Martin 00-18 vs 0-18, which did you buy and why

darylcrisp · #1 11-05-2019, 12:34 PM

Current model years.
What swayed your decision, what styles of music do you play on it.
Thanks
d

pdxstrummer · #2 11-05-2019, 02:49 PM

I bought the 00.

Mainly because I have my boyhood guitar from 65, and its a 000-18, and I have a 00-15m and really love the size.

The Martin 18s are my absolute favorite guitars. I knew I wanted a newly imagined 18, and originally thought I'd grab a 000 again, but then played the 00-18 and was gobsmacked. I adore it.

I play folk, roots style country (think Carter scratch, sometimes scratching with the pick instead of fingers), 60s style folk revival. I like Woody's songs, which sound great on a 00. Sometime I pick some rhythm bluegrass with simple licks and chords, and the orchestra models can handle that. When playing with others, though, the D18 is in reserve. Another fabulous 18 series guitar.

The other reason I went 00 is that it was in my local shop, on sale. I'v never played a single 0. I hope to play one soon while visiting New York.

(Photo--New style 00-18 on left, 1965 000-18 on right)

Guildman · #3 11-05-2019, 03:18 PM

I can't give an apples to apples so maybe an alternative. For me it was what was available at the time, 000-18 vs 00-18. Played the 00-18 first and had no issues with sound, feel, etc. But then got the 000-18e retro in hand. Both felt and played similar but the tone and volume of the 000-18 won hands down. Need to add that I am 6 ft tall so an 000 is going to still feel small since I had been a dread player for years.

TDavis · #4 11-05-2019, 04:19 PM

Hard to beat a good 00-18. To me, the 00 is the perfect size box. The newer "Standard" series models are pretty great right out of the box too from my experience. The smaller 0-size is really cool...and it would be a perfect "couch guitar", but in my opinion the 00 still has the volume and warmth of a really good 000 in a more comfy size.

JC. · #5 11-05-2019, 04:36 PM

I have an OM already so a 00 seemed too close as a second guitar. Went for an 0 - really just to play on the couch. If I was choosing to have a single guitar I’d get a 00 - as its more versatile with a bigger sound. IMHO.

FGBR · #6 11-05-2019, 06:05 PM

I got the 00, mainly because I already have an excellent 0. Actually just got the 00-18 yesterday. I need to tweak the setup a bit to my preference, but it's a sweet guitar. Sounds great, comfortable size.

darylcrisp · #7 11-05-2019, 10:49 PM

have no idea what they are saying, but they seem pretty intrigued on the 0-18

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGMqxmKaoZc

KitKat1 · #8 11-06-2019, 06:10 AM

Two years ago I fell in love with a 0-18 in a shop. It sounded and played great. As these things go while I was getting the $$ together the guitar sold. Some months later I went to shop number 2 where they had both a 00-18 and 0-18 fresh from the factory. Of these particular two guitars I liked the 00 a little better and bought it. After taking it to two competent techs for set-up and experimenting with strings I just didn't get the 00-18 dialed in to my satisfaction and ending up selling it. Recently I bought a Santa Cruz Style 1 and my search for a small bodied guitar is over!

Cool555 · #9 11-06-2019, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdxstrummer

I bought the 00.

Mainly because I have my boyhood guitar from 65, and its a 000-18, and I have a 00-15m and really love the size.

The Martin 18s are my absolute favorite guitars. I knew I wanted a newly imagined 18, and originally thought I'd grab a 000 again, but then played the 00-18 and was gobsmacked. I adore it.

I play folk, roots style country (think Carter scratch, sometimes scratching with the pick instead of fingers), 60s style folk revival. I like Woody's songs, which sound great on a 00. Sometime I pick some rhythm bluegrass with simple licks and chords, and the orchestra models can handle that. When playing with others, though, the D18 is in reserve. Another fabulous 18 series guitar.

The other reason I went 00 is that it was in my local shop, on sale. I'v never played a single 0. I hope to play one soon while visiting New York.

(Photo--New style 00-18 on left, 1965 000-18 on right)

Nice picture. The 000-18 has been together with you since 1965? It’s condition is great for a 54-year old guitar!

mercy · #10 11-06-2019, 10:18 PM

I find 0's hard to hold on to. Plus that sound they put out is off putting. The 00 is a more versatile instrument and more comfortable.

opencee · #11 11-11-2019, 11:03 AM

I've heard some fantastic recordings of size 0 that just made me go right out and sample some, but in my hands and to my ears (In person.), I always prefer a 00. In general, I also prefer 00 to 000 and bigger.

I bought my Custom Shop 00-18 from an equally spec'd out group of sizes 0, 00, 000, and OM.

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