Martin VS Dowina tone comparison (video)

guitarman1984

I know there are a lot of Martin and Dowina lovers here, I have just put together a comparison vid of three beautiful guitars of mine, two Master Series Dowina and one of the quintessential Martin dreadnought, the HD-28. I hope you like the comparison! Three very different guitars although the two dreads share very similar specifications....

DavidR

Martin HD28 £3,499
Dowina Palasanto SPM Custom £2,999
Dowina  Cocobolo GACIII £1,677 - £2,800

For me, from this video's tone, the Martin has it. A little more woody and slightly less jangly. But the SPM is a very close second and, were I buying, which I'm not currently, I would go for that on price.

All would need playing which you cannot do by video. Try before you buy acoustics. Always.

Soupman

Good comparison.
Three very nice guitars, if I had to choose one I'd be there for days trying to decide!
I agree with David, you'd have to try them in person. (But in my case I'd have to take a sleeping bag & sandwiches...) 
   

guitarman1984

DavidR said:

Martin HD28 £3,499
Dowina Palasanto SPM Custom £2,999
Dowina  Cocobolo GACIII £1,677 - £2,800

For me, from this video's tone, the Martin has it. A little more woody and slightly less jangly. But the SPM is a very close second and, were I buying, which I'm not currently, I would go for that on price.

All would need playing which you cannot do by video. Try before you buy acoustics. Always.

They do sound very different, the playability is also very different. Absolutely you need to try them in person. One must also be quite educated to understand and appreciate the differences, it takes years of practice and experience.

Tannin

Three lovely guitars, and nicely played. A well put together video too, so congratulations of the recording and editing front also. 

Which one? Now there is a question! 

With those strings and your technique (hard plectrum), I think I like the sound of the Martin best, but would be more than happy with the Dowina  Palasanto. With my technique (fingerpicking) I'd swap the order around, putting the Palasanto first because of its lovely clarity and depth.

An entertaining and interesting video. Thanks for doing all that work to make it!

guitarman1984

Tannin said:

Three lovely guitars, and nicely played. A well put together video too, so congratulations of the recording and editing front also. 

Which one? Now there is a question! 

With those strings and your technique (hard plectrum), I think I like the sound of the Martin best, but would be more than happy with the Dowina  Palasanto. With my technique (fingerpicking) I'd swap the order around, putting the Palasanto first because of its lovely clarity and depth.

An entertaining and interesting video. Thanks for doing all that work to make it!

Thanks and I have to agree with you. The Martin is probably a winner for flat picking, but the Dowina is more balanced and more midrange focused so I guess it's suits better the finger picker. Thank you, some time was needed to put this together....