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Post by Johnkenn on Apr 12, 2021 17:49:14 GMT -6
Selling my Martin D-28 Authentic. I have gone back and forth more times than I can count. It’s a fantastic guitar - honestly, more guitar than my ability. But I’m just not doing much recording of myself as I used to. Most of my stuff is done at other studios with better players. Add to that, I’m not doing as much songwriting as I used to - and I don’t really need a $4500 guitar to do that anyway. Plus, I tend to reach for my J45 because it’s more comfortable - smaller nut and smaller body.
So there’s the argument for selling it...the argument for keeping it is this - it’s a fantastic freaking guitar. Like one you give to a grandchild good. (Assuming the State will allow the proletariat to listen to music in the future...I keed)
My main income is mixing and production these days. Freeing up that money could go towards making that better - and still having some to put in the bank.
What you think I should do? Oh - I should mention - I put it up on CL and have two people interested. So now it’s actually becoming real...makes me nervous.
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Post by ragan on Apr 12, 2021 17:54:33 GMT -6
If you're not sentimental about it (I don't think you are), sell it. If you were burning with desire for a nice D-28 down the road, you could get one. Sounds to me like it's a huge chunk of cash invested in something that isn't that much of a benefit at this point in your life/work. And the thing that really seals the deal for me is that you tend to grab your J45 and seem to like playing it more. The high end D-28, for you and your life right now, seems kind of ornamental. If I were you I'd sell it and put half the money into your studio and bank the other half. Or something like that.
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Post by svart on Apr 12, 2021 17:58:55 GMT -6
Selling my Martin D-28 Authentic. I have gone back and forth more times than I can count. It’s a fantastic guitar - honestly, more guitar than my ability. But I’m just not doing much recording of myself as I used to. Most of my stuff is done at other studios with better players. Add to that, I’m not doing as much songwriting as I used to - and I don’t really need a $4500 guitar to do that anyway. Plus, I tend to reach for my J45 because it’s more comfortable - smaller nut and smaller body. So there’s the argument for selling it...the argument for keeping it is this - it’s a fantastic freaking guitar. Like one you give to a grandchild good. (Assuming the State will allow the proletariat to listen to music in the future...I keed) My main income is mixing and production these days. Freeing up that money could go towards making that better - and still having some to put in the bank. What you think I should do? Oh - I should mention - I put it up on CL and have two people interested. So now it’s actually becoming real...makes me nervous. You listed more reasons to sell it.. But seriously, comfort is probably way more important than any specific model. |
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Post by matt on Apr 12, 2021 18:06:34 GMT -6
Selling my Martin D-28 Authentic. I have gone back and forth more times than I can count. I traded my pristine HD-28 for a Gibson J-200 Parlor a couple of years ago. It was a great move- full size dreadnoughts feel big to me, and the J plays like an electric due to it's wonderful shallow C neck profile and J-165 size body.
Cash in the pocket is always a good thing. Put it into something you will use, or just save it (which I've never been good at).
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Post by jeremygillespie on Apr 12, 2021 18:15:25 GMT -6
A really great sounding Martin is relatively easy to come by. Not so with Gibsons I’m my experience. If you’ve found a really great Gibson that inspires you to play, sell the Martin. There are lots of them out there and if (when) you get the itch to have another, it’ll be waiting for you and your wallet.
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Post by Johnkenn on Apr 12, 2021 18:33:45 GMT -6
You guys make great points.
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Post by mrholmes on Apr 12, 2021 18:34:14 GMT -6
It’s a tool if you don’t use it you may let it go.
Sure, can be a wrong decision but that’s live.
Follow your intuition, your gut instinct.
I always close my eyes ask for an answer and I breath deep a few times...If there is no resistance in my body I sell the gear...
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Post by the other mark williams on Apr 12, 2021 18:55:43 GMT -6
Only thing is this, Johnkenn : you're not allowed to spend any of the proceeds on another Sta-Level...  |
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Post by gwlee7 on Apr 12, 2021 18:59:41 GMT -6
If it was a guitar that really spoke to you, you wouldn’t even be thinking about selling it. Of course, only you can decide that.
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Post by gwlee7 on Apr 12, 2021 19:00:49 GMT -6
Only thing is this, Johnkenn : you're not allowed to spend any of the proceeds on another Sta-Level... Hahaha. I haven’t even been here that long and got a chuckle out of this. |
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Post by wiz on Apr 12, 2021 19:18:47 GMT -6
Sell
Now, tell me about your J45 as I was coveting it yesterday on zoom... and had a look around here in Oz.... one for sale from 2006 (plastic still on pick guard) for about 2500 AUD ....they are a 1000 more than that new here
cheers
Wiz
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Post by reddirt on Apr 12, 2021 19:19:27 GMT -6
gwlee said it succinctly John - "If it was a guitar that really spoke to you, you wouldn’t even be thinking about selling it."
Life is short and to have something so valuable sitting there is a waste of potential on a couple of levels. someone else will get a lot out of it and you'll have cash to spend on things you'll use.
My good friend and great guitarist in New Zealand has a custom shop Martin which he played a lot over a long period but never totally felt in sync with deep down. Played a slope shouldered Eastman in a shop
18 months ago, just doodling; it spoke to him and now the three times as pricey Martin doesn't get played at all ; he's also contemplating selling.
Don't look back. Cheers, Ross
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Post by ragan on Apr 12, 2021 19:34:12 GMT -6
I actually want something like a J45 too. My Martin is staying with me for the long haul (HD-28 VTS) but I also want a smaller body Gibson option. I've never felt a love match with a J45 that I've played personally but when I hear them recorded, I often really love it. I want an upright (smaller Gibson) to go with my grand (HD28).
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Post by gwlee7 on Apr 12, 2021 19:40:44 GMT -6
The three acoustic guitars I have right now all chose me. My wife bought me the HD 28 as a thanks for relocating to TX present. I wasn’t looking for a rosewood Martin but it wouldn’t let me go. The Martin CEO 9 i got after I traded an Gibson L OO back for it after a “love at first strum”. I got the 1960 Hummingbird reissue when I was actually looking for a J45. It too was love at first strum.
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Post by drumsound on Apr 12, 2021 19:53:12 GMT -6
I'd say let it got is someone will pay your asking price. If they lowball you, keep it/wait for someone willing to come up with the scratch.
StaLevel number 8 is calling...
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Post by gwlee7 on Apr 12, 2021 20:24:13 GMT -6
I'd say let it got is someone will pay your asking price. If they lowball you, keep it/wait for someone willing to come up with the scratch. StaLevel number 8 is calling... Like someone said up thread, for the person he sells it to, it could be the “one”. Acoustic guitars just are more like that than electrics to me. |
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Post by dmo on Apr 12, 2021 20:37:16 GMT -6
Agree with most of what's been said (although I'm personally really terrible at following this advice and currently have more guitars than I need). Unless the Martin gives you something specific tone or inspiration wise - if it's not the first one you go to grab when you want to play you probably won't miss it too much.
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Post by drbill on Apr 12, 2021 20:39:06 GMT -6
@johnkenn - there are many things I've learned over time in the biz, but the one that always tends to hurt the most, cause the most gnashing of teeth and painful memories is was one I learned from MANY (most) guitarist friends of mine.
Never
Ever
Sell
A
Guitar
That
Is
Even
Remotely
Great.
EVER.
If it's a piece of trash, sure, but even those seem to cause grief long term. Talk to any guitarist. They will tell you the story, or stories, or dozens of stories. All hopelessly heartbreaking, all of them resulting in regret, all of them costing large sums of $$$ to try to recreate the loss. Almost all never recreating the magic they had.
There is one happy story though from a buddy who sold his Jaguar in the early 70's and got back the exact guitar at the price he sold it for due to the generosity of a kind soul....but most end in pain....
HOLD!
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ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
Posts: 14,936 
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Post by ericn on Apr 12, 2021 21:20:59 GMT -6
The question is simple, when and yeah we all know it will be when not if, how hard will it be to find as good or better and how much will it cost to equal this one?
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Post by popmann on Apr 12, 2021 21:25:31 GMT -6
Here's what you do....I'll hold onto it for you over here for a couple years. Consider it a cooling off period.
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Post by reddirt on Apr 12, 2021 23:27:26 GMT -6
If it's not speaking and hasn't over a long period; life's too short. Another point to respectfully rebut what Dr Bill says . If you were primarily a guitarist don't sell it but as I understand it you are not.
Keep and get what serves you , Mr songwriter / vocalist / producer / mixer. (of course it's only my opinion - grab the salt shaker.)
Cheers , Ross
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Post by lpedrum on Apr 13, 2021 0:01:35 GMT -6
Is your Martin irreplaceable? In other words, if in ten or twenty years you long for another D28 are you confident you'd be able to find one you love? If so, I say sell it. I've only heard a handful of acoustic guitars in my life that reached irreplaceable status.
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Post by Johnkenn on Apr 13, 2021 0:18:09 GMT -6
Sell Now, tell me about your J45 as I was coveting it yesterday on zoom... and had a look around here in Oz.... one for sale from 2006 (plastic still on pick guard) for about 2500 AUD ....they are a 1000 more than that new here cheers Wiz I see they’re making a 50s J45 like the one I have...mine is a custom shop I got from Gruhns. Has the adjustable bridge which I never liked in the past - but this is one of two with the adjustable bridge I played that just sounded amazing. Has that Gibson thunk and punch. |
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Post by Johnkenn on Apr 13, 2021 0:21:21 GMT -6
@johnkenn - there are many things I've learned over time in the biz, but the one that always tends to hurt the most, cause the most gnashing of teeth and painful memories is was one I learned from MANY (most) guitarist friends of mine. Never Ever Sell A Guitar That Is Even Remotely Great. EVER. If it's a piece of trash, sure, but even those seem to cause grief long term. Talk to any guitarist. They will tell you the story, or stories, or dozens of stories. All hopelessly heartbreaking, all of them resulting in regret, all of them costing large sums of $$$ to try to recreate the loss. Almost all never recreating the magic they had. There is one happy story though from a buddy who sold his Jaguar in the early 70's and got back the exact guitar at the price he sold it for due to the generosity of a kind soul....but most end in pain.... HOLD! Well...this is what has kept me from selling it. I put some new strings on it tonight - and damn, it’s just a monster. |
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Post by ab101 on Apr 13, 2021 0:30:50 GMT -6
Feel free to ignore all this. But I was thinking along these lines. DrBill is very wise and may be correct. But it just so happens that I was speaking to a friend in the last week in a situation with a guitar that he could no longer afford due to a change in economic circumstances.
And I am no expert or wonderful guitar player by any means. But there are great $2000 guitars out there. I love my breedlove myrtlewood, even though I have a Collings OM1a that cost twice as much. I also played an old breedlove just before Covid at an acoustic shop, and I was amazed how rich it was! And it was under $2000.
And in regard to the recent conversation with a guitarist friend of mine who plays an acoustic every day, he just bought a Zager and loves it. He sold his expensive Martin.
No sense in suffering financially. And as you said, you find yourself reaching for a different guitar. You expensive Martin deserves to be a first reach for someone else!
if the new strings is changing this, then drag an anchor for a bit and see if you feel the same way.
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