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  #1  
Old 01-20-2021, 07:47 PM
aeisen93 aeisen93 is offline
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Default Martin D-18, Or D-28, Or HD-28, or D-35? Which one and why?

Which guitar would you choose and why?

Martin D-18, D-28, HD-28 or D-35?
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  #2  
Old 01-20-2021, 07:55 PM
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warfrat73 warfrat73 is offline
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Could make a case for pretty much any of them, depending on what you want to do with it.

The D-18 is one of the best deals in a professional quality guitar.
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Old 01-20-2021, 07:59 PM
ataylor ataylor is offline
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It really comes down to personal preference in tone. I tend to gravitate towards the warmth and woody midrange of mahogany, so I went with the D-18.

That said, I’ve played fine examples of the other three guitars and would love to own a rosewood-flavored Martin dreadnought someday too.
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Old 01-20-2021, 08:03 PM
egordon99 egordon99 is offline
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All of them.



OR the one you like the sound/feel of the best.

Those are the only answers.
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Old 01-20-2021, 08:09 PM
Brucebubs Brucebubs is offline
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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!
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Last edited by Brucebubs; 01-20-2021 at 11:36 PM.
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Old 01-20-2021, 09:05 PM
Wellington Wellington is offline
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I love the look of the D35 the most, but the D18 is the odd one out being hog b/s. All good guitars.
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  #7  
Old 01-20-2021, 10:20 PM
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D-35. Looking for the scoped mid - hyped bass sound that the 35 is known for. I’m not opposed to the reimagined 35 but would love to compare an older and newer version back to back for a few hours. And it has to be Ambertone
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  #8  
Old 01-20-2021, 10:41 PM
jspe jspe is offline
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Default 18...

If money is an issue...
The D18 is the best value and will put you in the zone. Martin nailed it with these new ones. You can upgrade to, or add, a 28 later if you so choose. My bet is the 18 will be a standout, and will satisfy all of your tonal, personal, and/or performing demands. Take good care of it, and after 6-8 years (if trends continue) its as good as money in the bank against your initial cost.
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Old 01-21-2021, 05:47 AM
Proclaimer888 Proclaimer888 is offline
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Martin HD28 was best overall sounding guitar I have ever played.
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  #10  
Old 01-21-2021, 05:51 AM
palolowarrior palolowarrior is offline
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I recently picked up a Custom HD28 Marquis/GE Adi/EIR sunburst from Reno’s Music. It is a winner.

A couple weeks on the Tonerite did it some good I might add. But, out of the box it was and is amazing.

Better than a stock D28.
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  #11  
Old 01-21-2021, 06:02 AM
EZYPIKINS EZYPIKINS is offline
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HD-28 That'd be my pick
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Old 01-21-2021, 07:03 AM
llew llew is offline
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Those all all fine Martin's but the D-18 is the easiest way to break into the Standard Series and will do most anything. Between the D-28/HD-28/D-35 there will be some overlap and could be considered redundant but they all have their strong points.
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  #13  
Old 01-21-2021, 07:22 AM
MickZ MickZ is offline
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HD-28 or D-41 if you can swing it for some added shimmer and responsiveness.
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Old 01-21-2021, 07:22 AM
Goodallboy Goodallboy is offline
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I’d buy the one that sounds the best, ignoring model, even brand.

Then you’ll end up with a much better, more satisfying instrument.
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  #15  
Old 01-21-2021, 07:36 AM
lowrider lowrider is offline
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Before Covid hit I made a few trips to the guitar stores to check out Martin Dreads. I never tried a D-35 but I rank them HD-28, D-18, D-28.

What kept confusing me was the as many times as not, I liked the Road Series D-12 as much or better than the D-18. I decided to wait a while and then Covid hit.

Once this is over, I'll go back to trying them out but I'll include the GC Special D-16e and see what I think again. I'm guessing; HD-28, D-18/D-16 Confusion, D-28.

It's a lot more fun to do it live than to do it online. Once this is over, get out to the stores and try for yourself!
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