Which Martin for solo gigging

[hotroad]

I play out a lot doing covers and originals covering a variety of styles but always using a flat pick plugged into a pedal board and two Bose S1pros. I would like to add a Martin to my stable. Which one is the question. Doesn't need a pickup.

[SFCRetired]

Martin M-36

[saltyduck]

My 2 cents is for the HD-28, I guess it kinda depends on what you already have, where you play and to a smaller degree what kind of music you’re playing.

[L20A]

It all depends on what you want the guitar to do.
Some are very balanced and others are either bass heavy or very trebly.

Some people like a guitar that has scooped mids because that is said to be where vocals are located.
A guitar like a Martin D-35 is well suited for this.
it is often called a Singer/Songwriter guitar.

[nostatic]

Umm, any of them?

You have a D-28 so conventional wisdom would be D-18 if you want to stay dread, or a 000/OM if you want a bit smaller body (which is my preference for accompanying vocals). But anything can work.

[LAPlayer]

Originally Posted by nostatic

Umm, any of them?

This. Play the guitar you love to play. You want a performance guitar that you can play for hours without discomfort or issues. If you want a Martin, play all of them and pick one with the sound/tone you love and a feel that is comfortable all day. Same formula for any brand.

[Guitars44me]

Originally Posted by LAPlayer

This. Play the guitar you love to play. You want a performance guitar that you can play for hours without discomfort or issues. If you want a Martin, play all of them and pick one with the sound/tone you love and a feel that is comfortable all day. Same formula for any brand.

LA is right

How would you know till you feel it and hear it?

Cheers

Paul

[SalFromChatham]

Well, you have a D-28. Try smaller and mahogany? 000-18?

[YamahaGuy]

I'm confused by, "doesn't need a pickup." You are plugged into a pedalboard. Is it safe to assume you use a soundhole pickup? Or that you're going to install your pickup of choice in it?

[L20A]

[QUOTE=YamahaGuy;7450139]I'm confused by, "doesn't need a pickup." You are plugged into a pedalboard. Is it safe to assume you use a soundhole pickup? Or that you're going to install your pickup of choice in it?

Or using an instrument mic.

[Mbroady]

I had a D35 which was a great guitar unplugged. Tried several pick ups and found I had to dial down the low end for a decent plugged in sound. If you’re going to plug in an OM such an OM 28 of OM 18 would be a good choice.

[Wade Hampton]

I’ve always favored OM’s and Triple O’s as stage instruments because their even tonal response makes them a breeze to mic. Before, when I was using a dreadnought onstage, the guys running sound always had to make drastic adjustments to the bass response just to get it from feeding back.

Once I started using a Triple O onstage that stopped immediately. You can run them flat with no arduous EQ adjustment at all - just stroll out onstage, plug in and play.


Wade Hampton Miller

[Coler]

Just get the guitar that you find comfortable to play and dont mind getting dinged or worse. You're plugged in and using pedals so your sound is going to be more influenced by how eell you dial in to the needs of the venue.

If you just want a Martin get the one you like most.

I personally think a good 000-28 is hard to beat for versatility. When I plug mine in I use a Baggs M80 soundhole pickup or a DPA 4099 on a gooseneck. Either does a lovely job of capturing the acoustic tone as well as can be done.

[Robin, Wales]

Martin D-28 '67
Cole Clark Fat Lady 2
Taylor Doyle Dykes Custom
Alvarez
Fender Strat '69
Gibson 1942 Banner LG-2 Vintage Sunburst
Gibson SJ-200
Taylor Myrtlewood 12 string
Emerald X20
Godin Montreal w/piezo

I'm struggling to see what another Martin would add to the extensive list of guitars you already own? You seem to pretty much have all the basses well covered. Perhaps a Martin 000-17 may give a different timbre as a gigging workhorse and add something new to your collection.

[Robin, Wales]

Originally Posted by Wade Hampton

IÂ’ve always favored OMÂ’s and Triple OÂ’s as stage instruments because their even tonal response makes them a breeze to mic. Before, when I was using a dreadnought onstage, the guys running sound always had to make drastic adjustments to the bass response just to get it from feeding back.

Once I started using a Triple O onstage that stopped immediately. You can run them flat with no arduous EQ adjustment at all - just stroll out onstage, plug in and play.


Wade Hampton Miller

Wade - that's the reason I kept my 000 (A&L Legacy) and sold my D-18. The 000 just mic'd easier on stage. Literally, get up there, stick a mic' in front of it, and play. Balance out front is always just fine.