2016 SHOOTOUT- Martin Dread JR SITKA against SAPELE Top Guitar Review
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- čas přidán 15. 09. 2016
- Here is the comparison shootout of the Martin Dreadnought Junior against the Junior 2 Sapele top.
Both have the upgraded unbleached bone saddle by Jarvis Wong THE GUITAR SPA SINGAPORE with Elixir Mediums on it. - Hudba
03:03 Jr1 Sitka Flatpick Strumming
04:18 Jr2 Sapele Flatpick Strumming
05:43 Jr1 Fingerstyle
06:54 Jr2 Fingerstyle
08:18 Jr1 Rhythmic Flatpicking Capo'ed at 3rd Fret
09:22 Jr2 Rhythmic Flatpicking Capo'ed at 3rd Fret
10:27 Jr1 Song for Clarice Capo'ed at 3rd Fret
13:03 Jr1 Song for Clarice Capo'ed at 3rd Fret
14:55 Exceptionally Tremendous Final Thoughts
I brought a GS mini to the Martin shop yesterday to pitch it against the Martin D Jr. Needless to say, I walked out with 2 guitars ;) Love this Martin D Jr!
Martin
Pros: Strong and round fundamental tone. A better voicing to Sing with (complements human voice better). More overheads which is useful if your want to strum harder. Wider string spacing (Some might prefer the narrower string spacing of GS mini)
Cons: Bigger than the taylor. Poorer Gig bag. Higher action.
Taylor
Pros: Resonant and responsive. Good size - belly is more tapered which is more comfortable. Faster neck with better action. Better gig bag
Cons: Fundamental tone is thin compared to the Martin. Less overhead.
As for Sepele vs Sitka top for the D Jr, i personally went for the Sitka but i had a hard time deciding in the shop. I bought the sitka as it was more familiar and more responsive for fingerstyle. I'd say the Sepele top has a really sweet midrange which might work better for you if you do more strumming, percussive playing, acoustic blues.
Great feedback and congrats
Evan T. Thanks this was really helpful
Evan T. It
Evan T. Great comment. Very usefull.
Same thing happened to me. Taylor GS-Mini sounds louder and has better clarity, specially the Mahogany Top. Also better resonance, top-end overtones, and better bag. But I go with DrJr2, because I love the low-end response specially when strumming hard, which sounds thicker compared with GS-Mini. But I have to experiment with different strings though. Maybe it has affected the overall tone.
Making me smile with your grinning. My grandpa use to call us playing “pickin and grin’n.” Love the chords you played. Such a fun play.
Great shootout! Jarvis if it wasn't for you and your reviews I don't think I would've known the JR2 in sapele even existed. Great playing as always and thank you 😀
Your playing is enchanting and confident. Well done!
These guitars sound unbelievable. Well done on the demo give a good indication of the sound
Hey Jarvis....I really like your videos! I've been watching for a long time! Thanks!
Great review & comparison! Also appreciate your insight on the bridges, set-up, strings, etc! Initially thought I would get a Taylor GS Mini, but you really helped me decide on getting the Martin Dr Jr - spruce top. Just thought it had more clarity & character. Thank you!
This video is really really helpful for me, thanks a lot, Jarvis!
And oh, the fingerstyle part is lovely.
Prayudi A. Thanks a million
I just bought one of these. A Jr. 1 It's a keeper! Thanks for the demo and hi from North Dakota,USA.
As mentioned , I have & love the Dred Jr with spruce top . After hearing them side by side , I'd love to own the Dred Jr. 2 Sapele as well. Both sound incredible. Thanks for doing this video Jarvis.
Thanks Jarvis for the review. I prefer the Junior 2 both for its looks and its tone, loudness and added base. Got a Junior 2 in early Oct last year. It is one of the best value for money solid wood guitars in the market!
Good review! You got this right Jarvis! The Martin D Jr has that full rich tone. Taylor GS-Mini, louder, but very bright, a lot of Mid's and Highs. And as a bonus, the Martin is a all Solid Wood guitar, with a little bit more of scale length, and really comfortable body. It's on my list! I'll buying one next month, the newer D Jr. 10e in Sunburst. Awesome!
Thanks a lot for in depth review man!
I bought the Sitka Jr and absolutely love it. Amazing sound and is a keeper!! To my ear I like it better than the new version. The other version sounds great too. One could own both easily.
I have had the Martin Dred Jr. with Sika top for couple yrs now & love it. Gets played often. Love the satin finish over high gloss. Now I want the Martin Dred Jr. all sapele . I'll get the one with built in electronics as I like to have the option of using an amp. As always , great job Jarvis with the reviews.
BaktaBak - Country, Rock & Oldies band.. Which is better now?
Kalpesh Naag - Both very nice. Tone is subjective. Can't go wrong with either one. Excellent value ....and it's a Martin !
Gotta go with the all Sapele Jr., especially for finger style. The balance between the low and high strings is superior. FWIW.
most excellent finger style playing. What a song!
Great review. About to pull the trigger. Which one did you get Jarvis?
So you would recommend medium strings on this guitar? I currently use Martin Custom Lights
gotta learn that fun jam. Love it
spruce....great work on the comparison!
Your comparisons are always fun to watch Jarvis, thank you. I was sure I'd prefer spruce, but the Sapele model sounds very sweet here. I'd love to see a comparison of the D-Jr to the Big Baby. There's lots of GS Mini vs D-Jr, but I haven't seen one yet comparing both of the dreads. Thanks for doing what you do!
Keith Baker I have the big baby..I compared it with Gs mini and it sucks a little bit...so...:-D
Ha! That's awesome 2ES. I'm no Einstein, but I can do that math on that!
update 14/5 actually i got the djr2 and i can make some more detailed confront with the big baby...
Cool, what's your impression of each?
Keith Baker I can even tell you in details if you add me on fb: Charly controtempo.
Excellent review Jarvis....a fun guitar, that sounds and plays great! I see they are now producing them without pickups as well DJR and DJRe.
Bart Boeckler Yes it is
great comparission thanks!
What sort of pics do you use and what thickness are they well playd as allways.
can you please tell me which strings you are using? Are they the same on both? I enjoyed your review. Thanks
Just to add some specs....these Martins have 1and 3/4 inch nut width and are 24 inches in length.
Both sound great when fingerpicked but the spruce topped one sounds a lot better when strummed, not as boomy as the sapele top. Great comparison Jarvis 👍
That's great
Hello sir. What model is the sitka spruce? Is it same model as the Sapele top?
Always great reviews. Can I have your used guitars ?
I really like the sitka. Really nice sound. Price and where can I get in Singapore?
Great review, thankyou
I really wanted to prefer the sapele version because it's more durable and in a travel guitar/couch guitar, durability is nothing to sneeze at. Heck, what I really wanted to prefer was the Taylor GS Mini, since my main guitar is a Taylor 514ce, and I think the GS Mini in sapele is far more beautiful than this Martin. Also, the Martin has a Richlite fretboard, and I'd never even heard of that. Sounded iffy. But I played them, and for me at least, it's no contest - I got the Martin in spruce and am 100% happy. The Martin in the spruce has a terrific tone for such a small guitar, and the wider neck (1 3/4 nut) works better for the way I am most likely to play such a guitar, versus the narrower Taylor. This thing barely ever sees the guitar stand, it just sits on the couch with a capo and tuner clipped to the neck (I rarely need to tune generally but I do like to do alternate tunings) and it gets played more than all my other guitars combined. It begs to be played like an old-fashioned fingerstyle blues parlor guitar, despite being a dread shape, so that's what it gets a lot of. But it's capable as a strummer and flatpicker. Less volume than a full sized guitar but unless I'm outdoors I don't see that as a negative. This is really a home run. Sure wish it were made in the USA but if it's going to be an import, at least it's from a neighbor (it's from Mexico). If you haven't tried one of these, you really need to do so. One more thing. I'm 6'2" and most of that is arms and legs, so you might think this guitar would be too small. Not at all. I think the Little Martin and Baby Taylor are unplayably small but this feels just right. Try it out.
I really liked reading your comment. My situation is similar in that I already own a Taylor 514ce. It is a beautiful 2003 with a Koa rosette and I really love it.
I am in the process of purchasing a 2018 djr with a Sitka top when I travel for business later this month and it’s all I’ve been thinking about. Like you, I thought the gs mini would be a good complement to my 514, but I like the idea of having a Taylor voice and a Martin voice to choose from. Hope I love this baby as much as you do yours.
@@shepaluteprez Funny story about my Taylor. I was at a recording studio last month and the young tech on the soundboard saw and heard mine, which is 90's. Here's how the conversation went. "Dude, that's a sweet Taylor! Must have cost you a fortune to get a vintage guitar like that." "Uh, not really." "Dude, how'd you get a deal?" "I bought it new." Long pause, then he says, "Dude. How old ARE you?" Apparently, I'm old enough to be vintage myself. Ouch.
@@hillwellford9637 Great story, haha. It’s one of the ways to impress the young people. Keep that 514, it would be tough to replace.
thank you, very nice, subscribed :) I prefer the Sitka Spruce top sound
You are good player. You seem to be happy when you play the guitars....
Thats what it's all about
Great review. I have to say, you seemed to smile more playing the JR2 - methinks its voice might have resonated a bit more with you? :-)
good review ... covered lots of styles ... BOTH guitars sound great don't they? Clever Martin!
Jr 2 is amazing!!!!
Intonation is better on spruce...why? Was the neck set at bridge height proper? They sell 2nds in mi...sorry
Even tho the imitation hog sounds better tone !
They are more like 15/16 size not 3/4.
These are 11/16 size guitars (not 3/4) but that is being picky. I have the spruce top version but if you can't choose.....buy both!
15/16 scale not 11/16
hi, glad to see the vid, i know woods are affected with our high humidity (singapore/malaysia)..but in your opunion, in general, which one stands a bit better to our climate, the taylor or martin? currently looking for an affordable guitar from well known brands
Rudy Hamblee Both taylor and martin will suffer in our climate that’s why I Strongly suggest getting a dehumidifier drying once a week for 8hrs. You might want to consider the Maestro Project X guitars .. exceptional values and dynamic tone
@@TheGuitarSpaSingapore 😀😀thanks for the quick reply and info
Did you take a class or music theory to compose all these pieces of music? Amazing pieces by the way
No classes all just listening all those good CDs from GRP and hosanna intergrity in the 80s
i like the balance it provides but it sounds VERY soft (as most martins does, at least cheaper ones). Does it become less with overtones and more natural sounding as strings gets older and does the softness disappear more or less? It sounds boomy too. But it sounds super sweet. I'm looking for a sound that has more hardness to it than sweetness and I dont like loud guitars. I'm looking for a guitar that offers clear with not a lot of overtones, tight, not boomy sound, probably not full dreadnought and with pretty balanced sound. Any suggestions? under 800pounds. I always liked old hard strings sound. I like nick drake sound. So I could say I like vintage sound.
coldminded21 look into Larrivée
Tried both yesterday and i have to say the sapele had the edge for me
Paul Edwards great for u
Sapele back & sides on both
hi, do you know how to keep the guitar in the best condition in a place with high humidity like singapore?
keep it in the case when you aren't using it, that's the only advice I can offer
help a lot
it sounds really nice. 😊
Nice sound! What microphone did you use to record the sound ?
lFire Fly Foxl external audio technical condenser mic
Thanks! Can you tell me the manufacturer and model ?
I chose the spruce top for my Dreadnaught Junior as it has a brighter sound.
Yes that’s great
Yep jr1, is that chord progression something you made up ? I like it alot
Yes it's all my own compositions and I have tutorials on it so look for it on my channel
I don't about the rest but D Jr 2 sounds a lot better. It's still bright (not as bright though as the stika) maybe due to the smaller size but has a lot more depth/boom/bass/resonate at the low.
On subsequent listens (at least twice), the Jr 1 kinda sounds better as compared to the Jr 2! :o
what tuning is this? funky chord shapes I've never seen
MyBackHurtsALittle standard tuning
Please do a comparison of Drs1 & 2
Tough my friend
Id take the sitka spruce top
The sepals sound is subdued. The spruce is better and brighter.
What is your favorite, Martin DJR-10 Sitka or Martin DJR-10 Sapele?
sitka top
fish eye lens??
I understand the electric pickups in these are not so deep and rich as Taylor. If you bought the non electric and later wanted to install a preamp what would you choose to install?
A Fishman?
barneycarparts the new fishman now are way better as they have vastly improved the pre amp and it’s not like the fishman 10-20 years ago
@@TheGuitarSpaSingapore Glad to hear that Thanks for the quick reply. I'll go look for a video demo. I just bought the Sapele because of your demo. You play very well. I book marked so I can come back to watch your fingers.
barneycarparts Super man
I think I preferred the sapelle. I could tell by body language you preferred sapele too. Would I be wrong in thinking sappele's tone falls somewhere between spruce, and cedar? By 3/4 size does that make these about the same size as a Taylor baby?
lerch25 these are not 3/4, they are 15/16.
high e buzzing on the sapele really annoying
JR 1 sounds better to me. I have the original D Jr. Thanks for doing this video. 👍
is the synthetic/plastic fretboard comfortable?
Norman Encore no problem you can't feel the different
Sitka for strumming, sapele for fingerstyle.
sitka sounds dynamic and detailed. sepelle sounds loud and boomy.
Like it's supposed to
Its all about the loud boomyness my man
Hey Jarvis, you mentioned you were planning to get one. These older, pre 2019s have a deeper body and richer depth. Which of these two did you end up with?
Nope my wife told me that time no more guitars and I stopped
@@TheGuitarSpaSingapore haha, I know how that goes! 😆 I found one of the older ones in brand new condition and I cannot wait to see it. It’s being held for me across the country and I’ll be picking it up in a few days. Wish you had one too. Tell your wife that Jay said it’s okay to have one of these because it’s a part of your trade. Jarvis, I’ve seen a lot of your videos and I just think you are awesome. Your music is beautiful and hopefully as I learn your playing style I will be able to write a song for my wife too. God’s blessings to you and yours.
Nice strumming & playing ....great sound! yeah for Martin jr guitars.......MTW .......acoustic Guitarist.... LA CA USA
I recently purchased a brand new older Djr-E and it sounds amazing. I think the Martin SP strings sound the best on these guitars but that's my preference. Need to try a bone nut.
Yes the martin strings sounds full and fat though the downside is they don’t last that long .. but that full bold tone is not found in any other strings or brand
Shield400, you still can buy them ?
Sitka spruce top is so much better. No comparison. Clear tones and less muttled. Can't understand why there choosing to put sapele on a top except to save money..
The strumming on these sounds tinny to me.. Love the picking though
In person you would change your mind...it does have a midrange priority, just as a 00 or 000 would have as well. It does retain the dreadnought tonal quality in a small package. You would be surprised at its volume and bass response live. Go play one if you can!
Matthew Alistair go play one and you will end up buying it
Bart Boeckler I agree wholeheartedly. These dread juniors are terrific guitars and for the money cannot be beaten.
Anyone know what song(s) he was playing?
I like mahogany, reminiscent of guild m20... kind of 'hollow' sounding.
I went into guitar center to buy a Dreadnought Jr. it is dry winter and they had their humidifier turned off. The Martin was in horrible condition. Buzzed and fretted out above the 3rd fret. Unplayable. The top was sunk in the neck was back bowed and badly humped up over the body. The Richlite was buckled bad. I tried one of their GS minis and while dried out too, it was still playable. The top had much less sinking and was relatively normal. I took it home and after 3 or 4 days in 50% humidity it was perfect. From that experience I found the GS Mini to be a much more stable guitar. They had to pull the Dreadnought Junior off display. I believe the neck was ruined. The Richlite doesn’t absorb moister so it can’t expand and contract with the wood of the neck and guitar. It’s unfortunate because I have larger hands with thick fingers and prefer the wider longer fretboard of the Martin.
Personally, I never buy guitars from GC for the reasons you mentioned. IMO they don't care about the instruments ......just "move the wood". If no local small "mom & pop" music stores in your area, order/call Maury's Music or Sweetwater.
Never buy from a shop that doesn't care about their merchandise. The reason the mini was in better shape is because the junior is an all solid wood guitar so hummidity is a must. The junior blows the mini out of the water for sound.
jr 2 doesn't have a pick up,right?
***** thx :) i don't think its pick up is good enough
***** sounds great,and i had replaced that original pick up with lr baggs lyric ,it sounds better now through the amp
3:54
Finger style Sapele. Everthing else Sitka. I used headphones and found the tone of the sapele a bit muddy. Lot of low end that killed some of the highs.
Thanks for your comments
How much does the Sitka cost? And where could I get them in sg; which store?
Get them at City Music, 1 Sophia Rd, #02-12/13 Peace Centre, S228149. Roughly about $800.
Actually, Sapele (pronounced sa-PEE-lee) is not Mahogany, although they have several similarities. Comparing these two it's like comparing coffee (Sapele) to tea (Sitka).
the Darker one is better
Millimetre please not mm.
Ben Pennington that’s the short form we used in our country
Thank you, yes we use mm as an abbreviation here in England too, but in written English not spoken English.
Sepele strumming is not that impressive but finger picking warm tone blew me away,,, toooo good...
😎
Sapele is better
Hahahahahahaha
women prefers the look, men prefers the tone ?! Really ?? :D
Oscar Benben -He said whaaaat?!!! Seriously?
Check the content you'll find out by yourself hehehe ;)
On what, may I ask, do you base you comment, "Women prefer looks, men prefer tone?"
I d say players prefer the tone and public prefer the look..
Only when it comes to guitars... hahahaha
Why are the dots so small? I don't like that, looks cheap.