Well, I bought my Martin today and an....

[hugo]

Well, I bought my Martin today, not without the help of all of you. Thanks guys! I did do a search on previous threads as well.
Anyway, the guitar shop just got in a used D-18. They wanted 1495.00 + 15% tax. It had some checking and some pick scrape on the front. To be honest I thought it would sound amazing because it's worked in a little. I was not impressed at all. I played some less expensive Martins that were nicer sounding to play. Now, I have to admit that the neck was a pleasure to play. I could tell the past owner did not use a humidifier!!
Anyway, I ended up with a 00-17. It just sounds amazing and it's smaller for me because I'm a short dude with not the largest hands either. It felt really nice to play. It was 1795.00 and I got it for 1695.00. Beautiful Mahogany, it's a really sweet playing guitar with a nice warm, smoky tone. I fell in love with it. They had a 30th anniversary model there for about 300 less but it didn't sound as sweet as this honey did.
I listened to your advice guys and played every guitar in the shop that was in my price range. My price range increased because I forgot I had some cash put away for a Spalted Maple Tele that I've ordered. The dude that I'm starting to get to know quite well now (LOL), told me not to worry cause they'll put it in the back and I can pay it down when I want to. There are some benefits to a small town that only has one good guitar shop. You have no choice but to get to know the guys that way.
I played Taylors and a couple Gibsons (not impressed with either) and I played a couple Takamine's. There was one Takamine I liked but still there's something about the sound of a Martin?? All the Taylor's were nice when I played them yesterday. I didn't play any Martins because I didn't think I could afford any that they had. So, today when I played the Taylor's they just didn't seem to have that special sound that the Martins do. They seem to be a little more trebley than the Martins. I'm now a Martin boy.
There were a couple high-end Martins I played but unfortunately I couldn't afford 2500.00.
I also bought my neice a Ibanez EWC30 PDE. It was 550.00 and the dude took a $100.00 off of it as well. I can't believe how nice this Ibanez plays. It far outplayed the Normans, the Fenders (yuk) and alot of the Yamaha's. Now there were a couple Yamaha's in the higher price range that of course played better. This Ibanez is all wood and abalone inlays with on board electronics. To be honest if it hadn't been for that Martin, I may have bought it for myself. It's a surprise since she starts lessons tomorrow. It really is a sweet little guitar. Smaller size cause she's got short tiny fingers and she's only 5'.
Nice easy playing neck. Quite impressed actually. The dude told me that they've had Ibanez electrics in for years but they just started to get the Ibanez acoustics in. He said they're quite impressed with the sound and quality of the guitars and plan on getting more in.
I didn't like the Normans at all. I didn't like the Fenders in any way, shape or form. They also had Art and Luthier's or something like that. One played nice but that was it.
I want to thank everyone for the advice because it really helped me out. It makes a big difference when you sit there and play every guitar in your price range. It gives you a good idea of what guitars really sound sweet and which just don't have it. Thanks for that. I would have bought a Taylor and to be honest, it would have been more for the name. That's all I played because my budget was a lot less the day before.
It seems like common sense now that everyone who buys a guitar should play every brand in the price range and then decide.
I have to say that I was happy that I found one that just seems so comfortable in my hands. I've always fought with acoustics so I never bought one. I shouldn't have said I was new to acoustics though. I did have a Yamaha that I loved the sound of but it wasn't comfortable to play. I was given a Breedlove 25 that was a beautiful looking guitar and sounded great too but I felt like I was fighting to feel comfortable with it.
Dude sold me a gig bag for the Ibanez real cheap and a couple stands real cheap as well. It was a costly day all in all, $2500.00 tax in. Yikes!!!
At least the wife new I was buying my neice a guitar so that helped with the cost a little.
So, thanks guys, I appreciate the help and it really was a learning experience thanks to all of you. See, sometimes it pays to answer questions that you are repeatedly asked. You should feel good about helping me or anyone. Really, thanks to all.

H

[RickG501]

Congradulations Hugo, you'll love that box. Glad you played 'em all, that's really the only way. Did you get 'em to throw in a humidfier and a couple of sets of strings?

BTW, do you need a nephew, I'm available?


Good on ya man, your niece is a lucky little lady, to have you for an uncle.

[imwjl]

Nice! Enjoy it in good health.

What year is it? I know 00-15s and 18s are in production, and have seen some neat looking 17s. I just love the 00 size.

Now you have to join UMGF which is very different than TDPRI, but IMO shares the same environment of community, good behavior and learning.

Make sure you treat it right in terms of humidity.

Good luck!

[hugo]

Well, the Martin came with a case. He through in a stand. He through in a stand for the Ibanez and sold me the gig bag for 1/2 price. Not bad since he took $200.00 off the guitars. I have a few sets of strings here anyway. I should have asked for some strings. Rec. gauge and brand to start off with?
I have a humidifier for the room. They'll be in the round room of 12' around. So, it should do the room quite well, it's for a single room.

[aunchaki]

Congratulations! It sounds like you made a thorough and proper search and came up with a clear winner that'll last you a lifetime! Of course, we need to see pictures of the new addition to the family.

There's been a lot of talk (some of it my me) about the increasing quality of cheap electric guitars on the forum. I'm amazed, for example, at how playable (some might say giggable) a Squier Affinity is (even more so after a few mods) compared to the cheap guitars of 20 years ago. That said, I don't feel the same way about cheap acoustics. They seem (to me, at least) to me more-or-less that same as they've always been.

Having a truly nice-playing and well-set-up acoustic can make the difference between enjoying the guitar and having it collect dust in the corner. It sounds like both you and your niece are set!

[Mid Life Crisis]

Hugo

I'm not surprised he threw in a couple of stands and stuff - you've bought so many guitars recently the shop owner must be planning his retirement based on the revenue you've brought him.

Any chance of pics?

[BottyGuy]

Originally Posted by Mid Life Crisis

Any chance of pics?

Yes please pics!

Congrats Hugo, finding a guitar that works best for you is always the best decision.

[furrfurrfurr]

Hugo,

word of advice: when that Martin isn't in your hands, make sure it's in the case. I know it's fun to look at it on a stand, but you don't want to risk an accident with that beauty.

And I agree, you owe us a LOT of pics.

[goldtopper]

Welcome to the Martin Club my friend!

[studio1087]

Both Bob Dylan ans Woodie Guthrie did most of their writing on a 00-17.

You are in fine company. Congratulations on a great guitar.

What year is your 17? I think that the new full gloss 17's have been discontinued for about 3 years now. Did you a find a newer one or did you buy an older one?

Congratulations.

www.umgf.com

I'm johnlg on the Martin forum.

[Stefan]

Originally Posted by hugo

...Rec. gauge and brand to start off with?

I would choose lightgauge strings for that model. .012 - .054. I like both Martin´s own strings and D'Addario phosphor bronze.

If you can find John Pearse bronze strings, try them! They are hard to get but I really like them!

Congratulations on your Martin and welcome to the owners´ club!!!
My previous Martin was a 000-15. I think those mahogany Martins look awesome. I have D16-GT now.

[blue metalflake]

Congratulations - you've opened a whole new chapter in your playing.

[fungusyoung]

Congratulations! I love smaller bodies Martins, and I bet yours is fantastic. Trust me, the mahogany will open up within the next 3- 5 years and the tone will continue to blow your mind more & more as it happens. My 000-15 is now almost 5 years old, and it has never sounded better.

Very wise choice to go through a bunch of guitars and pick the one that spoke to you!

[kmcrae]

The 00-17 is a sweet guitar. It's an "inactive" model with Martin only because more folks seem to be buying the 15 series these days. As it happens, I just sold my 00-17 — not because it wasn't a great guitar, though.

You can get John Pearse strings on line at Strings and Beyond. Good folks there, too.

[hugo]

Studio1087,

I just found out it's a 2001. Don't know if that's good or bad but I love her!

[Colt W. Knight]

Congradulations Hugo, I hope you can now appreciate my enthusiasm for Martin Guitars. I agree with furrfurrr that you should keep it in the case and not on a stand. Even if you are extremely careful , $#!+ happens, and when it happens to your precious guitar you'll want to throw up. Especially if you are like me, and could never afford to replace it. I stole my 1992 D-16H for 500$. I could never buy a guitar with equal tonal qualities for less than 2 Grand.

[RickG501]

Colt, you thief....

A fool and his money(Martin) are soon parted...heh?

[cotecj]

Hugo, nice story, sounds like you got a great guitar! Regarding Ibanez, I've got an entry level Ibanez dreadnought that I bought 7 or 8 years ago. I always get compliments on it's sound, and everyone is surprised when I tell them it's all plywood! It doesn't play the best, and it's super loud (which some would prefer, but I wish it was a bit more tame). I played an Ibanez AC30NT a few months back, and I should have bought it. It sounded nice, and played like butter. The fit and finish was amazing for a $230 guitar. I played another AC30NT more recently, and it wasn't even in the same league. It played ok, but sounded dead and the fit and finish was sloppy.

I guess my point is that the low end guitars can be great, but you get plenty of duds too.

[hugo]

Colt, I do share your enthusiasm for Martin's now. I didn't understand before but I sure do now. I don't care what anyone says, larivee's and taylors are not Martins. Martins have that certain something. A smokey, woodsey sound that no other guitar can deliver.

[marvelous]

Apparently no one has warned you. Martins are Very addicting as are guitars in general.
Marvelous
2000 Fender Nashville Telecaster
1963 Gretsch Jet Frebird
2007 Martin D-41
1966 Martin D-18

[Joe Chaney]

congrats! the 00-17 is the mahogany one, right? they're damn purty, never played one though

[Stuco]

A NEW D-18 should only cost $1500. Martin has a "lowest advertised price" that most of the big name online stores actually sell them for which is rediculous. To find what Martins should be selling for take 40% off the list price and there you go.