Martin D-18

Wailin

Anyone know where i can get my hands on one of these babies??? Would like to try one out but impossible to find in guitar shops around Dublin. Most stock the more popular D-28 or HD-28 but not D-18.

punchdrunk

did you try Jimi's store?

artvandulet

usually the martin dealers like perfect pitch can get in a d18 for you to try. not an issue if the distributor has one. they're only in ballymount.

Wailin

punchdrunk wrote: »

did you try Jimi's store?

I did, they had a few martins but no 18. Am wondering do they sound like the D-16GT which is similar spec. Anyone have a 16GT to comment?

artvandulet

In theory the 16gt will be a bit louder as it has scalloped braces which allow greater movement of the top. It will take a few years for the 18 to 'open up'. I suppose the only real way is to a/b them which is obviously what you are trying to arrange.

The neck joint on the 18 is dovetail which is a lot of what you are paying for over the 16 series. They make the specific neck for the specific body, where as any 16 series neck is fitted to any body.
If you are particular on looks, the 18 is a lot more understated. All though it is all gloss and the 16 is just gloss top (GT), it has dot inlays and plain binding and rosette. The 16 is a bit prettier in my opinion. Nicer inlays and rosette Also be aware that the 18 doesn't have an ebony fingerboard like the other standards, its rosewood, like the 16's.

I'd say all this has a lot to do with why the shops dont have one in stock. There's a clearer gap in terms of spec from the 16's to the 28 an 35.

Ravelleman

If I remember correctly, there was a D 16 in Perfect Pitch when I looked in there the other day.

Wailin

Also be aware that the 18 doesn't have an ebony fingerboard like the other standards, its rosewood, like the 16's.


Actually the D-16GT has black richlite material on the fingerboard, not solid wood. I used to have a D-16RGT which was the same apart from rosewood back and sides. I've been looking for a decent mahogany guitar because I have gone off the somewhat muddy sound produced by the rosewood. I believe the D-18 would be the better because Martin use better graded woods for the standard series compared to the 16 range, hence the difference in price. Is there a difference in sound between guitars with different neck joints? You'd have to wonder how that would affect tone. I mean, I'm sure there is no difference in sound produced by a guitar if it had a mortise and tenon joint as opposed to a dovetail joint....anyone any thoughts on this?

artvandulet

They're calling that Richlite now are they? They used to call it Micarta. Forgot it was that and not rosewood.

Wailin wrote: »

I've been looking for a decent mahogany guitar because I have gone off the somewhat muddy sound produced by the rosewood. I believe the D-18 would be the better because Martin use better graded woods for the standard series compared to the 16 range, hence the difference in price.

Yes the wood is better graded on the 18 than the 16. (The 28 and 35 are a higher grade spruce than the 18 btw) But as far as Im aware, the grade has nothing to do with tone, its all about cosmetics - the grain, colour etc.

I think the difference you are going to hear between a D18 and a D16GT will primarily be down to the bracing.

Wailin

I didnt know that the 28 and 35 were higher grade wood than the 18, just presumed the standard series were the same across the board. Interesting fact. I think ill probably end up with a 16GT because I wont get the chance to play an 18 and i dont want to purchase blind from Thomann. They have come down alot in price also over the years and are excellent value, you can get one for less than 1200 now while the D-18 is around 1800-1900.