Why is Martin Dave's go-to guitar at Radio City?

[bookbinder]

I think I understand why Dave prefers his Taylor(s) when playing with the band -- to cut through the mix of drums, bass, etc. But I don't understand why he likes the Martin with the Fishman pickup at Radio City (I understand he uses Taylor and other guitars also at Radio City, but his Martin is clearly his go-to guitar in that show). Why wouldn't he use a Taylor GS, or a Taylor DN, or even a Taylor Jumbo? My best guess is that he doesn't think those would give him the bass that he needs to able to provide when Tim is soloing and noodling. Can anyone shed some light on this? I've also heard it said that Dave's Martin at Radio City sounds thin and crappy in the mix, which my ear is not trained enough to hear.

[CWMCALL]

Dave uses Martins for the majority of all "Dave and Tim" shows. I don't think anybody knows exactly why except Dave, Monk, and the sound guy, but my best guess is that it is because Martins are far superior to Taylors; In fact a better question may be why does Dave use a Taylor 914ce as his "go to" guitar during DMB shows and not his Martin HD-28V or his DM3MD.

*just my own opinion

[Grachi]

you wouldn't be able to hear the Martin when they play full band, because it is more bassy and the sound would get lost. The Taylor, along with the right sound levels with the electronics, naturally has a twangier sound, less bass and more emphasis on mids and highs, so you can hear him through the band.

Now he could just play a grand auditorium or similar sized body Martin and this would defeat the problem, but perhaps he just likes how the Taylor feels for standing up/playing with the band. And, gasp, just maybe he likes the sound? I am a freak and like both Taylors and Martins, which in most cases people would say is impossible, but I like both his DM3MD and the 914

[skilly]

i like my 714ce's sound better than my D-35. honestly.

i love them both but in almost all circumstances, i prefer the sound of my taylor.

[bookbinder]

I too prefer the tone of my Custom Brazilian and Cocobolo Taylors over the Martins I've played. But I think that Dave turns to his trusty Martins when tone matters most (D&T, studio). And clearly, Dave has forgotten more about acoustic tone then I'll ever know. So I just wish I could hear what he hears, why Martin when there's no safety net. I guess it's the boomy bass. Jeez, maybe I should just suck it up and get an HD-28V.

Question -- is Dave's HD-28V made with East Indian Rosewood back sides/Sitka Spruce top? does anyone know what year it was made?

another factor behind my Taylor purchases is the NT neck -- if adjustments need to be made, it's pretty simple with a Taylor. Neck adjustments on a Martin are much more difficult and expensive and risky.

[flandaneran]

i would like to see him go back to the chet for a few of the tunes. i also dig when he plays crash on the electric.

[crazyhorse]

When has dave ever usd the HD-28V? I thought at Radio City he used the DM3MD.

[cberner27]

At Radio City Dave used the DM3MD for songs in Drop-D and the HD-28V for songs in standard tuning. For songs in raise-b (Stay or Leave, Oh, Sister) he used the Taylor GS. Finally, he used the resonator for Cornbread.

[Coldchillin]

I thought he uses the 714 for raised B

[markTR]

He did.

[crazyhorse]

That is news to me...I thought he used the DM3MD most of the show in standard tuning...why wouldn't he want to use a guitar made special for him, for most of his shows?

[crazyhorse]

with tim that is...if hes going to use a martin, why not use your own?

[cberner27]

Not to start an argument, but if you watch the Radio City DVD I'm almost positive that Dave was using a Taylor GS for the raised b tunes. I was surprised because I'd never seen him break out the GS before that show.

[flandaneran]

the hd28 has no electronics in it to begin with...is that correct?

[crazyhorse]

He used the Martin HD-28VE, i just don't understand why his own custom guitar isn't his main guitar? It would surely be mine.