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I like the sound of the Martin HD-35 because of the very lightly braced top (1/4”, scalloped). I decided to try to enhance the sound by adding a torrified top ( Vintage Tone System = VTS) and hide glue construction. I did that by ordering a Custom Shop Martin HD-35 with VTS and hide glue. It took 7 months, but it was worth the wait. I have a regular Martin HD-35, and I now have an HD-35 + VTS and hide glue. I can compare them, and I will share my observations with you. They are both great sounding guitars, but they sound different. The HD-35 alone is more mellow and base-dominant. Whereas the HD-35 with VTS and hide glue is better balanced and the treble notes are stronger. So, my conclusion is that the rumors about VTS and hide glue are true. They do make a difference.

I wanted a 12-string acoustic guitar for a long time. I also wanted a Martin. Of course Martin guitars don't come cheap. This made in Mexico Martin 12-string costs $749. This is no luxury model. The HPL (High Pressure Laminate) body is made of paper and epoxy heated under pressure. The wood pattern is literally a print out. What I like: Solid Sitka top. The guitar sounds very good. Easy to play for a 12-string. Body edges are rounded. Neck is solid wood and it has nicely rounded edges also. Nice gig bag. Built in Martin electronics with tuner sounds very good through the Fishman Loudbox Mini. Martin DC-X2E 12-string Acoustic-electric Guitar - Brazilian Rosewood Pattern | Sweetwater

I had some comp time on my birthday at the end of last month and got out of work early and I was so happy it was so nice out. So I got to play my new Martin in the sunshine (my favorite place to play ) and I recorded two songs. This one and an original. I’m still working on getting the original on YouTube. So here is the instrumental: Ecossiase by Mauro Giuliani I hope I did it justice! thanks for watching Maria Ecossiase by Mauro Giuliani

How do we go about selecting a guitar shop / luthier to perform a setup or other work? This is a decision that can either go great or have unexpected serious negative consequences!!! Taylor Customer Service recommended that I play my new guitar a while before having a setup done. That was wise counsel that I should have heeded! I failed! That is good advice regardless of who manufactured your guitar. I selected a shop that has been in business for 45 years and is a Taylor dealer to go over a new Taylor 814ce Dlx very carefully . What I was left with is heartbreaking and unimaginable. I had asked that they go over it carefully and wanted the string height at the 12th fret to between the Taylor recommended .080 and .090. A pretty small margin. This is my FIRST expensive guitar. I now have to go through unbelievable inconvenience and expense to even get the guitar back to Taylor specifications. A setup on a new guitar should NOT require major modifications, but small adjustments on the trifecta +1 of Action: Neck Relief String Height at the 12th Fret String Height at the Nut Taylor Guitars also have shims in the neck that can be changed to impact action With minor adjustments major improvements can be delivered. BUT, the one doing the work has to be professional and ethical. I believe that any ethical guitar repair shop / Luthier would not deliver substandard work and if they made a mistake they should let you know, correct it and not hide it under the saddle! Let my experience be a cautionary tale about how you go about selecting a Luthier to make repairs or do a setup on your prized guitar. A setup should only require small adjustments to the specific areas above. In the case of a Taylor things are done a little differently because of the Taylor NT Neck with the Taylor neck shims. Like me, you have a lot invested regardless of the price of the guitar. Money invested is one thing, but we have time, effort and emotions connected to the guitar we selected to purchase and play regardless if it is new, used or we have been playing it for a long time. We love our prized guitar! Don't end up in my situation! Choose who works on your guitar wisely! Pictures of the saddle modified by ----------------------- on a new Taylor 814ce Dlx I cannot take a picture of the G string hanging at the nut and popping loudly when it releases when it is tuned up or down. This makes it impossible to tune! -------------------------------------- delivered a guitar with a shim under the High E and B string and a G string that is hanging in the nut making it almost impossible to tune. If you tune the G string down it hangs and the pops loudly at the nut. If you try and tune it up the G string hangs in the nut and the pops loudly. I have been absolutely devastated by the unprofessional, unethical and unacceptable work they performed. When I got home (overseas) the guitar had no tone, projection or sustain. I was in denial, but after three weeks I could not take it anymore and pulled the saddle to compare it to a new Taylor saddle. What I found was extremely upsetting!