| Author | Message | ||
     Larry Carroll (Eggman) Advanced Member Username: Eggman Post Number: 85 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 65.0.20.180 |
Howdy, I've never owned a Rickenbacker acoustic. Since 1997 I HAVE owned a Martin D-28 and it sounds wonderful with it's Rosewood back and sides. I'm not trying to be contentious with Rickenbacker enthusiasts; I'm ONE of them! I adore the electrics, but I'm intrigued by the relatively new line of beautiful acoustics. Who here owns Martin and Rickenbacker acoustics? Can you please compare the two here in terms of tone, playability, et al? Respectfully, Larry Carroll PS: I think Martin and Rickenbacker are the two best guitar makers in the world. Just looking for comparisons on thier acoustics. | ||
| Andrew Gregg (Porge) Senior Member Username: Porge Post Number: 103 Registered: 05-2005 Posted From: 203.220.204.233 |
As a three Martin kinda guy ('23 0-18, '76 D-18, '91 000-28 currently, but have had 8 other 'D's), I'm intersted to hear as well... | ||
| Anthony Carey (Tony_carey) Senior Member Username: Tony_carey Post Number: 848 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 81.157.57.90 |
I don't own either, but I have played both....the Martin on a regular basis & the Ric only twice. My impressions were that the Martin is the best acoustic that I have ever played, with a fantastic balanced sound & a lovely 'solid' feel about it. However, the Ric suprised me. It was very light (in weight) in comparison, but it had a really beautiful sound & was as easy to play as the Martin. This is purely subjective, but the Rics fireglo finish & superb headstock gave it the edge on looks. The bottom line is that they are both top notch, world class acoustics that IMO compare very well with each other, but they are different & they feel different too. | ||
| Larry Carroll (Eggman) Advanced Member Username: Eggman Post Number: 89 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 65.0.24.136 |
Anthony, Thanks for the honest appraisal. I sure hope this thread grows. Rickenbacker lovers shouldn't feel intimidated; after all, Rickenbacker is the "new kid on the block" compared to Martin(with respect to acoustic guitars) Larry | ||
| Noel Christian Riddell (Longhouse) Senior Member Username: Longhouse Post Number: 304 Registered: 04-2003 Posted From: 65.80.8.141 |
I A/B'd the Ric Jumbos (maple and rosewood [sides and back])against every Martin, Gibson, Taylor, etc. at Dave's Guitars. The Shasta (?) sounded a bit compressed and quiet, but the Comstock (maple Ric) outclassed them all in playability, detail, versatility, and every other way I could think of. When fingerpicked, the notes bloomed and sparkled. It shimmered and hummed when strummed. I've not forgiven myself for NOT buying it. There were two Lowden guitars there which were maybe the best instruments I've ever used for fingerpicking, but overall, the Ric Comstock was the best in the store. I have a Gibson J100 and Tacoma Chief, both of which are wonderful guitars -one day I will add a Ric acoustic to the collection. And consider this: Rickenbacker does NOT use Micarta on their guitars. Noel | ||
| Larry Carroll (Eggman) Advanced Member Username: Eggman Post Number: 90 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 65.0.24.136 |
Noel, Not to take my own thread off on a tangent, but what's wrong with Micarta? I ask because my Martin D-28 has a Micarta nut and saddle! Thanks Larry | ||
| paul wilczynski (Jingle_jangle) Senior Member Username: Jingle_jangle Post Number: 2957 Registered: 12-2004 Posted From: 63.193.9.8 |
I'm a bit puzzled, too. Both bakelite and Micarta are tradenames for phenolic. | ||
| Melissa Breitsprecher (Melibreits) Senior Member Username: Melibreits Post Number: 594 Registered: 03-2003 Posted From: 216.70.32.56 |
My Ric acoustic is a fireglo Comstock, and Noel is absolutely right about them.... The Comstock has a much brighter sound than a Martin, and has a fabulously percussive and booming tone in the bass notes; very unique-sounding, and absolutely wonderful. | ||
| Noel Christian Riddell (Longhouse) Senior Member Username: Longhouse Post Number: 305 Registered: 04-2003 Posted From: 68.217.132.17 |
Call me a Luddite; I'm just against the use of plastic/bakelite/micarta for bridges, fingerboards, etc.* It's certainly OK for nuts and saddles. Not sure how it will be when these guitars are vintage instruments. Old fashioned perhaps. nOel *I make an exception for the Gretsch Hawaiian with its pearloid fingerboard | ||
| Bill Henshell (Byu) Senior Member Username: Byu Post Number: 215 Registered: 04-2004 Posted From: 24.15.207.208 |
I have a Ric 700c/12 (solid spruce top & solid maple back & sides) & 730s (solid spruce top & solid rosewood back & sides) and a Martin D15 & D12-1. I can't really compare them tonally since they're all different materials (D15 is solid mahogany, D12-1 is solid spruce top, solid mahogany back & laminate mahogany sides). Makes for good mixing when recording. I can say the workmanship on both is superb. The Rics have better playability. The Martins smell better. All sound fantastic in their own way.   Cheers, Bill |
