Bryan, I'm so glad that Michael gave you access to his guitars for comparison videos. I own a D-18 39 AA and was looking at getting a D-18 37 AA, until I saw this video. I can't hear a Dimes worth of difference between those two. And the '41 Authentic sounds a bit like my own CS-Bluegrass-2016 (BG16). I'm glad that I got the BG16 when I did as no one wanted it. All of the lookers thought it was some sort of Custom Shop 16 series Dread. Great video!
I played the two d18s quite a bit last night and I stand by my initial evaluation. If I owned both of them, I would reach for the 39 every time. It's just more comfortable and it's easier when you're coming off of electric guitar or mandolin or anything else. Plus I like the mid-range and upper end punch that I get out of it.
Listening from South Korea and I always enjoy your comparisons, and your excellent picking. All these guitars sound great. I tend toward likening the sound of the D-28 37A Martin. I also enjoy your comparisons of the necks. I have a big hand so I like the wider fretboard of the earlier dreadnought. Thanks for comparing these authentic guitars.
I kind of feel a little different than you. I think the D18 is what really works with the forward shifted because it balances the mid a little more than a 28. It is big, but it makes the notes big and thick all over. That's what I hear when you play. High and low notes are all just huge sounding. I guess I love forward shifted D28's in the 30s style too, but do you ever notice, while they are fat everywhere too, the mid is just a bit more scooped on a 30s D28 vs the lows and highs. I love them all honestly so would love owning all of these guitars you are playing. Different voices! I like the 37 D18 best!
A question... Do "new" aged authentics with VTS open up like a new Martin that does not have VTS and has not been aged? ie, will the 37 D-18 aged authentic open up in the future or is it as good as it's going to get. Thanks!
IMHE, there are several stages of "opening" up.... the first year when the guitar learns to be a guitar and not a tree. Then 5 years when it starts really working together. Then 20 years when it's getting some actual age and is probably 90%. Then 50 years when it's all it's ever gonna be. I see no reason why the back, sides, fingerboard, bridge, plate, neck, etc on a VTS or aged top won't develop. The top is X% of the sound but that other 100%-X is important, too. I would totally expect a VTS top to learn vibration, stress, dry/humid, and all the other things that presumably contribute to "aging", assuming there really is such a thing.
The 39 A At the 44 minute mark to the end i noticed a terrible buzz like the capo was loose or something. I didn't notice it earlier. I am half asleep though so anything is possible.
I like that ‘37 D-18 aged authentic a lot. It really cuts. I’ve never tried one of Martins aged models. It’s on my list to do soon. Used prices on the ‘39 D-18A are pretty reasonable. My fingers get hung up on certain strings too Bryan. I’ll give the Elixirs another shot, I like a slippery string.
For me, the SOUND of the string is over-rated. It's all about how it feels in my hands. I don't care if it's the best sounding whatever in the world... if it doesn't feel good, I'm not gonna play it. Elixir Nanoweb PB's, dude. :) Those Stringjoy's feel pretty good so far, too.
The 72 sounded great, the 39 sounded great. After a moment, you wouldn’t hear the difference between them, but as a player, that comfort would be the thing. Saying that, I did play a D-18 AA ‘39 and have been haunted since. Played a nice un-aged ‘39 and it was great, but not like the aged. I’m curious why.
@@Bryankimsey no, to my ears I hear a little less boominess in the 37, and a tighter smoother bass, and midrange listening to you flat picking on my good headphone speakers.
Hi I just love your playing of all those Martins you get to play. I just got a D 18 lefty for my 70 B-Day and would love to play the way you do. I am beginner and you just get me motivated plus the wife wants to hear me play like you, someday? Take care.
Some of the stuff in here might be useful. Look at the ones on "Lessons from music school" and "Noodling" esp. ua-cam.com/play/PLguo9vBGK3TyjCFbhY0jrYRzyZqDv1fH7.html
I used to ride street motorcycles. For a number of reasons, I stopped riding. Then, I chose not to ride anymore. I still have a valid M1 on my license. Why? I value playing much more than I value riding. I want to minimize the chances of an injury that would end my playing. I've wiped out multiple times, broken a leg, and never hurt my arms or hands. I'm quitting while I'm ahead.
I noticed it while playing the '37 but thought I'd tightened the capo. It's either something on the table next to the mic stand or I just didn't get the capo snug enough. I don't like to over-tighten then sometimes I don't get them tight enough. Plus, it was raining while I was recording this and I was listening to that and wondering if it was getting loud for recording.
Bryan, I'm so glad that Michael gave you access to his guitars for comparison videos. I own a D-18 39 AA and was looking at getting a D-18 37 AA, until I saw this video. I can't hear a Dimes worth of difference between those two. And the '41 Authentic sounds a bit like my own CS-Bluegrass-2016 (BG16). I'm glad that I got the BG16 when I did as no one wanted it. All of the lookers thought it was some sort of Custom Shop 16 series Dread. Great video!
I played the two d18s quite a bit last night and I stand by my initial evaluation. If I owned both of them, I would reach for the 39 every time. It's just more comfortable and it's easier when you're coming off of electric guitar or mandolin or anything else. Plus I like the mid-range and upper end punch that I get out of it.
@@Bryankimsey Thanks, Bryan!
That 41 sure has a good sound. It's so clean and powerful, with a little bit of a reverb in the background.
That's a really good guitar.
I commented on the reverb... just a little reverb but not too much. I thought I gave it pretty good kudos over the two D-18's.
Listening from South Korea and I always enjoy your comparisons, and your excellent picking. All these guitars sound great. I tend toward likening the sound of the D-28 37A Martin. I also enjoy your comparisons of the necks. I have a big hand so I like the wider fretboard of the earlier dreadnought. Thanks for comparing these authentic guitars.
I kind of feel a little different than you. I think the D18 is what really works with the forward shifted because it balances the mid a little more than a 28. It is big, but it makes the notes big and thick all over. That's what I hear when you play. High and low notes are all just huge sounding. I guess I love forward shifted D28's in the 30s style too, but do you ever notice, while they are fat everywhere too, the mid is just a bit more scooped on a 30s D28 vs the lows and highs. I love them all honestly so would love owning all of these guitars you are playing. Different voices! I like the 37 D18 best!
A question... Do "new" aged authentics with VTS open up like a new Martin that does not have VTS and has not been aged? ie, will the 37 D-18 aged authentic open up in the future or is it as good as it's going to get. Thanks!
IMHE, there are several stages of "opening" up.... the first year when the guitar learns to be a guitar and not a tree. Then 5 years when it starts really working together. Then 20 years when it's getting some actual age and is probably 90%. Then 50 years when it's all it's ever gonna be.
I see no reason why the back, sides, fingerboard, bridge, plate, neck, etc on a VTS or aged top won't develop. The top is X% of the sound but that other 100%-X is important, too. I would totally expect a VTS top to learn vibration, stress, dry/humid, and all the other things that presumably contribute to "aging", assuming there really is such a thing.
THANK YOU! That's the best explanation of how a guitar opens up and when that I have ever heard. Thank you!!!!@@Bryankimsey
I think they all sound great but that said the 37A was my favorite of the day!
41 sounds prettier, 37 sounds boulder, 39 sounds balanced and tamed ....cool comparison...
The 39 A At the 44 minute mark to the end i noticed a terrible buzz like the capo was loose or something. I didn't notice it earlier. I am half asleep though so anything is possible.
I like that ‘37 D-18 aged authentic a lot. It really cuts. I’ve never tried one of Martins aged models. It’s on my list to do soon. Used prices on the ‘39 D-18A are pretty reasonable.
My fingers get hung up on certain strings too Bryan. I’ll give the Elixirs another shot, I like a slippery string.
For me, the SOUND of the string is over-rated. It's all about how it feels in my hands. I don't care if it's the best sounding whatever in the world... if it doesn't feel good, I'm not gonna play it. Elixir Nanoweb PB's, dude. :) Those Stringjoy's feel pretty good so far, too.
@@Bryankimsey I’ve got a set of String Joy Foxwoods on the Museum Edition and I’m liking them!
Rosewood has more natural reverb.I prefer the first one for an all around guitar, the second one if you want to work on single notes
The 72 sounded great, the 39 sounded great. After a moment, you wouldn’t hear the difference between them, but as a player, that comfort would be the thing. Saying that, I did play a D-18 AA ‘39 and have been haunted since. Played a nice un-aged ‘39 and it was great, but not like the aged. I’m curious why.
AA has a thinner finish and the Un-Aged might not have been VTS. My original '39 from.... '14???... wasn't.
37 is my favorite, slightly boosted mids, slightly less bass.
You sure that's not the '39? :)
@@Bryankimsey no, to my ears I hear a little less boominess in the 37, and a tighter smoother bass, and midrange listening to you flat picking on my good headphone speakers.
Hi I just love your playing of all those Martins you get to play. I just got a D 18 lefty for my 70 B-Day and would love to play the way you do. I am beginner and you just get me motivated plus the wife wants to hear me play like you, someday? Take care.
Some of the stuff in here might be useful. Look at the ones on "Lessons from music school" and "Noodling" esp.
ua-cam.com/play/PLguo9vBGK3TyjCFbhY0jrYRzyZqDv1fH7.html
Rosewood vs Mahogany. I like all of them, necks are different, so trying them is important.
Gosh I am a sucker for the '41 and feel silly for not buying one when they were available for a relatively cheap price.
I like this one!
I used to ride street motorcycles. For a number of reasons, I stopped riding. Then, I chose not to ride anymore. I still have a valid M1 on my license. Why? I value playing much more than I value riding. I want to minimize the chances of an injury that would end my playing. I've wiped out multiple times, broken a leg, and never hurt my arms or hands. I'm quitting while I'm ahead.
I already gave up bull riding so that I could play. I like to ride almost as much as I do playing. :)
www.youtube.com/@bryankimsey8167
37 A all the way, really powerful sound, I think rosewood is better suited for 0-00 guitars.
Well... that's just, like, your opinion, man. ;)
@@BryankimseyMy humble opinion even, lol
I went back and listened again and the 37 before that buzzed with the capo to but not near as bad. Same song, same capo, different guitars.
I noticed it while playing the '37 but thought I'd tightened the capo. It's either something on the table next to the mic stand or I just didn't get the capo snug enough. I don't like to over-tighten then sometimes I don't get them tight enough. Plus, it was raining while I was recording this and I was listening to that and wondering if it was getting loud for recording.
Say, is that a 41 or 28 A?
D-18 '37 A - 1 3/4" neck forward X
D-18 '39 A- 1 11/16" neck, rear X
D-28 '41 A- 1 11/16" neck, rear X
@@Bryankimsey Oh. Thanks for that clarification. I thought I was losing my marbles.