Tried a Martin D-18 today. Oh my!

[Burstbucker]

I'm in the process of thinning down my amp/guitar collection, there's a guy buying one of my amps tomorrow night and I hope to sell off my Gibson SG Standard soon too. With that stuff being liquidated, I should pretty much have enough cash on hand to buy a quality acoustic guitar.

I am open to multiple brands, Larrivee, Taylor, etc... not stuck on just one brand.

Today I stepped into my local music shop and luckily there was nobody else in the acoustic room and I got to try out a few gems but I didn't think that the D-18 would be the stand out.

I've been submerged in electric guitar for well over 20 years and have basically abandoned the acoustic guitar all together but the tide is starting to turn for me now I believe.

So I go in there and start with the D-18 figuring that it might be my least favourite, I just found it quite low key, very understated, no fancy binding, mother of pearl,(not that that's a bad thing) etc...but the tone! Wow!

I know that sound/tone is subjective and there is no right or wrong but I just thought that I would be all over the D-28 today but not really, in this particular case, the D-18 was the one making me raise an eye-brow.

To my ears (today at any rate, and it could change next time) I found that the D-28, while sounding awesome, sounded a bit too bassy and the individual notes didn't seem to stand out as much as what I was hearing from the D-18.

I found that the D-18 had perfect balance between all the frequencies. Lots of definition when playing chords, still lots of low end on tap IMHO but had more clarity than the beautiful D-28. More than once, I was startled when the top of the D-18 vibrated so hard that it kind of tickled my forearm, so there was no lack of power and projection. This guitar was alive! Maybe not as loud and boomy as the D-28 but more than enough for my tastes.

I know that all the guitars are individual beasts but in this case today between these two particular guitars, the D-18, surprisingly was my fave.

To be honest though, if I found a good used D-18 or D-28 at an affordable price I would be totally happy with either one, absolutely brilliant guitars these Martins!

[rwmct]

The D-18 is on a lot of people's short lists. If I get a Martin, that will likely be the one.

[The Bard Rocks]

There is a reason so many of them were made in the past and are still being made today. The D 18 is sort what many people judge all other guitars against.

[sbeirnes]

I really like the sound of straight braced D18s. Pre 2012 D18s can be a bargain if you can find one that plays well.

[SalFromChatham]

Try the HD28 as well...

The necks are different on the 18 you loved, and the D28 and HD28. 3/4 vs 11/16 nut width. Difference in the "chunky".

If you like the 18 tone, but the necks on the D28, HD28, D35.... look for a pre 2012 D18V.

I concur with your Martin taste. Try to squeeze in a good Gibson slope to try out as well.

[Kurch]

Try out a D18GE if you get the chance. It is very high up on the list for my next guitar. Killer tone and the sunburst finish is incredible.

[ManyMartinMan]

The new D-18 leave little to want for. Excellent guitars.

[Mobo]

D-18's are special guitars with a beautiful voice. A players guitar. I play in a duo with a D-28 while my partner plays a D-18 and they compliment each other very nicely.

If it sings a sweet melody to you, it may be the right one.

[Dirty Bill]

I assume this was the new D-18 as opposed to the authentic one ? I've been reading on their new building techniques. Martin seems to doing some good new things.

[brencat]

The Sitka topped D-18 has crisp highs and great cut. Really nice neck with a great clean tone and not as dark sounding as the D-28 or HD-28 (though if you stumble on a good one of those... look out! )

Keep trying different Martins and get a feel for what the brand can offer. They make a model for every budget!

[Misifus]

When I began playing, I found a 1957 D-18 in a pawnshop in Lima, Ohio. That was the summer of 1964. That guitar was my mainstay until 1978 when someone decided his need was greater than mine, so he relieved me of that and many of my other possessions.

That was a really fine guitar. I've often wished I still had it.

[jsanfilippo5]

The 2012+ D-18 is one of my favorite guitars - definitley on my shortlist.

[oxygenman]

I bought a new one about two weeks ago. I love it. It doesn't have a whole lot in common with my straight-braced D-18 except the name. Both are wonderful, just very different. I think Martin has scored big time with the new ones.

[Wade Hampton]

I own a 2014 Martin D-18 with the ebony fingerboard and bridge and forward shifted X brace. Mine also has an Adirondack spruce top.

It's a killer guitar. It's made me break my decades-long abstention from square-shouldered dreadnoughts, and I love it.


whm

[#GoKingsGo]

Try a D18e retro............they are amazing