Martin D18 vs Larrivée D05 vs Gibson J45

[Suilven]

Personally Martins, Gibsons and dreadnoughts aren't my thing, but I thought this might be of interest to some on here, and no-one seems to visit the Chetboard any more:



Paolo's a lovely player, and his other videos are well worth checking out.

Angus

[Corndog]

Hands down the Martin sounded best.
The Larrivee sounded compressed to me.
The Gibson had pretty good dynamics but the Martin had better note separation and sounded cleaner.

The lows were clear, the highs were sweet, and the sound was articulate on the Martin.

I listened twice, the second time with headphones. I wanted to be convinced that I wasn't biased.

[sinistral]

On the first two tunes, there were things about all three guitars I liked. On the third tune, for me, the Martin was the best sounding by far, and I preferred it on the last tune as well, although it would’ve been nice if the guitar had been tuned.

What’s interesting to me is that, while the Larrivée looks like a Martin, I thought its tonal character in this video was closer to the Gibson. My experience with Iris guitars is the opposite—they look like Gibson guitars, but have a touch of a Martin tone.

[Robin, Wales]

I though that it was interesting that Paulo himself chose to use the D-18 track for the closing credits. Says it all really!

[rokdog49]

This is swell, but it’s nothing more than three specific guitars, each with its own particular sound. Unless you of course are looking to buy one of these …in that case pick the winner in your ears.

BTW, my J45 sounds light years better than the one he’s playing in this video.
JMO.

Anyway, thanks for the post.

[William2]

I saw this video twice and think the Martin D-18 is the clear winner. I own two Larrivee's and two Martin's. My two "Larrivee's have the scalloped hybrid bracing and the one in this video I believe has the non-scalloped X bracing. My Larrivee's are much more focused and have much more sustain than this instrument. I wonder if this is an example of scalloped vs non-scalloped sound comparing the Martin and Larrivee. I had just listed my Martin DSS-17 for sale and am removing the listing. What was I thinking? I've seen a number of demos of the D-18 vs the J-45. I have always thought the D-18 had more of everything to its sound. I think it is the longer scale length.

[dn402]

For the sections with more strumming and flatpicking I liked the Martin and Gibson, but for the pure fingerstyle sections I preferred the Larrivee.

[Gee Man]

I think the video does a good representation of each guitars characteristic tones. While I love the fullness of the Martin, there is just something about that mid-heavy Gibson tone that does it for me. All three are fine guitars.

[kriso77]

I find it interesting that each guitar really came across as advertised. The Martin was full, woody and had a warm bass response. The Gibson seemed to be crying out for vocal accompaniment and had really nice mids. The Larrivee to my ears was more in the D-18 camp with more balance.

I've owned all 3 at one point or another and loved them all for different reasons. Not to discredit the other 2, but I think what you get in terms of fit and finish from Larrivee at their price point is fantastic.

Overall the D-18 is still the GOAT in my opinion. What you get in terms of beautiful simplicity and tone is what has made so many builders chase that guitar.

[Tenn]

While I am a D-18 owner and love that guitar, I actually thought the Larrivee was the better finger style guitar with more clarity and reverb.

[jay9318]

Originally Posted by Tenn

While I am a D-18 owner and love that guitar, I actually thought the Larrivee was the better finger style guitar with more clarity and reverb.

That was my impression as well. Larrivee D-05 has a pretty/meaty sound that I like.

[BoneDigger]

They all sounded great in their own distinct way.

[nbs2005]

I have two Larrivees (LSV Forum VI and SD40R that I go back and forth on about trading ;-)). What I hear on this is what I've come to expect from Larrivee; a balanced if somewhat boring tone (my opinion, no offence meant, I have two!). I find them fine for quiet play, amplified play, or recording. I also find them overall less inspiring compared to other makes. I liked the Gibson and Martin better here with the slightest edge maybe to the Martin, no the Gibson. Both of those were great though each better than the other on some styles.

[dilver]

Originally Posted by BoneDigger

They all sounded great in their own distinct way.

I agree. Depends on the which part of the clip. I thought the J-45 sounded best at the passage that starts around 4:06. But in other sections the Martin sounded better, and others the Larivee was better. Maybe that says something about the style of music each guitar is better suited for playing?

[gibpicker]

Loved the D18 Martin tone, but these comparisons are tuff not knowing if all were good specimens. Nice guitar playing.