#1
|
|||
|
|||
Guild or Martin?
I'm looking for a mahogany bluegrass guitar to go with my Gibson AJ. I'm thinking of either a Guild Bluegrass Jubilee D40 or Martin D-18V. Since both are out of production (though I've played new D-18s and liked them) I can't really do an A/B comparison. Has anyone played both and can tell me how they compare?
Thanks,
__________________
Charlie ------------------------------------------------- 2009 '69 Thinline Telecaster 2006 Gibson AJ 2001 Gibson J-50 1970's Baldwin/Ode banjo 1940 Harmony Patrician 1940 Harmony resonator 1930's Kalamazoo KG-11 |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
The new D-18 is for all intents and purposes the D-18V and no doubt, if its bluegrass you want, that's the choice.
|
#3
|
|||
|
|||
good question
I've had both
Martin d18v |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
I dont know, I have a Guild d50 that rivals any Martin d 28 out there
and dont forget Larrivee makes a great hog guitar. just saying Dave
__________________
Larrivee d02 |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
I haven't played either guitar. ( I did play the Guild in a shop, for 10 minutes, but that doesn't really count. ) But, I would thing how the neck fits the OPs hand would be important. Could be one does a better job than the other.
__________________
2010 Guild F47R 2009 G & L Tribute "Legacy" 1975 Ovation Legend 1986 Ovation 1758 12 String 2007 Walden G2070 2008 Guild D55 Prototype 1998 Guild Starfire IV 2016 Guild Newark St. X-175 Sunburst 1996 Ovation 1768-7LTD " custom " |
#6
|
||||
|
||||
I used to own a '74 D 40 and had a '63 D 18 for a number of years. Both mahogany and spruce, and two entirely different sounds. Both good, but depending on the song you might play, one would be preferable over the other.
CK |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
I had a 2012 D-18 and now have a Guild D-40 Jubiliee - both great guitars - can't lose with either - the 40's neck is 11/16" and has a heel-and-barrel feel to it like a D-18 authentic - you can pick up a near-mint 40 for a great price - the 18 is LOUD whereas I find the 40 more balanced (think a louder J-45) and much easier to sing with
as always play both and decide (or buy both and call it a draw!) |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Maybe a D-18GE?
__________________
Jim Dogs Welcome......People Tolerated! |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Guild cheaper when used too.
__________________
Yairi FY84 1987 Guild D50 1967 Harmony arch top 1966 Gibson LG1 1985 dobro resonator Gretsch Jim Dandy Partscaster Tele. Cigar box Dulcimer |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
Years ago I looked into trading my Martin d35 for a guild. Was told to just buy the guild, the Martin will increase in value but not the guild. He was right about my Martin. It has increased about 250%. I paid $495 for it new.
__________________
Isn't it great, when He's four days late, He's still on time! |
#11
|
|||
|
|||
I've played examples of each over time (many more D-18's than Guilds though) and I just can't imagine "D-18" not being the right answer given those two choices. It's certainly possible you'd find a specific Guild that you liked better than a specific D-18, but generally the D-18 will fit the Bluegrass sound better.
|
#12
|
|||
|
|||
Go with a 2012 and newer Martin D-18. Not only is it a quintessential bluegrass guitar but it'll also satisfy other 'grassers around you.
__________________
Martin HD-28 Sunburst/Trance M-VT Phantom Martin D-18/UltraTonic Adamas MD80 NWT Adamas I 2087GT-8 Ovation Custom Legend LX Guild F-212XL STD Huss & Dalton TD-R Taylor 717e Taylor 618e Taylor 614ce Larrivee D-50M/HiFi Larrivee D-40R Blue Grass Special/HiFi Larrivee D-40R Sunburst Larrivee C-03R TE/Trance M-VT Phantom RainSong BI-DR1000N2 Emerald X20 Yamaha FGX5 |
#13
|
|||
|
|||
Thanks to all who replied. The poster who talked about the Guild sounding a little mellower than the D-18 addressed a key concern - I already have a hog Gibson so I'm not looking for a guitar with a J-45 quality. Thus, I'll look for a good deal on a used Martin. Looks like I should have to pay in the mid-teens for a nice example.
Biggest reason I asked about the D-18V was I was hoping to get one about 10-15 years old that's starting to sound played-in. I'm not ruling out 2012 and up D-18s which I know are very similar. D-18GE values are a little more than I want to spend right now.
__________________
Charlie ------------------------------------------------- 2009 '69 Thinline Telecaster 2006 Gibson AJ 2001 Gibson J-50 1970's Baldwin/Ode banjo 1940 Harmony Patrician 1940 Harmony resonator 1930's Kalamazoo KG-11 |
#14
|
|||
|
|||
Gently used D-18s can be found for $1400-1500, but you have to be patient.
Btw, I'd be a +1 on the Martin, but I've become a big D-18 fan. |
#15
|
|||
|
|||
I'd try to talk you into a Guild, just so when you show up at a bluegrass session, you sound DIFFERENT than the rest of the Martins already there !
Here is a link to a martin forum where they discussed the same question. http://theunofficialmartinguitarforu...8#.VsqZgOYSO5I The Guild is Adirondack spruce and forward shifted braces, by the way.
__________________
2010 Guild F47R 2009 G & L Tribute "Legacy" 1975 Ovation Legend 1986 Ovation 1758 12 String 2007 Walden G2070 2008 Guild D55 Prototype 1998 Guild Starfire IV 2016 Guild Newark St. X-175 Sunburst 1996 Ovation 1768-7LTD " custom " |