D-18 Authentic 1939 (non-VTS vs VTS)

This is my first attempt at trying to compare the sound between two Martin D-18 Authentic 1939 guitars.
One of the guitars was built in 2015 and has Martin's new Vintage Tone System (VTS) which sports a torrefied Adirondack spruce top and braces. The 2013 model is non-VTS.
Recorded with a stereo-matched pair of small diaphragm microphones (SE Electronics sE5) into a Line 6 StageScape Mixer. No effects or other processing applied other than the left mic is panned 30% left and the right mic panned 30% right. The pick I’m using is a BlueChip Pick TD 50.
Sorry for the cropped video at the top. I didn’t realize I had really bad headphone hair sticking up all over. Also, my video camera ran out of space, so the last part of the video is missing.
Thanks for watching!

[@sbolfing]

If I were 30 years younger, I'd with the non-VTS! But, don't have that many years left... Doesn't the Authentic 1939 have a thinner finish?

[@Dildobagginses]

Thank you for this comparison. I think the non vts is perfect, while I understand others would choose the vts for the more complex sound. People didn't buy them in 1939 for how theyd sound in 50 years they bought them for how they sound right then. I do like my a year or so to break in tho =)

[@DogDaze66]

Great player!

[@kennyfarley341]

Thanks

[@BillyBrownBluegrass]

Great vid man I subbed ya Thanks for posting. Ive got a d28a 1941. I was torn between mine and the 39 d18. If I could've played both of em I might have picked the 18 I love the hog guitars

[@BoydTimothy]

+Billy Brown Thanks! I'd love to try the D28A some day. I'm still loving the one I kept and play it almost every day. They are pretty amazing guitars.

[@dogiego]

Hi Rb3, can you tell me what the fingerpicking song is just after 1:50 in your video. Sounds very nice. I'm not sure if its just a short 'lick' or a song. Looks like you were playing from the 5th fret maybe (mic is covering up your left hand somewhat). Thanks!

[@BoydTimothy]

Thanks! The tune is Deep River Blues. Great song. I wish I could play it like it should be played. Still making progress. Look up Doc Watson's version. A number of other people have done it too. Best of luck.

[@mikecosgrove]

The non VTS looks and sounds better. Not just on this video but on other ones I have seen. Once again it is a company that overthinks something that has been simple and successful and then change it. It is cheaper for Martin to do the VTS just like it was for Gibson with the VOS.

[@rosewoodsteel6656]

Thanks for the comparison! I'm listening through the speakers on a laptop, so what I'm hearing is not the best audio. With that in mind, I like the non VTS. And, correct me if I'm wrong, but the VTS is more expensive than the standard, so it would be a no brainer for me. Which guitar did you like the best?

[@BoydTimothy]

Thanks! At that time there was no difference in price. I kept the non-VTS one because I felt like it sounded better - maybe had a little bit more chime. However, I have since sold it and now play a Pre-War Guitars Dreadnought (mahogany back and sides) which happens to be a torrefied Adirondack top.

[@rosewoodsteel6656]

@@BoydTimothy How does it compare? I was looking at them, as well.

[@BoydTimothy]

@@rosewoodsteel6656 After 5+ years, I still have the Pre-War. I still like it a lot and it’s treated me pretty well. One of my favorite parts is that because it is pre-distressed, I don’t have to stress as much about babying it like I did that Martin. I also like how it sounded brand new (and still now) compared to the Martins (they sounded too new).

[@pickbow4865]

Good stuff

[@kennyfarley341]

Are those the monel strings?

[@BoydTimothy]

They were D'Addario EJ17 (medium phosphor bronze).