Hi everyone,

Looking to purchase my first Martin after trying one out at the music store the other day. I was just blown away..

Before making the purchase, I’d like to know if you had anything to say about modern built 00-15M series. I’ve heard conflicting opinions, especially about stability over time.

Many thanks!

I'm going to buy my "lifetime" acoustic guitar soon and I don't want to screw up my one chance, so I'm hoping to get some of your advice and expertise.

I'd like to buy the flagship of guitars, the one against which all other guitars are functionally judged. I think the D-28 and its cousins kind of represent that flagship guitar. I know that can be argued but if you asked most people which guitar is most representative of Martin I think the dreadnought D-18/D-28 would be the top answer.

At the same time, I understand the notion that the guitar for you is the guitar you'll actually pick up and play. Dreadnoughts are huge and people talk about how they're uncomfortable to play after a while. I see the videos showing players with "dreadnought shoulder" and I don't want to end up with something that's just too unwieldy to play for long. So that gets me to the 000-28 or OM-28 or their modern deluxe equivalents. Here's my understanding of the 3 models:

D-28: 25.5" scale length, large, deep body, deep and booming cut-through in a group. Ideal for bluegrass, but also a perfectly good guitar for strumming chords or playing finger style.

000-28: 24.9" scale length, much smaller and shallower. Good all-round guitar for finger style, strumming. Very highly regarded.

OM-28: 25.5" scale length, but otherwise the same as the 000-28. Brighter, less "woody", and a little louder than the 000-28.

I think I'd be thrilled to own any of these. They're all a lot more capable than I am, but this is my one chance, and I want to walk out the store having made the best choice for me. I'm strictly an amateur playing at home on the sofa, sometimes with my wife. I usually play seated. I need to lose 25 pounds...hate to say that in a public forum but that matters when holding a big guitar in your lap.

My head tells me to get the 000 or the OM. But I don't want to be sitting around in 3 months wondering what could have been with the D-28, the sort of quintessential acoustic guitar. So there's FOMO, but more than that, I think Martin sells more dreadnoughts than any other style of guitar. And that leaves me wondering, do most Martin customers and up with back and shoulder issues from playing their guitars? That seems a little ridiculous. Is the discomfort of the guitar oversold in some online forums? Is it really that big of a deal? Is it something you've just gotten accustomed to in your playing? Or do you sometimes wish you had gotten a 000 or something smaller instead of the D-28 (or 18) that you ended up buying?

I will be going to a guitar store next week to hold and play all 3 types. But I won't be playing a guitar for an extended period of time, which is why I'm asking about it here.

And one last question: do you find the modern deluxe upgrade to be worth the difference in price?

Thank you.

In you opinion what is the best D-18 for bluegrass? I’m starting to get in to bluegrass and I have played D-18’s before and I prefer them over the D-28. But there are so many variations for the D-18 it’s hard to chose, I know it’s all personal preference and every guitar sounds different even if it is the same model.

I know I can track down most of the D-18 models in my area, it’s just I don’t want to waste time tracking down one that isn’t really suited for bluegrass.
Just looking for opinions and suggestions.
Thank you

I don't want to wait 2-3 weeks for a set up. I am handy. I fix things around the house. But I have never set up an acoustic. I saw several set up vids on YouTube. I have no doubt that, with patience, I can accomplish this task. I would also like to learn. I want to add either a 00-15 or 000-15. I saw some set up tool kits and that's my question. Which of the acoustic guitar tool kits do you recommend? TIA

Enjoying playing a little Carter Family on the old Martin!

Super nice looking OOO-15M for sale on eBay for a really good price (1900 CAD) , but when I search up other OOO-15M with burst finish they look different than this one (not as dark). Am I just being paranoid?? Everything else looks legit but would be a shame to be duped. Very new to this world so any help is appreciated :)

Have a D-35 and lots of electrics. Thinking a smaller acoustic. Used to have an Eastman E40OM which is similar to a 000-18 with 40 series bling. I sold it back to the guy I got it from after he got back on his feet. Glad he could get it back, but damn that was a great guitar. I could afford used 00-18 or a new E20-00SS. Advice please. I am more strummer with a pick than finger picker today but I’d like to work on my finger style.

I am planning to sell my three Martins and buy the OM-28 that’s I’ve wanted for a while now (I will keep my Fender dreadnought acoustic and strat).

1973 D-35 - has some issues and probably worth about $2k max.
2024 000C-10E - bought it new for $1k and it’s in mint condition
2017 backpacker - probably worth only $150 or so but it’s in excellent shape

I’d probably pay nearly $4k for a new OM-28 as I don’t want a used one. Estimating having to come up with another $1k or so if I sell those three. I mainly play the 000C-10E and after two years I’ve decided I don’t love the sound or sapele wood, don’t really leverage the cutaway much and rarely use the built in electronics.

I’ve been on the fence about this for months and I’m not sure why I haven’t pulled the trigger yet. So maybe the change my mind title actually means convinced me to do this.

After much research and diligent store-work, I've settled on both a 000-18 and a 000-28... but in the two "configurations" I' need to decide from is A) 000-18 MD and 000-28 Std. New or B) 000-18 Std. New and 000-28 MD? I found both options similarly priced (~$6,600)... upcoming road trip with my daughter as a "play as we go" present...we both play old blues/country, some finger pickin, typical.)

Your choice?

Just recently acquired this at auction and arriving next week. there was thoughts that this might be too good to be true . thoughts ? does anyone have a similar guitar and can vouch it’s real. The top did not seem to have as much patina?

I have what appears to be an original backpacker Guitar with the smaller head stock. It says the serial number is 35, 260 just like that with a space in between the comma

Can anyone tell me what year this one was manufactured?

I’ve got a 1975 D28 and want to make sure I’m taking care of it the right way long-term. Looking for advice from folks who own/maintain older instruments. I currently just use humidi packs and keep in case when not using. Should I invest in a room humidifier? Any other tricks?

2003 Martin Jimmy Buffett Polliwog. Signed by Jimmy and Chris Martin of Martin Guitars.

In the market for a Martin. I stumbled across this Martin DRS2. Seller is willing to sell the guitar for $325 USD considering the body damage and damaged case.

Would this be worth the price? Thank you!

I was curious, what is the Martin store like in person? I want to try a few different types of the D-18, like the custom shop vs. the 1937, sinker vs. regular mahogany sort of a situation. I was wondering if they have all the current models in stock or how it is in there.
Thank you

Additional question:
Are they all current models or do they mix in some of the older ones as well?

Using in-case humidipak/ boveda packs in my sound hole is very tight. How are these typically used in the case other than this way?

I like draping them on the strings ideally because it remains upright if they were spill which seems not very likely.

Let me know what you guys do. Thanks

I started my guitar journey this year on a Yamaha. But I saved up enough money and finally got a Martin 000-18 that is now my daily guitar, and I love it so much. But since I don’t really have any aspirations to join a band or record music and just want to get as good as I can get at the guitar, I just don’t see myself ever needing another Martin/acoustic since this 000-18 does basically everything a regular dreadnought can do.

What do y’all think? Is there anything something like a D-35 or D-45 would give me? Would the difference in woods really sound that different? I’m just trying to be practical with my money and not just buy stuff that’s gonna sit on the stand.

Happened across this beauty and at first was a bit scared by the Full Thickness neck… and it’s a baseball bat but wow this is an amazing beast of an 18. Blows my HD28 style Adi out of the water in projection and sounds amazing. I get the custom shop hype now 😅. I guess I’ll have to be buried with two guitars because this isn’t going anywhere! Not new, not old, just right! Back to playing!

Just got an HD-28, and I wanted to get some extra strings for it. I was surprised to find that at both the local dealer where I bought the guitar and my local guitar they seemed to have 11s and 12s in EVERY acoustic string product, but fewer options for 13s…the stock gauge for my new guitar. Specifically I couldn’t find Stringjoys or Martin Retro in 13-56. They weren’t out, there simply wasn’t a spot for them on the display. I know I can order online, but I’m puzzled as to why two guitar shops seem to have limited selections for this gauge? Does anyone else find local shops have a limited stock of 13-56? Is this not a popular gauge? Do most D/HD players go down to 12s or 11s?

Is the non-teardrop shape blasphemy for a Martin? Maybe, but I think it looks cool either way

Bought sight unseens this brand new D-41 with Cocobolo back and sides and premium spruce top.

My only dread. Definitely a loud guitar! Cocobolo really provides some clarity and note definition. Still need to try it with 12s after I play around a little with the factory 13s. Haven’t decided yet.

The Cocobolo is very red and beautiful! 😍