Acoustic Guitar Construction

I posted this elsewhere but in the video there's is a little Martin construction tidbit that I am sure will surprise many of you -- Dick is not pulling your leg I have seen for myself $150,000 Martins in glass cases at the factory with wide grain at the center joint.

I'm surprised that they could hear the difference and attribute it to the wide grain.

I have done both sometimes on accident, other times to avoid a defect. I remember reading somewhere that the stiff really does not act the way they say relative to grain width.

Dave -- they can't!! Especially after the mass "formula" dimensioned components are assembled. But the fact is -- the Martin formulas are great! These recipes for the most part, have defined what we think a SS guitar (especially D size) should sound like. I get a few guitar related periodicals and it will never cease to amaze me as to all the manufacturers and boutique makers -- have the inference that they have discovered and employed the magic secret process, material, dimension, shape, finish, brace, support, grain pattern, GLUE, brace pattern, neck joint, neck shape, top contour, back contour, bridge placement, etc. to make their guitars sound better or the best Rather than conclude that someone must be lying -- I simply chalk it up to marketing hype.

Had to chuckle at the end of the video when Dick said "The smell of a Gibson is different from the smell of a Martin!"

Blind smelling guitar identification anyone?

ken cierp wrote:I simply chalk it up to marketing hype.

Times 3 in most cases!

Bob Matthews wrote:Had to chuckle at the end of the video when Dick said "The smell of a Gibson is different from the smell of a Martin!"

Blind smelling guitar identification anyone?

As weird as it may sound I have noticed that difference any times.