Good point on the registration. I'll check on that. Lifetime warranty to original owner with Martins.

I've heard parking the guitar in front of a speaker will help open it up after a week or two.

I came across this demo on a Collings guitar and was blown away by this guy's talent and the sound of the guitar:

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Collings are very nice guitars. Try the Martin Retros I linked to on the first page, they really make a difference in tone.

https://www.martinguitar.com/strings/acoustic/retro-acoustic-guitar-strings.html?gclid=Cj0KCQiAxc6PBhCEARIsAH8Hff2g_dk Tnz5UsuUkgfpS5ZV9i4FvCam9ahHzilmV-9baS0UuhkffQQwaAvUNEALw_wcB

Diego Garcia is really good. He had this minor hit back a few years ago......

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Collings are beautiful. I dont know if they are still as nice since Bill Collings passed away but I would assume they are. I first tried a collings 20 years ago when I lived down the street from Matt Umanov Guitars on Bleeker St in NYC. At first glance, you could see how nice they were. I played a few and was impressed. Having just bought a Santa Cruz, I wasnt really tempted to buy one. I never did like their logo on the headstock but I do love the sharp corners of the headstock and everything else about them

I am considering selling my Santa Cruz Dreadnaught since getting my Martin. And now I am regretting buying the Gibson L-00 in December as the Martin simply does everything I want and I dont see myself playing the other two at all, ever. A nice problem to have I guess

And why are you looking at more guitars after just getting a new one? hahahahhaha I know the answer to that

oh and speakers.....a week or two might be a bit optimistic

The Tonerite I bought a few months ago is supposed to do something similar.....ehhh. not sure it did anything.
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As for speakers, for the past 8 years my Santa Cruz has been parked in front of a 12" woofer in my basement studio where the music gets played very loud. Has it worked? I have no idea because I cant recall how the guitar sounded before I parked it there. It has had hundreds of hours of loud music blasted into its backside and it does sound incredible. I have no doubt it did something but only after a few weeks? doubt it.

Yeah, it's fun to look at stuff. I saw Collings described as "sounding more like a Martin than a Martin," so I looked for a video demo. I doubt my guitar would sound a whole lot different if Diego had been playing it instead. I'm at the point of diminishing returns with the GPC, so I'll sit tight and make sure I pursue this previous hobby and just stop with acquisition (which I'm known for). I wish my hands and fingers were as nimble as they were 40 years ago, and my memory for that matter. But it's a good hobby- healthy, and somewhat of an investment where I won't lose too much.

My next step would probably getting an amp for this GPC since it has a built-in pickup. I asked a guy at Guitar Center about it and he said they had stuff used that was selling for about a third of new at $50-200. I'd rather spend $200 instead of $600, but who knows what's the best way to go. I'm sure many on this forum can provide good advice. The next thing I would do is get an electric guitar, but first things first. Once I know what I'm doing and can play decently, it'll be fun to try out different guitars to see what I notice and how the neck feels.

I wish I could sing. I'm horrible, but hold hopes for lessons.

I have a lot of pain in my fretting hand and in my shoulders which is what led me to smaller body guitars with shorter scale length….more comfortable and easier to play. Yours has a longer scale but you can experiment with strings and seating position etc. you’ll figure it out if you stick with it

I enjoy this guys channel….can’t embed with iPad…

https://youtu.be/59LrDKWjojM

This is a bit long but comprehensive explanation and demo of tones of different guitar shapes and body styles. Paul Davids channel is always great...

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Here you go...

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^^thanks

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I like this vid but he has me confused. The 000 is typically a 24.9” scale which is what mine is. Anyway, good for general idea

I've spent some time on Angela Petrilli's site. She has a lot of thorough lessons in there, and at the bottom she reviews a lot of interesting guitars at Norm's Rare Guitars.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo4y0xwkXDL2ZgZbGoIHG0g

^ subscribed. I’ll give love in vain a shot. Been on my list for a while

Just for fun.

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I’m gonna give a shout-out to https://www.stringsbymail.com/

I ordered some harder to find strings Monday and got them today at half the price I previously paid elsewhere, along with a personalized thank you and a nice sticker. Shipping for 4 packs was like $3.50. Sure I support local shops but nobody has john pierce strings around here that I’m aware of. I’ll continue to order these here. Check ‘em out, they carry all brands

Thanks for the link!

I have to stop by and see this local guy Stevie Coyle who owns Mighty Fine Guitars locally in Lafayette, CA. Older "character" who knows his stuff. Funny as heck.

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lucky you. I have subscribed to his channel for a while but he doesnt post much lately. I like that guy and from what i have seen, i love that shop

Ive always sorta doodled with the riff of harvest moon while watching tv and noticed the other day she taught it....so i just checked it out so i could get it down properly...well, she is a little too slow and rudimentary for me and I got impatient (ill go back to it later) so i started searching for other versions of it and came across this...pretty good!


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Harvest Moon is on of my top five (if not top one) songs! I’m working on getting my fingers and skills up to speed and mastering that is my highest priority. Love the low D tuning, too. I like this guy’s lesson the best:

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ill use that one later, seems to be moving faster!

Drop D is awsome. I like doube drop D too...both e strings to D

In fact I came across a video of Colin Hay showing how to play overkill last night which is in double drop D. made a note of it to try it over the weekend. looks pretty simple

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I’m gonna need a harmonica.