That tone is why I fell in love and bought my D18 two weeks ago.. as a former rosewood guy. Powerful, balanced, airy, warm, full of character. There’s no going back for me
I’m a retired guy that just purchased a used Dx Johnny Cash Martin guitar. I had a Yamaha fg800c previously. I actually think the Yamaha sounded better but I like the Martin fret board and playability. This D18 sounds beautiful for sure ! I’m still learning a lot and will continue on my journey.
Such a beautiful and recognizable sound! I love it so much. ❤ Am I a bad person when I say that sometimes I regret not having bought a D-18 when I thought I needed a D-28 and bought it, even though I actually preferred the sound of the D-18? It was my second guitar and I thought it was my last chance of getting a top quality instrument. And because I already had a Gibson J-45 (big bodied mahagony guitar, just like the D-18), I thought it was the wiser thing to do. And I do love that D-28, but only when it’s just me singing and strumming that guitar. But when I play with others it doesn’t really seem to cut through. I do own a 000-18 and man, that’s tonal heaven! ❤
@@dannytinney384 : Yeah, sometimes I feel that’s exactly what I should do. But I think I’m pretty much covered throughout the whole spectrum of acoustic sounds. I have a J-45, a D-28, a 00-15m and a 000-18. They all serve a purpose and I use all of them. I’m afraid this would change if I would add anything else to the collection. I think I know myself too well. I’ve had the same thing with my electrics, when I played the electric guitar solely. I had a fairly large number of really great and lesser electrics, but (and I’m aware that this will probably sound weird, given the fact that I own so many expensive guitars), but believe me when I say that I’m not a wealthy person. And and some point I had more than 10 good electrics, most of them Gibsons and Fenders. But these things need maintenance and I always had other priorities. So for a very long time, like maybe four or five years or so, I just kept playing the only two guitars that never failed me. It was a ‘heavily’ modded Fender American Standard Telecaster and a Gibson ES-347. Then when I could finally spend some money again I bought another Telecaster, but this time a Tele with all of the typical 50’s specs (beautiful guitar!) and I had some much needed work done on my first serious electric guitar, a 1982 Fender ‘Dan Smith’ hardtail Stratocaster. I should have been extremely happy and in a way I was, but it also made me nervous, because what was I’m going to do now?!?! Take both my Teles to a gig and leave my beloved 347 at home??? Hell no!!! But I could only take two guitars with me. The days that I took four guitars with me and I had my own roadie/guitar tech, those days were long gone. I didn’t like it at all. I was perfectly happy with having just two guitars. So I started to scale things down. I sold most of my electrics. That’s where the ‘not wealthy part comes in. I started playing when I was 13 years young. I’m 56 now. I lived my life as a musician and I didn’t buy much, but I worked hard and saved up all my money, never did anything crazy, so in four decades and some more years, I gathered quite a bit of good instruments. And one of the great things about playing guitar is the fact that if you buy the good stuff, that stuff will only increase in value! So when I sold my first electric, the Dan Smith guitar, I had enough money to buy a beautiful 000-18. I would never be able to buy such an expensive instrument anymore if it wasn’t for all the gear that I saved in 40 plus years of playing. Anyway, besides the four expensive acoustics, I have another four cheaper ones to have fun with. I bought a very cheap Recording King for Nashville tuning (that’s so much fun! I have an unbelievably good, but cheap Guild 12-string tuned to D standard. Then another wonderful and still cheap eight string baritone Guild guitar tuned to B (normal tuning for a baritone) and last but certainly not least, an also unbelievably good and gorgeous looking Eastman E1 OM model in classic sunburst. That guitar blew me away. I bought it because I wanted a normal guitar with massive back and sides, not too expensive (crazy cheap as it turned out to be!) and I KNEW their guitars were good, because I already played many, just to try them out. But this was just ridiculous! I’m dead serious, if that guitar had the name Martin on the headstock, it would probably be in the same ballpark as the Martin 000-16 Streetmaster, or the Martin 000-17 Black Smoke, or Whiskey Sunset. Easily!!! The biggest difference being the finish (I actually prefer the finish of the Eastman, but that’s a matter of taste - the classic sunburst doesn’t look like a classic sunburst to me, it’s something quite unique and beautiful). The building quality is just as good as the quality of what you would and should expect from a high end Martin. And the price? €679,- (that’s approximately the same in dollars)!!! Anyway, I bought that one to put heavier strings on them and play in C# Standard tuning. Beautiful sound!!! I only use two acoustics live. I don’t dare to change anything by adding a pickup system to my 000-18, because it is literally the best sounding guitar I’ve ever played. So I keep that one for recording purposes. And my 00-15m is the guitar I write most of my songs on. It’s small, comfortable and mellow and that’s exactly what I need, because I prefer writing music in bed, lying down and because of its size I can play it for hours! And the low volume doesn’t wake up my neighbors. 😬 And no, I don’t have a wife anymore, so nobody’s there to complain. All of my acoustics are being used to record with, except for the D-28 and the J-45. Those are the guitars I gig with. I have to apologize. I’m so so so so sorry for boring you with this ridiculously long reply. I just let myself get carried away easily when I’m talking about guitars. They’re my biggest passion besides writing music. I tried, but I couldn’t help myself. So my apologies. 🫣
Ian, you always seem so at home with a D18, and you get a wonderful tone out of this one. Lots of woodsiness, some bark, some purr. And those trebles are really articulate. Is this a better than average D18? Sounds magic!
My 1st good 1:19 guitar was a D18, and I’ve owned a bunch over the years, but I’ve gotten tired of the Martin dreadnought sound, so I bought a J45! 😂😂😂 Oh, I haven’t abandoned Martin, I also have CEO7. Great guitar!
I have both a Martin dread and a Gibson slope and it's a great combo because when you tire of one sound, you can go to the other and it's like having a brand new guitar again. Rinse and repeat.
Need your opinion, best dreadnought under $1,000. I’ve been looking at the Eastman e1 and 2d as well as the Yamaha fg3. What are your thoughts. Only real preference is 1 3/4 nut and all solid wood.
@@johnwashburn3793 Yup! And Gibsons have bad quality control, D-35's are too bassy, Les Pauls are too dark and Strats are too thin for heavy rock. Oh, and as a bonus, Marshall amps are too muddy, Fender amps are too bright and anything other than a pre-war Martin sucks forever and ever, amen.
Hope youre doing well Ian!! Ill have to come aee the new shop someday soon.. I actually just received a D18 and its amazing..i believe my collection is now completed. Great playing as usual my friend
I have to ask about your complete collection. Do you have a a maple back, a 12 string, an all mahogany, a cedar top, a resonator? Speaking of tops: redwood, European spruce,Adirondack, England spruce...and all of the sizes...I could continue
That tone is why I fell in love and bought my D18 two weeks ago.. as a former rosewood guy. Powerful, balanced, airy, warm, full of character. There’s no going back for me
Welcome to the club! I have had mine since 2005 and I love it.
Great playing man. That d18 sounds amazing!!
it doesn’t only sound fantastic, but it looks so timeless and boutique !
The D-18 has always been one of my favs. Such a beautiful iconic tone!
I’m a retired guy that just purchased a used Dx Johnny Cash Martin guitar. I had a Yamaha fg800c previously. I actually think the Yamaha sounded better but I like the Martin fret board and playability. This D18 sounds beautiful for sure ! I’m still learning a lot and will continue on my journey.
I hope you play every day!
Such a beautiful and recognizable sound! I love it so much. ❤
Am I a bad person when I say that sometimes I regret not having bought a D-18 when I thought I needed a D-28 and bought it, even though I actually preferred the sound of the D-18?
It was my second guitar and I thought it was my last chance of getting a top quality instrument. And because I already had a Gibson J-45 (big bodied mahagony guitar, just like the D-18), I thought it was the wiser thing to do. And I do love that D-28, but only when it’s just me singing and strumming that guitar. But when I play with others it doesn’t really seem to cut through.
I do own a 000-18 and man, that’s tonal heaven! ❤
Makes sense. I had to by both the d18 and d28
@@dannytinney384 : Yeah, sometimes I feel that’s exactly what I should do. But I think I’m pretty much covered throughout the whole spectrum of acoustic sounds.
I have a J-45, a D-28, a 00-15m and a 000-18. They all serve a purpose and I use all of them. I’m afraid this would change if I would add anything else to the collection. I think I know myself too well. I’ve had the same thing with my electrics, when I played the electric guitar solely. I had a fairly large number of really great and lesser electrics, but (and I’m aware that this will probably sound weird, given the fact that I own so many expensive guitars), but believe me when I say that I’m not a wealthy person. And and some point I had more than 10 good electrics, most of them Gibsons and Fenders. But these things need maintenance and I always had other priorities. So for a very long time, like maybe four or five years or so, I just kept playing the only two guitars that never failed me. It was a ‘heavily’ modded Fender American Standard Telecaster and a Gibson ES-347. Then when I could finally spend some money again I bought another Telecaster, but this time a Tele with all of the typical 50’s specs (beautiful guitar!) and I had some much needed work done on my first serious electric guitar, a 1982 Fender ‘Dan Smith’ hardtail Stratocaster. I should have been extremely happy and in a way I was, but it also made me nervous, because what was I’m going to do now?!?! Take both my Teles to a gig and leave my beloved 347 at home??? Hell no!!! But I could only take two guitars with me. The days that I took four guitars with me and I had my own roadie/guitar tech, those days were long gone. I didn’t like it at all. I was perfectly happy with having just two guitars.
So I started to scale things down. I sold most of my electrics. That’s where the ‘not wealthy part comes in. I started playing when I was 13 years young. I’m 56 now. I lived my life as a musician and I didn’t buy much, but I worked hard and saved up all my money, never did anything crazy, so in four decades and some more years, I gathered quite a bit of good instruments. And one of the great things about playing guitar is the fact that if you buy the good stuff, that stuff will only increase in value! So when I sold my first electric, the Dan Smith guitar, I had enough money to buy a beautiful 000-18. I would never be able to buy such an expensive instrument anymore if it wasn’t for all the gear that I saved in 40 plus years of playing.
Anyway, besides the four expensive acoustics, I have another four cheaper ones to have fun with. I bought a very cheap Recording King for Nashville tuning (that’s so much fun! I have an unbelievably good, but cheap Guild 12-string tuned to D standard. Then another wonderful and still cheap eight string baritone Guild guitar tuned to B (normal tuning for a baritone) and last but certainly not least, an also unbelievably good and gorgeous looking Eastman E1 OM model in classic sunburst. That guitar blew me away. I bought it because I wanted a normal guitar with massive back and sides, not too expensive (crazy cheap as it turned out to be!) and I KNEW their guitars were good, because I already played many, just to try them out. But this was just ridiculous! I’m dead serious, if that guitar had the name Martin on the headstock, it would probably be in the same ballpark as the Martin 000-16 Streetmaster, or the Martin 000-17 Black Smoke, or Whiskey Sunset. Easily!!! The biggest difference being the finish (I actually prefer the finish of the Eastman, but that’s a matter of taste - the classic sunburst doesn’t look like a classic sunburst to me, it’s something quite unique and beautiful). The building quality is just as good as the quality of what you would and should expect from a high end Martin. And the price? €679,- (that’s approximately the same in dollars)!!!
Anyway, I bought that one to put heavier strings on them and play in C# Standard tuning. Beautiful sound!!!
I only use two acoustics live. I don’t dare to change anything by adding a pickup system to my 000-18, because it is literally the best sounding guitar I’ve ever played. So I keep that one for recording purposes.
And my 00-15m is the guitar I write most of my songs on. It’s small, comfortable and mellow and that’s exactly what I need, because I prefer writing music in bed, lying down and because of its size I can play it for hours! And the low volume doesn’t wake up my neighbors. 😬
And no, I don’t have a wife anymore, so nobody’s there to complain.
All of my acoustics are being used to record with, except for the D-28 and the J-45. Those are the guitars I gig with.
I have to apologize. I’m so so so so sorry for boring you with this ridiculously long reply. I just let myself get carried away easily when I’m talking about guitars. They’re my biggest passion besides writing music. I tried, but I couldn’t help myself. So my apologies. 🫣
Oh that heavenly sound
Ian, you always seem so at home with a D18, and you get a wonderful tone out of this one. Lots of woodsiness, some bark, some purr. And those trebles are really articulate. Is this a better than average D18? Sounds magic!
My 1st good 1:19 guitar was a D18, and I’ve owned a bunch over the years, but I’ve gotten tired of the Martin dreadnought sound, so I bought a J45! 😂😂😂
Oh, I haven’t abandoned Martin, I also have CEO7. Great guitar!
I have both a Martin dread and a Gibson slope and it's a great combo because when you tire of one sound, you can go to the other and it's like having a brand new guitar again. Rinse and repeat.
Sounds awesome!
great
Sounds good Ian
I am hesitating between e6d e6 ss and e1 special
Ian, which do you prefer, a D-18 or a D-35?
Great sounding D18 especially for a new one...Does this have the Martin MA550T 13-56 P.B. strings? What flat pick /model / thickness used here..
Was always chasing for the perfect acoustic guitar, I stopped after owning the d18
Satin or gloss?
Need your opinion, best dreadnought under $1,000. I’ve been looking at the Eastman e1 and 2d as well as the Yamaha fg3. What are your thoughts. Only real preference is 1 3/4 nut and all solid wood.
Try a Martin X series.
@@thegrandpencil4374 'Solid wood' preference...X Series is HPL
What eastman sourds closer to that ??
E10D
E10...but not quite.
Beautiful tone! Why do people say that mahogany has no sustain?
Because they are either biased, or haven't played one, is my guess.
...and it's too bad there are no overtones...
Lol
@@johnwashburn3793 Yup! And Gibsons have bad quality control, D-35's are too bassy, Les Pauls are too dark and Strats are too thin for heavy rock. Oh, and as a bonus, Marshall amps are too muddy, Fender amps are too bright and anything other than a pre-war Martin sucks forever and ever, amen.
Hope youre doing well Ian!! Ill have to come aee the new shop someday soon.. I actually just received a D18 and its amazing..i believe my collection is now completed. Great playing as usual my friend
I have to ask about your complete collection. Do you have a a maple back, a 12 string, an all mahogany, a cedar top, a resonator? Speaking of tops: redwood, European spruce,Adirondack, England spruce...and all of the sizes...I could continue