The Guitar Brand that Puts Martins to Shame...

[@PeteMonzingo-ff8ls]

After playing guitar for 62 years. Too each their own. Just keep practicing. Later 😎 🎸

[@codymmusic]

@@PeteMonzingo-ff8ls Agreed!

[@bryanlemeilleurtexas]

This needs to be pinned

[@philmanson2991]

Bear claw is on the spruce top, not the IR.

[@mrartistbill]

Bearclaw is not the back of the guitar, but on the spruce in front. It is lines that run across the grain of the spruce as if a bear clawed against it. Your videos are very informative, so you are allowed one error. I wish that I could afford H and D guitars, but I have to play guitars under 1K due to a more limited budget, but I do appreciate the beauty of well-made guitars.

[@codymmusic]

Thank makes sense! Thanks for that…so much to learn still. Have a great weekend! Stay in the clear if you’re in the path of this winter storm.

[@FlatpickRei]

i feel like once you get to a certain price range, there’s no “bad tones”. just a whole lot of different preferences. i’ve owned collings, bourgeois, and edmonds, etc. but i always come back to a bone stock D18. i just like the nasally midrange and presence that comes on them. stands out great in a jam!

[@codymmusic]

Agreed!

[@Creelyblades]

yes, a Huss and Dalton is a higher end Guitar than the equivalent Martin, it’s also twice as much. Martin is a major national manufacturer. Huss and Dalton is a boutique shop, apples, and oranges.

[@codymmusic]

@@Creelyblades I agree!

[@jeffbeliew6568]

May be higher end to yall, but Martin guitars new and old consistently sound better overall to my ears folks.

[@Creelyblades]

@ that’s a really blanket statement. Martin makes guitars that sound good and some that don’t just like any other Maker, but Collings is overall just a higher end product and they have many guitars that sound as good as Martin’s and some that don’t.

[@jeffbeliew6568]

@Creelyblades yes they all make good one's and some not so good, agreed. Therefore a Huss and Dalton or a Collings either one, should not be considered more high end than Martin You made my point.

[@Creelyblades]

@ by your logic, no brand would be higher than any other brand. Collings is a higher end brand than Martin. That does not mean every Collings sounds better than every Martin or vice versa. Collings is higher and because they don’t sell guitars made it formica they don’t sell guitars made in Mexico. when you take the typical Martin against the typical Collings the Collings is more likely to be a higher end guitar, more handmade, and probably made with better materials when looked at across the board. With all that said, I probably agree with you more than I disagree with you though. When you take a guitar like an HD 28 or a CEO Sevan or a D 18, I think those things sound as good as anything Collins is putting out.

[@ryanleeoakes2015]

Man, back in 2012 I went to a local music store in Chillicothe, Ohio called BBB music. “Triple B” and there was this $1400 Martin that I just loved. I don’t think it was the D-18 but it sounded like the best acoustic I’ve ever played. I was saving to buy it and kept going back to play on it over the weeks. The fellow in the store also pointed out that I might like this LAG J200 that comes from France. ( I think) anyways I tried that one and just absolutely loved it. Sounded just as good as the Martin. Big full sound and a natural resonance that was so rich. And it cost half the price of the Martin. I ended up just buying the LAG and had extra money to grab more gear. I still have that guitar and love it for its sound and feel. I don’t think they’re produced anymore though

[@codymmusic]

I’ll Google it for sure. Thanks for the comment. I do love Martins, but I definitely think there are a lot of great guitars out there that give them a run for their money. Hope the week’s good!

[@superblindeye1]

I used to have a lag guitar, really great for the price.

[@dirtworshiper2800]

Years ago I was gonna buy a guitar for around $1,500 and a friend said just buy a Martin. Spend a little more and have it for life. And the resale only goes up. So glad I did. Waited for a sale and bought a D-28, the same guitar Hank and Lester played. But that guitar sounds great.

[@JohnA000]

I have a 56 Martin D-18 I love. Anyone have a 56 Huss and Dalton. I doubt Huss and Dalton will even be around in 70 years. Maybe, you never know.

[@alan4sure]

Molly Tuttle was given a Huss and Dalton but you rarely see her play it anymore. She plays her Prewar and her Thompson all the time.

[@NorthSeaWisdom]

I played an H&D for the first time year and was blown away…and I had just demo’d a Santa Cruz before that. Haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since

[@codymmusic]

Which Santa Cruz, if you remember? Those are great guitars…thanks so much for the comment! Stay warm out there this weekend. Cold in East Tennessee.

[@NorthSeaWisdom]

@ it was an OM pre-war…beautiful but underwhelming. Even the shop guys thought as much. It’s still for sale at HeyDey Winston Salem…Right!.. cold..and maybe some snow. Thanks

[@JosephusDalrymple]

I love my 2014 H&D TD-R. Glad you’re a fan too!

[@ZionForman]

I purchased one of the first ever Huss & Dalton guitars way back in the 90s. it was good then, I imagine they have gotten better at their craft. cool. bearclaw can look pretty cool on a spruce top.

[@BaritoneUkeBeast4Life]

I may be a complete newbie on the guitar, having only played for 5 months now, on my Taylor GS mini and my Klos all carbon fiber travel guitar. But I will stick with the advice and review Justin Johnson gave on the Bromo BAR 5CE which has been sold out everywhere and there is a waiting list till sometime in March 2025 because you get an incredible guitar for only around $560 or so. The Bromo is more guitar than I will ever need.

[@jerrypalmer3534]

I used to sell these in a store I managed....Huss and Dalton are fantastic !!!!!!!

[@ericecklund676]

Cody, if you're a D-18 Fan you'd probably like my 2002 Martin D-18 Golden Era. For a Dread that's closer in specs to the H&D TD-R Custom I'd go with my Martin CS-Bluegrass-2016. It has Martin's Vintage Tone System (VTS) Adirondack top along with VTS Adi braces, Guatemalan rosewood back and sides and it's stuck together with hide glue. The H&D TD-R Custom and the Martin CS-Bluegrass-2016 are about equivalent price wise. But my D-18 GE was right at $3,000 a couple of years ago, right at half the cost of the Custom Shop Dreads. Nice video!

[@rosewoodsteel6656]

I picked up a D-18GE, as well. They are great guitars!

[@markweaks2239]

I have tried several Martins, cheap X seies to Standard D40. A 1990s used Dreadnaught Epiphone PR200 from ebay for $125 sounds wonerful and plays easy. A great guitar is not one that costs thousands or even hundreds. It is one that is set up perfectly, and that takes experience and determination. Not money.

[@sraul7658]

Good morning Cody! Enjoying your videos, especially the bluegrass lessons. I’ve tried H&Ds at Tone Shop Guitars in Southlake, TX, and really liked them, but… comparing H&D to Martin is kind of apples and oranges IMO. The H&Ds I played appeared largely based on Martin designs but were more flawlessly executed. They also cost almost twice as much as a similar model Martin for maybe a slightly better sound and feel, but that’s pretty subjective, so YMMV. H&D produces a couple hundred guitars a year, compared to 150,000 from Martin, so they’re not really even playing the same game. Everyone isn’t going to be able to play an H&D; there aren’t enough of them in existence, and most people couldn’t begin to afford one. Martins start at $400; H&Ds at $3,000+…

[@codymmusic]

Very good point! Thanks for the comment and for watching. Stay tuned for more, and have an amazing weekend!

[@NorthSeaWisdom]

I have an 300 dollar American made DX-1 that with the right strings, but I agree the H&D has its own sound

[@codymmusic]

@ I played a DX-1 for years! It was with me for years overseas. Great guitar. I still have it…doubtful I’ll ever part ways with it. Thanks for the comment! Have an amazing weekend.

[@spyder2383]

Watch for deals out there. I have 2 used Martins and they're great, but.. I stumbled on a used luthier built guitar for $750.00 and so much better than anything I ever played before. Be on the lookout.

[@billdedrick1914]

What strings (brand/gauge/type) were on this?

[@tomdaoust]

Great recommendation for anyone with a limited budget. I play a Martin because I don’t have a limited budget and want to own and play a Martin with all of its history. But that’s just me.

[@codymmusic]

Thanks for the comment Tom! What do you think about the Martin Authentic line? Those are my favorite new guitar on the market, but some folks seem torn about the relicing. Have a great Monday!

[@tomdaoust]

@ Thanks for your comments…I’m not sure what the the authentic line is or what you mean by relicing. I’m a purist when it comes to Martin guitars. I want Made in Nazareth, PA utilizing as many traditional mfg methods as possible. I played a few Mexican-made guitars while visiting the Martin Factory Tour. Uh, not up to my standards. I’m curious re the attempts to artificially “age” a new guitar to make it sound better in the manner that older guitars supposedly are. It’s a valiant attempt to speed up the aging. I’d like to see a blind test of an artificially-aged Martin vs. a naturally-aged Martin. Rock on, my friend.

[@jakemarlow8998]

I think you meant to say, "This guitar was made to look and sound like a Martin"! hahaha

[@pauldulaney35]

H&D makes a great sounding Martin copy!

[@ccaissie113]

Bear claw is the detail in the top the iridescent little figures that are unique in the figure. Assume that a bear clawed the tree back a hundred years ago and left the marks.

[@codymmusic]

Thanks for this informative comment! Truly appreciated.

[@sbolfing]

Huss & Dalton make great guitars, no doubt about it. But, they are a boutique guitar manufacturer and are more comparable to what comes out of Martin's Custom Shop

[@mattstarkey416]

Love your videos and the info you provide keep up the good work! It's been my experience guitars are like rifles, in rifles time at the range is what will make you a better shot, with guitars it time on the strings that will make you better on the guitar not the price of the instrument! I DO NOT have $2,500 dollar talent and with that said and at that point it really just becomes bragging rights I'd rather be able to really play than just own one!!!

[@BenAdam-om2hr]

Yep: Great builders of consistently high quality include H&D, Atkin, Bedell, Bourgeois, Collings, and a few others.

[@alan4sure]

Thompson, Prewar.

[@johnnybongshow5257]

i have a fender f 65 1975 made in japan, it's just like that guitar.

[@Luc-p5t]

Every guitar maker has a copy of the d-18/d-28 . Some do a better job , some don’t. Just the way it is. As for recording king. They do not sound at all like Martin’s. I wish they would. $$$. I’ve tried 5 of so far 3 -328 and 2-318. I was really disappointed. Just buy a martin lol 👍

[@tmeyer2022]

Sounds great, but at $5k, , , , , I can't go there.

[@codymmusic]

I can’t go $1000 so I can relate haha

[@bryanlemeilleurtexas]

I'm thinking Gallagher are killing it lately.

[@sethbond8304]

Me too I have a newer g-50 that is amazing. Better than my 67 brw d35.

[@davidbankston672]

Bear claw refers to the top of the guitar.

[@jeffbeliew6568]

True, because they are all made by a set of hands, glue and a finish. Not a nickels worth of difference cosmetically where you claim one is more high end than other. I have played these other guitars your talking about and none is anymore high end than the other to me. To me, the better sounding guitar makes whatever brand guitar more high end

[@willib5499]

I play a Martin. No reason to want anything else.

[@constitutionalist3931]

No great revelation here. Huss and Dalton have always made fine instruments. The problem is that they cost as much or more than a Martin. If you want a great sounding guitar at less than half the cost, look at Eastman.

[@ratwynd]

Huss & Dalton, Driftwood Guitars and many bespoke makers are awesome but expensive. I have owned 6 Martins over time and have found the OM/000 body size is best fit for me. I still have 4 dreads from Martin, Gibson and others but lookin to find an OM42 at present. The OM/000 has a very balanced overall tonality without the midrange scoop of the D18/28 and to lesser extent D35. That is my ultimate acoustic instrument goal. My favorite Martin of all I have played or owned is an OMC16e in all Ovangkol. Tonal balance is like koa, creamy, even and smooth. A couple of years ago in Texas my sister and I were guitar hunting in Austin and I got an opportunity to handle one of 5 very rare H&D Thomas Jefferson Monticello guitars made from a Tulip Poplar planted by the hand of Thomas Jefferson. I did not play it, did not want to take the risk on a $25,000 instrument but it was amazing to actually touch and hold something planted by the hand of Thomas Jefferson, a rare connection to American history in your own hand hundreds of years later. I will always remember it and got a few good photos of it too. It was completely unexpected as we did not know they even had that instrument.

[@codymmusic]

Thanks so much for that! Love hearing about other guitars. Are you still around the Texas area? I’d love to get down that way gland go guitar samplin’. Cheers!

[@chrisanderson1515]

The finest guitars I have ever played.

[@WysteriaGuitar]

Not better, just different. acoustic guitars, like women, are all beautiful and unique in their own way...enjoy them all my friend.

[@uvp5000]

Martin is a good builder, but, due to the nature of their business model ("Big Acoustic Guitar" as it were), they have large company problems. If you want to play a Martin, buy a Martin guitar. If you have the time and budget to consider a smaller builder, you can find excellent instruments that exceed the quality found in larger builders.

[@codymmusic]

Agreed fully. As mentioned here, I’m A big fan of Recording King. I play their RD 328, and at $800 new, I think it’s one of the best dreadnoughts for the price.

[@timgraham2942]

pre-war guitar company is making the best sounding guitars lately.

[@bryanlemeilleurtexas]

They're pretty good. I dunno if "best", but definitely top tier.

[@timgraham2942]

@@bryanlemeilleurtexas all depends on what one considers best. whats your pick?

[@Droidiphile]

MANY guitars give Martins a run for their money. I perform with a guy who has a $5K Martin, and I'm sorry to inform you, but my $750 Yamaha FGTA dreadnought sounds better and has that killer transacoustic effect. Now having said that, I own a pre-war (1941) Martin classical (nylon string) that has unbeatable tone and resonances. It is my opinion that, for a long while now, Martin has rested on their laurels, and nowadays, you can get way better guitars at comparable price points. Or for that same $5K, you could commission a custom built guitar. Honestly, the older Martins are FN fantastic, but not anymore.

[@codymmusic]

@@Droidiphile Agreed. The most expensive guitar I’ve ever owned is my current Recording King dreadnought. Thanks for the comment!

[@trentpuskorius]

Huss and Dalton makes some incredible sounding guitars and banjos. I’ve been playing H&Ds since I seen Molly Tuttle play her Huss and Dalton TDR in person. I had to get one ! Sold my d-18 to get a TDM then I bought a Pilgrim with thermocured Adirondack top & it’s a cannon. Plays like a dream. I seen her at a small show in Madison, WI & she kind enough to sign my Pilgrim !! I love the 23/32 nut spacing their guitars have. I also have one of their banjos they are just a good as their guitars. You can find them used on reverb for much less than a new one.

[@codymmusic]

I had no idea she played one! Thanks for comment and for watching!

[@rodneyyarbrough6524]

They should because they learned from the best. Both of them worked for Geoff Stelling before going out on their own.

[@jeffhildreth9244]

A cooked top does not mean vintage. BTW the Finns have been doing this for over 40 years.

[@dahlbaker]

I'm a Martin man.

[@jeffhildreth9244]

I was a "Martin Man" starting in 1961. I have owned 16 of them. No more. Quality of the guitars and customer service long gone.

[@dahlbaker]

@@jeffhildreth9244 Of the 16, which one was the best one? Martin made 150K instruments last year. My last three instruments were from the custom shop (comparable to a Huss and Dalton) and the quality and service was outstanding.

[@edschram1140]

Very nice sounding guitar

[@michaelmcdonald3057]

Guitar reviews have become pointless. They all seem to compare with Martin, which always seems to come up with one better. I can't afford either, so I "settle" for what plays and sounds good to me. I own several Asian produced boxes that have their own unique voice and playing characteristics. My favorite is a Blueridge BR 163A, very well made, great for flat picking and finger style. Under 900$. I also drive a 2002 GMC Sierra with 226,000 miles on it. Looks great and runs perfect. A new 60 thousand dollar pick up wouldn't make me a better driver.

[@codymmusic]

I agree. The most expensive guitar I’ve ever owned is my current $800 Recording King. Up until a year ago it was a $500 Martin DX-1 (which I still have). I absolutely love Blue Ridges as well, as well as Eastmans. Funny, I lived in Asia for many years and played a lot of local made guitars during my time there. I’ve got some footage of one shop on Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. There’s an entire section of town where luthiers make instruments, and have some friends who had high quality instruments made from em. The point being, there’s nothing wrong with guitars made overseas. For the folks reading this, I VASTLY underestimated the amount of comments I’d get from this thumbnail haha. Thanks for it though! Great comment and post.

[@rinkydinky-ob9pe]

Martin is the standard

[@kennethkuehl4270]

Ever hear of Olson guitars.

[@codymmusic]

I have not! Any good?

[@RickFoxx777]

Great, another guitar I can't afford!

[@codymmusic]

You and me both!

[@michaelcoppola7523]

Taylor. Own a K14ce and a D41 and the former shits on the latter in every way, period

[@colmpower5197]

Click bait, didn't hear any Martin put to shame 😂

[@mickvictor]

$6500! Dude. Buy a Martin.

[@codymmusic]

This one is def. not in my budget haha. I’d have to give the Martin 1937 Authentic the edge over this one. Thats probably the NEW guitar I’d buy if I had the money. Thanks for the comment, Mick! Have a great weekend.

[@michaelburr6713]

Outrageous price. You can buy a 10000 dollar guitar that sounds better then that but who wants too

[@tuaacoustic]

❤

[@pickin4you]

I have owned several Martins, and that is NOT a Martin killer. Not even close. I have played better sounding Yamahas. My cheap Taylor sounds better than that thing. Sorry but it does. That guitar is too bright for bluegrass.

[@codymmusic]

Thanks!

[@donniebelk4799]

I like my Martin guitar

[@codymmusic]

I love my DX-1!

[@del1rn]

I don't believe it, it's a passing thing.