1938 Martin D-18 - Played By Carl Miner

[@christiankabengele9181]

The guitar is marvelous but the playing by Carl Miner is just mindblowing...what a talented musician.

[@luckyjinxer]

His phrasing and evenness in playing is impeccable. Incredibly refined. That polish is what makes a professional, not crazy fast runs or flashy sounding licks. It's harder and requires more practice, and is way more impressive.

[@brandonc7559]

​@luckyjinxer I was going to say the same thing as you, not as elegantly tho! I am not a musician, but I play guitar at home for myself, and it seems he plays these simple chords so beautifully and tastefully. Impeccable control and accuracy of pick hand to hut only the notes he wants!

[@curtrod]

beautiful indeed

[@johnfahr]

This might be my favorite acoustic tone I’ve ever heard. Masterfully played as well, of course.

[@G_Demolished]

Every time one of these videos pops up and I’m not looking: Damn, that’s the nicest guitar I’ve ever heard in my life! … Oh, it’s just Carl again.

[@andrewhumphrey1047]

Carl has become one of my favorite guitarists of any genre. Love it.

[@tristannolan85]

hes a studio player. probably heard his work through multiple genres and didn't even realize it

[@rogerd9150]

Yea. He’s pretty great. I could listen to his playing for hours.

[@umamulo5596]

Same here

[@demolitionwilliams7419]

It's nice to see other people out here that appreciate his understated talent

[@windub9203]

absolutely stunning playing and the guitar sounds like home

[@acousticmountains7948]

Some of the greatest acoustic tones in existence

[@skaybaltimore]

I used to love the D-28, but as I get older I appreciate the perfection of the D-18. And in Carl's hands it's the gold standard.

[@truthray2885]

Just the best from Carl Miner every single time.

[@garyives1218]

I'm so happy to be here before the Mahogany vs Rosewood war ensues. IMHO, through my excellent quality DAC, amp and headphones, that may have been the best sounding guitar I've ever heard. The player really found it's voice.

[@steveblanchard2712]

Greatness is greatness...no matter the wood. Every guitarist would kill to sound this good. You have a great point though, Gary. We don't need any wood wars or any other armchair guitar picking what ifs....this is greatness in the extreme. Great post and thank you, Gary.

[@JeremyHorn]

I've played and heard so many acoustic guitars. This may be the best one I've ever laid ears too. Incredible.

[@BluegrassPOV]

Some people can draw more sound from a guitar than others. This guy can really make them sing. All it takes is a ton of effort 😉

[@devsfan4life901]

the best sounding guitar on the internet

[@roromoho]

Guitarist

[@coresurf22]

*planet

[@FirstLast-ek3sg]

I watch this video at least a couple times a week. The song is very soothing and sounds similar to The Stable Song by Gregory Alan Isakov.

[@wayneh8768]

Yes, fully agree, I hear The Stable Song in this demo as well.

[@swillis3987]

Few guitars are as capable in rendering the warmth, recognition, sustain and the sheer joy of a Martin D-18. Of course Carl Miner is superb and has become a TNAG favorite.

[@philmccrevis4493]

Soul cleansing restful elegance. Thank you Carl Miner.

[@alanparks7919]

I watch all of the videos of Carl playing incredible guitars. This is the sweetest sounding guitar of them all, by a long shot. From the golden age of Martin. Wow - magnificent!

[@fat-hand]

Juat amazing sound, both guitar and player. Carl somehow intuits just the right thing to play to extract the true voice of any guitar. That guitar has the sound I would imagine an old soul guitar would have. Beautiful.

[@JM-wv9kz]

I actually taught myself two years ago, so many breakthrough progression I love how you lose yourself while playing. I truly believe that connection takes you to a higher consciousness. Your videos help me greatly. Much respect. Thx

[@carlbrownfield5447]

I have a 39 D-18 and it sounds just exactly like this one. I don't think Martin ever made any guitars that sound as good.

[@kikomarty4337]

I wish the current D-18s were made with Adirondack, this wood combination is one of the best.

[@edmcgrew]

completely agree...

[@williamvanvugt7989]

I have a 1937 D18 sunburst, and it sounds just like this one: so clear and woody and sweet at the same time. And the projection....just awesome. Thanks for this vid.

[@joseph2832]

That most of cost you an arm and a leg, I’m very jealous. I will win a nice Martin in a bluegrass competition one day, this poor boy will see his day.

[@kevincrouch3956]

Yes sublime playing on a special guitar.

[@qynNL]

Jesus! That is one of the nicest sounding guitars I've ever heard! Recorded perfectly!

[@zacharywilhelm5895]

Carl is LEGEND.

[@matthieuchapeyron3817]

So beautiful I could cry

[@lilycat1694]

It is September 28, 2022, and I haven’t seen any demos from Carl in the past few weeks. Love the channel and hope he returns.

[@BlindTom61]

Such taste, technique, humanity...

[@dannywoody5497]

Just sounds like his soul is singing Carl is a master always able to get to the heart of all the guitars he plays

[@davebickle4913]

great player and a great guitar in that order thanks

[@heavenlyguitar5913]

This guitar sounds beautiful. The guitarist did a great job playing it. Very soulful.

[@gcvincent3989]

I’ve got a 1940 D-18 without exception the best sounding guitar I have ever played in my fifty five years of playing guitar. You cannot beat the pre-war D-18’s. 😊

[@FinalConsensus]

How much $ did that bad boy set you back?

[@iridge1]

All I can say is WOW ! There's nothing like a Martin

[@JeffDaytonMusic]

That guitar looks mint - wow. Amazing tone and what a guitarist to match!

[@752brickie]

Wow Carl that is beautiful! Thank you for sharing your genius of the guitar with us!

[@poguie]

I tune into the site just to hear Carl play, one of my favourite guitarists, so tasteful in every note.

[@samstainer7455]

Superb player, this gentleman could make a breadboard sound good.

[@JeffDaytonMusic]

All in all, this is truly moving. Thanks.

[@jeffhayes605]

Carl is super human but this might be the sweetest sounding acoustic I’ve ever heard.

[@michaelditmore8113]

I love my 1981 lefthanded D-18, just wish I could do it this kind of justice

[@kennymccormack6746]

Dude, you are the best! I wish I could play like that!

[@oldmanofcotati]

Such beautiful, musical technique.

[@Marcusaurelius1068]

My nephew. So talented.

[@martymcpeak4748]

Sorry , I just saw your comment. Your nephew is in my top 5 acoustic guitarists ever. Carl's playing has inspired me beyond measure.

[@ramonlewis5070]

I have a actual 1960 Gibson Bird that was gifted to me! Blessings

[@wheninroamful]

Beautiful playing,

[@jeromej8060]

Superbe jeu tout en finesse

[@jeffsquires6620]

Incredible sounding guitar.

[@PhilTaylorGuitar]

Marvellous, simply marvellous.

[@gabrieln3613]

Wow, what a beautiful instrument. I found this checking to see if anything was posted up that Carl had done recently. We had so much fun many years ago when he was 17/18 he played in a band I had going. We both had Bluegrass (I've played harmonica and was in Bluegrass bands back as far as 1975) backgrounds so we could go for fiddle tunes but, our main "bread and butter" was Swing (the Lindy Hop dancers would pack-in to dance with us) along with some Blues, Jazz, R&B, etc. whatever we felt like and whoever was singing (female vocal material) had in their repertoire. In the '70's when I played at Bluegrass festivals most of the established players had these D-18's. I believe Carl had one too. Also opened for Doc & Merle a couple times and them too on the D-18's I believe....although by then he may have been on the Gallaghers.

[@hymnplayer]

Beautiful!

[@paulboden7850]

A 1938 Martin D18. Damn!

[@jonathanbriere6497]

Sweet lord baby j-zusse, I have never heard a guitar sounds as beautiful as this one 🥺 What a warm sound!!!!!

[@mattrwilkins]

Carl yet again playing another stunning guitar to perfection. That D-18 looks brand new. As someone said below, might be the best guitar I’ve heard. Just gorgeous and balanced tone, and that low end 😍😍😍.

[@steveblanchard2712]

Holy moly that was special....wow...

[@uddielad]

I keep coming back to this. Captures me every time. Thank you.

[@JoeWheatleyLakeTulloch]

Great, no words!

[@los_rubos]

There’s nothing like the sound of an old Martin

[@Colem359]

This is just lovely beyond words

[@jeffhayes605]

It’s aggressive in all the right places and subtle enough to create an atmosphere

[@spiercevaughn]

Ohh that is a smooth sounding guitar

[@marceloseventies]

The instruments, the capture and the like are sensational. But honestly, your talent and sensitivity are indescribable. My sincere greetings, and thank you very much for giving us such musicality.

[@patrickhughes8040]

that's the nicest tone i've heard in a long time

[@jamalan7417]

great recording too!

[@unknown.24]

One of the best guitars I have ever heard. Martin makes the best guitars in my opinion.

[@userillusion86]

*made

[@aggistef1651]

Sounds incredible!!!! wish you had a lesson on that song, Carl you rock!

[@davidheenan7432]

Every guitar you guys record sounds amazing !

[@deanmcbride8747]

Fantastic player. Wow. Going to check Carl miner out. I wish I could play like this.

[@vanguard4065]

what’s stopping you from playing like this? Carl practiced. Practice as much as you can everyday.

[@BradleyMcTaggart]

Sounds incredible. It has a dovetail joint, not a mortise and tenon.

[@HenryPipes]

This is one of the best recordings of any guitar I’ve ever heard! Wow I am floored by the warmth and clarity of this vintage Martin!

[@G_Demolished]

@@HenryPipes There’s a reason those things are six figures!

[@BobEstremera]

Carl, this is such a beautiful and soothing piece. Your artistry and touch are at a level that speaks directly to the heart and soul. I would love to know what the chords are in this progression. It would be the piece of music I would strive for myself when times get tough. And yes, your fans would 'love' for you to post some instructional videos. Thanks, Bob

[@martymcpeak4748]

I would take lessons for sure, Carl is a past Winfield winner. So he would be a great one to learn from

[@fannyingabout]

The chords are predominantly F C Am Em G etc (I haven’t studied it so closely). The truth is that his technique is mind blowing; it’s deliberate, accurate, dynamically rich and played with feeling. In amongst those chords are Maj 7ths where just taking one finger of the chord changes the emotion conveyed. I personally can play all of this quite easy but I simply can’t play it anywhere near this level of perfection which is why when people say I’m pretty good at guitar I laugh and think “If only they knew about the likes of Carl Miner”.

[@BobEstremera]

@@fannyingabout Thanks John, Yes, I watched it repeatedly and figured out the chords as well. I didn't catch the Em though. This guy is so amazing to get so much sonic dynamics out of such a simple progression.

[@fannyingabout]

@@BobEstremera Agreed Bob -

[@francismarcela6207]

sounds special to me. not a powerhouse but such a sweet tone like a warm coffee.

[@deanmcbride8747]

Sounds great

[@krennels]

Carl, I will buy anything you release.

[@daciuk8]

Sounds beautiful,not bad playing either Carl.👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿👍

[@jspendleton3898]

Gregory Alan Isakov - If I Go, I'm Going

[@ChikoElNegro]

Not sure if this is the song he's playing but holy sh*t, thanks man, had not heard a song like that in years, so good, appreciate it.

[@ChikoElNegro]

If you got more songs in that style, would appreciate if you can recommend them

[@markusschaden5045]

Great!

[@marknicholson5508]

That was wonderful, thank you

[@McCambira]

Incredible sound! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻I have one D28

[@JeffDaytonMusic]

What tone!!

[@Doty6String]

It’s the pick attack on these old guitars that really makes it. Dude can play too

[@gr1887]

Absolutely beautiful

[@XENONEZZ2]

Really beautiful...🎵

[@ZionForman]

very good

[@henkbouma9196]

Didn't know him at all but what a skilled player

[@alexandereisen3486]

I mean, just… wow

[@TheRealJyoujo]

Very mellow right ? Love it !!! Good bass too . I should probably took out for this one . I wonder if it’s better than the D28 ..?

[@stevebernard221]

I wonder what strings are used on these guitars. Great tone, and playing is off the charts!

[@cartervintagebackstage]

We most often string guitars up with either D'Addario (EJ17s on a dreadnought like this) or occasionally Elixirs

[@stevebernard221]

@@cartervintagebackstage yeah, I love the sound of EJ17s....thanks for letting me know!

[@cajunguitarman]

i believe the pre war martins had traditional dovetail neck and neck block

[@G_Demolished]

They still do.

[@noonster55]

That was heavenly. Is it one of your creations? I just kept playing it over and over...

[@martymcpeak4748]

Yessir all the pieces Carl plays are his own, he writes them in the spot. Matter of fact Carl said in an interview that he is going to go back and flesh out some of those melodies into full songs and release them to all of the fans of himself and T.N.A.G., hopefully it won't be too long till it comes to fruition.

[@briandesjardins728]

Carl's amazing and can make a shoe box sound good lol but he sure knows how to demo any type body shape.. that's the best sounding martin I ever heard. I know everyone gets their rocks of on all the fancy rosewood guitars but to me, mahogany is the true king of tonewood

[@oricatmos6453]

A quand un album ?

[@svenlittlecross]

wow

[@davidchavez4464]

The North American Guitar Company. Home of the worlds finest guitars and players.

[@gs5921]

Sensational... what tune is this?

[@lelov1392]

I maybe wrong, but it sound like The Greenhouse by Bros Landreth. It’s a killer tune! Go check it out, it won’t disappoint.

[@MortandHarley]

Carl needs to release a CD. I will be first in line to buy it. Please Carl! Make the disc!!!

[@martymcpeak4748]

Check out a band called The Greencards, that's his band

[@gabrieln3613]

​@@martymcpeak4748 Technically he joined that band in Austin, "founded by Englishman Eamon McLoughlin and Australians Kym Warner and Carol Young" (hence the "Greencards name). Prior to that at 17/18 he had played in my band in Oregon (with a few years on his own in between). We played Swing, Jazz, Blues and whatever other fun we could have since my background was in Bluegrass also (harmonica 45 years now) so we could always bring out a fiddle tune or country tune even though not our main focus. The swing dancers followed us around for some "Jump Jive 'n Wail".

[@martymcpeak4748]

@@gabrieln3613 Thank you for filing me in and i apologize for my mistake, I stand corrected. But at any rate Carl is a world class guitarist, and one I would love to see get the recognition he so rightly deserves. He has an uncanny sense of melody and amazing feel for playing a song and adding just the right nuances that serve the song.

[@gabrieln3613]

@@martymcpeak4748 absolutely! No apology necessary, but I understand. My intent was just to fill in some information that others might not be aware of but cool to know, especially when appreciating Carl's guitar skills which are definitely always on point. Carl definitely listens to what he can add to something in a complementary way, hence being such a great studio player. My band was actually called Gabriel and The Technicians..... And Carl is most definitely a technician when it comes to clean and precise guitar playing. We always had fun playing together!

[@martymcpeak4748]

@@gabrieln3613 now I am going to have to give a listen, if it's one thing I have learned about musicians. We tend to gravitate to others like ourselves, and you were drawn to Carl and likewise the music had to be good.

[@Marissa-w4f]

My '21 sounds just as good... which is not saying this sounds bad, but that current D-18's can sound just as stellar.

[@los_rubos]

Hog & Adi A match made in pre war heaven

[@skinnybreakfast]

I would love to know the full chain and mix on this. is it flat? what pre-amps were used? etc. Thank you in advance. Simply incredible recording!! Thank you.

[@matteozardinilacedelli7966]

Oh my God

[@skinnybreakfast]

Hey North American Guitar, the Mic pair is a Schoeps Colette pair? So a pair of CMC6s both with the MK41 capsules? Thanks in advance, absolutely love these demos.

[@limpindug]

sweet. mind I think the picker had quite a bit to do with it. respect.

[@John-ic6zo]

I would love the tab.

[@guitarman1477]

Some fucking sound this

[@Jam-m7m]

One word. Mahogany