Playing a $55,000 guitar (and fell in love 😭)

Vintage guitars, they get more expensive and valuable by the day. Why is that? What makes these Martins I'm playing so valuable and collectible? Thanks to ‪@thefellowshipofacoustics‬ for letting me play these wonderful instruments.
MY INTERMEDIATE COURSE: nextlevelplaying.com
MY BEGINNER GUITAR COURSE: learnpracticeplay.com
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0:00 The HOLY GRAIL!
0:46 Why am I here?
1:39 The guitars we're playing today
2:02 Picking (demo 1)
2:53 The '45 Martin D-28
4:35 Finger picking (demo 2)
• The LEGENDARY picking ...
5:34 Who even buys these guitars?!
6:37 The '43 Martin 000-28
7:20 Picking (demo 3)
• Turn those same old ch...
7:54 The '46 Martin 0-21
9:20 Tips for checking out vintage guitars
10:25 New vs Vintage
11:37 So... what is the deal with vintage guitars?
13:10 My own conclusion
Hi, my name is Paul Davids! I am a guitar player, teacher, producer, and overall music enthusiast from the Netherlands! I try to inspire people from all over the world with my videos, here on KZbin.
If you want to know more about me, check out PaulDavidsGuitar.com or check out my guitar courses at: learnpracticeplay.com and nextlevelplaying.com
Thank you for watching!
Paul
Below is the gear I use to make these videos. They redirect to Amazon and provide me with a small kickback should purchase any of these things.
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Vocal mic - amzn.to/2BVNtbV
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[@PaulDavids]

For those asking what I play, check the cards in the top right corner or the links in the description between the timestamps! Thanks! 🎸

[@jennifer6833]

Paul Davids what about a video comparing new vs vintage? Like the John Mayer signature Martin verses the original.

[@justleavemealone]

I share your love of the O-21. When I was listening to all the comparison samples you played, I knew immediately. For my taste, the O-21 is the real story here.

[@Mammo_NZ]

Please tell me you bought the 0-21.... The obvious pure joy when you were playing it would make it the last finger style guitar you'd ever need to buy!

[@Mammo_NZ]

@@jennifer6833 he did that here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aouTm2igeM2SfdU

[@LuisGarcia-xr9xz]

You need to buy that guitar, the little one, it suits you.

[@thefellowshipofacoustics]

It was a pleasure having you at our store! :D

[@michael52250]

Thank you for letting us take the great ride...

[@yesmamnosir7997]

Those guitars are amazing sounding! I love my Martin but I’d trade it for one of the classic ones any day.

[@Ikjemois]

Leuk dat ik een Nederlandse winkel tegen kom op dit account

[@thefellowshipofacoustics]

@@Ikjemois Ofnie!

[@6933CH]

Have they ever done a neck reset?

[@TheSandman1007]

two guys, speaking their second language together with a richer vocabulary than most native English speakers

[@jedimindtrix2142]

When you think about it that makes sense. Native speakers grow up using slang and speaking English with local dialects. People who learn as a second language actually learn to speak properly without slang and different regional takes on the language.

[@JackOQuin]

Yeah, not hard to do.

[@fabiofrota9794]

The English level of Dutch people is amazing, almost everyone speaks perfect English

[@lukasmeekers573]

@@jedimindtrix2142 That's not how it works. Whether you speak the 'proper' version of a language has nothing to do with richness of vocabulary. Being a native speaker gives you way more opportunity to expand your vocabulary (eg watching television and reading in your language from a young age). If you learn a language later in life, you have to put in way more effort. If 2nd language speakers speak 'better' (more grammatically correct, with richer vocabulary, whatever), they're just trying harder.

[@mikekaatman3194]

@@fabiofrota9794 Not really true...but the Dutch learn languages mandatory in high school and you have to graduate which sufficient credits for both Dutch and at least one foreign language in order to get your diploma. I am Dutch...i graduated with four languages on my final exams..and learned two more on the fly...because i do not have any other skills.

[@MaxMHF]

“When I play it, it touches my soul” bring it home!

[@Strenam]

Next video is definitely the one where he bought the 0-21

[@Nitro4x4]

@@Strenam Thinking the same thing! He got it...just waiting for the reveal. 🎻🎻

[@bigmac51290]

Take out a mortgage for it, like your home!

[@Jamsville]

Imagine how many guitars from 1945 were completely destroyed. There’s hardly any of them surviving, much less in impeccable condition

[@jackds7107]

You know, if guitar is well made, then it's used...

[@luuk341]

And the ones that DID survive were helped by the fact that they were the best amongst the ones from that year from the get-go. Good guitars stand a better chance of getting maintenance, being stored safely and securely, and for being played carefully and lovingly. Combine that with low production runs where only the very best remain, and hey presto, "every guitar from year X is amazing" Yeah because only the very best of them remain. Survivorship bias

[@johna1160]

@@luuk341 "Only the best remain" is an interesting theory, but hardly accurate. Whether a guitar survives or perishes is more often than not determined by the luck of the draw. Countless guitars were lost to calamity - be it fire, flood, earthquake, tornado, war, you-name-it, regardless of how well they were cared for.

[@luuk341]

@@johna1160 that is a valid argument. And with it it also explains why I have found some of the guitars at the Fellowship of Acoustics ( I live closeby) to be "meh" at best

[@no_one1992]

Yeah

[@DLeeErv]

I am nobody but I have to finally comment.. I'm commenting on this video because it's the latest in the lists.. what I want to say is only important to me maybe but here it is.. I got my first guitar when I was 13 years old, I am 59 years old on the 27th of September in this year 2020.. I just want you to know that your pentatonic and box and cage lingo is the first time I've ever had pentatonic even begin to make any since to me playing by ear.. all these years.. 7 years ago I quit.. gave all my stage gear away for free.. PA to multiple guitars, bases, amps, keyboards, pedals, effects stations, parts boxes years and years of collections of everything from repairs to playing.. all of it.. but recently I finally began to miss it and even to the point of music coming back to me through dreams and I'd wake up very sad missing myself.. I've realized only recently that it's part of me and who I am and so, the other day I went and bought a new cheap gibson copy guitar, a used fender frontman 212R a small mixer and stuff to make it all work.. then today my searches brought me somehow to your video's.. I've been watching them all day.. you video on BBKing, and your expressions in other video's on boxes, roots, are making the hair on my neck stand up.. gave me chills like I haven't felt in years and for the first time in years I'm beginning to get epiphanies from the lets say; methods of your very unique madness.. many have given me their perceptions of the pentatonics and how to connect them which have all been vain attempt's at grasping onto nothing until right now.. my point is just to tell that you are the only one who has ever put any of this into a sequential progression that makes sense to me.. I thought after giving up that I was just not good enough and let it go for life.. but I'm thinking I am good enough and only needed someone who could spell things out in way that I could understand.. till today, of all the thousands of people I've met, not one could teach me to grasp anything and only confused the already chaotic views or habits that I had formed in a lifetime of playing the same thing over and over but expecting different results.. so.. I just want you to know that you tube is all I can afford now as my working days are done and I am retired with disability from abusing my body over the years, so anything you put on you tube is like pure Gold and fine Silver to me.. I just thank you so much for bettering yourself and then sharing that with people like me.. I write this with great emotion and thank you again

[@davidLPST]

Hi Dan, everyone’s guitar journey is unique and special. Playing guitar is far harder than I imagined but it’s far more fun and fulfilling than I ever imagined. My family has no music background and it has be hard to spend the time to become competent. Mark Knopfler says “A guitar will be your friend for life” and that’s how I like to think about it. Just remember your journey is your own, playing and learning is for your joy and satisfaction only .Your pace is your own, there is no pressure other than what you place on yourself, if any. None of us were born with any skills, we’ve all had to be beginners and it is a struggle at times, but it is always good in my experience. Great story you tell above. Just enjoy your guitar, it will be a friend for life. All the best.

[@euclidallglorytotheloglady5500]

That's such a beautiful feeling Dan.. Use it! Let your guitar speak for you. Best wishes and cheers! Oh!! Happy birthday! 🎸🎸

[@matishofman3933]

happy birthday :)

[@handymanny6615]

Happy Belated Birthday! Thanks for sharing your experience. Stopped playing and learning for more than 25 years here. Maybe it’s time to go back ;)

[@cryptogold8753]

Lovely story thanks for sharing. Playing the guitar has been one of the most fulfilling achievements of my 40 years on this planet. I feel that if we as enthusiasts can at least get to a level which helps transcend if only momentarily to another place and 'zone out' and enjoy playing what is in us at that moment then all of those frustrating solitary hours in the early days were worth it!

[@zorbcanoo8574]

The balance and clarity of the 000 was astounding. They all sound good but to my ear the '43 Martin 000-28 was a clear winner

[@haroldlladoc]

Agree

[@danwintle8585]

Totally agree and I'm surprised by it, would've loved to hear what an OM from that era would've sounded like

[@doomerconsumer]

I agree, the 000 sounded the best overall

[@clarksonad]

Absolutely

[@robertcain3426]

Based on that recording, definitely yes, a clear winner to my ear.

[@tougerunss8241]

Guitar: *Over 45,000 Euros* Paul: *Swings it around and strums it really hard*

[@dbodooley]

He seems like a douchebag.

[@HydrusT]

@@dbodooley Y.I.K.E

[@jlunch]

@@dbodooley What did you expect him to play while holding an absolute bluegrass cannon in his hand, More than Words? It's a powerhouse and obviously we all wanted to hear THAT sound. That was freaking awesome. It's not a delicate flower!

[@coryCuc]

@@jlunch Perfectly stated.

[@subhadas]

These guitars were played in hundreds of concerts, played by different musicians. Just imagine how well they stood in the test of time. These are relics from past and still can do their job at this point and will deliver outstanding musics even in future. To me, this is the most amazing part of Vintage instruments.

[@emperorjulian2159]

If I can add something: the name "Dreadnought" came from the shape of this giutar, which is very similar to the arrangment of main artillery turrets, positioned on both boards on the sides of the conning tower, very characteristic for Dreadnought generation battleship, (this vessel started a whole generation of then state of art ships of line, built only by the biggest sea powers, wealthy enough for such an expensive technology in a timeframe from 1907 to the beggining of WWI, these were Great Britain (some 24 Dreadnoughts in the day when war broke out), German Empire (17), France (3), USA (5), Italy (3), Austria-Hungary (3), Japan (6) and Imperial Russia (4). :) And of course... What a sound... Especially the 1943 and 1946 ones have stolen my heart. It is so warm, the tone is so strong and yet delicate. Love

[@idontwant2beasoldiermama241]

That ain't true either. The real story goes like this: There's this man, back in the day, wanking on the bus station, and then God approaches and says to the man "Take this guitar son, you shall call it a Dreadnought size" The man never wanked again In his life

[@blessedwithchallenges9917]

Thanks, that was fun. I’ve had a number of vintage Martins. I’ve repaired cracks, steamed and bent necks or reset them, and played them for many hundreds of hours. The old wood, history, investment value, and just imagining all the instrument has put out for its players before me - so much to appreciate. It’s an honor and humbling at the same time.

[@hamloimukho4253]

The store owner is so cool. And another thing I learned from this video is that Paul Davids is a humble and sincere musician. Really love your contents.

[@Youtube_name5651]

That feeling you get when you are watching guitar videos with sore fingers is one of the best in this world

[@MarcusArmstrong037]

Of those you played in this video, I'd have to say that I liked the tone on the 000-28 the most. Absolutely gorgeous.

[@martinmurphy6833]

I felt your emotion, man, and it nearly brought a tear to my eye. Thank you for your vulnerability, and for sharing the joy of guitar with us in this way. Among so many guitar videos, this is now one of my very favorites. Cheers! Martin

[@petergill3452]

Love your statement about how playing the O-21, "touches my soul." I usually experience this feeling playing a nice current-day, acoustic guitar. The woody tones are always memorizing. I can only imagine how this must feel when playing a vintage Martin. For now, I'll live vicariously through your shared experience. Thanks for the video!

[@gabrielbabbitt1428]

I'll never forget going to guitar expo in Orlando Florida, a room stuffed full of pre-war martins, and the owners just let me walk up and play them whenever I asked. And I understand, absolutely falling in love with some of them. It is a highlight of my life as a musician

[@DrDizzleFrizzle]

The love for vintage stuff comes from the era when quality seriously dropped from companies like fender, Gibson, Martin, etc. Late 60s/70s. Guitarists that wanted a quality strat in 1972 wanted something from the 50s or early 60s because it was built so much better. By the time the 80s arrived, those guitars had been surpassed in every way, but the mystique stuck around.

[@millmoormichael6630]

I have a 1989 Fender Telecaster and it’s a piece of shit really. I also own a 1965 Fender Strat, well, it doesn’t suck. I’ve tried a multitude of CS Fenders and 95% suck.

[@aradieschen4880]

IdK, with acoustics instruments the tone wood ages and develops, there is no replacement for time passing by. It's even more obvious with violins etc. Those survivors in that video probably sounded more similar to their modern siblings when they were made.

[@DrDizzleFrizzle]

@@millmoormichael6630 I'm not talking 80s fenders, I'm talking the thousands of companies thatve popped up since that do it all 1,000 better. Play a Suhr and you'll never touch another Fender.

[@DrDizzleFrizzle]

@@aradieschen4880 it's not as big of a deal as you'd think, and is mostly negligible. The main difference aging has on wood is that it dries over time and somewhat changes the tone. Not only do a lot of companies bake their wood to replicate that effect today, the effect would be much less significant than just switching to a different type of string, let alone different woods and building techniques. You can get that sound, but most companies don't go for those older styles because the sound isn't popular with contemporary musicians and with what's the most popular. There's also the issue of build stability. Manufacturers want to build instruments that will last forever. A modern day high end acoustic will survive 100 years far better than instruments made 100 years ago. However, there are still small luthiers that seek to replicate that old timey feel and sound, if that's what you really want.

[@aradieschen4880]

@@DrDizzleFrizzle I can't say much about guitars but I do know a lot of professional violinist and they all want that vintage sound there. And I do hear a difference between a 19th century violin and a 2 year old (I'm not even talking about Strads and Guarneris). Also fast drying the wood simply isn't the same (again I only know about bow string and woodwind instruments). But you're probably right, a lot of it is about what's fashionable. I bought a Martin guitar 2 month ago and I love it, but even the contemporary Martin sound apparently isn't really the thing at the moment. People all seem to really be digging that plastic sound of the open pore polymer varnish.

[@InPursuitOfLiberty]

You can see and hear the passion in Paul when he plays these Martins. I never really understood what the fuss was with Martin Guitars until I saw this great video. Then in Nov 2020 I went out on a 2 week journey across Toronto sampling all kinds of Martin Guitars. And there she was - a D28 Authentic 1937. It was love at first sight. $9600 CDN later i bought it and brought it home where its hanging on my living room wall where I can see it and easily grab it to play it. It's perfect. The sound is so good and my body resonates with each string. I sold my Taylor 714ceV and an Ovation immediately upon purchasing this Martin and haven't looked back. There's a Taylor Koa I'd like to have but my Martin D28 1937 is my real love. Thanks Paul for your inspiration.

[@sandk75]

There is something pure about watching passionate people enjoying their craft.

[@leonsibum]

Aqesome!! TFOA is an amazing store! They let me play a ‘21 Martin once. Koen just handed it over. Such great dudes. Thanks for this super cool video, Paul!!

[@iriss8094]

I want to feel what you feel when you’re play the Martin 0-21. The emotion in your face is really something.

[@6stringsbrainfingers]

Just found your channel a few days ago. I love absolutely everything about your Channel. The way you speak, very relaxing. The way you teach, absolutely perfect and easy to follow. Love the humor and personality you throw in. And you're one hell of a great guitar player!

[@mikecamann2139]

The pure passion you have for the tone of these guitars is positively inspiring! I love seeing someone truly enjoy what they do. Great video!

[@NoName-oh5ll]

Paul: gets 45000 guitar Me: Stuck with a broken string during lockdown

[@steveb9325]

Strings by mail!

[@michaelinglis8516]

Try String Joy, their electric strings are without a doubt the best strings ive ever used and ill never waste money on electric strings by anyone other than string joy ever again. Their acoustic strings are excellent too but they use slightly smaller gauges on their mediums on the A, D, and G strings than Martin which sucks cause the string joys are better quality that Martins Lifespan's(but i like the slightly larger gauges martin uses even though stringjoys are better quality). Stringjoy also has pretty much any gauge you could ever want and the custom sets are the same price as a regular set. The only time i havent been able to get the exact gauges im used to was with the Mediums that i just mentioned and really im probably just nit picking. They are a little more pricey than a regular set but id bet both my testicles that youd be fine paying a little more once you see for yourself how long they last. I used to changed strings on all my guitars about every 2 weeks at the most. With the string joys i can go a few months if i wanted to and they would still sound fresh/not dull and look new( ive heard of guys going twice that long with string joy strings and while i wouldnt want to go that long i completely believe it could be done). The first time i tried them i was completely expecting them to be overpriced "boutique" crap. I couldnt wait to write the review saying its all marketing bullshit lol. But i was completely wrong. And dont get me started on customer service. I was having a hard time deciding on which gauges to stick with for one of my new 7 strings cause i wasnt sure if i wanted it to be a B standard guitar or a Bb standard guitar. So on more than one occasion i ordered a custom set and then changed my mind and asked if they could change the gauges and every time they were completely willing to change the order and seemed more than happy to do so. Anyways i know i sound like a shill for string joy but they really are worth trying. I have two "bumper stickers" on my Chevy Silverados back window, one is VIVATUBES.com and the other is StringJoy. Im hoping the bumper stickers distract people from the fact that im driving around in 2020 in a 99' Silverado lol.

[@valebliz]

Always have some spare strings lying around man.

[@moki2093]

thankfully I got a set of three spare high E strings from DR strings for my strat copy, even during quarantine

[@kenz2756]

Is this real or it's purely a joke? If it's real then I'm surprised, because online store apps are very popular even though this is the 3rd world.

[@joycethomas8868]

The O-21 has a “sound” a kind of sparkle, that really comes through. The triple O is soooo balanced. And the 28’s a cannon. Even though I play a dreadnaught, a 2003 D-35 lefty, I love the O-21 you played. Cheers from Akron, Ohio.

[@iamseunojo9497]

The filming and editing (and of course playing) on this is stellar! I'm sure you put a lot of hard work into it.

[@JulianCamargo]

Literally every time anyone talks about any tone wood they say it sounds warm and rich

[@vivek_dahal]

Lmao so true. And balanced

[@SUPERSCUMDK]

That's maybe because you have a crush on Martin guitars. No judging. You are right though

[@andytraverse]

It'a partly due to the emergency low interest rates we've had since 2009. Money or borrowings now goes into assets such as property , vintage cars or vintage anything else. 1950's/1960's guitars were relatively cheap in the 1990's

[@Incountry]

Andy Traverse Believe me they weren’t...!!!! ‘62 Strats were hitting $10k and ‘57 Gold Tops $15k and these weren’t perfect either.! Guilds and Gretschs were going for $3k -$8k..!! Nationals were starting at $5k..!

[@gonzoengineering4894]

@@Incountry keyword being relatively. The price of a new high end custom build vs the price of a modest house

[@AndyDion]

Andy Traverse Correct sir! The world banks have been printing money at a faster and faster rate and keeping interest rates artificially low. We are seeing inflation in certain assets way more like real estate, stocks and vintage guitars. The people that buy these guitars have benefited from this monetary policy. Supply and demand then help drives up prices as well of course.

[@RC32Smiths01]

I think a good amount of a Vintage's value is simply its place in guitar history. They have stood the test of time over the decades of musical events, essentially being relics that reflect those periods in time. That, and they still sound really awesome!

[@UmVtCg]

Guitar history is overrated. History hardly older than a man's lifetime can hardly be called "history". It's nothing but marketing, playing in on people's nostalgic feelings.

[@Guitarplayer724]

So which vintage is better, the 50 year old guitar that’s been sitting in the case in grammas attic, or the 50 year old guitar that’s been slammed around on stage, and hauled around the country on a bus, and has beer stains and cigarette burns on it? I’m sure the latter has the better story to tell, but I’d take the other. 😃

[@johnsmith-bk4ps]

How many people collect tucker cars because of their place in history? If these old Martin's sounded bad they would be dirt cheap. The tone is why they are desired

[@sawdahello8352]

I love how genuinely passionate he is about his playing sweet lord, I need that love and confidence

[@kenyonstewart7120]

I played a used 80's OOO-28 at a shop back in the early 90's and it was one of the best sounding, best playing acoustic I've ever played. I still regret not buying that one to this day!

[@JacksterDude12]

Haha Paul isn't the only one who has his heart strings pulled by that 0-21! Personally I hear a neutral bass, pronounced mids and sparky highs. And I love the tone. Those parlour guitars are a thing if beauty and I'd love to own one someday.

[@Val_Cla]

I'm definitely a fan of parlor size guitars

[@ThePauseMenuVlog]

My dad had a 60s D28 and yeah they're magical. That was my first guitar and it made me want to play because of how it sounded and I wanted more of that sound. Something about really old acoustic guitars just give you goosebumps

[@adrianreinneiryt]

I have been following your channel for a while I have my favorite videos that you created which I already watched a hundreds of times and this is the BEST so far!!!

[@johndennison281]

It’s all about the smile the guitar gives you when you play it !!!

[@crispinroberts4449]

I love 12th fret neck joints especially on the smaller body acoustics. It seems like the fundamental tone is stronger with more subdued overtone. That is the next type guitar on my wish list.

[@stanrubin9409]

Same here. Joining at the 12th fret makes a huge difference in the tone. My wish list also.

[@raceface_m2579]

I thought you were going to cry when you played the 0-21 fingerstyle. All three are just beautifully astounding and have their own characteristics. Lovely.

[@snuffyballparks6501]

I have a 2008 Martin D-28 Marquis... LOVE it! Adirondack top with adjustable truss rod, 1.75" nut & 2 5/16" spacing at the saddle. I won't be alive when it is 70 years old.

[@frodeleirvik]

I can SO MUCH relate to the emotion you are describing over these instruments! I had once the pleasure of playing a 1926 model Gibson in London and almost cried when I realized it would never be mine... The price tag was £6.000,-.

[@atoq8297]

Doesn't seem that expensive for a 1926 model

[@frodeleirvik]

@@atoq8297, possibly. I'm not really into the scene. This was some 20 years ago, BTW. How much do you suppose one has to pay these days?

[@guusverschuuren8495]

mrfrodeovideo what model was it? 6.000 isn’t a lot for a vintage Gibby

[@frodeleirvik]

@@guusverschuuren8495 , I cannot say for sure, but I suppose it would have been the L-1.

[@probitionate]

Personal story: When I was a lad...11, 12-ish, so almost a half-century ago...I'd taught myself to play guitar to Gordon Lightfoot's music. (I'm a Canuck.) I had an old Yamaki six-string. My best friend also played, but not as well as I did. His father...his father had a gorgeous Martin D-28. Which he would _never_ let his son play. However, he would let _me_ if I played 'The Pony Man' for him. Ended up getting really good at that song. : )

[@KingRiverVlogs]

Perry Robitionate, That’s really awesome!! A great story!

[@kneeedeep5536]

I haven't been playing in a really long time and I just bought a taylor gs mini and somehow i stumbled onto your channel and it's really inspiring me to play more. That might not be much to you but it really is big for me. I haven't been able to really dive back into it, I just don't know where to start but you have a way about you and the things you choose to touch on are waking a lot of idle pieces for me. So again, thanks buddy.

[@VincentBakker1964]

that 021... You struck gold. Ik hoorde het meteen Paul, wat een prachtig helder en intiem instrument, de rest klinkt meteen als kartonnen dozen in vergelijk... You just reinvented your voice! Ik hoop voor jou dat je hem mee naar huis neemt!

[@NinerFourWhiskey]

Yeah, pre-war Martins are amazing. They smell wonderful too. The methods of construction are different than even the "re-issue" or "authentic" series. No adjustable truss rod. But the big difference is materials. There is no more "old growth" spruce, nor mahogany nor Brazilian Rosewood. Brazilian rosewood is an endangered species and virtually all the old growth trees are long, long gone. There are nice new ones, but playing a pre-war Martin that's in top shape is amazing.

[@denverintranslation]

So true! That smell! Martin did use Brazilian RW on their standard line well into the 50’s as well

[@RMH97-]

All I can say is I've played a few 40s Martin's and they are fantastic but I've got a 1941 authentic series D28 and I think it's one of the best sounding instruments I've ever heard

[@user-hx2xi1bs1c]

Paul, excellent video. Your work really inspired me to create my own channel with acoustic guitar covers . Thank you.

[@bmaxplus]

Not bad at all. What guitar is that?

[@user-hx2xi1bs1c]

@@bmaxplus Its McPherson custom. They are not cheap but great sounding instruments.

[@user-hx2xi1bs1c]

I don't do reviews but may be Paul will do some day.

[@vanodne]

Paul, I can just about feel the goosebumps you get playing the 021. The instant smile on your face says more than any words could.

[@prabhatkhadka6329]

I could just listen Paul plucking just random chords all day, it always sounds so warm and soothing.

[@oskarliedtke6440]

I want a 60s candy apple red hard tail strat with rosewood neck

[@codymchenryguitar5192]

Me too. Dream strat

[@dominiccollison7778]

oh so nothing too specific haha

[@codymchenryguitar5192]

DominicCollison 😂

[@tonymikolich5873]

I have one. Almost! Mine is that very guitar but is a 2001

[@oskarliedtke6440]

@@tonymikolich5873 I bet shes gorgeous... as long as the string height is low enough.

[@eddiesell8577]

The 021 had my ear, from the moment I heard it.

[@joycethomas8868]

Yep, same here

[@michaelcuneo3834]

That was really cool editing to highlight the tonal differences between the 3 body styles. Awesome!! (I loved the 00028, used to have a 1955 model)

[@wolfgangheinrich7019]

Well explained by the two Guys. But the look on Pauls face when he played those gems (especially the 0-21) said it all. And the recorded sound also comes across. A big Wow!

[@oneminutefixed5003]

You buy expensive guitar for the same reasons you buy expensive car. You don't just want to drive around, you want a specific thing

[@mattrogers1946]

👍

[@francescozani9488]

The thing about vintage stuff had been around since ever for stringed instruments. Even two centuries ago violinists knew that the best master grade instruments had to have at least 40 years of ageing and playing to give the best.

[@paulcowart3174]

Absolutely

[@ToddNorthcutt]

I've been violin shopping with my daughter who is off to conservatory soon. It's important to play blind so that you don't let age or lineage sway what your fingers feel or your ears hear. She loved a brand new violin (2018) from a local maker in Sonoma almost as much as the French violin (1898) that we ended up buying in the end (it was actually cheaper, too!)

[@CalixaCal]

The beauty of vintage guitar is in its tone. It's like hearing the sound of old days with each pluck and strum of each string at the present moment.

[@richardsandson]

That was an interesting video. Seeing how much you appreciated the moment was the best part though. Instantly made me reach for my guitar. Infectious passion.

[@MatthewScottmusic]

Vintage guitars is all hype 😎✌🏻

[@batoli20]

😂

[@legalize.brokkoli]

If only more people would believe that.

[@tommawson1119]

Easy. Keeps the fire burning longer than not vintage wood

[@YannickTantum]

I love these kind of videos! I always learn something and can enjoy some great playing🥹🎸

[@zigzagoon6850]

I appreciate your videos, I feel like every time I watch them I get closer to my guitars. Mainly because it inspires me to play more even when I just finished 30 minutes ago

[@ramsey9879]

I was looking at the first few mins and had a "Hmm, you're getting very close" and yup, I live about 5mins from there..

[@Stopher2475]

You know, there's a reason why they're bigger now. This is nostalgia. You'll make the same great musc on a modern guitar if your can't afford these.

[@johnsmith-bk4ps]

except it wont sound as good. pros pay big money for these because of the tone

[@DanFrechette]

I love them all. I have a friend in Minnesota who has about 100 guitars like this in his basement. Because of his kindness I’ve played all the models of holy grails and they REALLY are as great as they seem.

[@ArturBrzozowski444]

This is powerful one I'm sittin' in Norway, eating breakfast at 5AM. Just chillin' 7:26 comes in and I literally feel tears bursting out of my eyes Thank You for this bit. This is trully magical

[@elledechenestudio]

This is the one.

[@anthonyfreeman5858]

I can remember when KZbin had NO commercials.

[@napnip]

If you install Adblock Plus or Adblock Ultimate you can bypass the commercials

[@ak47dragunov]

IMO, the generation that grew up with the genre that immortalized these instruments (read: boomers and rock) now has lots of disposable income, so the value of "vintage" instruments has skyrocketed accordingly

[@mattrogers1946]

Another blame it on the Boomers comment. How original. And no, I'm not a Boomer myself.

[@paulcowart3174]

The market has trended to people with money not musicians who are gigging five night's a week

[@chrismccannIRL]

It’s not a blame it on the boomers comment it’s pointing out a likely reason for their demand. It would be interesting to know the average age of someone buying a vintage 40-60’s guitar. I’d guess they are right to a degree that the retired generation from those eras are buying some nostalgia with their disposable income

[@mattrogers1946]

@@chrismccannIRL You mean like this kid? kzbin.info/www/bejne/i2fRf4CBhp6Lpas

[@dumbdickler670]

@@mattrogers1946 no, obviously not. Nobody said that only boomers buy vintage guitars but it is likely that boomers consist of a large portion of vintage guitar collectors

[@michaelinglis8516]

Took me about 20 years of playing to get my first Martin. I could have bought one of their X series a long time ago but for the price of the x series i think youll get more bang for your buck with a guitar that doesnt have Martin on the headstock. But for my 30th birthday i finally bought myself a D10e Sitka top. Its the perfect affordable Martin All wood, Sapele back and sides and Sitka Spruce top. The only HPL on it is a veneer on the headstock which protects the headstock from string ends. And the bridge and fretboard are Richlite which i truly am absolutely sold on. Richlite is consistent, easy to refret and feels and looks like a ridiculously consistent piece of ebony.

[@YewrinePish]

So my grandfather had an old 40s guitar he used to play for me. I'm crying from the sound of this thing, I miss him a lot.

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

Because people get nostalgic for a time that they never even experienced.

[@UmVtCg]

That is exactly right, and a time in which a shitload of shitty guitars where produced. Nowdays an accoustic guitar with a one piece solid top and a straight neck can be purchased for 200€

[@stevemogan5384]

Pauls like a kid in a candy store.

[@smyerscough1027]

I recently repaired a friend’s 1948 00-18. The neck had actually broken off (due to an old bad neck reset) and had sidewall cracks on the body. His father had purchased it for 15.00 from a friend while stationed with the Airforce in South Korea. Needless to say it took a bit to put it back together. :/ But the tones! Oh the tones! Incredible! Love that guitar!

[@frederickthompson8686]

Enjoyed this segment, Paul. I'm lucky enough to own three "aspiring-vintage" Martins (1960 00-18, a 1992 HD-28, and a 1990 HD-12-28). It's been interesting to experience these guitars as they age and their tonality evolves. They do sound better with age. And your friend was correct when he mentioned playability. It's an issue with old Martins, many of which do not have truss rods, or adjustable truss rods. My 00-18 had a neck re-set in the late '80s, which is like a heart transplant. So far, so good, but I baby her with low tension, light guage, silk and steel strings, which incidentally sound amazingly warm and resonant on the old girl. And I tune the 12 string down a whole tone and use light silk and steel strings, which seem to have maintained the neck's stability. As for the HD-28 six string, it's simply a bluegrass and rock monster, and projects like a banshee, even with the aforementioned silk and steel strings. It has an adjustable truss rod and still has enough saddle left to maintain excellent playability -- 2/64ths on the treble side and 4/64ths on the low E side! I've come to the conclusion that while today there are many excellent "value" acoustics out there, making an investment in a "better" Martin is a smart long term decision.

[@lw216316]

When the price gets pushed up that high you don't see them on the road performing. It gets too risky. You might hear a few of them used in a studio recording. Most are used privately or just kept on display or in storage. Sad. And these days the digital recording technique does not capture the overtones and real beauty of the sound from these instruments. Listen to it on vinyl , recorded using tube amps etc.

[@Matthew-ez4ze]

"If you want to know what something is worth, put it up for sale." - Warren Buffet

[@doscheid]

Sure. But you can also create a demand to inflate the value. It is a wheel.

[@---jr3zk]

prices are flexibel😊

[@ktm125sxbeast]

@@doscheid true, ads these days are powerful, but they've been doing it forever. Like diamonds, they weren't expensive until jewelry companies started pushing ads saying if you really love you're girlfriend you'd spend at least three months income on a diamond ring. It worked and now diamond jewelry is expensive.

[@ahooten1313]

My grandparents own a ‘40 Gibson. When they pass it will go to the country music hall of fame in their honor. Old school guitars aren’t that odd being around a bluegrass family. Beautiful Martin. Same grandpa owns a ‘78 D28. (Reissue). Beautiful guitars

[@petervad]

Wonderful video, and so wonderful to see you so moved by the sound of a guitar. Thank you.

[@effinjeffin1811]

Martin has their following and I am sure they know that in 1945 183 D-28's were made by hand out of Brazilian rosewood....just sayin

[@CurveEx]

4:40 I need this as a tab please, is this available somewhere?

[@aradieschen4880]

Isn't it from his travis picking video, too? kzbin.info/www/bejne/o2fFZGpnorOeedk

[@MsDaydream]

I felt that connection with the 0-21. There's something so special about small body Martin guitars. Despite the impressive boom of a dread, there's no acoustic guitar that makes me feel as close to the music I'm playing as an 0-15 or an 0-21. Nice playing, Paul

[@moart87]

TFOA truly is an institution! In my search for a great second-hand guitar, almost all of the ones I’ve tried (including the one I’ve bought) have been part of TFOA’s stock at some time.

[@kbreisel]

does anyone now the song he played at 4:39?

[@peterarnell8112]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/o2fFZGpnorOeedk he has a whole video on this

[@danibebia095]

@@peterarnell8112 but still he does't say the title of it there

[@snejkkc]

Vintage guitars are expensive because vintage guitar forgers from the 90s have convinced enough idiots with too much money that vintage = better. Unloading a five digit sum on a guitar is a pure navel gazing exercise IMO.

[@paulcowart3174]

The whole market has been manipulated

[@oldmate86]

Just imagine all the passion and music played on that guitar. That's what I love about vintage intruments

[@chassegardee7694]

The ring on his left hang gives me shivers when he holds the guitar. Aaaaah

[@SaubererBoy]

Can't we all just send $1 each to Paul just to see his "soul being touched" every day when he picks up this guitar? 😅

[@jaypea8103]

If Paul's happy I'm happy. I would donate and even pen a hand written letter to his wife granting him permission to adopt another child.

[@sharkryeziu]

Let's do it!

[@rollastoney]

Nope

[@valebliz]

Nope, tbh the guy is pretty well already, plenty of other people around deserving money and needing it way more.

[@CosmicHarmony58]

no me plz 😔

[@giorgichigitashvili4140]

7:30 song name?

[@Skrelnick222]

Not sure if it was the mike, but the volume on that tiny 021 blew me away! They all sounded great but that 021 has some serious mojo. Acoustics are crazy like that. Every so often you run into a "magic" one and you know it right away.

[@mrbarkan]

The 46 Martin 0-21 had a live of it's own, it keeps a bit of the sound for itself. Marvelous

[@shadowsnlights]

Could you please teach us that chord progression starting at the 10:27 mark of the video. It is just simply so melodic. it's gorgeous sounding piece.

[@matejgrim]

I would at least want to know the name of the piece, I like it as well.

[@maxinesmuts8428]

Have a look at his Travis picking video. He teaches you exactly how to play it.

[@vaibanez17]

These sound 10 million times better than any Martin today.

[@theberryfx5986]

That’s a big statement , I usually play electrics and played an original Martin and have played many new martins and I would rather a new one , but any other vintage guitar brand , I’d rather the vintage than the new ones

[@toy200sx]

Excellent video. Very educational & interesting comparisons.

[@Shineysideup1]

I love this vid! So much passion and love for the vintage. I also love the 0-21

[@phillyflood]

I would love to see if an expert could reliably discern between the tone of a vintage guitar and its new equivalent.

[@mattrogers1946]

Don't worry, they can....

[@phillyflood]

Matt Rogers Ha! I’m not typically a worrier, but I have my doubts.

[@millmoormichael6630]

I think that’s not the right angle to look at. For me a vintage instrument inspires me to play stuff that I’d otherwise wouldn’t. That Pedal Show did a good episode that honestly the guitars just sounded epic.

[@phillyflood]

Millmoor Michael I’ll have to check that out!

[@Apophis392]

1945?! In 25 years she’ll be antique... forget vintage

[@doakbryan6802]

How inspiring! Love your passion Paul and those guitars! ! I gotta practice more

[@regtower]

We're working with mikes so not like being there but I do love the sound of that D28. My father was a professional musician who passed when I was young but I had the pleasure of learning to play on a 1972 Gibson SJ-Deluxe. Spoiled me forever to any other guitar. I see myself when you're playing that O 21. Great video. Thanks!

[@MarcCoteMusic]

I don't get the whole vintage thing. There are a lot of great instruments out there... old, new and everything in between. Finding an instrument you like is always a pleasure, to be sure, but personally I don't care about its provenance. I guess I'm not the kind of buyer this shop is looking for. It is fun to watch a video of someone who definitely appreciates the vintage thing, though.

[@brunningwolf]

Marc Coté vintage is the great wood s that are hard to get now I have a 1947 d45 Martin you can’t duplicate the great sound it makes

[@MarcCoteMusic]

@@brunningwolf - No doubt your guitar sounds fantastic. I have played a few vintage instruments, though... some sounded great, others... not so much. Some played great, other... not so much. Just because something is old does not make it vintage and just because something is vintage does not make it great. But I suppose when you find the right one, I guess that can be very special.

[@JacksterDude12]

Personally I love sound of that 0-21 parlour looking guitar. Regardless of price range (I only work part time after all!), I'd love to own a parlour style guitar.

[@MarcCoteMusic]

@@JacksterDude12 - That's cool... There's something for everyone.

[@WooliteMammoth]

Those are known as Lawyer and Doctor guitars. Bought by lawyers and doctors who can barely play but have money for expensive toys.

[@Funz2022]

Yes, it's a pretty sad thing to meet these rich dudes with these beautiful pieces and they can just barely pick 'em. These guitars open up when strong players play them.

[@daddysasquatch4970]

Paul, I see why that 0-21 was special to you. It sounds beautiful in your hands. Well done.

[@michaelstorrs6097]

Love this video. Some really sweet sounds. Thanks Paul