Martin's (Hd-28) for worship

[Deadduck]

Why not get the Martin? Taylors are no better or worse than any other guitar for leading worship. Martins have a great sound, and if it's what you dig, then go for it. There are plenty of aftermarket pickup systems that will sound good and be easy to work with.

I currently lead worship with a Gibson J-45 and an Epiphone Casino. I have led with a Taylor 410, a Taylor T5, a Martin D-28, a couple of Telecasters, and even a P-bass.

I have yet to see Taylor guitars mentioned in the Bible, so I don't think there are any rules that you can't use a Martin.

[leeplaysblues]

I have played several Martins, Taylors, Larrivees, Matons, and others in church, outside events, small groups and conventions;
My experience simply is to buy the guitar that you like the best as an acoustic, if you need to add a pickup use a K&K, LR Baggs or fishman, and invest in a Boss AD3/AD8, Paraamp or Sansamp to shape your tone.

Get the right perspective. If the HD28 if your preferred guitar go for it, I am sure God is not looking at the headstock, and I am fairly certain the He is not going to frown because its not a Taylor.

[CharlesT]

I use a D15 with an LR Baggs I Beam Active system at my church. I've run straight through the PA, and through a Fishman Loudbox 100 amp, and then into the PA. It has been a really easy to use system, very much plug and play. No extraneous noise, and it sounds great.
If you love your HD28 unplugged, find a good pickup system like the Baggs or K&K that reproduces the guitar without much coloring the sound, and you should be set.

[redfive]

Originally Posted by leeplaysblues

I have played several Martins, Taylors, Larrivees, Matons, and others in church, outside events, small groups and conventions;
My experience simply is to buy the guitar that you like the best as an acoustic, if you need to add a pickup use a K&K, LR Baggs or fishman, and invest in a Boss AD3/AD8, Paraamp or Sansamp to shape your tone.

Get the right perspective. If the HD28 if your preferred guitar go for it, I am sure God is not looking at the headstock, and I am fairly certain the He is not going to frown because its not a Taylor.

The last line made me laugh ....

This is a big purchase for me - money wise. I don't really care who makes the guitar as long as it sounds great, and does what I need it to do. It's nice to see that people have had good experiences with their martin's in the same type of setting I'll use it.

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by redfive

...This is a big purchase for me - money wise. I don't really care who makes the guitar as long as it sounds great, and does what I need it to do. It's nice to see that people have had good experiences with their martin's in the same type of setting I'll use it.

Hi Red5...It sounds more like an investment than a purchase, and it's good you are taking it seriously.

I play with musicians on Worship Teams where Samick, Seagull, Taylor, Martin, Olson, Bashkin, Guild, Gretsch, Fender, Kronbauer, Yamaha & Aria are all in use, and no instrument destroying lightning bolts have given us the feeling that any displeasure from ''on high'' is being targeted toward any category of music or brand name of instruments.

[MissouriPicker]

The HD28 is awesome for anything you want to play with it. Awesome guitars. Of course, Martins and Gibsons are honky tonk guitars. They were made for those who dwell on the seedier side of life. So, make sure the congregation is a forgiving one.

[redfive]

For those who are playing with Martin's what aftermarket pickups are you using? I've seen one person say the Thinline II's. I'm looking for something that I don't have to spend 20-30 minutes dialing in the sound. More plug and play type arrangement.

[lossforgain]

I have to agree with the basic concept:

If you like it the best, get it. Play it. For whatever application seems best to you.

Personally, I prefer Taylors for worship leading, but it's just because I've never been comfortable playing 80-90% of the Martins I've played.

I thought it was an interesting comment that the Taylor sound is "cliche" for the genre -- not sure how this could be so unless every Taylor player was using the same pickup on the same setting with no additional color from effects, soundboard, compression, etc. I run my Taylor through an older Korg acoustic guitar processor that gives me a variety of options for tonal color...I guess it's my old, poor-man, simplified version of an Aura system. My main patch is a very natural EQ set with reverb, but then I have a more bass-heavy EQ patch if I need it, as well as a 12-string emulation patch, a chorus/delay patch, a heavy reverb pad for mellow solos, etc.

Lots of sounds from the same guitar -- don't we all like to do this when possible?

Although I do think in my experience that you lose most of that "Martin growl" in a praise and worship band mix -- a big reason people seem to like the cutting power of some Taylors.

[ToneSrchin]

redfive:

Martin's (Hd-28) for worship...

(I wouldn't worship it...it's only a guitar )

...then again

[Rodger]

I have three guitars that I rotate for playing in church. Coincidentally, I'm currently using a 1991 Martin HD28. I installed a Fishman Matrix undersaddle pickup in it back in the early '90's. Still going strong. I run it through an L.R. Baggs PADI.

The other 2 guitars I use have K&K Pure Mini's through an XLR Preamp.

If I was installing a pickup in an HD28 today, I would go with the K&K. I thought about switching out the Fishman, but I actually like the sound of it with the PARA DI. The only concern is the battery... the K&K doesn't need one.

[ericcsong]

I say get the guitar that speaks to you the most. then make it right for worship

[Bluelew]

Originally Posted by redfive

For those who are playing with Martin's what aftermarket pickups are you using? I've seen one person say the Thinline II's. I'm looking for something that I don't have to spend 20-30 minutes dialing in the sound. More plug and play type arrangement.

I recommend an M-1 with a PADI.

[zb0430]

Well, Chris Tomlin has no issues with his Collings dread...

And Kristian Stanfill has no issues with using his HD-28...



Go for the guitar that speaks to you and find a good pickup to use after the fact.

I'd recommend the D-Tar Wavelength UST if you're set on a UST for loud, feedback prone environments, paired with a good preamp for best results.

Good luck to you!

[redfive]

Thanks guys for all the input!!!! I'm gonna make a run this weekend to guitar center just to "replay" and make sure my convictions were correct! Obviously, it seems that pickups are a personal preference. Can anyone recommend some online/mail order dealers possibly? I've called Elderly and Maury's Music so far. Pretty good prices to boot.

Honestly , The only Acoustic/Electric was a cheap Washburn. I know close to nothing about after market pups, but it seems to me I would want a Under Saddle instead of a soundhole pickup according to some of the opinions I've read.

[TjthePhD]

"Less Filling!" "Tastes Great!" "Less Filling!" "Tastes Great!"