What a difference... the Spruce top sounds much brighter & louder than the sapele version. I have the D-10 e with the Spruce top, and I've been really happy with how it sounds and feels.❤👌👍
Same here, i normally gravitated towards Mahogany acoustics over the years. But when i got my Martin i wanted as much tonal versatility as possible so i got the Sapele back and sides with Sitka top. It was certainly the correct choice for me.
I chose Sapele after playing EVERY martin on the wall at my shop!......it just Stands out, and has a Sharper high, and Aggressive Lows. Honestly I was not impressed with Mahogony and Spruce after playing them all.....they kind of all sounded generic.
Good video. Being affordable Martins, these are both great guitars, the Road Series is really good. The spruce top wins for me as far as a dreadnaught since I'm looking for volume. Otherwise, Im reaching for a more comfortable smaller bodied guitar.
I have the Sapele. prefer the warmer tone. I also like the color and grain. Sapele is a pretty tough wood too - so this is great if you play this guitar outside of the safety of your home.
I have a cedar top FY65 Yairi, 1989, it's travelled extensively both land and sea and no cracks. For the record. But I'm looking at the Martin djr and still undecided. Good video. Spruce punches and I have a rich voice. This was very helpful as I have no Martin shops around.. Thanks
I have the D15M spell. 1997. The look is kind of artificial, and it’s deeper than my ‘92 Taylor 812 C Rosewood/Spruce. (Which is super bright). I am hearing the spruce here sound deepe - and with warmer mid-fringe, which is surprising, but visually, that sapele looks pretty. It’s much improved from my ‘97z
Been working on fretted instruments for over 30 years. Cedar will not necessarily crack on a steel string guitar. Indeed I just set up a cedar topped dreadnought from the 70's . . . no cracks. it was well cared for though. And only light gauge strings were used. It did have a slight belly behind the bridge, but I've seen that with all types of tops. The most important thing as to any species of tone wood is that it be well seasoned. One year of seasoning or kiln drying probably ain't gonna cut it.
I like the looks of the all Sapele better but ive owned a lot of Mahogany acoustics over the years so I thought it would be good to change it up when i got my Martin. I also wanted something with a wider frequency/tonal response for more versatility when i got my D10E. Thats why I went with the Spruce top and Sapele back and sides. Ive had it for about 4 years now and I absolutely love it. Its the best acoustic ive ever owned in my 20 plus years of playing guitar. I just couldnt ever afford anything nicer despite my playing capability and devotion to the instrument warranting a nicer guitar long ago. The D10's feel really great to play. I love the wider string spacing, it really makes playing finger style a breeze. And the Spruce/Sapele D10's record extremely well. I think you could get a great recording with the under saddle peizo by itself or by only close micing with a condenser mic. But if you do both peizo and condenser mic then mix them theres no reason you couldn't get the D10's to sound just as good as a D18 or D35 etc.
Good. It would have been better if you traded the guitars between you, as it is hard to believe that a person's playing wouldn't be part of the difference.
I have the sapele and it sounds great. I have two complaints. 1) the neck is thicker than I would like. 2) I would rather the guitar come without the electronics. I’d prefer to install my own pickup.
I have a Taylor with sapele back and side . Sound awesome . But it’s crack a little bit in the back . I have it for 3 years . I put it everywhere in the apartment. So I guess that’s why . I prefer the spruce ❤
Martin puts out a good Comparison Video - actually playing longer pieces; strumming comparisons; and gives each comparison much more time to actually hear the difference
@@silverzales1980 The D Jr 10, without electronics, went for $499 in 2023; in 2024, they''re $599. Don't know the cost for the DJrs with electronics. Fabulous little guitars..
@@silverzales1980 I don't understand you. Are you in the US.? The D Jr is a small dreadnaught. Larger Martin dreadnaughts come in higher prices. The price of the D Jr 10 is $599 USD (2024).
In the market. Seems spruce has a richer sound but i do like the sapele look it is different and distinctive. Is it worth it to give up that spruce sound? And i see sweetwater will set it up for 100. Other question is hard case or bag?
That sapele does not have more warmth. Its brighter and muffled compared to spruce and not like mahogany at all. Guitars are way too overpriced and gimmicky nowadays. Rip.
Great video! My favorite is sapele💕 because I like warm tone!
Cool, lots of people seem to enjoy the Sapele.
What a difference... the Spruce top sounds much brighter & louder than the sapele version. I have the D-10 e with the Spruce top, and I've been really happy with how it sounds and feels.❤👌👍
Same here, i normally gravitated towards Mahogany acoustics over the years. But when i got my Martin i wanted as much tonal versatility as possible so i got the Sapele back and sides with Sitka top. It was certainly the correct choice for me.
I chose Sapele after playing EVERY martin on the wall at my shop!......it just Stands out, and has a Sharper high, and Aggressive Lows. Honestly I was not impressed with Mahogony and Spruce after playing them all.....they kind of all sounded generic.
It's also records better fyi...the spruce , requires more doctoring in the mix, kind of a roar in the mids
Sapele is an under rated wood and sounds incredible on guitars.
both sound horrible
Good video. Being affordable Martins, these are both great guitars, the Road Series is really good. The spruce top wins for me as far as a dreadnaught since I'm looking for volume. Otherwise, Im reaching for a more comfortable smaller bodied guitar.
I see your point. I have the DJr 10 e street master with the sapele top back and sides . I enjoy playing it! Great travel guitar in my humble opinion
Spruce is brighter, louder; sapele is more mellow, softer.
Spruce wins for me!
that spruce rings forever for 1k!
I have the Sapele. prefer the warmer tone. I also like the color and grain. Sapele is a pretty tough wood too - so this is great if you play this guitar outside of the safety of your home.
Thanks for sharing and great points
I have 3 Godin dreadnought so, I prefer the sapele here in this case. 👍👍
I agree the sapele sounds great
Excellent comparison. Like both, just a little different. Actually helped me decide on a lefty ooo version of the sapele model.
I have a cedar top FY65 Yairi, 1989, it's travelled extensively both land and sea and no cracks. For the record. But I'm looking at the Martin djr and still undecided. Good video. Spruce punches and I have a rich voice. This was very helpful as I have no Martin shops around.. Thanks
Great point and appreciate the comment.
I have the D15M spell. 1997. The look is kind of artificial, and it’s deeper than my ‘92 Taylor 812 C Rosewood/Spruce. (Which is super bright).
I am hearing the spruce here sound deepe - and with warmer mid-fringe, which is surprising, but visually, that sapele looks pretty.
It’s much improved from my ‘97z
Thank you. Yes Spruce but both are Great guitars.
Been working on fretted instruments for over 30 years. Cedar will not necessarily crack on a steel string guitar. Indeed I just set up a cedar topped dreadnought from the 70's . . . no cracks. it was well cared for though. And only light gauge strings were used. It did have a slight belly behind the bridge, but I've seen that with all types of tops. The most important thing as to any species of tone wood is that it be well seasoned. One year of seasoning or kiln drying probably ain't gonna cut it.
Thank you for sharing your experience with this.
I like the looks of the all Sapele better but ive owned a lot of Mahogany acoustics over the years so I thought it would be good to change it up when i got my Martin. I also wanted something with a wider frequency/tonal response for more versatility when i got my D10E. Thats why I went with the Spruce top and Sapele back and sides. Ive had it for about 4 years now and I absolutely love it. Its the best acoustic ive ever owned in my 20 plus years of playing guitar. I just couldnt ever afford anything nicer despite my playing capability and devotion to the instrument warranting a nicer guitar long ago. The D10's feel really great to play. I love the wider string spacing, it really makes playing finger style a breeze. And the Spruce/Sapele D10's record extremely well. I think you could get a great recording with the under saddle peizo by itself or by only close micing with a condenser mic. But if you do both peizo and condenser mic then mix them theres no reason you couldn't get the D10's to sound just as good as a D18 or D35 etc.
Ill’eep,you posted my seagull,is cedar top and it’s mint after 15 years
Good. It would have been better if you traded the guitars between you, as it is hard to believe that a person's playing wouldn't be part of the difference.
Very good point and we work on doing that in current videos.
I have the sapele and it sounds great. I have two complaints. 1) the neck is thicker than I would like. 2) I would rather the guitar come without the electronics. I’d prefer to install my own pickup.
I have a Taylor with sapele back and side . Sound awesome . But it’s crack a little bit in the back . I have it for 3 years . I put it everywhere in the apartment. So I guess that’s why . I prefer the spruce ❤
Martin puts out a good Comparison Video - actually playing longer pieces; strumming comparisons; and gives each comparison much more time to actually hear the difference
Sapele😊
Nice
Nice video...I'd buy both if I had the money!!!
A plugged in demo would help!!!
How can you judge the sound of either guitar when they're played simultaneously? Quite Absurd
HUH?
I prefer the spruce by far.
Spruce top is the way to go.
Great video, love the direct comparison and explanations. It's the Spruce for me. Thanks!
Glad you liked it! Thanks for the support.
Are they solid top
Solid top, back, and sides. Amazing, really, for $499.
@@anneberkeley7411yea there not $499 there $899
@@silverzales1980 The D Jr 10, without electronics, went for $499 in 2023; in 2024, they''re $599. Don't know the cost for the DJrs with electronics. Fabulous little guitars..
@@anneberkeley7411 yea not the dreadnought it was $799 or $899
@@silverzales1980 I don't understand you. Are you in the US.? The D Jr is a small dreadnaught. Larger Martin dreadnaughts come in higher prices. The price of the D Jr 10 is $599 USD (2024).
Don’t need to hear! The Sapele is just ugly!
In the market. Seems spruce has a richer sound but i do like the sapele look it is different and distinctive. Is it worth it to give up that spruce sound? And i see sweetwater will set it up for 100. Other question is hard case or bag?
what did you do eventually? I have the same debate in my head
@@lugame859 sapele…im not sure the sound would be that different. And the sapele is beautiful
That sapele does not have more warmth. Its brighter and muffled compared to spruce and not like mahogany at all. Guitars are way too overpriced and gimmicky nowadays. Rip.