So, I know that you can never have too many guitars 
, but what guitar would be a good, one-time investment that would be good quality for performance or just picking for fun? Right now, I have a Paul Reed Smith P20 parlor guitar, but I’d like to get a Martin D28 someday. However, I’ve heard both good and bad things about a D 28, which is why I asking for your opinions.
Good Quality Guitar?
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Subjective depending on who you ask…
I’ll offer this. Go to the country music hall of fame…. And you will notice martins all but own a majority of the exhibits. Many old time musicians used em long before endorsement deals etc….
That being said…. I enjoy my 3 martins(played Taylor’s, Gibson, Yamahas…. But Martin rules the roost for my home.
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The answer would depend on your budget, of course. There are lots of guitar makers out there making as good or better guitars than Martin these days. Or, you could go for a vintage Martin which is a whole other ballgame. Fun to think about!
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I took advantage of Banjo Ben’s Black Friday deals a couple of years ago and got myself an Eastman E10D (Martin D18 equivalant). I’m extremely happy with it and I think it sounds and plays just as good as anything out there, at a fraction of the price.
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They really are outstanding guitars!
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There’s nothing bad about a D-28. So not sure what you heard. You certainly can’t go wrong. A lot of modern players prefer a D-18 even more highly though. I really love my Gruhn’s Martin Sinker D-18 (made with century-old submerged Belizean mahogany). That’s a good guitar worth looking into… or other brands around the same caliber/specs.
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I’ve played great dreadnoughts from Eastman, Martin, Blueridge, Santa Cruz - for top-level Martins you’ll pay a lot (Authentic D-28, Golden Era D-28, or D-18 Auth or GE) but they are amazing instruments. I love the Eastman guitars, they have really honed the craft over the years. I have a Blueridge BR-180A, with an adirondack spruce top and a 1 3/4" nut width, that is very powerful and reasonably priced (especially used). Of course vintage Martins are great if you have the $ and know what to look for (I wouldn’t). Also those Gallagher guitars Ben has look and sound wonderful, for similar $ to Martins…
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I’ve commented in prior discussion about Recording King guitars. Their Tonewood Elite series, in RD (dreadnaught) or RO (triple-O size) are terrific with -18 style guitars listed at $599 and rosewood -42 style at $799, both with adirondak tops. The build quality is outstanding and they sound great. I own multiple high dollar guitars and love them, but the above noted RK instruments can match them at a quarter of the price and are worth a serious look.
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Incidentally, one of my guitars is a "65 D-28. I’m the original owner, bought it when in college and had it since the mid 60’s. Also have Collings, Santa Cruz, Bourgeois, Larrivee, so my Recording King is in very good company.
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I’m sure these are high quality guitars. /sarcasm (And so are the Trump watches and Trump sneakers. WARNING: these items are not for investment purposes…. That’s what the ad says)
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How 'bout $5?!!! Just kidding! I understand that a guitar of the quality I’d like would definitely be an investment, so I’m willing to wait and save up for a really good one. So then my budget would be however much I’ve saved when I’m ready to make the purchase! Thanks for your advice!
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I’ve had a couple of guys tell me that they’re not all they’re made out to be. However, I know another person who plays a D28 and it’s his favorite guitar.
Good to know! Thanks!
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