Highest Level J45 vs D18 - (Murphy Lab vs Authentic Aged)

[@michaelenosmusic]

I do not get all the complaints about strumming. It IS the essential function of a guitar. I am not a bluegrass player. So personally I am going to want to hear how it strums. And Quinton is a fine player. Let the man play what he feels.

[@jimmusson]

Yes

[@G_Demolished]

Banging on chords is fun but people dropping that kind of money want to hear nuanced playing too.

[@Anthony-qh1xv]

I agree. It is subjective. who cares.

[@startreker8591]

I will get d18 standard btw I did strum Gibby y bought an om 28…d 28 was okay too…I had the om28 set up

[@PJ-qk6kp]

Thank you. So many "tone" reviews are almost entirely fingerstyle. I for one am happy to see a strum-centric demo.

[@WoodworkerDan]

I am a big fan of the Martin D 18, but to my surprise I strongly prefer the tone of the Gibson. I also think it is a great looking guitar. And please, keep strumming! That's what I need to hear.

[@joeldowdy404]

They are both beautiful and sound fantastic.

[@anthonyb2334]

Both are amazing. I’m a Martin guy… but this J45 is extremely nice. Thank you for your videos

[@JonathanCurry-rs4kh]

Nice comparison. If had to choose I would take the 45. Some incredible guitars being made right now

[@smandez2023]

Such a variety of options between the two, and it really comes down to what a given player's needs are. Aside from that, they are both clearly wonderful sounding guitars!

[@rentalguy1]

I have owned practically every model of Martin ever made, and quite a few Gibsons over the years. The two that I have kept in my private collection are the standard D-18 and the Southern Jumbo. The sound of rosewood is nice, but I am a mahogany man all the way.

[@gladesowards]

Martin guy here. I've been cross-shopping both of these for months, and my sense is that the D-18 Authentic is more versatile and polished, but the J-45 Banner/Banner Murphy is WAY more interesting. The latter probably isn't a "quiver of one" guitar (unless you have a really specific style that it matches), but wow does it work as a complementary sound to round out a stable of guitars. Very spooky sounding in person. Like a piano in an old saloon vs. a standard grand piano. Really special.

[@roytube10]

"caffeinated or intoxicated" quinton has cracked the code!! awesome compare video. both amazing and probably the best way to have someone hear the main difference between martin and gibson acoustics. you can close your eyes and hear the various recorded songs that feature each.

[@raymondreeder3274]

You can't go wrong with either..they both sound amazing..I'm partial to the J45 but I would be proud to own both/either please 😊 in the hands of capable players.. both are stars.

[@tcjensen1]

The biggest thing I notice when switching between these is the fretboard radius and nut width. I simply prefer the flatter board and wider nut of the Martins on an acoustic. I do like the short scale of the Gibson though, and the way the mids jump out.

[@shred5]

I got to play an authentic D-18 a few weeks ago, it was fantastic, definitely a step above the standard D-18 but I had to force myself to stop playing it because I saw the price tag and did not need to take that home.

[@toddheimbuch5429]

I ain't gonna choose. I will be wise, and get both.

[@ratwynd]

I have owned a 1971 J50 since new. Cost me $245 in 1971. It has blossomed with aging and still goes out to play on occasion. Rich balanced and smooth tone even though from the early NORLIN period of Gibson when they started building brick guitars. I own a 2019 Martin D35 as well. Very different voicing. Both beautiful and rich but the overall feel is really apples to oranges. Tonal balance is very different, more even on the Gibson. Boomy on the Martin. Why would you want multiple guitars that all sound alike.

[@acousticaddiction7719]

That Murphy lab j-45 might just be the best sounding guitar I’ve ever heard.

[@garrettchristopher3462]

I have a d28 and a j45. J45s are awesome my man! Also, 18 and j45 aren't that far apart. Different shapes, more lacquer on the 45.

[@frogblues]

I've got the 42 Banner just not the aged one. So the same guitar before it went to the lab to get marked up. It's the best guitar I've ever played and I can't put it down. I'm aging it on my own, and saving the extra $1200, lol

[@Iron-and-strings]

@@frogbluesit’s not the same bro, Camaro vs corvette

[@frogblues]

@@Iron-and-strings They literally take the Custom shop 42 Banner as their starting point. It's the same guitar just aged in the Murphy Lab.

[@rzh3443]

The D18 has a slightly bigger body (square shoulders), but the J45 had the Gibson thump and , surprisingly , more projection.

[@raymondperez1110]

I'm curious, what gauge strings on these Guitars, the Martin usually come with Medium gauge, but the Gibson usually come with Light gauge, wouldn't the gauge strings make a difference?

[@johncrane6673]

For me, it's the D-18. I (old + arthritis) find smaller guitars easier to play. But, if you could just put that D-18 tone in a concert sized guitar, I would truly own only one guitar. OK, that's a lie...

[@mariodriessen9740]

I’ll have both please. Thank you. ❤

[@jjmuni]

I have a aged Atkin 000-28 that sonically is having the Gibsons for breakfast but for some reason I still prefer them Mahogany guitars. Theose two are both great guitars for a lifetime.

[@CenterThePendulum]

Those Atkins are incredible, under-built and under-priced for certain. Few have had the chance to play them, but top-tier without a doubt.

[@johnwashburn3793]

I have played one in Springfield, Missouri and it was very impressive. I already own a D-18GE (which has Adirondack top).​@CenterThePendulum

[@twopoms]

I also own an Atkin J45 with a baked spruce top and rosewood back and sides ebony fingerboard and bridge that is superb. I also own a Recording King RAJ 26 SN that is superb. Both fitted with LR Baggs Anthem SL’s. The Atkin just edges the Recording King but only just and my mind changes on that on any given day. I string them with D’Addario phosphor bronze XS 12’s which are amazing strings.

[@soofitnsexy]

awesome have u played the atkin 18 style? mahogany?? thanks@@twopoms

[@twopoms]

No I haven’t played any other Atkin apart from mine. I got mine used from a guy who got it NOS from a store that had custom ordered it to their specification. I got it for a fantastic price too good to disclose.😮. I have a 000 126 Recording King that is a superb guitar. Obviously it lacks power by comparison to a dreadnaught. But it has a beautiful balanced tone for recording with no or minimal EQ required depending on the microphone / placement. The early Recording Kings are generally lightly built and resonant. Imho they are ‘sleepers’ in terms of IYKYK. You don’t see many for sale on the used market…

[@davehenriksen2073]

Martin all the way.

[@christthernikow274]

They say that only a gibson is good enough! But I say only a martin satasfieds your soul !!!!

[@MrJbangoy]

Maybe it's the mic or the speakers in my car but the Gibson sounds harsh. I'd need to hear them in person

[@danleyrold45]

I prefer the tonality of the Martin over the Gibson. The Gibson may be a little louder than the Martin but louder doesn’t always mean better in my opinion. The Chordal blend of the Martin is more pleasant to my ear.

[@bosse641]

I agree.

[@benadam7084]

I have the non aged version of both and I would be shocked if the J45 is louder in the room. The j45 has it's own thing and it's great but compared to a martin D shape especially an authentic it is not loud, I'm often shocked by how much quieter it is. It's a good thing though a martin can easily overpower a singer.

[@BB-ft6nd]

They both sound fantastic. Anyone with the cash to buy either will be happy...

[@russg.9348]

Martin for my ears

[@richardlucascronley5128]

Gibsons have a beautiful mystery to their tone

[@jbilly24]

I own an early 37' D18Authentic and love it but this Gibson is impressive! It carries the mid's more out front making for a more direct "open" sound. Oh great, now I've got to figure out how to tell the wife I need another guitar, lol.

[@trollstjerne]

Gibson has the more louder in your face grainier mids, but lack the depth of the Martin. Martin has low mid cut/scooped mids, but with more highs and lows. I like both.

[@tomasvanecek8626]

None of mahogany B/S Martins have scooped mids. The RW ones have.

[@trollstjerne]

The J45 has more pronounced mids, so compared to that the D18 sounds a bit scooped. Guitars made of rosewood does not have scooped mids, they just got more lows and highs. A more balanced sound.

[@tomasvanecek8626]

@@trollstjerne It is like the bottle is half full or half empty ;) The J45 is not a full sized dreadnought in the first place.. the Hummingbird and Dove are... And if, as you rightly say, RW guitars have more lows and highs (or overtones more exactly) - then the mids ARE scooped.. in this context, right ? The most balanced sound to me have maple B/S guitars, like SJ 200 or even better SJ 185 .. my favorite

[@dividedbytimestudios]

I have a J-45 standard, those banners have an extra jangle, mine is more tamed, but still fairly new, I do prefer the Martin bridges, the J-45 in this video, the bridge is too light and ashy looking

[@peterbyrne178]

Fab sound from both ...i d take the Martin

[@rickhadley2203]

The Martin sounds great, but the J45 is just plain awesome.

[@randallstevenson1973]

Why doesn't Gibson ever make 1 3/4 nut size? I often wondered, I look at and compare Martins and Taylors because of that.

[@todddammit4628]

There is only one right answer to this age old debate: both. I currently have an amazing D18 that I hand picked from a big lineup. Still need to get a good J45.

[@soofitnsexy]

what kind?? standard? or did u go CS martin??

[@tomasvanecek8626]

J45s differ a lot... I never found one I´d snatch, but this one here sounds great

[@slpc30]

Oh wow that's two amazing guitars

[@WhiteVelvet40]

Always been a fan of the Murphy Aged on the electrics but I've yet to see an Acoustic Murphy Lab that I thought looked tasteful

[@bogarbill6331]

The J45 all day long ❤

[@blindcanseemusic]

the Gibson has a "muffled" sound compared the the Martin. A good muffled sound.

[@tomasvanecek8626]

I wonder what you are listening to....

[@Castely19xx]

Dari segi suara yang dihasilkan saya cinta j45, tapi dari tampilan saya suka martin d18❤

[@rinkydinky-ob9pe]

I like the neck and weight of the martin much better for my needs so I sold my j45 and bought a d28 🥳

[@RahulSharma_JaiMataDi]

D18 Absolute BEST look no further ..... Martin no one can beat

[@RWUBRISTOL]

Both are fabulous, but if I could afford one of them, I'd go with the Gibson. It has a fuller, more lush sound.

[@westwalnutrecords]

Martin sounds more crispy in a good way. Bigger brighter. Gibson sounds boomier...... Might just be the playing, who knows. But hot damn what a sexy gibson

[@garywilliams6692]

45 all day long

[@Randorita]

I know this says vs, but that suggests a winner and a loser. Both are winners. I would buy the Martin, but only because I am a Martin guy.

[@steveb9325]

D-18

[@DB-rr1eo]

The J-45 has more mid-range. The Marting has the Martin mid-range scoop.

[@gam1471]

I wish that Martin would stop using the 'aged' finish - it just looks like sprayed-on yellow paint, nothing like a genuinely old guitar. It doesn't take long for clear nitrocellulose lacquer to darken and mellow - and it looks much better. In case you're wondering, for a while I owned a secondhand D-18 which I bought at a good price. That finish irked me every time I looked at it!

[@biagiocauso2791]

My D18 Authentic was mud like a dud and the same for M36, Om 21, Om 28. The best Martin I had was a 00015 M beautiful sound I sold it for the Authebtic big mistake. After 3 J45 standard 1 dude and 2 very good but modern sounding I can tell my J45 1942 banner sounds very very good, still not like a real '40. The old wood was on another level sad but true.

[@ClaytonWillisMusic]

That Gibson sounds huge

[@nige99]

At 08.10 he plays a bluegrass lick on both i honestly cannot tell the difference my ears are 55 years old ! Lol

[@Jam-m7m]

Wow. The Gibson won

[@tomasvanecek8626]

indeed

[@christinepropper3661]

Potato, Pahtato

[@multipipi1234]

Doodlbap rooodies.

[@darthsensei3838]

Martin.

[@Stephane_Pro]

Who wins? Honestly, the cheapest!!!😅

[@jonathanboss131]

As I've grown as a musician, I have come to prefer D-18's, but I think when everyone's first getting into the acuoustic world the D-28 ranks #1 on the bucket list.

[@Cowboy2659]

LOL yeah cause everyone can afford a D28. maybe the Dreadnaught is the most selling but not specifically the D28

[@11KT11]

D18 by a country mile for me. The J45s of late sound a bit buckety (like a cheap chinese guitar usually does)

[@tomasvanecek8626]

How many Martins and Gibsons do you actually own, expert ? Thanks for coming by anyway...

[@loringuysingersongwriterfo1917]

D18 is an amazing guitar but no way the "Flag Ship".. the D28 may well be the best selling but when we talk about "flag ships" lets talk 40 series (40,41,42,45)

[@tomasvanecek8626]

For sake of comparison, this was about mahogany B/S guitars, not rosewood...

[@billdedrick1914]

Strumming every guitar does little to display the guitar voice or tone. You should learn how to extract tone not just strum hard.

[@timwaterlow3702]

Well strumming is also part of displaying voice?

[@billdedrick1914]

His aggressive strumming is annoying to the ear...does very little to show the guitars actual tonal palate..@@timwaterlow3702

[@gam1471]

Agreed - a few notes played slowly and deliberately, low to high, caressing the guitar (so to speak) to extract a full tone would I'd say be helpful for listeners. There's nothing wrong with good strumming (Pete Townshend of The Who comes to mind - brilliant!), but these guitars also have lots more to offer.

[@Narrowboat.and.offgrid.living]

Eastman e10ss is much better than the gibo 45

[@tomasvanecek8626]

lol, just lol

[@slowhandblues187]

Eastman are very good value for the money and do sound really good but compared to the 1942 Banner Reissue Gibson or Murphy Lab 1942 Banner, there is NO comparison. NONE whatsoever. That is not a knock against Eastman but you get what you pay for.

[@Michele_R13]

Sir, please strum LESS!! It's not like the more You strum the better it sounds...PLEASE. Strum. LESS!! WHAT THE HECK. Let the strings resonate once in a while...

[@madamkirk]

Lol. Who cares? I mean, I can hear it fine.

[@Christ-is-King-]

He is an amazing guitar player. Playing hard shows that it can hold up to that. Some guitars don’t sound good strummed hard.

[@soofitnsexy]

make some vids and we can comment ???

[@gregoryrupp6097]

I think he’s a really great player and musician! He likes to dig in and I would too if I had those guitars in my hand 😂

[@Michele_R13]

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be disrespectful. On the contrary, I actually admire that way of playing: great left hand, amazing skills, strong personality...but my point is: it's not possible to hear and enjoy the sound of a guitar, in all its aspects/nuances, if one always strums so much. Ok, that can be good for a few moments, or a bit more...but not for the whole review's duration. I'm sorry that my comment was a bit excessive, but it's not the first review where such thing happens. It was just a suggestion, with deep respect and admiration.

[@multipipi1234]

I'm a bungalow guy personally.