I bought my Martin M36 from Alamo Music because of this video and today I realized that I literally bought THAT guitar! The one in the video! It hadn't occurred to me until today then I looked at the pick guard and every spot is in the exact same spot. Makes it even cooler :)
@@soofitnsexy It’s a great guitar man. I’ve been struggling to find the strings that came on it. I don’t think they were the Martin Sps. When I got it it had fantastic base, put a new set of the recommended strings and not as much. Just put Elixir nanowebs on and sounds very very good!
@@227djc yes I agree...strings can make a huge difference even gauge...sometimes Ill put bronze strings and it will be perfect other times just a regular set of dadario PBs....so many factors..action...even the type of pick I use..well anyway I just bought a Martin d35 instead of the M36...I just wanted a bigger dread sound
@@227djc If it was at Alamo for more than a month or two there's a good chance they restrung it. See if they have a common set they use for their restrings. You might be surprised to find out its just bulk Ernie Ball or D'Addario strings that come in big tubes.
Based on this video and my playing this one as well as the Martin D-35 and D-28, the Taylor K24CE, Taylor 816CE, and Taylor 818e I purchased the Martin M-36 today and I really love it. The sound is amazing and it is really easy to play. Love the neck action, the thinner body, and the great tone I was sold on this one. I purchased mine in Lexington, KY at Willcutt's Guitars. Excellent and loving playing it tonight!
Chris, another fine video. As you reported, the M-36 is not the first thing guitarists think about when you say Martin. I'd never heard of it before. Thanks for bringing it to the attention of the rest of the unimformed guitar world. It has a wonderful tone and I would love to have one; however, at the moment, my guitarsinal is full, at least according to my wife. You referenced the Martin Jumbo line and also mentioned the Martin 15 line. One reason that my current guitar acquiring capacity is limited is that my wife found an old Martin J-15 at a garage sale. It was in very good to excellent condition with only a few scratches on the corners. I think I got it for a killer price. I tried to get more information about it, but Martin had discontinued the model and I couldn't find any information on their website. Based on the serial number, I found out that it was made in 1978. I finally called them and talked to a very nice person who emailed me the original spec sheet. It's a no frills guitar, but the all mahonany instrument has a wonderful tone and it's easy to play. I don't know what all this has to do with your fine review, but the J-15's the only Martin I have and I would like another one.
That's the best sounding acoustic guitar I've ever heard on this channel! I'm in awe. I'd never heard of the model.. but I'm very interested in the idea of a jumbo-sized OM type guitar. Thanks for sharing! Hopefully I can afford one and they're not super expensive. Haha
Fell in love with this guitar at my local guitar shop. Full warm sound, deep bass, and articulate. Bought one in July and LOVE playing it. I dream about how nice this guitar sounds
I love this!! Great explanation of what this guitar is and can do. I played so many Martin’s and Taylor’s last year and fell in love with this guitar. I do a lot of fingerpicking (Jim Croce, James Taylor, Simon & Garfunkel, etc). This is so comfortable and has a solid sound all around. ❤️❤️❤️. Beautiful playing!
@@soofitnsexy It does sound good for strumming also, but it is not as loud and boomy as a dreadnaught. I do a bit lighter strums on it. Check out some of my recordings on the M-36. (Like Mr Bojangles) ru-vid.com
@@justinburnettemusic that was fantastic...great singin and playing...that m 36 sounds warm balanced just right! is that your number 1?? I appreciate you
@@soofitnsexy Thanks for checking out my youtube channel! The M36 is the most comfortable and well-rounded sound. It is my number 1. I purchased it last year and love it. I've been playing a 1973 Guild D-25, and I have been borrowing my dad's 1984 Martin D-28. Each has a different sound. The M-36 is the most fun to pickup and play all around. I'll be performing with it after the pandemic is over. I'll get an LR Baggs Anthem pickup put in soon.
@@justinburnettemusic very kool! I played a beautiful d 35 today in nyc...i also hear an hd 35 is great as well...not easy to find these! I love the m 36 but I think ill opt for that bigger dread sound!
I’m no nashville session player, but I love my all mahogany martin’s for recording best. It’s cool that martin makes this “in between “ size guitar. I have never had the chance to actually play one, but they have been on my radar for a long time. the narrow waist creates more clarity, the shallow depth creates more presence, and the big lower bout creates more bass. It’s a great sound, for sure, but do I really want ANOTHER martin? I have a Maestro OO MH on its way, but if I didn’t already have one coming, I might seek out this martin. cool demo, Chris! 🐰❤️🎸🎶🤝🎶
I think many people that spend a significant chunk of change on anything have a tendency to "sell it" in reviews, sometimes as a defense mechanism to reinforce their decision making. I bought one of these about a month ago. I can honestly say that this is a remarkable instrument. Great tone, great warmth, great projection. I don't put it down. Several times I have woken up with the guitar in my hands after falling asleep, sitting bolt upright on the couch. If you end up with an M-36, you will not be disappointed.
Had my heart set on an OM-28 (or OMJM). Played the M-36 and was blown away by how much better it sounded than the OM-28 & OMJM. I was really shocked I have never heard of the M-36 before. It stood out in a room/demo of 20+ Santa Cruz, Martin, Taylor, Boucher, Collings $6K + guitars. BTW, love the 224CE-K Koa DLX I bought from Alamo (that guitar punches well above its price).
@@gpapa31 I’m sure the OMJM is better in many ways but the price/markup of it just had me a bit like “damn, is it THAT much better?” IMO, the M36 for the price is as good or better but to each their own.
@@carpediem4413 gotcha. I can believe you since I played several guitars more expensive than the M36 and I ended up with the M36 when I could afford all the others too.
Great video as usual. I have 4 martin guitars and had never heard of the M-36. Sounded wonderful. But I’m sorry, I’ll have to take exception to the guitar smashing at the end. For a guitar lover, it was somewhat unsettling to say the least.
I had the chance to play one of these at the local GC and was blown away. Excellent guitar. My only gripe, and it's a minor one, is that the fingerboard binding was a little sharp to the touch. Easily remedied and not enough to take this out of the top spot on my dream guitar list.
I was under the impression the inspiration of these came during the folk boom of the sixties. There was a famous luthier from NYC who was taking Martin archtops from the thirties which were not highly regarded by jazz players. This man would replace the carved top with a spruce top. David Bromberg is a prominent example. The guitars however are two piece backs, the donor guitars predating the three piece back by about thirty years. Great sounding guitar that clearly has its won thing going on.
I’ve been a life long SJ200 guy other than the cheap Applauses and Yamahas I grew up with with. Found one of these at Nashville New and Used. I was in love with 1st strum but I had just bought a new SJ. I’m in and out of there for 6 months and I couldn’t believe that guitar was still there. So like any guitarist, I rationalized that the Universe wanted me to have that one. It’s about all I play for writing and singer/writer jams. My only issue is the neck is a bit wider than what I’m used to, and makes it difficult to jump right into intricate chords higher up the neck coming from any other electric or Gibson acoustic. 9/10 for me.
I’ve watched several videos and the M-36 will be my next Martin💯 I’ve got a Taylor I’m excited about and it will be my Next then the M-36 will follow!🎶🎶🔥
Really like the channel. You do an amazing job Chris. Could you please do a comparison video between : 1. Martin GPC 11E 2. Furch Blue CM Plus 3.Taylor 214 ce Plus I am planning to buy my first solid wood guitar and confused between the above options. (I know Taylor 214 is not solid wood but its in same price range as the other two.)
Great info about a model I was unfamiliar with. Its characteristics are exactly why I love jumbos and OM sized guitars. They sit better on my knee and I have a light touch. Dreads (especially Martins) are just too boomy for me but I love their mahogany 000 models. This would balance perfectly in all areas.
YES! I knew I had an amazing guitar, but now I'm sure of it thanks to your elaborate and great review. Also, I love your playing! It's so true that no one talks about the M36 but wow what a guitar! Thank you for sharing the good news ;) (p.s. what strings do you use?)
I can't afford an M36, but your video intrigued me. I did recently find and purchase an M16GT though. I didn't even know this model existed. I'm a big fan of the 16 series so it seemed like a good compromise. It has a bigger, deeper, warmer, and woodier sound than my 00016GT so I used it for recording tonight and was not disappointed.
Hey Chris that was a brilliant demo. I recently bought a GPC-MMVE and love it. I'll have to check out the M-36 because it sounds really nice. However I'm getting a D-18 next. By the way you played very well in this demo. Great job bud...
The finish is darker than some other Martin models, I love it . But yes, it would be interesting to see it in a sunburst or even black, or how about a burgundy, WOW.
As always, lovely guitar. Truth is Martin, Taylor, Gibson and loads more all make lovely guitars of some model or other. Enjoyed the guitar smash, shame some people got upset about harmless fun.
Recent owner of a 2015 M-36 model orange brown looking top). I was wondering whether I should sell it and get the re imagined model? Have you played a post 2018 model, Is the scalloped bracing giving the new guitar a better tone?
Ok, I tried an M-36, 0000-28 Custom Shop, & their Custom Shop Jumbo (0000-28 but deeper like a dreadnought). Falling in love with a CS 0000-28 12 fret short scale large sound hole.
Cue up John Hiatt's 'Smashing a perfectly good guitar'! Honestly, you can see that guitar had a heinous crack in the top. Probably cost more to repair than what the guitar is (was) worth, but it's disturbing nonetheless. Nice tone on that M-36, but seemed a bit light on the bottom end. Love it when you play 'Amazing Grace".
I've owned (and currently own) high-end Martin's and Taylors . (Currently have a Martin CEO-4R and Taylor 714ce Limited Edition (torrefied sitka/brazilian rosewood). My M-36 is my go-to main player. I think it may be the answer to "what if Martin and Taylor had a love child?".
This guitar sounds SO much more open and woody than the 1970 D-28 I was playing yesterday, which sounded like a Martin for sure but kind of boxy. The one thing I'll give that D-28, LOUD!
Please, please i love your reviews but the M-36 is Sitka Spruce top and Indian Rosewood back and sides But you are right it IS the unsung hero of Martin's line up.
Thanks for the video! The Martin M36 is on my short list, the other is a Taylor 714. I don't live near a store where I can try both, and I'm so hesitant to buy something without trying it. I know you've played both, any comments on how these two guitars go head to head? Thanks.
My 93 year old trucker friend we trucked coast to coast bought a D- 38 (not "M") at a pawn shop in 1960`s for $165.00.He sold it in 2017 to a musician for $3,400.00.The Serial number shows it was made in 1934.
Hello from McAllen! So have they always been made in the same manner with simlar bracing or binding, or some years better than others? Been looking at a 2007....
Recent owner of a 2015 M-36 model orange brown looking top). I was wondering whether I should sell it and get the re imagined model? Is the scalloped bracing giving the new guitar a better tone?
Two things: You might want to know that there is a Facebook page now that's dedicated to the "overlooked" Martins -- M-36, M-38 and the J-series. Nice circle of folks who can articulate what this model is all about. Second: I must admit that the Grovers drove me nuts. I put butterbean Waverly tuners on it and the tuning is MUCH more consistent (and the guitar is more balanced with the lighter headstock). Just saying. And strings? You want Stringjoy 12s in phosphor bronze.
I would like to know the name of the song he starts playing at 10:45. Anyone know it? I know I've heard it before but don't know where to start looking. Thanks!
Great video thanks. I frankly had never heard of a M-36 before let alone seen or heard one. Sent me running to the Martin website to wonder how I didn't know about this guitar. Sort of looks like an OM in the upper bout and a Dreadnought lower bout with a Kim Kardashian arse. Doesn't have the same kick as a D35 but a wonderful instrument nevertheless. Would love to hear the same body shape with a Mahogany back and sides. That I'm guessing would be a great recording guitar.
0000 is the technical body size. M-36 is just the designated model name for whatever reason. 0000’s are the given name when it’s a custom model. M-36 is the standard lineup model.
Do Martin guitars hold their value better than some other brands? Yes. Do they have a good price-value ratio if you just want to play the guitar? Definitely not. „Quintessential Martin“-tone is marketing blabla. And I get it, you‘re a seller, Martin invests a lot in in marketing but the bottom line is that you get the same amount of guitar for a lot less money, take a look at Eastman (yeah, they kinda copy Martin in the acoustic section, but their guitars are handmade and top notch and they do innovate, too) or eastern European marks like Furch. At the end having a Martin is about the feeling and the standing, not in particular about the tone or the craftsmanship which both, of course, are up there. They have to be, asking a price of the post-3000 mark. Btw, I would love to have a M-D28 some day, just not willing to invest that much money yet. Have to improve my playing first. //edit: the end sucks.
I owned a CJ818 yamaha the nice of a J200...since I have not listen any other guitar with such sound quality....not even the L56 and and some of the Martin's that disappointed me.....
Great guitar! Btw: the guitar smashing at the very end of this video was disgusting!!!! Seriously!!!??? Absolutely no respect for that at all!!! Even if that was CGI it's not funny. And, that wasn't CGI. What's wrong with you guys???
For everyone concerned, yes, the guitar was damaged beyond repair. It was a Yamaha FG830 that UPS ran through with a forklift. The top was cracked along with the sides. The back had a 1” chunk missing and the end block was also cracked and partially gone. It has already a dead guitar. -Chris
