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Topic: I'm so pleased with my 000-21! |
Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 1 Feb 2011 3:07 pm |
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I've had it a few days now and I'm really starting appreciate its stunning tone and its playability. As it's a '53 in completely origional condition I'm not going to add any on-board electrics, so this one is just for 'in the house'.
I took this snap which came out better than I expected, and has brought our the warmth of the tonewoods. That's my '47 000-18 to the right (and my favourite Glaser-B-bender-equipped Tele just behind.)
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Roger Rettig: Emmons D10, B-bender Teles, Martins, and a Gibson Super 400!
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Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
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Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 1 Feb 2011 4:43 pm
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I actually have five, Mike - 000-28, 0000-28 and a 1927 0-18 - but they're all firm friends with each other so I can't separate them.
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Roger Rettig: Emmons D10, B-bender Teles, Martins, and a Gibson Super 400!
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Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
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Posted 1 Feb 2011 6:21 pm
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Roger, you'll just have to give me all 5.
You can come visit them any time you like.
Seriously, which is your favorite? I tried out an Eric Clapton model 000-28 in a store, and thought it was just wonderful. As a matter of personal preference. I'd much rather have an 00 or 000 mode than a dreadnought.
_________________
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin |
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Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 1 Feb 2011 6:39 pm
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My old 12-fret 0-18 takes some beating, but the latest - the '53 000-21 - has become my new favourite! It has a bright open sound with wonderful definition from all strings, as well as a perfect balance.
I'm told that the best Martins are the 12-fret 00s but I don't have one; my only 12-fret is my 0-18. I'm more into 14-fret guitars as I think the 000 14-fret is the prettiest shape Martin ever made.
As for Dreadnoughts - nah!!! Big thumpers' guitars, best for hitting hard with a flat-pick. Aesthetically-speaking they don't come close to the delicate beauty of the slim-waisted Auditoriums (although I'll concede that this is subjective - 
Anyway, I play with my fingers, so the more-shallow bodies of the 000s respond to a lighter touch than do those unsightly D-28s. I also enjoyed my Olson SJ (similar to a 000 21, but with a cedar top) but that had to go to pay medical bills. 
I do have a dreadnought - an Alvarez that belonged to my late brother, Peter - but I have that for sentimental reasons.
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Roger Rettig: Emmons D10, B-bender Teles, Martins, and a Gibson Super 400!
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Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 1 Feb 2011 6:49 pm
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My 000-28, by the way, is a Custom Shop guitar. I wanted one, but didn't like the modern changes (that gilded logo, the modern tuners, the black pick-guards and the stark white edging they put on now).
I spoke with Bruce Mariano at Martins who was very helpful. He asked why I didn't just get the EC model as it had almost everything I wanted, but I told him I didn't want a guitar with another guy's name on it! They make a wonderful 'Vintage' range, and the only one they've 'spoiled' in my view is their 'Vintage' 000-28 - because that's the EC model!!!
So, using the EC as a 'platform' (the EC has lots of vintage-style appointments) we opted to lose the herringbone soundhole trim and, of course, any mention of 'The World's Greatest Guitarist' on the label or the 22nd fret and, 'Hey Presto', I had a lovely replica of a '50's 000-28. It was only $2,400 including a Martin Thinline (that was in 2004).
I admit that any 000-28EC I've played has been a very nice guitar so, if you can deal with someone else's name all over it, they're a good proposition.
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Roger Rettig: Emmons D10, B-bender Teles, Martins, and a Gibson Super 400!
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Bo Borland
From:
South Jersey -
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Posted 1 Feb 2011 7:40 pm
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Roger , they look like beautiful twin sisters I would like to date.
I am also partial to the 00 and 000 series and have played a few EC models and the very nice Bromberg model all are very nice finger style guitars. |
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Leigh Howell
From:
Edinburgh, Scotland * R.I.P.
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Posted 2 Feb 2011 10:26 am Guitar
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| I have a Martin DX1K. It's a great guitar. I'm not a great guitar player by any means, but feels just right for me when singing, or just trying to play the wildwood flower. ( Doesn't everyone try to play the wildwood flower); ) I had a D-28 in the 70's. It was stolen at a Jamboree due to my own concentration on trying to see how much beer I could drink on a Sunday afternoon!!---Leigh |
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Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
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Posted 2 Feb 2011 10:35 am
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Martin has a new guitar made out of aluminum. I tried one out and was pleasantly surprised at how good it sounded. It looks funny, but it sounds just fine.
There is not a picture of it on Martin's web site, but there is one on page 75 of the Martin catalog, which you can download from the site.
_________________
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin |
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David Mason
From:
Cambridge, MD, USA
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Brint Hannay
From:
Maryland, USA
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Posted 2 Feb 2011 12:42 pm
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| Roger, your Tele looks as though it's seen a lot of playing time! If I recall correctly, you got that guitar new in late 2008, and if the photo is not deceptive, the finish on the neck is all gone! |
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Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 2 Feb 2011 1:37 pm
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Well spotted, Brint (there should be some sort of 'Eagle-Eye Award'!)
It has seen a lot of playing, but not that much. The only thing that marred its perfection for me was that slightly sticky feeling to the back of the neck, especially when conditions were a bit humid.
I did a show in VA last May, and the fiddler on our show (Mark Baczynski)was not only a fine player, but also a skilled luthier; I asked him to do what he could to smooth off the rather-too-new feel to the back of the neck. Using successive grades of sandpaper he slowly removed that finish, then applied a type of oil to seal the wood again. I've forgotten what magic potions he used, but it's now just fantastic. I imagine it'll show a bit of dirt as the years wear on.
By the way, he told me that it was difficult making the first move on a virtually mint guitar  , so I had to urge him on and assure him that was what I wanted.
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Roger Rettig: Emmons D10, B-bender Teles, Martins, and a Gibson Super 400!
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Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
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Posted 2 Feb 2011 8:49 pm
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Thanks Dave M for posting that picture of the aluminum Martin. I am happy with my present acoustic, but if it were lost or stolen, I'd seriously consider replacing it with one of those.
_________________
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin |
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Tom Franke
From:
Arizona, USA
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Posted 16 Feb 2011 6:16 pm
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| Mike, what did the aluminum topped Martin sound like? It's a bit hard to imagine it having that old woody sound many of us love in Martins. I have a brass Dobro, but that's a whole different sound package. The aluminum topped is supposed to sound like a standard flat-top, isn't it? Does it sound like a wood topped guitar? |
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Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
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Posted 16 Feb 2011 6:43 pm
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As I recall, it had a very bright sound. This may be due to the small body as much as the aluminum top. It did not sound at all like a dreadnought.
Quite aside from that though, you know that any guitar picker who shows up at a bluegrass festival with one of those is likely to get lynched.
_________________
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin |
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Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 16 Feb 2011 7:01 pm
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This topic has gone from my gorgeous Brazilian rosewood 000-21 to one of the new generation of Tupperware 'Martins'!!! (I bet they're not made in Nazareth, PA!)
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Roger Rettig: Emmons D10, B-bender Teles, Martins, and a Gibson Super 400!
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