looking at getting a martin

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sunshinewellysunshinewelly Frets: 731
edited June 2020 in Acoustics
looking at some general advice before i jump in

there seem to be a few deals around at the moment

if i get a new martin  should i make sure its one of the martin re-imagined range

will i regret getting a smaller O size over something like a D28

i have my eyes on these 3 at the moment

https://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/product/04042211092418--martin-hd-28?gclid=Cj0KCQjww_f2BRC-ARIsAP3zarHlKIMybqCborzs7Q-_EsptCk8xIcf32pNidFvEpjTB5LxJY7g6uekaApeYEALw_wcB

https://www.peachguitars.com/special-offer-guitars/cf-martin-om18e-lr-baggs-anthem.htm

https://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/product/160407296860008--martin-d28-john-lennon


i mostly play electric but purchased but do own a taylor koa g mini

so looking for something that plays i suppose like an electric (if thats possible in an acoustic)
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Comments

  • danishbacondanishbacon Frets: 2694
    OM size is very nice, I've got a couple after finding D sized guitars a bit too large for my arm length. The Om18e at peach is a fine guitar. The neck is very easy to play.
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  • BrizeBrize Frets: 5619
    OM guitars are generally considered to be the best of all words, but it depends on what music you're playing.

    I wouldn't pay any heed to the 'Reimagined' label - some guitars were much the same as the previous iteration - the OM-21, for example. I find all acoustics to be quite variable - much more so than electrics. You really need to play them.
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  • Andy79Andy79 Frets: 888
    edited June 2020
    Don’t see these every day. Decent price 
    if ever you wanted just one guitar this would easily be on the short list

    https://reverb.com/item/34046439-martin-om-28



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  • https://www.prsguitars.com/index.php/acoustics/model/se_a50e

    I bought this last week and find it very comfortable so not sure what size this is compared to martins range etc
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  • danishbacondanishbacon Frets: 2694
    Andy79 said:
    Don’t see these every day. Decent price 
    if ever you wanted just one guitar this would easily be on the short list

    https://reverb.com/item/34046439-martin-om-28



    That's a nice looking guitar and decent price as well
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  • danishbacondanishbacon Frets: 2694
    @sunshinewelly looks like the PRS is 15.5" at the lower bout whereas and OM is 15" and a dreadnought 15 5/8ths. But other factors to consider are scale length and body length as they make a huge difference in feel of the guitars overall.

    This is handy: https://www.maurysmusic.com/martin_by_body_size

    If curious about the om18e I've done a comparison here: 
    https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/comment/2603186

    @boogieman has also picked one up recently: 
    https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/181909/new-martin-happy-bunny


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  • Universal8Universal8 Frets: 134
    Why not just use the PRS if you’ve only just got it ?
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  • i tipped my toe into the prs just to see what a decent acoustic would be like. I can afford a better guitar but did not want to spend a lot at this point in case i just did not get on well with an acoustic. i can always send the prs back etc 
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  • @sunshinewelly looks like the PRS is 15.5" at the lower bout whereas and OM is 15" and a dreadnought 15 5/8ths. But other factors to consider are scale length and body length as they make a huge difference in feel of the guitars overall.

    This is handy: https://www.maurysmusic.com/martin_by_body_size

    If curious about the om18e I've done a comparison here: https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/comment/2603186

    @boogieman has also picked one up recently: https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/181909/new-martin-happy-bunny


    cheers for the very helpful video
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  • stickyfiddlestickyfiddle Frets: 26754
    I have an HD28 and covet the smaller stuff; particularly a12-fret 00 of some sort. I don't think you would regret going for a dreadnought over a smaller bodied model (or vice versa) but I suspect you'll end up wanting both in the long run.
    The Assumptions - UAE party band for all your rock & soul desires
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  • JontommyJontommy Frets: 2
    I have an HD28 and covet the smaller stuff; particularly a12-fret 00 of some sort. I don't think you would regret going for a dreadnought over a smaller bodied model (or vice versa) but I suspect you'll end up wanting both in the long run.
    This!

    i love the sound of a dread but smaller bodied models always sit so well in my hand. 
    If I had to have only one guitar it would be something like the om18 though

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  • boogiemanboogieman Frets: 12315
    edited June 2020
    I don't think you would regret going for a dreadnought over a smaller bodied model (or vice versa) but I suspect you'll end up wanting both in the long run.
    Not sure I entirely agree there. The reason I bought my OM18 is because I just can’t play a dreadnaught anymore without getting cramps in my fretting forearm after a short while. I figured out eventually that it was the size and shape of the body of my dread that put my arm in an awkward playing position (added to the fact that I’m getting old and slowly falling to bits, no doubt). So the body size can make a real difference.  

    I really like the OM18, it sounds lovely and has a nice comfortable neck, although I wouldn’t describe it as feeling the same as an electric (and those vary... a lot!) it’s a very different feel to my Strat for instance. 

    £2k for the OM is a lot of money to splash if you’re really not sure.... is there any way you can try one out? I‘d already had a go on a friend’s 000 so was 90% convinced that the OM would work for me. 
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  • danishbacondanishbacon Frets: 2694
    boogieman said:
    I don't think you would regret going for a dreadnought over a smaller bodied model (or vice versa) but I suspect you'll end up wanting both in the long run.
    Not sure I entirely agree there. The reason I bought my OM18 is because I just can’t play a dreadnaught anymore without getting cramps in my fretting forearm after a short while. I figured out eventually that it was the size and shape of the body of my dread that put my arm in an awkward playing position (added to the fact that I’m getting old and slowly falling to bits, no doubt). So the body size can make a real difference.  
    Agreed on this point. Every time I pick up a Dreadnought now it feels like I am hugging a bit of an oil barrel. It's weird to consider, but I think body size, arm length etc could be taken into account when 'sizing-up' an acoustic.
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  • stickyfiddlestickyfiddle Frets: 26754
    @boogieman that's a fair comment. I was thinking more from a sonic perspective than an ergonomic one. Obviously if a guitar doesn't physically work for you then the sound is irrelevant :) 

    The Assumptions - UAE party band for all your rock & soul desires
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  • crunchmancrunchman Frets: 11414
    @sunshinewelly looks like the PRS is 15.5" at the lower bout whereas and OM is 15" and a dreadnought 15 5/8ths. But other factors to consider are scale length and body length as they make a huge difference in feel of the guitars overall.

    This is handy: https://www.maurysmusic.com/martin_by_body_size

    If curious about the om18e I've done a comparison here: 
    https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/comment/2603186

    @boogieman has also picked one up recently: 
    https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/181909/new-martin-happy-bunny


    It's not just the width though.  A dreadnought is deeper back to front than an OM.

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  • i am around 6 foot 2 and have played a friends old acoustic and found that very uncomfortable. I went for the prs as it was reduced in price and if it was not suitable could send it back. i find the PRS size very comfortable so ideally a martin in that sort of size would be perfect.  i also am a sitting down house player -  i have no intention of playing to an audience  


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  • boogiemanboogieman Frets: 12315
    i am around 6 foot 2 and have played a friends old acoustic and found that very uncomfortable. I went for the prs as it was reduced in price and if it was not suitable could send it back. i find the PRS size very comfortable so ideally a martin in that sort of size would be perfect.  i also am a sitting down house player -  i have no intention of playing to an audience  


    I’m not even sure it’s about height, more your body shape and where your arm falls in relation to the neck. Sitting down to play a dread seems to make it even worse for me. I’m 6 foot and still struggled with it. 


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  • JontommyJontommy Frets: 2
    Another thing I find playing my dread is how uncomfortable it is whilst sitting on the couch. On a stool it’s a lot more comfortable 
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  • markjmarkj Frets: 911
    edited June 2020
    I have a HD28 reimagined absolutely amazing guitar much preferred the neck on the reimagined version compared to the standard. I really like the wider nut width. What I love about the guitar is the depth and volume out of it, and they’re superbly made. I also mainly play electric but my electrics don’t get picked up a great deal since I got the Martin. I had before a smaller all solid wood  Eastman style J45  acoustic but to my ears was lacking in depth and volume. For me a dreadnought is perfect. 
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  • Tex MexicoTex Mexico Frets: 1196
    Hey,

    I've just traded for a Martin 000-16GT with the same LR Baggs Anthem that's on the OM-18 you linked to above, and I don't necessarily plan on keeping it.

    Let me know if you're interested, I'm based in Preston Lancs.
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