Like you say, it depends on the use. As solo, singer/songwriter stuff, bluegrass/oldtime rythm work, I'd pick the Authentic. Bluegrass soloing, defintely the '21.
Bryan, shouldn't that '65 D-21 have come with a wide saddle belly bridge? How would that '65 D-21 compare to Michael's CS-Bluegrass-2016 that you fixed for him?
The CS-BG-16 is more like an Authentic. Much more open sounding, smoother, no nasally tone at all, terrific balance, and awesome (for me!!) neck. The World's Best Authentic, basically. I thought so, too, about the saddle when I owned the guitar, but no... "In 1965, Martin moved back to belly bridges with short drop in saddles." vintagemartin.com/saddles.html
My ears hear: D41 - juicier, fuller bass and midrange, kinda dies off at the top end punch-wise, although still sparkles; D21 - all the bright, hard glassiness, top end fully weaponized, makes the instrument less forgiving of technique and less generous with the bottom end. Capable of almost a strident sound if pushed too hard, very sweet if attacked considerately. Brazilian for the win. Also - correct me if I’m wrong, but in 1964 the new factory had switched to cold glue, so unless rebuilt, that D21 only had the top glued with hot hide glue.
That's a great review. I think you're right about the hide glue. I have "'65 Hide glue replaced with polyvinyl glue (* see Boak, below)" So... yeah, in '65, it's PV. I've done a neck reset and bridge reglue, though so we can add those to the "hide glue" list. :)
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Like you say, it depends on the use. As solo, singer/songwriter stuff, bluegrass/oldtime rythm work, I'd pick the Authentic. Bluegrass soloing, defintely the '21.
Hey Bryan great compare .... D-28 '41 Authentic sounded Clear sweet (I Prefer) Rear Shifted bracing and 1965 Martin D-21 sounded louder but nasally Forward Shifted
They're both rear X. '41 is scalloped. D-21 is not. Maybe that's what you meant?
Two distinct sounds, that 21 screams bluegrass!
I much prefer the authentic. Just sounds fuller with more sparkle. But those are my ears.
Authentic for my personal taste
The Authentic sounds bigger . Dispute the BW the 21 s bracing is less responsive
old wood still superior, although they have came a long way. they both are wood and have a martin logo too.. 😉
I totally forgot the Martin logo!!! :)
I like the Authentic better. But I am usually in the minority. Just trying to "hear with my ears."
Totally fair!
Bryan, shouldn't that '65 D-21 have come with a wide saddle belly bridge? How would that '65 D-21 compare to Michael's CS-Bluegrass-2016 that you fixed for him?
The CS-BG-16 is more like an Authentic. Much more open sounding, smoother, no nasally tone at all, terrific balance, and awesome (for me!!) neck. The World's Best Authentic, basically.
I thought so, too, about the saddle when I owned the guitar, but no...
"In 1965, Martin moved back to belly bridges with short drop in saddles."
vintagemartin.com/saddles.html
My ears hear: D41 - juicier, fuller bass and midrange, kinda dies off at the top end punch-wise, although still sparkles; D21 - all the bright, hard glassiness, top end fully weaponized, makes the instrument less forgiving of technique and less generous with the bottom end. Capable of almost a strident sound if pushed too hard, very sweet if attacked considerately. Brazilian for the win.
Also - correct me if I’m wrong, but in 1964 the new factory had switched to cold glue, so unless rebuilt, that D21 only had the top glued with hot hide glue.
That's a great review. I think you're right about the hide glue. I have "'65 Hide glue replaced with polyvinyl glue (* see Boak, below)" So... yeah, in '65, it's PV. I've done a neck reset and bridge reglue, though so we can add those to the "hide glue" list. :)