Stick or twist?

[welshywelsh]

Hi all, hoping to use you as a bit of a sounding board please.

I'm considering an acoustic Martin, most likely a 000-18, possibly an OM-28. I've never really played much acoustic music before, but more and more I'm tempted to try a new style to me, I guess pushing back a little on the pedal-heavy music I gig with. I can't afford to just buy one, but see it as a potential opportunity to slim down my collection to 4, top tier guitars-for-life.

Of the 9 guitars I own, I play 3, 95% of the time ('59 Jazzmaster, CIJ Jazzmaster and Marr Jag). Those 3 are never going anywhere.

The other 6 are:

Ryan Jarman Musuar - I love the cribs and it's a lovely guitar but it's no Jazzmaster. Fun to play alt-90s on, but not suitable for the band I'm in.

Squier Bass VI - used as a baritone..... rarely

Squier J Mascis - backup to main gigging guitars

60s Zenta Telecaster. Literally never played, but sentimental value

Fender Sonoran acoustic - got it signed by the Manic Street Preachers so now can't really play it

Brunswick acoustic - bought drunk at Uni, hasn't been touched in forever as it's awful. It's probably worth £50 so not really going to contribute much financially!

What would you do? Sell the 6 to fund the majority of a Martin or keep hold of a potentially more diverse collection that has some sentimental value but is rarely played?

[marqueemoon]

Sell the non-sentimental guitars you’re not playing.

I’d also consider the all-mahogany Martins like the 00-15M and 000-15M.

Unless you’re a habitual string breaker what you bring to a gig as a backup guitar doesn’t really matter all that much.

[sunburster]

Sell all 6, buy the Martin, be happy and have less unused stuff sitting around the house. Win-win.

[spindizzy]

Only advice I'd add to the above is that instead of a Martin get an Eastman like an E10OM. You'll be getting much more guitar for the money and the lowend Martins, especially when you're buying outside the USA, are not special like the higher end ones. They're just nice guitars. The Eastman will likely be special - I've had my pair of them for over ten years and they just get better and better.
If you want to get a Martin save up for a D-18 and do it properly.

[Embenny]

If you want to get a Martin save up for a D-18 and do it properly.

I don't understand this statement. He's looking at a 000-18 (same tier as the D-18) and OM-28 (a higher tier).

I'm not a Martin fan, so I have no horse in this race, but there's nothing lower-tier about the smaller bodied guitars compared to the bigger ones.

[jdr1014]

I think you are headed in a good direction. If possible, you might want to consider keeping the J Mascis, which you referred to as a backup to your gigging guitars - or perhaps you have decided you don't need that backup.

I like Martins. Although I am not currently playing acoustics much, when I do play my D-18, it's extremely satisfying. I always thought I was more of a "rosewood guy" but the D-18 drew me in - very woody, warm, and responsive tone. The smaller bodied 18 series 000 and OM models are terrific too. I also have an all mahogany 12 fret 000-15SM. Don't underestimate the 15 Series. I bought this one after a couple of unsuccessful attempts to satisfy the smaller body/12 fret "itch" with some less expensive guitars. Again, the Martin eventually drew me in. I have really come to appreciate its simple beauty and quality materials and craftmanship. Its quality is every bit as good as the fancier models and playability and tone are excellent. I also have a rosewood Larrivee and 12 string jumbo Taylor, both wonderful all solid wood guitars but the Martins are somehow special and well worth what they cost me.

If you do decide to get an acoustic, I would encourage you to buy solid wood construction, not laminates, and play as many as you can first. Different brands, different styles, and if possible, multiple examples of models that interest you. I believe there is far more variance in acoustics vs. electrics. When you find "the one" you will know it........and when you do, buy it.

Good luck and enjoy the hunt!

[Larry Mal]

Hi all, hoping to use you as a bit of a sounding board please.

I'm considering an acoustic Martin, most likely a 000-18, possibly an OM-28.

Well, personally, I love playing acoustic guitar so I would get one. But it's hard for me to advise on what might be sentimental stuff.

However, the guitars you mention are pretty different, the 000 will have a shorter scale and the OM a longer scale, same body, though.

But both are very good.

However, I did own a 000-18 for a while and I just did not connect with it. It sounded dull and lifeless. I later came to realize that Martin did the "re-imagining" of their guitars over the last decade, and what that meant with the 000-18 was that they used lighter bracing, scalloped at least but I would have to look up if they made it lighter in width also.

So if I was going to buy one again, I would make sure that it had that bracing. The OM series always did so you don't have to do any research there.

[Larry Mal]

I don't understand this statement. He's looking at a 000-18 (same tier as the D-18) and OM-28 (a higher tier).

I'm not a Martin fan, so I have no horse in this race, but there's nothing lower-tier about the smaller bodied guitars compared to the bigger ones.

A 000-18 and a D-18 cost the same also.

[Embenny]

A 000-18 and a D-18 cost the same also.

Right, because using 10% more wood on the top and back does not factor into the cost of the guitar the way that the hundreds of man-hours do.

[marqueemoon]

Telling someone who is looking for small bodied acoustic to buy a dreadnaught is like telling someone who is looking for a Princeton to buy a Twin instead.

[sal paradise]

I’ve been tempted by an OM21 recently myself. They go for really reasonable prices 2nd hand. And something different to the dreadnaught style I’ve always owned.

[welshywelsh]

Thanks for the replies so far.

Definitely don't want a dreadnought - the two cheapie acoustics I have are and I don't get on with the size at all. The 000/OM is my starting point, but will definitely be trying a few different brands and sizes to be sure. As I switch between the Jazzmaster and Jag, I'm used to changing scale lengths, so keen to see how that feels on an acoustic.

As for maybe keeping some of the 6, that's the dilemma I guess. Really need it to be that all are sold to afford the guitar! The Mascis is more a backup to both the Jazzmaster and Marr as I take both to gigs, so could do without it (although it's a joy to play).

The reeeeeal tricky one is the Musuar. I think the rarity and my love of The Cribs is clouding my judgement. As with the Mascis it's fun to play, but I couldn't make a case for it being essential. It's probably worth the most, so would need to go.

I hope this doesn't come across as "oh I want an expensive acoustic and I have all these guitars, I have such a problem". It's more a case of deciding to be a bit more focused and if it'll improve my playing skills.

[Stephen_42]

My advice would be to stick with the sentimental things. I'm very much a hold on to things for sentimental value person. (Unless you want to sell me the Jarman at a knockdown price... Then definitely do that...)

You can always get the Martin later. You might just have to save up for a bit longer first. But things with sentimental value can't really be replaced.

I think the question it boils down to is do you see your guitars more as:
A: Sentimental objects
B: Functional tools

If it's the former, stick and save for longer.
If it's the latter, sell and upgrade.

Both views are valid. Just a cass of deciding which applies to you.

[dinosaurkale->]

sell me the Musuar

[Unicorn Warrior]

You have 3 electrics you’re keeping. You don’t need a backup. All the other guitars are stuff you’re not using. Get rid of it and buy what makes you happy. With guitars, each one leads to the next. The sentimental value can be transferred if you think of it that way. This one led to that one etc..life is short after all. Pursue what makes you happy