If you've ever bought a Martin Guitar because you have seen me playing mine - will you email me - with pictures? guitarstories@maryspender.com 🎸 My Fingerstyle Guitar Course! Learn with me. maryspender.teachable.com/p/fingerstyleguitar
Way back when, Martin guitars were scarce. At the time they were hard to get… you had to pay for it up front and then wait for about two years before it would be delivered. These days, you check with a Martin dealer and you could walk out of the dealer with your own Martin. I’m glad to see you with an OM-28… it is an excellent instrument for a singer-songwriter. More balanced than a D. Not to say that a D doesn’t have a place. If you find yourself in Northern California in the near future drop me a line.
Thank You for sharing this with us. Nothing could be more personal a choice than a guitar (and specifically an acoustic guitar). As a player myself, another person could order my meal, pick my cloths and shoes out, even choose a watch for me and I would get along just fine. My choice of guitar though, that can only be decided by myself and no-one else.
I don't own such an expensive guitar. It does sound beautiful. I have a 80.00 rogue. Now before everyone boos. It was all I could afford. Im dissabled and live on a strict budget.I set it up myself. Got the action down to 5/64ths. I named her marcalene the vpire queen. And she has literally saved my life! After my husband and sister died in the same week, I had a breakdown after the hospital I decided to play again. Playing gives me focus and a purpose. 4 yrs later and I've learned 165 cover songs and wrote 14. I'm 60 yrs old and I love it when I see people like Mary show their love for that special instrument. All the best to you musicians out there
Isn't it fun listening to and experiencing how these good, all solid wood acoustics age? The depth and strength and subtlety of voice grows. So rewarding.
The path statement and two hands feeling more connected to your instrument was everything. I appreciate the way you Articulated that. Amazing video. Love your music and style.
As a guitarist who has had quite a few guitars over the years, nothing touches my Martin D-35. My search for sound was simply over. Now I am wanting an OM or 000 like yours!
I absolutely love my Martins! I have a '67 00-18 and a '99 HD-35, both of which have stellar tone and personalities all their own. Just spectacular instruments. 🔥❤👍
In some of your videos you just glow. I finally realized in this one what it is; such an authentic passion! In this world of drama and negativity it is so fresh to see that. God bless you. The feeling I get when I pick up and play the first note on my HD-28 is like walking into your grandma’s house. It was the 41st one I played and the connection was instantly magical. It was 2009 in Gruhn Guitar and still has the mojo.
I am a finger-picker. I have owned 15 Martin guitars since 1961. I currently have a 2015 00-18V and a 1997 (one of 370), 0000-1. Your Martin seems to be an extension of you, beautiful and inspiring.
I was surprised at how the colour of the top changed so much so quickly but I like the more golden look. Really nicely balanced sound. Also prefer using fingers over plectrum.
Mary, listening to you play often helps me move passed my own mental block in my playing, this was one of those times. Love your passion. Thank you for yet another great video.
I have a 2020 OM28e Modern Deluxe. I love it. When I first opened the case and strummed it was like angel's singing. Now every few months it seems a new angel joins the choir. I play random rounds around Nashville and almost every night someone asks me about the guitar, telling me how great it sounds.
I have a 1985 D35. It sounds great. It’s one of the first Martins made with an adjustable tension rod. I’ve busked with it in the NYC subways for years, un-amplified. It’s a gem. I would like to get an OM28, like yours. Eventually. I have a Taylor 814ce, also; but it’s the Martin D35 that is my favorite. It’s a workhouse.
I've always felt that acoustic instruments choose their musician and not the other way around. It's such an intimate scenario when you play an acoustic that, when you find the right one, you know it and you never let it go. Wonderful video as always.
I have had a OOO28EC for the last 20 years its a beautiful honey gold color and has an amazing sound. I think I got lucky - just a perfect storm of amazing qualities. It too like yours sounds good strumming but it really comes to life while finger picking. Continue enjoying your beautiful guitar
Fifteen years ago, on a day I was looking for an archtop jazz guitar, I stumbled onto MY guitar. I've owned literally hundreds of guitars, and played maybe thousands more over the last 44 years, but THIS specific J-45 clicked the instant I put my hand on it. I remember thinking "I'm home" as my hand went 'round the neck to lift it off the hooks of the store, along with the thought "Why is MY guitar hanging on the wall of this Guitar Center?" I can understand, intellectually, that the neck contour matches my memory of the necks of two vintage Gibsons I had owned decades before and still missed. I can truthfully say the sound was reminiscent of every vintage Gibson I had ever played or heard and loved - but with a difference that has only grown more pronounced through the years, a breathy, voice-like living quality I connect with. I actually took nearly a month to give in and buy it - but I literally could not get it out of my head. And then the first night I had this guitar at home, I experienced something I've only ever encountered with well-worn vintage instruments. It's rare, but every so often I've picked up a well-loved, much-played guitar and felt compelled to play things I would not normally play, or with a touch different from my normal style. It was most pronounced with a one-owner '49 D'Angelico I got to play for a few minutes many years ago. This brand-new off-the-wall J-45 has that, and that first night I found myself starting the process of ditching the plectrum completely and shifting from the split between flatpicking and fingerpicking to using my whole right hand in what I jokingly call "bareknuckle guitar." It desperately needed a setup - the nut slots were more suggestions than actually usable slots, and cutting them deeper cleaned up some minor intonation problems. The dead-as-doornails strings still managed to convey what it could go, but years of playing and finally settling on Pearse Pure Nickel acoustic strings got me to where I found the tone I want and the sound that accompanies my voice the way I hear it in my head. When I finally got up the nerve to release my contribution to the late-night-singer-songwriter-acoustic-guitarist album genre "Midnight Sunroom, " this guitar was featured on nine of the eleven tracks. Even with the primitive recording setup, the guitar sound just nailed me to my chair. It was exactly, precisely how I felt a guitar should sound. I mentioned I was looking for a jazz guitar, and oddly enough, I found one. All of those lovely jazzy chords come out perfectly from this guitar, as it carries the Gibson archtop DNA in its tone - but it shines in all the other genres I play in as well. It might not be perfect for everything, but it sounds so good trying! This past weekend I had the opportunity to play a bunch of guitars in a shop. Nothing compared to my '05 J-45. Nothing even comes close. This is my guitar, my favorite guitar of all time, ever. May you continue to develop a rich partnership with the Martin!
My dad bought a yamaha classical guitar in 1969 for my mom and it just gathered dust until my eye caught it at age 14. Now 44 years further it sounds and plays better than many high end expensive guitars..
I own this guitar, minus the electronics. It's versatile. Looks, sounds and plays like a dream. It's a lifetime guitar. Mary, I'm curious, have you ever toured the Martin factory? If not, I highly recommend it. I'm sure they'd love to see you.
My much loved Washburn 12-string is my writing instrument. Cywin I call her. She's never been an expensive guitar, but she is the envy of many others. She's probably one of the last made in Chicago before production went overseas. She's temperamental, that is to say if she's in a mood, nobody on Earth can tune her, and if she wants to sing she's ready to rock at the drop of a hat. She's written 13 or more songs for me. She just settles in my lap and something new comes out typically something cheerful. She's a little roadworn. The dry climate in these parts is separating the clearcoat from the wood. Being a 12-string, she had to use a brace to keep the top from rolling. She's grossly ordinary in appearance. She came to me aged, and she's only a little more scarred today. Just the same I dread taking her out anymore. The fog in the finish, the action and tuning stability all argue to treat her gently.
A 12 string is a sound to behold. I find the action the most coveted feature in a steel string acoustic guitar: is awful to attempt to play advanced fingerstyle with a bad set up.
Beautiful. I have a mahogany Martin 00-15M and it has such rich warm tones that I love. Completely different than my Taylor, which is much brighter. I love my Taylor as well, but that Martin just has some magic in it.
I bought my Martin when life's problems prevented me from going on a big vacation to the Swiss Alps with my mountain buddies. I had taken out travel insurance so when the settlement came in I decided to get something special. Not quite my dream guitar like Mary's OM-28 but a nice playing Performing Artist series OM. It continues to sound better each year as it gets played daily so much it is in need of new frets. Still the best vacation I never went on, as I play it nearly every day.
Great video, Mary. I went 000-28 recently when looking for my dream Martin and am loving it. I look forward to it aging and getting old with me. I thought I was done getting acoustics when I stumbled upon a Guild M20 that I fell in love with in store previous to this purchase, but I've always wanted a 28 series Martin so now I have both and am fortunate that they are both inspiring guitars. I just need to add one of those Anthem pickups or something similar to one of them to have the plug-in option.
fantastic publicity for Martin all well earned - i have a couple martin customs and they're magical every time - i have had days where after i hit those initial chords, i stop, take a look at the guitar from a short distance and say, wow - wood, glue, no electronics, and it's the most extraordinary thing I own - and will be even if i were a multibillionaire. Especially the OM-28 - I have a custom that has the specs of the OM28-JM - as i said MAGIC!!!!
Got a 1975 D-35 and have had it since new! Over the years that's one thing about the D35 .. it sound has just gotten better and better. When I hold it against my chest I can feel the vibrations coming from the sound box .. amazing! 🤠
I built a Martin Dreadnaught style guitar many years ago and installed a K&K Trinity pickup in it (3 under-saddle transducer pickups and a mic). When I first plugged it in I didn’t think the pickup/mic was working. I turned off my amp to unplug it to troubleshoot and things just got quieter. The tone was so pure to the original, unplugged guitar that I didn’t even realize it was on. I turned it up and just enjoyed the sound. For those interested: Engelmann spruce top, East Indian rosewood sides and back, Honduran mahogany neck, ebony fingerboard and bridge, Sperzel locking tuners.
I currently have 3 Martin guitars. In the mid-1970's while I was a grad student I had late 1960's Ventura V-14 Japanese import and decided to look for something better. I considered buying an expertly repaired 1932 Martin OM-18 for $400 but passed it up because it seemed like a lot of money. Finally in 2004 I bought a brand new HD-40 Tom Petty Limited Signature Edition. It took a year or two for the finish to harden. It sounded great new and has only gotten better over time.
My first Martin was a 00-28G classical. Then I added a D28. I gave the 00 to my daughter and the D28 to a boy who had just lost his father. In 1995 I bought an OM28 PB, a limited edition with the pyramids on the bridge. If it was legal, I would marry this instrument!
I have a local luthier created violin and HR Pfretzschner Bow that have been with me for over 50 years now. We have all three aged well. Rehaired with Siberian White and the random new bridge and sound post. They are my comfort. Over the past 3 years I've held 15 different guitars. Bought 9 and gave away 5. My LÂG 30 feels so warm. And what a voice she has. That is my first reach always. Second is the Cordoba.
Mary, I moved from a hot humid environment to a cooler dryer one. After a year and a half the tone of my Martin is like night and day. Every day it gets better.
It's nice to see a musician on RU-vid talking about a dream guitar that could realistically be purchased by most people, and not some expensive vintage guitar. I recall seeing your video about this guitar from when you got it, and it was one of many pro-Martin videos that influenced me to buy a D-10 for my first acoustic guitar.
Even lower level martins without rosewood are made with so much love. I have Martin Road series DRS2. It’s about 4 years old I’ve owned it for 2 and omg it has been through so much hell it’s cracked and glued back, but the sound still makes my brain tingle and it feels like the sound keeps opening. I also use the same strings!!! Just the .12-.54. Martins are just really made different. I love my baby.
I used to live just 7 miles from the Martin factory. Would go there at least once a month to use their ‘picking room’ where they always had models to play. They also have a great tour if you’re ever near Nazareth, Pa.
I have the same guitar. I bought it on a trip to the Martin factory in 2019. I bought it a plane seat on the way home :) I also have the dark night finish strat... we have similar tastes it appears. BTW, using Elixir 12 strings really brings the guitar to life. I also replaced the bridge with bone.
Course Martin provided the blueprint and rich history that all guitar builders base their own models from. I’d love a Martin but I actually opted for a second hand 12 fret handmade Brook Taw guitar made in Devon. A guitar I really love
I was dead set on getting a D-28, but they're as common as muck. What I didn't realise at first was that the OM-28 is a lot easier to play fingerstyle and sounds better than a D-28 when played fingerstyle; it has a lot more midrange. The D-28 really shines under hard flatpicking which is why they are so popular with bluegrass players, but the OM-28 is a more versatile guitar that responds well to both flatpicking and fingerstyle.
I bought my D-28 in 2004 and had the same experience. After a couple of years it started to sound better and better as the years went on. It was "warming" as you said.
I bought mine years ago (2014/15) from Andertons, a DPA5K, which was marked down because it was slightly bruised on the underside. Best acoustic I've ever played. Very very happy with it.
Love your music. Love Martin. I live a 25 minute drive away from the factory. I photographed Chris Martin for a magazine and everyone there is great people. Nuff said.
So getting you just got my first real Martin a few weeks back after years of dreaming. They're such great instruments and to know that your own Martin is always waiting for you to play any time you like is a sweet feeling.
Hi Mary. I used to own a Martin OM-21. But I sold it during Covid and ended up buying a Yamaha FS5 second hand. Basically a Martin 000-18 in specs. Had an LR Baggs Anthem SL installed and I haven't played any other acoustic since. The FS5 is so punchy, resonant, warm and versatile. Made of good materiales, torrified top, japanese craftmanship and a world class pickup. Every song idea I've been written since april 2021 has been on my Yamaha. I adore Martin but the Yamaha Red Label series are the best sleeper guitars on the market right now.
I know how you feel Mary. I've been playing a Martin OMCE (#83 of 150) with Claro walnut b & s since 2010 and it is my "desert island guitar". Does everything well, plays great and is ageing quite nicely!
had a friend in high-school (5-6 years ago) who had a Takamine and to this day it is still top 5 in best acoustic guitars IMO good sustain, the clarity of notes individually or in a chord just felt and hit different and it just felt so right to play still not bought one but really want one
Acoustics are often best tested used. The acoustic sound also must fit your voice and picking style. I LOVE Taylor’s, but my voice fits perfectly with my Yamahas. That brighter thinner sound let’s my fuller male voice fill out that lower mid range.
I was a devout Martin player since 1972, Having owned no less then 11 new one's. From a D-1220 right on up to a D42. And everything in between (D-28, HD-28, HD-35, D18 and more). But I must say since the mid 2000's I no longer cared for Martin's QC. The fretwork in particular suffered. The edges were always sharp on the likes of a custom ordered D-42 and D18 and HD-35. I happened into a store where I had moved to where the luthier was also a salesman for them. He had me try a new Yamaha LL-16 dreadnaught like bodied guitar. It blew me away. He dialed it in fitting it with a bone saddle and pins and I also fitted it with my favorite (like you) Martin light gauge "Lifespan" strings. It has output greater then ANY of the Martin"s I'd ever owned with only one exception, a 1975 D-35 that was a freak cannon. This Yamaha however is also a cannon. It's output is unreal with exceptional clear and defined low end and mid punch along with superb sweet high end. The action is unlike anything a Martin could bring to the table. The sustain is other worldly and beyond any guitar I've ever played in the 58 Years I've been playing. The neck is also unreal. I would encourage you or anyone else to try one. I am saddened that Martin's quality of production has slipped over the years, and their setup remains rather uncomfortable.
Dearest Mary, while I love the sound of your OM-28, I indeed have the Holy Grail, my 1968 Martin D-28 Brazilian rosewood. It has a majestic sound made in heaven.
I’ve had a Taylor 314 since 2007 but have always loved the Martin sound. Finally decided to get one last month and not being near a dealer, researched UTube and online extensively, thinking that the Martin 00-28 was ideal. I went to Elderly music in Lansing Michigan and compared that model to the 000-28 and couldn’t believe how much better the latter sounded to me. Then I tried the OM-28 and was surprised again- in fact couldn’t even find another guitar that felt or sounded as good to me (by my own playing).
Thank you for articulating my feelings for finger style as well. I feel like I am always having to make excuse for avoiding a plastic pick when I feel as though there is another direction for me.
No excuses are needed. I abandoned the pick about 20 years ago and have never looked back. Playing a melody on top of a bass line (fingerstyle) is very rewarding and well worth learning.
Totally agree with you both. Sure, I strum songs especially covers where the rhythm is so key to the song. But, for me to really enjoy playing and singing, fingerstyle is what truly makes me love playing the song. It’s that connection that Mark describes that connects me to the song. Yeah, I play a ton of John Prine but a surprising number of classic/new rock songs too. And yes, my primary is an HD-35 but a Gibson J-45 is a go-to as well.
Metal and rock guitar always pull me to the side, but I always seem to be more practiced at acoustic versions and especially at fingerstyle. Always found playing fingerstyle relaxing.
Same here. I have observed that there is a difference between what distracts us and what is our true skill and path. I find that I am tugged by metal but I keep coming back to acoustic because that is where I shine when I play.
Mary one day if you are in Guildford I would love to show you my collection of Martins. I have a 000 custom shop Adirondack cocobolo then a EC 2800 a OMJM a custom OM28 Deluxe VTS and a Brooke Legertwood then recently I acquired a 00-28 and have to say I have played everything from Australian guitars to Furch and Taylor and many many more. Honestly I can vouch all my Martins have Anthem pickups and they are absolutely the finest instruments I have ever owned. Just love them
I bought a Martin 000-28 in 2018. It came down to it or the OM-28. Fortunately, the store had both in stock so I could try them side by side in a very quiet room. In the end, one just speaks to you more.
I have a Martin Dreadnaught, Jr. that I bought in 2,015. The top has aged and looks older than it is. The sound is so much better than when I first bought it. I had thought about selling it once. But, it sounds too sweet now and is way too comfortable to play for me to think about parting with it. It’s one of my guitars that now feels like an extension of me.😊
It really sounds lovely. A long time ago, I knew a beautiful woman who had a lovely voice and played guitar. She had a Martin. It's worth every penny for sure.
Mary, like you I have only played finger style guitar. I was born in 1950, and my father got me an archtop Harmony guitar in 1962. I didn't know how to tune in so for the first 6 months to 9 months I just picked the strings and changed until I heard things I liked as a child I would lay on the floor and listen to the strings and watch them vibrate I fell in love with the sound the guitar makes. I bought a Martin CPGPA1 with the Fishman Aura +1 mic modeling software and hardware. The guitar played perfectly with the hardware in it. I have never use a flat pick and I don't know how. When Paul Simon came out with April Come She Will and Kathy's Song, I was already picking on level with those tunes. I am selling the GPCPA1, for 2 guitars, a Martin 00-18 AND Gibson 1942 00-21 Gibson repro...Great sound, just a little more treble on the Gibson. BUT IN THE MEANTIME, I was in my favorite store called Parkway Music in Clifton Park, NY(upstate Adirondacks) A fellow (Luthier) was pushing his guitars. His Name wa George Krakat. I found the dream guitar. It has a sound that is halfway between Gibson and Martin, and plays like a damn dream with probably the highest quality tone and natural sustain I have ever heard. I have one question for you you're sitting back in your place of rest and playing your guitar and it sounds beautiful. what are you recording on I have never been able to get the natural sound of my guitar further than the room mine in because any recorder I use doesn't truly capture it. what am I listening to when you play your guitar in this clip, or I should ask, what gear?
Love the Martin OM/0/00/000/etc bodies. They sound so good. Dreadnoughts are sound cannons, but the rounder bodies have more nuance to their tone, especially Martin's versions.
I just purchased a Martin GPC-16E Rosewood Acoustic-Electric Guitar. The very first guitar I bought in 1969 was a Martin. One of my teachers worked at the local music store and showed me the guitar. It had been dropped then developed a crack on the top by the bridge. It was only $150 as is. I finally had a nice guitar that fingered well and sounded great. This guitar came with me to Southeast Asia, the island of Iwo Jima while in the service. And then into the '80s and grad school. Unfortunately the dry heat of a wood stove during the New England winters finally caused the crack to widen and the bracing to separate. Being a poor grad student and being the son of a cabinet maker, I attempted to replace the top. Alas, my carpentry skills did not make me a luthier although it was "playable". I soon. bought an Applause entrained by the rounded back and it was affordable. I drifted away from playing regularly. But 22 years ago this night, A house fire took my wife's life. We lost much, but the Applause guitar (in spite of its damage) and music started our (my two young teenage children and my) recovery. After we settled into our new home, I purchased a Seagull acoustical. I enjoyed the guitar and joined the folk music group at church. My son now has the Seagull guitar. I remarried. My second wife joined the group and bought a Taylor 414-CE-L4 once she started taking guitar lessons. After breaking her ankle 8 years ago, we both stopped playing regularly. (I was focusing on live sound for community events.) When the possibility rose to play at a different church, I noticed the Taylor would not stay in tune. The dry air during winter caused the Taylor's top and back to crack in four places! Taylor recommended a local luthier who identified a previous repair in the guitar's first year. Seeing this luthier's workmanship of the guitars in his shop makes me wish I had brought my original Martin to a luthier. Ironically, this luthier is a scant dozen miles from where I purchased the original Martin. Ah, hindsight! Now, it's time for sleep. In the morning I will pick up my new Martin, enjoy the fragrance of the rosewood while attempting to get my 70 year-old fingers to properly fret and pick the strings with the appropriate hands. I love the mellow tones of this Martin as much as I appreciate the brightness of my wife's Taylor.
I too have an OM28e and it is amazing! It and my HD28 are my favorites. Have a couple Taylor's as well but the Martin is just a different feeling. My OM28 is my couch guitar. Its always around and always makes me smile.
I love Martin, and thanks to a love of Jimmy Page, I've learned to play PIMA fingerstyle over the last 40 years. I play my electrics fingerstyle as well, about 30% of the time, but being a hard rock/prog metal electric player, I use a Jazz III pick for single note and rhythmic playing. I have a D-15, which is the solid mahogany Dreadnaught shape, but I'd like an OM or OOO, probably an 18 style because I love the tone of Mahogany. Great playing as always :)
Thanks for this post, I've the same OM and really enjoy it After sold my D41...different but you are right, for finger style and for singer, it's one of the best guitar ! 😘
My holy grail, now hanging 3 feet away, is my Martin D35. Moved from an Epiphone, to a Guild, to this D35. Anything above that is out of my snack bracket.
You made a wise choice OM-28E, nothing compliment’s a singer songwriter better. Not only that, but you own a piece of history. Don’t sell it because it’s an heirloom.
Mary, I have the shorter scale cousin of your guitar, the 000-18. It’s an incredible instrument. I also enjoy finger style. Been playing for years, but I seem to gravitate back to finger picking. I really enjoy your videos. Do well.
I tried different guitars and my fav is the Martin 000 - 15M full Mahogany :)... but yours is so awesome too :D but u make every guitar sound good for sure...
Your dream guitar is my dream guitar, I also have an OM28, but I installed the fishman infinity blend pickups. The D28 was too bass heavy and I thought the comparable taylors were too bright... the OM28 to me is the perfect balance of high and lows
I've also got an OM-28 as my main acoustic! Definitely the best purchase I've ever made. I have a string recommendation for you, Mary! Try out the Lifespan 2.0 Bronze strings once and see how you feel. I find that the little bit of extra brightness (compared to phosphor bronze) is really nice for this particular guitar.
I got an OMCPA5 several years ago to play at my sister's wedding. When I was at the guitar shop, I'd tried every other guitar in my price range, but avoided this one because it was black (seemed just gimmicky) and it's mostly made of composite/laminate woods. I was about to leave the store and thought I should just try it out anyway. A minute later I was at the cash register buying it. I named her Claudia and I've enjoyed every note we've played together. An OM might not have the same volume as a dreadnaught, but holy hell does it sound great.
I have several guitars but far and wide though, if I had to pull one out of my burning house (after pulling my family our first of course) it would hands down be my Larrivee OM-03R. I fell in love with the model at the very first note but couldn't bring it home because the price tag. Imagine my surprise when a crowdfunding effort on the social media of the time (guitar forums) surprised me with one as a gift one day 16 years ago. I was humbled by the gesture and made a joyful noise with it in church for over a decade prior to COVID. It's "relicked" now with the top taking that same pumpkin hue your Martin has and it feels like an extension of me whenever I play it. Even with medium gauge strings and my small hands, the neck profile and body size make fingerstyle feel effortless when I'm in the zone. PS, I do have a Martin D-16GT and love its tone but it's still not the HD-35 that has that tone of 60s/70s folk and rock that originally inspired me to play when I was a child.
