Re: Martin Classical Guitars

Date: Sat, 19 Jul 2003 20:52:17 GMT
Newsgroups: rec.music.makers.guitar.acoustic
Size: 1,567 bytes

email-address-deleted (Terence Tan...) bad-mouthed Martin Classical
Guitars:
> the problem with them is that as a _classical_ they really aren't
> great. I went out specifically to find some, played about 6-7 and good
> lord, they sounded terrible IMHO for classical guitars... they were
> basically trying to be steel strings.
>
> As guitars go, they really weren't that bad; the tone was just about
> bearable and the build quality was excellent... only problem is that
> they were being compared to a Woodfield, Aram and Rubio which I had
> doodled about with in the past... admittedly, it's like comparing baby
> cham to a vintage cristal.
>
> My opinion is that should someone decide to retop one, it would more
> or less be a mercy killing.
It's very true Martin Classical Guitars are unpopular with classical
guitarists.
However, I cannot identify with your statement that "they are basically
trying to be steel strings." IMO, the problem with Martin Classical's is
that their tone is much, much too Mellow. In general, I would say that a
Bright Tone is the fashion nowadays in the classical guitar world.
I have a Martin N-20 circa 1974 and I just wish the tone were brighter
and more penetrating.
Another problem is the 670 mm (26-3/8 inch) Scale Length, absolutely the
longest I have ever seen on a classical guitar.
Martin is a fine company and I'd really like to see them succeed in the
classical guitar market, but they need to go back to the drawing board
and come up with a more traditional design.
Warmest Regards,
John E. Golden