My new HD-28V!
I am thrilled to announce the arrival of the newest member of my family-my HD-28V! It is my first Martin and I am totally in love.
I did a LOT of research online and spent a LOT of time comparing instruments in person. I will admit I was set on a Dread, but I did try some other styles (M, OM etc). I had originally narrowed it down to either an HD-35 or an HD-28V, but I could not compare them head to head, so I was resigned to waiting until August for Elderly to get in the HD-28V. Well, they called earlier this week saying 2 of them came in, so my wife and I drove up to check them out.
(First of all, if you have not been to Elderly, you should go. It must be guitar Mecca. It is only an hour for me and I cannot believe I had not been there before last week. A huge selection of new and used guitars and stringed instruments of all types. You can just pick them up and play them-some serious vintage instruments)
I was all methodical and first played Taylors and Santa Cruzes and Breedloves and Larrivees etc before picking up a D-28. The others are fine instruments but that process confirmed "Martin" for me (not that I really needed convincing, but it is nice to say I've tried them all). Then I played the HD-28 and definitely noticed a difference in response and projection. Again, to my ear the HD-35 was a tad sweeter and fuller than the HD-28. An amused older fellow who I had also seen the week before on my first visit handed me the D-41 he was playing (the guy drives up 4 hours from Akron to Lansing 2X per week just to play different Martins!) Yes, the D-41 was very sweet, but a little too $ for me. Then I went to the desk and asked for the HD-28Vs and WOW! They really are a different breed from the other 28s-so resonant and deep-my wife said it sounds like a piano tonally. I went back and forth with the HD-28, HD-35 and two HD-28Vs and my decision was really simple-that sound just jumps out of the HD-28V! I can play soft fingerpicking and get nuances and I can strum the hell out of it and shake the windows. There may be better guitars for particular styles, but as an all-purpose guitar how could this be beat? I really could not pick up any difference between the two HD-28Vs, so I went with the one with the prettier soundboard. I am glad I drove up and played my instrument in person. Oh and the bomb-proof deluxe Martin case makes me feel very secure with my new baby too.
So now it is home and I think my wife is already jealous that I have a new love interest. My dog and daughter are giving me looks too. But they all love the sound. The v-neck takes a little getting used to, but it is totally manageable as I have big hands. I am amazed at the sounds coming out of this box and look forward to years of slowly mastering its potential. My poor old Guild D4 may never get played again-it sounds rather dead after the new baby. The new guitar does sound "new" but I trust that everything I have read here and elsewhere that this instrument will only get better will-if so, I am in for quite a ride. I would love to hear stories of how your guitars have aged in.
After writing this and before posting I read a couple threads here extolling the virtues of Jumbos (Glenbengurion, Robert Miller), which I never even considered in my ignorance. So now I have to drive back up to play those to see if I really found my "it" guitar. Is this what is meant by GAS?
In conclusion (for now), I want to thank the several of you on this forum who provided advice along the way. You all helped guide me to just the right place (until I go play the J-40 damnit).
I also want to thank the couple individuals who contacted me about selling me an HD-28V. You were gracious and fair. I hope you understand my desire to purchase locally and in person.
I do not know if there is a formal initiation, but I feel like part of the Martin club now! Excuse me, while I go play guitar.
Best,
Jim
I am thrilled to announce the arrival of the newest member of my family-my HD-28V! It is my first Martin and I am totally in love.
I did a LOT of research online and spent a LOT of time comparing instruments in person. I will admit I was set on a Dread, but I did try some other styles (M, OM etc). I had originally narrowed it down to either an HD-35 or an HD-28V, but I could not compare them head to head, so I was resigned to waiting until August for Elderly to get in the HD-28V. Well, they called earlier this week saying 2 of them came in, so my wife and I drove up to check them out.
(First of all, if you have not been to Elderly, you should go. It must be guitar Mecca. It is only an hour for me and I cannot believe I had not been there before last week. A huge selection of new and used guitars and stringed instruments of all types. You can just pick them up and play them-some serious vintage instruments)
I was all methodical and first played Taylors and Santa Cruzes and Breedloves and Larrivees etc before picking up a D-28. The others are fine instruments but that process confirmed "Martin" for me (not that I really needed convincing, but it is nice to say I've tried them all). Then I played the HD-28 and definitely noticed a difference in response and projection. Again, to my ear the HD-35 was a tad sweeter and fuller than the HD-28. An amused older fellow who I had also seen the week before on my first visit handed me the D-41 he was playing (the guy drives up 4 hours from Akron to Lansing 2X per week just to play different Martins!) Yes, the D-41 was very sweet, but a little too $ for me. Then I went to the desk and asked for the HD-28Vs and WOW! They really are a different breed from the other 28s-so resonant and deep-my wife said it sounds like a piano tonally. I went back and forth with the HD-28, HD-35 and two HD-28Vs and my decision was really simple-that sound just jumps out of the HD-28V! I can play soft fingerpicking and get nuances and I can strum the hell out of it and shake the windows. There may be better guitars for particular styles, but as an all-purpose guitar how could this be beat? I really could not pick up any difference between the two HD-28Vs, so I went with the one with the prettier soundboard. I am glad I drove up and played my instrument in person. Oh and the bomb-proof deluxe Martin case makes me feel very secure with my new baby too.
So now it is home and I think my wife is already jealous that I have a new love interest. My dog and daughter are giving me looks too. But they all love the sound. The v-neck takes a little getting used to, but it is totally manageable as I have big hands. I am amazed at the sounds coming out of this box and look forward to years of slowly mastering its potential. My poor old Guild D4 may never get played again-it sounds rather dead after the new baby. The new guitar does sound "new" but I trust that everything I have read here and elsewhere that this instrument will only get better will-if so, I am in for quite a ride. I would love to hear stories of how your guitars have aged in.
After writing this and before posting I read a couple threads here extolling the virtues of Jumbos (Glenbengurion, Robert Miller), which I never even considered in my ignorance. So now I have to drive back up to play those to see if I really found my "it" guitar. Is this what is meant by GAS?
In conclusion (for now), I want to thank the several of you on this forum who provided advice along the way. You all helped guide me to just the right place (until I go play the J-40 damnit).
I also want to thank the couple individuals who contacted me about selling me an HD-28V. You were gracious and fair. I hope you understand my desire to purchase locally and in person.
I do not know if there is a formal initiation, but I feel like part of the Martin club now! Excuse me, while I go play guitar.
Best,
Jim
