...really their Standard Series.
First off, I'm no Martin fanboy (do we even have them in the UK?). My first ever guitar was a used 1990s D1 (cheap dread) which I never really got on with (nobody should have to learn to play on a dreadnought).
And for many years, Martin's "fill every single price point" approach seemed to me to be cynical and really put me off them as a company.
However....
Last year I acquired an OM21. It is bloody fantastic.
Last month I acquired an HD28. Again, just a great instrument.
I get that not everybody wants the Martin growly bass sound but, if you like that tone, I truly believe Martins are wonderful sounding, good value instruments. I have more expensive guitars than these (Santa Cruz, Collings & single luthier handmade) which are great - but its the Martins which I pick up.
YMMV...
Comments
So good, in fact, that I've never even given a glance at another acoustic.
Martin = quality in my book.
Gibson, Collins, Atkins, Lowden, Taylor and some absolutely mental high end Breedlove thing that had 808 levels of bass.
The best guitars for me on the day were Martin and that is what I left with.
I also have a 1971 D12-35 which is probably the best-sounding 12-string I've played. It does have an issue with the nut placement, which was a bit of a known issue with 70s Martins, but I've developed my own method of tuning it which makes it sound right - and anyway, I often capo it at the 2nd since I keep it tuned a tone down as it was designed to be.
But having played dozens of Martin dreadnoughts over about 25 years, I finally found the right one... and it was a Gibson Dove! I still like a good D-18 or 28, but there's something about the maple body that really works with a big guitar.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
Sadly I can't actually play it at the moment because of my broken elbow, but I hope to be able to at some point and it's not for sale . I've used it on every serious recording project I've ever done.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
That 35 of my dad’s has aged so beautifully. Even just the ebony on the fingerboard - it’s so dark it almost sucks in light. I used to play it in the bathroom, perched on the edge of the bath - that way I could hear it much better. Got a sore backside like, but the tone!
Wishing you a speedy recovery with the elbow.
Also keep a look out for a D12-20 - the mahogany equivalent. A friend of mine sold one last year, and although it did have a headstock repair it only went for a little over a grand. In some ways I actually preferred the rougher/woodier sound to my 35, which is very 'beautiful', but I couldn't justify owning two!
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
Probably best for marital relations if I stay away from the dealers' websites for now.