D-18 for singer/songwriter?

[porchpicker1953]

I am not so much a singer/songwriter (maybe in my retirement I will become one) but I do have a Martin D-18 en route to me now. It will arrive tomorrow and I literally cannot wait to post a review about it (from my uneducated perspective)! Hope you find what suits you!

[IndyHD28]

Funny how all the great singer/songwriters from the 60’s and 70’s ended up with D45s once they had some money.

But if you want Mahogany and you can walk into Gruhn, there is only one choice: Gruhn Sinker (they also come in 0000, 000 etc)

[llew]

If George has any sinker D-18's they're brand new cause the ones he had are long gone. Dreads anyway?

[Rexsblues]

Originally Posted by IndyHD28

Funny how all the great singer/songwriters from the 60’s and 70’s ended up with D45s once they had some money.

But if you want Mahogany and you can walk into Gruhn, there is only one choice: Gruhn Sinker (they also come in 0000, 000 etc)

He let me play a pretty stellar 000-18 Sinker yesterday. Goes a little above my price range though.

[Pickcity]

The only answer to your question lies within your own ears. You will have to play a bunch of guitars, most likely, until you stumble across the right one for you. The best approach for me has always been to keep an open mind and try everything.

The guitars that various singer/songwriters use are as varied as the songs themselves. There is no right or wrong guitar. Settle on one that fits you and your style the best, and don't look back. It is out there, so go find it. Good luck

[Rexsblues]

Originally Posted by Pickcity

The only answer to your question lies within your own ears. You will have to play a bunch of guitars, most likely, until you stumble across the right one for you. The best approach for me has always been to keep an open mind and try everything.

The guitars that various singer/songwriters use are as varied as the songs themselves. There is no right or wrong guitar. Settle on one that fits you and your style the best, and don't look back. It is out there, so go find it. Good luck

I'm sure you're right. Though it seems like the right guitar would be one that doesn't get in the way of vocals. That's why I ask about the D-18 in particular.

[Pickcity]

Originally Posted by Rexsblues

I'm sure you're right. Though it seems like the right guitar would be one that doesn't get in the way of vocals. That's why I ask about the D-18 in particular.

Fair enough. I'm a singer/songwriter, mostly country music, and personally I believe the D-18 is one of the finest offerings Martin has ever produced, along with my personal fav, the D-35...YMMV, but I would think the D-18 should serve you well for the type of music you listed...Or any type of music, for that matter.

[IndyHD28]

Originally Posted by llew

If George has any sinker D-18's they're brand new cause the ones he had are long gone. Dreads anyway?

They continue to get new ones in on a regular basis. But they are so hot, people are paying full price in advance so there’s a waiting list and they get shipped out without hitting their inventory list. Someone involved with this reported that five dreads came through last week and were gone. George posted a blog on sinker where he describes the plan for 2018:

“In 2018, in addition to the three models currently available, we are adding cutaway 0000 size guitars with an oval soundhole and a 22 fret fingerboard and are offering style 18 as well as more ornamented versions of each model featuring the most highly figured sinker mahogany available, highest grade Adirondack spruce, style 45 neck inlay with snowflake fingerboard inlays, herringbone top trim, zigzag backstripe, and ivoroid bindings on the neck and body edges.”

Martin continues to maintain a small supply of sinker wood and I was successful in getting my own custom order placed on 4/6.

[SalFromChatham]

I have a Martin D15, a D18, Hummingbird, and J50, and I have owned HD-28s and D35s.

All of them work, but it was harder to sing over the HD28. Frankly though, after a while, one adjusts their playing touch on the guitar they are playing, so they all work

My favorite for me.... is my J50. It does everything.

[DanleyJ]

My two cents; I have a baritone voice and I play a D-18 (2016). I'm not a song writer and I'm not a great singer but my D-18 makes me sound a lot better than I am. That's worth a lot to me.

[Br1ck]

Originally Posted by PhilFish

Oh I see, hold on to that one. I'm a singer, player who plays the same type
of music as you. Both of my guitars are mahogany, spruce.
Gibson J45
Guild D-40
Do check the models Wade suggested, I think I'll try one of those 28s

I'm very similar with my Guild D 35 and my Epiphone Texan.

The Guild is a very balanced guitar, the Epi has the classic Gibson thump.

I rarely sing with my rosewood guitars due to inherent overtones of rosewood.

I love D18s but somehow have never owned one.

[ataylor]

Originally Posted by Br1ck

I love D18s but somehow have never owned one.

That makes two of us. Ever since Martin went back to more of a pre-war look and sound with the standard model about six years ago, it’s been my de facto guitar crush. I’m not sure how or why I don’t own one yet!

Well, that’s not entirely true, kids are expensive, as are houses and minivans and deck refinishes, so I guess I kinda know how and why I’ve been waiting, but I’m still holding out hope that 2018 is the year of the D-18 for me!

Every time I play one I’m like “Now this is what an acoustic guitar sounds like.”

[samthinguy]

Fwiw ive never picked up my HD28 and thought “man i just cant sing with this.” Steve Earle commented on this in a video. He said with a capo it sweetens up a bit. To me I really try to avoid that urge to always think what’s holding back my music is the next piece of gear, but that’s just me, and far be it from me to tell anyone not to buy a new thing they will love. I just don’t believe the back and sides of anyone’s guitar is holding back their music

https://youtu.be/xYYgTI6Wzh8

Goodluck to everyone in their search

[Shades of Blue]

Originally Posted by samthinguy

Fwiw ive never picked up my HD28 and thought “man i just cant sing with this.” Steve Earle commented on this in a video. He said with a capo it sweetens up a bit. To me I really try to avoid that urge to always think what’s holding back my music is the next piece of gear, but that’s just me, and far be it from me to tell anyone not to buy a new thing they will love. I just don’t believe the back and sides of anyone’s guitar is holding back their music

https://youtu.be/xYYgTI6Wzh8

Goodluck to everyone in their search

That's a great thought right there. I often claim I need something else to open up a new area of creativity, but perhaps it's just an excuse to buy something new.

I recently bought a J45 because I wanted something to sing with, but guess what??? My voice still stinks, I can just hear that more clearly now lol.

[BoneDigger]

Originally Posted by samthinguy

Fwiw ive never picked up my HD28 and thought “man i just cant sing with this.” Steve Earle commented on this in a video. He said with a capo it sweetens up a bit. To me I really try to avoid that urge to always think what’s holding back my music is the next piece of gear, but that’s just me, and far be it from me to tell anyone not to buy a new thing they will love. I just don’t believe the back and sides of anyone’s guitar is holding back their music

https://youtu.be/xYYgTI6Wzh8

Goodluck to everyone in their search

I feel the same about my D35. Not sure why one would be better than the other, although the D18 might record just a little better. In fact, I mostly record with my Guild F50R, which is a jumbo rosewood guitar.