Martin 000-18

[@Brian-qg8dg]

000-18 is an all around great guitar for finger playing or strumming. It has suberb high end without ever sounding sterile, mids are pure of the "Martin sound". Low-end is solid and deep. The size and playability are both wonderful. When recording, you usually will need to cut a little on the deep low end, but much less than you would usually want to with a large dreadnought

[@Zed.90]

I need a guitar to play while singing. So i went to my local shop and tested much, heared every guitar on the youtube and read through forums between the: 000-28, 000-28 MD, 000-18, 000-18 MD, OM-28 and OM-28 MD and i think the 000-18 might be the right one for me. All of the Modern Deluxe guitars are very nice but they are more suited to play without singing. For a nice warm sound while singing the 000-18 and the 000-28 are very nice options, even the OM-28 was very "in-your-face" and direct, same with the modern deluxe series, the guitars sings with you in a duet instead beeing a accompaniment to your voice. And the golden standard nowadays and in the past is the Gibson J-45, which is too big for me, i like the triple O size. The J-45 is like the 000-18 spruce top and mahogany sides and back - beautiful combination for notes that doesn'r ring too long so you can hear the voice niceley. I think the Martin 000-18 is a marvelous choice for singers/songwriters and even small stages. If i wanted to impress with the Guitar and let it sing, my choice probably would be the OM-28 Modern Deluxe. I hope that helps anyone ...

[@strawjam59]

I just got a brand spanking new 000-18 yesterday and the sustain on this guitar is incredible.

[@mikestunes2365]

I was wanting a small bodied guitar and narrowed it down to the 00-18, 00-28, 000-18, and 000-28. After watching a bunch of Ian's great videos, and trying them all out in person at three different music stores, I ended up with the 000-18 three days ago! (Really wish they were all at the same store!) Today I was wondering if I made the right decision, so I brought my guitar to a music store that has the 00-28 and 000-28 in stock. I went back and forth between them all for about 15 minutes and then felt confident I made the right decision. The 28's have more sound for sure, particularly more bass. But that can lead to a bit more muddiness. I had to go back and forth a lot to know for sure I made the right choice. I really loved the sound of the 00-28 for finerpicking. Ultimately the 18 has a more soothing sound, has more clarity, and sounds great strumming as well as fingerstyle. Strumming on the 28's gets too muddy for my ear. When i got home I put on some nickel bronze strings (daddarios) and OH MAN this thing sounds even better now! Even more clarity, and just such a pleasant sound that I don't want to put it down. Note, I love nickel bronze on my other mahogany guitars (Gibson J45 and Martin D15M) so it makes perfect sense I'd like them on the 000-18. I highly encourage anyone with a 000-18 to give NB strings a try.

[@wheninroamful]

I put the NB on my HD28V and like them for sure, now have XS on (not particularly a coated string fan) but i really like them. Also, the Martin Marquis silked 80/20 sounded great to; they don't have that PB sparkle, but you can sure hear how great the tonewoods are with them. I like a lot of different strings, was trying to find "the one" but i may just keep a rotating few thru the years?... Im here cuz im about to order a Custom Shop 000-18 with 1 11/16 nut width and Ambertone and slotted headstock if this all doesn't get too spendy. Id like a 0000-18 but not sure how much more that would be. Was first gonna get a custom D-18, but I have the HD28V and always hear old guys say they are selling their prized Dreadnought cuz of shoulder problems wrapped around the deep body, so part of the decision to go with 000 is the long game, wanna get "thee one' that Ill die with and play it up untill then. Anyway glad you feel confident that you picked the right one, hard to pick the wrong one with all these incredible guitars Martin makes, but it is hard to know; ENJOYYYY!!!!!

[@ryanbender2462]

This video made me choose the 000-18!! Thanks Ian:)

[@stevenotice2918]

There are other good guitars but Martins sound the most consistent. In your videos especially you get the tuning right every time. There is no perfect tuning for a guitar but your method achieves a round and balanced tone that sounds equally good on all the major open chords. If you could say a few words about that I’d be obliged (and we’d all be better educated!) 👍

[@ianmeadows6351]

Hmmmm there's not really anything special I do. I use an electronic tuner to get in the ballpark and then I'll play whatever chord I'm going to be playing around (say a G) and then adjust individual strings as needed by ear.

[@caseychomiczewski7377]

Thanks for the demo! It help me decide.Love the smell of mahogany

[@stormyweather2837]

Awesome sounding guitar. I'm looking at this or a 000 16e I think that one has granidillo back and sides. Beautiful playing my friend. 😊

[@jaredcaldera]

Look at his review of Eastman E10 om Then come back to this and trust me, you won’t want a martin anymore😂

[@biffbifferson5042]

@@jaredcaldera made in China! No thanks. Martin all day.

[@jaredcaldera]

@@biffbifferson5042 I understand the made in china part is scary. But if you watch their factory tour and realize they hand make their guitars unlike Martin, and they (Eastman) compare more to a boutique guitar like Collings, Huss and Dalton, Bourgeois, Santa Cruz, rather than Martin that uses any wood they can get their hands on. Eastman hand selects the tops backs and sides like the boutiques. I wouldn’t recommend the sitka tops just because spend a grand more and get a martin, but I would recommend the adi tops. They sound amazing. Don’t get me wrong, I am saving up for a 00018 (my dream guitar). But Eastman is a good alternative. (Edit) I know my first comment from 8 months before is quite on the contrary to this one. But I have come to realize everyone should own a Martin if they can.

[@biffbifferson5042]

@@jaredcaldera my boycott of China is a moral one. Their culture is incompatible with my values. I’d support South Korea and Japan over china any day. But my loyalty is with my country and my people. These are my choices and I understand you feel differently. In the end I am glad you play guitar like I do, friend.

[@biffbifferson5042]

@@jaredcaldera and yes Eastman guitars are nice from what I have seen.

[@OpenEyeComa]

I’ve had a whole lot of Martins come and go over the last few years, buying,selling, trading etc...sold my 000-28, and kept my 000-18...I love my D-35 and OM-21 as well, but if I had to keep just one, it would be the 000-18...traded my 08’ D-28 for the 2020 D-35, and the 000-18 is a 2020 as well...the OM is a 2002...I love the Reimagined series, I think they are really good guitars...

[@ianmeadows6351]

I've got a 2020 000-18 as well, it is the only newer Martin guitar I have owned. They are awesome

[@GreatbarrierislandtourismCoNz]

I got the OM18 - same guitar with the longer scale length... Best guitar I've ever played. Fell in love with the 1st strum :) Sounds just like this beauty 00018

[@ianmeadows6351]

Sweet - i had an OM18 for a while and sold it because I needed some fast cash.... It was a great guitar....

[@mikenorman6697]

@@ianmeadows6351 Did not realise Martin made an OM18. Don't think I've seen it on their website....Is it a standard model that is always available?

[@lyndontaylor1380]

Great video. This guitar really seems to suit your style, Ian. It's got something soulful about it...

[@ianmeadows6351]

Thank you kindly Lyndon

[@john15333]

Would love to know your "You Can Only Choose One Guitar for the Rest of Your Life" competition results today. This one is definitely in my top 5, maybe even the winner.

[@hotwireman49]

Yeah. Oh man. Sweet!

[@robmiller3464]

Hi Ian, hope your well and thank you again for all your videos. You’re way of demonstrating how the guitar sounds is spot on. When playing with a pick, what brand and gauge would you recommend? Thanks

[@ianmeadows6351]

Hey Rob, this is a pretty subjective question - but I like heavy picks. In terms of commonly sourced ones, I like the Dunlop ultex 1.14 and the Dunlop primetone line in various shapes.

[@GarySchiltz]

It sure does sound sweet.

[@birdrockdulcimers]

A lovely classic sound. Ian, is there any chance you may be able to test the Gibson LG-2 50s Original that the company are presently producing? It would be nice to hear it against the 000-18 or 00-18

[@ianmeadows6351]

I'm going to see if I can get one here at the shop - guitars are really hard to get right now, as I'm sure you are probably aware.

[@birdrockdulcimers]

@@ianmeadows6351 Thanks Ian. I think that your videos are a wonderful resource for folks researching guitar purchases.

[@tinysteelorchestra]

Have you got a pickup fitted to yours Ian? I'm thinking of getting one of these but it doesn't have one. Any recommendations please?

[@bullfrogcreeks204]

Great playing! p.s. I love my 000-18,

[@ryanbender2462]

Hey Ian, what strings are u using?? Sounds awesome!! Thanks

[@AGC828]

The guitar Elvis played. :) Not a bad sounding guitar but it's no Collings or Huss & Dalton....

[@thierrynakache]

better than the 000-28 ? Why ?

[@supermarioxs1]

Mahogany !!! Rosewood , if not the higher grade is overrated. There are only a handful of rosewood dreads that sound better or equal to mahogany dreads , imho. Disclosure, I’ve never been a fan of the 28 series. If it has to be a rosewood Martin I prefer the 40 series...

[@ianmeadows6351]

It's not "better", I love the 000-28! I just have a preference for the balanced, midrange-emphasized tone of Mahogany, so I gravitate towards the 18's. It seems like quite a few folks here in KZbin land feel the same way!

[@supermarioxs1]

@@ianmeadows6351 agreed , since I discovered the beautiful sweet balanced tone of mahogany, it’s my go to ...

[@gregbennett9588]

Total rip off - I sent my money and received nothing - Its bullshit. Vapor