Which Martin 18 series is best for strumming?

blues2rock · #1 12-19-2009, 03:16 PM

Somehow, I'm still not sold on the D-18GE. Which is it: the standard, vintage, or GE? I'm probably gonna strum it most of the time.

Blackwood · #2 12-19-2009, 03:22 PM

I would say GE first, V second and Standard 18 last, unless we're talking vintage.

chistrummer · #3 12-19-2009, 03:24 PM

wow, I've tried them all and I don't really think one would be better than the other for flatpicking. I say go to a store that has them all and decide for yourself..

Blackwood · #4 12-19-2009, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petelor

wow, I've tried them all and I don't really think one would be better than the other for flatpicking...

but he specifically asked about strumming....I think scalloped bracing would be much fuller sounding than straight

Tunes · #5 12-19-2009, 04:02 PM

Personally I love the D-18GE for strumming, and am still kicking myself for letting one get by last week. A great used version being sold locally for about 1/2 of retail.

The only guitar I would go for today other than this would be a Collings CJ burst. Played one a few days ago - I am in love. Hate to break it to my wife.

Seriously - IMHO the D-18GE is a flat out great guitar for strumming, flatpicking and probably whatever else you wanna do on it.

I am sure you have read the specs - this is essentially a copy of the "Golden Era" 1934 D-18. So in most respects a vintage guitar, without the obvious 75year old wood.

MaurysMusic · #6 12-19-2009, 05:26 PM

For strumming, I vote D-18V, then D-18GE, and then a distant 3rd = D-18.

sully151 · #7 12-20-2009, 12:12 AM

WHat do you guys have against the standard 18? Didn't Elvis play one? and Johnny Cash? and Andy Griffith? etc.

Blackwood · #8 12-20-2009, 03:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sully151

WHat do you guys have against the standard 18? Didn't Elvis play one? and Johnny Cash? and Andy Griffith? etc.

The D-18 is a fine guitar! But for strumming, something modern with scalloped forward-shifted bracing is going to sound fuller than the modern D-18's standard non-forward shifted bracing, at least until it has aged and been played hard for many years.

The D-18GE and the D-18V are modeled on the older D-18's, which are the guitars Elvis, Johnny Cash and Andy Griffith would have been playing.

rmyAddison · #9 12-20-2009, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sully151

WHat do you guys have against the standard 18? Didn't Elvis play one? and Johnny Cash? and Andy Griffith? etc.

Elvis played a D-28, Johnny Cash played a custom black D-35, and Andy Griffith played a D-18.

When a Bluegrass band has two guitars, the Mahogany D-18 is the lead instrument and the Rosewood D-28 is the rhythm/strummer.

So to answer the OP's question the best "strummer" really is a 28 series rosewood guitar, not an 18 series.

But, you can play anything on anything and D-18GE's are just wonderful guitars period. I do own rosewood and mahogany Martin dreads and the rosewoods are used more for strumming/fingerstle and the mahogany for flatpicking and agressive type stuff.

I would rank the mahogany 18's to my tastes Authentic, GE, Vintage and Standard, but if I only had one dread and mostly strummed I would be looking at HD-28's and HD-28V's.

If you strum and flatpick then I would swing back to the D-18GE, my '04 is a monster and still getting better!

HD18JBGuy · #10 12-20-2009, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maurys

For strumming, I vote D-18V, then D-18GE, and then a distant 3rd = D-18.

That is my vote too.

surfoxy · #11 12-20-2009, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blues2rock

Somehow, I'm still not sold on the D-18GE. Which is it: the standard, vintage, or GE? I'm probably gonna strum it most of the time.

D-18GE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1yXbSSnSlU

D-18:
http://www.youtube.com/user/MaurysMu.../0/XEROQ_jhfJE

crikey · #12 12-20-2009, 12:34 PM

If I was looking for an 18 series dread for strumming I would look no further than the standard D-18.

Glennwillow · #13 12-20-2009, 02:38 PM

The Adi top on a D-18GE along with medium strings and a heavy pick combined with a heavy picking style could make a D-18GE sound harsh. In that case a standard D-18 might be just right for you and save you about $1.2K. As others have said, you gotta try them out and see what you think.

I loved the sound of the D-18GE but I am primarily a fingerstyle player.

Regards, Glenn

sully151 · #14 12-20-2009, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackwood

The D-18GE and the D-18V are modeled on the older D-18's, which are the guitars Elvis, Johnny Cash and Andy Griffith would have been playing.

When was this change made? I thought that it was done "pre War". Both, Elvis' and Andy's D-18's were from the 50's. 53 and 56.

SpruceTop · #15 12-20-2009, 05:29 PM

Go for a Martin D-18GE! It's good for everything including strumming, lead, and fingerpicking. It's loud, it's delicate and it's sweet depending on how you play it.

Regards,

SpruceTop