I have had a D28 for 37 years. Last Jan, I bought a Boucher which is so far ahead of my Martin! With the Martin it sounds like a decent guitar and with the Boucher, it sounds like an orchestra . One of the best guitars on the planet. Great comparison Flatpicker!
I think your worst day may be my best. I like your arrangement of Red Haired Boy. Tell me please, does your Boucher 152 have the master grade upgrades or is it stock without any of the bling? Thanks.
The Adirondack top really changes the tone plus it may be torrified where as the D28 is not torrified.. I want a Boucher too, but I want to keep my Martin D18 GE also
Congratulations on your Martin D28 and your Boucher BG-152! You have great taste and your playing is a joy to listen too! Though not a Bluegrass player I chose a similar path purchasing a Martin D28 and a Martin D18. A year or so later I went looking for an OM 28 as my shoulder was bothering me reaching around a Martin Dread. I found a beautiful Martin burst OM28 in Montreal. However I ended up purchasing a Boucher Master grade Special SG-161-M instead. The Boucher was and is vastly superior. Since then my shoulder improved and I purchased a second Boucher guitar. This time an HG 56-M. You’ve got to hand it to Robin Boucher and his team. They make an awesome Canadian guitar! Don’t get me wrong I have and love Martin’s and their tone. I just love my Boucher’s more! Best to you and all!
Hello, and Thank You for this Boucher / Martin comparison. May I commend you on your comments about Martin instruments, please? I have owned a 2020 Standard Martin D-28 and have played it for almost 2 years in the hope that it would ‘open up’ and grow to provide the sonic characteristics on which the Martin reputation is founded. That didn’t happen. Part way through my D-28 ownership I received a 1987 Guild D35BLD, the BLD designating maple tone woods. I have two professional musician friends and asked them to listen to each instrument. Both *immediately* selected the Guild, saying it was the guitar they Strongly preferred. ( I have had both instruments set up by the same talented luthier, Jon Muradian, so the playing field for the comparison is equal ) My particular Martin simply doesn’t ‘have it’. That’s not a judgement of the brand; on the contrary Martin makes some fine guitars but the truth of your comment about ‘Make sure you get a good one’ is Completely Accurate. Even though all of us have a different idea of 'the sound' we want or expect from an instrument, I know what I want, and my *particular* D-28 is not now, and Never will be, an instrument I want to keep. Since owning mine, I have played at least half a dozen D-28s, modern, classic and from Martin’s Custom Shop. The last-mentioned was the best of the bunch, with one other 2020 Standard D-28 also sounding very good. While the Custom Shop D-28 was enough to turn my head, I won’t make another purchase decision until I’ve held, played and recorded both a Boucher OM and Dreadnaught guitar. I’m not floating in money and have other hobbies than music. That said, it will take a guitar that I feel in my heart before I acquire another one. My goal in ownership is basically twofold: First, I want an instrument that literally resonates with my body ( as I first felt with a Yairi Master-works Dreadnaught about a year ago ) because that’s the place from which I want to launch my music to others because I believe that way, the music will stand the best chance of reaching others at the same, heart level; Second, when my ability justifies it, I want to both play out and to record. At the moment I have narrowed down my choices to include Yairi and Boucher guitars, both of which are hand made. By comparison, Martin guitars, with their Custom Shop pieces the exception, are factory-made instruments: some will perform well, some will be just above -or below- average, and there will be some gems, too. In my opinion, you are most insightful to have alerted people to take their time to play numerous Martins. I have learned that it’s the *specific instrument itself* you are buying, not the name on the headstock. I would respectfully submit that this approach also suits other makers, par-ticularly for guitars that are factory made. From now on, I will ONLY purchase an instrument that moves me deeply because I gently insist that the music I share with others will have the best chance of moving them as it does me, when the instrument for that inspires me, literally, to play my heart out! Thank again for your review and for your channel. I look forward to more of your playing and your insight. Best Wishes, David
I bought a new D28 standard gloss finish list $3199 purchased Black Friday $2775. That is about half the list of the Boucher. Fit and finish on the Martin is excellent, action fast, although I made a very slight B & e 1st fret (-.004”) lowering, neck feels great, the factory relief and saddle height were excellent. Tone is brighter a little less low end boom than the scalloped models but still has plenty of volume., but that is what I prefer. I think I got a huge guitar for the price. Either of these guitars are great and will be based on personal taste and budget. Good Pickens!
I've only heard about three or four Boucher guitars but all of them are just light years beyond any other instrument. If I could easily afford one (or several) I would have already ordered at least three. For a more meaningful comparison, an HD-28 would have been a bit closer to equal for comparison purposes, but this gets the point across nicely. Thank you for posting this.
The quality of the Martin tone is way above that of the Boucher, and to hear a more apples To apples comparison try the Boucher against a Martin D28 authentic which will have Madagascar back sides & Adirondack spruce like the Boucher , then it may become more obvious to you how much classier the Martin is
I have an authentic 37 with Madagascar that I'm waiting to get back. Once I get it back I'll do that comparison. This comparison wasn't really fair as the Boucher guitar was right off of the bench. The tone now is a lot rounder in a lot warmer.
The Boucher guitar is going to improve once all those lovely timbers get 'played In'. The Martin sounds nice of course and it will be interesting to see how this improves with time. Nice video.
Kind of a silly comparison (but fun)….a brand new D28 vs what is clearly a daily driver? D28 sounds like it has a wet towel shoved in the soundhole….Im sure it will open up and sound better when it realizes its not a tree anymore. That Boucher is gorgeous. Thought the playing was great BTW!
Lol.... when it realizes it's not a tree anymore ! True ...I thought Martin's sound a little muddy at times. One fact is the Martin line is slightly variable in their sound with an apples to apples comparison ( same strings , player etc ) . Robin Boucher is crafting on a basis of making Every guitar the literal exact same method , system , tools etc etc so that ALL Boucher guitars of the same model sound identical when they leave Boucher Guitars . Robin is excelling in his abilities....... and continues to excell. He is Always looking to out perform his own abilities in Master Lutherie .
Martin is much warmer. Boucher is much more trebly. Just depends what sound you are going after. I have a 2014 D18 and it’s probably right in the middle of these two. Great for fingerstyle guitar. Bouchers are nice but twice the price but I don’t see it
I think your Boucher sounds better how can you tell a real telecaster from a fake. I think that the Martin sounds good but they are are way too expensive
Honestly, I love Boucher guitars. There excellent, but your comparison is not fair because the Boucher is not worth 1500 to 2000 dollars more. It also sounds very percussive but louder. That Martin cost 3199 not 4000. Also the Martin has a spruce top and Boucher has an Adi top. Come on now, if they were equal top back and sides you personally would say whoa, I see what he means. I enjoy your videos though and you’re a good picker. Thanks
What made the d28 was the bluegrass players i never did like the d28 i was mad at it cause they are way overprice imo people are figuring out there is as good guitars for a quarter of the price yamaha fg 800 alverez yairi made botique guitars are way over priced but thier is alot of just as good guitars out thier unless you are star struck by the name on the head stock and alot of people are.
Boucher is superior. I own a Martin D42 with Madagascar back and sides and my Boucher BG152 is equal out of box new to my 10 year old well played Martin. Disappointed in sloppiness of Martin QA with my bindings all having to be replaced. Much more expensive than the Boucher.
The D28 is a special guitar. Often it will not impress in the shop because most other Dreadnoughts come with scalloped bracing and appear louder, more bass etc. The D28 however is a stellar guitar and possibly - no, it will be the better guitar in the long run with a more complex tone. I notice this every time I pick it up and play it. For me the best offering in the Martin line-up together with the 000-18.
You are probably right that the Martin will develop a more complex tone, but so will the Boucher. Besides, being a more beautiful-looking guitar, it already projects clearer, more complex tones than the Martin. Assuming each gets played frequently and kept in good shape, I would predict that the Martin will never sound better that the Boucher when a comparison is made a few years down the road.
For the past 25 years or so I shared that same opinion. Then one day I just wanted to get a sunburst. I really need to redo this comparison as it wasn't really fair. The Boucher was straight off of the bench and hadn't opened up yet. Now the guitar sounds much much better.
I sold my Martin D35 for a Boucher… two years later I couldn’t be happier!
Awesome. What model did you get?
Fer sure .....
Boucher All The Way .... as they say
I have had a D28 for 37 years. Last Jan, I bought a Boucher which is so far ahead of my Martin! With the Martin it sounds like a decent guitar and with the Boucher, it sounds like an orchestra . One of the best guitars on the planet. Great comparison Flatpicker!
Thanks so much brother. My boucher keeps me up at night I can't stop playing it lol its like a grand piano.
It is one fine instrument. Way above the rest!@@thecanadianflatpicker
I think your worst day may be my best. I like your arrangement of Red Haired Boy. Tell me please, does your Boucher 152 have the master grade upgrades or is it stock without any of the bling? Thanks.
Great playing and a very nice match up.
Thanks so much!
The Adirondack top really changes the tone plus it may be torrified where as the D28 is not torrified.. I want a Boucher too, but I want to keep my Martin D18 GE also
Congratulations on your Martin D28 and your Boucher BG-152! You have great taste and your playing is a joy to listen too!
Though not a Bluegrass player I chose a similar path purchasing a Martin D28 and a Martin D18.
A year or so later I went looking for an OM 28 as my shoulder was bothering me reaching around a Martin Dread.
I found a beautiful Martin burst OM28 in Montreal.
However I ended up purchasing a Boucher Master grade Special SG-161-M instead. The Boucher was and is vastly superior.
Since then my shoulder improved and I purchased a second Boucher guitar. This time an HG 56-M. You’ve got to hand it to Robin Boucher and his team. They make an awesome Canadian guitar!
Don’t get me wrong I have and love Martin’s and their tone.
I just love my Boucher’s more!
Best to you and all!
Yes Boucher guitars are incredible. I couldn't agree more. Thanks so much for watching 🙏 Best to you as well
Hello, and Thank You for this Boucher / Martin comparison. May I commend you on your comments about Martin instruments, please?
I have owned a 2020 Standard Martin D-28 and have played it for almost 2 years in the hope that it would ‘open up’ and grow to provide the sonic characteristics on which the Martin reputation is founded. That didn’t happen.
Part way through my D-28 ownership I received a 1987 Guild D35BLD, the BLD designating maple tone woods. I have two professional musician friends and asked them to listen to each instrument. Both *immediately* selected the Guild, saying it was the guitar they Strongly preferred. ( I have had both instruments set up by the same talented luthier, Jon Muradian, so the playing field for the comparison is equal )
My particular Martin simply doesn’t ‘have it’. That’s not a judgement of the brand; on the contrary Martin makes some fine guitars but the truth of your comment about ‘Make sure you get a good one’ is Completely Accurate. Even though all of us have a different idea of 'the sound' we want or expect from an instrument, I know what I want, and my *particular* D-28 is not now, and Never will be, an instrument I want to keep.
Since owning mine, I have played at least half a dozen D-28s, modern, classic and from Martin’s Custom Shop. The last-mentioned was the best of the bunch, with one other 2020 Standard D-28 also sounding very good. While the Custom Shop D-28 was enough to turn my head, I won’t make another purchase decision until I’ve held, played and recorded both a Boucher OM and Dreadnaught guitar. I’m not floating in money and have other hobbies than music. That said, it will take a guitar that I feel in my heart before I acquire another one.
My goal in ownership is basically twofold: First, I want an instrument that literally resonates with my body ( as I first felt with a Yairi Master-works Dreadnaught about a year ago ) because that’s the place from which I want to launch my music to others because I believe that way, the music will stand the best chance of reaching others at the same, heart level; Second, when my ability justifies it, I want to both play out and to record.
At the moment I have narrowed down my choices to include Yairi and Boucher guitars, both of which are hand made. By comparison, Martin guitars, with their Custom Shop pieces the exception, are factory-made instruments: some will perform well, some will be just above -or below- average, and there will be some gems, too.
In my opinion, you are most insightful to have alerted people to take their time to play numerous Martins. I have learned that it’s the *specific instrument itself* you are buying, not the name on the headstock. I would respectfully submit that this approach also suits other makers, par-ticularly for guitars that are factory made.
From now on, I will ONLY purchase an instrument that moves me deeply because I gently insist that the music I share with others will have the best chance of moving them as it does me, when the instrument for that inspires me, literally, to play my heart out!
Thank again for your review and for your channel. I look forward to more of your playing and your insight.
Best Wishes,
David
The d-28 sounds a little tighter. I'm guessing the Boucher has scalloped bracing?
Yesir. Absolutely correct
Boucher very loud and Janglee..if that's what you like..which most Martin enthusiasts don't care for..
I bought a new D28 standard gloss finish list $3199 purchased Black Friday $2775. That is about half the list of the Boucher. Fit and finish on the Martin is excellent, action fast, although I made a very slight B & e 1st fret (-.004”) lowering, neck feels great, the factory relief and saddle height were excellent. Tone is brighter a little less low end boom than the scalloped models but still has plenty of volume., but that is what I prefer. I think I got a huge guitar for the price. Either of these guitars are great and will be based on personal taste and budget. Good Pickens!
That's awesome
I've only heard about three or four Boucher guitars but all of them are just light years beyond any other instrument. If I could easily afford one (or several) I would have already ordered at least three. For a more meaningful comparison, an HD-28 would have been a bit closer to equal for comparison purposes, but this gets the point across nicely. Thank you for posting this.
I agree. We rarely get a HD 28 in the shop but once we do I will make another comparison
That sunburst still got me like 🤤
Love u
The quality of the Martin tone is way above that of the Boucher, and to hear a more apples
To apples comparison try the Boucher against a Martin D28 authentic which will have Madagascar back sides & Adirondack spruce like the Boucher , then it may become more obvious to you how much classier the Martin is
I have an authentic 37 with Madagascar that I'm waiting to get back. Once I get it back I'll do that comparison. This comparison wasn't really fair as the Boucher guitar was right off of the bench. The tone now is a lot rounder in a lot warmer.
The strings on the Martin sound a bit dead, dull. Are they new?
Yes they were super dead. Still a great guitar
I want a Boucher Bluegrass Goose but they are much more expensive than a Martin d28 .
I hear you. Hard to bear a good martin. But the bouchers nowadays are increasingly more incredible
The Boucher guitar is going to improve once all those lovely timbers get 'played In'.
The Martin sounds nice of course and it will be interesting to see how this improves with time. Nice video.
I agree. Thanks!
Can you teach me the. Advance g runn
Kind of a silly comparison (but fun)….a brand new D28 vs what is clearly a daily driver? D28 sounds like it has a wet towel shoved in the soundhole….Im sure it will open up and sound better when it realizes its not a tree anymore. That Boucher is gorgeous. Thought the playing was great BTW!
Lol.... when it realizes it's not a tree anymore !
True ...I thought Martin's sound a little muddy at times.
One fact is the Martin line is slightly variable in their sound with an apples to apples comparison ( same strings , player etc ) .
Robin Boucher is crafting on a basis of making Every guitar the literal exact same method , system , tools etc etc so that ALL Boucher guitars of the same model sound identical when they leave Boucher Guitars .
Robin is excelling in his abilities....... and continues to excell. He is Always looking to out perform his own abilities in Master Lutherie .
You’re Comparing apples to oranges. You should have compared the HD-28 to the Boucher. Interesting comparison though.
Once we get an HD in the shop I will!
@@thecanadianflatpicker 👍🏼 I’ll keep an eye out for it.
The Boucher sounds bell like with better sustain. To my ear the projection is also better with the Boucher.
The boucher is 10 times the guitar as the martin and it maybe a little bit but much more expensive.
I agree!
Martin is much warmer. Boucher is much more trebly. Just depends what sound you are going after. I have a 2014 D18 and it’s probably right in the middle of these two. Great for fingerstyle guitar. Bouchers are nice but twice the price but I don’t see it
Interesting, at the end everyone keeping a Martin .. otherwise not sleeping well :-)
My honest opinion, through my jbl headphones that Martin destroys the Boucher. Maybe in the room it sounds different.
Im still going to have to go with the martin. To MY ears i like the sound better
I think your Boucher sounds better how can you tell a real telecaster from a fake. I think that the Martin sounds good but they are are way too expensive
For sure they fake em real good nowadays. Hard to tell from pictures but send em to me
Martin 👌👌Boucher 👌
Honestly, I love Boucher guitars. There excellent, but your comparison is not fair because the Boucher is not worth 1500 to 2000 dollars more. It also sounds very percussive but louder. That Martin cost 3199 not 4000. Also the Martin has a spruce top and Boucher has an Adi top. Come on now, if they were equal top back and sides you personally would say whoa, I see what he means. I enjoy your videos though and you’re a good picker. Thanks
What made the d28 was the bluegrass players i never did like the d28 i was mad at it cause they are way overprice imo people are figuring out there is as good guitars for a quarter of the price yamaha fg 800 alverez yairi made botique guitars are way over priced but thier is alot of just as good guitars out thier unless you are star struck by the name on the head stock and alot of people are.
Boucher is superior. I own a Martin D42 with Madagascar back and sides and my Boucher BG152 is equal out of box new to my 10 year old well played Martin. Disappointed in sloppiness of Martin QA with my bindings all having to be replaced. Much more expensive than the Boucher.
Play a Boucher. Find out for yourself. They are awesome guitars !
Absolutely
The D28 is a special guitar. Often it will not impress in the shop because most other Dreadnoughts come with scalloped bracing and appear louder, more bass etc. The D28 however is a stellar guitar and possibly - no, it will be the better guitar in the long run with a more complex tone. I notice this every time I pick it up and play it. For me the best offering in the Martin line-up together with the 000-18.
You are probably right that the Martin will develop a more complex tone, but so will the Boucher. Besides, being a more beautiful-looking guitar, it already projects clearer, more complex tones than the Martin. Assuming each gets played frequently and kept in good shape, I would predict that the Martin will never sound better that the Boucher when a comparison is made a few years down the road.
Martin will improve. I vote for it
The Martin sounds much better.
Hard to beat a Martin!
Martins are crap these days way over braced and you can get the same guitar from recording king for 800 bucks
I hear you. I was thinking about trying the rd 342
natural top looks much better sunburst or stained tops are trying to hide something. MARTIN FOR THE WIN.
For the past 25 years or so I shared that same opinion. Then one day I just wanted to get a sunburst. I really need to redo this comparison as it wasn't really fair. The Boucher was straight off of the bench and hadn't opened up yet. Now the guitar sounds much much better.
The Boucher sounds cheap. The strings on the Martin are dead. I’ll take the D28 all day.
I agree.
How does the Boucher Sound Cheap? Based on my headphones, it sounds like that Martin has socks stuffed in the sound hole compared to that Boucher😂
You should hear it now that it's opened up. It slays the martin!
@@thecanadianflatpicker Nicee!! The sunburst really makes your Boucher stand out as well:)