The Martin Dreadnought: A Short History of the D-18, D-28 and D-45
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I need to thank the guys at "The Fellowship of Acoustics" in the Netherlands for their permission to use the Martin Playing clips here. It was a last minute, post recording change, and they were quick to respond and completely cool about sharing the clips. Great guys and an amazing store. Check them out here:
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This is the often requested short history of the Martin Dreadnought Guitar. As you all predicted, Martin overall was much too large for a 30 minute Short History so I decided to break it into a couple of pieces and as the Dreadnaught is by far the most popular acoustic guitar style in the world it was logical to start here.
You'll see that I bring us up to about 2004. I felt that it covered the history sufficiently with a few "modern" variants for interest, in other words, things I'd learned during the research that my 40 years of "guitaring" hadn't taught me along the way.
I apologize in advance for having left out your favorite model. It is inevitable when making the videos that this is necessary to make them fit, or almost fit in this case, into my self-prescribed 30 min time limit.
This was a fun one to do and I plan to do more acoustic companies in the coming year, while at the same time branching out from guitars a bit as well. So stay tuned, and thanks for coming along for the ride.
Thanks for watching.
Keith
*** Five watt world participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn commissions by linking to Amazon. In simpler language, this means that whenever you buy something from Amazon from a link on here, I receive a small percentage of its price. - เพลง
My father purchased a new D-18 back in 1945 in Lock Haven PA. He played it at church and family gatherings. I started playing guitar after a few lessons from him but really learned while working as a dish washer at Denton Lake back in 1957. I played that old cheap Kay Guitar all summer until my fingers bled. When I returned home in late August I saw my dad’s D-18 leaning against the wall next to the piano. I played a few cords on it and cried. I could not believe the sound coming from that old guitar. Well he passed it on to me in the 60s and I hitch hiked all over the US with it playing in bars when I ran out of money. It had a unique sound, like really brash and punchy. When I moved to Korea I gave it to my nephew, the third generation to own it. I cannot tell you how much I missed that guitar. So I went to all the guitar stores here but nothing sounded like the old D-18. But I was lucky as Martin reproduced the early 12 fret D-1 in 2016. I purchased one of these mahogany backed guitars and it has a very similar tone to the 1945 D-18. I am back in heaven again and play it in local art shows and close my eyes and feel, at the age of 80 I am back in the 1960s playing again my dad’s 1945 D-18.
Great story and great writing.
Wow! What a great story! I also learned on a old Kay Archtop of my Dads. I have no idea how old it is but my dad got it used back in the 1950s when he was a boy. It’s a all acoustic Archtop with no pickups or anything. Looks like a Gibson arch from the 30s but it’s a Kay. No model number on it anywhere. I wish I could find out more about it. But anyhow great story sir and I hope you are still doing well! 👍🏻😎
Hi George! Loved your story... Are you part of the family that ran the Furst Corner store in Beech Creek? My people are from Monument.
"played it 'til my fingers bled". It wasn't the summer of '69, but Bryan Adams would still be proud.
❤️❤️❤️
I'm from the Nazareth area. My father worked at Martin for almost 30 years. He absolutely loved working there. I never knew a man who loved going to work as much as him. My dad started working there back in the very early 70's. Back then, each employee, after 1 year with the company, could have a guitar built for just the cost of materials. And they could have it custom made anyway they wanted. The only thing was it could NOT have the famous Martin logo on the head stock. My dad had a D-28 built. I think the cost to him was about $200-300. With the full hard case. He had custom pearl inlays done. It was a beautiful guitar. But no one in our family played. That guitar sat in a closet for over 40 years. People who would would stop over and could play guitar would play it and comment on how amazing it sounded. Because of sitting for so long, it did need some re-work over the years. And dad would just take it back to work for that. Many years after my father retired, and could really use the money, we sold that guitar. To this day, I could kick myself for never taking up learning and playing guitar.
That is beyond sad to me but my dad was a fantastic pilot and was a bush pilot in Alaska and I myself never learned to fly so I can relate.
@Glenn Strouse that's terrible. I do not have a Martin but I have a guitar my Uncle gave me built in the '50's, I would think. He played in a band. Gave it to me when I was 16 yrs, has an excellent tone, used steel strings. While learning I practiced so much my fingertips bled. About 10 yrs ago I took it into a local guitar store to have new steel strings put on it and have them give it a "check up". When I came back to pick it up, there were a few excellent guitarists taking turns playing it, they loved it. One of the guitarists really wanted it. Offered to pay me $400. I said no, I wanted it to be passed down to my child or her kids. Nobody had any interest. I'm 71 now, can't play due to rheumatoid arthritis. Maybe one of my great grandchildren will take interest. It still sounds excellent.....
Great story, but sad ending. I hope you at least have some photos of that guitar. Thanks for sharing.
@@EviMlcak thanks for that. I will have to ask my dad if there are any. I would love to have those pics.
It’s not too late to start. I’m 72 (soon), and I just bought my first acoustic guitar, a 2019 D-18. I’ve been playing my 1969 Mosrite electric since 1969. I’m the original owner. Never too late to start.
I used to work in the same building in NYC Where the original Martin Factory started! We made a plaque in honor of Martin guitars and it's on the front of the building!!!
I attended a demo/seminar given by 'Trey' CF Martin III in the '80's. I asked what Martin did during WWII, since I never seemed to see '43 and '44 Martins. He stated that he'd never been asked about these. A little known fact ... Martin because of their superior woodworking skills was chosen to produce the
struts and spars in the glider wings that the US and other forces used on D-Day, June 6th, 1944.
If you're ever in Lubbock, TX there's a really cool little museum in the old airport about the glider projects. One of the training programs was out there.
Wow! :) How impressive is that! A patriotic honor.... I'll be going to the shop for the first time, to pick up my wonderful 1966 D-18 that I bought (new) and played when I was working clubs in Provincetown and San Francisco back in the 60s.....It fell and had to be repaired... Very much looking forward to the Museum there as well!
Coincidentally, during the war, the Gibson instrument company made landing skids in Kalamazoo for those same CG-4A gliders used on D-Day, which were being manufactured by the unrelated Gibson Appliance company in Belding, Michigan (one of a number of companies that made the gliders, including apparently Ford). Gibson also supplied electronic and mechanical radar components to military suppliers like RCA, Zenith, and Western Electric. It's interesting that it's easier to find information on the women who worked for Gibson during the war and the 25,000 or so highly collectible guitars that they made sort of on the sly during the war when Gibson wasn't really supposed to be making consumer goods, than it is to find out what Gibson did for the war effort.
In 1975 I heard about a soon-to-be-released (built to pre-WWII spec) version of a Martin D-28. I'd recently completed a restoration of a '40s flathead Harley, so I was cash flush. On a whim I ordered the guitar; full retail cost at the time was about $750 and the wait was about 7-8 months.
In mid '76, I received my HD-28; I loved it. Of course, I still have it; and 47 years later I'm still smiling.
I'll take an old guild anyday
What did you do with the flathead?
@@smelltheglove2038 I sold it to friend (pretty serious collector) who kept hanging around the shop during the restoration process and begging for first right of purchase should I decide to sell it. Long story short - he bought it, kept & rode it for just over thirty years. He passed in 2005. His widow let his collection go to auction. I don't know who actually ended up with the bike, a '47 UL 74 Twin.
nice. priceless but i wonder what its worth these days
Wouldn't this be a Zero Watt World video, based on the subject matter? Wonderful research as always, Keith! I always learn a lot from these.
lol
Many models come with electronics now and do get plugged in... sadly it’s not the same as proper mics.
I like it!!
Maybe this episode should be titled in unamplified decibels.
???
U hum... Picky technicalities
I “inherited” a 1955 D-18 from my father in law. He doesn’t play guitar, and was given it by his uncle, who did. That guitar changed the way I see acoustic. It’s in amazing condition and loud as a canon. I have had to have a few minor cracks in it, but I love it. I started taking Blue Grass lessons just to take advantage of the guitar. I say with tongue in cheek, that no matter how bad my marriage gets, I would push through, just to keep playing that guitar, it still is my wife’s dads guitar after all. Then again, tomorrow is our 23rd anniversary, so I think all is safe.
Thanks for such a great video, Keith. One of, if not your best. Amazing job.
thats a heck of a father in law you got there!
@@mragunathan1627 yeah. He doesn’t play, but since I do, he gave me the D-18, a 1965 Fender MusicMaster II, and an all original 1959 Fender Tweed Deluxe. The amp is pretty epic as well, I replaced the original tube and I’m planning on replacing the 2 prong cord and have the filter caps checked. He is a pretty great guy and very generous.
That’s awesome, my uncle gave me his ‘54 D-18. Booming loud guitar.
@@zach7j that’s awesome. They sound like a canon, huge and punchy. It’s the only acoustic I have and all I may ever need.
I have a '54 D-18 I got from my boss in a music store in the 60's. It was a repossession. I traded him a tenor guitar (that I couldn't play) and $95, which I paid in $5 weekly drafts. It's been a friend for all this time, acquiring a fair number of dings from frat house and army life. It's a total joy even when I let it sit for months. I'll probably will it to a son-in-law who plays a bit. Cheers!
After playing a Gibson acoustic, I bought a D-28 around 2000. When it arrived I took it out of the case and strummed a G chord. I was overwhelmed with the sound. This is the only guitar I’ve ever played that moved me emotionally.
My wife once gave me an ultimatum......."Either the Martin D28 or the fishing boat goes".
Today I enjoy playing my Martin on my fishing boat..........not sure what the ex is up to.
Ha!
LOL! This is proof that you can't share happiness.
Because "true" happiness "is and will" always be personal..
I know you're pain. I also have my bass boat and two martins and my second wife. Sometimes compromise is not an option.
ha ha ha ha ha ...beautiful..why are they always asking us to get rid of our special stuff?
There's two sides to every story...
I restored and bought back to life 1958 Martin D-18 and stayed up all night playing it. I swear that thing spoke audible words to me..... I named her Rosie that night knowing that the owner was picking it up the next day. I sometimes feel Rosie is calling my name and really feel somehow, someway, that she will return to my arms one day.... the best acoustic I have ever played.... hands down.
MY DAD BOUGHT HIS D-28 IN 1957 AND IT IS SOUNDING AS SWEET AS IN THE 60`S.
I`VE PLAYED IT ALL MY LIFE! THANKS MARTIN!!!
Plea@e don't yell
@@krietor AHHHHHHH!!!!!
It was mentioned in the video that Martin resumed production of the prewar style 45 series of abalone trimmed guitars, but failed to tell how that came to be. When the decision was made to do that, it was made known to the company that a Chattanooga luthier named Mike Longworth had been converting 28 series guitars to 45 specifications, and doing so to excellent standards. Martin hired Mike to come to Nazareth, organize their pearl trim department and teach them how to do it. After some period of time, Mike's talents were diverted to his new position as historian, and he wrote the original version of the Martin history, "The Martin Guitar". On a personal note, Mike and another Martin representative that I had met at a bluegrass festival visited my home in Oklahoma City and saw a D-28 that I had repaired (bought as a basket case from Don Teeter, after it was rescued from a flooded basement) and done a top and neck conversion to hexagonal inlaid D-45 spec's. Mike then arranged for me to be added to Martin's repair referral list, which allowed me to buy parts and materials from Martin and work on their guitars without voiding the warranty if it was in effect. I had the privilege and pleasure of staying over with Mike and Sue a couple of times at their home in Bell Buckle, Tennessee. Like Don Teeter, Mike had become a good friend.
When I was 14 or so, my dad gave me a cheaper Martin that he bought for doing worship music at their home Bible study, after he replaced it with a Takamine. I ended up spray painting it, and eventually smashing it and throwing it away along with a Fernandez Les Paul I also took some teenage angst out on. Some of my most regretted actions, especially since I don’t even remember most of that period of my life. If only I had those guitars, maybe I’d be happy! LOL
Don’t feel too bad, man, when I was a teen I had a vintage 60’s Silvertone, amp/case combo, and I got bored one day and painted it white. With a brush. A big one. 😆
Doubt it pal, thats messed up.
RIP to the Great Tony Rice. I sure hope “The Bone” ends up in a guitar masters hands. What a treasure! Thank you for this informative video.
My Dad purchased a new 1940 D-28 in Santa Ana California. He played it for years. I ended up with it in 1975 and still have it and play it today. Nothing else like it.
In 1971 my grandmother bought me a D-41. I play it daily. Met Chris Martin a few times at NAMM. If you go to NAMM don't be afraid to engage him. He is super nice and approachable. And he loves to talk about old Martins :)
I made the Album cover art for my friend John Mayer in 2012 called Born and Raised. John very kindly sent me at the time his signature Martin guitar as a gift. My daughter is a guitar player and she enjoys using it daily. Martin Guitars is an amazing Company and it was great to have some contact with Dick Boak while creating some artwork for John at the time. Martin Guitars is truly the best in the business , crafting beautiful hand made bespoke guitars for the world to enjoy. Thank you Keith this was a fascinating story about Martin Guitars..
For years I lusted after a D-28 or even a D-18 but just never got the $$, availability, opportunities, timing,etc together to manage it. Eventually I came to realize in all that time my playing never really improved enough to justify aquiring a Martin...basically those guitars deserve players with the ability to maximize their true potential.....So I resolved to admire them from a distance and enjoy listening to artists that can use them as they are intended, to make wonderful music. I'll just keep plunking away occasionally playing cowboy chords on my cheap import when the mood hits me and be satisfied with that. Thanks for another great journey,! Cheers!
I am a mediocre player...never really rose above $100-$200 guitars for the same reason...I took the leap...and found that just holding a Martin in my hand...feeling the action, hearing that sound, smelling the wood...was enough to make me want to hold it even more. It inspired me...motivated me...and within the first few months, it permanently moved out of its case onto a stand near my bed. I went from occasionally playing Guitar, to occasionally not playing Guitar.
@@xzysyndrome good ggod!
No body needs to justify owning a Martin! Just do it. I got mine used at 16 years old and learned to play. If you were going to pick a best friend would you settle for an unstable chatterbox who nagged you constantly? Or a calm, softer spoken friend that was lots of fun to be with? Everyone deserves a Martin!
He's right--35 years ago in the attic of the old firehouse in Clifton, VA, an old bluegrass picker put his '45 D-28 in my hands. Tentatively, I played a G...then an A...after a minute or two I handed it back to him and asked, "How much do these cost?" When he told me (which was more than the value of my car), I could only sigh, accepting the fact that such a beauteous instrument was beyond the reach of mere mortals, but I've never forgotten and every acoustic I've had since then pales in comparison....
Thank you five watt world. Holidays are hard when you’re by yourself but thank you for reminding me how awesome the world is and how much better life is with a Martin
Merry Christmas Jerry. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment.
They let me play that pre-war D-45 in the Martin museum. They happened to have it out as we were walking through and said yes when I asked to play it.
Thank you for making this video!!
D-18 for the win! I have a 2019 and it's absolutely incredible - such a woody and full-bodied sound. My wife bought it for my wedding present and needless to say, it's an heirloom and never leaving the family. I've had the pleasure of playing through the entire line at the 1833 shop at the factory and every single time, I came back to the D-18, over the D-28 or D-35. To me, the new forward shifted bracing makes it the acoustic sound I had in my head all my life of what an acoustic should sound like.
Roughly 12 years ago, one of my wife's uncles passed away, and would be buried in Pennsylvania. I was still actively gigging (an avocation, I was making a decent living in IT), and I had already moved to a "Mexican Martin" because we had two other guitar players, and three electrics (mine was first a Fender Strat clone, replaced with a Schecter, we needed an acoustic) was just overkill. While I was in Pennsylvania, my daughter and I (who had also come to the funeral,) drove after the service to the Martin factory and museum in Nazareth. I was about 50 at the time, and when the tour guide who led us through the factory asked who owned a Martin, I was surprised I was the only one raising my hand (and yeah, it was a "Mexican Martin", not one built in Nazareth.) Then there was a magical experience of the "playing room", where as long as you wanted to, you could play any of the Martins mounted on the wall. I made a personal vow that day that I would own a nice American made Martin. Saved change and particularly quarters for about 4 years, and bought a HD-28 Herringbone from the Martin Custom Shop (though I didn't have really anything added other than the "Custom Shop" logo inside the guitar, and scalloped bracing.) That guitar still holds tune remarkably well, and is a joy to play. I got the scalloped bracing that I had seen in the factory, and played in the "sample room", because it just rings forever.
19:14 ...wow, oh wow! That beautiful or what?! 😲
Anyway, this is one of those uploads that I enjoyed so thoroughly that I dreaded it coming to an end. The Neil Young / Bob Dylan tour bus story was a truly epic one. 5ww ❤
Fantastic story of an iconic instrument maker. I'm looking forward to another acoustic instrument Short History. Great to have you back!
Thanks Bill!
Note to UK watchers: If, like me, you appreciate what Keith does and you want to give him a bit of support don’t hesitate to order something from his store. I was a little hesitant about the customs stuff but the T shirt I ordered came without any hassle… and it’s really good. 😎
34:35 I saw Neil Young & Crazy Horse in Sydney, Australia in 2004. It was an electric set but Neil did one number on an old acoustic guitar and had the stage set up with a condenser mic and Perspex sound shields to avoid feedback. A masterful display from one of the best acoustic folk players was quite a treat and I think it was Hank's old D-28....Got a standing ovation mid set...
Thanks, Keith
My Martin story: I saved my money and in 1972 in the 10th grade I ordered a new D-35. It cost $425 which seemed like a fortune. It took several months for it to arrive. It had a sailboat inlaid in the first fret. You could get special things if you were willing to wait. Life happened and I sold the guitar. Of all the guitars I've owned, it's the one I wish I still had. I still search Reverb every now and then hoping to find it.
I'll help you look for it. I love "scavenger hunts".
Again I find myself unexpectedly welling up with emotion during your outro. What a gift you have, Keith, in bringing the such intense, understated passion to this thing we love. We are truly blessed that with all the seemingly inescapable garbage inherent in modern media we are also able to experience these gems.
Everything you say is right on the money..agree 100%.
I once owned a Martin DRS2. It wasn't a very high end model. I believe it was $800 new and I paid $500 for it. But I still think about that guitar all the time. I've never found another acoustic that felt as good in my hands. I'm a bass player first, so playability is first and foremost when I'm looking at an acoustic guitar.
Speaking of bass, I'm putting in another request for you to make a video on either the Rickenbacker 4001/4003 or the Music Man StingRay. We bassists need amazing music documentaries too!
As a D-18 owner from 1975 This presentation was very informative and extremely interesting. Thanks much!
My roommate in college, who was a great player, had a Martin and played at open mike nights. I didn't know anything about guitars then but I'd go along and quickly fell for the sound. There were others that may have played better, but even then I could tell that the other guitars didn't sound the same. For me the sound of the Martin dreadnaught is the definitive sound of the acoustic guitar.
Kind of ironic that while you were saying that Hank Williams "famously used a D-28", the photo displayed showed him playing a D-18. He actually played both models.
This Short History surpassed expectations! Keith you can easily drop the ‘Short’ qualifier since there’s so much incredible depth and thoughtfulness here. As a D28 player, it resonated all the way through.
Another great video Keith. Regarding the Neil Young/Dylan story. I've always heard it the other way around. Hank's D28 was located by Young's longtime friend Grant Boatwright who secured it from Tut Taylor, the dobro legend who owned the GTR music store in Nashville. Neil loaned his tour bus to Dylan with the D28 still in the back. Neil later said: "Bob Dylan was using my bus. He didn't have his own tour bus yet. And he was just getting into using buses, and so I let him use mine and when I gave it to him I told him that Hank was in the back and that if he wanted to use Hank, that Hank would be there for him. And so I don't know what he did with it, but he had it with him for a long time. And I don't know what he wrote or what he did, but I know something must have happened back there."
Something not to be missed is the publication of a massive 'coffee table-size' book detailing, with extensive research and years of labor, the most complete (and accurate) dreadnought history we may ever know! A beautifully printed museum piece with hi-res photos of everything dreadnought and more. Naturally it includes the Martin Family's amazing contributions but will likely surprise even the most scholarly guitar historians with the depth and outstanding knowledge within its pages:
"Inventing the American Guitar: The Pre-Civil War Innovations of C.F. Martin and His Contemporaries"
I don't lust for a Martin, but I started playing guitar because of Eric Clapton's performance on MTV Unplugged. Love the acoustic version of Layla to this day.
Keith, another oustanding video. Keep it going and thank you very much.
As always, an intellectual look at an icon! CF Martin on the headstock gets your attention like no other. The finest acoustic guitar one can buy period. Others are as good or whatever, perhaps even better but I have to have CF Martin on mine.
Great overview!! Makes me so proud that My dad gave me his 1952 D18 before his passing... which is one of my most prized items in life. What a beautiful playing guitar!
This is best what he could give. It always reminds of him.
As a kid living in the middle of Appalachia, this video gave me a much richer understanding of the guitar treasured by a generation of bluegrass musicians before me. Thank you for that.
I recently played I herringbone d 28 from the 40s and it was probably one of if not the nicest guitars I’ve played.
My great grandfather had a 1937 Martin D-28 and an early Martin 00. He was in a band with his father and even played on the radio. He handed that down to my dad, who sold it in the 90s. I was telling a close friend this story and he told me he had a D-28. Said someone gave it to him and it only made sense to pass it on to me. That guitar will be passed down to my kids and hopefully continue the tradition of Martin in my family.
that's a damm good friend
Awesome story. I’m an asshole and sold a 81 Les Paul custom my old man gave me. I’ve been looking for it since I cleaned up my act. I’ll never live that mistake down.
Outstanding presentation. I just bought my first Martin, a 2019 D-18. I wanted a history of the company and an explanation of all the various models. You did an outstanding job on this video. I’ve owned a Mosrite electric guitar (hollow body sunburst) since 1969. I’ve never owned an acoustic guitar and now I have the immortal Martin. Thanks for the info.
Back in the mid '60s my mom bought a 000-18 from a pawn shop, largely on the recommendation of the San Francisco PBS stations folk guitar instructor Laura Webber, who played one. My mom wrote to Martin to ask how old it was, there being no internet at the time to look such things up. It turned out to be 1955. I still have that guitar after her passing. She got a letter hand signed by CF III, which has unfortunately been lost, thanking her for the purchase. There was also a fairly thick color glossy brochure talking about them having their own seasoning pond for the wood and their own sawmill. And how they ensured that each log was soaked and then dried for several years. That probably had a fair amount to do with limiting production. They also promoted internal innovation by allowing each luthier to make their own flight of fancy once a year on company time and using company materials. I don't know when this practice stopped but apparently things like the electrics and the "luxury" guitars sprang from various employees coming up with something different.
Thank you for this history lesson. I have owned my D28 since 1996. It has the most wonderful tone and fantastic playing action. It was, and remains, my dream guitar.
I have been playing Martin Dreadnaughts
Over 50 years from
D 18 to D 41
I have never played any other instrument that came even close to the Martins I’ve owned
I was even lucky enough to get a brand new D 76!
My favorite it a D 18 with a cutaway! Best sound ever!
I now use my time to build my own guitars
I just finished a guitar based on the D 45 and was so happy that I made an identical guitar to match the firstD 45
They both have cutaways mostly because I play
Jazz guitar
I’ve have a Benadetto
Fratello for over 30 years
Made from Quilted maple on the back and sides. Curly maple neck.
Ebony fingerboard, bridge, tailpiece and pick guard. Mint condition!
Fun fact about some early martins - as the tooling for the headstock wore down at the factory, some guitars left the factory with more curved edges than the original square shape we all know. They eould then replace this tooling, only for it to gradually happen again, so every few seasons a batch of guitars would come out looking weird.
Thanks for this info. I learned alot . I just purchased a 68 Classical and 71 D-28. I know now why the older guitars are so highly spoken of. The D-28 is incredible.Learning a Dan Peek and James Taylor song. Lonely People and Carolina in my Mind . What a treat to have this guitar to practice on. Thanks Martin
I've got a 1918 Martin Ukulele with several extra strings in original packaging. It's so fun to compare the sound to my modern Luna Ukulele. The volume and depth of rich sound in the Martin doesn't compare. It is priceless! I have no idea how he did it as it looks so simple. You just can't judge a book by the cover.
I already know this will be awesome. I’m going to listen to it on my way to work! ❤️
Keith..thank you!… this is a story worth telling…Dan Fogelberg, showed me my first chords. Thanks for showing Danny here…
@Anthony Hunt My older sister was a big Dan Folgerberg fan. Brings back memories! Maybe I'll try to learn one of his songs on acoustic for her. Which one is easier to play? May he rest in peace ✌
Thank you for this. Thank you for appreciating the guitar. I’m 70 and have appreciated the guitar in all its forms since my child hood in LA watching Autry, Rogers, Williams and everybody who payed electrics through Hendrix, Beck, McCartney and so many others from England, Europe and even Africa. This week I bough my first Martin. A 12 string and it sings. I’ve had electrics, guitars and basses but this Martin 12 string sings. It makes my heart sing like that first timeI heard Hendrix live on the radio in LA in ‘67. I just wanted to say thanks for the kindness this video conveys. I’ve played a number of electrics but the Martin 12 string has always had a place in my heart. I lived on the North Shore in Hawaii for a few years and my neighbors would play outside a few times a week. Now I can create my own sweet sounds. I ramble. But I just wanted to thank you for your video and the welcoming I felt. Thank you. The Martin 12 fills me with piece and your video introduces me to the hands NS minds who make this magical instrument. Thank you.
One era influencing another..... I grew up listening to folk music (yes I am that old), but always wanted something else. Keith Richards' dirty leads were all I needed to know where I was going. Interesting that now in my later years I am turning left into jazz and less dirt. Great history here. Thanks KW.
I started with a student model Yamaha that had been my dad's - a fan of the New York folk scene, but he never got anywhere with it. When I bought my own for the first time, I looked at Martins, because the guy at Ken Stanton told me that's what I should want, but I wound up with a "fabrique a la main en la Canada" Seagull because it was what I could afford. I've never wished for a Martin instead, but maybe I could be talked into playing one now, 30 years in the future.
Actually, if it's an interesting story, I'd love to hear about Seagull some time.
Seagulls are amazing guitars and not just for the money. My S12 is among the guitars I intend to keep until I die and it's my favourite acoustic guitar I own.
@@the_hippykiller22 I own a Seagull Maritime SWS and love it dearly, if you ever have the chance to play a Norman B-20-12 STRINGS, go for it, this company is owned by Godin guitars, they are simply Amazing .
I have eagerly awaited this installment of “A Short History…”. It was truly well worth the wait, Keith.
26:40, in 1981, I happened to find one of those (Aug.1978 made) 12 string "Lawsuit" guitars in a Pawn shop for $300 in Calgary during Stampede after losing out on a
Fender 12 I had my eye on in another Pawn shop on 8th Ave that same day. Still play it to this day, and it sounds even sweeter. I knew right then it was meant to be
mine when I recognized the name from a dream I was waking up out of only weeks before. Most freakish, was that it had my birth year on it too. How weird is that?
Serendipity? In the dream though my hands were playing Piano. Takamine doesn't make pianos do they? Prior to that dream, I'd never heard the name before.
AS i listened to your description of CSN&Y 's part in Martin's history, i was waiting for Neil's story, and was kinda disappointed. But your ending brought a tear to my eyes, as i am a big neil young fan, and own a Martin D=35 because of him. Thanks !!
What can I say, another well researched and expertly crafted video. Bravo Keith! Seeing those pictures of CSN and CSNY with their dreadnoughts brought me back, and those were the inspiration for me to buy own Martin D1-18 40 years ago that I still own today. But I do have a more recent model too, an OM-35. Even though I have electrics and effects pedals that I enjoy, nothing matches the joy I get when I can make my Martin’s sing with music.
Outstanding Keith... finally had the chance to sit down and watch during my move to TN... my D35 and I thank you. This video shows just how much different our modern music landscape would look without the most iconic builder of American guitars, CF Martin & Company. Raising a cup, glass or mug to the future with Claire Francis! ☕🍷🍺
I bought a DCX1E about 18-20 years ago and still love it. I get complements from many experienced players that love the Martin entry model ... the entry level model. At some point I intend to get a higher level Martin to satisfy my soul even more.
For what it's worth, here's my Martin story. A few years ago I was standing in a security/boarding gate queue at Cape Town Airport- for a flight to Johannesburg. Standing next to me were two guys, one with a guitar case. I noticed Martin stickers on the case and asked if there was a real Martin in there. Yes, it is, came the answer, we play Martins and we work for Martin! It turned out that the guy with the case was a company Artist and the other man was a Regional Manager of some sort. They were in Africa on some sort of a musical education outreach and marketing exercise. Before it was time to board we had a very pleasant conversation and they told me that the current owner of the company was another CF Martin, but this time a lady. A pleasant experience and memory for me. Now back to strumming on my Aria, which, if you don't look too closely, does look a little like a D28.
I just love when another Short History comes out and this one was outstanding!!!!
I was in line to inherit a 1945-50 CF Martin first owned by my Grandpa. It had my Dad's and Uncle's initials carved into it. I played it often as a teenager, but my uncle sold it to feed his drug habit. If anyone sees a old Martin with PJ and EJ carved into the body, I'd be an interested buyer.
I played an older D45 once. I remember forcing myself to put it down, saying it was too expensive to fall in love with.
I got me a D28 about 16 years ago. Even though I've had it for a while, and it's not a "classic" year, I can still be amazed by how amazing it sounds.
This is a very good discussion about Martin & Co. I been dreaming of a Martin since I was a kid, I played rhythm in the church Blue Grass band on an old 12 string which my first experience playing in front of an audience. There is nothing like the adrenalin rush from that experience. I still hope to one day walk into a local dealer of Martin sit and go through every Martin they have to pick my guitar. I do believe dreams come true. So to my future good luck say thank you for this history of Martin they simply are the best acoustic guitars ever made.
Just bought my first acoustic after playing electric for years. Its a totally different animal for sure.
Excellent job Keith! I am a big Martin fan and you nailed so many of the important and pivotal moments in development. To me, a Martin defines what an acoustic guitar should sound like, I have sampled a lot of boutique and other makers, but they are all just trying to capture the tone of the real thing!
Great vid. Keep at it! Love my 1971 D-35 - had it since 1974.
My dad's best friend offered me his Martin if I graduated college. Unfortunately, he passed on not long after. I had played that guitar here and there, and it was everything one could want in an acoustic. Had it been a Rickenbacker bass, I'd have fast tracked my education. Great video, I love these short history lessons.
Loved this one! I’ve dedicated this year to acoustic and pick up my HD-28 or GPC-18E daily.
Great video. I am living in Gothenburg, Sweden, so this town has a Martin connection you didn't mention.
Levin made the Martin LD 18 in Gothenburg in 1978. They made about 200 of them.
They had the C.F. Martin label on their headstocks, had correct serial numbers, and were more or less a D-18. But they had Levin's Shaller tuners.
Seen one and played one just once. Many years ago :)
I'm viewing this 2 years after it came out so who knows if someone will read it. I moved to central Kentucky more than 10 years ago. There I fell in with several weekly jam sessions where I really improved my guitar skills. There were a lot of older pickers there playing rings around everyone. Almost all of them had a Martin, a D18, D28, D35, D45. Common as dirt. Most of them were old, they were frequently another relative or neighbors guitar before. Some of them were well cared for, but a lot showed the wear of decades at weekly gatherings. They were not for sale. At one jam we were joined by a player who was passing through and heard of the jam. His eyes got huge when a regular walked in and pulled out his pre-war Martin D-18. The regular saw this and handed him the guitar to play. The newbie said "You know this is worth $40,000!" probably a conservative estimate. "Not to me" said the regular kindly. "That was my daddy's guitar. It's only worth money if it was for sale, and it's not." The regular let the newbie play that great guitar as long as he wanted. I've been all over the country playing with folks. I've never seen a concentration of great guitars like I saw there.
I still read them all. Good stories.
Man I enjoyed this one. Another incredible history lesson. Couldn’t wait to grab my D-35 and noodle around.
No Love for the Backpacker? (I own one) 😉
Another rich and well researched Short History video, Keith. Martin is the acoustic guitar sound of America.
It was cut fir length, sorry man.
I’d like to say it was worth the wait so I will. As always I was entertained and enlighten. You can tell you put the work and time into the video. Thanks for what you do.
I'm 51 now, my dad played guitar so I learned pretty early. When i was about 12 my neighbors grandmother visited them and brought two martin guitars, a 40s D18 and a civil war era parlor sized beauty. I talked her into restringing them. Marquis on the dreadnought and gut on the parlor. You never forget, I was barely a player then and I swear I can still feel the sound those made.
These irreplaceables were left behind by a jazz playing boyfriend years before, I bet he missed them, I do 40 years later after a hour with them.
Boy, if you're not careful, you'll learn something! Wow! i love these history lessons. I also enjoyed the "Gibson Jumbos video. Good work! Keep it up.
Another great "Short History of" video! I wish you'd say a little more about the D-35. They seem to have an ugly stepchild reputation, but some major players used them (Gilmour and Gallagher for instance). After going through a bunch on instruments including other Martin Dreadnoughts, I bought a D-35 and love it.
Same here, Michael. I found the full, rich tone of the D-35 more to my taste than any other Martin Dreadnought, and have never ever regretted my decision to buy one.
The guitar store in Seoul has a D-35 and I play it every time I visit the store. It was played by a professional and lead a hard life. Even has a broken X brace! But what a great sound it has. I even tried to purchase the guitar but to no avail. They would not sell it! So the only way for me is to go to Seoul and play it and listen to the great sound coming from this 1969 guitar. Amazing sound!
As always Keith we are the lucky recipients of your work . Thanks for this.
In 2008 I was “suffering” from a case of more money than brains syndrome and I made two purchases that I will never regret. First was a 2008 Les Paul 69’ Classic. The second, after a long process of trying more guitars than you can shake a stick at, was a Martin HD-28. It spent most of its’ life in the case. But EVERY time I take it out, no matter what shape the strings are in, it sounds phenomenal. I’ll never give up the Martin.
Missed this one somehow... maybe my Takamine was jealous or something. Another great vid, thanks Keith!
Just like comparing an ES-335 to a ES-339, I find I prefer the OM size to the larger D. I have a lefty Martin OM28 re-imagined.
The best sounding strummed Martin D-45 ever, is Neil Young's on the '4 Way Street' live recording. If you've never heard it, do yourself a favor; it's incredible.
Tried to find it on Spotify but couldn’t 🤣🤣🤣
Thanks for the history lesson. I bought my D28 new in 1973 and it has served me very well. Recently bought a J12E, which replaced a composite body Martin 12. Also owned a Martin Backpacker for a while...
Thank you so so much!
This video couldn't come at a better moment than now. There are many guitars I'd love to have, but being the old man I am, I decided to buy only one more. And it had to be a Martin. So that's what I'm saving for now. I'm not even sure which one it's going to be, but I just want to be a part of that Martin family of guitar players. I may be old, but when it comes to acoustic guitars I'm still that little kid with that big dream. One day I'll have that iconic guitar and that day is coming closer every month.
Thank you for another great history lesson! ❤️
Tony Rices “church street blues” was written by Norman Blake. Blake, you could argue, has done more for the vintage Martin business than anyone. Ok, maybe a tie with Clapton.
Blake wrote it on his 12-fret D-18. Great song in either musician's hands!
Could the short history of Ovation be next, replete with Glen Campbell and 1970's nostalgia? Yes please 🎸
My grandfather died when I was very young and left behind a Martin D18 made in 1950. It's what inspired me to start playing in the first place. I have some back-up "beater" acoustics for carrying around and campfires and such but goddam nothing sounds as good as the old Martin.
Great one! A good Martin is like the sound of angels.
The big deal about the Dreadnought is that it is loud but has a very weak mid range ...but it is same range as the human voice. You get a confidence building fullness but you are not competing with the guitar to be heard. It is not hard to see this is the perfect guitar as an accompaniment instrument for the thousands of singer songwriters who put it on the map. It is bad choice for solo guitar.
I beg to differ, dreadnoughts are almost exclusively used for rythym and lead in bluegrass bands.
Awesome, as always. I got emotional with the CF granddaughter. :) Beautiful company and family.
My dad used to say I was all thumbs. Well, here's 10 thumbs up on a wonderful presentation!
I’ve wanted to own an HD-28 for 20 years+. I’m only 35 - there’s still hope.
There is always hope. :)
@@fivewattworld No Alarms and No Surprises, Please!
All I meant was I’m 61 and feel the same way.
@@fivewattworld I just wanted to quote my favorite album, especially after hearing it played on an old Martin in your video. This series is so so good!
I have one. It is a fantastic player. The bass response is boomy. I had to change my attack due to this. I play a lot with friends that all have Taylor's. One thing they mention over and over again..."that martin is loud"
Howdy Keith. I put my salmon omelet on hold. Put on the headphones and and got a FWW fix. This was my favorite short history so far. Well worth the wait. You have some of the best guitar content on TH-cam. Thanks for all the work. My gal looks hungry. It's okay. The omelet will be worth the wait too.
Had a Martin 015 from 1939 for a short time, needed so much work, I couldn't afford to fix it. The person who did fix it, did it right and it sounds marvelous!
I had a Martin DRS2. Not a desirable classic by the standards of this documentary. Built in Mexico, not America. I’m downsizing upon retirement so I decided to be ruthless with my stuff and put my guitar out for sale amongst a load of other things.
Of the things that I chose to part with, my Martin is the one that hurt me. It may not have been a classic or a collectable, but it was a lovely thing. When I opened the hardcase it filled the air with spices of jewelled woods. The tones it produced were rich and sweet. A really pleasing thing to play and to enjoy.
I think the magic that Martin does isn’t limited to the top end guitars. Its there for the rest of us too.
I also think that before I go, I’ll have another. Even if its just to look at, like a fine sculpture or beautiful painting.
I watched this the other day and wanted to come back on here and let you know how much I appreciate the research and effort that goes into putting this series together. There is so much information I often come back and watch ‘em again to pick up on tidbits I might have missed the first time through.
35:35 Nice informative and interesting video. Thanks again Keith and Butters.
Thanks Keith! As the owner of a Sigma I was disappointed that it was just a "Martin Copy" despite how well it plays and sounds. I now play it with a new respect. It has brought me much joy over the years. Thank you for this amazing history of an American icon. 2022 is starting off well. :)
Keith, thank you for another tremendous short story. You never cease to amaze me as to how you are able to take almost 190 years of Martin history and condense it into a well orchestrated presentation. Until the next time, be well and stay safe. Ed
Thanks Ed
In 1972 I inherited a 1920's Martin ukulele and played it for 2 years, then I switched to dreadnaughts. The ukulele doesn't have metal gear-driven tuners, but instead has wooden pegs for tuning. I've never owned a Martin dreadnaught, but I'm seriously looking into getting one. Thanks for this video. It really helps with my decision.