This is only worth $0.01, but I would also insist that the dealer put new strings on (of your choice)...this can make a big difference in that initial strum. I like to A/B w/ new strings on both...takes out one factor from the equation.

Hiya Montropo,

Gee, I sure do understand you. Always an issue -- that break-in thing...

In my world -- I live with "both" issues now.

I have a Winfield that kicked butt right outta the box, and I have a "VERY" (and I do mean very) expensive custom Adi/Braz Goody CJ that is very bright (and I do mean very) for which I have a tremendous LUST. If you saw it, you'd understand in a New York minute what possessing this work of art can do to my soul. I just couldn't let either of these guitars go.

So anyway, the Goody came with $600 worth of Premium FWI. I replace the saddle and pins with bone and ebony, changed the strings to phos/bronze med-lights and try to play it as often as I can.

Unless I'm just fooling myself, it is starting to break-in.

My eyes lust for the Goody, my ears lust for the CW. How about that for a conundrum?

So there ya go, my post was no help at all!

Bye for now,
Mac

quote:

Originally posted by juhy789:
The Martin GE has to weigh a 1/2 to 1 pound less than the Collings and the bass response on the Martin was far superior to the Collings.

Not trying to be an antagonist here, but I've had exactly the opposite experience. I was lucky enough to have a friend's D18GE in the house recently, so I took the time to A/B it with my D1A.

I've posted on here before that I like to play my guitar in the bathroom. The tile floor, hard counters and large mirror allow me to hear the guitar better. I started with the GE and played for quite while. I started thinking, "Wow, my D1A doesn't have this kind of bass" and I got nervous that I had make the wrong purchase. Then I played the D1A and realized it was the GE that was missing something. The D1A actually seemed to have similar bass, but it sounded like someone had taken batting out of the GE to create the D1A.

One comment that I think is missing from the "Adi is harsh and has to open up" discussions is the versatility of the "tight" adi top. We all know there is a sweet spot on most guitars when it comes to picking location. For me that is usually just behind the sound hole. On my old guitar, I didn't have much room around this sweet spot. With the D1A, I can get more warmth by moving further forward, but I don't seem to lose clarity as I did before. Alternatively, I can move right back next to the bridge (my bridge actually has pick marks on it) and cut through in a group and still have some tone.

In other words, my sometimes harsh D1A is teaching me to be a better player by learning to listen and pull different tones from the guitar as needed. Watch Kenny Smith. He does this note by note in most songs he plays.