Martin 000-17 Whiskey sunset vs 000-18

[LewisBrookshire]

I am looking for some assitance. I am currently torn between these two guitars and I can’t find any locally to play. I am curious for those of you who have played the two to tell me which you prefer and why. I know its all subjective but looking for opinions. The 000-17 is brand new and the the 000-18 is a 2017. The 18 I am looking at has the 1 3/4” nut width so almost all things are equal between the two....and the price is the same.

Thanks in advance for the help!

[dcmey]

If the price is the same, then I would go for the 18. I have played both and like both.

[Tracy Perry]

I've got an 00-17SE that I love (due to being a 12 fret) but overall, I MUCH prefer my 000-18 to it.
If both are new I'd go with the 000-18 personally.
My 000-18 was a new 2015 and I just look at it as it's gotten some aging to the wood over the 2017 that was also available at the time.

The 17 has sweet and clear fundamentals. The 18 is a little richer and three-dimensional. The 17 sounds little boxier to my ears, but it has a nice woodiness to it. The 18 has more depth and resonance.

[woodbox]

I'm in agreement with what everyone has said so far,
and I especially concur with Willie's observations...17 boxy, 18 resonate.

I would take the 18 without hesitation.

[ManyMartinMan]

Originally Posted by Willie Voltaire

The 17 has sweet and clear fundamentals. The 18 is a little richer and three-dimensional. The 17 sounds little boxier to my ears, but it has a nice woodiness to it. The 18 has more depth and resonance.

Pretty spot on in my opinion. My 000-18 plays like butter, sounds angelic and records beautifully.

[drive-south]

00018 for me too. I dont care for the satin finish on the 17.

[ataylor]

I’ve played both — I’d say the 000-17 was fun, while the 000-18 was fantastic.

I’d be happy to own and play either, but found the 000-18 to be a far more compelling and versatile guitar. The 000-17 is very much inspired by the Waterloo guitars, both in finish and tone. Which is to say that they’re really cool guitars with a thin non-gloss finish and more of a dry, direct, almost boxy tone. For several styles of play, it might be the better sound, but in almost every other aspect I think the 18 series is the best set of guitars Martin makes.

[JAMKC]

Originally Posted by Willie Voltaire

The 17 has sweet and clear fundamentals. The 18 is a little richer and three-dimensional. The 17 sounds little boxier to my ears, but it has a nice woodiness to it. The 18 has more depth and resonance.

Perfect description Willy. The 000-17 is not boxy in a bad way at all, just different than the 000-18. Two nice options.

[Kerbie]

Two great choices. I also agree with Willie's assessment. I don't find the 17s boxy, but I understand how some could. I'd go with the 17, but I think most would choose the 18. Can't lose though.

[TBman]

Two completely different guitars. The Sunset is a nice vibe if you have a few other guitars and just use it for certain songs. The 18 is more versatile. The official AGF rulebook section says

4.(b).1.(c) When a member cannot decide between two properly identified guitars the member must buy both.

Lol