Why Guitar Players Choose Martin 

This man only has guitar stories. Not that im complaining

I got my great uncle’s Martin d28 when he passed away a few years ago & let me tell you, the sound of strumming some loud & full cowboy chords on a Martin cannot be beat!

Bought my first Martin in 1968, it was a D35. I was inspired as a lad(hehe) by the Beatles who played D28's. (Paul and John) The Martin has a distinct sound that you can easily recognize anywhere in a recording. It's a sound, vibe history you name it. I'm 70 and I still play my beautiful Martins everyday and use them extensively for recording. Nice video Mike. You might consider doing a video about famous guitarists playing their favorite Martin guitars. Great job!!

I’ve had 3 Taylor’s and I loved them all. I stacked up an 000-15m vs Taylor’s top comparable price point mahogany guitars and it sounded amazing. My first Martin, happy to have it, sounds so warm.

Enjoy the journey. I'm 73, fortunate to have owned Taylor, Bourgeois and Collings, but my heart belongs to Martin, with over 30 guitars from Nazareth over the decades. There are so many models and tonewoods, I retired with my 4 lifetime favorites: a Custom Shop OM-28 (Alpine over Madagascar), an OM-18 Authentic (Adirondack over Mahogany), an OM-45 TB (curly Engelmann over flamed Tasmanian Blackwood) and Custom Shop 00-42 (Premium Adirondack over Premium Madagascar). At one point years ago I had 5 Martins with 10 different tone woods, and 3 body sizes, love the sonic differences. Have fun playing, music is the best................

All original, near mint condition 1972 Martin D-18. Handed down to me from my father as a graduation gift.Without a doubt one the BEST guitars I have EVER played.

My first nice guitar was a Taylor 314ce. I legit loved that guitar. But then one day I made the mistake of picking up a Martin D18 in a guitar store and couldn’t put it down. Ended up buying it a week later because I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I eventually sold my Taylor because it just never got played and I haven’t looked back.

I recently got my first Martin, an older 000-15S, which is all mahogany and a 12-fretter with a slotted headstock. I love it! I also picked up a Gibson J35 last year. After 30 years of playing, I finally have nice acoustic guitars!

I've played many different makes and models over the years as a solo acoustic guy, but a high end Martin guitar sounds like nothing else on earth. My D41 amber is just gorgeous and sounds like 6 strings worth of heaven.

Martin tone is just magical. It touches us in a deep soulful way. It’s rich and powerful and balanced. I’ve had Taylors and now I have two Martins. I appreciate the journey and what I have now. I’m also grateful for the work that was put into the instruments by people I will never meet, but their work is a beautiful gift. Thank you for your review. Well done, and tasteful.

Easily one of my favorite channels, keep it up!

I've been playing since 1967 and have never owned a Martin. Once, back in fall of 2010 I took an OM off the rack and played a few chords on it. It was a high-end piece and the tone was worthy of the price tag. I quickly put it back, as Murphy and his Laws are very fond of me. That's my sole experience playing a Martin, other than the OM Sigma I owned in the 70s.

I love hearing guitarists just chatting about guitars! I have 3 Martins (HD28, D-Jr 10E, and LX1-E) and absolutely love them. I originally wanted a Martin because it seemed as though all of the great musicians I absolutely love all play Martins! (At least, when playing an acoustic guitar). I figured - if good enough for them, how could I go wrong. I love that ‘warm’ deep tone that only a Martin seems to have. Absolutely no regrets!

The first nice guitar that I bought myself was a Martin GPC 16-e with mahogany back and sides and I wanted a comfortable guitar with a smooth and well-rounded sound that had access to the upper frets for those few and far between occasions where I’m trying to get up there. The large bout gives it a full and deep sound and you still get good clarity up in the high notes! I’m just absolutely stoked with it! I do put elixirs on it, so that does add in a little extra brightness.

I have 3 Martins. The last one is my favorite. It’s an OM-18 Authentic 1933. After 3 right shoulder/arm surgeries, I needed something smaller than a D. I fell in love with the feel and the sound.

My first good acoustic was a Martin OMC 1e... I used that from the time I was 15 till I was 24. Then I bought a D28. Changed my life. So much depth and fullness. Playing that D28 4-5 nights a week for 3 years now never gets old. I've always loved Martins.. but also really like Eastmans as well. I have an Eastman e10ss (Gibson j45 clone) that I use for rhythm tracks. Great quality for the money. Great video dude!

I owned a D28 for a few years and loved it's big sound. At a guitar camp, where I was playing all day, I realized how uncomfortable the big body was to play. I began putting together a criteria of what I wanted in a smaller body guitar: rosewood, 1 3/4 nut, short scale, and scalloped bracing. The perfect fit to my criteria was the OOO28 EC. I found a used one and after a period of adjustment I fell in love with it. My only mistake was, I sold the D28. Maybe someday I'll get an HD28 (has much bigger sound than the D28) but I'll have to sell a couple of guitars before that happens.

I got an SC 13 because I play live and mostly solo plugged into a voicelive 3 and an HX stomp. It is one of the most versatile stage acoustic guitars you can have. But at home when I’m just jamming out, I play Gibson J 200. Great video, Mike.

I love your energy, and enjoy these stories of your guitar journeys! I was recently impressed with a Martin GPC-X2E at my local shop. I had no idea Martin made such an affordable player's guitar, or that it would sound so good compared to other cutaway electro'coustics at similar prices. I could see having that GPC, or a DC-X2E in my future😊

I wanted a small guitar that sounds great, is sturdy, and portable. When I saw the Martin LX1E I was doubtful at first. But then I saw Ed Sheeran used one for many years and there were a lot of positive reviews. Now it is one of my most played guitars. I am a primary school teacher that visits a lot of schools, and I take the Martin to every school I visit. Kids love the guitar and it is a great thing to bond over.

Great video and love to see your energy about music and the guitar. I bought my first Martin guitar in 1976. What sold me was the sound, particularly the bass, and the value. I've been up to 12 Martin guitars recently in my collection and recently have sold off 6 at way more than I payed for them. Now I plan on selling 4 more and only keeping my 12 string and one six string guitar. These last handful are all vintage and from the 60's and are worth a small fortune- but the sound these guitars product is off the charts! I can't play them all and hope others will enjoy them as much as I have. So, that is the second biggest reason to buy a Vintage Martin, is the resale value. But when it gets right down to it, no matter what the make or model, when you pick it up for the first time and start playing it - you will know if its the right one or not.

Been waiting on this one.

Sir, you are really taking us on a wild journey. So excited for you, man.

Love Martin guitars. My first was a 0015m all mahogany that I sadly sold a few years back. Recently got my dream Ceo-7 though and will never sell! Such a joy to play with such a big warm sound

I wasnt here for a while, quality Improved. Congrats ❤💪🎸

You’ve got a great spirit, man. Appreciate you!

Used to play electric but now i play a Epiphone Texan USA made factory strings going on 3 years sounds like bliss in mud i am intrigued but low on funds maybe one day. i just love playing. Your enthusiasm hits i appreciate.

Great video and awesome playing. I really like the touch you have on the guitar.

Great vid! I bought an OM-28 Marquis in 2007. It is still the best sounding guitar I've ever played (and I've played a lot). It sounds great with super light or super heavy strings (although I've permanently settled on 10-47's now). It sounds great when either finger picked, strummed or to shred on through a vast array of genres. It handles whatever tuning I can throw at it and will remain in that tuning without slipping. With a decent mic in a studio you can pluck the A sting once and it will ring out for 30+ seconds. The intonation is phenomenal and the balance of high end and low end is spot on. It was a hefty investment at the time for me but since then I haven't had any need for another acoustic guitar for studio or general home use. I will have it until I die. Martin guitars at the entry level can feel a little underwhelming but once you start spending $3k+ in my opinion they far out perform everything else at a similar monetary value. Not to mention if you purchase one new in the USA it has a lifetime warranty.

I've been an Ovation guitar fan for decades!! Then in Sept. 2019 I tried out a triple 0 cut-away Martin, and bought it. I have a Martin D-35 currently on lay-away. I love the look and sound of Martins. Your playing is really nice!

Mike, always love your approach to guitars and music. Technical excellence with wonderful humor. I owned a D16e for a time. Then I got my hands on a OMC16e in Ovangkol and immediately traded D16 on the OMC. That particular wood has a more balanced tone than any guitar I have ever played. It is sometimes compared with Koa in tone. Multiple times I have had other musicians make comments about that aspect of it. I have other dreads' and had acquired a D35 following the D16 but of all my guitars the OMC is the favorite by far. Until I picked it up I did not know there was such a big hole in my guitar heart. I will do my damndest to wear it out before I die, and I am already old. I like her so much she was given a name.

I have a J-15, 000-15, and a special 16. They’re each special guitar. They’re all so inspiring to play!

I had Those the 000-18 Martin from 2006, Sounds amazing! Love it, feels good ind the lap and easy to play!

Enjoyed your style! Keep it up

I inherited my grandfather’s old Martin Sigma DR-41. It may be from Martin’s discontinued budget line but it’s the best acoustic I have ever heard or played.

Excellent video, and very well done. I have Taylors and Yamahas, definitely going to check out the Martin line.

Man you truly have a gift for telling stories, amazing! That’s my dream guitar, a Martin D series.

Right on man! I just purchased an amberburst D-18 last week and regret nothing.

When I went looking for a Martin I decided I wanted a small body so I looked at 00's. I found a shop that had 3. A 28, a 18 and a 15. After playing them for about an hour I made my choice, the 00-15 14 fret. It is darker in tone than both the 18 and 28, mostly due to wood choices ( both rosewood with spruce top ), while the 15 is all mahogany except for the fretboard. That was 18 years ago and I've been happy with my choice ever since.

I had wanted a Martin guitar since my late teens, but then college and marriage and kids went to the front of the line first. After all the kids were raised and were on their own, I came into possession of a beautiful Martin HD35 and later a 12 string D28. They were both worth the wait.

Great videos. Well done and thank you

Coming from left field here, but just picked up an Orangewood Oliver Live and it has become the prime staple to getting a first great sounding acoustic without breaking the bank.

Martin 2008 D-28 Marquis had all my wants in 1 guitar. Love it, play it every day.

Oh man acoustics are like new but not new to me. I’ve always played electric and I’ve played acoustic but never owned one. When I did need to purchase one I needed to know why I was going to purchase one because I was going to drop bank on it. I chose a Takamine off their legacy line since I play a lot of Mexican style music (I’m Mexican lol) and it’s versatile enough to play any other genre since I play a lot of country too. I’m loving the 12 string sound as well

Picked up a new Martin 3 months ago. I thought I’d end up with a D-28 or a 000-28. In the end, after a lot of playing, the OM-28 came home with me. Sounds epic!

Nice job. Appreciate you!

I've been playing a Martin d35 I bought new in 1970. Incredible sound and playability. Also have a GPC35E that is amazing. My other steel string is a Maton te1. Great sound and plays like an electric even with 12s.

OMG! Several times I actually burst out laughing! I have 3 Martins and each has a different sound. But the very entertaining and humorous way you presented it was priceless. You have such a humorous presentation I can’t believe it😂

I played a 70’s Sigma(by Martin) D-28 that I kind of permanently borrowed from my dad for years, then 2 years ago I finally bought a used 2016 Martin HD-28V that I got a good deal on Reverb. I noticed immediately that it was a step up from the Sigma, but still wasn’t really blown away by the sound. For the price I was thinking what’s the big deal with Martin’s? I was starting to wonder if I got a dud and that’s why the dude sold it. I’ve played the crap out of it for these last 2 years and the first year I had a Tonerite plugged in and attached to it so it was vibrating like it was being played 24-7 when I wasn’t playing it. I would even capo it a different fret each week and play chords everywhere on the neck. It’s all really paid off, the guitar just needed to be played and opened up. It just sings now and has some crazy sustain with notes that just keep going. I totally love it now and I’ve got the 12 string version on my wish list lol Edit: btw since I got my Martin I cleaned up my dad’s old Sigma D-28, put new strings on it and gave it back to my dad. He’s now getting back into guitar playing again lol

I recently bought an M-36, it’s got the OM body shape and depth but’s as wide as their dreadnaught. It sounds great on fingerstyle and strumming, lots of mids, strong but not boomy bass. I’m really enjoying it. Although I wish I could have compared it to the OM-28 side by side, but the shop didn’t have any in stock

I started with a Takemine Dred then into a D16E Martin. Today I have a Martin D35 which is the most brilliant guitar I have ever played. I also have an Eastman E40OM which is nearly as brilliant, sounds like a Martin, and a lot less expensive. The 000 size of the OM just fits everything.

I’m 63, been playing 40 yrs. Got real serious practicing and jamming with others constantly about 3 yrs ago. Always wanted a great Taylor and demo’d a 510 for three weeks. Went to buy it from a buddy who also had a Martin D18 for sale. One strum and that Taylor was cast aside. 1 yr later I was in a high end guitar store and played almost every guitar in their high end room. Ended up with a 2019 Martin D28 Authentic 1937 with the big baseball bat neck. It has the biggest baddest Martin tone that I’ve ever heard! It took many months to get used to that neck but now it just feels great. I had it setup to my preferences.

Great video!

Went with a guitar center d16 special , similar to the the 16e with the full depth of the dreadnought. Love the tone and feel.

Enjoyed your video.

nice video! what are your thoughts on a Martin J30? You probably would enjoy visiting the Martin factory in PA

Man the camera quality is impeccable ! Looks really nice! What camera r u using? thx mike

I have a 1998 Martin SPD-16T and as much as I love that guitar, my go-to is my 2013 Collings D2HA. It is built to absolute perfection and the tone is unmatched by any other brand.

Was playing an Epiphone acoustic from the 80s for ages. In 2008 I went into the shop wanting a J45 and ended up liking the Martins way better. Walked out the next day (after sleeping on it) with a D28. Other than an LX1 travel guitar it’s my only acoustic.

Great Video, as always. Just wanted to give you a friendly tip, if it's possible try to look into the camera lens, as a viewer it sometimes gets distracting when you look in the camera screen.

Love the D-16 e, I mean really any reliable guitar with Indian rosewood and spruce top is gonna sound phenomenal, in my opinion, I love that combo but Martins just have a sound like no other....Great Video

If you are anywhere Nazareth Pennsylvania, the Martin factory tour and museum is worth stopping for. Awesome!

I'm a small dude, I use guitars live a lot but I also like having some warmth and roundness. I recently purchased the Martin DJR-10 and it's awesome! And it's also very cheap to be a full solid wood martin guitar! The tone is amazing!

Mike, nice vid. You should check out the Martin DRS2. All the Martin sound and feel, for a few thou less than what you were playing. I think these are a steal!

I used to play dreads but a bad fall over 9 years ago and it is hard on my shoulder to reach around that big box. The nicest Martin I ever played was a Robbie Robertson 000-42 solid koa at Matin in 2012. It was a 12 fret and it was UTTERLY AMAZING !!!!!! But for $8000 + it should be Utterly Amazing ! Just beautiful !

I bought a D-16e about a year ago. It is the perfect acoustic to me. The width is perfect and the neck feels so good. Even my friends that aren’t Martin fans like that guitar. It just has a magic to me that I can’t explain unless you pick one up

Fuckin love your channel man, it's GREAT!

I just got my first Martin. It’s a lower end one but I’m stoked on it. It’s a oooxce Black

I’ve played a Hofner acoustic for 14 years now and as much as I love it and would never part with it, I’d also love to have a Martin to accompany it. I have a plastic back ovation which is a bit of a beater to take camping and for days down the beach too. Be a nice little trio.

Great story brother. I've been a Gibson guy but these Martins sound so good and play so easy...

Have you gotten to try the Martin special 16 ? It is a guitar center/ musician friend only guitar but it’s a full size dreadnought. Seems to have great reviews and that is what I chose

Great video. Nothing beats the sound of a Martin.

And now that you have played a Martin, now its time to play a Breedlove Oregon Myrtlewood Concerto model. I had a Martin, a very high end Martin, and I developed a love-hate relationship very quickly. Was glad that I was able to get my money back when I sold it. Bought my Breedlove and have never looked back.

What picks are you using Mike? Enjoy your chat man, Ive a HD-28 already that I traded in my Taylor 818e to get. Love it so much - some nights just can't put it down! I like your strumming sound which was why Im wondering about picks - they bring a lot - Im using a Wegen pick at the moment. Cheers man!

I'm basically a chord strummer and I like my Martin dread for that, but I also have a 000 and OM because in some settings (like playing along with my wife who plays piano) the dreadnought can be a bit overwhelming and the more balanced sound of an OM is more appropriate. And sometimes I just want to play a smaller body guitar because it's comfortable.

much appreciated!

Love the Steely Dan insert

I'm a bluegrass/flatpick guitarist. I need a guitar that is big, warm with lots of midrange, and can punch out those single note runs as well as compete with banjo, mandolin and fiddle. That's why I have a 2015 Martin D28 Authentic 1937 and a 2012 Martin D18 Authentic 1937. At times I play solo (into a condenser mic) and I want as much sound as I can get. I also play bottleneck blues on National guitars and these Martins down need any sound adjustment when swapping between. I just love that big sound that roars, the power of the Madagascar Rosewood (D28) and the warmth & clarity of the Mahogany (D18). They're pricey, but you never regret the purchase because you do get what you pay for.

You are really funny, great video!

I got my D45 because I fell in love with the sound.

I luv ur video!

Once i played a D28 i was hooked forever. As young man without much money it drove me crazy. I tried the cheaper ones made in Mexico and it just didnt cut it. But eventually i had enough to buy one and ever since then ive had nothing but D28 models and a Gibson. Im still poor but if im gonna play guitar i gotta have a solid wood Martin or Gibson. Its worth it to me. The history, nalstalgia, made in usa, means something to me too. They have that antique front porch sound that i love. A HD28 and Gibson J45 will last me the rest of my life so money well spent. Yes they are expensive but you end up spending more when buying multiple guitars over the years. I just bought my 2 dream guitars and got it overwith. Ill never need to spend another dime on guitars again. It all evens out

Just got my first Martin a D15E and I'm 69 years old. Was worth the wait. The Martin tone is unbelievable!

Years ago I was looking for a descent facsimile of a Martin, (something above the very inexpensive, campfire, beginner acoustics I'd had up until then) and I bought a Recording King RD-06M; essentially a poorman's D-18, and a guitar I've kept over other Dreadnoughts in a similar price range. Fast forward to a couple of years ago, and I started reading really great things about the Martin guitars, (as a non-gigging, perpetual novice I personally can't justify the $krilla for a domestic Martin) being made in Mexico, and I came across the Martin Dreadnought Jr. I have a Recording King parlor guitar which I like for noodling in my living room, and I had owned and tried some OO, and OOO guitars, but always wished they had a bit more bottom end. I've found the Martin Dreadnought Jr to be the perfect guitar to meet that desire. It gets at keast 3/4 of the bottom end of a Dread, but with the comfort of something more akin to OO, OOO, parlors.

I've got a DRS1 sapele dreadnought that is awesome, but frankly I prefer the smaller body of the 000 style guitars. So, I've added a 000-15M Streetmaster and most recently a 000-28 EC to my collection. Each one has a different voice, but they are all fantastic sounding guitars. I'm finding my "go to" is the 000-15M Streetmaster. It's lighter than the 00-28EC and has a warmer tone. I must have a good one, because the volume is pretty comparable to the EC too.

Dad got me a Made in Mexico Martin for $500ish for my first guitar. Very low end oriented, almost too much but the salesman played a nasty run on it and strummed it a few times. I still have it and never will get rid of it. The spruce top aged ridiculously it was like parchment white when I got it and now it is a full tan. She’s simple but amazing. In comparison to a lot of guitars in the same budget, none of them had that low end. In the same vain, many of them were more versatile sounding as the mid range and high ends were clearer. Makes a mean strummer though. And since it has no lacquer or inlays, she’s a workhorse through and through. Gotta love it. Does make me want a more well rounded acoustic but something about it makes me never want to get another as the sentimental value of it will always make it my go to even if I had another acoustic

I had a martin d15m and loved it

I love my custom martin om-42 for most things, but sometimes the song calls for a bigger sound. That’s when I use my hd-28BLE. When I want to play the blues or anything with a lot of bends, I pick up my 63 00-21NY.

I have a Martin D-16GT that I modded with Waverly tuners and a K&K Sound Pure Mini. Sacrilegious? Maybe, but it’s my Martin now, and it sound’s outstanding!! Btw, I went into a store to buy strings and saw this Martin on the wall. I pulled it down, rolled through a couple of chords and realized there was no way I was leaving without it. I love my Martin!

I've owners Martin dreads all my life, and I'm starting to love 000s now. Good ones at least. And I never was a short scale guy. But they sound amazing

Mike, I would love to see you take on Fender acoustasonic. I've heard both good and less-favourable things about them and it would be cool to hear your opinion.

Love my Martin D-18

What brand of strings & gauge do you use on your d-16E? Love that sound!

I have a Martin DJR-10E in Sunburst. Since I already own a Dreadnought, a Taylor 410ce, I was looking for a more comfortable guitar for couch strumming, songwriting, grab and go. The Taylor is bright, I wanted a more mellow tone, without sacrificing the volume of a dread. My only criticism is the short scale, I do wish it was 25" or 25 1/2". Sounds great though, I use Daddario EJ13 on it.

I like my Martin GPC16, but it just always sounded muffled, to stiff and overbuilt. I started sanding away the bracing inside (I've built several guitars) and now its really sounding nice.

have you ever tried tonewoodamp those thing are awesome for accoustic

Great vid Mike! I bought my Martin om 28 largely bc I was inspired by Mayer but also I feel like martins orchestra models have a bit more character than Taylor’s while Taylor’s just have a very clear and round tone. But Taylors are beatiful for sure I just prefer martins

Nice vid. Good player too.

Iconic name, legendary sound, used by some of the greatest artists, holds its value, impresses other people, and easier to sell than other guitars. However, I did not say it is a better guitar than other brands, but it may be.

I tried D28 today and now I understand why everybody’s raving abt Martin guitars. Sounds really sweet and well rounded. I have Ovation Legend, Takamine and Zager 80CE. The Zager came the closest to Martin IMO. Now I’ll start saving up for a D28 or if funds permits a custom shop version.