I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on either a D1A Custom or an H&D TD-M Custom (adi). Both are new. They are within $550 of each other when it's all said and done. FWIW, the D1A has the widest-grained, most symmetrical adi top I've ever seen, yet I realize this may not be an indicator of tone. Both have drop-in saddles and both have 1-23/32" nuts.

I've read a number of TD-M posts here and on other forums, and thought I'd just check to see if there might be new or updated info on this subject before I decide. Both are clearly excellent flatpicking/bluegrassing guitars. The general consensus seems to be: equally loud (maybe the D1A has the edge there), D1A has brighter mids and trebles, TD-M is perhaps a bit more balanced, maybe a bit richer bass, a bit warmer overall. The TD-M seems to fall between the Collings and Martin sound profile. Great build quality on both, the H&D being a tad lighter? Both have vocal advocates who have made this comparison.

The D1A almost seems like a no-brainer to me, and yet the TD-M is very compelling. If you have any thoughts or opinions, I'd like to hear them. Thanks...

This message has been edited. Last edited by: northernbreed,

The good news for you is that you really cannot go wrong. My only firm advice is that once you make your decision, don't look back. Nothing is more expensive than regret.

I had a similar choice that you are facing. In looking for a vintage D18-style dred, I was down to the D1A and the TDM custom. In the end, I went with my gut. I have always been attracted to the Martin Sound, and the H&D has it. In spades. The only difference is, the mids are more prominent than the typical Martin scooped mids, and thus the H&D is more balanced than a Martin. However, that vintage vibe and warmth is there. The D1A is tremendous, but IMHO it has a tighter, brighter voice than a vintage Martin, which is fine unless vintage Martin is what you happen to be after.

So, I got the TDM custom (with red spruce top and vintage dark tobacco sunburst). I have had the guitar for about a year and a half and I have absolutely no regrets. It has only gotten better.

N.B. I did fulfill my Collings GAS with a beautiful sitka D1SB bought here on this forum. Its a great guitar as well, just to show that I have no anti-Collings bias. Far from it. I am a fan. Its just that Huss & Daltons are special. I think of them as small shop boutique Martins (with a vintage vibe) and a Collings-like (perhaps superior) fit and finish.

The ideal solution for you would be to sample bot guitars before you buy. If thats not possible, then you have a more difficult decision to make. As I said, i don't think you can make a mistake whichever way you go.

Best of luck.

Alan

You need to play both of them if you can. The TD-Ms are absolutely outstanding dreads. I don't like the H&D rosewood dreads too much, but I think the mahogany dreads are the equal of Collings dreads.

Y'know ... the same, but different ...

Quite different.

The TD-Ms I've played have been woodier and have had more thump to them than the typical D1A. It just depends on what sound you're looking for.

Play 'em both. If you're not close to a dealer who has both, have both of them shipped to you and return the one you like least. I did that recently with a Grosh Strat and a Suhr Strat because I knew I would always doubt the decision I'd made if I didn't have the chance to A/B them with one another. I took both of them out from Mass Street and they even agreed to cover shipping to me for both guitars.

As Alan says, regret is expensive. So is doubt. Play them both and make the best-informed decision you possibly can.

Thanks for the informative replies! It may be difficult to get both in-house for a go at the same time.

As an aside, I've read what some who love the Martin pre-war D18 sound think about the Collings sound - they suggest that a D1A sounds too bright, too mids and trebles oriented, not enough boom bass, which is what might expect to hear.

I'd be curious what might these same folks say about the TD-M? (not that they represent the "truth" or anything like that - more like a data point).

This message has been edited. Last edited by: northernbreed,

I owned a TD-M Custom for a while. It was a truly outstanding guitar. Probobly the best offering of a pre-war style D-18 that I have played.
I sold mine only because it was verging on too much guitar for me, and my singer songwriter style. They are very complex sounding for a Mahogany dread, with lots of volume and great balance across the strings. They definatly have a great whump in the low end - you can't go wrong.
Tom

northernbreed, fwiw, there is a TDM at Acoustic Music Works that is just clearly the best TDM I've ever played. I don't have the money for another adi/hog or I would have bought it the first time I played it. I've played it several times...both at H&D (long story) and at AMW and it just blows me away. Shelton (Ralph Stanley fame) says they are the best pre-war Martin you can own and I think he's right. The Collings D1A (which I own and love) is fantastic, but it is clearly different. I don't know where your considering buying, but you're doing yourself a huge injustice if you don't check that one at AMW out. It is a beeswing Mh which is just gorgeous. There is a little streaking in the adi, but the tone, I'm telling you, is to die for!!!

Don't buy new if you're going with a H&D. D1As hold their value pretty well, but Huss & Dalton guitars tend to take a huge hit on the resale market.

Andrew

quote:

Originally posted by Brett:
northernbreed, fwiw, there is a TDM at Acoustic Music Works that is just clearly the best TDM I've ever played. I don't have the money for another adi/hog or I would have bought it the first time I played it. I've played it several times...both at H&D (long story) and at AMW and it just blows me away. Shelton (Ralph Stanley fame) says they are the best pre-war Martin you can own and I think he's right. The Collings D1A (which I own and love) is fantastic, but it is clearly different. I don't know where your considering buying, but you're doing yourself a huge injustice if you don't check that one at AMW out. It is a beeswing Mh which is just gorgeous. There is a little streaking in the adi, but the tone, I'm telling you, is to die for!!!

That is a fine-looking git, but a bit out of the price range I've set. I think if I was gonna drop $4500 I'd just might go ahead and adopt the D1A Varnish being sold here. But I do appreciate the heads-up on that one.

quote:

Originally posted by harmonist34:
Don't buy new if you're going with a H&D. D1As hold their value pretty well, but Huss & Dalton guitars tend to take a huge hit on the resale market.

Andrew

Thanks - not the first time I've read that sentiment.

I was making the exact choice about three years ago. D1a or TD-M custom. I found the TD-M to play a little easier, I also found sound of the TD-M to be warmer and more organic if that makes any sense. I went with what felt good and sounded good and that was the TD-M. It was the best dread I ever had and stupidly sold it for another gas attack. The re-sale is a little less on the HD's but not so much that it would change my mind to buy what I liked. That being said, I think one of the best deals out there is a slightly used TD-M custom. I am a firm believer in buying what sounds and feels right to me. If that is a $300 Epiphone over a boutique brand so be it.

If I were you, I'd buy this one: http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.ph...ighlight=huss+dalton.

Andrew

Yeah, that is a super deal. Nice call, Andrew.