Martin Guitar Discontinued Instruments

[B0WIE]

Marin has been pretty "corporate" and boring to me for a long time. By that I mean, it feels like accountants are running the company, not musicians. There's a reason people describe certain boutique makers as "making a better Martin than Martin".

I still have a ton of respect for those old vintage Martins and would love to own one. I just don't think the company is much more than a name now. They can't compete in the low end (nor should they). In the mid range, companies like Larrivee beat them dollar for dollar. And, in the $4k+ range there's just better instruments available.

That's not to disrespect anyone here who loves their recently made Martins. I'm just giving my perspective and how the company appears to me whenever I'm shopping. They remind me of Cadillac in the 90's when the attitude was, "Well, we're Cadillac", and the name lost value because there were better options available.

[ducktrapper]

Marin has been pretty "corporate" and boring to me for a long time. By that I mean, it feels like accountants are running the company, not musicians. There's a reason people describe certain boutique makers as "making a better Martin than Martin".

I still have a ton of respect for those old vintage Martins and would love to own one. I just don't think the company is much more than a name now. They can't compete in the low end (nor should they). In the mid range, companies like Larrivee beat them dollar for dollar. And, in the $4k+ range there's just better instruments available.

That's not to disrespect anyone here who loves their recently made Martins. I'm just giving my perspective and how the company appears to me whenever I'm shopping. They remind me of Cadillac in the 90's when the attitude was, "Well, we're Cadillac", and the name lost value because there were better options available.

Larrivee does not know how to make an inferior guitar. The humble 01 series plays and sounds as good as any of the more expensive ones. Martin can't seem to make a less expensive guitar without it playing and sounding like a less expensive guitar. For instance, a Sigma used to be a decent guitar for the money but when Martin decided to build guitars like that with the Martin name, it was a bit like putting the Cadillac badge on a Vega.

[StringPicker6]

God save us from accountants whispering into the ears of CEO's...

[teh]

Over the years, I have been a member of three guitar forums including Larrivee, Martin and the Acoustic Guitar Forum. All three have been informative and entertaining sources of information for me and the Larrivee and Martin forums naturally appear to have more loyal members for their respective brands.

I currently own 6 "good" solid wood guitars with three apiece from Martin and Larrivee including two customs ranging from 47 years down to 2 years old. There are two rosewood, two mahogany, one walnut and one flamed maple and 6 different body shapes (Dread, OM, 000, LV, LSV and Parlor). If I was looking for another guitar, I would consider purchasing either brand without hesitation for the right guitar (new or used).

I recall reading that earlier in his career, Jean Larrivee visited the Martin Factory. Along the way, he developed the L body which to me is one of the best designs available today along with Martin's X braced dreadnought body. I own two of each. It also occurred to me that maybe Jean Larrivee could give Martin's design and production team a lesson in binding installation and glue selection. In the interest of full disclosure, I had a binding and peeling pick guard issue with one of my 6 guitars (Martin D35) that was fully covered under warranty with zero hassles. I have had no problems with any of the other five, yet.

Over the past 40 to 50 years, Martin family members have been more engaged in managing the company but they have surrounded themselves with creative, experienced builders (i.e. Dick Boak, Mike Longworth and Fred Greene). Larrivee does hold the edge in one aspect because there are at least four family members who are actively involved in all aspects of the company. I do believe having your name on the headstock makes a difference and is a distinct competitive advantage.

"Give the power and decision making authority to those who bring in the beans, not to those who count them."

P.S. On the other hand, back in 1965 Martin's computer guy suggested that they create a guitar with a three piece back to use the smaller pieces of Brazilian rosewood that didn't work for a D28.  The end result was the D35. My first Larrivee was a parlor and my dealer said that this body design enabled Larrivee to use smaller pieces of wood that couldn't be used on a full sized guitar body.

[Silence Dogood]

I took this pic at the Martin factory.  I think it turned out pretty well.  I sent it off to them, not sure if the fellow pictured here ever recv'd it or not. 

[Sandstorm]

Never got the Martin bug myself.  Definately a storied brand...I was sure I was going to buy a d15m but for my first steel string in over a decade I wanted an OM and got the OM40. 

When I was looking into Larrivees, I was contemplating the OM03 and OM05...then when I see the price of the OM05, started to think, Jesus why wouldn't I look at a Martin OM-18...but having become such a fan of Larrivee, now I look at it the other way, I would rather have a Larrivee, even if it were the same money, resale value aside.  Larrivee is building a longstanding, time honored, respectful brand and hasn't given into a low cost facility for semi professional instruments complete with gig bags.

Martin had the history behind it and the loyal bluegrass crowd...would be like trying to get a Harley Davidson rider to try a Honda Shadow, even if he liked it more, they'd never admit it.

Now on the other hand, I do get the Gibson bug from time to time as they have a lot of classic models, SJ200, J185, hummingbird, dove, J45.

[William2]

Never got the Martin bug myself.  Definately a storied brand...I was sure I was going to buy a d15m but for my first steel string in over a decade I wanted an OM and got the OM40. 

When I was looking into Larrivees, I was contemplating the OM03 and OM05...then when I see the price of the OM05, started to think, Jesus why wouldn't I look at a Martin OM-18...but having become such a fan of Larrivee, now I look at it the other way, I would rather have a Larrivee, even if it were the same money, resale value aside.  Larrivee is building a longstanding, time honored, respectful brand and hasn't given into a low cost facility for semi professional instruments complete with gig bags.

Martin had the history behind it and the loyal bluegrass crowd...would be like trying to get a Harley Davidson rider to try a Honda Shadow, even if he liked it more, they'd never admit it.

Now on the other hand, I do get the Gibson bug from time to time as they have a lot of classic models, SJ200, J185, hummingbird, dove, J45.

I pretty much agree with what you said. I lose a lot of respect for a company when they let quality go done, and when they produce instruments in a foreign country with their name on them. I think a lot of players just want to own an instrument with the Martin name on the headstock. I think they want the Martin sound although I think with all the different Martin instruments and bracing systems there isn't just one Martin sound. Of the two Martins I have owned, I liked their lightweight construction, response, and eye appeal. And they seem to sell quickly and hold their value. I did own the D-15, sold it and eventually bought it again as the Street Master. It is a great lightweight (3# 6oz) dreadnought with an easy response, and a neck just like my Larrivee D-40RW. And I like it because while not my favorite instrument, it is a great tonal change of pace from my spruce top instruments. It sounds great playing jazz standards fingerstyle. And the DSS-17 In sold was a great replacement for my Waterloo Jumbo King. Again lightweight (under 4#) love the Whiskey Sunset finish which by the way doesn't shine up like the Waterloo did and was over $1000 less. A great responsive fingerstyle instrument which can sound tinny in some hands, but if you put on a set of D'Addario strings, you have a totally different instrument. I've never been attracted to the legendary Martin instruments (18, 28, etc). Something just didn't grab me as a fingerstyle player and at that price I think I could do better. And with Larrivee, I did at less than the Martin price.

[Traveler2233]

I've been playing since '72, I've not wanted a *Martin* in all this time.
The more I read about binding problems, neck issues, makes it all the less likely I'll ever purchase one.

Ah yes, the binding problems and other quality control issues. But that Martin tone.... Well that's the magic that, once it gets you, you never forget it, and for many, nothing surpasses.

[B0WIE]

I've honestly never been knocked out by the Martin tone. It's good, but nothing magical to me. Maybe it's because I didn't grow up listening to music made with those guitars. Or, because I've owned Collings and other super-martins.
Ironically, I'm actually repairing a customer's vintage D35 (lifting binding) right now.

[StringPicker6]

I can get past the fear of QC issues on Martins, because I think a lot of it is just people bashing a big name brand. For me, my aversion to Martins is all about that modified low oval profile on their necks. It's just too skinny and slim. I've really grown to love the Larrivee neck shape.

[B0WIE]

...I think a lot of it is just people bashing a big name brand.

I feel there's a lot of truth in that. Gibson, Martin, Fender, the three biggest names in guitars also happen to get hyper-criticized online. Yes, they've definitely all had issues. But, I think they also suffer something that is particularly popular in society now, which is to tear-down the super-stars. I don't say that to dismiss valid concerns, but you can see what Picker is talking about if you look at the comments sections on guitar YouTube videos. There's a herd mentality with people rushing to get in their jokes and criticism about the big 3. Fender is the punching bag of 2026.

[StringPicker6]

Spot on, Bowie. I worked in manufacturing for a few years, and I'm positive that if any mass QC defects were reported/discovered, then Sales, Marketing, Engineering, quality Control and accounting would all be panicking and scrambling to solve the issue. Sometimes, it just takes a few years for the issue to be discovered, like the binding separations on Martins.

As for Gibson, the popular dismissive  is to say that you have to play a lot of them to find the good ones. And you're right, it's Fender's turn at the whipping post this year...

[Pilgrim]

I've owned five Martins.  Four built in the early 2000s that were just fine. The 2020 model developed binding problems four years after it was built.  A rash of binding problems began with 2012 models.  It took at least eight years before the problem was fixed, if it has been.

Despite a general like for Martins, I now have little interest in Martins, and zero interest in acquiring a plastic bound Martin at any price.

The way the issue was handled just soured me to the brand.  A real shame. 

[William2]

Now on the other hand, I do get the Gibson bug from time to time as they have a lot of classic models, SJ200, J185, hummingbird, dove, J45.

I did end up buying another Martin DSS-17. Then my dealer got a Larrivee D-40 in and did a video. I was blown away by it and sold the Martin and bought the Larrivee D-40. My dealer said he had another he slightly preferred and it had a moon spruce top. That is the one I own. I do get the bug for other brands now and then and now Gibson is on my list but not Martin any longer. I see Martin's upgrades on the GE line must not be selling so well. They have dropped their pricing on the all- mahogany 17 series $150 bucks, and I have seen price drops on the 18 series as well. What they will charge to give you a dovetail connection and scalloped bracing LOL. As a video viewer, I like watching new things that come out and lately Taylor sure has come out with a lot. And now the new Gibson Century line. What a great idea, take their standard models and make them 12-fretters. And they are getting great reviews. For me, they are putting the Waterloo WL-12 and the Martin 17 series out of business at a great price. I like Larrivee, but they are a little boring. How about a new model, say an L model as a 12-fret and not a limited run.

[StringPicker6]

In my humble opinion, Gibson definitely has some of the coolest looking guitars.
William, I think your idea of a new Larrivee added to the standard lineup is a great idea. I'm still sad I just missed out on the forum VI build, and I would love to see a 12 fret LS body size as a standard offering.

[BlueBowman]

I grew up hearing Martin guitars of all stripes. That sound is in my DNA. The guitars they are making these days, particularly the Standard line and up, are really nice sounding guitars. Some really good stuff coming out of the CS, too.

But, if I have the choice of, say, an Authentic versus one of the small boutique builders (Collings, SCGC, Bourgeois, etc, which are roughly in the same price bracket), it's not even close, IMO. I think I've played maybe 80 Authentics at this point. They are lightly built and fun to play, no question, and occasionally one has ALL the goods. But I still think the boutique builders give you a "better" Martin. I always think of those brands as "Martin Plus" -- but I also like Bowie's "super-Martin"  

I rush to add, this all holds true for the way I play, for what I look for in a guitar. Many players will get a lot of use out of Standard Series Martin. And the direction the company is heading -- building them lighter -- is the right way, IMO.

[Silence Dogood]

As for Gibson, the popular dismissive  is to say that you have to play a lot of them to find the good ones. And you're right, it's Fender's turn at the whipping post this year...

I have noticed this online with Fender in recent months.  All those dumb YT videos with titles like "It's Over, Fender..." etc. The people will be frowning in the thumbnail pic, etc.  I try hard not to click on things like that out of personal principle.  The dumber the thumbnail pic, the less chance there is that I'll click on the video.  And YouTube intros... just... WHY?
 

Regarding Martin, I have never owned one but I love the guitars and the company. I had a great time touring the factory in 2019.  Martin is an American Dream kind of company if anything ever was. A guy moves here with little to nothing and starts a business that becomes an icon.  Amazing. I still believe in stuff like that and enjoy seeing things succeed that were built from humble means. It's a shame about the binding issues.  They have really taken a beating in the public over an honest mistake.  I wish them well.