bigG
October 7th, 2009, 02:50 PM
I haven't been on much lately due to various projects that have been consuming my time. Sorry about that.
In my guitar playing, since I got my Martin 00X1 and Taylor 310, I have not touched an electric guit! Big time into acoustic playing!
Well, on Monday I had a blind A-B-C test set up at my local Martin dealer, between a Martin SWDGT, a used Taylor 810 (mint condition), and a Martin D-18. Each was labeled #1, #2 and #3, respectively (w/o my knowledge). This was for me to make a final choice by tone and sound alone: strummed, flat-picked and finger-picked on each.
The results: I preferred the sound of the Martin SWDGT first, the D-18 second and the Taylor (!) third! Chris, my guitar tech and shop proprietor, was grinning from ear to ear, 'cause he's a BIG Martin guy and he loved that, in a blind test, I preferred the much less expensive Martins over the $3200 MSRP Taylor!
BUT, the story doesn't end there. Neither the SWDGT nor the D-18 really "spoke" to me, if ya know what I mean. I was perplexed.
Also on that Monday, Chris had shown me a Martin M-36 (MSRP $3200 - street $2399) which I fell in love with, but felt I could no way afford. BUT, that M-36 was why none of the others were "speaking" to me...grabbing me, as in "I'm the one".
End of story: Today I went to the shop again, played the M-36 against the SWDGT and the D-18, and truly there was just NO comparison. The M-36 had such a more rounded, bell-like tone, and the smaller M body size, w a neck and action that was heavenly...I knew then and there I had to have the Martin M-36. THAT was why the SWDGT and D-18 weren't doing it for me. The M-36 rang my bell immediately!
So, after some friendly bartering (he lowered the price from $2399 to $2369), and the shop is having their annual "no tax" month, both Chris and the owner allowed me to pay $1500 now, take the guitar home, w the understanding that I would pay the balance of $869 within 30 days (will probably be done next week). And, just to make myself feel better, I insisted they hold one of my electric guits as collateral. They said "No, man. No need, we're not worried about you at all". THAT is a good feeling! But I let them hold one of my electrics anyway, because I felt better about it. (They're like family now. I've bought all of my Peavey gear from them, as well as Ibanezes that have come and gone, the Taylor 310 and two Martins...)
As of today, I am the VERY PROUD owner of a full-blown, full-fledged, REAL Standard Series Martin M-36 acoustic guitar! With Geib style HSC included...just beautiful! AND, I got a free guit stand and Martin T-shirt w the guitar...AND, I will be receiving, from Martin, a goodies package of 13 sets of strings, polishing cloths, polish, a tuner turner, picks...and I can't remember what else! Man, what a feeling, and what a guitar! I am so pleased, and so humbled, I'm about off my nut!
What a GREAT day! Now to go and play my new M-36 for about, oh, 4 or 5 hours...!
Yours in all humility...
G :agree
In my guitar playing, since I got my Martin 00X1 and Taylor 310, I have not touched an electric guit! Big time into acoustic playing!
Well, on Monday I had a blind A-B-C test set up at my local Martin dealer, between a Martin SWDGT, a used Taylor 810 (mint condition), and a Martin D-18. Each was labeled #1, #2 and #3, respectively (w/o my knowledge). This was for me to make a final choice by tone and sound alone: strummed, flat-picked and finger-picked on each.
The results: I preferred the sound of the Martin SWDGT first, the D-18 second and the Taylor (!) third! Chris, my guitar tech and shop proprietor, was grinning from ear to ear, 'cause he's a BIG Martin guy and he loved that, in a blind test, I preferred the much less expensive Martins over the $3200 MSRP Taylor!
BUT, the story doesn't end there. Neither the SWDGT nor the D-18 really "spoke" to me, if ya know what I mean. I was perplexed.
Also on that Monday, Chris had shown me a Martin M-36 (MSRP $3200 - street $2399) which I fell in love with, but felt I could no way afford. BUT, that M-36 was why none of the others were "speaking" to me...grabbing me, as in "I'm the one".
End of story: Today I went to the shop again, played the M-36 against the SWDGT and the D-18, and truly there was just NO comparison. The M-36 had such a more rounded, bell-like tone, and the smaller M body size, w a neck and action that was heavenly...I knew then and there I had to have the Martin M-36. THAT was why the SWDGT and D-18 weren't doing it for me. The M-36 rang my bell immediately!
So, after some friendly bartering (he lowered the price from $2399 to $2369), and the shop is having their annual "no tax" month, both Chris and the owner allowed me to pay $1500 now, take the guitar home, w the understanding that I would pay the balance of $869 within 30 days (will probably be done next week). And, just to make myself feel better, I insisted they hold one of my electric guits as collateral. They said "No, man. No need, we're not worried about you at all". THAT is a good feeling! But I let them hold one of my electrics anyway, because I felt better about it. (They're like family now. I've bought all of my Peavey gear from them, as well as Ibanezes that have come and gone, the Taylor 310 and two Martins...)
As of today, I am the VERY PROUD owner of a full-blown, full-fledged, REAL Standard Series Martin M-36 acoustic guitar! With Geib style HSC included...just beautiful! AND, I got a free guit stand and Martin T-shirt w the guitar...AND, I will be receiving, from Martin, a goodies package of 13 sets of strings, polishing cloths, polish, a tuner turner, picks...and I can't remember what else! Man, what a feeling, and what a guitar! I am so pleased, and so humbled, I'm about off my nut!
What a GREAT day! Now to go and play my new M-36 for about, oh, 4 or 5 hours...!
Yours in all humility...
G :agree