i appreciate this video. I own several high end guild jumbos, but living in CO the climate is incredibly dry and they need to be kept in humidified cases. I bought two chinese f50r copies to have lying around the house and for outdoor use. They both came with bone nut and saddle and bridge pins drilled out to standard taper. very impressed. one of them has a beautiful flamed top. they use chinese spruce and it seems to have a much more stiff & focused sound until they break in. paid 350 for each of them and replaced the hardware with legit grovers (dropped right in no mods or drilling), the ones on your guitar are the same copies that came on both of mine, you can tell theyre fake because the buttons arent as thick and rounded as real ones, still good tuners. cheers.
I really like your video review...and your playing is really great too man! I have a few acoustic guitars and electric guitars that have "unknown" brand names on the headstocks but are the same acoustic or electric body types and also pickup configurations (on the electric guitars) that each of the cost me much "less" than $100.00 for each of them. To "me", it makes sense as a music composer (under performance rights organization BMI, Inc) to have those different guitars that I know how to setup and improve (if needed) so I can play and produce the same types of sound from those types of guitars that I need for my songs that I write and record. It also helps me out keeping the most money in own pocket, LOL. Another common thing that I have told people over 20+ years in this business, that I've owned many brand named guitars early on, that totally "failed" on the road when I was playing out... a popular brand name on the guitar does not mean that it's a "great guitar" either. Have a great weekend!
Totally agree. Its one of the things the irks me the most is beginners starting out are sold these guitars that pros couldn't play with out a set up. Have a hard time keeping my mouth shut in Music stores.
There's a full solid version I seen on alibaba. Solid spruce top and solid rosewood sides and bottom but the price was 900 CAD. The one for 300 said just solid top and rosewood back and sides.
I would recommend - because it’s a copy - to go inside & scallop the X-Braces, Tone Braces, & Finger Braces, but especially the X-Braces. You can do this with a finger plane & a Stanley Razor Plane. Just be very careful. Take a little bit off, then test it. The explosion of sound will surprise the heck out of you. I have taken inexpensive HSN/QVC guitars and scalloped the braces and I’ll put them up against any real Martin D-18.
Card monty.. would that be taking the guitar top off to scallop the bracing or mini plaining through the sound hole blind on feel alone .. Thanks for your reply
This advice sounds like it would yield amazing results. I'm also curious as to what the previous comment or asked. Can this be performed via the sound hole?
@@qua7771yes ive done it to my old solid top sigma. You remove the strings find your tone bars and sand them down. Start with back braces to add more bass
@@onehundredpicks5531 When mine arrived I looked inside with a mirror on a stick. Low, and behold it came from the factory already scalloped. Of course I didn't have the opportunity of scalloping to taste, but it is a pretty good sounding guitar. I do appreciate your taking the time to reply.
I own same D45 chinese Replica, The over all build quality & fit & finish on mine Is good just required a fret ends pollish Set up right with quality strings it plays & chimes Real nice both as acoustic & with the fishman EQ Payed £200 used including flitted hardcase..a total bargain !!
I have always shouted out against any China made fake until i realized almost all cheap guitars are made over there. I just ordered a fake CHINA MADE D45 copy. Thank you for the review. You do a wonderful honest video. Keep up the good work!
Looks good. The sound would not fool me, having played a D45. And owned a D18. There are some reasonably priced new guitars that sound very good. Not feeling this one, but appreciate your playing and your videos. For a good affordable guitar, A Recording King RD328 is $800 very well spent. Orangewood guitars if you want to spend less than that. Eastman or Alvarez Laureate worth checking out if you can spend a bit more. A good used Martin dread- D28 or D35 runs about $2,700 and up. But for looks that faje Martin is a fancy guitar for the money. But I buy guitars for sound, action, and then looks.
Hi! Cool guitar! What's the name of the song being played at 15:15? I know it's a classic but I just can't place it and want to learn it - Thanks to anyone who answers :)
I'm actually thinking of picking one up too for making videos on. All the information says it is am all solid guitar . So I wanted to hear yours to see what it sounds like before I make up my mind. Great video.
@@qua7771 I ended up getting a Recording King RD-328. Solid Adirondacks Bruce top, solid East Indian Rosewood back and sides. I also picked up the Alvarez MD60BG, all solid too, with a solid Sitka spruce top and solid African mahogany back and sides. Both of these guitar makers use wood glue to glue in their dovetail neck to body joints. They do not use epoxy. And my Recording King sounds like a Martin D-28. It really does. The Alvarez sounds more like my Gibson J45 though. Both guitars I would buy again too.
@@HayesTech Hey thanks for the reply. I just googled the recording king. Very nice! I was unaware of the epoxy thing on the cheap copies. That must be how they get custom orders shipped so quickly. The guitars you mentioned seem like fine instruments, and seem like an amazing value.
@@qua7771 They are great values. I still want a Martin D-28, but until I can afford one, my Recording King keeps me happy. I still can't believe how good that guitar sound. It just gets better sounding each time I play it too. That's the way a good, quality built, guitar is when it's all solid. It's a totally different sound from one with plywood. I actually have several videos out on my guitars, and on my grandson's guitars. He is a huge Gibson and Epiphone fan and has a few of them. I also have an Epiphone Texan, a 1965... You should hear that one....
@@HayesTech I've always played electric, but I feel like I should have an acoustic around for when music calls for it. Plus an acoustic is a great tool for electric users to practice, and compose. The technique is different. Acoustic players pick to pull sound out, while electric players have to control attack, and mute notes. I really don't need an expensive acoustic. I have expensive electric guitar gear. I can appreciate the tone an acoustic guitar produces, (or the lack thereof). I also appreciate the information you are sharing. I'll agree that laminated guitars sound different. Solid wood resonates better if the pieces are selected carefully, and the finished product works out. Sometimes it doesn't I don't think I would spend big money unless I could play the instrument in person, and compare a few of the same model. Mail order is hit. and miss. Thanks again.
IDK, I got a Guild D-140 All Solid, Sitka Top/Mahogany with scalloped x bracing, bone nut/saddle. I paid $500 w/case. It is a killer guitar, plays as good as my friends D18. Both guitars sound amazing and really compliment each other. Top quality tone woods, the Sitka a even has light flame. It is a booming guitar and you can pound it.
Lift the strings a bit, i think it'll get it a bit more bass and not as much treble..They sound very low action.. Also im pretty sure it is solid rosewood back and sides on these guitars. Anyway did you order a new one??
Japanese guitar makers like Yamaki, Morris, Sigma and Takamine etc. made good copies of Martin guitars in the 1970's. There's nothing wrong with that guitar.
Agree..I have a 1976 W-20 Morris guitar made in japan and still in good and mint condition until now(2022), and you will be amazed how they incredibly sound,
I have a K Yairi that's a Martin D-41 ripoff and it's great. But.... it's a LOT more well put together than this thing. Makes sense though, since it originally retailed for $1500. I bought it in Japan, used, for $900.
I have a Morris WJ-50 Morris Everly Brothers Black Guitar copy. I also Have a 1976 Kia Suzuki J200 that is a copy of a Gibson SJ200. Great guitars. However Yamaha seems to build the best American copies, with a quality unmatched in the 1970’s and 80’s. I’m guessing that the Chinese copies are decent considering technology is so advanced, that the playability will blow away any 70’s era Japanese copies.
Great sounding guitar, I have a sj200 chibson and it amazing. One thing to remember most companies get their products made in China, and then assembled in America. So they could be Grovers.
I got one over a year ago.No Rosewood ebony had it made to my specs.with EJ 17 strings it blows away many.Bass sound is great B- Grass.and when you want to have that smooth sound above the sound hole is sweet.And it has fooled many seasoned pickers
I just picked up a Martin CMF (fake) for AUS$400. Everything looks really nice on it. Has a bone nut and saddle. Doesn’t sound amazing, but it’s still good. I need to get the bridge lowered though, the strings are a little bit too high. But other than that it’s a decent acoustic.
Maybe it could sound better with good quality strings, and bridge saddle. I'm not very familiar with these, but others say they sound better than other guitars in their price range.
Not sure what you know about set ups, but I would first look at the relief in the neck. (Press down the 1st & 17th fret of the low E string, and using your right index finger, tap the sting against the 5th fret. If there is any space between the string and the fret, you could tighten the the truss rod clockwise (a quarter turn) and full string tension, test it again, adjust if needed. I would do this before touching the saddle on the bridge. If this doesn't fix the high action, then you would need to address how it feels at the nut, and then also the string break-angle at the saddle where the string touches the saddle and goes under the bridge pin. Usually adjusting the truss rod works I would say 90% of the time, unless the nut and saddle were not cut right. Best of luck.
I've got a 2010 Blueridge BR-73 takeoff of a Martin 000-45. I paid $450 for a minty one owner used one ($975 new). Solid sitka top, abalone binding and sound hole, hexagonal fret markers. Beautiful back and sides. Check out the reviews.
When the xbrace is opened up( wider in lower bout it creates more bass . Theres a guy that scallops real Martins on UA-cam a real knowledgeable great Luther but that would open it up make it louder a little bit but I don't know if it would create any more Bass but any how for the money great deal !
Everybody in always going hear what they hear so its more find what works for you then anything else. I bought a lot of guitar this year and I found me "The One" Its a 2020 Martin HD-28. And the only reason its the one is the bracing. The back and top woods are good but to me the Scalloped bracing is what makes it the ONE
Revisiting this older post to update my fake Martin D45. It's been about two years and i feel it is a good time to let everyone know how my guitar is holding up. If you had asked me about it when i first got it i would have probably told you it is a great guitar and compared pretty well to my real Martin's. Now i will just say wow! This girl still plays and sounds awesome considering the price paid. I think i got it for around 400. new including tax from ebay. It is an acoustic electric with all the beautiful abalone and Mother pf pearl inly and has a solid spruce top and solid rosewood back and sides. I did have a few people try to convince me it was just a well done laminated back and sides, but testing the interior grain against the exterior grain i am sure now and it is all solid wood! There is a guy on youtube who has a real hatred for anything made in China and while i get what he says, i don't think he is being totally honest. Now i do understand many of the China made guitars are not up to par, i cannot say anything bad about my well done China Martin. After two full years it doesn't sound as good as it did new because it actually sounds better! It's a sub 400 dollar guitar people! Martin could not do all the fine work for less than 15 grand! I like my fake Martin so much i bought a vintage Martin case to keep it in. Even the electronics are great. So guys, don't post on youtube like these are somehow sub-par guitars. No, they aren't Martins of course, but dammit they don't cost an arm and a leg either. Whoever built this guitar did an excellent job and the quality is very very good. Don't just hate because it's China. After all, most of what you own was made in China and a lot of what you eat too. Just enjoy.
Like you l have one from China and heaven forbid it fell outside and broke the neck off. After l repaired it using glue only it broke yet again this time l cut slots in the back and inserted mahogany inserts . The guitar has bone saddle and bridge made myself , l also fitted electric pickups . I play the guitar every day and l think it sounds amazing so enjoy your copy.
Sounds like a cheap Washburn or a low end blue ridge. Very Tinny sound. Also you likely havent picked up the right Taylor if you're u haven't found one that sounds good to you. There are some amazing Taylors. Also check out blueridge guitars some time.
I'm not saying that there isn't likely any child labor going on in the production of these but likely 9/10 times it's people from guitar making factories for Epiphone, Fender, etc... making more money on the side.
Multiply that $500 x 7 = $3500. When someone in China sells you this guitar for $500 dollars, it feels like $3500 in their cost of living. This is more than 1 months salary for a family of 4, and could be considered life changing money for someone that is poor in China. Summary of cost of living in China: A family of four estimated monthly costs are 2,087.0$ (14,751.1¥) without rent. A single person estimated monthly costs are 576.2$ (4,072.8¥) without rent. Cost of living in China is, on average, 53.8% lower than in United States. Rent in China is, on average, 69.6% lower than in United States. The Chinese would consider this a very good guitar, and I believe it is. I got a Martin D-100 copy from China for $900 and it's really a thing of beauty, it's set up is great, and it sounds very good.
Nice review; now I'm smarter about what to look out for. But why not buy an Orangwood instead. At least they are claiming they're own brand instead of faking it. And their not expensive either. It just burns me when they copy labels and headstocks to make a buck. Someone will get dumped that is less knowing a loose more money than it really is worth. I personal would not send money to keep that shop open and you should have to pay extra to remove back logos; they shouldn't be on there anyhow. Rant over :-)
Hi D. See I wish I would have talked about this in the video but as I dont plan my stuff it sometimes get lost in my head. I agree with you about giving this companies more money. But my point is that I have tried the others. Wanted a Blueridge for years but every one I tried I didn't like. Ive played Breedloves and Eastmans with the same result. Never found one I liked. Never heard of Orangewood but will give them a look. But this Fake Martin was the sound I was looking for. Like I said it doesn't compare to my real ones but its got a sound all to itself. So when I said I would order one with my name on it, I most likely will never order one as there are many other things I want first, its cause its a known element that what I am getting is what I want. Well as much as it can be when ordering from them.
Bright sound lover...agreed .......great guitar...better then Grand Suzuki n Yamahas had be4.. see where I could get one in Malaysia.... Singapore. Thanks for sharing
One true difference is that a real D-45 has an extreme amount of bass to it. That’s what I like in acoustic guitars. However, this is actually a decently built counterfeit, but it ain’t gonna sound like a real Martin.
Decent Video however knowingly spending $500 on a fugazy Martin that needed work seems a bit on the “High” side. I’ll buy a Mexican Taylor or Martin first . Oh and Keep bending your knee like that, you’ll be getting a new one in the future
My Dad bought a new D-45 when they were around 6000 bucks. He says it was the dumbest thing he ever did cause Epiphone makes solid wood guitars that play and sound so much better. Lesson learned.
Those solid wood epiphones are just totally different animals from the tone & feel of a martin.. just like how a gibson j45 vs d18 is same wood but totally different sound, ones not necessarily better or worse than the other just different (tone/ scale/neck/feel) depending on your preference.. your dad's d45 will never lose value. That epiphone on the other hand will not hold its value in the same way & to my ears/ hands/ preference the epiphones that I played were certainly passable & playable but I much prefer my gibsons & hd28, the price difference was worth it for me but I understand it's not for everybody & I'm sure I'll own an epiphone solid wood at some point in the future for a campfire/ travel guitar but that's just me
I own three real Martin guitars and two Chartins (Chinese [fake] "Martins"). One Chartin is like the one here (except mine has matching top sides). The abalone inlay on the head stock competes well with a real Martin on both of my Chartins. The inlay around the sides and the back is totally fake on one of my Chartins. The inlay on the other one is spectacular all around and the inlay work on that one is actually brighter and SUPERIOR EVERYWHERE to any of my real Martins (I was stunned). The woods used on both Chartins are all top quality (Indian Rosewood, Red Spruce) and the guitars are well constructed. The Chartin like the one shown here has less clarity of tone than a real Martin, and disappointing inlay, but it is an excellent guitar. My other Chartin is a 1930 Martin OOO-45S replica. It is a WOW guitar in looks and in sound and in playability and I am delighted with it. If you special order one of these, find a supplier that will do a torrified top (like on my OOO-45S) - I think they go all out on the other details when you are that demanding. I paid more than double what he paid, so maybe, that is another factor in what you get. I had to separately order a custom case for the OOO-45S and it is a perfectly fitting hard shell case with five latches (better lock down). One must factor in the costs of a quality case as an essential part of any decent guitar purchase. I got my disappointing Chartin and my delightful Chartin from the SAME supplier! They cannot be trusted to supply consistent quality. They did say that they had no more in stock like the OOO-45S that I got - mine was the last of the well-made old stock. They went to cheap inlay instead of real abalone and that guitar lacks a bit in clarity of tone compared to a real Martin (but still great tone compared to other brands). Too bad, because, otherwise, I would have had no major complaints and I would have had two for two delightful guitars in appearance (and one of them delightful in both look and sound). The set-up on both Chartins was perfect. They are well worth the money, but they are NOT real Martins and who knows how well they will age (glue quality, finish, warping, etc.) - one can be certain any real Martin will improve and increase in value with age. Now you have an unbiased analysis from one who owns multiple examples of Chartins and Martins.
@@joaomendes5182 If they were $100, sure, but it seems like people are paying $500 for them. You can get Yamahas that are a lot better for that price. It's also about 1/4 the price of a used D-28. Just save up for a few more months or a year or whatever and get a used D-28.
Depends on the supplier … I have a guitar maker contact in China that their factory is next to that of epiphone they make great copies … I did not buy mine from those websites I ordered straight with the producer it took about 1-2 months for them to make it
You should really take this video down. You are promoting counterfeit guitars. Not sure what the laws are in canada but in my country the united states whoever sold you that guitar would be breaking the law and considered a criminal. Shameful
He's giving his honest opinion and educating people. He even discouraged buying them from China as they could be seized and destroyed, not to mention the expense. These guitars don't sound as good as a real Martin so the market for these is limited to those budget hobby players that want to fool their friends. Thus the very small UA-cam search results for fakes like this. Let him do his thing.
i appreciate this video. I own several high end guild jumbos, but living in CO the climate is incredibly dry and they need to be kept in humidified cases. I bought two chinese f50r copies to have lying around the house and for outdoor use. They both came with bone nut and saddle and bridge pins drilled out to standard taper. very impressed. one of them has a beautiful flamed top. they use chinese spruce and it seems to have a much more stiff & focused sound until they break in. paid 350 for each of them and replaced the hardware with legit grovers (dropped right in no mods or drilling), the ones on your guitar are the same copies that came on both of mine, you can tell theyre fake because the buttons arent as thick and rounded as real ones, still good tuners. cheers.
Great video Rino. This is the best guitar I have. I have both D-45
I really like your video review...and your playing is really great too man! I have a few acoustic guitars and electric guitars that have "unknown" brand names on the headstocks but are the same acoustic or electric body types and also pickup configurations (on the electric guitars) that each of the cost me much "less" than $100.00 for each of them. To "me", it makes sense as a music composer (under performance rights organization BMI, Inc) to have those different guitars that I know how to setup and improve (if needed) so I can play and produce the same types of sound from those types of guitars that I need for my songs that I write and record. It also helps me out keeping the most money in own pocket, LOL.
Another common thing that I have told people over 20+ years in this business, that I've owned many brand named guitars early on, that totally "failed" on the road when I was playing out... a popular brand name on the guitar does not mean that it's a "great guitar" either. Have a great weekend!
Totally agree. Its one of the things the irks me the most is beginners starting out are sold these guitars that pros couldn't play with out a set up. Have a hard time keeping my mouth shut in Music stores.
Awesome sound 👍
It has real solid top? price? thanks!
High Ryan, what's the name of the company, the guitarbuilder? I think I wanna one too. It looks good, it sounds good.
Greetings from Holland.
There's a full solid version I seen on alibaba. Solid spruce top and solid rosewood sides and bottom but the price was 900 CAD. The one for 300 said just solid top and rosewood back and sides.
I would recommend - because it’s a copy - to go inside & scallop the X-Braces, Tone Braces, & Finger Braces, but especially the X-Braces. You can do this with a finger plane & a Stanley Razor Plane. Just be very careful. Take a little bit off, then test it. The explosion of sound will surprise the heck out of you. I have taken inexpensive HSN/QVC guitars and scalloped the braces and I’ll put them up against any real Martin D-18.
Card monty.. would that be taking the guitar top off to scallop the bracing or mini plaining through the sound hole blind on feel alone .. Thanks for your reply
This advice sounds like it would yield amazing results. I'm also curious as to what the previous comment or asked. Can this be performed via the sound hole?
@@qua7771yes ive done it to my old solid top sigma. You remove the strings find your tone bars and sand them down. Start with back braces to add more bass
@@onehundredpicks5531 When mine arrived I looked inside with a mirror on a stick. Low, and behold it came from the factory already scalloped. Of course I didn't have the opportunity of scalloping to taste, but it is a pretty good sounding guitar.
I do appreciate your taking the time to reply.
@@qua7771 oh wow thats good to know! Glad you got a nice guitar. Enjoy!
I own same D45 chinese Replica,
The over all build quality & fit & finish on mine
Is good just required a fret ends pollish
Set up right with quality strings it plays & chimes
Real nice both as acoustic & with the fishman EQ
Payed £200 used including flitted hardcase..a total bargain !!
I got one it better then some I tried music store and the tone great I own d18 20 year old , my note the guitar today are ???
I have always shouted out against any China made fake until i realized almost all cheap guitars are made over there. I just ordered a fake CHINA MADE D45 copy. Thank you for the review. You do a wonderful honest video. Keep up the good work!
Well said! Plus I'm Canadian so I dont fit in the Made in The USA mold. I have owned and still own guitars from all over the world.
I got one with martin inlays and it sounds great i love the thing.
Looks good. The sound would not fool me, having played a D45. And owned a D18.
There are some reasonably priced new guitars that sound very good. Not feeling this one, but appreciate your playing and your videos.
For a good affordable guitar,
A Recording King RD328 is $800 very well spent.
Orangewood guitars if you want to spend less than that.
Eastman or Alvarez Laureate worth checking out if you can spend a bit more. A good used Martin dread- D28 or D35 runs about $2,700 and up.
But for looks that faje Martin is a fancy guitar for the money. But I buy guitars for sound, action, and then looks.
Hi! Cool guitar! What's the name of the song being played at 15:15? I know it's a classic but I just can't place it and want to learn it - Thanks to anyone who answers :)
I'm actually thinking of picking one up too for making videos on. All the information says it is am all solid guitar . So I wanted to hear yours to see what it sounds like before I make up my mind. Great video.
Did you get it?
@@qua7771
I ended up getting a Recording King RD-328. Solid Adirondacks Bruce top, solid East Indian Rosewood back and sides. I also picked up the Alvarez MD60BG, all solid too, with a solid Sitka spruce top and solid African mahogany back and sides. Both of these guitar makers use wood glue to glue in their dovetail neck to body joints. They do not use epoxy.
And my Recording King sounds like a Martin D-28. It really does. The Alvarez sounds more like my Gibson J45 though.
Both guitars I would buy again too.
@@HayesTech Hey thanks for the reply.
I just googled the recording king. Very nice! I was unaware of the epoxy thing on the cheap copies. That must be how they get custom orders shipped so quickly. The guitars you mentioned seem like fine instruments, and seem like an amazing value.
@@qua7771
They are great values. I still want a Martin D-28, but until I can afford one, my Recording King keeps me happy.
I still can't believe how good that guitar sound. It just gets better sounding each time I play it too. That's the way a good, quality built, guitar is when it's all solid. It's a totally different sound from one with plywood.
I actually have several videos out on my guitars, and on my grandson's guitars. He is a huge Gibson and Epiphone fan and has a few of them.
I also have an Epiphone Texan, a 1965... You should hear that one....
@@HayesTech I've always played electric, but I feel like I should have an acoustic around for when music calls for it. Plus an acoustic is a great tool for electric users to practice, and compose. The technique is different. Acoustic players pick to pull sound out, while electric players have to control attack, and mute notes. I really don't need an expensive acoustic. I have expensive electric guitar gear. I can appreciate the tone an acoustic guitar produces, (or the lack thereof). I also appreciate the information you are sharing. I'll agree that laminated guitars sound different. Solid wood resonates better if the pieces are selected carefully, and the finished product works out. Sometimes it doesn't I don't think I would spend big money unless I could play the instrument in person, and compare a few of the same model. Mail order is hit. and miss.
Thanks again.
IDK, I got a Guild D-140 All Solid, Sitka Top/Mahogany with scalloped x bracing, bone nut/saddle. I paid $500 w/case. It is a killer guitar, plays as good as my friends D18. Both guitars sound amazing and really compliment each other. Top quality tone woods, the Sitka a even has light flame. It is a booming guitar and you can pound it.
Lift the strings a bit, i think it'll get it a bit more bass and not as much treble..They sound very low action..
Also im pretty sure it is solid rosewood back and sides on these guitars.
Anyway did you order a new one??
Good advice.
No I bought another Martin instead :)
Do you know where I can buy one?
Anywhere you find one its a chance of it getting to you and not being what you wanted. Wait till you see one pop up used and snag it.
Japanese guitar makers like Yamaki, Morris, Sigma and Takamine etc. made good copies of Martin guitars in the 1970's. There's nothing wrong with that guitar.
Agree..I have a 1976 W-20 Morris guitar made in japan and still in good and mint condition until now(2022), and you will be amazed how they incredibly sound,
@@binlei23
I also have a 1976 Morris w604m that is awesome.
I have a K Yairi that's a Martin D-41 ripoff and it's great.
But.... it's a LOT more well put together than this thing. Makes sense though, since it originally retailed for $1500. I bought it in Japan, used, for $900.
I have a Morris WJ-50 Morris Everly Brothers Black Guitar copy. I also Have a 1976 Kia Suzuki J200 that is a copy of a Gibson SJ200. Great guitars. However Yamaha seems to build the best American copies, with a quality unmatched in the 1970’s and 80’s. I’m guessing that the Chinese copies are decent considering technology is so advanced, that the playability will blow away any 70’s era Japanese copies.
Great sounding guitar, I have a sj200 chibson and it amazing. One thing to remember most companies get their products made in China, and then assembled in America. So they could be Grovers.
I got one over a year ago.No Rosewood ebony had it made to my specs.with EJ 17 strings it blows away many.Bass sound is great B- Grass.and when you want to have that smooth sound above the sound hole is sweet.And it has fooled many seasoned pickers
It might get more bass if you scallop the bracing. I don't know if your hand will fit in the hole though.
Just got a Martin D 45 custom lookalike with no name on it for $20. at a flee market. Looks really great. I just have to put new strings on it.
I just picked up a Martin CMF (fake) for AUS$400. Everything looks really nice on it. Has a bone nut and saddle. Doesn’t sound amazing, but it’s still good. I need to get the bridge lowered though, the strings are a little bit too high. But other than that it’s a decent acoustic.
Maybe it could sound better with good quality strings, and bridge saddle. I'm not very familiar with these, but others say they sound better than other guitars in their price range.
Not sure what you know about set ups, but I would first look at the relief in the neck. (Press down the 1st & 17th fret of the low E string, and using your right index finger, tap the sting against the 5th fret. If there is any space between the string and the fret, you could tighten the the truss rod clockwise (a quarter turn) and full string tension, test it again, adjust if needed. I would do this before touching the saddle on the bridge. If this doesn't fix the high action, then you would need to address how it feels at the nut, and then also the string break-angle at the saddle where the string touches the saddle and goes under the bridge pin. Usually adjusting the truss rod works I would say 90% of the time, unless the nut and saddle were not cut right. Best of luck.
I've got a 2010 Blueridge BR-73 takeoff of a Martin 000-45. I paid $450 for a minty one owner used one ($975 new). Solid sitka top, abalone binding and sound hole, hexagonal fret markers. Beautiful back and sides. Check out the reviews.
The diamond on the neck is called a valute.
Martin is just a name.
When the xbrace is opened up( wider in lower bout it creates more bass . Theres a guy that scallops real Martins on UA-cam a real knowledgeable great Luther but that would open it up make it louder a little bit but I don't know if it would create any more Bass but any how for the money great deal !
you play very nice
Thank You
I bought mine, and i love it, everyone that sees it, thinks it's the real deal, sounds beautiful.
Put a little humidity in. It. Hows it sound now
i have a taylor 916ce, sounds just as good as my takamine that is like 10% of the cost, makes you wonder
Thank you also for not being afraid to speak truth.
Everybody in always going hear what they hear so its more find what works for you then anything else. I bought a lot of guitar this year and I found me "The One" Its a 2020 Martin HD-28. And the only reason its the one is the bracing. The back and top woods are good but to me the Scalloped bracing is what makes it the ONE
Yep, sounds like laminate. Sounds somewhere between a low end Taylor and a Fender acoustasonic.
Sounds like a bolt-on neck to me. It just doesn't have that dovetail richness.
Revisiting this older post to update my fake Martin D45. It's been about two years and i feel it is a good time to let everyone know how my guitar is holding up. If you had asked me about it when i first got it i would have probably told you it is a great guitar and compared pretty well to my real Martin's. Now i will just say wow! This girl still plays and sounds awesome considering the price paid. I think i got it for around 400. new including tax from ebay. It is an acoustic electric with all the beautiful abalone and Mother pf pearl inly and has a solid spruce top and solid rosewood back and sides. I did have a few people try to convince me it was just a well done laminated back and sides, but testing the interior grain against the exterior grain i am sure now and it is all solid wood! There is a guy on youtube who has a real hatred for anything made in China and while i get what he says, i don't think he is being totally honest. Now i do understand many of the China made guitars are not up to par, i cannot say anything bad about my well done China Martin. After two full years it doesn't sound as good as it did new because it actually sounds better! It's a sub 400 dollar guitar people! Martin could not do all the fine work for less than 15 grand! I like my fake Martin so much i bought a vintage Martin case to keep it in. Even the electronics are great. So guys, don't post on youtube like these are somehow sub-par guitars. No, they aren't Martins of course, but dammit they don't cost an arm and a leg either. Whoever built this guitar did an excellent job and the quality is very very good. Don't just hate because it's China. After all, most of what you own was made in China and a lot of what you eat too. Just enjoy.
I would like to order one but I would have my own name on it as well as my own logo and standard split block inlays on the fretboard...
No no no no no no no and no
Junk junk junk junk
Where did you order the Chinese Martin, I know they have a lot on eBay but which one?
I’ve owned a 1975 D45 for the last 36 years. Everything about that supposedly D 45 looks wrong, especially the sound.
Like you l have one from China and heaven forbid it fell outside and broke the neck off. After l repaired it using glue only it broke yet again this time l cut slots in the back and inserted mahogany inserts . The guitar has bone saddle and bridge made myself , l also fitted electric pickups . I play the guitar every day and l think it sounds amazing so enjoy your copy.
3 years later . Do you still have this ? How did it last ?
Nice Guitar. I see nothing wrong with buying one of these guitars.I cant afford a 10k Guitar
Couldn't agree more!
Mine is great and i had a real Martin D-18, these are more playable
Ya wanna sell it ? Mississauga
Sounds like a cheap Washburn or a low end blue ridge. Very Tinny sound. Also you likely havent picked up the right Taylor if you're u haven't found one that sounds good to you. There are some amazing Taylors. Also check out blueridge guitars some time.
I'm not saying that there isn't likely any child labor going on in the production of these but likely 9/10 times it's people from guitar making factories for Epiphone, Fender, etc... making more money on the side.
Multiply that $500 x 7 = $3500. When someone in China sells you this guitar for $500 dollars, it feels like $3500 in their cost of living.
This is more than 1 months salary for a family of 4, and could be considered life changing money for someone that is poor in China.
Summary of cost of living in China:
A family of four estimated monthly costs are 2,087.0$ (14,751.1¥) without rent.
A single person estimated monthly costs are 576.2$ (4,072.8¥) without rent.
Cost of living in China is, on average, 53.8% lower than in United States.
Rent in China is, on average, 69.6% lower than in United States.
The Chinese would consider this a very good guitar, and I believe it is. I got a Martin D-100 copy from China for $900 and it's really a thing of beauty, it's set up is great, and it sounds very good.
Nice review; now I'm smarter about what to look out for. But why not buy an Orangwood instead. At least they are claiming they're own brand instead of faking it. And their not expensive either. It just burns me when they copy labels and headstocks to make a buck. Someone will get dumped that is less knowing a loose more money than it really is worth. I personal would not send money to keep that shop open and you should have to pay extra to remove back logos; they shouldn't be on there anyhow. Rant over :-)
Hi D. See I wish I would have talked about this in the video but as I dont plan my stuff it sometimes get lost in my head. I agree with you about giving this companies more money. But my point is that I have tried the others. Wanted a Blueridge for years but every one I tried I didn't like. Ive played Breedloves and Eastmans with the same result. Never found one I liked. Never heard of Orangewood but will give them a look. But this Fake Martin was the sound I was looking for. Like I said it doesn't compare to my real ones but its got a sound all to itself. So when I said I would order one with my name on it, I most likely will never order one as there are many other things I want first, its cause its a known element that what I am getting is what I want. Well as much as it can be when ordering from them.
All solid woods?
Bright sound lover...agreed .......great guitar...better then Grand Suzuki n Yamahas had be4.. see where I could get one in Malaysia.... Singapore. Thanks for sharing
Put some picks on for the finger picking part and see the sound
I would but I dont use them.
@@RyansSeagullMerlinM4Lessons well you didn't play a martin copy to you got one neither lol
One true difference is that a real D-45 has an extreme amount of bass to it. That’s what I like in acoustic guitars. However, this is actually a decently built counterfeit, but it ain’t gonna sound like a real Martin.
Would be easy if your name was Martin 😂😂
Those are clearly fake Grovers.
Thanks for sharing 👍👏👏🙏
Thanks for visiting
Decent Video however knowingly spending $500 on a fugazy Martin that needed work seems a bit on the “High” side. I’ll buy a Mexican Taylor or Martin first .
Oh and Keep bending your knee like that, you’ll be getting a new one in the future
Just like the False Gospel that cannot save the soul from sin. Jesus will say to many depart from me ye workers of iniquity I never knew you.
I doint have the money for a martin ..I like to buy one
😅waow, what a rebel you are!!!!! You changed the plastic saddle for a tusq saddle??? So you changed the plastic saddle for a PLASTIC saddle!!
Not the sound of the true Martin.
Of coarse not its a $500 laminate back and sides guitar. But that's not the point.
Totally agree. Way too bright. Not rich enough. No pun intended.
You dont sound to convinced dude jaja its ok
It does sound very bright...not for me, I won't buy on ebay thanks
My Dad bought a new D-45 when they were around 6000 bucks. He says it was the dumbest thing he ever did cause Epiphone makes solid wood guitars that play and sound so much better. Lesson learned.
Those solid wood epiphones are just totally different animals from the tone & feel of a martin.. just like how a gibson j45 vs d18 is same wood but totally different sound, ones not necessarily better or worse than the other just different (tone/ scale/neck/feel) depending on your preference.. your dad's d45 will never lose value. That epiphone on the other hand will not hold its value in the same way & to my ears/ hands/ preference the epiphones that I played were certainly passable & playable but I much prefer my gibsons & hd28, the price difference was worth it for me but I understand it's not for everybody & I'm sure I'll own an epiphone solid wood at some point in the future for a campfire/ travel guitar but that's just me
@@MrMd5555 Apparently you haven't checked the prices on vintage epiphones dum dum
I own three real Martin guitars and two Chartins (Chinese [fake] "Martins"). One Chartin is like the one here (except mine has matching top sides).
The abalone inlay on the head stock competes well with a real Martin on both of my Chartins.
The inlay around the sides and the back is totally fake on one of my Chartins. The inlay on the other one is spectacular all around and the inlay work on that one is actually brighter and SUPERIOR EVERYWHERE to any of my real Martins (I was stunned).
The woods used on both Chartins are all top quality (Indian Rosewood, Red Spruce) and the guitars are well constructed. The Chartin like the one shown here has less clarity of tone than a real Martin, and disappointing inlay, but it is an excellent guitar.
My other Chartin is a 1930 Martin OOO-45S replica. It is a WOW guitar in looks and in sound and in playability and I am delighted with it. If you special order one of these, find a supplier that will do a torrified top (like on my OOO-45S) - I think they go all out on the other details when you are that demanding. I paid more than double what he paid, so maybe, that is another factor in what you get. I had to separately order a custom case for the OOO-45S and it is a perfectly fitting hard shell case with five latches (better lock down). One must factor in the costs of a quality case as an essential part of any decent guitar purchase.
I got my disappointing Chartin and my delightful Chartin from the SAME supplier!
They cannot be trusted to supply consistent quality. They did say that they had no more in stock like the OOO-45S that I got - mine was the last of the well-made old stock. They went to cheap inlay instead of real abalone and that guitar lacks a bit in clarity of tone compared to a real Martin (but still great tone compared to other brands). Too bad, because, otherwise, I would have had no major complaints and I would have had two for two delightful guitars in appearance (and one of them delightful in both look and sound). The set-up on both Chartins was perfect.
They are well worth the money, but they are NOT real Martins and who knows how well they will age (glue quality, finish, warping, etc.) - one can be certain any real Martin will improve and increase in value with age. Now you have an unbiased analysis from one who owns multiple examples of Chartins and Martins.
Thank you Chris for the extra info.
Just get a YAMAHA guys any fg800 fg820
Never understand anyone who buys this junk.
It’s not bad at all
@@joaomendes5182 If they were $100, sure, but it seems like people are paying $500 for them. You can get Yamahas that are a lot better for that price.
It's also about 1/4 the price of a used D-28. Just save up for a few more months or a year or whatever and get a used D-28.
Depends on the supplier … I have a guitar maker contact in China that their factory is next to that of epiphone they make great copies … I did not buy mine from those websites I ordered straight with the producer it took about 1-2 months for them to make it
@@joaomendes5182 And yet, you could have bought a better Yamaha for cheaper.
Way too relative I’m 100% sure my copy is on the same level of a Yamaha or even better …
You should really take this video down. You are promoting counterfeit guitars. Not sure what the laws are in canada but in my country the united states whoever sold you that guitar would be breaking the law and considered a criminal. Shameful
He's giving his honest opinion and educating people. He even discouraged buying them from China as they could be seized and destroyed, not to mention the expense. These guitars don't sound as good as a real Martin so the market for these is limited to those budget hobby players that want to fool their friends. Thus the very small UA-cam search results for fakes like this. Let him do his thing.
The United States has no LAWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm a PROUD CANADIAN.
WHY? I own several ILLEGAL GUITARS
as you drive you VW and shoes made in China
Thanks for your opinion. Also thanks to all the replys for saying it better then I could.