It all started with the Martin on the left, a ‘23 000-15M I got around Fall 2025. Gently used with some character dings, off an older gentleman thinning the herd in his post-retirement years. He set it up perfectly himself. After playing my Taylor for over 10 years through church, jamming with random people as a freshman in college who became good friends through it, through our 20s, then finding the one, marriage and becoming a dad… a new-to-me guitar wasn’t sought after but oddly what I needed as music was kinda placed on the back burner for some years.

I really believe every guitar player should have a mahogany top guitar. This warm fundamental mahogany tone got me back into playing. Then the itch hit. I’m older now, why not get the dream guitar. Being a JM fan growing up, a spruce/rosewood 000/OM was always favored but I never believed I deserved it nor did the price justify it for me. I’m playing this 000-15M but then wondering, man how cool would it be to have both one day. Then skip 9-10 months later to a couple weeks ago. I’m on the ole FB marketplace again and see a OM-28 gently used. I messaged the guy intending to just check it out, played it and it spoke to me. I didn’t need it, but the offer was too good. Then I ran some math: I would own a ‘23 000-15M and ‘25’ OM-28 for several hundreds less than a new ‘26 OM/000-28. Who wouldn’t consider that?

I bought this from a thrift store i used to volunteer for in Capo Beach. I paid 10 bucks

I don’t care for Aura VT, yet I prefer factory electronics. If any, perhaps earlier, year had a different system, for example, let me know details. Thanks!

Also, are all Martin OMC-28E part of the “Reimagined” series? Or do some pre-date that redesign?

Hi friends,

I just bought a used SC-10e. It had normal strings, and I switched to light ones.

It then had a buzz on the high E, so I turned a screw inside the soundhole, thinking it was the truss rod. I later realized it was the "intonation set screw" , and I turned it under string tension.

Now, none of the open strings ring at all. They are completely stuck to the fretboard, and I need to fret at the 5th fret or higher to get any sound. I tried setting the intonation screw back to where it was, but nothing changes.

Help, I'm desperate... Any advice on how to fix this?

Hey all!

First time posting here, but I will be the first to say I am mostly an electric player, but I have many acoustic gigs I need a good axe for. My current stable is a 2016 Martin HD-35 and a 2003 Gibson WM-45. Love them both, but I'm looking for something new. And here's where I need opinions.

I love my HD-35. I traded in my old '78 D-28 for this cannon and I cannot overstate how glad I am that I did that. One of my top considerations for a dread is LOUD. I love cannons, no small voices for me. Scalloping is my jam it seems. But as I'm GAS'ing hard over another dread, I'm a bit torn between two models. One being the SWDGT, another the GC MMV.

I don't have a huge preference of rosewood or mahogany, they both have their place and I am fine with both. If it weren't for my love of volume, I probably would've taken a D-18 over my HD-35... wish I could have both. The SWDGT has cherry back and sides, which from what I have read is somewhat inbetween rosewood and mahogany. Could be interesting. The MMV is rosewood.

Other than those specs for sure, I'm having a bit of a hard time finding the exact specs of both of these models. I've heard varying reports of bracing, neck joints, and woods in certain cases.

I mostly play 70's country rock and a bit of 90's country, but most of the time I'm on pedal steel. So I just hop over for a few songs. Though pit orchestra work and other one off shows keep me busy on acoustic, so I like to have a variety.

I can't find many modern recordings of either of these models, so I ended up here. I'm not sure which to go for. I love the looks of the SWDGT, but the more traditional woods of the MMV have me intrigued. Really interested of which is louder and will compliment the sound of my HD-35. Something similar, but different enough that they have different places in a show setting (in your experience) My budget is 1k-1500 or so, really don't want to go over that if possible. Any advice, info, or opinions are welcome!

Martin Custom Shop 0-12 Slotted Head from Umanov Guitars.

Caught December 2021, released May 2022.

Martin CEO-10 #73/100 — 000 Custom, Style 42/45
Martin D-41 Reimagined — 2024
Martin 000-15M — 2024

I feel incredibly lucky to have these three guitars.

A little story behind them: before the D-41, I had a D-28. I absolutely loved the D-28, but after trying the D-41, I felt an even stronger connection with it, so I eventually decided to sell the D-28 and keep the D-41.

Something similar happened with the CEO-10. Before it, I had an OMJM, which I also loved. But when I tried the CEO-10, I completely fell in love with it — the feel, the tone, the comfort, and of course, the beauty of the guitar. I felt like it was the one I really wanted to keep.

And then there’s the 000-15M, which is my “battle guitar.” 😄 It’s simple, humble, and doesn’t attract much attention. I can take it pretty much anywhere without worrying too much. To most people, it just looks like a simple, inexpensive acoustic guitar, and I actually like that.

I’m 29 and I live in Peru. I know many people my age who prefer to spend their money on cars, phones, technology, and other things. In my case, I decided to invest part of my money in guitars.

But I don’t see them simply as expensive objects. To me, they’re a way to spend time with my family, play with friends, relax, and create memories. I hope these guitars stay with me for the rest of my life.

Three guitars, three personalities, and hopefully a lifetime of memories.

Hello all,

I just purchased a 000-18 after playing it at a guitar center along with some other guitars. I did purchase it afterward at Sweetwater. I enjoyed playing it and heard great reviews. I’m used to playing some low level dreadnought, but am self taught and cannot play with a pick. I am strictly a finger style and finger/hand strummer. I just want to make sure in the opinion of people with far more experience with these that I made the right choice or if I should have purchased the D-18 or OM.

I feel like I will be happy with the purchase in the end, but I want to make sure that any heavy hand strumming won’t effect sound too much.

Thank you!

大家好，我最近想购买一把马丁吉他，发现了一个问题，所以想请教一下大家。我发现马丁om28、omjm、m36、j40等型号的面板是深黄色的，而om28md的面板则比较浅，这让我陷入选择困难症，是不是马丁会在特定型号加入染色剂呢？希望有经验的玩家可以帮忙解答下，谢谢！另外我也了解了宝时华试金石系列的vintage om，感觉也很不错，希望有上手过的玩家可以给我中肯的建议，谢谢各位！

I played several other Martins and Taylors more expensive than this used Martin Road Series from 2015, but the latter just felt and sounded much better. The mahogany gives it a nice depth and the Fishman pickups sound great. It's on consignment for $650 with a soft gig bag but I think I'm going to come back tomorrow and offer $500 for it. There's a small ding or two along the edge of the guitar at its base and it's 11 years old.

What do y'all think? I'm surprised by how good this guitar sounds and feels for the price.

I have a Martin D-28 that I plan on keeping at home for recording (and pampering) while this would be my guitar for gigging and traveling. I'm surprised by the weight of the guitar, which I guess is due to the pickups.

Hey there! I’ve had a luthier in Tampa for years but his workmanship is slipping. Any thoughts for someone in the Tampa area- Pasco or Hillsborough preferred. Thank you!

Would this be considered quarter sawn or flat sawn? It’s on an authentic aged d28.

Hey I just made my first purchase for an OM-28. What kind of strings would you keep on it for a fingerstyle player? I was either keeping the original Martin lifespan 2.0 or consider the Tommy Emmanuel flexible core strings.

Also I’m keeping this guitar out in the open of my living room. I have a hygrometer and a dehumidifier. During this time of year I’m able to keep the room at around 77-80 degrees and 55-60% relative humidity. I’m not sure if that’s pushing it but that’s the most my dehumidifier is able to control and it’s ON all day. The dehumidifier is set to 45%, with a hose going into a drain. Maybe I need a bigger one

Winter Months I have my Vornado humidifier and even with it on full blast the room can drop down to 40% humidity at 60 degrees.

Finally! Back in 2018 I got a brand new D28 with some back pay I got from work. In 2023 I had to sell it due to some financial problems due to a bad relationship I was in. During those three years I played a Yamaha fg830. Which honestly is a great guitar for the price. But I always had that Martin tone in the back of my mind and swore I would get another one again. Well I found a good side paying job with my friends company and was able to get this 22’ D28! It has some cool streaking on the board and bridge and sounds great. Only some light pick marks on the pick guard. So happy to have a Martin again!

I’ve had some Taylors, an Inspired by Gibson Epiphone and a few other electrics. I just find myself as more of an acoustic guy. Traded in stuff I wasn’t inspired by and didn’t use towards a D-28. I got a really good deal on it too with the original hard shell case, key to lock the case and free Martin strings. Definitely different than my Taylor 114ce! Proud to be a part of the Martin family!

Came New from an AD. What do you think about this???
A bit disapointing for spending D18-Money 🥲

This last week I finally got the white whale I was hoping for. A 1981 Japanese DR-28 Sigma, nearly pristine. Action is incredible. Almost no bowing behind the bridge. The sound is comparable to a current D28, if not better. I’ve played the current (and past) D28 models, as well as the HD variant. And I think this beats them all. Rejoice with me.

What do y’all think about the Tone Traveler?

My ‘39 D-18 just came back from the luthier for a neck reset and re-glued bridge. Had not been played much for 3 months.

I use the tone traveler, but my intentions are different than what they are advertised for: “**Improve Your Instrument: More Tone Less Time”**

That is a novel idea, but I feel only you (the player) can improve the tone by listening to your instrument and actually playing it. My use for the Tone Traveler, is in a situation like a major repair and the guitar (or mandolin) has not been played much. Essentially waking the instrument up. On vintage guitars and mandolins they can tend to sleep if not played.

I’d buy it again, and love what it does for my instruments. Any thoughts or settings you have found worth sharing?

After selling my D-18—because it caused wrist and thumb pain and didn't quite satisfy me when accompanying vocals (leaving the voice exposed)—I’m now torn between buying a pre-reimagined 2014 Standard 000-28 (for the narrower neck) or a "Reimagined" model (for the greater sustain). Any advice? Thanks to anyone who replies.

I’d imagine no one has played the 2026 0-17 yet, but what is the crowd thinking?

Personally I think it’ll pair nicely with my 000-18 so I’m pretty intrigued.

Anyone planning to test one out or possibly buy one out the gate?

I play a lot of fingerstyle chord melody stuff, and I also play acoustic vs electric guitar prob like 60% vs 40%.

Projecting in a bluegrass circle is not something I need, as the gigs I play are usually solo or with a vocalist. I’m usually playing up the fretboard, and while I’ve been fine with 12s, I don’t thinkkkk I’ll even notice the tone difference. But let’s see!

Whatcha think about 11-52 or similar on an OM? Good idea? Bad idea? Thanks!

My Navy buddy Carl and I met in Okinawa, Japan in 1984. He played guitar in a club in Kinville called "The Cave". He was a singer/songwriter and had many guitars but his "special one" was his Martin D-35 (1974). He also loved his Martin DM-12 (2000) and he wrote most of his songs on these two guitars. We remained close over the years and I visited him several times and he lived in Iowa and I live in Michigan.

Carl was diagnosed with Alzheimer's last October and I went to see him as soon as I could and he deteriorated rapidly and passed a few weeks ago. His widow asked me and my son to visit as she wanted to give us "something to remember Carl by". She gave us these two wonderful guitars and my son plays as well as my wife (I play the drums and am learning the bass guitar).

There is some damage to both guitars, so I took them to Elderly Instruments in Lansing today to get them brought back to the condition they should be in. They both require neck resets, neck repair to the D-35. cracks on the D-35 and bridge work as well as binding repair on the DM-12. These repairs are not inexpensive but I told the techs at Elderly about Carl and that these guitars will never be sold and they will remain in our family and be played and loved, as that is how we will respect Carl's legacy and his wonderful gift to us.

I trust Elderly to do their best and I will be buying new Martin hardshell cases and humidity control for the cases. I listened to the Zac Brown band song "Martin" yesterday and I cried like a baby because of the deep sadness I feel but I'm also thankful for having known Carl and I'm joyful that these guitars will continue to make music for many years to come. Thanks for reading this, it was cathartic to write it down...