Mahogany Dreadnought Comparison

[OddManOut]

Gryphon Strings did an interesting video comparison of many mahogany dreads.

Enjoy...

[Petty1818]

I recently discovered the D-18 and I think it's a must have for me at this point. I will admit that the simple look of it definitely made me ignore it for many years. I think I always associated it with a more affordable model. I finally tried one the other day and it's so incredible. I know the changes they made in 2012 are well known by this point but I love the current D-18.

[Ed-in-Ohio]

Just for fun, here are my grades (on a school-like 1 - 100 grading system, where 90+ is an "A" or considered "exceptional") for the tone of each guitar (with notes for a grade of A).

D-18: 88
D-18CW: 85
97 D-18 Custom: 87
67 D-18: 90 (dry, woody, "opened", sounds aged-in)
65 D-18: 87
51 D-18: 88
44 D-18: 89
41 D-18: 90 (Clean, well articulated, sounds aged-in)
11 Collings D-1: 90 (Very assertive and muscular)
11 Allison D-A: 89
13 Bourgeois AT: 92 (My favorite of the lot...Beautiful combination of power & articulation)
10 Nashville D-18 Lanham: 89

Observations:

• Comparatively, a new D-18 is a smoking deal when compared to classic, vintage examples.
• Collings and Allison make wonderful Mahogany Dreadnoughts.
• The Bourgeois is off the hook!

Please note: This stuff is all subjective, so, your mileage may vary!

[jimcaleca]

The 41 D-18 was my favorite. Edit to add, I wish he would have had a 37 or 39 authentic in that mix..

[Presc]

I liked the new D-18, the '41, the Collings (just a touch strident), and the Bourgeois most. I actually really didn't care for a few of the 60s/50s examples.

Cool comparison thanks for the post.

[6L6]

For me the Collings D-1 was the clear winner.

[Creekside Guitar]

I wish I could of added my D18GE Sinker to the comparison. The Martin rep I spoke to at the Fretboard Summit told me to hold onto this one as the Sinker is almost gone. He stated that the sinker guitars "just sound like old guitars".

[BoneDigger]

I liked the new D18 the most, followed by the Bourgeois.

Todd

Sent from a cell phone. Sorry for any typos.

[mtsusean]

I wonder how many orders they are going to fill tomorrow placed by this forums members?

Some really good stuff in this video, thanks for sharing

[rmyAddison]

I thought the new D-18 held up quite well with the older Martins. They were all pretty darn good, honorable mention for the '41 and Bourgeois, but to me there was no guitar that was just way better than the rest.

I wish they had a GE and Authentic in the mix, to me they are the best from Martin in the last decade or so.........

[OddManOut]

Originally Posted by rmyAddison

They were all pretty darn good, honorable mention for the '41 and Bourgeois, but to me there was no guitar that was just way better than the rest.

I thought a few of the Matins were flatter sounding (less chimey, more about the fundamental) than the others. But the Nashville was the most different sounding to my ear.

In-person impression likely to be very different.

[dneal]

My son and I were at GC, and he was trying out several guitars (he's ready to move up to a nicer guitar). He liked the D18, and I was pleased when he could explain the tonal reasons for his preference over a D28, for example.

I found an exemplary Huss and Dalton DM at a great price, and it'll be his Christmas present. Although my own preference is for a smaller bodied rosewood guitar, I have to admit that H&D is an awesome guitar. I would have liked to see one in the compilation for comparison.

[DustyD]

How cool, I stopped by Gryphon yesterday and played a few of the guitars in the video. The Bourgeouis was phenominal sounding in person, maybe one of the sweetest most balanced sounding Hog/Adi dreads I've ever played. That being said however, the new D-18 played wonderfully and had a beautiful sound of it's own that I loved. I'd be hard pressed to choose my favorite if money wasn't a concern

[noledog]

My fav wuz the new D18 followed closely by the '51 & '41...thank you for sharing this! ...as I reach for my '14 D18 lookin' so pretty across the room!

[Mobile1]

I liked the '44 best, then the Collings, then the Bourgeois, then the new D18. They all sounded pretty good though. I wish I could've heard my '94 thrown into the mix.