Cool article — thanks for posting. Sweet screen name, too.
Like I been saying, the “frippery slope”:
“the company began struggling when consumer spending swooned last fall. Guitars aren’t necessities, and anything other than food, shelter or clothing has felt the downdraft as job losses mounted, home prices fell, and investment values dropped. Since autumn, Martin’s sales have dropped 20%.”
We are in for rougher times. At least Martin is keeping the jobs here.
BTW, I only played on a Martin once, and it had a good sound. But so does my Guild, and my Yamahas.
parsy, who still can’t really afford a Martin
A buddy of mine has his dad’s 1920’s era Martin archtop. He plays slide on it. Definitely has that Robert Johnson sound.
If we hang on a little longer, OUR instruments will be pre-war as well. ;>)
I read Gibson just laid off a bunch of workers. And Fender just jacked their prices through the roof. And the bottom is falling out of the vintage market (this is actually a good thing, unless you were holding on to that ‘65 Stratocaster to send your kid to college).
I play a 1970’ vintage HD-35 almost exclusively. I do have an old beater Ovation Balladeer I take camping. Looks like a good opportunity to add to the stable.
I own lots of stringed instruments and many more over the years. My martin DM doesn’t even get played - just checked and kept in the case. Its to precious to play for me
But Martin had what the others didn't, an easier action which allowed for flat picking/double picking, which began in bluegrass but is now used in all acoustic music.
And today, some of these highly skilled flat pickers are triple picking with the double down up.
I hope this doesn’t get me in trouble for “hijacking this thread,” but I have a question that is for the people who are interested in this sort of thing...
I’m thinking about buying an inexpensive starter guitar, and need some advice... I’m looking to spend $100-$175 for a guitar, and of course, the only Martin would be their “Backpacker,” which I’m really not too interested in...
Here’s my question... Folk or classical? Everytime I get close to making a decision, I fall back into indecision. I hear something by Leo Kotke and I think, cool! I need a folk guitar (no, I’m not about to try a 12 string at this point!)... Then I’ll hear something on a classical, and I think, I need one of those! Then I’ll listen to Steve Howe, and go either way! I realize that they are completely different instruments with different styles of play and different sounds, and that’s part of the problem. I could use some advice from experts for someone who hasn’t picked up a guitar in about 30 years! I honestly don’t know what sort of music I want to play. I think learning classical would be cool, but then I also love to listen to the sort of stuff that Chet Atkins or Steve Howe play as well.
If I go with a Folk guitar, I’m leaning towards a Yamaha (though I haven’t decided which one yet), although low end Ibanez, Fender, and Epiphones are in that price range. If I go with a Classical guitar, it will probably be a Yamaha.
Please FReepMail me on this, so as not to tie up this forum.
Thanks in advance!
Mark