@@mariodriessen9740 😂 being cremated in a guitar sounds like a morbid country song. I agree for solo performance the d18 is amazing. I've found myself wanting an 18 and 35
This is an outstanding comparison of the two tone woods. Those are two amazing guitars and the two of you are supremely talented players, I could listen to you all day long. In fact, I've listened to this video many times already. Thank you both for sharing this comparison, and your talent.
He is in the neighborhood vocally. If you really want to hear a Johnny cash voice check out the kid from Canada Colter wall. This guy oughta get together with colter they’d do Johnny proud.
First off, of course they play great, that’s obvious. Also, if you listened to a side-by-side comparison of someone playing with any contact on the top of an acoustic versus minimal contact and a floating hand, you would notice a difference. Especially in a super resonant guitar.
Okay. I bought you a Martin D-28 years ago and every day I bless having that instrument close by. I feel that you guys really love what you do, and I'm proud to be a part of it as a little sidekick. Surely it is not the last guitar that I buy from you. Congratulations on that enthusiasm. For that love ♥
I have still have my first Martin. A 1969 D18 and would not trade it for anything. It’s in pristine shape. And sounds great. I think I paid $250 or $350. Still have my tags and layaway slips from the music store. What a day it was to bring it home.
I have watched a LOT of Martin guitar demos and comparisons...a ridiculous number in the last 6 months, but that was an EPIC playing demo guys. Wow you guys can play.
Love the masterful playing. D-28 is like an orchestra with rich overtones while the D-18 is more focused and has more distinct note separation. Both are wonderful,
Great video that shows the fantastic sound of those wonderful guitars. Fantastic playing by the way. I bought myself a D-18 last week at tfoa. I love that instrument. I am 62 years of age now and it is my first Martin guitar and I hope to play it for a very long time. I think that my Seagull S6 will catch a lot of dust the next years.
I have a 2008 D-28 Marquis & my son has a 2001 D-18 GE (both have an adirondack top). My son plays the frills and leads (he's a MUCH better player), I do the rhythm parts. Both are fantastic sounding easy playing guitars. Both are cannons with great bass and balance across all the strings. My son likes to flatpick while I prefer fingerpicking. Seems to fit all our needs. We both just can't put these Martin's down for long and play every day.
DAMN!!! 😮 I’m partial to the D-18 because I’ve got one that’s 53 years old. It was my first great guitar and I can’t imagine ever getting rid of it. But 20-25 years ago, I was in a trio with a guy who had a 1926 00-21. When we played them on stage - him fingerpicking, me flatpicking - it was just freakin’ magic! You really can’t go wrong with either one of those fabulous dreads.
@@thefellowshipofacoustics Some funky Martins in 73. My d35 was hurting: Bridge lifting, shrinking pick guard split the top in two places. The binding on the neck started splintering off on the treble side of the neck. I had other d35's (97, 2020) and a 97 d42. Never a single issue. I've seen many 70's Martins with some of the problems I had. So be careful.
I love watching Erwin and Adrian play together they look like they have real admiration for each other , and love Adrians reaction to Erwins playing at 2:03 , both real class acts.
Amazing playing of 2 beautiful guitars. Probably the best demo of any guitars I've ever seen. Superb playing....so good I had to watch it again as it was memorising!!!
Great video guys! I spent the last few days at Guitar Center playing the Aged VTS D-28 and D-18 side by side. I expected to like the D-28 better because of the beautiful Rosewood and because D-28 was over $1000 more expensive ($8000 for D-28, $6800 for D-18). To my surprise I preferred the D-18. It had a cleaner, punchier, more direct sound...whereas the D-28 was louder, and had a ton of overtones. It totally makes sense why the D-18 is easier to record. Tone was great on both though. Makes sense to have a D-28 for playing rhythm and D-18 for playing lead...maybe one day.
Such gorgeous playing and a great demo of the two. I’m wondering if I need a D-28 someday to add to my D-18 which I’m loving more every day. I will definitely be listening to this demo many more times as I decide! Thank you guys.
I have a custom built D18 from '97 which has the same specs as what became the D18GE. I've been a Gibson player for many years but have always searched for a Martin I could bond with and really enjoy. Several have come and gone, but this D18 is absolutely exquisite. It has similar tone to the 18 in this video, but with the added depth and power of an Adirondack top which has had 22yrs of play to break it in. It's stunning and SO even across the entire range, every note rings out with a gorgeous halo of overtones from the bottom to the top. I've never warmed to the Rosewood tone, I had an HD28 for a while which I could never really get the best from. All my Gibsons are Maple or Mahogany, and the "hardness" in the RW dread midrange is something I haven't adjusted to yet. The D18 is endlessly playable though, as a friend of mine recently remarked "it's almost impossible to play a wrong note, however hard you try!"
me too! 1967 D35S & 1970 D35. I had a fantastic D18 once but for me it sounds too thin , lacking something I need in the sound of a good guitar - compared to a good D35 which has it all. Amazing playing by amazing musicians. Listening to them stimulated me to pick up my guitar and start practicing again and a lot more for that matter :-) Fantastic comparison - this is how it should be done!! Btw: here is another good review which fits more to what my ears here as difference between the D18 and D28, but ears, guitars and strings and playing styles differ, luckily :-)
I’ve got a 2017 D-18 and a 2017 D-28. I bought the D-28 about a month after the D-18, because it was popular among so many famous musicians. I am not in a band and just play for myself and my family. After about a year of playing each one, The D-18 is the superior instrument as far as the overall sound in my opinion; however I see in this video that the D-28 really cuts through when there is an accompaniment, which I don’t have. Also my D-28 really responds well to string changes, more so than the D-18. It may be my imagination, but that’s what I’m hearing.
Complaint ! I came here to hear the difference between the two guitars and was totally distracted by your beautiful and skilled playing..need to rewatch now ! :D Thank you for this wonderful video,all the best :)
I have owned both, and like both. They both have their respective place I guess. I personally am partial to the 18'S. Just my preference. Love Martins! LOL
Both players are good and both guitars are good, the issue here is the player on the right is using a much thinner pic than the one on the left. With guitars that are this resident and produce this quality of natural tone, your guitar pick composite, thickness and your pick attach as well as pic placement make all the difference. It is essential when trying to determine the overall characteristics of a guitar. As far as picking style, Flatpicking is the best way to bring out all the tunnel qualities of an instrument. It is usually associated with Bluegrass, but many players flat pick across the board. In this video, the player on the left obviously use a far thicker pick it has a far stronger picking hand so this has to be considered when making the analysis between the two guitars. They are both fabulous instruments. I personally prefer the D 18. Warmer, clearer, more dynamic, more natural wood sounding at a far better recording instrument. That’s why I have one. Since 2013, Martin has really taken over the world again. They went back to their Original vintage bracing. Even George Gruhn of Gruhn guitars in Nashville boasts an that the Martin D 18 is the finest handmade/commercially made acoustic dreadnought on the market today. Great job you guys, thank you for this video
Spectacular playing on those Martins. Envious, my old hands just can't and won't ever be able to catch-up to the artistry you can produce. I have a GT-16 and a D28. Would like a D18 but I can't justify the expenditure at my age. The GT-16 is my poor man's version.lol
You need both,... Absolutley. The D28 seems scooped mid, reverby sound, while the D18 seemed Drier and more present, flatter eq. Both are the opposite sides of the same coin. The Yin and Yang of each other......😉 ✌
The mahogany of the D18 works nicely with finger style playing with vocals, especially when playing without being miked up. I have a Martin OM42, and it's great, but my go to guitar will always be my 1972 D40 Guild (mahogany); its balance across the strings is great. Thanks for such an enjoyable video.
The Fellowship of Acoustics thanks, I played both at a store near me and the D-28 is the one that spoke to me. I found a used one, 2016 model. I won’t be able to play it first because it’s in another state. Any tips on buying used? Also, what strings do you use? Thank you!
Absolutely the best comparison video of two guitars on RUclips and the best players too. Do you prefer the light gauge strings on these guitars over medium gauge? I have a D-18 and I am debating whether to get the D-28 or HD-28 next any thoughts much appreciated.
Hi Rog, thank you so much! That means the world to us :) We prefer at least 0.12's on our Dreadnoughts, 0.13's are our favourite. In this video we're playing 0.12's by the way ;)
Played both back to back today. Liked them both for different reasons. Walked away feeling that a serious musician would need both for different roles. I play as a hobby so deciding on just one is very difficult, but in person I preferred the d28.
It's interesting how sound is so subjective. I've always found a D-18 to be more "trebly" and the D-28 to be warmer and fuller. Love them both, though.
I bought my D18 new in 1973. It had a neck reset about 2 years ago at Martin. Other than that, just strings for 45 years. While it was in for the reset, I bought a backup. I did the Guitar Center thing and nothing, even very expensive name brands, came close to the clarity and bass of my old D18. They improve with age. I bought an electric acoustic and a small Boss amp so I could get the bass and volume I needed. I play the D18 unless we're outside in the cold or heat. It's too hard to keep in tune in humid or very dry conditions. I bought my son a D28 when he graduated from college years ago. Very loud. Very sturdy. Good tone. You can't go wrong with either. The older the better.
Its not really a fair comparison because the D-18 mic is angled instead of straight on like the D-28.. Sad because the upper range is amazing on the D-18
That piece that begins at 5:30 is one of the best things I've ever heard on a guitar. And I've never seen so many things I've never done come from one song.
@@stephenk419 Thank you. I have a Taylor 224-K which has some great tones from the Koa and a very payable neck- but is scooped and not as loud as the dreadnought.
great job, great guys. wonderful playing. thank you for that video. Just bought an D18 after hours and hours and hours of testing. I could not make a decision until i found a D18 that sounded a bit like an D28. For my next guitar I wll do a little trip across the border to visit you guys and your shop. five stars. love&peace
I have a couple of Martins (D16 and D18) but I recently got Eastman's version of the D18 (with the torrefied Adirondack top) and it has a ton of volume and punch -- more like a D28 but less boring?
Bought a 2008 HD-28 to play bluegrass rhythm. This reinforces that choice. But if I were more lead and finger picker I would go D-18 due to articulation.
Used to play a D-18 golden era and I am such a big moron that I sold it. You can strumm it as hard as you can it never compressed, always open sound and well balanced. Was very nice for fingerpickings as well, you cannot say that about every dreadnought. I' m now more into OM, OOO, OO size but wish I still have the D-18.
Is the other sizes you're talking about like the grand auditorium sizes? I thought I wanted a grand Auditorium taylor and when I went to guitar center they looked and felt a lot smaller than the dreadnoughts.. I was hoping they were just a bit smaller not way smaller.
@@StoicTrader- OM (Orchestra Model) and OOO are quite smaller than D-models as well. The difference between them is the length of the scale. OM are a bit longer in scale. When I remember well, Taylor dreads have a bit bigger body size than Martin or Gibson dreads.
I have a J-45 and decided to get the D-28 rather than the D-18. I find myself playing the J-45 more. I actually make myself play one for a month and then trade out for a month. I am going to save for a D-18. I think the warmth of the mahogany suites me more than the rosewood. I do really like the D-28, but the 18 calls me.
Thank you for the call out of my technology sabotaged an inadvertent vocabulary nightmare in my last message. Essentially I am saying that playing style accounts for as much variation and alteration in tone and subsequent final qualities, as does the guitar itself. plectrum size, composition, shape, angle etc. all effect the tone tremendously. Then you have the factor of resting your hand or your pinky on the top of the guitar. This in itself completely changes the tonal characteristic. It is likened to putting a blanket over a speaker. So it’s not so much is one guitar versus the other, however how each guitar is presented for evaluation so as to showcase it’s true quality. I hope this makes more sense and thank you again for the call out. Incidentally, I am Dutch “Derek Jan Ferwerda”. I moved to the United States from Wassenaar Netherlands. While living there in the early 70s, I was fortunate enough to have famed musician Frank Zappa as my next-door neighbor. Thank you for the video 😊
D-18 is very mid-range focused. D-28 sounds a lot brighter to me. Which one to choose depends on the role you are playing. Solo playing and lead in a band seem more suited to the D-28. If you are playing backing rhythm, D-18 might work better and not get lost in the cymbals.
I truly think the D-18 is the most beautiful sounding acoustic ever made. I can die happy owning one!
And use it as your coffin? 😳
@@mariodriessen9740 😂 being cremated in a guitar sounds like a morbid country song. I agree for solo performance the d18 is amazing. I've found myself wanting an 18 and 35
I have one
Living happily is also a possibility.
I have two. One's old and the other a Limited Edition The Mamas and the Papas.
This is an outstanding comparison of the two tone woods. Those are two amazing guitars and the two of you are supremely talented players, I could listen to you all day long. In fact, I've listened to this video many times already. Thank you both for sharing this comparison, and your talent.
Thank you Carl! Good to hear :)
Is no one going to mention how much this guy sounds exactly like Johnny Cash, Amazing!
Yeah, I thought so, and he's a great guitarist! I like these guys...
We totally agree! :')
He is in the neighborhood vocally. If you really want to hear a Johnny cash voice check out the kid from Canada Colter wall. This guy oughta get together with colter they’d do Johnny proud.
First off, of course they play great, that’s obvious. Also, if you listened to a side-by-side comparison of someone playing with any contact on the top of an acoustic versus minimal contact and a floating hand, you would notice a difference. Especially in a super resonant guitar.
Not really.
D-18 sounds so warm and inviting. The d-28 sounds more punchy and powerful with a bit more bass response. I really like the d18
Yea the D18 is such a great instrument... Thanks for commenting!
Because rosewood versus mahogany
Okay. I bought you a Martin D-28 years ago and every day I bless having that instrument close by. I feel that you guys really love what you do, and I'm proud to be a part of it as a little sidekick. Surely it is not the last guitar that I buy from you. Congratulations on that enthusiasm. For that love ♥
Thank you very much! Glad to have you on board :)
Blown away! You guys compliment each other well. I must get a D-18!
....Could listen to them play all day!
I have still have my first Martin. A 1969 D18 and would not trade it for anything. It’s in pristine shape. And sounds great. I think I paid $250 or $350. Still have my tags and layaway slips from the music store. What a day it was to bring it home.
@@beverlymichael5830 it's part of who you are at this stage - you can't trade that
I hope this is what Heaven is like; two extraordinarily gifted musicians playing Martins!
Heavon on earth at least! ;)
I have watched a LOT of Martin guitar demos and comparisons...a ridiculous number in the last 6 months, but that was an EPIC playing demo guys. Wow you guys can play.
Wow, thanks David! Kind words :)
Love the masterful playing. D-28 is like an orchestra with rich overtones while the D-18 is more focused and has more distinct note separation. Both are wonderful,
Perfect description in words
Think you got this backwards
Great video that shows the fantastic sound of those wonderful guitars. Fantastic playing by the way. I bought myself a D-18 last week at tfoa. I love that instrument. I am 62 years of age now and it is my first Martin guitar and I hope to play it for a very long time. I think that my Seagull S6 will catch a lot of dust the next years.
Great to hear! Thanks for purchasing at TFOA, hope you get to enjoy that Martin for a lot of years!
This video is all about the pickers nothing against Martin but those boys could make any guitar sound good
Thinking the same thing. Those sound wonderful, but these boys could get it done on a cigar box with strings.
The warmth at 7:50 is why I love my D-18 so much. I love the lead sounds of Rosewood too, Great review!
Thanks Chris!
I have a 1970 D-28 and just love it. I’ve always wanted a D-18 as well. Wonderful guitars.
Absolutely excellent demonstration, clearly shows the difference between these two wood types, bravo!
And this D-18, what an exceptional instrument!!
Thanks Don! This was indeed, an exceptionally good D18!
Those Martins sound great together. It's like how singing voices from the same family sound so well together.
Exactly! They compliment eachother very nicely.
Very nice. @@thefellowshipofacoustics
I have one of the semi-rare 70's D-19. I love to play it and I love for other people to play it so I can hear the beauty of it from the front.
I have a 2008 D-28 Marquis & my son has a 2001 D-18 GE (both have an adirondack top). My son plays the frills and leads (he's a MUCH better player), I do the rhythm parts. Both are fantastic sounding easy playing guitars. Both are cannons with great bass and balance across all the strings. My son likes to flatpick while I prefer fingerpicking. Seems to fit all our needs. We both just can't put these Martin's down for long and play every day.
DAMN!!! 😮
I’m partial to the D-18 because I’ve got one that’s 53 years old. It was my first great guitar and I can’t imagine ever getting rid of it. But 20-25 years ago, I was in a trio with a guy who had a 1926 00-21. When we played them on stage - him fingerpicking, me flatpicking - it was just freakin’ magic! You really can’t go wrong with either one of those fabulous dreads.
That sounds amazing! The magic of vintage guitars! A good Martin is often a guitar for a lifetime 😉
There’s a 1973 D18 for sale in a local shop, can’t decide between it and a new D28 they also have. Both sound great, the choice is not easy.
The 70's could be a fun 'investment'!
@@thefellowshipofacoustics Some funky Martins in 73. My d35 was hurting: Bridge lifting, shrinking pick guard split the top in two places. The binding on the neck started splintering off on the treble side of the neck. I had other d35's (97, 2020) and a 97 d42. Never a single issue. I've seen many 70's Martins with some of the problems I had. So be careful.
@@garcdonald Great advice for all of us. Cars and houses were not that great in the 70s either.
I could listen to 8 hours of you two going back and forth with 2 guitars.
Noted! Will make an 8-hour long video soon haha
That D28 sounds incredible. So clear and articulate
Wow! Fell in love with both. Great video. Really great. The 18 was my pick for my needs. Not playing in a band and appreciate the extra warmth.
wow this playing blew my mind, I did not even know i liked this kind of music!
Haha, always glad to help! :)
I love watching Erwin and Adrian play together they look like they have real admiration for each other , and love Adrians reaction to Erwins playing at 2:03 , both real class acts.
Class acts for sure... They have a deep musical connection as well, nothing like watching them play together!
BRAVO!! omg that was SO good! Thanks for sharing your awesome playing.
Thanks Michael :)
Wow Adrian your Cash rendition was absolutely amazing :-)
Also of course great playing from both of you
You guys oughta record an album, cause that shit was was amazing.
Amazing playing, both of you. Nice tribute to Shenandoah. Much love from Denver CO
I have had these instruments, but will never have that talent. A joy to watch. Thank you
Nice work Dutchies! Some fine picking here from our old brothers on the other other other side! :)
Thanks so much Joel!
Amazing playing of 2 beautiful guitars. Probably the best demo of any guitars I've ever seen. Superb playing....so good I had to watch it again as it was memorising!!!
Great video guys! I spent the last few days at Guitar Center playing the Aged VTS D-28 and D-18 side by side. I expected to like the D-28 better because of the beautiful Rosewood and because D-28 was over $1000 more expensive ($8000 for D-28, $6800 for D-18). To my surprise I preferred the D-18. It had a cleaner, punchier, more direct sound...whereas the D-28 was louder, and had a ton of overtones. It totally makes sense why the D-18 is easier to record. Tone was great on both though. Makes sense to have a D-28 for playing rhythm and D-18 for playing lead...maybe one day.
Thanks for sharing man! Great to hear that you ended up with the right one for you, have fun!
Wow!!! Awesome video and great playing !!! Thank you 🙏 Both spectacular guitars when you put them both that way ... 😃
Thanks Mario!
Bought a D-28 yesterday. Wanted a Martin for a long time. Best sounding guitar I’ve ever played. 😎
Congratulations!
I was leaning towards the 18, but now I'm convinced. Very well done fellas.
Good pickin' gentlemen. Glad they posted this. Bravo!
Thanks Paul! :)
Such gorgeous playing and a great demo of the two. I’m wondering if I need a D-28 someday to add to my D-18 which I’m loving more every day. I will definitely be listening to this demo many more times as I decide! Thank you guys.
Thank you Stephen!
Outstanding comparisons. I hear some Rice influences but yet your own interpretation. Hearing the 2 models side by side was very helpful. Thanks guys.
Thanks Danny! We'll keep em comin' ;)
I was debating between a d18 and a d28 when I found this video. Totally convinced now. Just ordered a d18 ambertone. Thank you.
That's great to hear Tony! And great choice on the Ambertone, don't see those enough anymore...
Agreed
100% the best review / comparison of these 2
5:32 was so beautiful, phenomenal playing!
Thanks!
i'm partial too the D28 as i own a 2006. but both Guitars are beautiful.
I could listen to you all day
That's good to hear! We'll definitely be making more video's with Erwin & Adrian now!
I have a custom built D18 from '97 which has the same specs as what became the D18GE. I've been a Gibson player for many years but have always searched for a Martin I could bond with and really enjoy. Several have come and gone, but this D18 is absolutely exquisite. It has similar tone to the 18 in this video, but with the added depth and power of an Adirondack top which has had 22yrs of play to break it in. It's stunning and SO even across the entire range, every note rings out with a gorgeous halo of overtones from the bottom to the top.
I've never warmed to the Rosewood tone, I had an HD28 for a while which I could never really get the best from. All my Gibsons are Maple or Mahogany, and the "hardness" in the RW dread midrange is something I haven't adjusted to yet. The D18 is endlessly playable though, as a friend of mine recently remarked "it's almost impossible to play a wrong note, however hard you try!"
What an awesome story, sounds like a dream D18 ;) Thanks for sharing!
UUHH YEAH!!!.... both great!...I love my D35 . Pure American Sound!. Martin forever!!
me too! 1967 D35S & 1970 D35. I had a fantastic D18 once but for me it sounds too thin , lacking something I need in the sound of a good guitar - compared to a good D35 which has it all. Amazing playing by amazing musicians. Listening to them stimulated me to pick up my guitar and start practicing again and a lot more for that matter :-) Fantastic comparison - this is how it should be done!! Btw: here is another good review which fits more to what my ears here as difference between the D18 and D28, but ears, guitars and strings and playing styles differ, luckily :-)
Been saving for a D28 or an HD28 but, after this, I think I'll save me some money and just get a D18!
Wow! Keep in mind that they are véry different instruments! And that this D18 is exceptionally good. (Yes it happens!)
I’ve got a 2017 D-18 and a 2017 D-28. I bought the D-28 about a month after the D-18, because it was popular among so many famous musicians. I am not in a band and just play for myself and my family. After about a year of playing each one, The D-18 is the superior instrument as far as the overall sound in my opinion; however I see in this video that the D-28 really cuts through when there is an accompaniment, which I don’t have. Also my D-28 really responds well to string changes, more so than the D-18. It may be my imagination, but that’s what I’m hearing.
I love my D35
I still wish that Martin would produce a D-18 Authentic Aged 1937. But, the D-18 Reimagined sounds very nice as well. Well done, Adrian and Erwin!
I've worked and spent a few moments with Adrian. A gentleman.
Couldn't agree more Dan :)
Great playing both of you guys. I really love these new re-imagined Martins.
Thanks Bob!
Complaint !
I came here to hear the difference between the two guitars and was totally distracted by your beautiful and skilled playing..need to rewatch now ! :D
Thank you for this wonderful video,all the best :)
I have owned both, and like both. They both have their respective place I guess. I personally am partial to the 18'S. Just my preference. Love Martins! LOL
Best video I’ve seen on this subject. So help and I really enjoyed both your playing
Thanks so much Malcolm!
Both players are good and both guitars are good, the issue here is the player on the right is using a much thinner pic than the one on the left. With guitars that are this resident and produce this quality of natural tone, your guitar pick composite, thickness and your pick attach as well as pic placement make all the difference. It is essential when trying to determine the overall characteristics of a guitar. As far as picking style, Flatpicking is the best way to bring out all the tunnel qualities of an instrument. It is usually associated with Bluegrass, but many players flat pick across the board. In this video, the player on the left obviously use a far thicker pick it has a far stronger picking hand so this has to be considered when making the analysis between the two guitars. They are both fabulous instruments. I personally prefer the D 18. Warmer, clearer, more dynamic, more natural wood sounding at a far better recording instrument. That’s why I have one. Since 2013, Martin has really taken over the world again. They went back to their Original vintage bracing. Even George Gruhn of Gruhn guitars in Nashville boasts an that the Martin D 18 is the finest handmade/commercially made acoustic dreadnought on the market today. Great job you guys, thank you for this video
Spectacular playing on those Martins. Envious, my old hands just can't and won't ever be able to catch-up to the artistry you can produce. I have a GT-16 and a D28. Would like a D18 but I can't justify the expenditure at my age. The GT-16 is my poor man's version.lol
Thank you so much guys ! Great video, great playing, great vibe !
Very good Johnny Cash impression (spot on!) and outstanding work on the guitars folks. Best comparison I've ever seen. Subscribed.
Thank you very much! We'll make sure to provide you with more of this ;)
You need both,...
Absolutley.
The D28 seems scooped mid, reverby sound, while the D18 seemed Drier and more present, flatter eq.
Both are the opposite sides of the same coin.
The Yin and Yang of each other......😉 ✌
Nicely put Harry! Love it, thanks for sharing!
Drier is the right word. Very good. Warm as well.
Johnny cash on point
Great video , great audio, well done , excellent playing and excellent review
Thank you
Cheers
Thnx exactly what I looking for. Simple perfect, easy to understand comparison. Just amazing playing
Thank you so much Steve! :)
The mahogany of the D18 works nicely with finger style playing with vocals, especially when playing without being miked up. I have a Martin OM42, and it's great, but my go to guitar will always be my 1972 D40 Guild (mahogany); its balance across the strings is great. Thanks for such an enjoyable video.
You're very welcome, thanks for sharing!
Watched this about 10 times. Went to a local shop today played both went with the d28 but their both great.
Great choice Ryan! :)
The simple purity of a D-18 the brilliance of a D-28 . Had both but now playing a Lowden cedar over mahogany sweet .
Amazing playing guys! Thank you. Have a D18 and OM28, have played 28’s, the 18 just fits me better, can’t go wrong with either.
Thx August! :)
Excellent video. Both guitars sound awesome. It’s almost impossible to choose.
Thank you so much! It's a tough decision for sure... Why not both? ;)
The Fellowship of Acoustics I wish! I’ve got the budget for one. I just want to make the right choice for the guitar I’ll play forever!
@@kjb8198 I get it! If you need help choosing, let us know :)
The Fellowship of Acoustics thanks, I played both at a store near me and the D-28 is the one that spoke to me. I found a used one, 2016 model. I won’t be able to play it first because it’s in another state. Any tips on buying used? Also, what strings do you use? Thank you!
The mic position on the viewer right guitar is more direct and clearer - otherwise a very good comparison.
Thanks Nick!
Absolutely the best comparison video of two guitars on RUclips and the best players too.
Do you prefer the light gauge strings on these guitars over medium gauge?
I have a D-18 and I am debating whether to get the D-28 or HD-28 next any thoughts much appreciated.
Hi Rog, thank you so much! That means the world to us :) We prefer at least 0.12's on our Dreadnoughts, 0.13's are our favourite. In this video we're playing 0.12's by the way ;)
To play phenomenal instruments like this one have to have incredible skills and you guys showed it! So beautiful. Thank you.
Thank you sir!
I like both, both guitars and both dudes.
So do we Mario!
Played both back to back today. Liked them both for different reasons. Walked away feeling that a serious musician would need both for different roles. I play as a hobby so deciding on just one is very difficult, but in person I preferred the d28.
I thought I am looking for a D28 but this clip really change my mind
Time for a D18 then? ;)
You guys are FANTASTIC! I'll take them both.
Haha thanks!
It's interesting how sound is so subjective. I've always found a D-18 to be more "trebly" and the D-28 to be warmer and fuller. Love them both, though.
The D 18 is the winner ! The choice for sologuitar and fingerpicking, the D 28 is more the bluegrass machine.
18 absolutely. Do I hear a difference in the picks being used?
Hope not, both TFOA Primetones ;)
Not everybody plays Gold Rush, but in all honesty, I wouldn't be wrinkling my nose at the tune. Total classic. Everybody should play that one.
I have a D28 that I put a set of light gauge strings on, and it seems to have found a wonderful tone in between the two voices heard here.
A different pair of strings can make a difference for sure!
I bought my D18 new in 1973. It had a neck reset about 2 years ago at Martin. Other than that, just strings for 45 years. While it was in for the reset, I bought a backup. I did the Guitar Center thing and nothing, even very expensive name brands, came close to the clarity and bass of my old D18. They improve with age. I bought an electric acoustic and a small Boss amp so I could get the bass and volume I needed. I play the D18 unless we're outside in the cold or heat. It's too hard to keep in tune in humid or very dry conditions. I bought my son a D28 when he graduated from college years ago. Very loud. Very sturdy. Good tone. You can't go wrong with either. The older the better.
We couldn't agree more Tom, and what a great gift to give to your son. :)
What surprised me is that the D-28 actually cuts better during lead playing, I expected the D-18 to be better in this regard
Its not really a fair comparison because the D-18 mic is angled instead of straight on like the D-28.. Sad because the upper range is amazing on the D-18
The Martin D18 has a howl all other guitars wish they had. It’s seriously THE WAY a guitar should sound.
Right on the money Jason! :)
D18 as a rhythm instrument. So good.
Could you tell me what picks each of you were using and what type of microphones setup as well. Sounded amazing! Oh and great Cash impersonation!
Bluechips for both and a pair of Neumann KM184s :)
You guys crushed it - sounded awesome! Hard to beat a D18, but loved the 28 too.
Thanks Kyle! This was a great D18 indeed
Wow great playing guys
Thanks so much Steve!
That piece that begins at 5:30 is one of the best things I've ever heard on a guitar. And I've never seen so many things I've never done come from one song.
What a compliment... Thank you so much!
Thanks for what you do.@@thefellowshipofacoustics
@@bradh6185 Thank you for commenting!
I always thought I preferred rosewood but the 18 is so sweet!
Really missing my long lost D18. The one I sold in the late '70's to ransom my MGB from my mechanic. It had character for weeks.
Uggh that’s tough. Hope you can replace her with something similar someday!
@@stephenk419 Thank you. I have a Taylor 224-K which has some great tones from the Koa and a very payable neck- but is scooped and not as loud as the dreadnought.
great job, great guys. wonderful playing. thank you for that video. Just bought an D18 after hours and hours and hours of testing. I could not make a decision until i found a D18 that sounded a bit like an D28. For my next guitar I wll do a little trip across the border to visit you guys and your shop. five stars. love&peace
That sounds great! Thanks for sharing and we look forward to seeing you here ;)
I have a couple of Martins (D16 and D18) but I recently got Eastman's version of the D18 (with the torrefied Adirondack top) and it has a ton of volume and punch -- more like a D28 but less boring?
Lovely, must get them both!
Bought a 2008 HD-28 to play bluegrass rhythm. This reinforces that choice. But if I were more lead and finger picker I would go D-18 due to articulation.
What tune is being played at the 5:30 mark? Thanks Vic
Outstanding picking / playing for this presentation...Love your rendition of Danny Boy !😎🌈🌺🤙🏽
Thanks!
Used to play a D-18 golden era and I am such a big moron that I sold it.
You can strumm it as hard as you can it never compressed, always open sound and well balanced.
Was very nice for fingerpickings as well, you cannot say that about every dreadnought.
I' m now more into OM, OOO, OO size but wish I still have the D-18.
Is the other sizes you're talking about like the grand auditorium sizes? I thought I wanted a grand Auditorium taylor and when I went to guitar center they looked and felt a lot smaller than the dreadnoughts.. I was hoping they were just a bit smaller not way smaller.
@@StoicTrader- OM (Orchestra Model) and OOO are quite smaller than D-models as well.
The difference between them is the length of the scale.
OM are a bit longer in scale.
When I remember well, Taylor dreads have a bit bigger body size than Martin or Gibson dreads.
I don’t know, seems like mic position had something to do with the sound.
I love the depth of the missing mids on rosewood but when i play with a band I can’t hear myself unless I have my d18 lol
I have a J-45 and decided to get the D-28 rather than the D-18. I find myself playing the J-45 more. I actually make myself play one for a month and then trade out for a month. I am going to save for a D-18. I think the warmth of the mahogany suites me more than the rosewood. I do really like the D-28, but the 18 calls me.
I understand Greg, the mahogany just has a certain warmth ánd vibe to it you can't get with Rosewood. Thanks for sharing!
Sir which is best Plectrum and thickness for strumming and singing on D18.
All up to personal preference my friend!
Listening using my good quality Sony headphones,they both sound wonderful. However,to my taste I'd give a very slight edge to the 18.
Thank you for the call out of my technology sabotaged an inadvertent vocabulary nightmare in my last message. Essentially I am saying that playing style accounts for as much variation and alteration in tone and subsequent final qualities, as does the guitar itself. plectrum size, composition, shape, angle etc. all effect the tone tremendously. Then you have the factor of resting your hand or your pinky on the top of the guitar. This in itself completely changes the tonal characteristic. It is likened to putting a blanket over a speaker. So it’s not so much is one guitar versus the other, however how each guitar is presented for evaluation so as to showcase it’s true quality. I hope this makes more sense and thank you again for the call out. Incidentally, I am Dutch “Derek Jan Ferwerda”. I moved to the United States from Wassenaar Netherlands. While living there in the early 70s, I was fortunate enough to have famed musician Frank Zappa as my next-door neighbor. Thank you for the video 😊
D-18 is very mid-range focused. D-28 sounds a lot brighter to me. Which one to choose depends on the role you are playing. Solo playing and lead in a band seem more suited to the D-28. If you are playing backing rhythm, D-18 might work better and not get lost in the cymbals.
Your conclusion is like totally different from the other comments 😂