I Tried (almost) Every Martin Acoustic To Find The Best One
The Martin D-18 is pretty much the benchmark which all other dreadnought style acoustics are judged against. It’s a timeless classic that’s become the “default” acoustic guitar because of its rampant success from the 30s all the way to the 60s. But which MODERN D-18 in Martin’s line up is the best bang for your buck?
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Martin D-X2E Dreadnought
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Martin D-12E
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Martin D-18 Deluxe
https://sweetwater.sjv.io/2aanWz
Martin D-18 Modern Deluxe
https://sweetwater.sjv.io/XmmzXo
Martin D-28 Authentic 1937
https://sweetwater.sjv.io/raaj2Q
AEA R88 Stereo Ribbon Mic
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Warm Audio WA-2MPX Mic Preamp
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Rupert Neve Designs Master Buss Transformer
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0:00 Intro (The Rain Song)
2:37 Shootout
4:05 Martin D-X2E demo
6:06 Mic setup and signal flow
7:29 D-X2E Thoughts
8:14 Martin D-12E demo
10:40 Martin D-18 demo
13:32 Martin D-18 Modern Deluxe demo
14:06 What is torrefication?
15:47 D-18 Modern Deluxe Thoughts
17:26 Martin D-28 Authentic 1937 demo
21:33 Final Ranking
28:53 Outro
#Martin #Acoustic #Find
Originally posted by UCCJ56k8nBeqWLoxNa6DToAQ at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEs0jo6z-Pk
Ok so, after spending a few more days with it I decided to keep the D-18 (I know I said I was sending them all back, that was the plan when I shot this video)
But I have a cool idea for this guitar, I’ll post a follow up video in the next few days.
Best is a word sometimes used for the most expensive. I have had a lot of Martin guitars. Two that stand out for me was a Women in music 00-28 db (deep body) and my all time favorite is a Mexican d size special. I did not like the idea of the fret board but it is the best. Intonation is perfect. It is a loud guitar which is not your norm as Martin.
I totally agree. I’ve owned several Martin D series over the years and 10 years ago I got a 1 yr old second hand D-18 in mint condition. I’ve played it quite a lot and taken good care of it. It’s worth the TLC I put into it. The best part of having a quality Martin is being the one who gets to open the guitar up over the years. It sounds better now than on day 1. Nothing fancy and no frills but it is a solid workhorse that always has my back.
Anyone have thoughts on the 1990s Martin DM?
I broadly agree. Ive had most of these guitars. I had a Martin D28 1937, but it was so loud I put it back in the case very quickly. Dont know why that put me off so much. Now have a Martin Fly fishing guitar (that I love) and a US made Epiphone Texan which is great
So, basically, the marketing department said: "Guys we need to ask 10k for a good sounding guitar".
Bought a 1970 D-18, my first "real" guitar and still my best (yeah, had a luthier do some work years ago). It sounds most like the $10k model. Guess there really is something to aging.
A nitro finish and a cut bridge are all you need for an acoustic guitar
D-28! THE Benchmark.
Great playing! Two glaring absences from your test pool…a standard D-28, and a D-18 Authentic…
I can pretty much guarantee that there’s zero sound quality difference between the D-18, D-18 modern deluxe, and D-28 authentic. The perception is that there is because he knows the price of what it is he’s playing. There needs to be another video where someone blindfolds him and hands him random Martin guitars. Guarantee the outcome would be different.
You should have tested some non-dreadnoughts and non-spruce tops as well.
Yo, people like Me want to Hear the guitar, just like it would sound in my living room, Unplugged!! Without $5k worth of electronics!!!
You sound Just Mike the guitar, with a FLAT EQ!!
THEN, we would All get Hear the Difference of each guitar…like playing at home UNPLUGGED!!
Just My Opinion…
Recently bought a Martin modern deluxe D 28 . It's like dancing in honey and sunshine.
I tried buying my son a Martin a few months ago: he played a D-28, D-18, D-12, D-28custom, plus a J-45 and a Taylor 3 series. The custom was best, but it was $6,000. He then tried a floor model Eastman and, hate to say it, it was the one… you could tell after just 2 or 3 cords. $1,100 with fitted hard case, extra strings, picks and sales tax. I would say this: everyone plays different. What is perfect for one musician is not perfect for the next. Whenever possible, use your ears first… brand names and model numbers should be for reference only. Have the courage to play what you love. ✌️
For those prices, I'd start looking at McPherson guitars. I have a 1975 Martin D-35. It needs son luthier work done to it, but it's all "real Martin" built with Mahogany and all.
It may not be the best Martin model, but the sounds great. It didn't cost even near the entry level Martin featured here, but it's good enough for me.
Well I've heard exactly 1 minute 24 seconds of the comparison and I DESPISE Having to say that without a doubt in the video at least and maybe the string types and sizes have something to do with some of it too mind you but the winner is (Grrrrrr) The D bloody 28! I HATE when the more expensive one wins hands down! I'm even ready to give some excuses and reasons for the under dogs! Why am I so aggravated by this?? Because I CAN'T AFFORD ONE!! Nope! So after watching another YT guy freak out about Knock offs of Martins on EBAY I'll be BUYING A KNOCK OFF MARTIN right after I finish this video here! Seriously! The sellers aren't claiming they are actual Martins and they don't even put most of the stickers and monikers on them but if you ask me the INSANE prices for these instruments which have been pushed through the stratosphere by collectors that are very wealthy and most of them only collecting because they can make money on it (Like people do with paintings and art) as they keep on pushing the markets to sell the instruments for outlandish prices ! Meanwhile the artists that SHOULD be playing these great art pieces so that they fulfill their reason for being made and so people can hear the beautiful sound of them in the hands of a Master Musician will never get the chance! The people that would be inspired, enlightened, lifted, moved, and relate to the expressions poured out by these artists using the incredible instruments will never happen. Because they are locked away in the environmentally controlled collections of the Uber Rich whom don't give a crap about them, don't even like music to begin with and basically are only waiting for the prices to hit a certain "Sell if reached" price point to even bring them out of their holding cells. So here I am a Musician that has worked his entire life to play to a mind, heart and hand standard that will move others to maybe weep Laugh in Joy, possibly even re-align their ideals or understanding and relationship to God doing what I can to do it all on a Guitar I saved up for for ,any months and even years to try and get a-hold of something I can rely on and know will respond in the manner I command it to when it needs to do so for the sake of the hearts of the PEOPLE! There it is as best I can put it in a YT Comment section. All the best to you all and thank you to the video creator that made this great little video! Good Job!
I settled on a D-35 and it works fine.
What about a Martin D28 standart?
I'm going to give you a great idea for a video. (IF you don't already have one on this topic) LIKE EVERYONE so he does this video.
I would love to hear/see a comparison between a D28 and a comparable 000 Martin. I do love my bluegrass but love Slayer also. lol
It is the springtime of my loving. The second season I am to know.
I was very lucky to find my D28 Custom, used at Sam Ash, 4 years ago. It's my Forever Guitar.
what gauge strings are you using?
Play the D 41 ????
Personally, I would have liked to see the shootout consist of the following: D-X2E / D-18 Standard / D-28 Standard / D-35 Standard / D-45 Standard. Include the D-X2E simply because of the price point, but the others are all iconic Martin models which truly represent the quintessential Martin sound.
I’m really happy with my DRS2 I bought in 2016. Keeps getting better. And it’s tough. But enjoyed this video.
The best Martin guitar is a Taylor.
I recently bought a five year old D-18, it's top has started to colour with age and it looks beautiful. The first thing I did was replace the bridge pins, which as standard as plastic and swapped them for ebony, the difference was huge and breathed an extra dimension into an already stunning sounding guitar. Funny thing is, in the music store, I played two guitars back to back, thinking both were D-18s, because he'd told me they didn't have any D-28s. Turned out he DID have a D-28 and the D-18 just sang to me way more. I'm happy with my choice and quite honestly, it's a keeper. Someone in my family will inherit it when I depart this musical plane of existence!
I know, I am pretty late to comment. Got a 81 D-35 back home, never dared to take it on a plane to where I am living right now. Anyway, what baffles me is how close to the bridge you are playin'! When picking with blocked bass, okay, but when having the freedom to pick the sweet spot, I would always pick almost the first half to the middle of the sound hole. Not only on the D-35 but on any acoustic. A friend of mine does use the same spot as you on his J-45 and it sounds amazing when listening to him playin', but I myself just feel much more comfortable sound-wise nearer the fretboard. Maybe that's the thing hearing the guitar from above vs. hearing/having the sound recorded from a distance. Anyway, enjoyed your comparison a lot, I got a late 90s DM, as well, but oh, I miss my D-35.
Great review. Thanks for sharing.
Liquid Metal bridge pins are not lighter they are far FAR heavier than any other bridge pin material I know of.
The classic Martin configurations, D-18, D-28, 00018, OM-28, are in non-stop production for a reason: they sound fantastic.
D18 modern deluxe sounds more open and has deeper bass than the rest of them by a country mile. I'm surprised the authentic sounds so overbraced–the 000s I've played have all been as good as the golden eras (but twice as expensive).
I actually think the sound that martin's X series guitars (with solid spruce tops) produce is extremely good for the price. they look wonky, but they can sound better than many all-solid wood guitars at that price point. They are heavy and feel low quality, so from a feel perspective, something else might be better at that price, but they sound great.
One more comment is that martin's authentic series guitars sound (and feel) noticeably better than any vintage martin you'll find for $10,000. so they are "worth the money", since 60s-70s martins don't sound as good, and 30s-40s martins are closer to $100,000. but for $10,000, it is also worth considering smaller boutique guitar makers like Bourgeois, Thompson, and collings, whose quality are in the same ballpark, but sound quite different.
I’ve got a D-18, sounds good but the binding doesn’t want to stay glued to the body. It’s from 2012 or so, I’ve had it professionally repaired twice to no avail. My next one will be modern deluxe, because of the wood binding. The vintage isn’t in my budget and is beyond my talent level. It’s much better than I am.
Been playing for 58 years and for sound quality, I would put my Hohner model EBDG up against any one of those.
what does "best" mean?
I have a DX. It's not my main guitar but it's something that I keep for use outside And at the beach. It's extremely stable. I don't have to worry about it. Stays in tune, actually a fantastic guitar.
I went to a guitar store one day, and played a bunch of acoustics. I thought the one that came in second place sounded and played great. I was a little surprised that it sounded so good. I’m so surprised you came to a similar conclusion.
Totally off topic, but I have one of those cheap Esteban D28 knock-off's they sold on infomercials in the 90's. It's been sitting in the closet for the better part of 30 years. I just pulled it out and adjusted the neck, put a bone nut & bridge, and a new set of Elixer's… WOW! this thing has no right to sound this good. You're spot on about wood aging and taking on a life of its own. I'd put it against any guitar you just played.
My guitar-snob buddy was trying to hate on it and call it cheap Chinese junk, until I handed it to him. Shut him right up, it did.