The 39, is crazy. An absolute beast. Such projection, its tone is like a laser beam.cuta roght through you. Probbaly the best sounding bluegrass guitar i've ever heard. The 47 also has a really unique tone. A quicker decay and an extra dry tone.
all wonderful!! Thanks. Just for grins, would have loved to see the demo on the last one. You had us hanging! Great guitars, great playing, great demo!
Thank you so much for going over all of the subtle differences in the Golden era of Martin D-28’s. Very interesting indeed! It’s hard to pick, but if I had to choose, I think I’d like the 47 best. It has very nice note separation. I guess that goes along with it being more firmly braced?
This is amazing. Fave was the 1939. Also really liked the 1947 - it would make a great singer songwriter guitar. I have a D28A 1937 and it doesnt even come close to the sound of these real beauties.
Best: 1937, followed by 39, 42, and 45. Picea rubens. When my son was between 1 and 2, 1987, we were spending time in the reference section of the Dallas public library. I read; he slept. I found picea rubens mentioned in a piano engineer's speech to a convention of American piano makers. In his speech he said that had Stradivarius known about picea rubens, it would have been the only spruce he would have used. A bold statement, I thought that was worth pursuing. Great video. - John Holman
What's most interesting is how different they sound from todays standard Martin D-28 Rosewood guitars. So much warmer and with more midrange. They all sound like mahogany B/S guitars, so IMO, if you prefer THIS sound, get a present day D-18 instead of the D-28, which has a deep and responsive bass, brighter treble, but scooped out midrange (which has practical purpose for singers especially). To my ears, the 1937 sounds absolutely the best. It's more focused in the lows and mids. 2nd favorite is the 1939 for similar reasons, but the '42, '45 and '47 get progressively less focused and the bass sounds sorta soft and muddy. One caveat is that every guitar from each of these years may have sounded somewhat different new, and aged differently as well. I own the D-18GE 1937 model, which IMO is the one of the best dreads Martin has ever made (notwithstanding the Authentics). It's VERY much like the 1937 D-28 you demo'd here. The current D-28GE doesn't sound very much like these pre-war models. Thoughts? One other thing, Bertolf's playing styles made for a very representational demo (where many others fail miserably).
Wow, What a great flat picker and player. What strings and gauge were you using on the 37' D28, 39' and 42'? Flat pick type/model and thickness used? To my ear, the 37' and 39' top the list for tone but the 42' is not far behind. It would be great to hear a similar comparison of the vintage pre war/war time Martin D18 guitars.
@@thefellowshipofacoustics Great choice as most all vintage Martin's sound their best with the EJ17 strings They bring out the true tone of the guitar.
What was the name of the fingerpicking tune being played by Bertolf (what a great guitarist he is) - the presenter did mention the name of the tune it but I didn't catch it so perhaps you could enlighten me ! Great session and so interesting - Many Thanks guys ...
I like the ‘39 best. It has a beautiful clarity with just the right amount of bass. The trebles in the ‘37 are clear but the 3 bass strings sound too muddy to me.
That '39 to my ears is the best sounding one of all. Flat out BEAST!!!!!
The 1937 fingerpicking is one of the most beautiful combinations of guitar tone and masterful playing that I've ever heard.
Thx so much!
The 39, is crazy. An absolute beast. Such projection, its tone is like a laser beam.cuta roght through you. Probbaly the best sounding bluegrass guitar i've ever heard. The 47 also has a really unique tone. A quicker decay and an extra dry tone.
That guy who demonstrate, he can really play.
👍 It,s also lovely to hear Milos knowledge about them D guitars.
Thanks!
You should hear he playing "Martha My Dear". Not only a great player but an amazing singer!
All sound incredible. They deserve the title of “the holy grail “ of flat tops. To my ear, the tone and sustain of the ‘47 stands out.
I like the D28 best, followed by the D28 and close 3rd is the D28. Great video 😊
Hahaha, same.
Wat een leuke video! En geweldig dat jullie ook de losse filmpjes hebben gepost. Genieten van het gitaarspel van Bertolf hoor! 👌🏻👌🏻
Thanks! :)
👏👏👏
The player is killer
Damn right he is
Takes one to know one Yiannis... ;)
Very very interesting. My favrite sound was 1937. Thank you!
Great! Love a D-28 with the Eddie Rondack top!
Eddie Rondack makes a D28 sound great! ;)
Wow, I'm speechless. What an incredible treat. Only at TFOA!!!
They all sound wonderful but I have to say the 1937 really sounded open and dynamic. Thank you for doing this demonstration.
Thank you for commenting David :)
all wonderful!! Thanks. Just for grins, would have loved to see the demo on the last one. You had us hanging! Great guitars, great playing, great demo!
Super video. Wat is de favoriet van Bertolf?
Ik vind de 47 opvallend goed klinken.
Dat zal schipperen tussen de '37 of de '39 ;)
Stelletje helden, moddervette video! ❤
Thank you so much for going over all of the subtle differences in the Golden era of Martin D-28’s. Very interesting indeed! It’s hard to pick, but if I had to choose, I think I’d like the 47 best. It has very nice note separation. I guess that goes along with it being more firmly braced?
the 1947 gets my vote.. Its got a certain dry tenny-ness to it that sets off the strings extra snap and gives extra clarity. Beauty
This is amazing. Fave was the 1939. Also really liked the 1947 - it would make a great singer songwriter guitar.
I have a D28A 1937 and it doesnt even come close to the sound of these real beauties.
Bertolf is an amazing artist!!! Cheers from Brazil!
I am a proud owner of a HD-28 2008. A dream come true instrument.
Cheers from Dedemsvaart!
I like 1937 most. It sounds rich and warm.
Best: 1937, followed by 39, 42, and 45. Picea rubens. When my son was between 1 and 2, 1987, we were spending time in the reference section of the Dallas public library. I read; he slept. I found picea rubens mentioned in a piano engineer's speech to a convention of American piano makers. In his speech he said that had Stradivarius known about picea rubens, it would have been the only spruce he would have used. A bold statement, I thought that was worth pursuing. Great video. - John Holman
Boulderdash! Great tune
Love that 39!
excellent! very nice! love them all!
Great job ! I own a 37 so I think the 37 and 47 are all by there self although theory are all amazing thank you for the information
Thank you Tfoa.
What's most interesting is how different they sound from todays standard Martin D-28 Rosewood guitars. So much warmer and with more midrange. They all sound like mahogany B/S guitars, so IMO, if you prefer THIS sound, get a present day D-18 instead of the D-28, which has a deep and responsive bass, brighter treble, but scooped out midrange (which has practical purpose for singers especially). To my ears, the 1937 sounds absolutely the best. It's more focused in the lows and mids. 2nd favorite is the 1939 for similar reasons, but the '42, '45 and '47 get progressively less focused and the bass sounds sorta soft and muddy. One caveat is that every guitar from each of these years may have sounded somewhat different new, and aged differently as well. I own the D-18GE 1937 model, which IMO is the one of the best dreads Martin has ever made (notwithstanding the Authentics). It's VERY much like the 1937 D-28 you demo'd here. The current D-28GE doesn't sound very much like these pre-war models. Thoughts? One other thing, Bertolf's playing styles made for a very representational demo (where many others fail miserably).
Whouch ! 😳
« What a sound » from those vintage instruments 👍👍👍👍
Would also be interested in changes in the width of braces too, as well as height and scallop.
Beautiful video ! thank you for doing that ! what strings did you use on all of them ?? (brand / gauge )
Thanks so much! We use .12 d'Addario XS :)
@@thefellowshipofacoustics phosphor bronze or 80/20 ???
Phosphor Bronze :)
Wow, What a great flat picker and player. What strings and gauge were you using on the 37' D28, 39' and 42'? Flat pick type/model and thickness used? To my ear, the 37' and 39' top the list for tone but the 42' is not far behind. It would be great to hear a similar comparison of the vintage pre war/war time Martin D18 guitars.
EJ17 D’Addario (.13)!
@@thefellowshipofacoustics Great choice as most all vintage Martin's sound their best with the EJ17 strings They bring out the true tone of the guitar.
@@thefellowshipofacoustics Do you know what flat pick and thickness Bertolf was using?
What was the name of the fingerpicking tune being played by Bertolf (what a great guitarist he is) - the presenter did mention the name of the tune it but I didn't catch it so perhaps you could enlighten me !
Great session and so interesting - Many Thanks guys ...
just found it ....'Mary'
@@nige2410 that’s the one! Wrinkles is my personal favorite ;)
@@maicovimuto6341 cheers mate ….which one is Wrinkles ???
@@maicovimuto6341 just searched and found it so no worries… thankyou buddy
Very beautiful sound and playing .. what strings are being used ?
EJ17 D’Addario (.13)!
@@thefellowshipofacoustics thanks!
Tegek! :)
I like the ‘39 best. It has a beautiful clarity with just the right amount of bass. The trebles in the ‘37 are clear but the 3 bass strings sound too muddy to me.
Why didn't you demo guitar #6
The ‘the ‘39 sounded best follows by the 42 & ‘47.
That ‘39 is quite something
We thought the exact same... ;)
Vergelijking met de periode 1946-64 1964-1969?
almost no difference between any of them...martin's consistency shines through
I like 1939 most🏆, followed by 1937 and 1947
39, 47