Best Martin under $3500

[baseballjon9]

im looking for a martin to buy in the future and i was just wondering wat the favorites r, around $3500 that is

[jj_webster]

i have a D-35 and i love it. it is definately the best guitar i have ever played... and if you have $3500 i suggest getting an electronics system put in... and then you will be set. but thats just me.

[sfmartins]

It depends a lot on your playing style.

For Dave Matthews an all kind of strumming, a Dreadnought is a great choice.
The D35 my favorite, because of the strong bass. But you should definitely play other models...

For fingerstyle I would check the M36 or M38.

Make sure you don't get a "barn hole" with the pick-up.
Go for a K&K mini or LR Baggs, and get an external equalizer.

Just my opinion though...

[baseballjon9]

ya the D-35 has caught my eye the most so far, how does it rank compared to the HD-28?

[sfmartins]

You can check the differences in the Martin website, but basically the D-35 will be more bassy and without any "beauty things" (i.e., plain black pickguard, plain top, etc.).

You should play as many guitars as possible to make the decision.

Also, check the umgf forum. There are a lot of experts there, and they can give you more technical details on each model.

[p1trick_82]

here's a link with a few videos


http://maurysmusic.com/martin_guitar_video_clips

[Kahn]

Production values on Martins have been going down the shitter in the last year. I highly suggest for that kind of cash getting a vintage Martin.

[jsgksu]

Dont know anything about what Kahn said, but heres a good site to look for guitars: http://www.buffalobrosguitars.com/

[Kahn]

For 3500 you could get a 1960's Martin. Make it 5 Gs and you are in pre-WW2 territorry, the holy grail of guitars.

[baseballjon9]

first of all thanks for all the info so far, i have a couple more questions. so i, liking the D-35 so far, how does it compare to a taylor, such as a 314 or an 814? and an unrelated question...wat guitar is dave playing in the solo spoon video on youtube? ive been told its a lakewood M-32 and/or D-32 but i have no idea. thanks.

[Kahn]

Ask me a year ago and I would say Martin over Taylor any day, but I have been talking with my luthier about Martin recently and he tells me Martin is really cutting corners with there production in the last year and you can tell. I still wouldn't pay that much for a guitar with "Taylor" on the headstock, because that and playability are about the only things you get when you drop 3 grand on an upper model Taylor.

Plus like I said, it takes 5 to 6 years for a sitka top to start warming up, might as well get a Martin that is already passed that fresh stage not to mention the alleged production skimpage.

Best of luck in your purchase. Oh and my requisite:

Try Larrivees.

[baseballjon9]

i have yet to try a larivee, because the local guitarcenter is really the only place i have near me, well that i know of at least, and they dont have any. but i would love to try one, how would i go about trying a larivee?

[Kahn]

i have yet to try a larivee, because the local guitarcenter is really the only place i have near me, well that i know of at least, and they dont have any. but i would love to try one, how would i go about trying a larivee?

http://www.larrivee.com/7_dealers/dealers.html

[markTR]

What kind of Larivee do you own Kahn?

[baseballjon9]

o well look at that, thanks. hopefully i can get to these places soon.