gringopig's guitars
Martin Custom Shop Dreadnought Aged Adirondack Spruce/Wild Grain East Indian Rosewood
Not a vintage Martin. No neck resets or re-frets required. This is a Martin custom shop aged dreadnought in the old style D-28 format with herringbone binding. I have owned a few acoustics in the past but never got past the lack of volume and the struggle I always had playing them but always wanted a Martin. It's the only choice really, although after trying a few out recently, I played an inspired by Epiphone and it was just as good as the Martins I played so go figure.
However, I wanted a day out in the train and came back with this lovely thing. The case weighs more than the guitar!
Click on gallery for larger version
Luckily, this guitar has an adjustable truss rod as a concession to modern playability and despite internet rumours, they always had a truss rod but not an adjustable one before a certain time and if you buy an old Martin, it might sound cool but it will either have had a neck reset or will need one and what with the cracks and problems associated with a fragile instrument like this, I felt a modern one was the thing to get.
I did love the look of the old ones though and this one is brand new! Complete with Martin aging and yellowed lacquer, I love it!
I'm going to get to grips with this and demo it. It rings out but was richer sounding than the D-18 I tried which was punchier and drier. Much better for a bluegrass player I think.
Easy to play too even with the modern low oval profile. I wouldn't like it skinnier though.
I liked the rosewood back and sides as it seems to have a more rich tone but it really rings out and sustains really well. The wild grain back and sides look amazing and it's one of Martin's dealer specials with a label indicating guitarguitar as the originator of the order.
Signed by the current president of Martin Guitars as well. The company has been family owned since 1833
This has always been a desire for me to own a proper Martin.
Listen to the sound demo below. Use headphones or good speakers as usual and remember to select 1080p
