Martin vs Collings : D18 + D1 Traditional Sonic Documentation

[@todddammit4628]

I seem to always prefer the sound of a Martin to a Collings. This was no exception. Stay safe my dude!

[@mywrkout1]

Martin has a deeper warmer voice which to my ears is better. Thank you Ian, really appreciate you and the time you put into these videos.

[@ianmeadows6351]

My pleasure! I'm glad you find some value in them. Plenty more to come.

[@JesseDylanMusic]

Wowza that Collings has something extra going on. Is it in the treble? Sounds amazing. But then I go back and listen to the D-18, and... yep, D-18 is still the one I prefer. But... something about that Collings.

[@stevebunce2931]

To my ears the Martin D-18 wins hands down.

[@pickersgrip]

Me too

[@colinclement2752]

I've loved Martin guitars for years. I've recently had the opportunity to play a Collings for a while and it was something else. Reminded me of a late 60's Guild with heavier gauge strings...a little bit unforgiving and not made for soft fingers but the sound was incredible.

[@folgert4355]

Nice video Ian. Thanks. I always wanted to buy a Martin D18 but I just made an offer on a 2022 Collings D1T. This video confirms that I made the right choice. These are very different guitars in terms of sound, both good, but I just prefer the "Collings sound"

[@guitwin]

To me, or in my humble opinion, the sound, looks and playability between a standard production Martin D-18, and a Collings D1T, does not merit the enormous, if not absurd, price difference between the two. Plus, for whatever reason(s) unknown, the Martin sounds a bit more well-balanced (for recording purposes), while the Collings sounds much, MUCH brighter. I'd take the D-18, D-18 Ambertone, or D-18 Modern Deluxe, and save at least $2500. Would I love a Collings D1A or D1G, with Adi bracing? Of course, but not for $6000+, if not more (likely much more in 2022). Just my $0.02 cents, for whatever it's worth. Thanks for the great video and comparison. Very classy and well done.

[@supermarioxs1]

Martin D-18 for sure ... and at half the price too... The collings sounds nice on flatpicking , fingerpicking and capo. Strumming not so much . The D-18 overall FTW... At least to my ears. Nicely done as always Ian... 🙏

[@TMoody]

Wow.... the Martin D-18 blew the Collings out the water and you still get to walk around with an extra 2 grand in your pocket.

[@slownoman]

Depth: Martin. Clarity: Collings. Projection: equal. Capo: the further up the neck, the better the Collings is. I've played since 1965. My name is Martin. I owned a Martin for 17 years before I heard of Collings. I"ve owned a Collings (a variety, since I"m a junkie) since early 1992. My current one: an OM1A Traditional. OMG. I will always respect Martin. They invented these kinds of guitars.

[@jasoncombs9607]

It’s hard to beat a D18 no matter what other name is on the headstock. The new reimagined series with a set of bluegrass EXP19 phosphor bronze strings = heaven to me.

[@letitbe978]

untill you hear pre-wars co dreadnought guitar

[@el34glo59]

​@@letitbe978Yeah I'm not a fan. Their trebles sound odd to me.

[@bradswanson6788]

From the looks of the video the strings on the Collings looked significantly newer. Hard to make an apples to apples comparison when comparing tones from guitars with new vs older strings.

[@TheGreg2710]

Collings is a very articulated guitar and has a lovely sustain. But I’m a Martin guy and prefer the voicing. How do you like your eggs? Each to their own 👍🏼

[@ianmeadows6351]

Yes, Yes! Thats the beauty of all of this, so many good options.

[@jaeyooncho2712]

Man, another killer contents i am looking for. Thanks a lot!

[@ianmeadows6351]

Thanks for tuning in Jaeyoon.

[@FrancisOsborne-s9u]

I have both (lucky me) and I find both offer different qualities. Incredibly well made and wonderful to play although the Collings is a little stiffer and requires a little more strength. Awesome guitars both

[@Raymond-yq1de]

The collings has a much brighter sound to it.

[@johnwade1419]

Until the capo went on it was a slight edge to the Collings, but after that the Collings just has so much more going on with tone and complexity. Single notes were amazing on the Collings too. The question is do you need or want that as there’s a considerable cost to get it. For the bucks and if you’re strumming a lot and bluegrass jamming the Martin is great. Btw I have the same Martin D18. But really considering the Traditional Collings- it has that something that’s hard to find in newer guitars. I’ve played a few and all sounded fantastic.

[@ianmeadows6351]

They are definitely special guitars. Nothing wrong with a good d18 though!

[@amaquonsippi]

I traded my pre war 18 for a 98 D1 and some cash about 20 years ago. I had played some Collings' and knew I had to have one for flatpicking. I've never been sorry, also got Mike Marshall's reaction to playing it (he wanted to buy it) from a friend.

[@el34glo59]

​@@amaquonsippiAn actual pre war 18? I hope the cash was good

[@imannonymous7707]

What are the differences in neck carve from a to b . You seem to be more comfortable on the martin..?.

[@westrlee553]

Love Collings guitars!

[@windmillcancersurvivor2568]

Hard to beat the original. I love my D-18.

[@el34glo59]

I'm usually not a Collings fan, but their traditionals sound great

[@chazwellchangstein8851]

Both sound great. Minor tonal differences. Given the pricing….

[@chiplarkin4069]

In a band you, want the midrange of the Collings cutting through the mix. Solo you want the Martin.

[@jamesmartin9406]

Collings by a hair. Both great!

[@guitwin]

But with all respect, is that "hair" worth spending $3000+ more on the Collings? I don't think so.

[@el34glo59]

​@@guitwinAt that point just go Martin authentic.

[@MardyBerchtold]

Wouldn't a better comparison be a D-18 VS a plain old D1?

[@ianmeadows6351]

Yep. But I didn't have a plain Jane d1 around and was just having some fun

[@kalleblomkvist4173]

hi ian, can u tell me what capo you are using in this video?

[@angelg8445]

Collings has more sustain,more balance and accuracy/articulation, Martin has more base, and a bit more power, more umph....however u try to put it they are both top of the line in your hands just different and each player has to decide which they like more. Its kinda like a classic mustang vs a porsche. I think it would come down to playability and comfort, and I would ask which one Ian?

[@ianmeadows6351]

I like both! But realistically, for the cash, D18 all the way.

[@el34glo59]

Martin has that growl

[@tanukibrahma]

Collings is louder and clearer but reveals performance nuances and requires more skillful playing or else it’s just not worth it. That’s what makes them harder for me to play (I own three).

[@G_Demolished]

The Collings to me always sounds like someone took a Martin and added the brightness and expense of a Taylor.

[@sugarlife485]

martin

[@51Dss]

Martin is much brighter and projects sound more than the Collings

[@markstaggs7342]

I don't know what it is about a D18 but I can't get myself to love them,But my 1980 D-28 I surely do love them ,But my real love is my seven Taylor guitars I love Taylor's but that's my preference .my guitars I have is a 2015 614ce,2015 816ce,2018 814ce DLX v brace,2019 K-24 ce v brace 2020 614ce v brace builders edition,2015 914ce,1980 Martin D-28 and Baby Taylor I bought all brand new except the Martin D-28 ,and I played a lot of guitars before I bought any of them I spent hours playing and trying every guitar you can name,But I love the feel and playability and sound of Taylor's . There not for everyone but they are absolutely perfect for me.

[@el34glo59]

Maybe it's the body shape. Try a Martin GP

[@garychen483]

In the very beginning when he strummed the D-18 VS at 7:19 when he strums the Collings, there’s not much difference in tones between these two. And there’s not much difference in tones in general between the two guitars neither. Price wise, I know Collings is extremely expensive and Martin should be a little less expensive, so if I were to choose between the two, I’d choose Martin D-18 because extra dollars must be paid for something realistic.

[@el34glo59]

That's not a VS. That means Verses. That's a regular D18. Although they're basically the same now anyway as a V. Besides the nut width and short saddle VS is a 12 fret version. Completely different

[@juice_williams]

Buy a Martin D-18, with the money leftover buy a guild D40t

[@markstaggs7342]

Collins a lot but the D18 is good but Collins lot more

[@nirwanaeathell]

d18

[@russg.9348]

Collings, by a hair imho.

[@rjones2000r]

I hear a faint vibrato in the Collings, not a fan of that.

[@georgelange5272]

The Collings sounds duller to me.

[@Dave-rk2nl]

It should of been an Authentic d18, not a plain d18....really?????