Gibson vs. Martin

[RoadCase]

I'm trying to decide between the Gibson Songwriter Deluxe and the good ol' D-28

I've heard the the Gibsons are more 'well-balanced' and not as throaty as the D-28

Thoughts anyone???

[Eugene]

Sure, get a Collings!:D Sorry, I couldn't resist...

I prefer the D-28 over the Gibson. I've played both and the Martin seems more balanced to my ears. I believe the HD-28 has scalloped bracing...its one of my favorite Martin models. You might want to check that one out as well.

Good luck!

Eugene

[rbisherw]

I went through this almost 2 years ago.

While, I have owned 2 Gibson acoustics (Gospel and Hummingbird) in the past, I chose the D28.

To my ears, the D28 sounded magical, the Songwriter Deluxe sounded good.
Workmanship on the Gibsons was excellent, workmanship on the D28 was flawless.

[Gazza]

Don't even have to think twice about this question, D28!!!!

[tuna]

Originally posted by Eugene
Sure, get a Collings!:D Sorry, I couldn't resist...

I prefer the D-28 over the Gibson. I've played both and the Martin seems more balanced to my ears. I believe the HD-28 has scalloped bracing...its one of my favorite Martin models. You might want to check that one out as well.

Good luck!

Eugene

+1 on the HD-28. I just went throught this too and the HD-28 with the scalloped bracing gives you that nice Martin bottom end.

[neve1073]

here's my setup and i couldn't be happier with it:
an old gibson j50 and a collings dreadnought. if i had to choose one...jesus i can't. they are both amazing. the j50 probably would be my choice--it records great and is a dream to play. the collings rings like a bell and has great intonation & allaround great craftsmanship. i'd go for one of those, obviously. ymmv

[neve1073]

ps the reissue j50s might be good. i've been meaning to try one out.

[riffmeister]

well, I would say you need to try numerous guitars of each model.......there is significant variability in how each one sounds. for example, if you try five D28's, you might find that one really floats your boat and the other four are so-so.

and sorry, I do need to put another plug in for Collings guitars. incredible build quality and incredible tone and incredible consistency between guitars of the same model. Their SJ model (small jumbo) is a real honey for singer-songwriter stuff.

[Old Tele man]

...Gibsons USED to have quality, but seeming not any more.


...Martins have ALWAYS had quality.


...you decide!

[Brad Scott]

Martin HD-28 — wonderful tone and classic good looks.

[Droffie]

Go for the Gibson. I own a Gibson CL-50 Supreme and I find the Gibson better balanced guitars.
I was not impressed by the HD-28 at all. Way to boomy on the bass no clear mids.

Good luck in your choice.

D.

[60HzShuffle]

I played a Gibson AJ and a HD-28 side by side. For what I wanted, I liked the playability and tone of the Gibson. I wanted to get the HD-28, but thought the Gibson was more balanced to my ears. The gibson neck reminded me of a 50's profile on a Les Paul and felt easier to play. I wanted to get a Martin when I started out and may someday, but it is all personal preference and you have to play them (I know, it has been said here over and over). :o

[Mr.Hanky]

Really hard to say since it depends on you mostly, and the actual guitars in question.

For me, I bought a D-41 10 years ago and still love it. I played a LOT of different acoustics but the Martin spoke to me the most. That is how you should decide, let your gut tell you not us or your eyes.

A D-28 is a staple for sure, it is the LP of the acoustic world.

[Roly]

Hi there!
It´s not an easy decision if you haven´t played them yet. Only you will know when you hear them. If you like more lows , then maybe go with the Martin. I recently tested a Gibson Southern Jumbo. It had just as much bottom end as the Martin but with a more compressed and bluesy tone. It had more "character" than the Martin in my opinion and I really enjoyed playing it. Give it a try...good luck and go with your gut feeling. You´ll know it when you hear it !!

[drbob1]

A couple of different perspective:

Are you playing out or practising/recording? At home, I like the sound and feel of the Gibson better. Warmer and rounder, very light and resonant.

In a band situation the Martin has way more bass, authority and cut, not to speak of volume. This is partly because of the way they're built and partly the rosewood back and sides.

For acoustics I think the Montana Gibsons are as good or better than their vintage counterparts or any Martin.

[Heliman]

Another D-41 owner here!

Gibson has not made a quality acoustic in 15 years.

If the Gibby you are looking at is that age or older, it might be worth considering. If not, don't waste your time!

The D-28 is the standard by which all other acoustics are judged.

I would choose a Tacoma over any current Gibson. For example:
http://www.musiciansbuy.com/TACOMA_DR55_GUITAR_W_CASE.html

The Tacoma DR28 is even better priced!

[Droffie]

Originally posted by Heliman

Gibson has not made a quality acoustic in 15 years.

If the Gibby you are looking at is that age or older, it might be worth considering. If not, don't waste your time!



what a load of crap :o . Gibson in Bozeman is making real quality guitars, even Gibson haters admitt this. I guess yer one of the real stubborn ones.

My CL-Supreme from Bozeman Custom Shop is better sounding than any D-28. I might even challange your D-41...

[Heliman]

Originally posted by Droffie
what a load of crap :o . Gibson in Bozeman is making real quality guitars, even Gibson haters admitt this. I guess yer one of the real stubborn ones.

My CL-Supreme from Bozeman Custom Shop is better sounding than any D-28. I might even challange your D-41...

OK, Yea, Right! ;)

Believe whatever makes you warm and cozy at night. However, Gibson has had some serious quality control issues at Bozeman for some time now as well as Memphis since its inception. So far, they have done a fair job in Nashville.

Again, Tacomas will dog any Gibson that I have played in the last 15 years for 2/3's the price or less. :dude

[Ogre]

Apples and oranges. I would find one that "speaks" to you, regardless of the brand. Remember to listen with your ears, and not your eyes.

[bscepter]

Originally posted by Ogre
Apples and oranges. I would find one that "speaks" to you, regardless of the brand. Remember to listen with your ears, and not your eyes.

As Vincent Price used to say, "Eggs-actly."

I was once where you were, stuck between Bozeman and Nazareth. Then, I wound up in Westerly, Rhode Island, with a Guild JF55.

Personally, I thought it kicked both the Gibby and Martin to the kerb. Neck like an SG. AAA spruce top. Beautiful inlay. Gloss nitro finish. Ebony fingerboard and bridge. Rosewood back and sides. Tank-like case. AND it sounds fantastic.

Now, I'm not sure how the current crop of Guilds is -- I heard they went offshore for a while. But, as the man said, if it speaks to you, buy it.

[PB Wilson]

Originally posted by Heliman
OK, Yea, Right! ;)

Believe whatever makes you warm and cozy at night. However, Gibson has had some serious quality control issues at Bozeman for some time now as well as Memphis since its inception. So far, they have done a fair job in Nashville.

Again, Tacomas will dog any Gibson that I have played in the last 15 years for 2/3's the price or less. :dude

Taking into account all of the Gibson acoustics I've played, the ones from the mid '60s, '70s and '80s were by far the worst. Even worse than the ones you may see in stores today. They were owned by Norlin who tried (and failed miserably) to rocket Gibson to the top with many new "advancements" such as the double X bracing (WAY too stiff), the Tune-O-Matic acoustic saddles set in a wooden bridge, plastic bridges held on with screws, giant bridge pads and the infamous paddle neck tennon (making neck resets much more difficult). Add to that the colossal flop of the Mark series and the lack of humidity control in their Nashville plant and you have some of the most inconsistent and dull-sounding instruments in Gibson's history.

You may find a nice Gibson out today, but definitely play them before you plunk down the cash. When you are dealing with wood that is under 1/8" thick and pumping out as many guitars as they (and any other large factory) are, there are bound to be some dogs in the bunch.

The biggest difference between Gibsons and Martins is the difference in scale length. Most Martins have a 25.4" scale while most Gibsons (not all) have a 24.75" scale. This makes a world of difference in feel and sound.

[stephenyi]

For the most part, I've found Gibson acoustics (and electrics) to be not as consistent as Martins and Taylors. In the equivalent price ranges, I would vote for Martin over Gibson but also Taylor over Martin.

[Ogre]

I take exception with the statement that "Gibson has quality control issues at their Bozeman plant". I have played 100s of guitars that have come out of Bozeman, and have been very impressed with the quality. If Gibsons aren't your cup of tea, fine. If anything, the Bozeman plant is turning out the best quality guitars of ANY Gibson facility.

[PB Wilson]

I have to agree with Ogre. The Bozeman plant was set up in the late '80s after Gibson was bought from the Norlin company. It was to fix the quality problems of the previous decades and they seemd to do it. Ren Ferguson was one of the people who tried to make the newer guitars like they did in their golden age.

As with any large manufacturer, it is difficult to give every instrument the necessary time and attention to get the most out of a given piece of wood. Some instruments might not be the most responsive or attractive, but when you have thousands of guitars to get out the doors, you can't be too picky about your wood, otherwise your profits go out the window.

An individual luthier who makes fewer guitars in a year than Gibson makes in a day can take the time to source out the finest materials and tweak them to the best of their ability. It basically comes down to trying out the instrument and seeing if it meets your expectations.

[B Vance]

Originally posted by Old Tele man
...Gibsons USED to have quality, but seeming not any more.


...Martins have ALWAYS had quality.


...you decide!


That observation has been true in all of my experiences as well.

[Buffalosix]

Originally posted by Heliman


Gibson has not made a quality acoustic in 15 years.




Well, that's kind of disappointing post for this forum - kind of a close-minded absolute. I'd have to differ with your opinion, and I can speak from experience. I've owned Martins, Gibsons, and Guilds - all fine guitars - and the only ones I've kept are two Gibsons. Both have been made in the past six years. One is a Super Jumbo, the other is a J-45 with rosewood back and sides. Great guitars both - I'd put them up against any acoustic out there for tone and projection.

I think Ren Ferguson has done great things with Gibson acoustics at the Bozeman Montana factory in the past 15 years, and is doing justice to the Gibson heritage. Probably far more than the current ownership of Gibson deserves.

[reddgeetarzan]

All I can say is a like them both for what they are......
I've recently played a Martin D-28 Keb Mo model and was completely blown away!!! I own a 1990 J45 (in natural) that I just love- I wouldn't trade it for anything......it all depends on what you are looking to do with the guitar- I'd choose the Martin's if I was playing in a large group of acoustic instruments and I was NOT plugged in- I'd probably choose the Gibson for the bulk of recording that I do as I think they tend to have a "sweet" recording voice- not better than Martin, just different for my style and my needs, so the Gibson would probably get to go to the gigs and studio with me a bit more......it really depends on the guitar. I've not personally played a Tacoma that touches my J45, but then again, I haven't played 'em all.......yet!!!

Good luck in your search for "the right" guitar. I certainly would not compare the D28 to the Gibson Songwriter guitar- you really need to dig deeper into the line with the J45-50 or some of the Jumbo acoustics. The HD28 is a killer guitar- I wouldn't buy a Martin unless it did have the forward shifted bracing- it makes a world of difference!!! Also- try some of the signature models, if you can afford them- the Keb Mo really sounded sweet- it has the forward shifted bracking and KOA- which is a wonderfully sweet sound......ahhhh......