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#1
10-31-2014, 07:51 PM
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NGD: Martin D-18, Finally
For those keeping score at home, you may recall that I had ordered a Martin D-18 from Sweetwater. Because I had recent major foot surgery, however, the guitar sat, unopened in my office, for six days.
Finally, I have had a chance to get back to work and pick it up, try it out, and take some pics. This guitar has surpassed my expectations. It has the expected low end growl, but has a beautiful, sparkly high and and an assertive but melodic midrange. Chronic GAS aside, this one will be a lifetime keeper. Kudos to Sweetwater. The guitar had been obviously checked, true to Sweetwater's promised pre-shipping checkup, because the Martin box was opened, and resealed and shipped in a double box. The guitar was in great condition, and the set up was perfect right out of the box, which was not the case for my OMCPA4. The action is nice and low. I'm a relative beginner, but barre chords are easily formed and ring out true and proud. I love the open back tuners. Really responsive and handsome. And, the decal logo looks nicely understated, although I didn't really mind the raised gold foil on my OMCPA4. The TKL case is, like my other TKL case for my Taylor, beautiful, perfectly sized and smells like heaven. Nice compartment for strings/picks/tuner, though smaller than the one in my other case. Overall these TKL cases are the bomb. I am going to have McCabe's install an ebony/pearl inlay endpin (because no way am I messing with it) and they will use a proper tool to ream the hole and secure the endpin. Cost: $4.50, including endpin. I love those guys. They are the best. And, although the 13 gauge strings are definitely thicker than I am used to, the guitar is eminently playable. I will probably try a set of 12 gauge strings on it soon, just to tell what the difference would be. I will likely try some DR Sunbeams or Elixir Nanowebs. Bottom line is that all of the countless posts and reviews were spot on. I play 5-6 guitars every week at McCabe's before class. This is the nicest guitar I have ever played and: beautiful. My cat, Umlaut, crawled into my lab and nestled beneath the upper bout, purring while I debuted the D-18 with Neil Young's "Already One", one of my favorite songs. Nothing ever sounded sweeter.       
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Peter Eastman AC630BD --The Hot Blonde Taylor 317 Rickenbacker 620 Midnight Blue Yamaha FG700 (lives in Miami for family visits) "Son, don't wait till the break of day, 'cause you know how time fades away..." Last edited by Wildgift; 10-31-2014 at 09:10 PM. 
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#2
10-31-2014, 07:54 PM
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Congrats! Glad you finally got to open and play your new D-18. They are great guitars...played mine last night at church. Just installed a LR Baggs Lyric...great combination if you ever want to plug in. Enjoy!
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Jim Dogs Welcome......People Tolerated!
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#3
10-31-2014, 08:03 PM
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NGD: Martin D-18, Finally
Beautiful 18. Vent nice mahogany on that one.
Seems like these 18's are a lot more guitar than what their price suggest. I've heard some are selling their more expensive guitars and buying these new 18's. For me, it just doesn't get any better than a great spruce / mahogany dread. Enjoy!!
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Lady Toni  Gibson Hummingbird True Vintage CV Precision Basses (2)
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#4
10-31-2014, 08:03 PM
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Congrats ... Looks Great!
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Chris Martin * Pre-War Guitars * Brothers Music
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#6
10-31-2014, 08:24 PM
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Lovely... just played one just like today... HEY... what is my cat doing on your sofa??
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Blessings, Kip... My site: Personal Blog Yamaha LL16R-12 L Series A.R.E. Yamaha FG-75 Fender CF 60 CE Ibanez AF75TDG Epiphone Les Paul Std PlusPRO Eastman MB515 Mando Yamaha YPT230 Keyboard
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#7
10-31-2014, 08:49 PM
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Quote:
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Peter Eastman AC630BD --The Hot Blonde Taylor 317 Rickenbacker 620 Midnight Blue Yamaha FG700 (lives in Miami for family visits) "Son, don't wait till the break of day, 'cause you know how time fades away..."
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#8
10-31-2014, 08:56 PM
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Quote:
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Blessings, Kip... My site: Personal Blog Yamaha LL16R-12 L Series A.R.E. Yamaha FG-75 Fender CF 60 CE Ibanez AF75TDG Epiphone Les Paul Std PlusPRO Eastman MB515 Mando Yamaha YPT230 Keyboard
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#10
10-31-2014, 09:14 PM
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Quote:
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Peter Eastman AC630BD --The Hot Blonde Taylor 317 Rickenbacker 620 Midnight Blue Yamaha FG700 (lives in Miami for family visits) "Son, don't wait till the break of day, 'cause you know how time fades away..."
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#13
11-01-2014, 12:37 AM
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Glad you are happy with your new guitar! A good D-18 is something to be proud of, and to play LOUD AND LONG!
Enjoy while you're recuperating from the foot surgery...!!!
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"Home is where I hang my hat, but home is so much more than that. Home is where the ones and the things I hold dear are near... And I always find my way back home." "Home" (working title) J.S, Sherman
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#14
11-01-2014, 02:54 AM
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Congratulations. I have played dozens of newer D-18s, before and after I purchased the one I got. IMO, they are the most consistently good sounding guitar out there.
Love the cat
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David Webber Round-Body Furch D32-LM MJ Franks Lagacy OM Rainsong H-WS1000N2T Stonebridge OM33-SR DB Stonebridge D22-SRA Tacoma Papoose Voyage Air VAD-2 1980 Fender Strat A few Partscaster Strats MIC 60s Classic Vib Strat Last edited by Mbroady; 11-01-2014 at 04:34 AM.
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#15
11-01-2014, 03:07 AM
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Oh great...have been fighting the urge to get a D-18 (was actually looking at them yesterday) and now your post...maybe when I get the 000-18GE paid off..lol
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Martin 000-18 Golden Era 1937 Epiphone Masterbilt AJ-500 RE Epiphone Masterbilt DR-500 MCE Epiphone Masterbilt DR-500PNS Epiphone DR-100 Epiphone Dobro Houndog Resonator Nouveau Gibson NV-12
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