If you’re wondering if Martin D18 is a good acoustic guitar or not, don’t worry – you’ve come to the right place! In today’s article, I’m going to take a very close look on that high-end model to see if it’s worth it. Surely, it’s one of the most expensive acoustic guitars available on the market, but is it actually good?
The truth is that Martin D18 features an absolutely amazing quality. This particular model is often considered as one of the best dreadnought acoustic guitars in the world. There’s a high chance that if you decide to get it, you’ll immediately fall in love with it.
Let’s dive deeper with research to find out what exactly makes the Martin D18 so good. Firstly, we’ll start with the specs and the main advantages of this guitar. Of course, you’ll also be able to hear how it sounds! Additionally, we’ll investigate if the D18 model has any flaws.
Hopefully, this review will help you to understand if Martin D18 is a right fit for you and your style of playing.
Specs & Pricing
Martin D18 is one of the most popular acoustic guitars manufactured by this legendary guitar brand. It’s a great looking and great sounding model loved by both amateur and professional musicians all around the world.
What makes it so special? Well, the guitar features a solid spruce top with solid mahogany back and sides. This combination of woods results with a really nice, balanced tone that efficiently cuts through the mix. It’s the Classic Martin tone loved and appreciated by guitar players all around the world!
The guitar has a very comfortable hardwood neck with a smooth ebony fretboard. These materials enhance the playability and the overall comfort, so you can be sure that your wrist won’t be tired even after a few hours of playing.
What’s important, Martin D18 has a very focused low frequency response which sounds very tight. This is a really big advantage of that guitar which is crucial during mixing recordings. Undoubtedly, a lot of guitar players and music producers are going to appreciate that.
It is also worth mentioning that the D18 looks absolutely fantastic from the outside as well. The guitar is made with a thorough precision and an attention to detail and it certainly looks and feels like a high-end guitar. If you like the simplicity of vintage guitars, you’re going to absolutely love the D18 model!
When it comes to pricing, it’s not cheap. In fact, it’s one of the most expensive models made by Martin. Nevertheless, it’s totally understandable why this guitar is not cheap. This is simply one of the best acoustic guitars in the world!
Here’s the sound demo.
Who Is It For?
Martin D18 is a perfect guitar for all passionate guitarists who are searching for a high-end acoustic guitar. It can be efficiently used by both amateur and more advanced players, although due to its high price, it’s mainly used by professional guitarists.
The thing is that the D18 sounds beautifully straight out of the box. So even if you decide to play a few simple chords, you’ll be blown away by the clarity and balance of that tone. That’s why even guitar beginners will appreciate its high sound quality.
As I mentioned earlier, the D18 model is really versatile, so it can be used in a really wide range of music genres. Whether you’re into blues, country, bluegrass or folk – getting this particular guitar will be an excellent choice.
Since it’s an expensive guitar, it’s mainly suitable for people who are willing to spend a lot of money on a new piece of gear. If you want to get one of the best acoustic guitars in the world and you’re okay with spending a lot of money on it, Martin D18 will be a perfect fit for you.
Who Played On Martin D18?
As you’re probably aware, Martin D18 is a truly iconic model that has been used by a lot of great musicians throughout the years.
It was used by such artists as:
- Elvis Presley
- Paul Simon
- Kurt Cobain
- Doc Watson
- Jerry Garcia
- and many, many more!
Undoubtedly, the high quality of Martin D18 is one of the main factors that encourages the professional musicians to use it on a daily basis. This guitar is perfect for studio and live performances, so it is not surprising that so many guitarists decide to choose it.
If you’d like to read more about musicians who are currently playing on Martin guitars, you can check it out on Martin’s website.
Additionally, here’s an another sound demo.
Disadvantages of Martin D18
To be honest, it’s really tough to find any major disadvantages of Martin D18. This is a really special model, so the overall quality and attention to detail of this guitar is really on point. It’s made with a thorough precision, so it’s very unlikely that you’re going to find any factory flaws on it.
The main disadvantage of this guitar is the high price. Not everyone can afford it, so the expensive cost is the biggest obstacle that may stop you from getting it.
On the other hand, it’s totally understandable that this model costs that much. In the end, this is one of the best acoustic guitars in the world!
Overall, this is a truly exceptional guitar. I’m sure that if you decide to get it, you won’t be disappointed. Many guitarists consider the D18 as their dream guitar and to be honest, I totally understand them.
Are There Any Alternatives?
If you don’t like this guitar or you think that it’s too expensive – don’t worry! There’s still a lot of great guitars out there. Still, it all depends on your personal preferences and your budget.
Here’s a few guitars that also deserve a lot of attention.
Martin DX Johnny Cash
Martin DX Johnny Cash is an affordable and great sounding alternative option for guitarists who think that the D18 model is too expensive.
This particular model features a really high quality and although it’s not made entirely of solid wood like the D18, it definitely deserves a lot of attention.
On top of that, it also features a killer look. This guitar is heavily inspired by the original Martin guitar used by Johnny Cash, so if you’re a fan of his music, you should definitely consider adding it to your collection.
Little Martin LX1E
Little Martin LX1E is an another affordable and great sounding guitar suitable for both beginners and more intermediate musicians. This particular model features a smaller size, so it’s perfect for traveling.
If you’re searching for a good and reliable acoustic-electric guitar that doesn’t cost thousands of dollars, you should definitely check out the Little Martin. It may not be as good as Martin D18, but it’s definitely worth the money.
Martin D-10E
Martin D-10E Road Series is an another high quality guitar manufactured by this legendary brand. It’s not as expensive as the D18 and it still features a very good quality. On top of that, the all-sapele construction offers a really unique sound!
It also works perfectly fine during live gigs and rehearsals, so I’m sure that a lot of guitarists are going to love it.
I have no hesitation in recommending this model to all musicians who are searching for a good and reliable acoustic-electric guitar that doesn’t cost thousands of dollars.
Alvarez AG60CEAR
Alvarez AG60CEAR is an another affordable mid-level acoustic-electric guitar suitable for the most demanding guitarists.
In comparison with Martin D18, this particular model features a slightly different body shape which makes it even more resonant. On top of that, there’s also a cutaway that allows you to easily access the highest frets.
It may not be as good as the legendary Martin, but it definitely deserves a lot of attention. Especially when you think about its low price!
Yamaha FG850
Yamaha FG850 is an all-mahogany acoustic guitar suitable for both amateur and more intermediate guitarists. It is far more affordable than Martin D18 and it offers a surprisingly good quality.
The guitar looks and sounds absolutely fantastic. For those who don’t know, mahogany guitars tend to have a very nice and warm tone. The FG850 model can be efficiently used for both strumming and fingerstyle playing.
I have no hesitation in recommending this model to all guitarists who are searching for an inexpensive and reliable acoustic guitar. It’s definitely worth the money!
FAQ
Where is Martin D18 made?
Martin D18 is manufactured in the USA.
Why are Martin guitars so expensive?
Martin guitars feature an extremely high quality. This is the reason that makes them so popular and so admired by all passionate enthusiasts of guitars!
Where can I find out more about Martin guitars?
If you want to find out more about Martin guitars, make sure to visit their official website.
Summary
As you can see, Martin D18 is a truly special guitar. I’m sure that if you decide to add it to your own guitar collection, it will be one of your favorite acoustic guitars. This model certainly looks, feels and sounds like a high-end guitar. And that’s why I totally recommend checking it out!
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