Guild or Martin?

vw1300 · #1 02-20-2016, 05:26 PM

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,

HHP · #2 02-20-2016, 05:28 PM

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.

dereklaney · #3 02-20-2016, 05:29 PM

I've had both

Martin d18v

Daveyo · #4 02-20-2016, 11:06 PM

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

JohnW63 · #5 02-21-2016, 12:29 AM

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.

Cypress Knee · #6 02-21-2016, 01:46 AM

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

bitraker · #7 02-21-2016, 03:43 AM

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!)

llew · #8 02-21-2016, 06:34 AM

Maybe a D-18GE?

littlebobby · #9 02-21-2016, 06:52 AM

Guild cheaper when used too.

Smitty70 · #10 02-21-2016, 07:38 AM

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.

#11 02-21-2016, 08:40 AM

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.

SpruceTop · #12 02-21-2016, 08:46 AM

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.

vw1300 · #13 02-21-2016, 10:47 PM

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.

mwalk · #14 02-21-2016, 11:12 PM

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.

JohnW63 · #15 02-21-2016, 11:17 PM

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.