Vince Gill's Pre-War Martin Gems: 1939 D-18, 1935 D-28 & 1930s 00-18

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The country-music legend details three of his prized acoustics.
A decade ago, Vince Gill and Paul Franklin recorded Bakersfield, a tribute to the raw-boned country music that came out of the rough-and-rowdy clubs patronized by oil-field hands and agricultural workers in the ’50s and early ’60s-packed with songs by Merle Haggard and Buck Owens. And we visited with them for a Rig Rundown then.
Now, just for the good times, these two legends of modern country music-the real deal kind-have recorded Sweet Memories: The Music of Ray Price & The Cherokee Cowboys. Price was known for his warm, baritone approach to melody, which is a perfect springboard for Gill’s and Franklin’s nuanced approaches to their own instruments.
If you don’t know Gill’s work, it’s about time you got informed. He has won more CMA Awards than any performer in history, plus 21 Grammys. He’s also sold more than 21-million albums and is currently in the Eagles, where his sweet tenor voice and skill with harmonies makes him a perfect match. (You can also hear Gill talk about his work on Cory Wong’s Wong Notes podcast, from November 2020.)
Although Franklin spends his time over the pedal steel, this artist is no slouch. He’s played on more than 500 albums, has been named Best Steel Guitarist by the Academy of Country Music multiple times, and is in the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame and the Musician’s Hall of Fame. Franklin is the most nominated artist in CMA history. He is also a member of Grammy-winning outfit the Time Jumpers.
Along with the PG video team, I met them at Gill’s Nashville studio, where they recorded Sweet Memories. The goal: to get a close-up look at Franklin’s steel rig and some of the incredible acoustic guitars Gill used on this album.
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[@joshuabrown5123]

Vince has to be one of the nicest human beings alive. Being a great musician is just a bonus.

[@mikelistman5263]

I can't stop listening to him talk about guitars, strings, and picks.

[@sixslinger9951]

Vince Gill has to be one of the nicest entertainers around. He seems like a very gentle and kind soul. Plus, he flat out can play and sing like no other.

[@joebowers3636]

I ran into him at Rudy’s Guitars in NYC in 2018. Had to take the chance to introduce myself and tell him I was a fan. He acted like he had all the time in the world and chatted with me. Very classy, kind guy.

[@GNJ1118]

Love Vince's playing. That last bit on the 00 was sweet as can be.

[@commentking1591]

Yup. That's the one. The 12 fret.

[@druchumley4571]

Those 12 fret guitars always sound the best.

[@jimbobshambles]

I’ve always been a Vince fan. Great guitar player.

[@gtr1952]

Boy, I'm a big sunburst/shade top fan, those Martins are the 'holy grail' of Martins for me! I met a guy in a bar in PA one time and he told me a story about naming them. He said they made 10 prototypes of the square shoulder flat top. They decided to use #8. One would be Mahogany and Two Rosewood. That's how they named D18 and D28. Well, the numbers added up and it made sense at the time. LOL What an awesome collection, and an awesome person Vince is!! Thanks much guys!! --gary

[@glennfoster7318]

I watched this gentlemen play at the Maui arts and cultural center 29 years ago and man he inspired my playing so much. Vince is an absolute class act, that plays and sings from his heart. Gods anointed him definitely ❤

[@TheGman70100]

I love his guitar collection videos. He just really has a great love of guitars. His approach that guitar has to feel and sound good for him before he considers owning it.

[@davidbrennan3613]

Vince is brilliant and he doing a great job performing with the eagles

[@roaddog7542]

Vince is a class act.

[@michaelligue3842]

You took the words out of my mouth . 👍

[@GK-vj9dz]

wow. after decades of playing with the rounded edge of picks (and thinking it was inherently wrong), it's nice to hear that someone as accomplished as vince does the same thing. it allows me--personally--to get a better grip, and the pick to string distance is more suited to the way i play. and that sb d18 is gorgeous. it is puzzling why martin didn't do more of those finishes way back when.

[@christianboddum8783]

Jeff becks harmonics sounded so strong because he used his fingers, it was quite the revelation when i tried it! I can't play like Knopfler but it sure sounds more correct when I ditch the pick for Sultans...

[@snapfinger1]

Vince might’ve given up his bad habits & his ‘67 Red Corvette but you have to draw the line with your pre war Martin’s.

[@brfam1977]

The one celebrity collection I envy.

[@-Star-Soul]

No wonder I can't find one, hes got em all.

[@michaelmullins1290]

Any thing Vince and his guitars. I'm watching. A friend of mine has a 28 shaded top. I'm thinking around 50's. It had a smell he couldn't get out. He traded it to a Gibson snakehead mandolin.

[@georgestevens1502]

Well, I guess if somebody is going to hog pre-war Martin's, Vince is the best guy for it. You know they will get the best handling and storage.

[@klapchek]

Wow! Can't say any more.

[@simon-oy6um]

I like dunlop 88's as a pick you can play it soft or give it a twist and sharpen up the sound 😊

[@hokeatseng4094]

🧡💯⭐🤠

[@mf5202]

Gawd. Candy shop guitar nerd stuff. Subscribing!!

[@ecman1986]

As an FYI, actually, they do have truss rods. :)

[@carlroberts_com]

@6.11 is the OO-18 an H converted?

[@sv2935]

That's and HD-28 btw, just saying .

[@KaneGregory]

I like mahogany better it’s warmer with more base to my ear my rosewood its just loud!🤷🏻

[@stickgs]

Stop hogging all the guitars Vince!!

[@straightmanforever69]

Vince is a class act.

[@johnbinford6706]

Rosewood is not warmer than mahogany, in fact it's the contrary. The reason the 28 sounds warmer here is because it has a lower tuning, thus less high-frequency content which we tend perceive as "warmer". Mahogany is typically warmer because it has more emphasis on the fundamental and mids, and less overtones compared to rosewood.

[@joelhughes6272]

I appreciate so many guitar players but there is something so different & special about Vince Gill. He is so humble, soft hearted and his love and joy for the guitar is untouchable....

[@drew004jc]

Vince Gill is a national treasure.......and I'm a punk/metal guy saying that

[@neightmorris]

Man if Vince had a podcast I’d listen all day

[@infoscholar5221]

Can there be, like several more parts to this? My gawd, them Telecasters back there.

[@saijunmak5792]

Such a cool clip. That D28 sounded huge and just raaaang out.... That 00 has just about the best parlor tone I've ever heard on a clip 😮

[@commentking1591]

Completely unsurpassed tone quality. Just incredible overtones.

[@chriswood1661]

My word…. That guitar is absolute perfection

[@paulsharkey6673]

I used to be a pick master until one day I couldn't find a pick. That ran into the next day and the next day. I haven't used a pick for over a decade. I prefer the warmth from the flesh. It just changes the whole game.

[@Snarkapotamus]

I keep nails on my picking hand on everything but my thumb. The way I see it is the bass end played by the thumb shouldn't ring, but the treble end should...

[@NickBishop]

I use a blue chip pick or a thumb pick or nothing usually nowadays. I really enjoy the metal banjo thumb picks, and will use it to flip between flat picking and finger picking. I had a similar thing where I was away and didnt bring anything with me but the one thumbpick and just didnt really go back

[@John-d9e4x]

Was never a flat picker, I did use finger pics for thirty years, now just fingers,

[@twopoms]

This is a great clip. Vince is obviously a top player and vocalist. Top songwriter and genuinely nice person. Despite all his talent and success he still keeps it real. Long may he prevail. I may not have the money and collection Vince has but I can get the same strings at least. He shares some useful information without being patronising or condescending. I also appreciate that he is a loyal supporter and customer of goods and services and values those relationships. A proper stand up guy!

[@johnl.6930]

Thanks for this! Vince dispenses beautiful music and information effortlessly. He’s a gem!✌️❤️

[@TWC6724]

Gosh, those tones melt my ears. Awesome

[@billgjura2620]

Vince makes every guitar sound good, wish he was my neighbor

[@DjembeDoug]

Thank you Vince! Such a legend!

[@michaelligue3842]

I can listen to Vince play rubberbands on a cigar box guitar .

[@anthonyoresteen4767]

Fantastic! I love Vince & those guitars. For the record those 30's Martins do have a truss rod in the necks. There is a steel T-rod (changed to a square rod in 1967) in the neck to keep them straight. It is just not adjustable. Martin started putting ADJUSTABLE truss rods in their necks in 1985. The adjustment is done at the heel of the neck, accessed through the sound hole.

[@cziprick]

Vince Gill! One of my favourite Entertainers of all time.

[@kevinjennings962]

I could listen to Vince all day. Saw him in concert many years ago and he played what must’ve been a 10 minute solo at the end of Nothing Like a Woman that just kept getting better and better. I was in hog heaven. It was before smart phones and I’d give anything to have been able to record it. Best solo I’ve ever heard in my life. Those guitars are in worthy hands.

[@ultimatebasses]

Those 30's Martin guitars really belong with a stellar talent like Vince Gill so we can experience the beautiful tone they have and not stuck in a collector's glass display case. Mind you, those guitars have become incredible investment pieces.

[@BrandonBay-t5e]

Vince Gill throwing down a Spinal Tap reference.Nice.

[@dhh488]

That caught me by surprise.

[@richardlynch5632]

Thanks Mr. Gill😎👍 A treat indeed 👍👍 John...this interview must hae been one for the books😃 Nice job😎✌👍❤🖖

[@NickBishop]

I use those same d'addario xs strings on my old dreadnaught and archtops and they are incredible. Also not usually a fan of coated strings, but these ones don't really feel like coated strings. Nice to see someone I look up to like him using a similar setup like that.

[@richardgrier8968]

Me too. I kept a set of mediums on my Taylor 710 for about 4 years and they sounded great.

[@allenhayesmusic]

Wow! So amazing!

[@jamesf2918]

Why can’t all acoustic guitars sound like that?

[@vedder10]

In Vince's hands they can. The fingers are the truth teller.

[@joeriffanucci]

Vince is a treasure(with lots of treasures) thank you so much!

[@MaryYoumans-y4k]

He is the best country music singer in the world

[@GreenFoal-Equine-HijackSDGs]

Educational to the bone🙏💛😍And man what a collection of stunning GTR's,...they're in the right hands too...🙏🙏🙏

[@adamturner8732]

What a great guitar and a great man and player

[@billdedrick1914]

Vince was wrong when he stated the XS have less tension than non coated D'Addarios.. They in fact have less tension (EJ17 186lb vs XS 13's 180lb)..Also the host stated these pre war Martin's did not have a truss rod.. Wrong...They have a reinforcing rod but they were not adjustable.

[@weevilsnitz]

omg the Spinal Tap reference from Vince, beautiful

[@JS-hu7pv]

That ‘35 D-28 is what I imagine a guitar should sound. As in, that’s my “ideal” guitar sound. Holy smokes.

[@paulparker8298]

Incredible man , incredible collection 👏

[@michaelkenny9179]

Great guitarist and person....Why does he need all those fckn guitars? Leave some for others. Don't be such a hog!!

[@richardgrier8968]

I love Vince. I've followed him his whole career and emulated him. Still, someone needs to talk to him about his hoarding problem.

[@daveoelke857]

😄

[@darrells1806]

Only the ultra rich can even think of owning beautiful guitars like this.

[@davidmahoherrezuelo]

I love the Martins...and the Teles!!

[@chrisgomez215]

A true journeyman.

[@alansimpson8962]

One of the greatest in history he is icon status

[@startreker8591]

I used rounded part of pick or I still sand them thought …go Vince y eagles

[@sniffableandirresistble]

We love you Vince, we are here because we care, but also we are concerned, about why you need so many guitars ... lol 😂

[@KaneGregory]

Vince Gill is the Jay Leno of guitars!🎸🤯🔫

[@rogerdsmith]

I think it was Chet Atkins, who once said that it takes at least 20 years for guitar to figure out that it’s not a tree anymore.

[@mikegallagher4388]

What a lovely guy! And he has such a beautiful touch. Amazing player.

[@cjsligojones5101]

and oh by the way I have 4 vintage telecasters hanging on the wall too! my god what a collection

[@The_YouTube_Critic]

I could listen to him play and talk for hours.

[@Shasta69]

I wish, just one day in my life, I could play like Vince Gill.

[@ezone913]

Not a nerd, just wonder how TF Vince does what he does.

[@rcjoe406]

Such a wise man 🙌

[@danfrederick9389]

Why does blond guy remind me of Max Headroom?

[@davidlewis2055]

Yep they are a mystery but we gotta love the & this guys gets wonderful tone

[@tdz69]

First time I saw VG was in a small local venue. I was raised on rock and blues but have loved country as well for a long long time. Vince, hands down, was one of the BEST shows I have been to in my entire life. It was a total experience. He was generous with the audience and interacted and told stories behind his songs and also some humorous tales from the road. But he and his band were beyond incredible. They sounded BETTER than the recordings. As a musician I was in awe of how tight and polished they were. I hope to get the chance to see him again and see him on his own. If you haven’t and get the chance, you won’t regret it.

[@GaryHarju]

Thank you. Very interesting.

[@thomasmoore1003]

They could have spent a few days going through his collection

[@alanpecherer5705]

Geez, that first D-18 is a cannon.

[@austenrobinson2747]

Wonder what the total K is of all these pre wars

[@JohnSmith-ze6mz]

I AM A TOTAL NERD, Vince!

[@richardmorton2744]

I have one just like this

[@christopherw3221]

I remember Vince saying that all his acoustics have been farted in the sound hole to give it that extra sweet tone, something he's been doing since the 80s

[@RadioFreeJoe]

Thanks for the advice, I'll be sure to give all mine the Vince Gill spice.

[@Ronald-hx6zn]

Great man,Gill.

[@Conada1002]

When in god green earth would anyone need 40 acoustic guitars. Crazy

[@ja0298]

Tell us you don’t have a passion for something, without telling us.

[@craigtittsworth9440]

Vince is the man ,so pay attention!

[@BobWadeGuitar]

More, please.

[@startreker8591]

Vince is rare

[@DanFrechette]

After buying and selling around 25 Martins over the years I ended up with a 25 year old D35.

[@jpjodoin]

Unreal - prewar shaded tops.The pinnacle of acoustics in front of your eyes.In one spot. Thank you…

[@fragslap5229]

Jeez, Vince, hit the GYM already! You're looking like "Jabba the Hutt"!

[@scottarnold2384]

I now have my Dad’s 1936 D-28 shade top. I wish Mr. Gill would play it on stage sometime.

[@theshadowtalks]

I really like my Martin HD35. I would love to have Vince play my Collings guitars.

[@GRBAquatics]

So Very Cool, Thankyou. Stunning Guitars and Playing. Awesome. Cheers

[@PierreBAZBazinet]

The guitars are amazing but it's a monster player showcasing thems....😊

[@wmrustycox]

While some people have a "live in" maid, Vince needs a "live in" guitar tech to look after his babies. And yes... color me envious !

[@johnnynbk]

Free box of donuts with each Martin Guitar purchase.

[@cugir321]

The sunburst sounds like a good yamaha...LL-16 or better

[@peterknoll]

Great interview! What mics are you using?