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

[Charmed Life Picks]

Originally Posted by themissal

Love my Eastman E10ss, and I love my D18.

I think you would like the post 2012 18 much better than the E10D. Doesn’t the E10D have an alpine top? Bright. The 18 is Sitka. Me like. Play them both; I have side by side.

themissal, I haven't played the E-10D straight up against the new D-18. However, all the D-18s I've played and am referring to are the new remodels from 2012. I've only played one that thunderstruck me, and that was at McCabes, where is was perfectly dialed in with new strings, etc.

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[LongNines]

Please forgive the necropost; I realize this thread is over six years old…

I was thoroughly enjoying reading all of the input and interaction, and was disappointed to see it end abruptly with no outcome!

OP: what did you end up getting?? DID you end up getting anything?


I stumbled on this thread while researching the same scenario for myself, because I’d been captivated by the idea of having a D18. (Ultimately I went a different route, and now own a beautiful E10D-TC that I couldn’t be happier with.) So I’m very curious to see which guitar Scott ended up with!

[bobster7]

Yeah me too I’d love to know what happened in his search! I love my Eastman parlour, Eastman make great sounding guitars but they sound nothing like Martin IMO. I feel they are more modern sounding with greater sustain and zinging trebles. I find them more responsive than standard series Martin’s and a lot louder with a cleaner bass response.

I have a recent Sigma SDM-18E, a limited edition (72 pieces) all solid European spruce top/flamed mahogany, ebony fingerboard, tortoise binding etc which sounds as close to a Martin guitar as I've ever heard any guitar sound. It's light as a feather and resonates like crazy.

Even with 11-50 strings it's a tone monster, just a beautiful sounding guitar. I can't believe the quality of this guitar Sigma's all solid limited edition models and they are THE Martin substitute for me. I would think this was a Martin if not for the name on the headstock and the fact that the binding remains in place.

There is a video on YouTube comparing the Martin D-18 to the laminate sigma and the all solid SDM-18 but the model I have is a big step up from the SDM-18 which is a heavier build with a less responsive tone.

I'm gassing for these two so badly now, incredible looking quality:
https://www.musik-center.de/en/manuf...-10.html<br />https://www.musik-center.de/en/manuf...k2-45vs-2.html

[Jking412]

Originally Posted by lowrider

Ya know, you can get a brand new D-18 for around $1900 from our sponsors. That's more than 50% over your budget, but it's not that far out of reality. And you get the real thing with the real tone.

When you're selling to make room, just sell one more guitar!

How does one make this happen

[columbia]

Originally Posted by Jking412

How does one make this happen

That was in 2017. Not so much now.

[lowrider]

Originally Posted by columbia

That was in 2017. Not so much now.

With used prices coming back down, you should be able to find a used D-18 for around $1900 again.

[Moldstar]

Originally Posted by lowrider View Post
Ya know, you can get a brand new D-18 for around $1900 from our sponsors. That's more than 50% over your budget, but it's not that far out of reality. And you get the real thing with the real tone.

--> As advised by the comment section here, I tried the sponsors when I bought mine, and the best price that was offered was around 2500.