Martin & Co D-18

MODEL Martin D-18
CONSTRUCTION: Mahogany Blocks/Dovetail Neck Joint
BODY SIZE: D-14 Fret
TOP: Solid Sitka Spruce
ROSETTE: Style 18
TOP BRACING PATTERN: Standard ''X'' Scalloped, Forward Shifted
TOP BRACES: Solid Sitka Spruce 5/16''
BACK MATERIAL: Solid Genuine Mahogany
BACK PURFLING: Style 18
SIDE MATERIAL: Solid Genuine Mahogany
ENDPIECE: Delmar Tortoise Color
ENDPIECE INLAY: none
BINDING: Tortoise Color
TOP INLAY STYLE: Multiple Black/White Boltaron
SIDE INLAY: none
BACK INLAY: none
NECK MATERIAL: Select Hardwood
NECK SHAPE: Modified Low Oval Profile w/ Performing Artist Taper
NUT MATERIAL: Bone
HEADSTOCK: Solid/Square Taper
HEADPLATE: Solid East Indian Rosewood
HEELCAP: Tortoise Color
FINGERBOARD MATERIAL: Solid Black Ebony
SCALE LENGTH: 25.4''
# OF FRETS CLEAR: 14
# OF FRETS TOTAL: 20
FINGERBOARD WIDTH AT NUT: 1-3/4''
FINGERBOARD WIDTH AT 12TH FRET: 2-1/8''
FINGERBOARD POSITION INLAYS: Old Style 18
FINGERBOARD BINDING: none
FINISH BACK & SIDES: Polished Gloss
FINISH TOP: Polished Gloss w/ Aging Toner; Sunburst available at additional cost.
FINISH NECK: Satin
BRIDGE MATERIAL: Solid Black Ebony
BRIDGE STYLE: 1930's Style Belly w/ Drop-In Saddle
BRIDGE STRING SPACING: 2-3/16''
SADDLE: 16'' Radius/Compensated/Bone
TUNING MACHINES: Nickel Open-Geared w/ Butterbean Knobs
RECOMMENDED STRINGS: Martin SP Lifespan Phosphor Bronze Medium Gauge (MSP7200)
BRIDGE & END PINS: Black
PICKGUARD: Delmar Tortoise Color
CASE: 445 Hardshell
INTERIOR LABEL: none

Very cool and classic martin acoustic made in Nazareth, PA. Mahogany back and sides as opposed to it's 'bigger brother' the 28, which is rosewood.

UTILIZATION

Martin guitars are one of if not the most traditional style guitars out there for acoustics. Especially when it's regarding the D-18.

SOUNDS

Again this always differs with every player but I'll try to break it down to make things simpler. This is basically a Martin D28 with mahogany, what's the difference between rosewood and mahogany you ask? Rosewood has a very rich and thick low midrange, while mahogany isn't brighter per se, but it is definitely more neutral sounding in the sense that there is no enhanced low midrange like you'd usually get from rosewood. And so of course, depending on the player, some might find rosewood to be too boomy sounding and mahogany perfectly tight and not too boomy at all.

So of course this depends on the player, although in the end, majority of guitar players do usually prefer rosewood over mahogany, but again the option is always there to choose a different type of tone from the lot. I think they both sound great in their own right, especially if one is mainly a finger picker but wants projection and thus needs a dreadnought-sized guitar but doesn't want overpowering low midrange so that each note comes out, a guitar like the D18 with mahogany back and sides might just do the trick.

OVERALL OPINION

Great guitar for the price. Martin guitars are always top notch. Though again, it's mainly just a big difference between rosewood and mahogany and you have to be able to play them both side by side to hear the difference so you know what you're getting into. There's no modifying the tone on acoustic guitars (except different strings) so you should choose wisely. It completely depends on what type of music you'd want to play and how versatile a guitar you'd need to be able to play the type of style or styles you play.

Otherwise Martin build quality is always top notch so you have that peace of mind with the guitar and the only decision left to decide is which tone is right for you.