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Blueridge BR 160
submitted 3/25/2012
|
Submitter |
BiggT (see all reviews from this person) |
Where Purchased |
Gutiar House of Tulsa |
Year Purchased |
2012 |
Price Paid |
680 ($US) |
Sound
|
Loud and responsive.
Perfect for bluegrass.
Produces lots of sound with a light touch while holding up well to digging in or strumming with authority.
I honestly can't believe this thing sounds as good as it does! |
Sound Rating |
10 |
Setup
|
Dealer setup.
Well done.
Low enough to play with ease.
High enough to let the guitar produce its best tone.
My only complaint is the light strings.
Mediums will be put on with a set of bone pins. |
Setup Rating |
9 |
Appearance
|
Nice looking guitar.
Folks seem to love or hate the "dalmation" pick guard.
I like it.
Although not something I would choose on a custom guitar, I like the bling on the head stock.
I do not care for dot fetboard inlays, so the snowflake/diamond inlays look great to me!
Herringbone purfling and delicate backstripe are nice touches.
I prefer some aging toner over a natural top, think D 21 Special, but Blueridges are sometimes darker than I would like. |
Appearance Rating |
8 |
Reliability
|
I haven't had the guitar long enough to speak to this.
It is awfully light; we will see how she holds up.
The Saga made Kentucky mando we have has held up very well. |
Reliability Rating |
not rated |
Customer Service
|
No experience in dealing with Saga. |
Customer Service |
not rated |
Components
|
They should use better tuners. They adjust nicely and hold tune well, but they look cheap.
Plastic bridge pins...even the big boys use these... |
Components Rating |
6 |
Overall Comments
|
As stated above, the sound sells these guitars. I feel like I got at least twice as much guitar as what I paid for.
My more expensive, American made guitars are not getting played.
It is cool to have such a great sounding guitar and not feel like I have to treat it with kid gloves like I would with a high $ unit. If it were lost or stolen I would certainly buy another one. I might even get another with an Adi top. At this price, why not?
Pride is tough to swallow and that is why I have not purchsed one of these sooner.
I am not ashamed to admit I own a Blueridge.
Play one and you'll know why... |
Overall Rating |
9 |
|
Dynarette Guitar Cushion Dynarette Guitar Cushion
submitted 3/9/2012
|
Submitter |
kmangelos (see all reviews from this person) |
Where Purchased |
online |
Overall Comments
|
This is a great accessory to help you with posture and playing position. It really helps me now since I've put on a little more weight and makes it much easier to play by keeping both feet on the floor and not having to use a foot rest anymore. |
Overall Rating |
9 |
|
Wechter Travel Elite Mahogany
submitted 3/9/2012
|
Submitter |
kmangelos (see all reviews from this person) |
Where Purchased |
Sweetwater |
Year Purchased |
2009 |
Price Paid |
279.97 ($US) |
Sound
|
For a small travel size guitar has full sound, |
Sound Rating |
10 |
Setup
|
Setup was excellent. Wechter plek's their guitars and they do it very well. Action was perfect |
Setup Rating |
10 |
Appearance
|
Very basic satin finish, nothing fancy, very well finished, no flaws |
Appearance Rating |
10 |
Reliability
|
Good hardware, finish |
Reliability Rating |
10 |
Customer Service
|
I've dealt directly with Wechter in the past, even with Abe Wechter himself, and they have always been very responsive. |
Customer Service |
10 |
Components
|
This is one of the best travel sized guitars I've every played. |
Components Rating |
10 |
Overall Comments
|
Excellent guitar, workmanship, hardware. Comes with a very well made gig bag. |
Overall Rating |
10 |
|
Recording King RD-06W
submitted 3/2/2012
|
Submitter |
dbowman (see all reviews from this person) |
Where Purchased |
Ebay (onlineguitar) |
Year Purchased |
2012 |
Price Paid |
299 ($US) |
Sound
|
Very nice sounding guitar. Quite loud. A tad bit bright but should mellow a bit with age. Sound is very balanced. It aint a Martin...but it aint bad! |
Sound Rating |
8 |
Setup
|
Bridge was a little tall. Shaved to get action down to about 3/32 on 6th @12th fret. Might need nut slots lowered a bit, but not much. Truss rod adjustment seems perfect. |
Setup Rating |
8 |
Appearance
|
Very nicely finished. Can find no flaws. Large soundhole and lack of neck inlays makes for a sharp look (Think Clarence White/Tony Rice). Nice Herringbone around top. Plywood back and sides have nice grain. Solid spruce top has some interesting color stripes.No excess glue or sloppy construction can be seen within. |
Appearance Rating |
9 |
Reliability
|
Frets are nicely finished. Verdict still out on tuning machines. They are sealed Gotoh look alikes. Easy to replace if need be. Finish is nice and doesnt seem overly thick as on some inexpensive guitars. |
Reliability Rating |
9 |
Customer Service
|
Shipped to my door in 48 hrs. Impressive! Has a lifetime warranty. |
Customer Service |
10 |
Components
|
Woods are nice. Both nut and bridge are bone. Bridge pins are plastic and could use a bone or ebony replacement. We'll see how the tuning machines hold up. |
Components Rating |
7 |
Overall Comments
|
Overall I am very impressed with this guitar. Sounds better that my daughters Martin DM and my sons Taylor 110. Can't believe they can sell it for less than $300! This is to be my travel guitar...dont want to risk my 28 year old Martin D-41. |
Overall Rating |
9 |
|
Saddle Thumb Picks Custom
submitted 2/29/2012
|
Submitter |
Richard McVicker (see all reviews from this person) |
Where Purchased |
|
Overall Comments
|
Picks Saddle thumb picks
submitted 2/28/2012
Submitter
Richard McVicker (see all reviews from this person)
Where Purchased
www.saddlethumbpicks.com
Overall Comments
This new custom thumb pick by Saddle provides several unique benefits. First it is infinitely adjustable and will fit any size thumb. You adjust the size when you purchase it and later it can be re-adjusted within a range of 1/8 inch after initial sizing. The flexibility of the pick point can be altered to make it more flexible. The pick allows greater control because the pick point is not operating off the soft pad of the thumb. The design eliminates the conventional opening on the side that permits the strings to catch on the pick and allows you to play on the up stroke without it coming off. The high visibility of the pick point, for those who play Dobro, 1/3rd less weight, soft strap and cushion under the strap against the cuticle, makes this the most comfortable pick I have ever used. Truth in advertising, I am the inventor of the Saddle thumb pick!
|
Overall Rating |
10 |
|
Goya by Levin M-26 Goliath
submitted 2/20/2012
|
Submitter |
Jim Yates (see all reviews from this person) |
Where Purchased |
Encore Music Toronto |
Year Purchased |
2000 |
Price Paid |
Don't Remember (bought USED)about $375 cdn
historic exchange rates / currency converter
|
Sound
|
I`ve used it for bluegrass, blues, country, swing, and jug band music. I`ve been quite happy with the way it performs in all of these situations. I have it strung with Martin lights. It has a solid flamed maple back and sides and is not quite as bassy as my rosewood or mahogany guitars. My rating takes into account the price of the guitar. |
Sound Rating |
9 |
Setup
|
It had very high action when I bought it and needed a neck set to be played comfortably. I took it to a local luthier to get a quote on a neck re-set. He gave me a quote which I can`t recall, but if you`ve had a neck re-set done, you know they`re not cheap and I wouldn`t normally bother for a $375 guitar, but this one had sentimental value since it was identical to my first guitar, bought second hand in 1960 for $75. When I went to pick up the guitar, I was charged half of the quoted price. The luthier said the bolt on neck, similar to Taylor`s, made it a snap to do the re-set. |
Setup Rating |
3 |
Appearance
|
I love the sunburst finish on this guitar. It is a dreadnought size, though Levin called them Goliaths. It had a large (repaired) crack in the treble side rib and a smaller scar on the top, also repaired. It has a Brazilian board and bridge. I had to change the tuners. I replaced them with open back 3 on a strip tuners. |
Appearance Rating |
8 |
Reliability
|
There`s a lot of checking in the finish, but it has been taken care of and for a guitar made in 1958, it is in very good shape. I have used it on many gigs. |
Reliability Rating |
8 |
Customer Service
|
No longer applicable |
Customer Service |
not rated |
Components
|
Great sunburst flamed maple back and sides, nice sunburst on front. The Brazilian rosewood bridge is finished with laquer, a feature that none of my other guitars have. |
Components Rating |
8 |
Overall Comments
|
This is the least amount of money that I have ever paid for a guitar and I still play it as often as my Gibson and Martin. I don`t just use it as a `beater`. |
Overall Rating |
9 |
|
Wechter TO-8428
submitted 2/4/2012
|
Submitter |
kmangelos (see all reviews from this person) |
Where Purchased |
Sweetwater |
Year Purchased |
2011 |
Price Paid |
Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
|
Sound
|
Great for fingerstyle or flatpicking. Perfect, balanced sound from bass to treble |
Sound Rating |
10 |
Setup
|
Wechter plek's all their guitars as they come out of the factory, and the setup on this one is perfect. |
Setup Rating |
10 |
Appearance
|
Rosewood back/sides, solid spruce top, abalone inlay around soundhole, simple dot inlays on fretboard. |
Appearance Rating |
10 |
Reliability
|
This is the 3rd Wechter I've purchased and I have never been disappointed by any of them |
Reliability Rating |
10 |
Customer Service
|
Dealing with Sweetwater or Wechter is easy, they have great customer service. Anytime I've had a question, either Wechter or Sweetwater respond quickly. I even once got a response directly from Abe Wechter himself. |
Customer Service |
not rated |
Components
|
Hardware and other parts are first class. |
Components Rating |
10 |
Overall Comments
|
I'd buy a second one for alternate tunings if I could |
Overall Rating |
10 |
|
Recording King rd 316
submitted 12/14/2011
|
Submitter |
johnrobel (see all reviews from this person) |
Where Purchased |
ebay |
Year Purchased |
2011 |
Price Paid |
430 ($US) |
Sound
|
This guitar is a great buy. Its tone keeps getting better, I have about 2 hrs total on it. Its sustain is amazing. Its tone is bright and tight and I am sure a couple hundred hrs playing time will really sweeten and mature the sound. From Haggard tunes to foggy moutain breakdown it sounds great. I have played many expensive guitars and this thing stands the test. |
Sound Rating |
9 |
Setup
|
Havent changed a thing. It came with no strings, so I put a set of light (12-54) gauge bronze GHS on it and tuned it up. Action is low and fast with no buzz or fret interference. |
Setup Rating |
9 |
Appearance
|
Onlt thing I dont like about the way it looks is the black pickguard. This I will change to a tortoise shell to match the binding. Finish otherwise is verry nice. No glue blobs or sloppy indications. Nice gloss, no runs or sags, |
Appearance Rating |
9 |
Reliability
|
Time will tell about the durability of the finish, but it is evenly applied, not heavy and no flaws. Grover butter bean tuners are nice and smooth with vintage look to them. |
Reliability Rating |
9 |
Customer Service
|
unknown |
Customer Service |
not rated |
Components
|
Adirondack spruce top, african mahogany back and sides and neck, ebony finger board, bridge, pins and head stock. These guitars are put together with hot hide glue, beautifully assembled . Amazingly light and responsive (like a good tele) |
Components Rating |
10 |
Overall Comments
|
Should we call Greg Rich a hero, or an adversary to the big old U.S. companies? I dont know, but I will say this, all the american companies better pay attention, because these are damned great guitars and Rich has done a hell of a job putting this thing together. If they start building nice light tele type axes I would be surprised if US manufacturers survive as we know them. |
Overall Rating |
10 |
|
Blueridge BR60 ce
submitted 11/8/2011
|
Submitter |
Howard T (see all reviews from this person) |
Where Purchased |
Priviae sale |
Year Purchased |
2010 |
Price Paid |
375 ($US) (bought USED) |
Sound
|
I play a lot of Country and bluegrass flatpicking and country licks along with chording. I played it through a PA system and a Fender Acoustasonic Junior. Not to much in the way of special effects. I try to keep the sound as natural as possible, maybe a little to the bass side to keep a full tone on the E and the B strings. As far as amplified, I am a real believer in Takamine electronics but Fishman and Bagg are both OK . This one has a Fishman classic 4T. It serves its purpose.
Acoustically the sound was IMO amazing. A lot of spring in the high end and fairly good low end. The low end didn't boom so the guitar did not sound mushy at all. I ended up selling it to my friend who has a Martin D-28 and claims it sounds every bit as good. |
Sound Rating |
8 |
Setup
|
The setup was as well as could be expected except that Ifor me, I felt the neck was to thin and the radius was, it felt like less than 9. At this point in my playing, I prefer a flatter and wider neck. but that is so much personal choice. Adjustment could be made easily with the truss rod if you wanted to, but I would be inclined to have a luthier look after it once or twice a year. |
Setup Rating |
8 |
Appearance
|
The guitar looks great with natural high-gloss finish solid sitka spruce top and laminated Brazilian rosewood back and sides. I am not a fan of the high gloss finish on the neck as it tends to slow my hand down when I start to sweat, so if I settle on a guitar, I will lightly sand the neck in order to remove the Finish.
The finish is fine. Over all it is a great looking guitar. I am not ah struck by the beauty of guitars. I want is a guitar that sounds good and plays well. I don't care about the rest.If it looks too good. I'm afraid I might ding or scratch it. But if you like decor, the BR60 has pearl inlay s on the Fret board, nice emblem on the headstock , I look at my guitar hanging on teh wall or on its stand or in its case and I think about all the melodies and notes that have come out of it. That's what makes it look beautiful to me.
|
Appearance Rating |
10 |
Reliability
|
Ask me after 10 years. |
Reliability Rating |
not rated |
Customer Service
|
I emailed Saga a couple of times re questions about the guitar, but they never respond. I'm not feeling them. In comparison, I have emailed both Martin and Takamine and they have always responded to me. So I am not feeling great about Saga's their customer service. |
Customer Service |
3 |
Components
|
Made in China
Nut width: 1-11/16"
Bone nut and saddle
25.5" scale length
Fishman classic 4T pre amp
Black Pick guard
White trim Binding.
Martin 8/20 bronze medium 13 - 56 m150 |
Components Rating |
8 |
Overall Comments
|
The BR60 ce is a great guitar. Looks good sounds great plays fine. The only issue I had with it was that the neck was too think. The thin neck was great for chording and strumming, but I do a lot of picking and my preference is for a wider neck,but that's strictly a personal choice thing. It really is a great guitar for the price. I rate it a 9 in comparison to other guitars of similar value. |
Overall Rating |
9 |
|
Martin GC-MMV
submitted 10/1/2011
|
Submitter |
barnesc (see all reviews from this person) |
Where Purchased |
Guitar Center |
Year Purchased |
2011 |
Price Paid |
1,200.00 ($US) |
Sound
|
I was suspicious of this guitar at first, motly because it was only sold at Guitar Center. I played the whole Martin guitar series and really liked this guitar for the money. I liked the solid wood construction and the ebony fretboard. The sound, while not as boomy as the D-28 or HD-28, still had good bass response and provided great upper and midrange for lead playing. The intonation was clear thru the entire fretboard and the thinner neck was comfortable much like my Deering banjo neck. The neck shape helped make chord intonation excellent. |
Sound Rating |
9 |
Setup
|
The guitar was reasonabley setup. The action was a little high so I filed the saddle down slightly and improved the play-ablitiy. I have not made any other changes and the sound has opened up quite well over the last 6 months. |
Setup Rating |
8 |
Appearance
|
The workmanship, fit and finish is falawless, much better than a couple of D-16 rgts that I considered. |
Appearance Rating |
10 |
Reliability
|
it a Martin |
Reliability Rating |
10 |
Customer Service
|
I have not dealt with Martin, but my local Gutair Center store has been top notch. I have a choice of several reknown local stores ( one is the largest Martin dealer) but they could not carry this model. The service that I have had from the GC store has been just as good as the more notable stores. |
Customer Service |
10 |
Components
|
Other folks talk about upgrading the bridge pins, but I see no reason to do so. I expect to play this guitar until I die. |
Components Rating |
10 |
Overall Comments
|
I understand that this model is made only for Guitar Center stores. Don't under estimate this model especailly at this very reasonable price piont. If you look around, there are some very good deals on this model. |
Overall Rating |
9 |
|
Taylor Big Baby Taylor
submitted 8/21/2011
|
Submitter |
banjobubby (see all reviews from this person) |
Where Purchased |
Robert M Sides |
Year Purchased |
2011 |
Price Paid |
449 ($US) |
Sound
|
The sounds is incredible. Don't let aanyone ever talk you out of this guitar. Some say there is a lack of bass or bottom end in the guitar. But that os so not the case. this this rings clear like a bell. |
Sound Rating |
10 |
Setup
|
When i bought it, or for that matter when i first played it. it was spot on in every kinda way. the action is incredible low and easy to play it was just simply wonderful. |
Setup Rating |
10 |
Appearance
|
Its a very simple looking guitar. nothing to glamorous, but looks by o means make a guitar sound good. it has a natural finish, the standard taylor red swirled looking pick gaurd, dot marker inlays very nice looing taylor style head. |
Appearance Rating |
8 |
Reliability
|
its seems like a very well built guitar. Of course taylor does not make junk. i think this will last a very long time it seems to be very soid guitar |
Reliability Rating |
9 |
Customer Service
|
i haven't dealt with them yet other than registering it. but from the looks of their website they are more than will ing to help if anything ever goes wrong. check em out. |
Customer Service |
10 |
Components
|
no week or cheap part here. now here are some stand out components. it has a bolt on neck that is very well done. the action was great the sound was nice and warm and very well balances. |
Components Rating |
8 |
Overall Comments
|
This is an incredible guitar for the money. crisp as a bell very well balanced. i love and if you are thinking about buying one go out and do it. |
Overall Rating |
10 |
|
Potomac PVD-28-DLX PVD-28-DLX
submitted 8/14/2011
|
Submitter |
fdudleys (see all reviews from this person) |
Where Purchased |
E-Bay - Eastman Strings |
Year Purchased |
2011 |
Price Paid |
209 ($US) |
Sound
|
It is a D28 copy, no Herringbone but It suites me fine. I always wanted a Martin HD-28, but no longer. I play with some good 'ol boys with Martin HD28's, they all like my guitar, not enough to trade, one actually wanted to buy one from me for a backup. He's bought a new HD-28 3 mos. ago |
Sound Rating |
10 |
Setup
|
It was set up, I thought about lowering the saddle some, but I am not in a rush. |
Setup Rating |
10 |
Appearance
|
It is a great looking guitar, I love herringbone, this guitar does not have it, but I'll get over it. It does have a very tight grain spruce top with lots of bearclaw. A 76 yr old bluegrass luthier friend of mine thought it may be adirondack spruce. The sides and back are solid rosewood all finished with nitrocellulose laquer. |
Appearance Rating |
10 |
Reliability
|
It is my main acoustic guitar. I love it. Stays in tune great |
Reliability Rating |
10 |
Customer Service
|
No warranty, It was a close out, |
Customer Service |
not rated |
Components
|
All first rate bone nut and saddle, ebony pins, forward x bracing... Whats not to love. |
Components Rating |
10 |
Overall Comments
|
It was a close out, These guitars were built for the Eastman Strings company as a lower end guitar or price point. Somehow the DLX models ( all solid woods) turned out better than expected and they killed this project and sold off all inventory on E-Bay. I bought 2 of the D-28' and 1 of the D18's Magnificent guitars. The day I received them I listed my Eastman AC420 on E-Bay and sold it. |
Overall Rating |
10 |
|
Seagull S-12 plus
submitted 8/14/2011
|
Submitter |
fdudleys (see all reviews from this person) |
Where Purchased |
Pawn Shop |
Year Purchased |
2010 |
Price Paid |
200 ($US) (bought USED) |
Sound
|
It is the nicest, balanced 12 string guitar I have ever owned |
Sound Rating |
10 |
Setup
|
I may have tweaked it a little, I did put new strings Martin light 12's. |
Setup Rating |
10 |
Appearance
|
It was used , in a pawn shop, previous owner put a decal on the top of the guitar "KISS" it was a tape on logo that left some marks, It is starting to fade now. One of my favorite things about this guitar is that it is made from cedar and some other aeromatic woods and whenever I take it out of the case I take a big whiff at the sound hole. |
Appearance Rating |
9 |
Reliability
|
It is not my main guitar, but it is well built and EVERYONE who has played it remarks about the sound and easy play. |
Reliability Rating |
9 |
Customer Service
|
I have no idea. |
Customer Service |
not rated |
Components
|
No weaknesses that I'm aware of. |
Components Rating |
9 |
Overall Comments
|
Great Guitar, I like it better than the Guild 12 Alvarez 12, two different Takamine 12's and some other lesser 12's I did try out a Taylor Jumbo 12 that was very nice. |
Overall Rating |
9 |
|
mini Taylor Mini Taylor
submitted 6/4/2011
|
Submitter |
fiddletune (see all reviews from this person) |
Where Purchased |
Musicians Friend |
Year Purchased |
2011 |
Price Paid |
289.00 ($US) |
Sound
|
Accoustic |
Sound Rating |
not rated |
Setup
|
I have a E and B string buzz I can't get rid of. Looks like I'll have to raise the nut. |
Setup Rating |
not rated |
Appearance
|
|
Appearance Rating |
not rated |
Reliability
|
Not sure at this point, this is a new model, Only problem it is made in Mexico......yikes, we'll have to wait and see |
Reliability Rating |
not rated |
Customer Service
|
I used a Lujithier near my home, authorized Taylor guitar repair man. |
Customer Service |
not rated |
Components
|
|
Components Rating |
not rated |
Overall Comments
|
I played most all the Mini guitars on the market and they all seem to have this buzz problem. |
Overall Rating |
6 |
|
mini Taylor BT1 Mini Taylor
submitted 6/4/2011
|
Submitter |
fiddletune (see all reviews from this person) |
Where Purchased |
Musicians Friend |
Year Purchased |
|
Price Paid |
289.00 ($US) |
Sound
|
Sound is great but I have an E and B string buzz. This guitar have the best sound of all the baby, mini types out there. |
Sound Rating |
not rated |
Setup
|
Had to take it to a authorized Taylor repair to find out about the buzz. He had to work on flatteing the fretts. That did not fix the buzz and he explained that it was an accustic buzz not a fret problem. |
Setup Rating |
not rated |
Appearance
|
Nicely made, It has a new type neck. Attaches to the body of the guitar with two screws on top near the end of the neck. I hope it works and lasts. |
Appearance Rating |
not rated |
Reliability
|
yes |
Reliability Rating |
not rated |
Customer Service
|
They were very helpfull |
Customer Service |
not rated |
Components
|
|
Components Rating |
not rated |
Overall Comments
|
|
Overall Rating |
6 |
|
Taylor big baby 306-GB
submitted 5/16/2011
|
Submitter |
r miller (see all reviews from this person) |
Where Purchased |
Guitar House of Tulsa |
Year Purchased |
2002 |
Price Paid |
410 ($US) |
Sound
|
I really like the sound of this guitar. |
Sound Rating |
8 |
Setup
|
I haven't changed one thing since I bought it. |
Setup Rating |
8 |
Appearance
|
Plain round dots, no binding and no gloss. Beautiful natural spruce top and sapale laminate back and sides. |
Appearance Rating |
8 |
Reliability
|
No problems with anything yet. |
Reliability Rating |
8 |
Customer Service
|
Never had to take it in, but the folks at the Guitar House are very capable and helpful if needed. |
Customer Service |
9 |
Components
|
I guess the best thing to say about this instrument is the solid spruce top. It's the cheapest guitar Taylor makes, but it's a dandy to look at, play and hear. |
Components Rating |
8 |
Overall Comments
|
Great guitar, slightly smaller than standard size with a nice padded gig bag, great for camping and bluegrass festivals. |
Overall Rating |
8 |
|
Gallagher 72 Special
submitted 4/14/2011
|
Submitter |
JT Foote (see all reviews from this person) |
Where Purchased |
Dream Guitars |
Year Purchased |
2009 |
Price Paid |
2795.00 ($US) (bought USED) |
Sound
|
This 14-fret instrument has the best overall sound of any acoustic guitar I have ever played. The tonal quality is lush, with exceptional warmth. The string-to-string balance leans towards a clear, powerfully resonant bass ... with a rich, harmonically active mid-range, sweet bell-like trebles, and good note separation. There is a wide field of projection that makes the guitar deceptively loud, even off to the sides. Tremendous sustain. The neck profile and nut width allow plenty of room for easy fingering. The guitar is incredibly versatile; it handles both fingerstyle and flatpicking beautifully, and can maintain a fine, deep tone even when capoed on a high fret. I have it set up with a low action, using nickel round wound strings that allows for exceptional flexibility in both hands. Bends, hammer-ons, and pull-offs are a breeze. The top is lightly-braced, and responds quickly to even the most minute of dynamic changes, yet has an unusual amount of clean headroom if pushed. |
Sound Rating |
10 |
Setup
|
The guitar needed some work when I bought it. It was covered with a (still) unidentified dark, sticky film that took several hours to remove. The frets needed leveled and dressed. The saddle had shifted too far forward when the top bellied, so a new slot in the ebony bridge had to be cut, the old slot replaced with similar wood, and a new intonated bone saddle installed. The nut was replaced, and the relief and action set to my preference. The guitar had two holes in the end block, and I had one filled with a strap lock, and the other with an L.R. Baggs Dual-Source pickup and a 1/4" end pin jack. The bridge pins were slotted, so I reamed the bridge pin holes and slotted the bridge. I still use the old bridge pins; I just install them backwards, with the slots facing the rear of the guitar. |
Setup Rating |
5 |
Appearance
|
It is an attractive guitar ... well designed and tasteful. The aged, amber-colored Sitka top has a surfeit of medullary rays (silk), perfectly straight-grained, with almost no runout. There are over 50 grain lines per inch. The nitrocellulose finish is very thin, and goes over the pickguard. The top binding and rosette are absolutely gorgeous pieces of abalone. The ebony fretboard is bound with grained ivoroid. The headstock plate is Brazilian Rosewood, and the tuners are gold Schallers that operate smoothly, with no binding, and the surface metal coating has not pitted or flaked at all. The abalone and mother-of-pearl inlays on the fretboard and headstock are custom-designed Bell Flowers designed by Mr. Gallagher. The back and sides are wild East Indian Rosewood, and beautifully book-matched. |
Appearance Rating |
9 |
Reliability
|
The tuners have already lasted for twenty years, and I think they will go for at least another twenty! The finish has some thin spots that are down to bare wood on the upper bouts near the fretboard, but they have been touched up. There are a few nicks and scratches, typical of normal play wear, but no cracks or other kinds of damage that would require a luthier's aid. It holds pitch very well; I have never broken a string on the guitar in the two years I've had it, and a backup for this guitar on a gig is unnecessary. |
Reliability Rating |
10 |
Customer Service
|
I've never dealt with the company, but from what I have heard, the Gallagher family is very friendly and wonderfully accommodating to all their customers. The guitar was not under warranty, being used. |
Customer Service |
10 |
Components
|
Specifications:
* Type: Dreadnought
* Year: 1992
* Back/Sides: Indian Rosewood
* Top: Sitka Spruce
* Neck: African Mahogany, 1 Piece (Khaya)
* Headplate: Brazilian Rosewood
* Headstock Inlay: Builder Logo
* Headstock Bindings:
* Fingerboard: Ebony
* Fingerboard Bindings: Ivoroid
* Fret Markers: Custom Floral Pearl Inlay
* Frets to body: 14
* Cutaway: None
* Bridge: Ebony
* Pickguard: Tortoise Style
* Body Bindings: Ivoroid
* Top Trim: Abalone
* Back Strip:
* Rosette: Abalone
* Tuners: Schaller Gold
* Case: OHSC Tweed Look
* Pickup: L.R. Baggs Dual Source
* Condition: Very Good, has second pickup jack hole at end pin allowing for a second pickup to be installed if desired.
* Body Length: 19 7/8 in.
* Upper Bout: 11 1/2 in.
* Lower Bout: 15 3/4 in.
* Body Depth @Neck Heel: 3 7/8 in.
* Body Depth @Tail Block: 5 in.
* Scale Length: 25.25
* Nut Width: 1-3/4"
* Strings Spacing: 2-1/4"
Nothing on this guitar needs upgraded, updated, or repaired. The neck angle is very good, and the dovetail joint is tight. |
Components Rating |
10 |
Overall Comments
|
Simply put; it is a superior guitar. Great craftsmanship. Fantastic tone. Suitable for fingerpicking a nuanced ballad with a capo, flatpicking fiddle tunes, or for accompanying a vocalist without irritating frequency conflicts. The sound, resonance, and dynamic response are above and beyond. The playability with nickel strings is reminiscent of a good electric, but without a loose feel or sloppiness, and there is no buzz, even with an aggressive technique. Overall, as fine an instrument as any guitar player could hope to have. I got really lucky the day this one fell into my lap. I would have gladly paid twice the asking price for this guitar, and still thought I had gotten a bargain. And a prize. |
Overall Rating |
10 |
|
Martin HD-35
submitted 4/11/2011
|
Submitter |
ThePicker (see all reviews from this person) |
Where Purchased |
Off an Individual |
Year Purchased |
2011 |
Price Paid |
$1,800 ($US) (bought USED) |
Sound
|
Excellent sound. RIch and bassy. Really Boomy! |
Sound Rating |
10 |
Setup
|
Perfect |
Setup Rating |
10 |
Appearance
|
The best looking of the standard line up!! |
Appearance Rating |
not rated |
Reliability
|
Very Reliable!! |
Reliability Rating |
10 |
Customer Service
|
|
Customer Service |
not rated |
Components
|
|
Components Rating |
not rated |
Overall Comments
|
The best blugrass guitar on the market. You won't go wrong with it. |
Overall Rating |
10 |
|
Martin D18 Authentic
submitted 3/5/2011
|
Submitter |
jhpsr (see all reviews from this person) |
Where Purchased |
My Favorite Guitars |
Year Purchased |
2009 |
Price Paid |
Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
|
Sound
|
It is true to the original 1937 Martin D18 specs including a thick neck I love that contributes to its tone and power. It may not be for small hands, so play one before buying. The D18A's that I've
played are consistently fantastic in tone and "cut" for flat picking. |
Sound Rating |
10 |
Setup
|
The guitar came straight to me exactly as it was set up at the factory.
It plays like butter and has a better action than a 2006 model that I
previously owned |
Setup Rating |
10 |
Appearance
|
Fit and finish is excellent. The "1937" sunburst turns some folks off,
but it is well done and is unique. |
Appearance Rating |
9 |
Reliability
|
It is totally reliable. |
Reliability Rating |
10 |
Customer Service
|
Martin, Inc. and My Favorite Guitars are both first class outfits. |
Customer Service |
10 |
Components
|
The early D18A's came with a cheap grade of Gotoh tuners. The more
recent models come with Waverlies as they should. All D18A's come
with a cheesy looking fake alligator hide case that is inferior in function and looks to the Geib type case. The case doesn't matter; I don't
use factory cases. |
Components Rating |
8 |
Overall Comments
|
The D18A displaced several Collings D1A models as my primary flat picking guitars. I prefer the Martin D18A tone and the genuine
features of the originals including the tee bar non-adjustable neck and
hide glue construction. The lack of a varnish option is of no importance
to me for the D18A would no longer be true to the original specs. It is
among the top two guitars I've ever owned in fifty years of picking. |
Overall Rating |
10 |
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