J45 vs D18 Blindfold Test - Which Guitar Sounds Better??
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- Опубліковано 25 сер 2020
- Today might be the ultimate battle… the Gibson J-45 vs Martin D-18 - two of the most iconic guitars of all time! Both mahogany, both dreadnought shape, similar price points, and easily two of the most popular acoustic models ever! AND, today we not only blindfold Quinton to see which he prefers, but at the end is a chance to blindfold yourself to see which sound YOU prefer! Let us know which one you prefer… leave a comment. And don't forget to SUBSCRIBE for more videos like this!
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I was able to correctly guess the guitars. Thirty years ago I was a "Martin guy." Not only was I incredibly biased toward Martins and vociferously against Gibson, but I was a committed Rosewood back and sides for the tonewoods. Over the years my ears have led me toward the slope shouldered Gibson mahogany dreadnoughts like the J-35 and the J-45. I still appreciate the D-28s, HD-28, OMs, & 000's but it is interesting where one's ears will take you and how different other people's ears and tastes are.
I was martin all the way. Now my favorite is j45 or any slope shoulder or lg or l00
@@chrisdcates I love the Gibson l00 I'm not familiar playing wise with a j45 though I love the j35 I played once. What would you recommend to cover the most bases, for a first Gibson. I know you can play anything on any guitar but just practicing the blues and occasionally strumming some campfire songs would an L00 serve me well? I love the comfort of it it's not like I plan to wail on it Pete Townshend style hahaha
@@Ledzepfan88 yes l00 are great if on a budget got a l00 pro or whatever name they call the lower end models that are not standard. If you can afford a standard go for it. Best money you ever spent
I prefer the jumbo....grand ...Spruce n rosewood etc
Same!
Correctly id'd both. The J-45 projectes a bit fuller when strumming, but the D-18 has the pure musicality of a Martin playing single notes. If I was playing a rhythm gig, I'd take the J-45 with me. Solo gig I would take the D-18.
Got them right as well but based on strumming only. Single note almost made me change my mind. Luck I guess
Smart distinctions!
The J45 straight up sounds better
These two are possibly the most iconic available today, poss. the D-28 as well, great comparison!!
Love them both.
Love these videos keep it up!
I really enjoy the blindfold comparison tests. I would love to see some comparisons of budget ($300 to $700), middle($800 to $1500) and higher end Martins, Taylors and Gibsons. That is, comparing Martin to Martin, etc. It would also be fun to see some comparisons of similarly priced guitars from less well-known makers with these top brands.
I own a J45 I guessed it right. It has a warmer tone on the low e and a strings and at the same time a brighter clarity on the high strings. The 18 sounds crisp and tight but i prefer the 45 by alot. Just a great sounding guitar. im very happy with it.
Agree 100% . Also owner of a J-45 Standard. Both fuller bottom, and sparklier, more shimmering top end
I love these kind of videos! Please add some Guilds too (Martin hd28 vs Guild d55 maybe)
I think for me, the more my playing advanced the more I became a huge mahogany fan. I guess I appreciated the rosewood overtones covering up my mistakes and filling in the empty space. I love how clear and dry everything is on a mahogany guitar and the balance makes for some spring on the strumming. Same thing that over time I appreciate a good Gibson with red spruce and mahogany.
You know what’s up!
I will be honest. I did not get it right. Love what you guys do! Great chemistry!!
Great video. Really had a hard time telling them apart until you played the single notes. For sure a difference. That doesn't mean one was better than the other, but that was when I could pick one out.
Got it right. Surprisingly, lol.
You guys rock. Love your videos
Loved the video, I got them right...didn't think it was difficult to hear the difference. Please do more like this...include Guild, Eastman, Taylor, and Yamaha. Thanks.
I'm a Gibson guy, and identified each correctly. On the basis of this (taking into consideration Quinton's pick and string technique), sound wise I would choose the Martin, but prefer the look and feel of the Gibson which I would probably pick up and play more. Basically, I can't win!
Thanks for the cool video, I leaned to guitar #2, I didnt cheat. I played the video again and discovered it was the D18, both sound great, so either is a winner....
I liked guitar 1 more than #2. But guessed incorrectly. I OWN a J45 and a D-28. Glad I liked the one I own. Good video. What about a video that compares a 12 fret slotted head with a solid head?
Great video. Interesting test. I remember being a guest at CF Martin years ago and playing two D-28 Authentic prototypes. Both were built identically by the same person with hide glue. The necks were made from the same mahogany billet, and the Appalachian spruce tops were cut from the same billet as well. The only difference was that the backs and sides while both being Brazilian Rosewood, were taken from different trees and one set was flatsawn while the other was quartersawn. The difference in tone between the two was incredible and I and the other five guests had varying opinions about which one sounded better. Go figure!
I think that was a really good j-45 wow haven’t heard a Gibson that sounds that deep
Here we are a year later and I tried it again (no recollection of which guitar was #1 or #2). I got it right again. Both sounded good. The slightly stronger bass in the Martin was the key. I will admit I am a Martin guy and Paul specs out some really great Custom Shop D-18's with adirondack tops. One followed me home from MT and it is probably the most versatile dreadnaught I own. It will never leave the herd.
I was first wrong. But then knowing and listening again, it became obvious which one was which one. Interesting effect... Never had thought that the difference between the two is so small. Probably much clearer when the handling plays a role, too. After all, I still would go with the D18.
Very different tones. The Martin has more bass and is somewhat muted. Both have great sound. I guessed correctly after hearing the first demos. I have Gibsons and Martin and love each for their individual characteristics. You can prefer one over the other but you can't fault either. Great instruments!
I guessed wrong. And I have an 18 with Adirondack top. They are close and both sound great.
Recently played a D18 2020 limited edition, and a J45 standard (both were brand new), and I ended up buying the J45. It seemed to project more, and had a little more low end. I was pretty sure I wanted the Martin when I first walked into the shop (because I love my D16r), but the Gibson got me. Happy with my choice.
I got it wrong as well! The Martin sounds like a j45 used to , if that makes sense. Both real nice and similar sounding though
Got this one right. The single notes are more pronounced and harsher on the J45. The D18 has that Martin “all the strings blended together” sound.
I own the D-18 and it's my favorite sounding acoustic guitar, but the bright liveliness of the Gibson J-45 really surprised me. Had great single note definition.
What year is your Martin? I wanted one so badly and bought one in 2020 but I sent it back to the store because I didn't like the modified low oval neck. I forget when they changed it common probably when they started the re-imagined series, but it's too low profile for me. I like that old standard c-shaped profile.
@@hotwireman49 mine is a 2019 Standard model and it is the low oval a lot - to each their own of course, but it plays super easily for me.
It would be cool to do an A/B test with the D18 vs. the Eastman dread with spruce/mahogany. That would shake some folks up, I bet.
It would be helpful to know what strings you have on them and if they both have the same string type and gauge. As you know, strings make a dramatic difference. (Hopefully they do, as that would change everything if not.) Also, the microphone makes a big difference to as to the frequencies transmitted and overall sound. So if someone is using these videos to make a purchase decision, they need to know that, and really need to listen in person if possible. Thanks. I enjoy your videos!
Got it right when Quinton played, but missed when Paul played. Certain style of playing will out a guitar every time as well. I am just glad my wife didn’t see playing UA-cam and not watching (face turned away and eyes closed) she would have me committed!
I didn't even try to get it right. But I did focus on which tone I liked better. It ended up being the martin. The martin has a little more growl, reverb whatever you want to call it. It sounded better to me. These challenges are great!!!
I have a J-45 and still got it bass-akwards! They are very similar and if you start screwing around with different strings - I'm sure you could make yourself crazy doing this.
Well, it's settled then. I need them BOTH!
Got it right. Maybe luck. Both are really similar, when you don’t look - the J45 sounded it little brighter to me, even the depths. Was fun!
4:20
I guessed wrong and I have an HD 28 and a Gibson CL-50. Love both of them.
I got it right. The strum was tough but the single note stuff made it easy. The J-45 is a great guitar, but the D-18 is its own class.
I got it right but I have the advantage of owning one of each. However, my J45 is a Custom Rosewood which, of course, is a completely different animal. The fellas call the Gibson "The Grand Piano"; loud with more 'phumph'. The Martin (2015 standard D-18), is the 'Cannon', dryer and more cutting. I'm set for acoustic guitars. (Though I wouldn't mind a smaller 12-fret!)
I think I would know by the way each guitar feels. My D-18 is a featherweight compared to my somewhat more substantial J-45. I love them both for their unique sound quality.
Also the Gibson is a short scale . Would definitely feel different in the hands .
You should tell us the model year of each guitar, the weight of each guitar in ounces, and the strings on each.
I love Gibson's & Martin's and both had beautiful tone but the J-45 was to my ear the best sounding of all of them and superior to the Martin D-18. It rang out with more definition and more girth. I would also say the Taylor 314 would have been my second choice. Of course this is relative to each and every ear. Rock on guys...
I got it right, and who knows if I'm lucky or good. What I heard was the Martin had strong mids, while the J45 was more balanced from to top. They are close enough that I think string selection could even switch the results. I, too, was always a Martin guy (68 D28), but Collings is made here and I wanted to support my local biz. Heard a CJ and was blown away by the smooth response bottom to top. Bill said it was inspired by the old Gibson Advanced Jumbo. I bought one of each and, while I had never had any use for big Gibsons, the round shoulders sound even better to my ears than my beloved Martins.
Since Quinton is a long scale guy, I'd like to see a comparison of an HD-28 and an Advanced Jumbo, or the AJ with a J-45. Thank you guys for doing these comparisons. I have particularly enjoyed these last two.
Thanks guys - great challenge. Man, those are CLOSE. I guessed correctly, but I could've been convinced the other way.
How 'bout going head-to-head with Collings? Or maybe Huss & Dalton, or even PreWar?
I got it wrong and I have a d18! It has an adi top though, but these both sound great
I got them wrong ... love both Martin and Gibson Great video idea
the mic alone is possessed lol they both sound good but I can distinguish them blind folded, nothing like that gibson sound and martin has its own sound too. rock on guys! watch out for that magical moving mic :P
Randy ya legend 🇨🇮
The single-note playing towards the end definitely was where the difference lay for me. I guessed it right, but not sure if it was bc of my ear or the fact that I had a 50/50 chance of getting it right. J-45 is what sounded better to me. For my taste, Martins tend to be more muddled on the top end and I like a little more sparkle up there. Thanks for the comparison!
What a great comparison! I thought the Gibson was slightly preferable because it was more balanced across the strings (against my expectations). If between the two specific samples, i'd choose the Gibson because I usually find them more comfortable.
String balance is where the Gibson acoustic shines, also 17 degree headstock and 12” radius. Gibson are just warmer and the E chord just thumps.
I totally got that wrong! I was convinced they were the opposite, based on what I thought I heard earlier in the episode. When I re-wound it and watched, I've got to say I just loved the sound from the D18. One day....
Got it on the single notes! Yes honestly!!
♥️J45
Great test thanks
Is Paul playing this time??! I’ve seen most of these vids but I think this is the first time I’ve seen you play!!! Love your guys’ vids. Keep it up!
In my experience the tusk bridge pins and saddle make the attack fuller and stronger witch is great but the negative effects is it makes them brighter. You can hear it in the vidio but that particular j45 is perfect for the materials used aperantly because it does both and sounds amazing!
I guessed right but not until the single note stuff. I heard what I can only describe as a ping on the high e and recognised it as a sound I hear on my Gibson. Other than that I most probably made a good guess. That said I can hear the difference in all my seven high end acoustics as I change from one to another but apart from the L00, which has a totally different sound, they all sound very much alike after a few minutes playing. I would bet if someone played each one at me, I would have a problem identifying each of them.
PS just picked up my hummingbird, this is one I would recognise!
Thread is old but the comparison is still relevant. I have a J-45 and contemplating a D-18 so this was helpful. The J-45 sounded a tad better to me on this video as it had more clarity and sparkle while the D-18 sounded thicker and bassier, which I love but also sounded a bit more compressed when strumming. I think both would be great for vocal accompaniment. Both are wonderful guitars. I guessed wrong on the first part with strums and then guessed correctly on the single notes. As a strummer/singer, I guess I have the right guitar for me as I liked the strumming tone of the J-45 a bit more. Great video guys.
The Martin has that classic midrange scoop. I was able to pick out the difference for SURE by the second sample of guitar 2... it sounded exactly like that specific model :)
I did the same thing in person. I have a martin d-35 and hd-28 but wanted a mahogany. Side by side off the rack the j-45 blew the d-18 away. From the set up to the finish. My wife even chose the j-45 so now the martins have to share time with a gibson.
I first thought #1 was D-18 from strums but changed my mind to #2 when Quinton played the single notes. There is just something about “the Martin sound”. MV is an awesome guitar store! One of three Martin dealers in the country that I trust.
I got it correct and the Martin has more bass. I actually got it. But, as an HD 28 guy (Rosewood), I think I like the slightly brighter tones of the J-45. Thanks.
This was very helpful. I can definitely tell the difference. I am currently trying to decide between these two guitars, as to which is more appropriate to the way I play. I would say that the Martin is ‘punchier’, with each note standing in its own in a way that punches the ear with extra bass at the attack end of the note. The J45 has a brighter attack with the sustain having something like a compressed ‘growl’. This is true of the individual notes. When you chord/strum, it has a different effect on each as well. On the Martin, when a chord is struck the notes each hold their own in the low register and blend beautifully in the upper register. It creates a warmer low end that to my ear is not necessarily as ‘clean’, with each note refusing to succumb to the strength of the other notes. On the Gibson, the whole guitar seems to respond to chords differently than as described above. It’s almost like the guitar plays ‘mixer’ and balances them together and blends them ‘pre-projection’, so that they come out if the sound hole sounding exactly how they are going to sound in the room. So, the Martin platforms each note at full strength and let’s the room mix them into harmonious resonance, but the Gibson seems to blend the notes into a mixed product within the box, so that the strummed or comped chords come out of the guitar as a finished product. I did not cheat, and I definitely hear the difference and was able to pick it out blind. In conclusion I’d say the Martin is punchier and has a more ‘brute’ appeal, where the Gibson has more growl and blends the notes in a way that sounds more sophisticated, maybe ‘smoother’, almost like natural compression.
Best description yet.. We’ll said
Compression.Its why most strummed parts in recordings pick a Gibson.The more instrument focused it is it tends too go too the Martin world.(Generally speaking)
I'm more of a strummer so I prefer the J45 but the D18 is best for lead parts and finger picking. Much more versatility with the Martin.
Dangit I got it wrong. That j45 sounds incredible
I am brand loyal to MARTIN(I own several) - rarely disappointed. In this comparison, however, I do prefer the 'crisp'; less boomy sound of the J45. Thank you guys, it was a treat to my ears.
When you spend some time listeingn to really old martins and gibsons like 40's to 55's You can really start to recognize the diiferent tonal characteristics. Martins have a very controlled sound while gibson are kind of looser and jangly. Dont know if its because all the braces are falling out but that can be a really cool personality. Something about old gibsons with thin sounding notes but giant sounding bass overtones that is like the best thing ever.
I have a 97 D18 and really like it. I've played a few J45s and they are equally great guitars but not enough for me to sell my d18. But I could clearly hear the difference in this comparison. But if you compare two d18s or two j45s you'll also hear a difference. Aged wood vs new wood makes the biggest difference.
To me it's easy to tell the J45 from other guitars like Martin or Taylor. It usually doesn't have that typical strings chyme when you strum it. The sound of it is less from the strings but more from the guitar, if that makes sense. Its a whole sound as one instead of a separaration of sounds from individual strings that you can commonly hear especially from Taylor.
I found it east to guess. As the Martin to me always have that distinctive suppressed treble. Both gems of guitars :)
At 7:39 you can tell the Gibson is a White Label Standard and not a custom shop Red Label....one thing to take note of is all Gibson’s are now made with hide glue on the neck joints which as the guitar ages it’ll just keep getting louder and crisper and better sounding this is my experience with all Bozeman Montana Gibson
I guessed correctly, but inly because I've been listening to/watching videos featuring one or both guitars all evening. Even before this video, I was very surprised to learn that the J 45 had surpassed the D 18 to my ear (and eyes as well). The Martin is certainly an excellent axe, but the J 45 just has more sparkle. liveliness and personalty, while the martin sounded kind of stiff and sterile by comparison. I think the J 45 is a far better looking guitar, as well. Just my opinion.
Had it right but it was a 50\50.. The strumming made me feel strongly that the first was a J45, but the single notes part was pretty similar and I wasn't as sure....
I got it wrong as well and I preferred the J45 everso slightly.
That 45 said hello to me!
I own both the J-45 and an HD28...I think that would have been a better comparison test. I can definitely tell the difference in the sound of each. And the build of the J-45 is more closely related to the HD28.
I got it right. The low E on the Martin gives it away. It’s not about better; rather, it’s about what you want to play on it!
Both guitars are great! However J 45 is a bit closer to my taste. Thank you for the amazing video!
The Gibson sounds louder and brighter. The Martin sounds more reserved
Agree. Both are amazing and iconic guitars. Which is why I have decided I need them BOTH in my life. :-)
All Martins are known for needing to open up. Once they do they blow a J45 away.
That Martin rumble I love so much, I got it right!
I got it right but I was surprised how good the Gibson sounded, did they have the same strings, both fresh?
Figured guitar 2 was the Martin only on the last single note flat picking. I knew for sure then. I have a D18, pretty distinctive sound flat picked.First 3 plays I had them wrong way around.
Got it right. Can definitely tell in the lows for me
I got them both right. Although I feel that the in consistency in the production of Gibsons makes it harder to tell which one is the j45. I've played several J45s and watched numerous demo videos and I can say that the sound of J45s vary a lot depending on which one you are playing. If someone were to make another video with a different J45, you'll probably hear a bigger difference from the D18.
I was initially wrong until you did single notes. Then I changed my mind and guessed correctly. That J45 is 🙌🏼
I got it right - but then, I do have a D18 myself - but they are quite similar
My main guitar is a d-18 that I play everyday. I still had a hard time picking out the d-18, felt like a coin toss. I got it right though, mostly because the single note picking on the higher strings/higher frets really gives away the scale length.
I couldn’t tell you which was which, but I definitely heard a difference, and guitar 2 was my favorite both times. The Martin sounded more open with more treble and bass and less midrange
I have replaced my D18 with a J45 and I also own a D28...I got it wrong but I turned around before the single note..I LOVE ALL MARTINS AND GIBSONS!!
I've played guitar since 1979. Owned over a hundred brand new acoustic guitars. Martin, Gibson, Guild. etc....I've had Hoboken, Westerly, Tacoma and Oxnard made Guild D-40'S and 5 Gibson mahogany guitars through these past 44 years. I closed my eyes as Quinton suggested. I heard his strumming and I guessed correctly!!! The Guild has a deeper bass note articulation compared to the Gibson. The J45 is no slouch of course but I can tell that higher Gibson mahogany sound! Great sound test!
Would love to see them include the Yamaha Fg5 to this comparison. So curious to know how the Yamaha stacks up against these two iconic guitars!
It all depends on the music you play and the sound you get from your guitar. Tried many Martins but it was a Gibson that warmed my heart. It really a personal choice. My bluegrass friends swear on Martin and my blues friends prefer Gibson. I say play what makes you feel musical.
I think the Gibson has a more open sound. Has clarity and full bass.
I picked the 45, with out looking as #1. #2 was the D-18. The D-18 has a more bassy sound to me BUT both are very close.
Amazingly I guessed right and I did prefer the J45. I thought for sure I would pick the D18 as the better sounding to MY ear.
I actually did keep my eyes closed and correctly identified the guitars. I have a Martin DCPA4R and my brother has a D18 that I have played. I actually really like the J45.
I’m looking to get my first acoustic to begin learning, absolutely love the sound of the j45, are there any good cheaper alternatives that are similar to the sound projected by that?
Eastman makes a good alternative in that same style.... musicvilla.com/collections/eastman-acoustics/products/eastman-e-22ss-v We also just got in a used J45. Send me an email if you would like more information. chad@musicvilla.com
i got it right away but honestly i dint think i would. I like the dark martin tone. never played a gibson but to me it sounded like a sweeter tone (more melodic?) idk just my impression
This was nice 👍 and I didn't have any problem pointing out the Gibson, which has the biggest sound. or maybe I was lucky.
I got it first strum. I own both definitely makes it easier.
Didn't get it right on stumming but the picking revealed them clearly to me
With all the videos that compare the D18 to the J45 with mentions of 'more mid-rangy' , 'boomy', 'louder because of the shape', you might expect the expert to at least hear the difference between them. Eye-opener!
I've tried J45 in store many times, but I love my D18 more
I was nervous I would pick the Gibson but boy oh boy the Martin just didn’t let me down!
I took the blindfold test myself and got it right. I have a D-18MD and a D-21, so that may have helped me. Both the D-18 and the J-45 are winners in my book!
The J-45 does sound great, may have to get one of those too 😬
@@dondeese7167 I hope/ I wish my J-45 sounds this good. Was considering a D18, D28, HD 28, OM28, CEO 7 for my next complimentary tool... tough to decide, tougher to check since I'm a lefty.
auramac cool. I’m a lefty too! I just got my D-18MD in June. I struggled hard trying to decide between the D-18 and the J-45. It’s always fun looking forward to the next guitar. So many good ones out there to choose from, even for us lefties. I’m leaning towards a 12 fret guitar for my next one, with me just getting the D-18, it’ll be a little while, but fun to look in the meantime. Happy picking
they are both amazing ! classic americana! i guess only real difference is the longer scale of the martin...Im a life long Martin player BUT ABSOLUTELY LOVED THE 45 HERE!!!
I have a D-18 and it's the best-sounding and best-playing guitar I've ever laid hands on. That being said, I could not tell which was which in the video with my eyes closed. A J-45 is definitely on my bucket list. I wouldn't trade my D-18 for it though (but I probably would be willing to trade my Taylor 314ce (no offense to Taylor--it's a great guitar)).