#61
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For what it is worth, I am playing a brand new D18 right now and it is simply fabulous. It is much better than the 2014 I sold, and IMO, better than the HD 28 that I sold relatively recently. It isn’t as good as my Bourgeois, but it is a very good guitar.
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Bourgeois Aged Tone Vintage D Gibson CS 1958 Les Paul Std. Reissue Mason-Dixon FE 44 Combo Amp |
#62
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Many of you know that I have an Eastman E-10SS that I love. I have been leaning Eastman E-10D all along, but wanted to see what else was out there that I may not know about. I do a lot of research before I buy anything and rarely, if ever, do I resell a quality guitar; it is mine for life. So I move slowly, methodically, and typically take months before I make a decision. I collect data, suggestions, comments, etc. Yes, I know: a little maddening for most, but this is the way I roll. I know the Eastman is an easy choice and I'd be very happy with an E-10D. I'm intrigued by the Blueridge models, but I would not buy the regular BR-140 for two cosmetic reasons: 1) The gaudy headstock design. For a company that calls this a "traditional" approach, why are you mucking up the headstock with all these cheap swirls and gauds? Ugh. And 2) The color of the top looks like cheap Coppertone tanning butter. And please don't tell me it doesn't look so bad in person. I've played them in person and I find the orange top hideous. Another ugh. So that narrows it down to two choices, either the Eastman E-10D (or E-6D) or the Blueridge BR-140A, which has a nice simple headstock, no crap swirling around. A buddy tells me the Blueridges are REALLY bright. I don't like bright guitars. Any thoughts on these? Thanks so much! Scott |
#63
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Blueridge are not bright in a Taylor or Collings kind of way. Seem more "woody" to me. I never thought that Eastmans had a Martin vibe. Sound more modern to me, like a Bourgeois. I love the tone of my Bourgeois, but it's not a "traditional" sort of sound. But -- as always -- YMMV. |
#64
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A buddy of mine, whose opinion I trust, and who knows my playing style and preferences, has told me in no uncertain terms that I will find the Blueridge models too bright. He also mentioned Collings as a comparison.
I've never played a Collings for any length of time, but I am not fond of the brightness found in most Taylors. I know a lot of people love them, but Taylor is not my bag and I can never see owning one. Thanks so much, sm |
#65
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The "grass is greener" syndrome will throw you under the bus if you let it. (speaking for myself here) I'm on my third post 2012 D-18. First was a standard, the second was a custom Adi topped version. Always thought there was a better (D-18 or similar) to be had? Now I'm on my third one...an MFG custom Adi topped Ambertone and this one will not leave.
Eastman's are nice instruments but as has been said...I really don't think they sound that much like a Martin. And maybe that's the point...I don't know? Never owned a Blueridge but folks here seem to really like them. And in several YT videos I listened to they did sound good. So good luck with your search. I'm sure what you're looking for is out there. I'll be curious to see what you decide...
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Jim Dogs Welcome......People Tolerated! |
#66
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I think most guitars you will find at this price point in Mahogany/Spruce will be a little more thin in the trebles and possibly regarded as "bright". I think they will also mostly be quite fundamental in their characteristics.
These are the things that changed greatly when I modified the E10D.
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"One small heart, and a great big soul that's driving" |
#67
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thanks, scott |
#68
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Scott. Find a used D-18! I also wanted a D-18, and one came along on Atl Craigslist I snagged for $1500. A 2014 model in exc condition with original case, etc. He wanted $1600 but it had a small "case latch" ding on the top (you can hardly see it, unless you're looking hard for price leverage!).
I now have a killer Thompson dread ($5k+) I play more often, but the 18 sounds and plays really great!
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Preston Thompson D-EIA, Martin D-18, couple of old Ovations, ... and many electrics. |
#69
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I have a Blueridge but as you can see it is not a dread and it is not mahogany. With that said, mine is not what I consider bright at all. Full bodied is how I would describe it, well balanced maybe.
I have never played a BR-140 with or without the Adirondack top. If it is as well built as my OM size they are well worth considering.
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Epiphone Masterbilt Hummingbird Epiphone Masterbilt AJ-500RENS Teach us what ways have light, what gifts have worth. Edna St. Vincent Millay |
#70
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I've owned 2 E10D's and, though nice, as others have said here, they did not sound like Martins. They were more strident sounding to my ears.
I bet the Blueridge 140A will sound more like a D-18. I haven't owned one but I did own a 160A (rosewood version) that was much more Martiny sounding than my Eastmans. That was a nice guitar! Both of my Eastmans and my Blueridge had much more responsive tops than a straight-braced D-18 that I owned from 2008. For reference, I am intimate with the "martin sound" as far as dreads go. My "keeper" guitars are both high-end martin dreads. |
#71
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Before it left the first time I'd very lightly sanded the lower part of the X brace and the tone bar closest to the bridge. I had one oval port in it on the upper bout that was small-ish. Here's a recording I did with it at that time: https://app.box.com/s/flr8u7s6qjo29jarhx4bhf35w5tjkuuh When comparing them to the 2014 D18 and 2012(?) D18GE at that point, the Eastman was just way more dynamically responsive. Both Martins had a softness about them that wasn't pleasing to me. The E10D was louder and just more robust, and I knew there was more to be "had" if I furthered my experiment. I did 3 more sessions of tapering the braces (sanding the sides more and not reducing height too much) and added a lower bout arrangement of smaller ports. The end result is probably one of the top 5 instruments I've had here tonally (and that's saying a LOT!) The bracing is still quite substantial - more than my other steel strings by quite a bit (especially the Mcknight) so I have ZERO worries about any problems arising. I dropped a K&K in it the other day and I've not gone that far with many guitars in the last 10 years. That says something on it's own!
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"One small heart, and a great big soul that's driving" Last edited by fitness1; 10-17-2017 at 12:50 PM. |
#72
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Man that thing sounds sweet. How much would it cost me to get those mods?
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Nothing bothers me unless I let it. Martin D18 Gibson J45 Gibson J15 Fender Copperburst Telecaster Squier CV 50 Stratocaster Squier CV 50 Telecaster |
#73
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Well, you should hear it now! Not even close to the same guitar. My fancy ones have been getting a rest lately
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"One small heart, and a great big soul that's driving" |
#74
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I believe the top two contenders would be the Eastman E10D and the Blueridge BR140. Here are a few videos comparing the recorded sound of these two instruments to a D18 Eastman E10D compared to a Martin D18 Blueridge BR140 Spoon playing many of the same compositions on a Martin D18. Same room. Same microphone. Same player. To my ears the D18 has a unique sound, but the Blueridge BR140 gets your closer to the Martin sound than the Eastman in this case. That said, I've never been a fan of that Blueridge pickguard. EDIT: I see you are looking for a 1.75" nut width, the Blueridge is 1 11/16" so the Eastman is probably a better fit.
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Wayne J-45 song of the day archive https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis..._Zmxz51NAwG1UJ My music https://soundcloud.com/waynedeats76 https://www.facebook.com/waynedeatsmusic My guitars Gibson, Martin, Blueridge, Alvarez, Takamine Last edited by Rmz76; 10-17-2017 at 02:53 PM. |
#75
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After hearing the videos I think you should go the common sense approach, save up a little more and go for the Martin D-18, the other guitars don't get even close to that Martin tone. A couple hundred dollars shouldn't be that hard to save up for.
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