Well, I failed…but it got me another Martin Authentic - UPDATED W/PICS POST #41

[Wellington]

I'm one of those crazy people that prefer a 1 11/16 nut width. Hope you enjoy your new D28!

[Macpage]

Beautiful! Way to persevere. Hope it arrives safely. I am sure you will enjoy it!

Best,

Mac

[chopinhauer]

The D-28 CAA will compliment your mahogany Collings Traditional beautifully.

I too have Martin/Collings paring: a 000-28 1937 Custom Authentic Aged and a Collings C10-35; two entirely different beasts even though they are not dissimilar in size. Both supreme in there own way.

[Rev Roy]

Originally Posted by chopinhauer

The D-28 CAA will compliment your mahogany Collings Traditional beautifully.

I too have Martin/Collings paring: a 000-28 1937 Custom Authentic Aged and a Collings C10-35; two entirely different beasts even though they are not dissimilar in size. Both supreme in there own way.

My thoughts exactly. Except note that I got the non-aged version. Not a fan of “aging.” Especially the $900 upcharge for a feature I don’t want.

[zoopeda]

That top is stunning. If the neck and the tone are what you’re after, this guitar just has to be the ultimate D-28. Congratulations.

[Bridgepin]

Nice Rev Roy. WOW! the Wood on that guitar is beautiful.....I so want to check one of those out, I need to sell some of the guitars that I don't play anymore before I even try to suggest to the wife I am wanting to buy another Martin.

When I bought my D-28 Marquis I played it exclusively for a good month ( honey moon) and that has a 1 3/4 neck, well when I went back to playing some of my other guitars with the 1 11/16 neck oh man I was making mistakes big time, finger nails buzzing from making contact with the string above the one I was fretting. So I went back to practicing a lot more on the 1 11/16 nut to clean up my fretting hand and now I am able to go back and forth with out any problems.

[Rev Roy]

Originally Posted by Bridgepin

Nice Rev Roy. WOW! the Wood on that guitar is beautiful.....I so want to check one of those out, I need to sell some of the guitars that I don't play anymore before I even try to suggest to the wife I am wanting to buy another Martin.

When I bought my D-28 Marquis I played it exclusively for a good month ( honey moon) and that has a 1 3/4 neck, well when I went back to playing some of my other guitars with the 1 11/16 neck oh man I was making mistakes big time, finger nails buzzing from making contact with the string above the one I was fretting. So I went back to practicing a lot more on the 1 11/16 nut to clean up my fretting hand and now I am able to go back and forth with out any problems.

I tried that for months. Even mothballed my 1 3/4” Collings for weeks at a time to play the Authentic exclusively so I’d adjust. And I did. About 90%. But at this point in my playing life (I’m 70) I don’t have patience to fight a guitar when the one right next to me plays great every time. I gave the D-18A a shot because the last time I had a 1 11/16” nut (Martin DSS-15) I adjusted pretty quickly. So why not this time? I’ve come to believe it’s as much about the neck as the nut…

[YorkHarbor]

Gorgeous top on that guitar! I had been afraid of the neck rumors too so much that I bought a Custom Shop HD-28 instead. Alas fate sent a deal my way on a used D-28 Aged version last Saturday and I haven't picked up any other guitar since. As it turns out I love the neck profile.

[jricc]

Nice Rev Roy! I hope it works for you!

[CopyCat]

Beautiful top and back wood on that one. Andy picked a nice one.

I have the same guitar, the non-aged version. It’s a fine, fine instrument and full of music.

I like the neck. It took me a little getting used to the upper frets, which are beefy, but I get around with no problem.

Happy waiting!

[Kh1967]

Originally Posted by Rev Roy

First, a confession: I failed. Miserably. I heard so many great things about the Authentic series that I bought a 2019 D-18A ‘39 even though I knew the 1 11/16” nut would be tight. In fact, I swore some years ago to strictly stick with 1 3/4”. But the wider nut is only available in the D-28As, which virtually everyone told me has a wonky neck. So I soldiered on with the D-18A for months and discovered that I do indeed love everything about the Authentic series. Superb instruments. Restored my faith in Martin’s ability to compete with the boutiques at a reasonable price. But that narrow nut? Fine 90% of the time but that last 10% was driving me crazy.

Then I started hearing that the new Authentic spin-off - Martin Custom Shop D-28 Authentic 1937 - has a noticeably kinder neck and an adjustable truss rod. So GAS set in. Fortunately, TME offered me a very fair trade-in value on my D-18A (exactly what I originally paid for it). So it’s moved on and I have a new Martin Custom Shop D-28 1937 on the way. Should be here Thursday. Please, oh please, don’t let the neck be wonky…

Great looking guitar, Roy! I certainly look forward to your full report when it arrives. 😊

[Glennwillow]

That's hardly failure, Roy!

It's part of the process! But WOW! You're getting another great Martin dreadnought! Good for you!

- Glenn

[Dru Edwards]

Roy, I wish I had more failures like that .

It's great that you were able to get something comparable with a 1 3/4" nut width. That can (and obviously does) make a difference. Looking forward to reading your review and how the two guitars differ in tone... and Congrats!

[Mr. Jelly]

This type of thing is exactly why I haven't pulled the trigger on an Authentic yet. I absolutely do not want to get something that is almost what I want, again. So, I'm looking for the right '37 D-18 A at the right price. This could take years. Chances are I'll find some other direction to go before then.

[00045]

Failed ?!? That' funny.
That D-28 CA is a great looking guitar. I love the neck a lot, I know many people don't like the necks on the 1937 D-28 Authentics. I don't know if the ones on these Custom D-28 Authentics are different, but I really love this neck on mine.