D-18 for singer/songwriter?

[Rexsblues]

So I’m on the hunt for a great singer songwriter guitar. I currently play a Martin HD-28, but it just doesn’t quite give me the sound I want. I made a trip down to Gruhn’s today and played a bunch. George Gruhn himself (along with one of the other employees) both said a Martin D-18 is a great guitar for my purposes. I was also looking at the CEO-7. For reference, my style is country folk in the vein of Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark. There’s a bit of the 70’s Laurel Canyon sound in there too. I’d love some opinions! I’ve always thought smaller bodies guitars were best for solo singer songwriters but the D-18 sounded pretty sweet as well.

[llew]

The CEO-7 and the D-18 will work for you most likely. It's all about what suits your needs best. Regardless of which one you end up with one thing is true...you can always play a D-18 softer or more quietly. The CEO-7 is only capable of so much volume/projection. Nothing against the CEO-7...the few I've played were great but the D-18 will give you a lot more latitude and is a sweet guitar for most anything you care to throw at it? Best of luck...no bad choice between the two but the D-18 gets my vote!

[Speedwagon]

Gordon Lightfoot had a pretty good career with his D-18.

[jaycal]

Curious what you don’t like about the HD-28.

[Rexsblues]

It might be partly a psychological thing, but I just haven't bonded with it. It may be the rosewood though. I really prefer the woody sound of Mahogany. I got the HD-28 before I was very knowledgable about guitars and it was at a good used price so I jumped on it.

[crikey]

Heck yes a D-18 will work great for a singer-songwriter guitar.

[Wade Hampton]

For your purposes, the two Martin guitar models I would steer you towards are the D-18 and a rosewood Triple O with scalloped bracing, like the reimagined 000-28 or the Eric Clapton signature model 000-28EC. Both are very even-sounding and both are great instruments.

Hope this helps.


Wade Hampton Miller

[PhilFish]

Seems to me you have your guitar. Yamaha FG- 180 Red Lable

[Rexsblues]

Originally Posted by PhilFish

Seems to me you have your guitar. Yamaha FG- 180 Red Lable

Maybe. However the Yamaha was my grandfather’s. Unfortunately, it was kept in a hot garage for years and has some issues. Even if I got it in working order I wouldn’t feel comfortable taking it out in Nashville bars.

[AcousticDreams]

I am also a singer songwriter. And many of us have found that the fundamentals of Mahogany work better for this category. Back in the 70's, Mahogany guitars were often used for recording because of there fundamental tones cut through and complimented the singers voice. Sometimes too many overtones of A large Rosewood guitar can interfere. I do like Wades suggestion as well, as a smaller bodied rosewood brings out a better balance of strings.
I can not seem the correct video now. But there was a great video by North American Guitar company..explaining the differences between Rosewood and Mahogany..but they brought in another player..Not Michael Watts( he has a video as well) What I liked about that video is their description. They said something like" When Mahogany chord is played..you can hear each individual note. Rosewood chord is a blended together"
For myself...previously I had found Mahogany or Walnut to better suit my needs when singing. However, Recently I found a rare species of Rosewood that combines the qualities I like in drier woods with the overtones of Rosewood.
I think a little bit of time at the store, singing with that guitar, will answer you question.

[backdoc]

000-15 has a lovely sweet tone and is great for a singer. Not loud like a dread, but if you like mahogany, they are fabulous. If you can find one, the OM-15 that LA Guitars sold are amazing. I have one and it is all the 000-15 is and then some.

[AHill]

You say you want a "woody" sound, but to me, the D-18 is just more balanced than a D-28 vs. being "woody". When I hear "woody" I immediately think of a Gibson J-45. Somehow, Gibson has managed to emphasize the fundamentals in the notes with their bracing and construction vs. Martin, where there are move overtones with a D-18. At least that's what it sounds like to my ears.

[L20A]

Before you give up on Rosewood, give a Martin D-35 a try.
It is called a singer/songwriters guitar.

[Speedwagon]

Consider a Martin 000-18.

[Rexsblues]

Originally Posted by Speedwagon

Consider a Martin 000-18.

Definitely considering that. A local pawn shop has an OM-18v I love but I doubt it'll be there long enough for me to get the funds together.