player opinions
Martin DM
Name: Mickey
Band: Phoenix
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Model Year: 2002
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Price Paid: $879
Performance
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I tried this box in the store, I was not even seriously looking to buy that day. Playing all my life I knew this was special the minute I heard it. Price did not matter, I said to my wife “this is it.” Already played D28s, D18 etc and several other guitars since the 1950s when I began playing — kid at that time. My wife said we could not afford it right then! The next week she met me from work grinning from ear to ear. “Here” — she said — pointing to the Martin Softcase in the back seat of the car. I almost cried with joy. Playing semi pro, never owning a decent box before, it was a very, very special day for me. Playing takes a little time since the Martin setup is slightly higher and I had not played in several years. After I got a set of Extra Lights on and settled it down, took about 3 weeks, I realized how little force is required to make this baby sing. And sing she loves to do. I would gladly have given away a D28, which I had to use for a pro engagement some years ago, had I gotten the chance to use this box, it is far, far better than any Martin I have ever played! It ranks away out there with a rare Fender I once owned — and made a load of dough playing; several other makes including Gibson ect. which I had to use. I think it has no equal for my style of picking and backing work, and I add I have never been so taken with any acoustic Guitar.
If it had cost me the price of my antique Vega Banjo, 2800 bucks, I would still have gone after this box, off the rack and into my grubby lil totally surprised hands. It works better than one could ever expect it to, it is as easy to play as any topline acoustic, and it delivers way over the odds on its published specs. I think Martin has made the guitar of this century, I think it will be played and loved and talked about long after other more expensive models are forgotten.
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Performance Rating: 10
Sound Quality
It took mine about a month to begin to respond to me, and the Martin bonus it improves daily. One needs keep a good guitar tuned and played, but placing them near a radio can help if not played. Treble depends on strings and how one plays — that said this one has lots of color and it gives more than one expects! I would not swap it for a Rosewood set up. That’s how good the treble is! Bass — it is a Martin, what can I say. It requires light picking since the volume is enormous for a dreadnought acoustic, my misses thought it was amplified the first time she heard it! So much to explore there! I play a few Trad Reels for diversion and the Bass needs a little character, this one has it all.
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Sound Quality Rating: 10
Construction
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Named a Road Model, it is just that. It delivers that big Martin sound with bags of room for finicky colors at lower volumes if one needs them and more bonuses, it has great character there for those with the skills to exploit it. Revolutionary to me, the struts are an A pattern in the front of the Soundbox and similar to a Harmony I once used for recording. This one with a little care and coaxing will too be a recording star :0). No doubt about it the softer finger picked pieces tickle the front end of the Soundbox which giggles with joy as it comes to life. It does all this while retaining the rugged construction which a road box needs. If — God forbid — it was stolen or broken in an accident, then the owner would not be broken hearted or out of pocket. The skilled player can make the dough needed to buy the D28, the Gallagher, the Everett of his choice when he or she had the luck or good sense to invest in a C F Martin DM! It lacks nothing a D28 or other high priced box has except the worry factor and for a person like me that is more than enough reason. I am absolutely over the moon about this box, in fact if it was yet rough finished I would be unable to put it down.
It has a matt finish all over and this gives it the professional look I demand these days. It has a piney colored top and inlay around the soundhole which says to me at least “hey dude... let’ s play.” The machine heads, Martin, are rock solid. If it was not a road model I might swap them out later in its life. It does not need fancy tuners these are excellent. Again well done C F Martin! My wife will not tell me what she paid — but I know it was between 8 and 9 hundred dollars US. The Guitar came inside of a special Martin soft gig bag, including an outside pocket — which I just cannot live without now I know that I can put my song sheets — gig cheats etc. inside of! It was setup and strung with Martin MSP3100 strings and eventually changed them for Martin Extra Lights beginning at 47 thou for the E bass etc. I said it before and I repeat if I had to pay twice what the shop charged — in this case and with this particular DM I would still have gotten it!
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Construction Rating: 10
Name: Neil Curameng
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Band: -----
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Model Year: -----
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Price Paid: $466
Performance
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At first I was aiming to get the Takamine GS330S which personally, I think is probably the best guitar under $300. The sound and action on it sounded as good as any $600 and under guitar (I played a Larrivee for $699, a Takamine acoustic/electric cutaway for $599, to name a few) I was convinced all guitars stunk until you reached $800. That is until I picked up a DM. Blew me away on the first strum and after playing for even just a minute I could tell this guitar had the best of both tone and action. Comparable to the $1000 guitars. And I got it for the dirt cheap price of $466!!! I got lucky at a clearance sale at a local Guitar Center. I’m giving it a 8 because it’s no top of the line guitar, of course. But for around $500 you can’t get any better.
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Performance Rating: 8
Sound Quality
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There’s no electrics on this one, but I do plan on getting a Martin Thinline. Although I’m not sure which version. I hear the Gold is the way to go. When I get the money I’ll start worrying about it. Of course without the electrics this guitar sounds great. The bass and mids are amazing. Like above, I’m giving it a 8 because I’ve played the expensive Taylors, Martins and Guilds. But like I said, it’s the best you can get for $500.
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Sound Quality Rating: 8
Construction
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This is a solid guitar people. The Satin laminate gives this guitar its look and tone. There’s no fancy inlays or anything, but who needs that. Although I’m not quite sure why they decided to remove the dot on the 3rd fret? But at any rate, you get what you pay for and then some on this one. The tuners leave something to be desired, but hey, Martin had to cut costs somewhere. To me it’s no big deal. I just bought the guitar so I can’t say much for “reliability” but come on now, it’s a Martin. I’m pretty sure I’ll have this forever. By far the best bang for the buck.
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Construction Rating: 10
Name: Paul Panarisi
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Band: -----
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Model Year: -----
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Price Paid: $550
Performance
This guitar frets easily and is a pleasure to play. I am extremely happy with this guitar.
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Performance Rating: 10
Sound Quality
This really should rate a six. I was intending to spend much more money on a guitar, yet this sounded so good I bought it and I’m thrilled. It sounded better than several more expensive models including the DR.
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Sound Quality Rating: 10
Construction
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It’s a Martin, and you can tell by the construction. I was hesitant to buy a guitar that was this inexpensive, yet I cannot find a flaw. It’s so well put together I can’t quite figure out how they GOT it together.
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Construction Rating: 10
Name: MadGuitrst
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Band: -----
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Model Year: -----
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Price Paid: $550
Performance
This guitar is far and away the best price versus performance acoustic guitar. The only guitar close to it is a Guild D4 (which I also own). It plays great, sounds great, and is a Martin. Just seeing that name on the headstock is a source of inspiration. It does more than it promises as I feel that it sounds better than many higher priced Martins. This guitar should rate a 6! If you are in the market for great guitar for a nice price there are only two choices (IMHO), the Martin DM and the Guild D4. On an overall scale of 1 to 10 the Martin is an 11 and the Guild a 9.5. This guitar is sure to be a classic one day.
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Performance Rating: 10
Sound Quality
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This guitar sounds absolutley great!! I have many guitars (more expensive ones) but this one sounds the best. The light satin finish really allows the guitar’s sound to come pouring out. I played other Martins (higher in price) like a D-28 etc, but liked the sound of this guitar better. Having laminated sides and back should mean that it won’t sound as good as a solid wood guitar, right? But that is just not true in this case. It has deep, warm, but clear lows, a nice balanced midrange, and clear, sweet highs, it never sounds dull or muddy. Absolutely beautiful sounding! Sound quality rating should be a 12!
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Sound Quality Rating: 10
Construction
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It has a solid Spruce top, laminated Mahogany back and sides and a Mahogany neck. The finish is a very light satin. This finish makes the guitar feel good in your hands (like you can feel the wood and not just the finish), and seems to allow the sound to just pour out. I have become enamored or guitars with this finish as they just seem to sound better. The workmanship is absoultely first class and just about perfect, nice action, frets, finish etc. It feels very solid but not too rigid, it is a players guitar! It is a Martin, after all, and they appear to have put into this guitar all that they put into their more expensive guitars.
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Construction Rating: 10
links
Average Ratings
- Performance: 9.4
- Sound Quality: 9.4
- Construction: 10
Ratings Key
- 10: Excellent
- 0: Useless
Available At Guitar Center
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Martin DM Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar Standard
Company
- Martin