lifetime acoustic

I'm going to buy the last acoustic guitar I ever buy.... I'm thinking maybe a J-45..... old or new? But then again....I might get a martin.....which one?

They are incredibly different guitars, so what you get with one you're not gonna get with the other. I had the same problem a month ago, except mine was between a Gibby AJ and a Martin D-21. Both incredible guitars, but had completely different sounds. I went with the AJ, as it was the nicest Gibson acoustic I've ever played, but sometimes I wish I had the Martin. This isn't really gonna help you decide between them, but it just depends on which one feels and sounds better to you. I knew that there will always be a decent Martin around, but how often would I come about a nice AJ? So take the one that you feel better with, that you play better with.

... And incase you haven't noticed, when people say its their last guitar ever, they just mean for the next few months.

The trouble with looking for a "lifer" is that you look at so many great guitars, the kind the angels play. Then when you buy one you know the others are out there, and. . . . Buy a good one, then try to swear off guitar shops.

It's the different sounds that grab you. I've tried to stop looking at other guitars, and instead focus on my hands and ears, and see how many different sounds I can coax out of the lifer I have now--mine's a Takamine. Chords, keys, rhythms, double-stops, bends, pinches, attack, pick changes, hand tremolo, muting. . . . A good Gibson or Martin (I think I'd look at Collings, too), a top-of-the-line instrument from any of the other manufacturers, or a handmade guitar from a custom builder, with a good setup, has what it takes to respond to your hands: make it shout, cry, wail, growl, whisper, sing.

That said, I'm saving up for one more lifer, myself.

i played a tobacco burst D-28 tonight.. pretty awesome! was surprised they don't come with electronics.. it was priced good, i think.. 2k even.. guy recommended a baggs m1 for it.. hmm

+1 on what P Thought said.

I'd get a really nice OM. Try a bunch, and see which one speaks to you in sound, looks and feel.

May not have to be that expensive, btw.

But that's when looking at my life, and desires.

Not a fan of pickups in acoustics, but I'm not a gigging player.

Martin D28(if we're talking dreadnaught). it was and continues to be the standard the others are judged against.

I'm thinking maybe a J-45.....

old or new?

But then again....

I might get a martin.....

which one?

I'm going to buy the last acoustic guitar I ever buy....

:lol: I suspect it won't be the last acoustic you ever buy....:lol:

i played a tobacco burst D-28 tonight.. pretty awesome! was surprised they don't come with electronics.. it was priced good, i think.. 2k even.. guy recommended a baggs m1 for it.. hmm

Or a K & K Mini Western, a great sounding, stealthy (can't tell it's there when unplugged) passive pickup. I'm a sucker for sunbursts, and though I've never owned one, it seems to me you can't go wrong with a D-28, or a D-18 either; they clearly qualify as lifers. Post pics if you buy it!

For me “lifetime” ≠ “last.” Here’s my “lifetime,” as in: the guitar that I have owned the longest; the guitar that is my favorite; the one I will never sell; and the guitar I will pass on to my son after I’m gone.

http://www.tdpri.com/telephoto/data/500/My_Hohner_G940.jpg

She’s my Japanese vintage, 29 year old Hohner G-940. All solid woods (spruce top, solid mahogany back & sides, Honduran mahogany neck, ebony fretboard). Back in 1983 I was given $600 (= more than $1,300 today) to purchase a new guitar, to replace one accidentally broken. This Hohner was the guitar I chose. She’s a quality instrument, a beauty and a player, with lots of sentimentality behind her. “Lifetime” for sure. And for 17 years she was my only guitar.

But I’ve acquired 7 guitars since then (in the last 11+ years): a couple of acoustic/electrics, another Hohner acoustic, 3 Logan Custom Teles, and most recently a parlor sized Wechter Nashville-tuned Elite.

All of this to suggest that your focus might be better (or at least more realistically) placed on finding a keeper for life, and not necessarily the last one you will ever buy.

00-28VS .

haha, yeah i guess i'm not being totally realistic to say it will be the last acoustic i'll ever buy... :-) but yes, i'm going to buy a keeper for life...

it will be a tobacco burst.. i've never owned one.. always end up with natural finish acoustics as they seem to be more prevalent.

i've always been drawn to the looks of a J-45.. but the Martin i played last night looked and played great. it sells for 2399 on MF... so for 2k flat, i think that would be a decent deal... i must go play a Gibby before i decide. :-)

A while back, I went shopping for new acoustic, one they'd bury with me, and had my heart set on a J-45. Always loved J-45s and one of the best sounding guitars I ever played was John Jackson's old J-45. (John was a great blues player and a terrific gentleman.) Went and played a bunch and wound up getting a Martin. Nothing wrong with the 45s I played, but the Martin just sounded alive.
Just a warning...

haha, yeah i guess i'm not being totally realistic to say it will be the last acoustic i'll ever buy... :-) but yes, i'm going to buy a keeper for life...

it will be a tobacco burst.. i've never owned one.. always end up with natural finish acoustics as they seem to be more prevalent.

i've always been drawn to the looks of a J-45.. but the Martin i played last night looked and played great. it sells for 2399 on MF... so for 2k flat, i think that would be a decent deal... i must go play a Gibby before i decide. :-)

I do know what you mean. I recently bought a Yamaha to be 'getting on with' and although it plays fine a suits the purpose right now I can tell you that there is no fun or joy or pride of ownership that you might get from a nice aged sunburst with a classic Gibson logo on the head stock. (Or Martin perhaps).

I like to think though that a lifetime guitar is almost accidental in that it just happens to be a guitar that you never get rid of and suddenly become aware of the fact that it's you oldest guitar.

Certainly Gibson have the charm factor.

Martin D-18GE is my Lifer, but let me be clear that I still have GAS.

Reason the D-18GE stays put as my main guitar is because it has no weaknesses. Plenty of other guitars do certain things better, but nothing comes close to the D-18GE for its overall combination of volume, warmth, punch, and ability to take control of any jam situation because it has seemingly infinite headroom.

Jack-of-all-Trades ... Master of Most

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t206/mgeimer/D-18GESB_Grv.jpg

I've got mine, a OOO 12 fret that's my own work, but that's not necessarily everyone's cup of tea. Hard put to see how you'd go wrong with anything by SCGC (got to give my former employers a plug). Failing that, the no-brainer is a Martin D-18 or 28, depending on your choice of back woods (I like mahogany, myself). Those guitars do not break, they have survived physical abuse that I probably couldn't have, and they're always worth good money.

If that's too pricey for you, a Yamaha solid wood model or one of the pricier Takamines is a nice choice that won't break in your lifetime.

Also gotta give a plug to the Recording King guitars, they're as cheap as it gets but by God they sound right.

i haven't decided whether or not i'll buy new or used.. and if used.. would i buy something old ..

i've noticed a couple of 70s era Martins popping up on my local CL. talking to one of the sellers.. he said the Martins of that vintage have no truss rod? is that something to be concerned about ? i don't want to buy a guitar that, due to its age and/or design needs an expensive visit to a luthier for some major repair work.

i'm not an expert when it comes to vintage instruments.. but i think i have a pretty good eye for condition and playability... i can get a bit sketchy on value though.. it seems that the 70s era Martins.. and this may be true for Gibsons as well, aren't any more expensive than buying a new one... and in some cases, can be quite a bit cheaper. i haven't seen any used tobacco burst beauties though... and that is really what i want.

Martin D-18GE is my Lifer,

Jack-of-all-Trades ... Master of Most

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t206/mgeimer/D-18GESB_Grv.jpg

That's a nice looking guitar. I don't often see sunburst Martins .

looking at musiciansfriend.. they don't show the sunburst as an option for the d-18.. that is a nice looking guitar Cooper!

Deciding between a Gibson or a Martin, I would consider two things:

1. Obviously, the playability. If one spoke to me because it just felt so good, this would probably be my first consideration.

2. How I planned on using the guitar would be my second consideration.

I finger-pick and either works okay with that, but if I was going to play more acoustic blues style or more strumming the Gibson definitely has an edge. If I was going for a more country flavor or plan on bright lead lines I would go with the Martin. Gibsons with their mahogany backs and sides tend to produce more complex overtones, so they actually work a little better for chordal sounds and strumming to me, whereas Martins tend to have less complex overtones, and more dominant overtones, therefore they tend to produce brighter, stronger lead lines.

70's era Martins do have a truss rod. However, its non-adjustable. Realistically if a Martin in that era hasn't had a neck reset and its fretboard planed true and refretted, its probally gonna need to have all of that done. And none of those repairs come cheap. I have the neck off of my Martin right now. I'll see if I have time to snap a picture of the truss rod in it if you'd like.

Here's a picture of what a 70's era Martin truss rod looks like. Mine's a 71.

http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp206/rocketshipchair/2012-05-03_15-50-50_654.jpg?t=1336075286

Deciding between a Gibson or a Martin, I would consider two things:

1. Obviously, the playability. If one spoke to me because it just felt so good, this would probably be my first consideration.

2. How I planned on using the guitar would be my second consideration.

I finger-pick and either works okay with that, but if I was going to play more acoustic blues style or more strumming the Gibson definitely has an edge. If I was going for a more country flavor or plan on bright lead lines I would go with the Martin. Gibsons with their mahogany backs and sides tend to produce more complex overtones, so they actually work a little better for chordal sounds and strumming to me, whereas Martins tend to have less complex overtones, and more dominant overtones, therefore they tend to produce brighter, stronger lead lines.
good information! i'm a bit of a ham fisted rocker in my approach to guitar.. so lots of big chords and general bashing about.. :lol:

i played a tobacco burst D-28 tonight.. pretty awesome! was surprised they don't come with electronics.. it was priced good, i think.. 2k even.. guy recommended a baggs m1 for it.. hmm

The D28 is the acoustic guitar. The first dread. The most copied guitar....ever.

Don't be surprised that they don't come with electronics.

Amplifying an acoustic is far more complicated than amplifying an electric guitar. Most people shop and shop and shop for the wooden acoustic that speaks to them (acoustically) and then their luthier adds the electronics that they choose.

I like K&K Pure systems. I have them in three Martins. My luthier installed the K&K's after I chose the guitars. I think that this is the way that most guys do it.

I gig acoustic only and I plug in to play out. I never play amplified at home unless if I'm testing a piece of electronics.

Some people will place great importance on the electronics and they never use the electronics at home. When I consider acoustic playing there is nothing better than sitting on my couch or in my favorite chair and playing and hearing my acoustic guitar.

I could never imagine sitting down to noodle or write with an acoustic that is plugged in to a big wall of amplifiers.

Worry about finding a wooden guitar first.

Electronics are secondary.

Try a D15, a D28 and try a OOO15M if you are interested in a smaller body guitar. I think that the D28 has more history than any other guitar. The banjo killer.

i don't want a smaller bodied guitar.. i want a dread size..

do you use any sort of pre-amp with the k&k ?

That's a nice looking guitar. I don't often see sunburst Martins .

Thank you, Sean!

I got very lucky finding a barely-used model in shade top ... so to the OP: It can be done! Be patient.

I love my lifetime axe. Martin D-28 Marquis.

I love my lifetime axe. Martin D-28 Marquis.

I just picked up one of these Marquis D28's last week. I too have been looking at Martin's and Gibby's for quite a number of years....played some nice ones, and played plenty of stiff sounding duds from both manufacturer's. I picked up this Marquis and in probably 3 seconds of playing I knew that it was the one. It's already wide open full sounding with great playability...and its a cannon. It can only get even better with playing and time.

To the OP....I believe you have to just keep playing them until you find the one that instantly speaks to you.

tombm3....how long have you had your Marquis for??? Any tips or suggestions?

Cheers,
Jethro

do you use any sort of pre-amp with the k&k ?

I use the K&K Pure Preamp.....but only when I need to. I have the K&K Pure Mini sysem in three Martin guitars and in in one Larrivee Parlor. I have one Pure Premap that I can use with any of the guitars when I need the added volume or tone shaping but I use the K&K Pure Pickups "passive" 80% of the time.

My amp is a Fishman Loudbox 100 and the Loudbox along with the K&K Pure is very nice. I get low quack, natural tone, great dynamics and I don't have to mess with batteries....ever.

I use the preamp if I'm playing at a wedding and I'm expected to use a church PA and often times the church PA EQ will be really bad or muddy. I then use the preamp for the extra tweaking. I never clip the peamp to my body. I usually run a 10 foot cord from the guitar to the preamp (sitting on the floor) and I never touch the preamp once it is set up.

K&K Pure (parts) - $100 cash
K&K Pure Luthier Installation - $50

K&K Pure Preamp - $85-$90

Please don't ever try to install the K&K Pure by yourself. Pay someone who has done 700 of them or more.

A. The luthier uses a hand reamer to ream the endpin hole larger to fit the metal jack. You have to ream right where the side woods meet at the bottom. You're reaming on a glue seam that joins the sides. It's delicate. You could split something if you lack skill.

B. The three pads have to be glued inside the guitar body with a glue that is like "crazy glue". You don't want to drip that crap in your beautiful guitar. Pay a guy who has done hundreds of them. It's worth $50 to pay an expert.

K&K Pure Mini Pickup info link (http://www.kksound.com/puremini.html)

This is a K&K Pure Mini glued to a Martin inside bridge plate.

http://www.kksound.com/images/products/purewesternmini.jpg

K&K Pure Preamp info link (http://www.kksound.com/purepreamp.html)

http://www.kksound.com/images/products/purepreamp.jpg

The K&K hides in your guitar. If people can't see the endpin hole then the guitar looks perfectly original. I've had guitars with big Fishman electric boxes built in the upper bout and I didn't like the look and I could fiddle with 4 band EQ's and parametric mid shifts and notch filters and never get a natural acoustic sound. It's too much.

K&K sounds natural. They're the best.

Have fun looking!

i called my luthier yesterday and asked him if he carries the k&k's.. he's not a big fan of them.. his complaints..
1. the method of mounting requires gluing the contacts to the bridge
2. he says they are very mid-rangey and can be difficult to work with from a sound engineer perspective.

he recommends a baggs dual source...

i found the conversation interesting, as i've read a lot of positive stuff about the k&k's here @ the tdpri.

I absolutely love my HD28. I really believe the scalloped bracing made a difference on this particular guitar. Also, the herringbone trim is beautiful. I liked it so much that when I had a chance on a OM28 Marquis I bit on it like a mudshark. There are lots of good deals on HD's out there.

i called my luthier yesterday and asked him if he carries the k&k's.. he's not a big fan of them.. his complaints..
1. the method of mounting requires gluing the contacts to the bridge
2. he says they are very mid-rangey and can be difficult to work with from a sound engineer perspective.

he recommends a baggs dual source...

i found the conversation interesting, as i've read a lot of positive stuff about the k&k's here @ the tdpri.

The pads are indeed glued to the bridge on the inside of the guitar where you would never see the glue dots if you removed the pads some day. This seems secondary to me considering the fact that you have to ream out the endpin to install any decent pickup. (I think the glue dots on the inside are tame compared to reaming wood off the guitar). The Baggs Dual source requires adhesive on the center back on the guitar for the preamp (you can see electronic parts through the sound hole) and more adhesive for the big 9 volt battery mount.

The K&K requires three little dots of adhesive where no one can see it.

I don't agree with your luthier. I would respectfully encourage you to do some more investigating.

I have never heard a sound engineer gripe about a K&K product. There are K&K systems for cellos and violins and upright basses.

www.umgf.com

Try the Martin forum. It's another good place to ask around.

For what it is worth to me there are only two "lifetime" guitars - meaning there is no possible way it is going to get any better. One is a pre-War Martin D-28 and the other a 1930s Gibson Jumbo. When I land one of these then I will truly be able to say this is it - the last acoustic I will ever buy.

For what it is worth to me there are only two "lifetime" guitars - meaning there is no possible way it is going to get any better. One is a pre-War Martin D-28 and the other a 1930s Gibson Jumbo. When I land one of these then I will truly be able to say this is it - the last acoustic I will ever buy.

it would truly be the last acoustic i bought.. because my wife would probably kill me for spending every nickel we own on a guitar. :lol:

get a martin
orig owner gets a LIFETIME warranty
(one that actually Martin honors!!!)

sounds like win/win to me

it would truly be the last acoustic i bought.. because my wife would probably kill me for spending every nickel we own on a guitar. :lol:

Try a D15M if you can. Just try one for fun.

The new 15M's differ from other recents M's in that......

-The head is more square like a pre-war head
-They have the older style logo
-Butterbean open gear tuners (beautiful)
-No paper label (just wood praces and the model is etched in the block)
-The nut and saddle are bone. Stock bone work

The guitar is 100% solid mahogany and they sell for about $1050-$1100 new with a 300 series hard case.

D15M on Elderly's site - link (http://www.elderly.com/new_instruments/items/MTND15MAH.htm)

This in my new OOO15M.....

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k106/johnlg-2006/TopFull.jpg

I have bad bursitus in my right shoulder and I can't play a dread for three hours anymore. I find a OOO to be much more comfortable (but that's just me).

I have the OOO15M, an OM16GT and a D15. The OOO15M is 2 months old. The OM16GT is 14 years old and the D15 is 16 years old. The 15's are my favorites. They are warmer than you can imagine. Warm and focused. Hog top. Hog everything. Mahogany is beautiful. Sounds as good as it smells.

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k106/johnlg-2006/MartinFamilyAsmall.jpg

Did I mention th Butterbeans on the new 15M's?

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k106/johnlg-2006/Beans.jpg

:cool:

it will be tobacco burst !

get a martin
orig owner gets a LIFETIME warranty
(one that actually Martin honors!!!)

sounds like win/win to me

My lifetime acoustic I a '97 D40. Best sound, tone, playability ever. Martin has great warranty coverage- I bought mine used by two years-. A tuner slipped and I wasn't even questioned whether I was the original owner- she just sent me two "in case it happenned again"!
That said, I don't know that there is a finer looking guitar than a Gibson Advanced Jumbo.

I say, before deciding anything: play a Guild.

OK, OK...just get a good to excellent example of either of these:

If you want a short-scale dread, get a Gibson J-45, specific model depending upon your tastes in neck profile, appointments, bracing, etc.

If you want a long scale dread get the plain old standard Advanced Jumbo RI. About as good as it gets for power + nuance.

Put a Pure Western Mini in it and run it thru a Baggs PA DI box into whatever you want.

Then keep looking at other guitars but then reflect upon yours or better yet, compare them side by side and if you selected right, you'll have no desire to change your choice in your lifetime.

There you go, eternal happiness guaranteed.

You mentioned some online stores so I hope you're not thinking of buying it there. An acoustic really needs to be played before buying. I got a J-45 two years ago and there was some difference in how good the tone was from one J-45 to the other.

oh yeah, i'd never buy a high dollar acoustic online.. i was using MF as a good way to shop prices and options on new ones..that is all.

how long have you had your Marquis for??? Any tips or suggestions?


Hey Jethro,

I've only had my Marquis for just over 5 months. No real tips or suggestions. None of the guitar shops had one in stock so I did the online store thing. Before my purchase I did play a D-35 and a HD-28. The 28 sounded better to me than the 35.

After the test drive I explored all over Martin's website. Not for nothing, but I found it to be a little cumbersome at first but after a bit I was into comparing the various models. I liked the idea of the 1-3/4" nut and the modified V neck. I'm also a sucker for the Adirondack top. I guess I rolled the dice with buying untested but I did have the option to return it if anything was questionable. One quote I'd like to credit Diane Ponzio of Martin with, "the day you buy your Martin is the worst it will sound". Or something like that. Mine sounded unbelievable from day one and has gotten better to my ears. This guitar has the tone, volume, fit, and feel that I've always been searching for.

I waited for the typical sales that they run and was able to get more than a few $$ from standard retail. Good luck on your quest. When I first got into guitar I wanted to get a Martin. The shaker style plain jane headstock look always grabs me. This is something I should have done sooner. I'm sure my tour at the Martin factory had nothing to do with finally getting on board. :roll: Let us know how things work out for you.

For me, it's my 1952 J-50. Will never part with that guitar. It is the best sounding acoustic I've ever heard and the thing just speaks to me.

there are a ton of great guitars out there now, though - look beyond Gibbys and Martins.

Collings
Santa Cruz
Froggy Bottom
Huss & Dalton

it will be tobacco burst !

Got it. Bursts are very beautiful. Even more special on a Martin.

Greg Boyd's House of Fine Instruments has a c. 1941 J45 for $3800.... Cool old guitar!

Feel is important also. Martin dreads are typically 25.5" and j45's are typically 24.75 a bit slinkier feel.

Scale length that is...

Martin D28(if we're talking dreadnaught). it was and continues to be the standard the others are judged against.

Good advice.

D18 if you are a Hog fan or J45 if you are a Hog fan and like short scale.

These 3 are my "dream team". taking me into retirement.

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g7/humbuster/2011/DSC00775.jpg


http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g7/humbuster/2011/DSC00726.jpg

popthree, I'm with you on the burst thing. My next lifer will (probably) have a burst, though I favor the 3-color variety. Also, since I already have a lifer dread, I'm going to look out for a smaller-bodied guitar, with a nice wide nut, very likely a Martin, if my Takamine addiction doesn't steer me again to one of those.

You buy your guitar yet?

I would go to a few music stores and try a bunch from low to high in price. And pick the one you like the best, *especially* if you are looking to buy one that you think you will keep for a while. To me, it's just silly trying to find a "keeper" via mail order regardless of the price. Oh, yeah, drive or fly if you need to get to a good enough store with good number of guitars in stock.

P Thought.. i have not bought my guitar yet.. i'm feeling a little guilty about spending money on it. suddenly having a bunch of extra cash flow out.. my son's 16th birthday is thursday and i got him a lifetime hunting license.. my wife's b-day is tomorrow.. got her an ipad. my daughter is graduating highschool and we just threw a big party for her.

the day i started this thread, my wife told me to go buy the acoustic i've always wanted.. i should have bought it that day !!! now i'm getting cold feet... at least for the short term.

but to make matters worse, a friend of mine just posted pics of his new gibson advanced jumbo in.. tobacco burst.. awesome guitar, and he got a sweet deal on it. lol.. i'll get it done, but just spending so much money on other stuff right now, i'm putting the immediate hunt on the back burner. sigh.. .

For a "lifer" I would definitely look at the classic models. A Martin 28 series or the J-45 would are great choices. But consider a few others.

I have a Martin 000-28 that I just love. I play sitting down almost all the time and the dreadnought size is not comfortable for me. I also have a bum shoulder. The thinner 000 body is really nice to play for hours on end.

The Taylor GS8 sounds really nice. Their new body styles have moved away from the stereotypical Taylor sound, at least somewhat. Also, if you want the burst take a look a Guild. They are making really nice guitars and they have always done nice bursts.

This Guild F40 is my current desire

http://media.fmicdirect.com/guild/images/products/guitars/3856607837_frt_wmd_001.png

If you want a Martin and a burst, these guys stock Martins with amber bursts.

My Favorite Guitars (http://myfavoriteguitars.com/home.php?cat=277)

I'll probably be going to a 000 someday, I've got pinched nerves in my neck. I might get a folk sized Alvarez.

+1 on trying a Martin D15, beautiful to play, deep tone yet bright in all the right places.
I bought a used 2007 one and as soon as I played her in the shop i knew.
Plus a D15 won't break the bank.
It's my lifer..

I already have my Lifer Guitar,a 1943 J45.It's been at Mandolin Bros in NYC for a neck reset,frets,bridge plate , brace repair , and repair to a small crack since last October.I called and talked to Rocco,should be finished any day now.I CAN'T WAIT!

+1 on trying a Martin D15, beautiful to play, deep tone yet bright in all the right places.
I bought a used 2007 one and as soon as I played her in the shop i knew.
Plus a D15 won't break the bank.
It's my lifer..

You probaby got yours cheap because the pickguard's on backwards :wink:.

Seriously, the 15 series are really nice guitars and have their own thing going on tonally within the Martin lineup.

I already have my Lifer Guitar,a 1943 J45.It's been at Mandolin Bros in NYC for a neck reset,frets,bridge plate , brace repair , and repair to a small crack since last October.I called and talked to Rocco,should be finished any day now.I CAN'T WAIT!

There is something disturbing to me about sending a nice vintage guitar to a guy name Rocco in NYC. I picture this guy
http://sportsmediamasters.com/smm/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Luca-Brasi.gif
(note: I had a great uncle Rocco and he was in the same business as the guy pictured)

There are a ton of great guitars out there now, though - look beyond Gibbys and Martins.

Collings
Santa Cruz
Froggy Bottom
Huss & Dalton

If I hit a Royal first thing I'd do would be to place an order for a Froggy Bottom 000

Last guitar. Pff, yeah right.

I'm going to buy the last acoustic guitar I ever buy.... I'm thinking maybe a J-45..... old or new? But then again....I might get a martin.....which one?

That reads like you're not ready. My GAS killer was an easy decision when I found it but I spent almost 2 years trying guitars before that.

If it's your last or at least one that will be around a while think of comfort. I started liking OM and 00. A hand injury and age have me glad my keeper is a short scale.

Don't limit yourself to brands because so many great products are out there. The latter is also important because the feel and tone I got didn't come from a Gibson or Martin as an example of what I'm trying to say.

Have fun shopping and learning!

For me “lifetime” ≠ “last.” Here’s my “lifetime,” as in: the guitar that I have owned the longest; the guitar that is my favorite; the one I will never sell; and the guitar I will pass on to my son after I’m gone .

If that's the criteria, then it's my '35 sparkle red National Duolian. I already chased that damn guitar to South America to get it back

One quote I'd like to credit Diane Ponzio of Martin with, "the day you buy your Martin is the worst it will sound". Or something like that. Mine sounded unbelievable from day one and has gotten better to my ears. This guitar has the tone, volume, fit, and feel that I've always been searching for.

Well, I've had mine a couple weeks now and I am floored at the tone, volume, and most importantly the sustain. I love this quote you mentioned....I can't imagine what this thing will be like in a few years :shock:

In 1995 I thought my tobacco-sunburst Gibson J-30 was a lifetime guitar I would leave someday to one of my kids...then 14 years later I played a Martin D41 and was smitten by the sound of rosewood...I had heard D28's before, but nothing like this...on the hunt I couldn't find one like the one I played, but a Guild D55 did the ticket. Recently the J-30 got traded for a Huss & Dalton. Not sure which is the "lifetime guitar," the D55 or the DS; the D55 has THE sound, the H&D is the player...no such thing as a lifetme guitar, except for maybe sentimental reasons :wink:

If i could only have one (new) it would be a D28. Vintage would be a Gibson (pre 66).

I dont much like any of the new gibsons but the old ones are superb.

New Martins (standard series and above) are superb. Just my 2 cents.

add me in the get a D-28 camp. I would pass on the 70's models. They are nice guitars, but no truss rod adjustment, and are built a little more stout. I just sold a shaded top 73 D-35 last year. Nice guitar, and had great tone, the action was a little high. I am sure there are some nice 70's Martin's, but you will need to cull the heard, and your value will be lower. I would get a brand new one, they are building nice stuff. That being said I bought a Taylor this weekend.

Martin D18V

You mentioned some online stores so I hope you're not thinking of buying it there.

I heard Maury's is pretty good...

There are two problems in choosing a lifetime acoustic.

First, there's several great ones, tons of really good ones, and not too many bad ones. The opinions above show that there's no consensus, and there's lots of room for different good opinions.

Second, the reality is that none of us can choose a lifetime guitar, because the truth is that it's more like the guitar that chooses us. I'm not kidding about this. It compares to choosing a woman to marry: You can't just go out and decide on one. Instead, you have to wait and keep looking. You'll know when the right one has found you.

+1 Martin
I currently own a D Mahogany 09 with no intentions of selling, it's a keeper. However, I must admit I've been through a few nice ones in the past. In regards to purchasing online I've had very good experience buying from My Favorite Guitars and Maury's Music(40% off List). These are a few of the UMGF preferred Martin dealers to consider. Each of these dealers have favorable return policies (if needed) as well.

I go out busking on saturdays for about 3 hours and recently aquired this Greg Bennett Samick which I use into my Fishman Loudbox (mini) with a mic in the other channel and to be honest this guitar feels so good to play and has a great acoustic sound compared to a friends Gibby J200. OK its a Made In Indonesia Samick but I cant find out what model it is because the line for Model is blank on the label inside the soundhole.
Thankfully I get plenty of favourable comments on my sound and country music singing. It seems folks around Mandurah dont go so much on buskers singing with backing tracks so I get quite a few people hang about and have a coffee and eats from a nearby cafe that allows me to run a power cord to my spot.
If anyone can identify the model I'd appreciate it if you could let me know..:lol:

It compares to choosing a woman to marry: You can't just go out and decide on one. Instead, you have to wait and keep looking. You'll know when the right one has found you.

Then the odds are somewhere between 40%-50% that you will eventually get a divorce. My guess is that the odds are similar with guitars. :mrgreen:

I still have my first guitar, a Gibson J50 Deluxe that is almost 40 years old. It's in bad shape and I don't really want to spend the money to fix but will keep it just for sentimental reasons. I like it but never really thought it was a great guitar.

Currently playing a Martin D15M that I got about a year ago. I really like this guitar and have no immediate plans to buy anything else, but "lifetime" is a long time. :smile:

[QUOTE=Boyd;4611873]Then the odds are somewhere between 40%-50% that you will eventually get a divorce. My guess is that the odds are similar with guitars. :mrgreen:QUOTE]

Good one, Boyd. :lol::lol: One of the good things about lifetime guitars is that there's no limit on how many we can have! And even when we decide to part ways with one, there's no alimony to worry about! :lol:

For what it's worth, I have been searching for over twenty years for a lifetime guitar and just found it. I traded a Gibson J45 for a Taylor 714ce-SD that is just incredible. I've owned several Martins and Gibsons, Larrivee's and Guild's, and this one is from a different world.

Try not to let Brand names dictate what you buy, You'll know when you hear it and it will whisper your name.....Jim

The best two dreadnaughts I've ever played are a Collings and a Yari. Both are real boomers, very responsive, loud, and balanced. Both belong to friends. The last dreadnaught I owned was a Taylor, and despite playing it hard for years, it never really opened up. I traded it for a mandolin. That's the hard thing about shopping for a new acoustic--you never know how it will sound once it's matured.

For what it's worth, what I think is my lifetime acoustic is a spider cone resonator made by Weber. I've only played it for five years and only owned it for one and a half (it belonged to a bandmate, though I performed with it regularly, until I talked him into selling it to me). It has already become what feels like my guitar voice. Here's a link to the model, though mine's a custom one with a darker sunburst, a deep flame in the maple, and Gibson fern-style inlay.