So, a while back, I was asking about High Pressure Laminate, specifically regarding a Martin 12-string...

http://www.fender.com/community/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=72208

So...here's the end of the story...and it has a happy ending...


My wife is great.

With my GC holiday sale 15%-off coupon burning a hole in my pocket, I suggest we go to the guitar store to take another look at the ‘Martin non-wood 12-string’. She says, “OK.”

It still sounds great…but she’s not liking it. “It doesn’t look like wood. What about that one?”

She’s pointing to a Taylor GA3-12 for about twice the price.

It plays fine…sounds fine…looks fine. But, I say, “It’s twice the price.”

She says, “So the discount would be twice? And, probably a better investment? But, don’t let me talk you into something you don’t want.”

I play them both for about an hour. They both are easy to play and have great sound. The Taylor has, yes…real wood sides and back and an ebony fingerboard. I like playing both of them. OK, maybe I just like playing. Meanwhile…my wife is having fun looking at the other acoustic guitars…walks away to look at electric guitars…comes back after a while and says, “So…which one?”

I admit I like the Taylor a bit more. It has a bit fuller tone…and it is a better investment. The Martin has a Fishman transducer installed...but that isn't enough to tip the scales. I don’t know if MIM or MIA makes a big difference in the long run…but I’m sold.

By now, our trusty sales associate has already gotten the case from the stock room and happily tosses in a set of strings. I couldn’t be happier.

Enjoy the photos!

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1967 Epiphone Madrid EC-30
1975 Fender Stratocaster
1981 Rickenbacker 360
2002 BC Rich Bich
2007 Fender Standard Stratocaster
2012 Taylor GA3-12
2012 Squier Telecaster
2017 Les Paul Kit


"Make every song you sing your favorite tune."

Gotta love a women like that, my wife pulls things like that, then gives me a ration of crap afterwords. Just her way of keeping me honest I think,ya know how it goes,"like you really needed another guitar"
Beautiful guitar, enjoy.

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+1!

I'm seriously digging that lumber.



Rawk on!

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

Arjay, Thanks, and I totally agree.

This is the problem with the Martin HPL...with eyes closed...I was happy...but it is nothing to look at. I could stare at the back of this Taylor all day....'cept then it would be hard to play.

Speaking of...today should be a slow day at the office, so it's "Bring your guitar to work day"!

I'm looking forward to a busy day...

Cheers.

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1967 Epiphone Madrid EC-30
1975 Fender Stratocaster
1981 Rickenbacker 360
2002 BC Rich Bich
2007 Fender Standard Stratocaster
2012 Taylor GA3-12
2012 Squier Telecaster
2017 Les Paul Kit


"Make every song you sing your favorite tune."

I wish i had a wife like that. Mine rolls her eyes when i buy strings. Of course the last set had a guitar attached to them.

That's a nice one!!

I always wanted to own a 12string but somehow it never happened.
There was always another guitar, screaming louder "BUY ME!!!", ha ha ha.

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Kindest regards from Germany, Dee
My recordings --> http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_mu ... dID=564337
STRATS ROCK!!! but Teles and Firebirds, too!

wow pretty! congrats!

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2010 Gibson Les Paul Studio (Silverburst)
2007 Fender CD-60 (Sunburst)
G.A.S-ing for a Fender Stratocaster HSS with floyd rose