Martin D-18. Are the 2016 examples still as good as those 2012 examples?

[DrJamie]

My 2014 sounded fabulous. Traded for a D-18V as I did not like the new 1 3/4 necks though. Love my V, but the 2014 had that little bit more special sauce.

[Prizen]

Originally Posted by DrJamie

My 2014 sounded fabulous. Traded for a D-18V as I did not like the new 1 3/4 necks though. Love my V, but the 2014 had that little bit more special sauce.

That's my one reservation. I normally like a 1 & 11/16" nut and a slim profile. But I think the D18 has an adequately slim profile. Was it that the nut was too wide?

[rbock]

Originally Posted by llew

The other option that's available is a custom version. Some forum sponsors do "in house" dealer custom versions that really make a difference in the final product. Mine is an Adirondack/Ambertone from Jon at MFG. What can I say? The man knows his custom builds!

I also have one of Jon's first run 2012 Custom adi D-18's. I have played a number of standard post 2012 D-18's and found more difference with the adi top than between standards from year to year, with the adi adding more depth and focus.

[Mbroady]

I played at least 6 D-18's before I picked one up. The all played & sounded good but for some reason I kept coming back to one. They are great guitars, but I think for some reason that is not tangable, some guitars just have a special mojo....

[Dirk Hofman]

Originally Posted by Prizen

I am putting serious consideration into getting a D-18, a post 2012 model. I recall playing one a few years back and was very impressed, but I didn't have the cash at the time.

For whatever reason, I have this hunch that the earlier models out of production might be the strongest examples. I played another D-18 earlier this year and wasn't so impressed, although it may not have had the freshest strings.

Have you played many examples of the post 2012 D-18s, and have you found them to be consistently good?

I don't see how anyone could realistically answer this question accurately enough to give you a useful answer. The only way to find a great guitar is to find one. Anything else is hoping and guessing–which is totally, completely fine. But it is what it is.

[DrJamie]

The 1 3/4 nut combined with the C shaped neck, more shoulder to deal with , as opposed to a V, with less wood where the thumb rests, did me in. I'm a V guy mostly.

[dr461]

It is a good guitar, and consistent, but my advice would be to play a bunch of them to find which one you like. Despite solid quality control, there are variations in all guitars. No specific date sounds better than any other-- find a guitar you like, regardless of date.

[Prizen]

Originally Posted by Dirk Hofman

I don't see how anyone could realistically answer this question accurately enough to give you a useful answer. The only way to find a great guitar is to find one. Anything else is hoping and guessing–which is totally, completely fine. But it is what it is.

Thanks Dirk. I'm not really looking for accuracy, just peoples gut feelings, thoughts, observations, hunches. What most of this forum is based on. I'm aware, I'll not worry too much..

[billder99]

Yes... if anything, they are a bit better... Martin is doing it right. In this price range, there are a few consistently great guitars... the D-18 is one of them.