Well, Martin's NAMM cat is out of the bag...

[ataylor]

http://www.martinguitar.com/news/press-releases/780-martin-guitar-pays-homage-to-its-rich-tradition-and-history-with-exciting-and-innovative-new-instruments-at-winter-namm-2013.html


...how soon until we hear from the fine folks in El Cajon?

[Gutch]

Okay, call me a radical. 


There are reasons why adjustable truss rods were invented.  I've never once heard a discussion on how a T-Bar or Ebony truss rod positively impacts the tone of a guitar, but I do know that you cannot adjust neck relief, allowing easier play and more enjoyment of the instrument, with this outdated technology.  So why in the world would you spend the amount of money Martin is asking for a guitar that is guaranteed to have issues a few years down the road? 


I understand the love of Martin tone, and I understand the pursuit of authentic (original) pre-war models and the magic some of them possess.  But there is no correlation that I can surmise between magic prewar acoustic tone and the inability to compensate for poor intonation or unplayable fretboard action.  Especially on a new or somewhat new guitar.


Someone, please, educate me.   

[JB12]

^ I second this question.  I'm wondering if this would be such a concern even if I had the money to spend on such an instrument.

[lmacmil]

So why in the world would you spend the amount of money Martin is asking for a guitar that is guaranteed to have issues a few years down the road? 

Because there are nuts, excuse me, purists, who either 1) think they can hear the difference in tone due to truss rod design, and/or 2) think a guitar designed exactly like the iconic designs of yesteryear will somehow capture that vintage tone.  The buyers of these guitars will have more money than brains and will swear that the price is justified because they can hear the difference.

Hey, every one they sell is good for the US economy and Martin so more power to 'em.

[ataylor]

So my post has to have the word "Taylor" in the title for it to stay in the main forum?

Gotcha.

[michaelw]

i was going to say that nazareth is 3 hours ahead of el cajon, but that time's well past -
i see that the dates listed for the NAMM show are correct ... for 2014

i'm guessing that it's due to 'tradition', whether it's actually 'better' or not, it's more about how it had  'always' been done -
on-the-other-hand, mcphersons have non-adjustable truss rods as well & the original rainsongs (now 'classic') have no t-rod

other kitties wandering around here

i thought this was  a martin thread

[jrporter]

I'm surprised that Martin didn't follow the mold created by the 2012 D-18 and OM-21 which appear to have been pretty popular. Jon Garon at My Favorite Guitars did a limited run of 000-18s following the "new" D-18 and 000-21, and they sold out fairly quickly...

[michaelw]

it looks like Taylor may have followed martin's lead, in terms of case aesthetics (black with chrome hardware)
http://www.elderly.com/new_instruments/items/D18.htm
http://www.elderly.com/new_instruments/items/OM21.htm

these models used to come with a 640/630 thremoplastic case
http://www.elderly.com/new_instruments/items/D28.htm

Taylor hasn't used a SKB-type case for over 10 years (i think they make all their hardshells now)

[ataylor]

I'm surprised that Martin didn't follow the mold created by the 2012 D-18 and OM-21 which appear to have been pretty popular. Jon Garon at My Favorite Guitars did a limited run of 000-18s following the "new" D-18 and 000-21, and they sold out fairly quickly...

I thought for sure they'd do an upgraded standard D-28 to put it on par with the D-18. Maybe Martin has a surprise or two they're keeping for later?