Bryan, awesome comparison. Loved the video. Been following you for years on the UMGF and it's great to see a video of yours. Your reputation is enormous.
They're so close. Excellent comparison. Just going from one to the other with no talking in between. People can read elsewhere up what their made of any time. Thanks
The new D18's are really nice, my only complaint is the neck. I like the v shape on the Golden Era better. The Burst on the D18 standard is beautiful !
Surprised that I prefer the 2012! The 2012 sounds woodier to me, which I really like. Maybe I just prefer less scalloping. Hope to see a sunburst vs. non-sunburst comparison soon so we can finally prove the sunbursts sound better :P
Nice! Both sound great. The D-18GE has a little more upper mids. The 2012 D-18 is a little sweeter to my ears. A pinch more scooped comparatively speaking. More clarity I guess. Thanks for the comparison.
They're both scalloped but it's a little different. The 2012 isn't scalloped all the way to the X and the GE is. That's mostly why the GE has the deeper and fuller tone.
The GE is a banjo killer. You can tell it has more volume, more full bass and mid tones, and the highs cut through a little bit more. The 12 is certainly more balanced and conveys a more mellow tone in comparison. It's crystal clear across the strings. Perhaps, the 12 is more "tame." It's all based on need. I'd go with the 12 in a more rhythm setting and the GE in an unplugged or lead setting. Great guitars
The new d18 is a great value, scalloped bracing, if I had one I would have a vintage saddle put in, or a long saddle. And waverly tuners, ebony pins! The first GE's were Sitka! I'm really wanting a burst GE.
It's a joke. We've had huge discussions on whether or not sunbursts sound different (due to more finish) and I've always ended with "they sound better because they look better".
Kimsey, I know this is an old posting but I could use your opinion on a neck comparison. As I have mentioned and a reminder I have a 97 D-18V but I am not liking the 1 11/16 nut these days. I have played 3 martin 000-28EC and really like the neck. They were great guitars but I strongly prefer a dread. I am looking at a 2015-2016 D-18GE and it has a V neck, so my question is, in your opinion is the GE neck substantially bigger than the EC neck. I appreciate your input.
I absolutely love the EC neck and it is probably my favorite Martin neck. The GE is bigger but it's my second favorite neck. I have no issues at all with the GE neck but I don't know how sensitive you are to little variations. On 11/16", I'm okay with the chunkier ones if the nut spacing is even, but I don't like the 2 1/8" bridge spacing most come with and I have sold great guitars because of that. I use 2 1/4" in my 70s conversion whenever the customer allows.
@@Bryankimsey I appreciate the quick reply. I had to chance to A/B the 2015 GE and the EC this morning and the GE is to thick for me but the EC is an excellent fit. I would love to find a D-18V or D-18GE with the same specs of an EC neck, other than a custom shop special build, do you have any suggestions? Thxs again.
The only neck that feels like an EC neck is an EC neck, unfortunately. You could have someone re-shape it, but IMHO, if you're trying to hit a specific feel this is a VERY trick proposition. Measurements alone are simply not accurate enough because you're after a feel.
Too many people are putting Adirondack-topped guitars in the "holy grail" category. In my humble opinion I think they sound "mushy" when compared to Sitka. love my 2012 D18 and would not trade it for a D18 GE, ever. Thanks Brian
I bought a 2002 d-28 secondhand. You think it was a good year? Playability is great. Have put some Monel retros on it and Replaced the saddle with a tusk one
Amazing how similar these guitars sound. Between these two individual guitars I wouldn’t pay the extra money for the G.E. Kudos to Martin on the updated D-18.
Great Comparison! Bryan, do you have a preference, D18GE versus Std D18?? And how that its been a couple years, I wonder how they stack up now that there are a few more miles on the tops?
Does cutting slots and putting in unslotted pins make any tonal difference at all? Love the comparison btw... Trying to choose between these two fantastic guitars. Thanks!!
Tripp Miller Mostly it helps protect the bridgeplate from the ball ends working their way up slotted plastic pins. The pins themselves can make a small difference in the sound- plastic vs bone vs water buffalo horn vs etc. Google it.
Listening with Sony WH‑1000XM3 headphones, and I can’t hear much of a difference. I’d expect about the same amount of difference between two guitars of the same model. Which one rumbles your chest more?
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
Bryan, awesome comparison. Loved the video. Been following you for years on the UMGF and it's great to see a video of yours. Your reputation is enormous.
I prefer the GE.... has more punch and overtones and I just love a V-neck! Thanks for the great comparison.
They're so close. Excellent comparison. Just going from one to the other with no talking in between. People can read elsewhere up what their made of any time. Thanks
It does. Let's not forget that the 2012 is a newer guitar and I commented on the fact that it sounds "newer".
The Sikta-topped, modern D18 was a pleasant surprise.
Very accurate description as usual.
The new D18's are really nice, my only complaint is the neck. I like the v shape on the Golden Era better. The Burst on the D18 standard is beautiful !
Surprised that I prefer the 2012! The 2012 sounds woodier to me, which I really like. Maybe I just prefer less scalloping. Hope to see a sunburst vs. non-sunburst comparison soon so we can finally prove the sunbursts sound better :P
Nice! Both sound great. The D-18GE has a little more upper mids. The 2012 D-18 is a little sweeter to my ears. A pinch more scooped comparatively speaking. More clarity I guess. Thanks for the comparison.
They're both scalloped but it's a little different. The 2012 isn't scalloped all the way to the X and the GE is. That's mostly why the GE has the deeper and fuller tone.
Nice video and very nice sounding guitars.
I personaly prefer the GE too.
The GE is a banjo killer. You can tell it has more volume, more full bass and mid tones, and the highs cut through a little bit more. The 12 is certainly more balanced and conveys a more mellow tone in comparison. It's crystal clear across the strings. Perhaps, the 12 is more "tame." It's all based on need. I'd go with the 12 in a more rhythm setting and the GE in an unplugged or lead setting. Great guitars
The new d18 is a great value, scalloped bracing, if I had one I would have a vintage saddle put in, or a long saddle. And waverly tuners, ebony pins! The first GE's were Sitka! I'm really wanting a burst GE.
I'm willing to spend about $2000 on a new guitar and I've been looking at the D-18, is it worth it?
Slightly used GE,got one,strongly recommend
It's a joke. We've had huge discussions on whether or not sunbursts sound different (due to more finish) and I've always ended with "they sound better because they look better".
You are definitely onto something there Bryan!
Amen!
Kimsey, I know this is an old posting but I could use your opinion on a neck comparison. As I have mentioned and a reminder I have a 97 D-18V but I am not liking the 1 11/16 nut these days. I have played 3 martin 000-28EC and really like the neck. They were great guitars but I strongly prefer a dread. I am looking at a 2015-2016 D-18GE and it has a V neck, so my question is, in your opinion is the GE neck substantially bigger than the EC neck.
I appreciate your input.
I absolutely love the EC neck and it is probably my favorite Martin neck. The GE is bigger but it's my second favorite neck. I have no issues at all with the GE neck but I don't know how sensitive you are to little variations. On 11/16", I'm okay with the chunkier ones if the nut spacing is even, but I don't like the 2 1/8" bridge spacing most come with and I have sold great guitars because of that. I use 2 1/4" in my 70s conversion whenever the customer allows.
@@Bryankimsey I appreciate the quick reply. I had to chance to A/B the 2015 GE and the EC this morning and the GE is to thick for me but the EC is an excellent fit. I would love to find a D-18V or D-18GE with the same specs of an EC neck, other than a custom shop special build, do you have any suggestions? Thxs again.
The only neck that feels like an EC neck is an EC neck, unfortunately. You could have someone re-shape it, but IMHO, if you're trying to hit a specific feel this is a VERY trick proposition. Measurements alone are simply not accurate enough because you're after a feel.
The difference is huge. I now want a 18 GE.
I have personally owned 4 of them and worked on probably 50. Nice guitars!!!
Tough choice--I think your remarks on the sound of each are right on, but it's a matter of taste which one is "better".
I've got a triple o 18, but I would love to have the exact same guitar he was playing.
Too many people are putting Adirondack-topped guitars in the "holy grail" category. In my humble opinion I think they sound "mushy" when compared to Sitka. love my 2012 D18 and would not trade it for a D18 GE, ever. Thanks Brian
Yeah, I don't find one necessarily better than the other, it's circumstantial. Now Brazilian, omg 100% the Holy Grail of rosewoods
Thanks for the info. Indeed I liked the GE a little bit more but the other one sounds very good too!
I bought a 2002 d-28 secondhand. You think it was a good year?
Playability is great. Have put some Monel retros on it and Replaced the saddle with a tusk one
The fact that one can buy a used 2012+ D-18 for around $1500 makes it the chicken dinner IMO.
Wonderful review! Great guitars and you're no slouch on the axe either.
Beautiful guitars! I can't make a choice ;-)
Do they both have scalloped braces? Or are they different on that poinrt?
Amazing how similar these guitars sound. Between these two individual guitars I wouldn’t pay the extra money for the G.E. Kudos to Martin on the updated D-18.
Great Comparison! Bryan, do you have a preference, D18GE versus Std D18?? And how that its been a couple years, I wonder how they stack up now that there are a few more miles on the tops?
+Gary Roberts These are not my guitars so I haven't seen them again. I much prefer the GE neck, though.
GE for sure!
Does cutting slots and putting in unslotted pins make any tonal difference at all? Love the comparison btw... Trying to choose between these two fantastic guitars. Thanks!!
Tripp Miller Mostly it helps protect the bridgeplate from the ball ends working their way up slotted plastic pins. The pins themselves can make a small difference in the sound- plastic vs bone vs water buffalo horn vs etc. Google it.
Listening with Sony WH‑1000XM3 headphones, and I can’t hear much of a difference. I’d expect about the same amount of difference between two guitars of the same model. Which one rumbles your chest more?
The GE. Plus I like the neck better and that's the deciding factor by far for me.
Is one the 35 burst and the other a regular burst??
No idea. They're "dark" bursts is all I know.
Both 1935 sunburst it looks like to me!
The GE sounds slightly richer especially in the low to medium midrange. But the difference isn't thaaat huge.
are you kidding? the GE sounds twice as good.
Hi Bryan, what kind of strings do you use for the GE?
Same as I pretty much always use for customer's guitars- Martin PB bulk. www.stringsandbeyond.com/maphbracgust.html
Great guitar love it
At the end it says that the Sunburst finish makes a difference. In what way? Great honest review, by the way.
I take both please !
I wouldn't throw eiter one in the trash bin ...
Not far apart.