Martin 000-18 Demo & Review

#Martin #00018
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[@thomasmoore3822]

I have had one for a few years and love it. I really enjoy the short scale.

[@aaronshortmusic]

Congrats!

[@tedtanner]

While rosewood is wonderful, something I really love about the 000-18, and other mahogany guitars is that the more complex and lush overtones and volume of rosewood don't get in the way of, or overpower the vocals. Think Nick Drake or The Milk Carton Kids. The warmer, dryer, more fundamental tones of mahogany just sit wonderfully in the mix, complementing and supporting the vocals and allowing them to shine.

[@josephdraper9267]

Have you heard Chris Eldridge playing ‘round midnight? All those chords ring out because of what you describe as the dry mahogany sound

[@ricardosotosan2279]

I have a 000-18 because I love the Julian Lage style of playing...very melodic, and complex arrangements. The mahogany does have overtones despite of what everyone says (mahogany being dry, etc) but the overtones are simple and don't get in the way, that's why this guitar excels in fingerpicking and picking as well. As far as strumming goes, it is a smaller size guitar, but I also found that the type of strings and pick that one uses may affect how it sounds strumming. To me, if I strum it with a light pick with Santa Cruz low tension strings, the strumming sounds nice and deep.

[@dalemathison8293]

My dad bought my 00018 Martin when I was in high school. Traveled upper Midwest in group Mantle and with Midwest Challenge choir late 70s. Then I got my first Taylor. Became my main axe so Martin took a back seat . Put Nashville tunning on Martin. Transitioning now into barratone guitar, traded Taylor in for Boss harmonized amp and now want to fix up the Martin. So thanks for demo.

[@deanfarley389]

I own a 1991 000C-16 and a 2017 000-28EC. Love them both but the Clapton is my first string at the moment. Perfect description of the two types of wood used in these guitars.

[@aaronshortmusic]

Thanks Dean!

[@thomasmoore3822]

I have one and really like it. Was surprised how much I enjoy the short scale. Now I need an 000-28 to match it.

[@aaronshortmusic]

It would be good to compare those two back to back.

[@PEELIO-1]

I compared this as well as the 000-28, and to my ear, this sounds better. I love the mid-forward tone. Oddly enough, I’ve always enjoyed smaller body guitars, even though I’m 6’5”. It’s the tone, man. Thanks for the review

[@aaronshortmusic]

Thanks Tim!

[@MAFGTR]

Excellent review, Aaron. I purchased a Reimagined 000-18 last March and my feelings about it closely mirror yours. Although I, too, am a tall guy, I have long favored the OM/000 body size over larger guitars. I bought my 000-18 to add some variety to my little collection, which at the time of purchase included three OMs (two in spruce/rosewood and one in spruce/mahogany). I elected to replace the latter OM (a Martin OM-18GE) with the 000-18 in order to have a short-scale guitar at my disposal. Even though one might consider that “trading down,” I have been very happy with my decision. The 000-18 is an easier-playing guitar, and it yields very little tonally to the Adirondack-topped GE. And, like you, I appreciate the dry tone of the 000-18; it’s a nice alternative to my rosewood OMs. Every one of the newer 000-18s I have played over the last several years has been a winner. Martin seems to have achieved a high level of consistency with them.

[@dalemathison8293]

I have a 1972 ooo-18 . Needs a lot of reconditioning. This is encouraging me to get it going again.

[@RohitSguitar]

Great review, Aaron! I don't think the 000-18 stood up particularly well to heavy strumming, but the light strumming and fingerpicking is just heavenly. These style 18 guitars are so beautiful - I'm still loving my 00-18V, while wearing my Aaron Short Music soundhole sniiffer t-shirt of course :-D

[@aaronshortmusic]

Thanks Rohit. It makes sense that the short scale and smaller bodies don’t handle the heavy strumming quite as well but I was still impressed. Thanks for supporting the sniffers!

[@markjohnson6485]

Hi Aaron nice video . I like the 000-18 .I have a 00-18 and aD-18 modern deluxe. I find the mahogany doesn’t have the depth of rosewood but I like the weight reduction as I am over 60 years old .Also the VTS top on the modern deluxe does add to the mahogany sound in my opinion.Keep on keeping on. Thought the recording of the 000-18 sounded good. I watch your Sunday shows and you and Maury on Mondays.

[@aaronshortmusic]

Thank you Mark.

[@lhvent]

I have a new Alvarez AD66SHB which has a solid mahogany top and laminate back and sides. Such a sweet and mellow sound.

[@alexcorll90]

I really like the new mahogany guitars Martin has been putting out, much more interesting grain structure. It almost looks like my Sinker guitar. I heard they actually may have changed the source of their wood - rumor is it's now plantation grown mahogany from Fiji.

[@aaronshortmusic]

Thanks Alex. Actually I have seen others that don’t look as good as this one. I think it all depends on the wood they have available at the time. It would be interesting to know if they have changed something though!

[@johnbrewins6227]

I have three mahogany guitars Martin D-18 000-18 and Lowden F10c. Two rosewoods Lowden F35c and Avalon Legacy L32c . Only just got the 000-18 - was looing for an OM-21 but when I played this one, it just sang to me. I had the same experience when I first played the Lowden F25c back in 1996. You cant beat the Boom of the rosewood guitar if playing acoustically out ( i play Irish Trad and the Avalon is like two instruments in a session - big bass and big sound all round. But the mahogany guitars are great for recording and for playing in small settings. Such a lovely clear sound , and warm too. I'd better get a rosewood next time to balance up!

[@MarkACroft]

Thanks for this. I play Martin 000-12 and 000-13. MIM. With pickups. Both very comfortable, very affordable. I take them out to open mics and parties without any concerns. This 000-18 would in theory be an upgrade, but I've not been able to compare them together yet. I have a nice old D35 but the 000s are the ones that get played.

[@aaronshortmusic]

Thanks Mark. Let me know if you get a chance to compare them!

[@G_Demolished]

I bought the D18 because I like the tight punchy mahogany sound in a dread. The overtones and scooped mids of rosewood sound better to me on smaller guitars. I played a 00-28 that I really want now. It’s a big lush sound for such a small body.

[@aaronshortmusic]

That’s funny, I agree. Also about the 00’s!

[@davidbelcher2805]

Nice review Aaron. Nice sounding guitar. I wonder why Martin doesn't make a larger 0000 (M) size with Mahogany back & sides?

[@aaronshortmusic]

That would be interesting!

[@alexcorll90]

You can find custom one's around, though they may be pricey. There was also a J18 made as standard at one point, though it's since discontinued.

[@tedtanner]

Yes, keep an eye on Gruhn Guitars stock. They have done a few custom runs of Martin 0000-18 and 0000-15m guitars. The ones I've heard sound great. kzbin.info/www/bejne/l33PoXyhhK5_hpofeature=shared

[@swillis3987]

Aaron your Martin 000-18 review sounds great on KZbin. I love the tone of Martin guitars! The warm fundamentals, responsiveness and quick decay of Mahogany and Sitka sound terrific right out of the box. I own Maple, Mahogany and Rosewood guitars and like you prefer Rosewood/Adirondack combinations. However when it comes to the Mahogany of a Martin 000-18 it’s difficult to find a better guitar for recording?

[@aaronshortmusic]

I agree. Mahogany is excellent for recording and the 000-18 and D-18’s are classics. If. I had to choose it would be rosewood for me but I can see why people love these.

[@apwa85]

Hey Aaron. Great review. I particularly like how it records with the mic. I love the sound of rosewood guitars when others play them but not when I play them myself. Mahogany better suits my playing

[@aaronshortmusic]

Thanks for watching!

[@JonasA]

Hi Aaron! Really enjoy the show's. Just found out that Ry Cooder used a 000-18 for the 'Paris, Texas' soundtrack which surprised me a bit. My impression was that a shot scale mahogany guitar would work against subtle bottleneck playing such as Ry's in said movie, due to a drier tone and shorter distance in-between frets. I was planning to buy a OM-42 as I love the rich, full sound of it and someone told me the long scale was perfect for dropped tunings. I play fingerstyle (blues, jazz, rock, folkmusic, chorals, bottleneck) in Double Dropped D tuning and want a guitar that responds to the flesh of the fingers. OM-42 semt perfect, but realising Ry Cooder used a 000-18 on 'Paris, Texas' makes me hesitate. If it's good for Ry, it's good for me - and at half the price of the OM-42. I'm used to rosewood (000-28 EC, a custom ordered Santa Cruz), but mahogany is a slightly different ballgame and could be nice for a change. On the other hand, I assume OM-42 hold it's value better. Slightly confused, hahaha... Any thoughts, Aaron? 000-18 and OM-42 are only available on special order here in Sweden for the time being, so I can't test them.

[@aaronshortmusic]

There is simply only one answer Jonas… buy BOTH! Haha but seriously they are both such different voices. I would start with the 000-18 since Ry used one and then save up for the OM-42.

[@JonasA]

Confusion continues, Aaron. On 'Vigilante Man' Ry uses what appears to be a D-45. Never been listed in the list of Ry's guitars, but sonorously close to the guitar used on the 'Paris, Texas' soundtrack. So maybe a 000-42 is the way to go? kzbin.info/www/bejne/rmWunpWLeNyer6c

[@aaronshortmusic]

@@JonasA The 000-18, OM-42 and D-45 are all classics and don’t really replace each other.

[@JonasA]

True. But after + 40 yrs as an internationally touring and recording artist with too many guitars, I now need just one acoustic guitar to rule them all... ;-)

[@aaronshortmusic]

@@JonasA That has to be YOUR decision. I would go with the OM-42 but that’s just me.

[@scorpiousjr]

Nice review. It’s a great guitar.

[@susanbork8023]

I’ve been looking for a while for a new guitar that is smart since I have a big dread knot and I am a small female! With arthritis on my left thumb so this guitar seems perfect for me getting ready to go try it out today along with the 00028… I pretty much on two guitars one being my old dreadnought Martin and the other being a newer Teton both Rosewood so I kind of want a different sound since I’ve only been playing for a few years and I figure later on I can move to the 00028 or something else that might fit me… this is been a trying journey for me all my guitars I find get sold Before I can get to them so I am latching onto a brand new one today… I think… Wish me luck

[@aaronshortmusic]

Good luck Susan! I usually prefer rosewood myself but our ears are all different. It’s best to try them first and choose what you like.

[@susanbork8023]

Thank you Aaron!! Like I said they have both … mahogany and Rosewood I’m coming home with one tonight I believe! You’re right it all depends on what they sound like side-by-side… I’m bringing my Dreadknot just to compare!! Thank you for your reply I appreciate it very much!! If I end up with mahogany my plan is to get a Rosewood for sure down the road ..like I said I already have two rosewoods.. one Martin dreadnaught… i’m so confused but maybe it will be all cleared up tonight! I feel pat because everyone says guitars are so hard to get you have to wait so long so I need a smaller guitar ASAP not to rush into it but I’ve been checking this one out for a little while… both Rosewood and mahogany….. geez I could talk guitar all day!!!! Thanks again! I’ll update you!!!

[@aaronshortmusic]

@@susanbork8023 Have fun!

[@christhompson5553]

What did you get, inquiring minds want to know. I just got a new 000-18 and love it!

[@tbeau6663]

George Martin preferred a mahogany tonewood for recording acoustic guitars.

[@stickytriggers5513]

What is the depth of the neck on the first fret and the ninth fret?

[@chrisnungester250]

I believe, A new mahogany guitar ... Brightens up quicker. As the mahogany wood dries or seasons quicker....Than the expensive Rosewood guitar...And may have a straighter and tighter wood grain....plus you get the idea that the guitar maker prefers mahogany wood.,.cmn

[@aaronshortmusic]

I still prefer Rosewood in general.

[@lw216316]

why is the 000-18 so much more expensive than 15, 16 or 17 ?

[@aaronshortmusic]

Higher specs. Full dovetail neck joint, ‘better’ woods etc.

[@cozxmos]

Hey Aaron how tall are you? This 000 looks tiny in your hands 😅

[@aaronshortmusic]

6’5

[@cozxmos]

@@aaronshortmusic now it makes sense! From a 6’1 guy hehe

[@aaronshortmusic]

@@cozxmos LOL! I still like small guitars though!

[@cozxmos]

@@aaronshortmusic me too!

[@startreker8591]

He did not compare it with rosewood 😂

[@aaronshortmusic]

I don’t have access to a 000-28 rosewood unfortunately.