A D-18 '39A vs a '72

An informal look at a Martin D-18 '39A vs a highly modified '72. I've just come back from riding dirt bikes, I'm watching a race on TV, and I'm just playing these and talking. My hair's a mess, I'm in shorts. Too bad.
Talking (00:00)
Playing the '39 A (05:00)
Playing the '72 (09:40)
Capo on the '39 A (13:55)
Capo on the '72 (16:30)
Impressions (19:20)
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Playlists:
Guitar Comparisons- • Guitar Comparisons
Evaluating Guitars- • Evaluating Guitars
Guitar Repair Technique- • Guitar Repair
1970's Martins- • 1970's Martins
Shop Tools and Layout- • Shop Tools and Layout
Questions and Answers- • Questions and Answers
Just Playing- • Just Playing
Instructional- • Instructional
Mandolins- • Mandolins

[@jefftrask8651]

This is great Bryan!!! Im so happy with my D18 and I remember how it compared with your shop 72. I like I'm sitting somewhere between those two. Absolutely satisfied with the mods. Thanks JT

[@christianboddum8783]

Your playing was flowing really nicely in this video 🙂

[@Bryankimsey]

Thanks. Probably 'cause I was watching TV too and not thinking about playing.

[@danielenscott]

Great job and comparison! The 72 sounds great and has obviously responded well to your modifications. the 39 aged authentic sounded tremendous and is a serious power house.

[@davidherringgo]

My 71 D28 . Blows me away. All I want to do is play it. Nice pickin man. Bluegrass❤

[@MrOddmanout1]

Thanks!

[@beverlymichael5830]

Love the authentic over the 72. Sounds more open. Partial to the authentic sea as I have a D18 37A.

[@dcallan1]

'39 is a monster. 70's is a player.

[@uvp5000]

I'm partial to Red Spruce, so it's no surprise that I am very fond of the '39-A. The '72 sounds very nice, too. To say the '39-A is loud has got to be one of your greatest understatements. I had to turn the volume down on my speakers to keep them from overdriving. The rear-shifted bracing and the popsicle brace on the '39-A, when combined with the torrified Red Spruce top give the instrument a whole lot of projection and punch - the notes are very clean and articulated. The '72 sounds like a Kimsey special (it is) which is quite nice. If I were gigging regularly, I would choose the '72. I suspect I would find the action nice and low. I've played several authentic series instruments and their action was a bit higher than modern instruments. If I were recording, absolutely I would choose the '39-A. The sound is loud and clear.

[@Bryankimsey]

Oh, I'd take the '39 A any day, every day. But "cost" is a factor, too. If you've got a 70's already, a full tune up runs about $1200, tops. Or you can buy a '39A for around $4500-5000. If cost _wasn't_ a factor, then I'd be getting a REAL '39 or that fabulous '46 I had for awhile in '05-07.

[@thepokerpilotapp]

Actually, Bryan had removed the popsicle brace previously on the ‘39 D18.

[@Bryankimsey]

I thought I did but I couldn't totally remember.

[@uvp5000]

@@thepokerpilotapp That would explain the more open sound of a rear-shifted brace.

[@rjrguitar]

Not to change the subject, but I like the new satin-finish D-18 guitars. I think the thinner satin finish gets "out of the way" of a guitar's sound, and sounds more "natural" than a gloss finish. The tone seems to break in quicker on a satin finish as well, so much so that I doubt I would ever own a gloss Martin again.

[@thepokerpilotapp]

The Aged finish is the thinnest finish Martin offers. Probably around 0.003” thickness.

[@ronuyeyama4020]

That 72 sounds really good! Do you think that finishing the scallop and removing the popsicle brace on my 2012 d18 would make a significant difference?

[@Bryankimsey]

Shaving the rear back braces, popsicle, finish the scallop. All make "A" difference. Whether it's the change you want or whether it's significant it kind of your call. I don't have time to do it, though and finding someone who will/can is gonna be a challenge. :(

[@stevec.1802]

What modifications have been made to 72 D-18 other than removing popsicle brace and adding the vintage pick guard? Excuse me if I missed it in the video. 🎧

[@Bryankimsey]

Mods that will affect the sound: open back tuners, no popsicle, small black locust bridgeplate, Braz RW bridge w/ 2 1/4" spacing and vintage saddle, braces scalloped, bone nut, AA pins. Also has a neck reset and full fret job. This guitar is in pretty much every one of my comparison videos for the past 5 years and I comment nearly every time on how, when it first came in, it was one of the worst 70's D-18's I've ever played.

[@thepokerpilotapp]

No #3 and #4 shaved back braces?

[@Bryankimsey]

No.... tall back braces didn't come in until the early 90's.

[@carlosreira2189]

Both killer dreadnoughts. Will sink any Taylor, Collings, SCGC or other bourgeois imperialist navy ship! Black pickguard is brighter and punchier, the tortoiseshell is more kicked back into the throat if you know what I mean. Please share some of your specs, like top thicknessing, side thickness, brace specs, how much scalloping, so the world can know what makes the Martin sound unbeatable. Viva CFM.

[@Bryankimsey]

I don't do anything with the tops or sides. I just listen and feel the guitar and try to give it what I think it needs to amplify what it's already good at and strengthen what it's weak at. Like on the '72, I feel it asking for another Granadillo bridge and I will eventually probably give it one.

[@carlosreira2189]

@@Bryankimsey Ok, thanks bro. You got some good uns there. Blessings of success from the master, also from Nazareth.

[@lloydloar1]

No comparison. The D18 1939 Authentic is the clear winner.

[@Bryankimsey]

I'd be sad for it if it wasn't!

[@jasondonovan-oo3dx]

There's a 72 in a local shop for 1400 bucks. I honestly wouldn't give 500 bucks for it. For less I can get an Eastman that sounds as good as my 22 D18

[@3cardmonty602]

Shop guitar is better. Why would one want a guitar with no truss rod?

[@Bryankimsey]

They both have non adjustable truss rods. The A is a T bar, the 72 is a square tube.