NGD: Martin?

[beandip]

Marlboro Martin D-28. Great condition for 108 out the door. Gets close enough to the Martin sound for me. Solid spruce top, no grain runout, rosewood back and sides. Awesome little guy. This one will stay for years.

[scottish]

If she sounds close to as good as a martin then i think you just snagged one of the best deals any1 has ever posted here.

Congrats!

[3'scompany]

If that is Marlboro, as in bought from Marlboro points from cig packs, my buddy has one. It is one of the toughest playing acoustics I've laid hands on. Hopefully that one is different/better.

[beandip]

Yeah, you could only get 'em through Marlboro Miles. Every single one I've had has played like a dream. Perhaps a proper set up is in order?

[3'scompany]

Yeah, you could only get 'em through Marlboro Miles. Every single one I've had has played like a dream. Perhaps a proper set up is in order?

Maybe. I just know that his is a bear to play. Glad yours is a different story though!

[beandip]

After settling in with it a little bit, I think I'll post some more about it.

First off, what really grabs me is the neck. Now, my first real guitar was one of these. I unfortunately didn't respect instruments the way I do now, and the bridge lifted, got a huge crack in the top, I painted it at one time. Just a bunch of dumb ****. But, I remember the neck being quite thin. Perhaps I was used to my super huge strat neck at the time (an inch at the first fret). But this neck is nice and chunky, much like a standard Martin C shape (not the modified vintage, or reformed V or any of their other shapes).

The second thing is the volume and tone. This thing is LOUD. I own three other dreads, and for sheer volume this one is the winner. It's also the winner in the tone department as well. The solid spruce top gives it a nice crisp top end with plenty of thud. It has the standard X bracing pattern (not scalloped) so you get that good traditional Martin sound. The rosewood back and sides provides a nice equal to the spruce in the sense that it allows it to not be too harsh to the ears. It'd be even mellower if it were mahogany but I love me some rosewood.

The fit and finish is quite good, even for a used instrument. There's two things that stand out, one being the scratch you see on the back, and the other being a gouge in the side. I don't mind 'em. I've had uglier.

The frets are quite low, at least for what I'm used to. They're a nice medium/medium compromise and great for strumming. Leaves something to be desired for some fast bluegrass runs but they can be done. The action is set at a standard height, but I dropped it down a hair. Still have to fight it a tad, but I like that. I tend to have a very heavy strumming and picking hand, and get some buzz no matter what the action is so this is a good medium.

Oh, and I forgot to mention, this was a customers guitar. He'd brought it in about 6 months ago to have a setup done and for me to install a vintage bone nut and compensated bone saddle, so all that's taken care of When he brought it in, we talked about what it was (it was the only one like it'd I'd seen like mine. All my others have been acquired since), and he'd mentioned the idea of selling it. I guess he sold it to a pawn shop for 30 bucks. It was a small mom and pop place, so they didn't mind telling me the name of the guy who sold it to them. It was him, so nice to know it's not stolen.

This baby has a lot of opening up to do, and I can't wait to hear it. I won't be running out and buying a ToneRite anytime soon, I prefer the old fashioned way. I'm a big believer in not buying a guitar that sounds ok hoping that it'll open up and sound good later. Instead, I got a guitar that sounds great today and will sound amazing later. In the end, this guy out Martins the Blueridge's, Stanford's, 70-80's Takamines and Sigmas.

I'll take some better pics later and post 'em. Perhaps some that are more flattering?

[Stevo 42]

HEY! Weren't you supposed to be finding one of those for ME???

[beandip]

HEY! Weren't you supposed to be finding one of those for ME???

I've already picked up one for Dave (darnright). I'll be shipping that one out probably Tuesday for him. There's another in my area for 225 if you want it. There's one on eBay right now for not too much (it'll probably go for 250 or so). If you want me to scrounge around and find some for you, I'd be more than happy to.

*Link to one on eBay*
http://cgi.ebay.com/Marlboro-Guitar-...lenotsupported

[Stevo 42]

I've already picked up one for Dave (darnright). I'll be shipping that one out probably Tuesday for him. There's another in my area for 225 if you want it. There's one on eBay right now for not too much (it'll probably go for 250 or so). If you want me to scrounge around and find some for you, I'd be more than happy to.

*Link to one on eBay*
http://cgi.ebay.com/Marlboro-Guitar-...lenotsupported

I was just kidding, of course. These are intriguing guitars, though. Any truth to the statements in the eBay ad that they are solid top, back, and sides, and that they were made from Martin kits? I think if I was able to examine one in person for defects, playability, and sound (or knew someone who had) I'd be interested in that particular guitar. Seems risky otherwise, but I guess that's part of why the prices seem really good. I'll definitely keep an eye on that eBay one, which claims to be basically new.

[beandip]

This is now my 8th Marlboro Martin that I've owned, and they've all been laminate back and sides (although it's all rosewood laminate, not plywood with a veneer). As for them being built from Martin kits, I don't believe it for one minute. I've built a Martin kit, and they're nothing like this. They certainly don't have a different bridge and fretboard, allow binding on the fretboard, have an oversized headstock (the paddle extends about 1/2 inch further than Martin), have laminate B&S, or have a three piece neck.

I think they were commissioned to a factory in China (perhaps the one that built Sigma?). They're not Martin, in any way, shape, or form. But they're awesome copies, and amazing guitars for the price.

With the eBay listing, I have no doubt that the guitar was hardly played, but it's not "new" by any means. Marlboro stopped carrying this particular guitar (replaced with a Washburn all laminate) in 98 until Miles were done away with all together.