Decision to buy: Martin DRS2 or Alvarez MD70! - CONFUSED.

[equiox]

Decision to buy: Martin DRS2 or Alvarez MD70?

$1160
Martin DRS2
Solid Sitka Spruce 5/16''
Solid Sapele Sides and Back

($988, Maybe got discount - to confirm)
Alvarez MD70
Solid Sitka Spruce 5/16''
Solid Mahgony or Rosewood

I have tried both guitars. Surprisingly, Alvarez MD70 really reeally sounds much sweeter than the Martin.
However, Martin got better 'branding' but Alvarez seems to offer better wood.

I would like to hear expert opinions and if can, go down with me to buy together. lol

 

[subversion]

have you tried any of the Maestro selections?

Maestro ED-2

 

[equiox]

have you tried any of the Maestro selections?

Maestro ED-2

It is not still not as 'seasoned' as the both brands I have tried.

 

[subversion]

i have pre-conceived ideas about 'Maestro' but that was years ago. recently they did a re-think & revised their product designs/ construction & i've nothing but good things to say about them. yes, they are relatively unknown & the fact that they are made here in SG, they get down-played all the time. i'd say that a mid-priced Maestro will have no problems competing with a Takamine/ Taylor/ Martin/ (the 3 big players) of similar values & make.

 

[seeyoudownthere]

Decision to buy: Martin DRS2 or Alvarez MD70?

$1160
Martin DRS2
Solid Sitka Spruce 5/16''
Solid Sapele Sides and Back

($988, Maybe got discount - to confirm)
Alvarez MD70
Solid Sitka Spruce 5/16''
Solid Mahgony or Rosewood

I have tried both guitars. Surprisingly, Alvarez MD70 really reeally sounds much sweeter than the Martin.
However, Martin got better 'branding' but Alvarez seems to offer better wood.

I would like to hear expert opinions and if can, go down with me to buy together. lol

You have answered your own question but blinded by branding.
Here's a tale...i was in Tokyo a few years back thinking I wanted a particular Martin. There's this famous district there which has many guitar shops next to each other and I spent a whole day trying about 20 different guitars...all Martin. I walked away empty handed because it just didn't sound, feel nor play right and saved myself a chunk of cash. Some years after I was in Hong Kong and found something I liked but only 'cos I played a whole bunch of stuff....between different branches.

You play as many as you can 'cos in the end it's your cash and your ears/fingers.

I don't have an opinion about the Maestros as some of the custom ones are bit too blingy..oops that was an opinion!!

 

[equiox]

In the end, I went with a Yamaha LL16. It was very loud, bassy and very good guitar after trying out almost all the guitar stalls in SG!!!

- - - Updated - - -

 

[timmywong]

I would take a martin anytime. U just need a proper setup and you are good to go.

 

[seeyoudownthere]

In the end, I went with a Yamaha LL16. It was very loud, bassy and very good guitar after trying out almost all the guitar stalls in SG!!!

Nice! It's a real beauty! Congrats on your purchase and you had the balls to do the right thing.

- - - Updated - - -

I would take a martin anytime. U just need a proper setup and you are good to go.

You'd buy the Alvarez if the setup was good based on this logic alone right?

 

[timmywong]

Actually Alvarez sound nice right out of the box. I used to have an Alvarez.

Martin on the other hand... needs a proper setup as most low end Martin comes with High Action right from the factory, neck, bass, trebles need to be adjusted if necessary. Precision is important to bring out the sound of the guitar. Higher end Martins or higher end custom series are always good, doesn't require any setup at all.

Testing a martin from the shop is very different from buying a new Martin with proper setup. Shop always have High Action and rusted strings.

At the same time, people always say Goodall is on a different level, but they never realize that Goodall and Collings are very limited in Singapore, so setup is always good, either it was done by the shop or from the factory. Some even compared a $9k goodall with a $3k martin, for which is not a fair comparison. Should have compared it to a $9k martin too.