Did you ever see Steve Martin’s stand up on the solo version of Dueling Banjos? Hilarious stuff… I think it can probably be found on youTube.
My next guitar :::
— Begin quote from "jbsjr"
Cmon Doc or is this Mike? I was not offended at all. I was just joking around. You cited a guitar with a solid wood neck, that’s all and nothing more.
How’s the snow out your way? Hope your not on the turnpike I saw a 100 car pile up today on the news
John
— End quote
One of the problems with communicating when you cannot see the person, you cannot be sure what they are thinking. In fact, I grew up with 4 sisters and even when I was standing right in front of them I could not guess what they were thinking! 
Still, you seemed irritated so I wanted to apologize. I live within 40 minutes of the pileup that happened today, but fortunately (or unfortunately depending on your point of view), I live where I work (teacher and dorm parent at a boarding school) so I was no where near the accident(s). The news interviewed one of the folks involved in the traffic mess and he stated that folks were driving way too fast for the slippery conditions (he said that he was being passed on the highway like he was standing still just before the pileup began). The real question is, “Does he think that Martin is selling out by using new/different materials for constructing their guitars?”. jk 
Back to Jorge’s original post. Everybody here that’s responded has simply been trying to help you get the right guitar. Sometimes our passion for music and instruments causes us to express our opinions and causes you to be confused.
If you get a chance do go to Mandolin Bros. in N.Y. or any other high end store, My advice would be to contact them ahead of time and let them know you’ll be coming in from another country and that you may not have another chance to return for a very long time. Make sure they know you’re serious about purchasing an instrument to take with you. Either before or when you do get there seek someone who is willing to help you with your decision.
A high end store wants you to buy the right guitar and will be more than willing to help you with that, so put 'em to work. Gruhn’s in Nashville TN is a good example of this. I’ve been there three times and “Billy” has become a friend and someone I know I can trust and has helped me tremendously. So try to find that person that you think you can trust and will help you the most. I would try to get to know them a little before I even went into the store by calling two or three times. Express to them the price range you want to be in, the kind of music you will be playing, the tone you’re looking for and maybe most important (to me anyway) the size and feel of the neck and the string spacing. Tone is very important, but a guitar that feels right in your hands and plays well is sweet. I’ve had guitars that have sounded great but the necks weren’t right and I lost the joy in playing them. The guitar I play the most is my worst sounding guitar (Gibson J-60) and it’s because the neck is so perfect for me. Don’t get me wrong, still try to find good tone, but don’t get one that you can’t play comfortably just because it sounds amazing.
Remember, we’re all trying to help you because we know the joy of having a great guitar and want that for you as well. Don’t take our opinions too seriously because they’re just that… opinions, which are neither right or wrong.
Good Luck and try to make some contacts ahead of time, then you will be well prepared when you actually visit the store and can buy with confidence.
Good Luck!
J.W.
I can only speak for myself but I am presently on the bus for a new or used Santa Cruz Vintage Southerner, found one I like used that is real nice and another 13 model that is also very sweet. Since I started playing the Gibson scale length my whole outlook on guitars has changed. The short scale may not be the traditional Martin sound but I love it and my Bourgeois which I thought I would never sell just went on the block, to be replace by a Bourgeois Slope D short scale…
Hey Jerry, what model Bourgeois are you putting on the block? I just sold my Collings D2HAV because I couldn’t get use to the chunky 1 3/4" neck. Hated to do it because it was the best sounding guitar I’ve ever had and I’ve owned some good ones. I’ve been entertaining the thought of buying a Bourgeois with an Adi top.
In addtion to my last post, I meant to add that J.W gave some great advice and I agree 100%.
Thanks Bulldog.
How did you sell your Collings? I never seem to have much luck selling instruments without taking a major beatin 
Sorry you had to sell it, but I know what that’s like. To me, it doesn’t matter how good it sounds, if the neck’s not right, I just can’t enjoy playing it. Some guitars are nearly impossible to get used to the neck. And then there’s some people who can just grab any guitar and play like they’ve owned it all their life. Oh Well, I 'm glad they make all different sizes and shapes.
Good luck on whatever you decide to buy.
J.W.
Sorry the Boureois VD A is gone on it’s way to Maryland as we speak, wonderful guitar and I loved it but this short scale has ruined me for life!!! i play 4/6 hrs a day and no fatigue! My Vintage after about 2/3 hrs my left hand would start to feel it. Now I just found a D18 Short Scale a guy bought and never plays so he wants to sell it well i am giving it serious consideration. If it plays as easily as my J35 I’ll have the ss and the Martin sound! 
I went to GC today and played a J45 thought I might upgrade a little and sell the J35, well let me tell you , I have reversed my feeling on Gibson again, what a disappointment! Glue joints sloppy, orange peel finish, build up of material in the corners and seams just unbelievable. Wouldn’t trade them my cheaper J35 straight across, it is real nice and fit and finish are very good. Tone was not great either, very thin! 
Jerry
I don’t like to bash guitars (because usually someone somewhere likes them) but I compared a J35 to new J45 and came to a similar conclusion on which guitar I would have preferred. I didn’t see the fit and finish issues you did with the one you were looking at, but the little J35 was just a much more lively and responsive guitar than the J45 (in the two I was was comparing).
Let us know what you think of the D18SS. I liked the one I played, but I preferred to keep what I had. It reminded me of a stronger bass version of my OM18V. It was the kind of guitar that doesn’t really blow you away on first strum, but you end up playing it for nice long time. It may not sound like it, but I mean that as a compliment.
Going to drive down to Ca. on Fri. to try it and most likely buy it as it sounds like a very fair price for a new instrument. He just bought it from Music Villa last Sept. it is the one on their site where Tony demos it, that’s the very guitar, he got it didn’t like the short scale and it’s been a case baby ever since. I am now a Fanatic on short scales so I think it’s going to be a goo dun… check out Music Villa on you tube and you can listen to it. Jerry
I checked out the youtube clip. Man, that’s a nice guitar. Never tried a short scale Martin but now I’d really like to. Hope the deal works out for you Jerry.
J.W., I sold the Collings to a former state champion flatpicker who played it last year at a festival I attended. He wanted to buy it then (it was really that good of a guitar), but I wasn’t quiet ready to give up on that neck yet. When I finally decided to put it on the local Craigslist I called him first and he jumped on it. I bought it used for a really good price and sold it to him for the same, so everybody was happy. That guitar practically sold it’sself.
Jerry if you bring that Martin home I hope you can post a few pics of it!
Thanks, I understand how it was with your Collings, my Bourgeois was a spectacular guitar and if I had never tried the short scales I would have been a happy man forever. But, then I tried a Santa Cruz VS, and a Bourgeois Slope SS, and my Gibosn and now I am sold. I still like the Martin sound though and have not had one ever so when this came up I gave up on the Bourgeois or Santa Cruz I was looking at as they along with the Collings CJ35 were all over 3K and the Collings over 4K, well I just don’t play well enough to justify that kind of money anymore. No matter how much I spend on a guitar it still sounds like me 
,
I went and played a bunch of new Martins that just came into the store I go to and loved them all, D18, HD28v, D16 Adirondack, D28, and a Marquis, all great and kept thinking if this guitar was ss it would be perfect.
If you play most guitars of all different brands most time I could not tell you if it’s a Bourgeois or Collings or whatever, the ONLY one I hear that is easily picked out and distinct is the Martin, don’t know how they do it but the bass lines on a Martin sound like no other to me, no matter the price.
I listened to clips on reg scale ss and all the rest and don’t hear much difference in the Martin ss vs the regular scale guitar. For me the ss has opened up a new feel and relaxed play that I love, feels light to the touch, 3rd to 7th stretches are easy and I can use a heavier gauge string for better tone without beating up my left hand. I have also found my practice sessions have become much longer as I have stopped having fatigue in my hand after a few hours, I can go most of the day now off and on with no ramifications.
So I have convinced myself now after many guitars and brands it’s more important for me to be comfortable and playing well than what it says on the headstock. Just because Bryan Sutton plays Bourgeois didn’t make me any better, and he plays Martin most of the time I see him, and of late a Gibson J35. It’s the guy playing not the guitar, besides I can’t tell if a guy or gal is playing a short or long scale when i see them, that 1" is undetectable to me as to most unless they have micrometer eyes 
When I hear Russ B play his Gibson J45 I never gave a thought it was short scale sounded darn good.
When I get back Sat. I will post some photos… Jerry
I know what you’re talking about when referring to that Martin bass. I’ve still got my old HD-28 that my buddies call “Thunder” because of the rumble it sends to your chest. And you’re right about another thing too. No matter how great a guitar is, if it’s uncomfortable to play or leaves your hand cramping you might as well just let it go and find one more suitable for you. Looks like you’ve done just that with the short scale. Gotta look into those myself.
By the way it’s Saturday. Did you get the D-18 !!!
— Begin quote from ____
I’ve still got my old HD-28 that my buddies call “Thunder” because of the rumble it sends to your chest
— End quote
I love it when my guitar vibrates my rib cage. I get to feel the music as well as hear it.
Hi, just got back from my 1140 mile round trip stayed overnight half way back in Redding Ca. and got home late today. The trip was WORTH IT!! This guitar is absolutely new, not a sign of ever being played. Sounds fantastic and I played tunes with the guy I got it from for an hour before buying it, took to it right away, feels the same in scale as my Gibson but has the D18 sound for sure. Maybe a little more bass than full scale but I love it. It has the aged toner, ebony pins, bone nut and saddle, tortoise binding and pick guard and a case all as new, even has the Music Villa receipt and cards in the case. Orig. was 2495.00 in Sept. when he got it. He has a D28GE he plays and it sounds great as well the two together sounded spectacular. He just couldn’t get used to short scale at all. I got it for 1500 dollars.
My pictures aren’t very good sorry it’s a dark rainy day here on the coast. Jerry[attachment=0]DSCN0211.JPG[/attachment][attachment=1]DSCN0210.JPG[/attachment][attachment=2]DSCN0212.JPG[/attachment][attachment=3]DSCN0209.JPG[/attachment]
Congrats! (In case anybody is wondering how I can respond during the UK - Wisconsin game, it’s half time 
)
Well it looks like you pulled the trigger!!! What a great looking guitar. Looks a lot like the D-18V I used to have. Is it actually a short scaled version of the V? 1140 miles is a lot of driving but I bet it was a fun trip. And like you said. definately worth it. Thanks for sharing the joy with us Jerry!
Wow Jerry Congratulations! and a great price too! I am real anxious to hear a comparison to the J35. If you have to bash the gibson, I won’t be offended or reply back with capital letters Let us know what your thoughts are
Nice looking guitar and I love the story of how far you went to get it.
Good morning guys, well got some rest and ready to give the guitar it’s first daily workout, the neck on this is a soft or modified V, not to chunky but not the PA neck which I don’t care for, has some depth and I like a little more wood, not a fan of super thin necks. Very close to my J35 in feel actually, it was an instant good feel for me.
We started playing a few fiddle tunes right off and I settled into it right away no adjustment, just felt like an old friend. Chords on this guitar are loud! and the sustain is really great, my Gibson decays twice as fast as this one.
I was not impressed with the J45 guess I shouldn’t have bashed it but when I see workmanship like that I always wonder how it got past an inspector? I mean it was awful, most likely just a bad day, my J35 has no issues of workmanship whatsoever.
I am giving serious consideration now to ordering a HD28 with short scale so I could get my Rosewood fix. Will wait a while and make sure my 18 lives up to my expectations, but being my first Martin I must say the build is flawless.
I also was surprised by the action which is very low, and the neck is straight so I will watch it now that it lives here on the coast and see if it changes at all but I think the humidity between Sacramento and here is pretty close in the winter, right now about 70% here but right at 50% in my room. My dehumidifier took a dump yesterday after 11 years, so I guess I can’t complain to much but I need to run up today and buy another.
I don’t know how it is in the south or eastern US but here on the coast 1100 miles is a straight 70 mph shot and I only had one stop light and that was in Sacramento at the bottom of the offramp. We can make a lot of miles on I5 fast and the mountains were snow free so it was Bluegrass on the CD player,JD Crow & Ricky and Tony Rice most of the way. Just need cruise control to keep the foot light, no cops in Oregon but Ca. I saw a couple of CHP. The first hundred miles from my house is winding hills along the Umqua River and not a car to be seen…Jerry