Martin D18 vs Larrivée D05 vs Gibson J45

[Corndog]

Other observations...

The Martin was from before "re-imagining" which came in 2017.
The Larrivee doesn't have the bracing design of the -40 through -60 series.
I don't know anything about Gibsons from that time vs current ones.

Also, I said that the Larrivee sounded compressed in my post. For recording that may actually be preferred, but it's not the sound I associate with a dreadnought.
Larrivees are known for their balanced tone. I have an 00-40MH and that certainly describes it. For a bigger guitar, I prefer broader dynamics. Otherwise what's the point of a dreadnought? Get a 000 or OM.

Last, as someone pointed out, these are but one sample of each. Good to keep in mind.

[Tenn]

Originally Posted by Corndog

Other observations...

The Martin was from before "re-imagining" which came in 2017.

um...might want to check that. D-18 reimaging came in 2012. D-28 came in 2018 ish somewhere

Not that it matters or anyone cares. It is all about what u like

[Corndog]

Originally Posted by Tenn

um...might want to check that. D-18 reimaging came in 2012. D-28 came in 2018 ish somewhere

Not that it matters or anyone cares. It is all about what u like

I stand corrected, sort of...
Generally "re-imagining" as a design change and a term came about around 2017 but the D-18, specifically, had these changes implemented in 2012.

So for the purposes of this thread and a correction to my post, I concede the point.

Good call.

[SpruceTop]

Originally Posted by Tenn

um...might want to check that. D-18 reimaging came in 2012. D-28 came in 2018 ish somewhere

Not that it matters or anyone cares. It is all about what u like

Actually, the 2012 Martin D-18 initiated the newer Martin D-18 design, with the 2018 bringing in the Reimagined Martin D-18. So, what's the difference between the 2012-2017 Martin D-18 models and the 2018 and newer Martin D-18? If you look at the bridge and bridge pins, 2012-2017 has the traditional bridge pin layout that departs at a slight angle with the line of the saddle whereas the Reimagined has the modern bridge with the bridge pins paralleling the line of the saddle. That's the only difference I know of.

[gmel555]

Originally Posted by Corndog

Also, I said that the Larrivee sounded compressed in my post. For recording that may actually be preferred, but it's not the sound I associate with a dreadnought....Larrivees are known for their balanced tone. ..

Yes...I have two Larrivees (D-19 & L-09). Also have a couple Martins and others. Over the years when recording, most times -after some trials- I chose to use one of the Larrivees for the reasons above. I find I do the least amount of futzing with mic positions and post "performance" eq'ing, etc. with the Larrivess esp the D-19. It's a very small sample size of course and my audio engineering skills are somewhat limited so it may simply be my own limitations showing.