D-18 Sinker Mahogany vs. Pre-War Guitar D Mahaogany

[MikeInBethesda]

Hello all,

I haven't posted in a while in a (mostly fruitless) attempt to stem GAS. That said, I have recently sold a couple of things and am in the market for a mahogany dreadnought. I've owned and sold the standard D-18 which is a great guitar, but I'm thinking of spending a bit more and am currently looking at custom options (from Gruhn and other dealers) that use sinker mahogany, with either an Adi or Sitka top. I suspect that there has been prior discussion on sinker, but I'd love to hear from folks that have played these guitars. Another option I am considering is a Pre-War Guitars D Mahogany - I've heard mostly great things about these guitars, but they are pricier and probably involve a long wait. I've talked to a couple of people on the forum about these but it would be great to hear from others if they have thoughts on this comparison.

Thanks a lot, and it's good (if not fiscally responsible to be back.
Mike

[llew]

Mike...this would be my ultimate sinker mahogany D-18 from Gruhn but it's WAY pricey. Actually more than the Pre*War D model by about $500.
https://guitars.com/inventory/aa1100...ogany-sunburst

[brencat]

I would take the Pre*War D over any D-18 Sinker custom, and I would take the D-18 Authentic 1937 over any Pre*War D.

[russchapman]

The sinker puts it closer to rosewood in tonality, imo. Not as woody or lively as non-sinker.

[llew]

Originally Posted by russchapman

The sinker puts it closer to rosewood in tonality, imo. Not as woody or lively as non-sinker.

I agree...I haven't played one yet that I'd actually purchase?

[russchapman]

Originally Posted by llew

I agree...I haven't played one yet that I'd actually purchase?

Agreed.

And to the bigger question: A guitar in hand is worth 1000 online pictures.

[llew]

Originally Posted by russchapman

Agreed.

And to the bigger question: A guitar in hand is worth 1000 online pictures.

Yep...that's a fact!

[bufflehead]

Originally Posted by llew

I agree...I haven't played one yet that I'd actually purchase?

I've only played one sinker mahogany build, and was thoroughly unimpressed. I'd take a standard D-18 any day.

[Osage]

I'd take just about any version of a Martin D-18 over a Pre-War any day of the week. I've only played a couple with sinker Mahogany and wasn't totally blown away by them but they were both very good. None of the Pre-War's I've played have been anything special.

[guitar george]

What is sinker mahogany and where does it come from?

[UncleJesse]

Originally Posted by guitar george

What is sinker mahogany and where does it come from?

LOL, good one George

[guitar george]

OK, I looked it up. The Martin guitar website says, "Sinker Mahogany is old growth mahogany that has been retrieved from the bottom of rivers". I suppose those rivers could be in Central or South America, Africa or anywhere old growth mahogany has sunk?

[archerscreek]

Originally Posted by guitar george

What is sinker mahogany and where does it come from?

It's old, long lost mahogany from the tiny Central American country of Sinkerswim that was embedded with magical stardust when Mayan sacrificial victims were floated down the river on the mahogany logs.

Supposedly, the wood has a hallucinogenic effect on all listeners to where they think the guitar player is Clarence White reincarnated, which of course then leads to the lone legal age virgin in the community proposing marriage and her parents offering up a $1 billion dowry if you accept.

Picker beware!!!

[Bogle]

I like Pre War mahogany D's a lot and feel that they typically offer a greater "thump" on the bass side than a sinker D-18. That said, I also believe that a sinker D-18 will offer an overall balanced response--without sacrificing bass--while supplying just a bit more power in the mids and highs.

I visited Gruhn's in late October and spent more than a couple of hours playing at least a dozen of their custom sinker D-18s. All were quite good and (IMHO) certainly better than their standard counterparts. NFI, however if your tastes run towards a handsome burst and you'd like to have a D mahogany sinker, then stock #AA10885 is a stellar example....if they still have it in stock!

[jrb715]

The best mahogany dread I've played was a sinker mahogany/adirondack from Huss & Dalton. I've not played the Martin sinker dread nor a PreWar dread, but in a room of fine dreads from Santa Cruz and Collings, the H&D was for me the most satisfying dread. Just a wonderful guitar.