since you're on a roll with these '44 D-18s, I will add mine to the mix. I have a late '44 scallop braced (September 6 1944 to be exact). It has a lot of mojo, but original finish. Serial number 88951..... nice playing!
New subscriber. Impressive video. I too am a mahogany fan. My first guitar was a spruce and mahogany Harmony h181. All solid. Made in Chicago. Today I often play my D18GE. I think that it sounds at least as good as this one I heard today. But that's a beautiful guitar! I will look and dream and be content.. I know what I am looking for.
Just stumbled on to your video Shawn, what an awesome sounding guitar, and a great job of playing it. On a side note, my capo must be defective, I never sound that good when its on my guitar LOL!
Oh Man, I sure appreciate you watching and commenting, and hope I do something that is at least tolerable LOL. I also appreciate your kind compliments, and I am certain that you probably sound better than I do.
What a guitar. I think the tops changed to Sitka in 1939, so it's after the golden era, but there's a certain sweetness you get from the sitka top that is so amazing, and quite different to the louder tone of the adirondack. That one's just lovely, and makes you wonder if the era they called golden wasn't the right one...
Actually, it was later in the 40s when the tops started to change; this one is Adirondack. The 1945 D-18 I demoed is Adirondack as well. Perhaps you are thinking of scalloped bracing? 44 was also the last year for that for sometime.
Red spruce was through1944, with the introduction of Sitka in 1945. Being a transition year, you can find both in 1945, and some red spruce tops into 1946. Style 18 guitars sometimes used 4 piece red spruce tops. The transition appears to be complete by the end of 1946, and I have never seen a red spruce top from 1947 or 1948.
@@derekbertman9106 That was from a later acquisition of spruce, unrelated to the initial transition to Sitka. I've never seen a non-Sitka top (at least one that convinced me) from 1951 and only one from 1952. Most of those non-Sitka claims prior to 1953 are wishful thinking. Martin use of non-Sitka in the late 1950's has only recently been documented, but again, it's unrelated to the question here regarding when Martin initially switched to Sitka.
Don’t matter what guitar you’re playing. You make every guitar sound 👌🏻 . I love the way you play . Awesome flat picker and i also love when you slow it down .for example . At 5.15 / 10.15. Love that stuff. 👍👍👍
Man I sure appreciate your words a bunch! You are right, speed is just a small portion of things LOL. It’s a good thing that it is just a small portion, because I am getting too old for it LOL. Thanks for watching man.
I sure would like to have one of those, I am a big fan of Gordon’s music and writing! I would also like to have the Andy Griffith D-18, and… lol… seriously though, out of all of the limited run stuff they have made, those are the instruments that have interested me the most.
@@ShawnBrockMusic That stuff is just not my cup of coffee. No disrespect intended but the musician's music is the point for me. But I'm OK with concert T-Shirts. LOL.
Fantastic demonstration of a great sounding guitar! Great Job! Man, min 9:30 and 10:12 sounds so beautiful, i would Love to learn how to play these but i don't know where to start 😂 can you tell me the name of those tracks? Maybe i'll find a tutorial..or maaybe you will make one in the future 😀😉 Greetings from Germany
I appreciate you watching my friend! The first one you asked about is called, Let Me Touch You for a While, by Alison Krauss and Union Station. The second one is Clay and Audi by Blue Highway. They our good melodies for these old guitars. 😄
@@ShawnBrockMusic Hello Shawn, unfortunately I didn't find any tutorials for the two tracks 😭 so I tried slowing down the video and learn them like that but it is very hard..I watched a lot of your videos and in some you said we can ask for helping videos. So let me ask you if, by any chance, you could make a tutorial how to play them, since there are none to find on RUclips..I would be so happy 😀 Just if you have the time and want to... 😉✌️
He’s slow on posting it, he’ll get it up Monday I guess. By the description box, I mean the description box here on RUclips, which you have to tap to expand. 😀
That D-18 has the Bass approaching that of a 40s D-28. But I’m a Mahogany fan and this D-18 is as good as I have ever heard. That 44 sure is Clean! Any overspray-or original? As clean as it looks -betting that 44 has original finish
Man it sure has the sound doesn’t it! I’m not entirely sure as to the originality of the finish, or if there has ever been any overspray. If there has been, it seems like it would have been quite sometime ago, just judging by the feeling and look of the finish. Nothing beats an 18 for my liking. 🤩
sounds nice...what kind of guitar is your personal go to that you own? Been listening to shotgun holler, love the song relatively easy...are you a fan of slower or faster songs? God bless!
Man that band was so much fun! I love them guys like brothers. I don’t mind if a song is fast or slow, as long as it means something. It seems like songs that are well-crafted are becoming a rarity these days, including the ones I wrote LOL. My personal guitar is a Jimmy Edmonds D-41, and a Edmonds D-18 that’s on the way, which I will video the unboxing of this week. The 41 has a video on it already; it’s a killer!
Hi John, all the guitars are strung with D’Addario XS 17, so folks are able to compare each guitar, without having an additional variable that might change the sound.
Now I get it. I love newer guitars like 1998 and up. You've got to see this gorgeous sounding (and looking) Martin on RUclips: 'Petrilli Picks 1998 Martin D-42-K Angela Petrilli at Norman's Rare Guitars'
I completely agree with you sir! It just has that big old sound to it, that could make a man engage in some strange financial decisions LOL. This is the type of instrument that is very difficult to put down!
Hey Robert, Man I sure appreciate the confidence, but Lord knows, an instrument like this sure helps me sound somewhat, nearly acceptable LOL. With one of these in your hand, it is almost like driving a car on cruise control, and having that automatic stay in your lane feature LOL. If Jimmy comes out with a self-playing model, i’ll really be in business. 😂
No, the business of baking tops, is a relatively new concept that unfortunately came about and this century. They just built good guitars out of good wood back then, and time has done its thing.
MAN!!! You have no idea of the expletives I'm holding back on with this one. Wash my mouth with soap!!! Don't know if y'all have heard of the Canadian music icon, Gordon LIghtfoot. THIS guitar is why he hangs his hat on a D-18 from forever ago. You don't have to pick bluegrass to know about mahogany Ds. Somebody BUY this one. 🏆
Ain’t nothing better than a good 18 in my opinion. I love plenty of things, but mahogany is absolutely where it is at for me. When they wash out your mouth, they will have to do the same to me, my first words when I tuned this thing up, would have made you think Red Foxx was in the room LOL.
I saw Gordon Lightfoot play in a bar in Kansas City, Missouri about 1984 and stood about 15 feet from him. About $15.00. A memorable night for certain!
@@johnwashburn3793 If you search "Gordon Lightfoot Live In Reno" ON RUclips, there's a bunch of good *concert footage of that*, especially "Canadian Railroad Trilogy". He plays 12 string on that one but there's some songs with the D-18 that he's had forever. (complete concert also available on DVD). EDIT: Tony RIce has some nice GL cover songs.
The thing I hear in 30's and 40's D-18s that none of the later guitars have, is a big low end, almost like a D-28. They are dry and punchy with a big low end and a big presence. I think a D-18 needs scalloped & forward shifted bracing and an Adirondack top, since to my ear every D-18 from the late 40's-up sounds thin and one dimensional.
Martin discontinued forward shifted scalloped bracing in mid 1938...from that point they began with rear shifted scalloped bracing. 1944 was the last year for scalloped bracing. Adirondack tops were discontinued in mid/late 1945 due to lack of inventory and availability. At this time North west (Washington-Oregon) USA Sitka Spruce replaced Adirondack tops.
The neck is 1 11/16, and if I was ordering a guitar, I would get 1 3/4, and a fatter neck, but I played 1 11/16 for many years, and wouldn’t turn away a guitar like this because of the neck being smaller than my current preference. For all I know, someday I might prefer smaller necks again LOL. I think some things, guitars like this one, are worth adapting, while others simply aren’t.
Man I will tell you, if this isn’t the best 40s Martin I have played, there weren’t many ahead of it. It is absolutely a beast. I also just recorded a 1945 D-18, that won’t hardly take a backseat to anything.
![Blox Fruits Dragon Rework Update [Full Stream]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/EqDAp8udhm0/mqdefault.jpg)
Holy grail!
I would agree with that, and add a fraction of the price of mini earlier 18s.
since you're on a roll with these '44 D-18s, I will add mine to the mix. I have a late '44 scallop braced (September 6 1944 to be exact). It has a lot of mojo, but original finish. Serial number 88951..... nice playing!
Unreal! What an extraordinary example of a vintage D18 Martin
Bill, you need this one. Maybe we could go halves on it or something; some kind of timeshare arrangement LOL.
Very nice sounding D-18
I sure like those old D-18s a lot!
Very nice playing in the demo!
Thanks my friend. The guitar did most of the work. 😌
Just added another subscriber- love the Martin and your pickin’😀
Thank you very much, I sure appreciate it.
Thank you very much! I do what I can.
Whoa. Just picked up another subscriber. Awesome playing and great sounding guitar.
Well I am sure appreciating having you here, and also your kind words. I hope I can play something worthwhile for you guys.
love it but i could never afford it.sure no harm looking.great playing as usual Shawn.
New subscriber. Impressive video. I too am a mahogany fan. My first guitar was a spruce and mahogany Harmony h181. All solid. Made in Chicago. Today I often play my D18GE. I think that it sounds at least as good as this one I heard today. But that's a beautiful guitar!
I will look and dream and be content.. I know what I am looking for.
I appreciate you subscribing John! As long as a man is happy with his guitar, he is in a good spot! That’s absolutely what it is all about!
Just stumbled on to your video Shawn, what an awesome sounding guitar, and a great job of playing it. On a side note, my capo must be defective, I never sound that good when its on my guitar LOL!
Oh Man, I sure appreciate you watching and commenting, and hope I do something that is at least tolerable LOL. I also appreciate your kind compliments, and I am certain that you probably sound better than I do.
I’m married to a Julie Okeefe, har family are originally from limerick Ireland,
@@joeeardley9011
There once was a man from Nantucket.
He likes to shoot fish in a bucket.
oh, nevermind 🔫 🐟 🪣
What a guitar. I think the tops changed to Sitka in 1939, so it's after the golden era, but there's a certain sweetness you get from the sitka top that is so amazing, and quite different to the louder tone of the adirondack. That one's just lovely, and makes you wonder if the era they called golden wasn't the right one...
Actually, it was later in the 40s when the tops started to change; this one is Adirondack. The 1945 D-18 I demoed is Adirondack as well. Perhaps you are thinking of scalloped bracing? 44 was also the last year for that for sometime.
@@ShawnBrockMusic you are correct on that sir
Red spruce was through1944, with the introduction of Sitka in 1945. Being a transition year, you can find both in 1945, and some red spruce tops into 1946. Style 18 guitars sometimes used 4 piece red spruce tops. The transition appears to be complete by the end of 1946, and I have never seen a red spruce top from 1947 or 1948.
@@vernonyates8408 after that, a handful of Adi tops showed up from 51-53 with the largest number of mystery tops showing up in '53
@@derekbertman9106 That was from a later acquisition of spruce, unrelated to the initial transition to Sitka. I've never seen a non-Sitka top (at least one that convinced me) from 1951 and only one from 1952. Most of those non-Sitka claims prior to 1953 are wishful thinking. Martin use of non-Sitka in the late 1950's has only recently been documented, but again, it's unrelated to the question here regarding when Martin initially switched to Sitka.
Don’t matter what guitar you’re playing. You make every guitar sound 👌🏻 . I love the way you play . Awesome flat picker and i also love when you slow it down .for example . At 5.15 / 10.15. Love that stuff. 👍👍👍
Man I sure appreciate your words a bunch! You are right, speed is just a small portion of things LOL. It’s a good thing that it is just a small portion, because I am getting too old for it LOL. Thanks for watching man.
RE Gordon Lightfoot & the D-18 : Martin even produced a limited edition D-18GL edition (61 in total).
I sure would like to have one of those, I am a big fan of Gordon’s music and writing! I would also like to have the Andy Griffith D-18, and… lol… seriously though, out of all of the limited run stuff they have made, those are the instruments that have interested me the most.
@@ShawnBrockMusic That stuff is just not my cup of coffee. No disrespect intended but the musician's music is the point for me. But I'm OK with concert T-Shirts. LOL.
This guitar has Grand Piano bass!
Fantastic demonstration of a great sounding guitar! Great Job! Man, min 9:30 and 10:12 sounds so beautiful, i would Love to learn how to play these but i don't know where to start 😂 can you tell me the name of those tracks? Maybe i'll find a tutorial..or maaybe you will make one in the future 😀😉 Greetings from Germany
I appreciate you watching my friend! The first one you asked about is called, Let Me Touch You for a While, by Alison Krauss and Union Station. The second one is Clay and Audi by Blue Highway. They our good melodies for these old guitars. 😄
@@ShawnBrockMusic thank you, i will check them out🙏
@@ShawnBrockMusic Hello Shawn, unfortunately I didn't find any tutorials for the two tracks 😭 so I tried slowing down the video and learn them like that but it is very hard..I watched a lot of your videos and in some you said we can ask for helping videos. So let me ask you if, by any chance, you could make a tutorial how to play them, since there are none to find on RUclips..I would be so happy 😀 Just if you have the time and want to... 😉✌️
@@HaenZky tell you what, I will do a tutorial on each of these in the coming weeks. I will make sure to get one of them uploaded this week.
Man, you are the best, thanks so much!!!
I cant find this one on Dales website. I dont see a description box either Shawn. Maybe I'm missing something buddy, lol. EE
He’s slow on posting it, he’ll get it up Monday I guess. By the description box, I mean the description box here on RUclips, which you have to tap to expand. 😀
Man, that thins sounds like rosewood. The bass of the low E and A string alone are worth the guitar.
I tell you, man, I think they are making the best guitars they have ever made at this point, and this one is proof to me.
That D-18 has the Bass approaching that of a 40s D-28. But I’m a Mahogany fan and this D-18 is as good as I have ever heard. That 44 sure is Clean! Any overspray-or original? As clean as it looks -betting that 44 has original finish
Man it sure has the sound doesn’t it! I’m not entirely sure as to the originality of the finish, or if there has ever been any overspray. If there has been, it seems like it would have been quite sometime ago, just judging by the feeling and look of the finish. Nothing beats an 18 for my liking. 🤩
Great playing and a great guitar. What song are you playing in the first 30 seconds?
Thank you very much my friend! I sure enjoy those old D-18s! The song which starts the video is an old classic called Home Sweet Home.
That “bird “ song you picked on for a second ? How do I look that song up? Thanks !
I wrote it. It’s called Bert and the Calf, and I recorded it, but the record isn’t out yet.
@@ShawnBrockMusic well I can’t wait to here it!!
sounds nice...what kind of guitar is your personal go to that you own? Been listening to shotgun holler, love the song relatively easy...are you a fan of slower or faster songs? God bless!
Man that band was so much fun! I love them guys like brothers. I don’t mind if a song is fast or slow, as long as it means something. It seems like songs that are well-crafted are becoming a rarity these days, including the ones I wrote LOL. My personal guitar is a Jimmy Edmonds D-41, and a Edmonds D-18 that’s on the way, which I will video the unboxing of this week. The 41 has a video on it already; it’s a killer!
@@ShawnBrockMusic Nice, I listened to those they do sound good. Other than American builders, have you evener looked into the Alvarez Yairi DYM60HD?
@@gloryland_bread man, I haven’t, but I hear they’re a great bang for the buck.
5:10 just saving a spot here to practice.
Beautiful Pickin, what strings are on this D18?
Hi John, all the guitars are strung with D’Addario XS 17, so folks are able to compare each guitar, without having an additional variable that might change the sound.
Thanks, do you make your home in Lytle?
Hey John, I do. I am just outside of Town, raising some cattle. ☺️ and guitars.
@@ShawnBrockMusic Come through Lytle a few times a year going to Dilley.
@@RoundTopJohn next time, give me a heads up, and we’ll pick some guitars!
Me too. I wouldn't go that far back.
Lol I hear you there 🥹
@@ShawnBrockMusic I had to watch this again to understand what I texted. He starts out by playing what sounds like blue grass.
Now I get it. I love newer guitars like 1998 and up. You've got to see this gorgeous sounding (and looking) Martin on RUclips: 'Petrilli Picks 1998 Martin D-42-K Angela Petrilli at Norman's Rare Guitars'
Tony Rice grade. When you pick a guitar up like that you want to hold her forever. Hard on the wallet. Good for the soul.
I completely agree with you sir! It just has that big old sound to it, that could make a man engage in some strange financial decisions LOL. This is the type of instrument that is very difficult to put down!
Dale usually prices his guitars very high!
Shawn, I do believe you can make a tin can sound great. However, this D-18 is just beyond the pale. I think even I could sound half way decent on it.
Hey Robert, Man I sure appreciate the confidence, but Lord knows, an instrument like this sure helps me sound somewhat, nearly acceptable LOL. With one of these in your hand, it is almost like driving a car on cruise control, and having that automatic stay in your lane feature LOL. If Jimmy comes out with a self-playing model, i’ll really be in business. 😂
Is the top torrified?
No, the business of baking tops, is a relatively new concept that unfortunately came about and this century. They just built good guitars out of good wood back then, and time has done its thing.
MAN!!! You have no idea of the expletives I'm holding back on with this one. Wash my mouth with soap!!! Don't know if y'all have heard of the Canadian music icon, Gordon LIghtfoot. THIS guitar is why he hangs his hat on a D-18 from forever ago. You don't have to pick bluegrass to know about mahogany Ds. Somebody BUY this one. 🏆
Ain’t nothing better than a good 18 in my opinion. I love plenty of things, but mahogany is absolutely where it is at for me. When they wash out your mouth, they will have to do the same to me, my first words when I tuned this thing up, would have made you think Red Foxx was in the room LOL.
I saw Gordon Lightfoot play in a bar in Kansas City, Missouri about 1984 and stood about 15 feet from him. About $15.00. A memorable night for certain!
...and I have a D18GE, and love it.
@@johnwashburn3793 If you search "Gordon Lightfoot Live In Reno" ON RUclips, there's a bunch of good *concert footage of that*, especially "Canadian Railroad Trilogy". He plays 12 string on that one but there's some songs with the D-18 that he's had forever. (complete concert also available on DVD). EDIT: Tony RIce has some nice GL cover songs.
@@johnwashburn3793 Man I cannot even imagine! I don’t know if my heart could take such an experience; I am a huge, huge fan of GL!
The thing I hear in 30's and 40's D-18s that none of the later guitars have, is a big low end, almost like a D-28. They are dry and punchy with a big low end and a big presence. I think a D-18 needs scalloped & forward shifted bracing and an Adirondack top, since to my ear every D-18 from the late 40's-up sounds thin and one dimensional.
William, I think we are birds of a feather LOL. Those are exactly my thoughts as well.
Martin discontinued forward shifted scalloped bracing in mid 1938...from that point they began with rear shifted scalloped bracing. 1944 was the last year for scalloped bracing. Adirondack tops were discontinued in mid/late 1945 due to lack of inventory and availability. At this time North west (Washington-Oregon) USA Sitka Spruce replaced Adirondack tops.
Nice! Neck not to small? It’s not 1 3/4
The neck is 1 11/16, and if I was ordering a guitar, I would get 1 3/4, and a fatter neck, but I played 1 11/16 for many years, and wouldn’t turn away a guitar like this because of the neck being smaller than my current preference. For all I know, someday I might prefer smaller necks again LOL. I think some things, guitars like this one, are worth adapting, while others simply aren’t.
@@ShawnBrockMusic good answer! Like it
You just won't get that sound out of Indian Rosewood.
That is exactly right! Of course some like it, and some don’t, but man oh man, I’m sure in the category of those who like it!
Shawn, I've never heard you outright laugh before, when feeling the effects of a dreadnought. I hope someone in need of a hog is paying attention!!!
Man I will tell you, if this isn’t the best 40s Martin I have played, there weren’t many ahead of it. It is absolutely a beast. I also just recorded a 1945 D-18, that won’t hardly take a backseat to anything.
I would need to play a whole lot (like x100) better to justify that guitar. However, maybe a great investment vs. the rigged financial markets
Lol I hear ya. Property and guitars seem to be the most sound investments a person can make, unless he or she wants to become a drug dealer LOL.
Pricy lol
Lol! Yeah Man!
Definition of an understatement lol
@@derekbertman9106 3days, 3296 views, 59 comments and a wire transfer, sorry!
@@DaleOwen Dale, you and I don't see eye to eye on anything, but if you are able to get $30k for that, I tip my cap to you
@@derekbertman9106 take time to read the comments and you will hear what THAT is!
stomper of a guitar waaaaay outma my league.
Apparently 44 was a hell of a year for Martin 😀 those were very hard to be when compared to anything in my opinion.