Trade ‘89 Martin HD28 For Guild Tacoma F-50r?

[Greenstar]

I can possibly make this trade but I was wondering if anyone had an opinion for or against? Both guitars are in very good shape. My Martin is perfect and projects like a canon after opening up for 31 years. I have not heard the Guild yet. I have the OHSC and sales receipt from ‘89 with my Martin.

Thanks in advance for any advice you may have.

 

[gjmalcyon]

Play the F-50R - then you'll know. Tacoma Guilds can be amazing - two of my rosewood Guilds are from Tacoma and my DV-6 continues to amaze me with its sound.

 

[twocorgis]

Much as I love Guilds, I'd probably keep the Martin, unless there's some cash coming your way in the trade.

 

[Greenstar]

Much as I love Guilds, I'd probably keep the Martin, unless there's some cash coming your way in the trade.

No talk of cash yet. It’s a burst F-50r if that adds any value.

 

[chazmo]

I've owned both and loved both. Good luck in your choice. If you can keep both and make a decision between them, that might help you deal with any potential remorse.

As Sandy said, I do think you might be on the losing end, financially, of that trade. No, I don't think the 'burst will affect the market value. From a financial point of view, keep the Martin.

 

[Grassdog]

I'd think long and hard about trading away that Martin. Original owner, 30 years old, and projects like a cannon? That's one trade that could haunt you for the rest of your life.

 

[Greenstar]

I'd think long and hard about trading away that Martin. Original owner, 30 years old, and projects like a cannon? That's one trade that could haunt you for the rest of your life.

I agree I won’t be on the winning side of this trade from a financial stand point. However, I’m just not in love with the Martin tone like a lot of folks are. It’s a great guitar but I don’t gravitate towards the big, boomy, Bluegrass type sounds. I play a lot more delicate, finger style a lot so this great guitar lives in it’s case. The sound clips I have heard of the F-50r are beautiful and a lot more pleasing to my ear.

I would rather leave a couple bucks on the table and have a beautiful guitar that inspires me to play it rather than a guitar, that while great, only comes out of it’s case twice a year.

I really appreciate everyone’s input and advice.

 

[davismanLV]

Will you get to play and hear the Guild first before you make the deal? Every guitar is a little different and I'd hope you can play it yourself and get an idea if this is the sound you want. Especially considering the bit of monetary difference......

 

[wileypickett]

If you're looking for something that sounds VERY different from the Martin, the F50R is about as dfferent as you can get! (I love mine.)

 

[Coop47]

I agree I won’t be on the winning side of this trade from a financial stand point. However, I’m just not in love with the Martin tone like a lot of folks are. It’s a great guitar but I don’t gravitate towards the big, boomy, Bluegrass type sounds. I play a lot more delicate, finger style a lot so this great guitar lives in it’s case. The sound clips I have heard of the F-50r are beautiful and a lot more pleasing to my ear.

I would rather leave a couple bucks on the table and have a beautiful guitar that inspires me to play it rather than a guitar, that while great, only comes out of it’s case twice a year.

I really appreciate everyone’s input and advice.

Even though I'm eagerly awaiting the arrival of a F-55R, I would not have traded my HD-28 for it. That said, if you're not a fan of the tone and the guitar doesn't inspire you, we're definitely coming at this from two different perspectives. Money-wise, I honestly don't think you're leaving a lot on the table. I got a pretty/very good deal on my F-55R, but it is still more than what I paid for my HD-28.

 

[Greenstar]

If you're looking for something that sounds VERY different from the Martin, the F50R is about as dfferent as you can get! (I love mine.)

Made the trade this afternoon. The gentleman I made that trade with is a bluegrass player from North Georgia so my old Martin was right at home when he started playing. Great player, strong attack and that HD28 sounded huge.

That F50r however, what an amazing, complex tone. Wileypickett is absolutely spot on, it's completely different than the Martin. Better to my ear and my style of playing. It feels much more responsive to both a light, and a heavy, touch. My trading parter ended up being a luthier by trade so the Guild is set up perfectly which was a nice bonus. The guitar looks mint and the tobacco burst is really nice on this one.

Good trade for both parties I'd say. Made a North Georgia bluegrass player mighty happy and I have a guitar that will be played and enjoyed rather than live in a case. And man this Guild is one good looking guitar...

 

[Bernie]

Can't you buy the Guild and keep the Martin, till you're sure - after no less than a year or so - that you want to keep the Guild only...
A really good Martin is the kind of thing you never want to part with unless there's a real need.
Among Guilds, a F-50R could be THE one I'd take if I could choose (among standard models) regardless of money considerations, but I'm not at all sure it would last as much or as well.

Take care

 

[Greenstar]

Can't you buy the Guild and keep the Martin, till you're sure - after no less than a year or so - that you want to keep the Guild only...
A really good Martin is the kind of thing you never want to part with unless there's a real need.
Among Guilds, a F-50R could be THE one I'd take if I could choose (among standard models) regardless of money considerations, but I'm not at all sure it would last as much or as well.

Take care

Great advice Bernie but I completed the trade yesterday. I don't think I'll miss the Martin at all. I literally never played it and only pulled it out of the case to remind myself how much I didn't care for the tone at all. Great guitar but I didn't feel the need to hold onto it for purely investment purposes. I write and record a lot so I really like my guitars to provide inspiration and the tone I'm looking for. I had been looking to unload that Martin for about three years and the Guild just fell into my lap yesterday. It was the exact guitar I have been looking for, phenomenal tone and strikingly beautiful. I still have my other Martin that I play all the time, this particular HD28 hasn't inspired me in years so it was time to move on.

 

[Stuball48]

Intelligence lead you to choose nice guitars to buy and wisdom lead you to guitar to record with.

 

[Coop47]

Congrats Greenstar! Sounds like win-win for everyone. Please post a pic when you get a chance!

 

[bobouz]

I totally get where you’re coming from. I too play fingerstyle almost exclusively. The classic Martin dread tone just doesn’t do much of anything for me, and value is in large part a moot point if the guitar is essentially a wall hanger.

You made a well thought out decision - Enjoy!

 

[Greenstar]

Congrats Greenstar! Sounds like win-win for everyone. Please post a pic when you get a chance!

Thanks Coop. Once I figure out which strings gauge the other guy had on it I'll put on a fresh set and take some pictures. The old set actually sound really good on this guitar but he wore them out. The low E seems heavier than the EJ16s I normally use and they're a bit shredded so some sort of coated strings is my guess. My calipers won't cooperate for some reason.

 

[Stuball48]

Might be Ej14s or Ej19s both hybrid sets.

 

[Greenstar]

He just emailed me back and said medium Poly Webs. I usually don't care for 80/20s or Elixirs. I think I'll try my usual EJ16s out although a hybrid set might sound really good on this guitar.

 

[Greenstar]

• • 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

Sorry these pictures are so big. I couldn't make them any smaller for some reason.

Still have not changed the strings so the fretboard hasn't been cleaned or oiled.