I tried both and remained undecided for a while. Then I tried a 1939 authentic with a sunburst torrefied Adirondack top and magnificent, well-figured and symmetrical very old sinker mahogany back, and I got sold. The neck is quite wide, but for my taste, I really like it. This was designed for me.
39 sounds like mahogany to me. Just sounds right. Reminds me of the early 50s ones honestly. I'm starting to come around to the rear shifted. Thicker, warmer, smoother, while still punchy.
Question Brian, the shop I deal with has a 39 but I don’t like the neck at all. What if they could replace the neck with a different profile from Martin? Your thoughts?
cost you a fortune and a non-A neck is going to have an adjustable truss rod so you'll need to access that. You're better off, IMHO, getting either a Custom Shop or a small builder to do what you want.
I see what you're saying about bias. So maybe anonymous "reference" such as guitar 1 vs guitar 2 then bias is removed but can still describe the sound/tone relative to each guitar by referring to the number. At times one had a deeper, richer, more "mature" sound than the other, then other times depending on what you played ( single notes, chords,etc.) they sounded somewhat similar. Overall, one sounded slightly thinner and less robust than the other. Thanks.
Well, that difference is why we do comparisons. One guitar sounds better for THIS, the other guitar sounds better for THAT. You should pick the guitar based on what YOU do. I like the '39 better for lead and it's very acceptable for rhythm. Now, if you go to 04:28 I introduce the guitar and state "This is a D-18 1937 Authentic". And at 05:55 I introduce the D-18 '39 A. Look at the pickguards.... they're quite distinct. From there, you should be able to figure out which guitar I start with in the A/B and I always go A/B, A/B, A/B... I don't go A/B B/A, A/B, B/A, ever. Just to be clear, though, A is the '37 A... it has a mottled guard and a distinctly bi-colored top. B is the '39 A, with a more uniform guard and more uniform top. And, interestingly enough, the title of the video is "37 A vs '39 A which is the order they appear in. Maybe that'll help.
@@Bryankimsey I did notice pickguard difference but tops look quite similar on the tube. Still were able to tell em apart. I don't single note much but do augment chords with some picking. I like both, would be hard choice but probably would take the '37. Thanks, btw I just started watching your tutorial on the G lick thing. Kinda new for me but can relate. Thanks again.
I tried both and remained undecided for a while. Then I tried a 1939 authentic with a sunburst torrefied Adirondack top and magnificent, well-figured and symmetrical very old sinker mahogany back, and I got sold. The neck is quite wide, but for my taste, I really like it. This was designed for me.
Both sound great, but I'd choose the '37 because I prefer 1-3/4" nut.
39 sounds like mahogany to me. Just sounds right. Reminds me of the early 50s ones honestly. I'm starting to come around to the rear shifted. Thicker, warmer, smoother, while still punchy.
Both sound glorious...different sure, but both awesome. I'd take the 37 for the wider string spacing.
I agree with what this guy said!
Thank you Bryan for sharing this video!
Just today I bought my 2013 D-18 Authentic 1939.
Thanks for posting this.
I prefer the 37. Fuller sound.
I prefer the sound of the 37.
I like the 37 better.
Hard to tell which one is which when you're switching back and forth. Would have been nice to I.D. them verbally before playing each one.
That's a good way to bias you. Just tell me what you thought and I'll tell you which is which.
Where is your shop?
Interested in quote for neck reset, stainless frets etc
Are You Taking New Work? Along with recommendations for people who might be:
ruclips.net/video/nMzq7kAhx3c/видео.html
Question Brian, the shop I deal with has a 39 but I don’t like the neck at all. What if they could replace the neck with a different profile from Martin?
Your thoughts?
cost you a fortune and a non-A neck is going to have an adjustable truss rod so you'll need to access that. You're better off, IMHO, getting either a Custom Shop or a small builder to do what you want.
Thanks for always responding quickly. Your kindness and honesty is always appreciated.
This is a ...........Martin. That is funny:)
I see what you're saying about bias. So maybe anonymous "reference" such as guitar 1 vs guitar 2 then bias is removed but can still describe the sound/tone relative to each guitar by referring to the number. At times one had a deeper, richer, more "mature" sound than the other, then other times depending on what you played ( single notes, chords,etc.) they sounded somewhat similar. Overall, one sounded slightly thinner and less robust than the other. Thanks.
Well, that difference is why we do comparisons. One guitar sounds better for THIS, the other guitar sounds better for THAT. You should pick the guitar based on what YOU do. I like the '39 better for lead and it's very acceptable for rhythm.
Now, if you go to 04:28 I introduce the guitar and state "This is a D-18 1937 Authentic". And at 05:55 I introduce the D-18 '39 A. Look at the pickguards.... they're quite distinct. From there, you should be able to figure out which guitar I start with in the A/B and I always go A/B, A/B, A/B... I don't go A/B B/A, A/B, B/A, ever.
Just to be clear, though, A is the '37 A... it has a mottled guard and a distinctly bi-colored top. B is the '39 A, with a more uniform guard and more uniform top. And, interestingly enough, the title of the video is "37 A vs '39 A which is the order they appear in.
Maybe that'll help.
@@Bryankimsey I did notice pickguard difference but tops look quite similar on the tube. Still were able to tell em apart. I don't single note much but do augment chords with some picking. I like both, would be hard choice but probably would take the '37. Thanks, btw I just started watching your tutorial on the G lick thing. Kinda new for me but can relate. Thanks again.
Just re-watched it under different lighting (tilted monitor screen and not so washed out) and saw the bi-colored top. Got it now. = }
@@cb874The more yellow looking top is the 39