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

[zmf]

Originally Posted by Ed-in-Ohio

Blueridge BR-240A. Really, really nice mahogany backed dreadnought.

Or the 140A.

Someone should do a blind test of the D-18 vs one of these Blueridge guitars. The tone similarity can be uncanny.

[rokdog49]

Originally Posted by zmf

Or the 140A.

Someone should do a blind test of the D-18 vs one of these Blueridge guitars. The tone similarity can be uncanny.

Which 140 sounds closest the Sitka or Adirondack?

[Tony Burns]

I think your nuts --
your not far away from the real mc'Coy for a little more cash ( used )-
get a real D-18 -live the dream !

[llew]

Should be able to get a nice used D-18 for $1500+/-

[Zissou Intern]

Originally Posted by nkatsonis

Echoing others comments, I'd first look for a used, 2012 or later, D-18. But if your $1200 or less is firm, I'd look at an Eastman E6D. Why not the E10D? In my experience, admittedly limited to only a few instruments, I found the E10D to be somewhat stiff, for lack of a better word, when played fingerstyle. Perhaps one that was a little broken in would overcome the stiffness - I moved on from mine after about a year - but the Sitka-topped E6D seems better suited to fingerstyle out-of-the-box. As others have noted, the Eastman dreads don't really sound like Martins. I'm not sure that they would be "closest" to a D-18. But they're nice guitars.

Agreed. I have owned two E10Ds and two BR140As and neither of them sound like a D18, especially not the BR140A. It is much brighter and crisper. Much! The E6D sounds closer to the D18 in that it has more warmth and bass response and is looser than the aforementioned Blueridge. That doesn't mean that the BR140As aren't good guitars. They are quite nice.

[rokdog49]

Originally Posted by Tony Burns

I think your nuts --
your not far away from the real mc'Coy for a little more cash ( used )-
get a real D-18 -live the dream !

I wish that were the case...I'd like to find a used D18 for a "little more cash."
More than twice as much used. That's not a little more. Check Reverb.com
There are plenty of used D18's for sure...a couple around $1500 and the rest much more plus shipping.
You could buy a Blueridge 140 new for $600 with a case, or the 140A for $700 with the Adirondack top and a case free shipping.

[fitness1]

Originally Posted by nkatsonis

I found the E10D to be somewhat stiff, for lack of a better word, when played fingerstyle. Perhaps one that was a little broken in would overcome the stiffness - I moved on from mine after about a year - but the Sitka-topped E6D seems better suited to fingerstyle out-of-the-box. As others have noted, the Eastman dreads don't really sound like Martins. I'm not sure that they would be "closest" to a D-18. But they're nice guitars.

I agree with this - one of the big benefits of modding my 10 was the much better fingerstyle tone and volume.....now you have me wondering if I should try the 6 too Maybe an OM instead!

[llew]

I has an older Eastman 520 dread with Engelmann over Mahogany. It was a great guitar (especially for fingerstyle) but as I recall it sounds nothing like my D-18? Not better or worse...just different. Eastman builds some fine guitars.

[Kupuna50]

Good luck.
It depends on 'how close' you want to be.
More than pure tone, there is 'feel', 'sustain', 'note clarity', etc.
Just as the color pink is 'close' to the color red, they are still not the same.
IMHO

[docwatsonfan]

With that in mind, what square-shouldered dreads have you owned or played that come CLOSEST to the tone of a D-18 for under, say, $1200. FYI: I am only looking at models that would have a 1.75" nut.

close only counts in horseshoes

[Zissou Intern]

Originally Posted by fitness1

Scroll down to post 43 here (and I think there were some subsequent posts in that thread as well)...

Here's a recording I did with it BEFORE any of the modifications:

https://app.box.com/s/flr8u7s6qjo29jarhx4bhf35w5tjkuuh

Thanks. Interesting read and nice sounding guitar before the mods.

[CSG]

One might find a decent 70's D18 for close to the OP's suggested price. Maybe a few hundred more but one that will go up in value over the coming years. They certainly won't get cheaper.

[fitness1]

Originally Posted by Zissou Intern

Thanks. Interesting read and nice sounding guitar before the mods.

When golf season ends I'll be doing some recording and will post something with it in it's current configuration

[Zissou Intern]

Originally Posted by CSG

One might find a decent 70's D18 for close to the OP's suggested price. Maybe a few hundred more but one that will go up in value over the coming years. They certainly won't get cheaper.

But Scott sed he doesn't want a 1 11/16" nut.

[Charmed Life Picks]

Originally Posted by Tony Burns

I think your nuts --
your not far away from the real mc'Coy for a little more cash ( used )-
get a real D-18 -live the dream !

Tony, a valid point. Really, I have too many dreads as it is right now, so I'm saving for a VERY nice OM. The new D-18 is wonderful; however, I have a friend with one and played it extensively against my HD-28. To my ears (and hands), I didn't notice enough of a difference between the two that I'd want to jump on a D-18, new or used, at the moment. Wonderful guitar, so taking nothing away from it.

thanks,
scott