sitka and switched at the end. Both are fabulous!

[@NaijaBoiTellEm]

Man, I want an Adi top haha.

[@Muhlenburger]

I could tell which one was Adi as soon as Quentin started playing the second one. Through headphones the Sitka has a little muddiness, more pronounced middles and less note separation. The Adirondack top has clarity and note separation, and crystalline sparkle in the trebles. As to how they age, I’ve found that an Adi topped guitar of mine took about seven years too develop its full voice. A Sitka top starts out sounding good, but doesn’t change so much over time, at least in guitars I’ve owned.

[@jeffhayes605]

The Red Spruce will have more available under your fingers on a well built guitar. Beautiful with a light touch but can really handle you digging in and sound even better when you push it. Huge difference if it’s a good builder. Just like bridge pin upgrades. Might notice a difference on a Yamaha might not. Change the pins on a Collings and the difference is there without a question like night a day. Same thing when you try different strings. I love Red spruce but if your an open cord strummer, the Sitka might give you a better balanced ambiance that sounds like it’s all around you. Martin HD-28 with Sitka, opens up like that in 12-24 months. Red Spruce might take 10 plus years to do that but when it does it’s amazing. Plus, Red will have better note separation but be less for forgiving. The blend on Sitka helps your mistakes blend into the mix. That’s my experience with Martin and Collings.

[@rodolphep0nthus555]

That is the best description I've for Adi top guitars. I've just bought a Eastman E10 OM TC, with Adi top which is tjermo cured.. Maybe this treatment has accelerated the break in process? I really don't know. What I know is that the guitar sounds glorious, very bell like. It rings like a very powerful bell. I mean I dig in as hard as I can, the guitar just sounds louder and powerful, I just can't seem to overload it. Very impressive, first time I encounter such dynamic response.. From whisper to overly loud at the click of a pick. One thing I've noticed, and which I totally agree in your statement, is that it is much less forgiving (even not forgiving at all). The slightest mistake, even less precise picking for instance, will pop out in your face and the audience. This Adi topped guitar, for sure, is going to force me to improve my skills, for the best.

[@el34glo59]

True. But honestly, broken in Adirondack sounds amazing with chords too. I like Adirondack on Martin, Sitka on Collings

[@AKNHealth]

What was the book? You never mentioned the title..,

[@passcomcompass2623]

wow the adi sounds so much better, the dynamics/seperation while strumming it sounds like a band, the sitka model is so flat compared to it its uncanny..and its just from my mbp speakers, imagine them live. I usually laugh at the adirondack hype as a hippie marketing thing but now hearing it... I reserved an hd28 2019 to be picked up next week, but now I'm seriousliy reconsidering saving up for an adi model, the price though..

[@el34glo59]

Sounds like a stretch. Wasn't that much of a difference

[@zviadizviadi7431]

Sitka spruce sounds for me "fuller" and also sounds "modern", because i hear that sound more frequently, and reason for this might be that cheaper guitars use sitka more often that Adi. Adirondack sound is a little bit rare and oldie ( " well, it's an oldie where i come from, "Back to the Future" :). and has more mature, balanced tone , like old guitars from 50-60 . i prefer Adirondack...but it doesn't mean that sitka is not good...and also two instruments with the same materials might sound differently.

[@PaulEmmanuelMusic]

I like the Adirondack best.

[@fnaticmedia]

Not sure anyone has put atttention to but he said gradually spruce tops aged better than cedar tops and became more warm / mellow than cedar 😳

[@JesseDylanMusic]

Still need a D-18 vs HD-28 video! Both are forward-shifted, scallop-braced dreadnoughts, only difference (really) being the rosewood vs. mahogany

[@michaelaiello9525]

Very appreciative, yet may I make a request? Is it possible to front load the sound samples in these videos? After we get to use our ears you could speak about what we heard. Then close with more audio of the guitars. I like you two, but I click the videos ultimately to listen to the guitars. Thank you so much for considering my request. Again,.. very grateful for these videos in general.

[@joefarmer7727]

Adi sounded much more clear and open. Sitka sounded muffled and dull in comparison. And that played with a Pick. Finger picking would be even worse. Adi all the way for me

[@angelg8445]

Just bought an Eastman -10oossv with an Addy top for half the price of a Martin! Love it, and also have a Larivee which is high quality. Please do those brands too!

[@nalatreborrenoclaf9648]

Very nice guitar. Ive not long received my eastman AC 108 ce ltd with open headstock adi top antique finish its number 69 of only 200 made. I fitted some gold tuners to finish it off. Guitar only cost £900 brand new. I was playing a lakewood which cost £2000 but i prefer the eastman. Can't beat them for all hand made value. 👍👍

[@seangrover140]

Eastman's varnish guitars are amazing

[@PJ-ff5jy]

L Vegan Angel I’ve an Eastman E20SS, awesome sound and quality. Adirondack top, rosewood back and sides mmmm gorgeous to play.

[@keithweyuker3136]

I too recently picked up an Eastman E10ss/v. It sounds amazing to my ears. I got it here at the villa. They keep a great stock of guitars in the store.

[@1963MikeA]

If anything, the Adirondack top had a bit more crispness, but not by a whole lot. As another poster said, the differences I heard could almost be the same as when playing two guitars that are the same model. If I were buying, I'd lean toward the Adirondack sound, but it would also depend on the upcharge for that wood.

[@wesleydavidmusic]

I felt like the Sitka had a slightly more balanced tone though? The Adi is almost too bright

[@el34glo59]

Every piece of wood is different. Some Addy and Sitka sound extremely similar. Just depends on the piece. Yeah in general cross grain stiffness is higher on Addy, but it all comes down to the wood

[@el34glo59]

@@wesleydavidmusic I wouldn't call that bright. Honestly, I wouldn't call any Martin bright imo

[@garyowens4867]

I’m new to guitar and don’t really no much about it but the moment I heard both guitars I thought the Adirondack was nicer

[@Beshinemusician]

Does this Adirondack 28-Style Martin Dreadnought have a 1 11/16 nut with Modified V-neck?

[@nicolasmayrand7157]

Hey quinton ! What about my american eagle lg 2 request ;) 🙏🙏🙏

[@danielbaynes941]

Adi sounds better; but does the sound difference justify the price difference? You decide!!

[@shirlmccullough1993]

I like the adi. But I also have a d10e budget. 😕

[@ryanbloom1738]

I have a d10e and it's a great sounding guitar buy one you won't regret it.

[@nicolasmayrand7157]

Or the d 12 !! Road series or 13 👌

[@patricklundquist9869]

I'm with everyone else who says you can't just compare one Sitka to one Adirondack and think you've heard them all. Every single guitar has it's own personality. Two chunks of wood taken from the same exact tree will have different density and cell structure. To think that once you have heard one piece of wood vibrate then you know how all the other pieces of wood from the hundreds of thousands of other trees of the same species that have gone into guitar tops will sound, makes little sense. Different growing conditions, chemicals in the ground, lighting conditions, access to water, types of soil, all go into how a tree develops. How the wood is processed and dried makes a difference as well. And then, of course you aren't just comparing spruce tops either. Don't forget the sides and back are also resonating as well and, if they both actually are rosewood, they might still be either East Indian, Honduran or Brazilian rosewood. And even if they are from the same variety of tree, my two chunks of wood argument applies to those as well. As long as I'm on my soapbox, testing an acoustic in a room full of acoustics won't truly tell you how the guitar you are holding sounds. Every guitar in the room will have sympathetic vibrations as they resonate to your playing. Pretty much any guitar sounds good under those conditions. You need to get that guitar into a room all by itself to tell how it really sounds. In this video you can see four guitars. Listen to our friends talk and you can hear their voices resonate with a bit of reverb like tone. That's because strings on guitars are basically the same thing as springs in a spring reverb. Quentin is not just playing one guitar, he is demonstrating 3-4 guitars. You've heard this so many times you likely don't even hear it anymore but this is still the best advice, try before you buy.

[@el34glo59]

You're 100% right. Addy can sound like Sitka, vice versa. All about the piece of wood

[@randallharris4087]

What was the back and sides? That will change it too. Are they the same on both?

[@Iamnickdude09]

I believe they both have rosewood back and sides

[@davidlewis2055]

Both great would like to hear the address in 10 years

[@chanceterrill5346]

I think people will always convince themselves the more expensive option sounds better, it must right? It's more expensive therefore must sound better right? Better is obviously subjective, but in a blind test me and my girl both preferred the Sitka in this video. That Sitka top guitar is just more alive and resonant, I bet you feel more vibration playing it too, the adirondack sounded like that one heavy guitar that always hangs on the wall. The Sitka sounded like that light as a feather guitar that feels like it's gonna float off your lap while you're playing it...... Maybe in 10 years the adirondack could open up a bit but to me it sounded very compressed and stifled in comparison.

[@jmsamborski]

Sitka all day for me and I guessed correctly immediately. Thankfully I prefer the cheaper option. Sitka is more musically pleasing and smooth, where as Adi has more cut and clarity.

[@JesseDylanMusic]

Sometimes I think like quinton maybe high. But maybe I just think that cause I’m high. Or maybe neither of us are, and, plot change, it’s PAUL who’s high.

[@marcdellorusso180]

The sitka top sounds warmer and fuller to my ears.The Adirondack is brighter sounding and has more treble response.

[@PJ-ff5jy]

Are they the same back and sides?

[@TheAcousticLetter]

Yes, Indian Rosewood.

[@PJ-ff5jy]

Acoustic Letter both sound lovely, just a matter of taste.

[@bigfurlan]

Sitka, I hear more wood and warmth.

[@BaktaBak3]

Like both.

[@kathlynsulabo2650]

Adirondac goes in good finger picking sounds great.

[@shinyredpaintworkproductio7969]

Let’s not forget to mention that Johnny Cash used a Martin D28.

[@elijahchannel7415]

D35 actually.. it was Martin's first guitar with a polished black finish.. custom-made for the man in Black

[@shinyredpaintworkproductio7969]

Elijah Channel I meant in the 50s & 70s.

[@elijahchannel7415]

@@shinyredpaintworkproductio7969 oh ok..lol..yeah I would think he would have had a D28 at some point..

[@shinyredpaintworkproductio7969]

Elijah Channel it’s okay, though, because the D35 & D28 look identical only the D35 has a white outline.

[@elijahchannel7415]

@@shinyredpaintworkproductio7969 Of course one huge difference is the 35 has the 3 piece back..Played one and Mayberry Music is Jonesboro IL. Great sound out of the 35

[@berkeleybernie]

If you want a more balanced midrange- the Sitka. If more clarity, scooped sound- the adirondack. I use medium gauge strings on my Santa Cruz OM Custom with an European spruce top ( much like the Adirondack). For fingerstyle guitar, I love the note clarity. I'm looking at purchasing a dreadnought for strumming tunes. For that, I might lean more to the Sitka. Going to check out a D35 Sitka soon.

[@berkeleybernie]

@yumpladukfoo My Phd in Yurpean Litrature says diffrent.

[@startreker8591]

Construction counts y the pick the strongest strums vs flesh on these two demoed axes…i sing y strum pick fingers mainly so…I need to match my voice tone to the axes I play with y I love varied genres so…it’s so subjective

[@BaktaBak3]

Bottom line....only matters to musicians.....your audience doesn't know the difference .

[@JesseDylanMusic]

I could tell the difference right away. I'm proud of myself. I don't know which I prefer necessarily, though.

[@gregorycarpenter]

Sitka seems to have more clarity and would record with less of a dampened quality.

[@RandySchartiger]

both are great but the adirondack gets my vote! :)

[@el34glo59]

That's a better Sitka top compared to other Sitka, than the Adi is. If that makes sense. Veey nice piece of Sitka used on that guy. The Adi seems a bit average for Adi. That's all. Plus they need to open up. Especially the Adi. So it's hard to completely compare I'll take high quality High altitude Swiss alpine spruce over both. There's nothing like it. Sounds like Adi but with more overtones and shimmer. It's really something to behold when used right. Stiff stiff stuff too. I will add people saying that Addy sounded like a Taylor are absolutely drunk.

[@Iamnickdude09]

On what kind of guitar could you find that type of wood?

[@el34glo59]

@@Iamnickdude09 Martin made a D mahogany 09 over 4 years. Only 125 of them. They wee golden Era d18s with Swiss instead for less money. Very nice. I actually just sold mine, and every other guitar I had because I'm having a Sinker d18 made with GE FS bracing, Adirondack, ebody wood binding, and hide glue. Don't even ask what it cost. I could have gotten an authentic. But I love that sinker and hide glue. So I went hard.

[@TheBoscho]

sitka... at least listening to them this way...

[@TheTrollMastah]

Wow I didn’t know guitars aged over time!

[@texhaines9957]

Not just sitting in a case. You need to play them. Like a fiddle, the more often played, the better it sounds.

[@jed1166]

@TheTroll Mastah.. as Tex wrote, they age and open up, only when played... the woods need to be vibrated and moved for countless hours to bring out the best in any guitar. My newest guitar is a Takamine P4DC I bought in 2016... I am guessing I have about 2,000 hours of playing time on it now, and is sounding great!

[@TheTrollMastah]

@@jed1166 I have a similar experience. I have a 2001 Martin D18 Golden Era, I’ve had it for about 3 years now. The owner before me must not have played it all that much because in the last 3 years it has really opened up and it sounds absolutely gorgeous! So woody, full and has this almost pulsating vibrato to it when you let it ring out. I’ve played it so much the last few years that it’s got some finish cracks around the bridge which I honestly have no idea how that happened I take extra good care of that guitar, I know about lacquer and temperature changes. But yeah it’s just crazy how it opened up for me it sounds beautiful!

[@DB-rr1eo]

The Adi top does not have the highs that the Sitka does. The Adi sounds more robust but tighter than the Sitka.

[@youtubeadmin.8673]

Adi sounds loud & jangley as opposed to the warmer balanced sound of the sitka

[@literallyshaking8019]

Adirondack sounds better to me. The Sitka sounded “congested” whereas the Adirondack sounded much fuller.

[@AchillesWrath1]

The sitka top sounds much better to my ears than the adirondack. The adi sounded more tinny.The sitka has a much deeper tone overall.

[@johnedwards9741]

I’m from the Adirondacks, have ADK as the start of all my usernames and frankly, I love the Sitka sound. The ADK sound is too brash to my ears and is like a 16 year old at a HS football game. Loud, but too much.

[@ArapuniWizard]

The scientific method of comparison was alluded to, but to be truly scientific, a larger number of samples would need to be tested. Every guitar is not made from the same tree grown in the same area and climate, and as others have pointed out, two identical model guitars can sound different. To me they both sound very good and would also sound different played in different rooms or venues, or miced and EQd differently. Conclusion:- spruce tops are good!

[@raymondeaton5692]

All of this discussion of top woods is virtually pointless. Every piece of wood is different, even within the same species. When it comes right down to it the builder is the most important factor in the guitar's quality. The crowning factor is the player. Tony Rice could make a mediocre guitar sound amazing.

[@conorgorman8664]

The player guy just wants to take over the video to the point of being rude. The expert guy just gets stepped on by the player guy. The tension and conflict is obvious. Their older videos had way more respect for each other. Just because you can play amazing doesn’t mean you know way more about the physical instrument. A lot of these top shelf boutique brands have owners and builders that can’t play very well at all. A rude person can ruin an otherwise great video.

[@MrAuell]

The HD-28 with the Red Spruce top is pretty close to the Martin Marquis D-28 which is herringbone as well so who knows why the H was left off-perhaps because the prewar Martins were just called D-28 and had herringbone and Red Spruce. The D-28 Marquis was an attempt at an "exact" reproduction of the prewar D-28 except it was Indian Rosewood (a few were Madagascar) and had a truss rod, different tuners and wasn't built with hide glue. Purists cried foul and thus the Authentic Series was born. I own the Marquis amongst other guitars. I like it or I wouldn't have bought it. I'd love to play one of these "Adi" Custom Hd-28's to see which I prefer. More trivia: the term "Adirondack" spruce is commonly used but there is no species of that name. The correct term is Red Spruce. (Picea Rubens). CF Martin, et al obtained there Red Spruce from one sawmill in the Adirondack region and/or the sawmill was named Adirondack. I forget and it's time for bed. I'm all for renaming Red Spruce "Adi". No "-rondack", just "Adi" so we don't have to type or poke as many letters. If the campaign to rename Red Spruce is successful I predict that an Asian carmaker will have a crossover or SUV by that name within a year. Just saying. Ciao.

[@socalangler723]

Adi definitely sounded brighter more crisp, Sitka sounded muffled