Martin D-18, Or D-28, Or HD-28, or D-35? Which one and why?

[highvibrational]

I chose the D-28 because it is perfection.

[guitarxan]

Since I already have a Martin Rosewood Dred, I would go for the D18. I have always wanted a ‘Hog Dred. In fact I am toying with selling my Taylor 320e Baritone and 114ce and turning around and buying a D18.

[hifivic]

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

OK so we can see that you're keen to buy a new guitar and having a hard time choosing one. Here's my (fun) suggestion.

1. - Double your budget
2. - Put on your big boy pants and pull a whopping big Gibson SJ-200 super jumbo down off the rack - get someone to help you if you're frightened.
3. - No wimpy 1.69" nut or hippy, artsy, folksy finger-style 1.75" - right in the middle where they should be 1.72"
4. - Don't go over it looking for faults - they're there so suck it up and embrace them... it's a Gibson.
5. - Now strum it like you stole it.
6. - Don't just lay there on the floor, get back on your feet and go pay the man.

p.s. If you add them all up a D-18, D-28, HD-28 and D-35 comes to 109 - so an SJ-200 is obviously 91 better!

I'm dying, POST OF THE YEAR AWARD!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Zissou Intern]

Unless you like low profile necks, I'd find a used D18GE or D28 Marquis. Then accept the GAS; resistance is futile. Start looking for a Gibson slope shoulder.

[PHJim]

I made my choice 41 years ago. I love my D-21.

[RalphH]

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

OK so we can see that you're keen to buy a new guitar and having a hard time choosing one. Here's my (fun) suggestion.

1. - Double your budget
2. - Put on your big boy pants and pull a whopping big Gibson SJ-200 super jumbo down off the rack - get someone to help you if you're frightened.
3. - No wimpy 1.69" nut or hippy, artsy, folksy finger-style 1.75" - right in the middle where they should be 1.72"
4. - Don't go over it looking for faults - they're there so suck it up and embrace them... it's a Gibson.
5. - Now strum it like you stole it.
6. - Don't just lay there on the floor, get back on your feet and go pay the man.

p.s. If you add them all up a D-18, D-28, HD-28 and D-35 comes to 109 - so an SJ-200 is obviously 91 better!

high-five brother!

[MidfieldGeneral]

D28 easy win

[Emil]

Im a simple man and the D28 is my trusted buddy when all fails.
Having that said i really enjoyed the HD-35 that i owned for some time. If hou’re playing on your own and dont need to stand out in a mix then it’s a guitar that often gets overlooked because of it being a tiny (just a tiny tiny tiny) bit scoped.

[Peter Z]

Originally Posted by aeisen93

Which guitar would you choose and why?

Martin D-18, D-28, HD-28 or D-35?

Out of this list, the J-45! 😁

More serious:
I‘d start with the D-18.
As we all know, GAS is a chronically pestilence, next would be the J-45 then the HD-28 (or the other way around).
When you think you are done after those three, you’ll recognize quickly, the game has just started.
Good luck!

[FingahPickah]

Originally Posted by aeisen93

Which guitar would you choose and why?

Martin D-18, D-28, HD-28 or D-35?

This is not a case of good, better, best.... Each has it's own sound and feel.

Add a D40 or D41 to the mix .... HD28-ish tone ... bound neck D35-ish feel...

[llew]

I've been listening to a lot of Jason Isbell. He has such a great sound with his D-18 although this one is a CS or a GE version. And granted it is in drop D but it just works...period. I love how this songs builds...

[Eryc74]

Originally Posted by aeisen93

Which guitar would you choose and why?

Martin D-18, D-28, HD-28 or D-35?

I'd go with the HD-28 and even consider the H-28V if you like a v shape neck.

You really can't go wrong with any of these. The D-35 is probably a little frivolous. I've played a few and other than the extra bling, I haven't found them to be better sound or playing guitars than other.

I have a Mahogany guitar too - albeit a smaller OO. Love it - but when I really want the tone I love I got the the big Martin HD-28V.

Best of luck! Be curious to hear what you pick.

[BoneDigger]

I have owned all of those in your list and they are all good. I currently own a D18 GE and an HD28. Of all of these, the standard D18 is probably the one I would choose if I could only have one.

[Neil K Walk]

OT: I have to laugh whenever these polls grow beyond the four limited choices to something completely out in left field. The peanut gallery here never fails to disappoint!

That being said, money and ornamentation does not equal tone. There's something to be said about the sub $2K offerings that IMHO are worth more than half the price of the "standard" series. I'm actually quite happy with my "lowly" D-16GT and happened to pick it over the pre-2012 D-18. I never thought I'd go for a mahogany dread with an MT neck joint and micarta bridge and fretboard but 10 years later I think it's safe to say it's been a keeper and I don't regret passing on a D-18.

I still want that HD-35 though.

[handers]

1933 D-18 in good condition