Martin 000-18 Modern Deluxe Review - One Man's Guitar

All music composed and performed by T.S. Phillips and used with permission, except "For A'That," a 17th Century Scottish folk tune in the public domain.
This video is the companion to the written review at onemanz.com

[@michaelashe5265]

I have a standard 00018, would really love to try one of these

[@Zed.90]

the standard is just fine. The MD models are MUCH brighter, the standard is much warmer

[@daverenick5830]

I tried many samples of both and finally found a good modern deluxe and that was it. I was looking for the brightest 000-18 I could find. I was not after a volume boost at all but it is more responsive so if you play harder it is louder. Also the neck has softer shoulders so it's a little faster than the standard. Both are terrific . I played one standard in particular, a new one, that was beautiful. I prefer mahogany in the 000 series and you can't go wrong with either, but there is so much sound variance among the same model. No 2 pieces of wood sound the same. These are hand assembled from assembly line pieces so they don't focus on one guitar from start to finish, so you should try as many as your patience will bear. Another reason I like the MD version is the metal bridge pins (which I assume you could buy separately) and the carbon fiber plate under the bridge inside the guitar. It just makes sense, conducting metal strings through metal to a hard synthetic makes the metal sing more when it interfaces with wood. The torrefied top (VTS system) is part hype and part 'true'. I mean yes, it opens up the sound and makes the other martin 000's, the 28, the 28EC, etc. sound a little dull by comparison (and I owned the 28EC but couldn't play the huge fat neck comfortably) but it does NOT sound like an old Martin as they claim. I have played pre war 000-18's and that is a separate animal. If you can spend high 6 figures on a guitar and not even feel it, then THAT is what you should buy. Having said that , the new 000-18's MD or standard are 2 of my favorite Martins, that and the D-18. I like these more then the D-45's and the 00-42 OM's as well. The mahogany makes the difference. I like it more then east Indian rosewood by a mile. And the 000 especially in the MD version has a bright super clear airy kind of sound. It isn't as 'warm' as the standard, but if I was after lush warn tone I'd have bought a dreadnought. The only thing I wish I had bought was the electric version, but at the time I didn't know they put the pickup in that model. I used to have a grudge about putting pickups inside good acoustic guitars but when I heard some samples about how great you can make them sound without feedback, it changed my mind. You probably made your decision by now, (I just looked at the date on this). So in sum, a good sample of either is a fine instrument, and if I could do it again, I'd get the same guitar, the 000-18 MD, with the Fishman pickup.

[@michaelashe5265]

Yes, the whole 18 series is great! I had a 00-28 and should it fast. Very unbalanced, and a little harsh. Came with to try a 000-18MD

[@daverenick5830]

@@michaelashe5265 I owned and returned the 000-28 standard, the 000-28MD, and the 000-28EC. I like the EC the best of the 3 but compared to the 18's they sound like they have wet towels shoved in the sound holes.

[@michaelashe5265]

@@daverenick5830 Haha, I have D28 that I love, but yeah, overall I like the 18 series. (Meant to write above that I SOLD it fast. And CAN'T WAIT to try...)