GSWJ - Why Do I Hate Martin Guitars? 

In 1978 my late buddy Carl Smith was getting hassled about playing his electric guitar in his apartment so he decided to trade in his spare Stratocaster for an acoustic. So I drove him to Fredericton and spent about 6 hours in the music store while he tried all of the available acoustics. The end choice came down to a $700 Gibson and a $200 Norman. He agonized over the choice for the last two hours and I finally asked him "Which one feels best in your hands?" He said, "No difference, really." "Which one has the better sound?" He shrugged and said, "the Norman, to be honest." "Well then, you found your guitar." Carl bought and sold all sorts of Fenders and Epiphones as part of his semi-pro music career as a bassist and rhytym guitarist. But he lugged that Norman to the day he died. RIP old buddy.

One of the things I love most about you, JP is your honesty. Tell it like it is.

This guy speaks facts, I just returned a Gibson J45 for a Yamaha FG5. Lots of these guitar makers have gotten fat and greedy, now they mass produce garbage and sell guitars because of their reputation instead of quality. Our loyalty has been taken for granted.

Man what a great video. I’m just starting my own guitar building journey and the master luthier I study under constantly preaches that a luthier is only as good as his last guitar. When you mentioned holding builders to a standard it reminded me of that.

This is the first video of yours that I've ever seen, instantly liked, and subscribed. I related to your love and dismay around these beloved brands that are so dear to our hearts a guitar players. The struggle is very real lol!

Just wanted to say thank you so much, JP! I’ve been watching obsessively for a few weeks now and I really really appreciate that you take your time show us cool guitars and share this great info! I’m a wildly mediocre but I’d be honored to jam along with you should we ever cross paths. Bless you, sir! 😃

I just discovered your channel after years and years of watching many guitar channels. And man what a video to start on! Well done and open minded sir.👌🏻

HI J.P.. greeting from Ireland/ You have just illustrated what I have experienced down through the years from gong into music shops and picking up expensive brands that simply didn't hear what I expected of them. I recall a conversion with a well known guitarist in traditional music circles who sadly passed away recently. He said "you don't have to buy an expensive guitar for it to sound good". great video.

Been watching you all year -- you tell it like it is from your perspective and folks don't have to watch if they don't want to. I'm a Martin lover (guitars from '73 - 2018), along with a few others. I have had great luck with all my Martins -- but not everyone does and listening to MANY reviews and opinions can only serve to increase one's knowledge base. Keep up the great work!

Thank you John, this was really inspiring. And kind. And true. God bless !

I wish I could have hit “Like” more than once. I really needed to hear this…everyone needs to hear this. Thank you.❤

The Martin factory is 5 minutes down the road from me and serves as a major pillar in the community. I have friends and former coworkers who fill various roles there, and I even interviewed for a management position years ago. It's really a beautiful place and I'm proud to live in the same town where they've been pumping out guitars for 150 years. That being said, I own a lower tier, US built model of theirs that I love and think I would only pull the trigger on a d28 because I can get the employee discount from a friend. I played 50 guitars at a local shop one day years ago--including martins, Taylors, etc--and walked out with a $300 seagull.

I have a martin 0m-15, from the Martin custom shop. Got it through LA Guitar sales. It came setup perfectly with a custom hard case. Plays great, love the thing

Stay the course John, I don’t know you but I hear ya. You are spot on. I don’t need to know if you can play or not. I know I can and that like you, I’ve had an international career. I hear what you’re saying precisely. I love your attitude. Direct, honest, well researched without being judgmental or condemning. What you are is loyal to the truth and not the brand. Keep it up! 😊🙏🏼

You're a great communicator, JP. This is an excellent segment, thanks !

I’m with you here. I myself only played cheap acoustics until I played a Martin, then refused to play anything but a Martin. Then I played an Alvarez parlor guitar once and was shocked at the quality for the price. Now my favorite guitar is an Alvarez BG60. I still have my Martins and still play them, but if I’m recording or performing, that’s my guitar of choice now.

JP you have been a long time friend and Mentor. Since about the age of 12 when we first met you inspired me to be a better guitar player. Though I have never reached the magnitude or ability that you have I have always stated That you are one of my inspirations to play. I agree with your statements about high prices guitars. I play mostly Epiphones because it’s what I can afford. And I can provide a picture of you and I with the cheapest of cheap guitars that we played as kids that I still possess. Bought from Ross Music in New Minas in 1980 for about $100. You could make sounds come out of that thing that would rival any high priced instrument. The instrument doesn’t make the musician. The musician makes the instrument in my mind. Keep picking and grinning my friend. Love ya. Al Keddy.

Thank you for your honesty JP. A rare attribute this day and age. You are one of my guitar hero’s, and I hope to do some flat picking with you sometime. I met you at Steve Kaufman’s camp back in 2008 or 9 and I believe you are one of the great torch keepers for the music. Keep on pickin, and keep on telling it like it is 😎! PS I am near Portland Maine so hit me up if you are passing through. I got a whole bunch of players who would love to meet and greet, and see a real legend IMO

I agree wholeheartedly with you. I’ve also followed your RU-vid channel since the very beginning, missing the fiddle tunes lol. My main guitar is a Rosewood larrivee dread, bought used, off a customer of the music store I worked at. We had a guy bring in a new Martin 000-28 reimagined. Less than a year old, wanted to sell it, $4999. Wasn’t even a good one. The law of 20% is very real, I’ve seen it in real life and I know you have too. Thank you for your voice. Keep it up Jp!

Hi JP, I’ve watched you for a long time, and there’s a few things that stand out in my mind. Number one you’re just an honest transparent guy, with a huge heart and an absolutely undeniable love for music and guitars. And I have enjoyed all the videos that I’ve watched you play an explain about guitars. I think you’re an absolutely incredible performer, but more than all of that I love your heart and your attitude. This video is just another example of who you really are. And I want to thank you for bringing these points up, and helping people broaden their perspective. Thank you for your enthusiasm, the music that you share with everyone, and for being the real deal. :-) My thoughts and prayers are with you as you pursue all of your musical dreams, and you continue to inspire others. Blessings, Tim

I have a bunch of guitars gibson fender Martin Normand I love them all and I love JP’s honesty just because mine haven’t failed doesn’t mean they are perfect for everyone.

Man! So glad I subscribed to your channel J.P. A real eye opener. Thanks for your honesty my fellow Canadian.

God bless you my friend. You’re one of the most genuine fellas I’ve ever watched.

Dude, you're 100% correct. It's largely all about the psychological connections we make with notoriety. Once upon a time, D-28's and other Martin models could be had at reasonable prices (like back in the late 70's through the mid to late 80's or so) but those days are long gone, and today's prices are beyond obscene. At the end of the day, great acoustic guitars boil down to 2 critical ingredients: (1) quality materials, and (2) craftsmanship, which would encompass build-quality. The name on the headstock isn't what's important despite the mental traps that we tend to get caught up in, at least temporarily. God bless!

the great Stefan Grapelli was famous fir playing any violin that suited him, the cheaper the better, so long as he could get the voice he wanted out of the instrument

"The name on the headstock DOESN'T MATTER...it just matters that you're happy"--Agree 100%

Thank you for your honest words! So true! It is now more than 20 years since I bought a guitar in a small music store. I tested every single one in the store and finally bought the one that was best for me. I didn't care about price, brand or anything. I was looking for an instrument that I could actually enjoy. I have bought different types of guitars since then, but this one is still my best one. About ten years ago I fell in love with an instrument in a large music store. Again, I tested everything whether it would fit for me. I found myself coming back to the same instrument that attracted me, which I personally favored even over the Martins and Taylors that were there at the time. However, the store is only for exhibition and testing purposes - the instrument you actually get is not the very instrument you tested in the store. So, the guitar I finally received was fine, nothing to complain about - but it was not remotely like the one I tested in the store.

This is a refreshing point of view. I’m totally on board with the idea to keep an open mind. As a builder, I try to keep an open mind on factory guitars, which can be challenging to me. I love that you are doing unfiltered, honest reviews of any guitars that comes your way. It’s the only way to be relevant in my opinion. Thanks for sharing your thoughts JP. 🤘

Hey John, in my opinion you are the best at all the stuff you do for those of us who love guitars !!!

Magnificient, intelligent and clear analysis, JP! Thanks! Arthur, The Netherlands

I bought my D18 for one reason. It spoke to me. I loved the way it sounded and played. I had a Taylor 314ce LTD (red wood cedar/rosewood) that I liked, but after one strum on the D18, I was sold! I thought I was a Taylor guy. My D18 is literally the best sounding guitar I’ve ever owned/played. It’s all about what speaks to you!

Hi JP, I went into a Guitar Center in 2007. There was a D28 with a couple of dings on it, so it was marked down a bit. I picked it up and played it and it made me feel so satisfied with the sound and feel that I bought it. I still have it today, and because of you I had a K&K mini installed. It sounds so good plugged into my Fishman Loudbox Mini my small audiences at Independent Living centers and Assisted Living places inevitably complement me on the sound of the guitar. I got lucky. It's my favorite guitar, of all time, and I'm almost 70. I love your videos. ps I think you're better than Tommy Emanuel, but don't tell him.

JP I’m an old picker myself. I own a couple Martins as well. Sadly even the standard series Martin guitars are now out of reach for most folks. My eyes were recently opened to the wonderful value of Yamaha. I picked up a grand concert in solid mahogany with a torrented Sitka top and a dual source pickup for a shade over 800$. Brought it to a jam recently where a Goodall jumbo, a beautiful Martin 68 dred, were being played. First the Yamaha really held its own, 2nd the owner of the Goodall who is a long time friend kept playing it shaking his head and told me, “ American made that same guitar would cost you over 3K”, then he said “ that’s a home run”. I’m also a member of the forum you mentioned and do apologize for your treatment. Peace

From one Canadian to another, really love the sentiments you express here :) I'm looking at getting a (lefty) HD-35 and even here in the states it's quite an investment. and yes, I agree with your 20% estimate; I just had a Taylor 814ce on a 30 day return that had horrible issues right out of the box, and even after 2 trips back to the factory didn't play right, so I returned it. I have another of the same arriving today on another 30 day return so we'll see :) - Cheers, Ed :)

Love it! ... Thank you for sharing, APPRECIATE your views and comparisons!

This video is amazing. I love your total honesty because for a long time I’ve been caught between buying a Top brand name like Taylor and Martin however, I can’t afford the models that I really like so I have been so tempted to buy a lesser priced Martin or Taylor even though the playability is not spot on to my preference. After watching this video I’m now going to continue my search for a guitar that feels totally great to me regardless of the name on it. Thanks again..

I've been performing live for 40+ years. I've owned or tried out MANY guitars in that time. Brand choice is a very personal thing. Music has always been a BIG part of my life, but not my career. I suppose I've never "toured" in the truest sense of the word. But I was heavily booked in three states during much of that time, sleeping in motels when necessary, but mostly being home for my family the first part of the week. Then I played bluegrass gospel in churches for 12+ years and my group recorded two albums. Now I have a three piece secular band again and we're almost ready to gig. In all my experience, be it for country music, classic rock, or bluegrass, in my opinion at this stage in my journey there are two guitar brands that stand above them ALL. For acoustics, theres no question. Martin is the only choice for me. Among electrics, Music Man beats them ALL, hands down. I currently own a Martin DRS2 as my workhorse and a Martin SWDGT for special occasions. My new (to me) Music Man Cutlass RS HSS is by FAR the best electric guitar I've ever owned or played. I take great care of them and when playing out they scarcely leave my sight.

In 1975 , I was a Martin guitar fan , and loved the D-18, and the D-35 that I owned. Then I heard a guitar that came from J. Larivee's shop and was blown away. I ended up ordering a guitar from Grit Laskin, who was in the early stages of setting off on his own after working with Jean. I ended uo selling the Martins because I no longer played them. Judge an instrument for what it is, nit for the name on the label. You won't regret it.

I was freed from the curse of brand loyalty thanks to this channel. Last December I purchased the finest sounding guitar I have in my collection (of 10 or so guitars), a Recording King rd-328. It beats the strings off my 1975 Martin D-35. After 25 years of being a Martin snob, I’ve finally come to the conclusion that I can find a far superior instrument with the likes of Recording King, Epiphone, and Yamaha than pay the high luxury tax of the Martin sticker. I’ll always love my Martins, but I sure do love playing the other axes more. Thanks for helping me see the light, JP. You’re the best.

This video was really eye-opening. I was literally obsessed with owning a Martin for the last months and always thought a lot of how to afford wheter a D-28 or a 000-18. I don't why, but i heard this models played a lot from my guitar heros and role models. You mentioned the emotional attachment to certain brands and it is 100 procent true that this attachment makes people blind to the real quality of a guitar. Thanks a lot escpecially for your kind, open and loving way to talk the truth about guitars, musicians and music. Thank you :)

This is illuminating. I had no idea that there were so many guitarists who are emotionally connected to a guitar company. Guess I should consider myself fortunate to laugh off the Martin price tags while others apparently weep. Purchased my Simon & Patrick Songsmith at a pawnshop for $180 (one hundred eighty) and then found a back up from Kijiji for the same price. The Songsmith sounds great and plays smoothly. What else do you want?

Right-on, JP! I used to have G.A.S. and woke up one day and realized I was distracted. Now I have less guitars but more humbled love for them. Brand names are myths! Sometimes good. Sometimes not! Thanks for reminding me about keeping an open mind!

I love and own #Martinguitar, and I love your channel too #JPCormier. I love all your videos, commentaries, keep doing what you doing there, no matter what others comments, we are all musicians, guitarists and we make the world a better place with music! I see you as a very honest man and keep it up. Much love #Nomiday, from #Miri #Sarawak #Borneo

You just came up in my suggested feed. I think I’m really going to enjoy your channel. I love honest opinions! I’ve done a lot of work on my martins to get them to play as nice as they should. I’ve wondered about the quality control as my early 2000s hd-28 ended up warping due to paper shims that were used. Never was the same after the neck was reset. I paid on that guitar for a year and a half too. To their credit they did honor the warranty and I still play their guitars and am a fan. Hope all is well!

Hi JP, I completely agree with you. My entire philosophy is based around getting away from the name on the headstalk, and really deciding to like a guitar or not truly based on its sound and of course neck profile. I count myself very lucky to have had a great high school friend whose father decided to start building guitars part time when I was about 19 years old. He would have me test drive them and let him know what I thought. when I was 20 or 21 he told me he would build me a guitar for the cost of the materials, and that guitar has been my main gigging acoustic since. It’s been rode hard around Canada, England and the states, and it’s still hanging in there. Obviously getting this kind of guitar at a young age is a rare experience, but it’s set me on the path towards loving handmade guitars, and as for all the others really not caring at all about the brand name. Of course I have my favorites, but it’s companies like Eastman, Recording king, reverend and the like that get me excited now in terms of factory made instruments, as I truly believe they are being made to a high standard for a reasonable price. I find them inspiring to play, and at the end of the day if we truly listen with our hands and use our ears to find our keepers, we will be much less frustrated, much more inspired, and will make better music as a result.

Dude, keep doing your thing! Let your work speak for itself.

Not an acoustic player, but I love to listen to you JP, it's nice to hear someone with common sense

a beautifully eloquent, from the heart video which has quite moved me, sincerely. love you back more!

I walked into Guitar Center for a set of strings for my Breedlove and walked out with a Taylor. Uneven trade for a 214ce but couldn't get over the difference in sound. The Breedlove was a solid wood guitar with accoutrements and the made in Mexico Taylor had laminated back and sides. I've been back since and always try out the acoustics and have never found a 214ce or even a higher end model that sounds as good as the one I have. I haven't found one with it's depth. To me, that's unbelievable.

Have loved your playing for years. As a guy who is about your age and has played as long as you, everything you say here has been my experience.

I played a $200 Alvarez a few weeks ago ( brand new) and it was a canon! Man it was loud, and it was cheap and it was brand new. No voodoo with this one. It was a cheap Chinese factory guitar, but it was LOUD and sounded fine. Love your channel J.P.

As a 67 year old who just recently decided to pickup a guitar, I found your video relating to why we gravitate to certain brands, and the short history of the big brands and their influence on all of us very thought provoking. I've loved music all my life, and ended up playing, buying, selling, and building custom acoustic/electronic drum kits most of my life as a hobby. And within the world of drum brand names, Roland reminds me of what the name Martin has done in its influence to 'regardless of the cost' draw people to their brand... sometimes without too much thought. Thanks JP

Hi John, you are completly right! In my more than 40 years as a fingerpicker and guitar teacher I met a lot of non professional players who don´t have the sense of hearing the difference! And lots of them have a good paid job which allows them to buy expensive guitars from a famous brand. So sometimes a guitar became a status symbol and the owners don´t realize that it sounds terrible because they are not able to hear it.You can´t help them.. All the best from Germany. I love your channel!

Love the show John its great !I have been playing a d35 for 53 years I had the neck binding break off on me in 87. but I still got it I find myself trying to find something to replace it with like a rd-318 but that costs more than what I originally paid for the Martin in 1973. Keep up the good work John.

Man I love this video. It’s passion like this that keeps music alive. Hope you get your Martin someday sir!

I agree with you on prices. I love Martin, but I’m retired and my skill level doesn’t justify $4000-5000 for the guitar I want (HD-28 or Om-28). But I bought a Larrivee OM40R and it was half the price of a Martin but sounds great, and the build is fantastic. Perfling is wood, and rosewood is gorgeous. The sound, most importantly, is perfect (for me).

I totally agree. It is a shame that these companies have prices out of reach for a lot of people. One of my dream guitars is a Gibson L-00, but I found an Art & Lutherie Roadhouse that I absolutely love. I can't imagine any Gibson being any better. Thanks for the content and info and keep up the great work.

One of my favourite instruments is a late 50s Hofner parlour guitar. A real niche/character instrument that records beautifully in very specific situations. I paid $40 CND for it in the late 90s. Whatever works for the individual player is all that counts. Full stop.

Wonderful video and you're a wonderful warm hearted person. Well done

Thank you for posting this, I've just subscribed on this video alone. Your love and passion for guitars and people just shines through, and watching this gave me such encouragement and hope for the future. At the end of the day, we are here to help one another and try to lift each other up, and that is what you are trying to do. I love your heart and passion. I pray that one day, God will give you your dream guitar, Amen. Keep doing what you are doing, God bless you. Love and blessings to you from Australia 👍

New to guitars, I started with a Gretsch G9500 Jim Dandy Parlour, great little thing and was just talked out of a Martin not by you, but by a Larrivée L 03 FM. My dream guitar is a Manuel Contreras. Liked and subscribed. God bless you J.P. 🙏🏽

I never comment on anything. This is my first. I am 54 year Cape Breton old once in a while guitar player. I have to say I really appreciate your honesty and integrity. Well said JP, well said!

Spot on pardner! I'm glad I stumbled on this page. Cheers!

These are all interesting thoughts, thank you for sharing.

Agree with everything you said...that being said I bought a custom shop D18 over a standard HD28 and HD35...also played a standard D18 and a custom shop J45. Nothing against the ones I left behind, I just preferred the action and tone of the one I bought. Love your channel...subscribed because you seem genuine to me.

This was really good. I’m a healthy 65-year old beginner. Accomplished musician my whole life, but a beginning guitar player. I want something that is quality but affordable, because I know what a good instrument sounds like. I will never own a Martin. So I will learn how to tinker with my entry level Yamaha and Breedlove guitars, and make them better as I get better. Really love your posts - keep it up!!!

Just discovered your channel, every video I've watched is seminar-level material, all guitar players will benefit from watching your stuff, it's about love at every level, the instruments, the music and above all the worldwide community of players, thank you.

Happened to me...had a Martin purist turn his nose st my 81 Guild F50R which is a dream guitar which I've played on stage for 40 yrs. Keep on keeping on JP

Hey J.P. The day after the Internet was invented, the Internet Troll was born (I know, I was there!). You don't owe these people an explanation. Further, no amount of explaining will sway the opinion of a die hard Martin fan boy. I happen to agree with your guitar price versus guitar value proposition. Getting into it with these people via a forum is probably not worth your energy. Point of fact, I have a $6000.00 Boucher and a $300.00 Recording King. I love them both, and and you would not believe the compliments I get over the sound and projection of the $300.00 Recording King. You always make it clear that your opinions are just that...your opinions. I think that the whole value of what you do in your videos is that you spar with conventional wisdom and force discussion. In that sense, the guys from that blog owe you a debt...

Enjoy your music, no matter what you are playing! Back in the 'sixties I played Gibson, Martin and Levin guitars against each other in my local music shop. The Levin was by far the best and has served me well to this day. It has a unique sound. I also have Martin,Taylor and Gibson acoustics collected over the years, each is individual and has its own characteristics. Hope to see you live some day here in Scotland.

I bought my Martin HD-28 back in 2012-2013 for closer to $2500. I absolutely love it! It hasn’t had any problems, and it sounds and plays great! I tend to believe that inflation over the years had something to do with driving the prices of guitars up a ton. I have looked at Collings guitars, Taylor Guitars, even Washburn Guitars, all of which made some great guitars, but I wholeheartedly agree with everything you said in this video, J.P.

As a wanna-be singer song writer, I day dream about music, guitars, playing and creating. I look for song Ideas in the least likely places. I come back to my Takamine EF 325SRC in Koa, time after time and Guys like you are so inspiring to me. Even after 30 years of sucking at this craft I come back for the hopes of another small break through. Finding an original progression, if there even is one left, is so elusive but so striking that I keep noodling until I come back for more, another day. I do not have brand envy but sound envy. Just finding that sound in chord play just satisfies so many levels of my ear, regardless of how far ahead many players are, just pulls me further in. Thanks for your insight , logic, wit and talent. Love your videos.

I make acoustic guitars and admit that a majority of them resemble Martins, especially the HD28. Love the beautiful work Martin has done over the last century to advance the world of acoustic guitars. I built my first acoustic because I couldn't afford any that I liked at the music store. Now, after making enough to properly know what I am doing, in my opinion sound better (louder, richer low end) and don't cost as much. As to reliability, haven't had any come back. There is a lot to be said for a luthier-built instrument.

Thank you JP. You redeemed me. I always lusted after the illusive Martin D45. Hadn’t the money as a young man in the 70s I think $3000.00 used. The price just went up and up. You know, but the young ones don’t know. It is heart breaking I tell ya. Music is for the Rich! D-45 is a carrot I will never eat. So I just said to myself it is not for me. The price is ridiculous. Look to other instruments if in your world you can try one or 3 out…

This is the 2nd video of yours, that i have watched. I am now a subscriber because of this video. This is the most honest and whole-hearted conversation i have heard probably ever. I only wish that there were more poeple in the world like you. Thank you for this greatly made video and your amazing attitude about music. " In my OPINION" you are 100% right. I'm gonna be spending the next several hours binge-watching your videos, to see what else i've been missing. Thank you again😊.

Back in 2008 after my wife and I split- I needed something to pick me up - I went to Long and McQuade and sat down and tried every acoustic in the place. From martins worth a ton of money to Gibsons, Taylors, a few semi acoustics and what guitar stood out? I wanted a bluegrass finger picking guitar that really spoke to me - It was a Martin D16 GT. It was like heaven in my hands! It was perfect for me -I walked out with that guitar for $1300.00 with the tax and never looked back. As it got older - It sounded better. So - there you have it.

Hallelujah!!! Spot on my friend! I've been a player for 60 years and I finally understood the problem of brand loyalty. Example being stumbling upon a Fourche guitar. Holy cow, blew my Martin out of the water and almost every other of my 14 acoustics. $ 1500 put it in my hands. Igot rid of the Martin and some others and I highly recommend you look into instruments from Furch, made in the Czech Republic and distributed here in the U S by North American Guitar. Excellent workmanship. You can see how they are built on You Tube, look them up. Amazing quality. My fellow players thought I was an idiot until they played it. Eye opener for them and now they understand they need to expand their horizons.

You are so right J.P. I wouldn't trade my Yairi for the Martin HD 28 I sold a few years ago.

Wise words man. Thank you for this video. I love guitars too n I’m a pro too. Blessings n keep in lighting us. Cheers 👋

Love your values and how you express your love for the guitar. I’m Canadian living in Asheville NC and loving guitar more and more. I have 4 guitars and they all add up to 1000.00 there are so many good guitars under 500 it’s not even funny. Learning to play the guitar well should be way more important than any brand name.

JP's endorsement of Yairi Honduran series, especially about buying unseen, seems even more remarkable now, and makes Yairi that much more impressive.

I was looking for a Fender Stratocaster. It was my dream since a long time. And now, I found one. For 320 Bucks. It's from 2007, and I am very happy to have it.

Thank you for this -- This was very illuminating and thought provoking. Cheers!

I guess it boils down to preference and comfort, I auditioned dozens from Taylor, Martin, Breedlove, Yamaha etc, but even though I had the budget for a D28, I was sold once I picked up the Martin 000-15 Street Master......it just felt right and spoke to me the most. Great video!

Brand loyalty is a good term for this. I started playing in 1987. Guys have walked up to me at gigs and said " Oh,. That's just an Epiphone" and walked away bragging to their buddy or girlfriend that they have the "real Gibson version" at home. I usually just ignore it and keep doing my thing. I always get a laugh at crap like that.

CSN&Y's 4 Way Street is the about best sounding pre-war Martins played through mics I've heard, for sure. And, Marty Stuart's old D-45 is pretty incredible.

I’m new to the world. I just picked it up on news years day. I just got myself a Martin D-10E. I absolutely love it but I also have an Inspired by Gibson J-45 that plays just as good. I totally hear what your saying! Great words from a kind soul. Keep up the good work.

I just bought a new Martin o-18. I love the small size, easy playability, and sound is enormous for what it is. After one night of evaluation I decided to return it because the intonation was subpar above the 12th fret. For $3000 I expected it to be at least close to accurate.

I’ve been saying this for years. I was an electric player in the 80s and picked up a nice used Japanese higher end Takamine which served me well for years. Then, one year splurged on a Larrivee LJ 09 which was beautiful. But then I needed a beater for the campfire. A cheapy Cort Earth with a solid top. Everyone, and I mean everyone, liked the sound of the 100 dollar Cort over the Larrivee. Blind sound tests confirmed it. Sold the Larrivee. Bought a Guild D55 that was once owned by you. Same thing. The finish on the neck binding was flaking on the Tacoma built Guild after three months. Sold that. Then a Martin D16. Same thing. Just didn’t hold up. Your honesty in dispelling the myth of headstock snobbery is spot on JP. One thing can be said of the name brand acoustics is that they likely TRADE better than a lesser name. If you bought a Martin or a Gibson in the last ten years, you could likely sell for more than you paid for it. Not as true for a Yammy or the more custom builds like Boucher. As the result, they aren’t as coveted in the used market. Your advice is spot on. Look past the name and find your tone.

This week's exciting guitar for me is an Eastman E10OOSSV. Killer - can't wait to get to it every day. I love my Martin OOO-18 too - equally. JP - I don't know you - but I like you. lol

Thanks for sharing your story. Super helpful

What a great example of concise critical thinking and honesty ! Which is extremely rare today. You definitely hit the right note .Well Done Sir.

I agree with you on this. I bought my first Martin in 1967 a D28 with money I made caddying at a local golf course. Wish I still had it. I've played for 56 years. Today as a normal retired person I can't afford most Martins I would want to own. Any Taylor I would want can't afford it. If I buy a acoustic guitar today it is an Eastman. I bought an Eastman E20D in 2017 it was a shop demo for $700 I play it everyday. I just purchased a E6D Eastman with a thermo aged Alpine spruce top and mahogany back and sides for $1100. It's amazing for the price as is my FG5 Red Label which was under $1000.00 . By the way J.P. you are on the Unofficial Martin Guitar Forum. I just saw that.

Man you"re awesome as a musician and as a human been .Best wishes from Serbia!

I bought a 2023 Martin D-18 from musicians friend sight unseen. Very happy with my purchase, it sounds great, plays great, looks great. 👍👍

So, i actually worked in a small music shop that sold nearly the entire martin range from 2014-18, and i got the opportunity to get very acquainted with a few choice models (the eric clapton 000, john mayer OM, om-42 and other REALLY nice martins) and sold a great deal of them, and although I loved the sound of many of these guitars, I ended up only ever buying a larrivee D-03. I still to this day think it sounds like a million bucks and outperforms many martin guitars at or above its price. When i purchased my Boucher HG-56 last saturday, i was able to compare the guitar to a number of vintage martin, gibson, and guild guitars. and when the buck came down to it, i had chosen between several models, a 1943 00-18, a 70s om-45, and a very reasonably priced 1956 ooo-18. at the end of the day, the Boucher absolutely blew every guitar in the store out of the water, and it has been a joy to play. Its my first truly amazing guitar, it makes me not only a better player but it has kept me constantly inspired to play. I've found myself playing for hours and hours at a time and to this day no other guitar has made me feel like this, not my beautiful larrivee or my gibson or really anything in my guitarplaying life. I truly believe if most die hard martin players had the chance to play a Boucher, they would absolutely fall in love with theirs as much as I have. But alas, Boucher guitars are really uncommon here in the states. Here in florida, the store i bought my Boucher from had only ever seen this one example, and i personally have never seen another Boucher in the state.

I was heavily imprinted on Martin guitars. My dad came from the area of Virginia where "blue" met "grass" as created by Bill Monroe in about that time period. So my goal after college when I took up guitar seriously (finally had some disposable income and some free time to play) was to own a real Martin. The budget back then in 1984 would only allow for a Sigma DR-28 at first, a rather good made-in-Japan copy of the D-28. Later I wanted to upgrade to a "lifetime" guitar and it had to have the magic initials "CFM" as part of the head stock. I became fixated on the J-40 and ordered a slightly modified one in 1990 through the Custom Shop. After all, this was to be a lifetime dream guitar so why not make it exactly what I wanted? Assuming that the custom shop would give me the best workmanship and materials proved not to be the case. Boy was that wrong! The woods chosen were fine and probably were a cut above the Standard models at the time, but the guitar never did intonate well. After 3½ years it needed a neck reset, but I did not know enough back then to realize that. The bridge lifted and the center seam split, despite careful humidity control (I attributed that to improperly seasoned top wood). I had to pay for those repairs myself, as Martin adamantly refused to honor their warranty, blaming my lack of humidity care as a cause -- without the factory, their regional rep, or an authorized repair station ever actually seeing the guitar. The denial was just based on where I lived and that we had winters. Funny how several other guitars in the same house and a 1920 Steinway grand piano had zero issues, just this one single Martin. Now several years later they finally relented and agreed to cover the neck reset. Imagine my feelings as the factory authorized luthier called me to report that the neck was 1.5 mm off center in the dovetail and the bridge was placed almost 2 mm short of the proper position. After he worked on it the guitar it *finally* had the correct neck angle and played in tune with itself and became the instrument that I had paid for originally. By then it was tainted in my mind between the build defects and my mistreatment by Martin. I sold it about three years later. The new owner is happy and I'm very glad that it is no longer in my life. Owning a Martin guitar --- NEVER AGAIN! Instead of fixing my guitar, they chose to alienate a multiple-purchase customer. I have told this tale to literally dozens of potential buyers over the years, probably costing them a couple dozen sales of Standard series models since.

Well said J.P. I agree with everything that you said in this video, keep up the good work! So many of these forums out there bring out the worst in people.

Love this video. I walked into my local store, played a few and walked out with a Japanese Flambeau, from the early 80's, with a case, for 600 Australian $$$. Best guitar I've ever touched... for me

I have to say you are one of the most down to earth people who really speaks the truths without bashing . I have appreciated watching you so much. I own a 1992 Alvarez Jumbo dreadnaught, a Fender Californian Senoran and Ibanez Classical made in Japan in 1978 and a Carlos Classical made in Korea in the 70's. I love em all. My budget does not allow guitars that cost thousands but the sound of mine is beautiful to me and the Elixir strings you have talked about made the instrument sing out.