Time to just get a D-18?

[Digitalshrub]

I play a variety of music, mostly folk, rock, bluegrass, jazz, and blues. I also do a lot of theater work, playing guitar (and other instruments) onstage in shows that have hybrid actor-musicians. I'm hoping to spend more time in the near future working on my bluegrass chops in particular.

About three years ago I was on the hunt for a workhorse acoustic that could "do it all" and that had solid, dependable tone in a variety of situations. I wound up getting a Yamaha A3R dread.

A few years on with the A3R, I find myself drifting back to my girlfriend's Martin DM more often than not. The Yamaha has a fantastic sound plugged in (I really love the pickup systems in these) but the acoustic sound is not even close to the resonance and, for lack of a better word, presence that the Martin DM has in spades. And the recording projects I've had over the last three years have found me using the Martin every time because it's closer to the classic sound I hear in my head. I've also had some intonation issues with the Yamaha that have not been resolved after multiple trips to the luthier.

Which brings me to my GAS. I've wanted a D-18 forever. I always told myself I couldn't justify the cost of a $2500+ guitar, but after spending a few years with the Yamaha (which I got for a little over $1000), I'm beginning to question that thinking.

Anyone make a similar transition from middle of the road dreadnaught to an upper echelon instrument? Too bad I picked a particularly bad time to be in the market for a Martin...the prices are brutal these days (I think D-18s were closer to 1800 or 2000 when I began my acoustic hunt a few years back). I could keep tempting fate by borrowing my gf's DM, but I'd selfishly prefer to have my own dedicated acoustic in this category.

[Bob from Brooklyn]

Originally Posted by Digitalshrub

I've wanted a D-18 forever.

At the end of the day is a few hundred bucks going to matter? Life changes on a dime. Go for it!

[llew]

Before Martin's price structure change and the lack of product associated with what seems to be a perfect storm you could buy a new Standard D-18 for just under $1900. Now I believe that number is just under $2600. But can vary if you can find a better deal in this environment. And there's always nice used models floating around.
I'll just say they are great guitars and I've owned a handful of them over the years. Currently have a Custom Shop shade top D-18 with Adirondack top and GE bracing. This one's a keeper.
Best of luck to you with your search. And as Bob said above..."Go for it!"!

[UncleJesse]

There's no way you regret the D-18 Standard. I've played dozens of these newer reimagined models and all have been really good and a lot of them have been incredible.

[Slothead56]

I bought as D-18 about a year ago out of nostalgia for my long gone Guild D-35. I heard a live recording from a show I did in 1978 in a converted church and longed to hear that mahogany dread sound again. I play the D-18 more than my other 3 or 4 guitars. (Rosewood, koa and mahogany OM, Dread, 000 and Jumbo from Martin and Gurian.)

It is a great all around guitar. You cannot go wrong by getting one.

[cu4life7]

It's always the right answer to get a D-18. It's the answer to any guitar question worth asking.

In all seriousness, they are a fantastic value for the amount of tone you get.

[1neeto]

Life is too short to keep putting off buying the guitar you’ve always wanted.

[Goat Mick]

You already know the answer. Just buy the dang D-18 and live happily ever after.

[llew]

It's not like you didn't know we were a bunch of enablers when you joined here?!?

[bobbyg67]

get one now!

[A.Wilder1]

Guitars are incredibly cheap if you think about it - go for it!

[Corndog]

I don't think Martin needs me to help sell their guitars, but...

At $2600. a D-18 is sort of a bargain these days, IMO.
They compare very well indeed with MUCH more expensive guitars.

Martin's prices are going to continue going up along with the rest of guitardom.

My .02? Get the the D-18 and enjoy yourself.

[Draft Guitar]

Get a D-18. But before you go too far, consider a D-18 Golden Era. I've owned both, the D-18 is gone and the D-18 GE will be with me until my daughter inherits it. Nothing wrong with a D-18 Reimagined, the D-18 GE is just more gooder.

[Jim Owen]

I never yet met a person who said “I wish I hadn’t bought that D 18.”

Buy it. Forget what you paid for it. Hang onto it for a long time.

[captain_jack]

If you're willing to go used, you can still get one for closer to $2000 (Just keep an eye on the classifieds or other sites. I believe one sold here this week very quickly after being posted).

You can even sell the Yamaha to offset the cost =).