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FDP Forum / FDP Unplugged - Acoustic Instruments / Martin factory tour and my new D1228

nuke

USA

May 19th, 2017 11:51 AM Edit Profile
Well, I've had an inkling for a 12-string for years and years and just never got around to buying one.

I was in New Jersey for a college graduation last weekend and realized I was only about 20 minutes drive from the Martin factory in Nazareth PA. Drove over on Monday and took the free tour of the factory. It is amazing actually, how much craftsmanship still goes into the manufactured guitars. Lots of high tech laser cutting and precision measurement and robots doing lots of repetitious work. But all the details like brace scalloping and final fitting of neck joints and detail work on bindings and inlays done by practiced hands.

I of course, made the mistake of touching a D1228 in the showroom in the 1833 shop.

I didn't last a whole week. :) Picked up a new D1228 at Gryphon instruments in Palo Alto last night. It was a tough choice though. I played several Taylor models and the Taylor 856 is very amazing. Both are excellent instruments, different in their own ways.

But to my ear, the Martin has a certain kind of balance to the tone that seems right to me, especially in a 12-string. The Taylors are lively and solid, especially in the bass. But the Martin just kind of sings and sits well in the middle.

Highly recommend the Martin tour. They even have a program now where you can buy right from the factory if you want. (your dealer may make you a better deal though).

Haven't had G.A.S. since I bought a Martin OMCPA1 6 or 7 years ago. That's also turned out to be a great player. It mellowed a little over the years and darn, it is a really great guitar.

Now I got lots of jangly 12-string goodness too!

Ragtop
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The older the violin

the sweeter the music.
May 22nd, 2017 04:26 AM Edit Profile
Congrats on your new guitar, good choice.

I'd really like to take that tour one of these days.

reverend mikey
Contributing Member
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N of I-90, E of I-29

"Everywhere I look, I see guitars..."
May 23rd, 2017 02:40 PM Edit Profile
"I'd really like to take that tour one of these days."

Ditto. I've bought three Martins in the last two years (one new, two used), and I may be ordering a custom shop one in the next year or two... They're building some great guitars these days.

FDP Forum / FDP Unplugged - Acoustic Instruments / Martin factory tour and my new D1228

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