onewilyfool Posted June 7, 2014 Posted June 7, 2014 I'm posting this in here because I want a GIBSON owner's POV about this……I hope that disclaimer takes care of it. While not putting on a full review, I recently traded for a 2013 Martin D-18. This one has ebony fretboard and saddle, forward scalloped bracing, tortoise edges and pick guard, and so it's very different from past standard D-18's. I know a lot of Gibson buddies actually have D-18's so may know what I'm talking about…..This guitar sounds like crap with 12's on it…BUT like heaven with 13's!!!! I've never encountered this dramatic difference before. I thought the only difference between strings of the same maker, would be volume! So I put another set of 13's back on and it sounded great!! I've been A-B'ing it with my Gibson J-45 Purevoice, which has 12's and they both sound great, and different. The PV possibly a little brighter, less volume probably due to the string gauge, both visually beautiful in their own way….I think I would have to hand it to the PV, that ADI top is sweet looking and sounding. I've never put 13's on the PV, but I had them on another J-45 I had, and the J-45 sounded less appealing than with the 12's…..harder on the fingers too….Anyway…just picking the brains of some of the D-18 owner who may have a PV or a J-45 to see what their reality is like!!!
BluesKing777 Posted June 7, 2014 Posted June 7, 2014 I haven't owned a D18, OWF - but my HD28v went 'floppy sounding' when I tuned it down like I like on my Gibsons. I put a 13 on instead of the 12 and it fixed it a bit, but I tuned it back to standard and have enjoyed the 13 even if it fells a bit tight now..... But, yes, it was a surprisingly big difference and the J45 doesn't do that.. BluesKing777.
MorrisrownSal Posted June 7, 2014 Posted June 7, 2014 I own, and have owned, a few Gibby slopes. I also have owned the new style D18, and I currently own the new style 000-18. The new 18s are incredibly rich and lush. They are so much warmer and mellower than the prior 18 versions. Even though they are mahogany b&s, They sound like they are rosewood. Great instruments. I live the sound of the forward shifted scalloped bracing, but the guitars seem to have enhanced bass as a result. I prefer the 000 because it is more balanced than the dread. These are very different sounds than my SJTV, and I find that, as you would expect, sometimes the sound I want calls for the Martin, and sometimes the Gibby. OWF... I tried the new Martin Retro Lights on the SJTV, and found them way too bright, even after a few weeks. I have another set I think might be perfect for my 18. I am thinking it will brighten up just right. I am curious if you have played with the monels on your D18?
onewilyfool Posted June 7, 2014 Author Posted June 7, 2014 I own, and have owned, a few Gibby slopes. I also have owned the new style D18, and I currently own the new style 000-18. The new 18s are incredibly rich and lush. They are so much warmer and mellower than the prior 18 versions. Even though they are mahogany b&s, They sound like they are rosewood. Great instruments. I live the sound of the forward shifted scalloped bracing, but the guitars seem to have enhanced bass as a result. I prefer the 000 because it is more balanced than the dread. These are very different sounds than my SJTV, and I find that, as you would expect, sometimes the sound I want calls for the Martin, and sometimes the Gibby. OWF... I tried the new Martin Retro Lights on the SJTV, and found them way too bright, even after a few weeks. I have another set I think might be perfect for my 18. I am thinking it will brighten up just right. I am curious if you have played with the monels on your D18? Sal…I have a set of Monels waiting in the wings……just waiting for these Elixirs to wear out before trying them on…lol…I also had a 1970 D-18…completely different beast! I much prefer the 2013, it already sounds good! What will it be like in 20 years? (I'll never know!) I much prefer the 1 3/4" nut width and that "lusher" sound you talk about. How do you like the new Low profile neck?
zombywoof Posted June 7, 2014 Posted June 7, 2014 Congrats - I like Martins. My only problem has been with the smaller body guitars like the 00s. I have found they have a tendency to "shimmer out" when played aggressively - something I do not find with my LG-2 or Schmidt jumbo. Yours sounds like a revamped Martin D-18V. Every Martin guy I know raves about the D-18 models like the V, Authentic and some of the signature guitars that have the scalloped forward shifted bracing. On string gauge I prefer mediums although on some of my oldest guitars with no neck reinforcement I tend to err on the side of caution and use medium lights. In all cases I try and stick with strings wound on a round core though. But I like the added volume and quicker note decay of the heavier gauge strings. There is not a coated string out there that I have liked. It is like they suck the percussive snap right out of the guitar. But here is the rub. If I know I have a lot of playing coming down the pike I will string whatever guitars I intend to play with medium lights. Guess I have just become a weenie in my old age.
rampix Posted June 7, 2014 Posted June 7, 2014 Mr. Wiley, I can't comment on the d18 since I'm a rosewood kinda guy, but I have a Martin D35 and a Gibby J45 RW. Basically a similar comparison but in rosewood. As I'm in my 60's and not hitting the high vocals anymore I keep the D35 tuned to D-d And the J45 tuned a 1/2 step down. The Gibby won't handle 2 steps down as well as the Martin. 12's on the Gibby and 13's on the D35. With that said here is my take. The Martin projects more volume and I use it when playing with others, especially with 12 strings. When playing and singing solo I prefer the Gibson as it seems warmer with my voice. My wife claims I sing over the Martin and harmonize with the Gibson. I give the playability nod to the Gibson (short scale), but the Martin wins on finish details. Don't get me wrong, the Gibson is very nice but the finish detailing on the Martin wins. So I end up using the J45 on about half of my playlist and the Martin on those that I need the lower tuning, or the other half. Bottom line, I love both of these guitars and feel lucky to have both. Congrats on your D18 and I hope you end up pleased with it as an addition to the Gibson tonal palette.
onewilyfool Posted June 7, 2014 Author Posted June 7, 2014 Mr. Wiley, I can't comment on the d18 since I'm a rosewood kinda guy, but I have a Martin D35 and a Gibby J45 RW. Basically a similar comparison but in rosewood. As I'm in my 60's and not hitting the high vocals anymore I keep the D35 tuned to D-d And the J45 tuned a 1/2 step down. The Gibby won't handle 2 steps down as well as the Martin. 12's on the Gibby and 13's on the D35. With that said here is my take. The Martin projects more volume and I use it when playing with others, especially with 12 strings. When playing and singing solo I prefer the Gibson as it seems warmer with my voice. My wife claims I sing over the Martin and harmonize with the Gibson. I give the playability nod to the Gibson (short scale), but the Martin wins on finish details. Don't get me wrong, the Gibson is very nice but the finish detailing on the Martin wins. So I end up using the J45 on about half of my playlist and the Martin on those that I need the lower tuning, or the other half. Bottom line, I love both of these guitars and feel lucky to have both. Congrats on your D18 and I hope you end up pleased with it as an addition to the Gibson tonal palette. Rampix I ALSO detune my D-18 to D# or Eb because better with my voice (or limited vocal range) and I really only do that with long scale guitars like the D-18 and when I capo or sing in E tuning I use the Gibson….good to know!!!
Rambler Posted June 7, 2014 Posted June 7, 2014 The CW is that martin D's respond better with medium strings. Mileage may vary, but my own experience on ABing a D18v with lights and then meds would tend to confirm that. It went from a pleasant box, airy and bright, to a Guitar with Attitude. Not loud, so much, as punchy and repsonsive. I think the Rice Monels (nickel mediums, yall) would rock on that thing (the nickel retros sound great on my J35). Btw, Woof, you are spot on connecting the new 18 with the 18v. Very similar under the hood, but with a modern taper on the neck.
The G Posted June 8, 2014 Posted June 8, 2014 I think Your D-18 requires medium gauge strings to push the top properly. That's what I had on mine and it sounded great.(sold recently) My J-45 TV works best with light gauge strings.
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