First Custom Martin Order

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MRBABAR	First Custom Martin Order	Lead	[-]
(06/05/09 8:16 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Tags : None I am considering ordering a custom Martin for the first time. It will be a 42 series with a few upgrades. I'd appreciate any feedback... 1) What percentage off of list price should I expect to pay? Is it something you can haggle over? 2) Do most people have a paper label placed in the guitar? "Custom Made Martin for John Smith..." 3) Are top grades always a range (like 3/4 or 7/ or can they also be a whole number like - just "Adirondack 7" 4) I am on the fence about having them install a pickguard. Has anyone had them ship the guitar with the pickguard in the case but not installed on the guitar? Seems like it would be fairly easy for me to just put it on myself if I wanted to. 5) As a general rule of thumb - what is the best neck shape for someone with smaller hands? I am guessing it is low profile. THANKS SO MUCH! Rob NJ
kydave		#1	[-]
(06/05/09 8:23 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	1) What percentage off of list price should I expect to pay? Is it something you can haggle over? Depends on your dealer. Yes. 2) Do most people have a paper label placed in the guitar? "Custom Made Martin for John Smith..." This part of most people did not. He finds paper labels tacky. 3) Are top grades always a range (like 3/4 or 7/ or can they also be a whole number like - just "Adirondack 7" 4) I am on the fence about having them install a pickguard. Has anyone had them ship the guitar with the pickguard in the case but not installed on the guitar? Seems like it would be fairly easy for me to just put it on myself if I wanted to. Pickguards are a natural part of guitars for my tastes. I don't like the look of a naked guitar. 5) As a general rule of thumb - what is the best neck shape for someone with smaller hands? I am guessing it is low profile. What do you like in a non-custom guitar? What size guitar are you talking about? Dread? 000? OM? 14 fret? 12 fret? Kentucky Dave's Martins: 00-28H (2006 Custom); SP000-16R (1999 Special Edition); 0000-28H (1999); D-28 (1971) myspace.davetrabue and beargrasscreek Piraticus 13:7 , , <> ^^^
MRBABAR		#2	[-]
(06/05/09 8:27 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	What do I like? 1935 sunburst, OM-42, premium Adi top/bracing. Rob NJ
kydave		#3	[-]
(06/05/09 8:30 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	The regular OM-42 normally comes with a low profile. If you've played one and like it - stick with it! Kentucky Dave's Martins: 00-28H (2006 Custom); SP000-16R (1999 Special Edition); 0000-28H (1999); D-28 (1971) myspace.davetrabue and beargrasscreek Piraticus 13:7 , , <> ^^^
Daniel Dorogusker		#4	[-]
(06/05/09 10:16 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	May I recommend that you call Jon Garon of My Favorite Guitars for your custom questions and order. Jon had put through 3 custom Martins for me and they all came out great. Jon knows a lot about how the process works and he offers a great price (40% off list I believe). Good luck. It sounds like it will be a real beauty. Daniel
hogwldfltr		#5	[-]
(06/05/09 11:19 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	5) As a general rule of thumb - what is the best neck shape for someone with smaller hands? I am guessing it is low profile. I like the mod v neck the best and I have small hands. And it is a rule of thumb that my thumb can ache with the low profile necks. I like the thicker profile Mod V necks that allow thumb wrapping because of the V'ing. Are you going after a modified D-41? Cool. -Lee *********** I've been known to play with the following: '71 D-18 (restored): '06 D-18GE : Backpacker : '82 D-41 : '66 D-35 (restored): '30 2-17 (restored) : '67 00-18C : '44 00-18 : '44 00-17 (restored) : LX-175th : '30s 0 Uke: '20s 2-M Uke (restored): '82 MC-28 : Gibson C-0 Classic : '98 Martin D12-1 : '08 DSM : '80 D-37K : '70 Guild F-112 (restored) : and a '98 Harley-Davidson FLTR Road Glide. Forum intro #992, DON'T TRASH THEM; RESTORE THEM! *********** "What do you all look like?" Post #206
MRBABAR		#6	[-]
(06/05/09 11:32 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	It is a modified OM-42 with a 1935 Sunburst, Adi Top, and 1/4 Golden Era bracing. Rob NJ
hesson11		#7	[-]
(06/05/09 11:52 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I think dealers generally discount custom Martins the same as they do standard models. I was told that Martin will NOT provide an unattached pickguard. You either get it on the guitar or not at all. If you're not familiar with Martin neck profiles, it would really be best if you can try some out for extended periods. If you don't, it's kind of a crap shoot. I, too, had a great experience with Jon Garon and MFG. -Bob
Roger Kern		#8	[-]
(06/05/09 11:59 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Instead of a paper label, I think you can get a brass neckblock plate. That might be a nice touch. Roger Martins (standard): 1883(?) 1-21(?) custom(?), 1919 Style A Mandolin, 1931 5-17T, 1933 R-18, ~1937 Style 1 uke, 1951 00-17, 1971 D12-20 Martins (custom): Maury's Music 00-28VSMM1, Buffalo Brothers 000-16SK2 Pictures
desaljs		#9	[-]
(06/05/09 12:06 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	As above, call Jon Garon at My Favorite Guitars. You will not need to worry about price, and he knows a boatload about custom orders. Jim D
MRBABAR		#10	[-]
(06/05/09 2:32 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Thanks for all your helpful info... I am working with Lark Street Music in NJ for this Custom. I spoke to Jon and he was very helpful but the pricing between the shops is the same and Lark Street is local for me as opposed to MFG in Florida. Rob Rob NJ
Daniel Dorogusker		#11	[-]
(06/05/09 3:12 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Working with Jon will save you local sales tax and he includes shipping. I'm just saying. DD
mcn7777		#12	[-]
(06/05/09 3:18 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Are you staying with EIR for the back and sides? Adi sounds great with Madi.
MRBABAR		#13	[-]
(06/05/09 3:31 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	MCN7777 I've heard the same things about the ADI/Madigascar combo. However, I received quotes from Martin for two different custom OM-42s. One had EIR and one had Madagascar. That was the ONLY difference between them and the LIST price was over $6,000 MORE for Madagascar!!! So - I'm going with EIR. What do you think about going with ADI? There is a significant upcharge for that over Sitka. Is it worth it? I know it has been discussed ad nauseum...but I'm struggling with it at the moment. Rob NJ
wileydog		#14	[-]
(06/05/09 11:30 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Sounds like a nice guitar - I'd go with the adi for a bit more clearer sound, but that's just me. It just may take a year or so to open up - I have it on an OM EIR cutaway and wasn't sure about it at first but after a couple years really like it. The bass is coming along very well also. Nice to see you're going local - afraid I can't always say that for myself, a frequent Elderly flyer. Scott Last Edited By: wileydog 06/05/09 11:35 PM. Edited 1 times.
fuzzworks		#15	[-]
(06/06/09 12:39 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I am going to be a party pooper here and gently suggest spending more time playing different guitars until you better understand the choices involved. The advantage of having a guitar made is that you are able to choose the bits that best suit you. If you are unsure, perhaps it would be wise to go through a few more regular guitars first to get a good sense of discernment. It would be sad to order, say, a low-profile neck on your custom and discover six months later that the "mod v w/ 30s heel" neck is your favorite. The folks at Lark Street shouldn't have any problem setting you up in a quiet space with a bunch of different Martins to try so you can select your custom features in an educated fashion. Should be a hoot! :Fuzz 2008 D-18A, 2008 000-18GE 35burst, 2007 American Strat
MRBABAR		#16	[-]
(06/07/09 5:54 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Well I did just that (thanks for the suggestion) and spent some time today at Lark Street. Tried a couple of different necks and found the the low profile is for me. I may pull the trigger on this tomorrow. While I was there I had the opportunity to play a 1933 OM-18 that once belonged to Carl Sandburg. It has had lots of repairs but had such a sweet sound. Last few items before signing the order: 1) Do I want the pearl snowflakes that come standard on the bridge of an OM-42? 2) Get confirmation from Martin the it will be a genuine Mahogany neck 3) Confirm that the neck with be gloss and not the new satin they are using on some guitars. Rob NJ
60hzhum		#17	[-]
(06/07/09 11:29 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	1) Do I want the pearl snowflakes that come standard on the bridge of an OM-42? 2) Get confirmation from Martin the it will be a genuine Mahogany neck 3) Confirm that the neck with be gloss and not the new satin they are using on some guitars 1) Personally I don't like the snowflakes on the bridge. They seem to be too big for a smallish piece of wood. I'm glad my 000-42 doesn't have them. 2) Since you're paying the up-charge for a genuine hog neck, be sure to specify "one piece" or you might end up getting wings. (unless you consider wings a non-issue) 3) I like the gloss on mine. Ken ...........000-42....000-18 www.myspace.com/ancientrock
Guitone		#18	[-]
(06/08/09 6:06 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Different dealers can sometimes get different pricing on customs....$6,000 more for madrose sounds like a mistake, I would have them seriously look at it again. The adi top should not be a significant up charge, and with 40% off it should only be a couple of hundred or so. Good luck Oh yea, don't be scared to bug them about a re-quote, that is what this is all about and they do make quoting errors from time to time. Also, dealers more experienced with the custom game know how to work this the best for you. Buzz is great, not sure how well versed he is in Marin Custom Shop orders. I have always used Kim at Cotten Music or Jon myself. All things retro, Martin guitars, Rivendell bicycles, Converse Chuck Taylors. Last Edited By: Guitone 06/08/09 6:09 AM. Edited 1 times.
dwtrux		#19	[-]
(06/08/09 7:53 AM) Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Regarding the Sunburst. I have custom ordered both the 35 Sunburst and the Vintage Sunburst. Check out the Martin site for the differences. The 35 border is broader than the Vintage. I put the Vintage on a custom 00042VS and the 35 on a 0018VS. I may have done it the opposite, but I really do like the thinner dark boarder on the Vintage 00042 I have. Brings out the pearl and the Adi top very nicely. BTW, I went with a short-scaled v-neck with high gloss back as I really like my Clapton's neck for playability. I would not have made that choice until I played many others and always found that the Clapton's neck "fit" my hand better. Now, my 00042VS, even though it has a wider neck, plays as good as my Clapton as far as the neck. Also, I had ordered the 00042VS with a pickguard, but it came in without one. I had one sent from Martin through the dealer, but I haven't yet decided to put it on. I am still waiting to make that decision. Trux D35(1983);E28(1981 solid body Martin);Backpacker(1992);00028EC(2004);000X1(2003);OMC15E(2003);00015S(2006); 0018VS UMGF Sunburst#67( 2006);WashburnD236(1975)Hondo12String(1980); 000XHippie (2008-mrs.trux); LX 175th (2008); 00042VS Custom Vintage Sunburst (2009) Last Edited By: dwtrux 06/08/09 11:24 AM. Edited 1 times.
guitarmore		#20	[-]
(06/08/09 3:23 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I purchased my Custom D28 from Gruhn's in Nashville about three years ago. It has the adirondack top, forward spaced, scalloped x bracing and Waverly tuners. It is a very sweet sounding and playing well balanced guitar. They let me play about evey D28 in the store before picking one out. They gave me a private room to try out the instruments in and gave me a lot of personal attention during that time. You will love your D28 custom. GuitarMore.com

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