This is a video about the Martin D-41 guitar. This is from the 2018 reimagined series and is similar to the HD-28VS. Dustin recorded this with an Audix SCX25A microphone with a Rattlesnake XLR cable.
I own a Martin from 1917 that is all koa wood. I also have a 2003 Martin D-41. I love them both. Martin guitars are outstanding. The action on my Martins is very low so they are easy to play and it is easy on the fingers. Martin built these guitars to last generations. Even my 1917 Martin 1350 Koa has kept itself in perfect playing condition. Treat them well and they will last.
That's a really beautiful sounding guitar Dustin, and you play it beautifully too. I think you're totally right about the 40 series Martins having an extra dimension of sound to the rest of their models and many other makes as well. Definitely better quality woods is my guess.
You're not wrong. The 41 42 45 all sound very different than the D28 or D35. It's not just more bling. It's better grades of wood. And Martin's best efforts. Your playing is a treat. That sounds like one of the better D41's I have heard.
@@dustinrosemusic Sadly, no. In the '70's I owned a D18 purchased used from a bluegrass musician for $ 300. Amazing tone, not the best neck. But I have played a D45 , D35, D28 in a store. As well as a Collings. Also owned a Guild D40 purchased in the '80's. Now my guitars include a Taylor ce- 224 koa- satin finish- which has gorgeous tone and a better neck than the Guild or Martin I owned- and a Johnson dread pawnshop special which actually has great sustain and bass, but buzzes on upper frets. . What do you want for $26?. So even with the Taylor grand auditorium, I could still use a great dreadnought. Here's the challenge: you can get great zero-interest financing from Musicians Friend or their online competition- but then you are buying a pig in the poke. I like to actually play the acoustic guitar I am buying. I did get to play the Taylor before buying it. Sounded much better than another of the same model they had in. Meanwhile, I had the electric holy grail combo back in the '70's- a '67 Les Paul Deluxe Goldtop and a Fender Twin Reverb. Total cost to me. used? $ 610 for both .Traded for my second car ever- a '67 MGB. The D18? Sold to pay for rings and valves on the MGB. I was blessed to at least have had the best at one time. And I played keys in bands- guitar has always been a second instrument. But have been working to bring my skills up, and that is even more exciting. Hearing great guitars? Valuable. Hearing great guitarists? Priceless.
Wow Dustin. That was some seriously good playing. I’ve been trying to learn to play for years. I don’t come close to you. I have 4 Martin guitars. My 1999 HD-28 is the best sounding of them all. Everyone who hears it comments on it. I’ve had several people try to get me to sell it to them. I’ve got to say that D-41 does sound very sweet. Liked and subscribed.
That's a beautiful sounding guitar and beautifully played too. Do you mind if I ask what the first piece you played is? Is it standard tuning or open tuning? Loved the video!
Agree on versatile. I now have a 2018 D-41. I sold my 1988 Hd-28. Although they both have forward shifted scalloped braces, they are totally different guitars. The D-41 has more volume and sparkle. Not sure why.
@@dustinrosemusic There is one significant different between the two guitars I mentioned. The HD-28 has a 1 11/16" planed (thin) neck, and the D-41 has the much bigger 1 3/4" neck, plus it has a two-way truss rod, where the HD-28 has a one-way truss. The extra mass of the D-41 neck might contribute to it's sound and sustain, as it would be a stiffer neck. The HD-28 is also a fair bit lighter.
The D41 woods come out of the Martin “Attic” where they store their more precious tonewoods. Also, there’s some debate on this but I believe the 40 series of guitars are made in the custom shop in the Martin factory. The quality of the Martin Guitars from the 40 series just seems to me to be better.
Congrats and well said, well played. Premium grade wood and build. I've heard of those who came for a D-28 and left with a D-41. Did you get a chance to test drive the D-42? I picked up a D-18 with K&K mini in August, really impressed so I'm looking forward to adding one of the rosewood D models.
Thanks! I haven't had the opportunity to play the d-42 yet. I get the impression that they all have a little different mojo. I love the D-41! How do you like your mahogany dreadnought? Let me know what you think when you start playing the rosewoods. I'm interested in knowing how they compare. Blessings!
I had not given your evaluation between the D-4X series and the other D series guitars, but this has been my experience as well. When I have played D-28s, they lend themselves to heavy strumming/single-line flatpicking. Of course, you can play more delicately on D-28s (I haven't played many D-18s), but the D-4X series do lend themselves to more delicate playing (more responsive without the need to pound notes out of them).
Also, I disagree that the Martin dreadnoughts are in general meant to be very loud and bold. Just listen to any of John Prine’s work, for example, Hello in There. Just one example of some very beautiful and intimate sounds coming from a 1960’s D-28 Martin Dreadnaught.
Well, this is a very subjective argument. There are some master finger pickers who play on dreadnoughts. The John Prine song is a great example. I guess that it goes back to what the original intent of the design was and how the majority of players use it. Having a great big booming sound that competes with banjos, mandolins, and fiddles is not a disqualified for intimate finger picking. It just might make it a little harder to control for many. Again, this is just speaking in generalities. Maybe the D-41 is an exception. How would you characterize the dreadnought in general? Do you see it as more versatile than pushing into one box? I guess that there’s not one right answer but I definitely see it as louder and bolder because of the sheer box size than smaller bodied models.
@@dustinrosemusic Well you’re probably right that most people would think of country or bluegrass when they think of Dreadnaught guitars. But how about these notable musicians who really shaped the music industry who were known to play a Martin D-28 (and didn’t play country or bluegrass): Neil Young Joni Mitchell John Lennon Paul McCartney Don McLean (I understand American Pie was recorded on a D-28) Tom Paxton Bob Dylan And others. Anyway, I just think of the Dreadnaught can be a more diversified instrument than just for loud country and bluegrass. Can you tell I’m a D-28 fan? Dustin, thanks so much for your reply and take care.
Wow! You’re calling out some of my favorites. Those are some of the greats. I kind of think that in the ‘60s and ‘70s many artists used a dreadnought because it was in style. Many of them ended up switching to smaller bodied guitars probably because they’re easier to sing over. Some of these artists certainly are known for their dreadnought use while some use many different sizes of guitars for different applications. It’s really a preference thing. It is versatile, you’re right. However, I’ve noticed many lately who have been playing smaller guitars; Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, John Mayer (plays dreadnought and OM). There has also been some development done in the area of volume, note articulation, length of resonance, string separation, etc. Things like break angle at the bridge and nut, the total coverage of the bridge, size of the sound hole, the amount of scoop in the waist. It’s a deep well of information out there and many different opinions. I agree that if you find a great dreadnought (especially the foreword shifted scalloped braced ones) they are very versatile. I mean, this D-41 is proof that you’re right. I’m loving this conversation! You make a strong argument.
Your making a great argument Roger. I’ve learned from my friend John Standefer that great guitarist who can control a huge sounding instrument and really make them sing no matter what the design are a beautiful thing to see and hear. The skill levels of the players on your list are all very high, so they definitely define and strengthen your opinion. I almost always associate the dreadnaught as a mandolin, banjo, fiddle busting machine. That’s why I love them so much. Humbling a banjo player is a beautiful thing (In My Humble Opinion). Lol
I have a 2014 D-41 pre reimagined that I purchased new. While I like the new reimagined D-41 the strumming on it sounds muddier to my ears compared to my 2014 model . Single notes and fingerpicking on the new one sound fantastic but I’m not to impressed with the strumming overall . Don’t get me wrong it doesn’t sound bad but I’ve been playing mine for years now and the pre reimagined sounds cleaner and slightly more balanced on the strumming side. I think the forward shifted bracing is great on some models but not necessarily all … I’m very happy with my D-41 , I played roughly 10 , D-41’s and picked the best sounding one to my ears when I purchased it . Long story … 😉
Agree with what Dustin has said.And I tried the D41 on a music store ,it is a wonderful instrument with great sounding , great modern neck etc. The only drawback to me is I don’t really like the bonding on the neck…….😢
The d41 is one of the only acoustics that everyone agrees is the best. Usually everyone hears different frequencies but with thus guitar it hits hone for everyone. That's how you know it's the best
@@dustinrosemusic so I had a j45 than traded it for an hd28 than make a mistake selling for a southern jumbo gibby. Sold that got a d35. This whole time of musical guitars everytime I went into the guitar room I would play a d41 for like an hour. Best sounding guitar I've ever played. I'm getting It next mo th
Dustin, lovely rosewood/spruce tones, but mahogany/spruce combination is better for recording. I know what you mean't about the D-40 series.......I put it down to the higher calibre of woods used.
What year is your D41? I have a 1994 D41 and it still looks like it was in 1994. The bone saddle, nuts, and pins, as well as the white binding may be a bit yellower but all structural things still look and feel like they were in 1994.
@@dustinrosemusic Thanks dustin!!! I have used em all nearly and my ultimate favourites are ernie ball Aluminium bronze gauge 11 or 12s depending on the guitar.
I use Martin MA140 light strings on my 1994 D41 and they sounds warm and mellow. I also use the Martin titanium core strings; they sound bright but very clear and are very contrasting to the MA140.
My d41 2017 or 18 (I’m not sure ) coming with East Indian rosewood back and sides . I order it from musicians friends and it’s the best acoustic guitar I ever owned.. I own gibson hummingbird true vintage and SJ 200 true vintage as well . The D41 simply “sing” and such a pleasant sound. If I have to choose one acoustic for the rest of my life this guitar will be the chosen one no questions to ask .
I thought long and hard between Taylor and Martin dreads and went for a D41 in the end as they sound more friendly while the Taylor’s are amazing but clinical
