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robinfromparis
Joined: 23 Jan 2010
Posts: 3
Location: Paris/FRANCE
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 Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 6:16 pm Post subject: GIBSON Martino vs ES-135 |
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I am right now in the process of buying a new axe... I recently tried a GIBSON Martino (my fave modern guitarist), and found it very impressive when plugged in (very dull unplugged). Unfortunately, I cannot pay that much for a guitar... I have some good opportunities where I live (Paris, FRANCE) to get a nice ES-135 at a good price. I could not try both guitars on the same location, using the same amp. So, I am wondering if anyone could compare them. In your opinion, should they sound that much different?
Thanks for your replies!
Robin |
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robinfromparis
Joined: 23 Jan 2010
Posts: 3
Location: Paris/FRANCE
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| Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2010 4:55 pm Post subject: Reply to Igiro |
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| Thanks for your reply. Maybe I didn't explain enough why I want to get a semi like the ES-135... I had tons of different guitars, including ones with floatting pups (EPI EMPEROR), semis (IBANEZ AS-A80, japan made)and solid-bodies. I ended with a full hollow, a very fine EASTMAN (UPTOWN 805CE). In fact, this EASTMAN sounds much too bright and acoustic to me. I believe each guitarist has a particular type of guitar that fits him. For me, I arrived to the conclusion that I am more toward semis. I really prefer a guitar with a big sustain, and not too bright. But.. on the other hand, I like when there is a bit of acoustic sound in it. That's why I was thinking about the ES-135. The unplugged sound is not an issue for me, I play amplified most of the time. Anybody else experienced both the ES-135 and the MArtion? |
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planetguy
Joined: 11 Dec 2008
Posts: 284
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| Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2010 5:08 pm Post subject: |
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i find those Eastmans (esp the ones w floating pickups like your 805) to be very bright sounding gtrs.
forgive me for asking if you've already tried this....but have you tried flat wound strings on it to tame those highs?
i recently got an 803CE-15 w a mounted pickup thinking it'd be a little less hyped on the highs. well it is better than the eastmans i've played w floaters but still it is kinda strident. i have round wounds on it now but it won't be too long til i switch over to some flats.
btw....high end be damned...I LOVE THIS GTR!
sorry, i have no exp w either of the gtrs you are considering. good luck.
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robinfromparis
Joined: 23 Jan 2010
Posts: 3
Location: Paris/FRANCE
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| Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2010 6:56 pm Post subject: To Planetguy |
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| In fact, I am already using flats (TI 12). By the way, I found that it is very important to use a string gauge that matches the thickness of the guitar top This EASTMAN is the thinest top I ever seen. Using a bigger gauge (TI 13 for instance) does not sound better, worst in fact on this particular guitar. |
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randyc
Joined: 14 Sep 2006
Posts: 407
Location: Eureka, CA
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| Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2010 8:10 pm Post subject: |
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| lgiro wrote: | | so, sell something and/or take out a loan (hey i always do) and get the guitar you really want. trust me, a regretful guitar purchase is really the pits. you will wind up spending or losing the money in the end, whether its now or 10 years from now. |
That's the way I've always felt too. I think that it's irrational to drive a $60,000 car and play a $500 guitar (to use an extreme example). But I do own an ES-135, so ...
I bought mine about five or so years back, Gibson discounted them heavily at the time because the model was discontinued. Other than fiddling around with string selection for a while, it's a pretty good guitar for the money. The guitar is sturdy and sounds best with heavy, flat-wound strings (no particular set, I selected on a string-by-string basis when I bought the guitar, then wrote down the measurements). Nice low action, decent amplified sound with the Classic '57 pickups - does what it's supposed to do.
I prefer bigger, hollow bodies for jazz, most of my guitars are in this category. Another nitpick is the 135 has no neck binding, I don't care for that. But the ES-135 would do in a pinch for jazz - I'd definitely prefer it over any solid-body guitar. I paid $900 U.S. new for mine and personally, I wouldn't pay more than that to replace it. |
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planetguy
Joined: 11 Dec 2008
Posts: 284
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| Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2010 9:54 pm Post subject: |
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well not to take this thread too far off course, buuuuuuut....
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I think that it's irrational to drive a $60,000 car and play a $500 guitar (to use an extreme example). |
as nice as it is owning some nice high dollar gitfiddles...sometimes that well set up and decent playing/sounding $500 guitar is THE perfect one to bring to that bar/restaurant gig or jam session. 
[/quote]
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randyc
Joined: 14 Sep 2006
Posts: 407
Location: Eureka, CA
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| Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 1:58 am Post subject: |
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| planetguy wrote: | well not to take this thread too far off course, buuuuuuut....
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I think that it's irrational to drive a $60,000 car and play a $500 guitar (to use an extreme example). |
as nice as it is owning some nice high dollar gitfiddles...sometimes that well set up and decent playing/sounding $500 guitar is THE perfect one to bring to that bar/restaurant gig or jam session.
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[/quote]
Which was exactly the reason for purchasing the ES-135, also most of my guitars were NOT expensive when I bought them. That's the main benefit of buying good stuff - it just gets better  |
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planetguy
Joined: 11 Dec 2008
Posts: 284
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| Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 3:22 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | what about an ES335 instead of the ES135?
i would think that resale position would be much better for you, for one thing. more big time players use that axe anyway, or so it seems.
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this goes back to similar conversations we've had here before....
guitar as "investments". like a lot of folks on here i've had too many great instruments come and go that i wish were still in my stable.
so, for me i never purchase any instrument thinking about how it will appreciate or depreciate over time.
that's me...other's milage will of course vary.
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randyc
Joined: 14 Sep 2006
Posts: 407
Location: Eureka, CA
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| Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2010 3:54 am Post subject: |
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| lgiro wrote: | | ... i believe that unless one is wealthy they should always consider future value of non-trivial purchases. that is, if future value is applicable to the purchase in question. but that was only one of my points ... |
It will come as no surprise to anyone that I agree with this point. I like good stuff but still haven't convinced myself that a boutique guitar is right for me (and that has a LOT to do with historical appreciation of certain manufacturers). I wish that there was an understandable reason why certain instruments gain value while others do not. There are so many examples of nice instruments that don't hold value - we're all familiar with them ... |
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Generic Sobriquet
Joined: 03 Jul 2007
Posts: 804
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| Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2010 11:49 pm Post subject: |
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Branding. Here comes a plug:
No Logo, by Naomi Klein
I consider it required reading.
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lll
ll |
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randyc
Joined: 14 Sep 2006
Posts: 407
Location: Eureka, CA
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| Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2010 2:31 am Post subject: |
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| That looks like interesting reading, based on a cursory scan. Added to my library list, thanks. |
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planetguy
Joined: 11 Dec 2008
Posts: 284
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| Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2010 3:03 pm Post subject: |
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kinda dated, but i think chuck connors did a great job in the tv show version of 'dat book.
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dewey decibel
Joined: 15 Feb 2006
Posts: 1677
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| Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 3:54 am Post subject: Re: Reply to Igiro |
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| robinfromparis wrote: | | Thanks for your reply. Maybe I didn't explain enough why I want to get a semi like the ES-135... I had tons of different guitars, including ones with floatting pups (EPI EMPEROR), semis (IBANEZ AS-A80, japan made)and solid-bodies. I ended with a full hollow, a very fine EASTMAN (UPTOWN 805CE). In fact, this EASTMAN sounds much too bright and acoustic to me. I believe each guitarist has a particular type of guitar that fits him. For me, I arrived to the conclusion that I am more toward semis. I really prefer a guitar with a big sustain, and not too bright. But.. on the other hand, I like when there is a bit of acoustic sound in it. That's why I was thinking about the ES-135. The unplugged sound is not an issue for me, I play amplified most of the time. Anybody else experienced both the ES-135 and the MArtion? |
Honestly I don't think the sound you're looking for in necessarily semi vs hollow. I think a lot of it is floating vs mounted pickups. Guitars with floating pickups are always brighter. Cutting a hole in top to mount a pickup mellows out the sound a lot. For an electric sound I much prefer a guitar with mounted pickups- something like an L-5CES will still have a good amount of acoustic snap and bark, but like I said much more mellow than an L-5c with a floater. |
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gibson175
Joined: 22 Sep 2007
Posts: 184
Location: Blue Mountains Australia
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| Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 6:21 am Post subject: |
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| I am a kind of gibson nerd. I mainly play a 175 but I have a lovely 335 and a 50s L50. From what you ahve described you want - a semi but with a nice acoustic tone I might recommend also a 137c or 137 custom. They have a smaller block than a 335 and feel more responsive acoustically - kind of like a cross between a 335 and a 175. They are very nice and comparatively to either guitar they are cheaper. They do cost more than a 135, but I believe if you tried one it may just be the ticket. |
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dewey decibel
Joined: 15 Feb 2006
Posts: 1677
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| Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 7:08 pm Post subject: |
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| lgiro wrote: |
wow. you mean to say that there is a guitar company that has made different instruments, with different characteristics, that suit different players of different tastes and goals - and they have consistently made them with excellence for all of the above over the decades?
what a concept! they must be very popular, and must be very competitive. they must take great pride in what they do, remain ever vigilant, and most surely must take pride in putting their logo on their headstocks and cases etc.
how..... unfair. |
A company that did all that, then began to produce inferior instruments with lower quality materials and poor craftsmanship (yet still sell them at the same price or MORE) because it could tread on it's brand?
Just kidding around, you seem like you're looking for a fight. |
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