Can you tell "D" difference? - Atkin Essential D vs Martin D18 Blindfolded Challenge

[@Hardjaxl]

7:41 - 7:50 is ''Lover, You Should've Come Over'' by Jeff Buckley. Nice taste Ariel.

[@timrichey7452]

Awesome comparison guys!,...been loving and playing "America's Guitar"/Martins for 27 years which is why I have 9 of them in the "herd", I have to say that Atkin sounded better, crispier, brighter than the D-18, as Ariel said, it sounds like it's been "played" as with a "Opened Up" vintage guitar, very impressed with these Atkin guitars, watched Paul Davids playing the 47 model this morning and had to check them out,...SWEEEEEET guitars!

[@bassax7045]

i see Ariel and Pete ,and click straight away (i'm not even that simple guy that shows up all over KZbin )

[@PetersSabers]

Great to have the two of you back, and doing acoustic stuff! Please do the same but with Gibson J-45 and Atkin equivalent

[@VaughnFelixMusic]

D18 got some boom to it like no other ❤️

[@LilSirAxolotl]

Man I really like that Ariel is back... I don't even care about the guitars 😋 just here to listen to these two guys jam

[@gawydion]

True

[@MickaelKrebs]

same here ^^

[@sonjavasey5197]

Amen! I just wish Pete’s guitar was louder for the intro!!!

[@JesseDylanMusic]

That Atkin is amazing. Hadn't heard of them before and assumed this would be comparing a D-18 to a budget copy. Now I see why the Atkin does so well! If I were British, I'd go with the Atkin. What's perhaps most astounding in this video is that the D-18 can keep up at all. The D-18 sounds awesome. The Atkin, while being merely the "Essential," is like a deluxe nod to a pre-war D-18, and the torrefied top should give it a big head start. But despite all that, the D-18 still sounds crazy good.

[@johngraydon506]

Yes but the players are great on both guitars but I think The D18 just edges it for me.

[@Takeiteasy11]

D 18 sounds way more balanced & appropriate for every situation

[@Hjaltland2]

Great test guys. Loved the outcome. I think your comments about the Atkins being a little brighter were right (but Im listening on a laptop)

[@leeneedham5636]

Great to see Ariel back in the room.

[@rastados2]

I'm absolutely with Pete on this one, that Atkins top is so alive it wants to fly out of the room. The Martin top is still closed and will get there in 20 years. The overtones on the Atkins were resonating high up on that G chord, if you listen closely the ones on the Martin seem to be at least a half tone down which was a little muddy. Great to see you guys together and thanks for all the awesome vids.

[@telefan2]

Nevertheless Pete bought a D18. Says it all. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@craigmarshall6960]

I played both the guitars today. The Atkin blows the Martin away. Sounds so much better in person compared to the Martin. I wanted something with a slightly wider neck so was sure I would walk away with the Martin. But couldn't not have the sound of the Atkin once I heard it. Currently sat with the Atkin Essential D no. 1039 infront of me now 😁😁😁

[@johngraydon506]

craig marshall im looking at an Atkin D burst model does the fret feel too close, i sjustvwant a light habd strum and fingerpick with what i buy at 71 I just want to have at home improve and feel good even though im basically crap

[@daveystrange]

Late to the party on this, but to my ears the Martin sounds a little smoother in comparison to the Atkin, the Atkin sounds a little... grittier. Maybe even 'older'. Both beautiful sounding guitars though!

[@headshrink1]

This is a great presentation. Best comparison Ive ever seen. The Atkin sounds more mature. Currently i have an option to buy in excellent condition Atkin Essential D. I have had a D-18, (my son-in-law has now) & owned a Collings D2HA sounded fantastic and have an old Martin J21M which is a super bass cannon. Looking forward to picking up the Atkin guitar Monday.

[@DeltaJazzUK]

Some lovely overtones going on with the Atkin but overall it might be a tad bright for my personal taste. Would have loved to have had a J-45 thrown into the mix as well!

[@yixuanwang2466]

Many months ago I commented "blindfold Pete or Ariel to test acoustic guitars" and I have it now. Andertons KZbin Channel is like Santa Claus.

[@ValveSpecial]

There’s a night and day difference on E minor. Martin: 17:46 Atkin: 17:59 Perhaps the angle to the mic is exaggerating the difference, it’s not clear whether it’s the same.

[@Fnicallo]

ValveSpecial i think so too! Must be angle to the mic

[@justinhobgood4312]

Coming back to this because I miss Ariel and Pete videos :(

[@TheToneLounge]

Both those guitars sound fantastic.

[@ThePlemon]

You guys make me smile...Every.Single.Time. Keep'em coming

[@15rtulpp]

I’m all for trying to tell the difference over a recording from a video, but I definitely believe you could tell more in person for sure

[@realjumper]

Can't tell the difference by sound, especially over KZbin, but both really nice guitars....and great playing.

[@Solitaer]

I have to say, very well played! To my ear there's major differences to the guitars. Atkin got a louder, more rich tone than the Martin. And Martin more bass and "muddy" sounding, which I typically prefer,so not bad at all! My take is that, although Martin is the original, that boutique brands like Atkin, tend to give more attention to their instruments. Maybe because there are fewer people involved? Not a major scale production? And all that comes in between. I say, and no offense to Martin, if it's not a vintage Martin guitar, I wouldn't buy it. If buying a new guitar with a bigger budget I'd either go for a brand like Atkin, Bourgeois, Collins etc. If buying a new one, but on a lower budget for pretty much similar specs as a D-18, go for Yamaha fg-5 for the fraction of the price. Sorry Martin! And to all that refer every other guitar than Martin's as "copies" that's just lame. Hats off to luthiers keeping the tradition and legacy of the great C.F Martin alive!

[@jdstan9650]

I have both the FG5 and the D-18...both are great, but despite similar materials, they are totally different guitars...and the D-18 is just better. It's easier playing, lighter, and more resonant than the FG5.

[@judosailor]

Those opening and closing jams, though.

[@rmyAddison]

You both are "players", cudos............. The Atkins is brighter, the Martin warmer and not quite as loud. FWIW been playing Martins for over 50 years, and tone woods are everything for different "voices". My last 5 Martins had 10 different woods (Adirondack/Mahogany, Alpine/ Madagascar, Engelmann/Tasmanian Blackwood, Sitka/EIR, Carpathian/Amazon). Owned 40 series, Custom Shops and Authentics, my personal all time favorite, not counting pre-wars....OM-18 Authentic '33, love Martins !~!~!

[@Lozh1993]

Now that jam....was frikin gold. Loving the acoustic stuff recently. Just bought a sire r7 after your vid

[@tonehunter8755]

A close friend of mine has got an Atkin and my other close friend has played it a lot, said its lovely but very bright and squeaky (we all live in Kent so have been aware of Atkin for some time). Larrivee are the best value for money imo

[@JennyGavinWear]

Had my Atkin for over 20 years, fell in love with it when I was in the shop. One of the feelings the guitar gives me is that it wants to be played, like it's encouraging me. I think it's very easy to get fogged by a brand name and Martin are obviously a bigger company with a highly polished brand name. When it comes to the actual sound it's highly subjective in two such close guitars. I was torn between them until that EM chord and the Atkin won it for me. I would like to hear 20 year old versions of each guitar with played-in strings. Maybe you could do some videos about guitar aging? Enjoyed your video very much. How about playing a song instead of the jam sometimes?

[@HenryPipes]

These are the videos I want! Great stuff! Cheers from America!

[@MrFrenchy77]

There’s a certain glaze in their eyes. Must have been a great Christmas party. I can imagine an Anderton’s party being lively!

[@mjt5576]

This Atkin, and all the Atkins I've heard have a bright, crispy quality. Some might hear it as thin and grating. The D-18 sounds like a Martin. It's warmer and more balanced. Martin still builds the best "Martin".

[@alivingsoulministries5437]

Loved the hilarity in this video by far one of Danish Pete's best videos... He made the answer sooo clear! Obviously no one can tell the difference... Great job Pete!

[@charlesmcgowen7238]

The Atkin is 'essentially' a copy of the D-18. I have a D-18 and it is a cannon.

[@TheVigilantStewards]

I thought the Atkin had a bit more ability to jangle metallically , but this was one of the closest blind shootouts for me I've ever heard

[@theflipsidersmusic6611]

When discussing guitars people always talk about sound or tone but what they often overlook is the feel, the feel of a guitar has a huge impact on how you play it. I happened to play a few Atkins the other day at Chicago Music Exchange, had never heard or seen them prior. As an owner of a 40' D18 and a 45' D28 I can say the Atkins felt like an old guitar, it really had that dry woody tone, open and vibrated like crazy, great stuff. You can get a new custom shop strat and a 62' and when recorded they can sound very similar, but that 62' is just gonna feel different (usually in a good way) However where I have noticed the biggest difference between new and vintage is in acoustics guitars and semi hollows. Old Gibson 335' tend to blow away the new ones.

[@o.m.marques8669]

I´m glad Andertons decided to shoot videos with Ariel. He´s now on a different wavelength

[@andertons]

For those of you who enjoy Ariel's noodles, he's playing a masterclass here in Guildford in Feb - Limited tickets available here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ariel-posen-masterclass-at-the-boileroom-tickets-54401785204

[@ukestudio3002]

Noodles .? Really ?! C’mon, man .. this is ease of play at such a high level ..

[@vernonhoover1387]

I think they were similar but from what I could hear No,i thought the cleaner tones came from the Martin.but whenever I get a chance to hear pete jam,im in baby!!!

[@dowaliby1]

Obviously both phenomenal guitars (and guitar players), but the simple G chord test, starting at around 11:30 (and later at around 16:40), was telling for me. There is just a certain integrity, balance, and trueness in the tone of the D 18. It's hard to describe, but a sonic picture is worth 1000 words.

[@patfix]

I hope - one day - to own one of these guitars. Especially like the Martin.

[@danielmuller1572]

Please do a comparison with the Atkin 43 and a Gibson j 45 too.

[@bluesysamurainao4557]

Cool performance!! Well done Atkin. When Pete played E minor, he changed an attack of picking slightly, I think. Good job. Both are great.

[@39MercFlathead]

Doc Watson did a blind test and chose a Gallagher for about 35 years of his career. Every guitar is different. My keeper dreadnought is a Santa Cruz D. But I played a Collins D-1 Adirondack slot head about 15 years ago that I still lust after. Cowboy chords aren't what I listen to when checking out a guitar. I want to hear what it sounds like from the 5th through the 9th or 10th fret. What notes make it really ring. What notes really resonate. But open strings and the first 3 frets don't do it for me. 55 years ago, when I was in college, I wrote a jazz piece in Bb. If the Bb and Eb are warm and rounded and all the strings sound and the guitar resonates forever, I can fall in love.

[@karl-wilhelmschreitz8549]

Me as a german has never thought that "made in UK" is the best quality! If it comes to Atkin acoustic guitars, its absolutely true. I am 65 years old and played a lot of those kind, now I found my desert island guitar, it is a Essential 0M of Atkin. A dream!!!

[@deancheese1006]

More acoustic paradiso. Can you do a taylor V brace versus top shelf martin

[@JesseDylanMusic]

The Atkin is definitely more open and chimey and airy, as you'd expect from a torrefied top and lighter build, lighter finish, but they are remarkably similar. The Martin is a little bouncier as you'd expect from a tighter top. I wonder how they'll compare in 10 years. Or even 1 year.

[@Mrplaysschecter]

KM184s sound wonderful! We use them at school all the time.

[@ArielPosen]

⚡️⚡️⚡️

[@olivier883]

Ariel, I'm not into acoustic but I'm dusting off mine right now and stealing EVERYTHING from this video !!!! *offline for a week'*

[@vespass225]

You notice their reactions, and that they don't dare to say the obvious...... And, I fully agree! Congrats, Atkins!

[@stephentyndall159]

Hahahaha Pete's sigh at 9:37 😂

[@vkelly1975]

Martin rings a bit longer but Atkins is nice to

[@WoodesosGuitarMods]

Hahaha... nobody has ever debated on the internet or otherwise, that the tone of an acoustic guitar is absolutely 100%, in every conceivable way, affected by all the woods, and by species of wood. What's up for debate is how a magnet works;-)

[@bobbrossify]

Woodeso's Guitar Mods exactly. People don’t understand the tonewood argument is against electric guitars and not acoustic. Last I checked wood is not metallic.

[@tuur-sn6vd]

8:58 you can just tell Pete wanted or started bursting out laughing after he said that hahaha

[@manuelskejic2676]

Do more of these!

[@chrisandsamlivingthedream]

Both awesome guitars...

[@gavinorourke32]

Simply splendid, lads. Beautiful playing. Good to see you again Ariel

[@stanislavmigra]

Ariel is easily my favourite acoustic player

[@pastorthomaso]

Hey, isn't it illegal to shred on an acoustic like that? Holy moley guys! Now that's some playin' right there!

[@amoamasamatitagain1715]

Do Andertons still sell Atkin guitars?

[@stephentyndall159]

Just a thought.. any chance of doing a sound hole pickup comparison?

[@iivil7432]

to my understanding, the tone-wood debate is whether an electric guitar pickup is capable of registering any perceivable difference in the body material. ive never heard any debate on the acoustic body, whether an acoustic or even an unplugged electric.

[@wungabunga]

Years later but... the debate is whether it's the bracing or the back/sides wood that makes all the difference. The top wood is a different kettle of fish.

[@telefan2]

I agree, the Atkin are great guitars. However, despite their enthusiasm Pete still bought the Martin D18 over the Atkin? Does that not say it all?

[@jasonmurkin3364]

Probably got a good deal from Andertons on the D18 as they are no longer selling Atkins guitars... maybe??

[@telefan2]

@@jasonmurkin3364 possibly, and I get the status of having Martin on the headstock. It’s a fair point. I have an Atkin and two Martins and the Atkin “ may” be worth less as a used instrument. But as a guitar, it stacks up well.

[@telefan2]

I bought the atkin. Louder, more resonant and great sustain.

[@ACOUSTIC_4LOVE]

Very close -but all the Atkins I’ve listened to have huge Mid range-but lacks the Treble to Bass Balance I look for! --Maybe it’s the torrified’/Baked top process. -Pre War’ Guitar company I think does a better job with the Balance -treble to Bass.

[@mikesg1776]

So now I can buy a Martin copy that's actually more expensive than the Martin original. Interesting to know. But why the hell would I do that?

[@venom663]

Mike SG the copy is based on the pre war model not the current modern model

[@manuelskejic2676]

It's not a martin copy

[@emilieetifier2624]

@@manuelskejic2676 Every kind of "dreadnought" style guitar is Martin copy.

[@rickeymitchell8303]

Because the reason you want a Martin in the first place you feel like the price is a 💯 awesome instrument with isn't always the case ive found more expensive guitars aren't as good as the best el cheap o guitars

[@707king]

venom663 just get the Golden Era series, no?

[@707king]

What’s less impressive is that a hand built small scale company guitar sounds like a guitar made by Martin. What’s more impressive is the fact that Martin is making guitars that sound as good as hand built small scale company guitars. Sheesh.

[@fredquimby3260]

The more I hear them the closer they sound to each other

[@davidkyle5552]

Have Andertons stopped doing Atkin guitars for some reason?

[@optimusprime3470]

Curious as to what gauge strings were on the two guitars when you played them? If I remember correctly, Martin's come with 13s stock, no? Also, I know its always personal preference but would you pick a Martin D18 or Gibson J45 for rock and blues?

[@jimrobb5289]

Very impressive, but why would you pay an extra £300 for the "copy"?

[@TartanCatholic]

All handmade though remember

[@kingstumble]

And British!!

[@jimrobb5289]

@@TartanCatholic The guys just gave a perfect demo of how that made no difference at all!

[@pd4165]

Coz it's relicked! Also rarer. And if you don't get hung up on the name then it's down to what floats your boat. My ex has a Martin (one of the cheap ones - which cheapens the brand) so I'm fancying the Atkin - which is moot because I'm not going to buy an expensive acoustic.

[@judosailor]

Jim Robb Kinda what I was thinking. “It sounds just like a Martin!” Only it costs more and doesn’t have the name recognition.

[@stratotonefm]

The wood colors of the Spruce Top aren't matched very good on the Atkin

[@julianholmanaudio4807]

Ariel's playing gives me tone wood!!

[@jebusgod]

Pete looks like he's questioning his own existence at times in this video......must have been a heavy party.

[@Paul_Lenard_Ewing]

It is4 in the morning and I have togo to work. Thanks for the great send off.

[@joek81981]

That first bit sounds like something Leo Kotke (sp?) would write. Te Veo ish specifically.

[@johngraydon506]

Different frett board width? Must tell you ?

[@BRAG450]

Man I love these blindfold challenges.

[@mickymillersson4376]

The Martin sounds like a Martin D18, that's it.

[@Bushdl85]

I did like the Martin better in this particular vid. However, Atkin guitars are outstanding instruments. I A/B-ed an 00018 by Martin and an Essential 000 by Atkin and the Atkin sounded way better to my ears.

[@Jpgr0004]

The Martin sounds fantastic in this vid. However, I had the chance to play both of these yesterday and the Atkin really blew me away with its sound. Truly incredible instrument. In person, hands-on, better than the Martin.

[@zerraticz]

My high-quality, audiophile-grade cell phone speakers tell me that this one is better than that one.

[@BulldoggerJK]

I’ve played the same Martin for over 30 years. I own two. I’ve been fortunate enough to play tons of vintage Martins and boutiques. I bought the first Atkin I ever played. That’s after playing 13 Collings at the store before. It’s the best guitar I’ve ever played. I’ve bought two more Atkin in the following 2 months and I’m eyeing another. Martin doesn’t hold a candle to an Atkin or a Collings for that matter. Just save the little bit extra and get an extraordinary hand built guitar instead of a mass produced cookie cutter Martin.

[@Fenar_]

Can someone tell me what he is playing at :53 is it just a triad run?

[@RaysTrack]

I prefer the Atkin as it's slightly more mellow but they're so close. However, the Martin name will make it easier to sell on.

[@12ealDealOfficial]

7:41 Jeff Buckley confirmed on Sounds Like, thanks Rabea! (I wish)

[@shnmclr]

So glad to see Ariel back on the channel. Got to see him live a few months ago, one of my favorite current players!

[@FloyDZeD]

Honestly they sound almost the same. The Atkin seems to have a hair more top end and the Martin a bit more low end but its very close. I'm curious if the difference would've been more apparent with some fingerstyle playing.

[@marchel9322]

Saizo Komiya how can you say something like that... You don’t hear what others hear... Please speak for yourself because to me they sound way different.

[@telefan2]

Just revisited this demo, imo those picking the Martin are looking at the headstock. For me the atkin is much more alive? Both great, but Atkin is the better one here 😏

[@GeronimoEgea]

Playing is so good it almost makes me not even care about the guitars hahaha

[@philou961978]

II want a Guitar Paradiso jam with Mary Spender, Danish Pete and Ariel Posen !!!PLEEEEEASE!!!!

[@Holtenstein]

Good Martins like the "authentic" and "golden era" series are amazing sounding. That's the level you can really hear a difference. It should give you a chill when you strum it. No chills= No good.

[@Orfix33]

Some of the standards since 2012 are absolutely chilling. I got really lucky and got one :)

[@RaceJan]

Both are great, but the Atkins is my personal favourite.

[@fannyingabout]

I played both the D18 and the Atkin Essential D alongside each other and for me the Atkin was absolutely hands down better. However this is a subjective opinion. The Atkin felt alive, punchy and resonant whereas the Martin felt flat and lifeless.

[@brandonin_ny]

After reading hundreds and hundreds of comments from numerous d18 videos you are literally the only one to leave such a downtrodden remark about the d18. Has every comment about them been positive? Of course not, but flat and lifeless? Perhaps it’s you that is lifeless.

[@fannyingabout]

@@brandonin_ny Perhaps you can’t read.

[@brandonin_ny]

@@fannyingabout good luck to you, sir.

[@fannyingabout]

@@brandonin_ny I would appreciate it if you didn’t use personal insults such as suggesting I’m lifeless - bad form. If you read my comment properly you would realise that what I said was my ‘subjective’ opinion - I didn’t present it as fact and I’m certainly not alone in in feeling that Martin guitars are not suitable for everyone. Are they great guitars, yes - do they sound great to everyone-no.

[@DementedAugminish]

To me the Martin had more lower mids and the Atkin had more upper mids. So Martin more bass Atkin more crispy. It's all what you want because they are close.

[@j0eb0t0]

7:40 beautiful AF

[@riverrambler5024]

Martin seems more deep and the atkin is brighter

[@hammyjammies]

My wallet can't, looks at the Martin and goes 'nope' and looks at the Atkin and goes 'nope'

[@thetattedpharmacist3215]

Super close for me but yeah, Atkins was slightly brighter to my ear

[@S8250503]

Unless you are a millionaire a Martin guitar purchase is a massive decision. It always seems just out of reach, cost wise. I eventually bought a D18 over ten years ago. It cost me £1250 brand new. A decision I have never regretted. Now look how much they are. Moral is, buy one now. Keep it for a couple of years and, if you really want to, you can sell it and get your money back. As much as I want to see people buy British I don’t think an Ashton would keep and increase in value. I bought a Martin D18 as, along with the D28 and D45, it is a part of history - for good reason. Almost every great musician of the twentieth century had one of these guitars, if not all three. I went from a Yamaha acoustic to the D18. I was a bit naive and thought that as it was called a dreadnought it would weigh a ton and be built like, well a battleship. Wrong - it was light and delicately crafted. When I played the Yamaha it sounded and played ok. When I played the Martin, not only did the sound coming out of the front sound so musical but you felt it through your stomach and chest. The guitar resonated through you whereas the Yamaha, not a cheap guitar, felt dead. Anyway. I would highly recommend the D18 to anyone, beginner to expert to collector. Also, I would buy it from Anderson’s not only for their great service but for Pete’s playing, which moves me.

[@DonLafontaine62]

The atkins is much brighter.

[@Calcium_Penguin]

Both guitars are great, but the Atkin has a Zing and a Brightness that beats the Martin. But that's just my opinion.

[@robertx1603]

So how does Atkin not get trouble from Martin for copying their headstock design?

[@gam1471]

I recall that Chris Martin once commented that if it's been made in the factory, it's a Martin. If it hasn't, it's not - he didn't seem at all concerned about others building their own 'take' on the Dreadnought design.

[@promoted738]

Those dried out tops really do make a big difference. Not only in this vid but in any other I've seen.