Martin Satin finish vs. Gloss Top

[dwerlin]

Hey all, I'm in the market for a new acoustic, and I really like the Martin Dreds. For my pricerange, I'm interested in either getting the Martin D-16GT or the Martin D-15 Custom (Spruce/Mahogany).

 

These guitars are virtually identical, though the big differences that I can find are that the D-16GT has a Micarta fingerboard, the D-15 Custom has a solid East Indian Rosewood fingerboard, and the D-16GT has a gloss top and satin back and sides, while the D-15 Custom has a satin top and satin back and sides.

 

First, my main question is will the gloss top make any difference at all other than aesthetics? Will it affect tone at all and/or how the top is able to move/vibrate?

 

Second, will the Micarta fingerboard hold up better than the Rosewood one, since it's a synthetic material, and will it have any affect on tone?

 

Thanks!

[tiger roach]

As far as satin finish, I doubt it can affect the tone. It is really the same stuff as I understand it, just not buffed to a high gloss.

 

Mine is satin, I have found it tends to pick up little scuff marks and pick scrapes real easy. Also the contact points will get rubbed smooth. But as you say, that stuff is just aesthetics.

[Freeman Keller]

First, in my humble opinion the fretboard materials are not important. There was a big arguement a while back about micarta but that would not be an issue for me.

 

As far as the finish - with Taylors (and I assume Martins) the gloss and satin finishes are the same materials, but satin does not have the final buffing stages which is very labor intense. In addition it can be applied over slightly rougher wood, so in both cases it is a cost cutting measure. It shouldn't affect the sound of the guitar at all - merely aesthetics.

 

If you don't like the satin it is pretty easy to polish it to "semi gloss" - it is hard to get the high gloss at home. Many people, including me, have polished the backs, sides, headstocks and top of their gits. I can point you to instruction on how to do it.

 

Last thing, I understand some performing musicians prefer satin but I've never totally understood why.

[rjoxyz]

The 15 and 16 series also have different bracing. The 15 is an A-frame system and the 16 has Martin's "hybrid" bracing.

 

My first Martin was a D-15 Custom (spruce and mahogany). Great guitar, especially for the price. I have both satin and gloss top Martins and the tone is really not dependent on the finish. As I understand it, they both start out with the same finish and the gloss gets buffed/polished.

 

I actually buffed out the satin finish on the D-15 Custom. It is no where near as glossy as my HD-28, but it is not bad.

 

The Micarta fretboard is undoubtedly more durable and stable than rosewood or ebony. From the posts I have seen at the UMGF, it does not have any effect on tone or playability.

[nip]

I have also been chosing on these two before deciding.

 

15-series is mahogany top I think, so it's dark and probably a little less bright.

 

16-series is scalloped bracing.

 

So 16-series is what I found the cheapest with solid wood everywhere and scalloped bracing.

 

http://www.mguitar.com/guitars/choosing/guitars.php?p=m&m=D-15

 

http://www.mguitar.com/guitars/choosing/guitars.php?p=m&m=D-16GT

 

Rightclick on these links above and open i separate windows. Then with Alt-TAB key you can shift between them and stare at a point and see what differs.

 

D-16GT it is for me, and I'm ordering on friday:thu:

[JasmineTea]

D-15 and D-16GT have a different bracing pattern. D-15 has 1 style A-frame, non-scalloped. D-16GT has 1 style hybrid, scalloped.

 

B&S woods may differ too. D-16GT is mahogany, D-15 is Sapele -or- mahogany.

 

From what I understand, a hardening agent is added to satin finish, but it is'nt supposed to effect tone.

[dwerlin]

thanks for all the replies.

 

nip - the D-15 Custom is a Spruce top (it's a Guitar Center/Musican's Friend Exclusive)

 

JasmineTea - i'm pretty sure the D-15 Custom (Spruce/Mahogany) is only a Mahogany back/sides, and not the reguard D-15 "Sapele or Mahogany)...I'd have to double-check that though

 

as far as the bracing, what would be the noticeable difference?

[JasmineTea]

 

Originally posted by dwerlin as far as the bracing, what would be the noticeable difference?

I think the 15 will be boomier, more bass. The 16 has two scalloped tone bars where the 15 has one non-scalloped, so there are different sized sections of the top vibing on the 16, -vs- the 15 where it seems the whole top vibes as one. The 15 might be louder too.

 

I have a D-16GT and I'm quite happy with it. It's got a somewhat refined sound to it, plenty of bass, but I've heard louder guitars.

[nip]

Originally posted by dwerlin nip - the D-15 Custom is a Spruce top (it's a Guitar Center/Musican's Friend Exclusive)

 

It's a bit strange all these custom models they have a little here and there. Where I looked in germany there were also nonstandard stuff, and it scared me off a bit not knowing the model from Martin's own model program. I don't know what it does to second hand value, ups or downs?

 

Well, hope you find your favorite.

[Andrewrg]

I owned a satin back and sides Taylor 314 and the hissing noise it made on my clothes irritated the shit out of me.

Just an observation.