Larrivee Vs Martin?

[Silence Dogood]

Much of it does come from reputation though. It reminds me of a time when Cadillac was going on reputation, despite other companies besting them at their own game.  I think there's a number of makers that make a "better Martin than Martin". And, Martin simply gets out-classed in the $4k and up range, but the company hasn't felt too much of a hit since they have such a strong reputation and I think acoustic buyers tend to go with what they know.

As Duck said though, they DID earn the reputation honestly. Martin was a pioneer and they carried such a high standard of quality for so many years. I do feel that there's a lot of better options for the money now but Martin is still a valid option and a good maker, especially for those who want the same tone they hear on all the old records.

Agree.  If I were going to spend $3k+ on an acoustic, I'd like get a Huss and Dalton, Collings et al.  A better Martin than a high-end Martin.

[unclrob]

Collings use to make the best pre war Martins in the market.

[Silence Dogood]

Collings use to make the best pre war Martins in the market.

Used to?  Who does now?

[ducktrapper]

The only thing that bothers me is that, apparently a D-28 isn't a D-28 anymore. Now you have to buy a Martin Authentic. I'm not sure how these things work. I'm pretty sure though that CFMartin in the same price range as a Collings makes a pretty decent guitar.   

[Mikeymac]

Agree.  If I were going to spend $3k+ on an acoustic, I'd like get a Huss and Dalton, Collings et al.  A better Martin than a high-end Martin.

"Better" when it comes to sound is pretty subjective. Martin is still making some excellent guitars at the high end, and many of their standard series guitars I've played in the past few years have been excellent in build quality, playability and sound (again - subjective).

I will say that another builder that is making excellent "vintage style" Martins is the Pre*War guitar company. Better than Martin Authentics? Again, that's a subjective judgment.

[unclrob]

I've had the advantage of getting to play pre war Martins and later one's too.In all my years in the vintage biz there was just one Martin I ever played out of hundreds and that was a 66 D18 thats it.Nothing against them just not a fan.

[B0WIE]

"Better" when it comes to sound is pretty subjective. Martin is still making some excellent guitars at the high end, and many of their standard series guitars I've played in the past few years have been excellent in build quality, playability and sound (again - subjective).

I will say that another builder that is making excellent "vintage style" Martins is the Pre*War guitar company. Better than Martin Authentics? Again, that's a subjective judgment.

Everything is subjective. But, I've found that among those who are buying $5k+ acoustics, it's mostly Martin loyalists that are buying the Authentics. Most others seem to feel that other makers offer better instruments at that price point.
I considered an Authentic at one time and just wasn't all that impressed compared to Collings, Bourgeois, Froggy Bottom, Tippin, etc, etc.

I personally think Martin's strong point is between $1,500 and 3k.

[Mikeymac]

I personally think Martin's strong point is between $1,500 and 3k.

  Wouldn't disagree with that. 

[ducktrapper]

Pretty clear demo of the difference. As everybody has said, just what you would expect. To Newstrings I would add the there is a difference between the 40 series with the bracing that pushes it some more on the bass side. I didn't buy a Larrivee dread after trying them until they came out with the bracing change which pretty much meets Martin in the middle which was perfect for me. I now have this same model except with Italian spruce. Duck, I can't believe you care about "Martin credibility"! :)  I said heck with that (or something like that) when I bought my 80' L new. Even used to take it to bluegrass festivals then. Martins have a certain sound that can be good but heck with some snob who thinks you have to have a Martin to make good music, or be cool, or whatever.

I just found this. D-35 at the Northland Ballroom, Northland Wisconsin. Larrivée vs Martin? Check out the t-shirt.  

[Silence Dogood]

"Better" when it comes to sound is pretty subjective. Martin is still making some excellent guitars at the high end, and many of their standard series guitars I've played in the past few years have been excellent in build quality, playability and sound (again - subjective).

I will say that another builder that is making excellent "vintage style" Martins is the Pre*War guitar company. Better than Martin Authentics? Again, that's a subjective judgment.

Of course, everything is entirely subjective, and I don't disagree.

I'd not heard of Pre-War Guitars till now. I'm sure they are wonderful, though I somewhat cringe at "relicing" and putting "wear" on a new instrument from the factory.  But that's just me.  Give me honest wear any day over relicing. 

[Mikeymac]

Of course, everything is entirely subjective, and I don't disagree.

I'd not heard of Pre-War Guitars till now. I'm sure they are wonderful, though I somewhat cringe at "relicing" and putting "wear" on a new instrument from the factory.  But that's just me.  Give me honest wear any day over relicing. 

I understand your thoughts on relic'ing and don't disagree with you; dishonest "wear" is what posers do... but Pre*War does the wear on their guitars as a part of their tone recipe: thin finishes and wear that (they believe and claim) has an important impact on tone. 

They offer several levels of relic'ing, and they used to offer "mint" guitars with no wear at all, but I don't know if they do any more... there is Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 relic'ing, with Level 3 looking the most worn.

One of the most attractive things about Pre-*War is you can still get a Brazilian Rosewood dreadnought for under $10K ... Martin won't sell you one for under $25K MSRP (around $16K street price from some dealers). But Pre*War now has about a one year waiting list to get an instrument.

[ducktrapper]

My guitars are all pre-WWIII! 

[AZLiberty]

My guitars are all pre-WWIII! 

Let's hope any new ones are the same.

[ducktrapper]

Let's hope any new ones are the same.

As the guy who fell off the roof said as he passed each floor, "So far, so good."   

[headsup]

A pal is trying to convince me to buy his HD28, it's nice enough, one of two made for the anniversary of the local music store who has been selling martins for 40 years.
not sure what differences it has except the signed sticker inside with the store logo etc. Adi top & braces as opposed ti Sitka, some other "appointments"

anyone know more about this model? seems to be a lot of them out there 3k plus.....

[rosborn]

Everything is subjective. But, I've found that among those who are buying $5k+ acoustics, it's mostly Martin loyalists that are buying the Authentics. Most others seem to feel that other makers offer better instruments at that price point.
I considered an Authentic at one time and just wasn't all that impressed compared to Collings, Bourgeois, Froggy Bottom, Tippin, etc, etc.

I personally think Martin's strong point is between $1,500 and 3k.

Agreed. I think their Standard lineup is great!


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[Yippie]

Agreed. I think their Standard lineup is great!