#1
|
|||
|
|||
Martin 2012 D18 vs D28
Hey everyone, I'm thinking about selling my Taylor 316 ce and getting a Martin 2012 D18, the only issue is that I can't find one locally to play. I have played a few D28's and was wondering if there is a major difference between the D28 and D18. Thanks in advance.
|
#2
|
|||
|
|||
The new 2012 D-18s are the same as what the D-18V was meaning it has forward shifted scalloped bracing. The standard D-28 doesn't it has tapered bracing which gives it a much different sound. To get the same bracing in D-28 form you have to buy an HD-28V. They are all great guitars in their own ways and you for sure should play them all before deciding on what to buy.
My favorite is the D-28 Marquis .
__________________
Crazy guitar nut in search of the best sounding guitars built today and yesterday. High End Guitar Review Videos. www.youtube.com/user/rockinb23 |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
I would heartily endorse your thought to get a Martin.
I presume you know that one big difference is that the D-28 has EIR back and sides, the D-18 mahogany. Great tradition there. However the new D-18 for 2012 has vintage style shifted and scalloped braces. This makes the new -18 much deeper sounding and more resonant than the older model. This is a dangerous notion, but I find the tone of the new -18 to be more open and freer than the straight-braced -28, and having much of the same bassiness . But the tonal pallette is still 'hog. So they don't sound the same. I definitely prefer the new -18 (and -18GE, and D Mahogany) to the straight D-28. If/when the -28 gets the same bracing treatment (like a HD-28 V), the choice becomes narrower to my ear.
__________________
Chris Larrivee's '07 L-09 (40th Commemorative); '09 00-03 S.E; '08 P-09 Eastman '07 AC 650-12 Jumbo (NAMM) Martin '11 D Mahogany (FSC) Golden Era type Voyage-Air '10 VAOM-06 -the nylon string- Goya (Levin) '58 G-30 Yamaha '72 G-170A (Japanese solid top) Garcia '67 Model 3 -dulcimer- '11 McSpadden |
#4
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
I personally love the D28 for its balance, but you really need to try both side by side at the same time. Tone is a very subjective thing. Take your time and don't rush it.
__________________
Merrill | Martin | Collings | Gibson For Sale: 2023 Collings D2H 1 3/4 Nut, Adi Bracing, NTB -- $4100 shipped |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Yes, I'm aware of the different tonewoods used in each. I liked the tone of the D 28, but the ones I played almost sounded too dark. Not sure if that is typical of rosewood. I have played a D 15m and I was really impressed with the tone on that guitar. It was bassy but had nice trebles as well.
|
#6
|
||||
|
||||
They are very different animals- bracing systems, tone woods, etc. Speaking very generally, in an either/or situation, I will usually prefer rosewood to hog. But, in my opinion, Martin accomplished something special with the 2012 D18. Hopefully, though, you'll have the opportunity to try both. You are choosing between two guitars that will sound and play very differently from one another.
Stephen Martin D-15 Martin HD-35 Martin OM-28V Martin 000C nylon |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Apples and oranges, mahogany and rosewood, and yes they sound very different, I've owned many Martins of both woods.
Better? That's up to you ears, I have always prefered scalloped or scalloped forward shifted braces myself and personally would take the 2012 D-18 over a standard D-28, get into an HD-28V or D-28 Marquis then "for me" it would be a tossup. Also consider the nut widths and neck profile differences, Martin has a lot of different combinations. Worth a road trip if you can manage it to be "sure", happy shopping.
__________________
Rich - rmyAddison Rich Macklin Soundclick Website http://www.youtube.com/rmyaddison Martin OM-18 Authentic '33 Adirondack/Mahogany Martin CS OM-28 Alpine/Madagascar Martin CS 00-42 Adirondack/Madagascar Martin OM-45TB (2005) Engelmann/Tasmanian Blackwood (#23 of 29) |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
As mentioned by several, the bracing and the tonewoods are different. But, one of the most notable differences in the 2012 D-18 is the "Performing Artist" neck profile and the 1 3/4 inch nut. You can also get this feature on the new D-28P model.
Quote:
__________________
"Alas for those that never sing, But die with all their music in them!" --- Oliver Wendell Holmes Hear my original music at: https://www.reverbnation.com/judsonhair |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7Bx_AqgMNw
I've played both back to back a few times and prefer the D-28. If I was to get another D-18 I'd get a pre-2012 D-18. I love the old straight bracing on D-18s. Yes the 2012 model is more like the vintage D-18s but the straight braced model sounds more like the classic D-18 tone you hear in the majority of 1960/70 singer songwriter albums. Amazing guitars (especially after a few years play). |
#10
|
||||
|
||||
The nut width on a D28 is 1 11/16. Nut width on the new 2012 D-18 is 1 3/4.
You can hear my D18 here (mine is a 2012) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X16JYp59mos
__________________
i got tired of updating my guitars. |
#11
|
|||
|
|||
Not to throw a monkey wrench into the picture, but also take a look at the D15. After seeing and hearing the post here on the forum yesterday I really now would consider looking at that as well. Also take a another look at the Taylor line up before making your decision. You might just be surprised in what you hear. Lastly please try and play all the guitars that you might consider before buying. Let your ears and the guitar tell you which one to buy. then and only then will you be truly happy with your purchase.
Sincerely Andy
__________________
Taylor 214e SB DLX Taylor 214e DLX Limited Edition Taylor 217E SB Plus 50th Anniversary Edition LTD |
#12
|
|||
|
|||
Thanks for all the info. I think the 2012 D18 is the one I'm after. The 1 3/4 in. neck is ideal since I've been playing a Taylor. I also prefer hog over the rosewood. I'll keep everyone posted when I do get one.
|
#13
|
|||
|
|||
MODEL Martin D-18
CONSTRUCTION: Mahogany Blocks/Dovetail Neck Joint BODY SIZE: D-14 Fret TOP: Solid Sitka Spruce ROSETTE: Style 18 TOP BRACING PATTERN: Standard ''X'' Scalloped, Forward Shifted TOP BRACES: Solid Sitka Spruce 5/16'' BACK MATERIAL: Solid Genuine Mahogany BACK PURFLING: Style 18 SIDE MATERIAL: Solid Genuine Mahogany ENDPIECE: Delmar Tortoise Color ENDPIECE INLAY: none BINDING: Tortoise Color TOP INLAY STYLE: Multiple Black/White Boltaron SIDE INLAY: none BACK INLAY: none NECK MATERIAL: Select Hardwood NECK SHAPE: Modified Low Oval Profile w/ Performing Artist Taper NUT MATERIAL: Bone HEADSTOCK: Solid/Square Taper HEADPLATE: Solid East Indian Rosewood HEELCAP: Tortoise Color FINGERBOARD MATERIAL: Solid Black Ebony SCALE LENGTH: 25.4'' # OF FRETS CLEAR: 14 # OF FRETS TOTAL: 20 FINGERBOARD WIDTH AT NUT: 1-3/4'' FINGERBOARD WIDTH AT 12TH FRET: 2-1/8'' FINGERBOARD POSITION INLAYS: Old Style 18 FINGERBOARD BINDING: none FINISH BACK & SIDES: Polished Gloss FINISH TOP: Polished Gloss w/ Aging Toner; Sunburst available at additional cost. FINISH NECK: Satin BRIDGE MATERIAL: Solid Black Ebony BRIDGE STYLE: 1930's Style Belly w/ Drop-In Saddle BRIDGE STRING SPACING: 2-3/16'' SADDLE: 16'' Radius/Compensated/Bone TUNING MACHINES: Nickel Open-Geared w/ Butterbean Knobs RECOMMENDED STRINGS: Martin SP Lifespan Phosphor Bronze Medium Gauge (MSP7200) BRIDGE & END PINS: Black PICKGUARD: Delmar Tortoise Color CASE: 445 Hardshell INTERIOR LABEL: none ELECTRONICS: Optional OTHER OPTIONS: Available left-handed at no additional charge OTHER COMMENTS: All prices & specifications are subject to change without notice. MODEL Martin D-28 CONSTRUCTION: Mahogany Blocks/Dovetail Neck Joint BODY SIZE: D-14 Fret TOP: Solid Sitka Spruce ROSETTE: Style 28 TOP BRACING PATTERN: Standard ''X'' TOP BRACES: Solid Sitka Spruce 5/16'' BACK MATERIAL: Solid East Indian Rosewood BACK PURFLING: Style 28 SIDE MATERIAL: Solid East Indian Rosewood ENDPIECE: White Boltaron ENDPIECE INLAY: Black/White Boltaron BINDING: White Boltaron TOP INLAY STYLE: Multiple Black/White Boltaron SIDE INLAY: none BACK INLAY: Black/White Boltaron NECK MATERIAL: Select Hardwood NECK SHAPE: Low Profile NUT MATERIAL: Bone HEADSTOCK: Solid/Diamond/Square Taper HEADPLATE: Solid East Indian Rosewood /Raised Gold Foil HEELCAP: White Boltaron FINGERBOARD MATERIAL: Solid Black Ebony SCALE LENGTH: 25.4'' # OF FRETS CLEAR: 14 # OF FRETS TOTAL: 20 FINGERBOARD WIDTH AT NUT: 1-11/16'' FINGERBOARD WIDTH AT 12TH FRET: 2-1/8'' FINGERBOARD POSITION INLAYS: Style 28 FINGERBOARD BINDING: none FINISH BACK & SIDES: Polished Gloss FINISH TOP: Polished Gloss ; Sunburst available at additional cost. FINISH NECK: Satin BRIDGE MATERIAL: Solid Black Ebony BRIDGE STYLE: Belly BRIDGE STRING SPACING: 2-1/8'' SADDLE: 16'' Radius/Compensated/Bone TUNING MACHINES: Chrome Enclosed w/ Large Buttons RECOMMENDED STRINGS: Martin SP Lifespan Phosphor Bronze Medium Gauge (MSP7200) BRIDGE & END PINS: White w/ Black Dots PICKGUARD: Black CASE: 640 Molded INTERIOR LABEL: none ELECTRONICS: Optional OTHER OPTIONS: Available left-handed at no additional charge OTHER COMMENTS: All prices & specifications are subject to change without notice. |
#14
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
|
#15
|
|||
|
|||
An HD-28 would be a better comparison to the new D-18 because of the scalloped/forward shift bracing.
I own both, and they are two different animals. EIR and mahogany are each wonderful tonewoods, but very distinctive from one another. You should play both and see which sound your ears prefer. But overall, you can't go wrong with either.
__________________
“I suffered from ADD as a child. My parents treated with a natural remedy that I was made to harvest myself....a switch.” - Gatewood Galbraith |