It's a whole new realm of guitar when you get into the D18 and above to me. I scrimped and save for years for my dream D41 ambertone a couple years ago and it's just instant smiles every time I open the case. Love that guitar so much I usually practice with an old plywood guitar so I don't beat that one up too much and it will be beautiful when I pass it down to my kids. People compliment that guitar every time I play it out.
You shouldn’t play it in front of people. The martin D41s are meant to be bought, played once to be sure everything works and then store it away, it’s too expensive to play it.
I hope you bought it! I always wanted one (not so much anymore) but never could afford it. I came across several really wonderful d28's but just never had the extra money. I finally got a little extra and bought a used J45, and love it. But, I've played some crappy "expensive" martins too ... but, some are just magic ...
I don't think I would buy the D28. I would like a real Martin one day though. Probably I would get a used D35. I think the D35s are undervalued in the used market. Don't tell anyone though, at least not until after I'm able to score mine 😂
If you're not singing over it, I like the sound of a D-18 better. The D-28 is nice if you want to play cowboy chords and sing, since it scoops the mids and leaves room for your voice. But, overall, the more balanced sound of a D-18 is amazing.
I think during the singer-songwriter heyday back in the mid-20th century the male voice did sit perfectly in the side of the scoop that the rosewood provides... In recent years I think male singers have pushed to the upper part of their range so much that they would be fighting with rosewood and they actually sit nicely on top of the mids hump that the mahogany provides. I think this is why Taylor's became so popular in church music, for instance.
I love my D28. I also have another Martin. It's an older wood, but you're not thinking the wood kinds. But a lot darker wood and it's a satin finish. So it actually has a little more of the warmer tone that a good Taylor has. But but I love my Martin. No other guitar has the Martin sound.Then I love the narrow neck
I originally went into my local dealer for a d18 and it didn’t take much convincing for me to buy the d28 , “its the guitar you’d wish i sold you” he said .
I had to return mine. The high e string was so close to the edge of the fret that without any effort the string would go over the edge. Was so annoying because it sounded so good.
@@BillySoundFarm Two things I noticed: The fret edges were too beveled. The bridge and or the nut was positioned too far in the direction of the high e. Side note which didn’t bother me was the bridge was not a uniform color.
@@aqualung5499When you play a quality guitar you shouldn’t have to worry about such things. I have a Yamaha acoustic which doesn’t sound as great but I never have to worry about the strings coming off the fret board.
I think I started with a D'ADDARIO Cortex 1mm, which is my middle-of-the-road good-for-anything pick. The brighter one was a 2mm Dunlop Prime Tone, which is really too bright most of the time but I carry one to compensate for dull strings. If I made mention of a dark pick, it's a 2mm Dunlop Durlin500 Prime Grip. Those are my three main acoustic picks, but I often use Durlin500 1.5mm or 1.15mm instead of the Cortex for 'regular'.
I have several Martins, a D-35, D12-35, M-36, and DJr, but my HD-35 is head and shoulders the best of the bunch. Some people think it's too bass-heavy, but that can easily be adjusted by playing style. No amount of playing adjustment can pull bass out of a guitar that doesn't have it to begin with.
I did a D18 video, and there's another one coming that I shot same day as the 28 video, kind of a revisit. Here's the first one: ua-cam.com/video/SORFt5MJCXw/v-deo.htmlsi=cKG87k4vdn-maJMW
You said you don’t know if you would prefer the D18? I know where you’re coming from! I had a special 16 Rosewood, I thought it was awesome. Rosewood definitely does something special. I think if you were to play the D18 and D28 back to back (assuming they’re both set up perfectly) you would initially be more impressed with the 28. You would “think this is better” “wow” but it time would go on, it would probably start to get old with how “powerful” it is, and once you keep playing them back to back, I think you would prefer the 18. It’s less harsh, and more pleasant to listen to.
What I’m saying is when I had my 16, after about one hour, I couldn’t play it anymore, because my ears would almost hurt, the 18 I can play for many hours without any fatigue
I think the D18 probably sounds nicer playing alone in a room, but the D28 would have a higher perceived loudness especially playing outside... I actually recorded a video for several of the martins when I did this one, including revisiting the D18 and the 16 special
@@BillySoundFarm your lucky to have one , I wish could find one here my country only has chinese and japaness copies not bad but it doesnt sound as amazing as this
@@MCPerez The truth is, before we had a guitar center, even our local mom and pop music store only had Chinese or Japanese guitars 😂... Also, incidentally, arguably my best acoustic guitar right now is a Chinese Martin copy called a "Marlboro Western", actually made a video about it: ua-cam.com/video/LooHbdUidEs/v-deo.html
There are so many different D28. I've heard ones that sound completely awesome. And then like my cousin paid just under 3000 for his D28. He lives up in Sarasota. Not sure if bought it from the guitar world in Sarasota or from a private person but It's probably one of the worst Martin's that I've heard I'm dead serious.I don't know what's wrong with that thing.But it just does not have the sound
It's a whole new realm of guitar when you get into the D18 and above to me. I scrimped and save for years for my dream D41 ambertone a couple years ago and it's just instant smiles every time I open the case. Love that guitar so much I usually practice with an old plywood guitar so I don't beat that one up too much and it will be beautiful when I pass it down to my kids. People compliment that guitar every time I play it out.
You might pass on a pre war guitar
Wow. I hope not but I just put it in a lead-lined case just in case. Is it weird I was just watching "Blast From the Past" today too?@@lebe220
You shouldn’t play it in front of people. The martin D41s are meant to be bought, played once to be sure everything works and then store it away, it’s too expensive to play it.
What a amazing tone and the sound projection is to die for ❤❤❤
I hope you bought it! I always wanted one (not so much anymore) but never could afford it. I came across several really wonderful d28's but just never had the extra money. I finally got a little extra and bought a used J45, and love it. But, I've played some crappy "expensive" martins too ... but, some are just magic ...
I don't think I would buy the D28. I would like a real Martin one day though. Probably I would get a used D35. I think the D35s are undervalued in the used market. Don't tell anyone though, at least not until after I'm able to score mine 😂
If you're not singing over it, I like the sound of a D-18 better. The D-28 is nice if you want to play cowboy chords and sing, since it scoops the mids and leaves room for your voice. But, overall, the more balanced sound of a D-18 is amazing.
I think during the singer-songwriter heyday back in the mid-20th century the male voice did sit perfectly in the side of the scoop that the rosewood provides... In recent years I think male singers have pushed to the upper part of their range so much that they would be fighting with rosewood and they actually sit nicely on top of the mids hump that the mahogany provides. I think this is why Taylor's became so popular in church music, for instance.
I have a d28 and a d18, and I rarely play the 28 because I love the d18 so much!!!
I have a 2010 D-18, and I think it's some louder than this D-28. My D-18 resonates for 18 seconds. I love it.
Awesome!
My SG resonates unplugged for like 30 seconds. What’s your point? Lol
I love my D28. I also have another Martin. It's an older wood, but you're not thinking the wood kinds. But a lot darker wood and it's a satin finish. So it actually has a little more of the warmer tone that a good Taylor has.
But but I love my Martin. No other guitar has the Martin sound.Then I love the narrow neck
Yes, there definitely is a "Martin sound", isn't there
Did a taylor review, if you're interested: ua-cam.com/video/DEPkugs8Tpo/v-deo.html
I originally went into my local dealer for a d18 and it didn’t take much convincing for me to buy the d28 , “its the guitar you’d wish i sold you” he said .
Sounds about right
I had to return mine. The high e string was so close to the edge of the fret that without any effort the string would go over the edge. Was so annoying because it sounded so good.
Were you able to tell what was wrong with it that it was doing that?
@@BillySoundFarm Two things I noticed: The fret edges were too beveled. The bridge and or the nut was positioned too far in the direction of the high e. Side note which didn’t bother me was the bridge was not a uniform color.
I have the same problem with mine. I keep telling myself that I need to hit it more square but it’s very unforgiving
@@aqualung5499When you play a quality guitar you shouldn’t have to worry about such things. I have a Yamaha acoustic which doesn’t sound as great but I never have to worry about the strings coming off the fret board.
I’ve noticed this a lot at the store. No such issues with my fg5 and the sound is phenomenal
Nice!. Love your playing and thanks for sharing. Peace!
Thanks for the encouragement!
So what were your two pics? What was your “brighter” pic?
I think I started with a D'ADDARIO Cortex 1mm, which is my middle-of-the-road good-for-anything pick. The brighter one was a 2mm Dunlop Prime Tone, which is really too bright most of the time but I carry one to compensate for dull strings. If I made mention of a dark pick, it's a 2mm Dunlop Durlin500 Prime Grip. Those are my three main acoustic picks, but I often use Durlin500 1.5mm or 1.15mm instead of the Cortex for 'regular'.
Martin Dreads are soooo good. My HD-35 is my go to everyday. I feel bad for my other guitars cause I play the Martin so much more.
I think the 35's get overlooked sometimes... I hope it stays that way long enough to pick up a used one for myself at undervalue
I have several Martins, a D-35, D12-35, M-36, and DJr, but my HD-35 is head and shoulders the best of the bunch. Some people think it's too bass-heavy, but that can easily be adjusted by playing style. No amount of playing adjustment can pull bass out of a guitar that doesn't have it to begin with.
The d 18 is a legend for bluegrass
I did a D18 video, and there's another one coming that I shot same day as the 28 video, kind of a revisit. Here's the first one: ua-cam.com/video/SORFt5MJCXw/v-deo.htmlsi=cKG87k4vdn-maJMW
They no longer dye the ebony and use ALL. The parts with light streaking would be thrown out.
My D28 definitely has a dyed ebony bridge. When you wipe it with a damp cloth, the cloth darkens. It's from 2020.
They don’t throw any precious hardwoods away on cosmetic grounds
You said you don’t know if you would prefer the D18? I know where you’re coming from! I had a special 16 Rosewood, I thought it was awesome. Rosewood definitely does something special.
I think if you were to play the D18 and D28 back to back (assuming they’re both set up perfectly) you would initially be more impressed with the 28. You would “think this is better” “wow” but it time would go on, it would probably start to get old with how “powerful” it is, and once you keep playing them back to back, I think you would prefer the 18. It’s less harsh, and more pleasant to listen to.
What I’m saying is when I had my 16, after about one hour, I couldn’t play it anymore, because my ears would almost hurt, the 18 I can play for many hours without any fatigue
I think the D18 probably sounds nicer playing alone in a room, but the D28 would have a higher perceived loudness especially playing outside... I actually recorded a video for several of the martins when I did this one, including revisiting the D18 and the 16 special
Oh cool! I’ll check it out
@@Anthony-qh1xv I still have to edit the others, the next one should be out in about a week. D18 modern deluxe!
no lie, ive been trying to choose between these two guitars and I think you just settled it for me. Im buying the 18
Great sound.
John Prine special right there!
super awesome
Plastic pins work best on most Martins
Sweet guitar!!! Here in my country its hard to get
Yeah they're easier to get in the States but I haven't seen one in my local Guitar Center in many years, that's why I was so excited!
@@BillySoundFarm your lucky to have one , I wish could find one here my country only has chinese and japaness copies not bad but it doesnt sound as amazing as this
@@MCPerez The truth is, before we had a guitar center, even our local mom and pop music store only had Chinese or Japanese guitars 😂... Also, incidentally, arguably my best acoustic guitar right now is a Chinese Martin copy called a "Marlboro Western", actually made a video about it: ua-cam.com/video/LooHbdUidEs/v-deo.html
@@BillySoundFarm yeah they sounds good I played one I didnt expect it for a cheap guitar is sounds amazing
There are so many different D28. I've heard ones that sound completely awesome. And then like my cousin paid just under 3000 for his D28. He lives up in Sarasota. Not sure if bought it from the guitar world in Sarasota or from a private person but It's probably one of the worst Martin's that I've heard I'm dead serious.I don't know what's wrong with that thing.But it just does not have the sound
I've also noticed the drift in magic between specific specimen
Have a good day
I suck too but I don't have to put it on a video God loves you
$3200 doesn't buy what it once did, I guess?
It never does
Yeah yeah Chinese chicken come from