I've come to really appreciate Mahogany's tone, I didn't used to. I prefer the trebles of rosewood, cleaner overall, less twangy. Both are good, I feel the rosewood is better for strumming chords. Just an excuse to have one of each :)
I’ve found some hard and fast rules with guitars, all related to mass - the smaller the body, the more I favor Mahogany. Once I hit Dreds and even Jumbos, Rosewood. Just as the more mass in an electric, lower output pickups. Lighter/less mass, higher output.
The 28 sinks into the soul like a warm blanket. The 18 is a crisp winter morning. Both a great and both will suit the individual. For me I went with the 000-28ec and although pricey, I know it will be the guitar out of my collection of 8 that I will never let go.
as a beginner guitarist, I love the warmth and roundness a mahogany has. maybe when I become a tad bit better I'd appreciate rosewood. But for now, I really love the warm sounds a mahogany guitar creates. It's so round, warm and just sweet sounding.
Mahogany without question. Its far more versatile too. I have a pretty big collection with some real amazing tonewoods but Mahogany is still my favorite.
In this video - prefer the ooo18 (mahogany) for strumming and flatpicking. I think the higher balance of overtones (versus the fundamental tone) of the ooo28 takes something away from the the soul and musical feel compared to the ooo18. For the fingerpicking it was a tougher choice. The overtones of the ooo28 allowed the fingerpicking to sound a little more joined up compared the ooo18.......But I still really liked the ooo18 tone. I think overall the ooo18 would be my choice - particularly as I don't finger pick all that much.
Most definitely the mahogany. In this sample it has way more presence it's way more alive. I tried quite a few rosewoods and sorry to say rosewood just doesn't have the souls like mahogany. Rosewood is generally to bright and not as full sounding overall as mahogany despite rosewood generally giving more bottom but that is most definitely not always the case because I have mahogany ones that have plenty of bottom booty lol.
Easy choice I' ll have both. It' s like a telecaster and stratocaster, you like both tone and you want both. Maybe the 000-28 a bit better for fingerpickings.
To my ears, the sound of Martin ooo18 is a bit dark, boomy, and husky. On the other hand, the sound of Martin ooo28 is bright, clear, and crispy. If I had the option to choose between these two flagship models of Martin I would have surely picked the Martin ooo28.
Thanks. Great playing for a comparison! But I gotta be honest, I couldn't hear a nickel's worth of difference. During the first segment (strumming cowboy chords) I thought the 28 was a bit louder and brighter, but I noticed you seemed to strum a little closer to the sound hole than you did with the 18? Maybe just my imagination? The biggest factor is UA-cam, with it's audio compression algorithms, it makes it really hard for me to hear fine distinctions. But overall, this really just confirms in my own mind that a guitar's back and sides are much less important to a guitar's tone than the top. I own two rosewood guitars, and I've owned many others in the past, and I love each and every one of them. But tbh, my affection may be more for their appearance than their improved tone over mahogany (or other tone woods). Just one guy's $0.02 worth.
Mahogany has really gown on me. It had more open air quality and warm. The 28 had way more power, with a pick or otherwise, it was clearly louder and seemed like it wants someone to really dig into it. I like them both, but preferred the 18, in this comparison.
lol great video but what do I do when the two guitars I’m looking at with one having mahogany back and rosewood sides, and the other vise versa having rosewood back and mahogany sides? Yamaha FS820 vs Yamaha FS830
I like them both. Usually I think the mahogany sounds more distinct but the rosewood sounds really good here. I have and have had a few rosewood, thought I might get a mahogany this time, now I am not sure.
I was hoping for this comparison video. But damn, I still don't know!!! 😂 They're both so good, but also very different and I just don't know which one I prefer. I do know that my J-45 has more in common with the 000-18 (mahogany sound I guess), so the 28 is probably the better choice. Thanks for the upload.
Then go for 28 bro.. You wont regret it. Its worth it to pay the extra for the valute in the neck and some Herringbones 😂 it just gives you joy to hold and look at it then goes playing 🤣
This is my dilemma exactly. My first guitar was mahogany and spruce, though I didn't realize it at the time. I have a rosewood, but with a cedar top. It is magical, but has a very narrow nut and I finger pick mostly. I have an old Alvarez with a three piece back rosewood with the center panel mahogany and spruce top and a D18GE so which way to may come down to what I can find and that might be a 15 or 17.
Got me a D18 last week and am loving it. Full rich and balanced. Very sweet. I really like my Eastman OMs but this knocks it out of the park. Thanks Ian for being part of my decision making with your demo.
I’m in the market now for a 000 or maybe an OM. This is helpful. I gavitatr toward mahogany but have owned many Rosewood guitars. There’s also the fact that a good top on any guitar will turn your head. I may end up with both. I have a D-18 GE and a D-28 Marquis that are both going in the shop after I find my 000 to keep me satisfied while they are gone. Right now I’m thinking about the 000-28 Authentic or maybe a CeO-7.
I’m biased because my go to guitar is a 000-28. This reaffirms it. I have a mahogany 00, 12 fret which sounds amazing too - but they’re such different guitars! Peace
To me it seems like the Rosewoods pronounced mid range drowns out its highs and lows even tho the highs and lows are good but the hog guitar has a more scooped midrange that allows more bass and treble to come through. I'm returning a 000-28ec I just bought, love the neck but I decided in a 000 rosewood is not for me. I love the clarity of mahogany guitars, less muddy overtones.
No headphones and phone audio, but my take is Mahogany is more sweet and responsive, where as rosewood is more present and bell like. I can't decide which i like more. Surprised at how big the difference is!
I bought a new 0-18 and a new 00-28 four months ago. I play the hog 90 percent of the time. I wish I had bought a 00-18! I could have saved 700 dollars as well.
More compression with the mahogany back and sides, more warmth, more bass. More appropriate for an intimate setting, singer-songwriter style music. Rosewood has a more assertive presence.
I honestly like rosewood on the smaller guys. As long as it's a good dense piece. Sometimes one is just a better example too. You have to remember that. And I'm a hog guy, but it records better too. In person, these will sound different
Sorry, In this specific example, do not agree with you. The frequency range (at least as it sounds on my computer=all examples being equal) between 125 and 250 is a muddled mess. Who is that character on the Charlie Brown specials? = that's the problem.
Am I losing my mind? The Rosewood has a much better tone quality to my ears. In the finger-picking sample I'd have to EQ "the crap" out of that 4th string e-f drone. On the Rosewood, I'd have to do less. Hmmm....an engineers perspective....have at me and enjoy your guitars :)
What’s wrong with me? I want my mahogany to sound like rosewood and my rosewood to sound like mahogany. It’s the same with electrics. I get in the mood for the sound of a Strat, Tele, Les Paul, 335, etc.. the journey never ends. lol.
I bet not many can tell a difference if you only listen to the video without watching. The only difference is that 000-28 has nice bindings. Nothing else.
Mahogany is a very hard wood. It shouldn't be used for the back and side. It should be reserved for neck only. These dsys it is so rare that they have to use the Spanish cedar, which is a kind of mahogany but softer.
great video but it would be helpful if you'd strum some chords with your picking hand more towards the soundhole. Playing so far back like that doesn't really give us the voice of the guitar.
I got the 000-18 MD. The 000-28EC sounds the best to me but the huge neck is impossible to play. I don't like Martins made after 1967 in general. The necks are wider and fatter, they can't use the vastly superior Brazilian rosewood. I have a vintage D28 and D41 with narrow thin necks that sound better then any guitar Martin can currently make. I owned and traded the 000-28 standard, and 000-28 MD, The neck on the 000-18 standard has very sharp shoulders and the MD version is more comfortable and better then the "low oval taper." All the new 000-28's sound like they have a wet towel stuffed in them and require a pickup or a mic to get any brightness out of them The 000-18 played with 11 gauge 80/20's gives a bright clear sound, without the boombox depth of the dreads which is fine, but I wanted to get something brighter and lighter this time. And of course no 2 guitars sound the same, even if they are the same model and make. I tried A LOT of 000-18's to find a tolerable one. I should mention that torrefaction used on the MD line is pure marketing hype. It does not make the guitar sound like a 1937 000, and I know about those. It just, with the carbon fiber and metal bridge pins, makes it louder. This is one reason I use 111 gauge strings, to mitigate that offensive brassy volume. Also, new Martins, especially with 12 gauge, have unplayably high action, and combined with the gigantically wide and fat necks on ALL new models, require extensive luthier work and lower gauge strings to be playable, no matter how strong your hands are. I have played Martins for 55 years now and my conclusion is all the new ones are grotesquely, insanely overpriced. Collings makes a far superior instrument, Taylors are probably a better buy. The fact is a $150 Takamine sounds as good as most NEW martins. Martin is Ok if you can throw at least $150,000.00 at one down at Gruhns or Carters. New Martins are crap at any price. It's all hyperinflated marketing now, and forget about sound quality.
Got you. Martins are overpriced. What cheaper model of which brand would you recommend instead of a 000-28? Collings don’t count, they are way more expensive over here in Europe.
Strumming:
00:24 Mahogany
01:59 Rosewood
king
Long time rosewood user and after some years I have gravitated towards mahogany. There is a metallic quality of rosewood, even in Brazilian.
I've come to really appreciate Mahogany's tone, I didn't used to. I prefer the trebles of rosewood, cleaner overall, less twangy. Both are good, I feel the rosewood is better for strumming chords. Just an excuse to have one of each :)
Clapton loves rosewood because "it´s more funky".
I’ve found some hard and fast rules with guitars, all related to mass - the smaller the body, the more I favor Mahogany. Once I hit Dreds and even Jumbos, Rosewood. Just as the more mass in an electric, lower output pickups. Lighter/less mass, higher output.
@@CenterThePendulum I feel the same exact way with mohagany vs rosewood. I prefer mohagany on smaller bodies, but rosewood on larger
For strumming all you need is laminated wood. 😅😅
Same here, I have 00018 and 00028EC and the Rosewood 00028EC definitely needs a pick to bring out it's full flavor
The 28 sinks into the soul like a warm blanket. The 18 is a crisp winter morning. Both a great and both will suit the individual. For me I went with the 000-28ec and although pricey, I know it will be the guitar out of my collection of 8 that I will never let go.
Huh?
as a beginner guitarist, I love the warmth and roundness a mahogany has. maybe when I become a tad bit better I'd appreciate rosewood. But for now, I really love the warm sounds a mahogany guitar creates. It's so round, warm and just sweet sounding.
Actually most professional fingerstylists and recording artists opt for Mahogany
For the back and sides I agree, not the front and that is what we have here.
The 000-18 sounds killer.. that blue grass run was sweet👍
Mahogany without question. Its far more versatile too. I have a pretty big collection with some real amazing tonewoods but Mahogany is still my favorite.
In this video - prefer the ooo18 (mahogany) for strumming and flatpicking. I think the higher balance of overtones (versus the fundamental tone) of the ooo28 takes something away from the the soul and musical feel compared to the ooo18. For the fingerpicking it was a tougher choice. The overtones of the ooo28 allowed the fingerpicking to sound a little more joined up compared the ooo18.......But I still really liked the ooo18 tone. I think overall the ooo18 would be my choice - particularly as I don't finger pick all that much.
Most useful demos and comparisons on UA-cam. Well done
000-18 hands down for me, love the mid range bump. 000-28 sounds amazing too, you can hear that sparkle on the top end and more open sounding.
Most definitely the mahogany. In this sample it has way more presence it's way more alive. I tried quite a few rosewoods and sorry to say rosewood just doesn't have the souls like mahogany. Rosewood is generally to bright and not as full sounding overall as mahogany despite rosewood generally giving more bottom but that is most definitely not always the case because I have mahogany ones that have plenty of bottom booty lol.
Easy choice I' ll have both.
It' s like a telecaster and stratocaster, you like both tone and you want both.
Maybe the 000-28 a bit better for fingerpickings.
That's what I'm sayin :D
I loved the mahogany in person. Amazing.
Rosewood has a great sound with a lot of bass. Mahogany has a sweet sound. I love rosewood with a spruce top but mahogany is very beautiful.
To my ears, the sound of Martin ooo18 is a bit dark, boomy, and husky. On the other hand, the sound of Martin ooo28 is bright, clear, and crispy. If I had the option to choose between these two flagship models of Martin I would have surely picked the Martin ooo28.
Thanks. Great playing for a comparison! But I gotta be honest, I couldn't hear a nickel's worth of difference. During the first segment (strumming cowboy chords) I thought the 28 was a bit louder and brighter, but I noticed you seemed to strum a little closer to the sound hole than you did with the 18? Maybe just my imagination? The biggest factor is UA-cam, with it's audio compression algorithms, it makes it really hard for me to hear fine distinctions. But overall, this really just confirms in my own mind that a guitar's back and sides are much less important to a guitar's tone than the top. I own two rosewood guitars, and I've owned many others in the past, and I love each and every one of them. But tbh, my affection may be more for their appearance than their improved tone over mahogany (or other tone woods). Just one guy's $0.02 worth.
Both of these babies would suit me just fine and could be a match for my D-18 and my HD-28.
Mahogany has really gown on me. It had more open air quality and warm. The 28 had way more power, with a pick or otherwise, it was clearly louder and seemed like it wants someone to really dig into it. I like them both, but preferred the 18, in this comparison.
I lake Mahogany sound🎶〜🤗
lol great video but what do I do when the two guitars I’m looking at with one having mahogany back and rosewood sides, and the other vise versa having rosewood back and mahogany sides?
Yamaha FS820 vs Yamaha FS830
I like them both. Usually I think the mahogany sounds more distinct but the rosewood sounds really good here. I have and have had a few rosewood, thought I might get a mahogany this time, now I am not sure.
000-18 would be my pick - vintage preferably
I was hoping for this comparison video. But damn, I still don't know!!! 😂
They're both so good, but also very different and I just don't know which one I prefer. I do know that my J-45 has more in common with the 000-18 (mahogany sound I guess), so the 28 is probably the better choice.
Thanks for the upload.
Then go for 28 bro.. You wont regret it. Its worth it to pay the extra for the valute in the neck and some Herringbones 😂 it just gives you joy to hold and look at it then goes playing 🤣
This is my dilemma exactly. My first guitar was mahogany and spruce, though I didn't realize it at the time. I have a rosewood, but with a cedar top. It is magical, but has a very narrow nut and I finger pick mostly. I have an old Alvarez with a three piece back rosewood with the center panel mahogany and spruce top and a D18GE so which way to may come down to what I can find and that might be a 15 or 17.
Both! The only way I'd ever be satisfied is with both:) My pocketbook says 18
Unless you're a "Martin No Matter What" guy, you might want to check out some of Ian's videos comparing Martin and Eastman.
@@GarySchiltz I’m not. I have 2 Eastman OM’s. Love them both. Looking for something different.
Got me a D18 last week and am loving it. Full rich and balanced. Very sweet. I really like my Eastman OMs but this knocks it out of the park. Thanks Ian for being part of my decision making with your demo.
I’m in the market now for a 000 or maybe an OM. This is helpful. I gavitatr toward mahogany but have owned many Rosewood guitars. There’s also the fact that a good top on any guitar will turn your head. I may end up with both. I have a D-18 GE and a D-28 Marquis that are both going in the shop after I find my 000 to keep me satisfied while they are gone. Right now I’m thinking about the 000-28 Authentic or maybe a CeO-7.
Maybe you can help me out I'm new to Martin and choosing between the 000-28 EC and 000-28 vs and I'm looking for the Merle Haggard sound.
Thanks
Great video! I'd love to know how you mic that beast so close without having mass bass and proximity effect.
What strings are on the 000-28, PB's or NB's? Thanks!
I’m biased because my go to guitar is a 000-28. This reaffirms it. I have a mahogany 00, 12 fret which sounds amazing too - but they’re such different guitars!
Peace
Rosewood for me. I gave my 000-18 to my nephew even though it had the sweetest factory setup that I’ve ever seen.
They're awesome! I prefer Hog but the Rosewood is awesome too! Beautiful guitars
Way too much transients over tones when strumming the 28. Fatigues my ears. Other than that it's great.
Exactly
Mahogany all day
To me it seems like the Rosewoods pronounced mid range drowns out its highs and lows even tho the highs and lows are good but the hog guitar has a more scooped midrange that allows more bass and treble to come through. I'm returning a 000-28ec I just bought, love the neck but I decided in a 000 rosewood is not for me. I love the clarity of mahogany guitars, less muddy overtones.
Sound of Mahogany is warm and sweet , more vintage... The 000-28 is very clear but too cold for me
Think you could mute that low E string possibly any more?
No headphones and phone audio, but my take is Mahogany is more sweet and responsive, where as rosewood is more present and bell like. I can't decide which i like more. Surprised at how big the difference is!
Interesting film.
yes to the rosewood. it has a sound that would blend better with other instruments.
Thom Yorke has made a decent living strumming an 18, Clapton the 28 and more importantly Meadows loves the hogs so to my ear the 18 wins best of show.
enlighten me, which is" "the Hog"reference "?? is that the 00028?
@@deborahmcalister3936 00018, 00028, my D18 all are mahogany back and sides or hog for short.
aren't Martin 00028 Rosewood back and sides??
@@deborahmcalister3936 you are correct, i should have checked more closely
@@deborahmcalister3936 no the 000-18...hog is mahogany
I bought a new 0-18 and a new 00-28 four months ago. I play the hog 90 percent of the time. I wish I had bought a 00-18! I could have saved 700 dollars as well.
I like both. But definitely have always like Mahogany better and do so here. Best part of Mahogany is its cheaper. Let's keep it that way, ok?
More compression with the mahogany back and sides, more warmth, more bass. More appropriate for an intimate setting, singer-songwriter style music. Rosewood has a more assertive presence.
Rosewood has more dynamic, more funk. I have both woods (Takamine and Ibanez)
The 18 for recording, the 28 for performing.
Mahogany for me every time.
I have a Takamine F307. It sounds as good as the Martin 000 18. Seriously, for around $400. Just a fact.
I honestly like rosewood on the smaller guys. As long as it's a good dense piece. Sometimes one is just a better example too. You have to remember that. And I'm a hog guy, but it records better too. In person, these will sound different
Sorry, In this specific example, do not agree with you. The frequency range (at least as it sounds on my computer=all examples being equal) between 125 and 250 is a muddled mess. Who is that character on the Charlie Brown specials? = that's the problem.
Am I losing my mind? The Rosewood has a much better tone quality to my ears. In the finger-picking sample I'd have to EQ "the crap" out of that 4th string e-f drone. On the Rosewood, I'd have to do less. Hmmm....an engineers perspective....have at me and enjoy your guitars :)
000-18 all day.
What’s wrong with me? I want my mahogany to sound like rosewood and my rosewood to sound like mahogany. It’s the same with electrics. I get in the mood for the sound of a Strat, Tele, Les Paul, 335, etc.. the journey never ends. lol.
Prefer mahagony, rosewood a little too bright imho, at-least in person.
I bet not many can tell a difference if you only listen to the video without watching.
The only difference is that 000-28 has nice bindings. Nothing else.
D
0:15
1:50
The 28.
Mahogany is a very hard wood. It shouldn't be used for the back and side. It should be reserved for neck only. These dsys it is so rare that they have to use the Spanish cedar, which is a kind of mahogany but softer.
Mahogany is hardwood but not as hard as rosewood. You don't know very much about guitars do you?
@@michaeldonaghey I am not just talking about the hardness, but the rarity of it as well. Your reading comprehension is pretty low, isn't it?
So.... an inexpensive D35:)
For me its 000 18 mahogany all day
that mid scoop on the rosewood is too much.
Obvious from the first chord that the 28 is far warmer
Rosewood!!!!
What kind of mic is that you using?
Shure KSM32 it seems.
No looser 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
great video but it would be helpful if you'd strum some chords with your picking hand more towards the soundhole. Playing so far back like that doesn't really give us the voice of the guitar.
Too many overtones on the 00028 for strumming. Mahogany always for me at least.
Most of your sound comes from the top, rosewood back and sides are much better.
I got the 000-18 MD. The 000-28EC sounds the best to me but the huge neck is impossible to play. I don't like Martins made after 1967 in general. The necks are wider and fatter, they can't use the vastly superior Brazilian rosewood. I have a vintage D28 and D41 with narrow thin necks that sound better then any guitar Martin can currently make. I owned and traded the 000-28 standard, and 000-28 MD, The neck on the 000-18 standard has very sharp shoulders and the MD version is more comfortable and better then the "low oval taper." All the new 000-28's sound like they have a wet towel stuffed in them and require a pickup or a mic to get any brightness out of them The 000-18 played with 11 gauge 80/20's gives a bright clear sound, without the boombox depth of the dreads which is fine, but I wanted to get something brighter and lighter this time. And of course no 2 guitars sound the same, even if they are the same model and make. I tried A LOT of 000-18's to find a tolerable one. I should mention that torrefaction used on the MD line is pure marketing hype. It does not make the guitar sound like a 1937 000, and I know about those. It just, with the carbon fiber and metal bridge pins, makes it louder. This is one reason I use 111 gauge strings, to mitigate that offensive brassy volume. Also, new Martins, especially with 12 gauge, have unplayably high action, and combined with the gigantically wide and fat necks on ALL new models, require extensive luthier work and lower gauge strings to be playable, no matter how strong your hands are. I have played Martins for 55 years now and my conclusion is all the new ones are grotesquely, insanely overpriced. Collings makes a far superior instrument, Taylors are probably a better buy. The fact is a $150 Takamine sounds as good as most NEW martins. Martin is Ok if you can throw at least $150,000.00 at one down at Gruhns or Carters. New Martins are crap at any price. It's all hyperinflated marketing now, and forget about sound quality.
Got you. Martins are overpriced. What cheaper model of which brand would you recommend instead of a 000-28? Collings don’t count, they are way more expensive over here in Europe.
I have ooo-18 MD. It’s an amazing guitar.