Martin vs Collings: Which sounds better? D-18 Ambertone vs. D1 A Sunburst - Battle of the Sunbursts

[@R.L.Humpert]

I would say they both sound very good but having played both and having an HD 28 that they decided to buy over the Collins and other even boutique brands the Martin is just the most amazing guitar I’ve ever played the 28 is superior which just has this Power in this individual note sound that stands out above and it’s not always by tons but it’s just enough it’s like wow Martin just is the best!

[@theshapeexists]

Collings make the best sounding acoustics i have ever heard, and theyre simply stunning looking. Ive played several and theyre absolutely all great.

[@donyoung7874]

I love Collings guitars too. Have you heard any Bouchers? They're right up there with the best.

[@williamburroughs2273]

The Collings has deeper bass and mids with more cut, but the Martin has a nice warm fuzz on the bass and mids that the Collings lacks. It's crazy to see that the Martin is new but the Collings is 26 years old, by the tone you would think it's the other way around. One would buy the Collings hoping that it develops the tone of the Martin.

[@jeffreywinsor350]

it's the Martin for me

[@glennjustice2760]

Collings is louder but tone is what I look for. Love to hear some different tunes

[@jerrydosser7031]

D-18 wins, as usual TONE man TONE !!

[@dodgermartin4895]

It's hard to tell thru my computer speaker. I'd have to the Little Sadie in person.

[@eddiesouthgate6654]

The Collings is louder and fuller sounding . Probably costs twice as much as a D18.

[@LambBo-c6p]

Unfair I think everyone no’s Addie tops are most always louder than sika

[@This_crazy_life]

I think I like the D-18 tone better out of these two

[@steveb9325]

Collings

[@skyemoz6559]

Martin all day long

[@timwhite7127]

Go ahead and sell the winner and send me the leftover...But if there's a gun at my head I give an edge to the Collings of those two specimens. That doesn't mean two different specimens of the same models would have the same results...

[@vladgalayda97]

adirondack sound cool

[@robmiller3464]

Terryjohinke, So sorry but absolutely everything you said in your statement is false. First time I’ve read an opinion, where all that was said is incorrect. I read it 3 times sir and would love to correct your opinion with substitutive facts but again that’s your opinion.

[@robertjohnson1681]

Then why not tell him? You can reply to him by clicking on the three dots to the right of his comment.

[@terryjohinke8065]

Collings guitars are merely expensive copies of Martin and sound no different. Mahogany is a poorer choice of wood for back and sides. Indian Rosewood ( ot Braxilian Rosewood , unavailable) would make a difference. I prefer a Gibson round shouldered J 45 , J50 or a songwriter as the tone is not too trebly. Have your Martins forBluegrass. Quite frankly Australian Matons, used by Tommy Emmanuel, by choice, kill these brands.

[@markwalters7498]

There’s always one guitar snob in every crowd

[@PageMarker1]

@@markwalters7498 Or a Gibson guy in a crowd of Martin fanboys. Collings took this round from what I heard, but prefer my D35.