Sound:
I own a straight D28, and this thing has a whole other sound. It caused a real shift in my musical thinking. The adirondack spruce top with mahogany side gives you a high volume sound, and yet even playing hard, each note rings perfectly clear, especially lead guitar licks, full of clear overtones, not smokey ,like my 28. If you just bought one you must remember that red spruce takes longer to open up, so be patient, It is the most prized wood for a top you can get on an guitar
Feature:
what makes this guitar is the selection of premium tonewoods, and the pre-war construction os a 1934 D18. Not fancy at first glance, but when you really look at the thing close, it gives the eyes a real feast. This guitar was made to play though. Everything in the construction was made to give you a sound like no other. I am glad there are no inlays and crap. The proof is in the playing, and this guitar MUST be played for it to open up. The case is really nice, yet for such a strong, nice case (5 layers of wood) the outside id quite weak. Buy or use a lesser grade case to take to gigs, to avoid tearing up the one it comes with
Ease of Use:
The sounds of this instrument are beautiful. It took my breath away, and made me rethink my whole attitude toward my much loved D28. This is NOT a stock D18. The sounds you get a full and rich, woody and extremley clear. with the red spruce and mahogony, the souns is not busy or complex like rosewood/ sitka. It plays much cleaner, fuller, clearer sound. Mine was new, and so was quite stiff, it took 20 minutes just to get it warmed up, and I was skeptical, but when it did , the rich full church bell tones made me gasp. I called a local luthier and friend to play it, and he had the same reaction. he is an older guy, and stated that this is the martin sound that he remembered as a kid, when no one used amps. It earned its name as "the banjo killer"
Quality:
This product is made extremley well. My luthier friend went over it with a fine tooth comb. They use like six strips of reinforcement tape on each side, unlike two in the straight D28. the braces are hand tuned and smoothed out as a baby's butt. They spared no detail in fit and finish. I kind makes me mad that they dont build ALL thier instruments like that.I feel that this is what a Martin should be, and why they are legends.
Value:
This is as good as a Martin gets. The quality is perfect. I just wonder why all the guitars they build arent this caliber
Manufacturer Support:
no not yet.
The Wow Factor:
"sex" appeal? this is a chunk of wood. It has gotten me sex though when I played it right at gigs, if that helps
Overall:
I will keep this thing as long as I play. I have a D28 and they both have thier place and thier sound.
8 of 8 people
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Sound:
I really like the sound of this guitar because it basically had 3 different modes. Soft, Casual and OverDrive. Which makes it really great for stage performances and Blue Grass jam sessions.
Feature:
Everything is pretty straight forward with this guitar. Very high quality. I'm going to change the pick guard though; which is just a personal preference.
Ease of Use:
I got this guitar for two simple reasons. It was by far the easiest guitar I've ever played...and I happen to find it for a steal of a price. Everybody who has tried playing my guitar has loved it. It is truely an easy guitar to play...and wants to be played!
Quality:
Its a Martin, which pretty much means as good of quality as they come. I like how light weight the guitar is, yet its quite strong.
The 18 comes fully finished so it will last a very long time.
Value:
It was the best value for me because I bought it off a fried of mine. Got it almost brand new for $1200. Cant beat that.
Manufacturer Support:
Never talked to CFMartin and Co but I've heard good things about them.
The Wow Factor:
Its about as sexy as you can get in my weird little music world. Everyone always wants to play it when they see it. I had to get a different case for it that made it less attractive, so I dont have to keep my eye on it all the time.
Overall:
I'm keeping this guitar forever and then some. Yeah its not as fancy as all the haring bone and pearl inlay guitars...but the sound makes up for it.
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