Martin D 18 Reaction and Review

Saw a D-18 at guitar center and had to try it. ‪@JeremySheppard‬ seems to love these Martin D18 guitars.

[@TheNcmore]

Brand-new Martin D-18, even a very well set-up one, won't show it's true potential at first - (I speak as a D-18 owner bought new in 2017 from our local Sam Ash). But with the passage of time, as the hours played accumulate, it progressively shows its true potential and "opens up" and grows more pleasingly resonant. Your $300 Ibanez will always sound like, well...a $300 Ibanez, and doesn't have remotely the same sonic growth curve. But if you're happy with your $300 Ibanez, don't misunderstand me as pouring any cold water over your satisfaction and enthusiasm. By analogy, I'm not a vinophile like my son-in-law-is, and the taste of $200 wines over $20 ones is wasted on me, it simply isn't remotely *that* much better to my taste buds to be worth the premium. But with guitars, my own ears hear a big tonal difference between my D-18 and guitars costing on the order of a tenth what my D-18 cost, especially now that it's been played in 5+ years. So good you can save yourself some money and be happy with your Ibanez, so long as you respect that many other folks will hear a much bigger difference than you do - enough to easily be worth $2800 vs $300.

[@BillySoundFarm]

Thanks! That's a good point about the guitar opening up, and it's also true that another person might prefer the D18 over the Ibanez. But there's definitely no reason the Ibanez wouldn't open up as well, maybe more so since the it has that open pore finish. Merry Christmas!

[@killabees1]

How did u know I have a 300 dollar Ibanez

[@say-cred]

lol this is such a bullshit comment. "True potential" and "sonic growth curve". What a load of crap.

[@ReVeRbx-fe5wr]

Man you are crazy bro. I just went and watched your video with that Ibanez. That Martin blows that Ibanez out of the water. It's not even close. That D18 sounds really good from my end considering you're recording through a phone or something and it still sounds great.

[@BillySoundFarm]

Yeah, I agree the Martin sounded better on the recording. Much better. The reaction in the video was my experience of the sound while playing it. It's also true that I'm crazy 😜

[@ReVeRbx-fe5wr]

@@BillySoundFarm I can probably agree that the Ibanez is probably more comfortable to play. Ibanez is known for their thinner profiles on the back if the neck whereas Martin is know for the chunkier more vintage accurate type necks. I do enjoy a more modern neck profile and I do wish that Martin would do more with modern profiles. The Martin Modern Deluxe supposedly has more modern profile neck but I haven’t played one tho I would like to. Plus, you have the cutaway on the Ibanez which is more comfortable obviously but that’s at the sacrifice of sound. I think cutaway acoustics don’t sound as good. I think they sound less full. I have played some great acoustics with cutaways that sound great but in comparison to the full bodied version, I think they lack a little volume and projection. Also to note, most acoustic aficionados that are into the acoustic world, almost always say that a Martin needs time to open up. They allege a break in period with a new Martin. Some people say it even takes a year and that ultimately Martins just keep sounding better over time.

[@BillySoundFarm]

@@ReVeRbx-fe5wr I think the biggest difference with the Ibanez is the solid mohoganish (Okoume) top. It just has much higher clean headroom than anything with as spruce top, so you can hit it harder and get more out of it. That's the kind of thing that wouldn't necessarily sound better to the listener, but might sound and feel better to the player. A better comparison would be to a D17? Is that the Martin with the Mahogany top?

[@ReVeRbx-fe5wr]

@@BillySoundFarm It might be the D15. Im not familiar with the D17 but I know the D15 is all mahogany.

[@BillySoundFarm]

@@ReVeRbx-fe5wr Yeah, that was it. D-15. I'll bet there's a 0% chance of seeing one of those in my local GC lol

[@SamHollidayV]

Damn that sounds like heaven

[@andrewcoffey4694]

Honestly, I own a recent model D-18. My preference in the store is the HD-28. But for the style of playing I do most, the D-18 ends up being the “sound in my head” and it’s grown on me quickly.

[@BillySoundFarm]

It will be many a year before my local gc sees an HD-28

[@erinpatricia4]

I have both the d28 and the d18. Its a long saga of how i ended up with both. But i will have the D18 forever. I probably won't have the 28 forever. The D18 is magic

[@gphunkera8731]

Interesting. I am looking at both as my 'forever guitar'. Would you suggest the D18 if I had to choose one? I am an at home player, not doing gigs or anything.

[@user-bq4uq3qg3o]

This is a genuine review. Martins at that price range are built buy many people performing one task. A luthier is more careful because his overall work is going to be reviewed. When a cog of a corporation contributes a portion of the work and has to deliver work, he is not gonna care so much. Truth is I've never heard a Martin worth the trouble below the $7,000 mark.

[@jfj794]

Never trust what your ears are hearing in a store environment, no matter if it’s in that humidifier room or not. That D-18 would sound and feel so different at home and the tonal perplexity with that sweet low end would subtly astound. I bought a D-18 2 years ago online after playing a few in the store over time and leaving unimpressed. It’s the difference between night and day.

[@rosewoodsteel6656]

It sounds great to me. What kind of guitar do you have at home? If you don't like the guitar, as is, perhaps a new set of strings is in order.

[@BillySoundFarm]

I also thought it sounded great hearing it again on the video. I've had that experience sometimes with martin's, they sound best from where the listener would be standing, not necessarily from where the player is.

[@BillySoundFarm]

Here's some examples of what I have at home: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3Wnioitqpmgna8si=ypHH9ir7Srvzzcq3 ... kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZ3Nhaacbd2Lasksi=_or_wDkpi1-RwwIL ... kzbin.info/www/bejne/gqDSeZWais6Xe9Usi=m3rl85XWjKERWImj

[@cmoreno12345]

Dude that sounded great via headphones.

[@BillySoundFarm]

Thanks!

[@acousticaddiction7719]

I feel this same way when I play most expensive guitars. I think “I own or have played guitars that are 90% as good for 10% of the price.” Having said that, this d-18 sounds pretty darn good from here. Try a Mitchell t331 next time you’re at guitar center. Very similar to the Ibanez you mention but usually priced less than $200.

[@bencarr605]

The strings that they come with absolutely blow. Try one with some d’addarios xs’s and tell me what you think

[@Synic08]

Duhdarios suck…

[@smflyboy]

Lol, funny video. Here’s what I am gonna say. After a long journey of research, today I bought a D18 from Guitar Center. But I played four of them. They had three brand new ones and a used 2021 in mint condition. I played all of them (and a J45) and they each felt and sounded different. Not completely different, but each had its own feel for sure, and even sound. And like you I did not find the magic that I was looking for in the brand new ones. They sounded great, but not like “I must have this now”. However, and luckily for me, the used 2021 was magic. The feel was absolutely perfect. The sound was mellow and nuanced and balanced and smooth with that midrangey mahogany vibe. Plus it had a really dark ebony fretboard and bridge unlike the lighter and even striped ebony of the others. After going back and forth again to the others it solidified my choice to buy the used one, which conveniently saved me about $1000. Anyway, the point is I think it may be that each person has to find the right one for himself. They are handmade after all and even though the same type of woods are being used, maybe there are slightly different characteristics. The J45 felt and sounded COMPLETELY different from the D18 even though it has the same wood configuration. Could it also be that maybe the spruce top was throwing you off a little? Did you say that the Ibanez had a mahogany top as well as sides and back? Thanks…I enjoyed the video! (Sorry my comment is so long)

[@BillySoundFarm]

Yeah I think you're right I think I got two accustomed to the mahoganyish (okoume) top on other guitars. I'm just like you I like the ebony to be dark dark dark. Stripy looking ebony is #notmyebony.

[@Christ-is-King-]

I played one and it was amazing. I think it depends on the actual guitar. It’s not about price for me either. I play a $6,000 hand crafted 000. Thanks for the upload.

[@rosewoodsteel6656]

What kind of 000 is it?

[@Christ-is-King-]

@@rosewoodsteel6656 Manuel and Patterson. Sitka and Rosewood.

[@rosewoodsteel6656]

@@Christ-is-King- Thanks! I'll check them out.

[@Christ-is-King-]

@@rosewoodsteel6656 I seen a used 00 on reverb for $2,000. I think they have made around 125 guitars.

[@attechoutdoors5893]

These guitars get better with time….and some may sound a little better than the other. Good video….God bless…..

[@njwater]

Nice to see you post a video again, been a while

[@BillySoundFarm]

yeah, got busy with that church video idea and also summer family stuff... time to get back into a rhythm again!

[@andersfernbach2399]

I thought it sounded better than your D-28. I think the D28 looks better, but this one sounded better. Not sure if you mic situation was the same on both

[@BillySoundFarm]

Both I was recording into my phone, right there in the acoustic room of the guitar center, but in the D18 team video I was on the other side of the room... There's a D18 revisit video coming though that I shot literally right after I shot the D28 video with the same setup.

[@TheRiverYeti]

I wish more people had the opportunity to play multiple of the same guitar back-to-back. If you were to play 10 D18's back to back, each one would sound a little different. Of the 10, 4 will broadly sound like a D18 should, 2 worse, 2 better, 1 absolute dud, and 1 "mind-blowingly" good. Just the nature of things made from wood/mostly by hand. Sadly most will never get the opportunity to play more than a couple back to back, if any at all.

[@BillySoundFarm]

lol so true. And it will be many a year before we see another D-18 in my local GC

[@fredrodnick2881]

If you're going for sound, I would say try to find one that had Indian rosewood. I think it would have to be used. I have my own preferences and I look for sparkling highs on the highest notes as well as some highs on the lowest notes with bass at the same time. I couldn't afford one like that ,but that's what I go by for sound. It would have to have action that isn't real low in order to get a spacious sound like that. From just trying some at the guitar stores ,they are hard to find even if they are pricey.

[@BillySoundFarm]

Yeah I hear you, I have a guitar that's solid Indian rosewood I really love it

[@kevind1650]

if it has indian rosewood, then its no longer really a D18 and it becomes a D28 or variant.

[@BillySoundFarm]

@@kevind1650 correct

[@tacticaljackson]

Oh boy, there are going to be some people that are awfully hurt after not confirming their bias lol. I see a lot of folks saying “You have to try 10 to find a good one.” I’m sorry, but for $2,800 they should all be good ones.

[@BillySoundFarm]

With Martin's people come out with pitchforks and torches no matter what you say. I'm a troll by nature It takes all I have not to intentionally say things to get people all fired up. Luckily when I recorded this I was more interested in the guitar than in the politics of it lol

[@kevind1650]

I got a quote on a privacy fence around my 10th of an acre back yard the other day. 5,000 dollars. That's a few hours of labor for two low skilled workers and 1200 dollars worth of cheap wood from the local hardware store. Gas dances around 4 dollars a gallon, a Mcdonalds lunch can easily cost you 15 bucks. How Martin pays a team of skilled American workers to come into the factory and produce a guitar for such a cheap price is beyond me. If you don't like the guitar, don't buy it, but honestly this is a cheap price for an American made anything.

[@BillySoundFarm]

​@@kevind1650 Hey Kevin, thanks so much for contributing to the conversation! Nothing is more encouraging for me than comments. I even like the mean comments lol (yours wasn't mean obviously). The economics of everything you said make sense from the seller's perspective, but the buyer is concerned with what they get for what they pay. @tacticaljackson250 's point was not that the costs don't justify the price. His point was that at that price they should all be good. I'm not saying he's right or wrong, but I will say that your fencing comparison can contribute some understanding on this point: The fence isn't $5000 because of the cost of goods sold or even the overhead. It's $5000 because of the risk. When a contractor takes a job, they're accountable for it being 'right'. It's $5000 because that fencer is on the hook to produce a fence that's straight no matter what happens on that job. The accountability is what you're paying for. It has to be 'right' or they aren't done working. Our friend Jackson is saying that Martin's tolerances for 'right' are too wide for that price point. I do agree with him, but the market obviously disagrees with the two of us because people still buy the Martins. ...Also, I would say Fencers are medium-high skilled. At least one guy on that job has to know what he's doing, skilled trades are never as 'easy' as they look.

[@kevind1650]

@@BillySoundFarm I hear your point about it needing to be done right. Keep in mind though, Martin also has to build their limited lifetime warranty into their price. I don't know how much Martin spends a year in warranty claims, but whatever it is, that goes into the price. So much of what you said about workmanship accountability is also true for a company like Martin. I'd have to disagree also with what you said about labor costs not being the biggest contributor to price. I have built fences, for myself and other people. It is not rocket science, but it is definitely hard work. On a large project, there are equipment rentals that need to be paid for, and labor to hire. Convincing someone (that is, someone who is here legally and pays taxes) to help you dig holes and concrete and maybe weld or stretch wire in Texas heat costs money, a lot of money, regardless of their skill level. I've had some offers to hire me to build small fence jobs, and quite simply many times it is just not worth the time, or I might actually lose money if I accepted what they wanted to pay me. The fact is, labor cost is relative to the cost of living. If you want legal American skilled workers to make an American made product, you have to be willing to pay Amercan wages, which also needs to be relative to the skill involved and the cost of living in America. Don't get me wrong, I've played some fine instruments from China. If you want to pay workers in China to make a Chinese guitar for you, go for it. But you can not expect the same product for the same price from American labor.

[@howardrobinson8496]

you have no soul if you dont get playing a D18,THE ONLY TRUE DRED(next to the ship) LOL

[@lizhof277]

Silly Billy is BACK

[@billann8834]

Even thru the video it sounds fantastic. LOL. Get a good setup and these Standard Martin dreads are lifers guitars. They even get better the more you play them. My D28 is killer. I played a few D 18s at GC and they were canons with that deep hog base.

[@BillySoundFarm]

When I played it, I thought it sounded great but not that great... Then when I listened back during the edit it sounded amazing... I think if I'd asked someone else to play it for me in the store I'd have been more impressed. The sound seems to be going forward to the listener.

[@Anthony-qh1xv]

I agree, do you think the special 16 is in the same league? I think it is amazing. at least mine is.

[@BillySoundFarm]

@@Anthony-qh1xv I would be willing to bet that there are plenty of d16s that sound better than plenty of d18s

[@stevelacombe5291]

@@BillySoundFarm Mahogany guitars generally record very well.

[@jasonmcelveen6295]

Has to open in or another words break in. Takes about 2 years

[@62catfan]

I've had a d 18, didn't really like it but im not that good of a player anyhow 😂 i also had martin hd 28 liked it but had more boom than i like, have had a d15m for years love it , but also have a d28 my favorite . But have had gibson j45 twice both i was disappointed .👍

[@BillySoundFarm]

So interesting... The hd 28 was too boomy but the D28 was just right?

[@62catfan]

@@BillySoundFarm The scalloped bracing in the HD 28 gives the guitar a stronger base response. The D 28 has non scalloped bracing. That's why in my opinion the HD 28 has more boom. 😁

[@BillySoundFarm]

@@62catfan I've always wondered how much difference it really would make. Glad we talked! I would be willing to bet the non-scalled bracing would also make the D28 last longer than the HD 28... Probably would go quite a few more years before belly bulge would set in. That is the reason they gave at the time for ceasing to scallop the D28 bracing, although everyone thinks it was just to save money.

[@62catfan]

@@BillySoundFarm That could be possible, I never thought about that.

[@kenwagner5667]

I say BUY it! But buy it on time. You'll get e few days to play it before Jesus returns on the feast of Trumpets!

[@stevennereo4632]

"it feels like a d-28... but not quite..." lol.. almost like its a d-18?

[@BillySoundFarm]

EXACTLY! Somebody gets it!

[@crispycat4852]

Its all the emporers clothes as blind tests show time and time again 2 Identical models with consequtive serial numbers can sound and feel like they are completely different guitars with different bracing, woods nut widths snd scale lengths You get just as many very average sounding and playing Martins as you do the keepers As has been said you really need to try as many as you can I have a couple of very nice ustom shops and my Furch Dolomite Spruce and Cocobolo Is the best sounding guitar Iv'e ever played at half the price of an equivalent Martin

[@BillySoundFarm]

Yeah I think it's true, especially with acoustic guitars I wouldn't feel comfortable buying one unless I tried it

[@multipipi1234]

I think its your ears ..thing...So many reviews to the contrary and sounds better than what your playing. Get a few more in...Paul Simon did good by them.

[@BillySoundFarm]

Yeah I guess it could be me

[@jefff5842]

The Ibanez sounded like a toy.

[@BillySoundFarm]

😂 tell me how you really feel

[@soofitnsexy]

they are very good guitars but they are not the great Martins..Ive owned 9 high end Martins the 18 is an entry level Martin

[@BillySoundFarm]

Yeah it felt like a strange in-between... Not quite a "Martin" (or maybe 'just barely' a Martin?)... But definitely not like the wall of Mexican guitars with Martin headstocks either 🤔

[@soofitnsexy]

exactly the 18 should be 1800 bucks@@BillySoundFarm

[@Paulcarlinmusic]

@@BillySoundFarmdo you smoke crack?

[@johnharrington2400]

most players that play well love the new D 18...you better stick with your 300 dollar guitar.

[@BillySoundFarm]

I know, it's so interesting... I also noticed that people who play D18s always think they play well 😂

[@William51115]

I'd spend the money on braces if I were you, maybe I'm too superficial.

[@BillySoundFarm]

You know how many guitars I could get for that amount of money?

[@god-aw5368]

Yes, you will regret buying a martin...but you regret it even more when you sell it...

[@RantzBizGroup]

Always double check the neck set. Too many new Martins are in need of a neck set when new.

[@el34glo59]

Facts