D-18: Dread Under $1200 That Sounds Closest to a Martin D-18

[Charmed Life Picks]

Mick, thanks very much. Not a total deal-breaker, but my playing the last ten years has moved strongly in the fingerstyle direction. I have fat (actually, muscular) hands, so need the extra space.

These are wonderful responses folks. I'm not gonna tip my hand, because I want your unbiased suggestions, but so far these are all in my wheelhouse.

Asian or American is fine, as is new or used, as long as within that budget.

Busy day today. Will dip back in when I can.

Deeply Appreciated,
Scott

[smurph1]

I just bought a 2014 D-18 for $1300. I think the bracing is scalloped and forward shifted. Dang thing sounds wonderful!

[flagstaffcharli]

As mentioned, Martin makes more affordable guitars. A spruce/mahogany 15 or 16 series guitar will get you pretty close. I had a spruce/rosewood Custom D that was a killer. The neck wasn’t right for me and I gifted it to someone who I know loves it.

I really think most people couldn’t tell a D18 from a D16GT in a blind test.

If you want non-Martin, I think Eastman makes some impressive guitars at a lower price.

[dmckean44]

A used D-16 or DM would be the best option. Only a Martin really sounds like a Martin.

[Watt]

Echoing others comments, I'd first look for a used, 2012 or later, D-18. But if your $1200 or less is firm, I'd look at an Eastman E6D. Why not the E10D? In my experience, admittedly limited to only a few instruments, I found the E10D to be somewhat stiff, for lack of a better word, when played fingerstyle. Perhaps one that was a little broken in would overcome the stiffness - I moved on from mine after about a year - but the Sitka-topped E6D seems better suited to fingerstyle out-of-the-box. As others have noted, the Eastman dreads don't really sound like Martins. I'm not sure that they would be "closest" to a D-18. But they're nice guitars.

[earri]

C'mon man, you know you're an Eastman man. Won't necessarily get you the D-18 sound, but I sure love mi E10D. The Blueridges, reportedly copy the Martin sound pretty well. Why not just save a few more $ and get a good used D-18?

[YamaYairi]

Blueridge BR-140 0r BR-240. I haven't played an Eastman dread yet, but based on my Eastman AC-510, which is an OM, I'd say the dreads will be as good as a Martin D18.

[SuperB23]

The US built Breedlove Revival series stuff is a great option in that price range. I have a buddy that has a American Series Revival in Sitka and Mahogany and he bought it new for $1200 and it sounds just like the newer revamped D-18s from Martin. A lot of them came with great pickups as well. US built Breedlove stuff is a ton of bang for the buck.

[Charmed Life Picks]

Originally Posted by earri

C'mon man, you know you're an Eastman man. Won't necessarily get you the D-18 sound, but I sure love mi E10D. The Blueridges, reportedly copy the Martin sound pretty well. Why not just save a few more $ and get a good used D-18?

earri, shhhhhhhh..........

[Charmed Life Picks]

Originally Posted by SuperB23

The US built Breedlove Revival series stuff is a great option in that price range. I have a buddy that has a American Series Revival in Sitka and Mahogany and he bought it new for $1200 and it sounds just like the newer revamped D-18s from Martin. A lot of them came with great pickups as well. US built Breedlove stuff is a ton of bang for the buck.

Super, thanks. For the record, I am not a fan of factory-installed pickups and will ALWAYS prefer to buy a guitar without one and add my own later.

Appreciate it,
scott

[Zissou Intern]

Originally Posted by fitness1

Definitely - wouldn't sell my modified version for twice what I paid for it.

Had a 2014 D18 and a newer D18GE here and it obliterated both of them.

How is it modified? How is it better? Not at all trying to be snarky, just curious.

[Nyghthawk]

Blueridge BR-140A

[PiousDevil]

Originally Posted by Ed-in-Ohio

Blueridge BR-240A. Really, really nice mahogany backed dreadnought.

This is the answer

[Charmed Life Picks]

Originally Posted by PiousDevil

This is the answer

Thanks. Have heard quite a few positive comments about Blueridge.

sm

[fitness1]

Originally Posted by Zissou Intern

How is it modified? How is it better? Not at all trying to be snarky, just curious.

Scroll down to post 43 here (and I think there were some subsequent posts in that thread as well)

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...=485680&page=3

Even before I did the second set of ports and last minor brace manipulations, it was a much more responsive guitar than the Martins.

Not knocking the Martins - they were very good guitars. This one is just exceptional.

By the way - I owned this guitar previously and bought it back. If I'd known how effective dual ports were then, I wouldn't have put the oval in the upper bout. Thus the reason they don't "match"

Here's a recording I did with it BEFORE any of the modifications:

https://app.box.com/s/flr8u7s6qjo29jarhx4bhf35w5tjkuuh