What Makes the Martin 000-18 Special ?

[wguitar]

Hi folks,

There seems to be a TON of love an AGF (and other forums) for the Martin 000-18. What makes it so special ? At times I get the impression it's somewhat of a "holy grail", lifetime guitar -- in a league of it's own. What distinguishes it from other quality guitars ? Once Covid passes I plan to finally find and play one (or more), but would appreciate your thoughts in the meantime.

THANKS!

[mawmow]

Well, mine is a 2014 model : That very year, Martin modified the model.

Well, it litterally sings !!!
I would say it is the perfect melodic fingerpicking short scale beast !!!

I used to be a Taylor guy and this OOO-18 beats my 412ce and my regular 322,
as well as my Gibson L-OO TV. As I can remember, it was also superior to my former 2007 512.

Now, as I am a essentially a Mahogany guy, I cannot compare with OOO-28.

I have two other great beasts, but my OODB and Larrivee OM-09 (made in U.S.A.) are very different.

Should I have to keep only one, it would be the OOO-18 !

[madison]

I have an 000-18, which I play fingerstyle, and I have to say that it's only special if the player happens to like that sound, which I do. As for raw volume, it's not as loud as my Eastman E1000 in the trebles, but slightly louder and cleaner in the bass. A fingerstyle player who likes to hear those trebles ring out might actually prefer the Eastman.

I should point out that both guitars are strung with light silk & steel, the 000-18 with Martin MA130 11.5 and the Eastman with La Bella 710L 11.

[DanR]

I just sold my 2017 000-18. It was a great sounding guitar. I preferred my 00-18 for fingerpicking and I didn't feel right (too extravagant for me) to have both a 00-18 and 000-18. If I needed the guitar for flat picking, I would have sold the 00-18 but I have other guitars for flat picking. Of all the guitars I sold or traded, selling the 000-18 hurt the most because there was something about that specific guitar that was special.

[J Patrick]

...not gonna say they're special but what I admire about them is that they are great middle of the road guitars that don’t lean too far in any one direction....that makes em great all rounders....they’re comfortable....have balanced tone and suit the playing styles of a lot of players...certainly there are other body styles that meet these criteria but none do it better in my experience...

[hairpuller]

Classic unadorned look that I love. Plays so easily, very comfortable, well balanced, and that Martin tone that my ears lean toward.

Now I owned the GE version so little step up from the standard. I have a feeling I'll own another someday, as it's the one guitar that I still miss.

scott

[blue4now]

had one a few years ago and just could not adjust to the neck, but now I am thinking maybe I didn't give it enough time. I am going to check out an 0018 when things open up.

[sonic romp]

Here’s a fun A/B with two pre-war 000-18’s by Bryan Kimsey. Very different guitars, but you get the picture.

[emuhunter]

I own a 2007 000-18 Golden Era (adirondack top, spiffy bracing, etc). As others have mentioned, it's a really good middle ground. If I had to bring just one guitar to a recording session this would likely be it. It does everything really really well and has a beautiful sound.

[TDavis]

My first "good" Martin guitar was a 000-18...and in a fit of GAS, I foolishly let it go. I love the Standard series-18 guitars, with their wonderful sound and stark simplicity of design. Not flashy at all...but beautiful.

In fact...my next guitar will probably be another "18". Just not sure what model yet.

[cliff_the_stiff]

I am a huge fan of big guitars. I like the jumbos. They have such fat and warm overtones that circle around and fill up the room.
I have for a long time struggled to find the draw to smaller bodied or smaller sounding guitars.

A few years back I was visiting my parents for the holidays, and had brought with me an all mahogany 12 string (i love Taylors GC 12 fret guitars and the 562 12 string is really cool) and my father has impaired hearing.
When playing the 12 string he asked me what was different about that guitar that enabled him to hear the notes and the note separations- on a 12 string!

Well, now I believe that it’s the compressing nature of Mahogany. We really hear great fundamental notes with this tonewood.

The Martin 000-18 for some reason (I think it’s the forward shifted bracing) makes a skinny little guitar sound larger, with balanced EQ, and very strong fundamental tone- but it doesn’t blast volume and overtones like a rosewood backed.

My version of the 000-18 is a Steve Miller signature model and is basically a 000c.
It’s my choice for a guitar I can sing with, while playing loud.
I can’t sing over my rosewood guitars if Im strumming- But I can hit the 000- with a heavyweight pick and still hear my voice.
It’s also just a beautiful tone as well. not too dry.
I think it’s one of the best guitars I’ve played, and I don’t think I will sell it any time soon.

[Humbuster]

Elegant simplicity in a box that does many things very well.

2020 000-18

[bufflehead]

If I could only have one guitar at this point, it would be an 000-18 due to its versatility. Fortunately, I don't have to deal with the constraint of owning a single guitar..

[Brucebubs]

Last year it was the D-18.

[cu4life7]

The 000-18GE became my grail guitar after I tried one at Dusty Strings about 15 years ago. There was just something special about it.

Fast forward, and I was finally able to get one two years ago. I will parrot what some others have mentioned in that it is the most versatile guitar ever made in my opinion. The combination of the size, wood combo, short scale, and if you get a GE with the Adi and bracing it is an amazingly loud and punchy guitar with some real growl. I primarily play with a thumb pick and flat pick, but this guitar can handle everything from delicate fingerstyle to flatpicking and strumming.

If I could only own one, a 000-18 would be it especially in the GE flavor. Comfortable scale length with the adi and mahogany doing their thing....that's how a guitar should be. Martin nailed it in 1930.