1938 Martin D-18 played by Molly Tuttle

cartervintage.com/collections...
Molly Tuttle demos this amazing 1938 Martin D-18 acoustic guitar.
Everything you would expect from a prewar D-18; loud, direct, and responsive. The guitar features a low x and an 1 3/4" nut width. Overall, this '38 is in great condition for its age and after a neckset it's back playing fantastic. The guitar does have some honest play wear around the pickguard and buckle rash on the back.

[@mr7wi]

I love how she doesn't force the sound from the guitar - she just lets the instrument sing.

[@chrisknoblock]

Her dynamics are incredible.

[@Col_Sanders]

She makes it look effortless. Molly Tuttle is insane!!

[@tripperdelaluna1]

Everyone talks about her right hand - but her whole style head to toe is great. She's feeling it here.

[@Kenttx100]

She caresses it she don't milk itike a cow

[@corytrees3797]

This is the most non guitarist statement

[@vasocreta]

Now this is a perfect example of an artist who knows how to bring out the unique voice of the instrument in her hands. Simply beautiful.

[@jimboughton6310]

Molly Tuttle and a pre-war Martin: the best two minutes of the whole day.

[@arbogash1852]

Jim Boughton I can't like this statement twice: technical limitation. What an angel.

[@hitzncritzmobilegaming9988]

Yeah well my 2001 is pre war too ;)

[@1firecat1]

@@hitzncritzmobilegaming9988 Hope NOT!!!

[@daleshackleford1389]

pre?

[@hitzncritzmobilegaming9988]

@@1firecat1 how many wars have happened in the past 100 years? Everything before a few years ago is pre war.

[@1wirey]

I once visited an electronics store where the elderly lady owner had a small selection of vintage guitars of various styles. One in particular was a confirmed Civil War era Martin that she actually let my son play. She was so happy to hear him play and my heart was really warmed that she was so free about letting him play the priceless instrument. Really a special moment. I got the idea that this lady didn’t sell her instruments to just anyone. It seemed that she would appraise the buyer almost as much as a buyer might appraise the instrument.

[@joepayne7843]

I love this woman. She is an awesome flatpicker and artist. Thank you Molly for keeping it alive .

[@555Gear]

I keep coming back to this piece, the phrasing is so perfect.

[@stephensmith799]

Yes. Flawless

[@joepalooka2145]

As someone who owns a vintage 1962 Martin D28, I can attest that these wonderful old guitars are only as good as the skill of the person playing them. When they are played by a virtuoso talent like Molly Tuttle, they come alive. It's truly amazing.

[@bassprofishe1549]

26 year difference in those guitars. Definitely wont sound the same.

[@216Numbskull]

Also, a difference of around $26,000 will also change the tone of the two! : )

[@donlip79]

Ok so which one is better D18 or D28?

[@swordoftruth8031]

Molly you are appreciated and loved by so many whom you will never meet :-)

[@allyons3460]

Molly you are truly incredible!!!the best guitar playing my 75 year old ears have had the pleasure to listen too. Thank you. Alan

[@PeteMartinMandolin]

Makes me really miss my 43 D18! Molly is such a wonderful musician!

[@kbbl102.5]

Her hammer ons and pull offs are so purposeful and clean. Masterful playing. She plays instinctively, like a hummingbird flaps its wings.

[@symphonyfarm2009]

there is something inbetween them .....it that make any sense. its buttery

[@alansturgess1324]

A very particular action with and way of holding her pick - superb.

[@arlingtonhynes]

It’s not instinctive. It’s a hell of a lot of focused, thoughtful hard work and love of the craft.

[@jeffsech]

All that instinct takes a hell of a lot of work to let it out. :)

[@bossHogOG]

John Smith it’s okay there little fella. You’re good too

[@burtbackattack]

That was one of the most wonderful things I've heard in a long, long time.

[@brandoncompton2814]

She makes playing guitar look wayyyy too easy. So clean and precise, love her playing!

[@roytee3127]

That's the sign of a true master.

[@sjt275]

Guitar says to all the other guitars in the shop "I've been played by Molly Tuttle ...Na Na Nan Na Na !!!

[@mwdollar]

Love Molly!! She makes any guitar sing..fast, delicate, and precise. Old guitars and Queen Tut are a great mix.

[@johnduckworth474]

I am lucky enough to have seen Molly play solo recently, and she was just marvellous.

[@Polyhymnia1964]

She is certainly very talented, but she has also put in the time. Lots of people have talent, but it takes time, perseverance, and sacrifice. She’s paid her dues.

[@ginogina4589]

She’s awesome, always. I grew up near the Martin factory in PA and played a 1949 00-18 through my childhood. Unique and fantastic sound.

[@wesleysmith5580]

Molly girl you are such joy, I just got to enjoy this gift (hugs) you made a Old Man Happy !!!

[@billbarhorst8369]

I’m speechless. Incredible. Beautiful sounding Martin too.

[@davidburch4165]

Brilliant playing, wonderful guitar. Us old pickers are so lucky to have lived long enough to hear Molly. We know the music will carry on long after we're gone.

[@mrlozano]

What a pleasure to listen to. That Molly Tuttle, one lovely person and phenomenal talent. Wish her all the best!

[@cjsmith8319]

You can hear the history coming out of that guitar. Glad to see it’s making beautiful music!

[@saileshramcharan3445]

Molly, you rocked my world....for a whole 2 minutes. Awesome young lady! Respect from South Africa

[@tonybarnes3858]

It's a tribute to our capacity for respect that an instrument this old is in such good shape, so well kept, so well played.

[@johnedwards1685]

The artist graces that aged and mellowed Martin and its long dead builder with her breathtaking craft. The instrument blesses the artist with its effortless clarity and sweet voice undiminished by all those years. These two were meant for each other.

[@DeltaJazzUK]

The best always make it look so easy. I watch Molly play and it looks so smooth and effortless that it makes me think I could do it. Of course when I pick up my guitar I can't, not now, not ever!

[@totalrobot]

This is extreme talent and an exquisite instrument. It's like a pure concentrated form of mastery, art form and entertainment. My ears are loving it.

[@mannybigburrito3178]

Good golly Miss Molly!

[@sireugenecourtney5797]

Don't forget Avril Smith and Courtney Hartman.

[@capohd28]

Man, that is one sweet guitar. The tone is so easy on the ears. Molly’s certainly no slouch either. Perfect person to show what that old D-18 can do!

[@superdriver777]

0:35 and 1:24 this section is the reason I love mahogany guitars -- that upper register is just so sweet! The notes are so full and yet so delicate, and it's a beautiful sound. Of course, you have to be an exceptional player to make a guitar sound exceptional, but there is something magical about an instrument when it sings like that....

[@logowatchman]

Beautiful sounding guitar played by a lovely talented young lady.

[@lucymuffin30]

I’ve watched this countless times, she’s astonishing, so accurate, fast and precise. This performance always makes the emotions well up inside me… Truly beautiful.

[@farnorthpicker56]

Been watching her since she was a kid, what an awesome talent😊

[@blucheer8743]

Molly playing is as good as it gets just so fine and smooth she does bluegrass great service

[@francobina]

Cant stop watching this. Wow. Just beautiful playing on a beautiful guitar by an angel guitarist. Thank you Molly. - a new fan

[@billdedrick1914]

She is absolutely incredible and pulls extraordinary tone out of that 38 just like she did with her old 44 D18.

[@hackerguitar]

What an amazing musician! So much talent. I hope she gets the recognition she deserves.

[@mbsnyderc]

You know she's the IBMA's Guitar player of the year 2017?

[@hackerguitar]

mbsnyderc I do know that - she deserves every bit of it. But IBMA awards don’t always translate to commercial success, and I’d like to see her get that as well as critical success. :)

[@mbsnyderc]

It's better if that happens slower over time gives the artist time to mature, and develop to much fame and pressure isn't that good for the person or the art.

[@billwood3407]

I think she has. Especially now!

[@robertthomas6946]

At 66 years Molly has inspired me to dust off my old 18 and get playing again. Love it!

[@Neilzo1]

She doesn't look a day over 25! What's her secret?

[@jodywatkins9467]

@@Neilzo1 HA!!!

[@thefeelcompany]

Molly has been a lockdown find. She’s now my hero.

[@kentuckyblugrass]

Excellence...No nonsense, no talking just beautiful pickin' and a phenomenal rich, full-bodied sound coming from that gorgeous D-18. Thank you for the upload 🙏👊

[@blakeb4583]

Her right hand technique is superb, anyone who plays guitar knows just how hard that is. She reminds me a lot of Tony Rice

[@paulstabin6233]

Martin+Molly = Magic. Thank you! I am now really missing my 70's D-18.

[@HungryH1951]

I love this. Molly is so good. Watching her hands play the guitar is amazing, mesmerizing. She is a marvelous musician and it is such a pleasure to listen to her play.

[@southernloff1494]

Molly is such a "clean player", no change sounds-just pure talent and delight.

[@Papayajoseph]

This may be sweetest acoustic guitar tone displayed on the internet. Molly's rendition was stunning.

[@dannylee5588]

Whos song is this??

[@Portrayalpress]

Wonderful - gorgeous guitar and gorgeous playing. Thanks all for creating and sharing!

[@musket-hc1fc]

A completely delightful performance! I like the pick sound and technique here. Clean and clear, the touch of an artist.

[@davidmatthess527]

A beautiful arrangement and so well played! Effortless :) Thanks for sharing

[@douglapp5211]

She is such an amazing player. I could listen to her all day. The eight thumbs down on this video are people who wish they could play like Molly but know they could never put in the time to practice or any effort.

[@andycanable5076]

73 fools now!

[@DaveDexterMusic]

jesus, people _are_ allowed to dislike things, you know. and you won't understand why, much like people won't understand why you dislike the things _they_ like

[@smittywerbenmanjensen1350]

90% of people are just thinking with their willies when they comment shit like this

[@jysmtl]

DaveDexterMusic No, there’s more to it than that. There’s nothing here to bother to “dislike”. Sure, many or most people aren’t going to appreciate this. Different strokes for different folks, different musical tastes and all that. But, it’s weird for someone to take the time to click dislike on something like this. Trolls out there go around hitting dislike just to annoy people.

[@dansmusic5749]

@@DaveDexterMusic Disliking gives the feeling of power. It is quite common in the world. Molly is wonderful. We both know that. I think the dislikers do too.

[@thefriendsofcoal1152]

Somehow I always enjoy her playing the most in these demo/solo videos - just her masterful touch on the guitar and nothing else.

[@przybyla420]

Same here, she just plays the prettiest songs and it’s cool to just be able to watch her technique

[@newmusicplus]

Molly so talented and a joy to see and hear playing.

[@sickb2200]

Just saw Molly in the September 2017 issue of Guitar Player magazine. Nice to know we have great young players out there.

[@xzysyndrome]

Eh? The greatest guitarists of all time didn't get there at 50. They were all great young players...with young audiences... Old people...always thinking down on young people...forgetting they used to be one once.

[@daigo1952]

This is a great example that I've found what a great guitar player Molly is. I've heard her here and there playing with her band(s), doing a great job, but never really hearing her by herself. If there is any example of a hidden treasure, it's Molly Tuttle.

[@blorkflorkernorp9773]

I've seen a couple of her shows and she's started playing a few solo songs while her band takes a setbreak. I can hear myself whooping in the back of the crowd here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pKvQeYJjqr-Wrqc

[@theondebray]

Saw her live with & without her band, Shetland folk fest 2017, wonderful. I just happened to be sitting at the venue in the morning, & she started practising with one friend sat right opposite, 6' away. I had my own private house concert, what a privilege.

[@tubhair]

This brings me such joy. Thank you Molly!

[@yew2bin]

Absolutely love your playing. I could listen to that all day long.

[@joelsimms4636]

So clean ! I love hearing her play.

[@johnharrington2400]

Such great taste, such great tone. Wonderful.

[@philiptate8009]

Such incredible, clean playing. A pleasure to listen to (and watch).

[@starman69]

My god man! Every time I see this lady on guitar I’m awestruck

[@jonrob2302]

302 thumbs down? What am I not hearing or seeing... I think jealousy comes to mind. Lovely girl and well done. 👍

[@checkyoursix5623]

When I hear music like this it makes me think of Harry Chapin, singing "Remember when the music ... came from little boxes ... strung with silver wire ...

[@albertomartinez2479]

And she said, "How are you Harry?" I said, "How are you Sue? Through the too many miles And the too little smiles I still remember you."

[@THEDUSTINLEWITSHOW]

Taking tips, and getting stoned...

[@montymartell2081]

Isn't it amazing how certain guitars just have a certain sound like that you'd think they all sound the same but they don't that's a beautiful guitar

[@PavelBlokhin]

Pleasant performer, excellent performance, beautiful melody, amazing guitar! Thanks!

[@babs4TLove]

What an incredible guitarist. Molly Tuttle is an amazing musician!

[@martinmcgimpsey9750]

Truly beautiful, what a talent. Made my day!

[@markelovett]

Love your playing Molly! So smooth. Simply amazing.

[@stevenbarrett7071]

If I could have my life story in song it would be this played by Molly. All of lifes cherished moments. All the highs, lows, and valleys in between.. wow... Love this.. Molly your amazing

[@GregLedder]

Beautifully played - by a beautiful woman! Outstanding! :-)

[@bluesfanman1]

Never heard of her but my god she’s fantastic. Just found a new fan.

[@rebeccaherron3789]

What a special day you made for an old lady! Magic fingers!!

[@Joshualbm]

So fresh and clear sounding. Like spring rain.

[@raizoXp]

Both amazing looking and sounding

[@truckerkevthepaidtourist]

sounds like something you would hear on an interlude on public television and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that..🤗

[@ogri214]

In the hands of a great player like Molly every note rings out like a bell, that for me is the beauty of these old Martins.

[@montymartell2081]

I could listen to this all day this is wonderful thank you

[@m.t.r.168]

Beautiful!!!

[@markguitarlfk]

Lovely playing on a good quality guitar.

[@HungryH1951]

I believe Martin makes the best guitars in the world. Then you put Molly Tuttle behind one and you have incredible magic.

[@patrickalaggio3560]

Sweet! Thanks for sharing that incredible instrument with us. :)

[@ildefonsogiron4034]

That beautiful satisfaction smile in the end was the best reprise.

[@drdecanto]

"Keeping the Cats Happy" by Mark Simos

[@sdrtcacgnrjrc]

Was just about to ask, thanks!

[@invis19]

This should really be in the video description, thanks

[@bigchestflex]

My man

[@graybeeify]

I love how you play on the lower end, then use the high end as coplimentery. I love to play like this. Seen you with Billy strings! Great stuff!

[@jimbishop8667]

Saw her with Billy Strings also... was very disappointed that Billy or who ever was in charge of production didn't open up some solo's for Molly to shine. It was to me a little like you were headlining and Eric Clapton was your special guest.... and you just let him idle away playing backup all night!?

[@vernonhoover1387]

Martin is very lucky my dear to have you to demonstrate their guitars for them. Well done.

[@jamesberrange3671]

Magnificent flat picking. And not to make silly comparisons, but way more fluid and eloquent than some of the 'old timers'. Wonderful to watch her face while she plays, so at home on the guitar and so relaxed and at one with the instrument. Nice one Molly!

[@rrdner5700sbcglob]

Best advertisement that '38 ever had. She makes it look so effortless and the guitar has that wonderful mellow tone that only comes with age and years of being played. Great video!

[@kencampbell9297]

Wow, anther phenomenal player!....along with Billy Strings, Tommy Emanuel....

[@cycleguy666]

What sweet clear sounding guitar 🎸 and such a masterful guitarist!! Thank you Miss Molly!!

[@guitarttimman]

That's fantastic guitar playing there lady. Thank you so much for the beauty. I enjoyed it.

[@BluesInSeattle]

That is probably the most perfect right hand picking form I've ever seen. I can never get my fingers to cup under and behave. And then it's like trying to brush my teeth with the wrong hand. Excellent player.

[@jimmycoleman5853]

Agree first thing I noticed

[@nicholastotoro7721]

Whenever I watch her, I marvel at how immaculate her playing is, but watching her makes me feel like her wrist will have some nasty arthritis by the time she’s 40 LOL!

[@JayKeller]

"Molly Tuttle demos this amazing 1938 Martin D-18 acoustic guitar." should read "The amazing Molly Tuttle demos this 1938 Martin D-18 acoustic guitar."

[@beasheerhan4482]

Martins so often suffer from being overly chesty of tone, and, thus, do not have a properly piercing treble string or a proper tonal contrast between bass and treble strings - something with which Gibson never had a problem. This Martin, however, is any exception to that. Though I do not find Miss Molly's playing 'amazing', it is enjoyable - no doubt!

[@1firecat1]

@@beasheerhan4482 Nachtigall, ick hör dir trapsen.

[@oldgrizz8720]

I truly believe that that guitar waited its whole life just to be played by Molly Tuttle! They are beautiful together.

[@accurtis2763]

Most graceful right hand technique I've seen. Poetry in motion.

[@freedommatters9596]

She played that song about as well as it can be played. Thumbs way up.

[@brucecall1595]

Text book flat picking. Few can inject this kind of pure emotion and feeling. This young lady is spectacular. Love her and all she is doing.

[@mirrorman8521]

Love the sound and the style of her playing, sounds great!!

[@johntruman6571]

Beautifully played Molly. Thank you. x

[@davepelfrey3958]

Good Lord, that girl can play!

[@trevorgwelch7412]

Dave Pelfrey yes and the same thing over and over

[@jReactor]

Trevor Graham Welch Ever heard of folk music? Familiarity makes the heart grow fonder.

[@matthewervin2105]

Trever talk to us when you can play one bar of that tune.

[@digitalboomer]

@@trevorgwelch7412 Post a video of you doing better

[@Tripleoaks8615]

@@trevorgwelch7412 What a ridiculous thing and petty to say about a player who has extraordinary abilities. You apparently aren't familiar with her work.

[@adipsous]

Just look at all those envious guitars. But Molly knows an old soul when she sees one.

[@bambledaczymbledek]

A flawless performance -brilliant playing.

[@pauljenkins2501]

Absolutely mesmerising. And Molly looks so calm, as though it's no great thing to be making that beautiful music.....