Setting up a Martin DM

[@ericyoung2959]

Love my DM. I bought the guitar for my dad in early 2000. He gave it back to me 15 years later. It’s a great sounding instrument. Used it in a bluegrass band and solo gigs. It will stand up with guitars that are much more expensive. Thanks for the video 🤠

[@BillBrown101]

Great video. I bought a ‘96 DM new and still have it. Great guitar, especially for the money. I went with Buffalo horn pins, open back tuners and new pick guard. Light as a feather. I’ve thought about adding a tone bar but never went that far…yet. Thanks for posting.

[@hymnplayer]

Thanks doing this video of a setup on a good but lower end Martin. I really like the sound of some of these DM models, especially the all Mahogany / Sapele ones.

[@MyName-nx1jj]

I just picked up a DR for $300, with a case. The bridge is slightly lifting at the back an the action in a bit high. I'll reglue the bridge and lower the saddle. This thing booms!

[@Bryankimsey]

Great price!

[@danielhanfakaga9373]

Thanks enjoyed your video wish I could show you my guitar 😮

[@michaelmullen8373]

I can't think of a better Dad for a guitar player! When you are finished I would love to hear you compare this guitar with a D-18... either a customers or your 72. I have a 66 D-18 that I would like to keep at home and get another Martin D to gig with. I would love to know just how these stack up. A belated Merry Christmas and a happy new year to you and your family.

[@Bryankimsey]

Good idea. I wouldn't hesitate to gig with one, esp if there was a mic or a pickup involved.

[@michaelmullen8373]

Thank you!@@Bryankimsey

[@johnn2326]

I was hoping some day you may have a DM to showcase. I bought a new DM in November, 1996. Still have it. I remember touring the Martin factory and just talking to a a couple of floor techs and they described it as a "bitchin" guitar.

[@Bryankimsey]

There's another DM on my channel from many years ago: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJvdaICLqM11gs0

[@dwoodinnyc]

Thanks for the tip about the bone pins and not playing nice with bridges. What about ebony bridge pins. You think they are ok long term?

[@Bryankimsey]

I've never had any issue with ebony, water buffalo, or Antique Acoustic. Just bone and FWI.

[@ryanj6862]

I have to imagine they are one of the lightest braced dreadnoughts out there. I like to run custom light nickel bronzes for fingerpicking and the tone is really sweet especially through a K&K. It will kind of bulge if I run any heavy strings. I would love to hear a side by side vs a D-18, I've wondered how they would compare but never made the jump at 3-4 times the price. I really think the DM is the best value guitar out there. all wood, no richlite, 4 pound martin dread, they are legit guitars.

[@Bryankimsey]

That A/B is coming up.

[@billdedrick1914]

Aren't the early DM a very light guitar and light build? Maybe 4 lb or slightly less? Are the early ones ebony of rosewood bridges and fret board? They should be quite resonant and shaving the back two braces should result in a big bottom end.

[@Bryankimsey]

It's very light, yes. RW f/board and bridge. I've never seen one with ebony.

[@dannyjonze]

good to see you do this sort of thing. However, im sure these have been superceded by better oprions. Would love to see you appraise one of the Sigmas or Eastwoods. For the money they look the part and people really rate them.

[@Bryankimsey]

You mean Eastman. Thing is, I've reset the neck on DM's. I've not reset an Eastman or Sigma. Plus, those have thick finishes and I don't know what the necks are like. The DM has a super thin, almost non-existent finish, I know what the neck is like, and it's made in the USA. It's also 1996 so it's 27 years old. I'm sure there equally good options, too, but when a nicely worn DM at a good price is staring me in the face I'm not going to say "Oh... I'll keep looking". Besides, as I pointed out earlier, if the kid keeps playing, then when I die, he'll have at least 2 overhauled 70's and a D-28 '41 Authentic to mess with.

[@HayesTech]

Great video and I hope he loves the guitar and gets awesome at playing it. And I hope this doesn't come out wrong but, as much as I love Martin guitars, I think I would get an all solid wood guitar from Recording King ( either the RD-318 or even the RD-328) or from Epiphone (either an Inspired by Gibson model or a Masterbuilt series). Starting around $700.00 for the Texan and up to about $1,200.00 for the J-200. (you can get a deal but getting used too). Again, I'm not saying that the guitar you got him isn't a good guitar. I learned on an all plywood guitar..lol.. But I've found that the better the guitar sounds, the more likely the person will want to keep learning and get really good. My Recording King RD-328 is all solid wood with a 30 year aged Adirondack spruce top and solid East Indian rosewood back and sides and had scalloped bracing. They use wood glue and no epoxy too and have a dovetail neck to body joint. I don't like the heavy, polyurethane finish and the neck profile (deep V) but you are starting out with an all solid wood guitar that sounds great. Either way, I know he will be happy with it and I hope he gets really good and loves to play. Keep up the awesome videos.

[@Bryankimsey]

Well, this one was $500, not even $700. And if he keeps playing, then there's 2 70's waiting and a D-28 '41 Authentic. :)

[@ryanj6862]

I've had those Recording King RD-318 guitars and a Epiphone Masterbilt, they are both heavier and generally suck, the DM is an actual Martin dread made in America and the tone is light years ahead

[@billdedrick1914]

Have you actually heard or played a 1990's DM? They are actually very impressive sounding Martin's for the money and not boxy sounding like all the Recording Kings I have played.

[@HayesTech]

@@Bryankimsey And im sure he will stick to it. I know I did. And my first guitar was found in a dump and fixed up. I was very happy to have it too.