At What Point Did the Masses Start Preferring D18 (mahogany) to D28 (rosewood)?

[WFO!]

Hi All

Just curious - there seems to have been a seismic shift of the preference of the D28 to D18. Obviously we are talking tone woods here and I am using the icons of Martin's Standard series in this illustration.

Perhaps it is my imagination, but when I started lurking on the forum around 2008, it seemed that the D28 got most of the love. Perhaps the 2012 redesign of the D18 spurred demand.

What are your thoughts?

[MChild62]

Speaking on behalf of the unwashed masses globally, I'd guess we got a little older and can still appreciate the deeper, rounder tones of the mahogany and less the more nuanced tones and overtones of rosewood back and sides.

But maybe that's just us masses, given that we are now all over 50 and didn't take care of our hearing when we were younger.

[Bridgepin]

That would be interesting, I wonder Martins and other guitar makers sales reflect that?

[Monsoon1]

D18 is cheaper, ya?

[Rev Roy]

Can’t say I’ve noticed this “seismic shift.” The two have always been Martin’s iconic dreads...just two different flavors (rosewood/hog). The spec changes made to the D-18 in 2012 (1 3/4” nut, HP neck, etc.) were reimagined/adapted to the D-28 in 2017 and the entire standard line last year. So those differences no longer exists.

I’ve owned a post-2012 D-18 and two D-28s, including a reimagined version. All were superb instruments. Ended up selling the D-18 and reimagined D-28 so I could move up the Martin food chain and get my D-41. But I’d take any of those beauties back in a heartbeat...they are BOTH icons for a reason.

[Shadowfox]

I mean I think for most it's just price?

[jazzguy]

Interesting thread. I don't know of the preference between those two models, but personally, my total preferences have shifted to the fundamental tones of mahogany vs lush overtones of rosewood. I have owned, rosewood, mahogany, koa and walnut guitars (all solid of course) over the years. But in the last 3 years or so, I have found I prefer Mahogany for back and sides, but mix it up on the top. I have cedar and sitka covered now. My next purchase will likely be an all mahogany.

[Rev Roy]

Originally Posted by Shadowfox

I mean I think for most it's just price?

Assuming the usual 40% off MSRP from our sponsors, the difference between the two is about $180. Dunno if that’s enough to move the needle much. I suspect most folks are buying based on tone.

[Dirk Hofman]

I think the availability of so many rosewood models dilutes the apparent demand for the D-28. There seem to be fewer variants of the D-18.

[McCawber]

I really don't think there's been a shift. '18's have always been popular and often preferred by a lot of bluegrass guitarists for their strong midrange and cutting power. Personally, like the tonal qualities of a well made rosewood dread, but I still kick myself for selling a fine D-18GE sunburst a couple of years ago to finance my most recent purchase.

Originally Posted by WFO!

when I started lurking on the forum around 2008, it seemed that the D28 got most of the love.

I wouldn't use this forum as a barometer of acoustic trends. I consider those who post here to be a vocal minority, and therefore not necessarily representative of "the masses."
I'm not saying you're mistaken, but actual sales numbers are the most accurate measure.

[H165]

Can’t say I’ve noticed this “seismic shift.”

I'm 70, I've noticed the shift, and it is major.

When I was a teenager the D-18 was what you got while trying to amass the $$ for, or get a great deal on, a D-28.

D-18's were $50-150 on the used "street" market, D-28s were $150-225. But that was not the main factor. It was more tradition and attitude than anything else. The D-18 was a less respected guitar.

To clarify: I don't believe there's and shift in FAVOR of the D-18 over the 28. In my generation more a shift to "Well, I've already got a D-28, now I also want a D-18". The D-18 has gone from a "starter" D to a guitar respected for its contribution to the range of sound available. I have one now; did not back then.

[FOG01]

Originally Posted by Rev Roy

Assuming the usual 40% off MSRP from our sponsors, the difference between the two is about $180. Dunno if that’s enough to move the needle much. I suspect most folks are buying based on tone.

Happy new owner of a D-18e here. I have to agree with the OP. I thought perhaps I had just starting paying more attention, but D-18's do seem to be getting more love lately.

I was all set to get a rosewood dread. Thought I was a rosewood guy. Heard a new D-18 and it just checked all the boxes. Price wasn't a factor nor would it be unless I was straying into D-41 or 914 territory and above.

I think at least in my ears a D-18 can be played to sound big like 28 (rosewood), but also can be played to produce softer, woodier sounds.

Full disclosure, someday I look forward to having one of each so that I can enjoy the best of both.

[ataylor]

I think the 2012 refresh of the D-18 really gave the model a needed boost.

[brandall10]

I feel like it's the same as was when I got into guitar in the 90s... the bluegrass folks like mahogany guitars for their fundamental tone (more cutting), while rosewood guitars appealed more to everyone else, esp. singer-songwriter types. I'm new to this forum, just recall this being explained to me by an employee of Bufallo Bros when I shopped there for my first good acoustic around 2000 or so.