Dreadnoughts....help with search...

[JeffreyC]

So listening to some Neil Young recently and just love the sound of his D45. Realizing that this model is crazy $, what other makers of dreads might get me close?? I've played a friend's Collings, but it wasn't a dread....great guitar, but more for fingerpicking stuff. I have a D35 from 03 and it's good, but doesn't sound like the D45 to me. The D45 has a deeper/warmer sound to my ears.

Anyway, suggestions? I know I need to go out and play more models, but hoping someone has some experience with a D45 and other dreads that may sound close.

Thanks.

[pickaguitar]

D28
D42
D45

The marquis, golden era and authentic models are pretty awesome. Your ears might be hearing expensive micing or studio fairy dust when listening to Young

[JP~)]

Only a Martin guitar will get you the Martin tone you are hearing. Collings are very well made guitars, but have their own unique voicing. The D-45 is pretty much a blinged out D-28

Martin D-28 Marquis would be a good choice....or a D-28GE which was discontinued and became the Marquis

[musicofanatic5]

Yeah, I dunno that a D-45 has a singular sonic identity. Mr. Young has a coupla pretty nice gtrs(!); maybe his 45 doesn't sound like your average 45?

As for Collings, I play bluegrass guitar. I have bought many Martin dreadnaughts through the years, and all the ones I could afford did not sound anywhere close to all the Martins I cannot afford (pre-1944), but my ten-year-old Collings D1Av gets a lot closer. I do not agree with the previous statement about Collings sounding that unique, as in "different from the classic Martin sound". Or maybe mine is different. Or maybe my ears are not as discriminating as some (but I doubt it!).

[JeffreyC]

Thanks guys - so would I likely notice a nice improvement with a Marquis over my std D35 assuming I find a good one that speaks to me? What are the main differences that would affect tone? Bracing?

Also, what's the difference between the Marquis and HD models?

Thanks a ton!

[JeffreyC]

Yeah, I dunno that a D-45 has a singular sonic identity. Mr. Young has a coupla pretty nice gtrs(!); maybe his 45 doesn't sound like your average 45?

Yeah, I think you have a point there. To me his D45 doesn't sound like his D28, but his D28 does sound like nice D28's I've played.

[JP~)]

I own 2 Collings Dread's...a D2H and a D1 both bought new in 2005. Still have both and a Martin D18 GE. To my ears, the Collings are different then the Martin. Not drastically different, more like Bill's take on the Martin sound, which I believe is intentional. Sorry, I'm not good at describing what the difference is and I'm no expert on it. To me, the Collings are tighter...Martin has a huge low end...Collings tighter/more focused. Also, the Martin started to open up relatively quickly, it has a deep open woody voice. Five years later, the Collings are still tight and not very deep....they both sound very good especially the D-1 which is the one that gets played.

Comparing the D-1 to the D-18 GE, they are both very good sounding guitars but they play/respond and sound different. Similar in some ways, but overall they are different guitars.

[pickaguitar]

Originally Posted by JeffreyC

Thanks guys - so would I likely notice a nice improvement with a Marquis over my std D35 assuming I find a good one that speaks to me? What are the main differences that would affect tone? Bracing?

Also, what's the difference between the Marquis and HD models?

Thanks a ton!

The Marquis models are made to similar specs like the desirable late 30's models (bracing, etc) minus the brazilian rosewood. I'd recommend spending some time on the Martin site checking out the specs. If you want to learn even more there is the UMGF forum full of Martin resources and info

[JP~)]

Originally Posted by JeffreyC

Thanks guys - so would I likely notice a nice improvement with a Marquis over my std D35 assuming I find a good one that speaks to me? What are the main differences that would affect tone? Bracing?

Also, what's the difference between the Marquis and HD models?

Thanks a ton!

Can't really help with what the specific differences are. I've owned an HD-28V and it was a good sounding and loud guitar, but didn't cut through very well. The neck 'V' shape was also uncomfortable...and I like chunky necks, just more of a 'C' shape or relaxed 'V' though

I've played a few Authentic's and they sounded closer to vintage and just felt/played and sounded like a total quality guitar. Never played one at a jam though and never bought one because they were to pricey for me.

I currently have a D-18 GE which is the same as the Marquis except with a mahogany back and sides. Great guitar! Pretty sure there are some slight differences with the scalloping of the braces and graduations of the top in general and I thin k the sound hole is also larger on the GE then on the HD that I owned.

Hopefully some else can help with that.

[Ogre]

Santa Cruz makes excellent dreads, as well as other sizes. Some of them sound old, even when they are brand new.

[tamader74]

Just my 2.43 pennies worth...... I just picked up a well played,not abused D-41 from a Nashville session musician,Just for the " Neil" deal thing.....But,note as stated " WELL USED ", very open and warm, Yes, I would consider it "player" grade ( some Martin people I know, have issues when their '40,41,42,45 models have cosmetic things goin' on) But,I buy most of 'gits to play,and not just look at...........Now, my Tacoma DF-21CB quilted maple,stays in the house................

[dnauhei]

Originally Posted by JeffreyC

So listening to some Neil Young recently and just love the sound of his D45. Realizing that this model is crazy $, what other makers of dreads might get me close?? I've played a friend's Collings, but it wasn't a dread....great guitar, but more for fingerpicking stuff. I have a D35 from 03 and it's good, but doesn't sound like the D45 to me. The D45 has a deeper/warmer sound to my ears.

Anyway, suggestions? I know I need to go out and play more models, but hoping someone has some experience with a D45 and other dreads that may sound close.

Thanks.

Here is the key--get an Adirondack Spruce top--not sitka. Adi has that exceptional tonality and punch you are hearing. Martin is currently selling an Adi top in their D-16 line. You can get it in rosewood or mahogany. The rosewood version has herringbone. The major difference between that guitar and a D18GE is the neck joint and the bracing. The neck joint is basically a socket, not a dovetail, I believe. The bracing is similar to the traditional x-bracing, but a little easier execute. Between the two, they are able to sell the guitar for about 1000-1500 less. Given that there is a lifetime guarantee that Martin stands behind, I wouldn't worry about the neck joint. They'll fix for free if it breaks! If you can find one, make sure their are some fresh strings on it. Take it into a quiet room. And then PM how grateful you are to me for introducing you to your soul mate.

[theaxedoctor]

The D35 may sound a bit different because of the 3 piece back. They were introduced because of the scarce supply of rosewood due to restrictions by the Lacey act.
Although in theory it shouldn't affect the tone, the extra bracing may have over-stiffened the back and effect the woods ability to vibrate. D28s are always a good option, especially HD28 which have scalloped bracing and allow the wood to move more freely.

Collings makes some of the best dreadnaughts on the market today.
Huss and Dalton and Santa Cruz and Gallagher also make some nice guitars.
My favorite Dreadnaughts are made by Dana Bourgeois. Here's a link to his web page. http://www.pantheonguitars.com/

[JeffreyC]

Thanks all - keep em coming...

Just figured out that my D35 was in fact built in 2000. Anything special or interesting about Martins built that year?

[Peppy]

Originally Posted by Ogre

Santa Cruz makes excellent dreads, as well as other sizes. Some of them sound old, even when they are brand new.

Exactly.