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#1
01-07-2022, 10:52 AM
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Time to just get a D-18?
I play a variety of music, mostly folk, rock, bluegrass, jazz, and blues. I also do a lot of theater work, playing guitar (and other instruments) onstage in shows that have hybrid actor-musicians. I'm hoping to spend more time in the near future working on my bluegrass chops in particular.
About three years ago I was on the hunt for a workhorse acoustic that could "do it all" and that had solid, dependable tone in a variety of situations. I wound up getting a Yamaha A3R dread. A few years on with the A3R, I find myself drifting back to my girlfriend's Martin DM more often than not. The Yamaha has a fantastic sound plugged in (I really love the pickup systems in these) but the acoustic sound is not even close to the resonance and, for lack of a better word, presence that the Martin DM has in spades. And the recording projects I've had over the last three years have found me using the Martin every time because it's closer to the classic sound I hear in my head. I've also had some intonation issues with the Yamaha that have not been resolved after multiple trips to the luthier. Which brings me to my GAS. I've wanted a D-18 forever. I always told myself I couldn't justify the cost of a $2500+ guitar, but after spending a few years with the Yamaha (which I got for a little over $1000), I'm beginning to question that thinking. Anyone make a similar transition from middle of the road dreadnaught to an upper echelon instrument? Too bad I picked a particularly bad time to be in the market for a Martin...the prices are brutal these days (I think D-18s were closer to 1800 or 2000 when I began my acoustic hunt a few years back). I could keep tempting fate by borrowing my gf's DM, but I'd selfishly prefer to have my own dedicated acoustic in this category.
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1972 Gibson Marauder 2016 Fender Baja Telecaster 2013 Fender Telecaster Deluxe 2013 National Triolian 1921 Gibson A-2 Mandolin 2009 Gibson F9 Mandolin 2010 National RM-1 Mandolin 
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#2
01-07-2022, 10:55 AM
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Quote:
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Martin D18 Gibson J45 Martin 00015sm Gibson J200 Furch MC Yellow Gc-CR SPA Guild G212 Eastman E2OM-CD
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#3
01-07-2022, 11:01 AM
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Before Martin's price structure change and the lack of product associated with what seems to be a perfect storm you could buy a new Standard D-18 for just under $1900. Now I believe that number is just under $2600. But can vary if you can find a better deal in this environment. And there's always nice used models floating around.
I'll just say they are great guitars and I've owned a handful of them over the years. Currently have a Custom Shop shade top D-18 with Adirondack top and GE bracing. This one's a keeper. Best of luck to you with your search. And as Bob said above..."Go for it!"!
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Jim Dogs Welcome......People Tolerated!
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#4
01-07-2022, 11:02 AM
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There's no way you regret the D-18 Standard. I've played dozens of these newer reimagined models and all have been really good and a lot of them have been incredible.
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#5
01-07-2022, 11:10 AM
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I bought as D-18 about a year ago out of nostalgia for my long gone Guild D-35. I heard a live recording from a show I did in 1978 in a converted church and longed to hear that mahogany dread sound again. I play the D-18 more than my other 3 or 4 guitars. (Rosewood, koa and mahogany OM, Dread, 000 and Jumbo from Martin and Gurian.)
It is a great all around guitar. You cannot go wrong by getting one.
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Please note: higher than average likelihood that any post by me is going to lean heavily on sarcasm. Just so we’re clear...
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#6
01-07-2022, 11:16 AM
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It's always the right answer to get a D-18. It's the answer to any guitar question worth asking.
In all seriousness, they are a fantastic value for the amount of tone you get.
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My Therapy: Martin 000-18GE 1937 Sunburst MFG Martin 000-15 Kevin Enoch Tradesman Open Back Banjo Collings MT2-O Honey Amber Royce Burt #560 5-String Fiddle
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#8
01-07-2022, 12:13 PM
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You already know the answer. Just buy the dang D-18 and live happily ever after.
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'59 Gibson J-45 "Spot" '21 Gibson LG-2 - 50's Reissue '94 Taylor 710 '18 Martin 000-17E "Willie" ‘23 Taylor AD12e-SB '22 Taylor GTe Blacktop '15 Martin 000X1AE https://pandora.app.link/ysqc6ey22hb
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#12
01-07-2022, 12:37 PM
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I don't think Martin needs me to help sell their guitars, but...
At $2600. a D-18 is sort of a bargain these days, IMO. They compare very well indeed with MUCH more expensive guitars. Martin's prices are going to continue going up along with the rest of guitardom. My .02? Get the the D-18 and enjoy yourself.
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#13
01-07-2022, 12:42 PM
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Get a D-18. But before you go too far, consider a D-18 Golden Era. I've owned both, the D-18 is gone and the D-18 GE will be with me until my daughter inherits it. Nothing wrong with a D-18 Reimagined, the D-18 GE is just more gooder.
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#14
01-07-2022, 01:10 PM
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I never yet met a person who said “I wish I hadn’t bought that D 18.”
Buy it. Forget what you paid for it. Hang onto it for a long time.
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Peace, Jimmy Optima dies, prima fugit
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#15
01-07-2022, 01:27 PM
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If you're willing to go used, you can still get one for closer to $2000 (Just keep an eye on the classifieds or other sites. I believe one sold here this week very quickly after being posted).
You can even sell the Yamaha to offset the cost =).
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2021 Fender Telecaster (Player Series) 2014 Yamaha FS700 2020 Rouge RD80 - sold 2014 Epiphone Les Paul Junior - sold
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