Martin 18 series

Supergoose · #1 01-20-2019, 02:10 PM

Hi All,

I've got a chance at a Martin D18. It a 2014 model and it's gorgeous in every way and likely will not pass it up.

Is 2014 the most recent model? I know guitars have various new releases and I remember a big one for the 18 in 2012 I think. Just a wonder with no real decision to made from any advice which would be gratefully received. Just a wonder really!

Ultimately however I prefer small body guitars and wondered if the group had any experience of a 00 or 0-18? I will need to go new if I make this decision likely.

Goose, UK.

Mike777 · #2 01-20-2019, 02:27 PM

I played an 0 18 at a local music store last week. I was very impressed by the sound for such a small bodied instrument. I will probably go and play it again later this week. I have a CEO 7 and love the sound.

Mr Bojangles · #3 01-20-2019, 02:49 PM

Martin has come out with a new Modern Deluxe D-18, and it comes with a price hike. I don't know too much about it. So no, the one that you are referring to is not their latest D-18.

llew · #4 01-20-2019, 02:53 PM

The latest change to the Standard D-18 was 2012. I've owned the 00-18 and 000-18 and while both were fine I'm a dread guy and one OM is all the small guitar I need. The D-18 is a great guitar. I hope it works out for you...

Rev Roy · #5 01-20-2019, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by llew

The latest change to the Standard D-18 was 2012. I've owned the 00-18 and 000-18 and while both were fine I'm a dread guy and one OM is all the small guitar I need. The D-18 is a great guitar. I hope it works out for you...

Yep...as Jim said, the D-18 was “reimagined” in 2012. It was such a success Martin reimagined the entire standard line last year. I had one and they are wonderful guitars.

SalFromChatham · #6 01-20-2019, 09:11 PM

2012 was the redesign year for the D18. 2014 was the redesign year for the 000-18.

Good luck. I love both those models. However I have played several new 00-18s... and they left me flat. Go 000 or bigger!

KenL · #7 01-21-2019, 07:01 AM

I've got a 2004 00-18V that is a sweet, sweet guitar, one of the best I've ever owned.

For some dumb reason Martin does not make them anymore, but I know where there is one for sale in excellent condition and at a good price. Shoot me a PM if you think you might be interested.

Nctom · #8 01-21-2019, 08:42 AM

I have a 2018 0-18 that is a great little guitar. It is an entirely different guitar than a D-18, though.

The 0 is an intimate, friendly guitar that's surprisingly loud, but won't rattle the rafters or otherwise shake the house. But that is not what I wanted. It is beautifully built and feels more "substantial" than other parlor guitars. It truly has all the attributes of the Martin -18 series guitars. Since it was just recently reintroduced to the line I assume it has been "reimagined" along with the rest of the -18's.

Golffishny · #9 01-21-2019, 08:48 AM

My 2016 00-18 is my favorite guitar. My 00-28 is a wonderful guitar in its own rite. And my 2002 000-15 will likely be with me for a long time. I also appreciate more comfortable smaller body guitars. Better balance and more mids.

IndyHD28 · #10 01-21-2019, 08:56 AM

As a long time dread-only Guy, I am just now discovering the wonders of short-scale guitars. I limit my collection to three guitars to manage GAS and keep my marriage. Guitar #3 has evolved into a couch guitar usually played quietly in the middle of the night while others are asleep. So, the slack(er) strings of short-scale (typically 000 and smaller) are a huge benefit.

So, it depends what you want out of it. While it is possible to play a dread quietly, they are designed to be cannons, to “cut through the mix” as they say. If you will always play it at full strength, get the dread.

opencee · #11 01-21-2019, 09:41 AM

My Custom Shop 00-18 is my favorite of all time. If it came down to one ...

opencee

.

AgentKooper · #12 01-21-2019, 09:57 AM

I love my 00-18. I have a dread -- and based on my experience with my 2016 00-18, I'm sure the D-18 is just as good -- but I never play it anymore and would probably sell it if I thought I could get a good price for it. If you know you prefer smaller guitars, I'm not sure why you're considering the D-18, but that's none of my business. Regardless, if you already know you like small guitars, you can't go wrong with an 00-18 or 0-18. (Or an 000-18 or CEO-7 for that matter.)

acoustigoat · #13 01-21-2019, 12:01 PM

Martin reintroduced the 0-18 in 2017. Acoustic Guitar magazine did a nice review. I have one of these and really like the neck, although others strongly dislike the taper. The finish is somewhere between satin and glossy, which make sit easy to play up and down the neck.

It is not a particularly loud instrument given the small body, but in the year since I've had it the guitar has definitely opened up and taken better to strumming. I recently put D'Addario Nickel Bronze lights on it and the volume did seem to increase. It's very comfortable for flatpicking and fingerpicking. PM if you want to see a couple demos.