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Author Topic: ALL!!! small bodied Martin acoustic guitars 0-15 0-17 00-17  (Read 41382 times)

JGauthier

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I had a life changer again, which has been consistently happening for me sonically with guitar over the past few years. The first change was switching to small 50s Princeton amps. The second came this week with my purchase of  1955 Martin 00-17 all Mahogany/Rosewood fret board small bodied guitar. Its the best strumming guitar Ive ever played.

I review this specifically to address an issue Ive had my entire playing life- 99.9% of acoustic guitars sound like sh*t to me. From the cheapest POS to brazilian rosewood hand crafted- like crap. My issue has always been the bottom end. Its uneven. Its always uneven. Too much. The highs just cant compete. I hate mud. Acoustics, to me, have an innate muddy issue. The only reason it doesn't matter is the player. A great player can lessen the effect and overcome. Im tired of working so hard and Im NOT a great player.

So Ive been tracking a band whos guitarist plays a Martin 0-15 for tracking. He has numerous guitars but it the 0-15 that comes out first... I had been considering a small body Martin, but had no real experience with one for more than a day. After a few months of this guy tracking, I HAD TO HAVE ONE...

Its the dream tracking guitar. Its small and easy to play. It sings with the 50 year old wood and the small body rolls off the bass/bottom just PERFECTLY. I know this isn't a secret and these models have increased in price drastically over the past 10 years. But its got a perfect natural EQ- all of the roll off of a high pass with NONE of the slope issues.

My point is if you have NOT hunted one down to play for yourself, you are making a mistake.  Mine was 2200 with tax and I am already shopping for another to back it up.  I have never played an acoustic where I felt it gave me what I put in but this little guy does just that. And I took it to studio A (tuned wood room for orchestras) and put a small chair in the middle of the room. My Mentor couldn't believe his ears and neither could I. An orchestrator working that day even stopped and wanted to know what the hell I was playing. It was the sound he heard in his head for a tune he was working on. Hes also one of the best orchestrators (musically not technically) we work with...

Im the guitar tracking tech as well as a house engineer and I think I just firmed up more work and maybe even some more as a session player. Im not a phenomenal player by any means but the guitar sounds that good...

And Im to the point these small bodies beat ALL OTHER MARTINS Ive heard... Including the 20 granders. The sizes that rock are 0 and 00 and Ive been crazy for the 0-15 and the 00-17 specifically. Literally D-28s can kiss my ass!

Note- this is recording, low volume playing. These can definitely cut through the mix but the bottom disappears completely. Some think its also not the best guitar for solo w/vocal- too small on the bottom. I disagree but the point is 100% valid and relative. And of course some styles wont fly with this guitar but not many!

So I literally stopped to take a break (Ive been slammed, what bad economy???) and played it for a bit then decided to write this review. I wanted to let others know they need to go PLAY one. Then RECORD it. Then send me a small thank you email if you weren't privy prior! I knew it was supposed to be that way but I had never gone to see! Literally kills my favorite prior Brazilian Rosewood 6 grand acoustic (not mine, but it was my favorite sonically).

This thread is open to any and all vintage Martin lovers and guitars. Would love to hear opinions on bodies sizes and styles and benefits sonically of prewar martins? I got mine because the prior owner got a prewar he liked better. I cant possibly imagine better...

Would love to focus on guitars youve tracked that dont need any eq or mic to roll off the bottom end. BTW my Mentor thought I was insane, and I assume whiney, when we would track my other Martin. I would bitch and complain and make excuses on why I couldn't get it- but Im a fussy bitch as a player. I know he finally understood once I played this 55 in studio A. He understood completely...
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seedyunderbelly.com

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Re: Pre 1960 small bodied Martin acoustic guitars 0-15 0-17 00-17
« Reply #1 on: June 07, 2009, 05:40:48 PM »

I have 2 1940 0015's

Those are a perfect laying around the house type of guitar

small nice to play  interesting sound  the all mahogany has a thing

for whatever reason I have found songs fall out of those things fairly easily

j






jstuart

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Re: Pre 1960 small bodied Martin acoustic guitars 0-15 0-17 00-17
« Reply #2 on: June 07, 2009, 06:23:17 PM »

Is a mid 60's O-16NY too new to talk about, 'cos it is a very sweet guitar....
j
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JGauthier

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Re: Pre 1960 small bodied Martin acoustic guitars 0-15 0-17 00-17
« Reply #3 on: June 08, 2009, 01:27:29 AM »

Nothing is forbidden... Even late bloomers like the 60s! hehehe I left out the 60s simply because I haven't fallen in love with any. I also haven't PLAYED ANY! So, of course ANY guitar you think has that perfect out the box sound- feel free.

Agreed on the song writing fun. Its the small comfortable body and great tone.

But again, this is absolutely the best tracking guitar Ive ever heard for strumming. And I know how ridiculous hating all acoustics bottom end sounds but once you play one of these, whether you agree or not, you understand what Im flipping out over. And Ive been really lucky to see some incredible very well known acoustic players come through- and this little guy beats them all... And Im not the only one who thinks so!

Though mine was owned prior by a luthier so its been maintained and plays ridiculous. He put in a bone nut, refinished it but otherwise its stock. Its also almost flawless and has no repairs or cracks. Perfect neck and action. Like a fender closet classic... Without the stupid fact its actually new...

Funny I really wanted an 0-15 but sonically I prefer the 00-17... A touch sweeter. But I still want an 0-15 for the air...
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Bob Olhsson

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Re: Pre 1960 small bodied Martin acoustic guitars 0-15 0-17 00-17
« Reply #4 on: June 09, 2009, 01:44:57 PM »

My wife's '64 0018 is amazing.

JGauthier

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Re: Pre 1960 small bodied Martin acoustic guitars 0-15 0-17 00-17
« Reply #5 on: June 09, 2009, 04:05:19 PM »

Bob Olhsson wrote on Tue, 09 June 2009 10:44

My wife's '64 0018 is amazing.


And I know you're familiar with amazing for sure!!! So its good to hear from you on this.



I wanted to cover 4 things in my studio instrumentally (since they are what I play)-
Piano
Synth
Electric guitar
Acoustic Guitar

I have found my holy grails-

Piano- ( I dont have one but my Mentors C7 would be my pick )
Synth- 1970s Minimoog (mono but perfect. Best is paired with 2 linked JD990s)
Electric- 98 strat and 50s tweed Princetons
Acoustic- the 55 Martin

Its VERY different making records with these than what I used prior- which wasn't bad by any means. Now I worry less about tone and more about performance. And I still have a bunch of synths and guitars- But for me, and of course its a personal preference, these are the magic beans...

And the Martin has more "magic" than the others for me since the age and wood work seem more pertinent to the tone than its innate design.


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Bob Olhsson

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Re: Pre 1960 small bodied Martin acoustic guitars 0-15 0-17 00-17
« Reply #6 on: June 09, 2009, 05:42:39 PM »

Steinways vary a lot but NOTHING is as good as a good New York Steinway B. The bottom note works and the top note works.

A great Les Paul is unmatched as is a great Fender Telecaster

I like a Deluxe or a tan Bassman feeding a Hi-watt cabinet.

I'm bored with synths. Roland made a great little modular I liked better than a mini-Moog at the time but I was recording session musicians and never a player. At least it said Roland on it.

Haolemon

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Re: Pre 1960 small bodied Martin acoustic guitars 0-15 0-17 00-17
« Reply #7 on: June 09, 2009, 07:55:35 PM »

After years of playing a great D28, I got interested in the smaller model Martins, and now my favorite is a 00-21GE (as in golden era).  It is basically the size of a classical guitar, with 12 frets free of the body.  It sounds great and is very well balanced.

I prefer rosewood on a smaller body guitar, as it has better bass response than mahogany.  Horses for courses!  
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rick-slo

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Re: Pre 1960 small bodied Martin acoustic guitars 0-15 0-17 00-17
« Reply #8 on: June 09, 2009, 11:05:13 PM »

"1955 Martin 00-17 all Mahogany/Rosewood fret board"

That could be my old guitar. I bought this model used somewhere around 1966. I don't remember it that glowingly but it was not a fifty plus year old guitar at that time. There are a zillion great guitars being made today but congrats on your find of an oldy you really like.

JGauthier

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Re: Pre 1960 small bodied Martin acoustic guitars 0-15 0-17 00-17
« Reply #9 on: June 10, 2009, 01:47:15 AM »

Bob Olhsson wrote on Tue, 09 June 2009 14:42

Steinways vary a lot but NOTHING is as good as a good New York Steinway B. The bottom note works and the top note works.

A great Les Paul is unmatched as is a great Fender Telecaster

I like a Deluxe or a tan Bassman feeding a Hi-watt cabinet.

I'm bored with synths. Roland made a great little modular I liked better than a mini-Moog at the time but I was recording session musicians and never a player. At least it said Roland on it.


I agree on the deluxe! I run the princetons in stereo so I can get some space but the Princeton is just a wanna be low volume deluxe for sure!

The Roland 100 series modular I assume? AWESOME SYNTHS!



Thanks rick-slo, I do like it as you can tell! All the top with almost none of the bottom. I understand MOST people like bottom, but I just cant stand it! Thats why I don't like the 99% of the great guitars being made today.


And Haolemon, I would hope you like a guitar you paid 6+ grand for! It would be interesting to hear it now, and extremely interesting to hear it 50 years from now!
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jstuart

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Re: Pre 1960 small bodied Martin acoustic guitars 0-15 0-17 00-17
« Reply #10 on: June 10, 2009, 09:37:10 AM »

I have a '64 0-16NY. a lovely guitar that songs seem to fall out of....

How it came to me is a rather odd, and sad, story. When I was a freshman in high school,(1967) a girl, named Mary Jane, sat right in front of me in home room. She was quiet, but we were friendly, and talked a bit because we were both learning to play guitar. Fast forward to the folowing summer, where she was riding her bike home and took  a tumble, and died of head injuries.

FF 12 or so yrs, after traveling around, gigging, and engineering I got offered  a job in Noel Stookey's  ( "Paul" of  peter paul and mary) studio, where I'd done some freelance work, and which was  sort of close to where I grew up. One day we get a call at the studio asking if  someone  could take a look at a guitar.  I said come on over and I'll take a look and see if I know anything useful.


They show up with a chipboard case, and I'm thinking " cheap yamaha beginner guitar". I talk with them for a few minutes and figure out it was the parents of this girl I'd known, they tell me it was Mary Jane's guitar, and I tell them about MJ and I being in home room and talking about guitar. So, I open up the case and, surprise, there's this nice little Martin. I had no idea what it was worth, so I called a guy who ran a music shop where I bought stuff. He said " probably 5-7 hundred, retail". I told them. They asked if I'd like to buy it... I said sure, but I don't have anywhere near enough money.

" How much do you have?"

I looked in my check book: "A little over $250."

"It's yours for $225. if you want it."

It has  sweet soul to it. I run it with nylon right now ( Savarez), and often use alt tunings. it is very clear , but has a much bigger sound than I would have ever expected . not flabby at all, just big. it records great: solo it needs no eq, and in a mix, just whatever needs to be downplayed for the other insts.

I don't think these models are particularly collectable, and I'm glad, 'cos I think they belong in player's hands.

anyhoo, that's my little martin tale.
j



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JGauthier

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Re: Pre 1960 small bodied Martin acoustic guitars 0-15 0-17 00-17
« Reply #11 on: June 10, 2009, 12:45:04 PM »

jstuart wrote on Wed, 10 June 2009 06:37

I have a '64 0-16NY. a lovely guitar that songs seem to fall out of....

How it came to me is a rather odd, and sad, story. When I was a freshman in high school,(1967) a girl, named Mary Jane, sat right in front of me in home room. She was quiet, but we were friendly, and talked a bit because we were both learning to play guitar. Fast forward to the folowing summer, where she was riding her bike home and took  a tumble, and died of head injuries.

FF 12 or so yrs, after traveling around, gigging, and engineering I got offered  a job in Noel Stookey's  ( "Paul" of  peter paul and mary) studio, where I'd done some freelance work, and which was  sort of close to where I grew up. One day we get a call at the studio asking if  someone  could take a look at a guitar.  I said come on over and I'll take a look and see if I know anything useful.


They show up with a chipboard case, and I'm thinking " cheap yamaha beginner guitar". I talk with them for a few minutes and figure out it was the parents of this girl I'd known, they tell me it was Mary Jane's guitar, and I tell them about MJ and I being in home room and talking about guitar. So, I open up the case and, surprise, there's this nice little Martin. I had no idea what it was worth, so I called a guy who ran a music shop where I bought stuff. He said " probably 5-7 hundred, retail". I told them. They asked if I'd like to buy it... I said sure, but I don't have anywhere near enough money.

" How much do you have?"

I looked in my check book: "A little over $250."

"It's yours for $225. if you want it."

It has  sweet soul to it. I run it with nylon right now ( Savarez), and often use alt tunings. it is very clear , but has a much bigger sound than I would have ever expected . not flabby at all, just big. it records great: solo it needs no eq, and in a mix, just whatever needs to be downplayed for the other insts.

I don't think these models are particularly collectable, and I'm glad, 'cos I think they belong in player's hands.

anyhoo, that's my little martin tale.
j






Very cool tale!!!!

And I agree- LOVE the fact they aren't too collectable...YET... Sadly I dont see that lasting for much longer. They sound too good to be overlooked because they are student models! And prices have easily doubled over the past 10 years... I almost didn't want to start this thread in regards to adding more fuel to the little body fire...

Again, very cool story!
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Jeff Roberts

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Re: ALL!!! small bodied Martin acoustic guitars 0-15 0-17 00-17
« Reply #12 on: June 10, 2009, 02:11:44 PM »

While I am not a lover of old Martins, I certainly agree about smaller bodies being better (as long as we're talking guitars).

My five year search for an ultimate "layering" acoustic ended with Santa Cruz.

My little Santa Cruz Model "O" has delighted everyone that has played it. It has acoustified many songs with multiple distorted electric guitars, and I usually don't have to whack off much bottom....

It sounded great out of the box, and I expect even greater things from it as it mellows with age.

Congratulations to everyone that has an old Martin that they have kept or found.

And everyone with valuable wooden instruments, don't let those suckers dry out in winter.

While guitar shopping and reading some literature from Santa Cruz Guitar Company I noted that their wood drying kiln operates at 40% humidity. Therefore, if your relative humidity is below 40% in winter, you might as well store your instruments in an oven. Ouch.
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C.Cash

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Re: ALL!!! small bodied Martin acoustic guitars 0-15 0-17 00-17
« Reply #13 on: June 10, 2009, 02:44:31 PM »

Slightly O T.

Ive got a 64 B-25 3/4 Gibson.
This guitar has blown away a few expensive bigger guitars.
For strumming it is tops, not too much low end but very full.
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compasspnt

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Re: ALL!!! small bodied Martin acoustic guitars 0-15 0-17 00-17
« Reply #14 on: June 10, 2009, 02:49:51 PM »

I will bet that Mary Jane is proud about where her guitar ended up.
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Steve Hudson

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Re: ALL!!! small bodied Martin acoustic guitars 0-15 0-17 00-17
« Reply #15 on: June 12, 2009, 08:36:03 AM »

I am a big fan of little guitars. My first was a '58 Gibson LG-1, the ladder-braced parlor guitar. Not very loud but oh so intimate. For grins I bought a '57 LG-2 - the cross-braced model - and it has the same character but with more authority. Last year I saw an ad in Craigslist for a Gibson model I'd never heard of, a CF-100. I Googled it and it was like an LG-2 with a Southern Jumbo-style bound neck and a cutaway, the first acoustic that featured one. The guy wanted $1400 but it was worth much more. I arranged to see the guitar late at night at the owner's farm 30 miles outside Austin. As he got out of his truck, he said he'd gotten several calls about the guitar including an offer from a dealer for $2K sight unseen. My hopes of picking up this guitar dimmed. I asked if I could see the guitar and it was a dandy. The owner said it was songwriter Johnny Lee's 1950 CF-100 on which he wrote "Lookin' for Love (In All The Wrong Places)". Then the owner surprised me by saying he'd rather the guitar went to a picker instead of a dealer who'd flip it, and he took my $1400.  It's absolutely my favorite out of a dozen guitars I own. Later that year I bought a mahogany LG-0 from 1958, the first year of production. Except for the pickguard being screwed to the top, it's a pretty cool guitar for the money. I love my dreadnaughts but these little guitars are perfect for recording and just leaving around the house ready to be picked up and played.
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Fibes

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Re: ALL!!! small bodied Martin acoustic guitars 0-15 0-17 00-17
« Reply #16 on: June 13, 2009, 02:42:21 PM »

The Collings and Santa Cruz 000 style guitars are the best new guitars made for recording IMO.
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JGauthier

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Re: ALL!!! small bodied Martin acoustic guitars 0-15 0-17 00-17
« Reply #17 on: June 13, 2009, 11:10:34 PM »

I made a short clip of the Martin. Mainly to show how finished it sounds without eq or verb. Plus how BIG it sounds for soooooo small!

No fx or eq. Nothing but panning (3 position). No mastering, smashing, compression or other nonsense. Guitar and mics.

4 mics in my dead overdub room- big, tall ceilings and relatively dead naturally.

C414eb on the 12th fret cardioid BAE 1073 no EQ
RCA44 right next to the 414 BAE 1073 no EQ
AKG 452eb hanging in my skylight cardioid GML pre
Klaus H U87 in Omni a couple feet above the 414 GML pre


Im just strumming. Ive been playing with the mic in the skylight and this is one of the takes.

And can I just mention how much I still love what Klaus did to my u87. Its KOOKOO in omni! Years later that mic just kills me!

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=963221

BTW- no holds barred. If you think it sounds like ass PLEASE feel free to say so!
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rick-slo

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Re: ALL!!! small bodied Martin acoustic guitars 0-15 0-17 00-17
« Reply #18 on: June 14, 2009, 12:02:36 AM »

It does sound full. Of course four mikes on one guitar doesn't hurt. It also has nice string to string balance and that is in the guitar itself. Sounds like a winner.

Edvaard

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Re: ALL!!! small bodied Martin acoustic guitars 0-15 0-17 00-17
« Reply #19 on: June 14, 2009, 01:59:15 AM »

Fibes wrote on Sat, 13 June 2009 14:42

The Collings and Santa Cruz 000 style guitars are the best new guitars made for recording IMO.


Were you to leave off the "made for recording" qualification, I agree completely.

They are just the best sounding guitars, period.

Except for a few Dana Bourgeois or James Goodall guitars.

And Franklin guitars get good mention, too.


I've heard Emmylou Harris's Gibson "up close and personal" a few times, and it sounded almost as good as she looks, which is to say a lot.

And I've heard a Gibson J-45 made in '55 and a Gibson J-45 made in '56 that sounded worlds apart.


But I still like the Santa Cruz and Collings guitars. They sound fantastic "out of the box", no need to wait 50 years for things to come into place.


We may not have a modern day M 49 mic, but no question that we can surpass that as far as the instruments themselves go.


Thank goodness.

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rick-slo

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Re: ALL!!! small bodied Martin acoustic guitars 0-15 0-17 00-17
« Reply #20 on: June 14, 2009, 09:49:43 AM »

Well yes there are many fine "recording" guitars. When someone mentions something as being the best recording guitar(s) I just think of the large number of guitars they have not tried recording with and that there is no "best" in the first place as so much depends on what particular sound you want for a project and how you go about recording it.

JGauthier

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Re: ALL!!! small bodied Martin acoustic guitars 0-15 0-17 00-17
« Reply #21 on: June 14, 2009, 04:00:43 PM »

rick-slo wrote on Sun, 14 June 2009 06:49

I just think of the large number of guitars they have not tried recording with and that there is no "best" in the first place as so much depends on what particular sound you want for a project and how you go about recording it.



I would disagree and say for me, its relative to what you are playing- not the project or recording. This little Martin is unquestionable the best STRUMMING guitar Ive played in over 25 years I sounds nice fingerpicked but not ideal in any way.

And most of the really good players I know have ONE main instrument and a few others that support it- thats not project or recording specific. So it also depends on whether you are the artist or just a supporting player. The artist uses whatever guitar they like- and they usually like their main axe.

I would say though "the best" can be argued from a semantics perspective, there is NO question certain guitars work better than others in general. So when people say best, I would take it in context and not get too hung up on other stuff. ( And I know the original statement was not relative to my Martin but this still applies)

So for me-

These little Martins are the best strumming guitar for recording. There may be other wonderful guitars but for some reason these little vintage pre 70s just sing brilliantly (notice I added the 60s so others are not offended.. hehehe) And its that CONSISTENCY that makes them the best. Its wayyyyyyy less instrument specific- some sound better than others but in good shape, they are super consistent.

I think the recording speaks for itself! And I used 4 mics for more chance to phase and spotlight the guitars short comings, than somehow improve it magically! Its actually harder... Plus I stummed HARD to show the lack of uneven tonality!

Relativity. I assume we all know there is variance in any generalization!

Its really interesting to hear what others think about this for sure!
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rick-slo

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Re: ALL!!! small bodied Martin acoustic guitars 0-15 0-17 00-17
« Reply #22 on: June 14, 2009, 04:47:37 PM »

J, I can't argue that there is not a "best" for you, for strumming anyway as you say. There just isn't a one "best" out there that applies to everyone. That should be obvious. For myself depending on the type of song I am playing I like one guitar or another.

JGauthier

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Re: ALL!!! small bodied Martin acoustic guitars 0-15 0-17 00-17
« Reply #23 on: June 14, 2009, 08:35:52 PM »

rick-slo wrote on Sun, 14 June 2009 13:47

J, I can't argue that there is not a "best" for you, for strumming anyway as you say. There just isn't a one "best" out there that applies to everyone. That should be obvious. For myself depending on the type of song I am playing I like one guitar or another.



And by for me, I mean as an engineer as well as a player. Everyone Ive heard play one well, knocks my socks off. Plus everyone who hears it agrees at how perfect its balance is. And that includes people who have played it for the first time- over their main axe...

So I understand you like what you like, but when there is a consistent result with a variety of players and styles (as long as they are strumming), its absolutely legitimate to claim something about that. I would also argue that Fender Champs and Princetons (50s and 60s) are the best low volume recording amp. Easily. I would say enough people agree to give it credibility.

Best, nicest, consistent- whatever the wording is, it can be debated, but whats the point? And personal preference is great but you are talking to a group of people so any cohesive response or relativity carries more weight. Thats the nature of group discussion.

So to say "to each his own" is self evident and not pertinent to the conversation. Of course to each his own. But Im trying to make a refernce that someone later could read and say, " Hey, all these guys had great vintage martin small body experiences- maybe one will work for me." Not, "Hey theres infinite guitars for different purposes, where do I start".

I would debate the context of the forum is to provide a common ground, not just a million personal tastes! I'd rather focus on how we are alike than how we are different in a context such as this! Though Im NOT saying you shouldn't post exactly as you have. Im just explaining why I think the debate over the context and semantics isn't beneficial other than for us to swing dicks around. And yes me included!

I do hope posters continue to make generalizations on groups of guitars that fullfill a function well. I definitely wasn't considering this a multipurpose guitar!

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Fibes

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Re: ALL!!! small bodied Martin acoustic guitars 0-15 0-17 00-17
« Reply #24 on: June 19, 2009, 03:29:53 PM »

rick-slo wrote on Sun, 14 June 2009 09:49

Well yes there are many fine "recording" guitars. When someone mentions something as being the best recording guitar(s) I just think of the large number of guitars they have not tried recording with and that there is no "best" in the first place as so much depends on what particular sound you want for a project and how you go about recording it.


A guitar that is better for recording is usually more flat across the spectrum than others. For instance a D28 is an awesome sounding guitar until you mic it and try to put it through a PA or onto an ensemble recording. They are meant to project bass and this translates to mud in many instances.

I've recorded thousands of guitars from Aria Juniors to several of Tony Rice's Martins and if i could have just one flat top to cover all bases it would be one of the Collings or santa Cruz 000 style guitars or a Randy Wood parlor made especially for me.
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Fibes
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rick-slo

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Re: ALL!!! small bodied Martin acoustic guitars 0-15 0-17 00-17
« Reply #25 on: June 19, 2009, 05:14:23 PM »

Fibes, you have been a busy (very busy) boy to have recorded literally thousands of different guitars. I do agree that the most satisfying guitar in the lap may not be the easiest to record or sit the best in a mix. With solo guitar recordings however there is often more of an incentive to get a more complex sound out of the guitar  than to just have something that sits well among other instruments. Sometimes you have to spend quite some time with a particular guitar to figure out how to record it best. I have owned and recorded a few Collings guitars (still have one) in the past and have played a number of Santa Cruz guitars. Certainly they are fine boutique maker guitars. I have gravitated to small luthier guitars (currently Blanchard, Woolson and Albert-Mueller) both due to personal play time and recording purposes. I always have an ear out however and I have been impressed with Borges and Merrill guitars and if I could afford it I might be looking at a Traugott or Walker. I am sure there are plenty of builders I have completely overlooked.  

In recording so much depends on the context. A dread is characteristically not the most balanced guitar but probably is just the thing to record for flatpicking tunes or bluegrass music (for example some Tony Rice recordings or Wayne Henderson’s Made and Played CD). The really fine sounding guitar recordings I have heard have been on anything from lower end Larrivees to the high end small luthiers -  due no doubt in part to the nature of the music being played , the player and the skill and facilities of the person doing the recording.

Fibes

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Re: ALL!!! small bodied Martin acoustic guitars 0-15 0-17 00-17
« Reply #26 on: June 19, 2009, 08:43:10 PM »

We agree Rick, I guess I was just jumping on J Gauthiers newfound love of small guitars. Solo guitar is a very different ballgame (every session) and the player as you know has more to do with tone than anything (kinda).

One of the reasons I've tracked so many guitars is I'm open minded about what walks through the door. I could fill a tractor trailer with junque guitars that most engineers wouldn't let near a mic that were absolutely right for the material.

For those times when the junque doesn't cut it, every studio needs a small bodied good flat top, my choices would be the ones I've already mentioned.

I've got a holy grail Martin coming in tomorrow, we'll see.

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Fibes
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"You can like it, or not like it."
The Studio

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JGauthier

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Re: ALL!!! small bodied Martin acoustic guitars 0-15 0-17 00-17
« Reply #27 on: June 30, 2009, 08:52:29 PM »

Fibes wrote on Fri, 19 June 2009 17:43

Solo guitar is a very different ballgame (every session) and the player as you know has more to do with tone than anything (kinda).


I absolutely agree as well! And I definitely would NOT use this for a number of things.

Shes a strummer and thats about it IMHO. Pickers like them too but I dont think its the strongest point. But I aslo pick with my finger tips and its nothing special, where a "nails" guy sounds wonderful...

I admit its been mostly in the case since I got the GVCG ultimate 53 Tele... But thats just because Im more electric than acoustic. I will say with the Martin and the GVCG, I can guarantee things will sound good to track and I can't ask for more! If its not wonderful, its the player...

Ive been trying to get my sources solid, so thats why Im so excited- a sonic guarantee its not my fault! If you trained a spider monkey to plug in a 414, md409 and press "3", I would be out of a job...
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DavidSpearritt

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Re: ALL!!! small bodied Martin acoustic guitars 0-15 0-17 00-17
« Reply #28 on: December 23, 2010, 10:18:13 PM »

I quite like bass in an acoustic. Here is a D35 recorded with a pair of M150 Tubes.
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/3377545-post1.html

Tidewater

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Re: ALL!!! small bodied Martin acoustic guitars 0-15 0-17 00-17
« Reply #29 on: December 28, 2010, 12:47:23 PM »

'29 OM-18! '30 OM-28! 18 is better!
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Barkley McKay

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Re: ALL!!! small bodied Martin acoustic guitars 0-15 0-17 00-17
« Reply #30 on: December 28, 2010, 02:40:00 PM »

The small bodied guitars can sound fantastic recorded.

A good friend of mine had a couple made in the style of the early martin parlour guitars, and they sound beautiful.

Crystal clear, deep and balanced.

I have a 1990 Guild D4 dreadnought that records extremely well, and that responds dynamically to different styles well as a strummer - though it does not do as good a job at single line style as the small bodied type.
A very good investment, which goes to show that it is worth spending
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