That sounds so great! I have always preferred the D-18 to all the other Martins. Mahogany back and sides just sounds the way I think an acoustic guitar should sound!
In the end the best we can do is be the temporary owner of the guitar unless its decommission otherwise it will end up in someone's elses hands. This is why I say that every guitar has its own story and it shouldn't be forgotten. Sinkerwood has been a premium wood for many years and of course in the end its in the ears of the beholder if it meets you needs. Sounds pretty good to me. Enjoy your friend.
I have 8 or 9 50 year old Yamaha FGs, and love 'em all. I love old guitars that have mellowed into beautiful sound, and these ring like bells. I'd like to say it's my playing, but - when I sneeze, it sounds like the bells of St. Mary's in here XD XD.
I like mahogany that didn't sink. Seriously in your hands it sounds great, it's worth the extra bucks and a keeper for sure. I have a 2020 D18 that to me is my lifetime acoustic that feels like a custom shop that does everything well. Thank you Martin, I will be back!
I just picked up a 0000 sinker. I was blown away at the bass it has. Not as boomy as my D18 Mahogany but more focused. I have never had an adi top before so I don't know what I'm listening to or for, but it has a different sound for sure. Not better or worse just different. One day, not in my lifetime for sure, but these guitars will probably be sought after. I think they will become the pre war guitars for the next generation so to speak. But as always I could be wrong. Its not better than my 2016 D18, just different.
That is kind of my thought too. Like I said, they aren't making any more old growth wood. I ended up selling this guitar since I have more sentimental dreadnaughts, but I will be on the lookout for a 000 or 0000 like yours!
So wish that Martin made a 12th-fret M36/38 with sinker mahogany WITH a venetian cutaway (for upper chord access). Could go custom shop for that build but it'd be 10k+...yikes. As a limited run though it might be cheaper and successful.
@@evanogden Yeah, for me the cutaway is not so much for lead stuff as it is for trying to play some of the chords high up, near where the neck meets the shoulder on a typical acoustic guitar (14th fret). Plus having the neck meet at the 12th fret would move the bridge & bracing back a little bit for a deeper tone perhaps.
I'm not solid on it sounding better. Wood being submerged under water for decades causes molecular change, a breakdown of hemicellulose and lignin. Regardless how much work has gone into drying that wood out for use, because of its chemical makeup changing and this loss, it will never be restored and some of the integrity is lost forever... This is common sense, but also Science. I realize Guitar builders are always on the hunt for something new to market and "sinker Rosewood" or "sinker Mahogany" are marketable terms, but this sort of thing does annoy me... Does it sound "better". Subjective of course, it's molecular different than wood that was not submerged, and also as Science tell us, most certainly weaker in density than wood that's never been submerged... So this takes us to theory about vintage acoustics sounding better (to my ears, the ones aged well do). Over time, cared for in proper environments, acoustic guitars loose a safe amount of moisture each year, the wood becomes denser and lighter the more moisture lost and this creates, what most collectors and educated players feel are the best sounding acoustics... "sinker wood" goes completely against that, tries to disregard the Science of what's happen and put focus on myths and marketing terms to sell more guitars... An example of why the musical gear industry in general is one I truly hate... It's just filled will carnival barkers and snake oil salesman trying to manipulate people... Objectively a "good sounding guitar" is going to be the sound of a guitar found on tens of thousands of Gold, Platinum and Diamond records. Their success in the studio on hit tracks takes opinion out of the equation, when you do that, you're just left with a handful of great sounding guitars. They are the Martin D18, Martin D28, Martin 000-18, Martin 000-28, Gibson J45, Gibson Hummingbird and Gibson J200. These are the most recorded acoustic guitars in history, the tone they make are the bar every god damn guitar built is measured by. None of them were built using "sinker" wood of any kind. Once a man in a guitar store had a $8000 Santa Cruz model. He strummed it and the thing rings for five minutes, the owner is smiling at me and I don't look impressed. He stops smiling and asked if I like it. I tell him I don't give a rats ass how much sustain it has or if it's bass shakes the walls, it doesn't have the proven pedigree of Martin D28 or a Gibson J-45. Then I asked him if he had ever done any work behind a mixing console for audio? Answer, No. I had to explain to him that too much sustain, too much bass, etc.. can be a bad thing. It's all about finding the right balance and we have on record what works in terms of tonal balance for acoustic guitars. Everything else is just noise and bunch of business folks trying to figure out how to make something better, and really just trying to find ways to prey on players and make them spend more money. No one has topped the icons and I doubt they ever will. Pay a small shop luthier to build unique instruments if you can afford it and that's your thing, but don't think just because it's built by hand it's going to disrupt the history of the iconic models... Also, off topic a bit, but as you may guess I'm not a fan of Taylor guitars.
Interesting read. I’ve been struggling with the sinker mahogany d18 vs reimagined or the custom 37 remake. I have a 00-18 1965 and a J40. Looking for the between which fo my ears is a d18 or 000-0000-18. Your post definitely makes me question the sinker. Thanks for the rational evaluation.
Is "The Tree" the best mahogany?!? Probably yes. At least the price is hinting in that direction. But again, it is just mahogany, which happened to mutate uniquely, forming all these tortoiseshell figures. So I guess everything is subjective.
Well I think "sinker" mahogany is just a marketing ploy....whenever trees are cut, a certain percentage sink when they float downstream.....now it may be true that they're older....but I think if you want to compare what a "sinker" guitar sounds like you have to have a similar guitar and do a side by side with one that isn't.....I agree with you that 12 fret models sound better.....because they do, eh! Yep, at the end of a day, it's just a story to charge the consumer an extra two grand for not really anything more than the story.....kinda typical for the Martin guitar company. One of the claims they make is basically that older and aged sounds better, right? Well, hate to break it to you, but Canada and Boucher has the only old growth red spruce stands in North America, and Boucher used to supply all his second, third, and fourth pick spruce to the U.S. makers. I guess the truth hurts, knowing that your Martin and whatever boutique American build you have Adi top is a "reject' from Robin Boucher lol!
I don’t agree with this at all. I A/B’d a few Martins two days ago, including a Custom Shop sinker mahogany version. The sinker sounded absolutely amazing.
@@Bds737 maybe because you just wanted it to…..I haven’t heard one so I wouldn’t actually know but I’ve played quite a few and heard quite a few mahogany guitars and I don’t like their sound….it’s usually dark, muddy and lifeless compared to a good cedar or spruce top to my ears
That sounds so great! I have always preferred the D-18 to all the other Martins. Mahogany back and sides just sounds the way I think an acoustic guitar should sound!
Agreed
Spot on!!!!
Same
Ive had 2 about to get a third and Im not a mahogany guy! but when I played a sinker here in nyc I was blown away!! great video
I played a left handed guitar at guitar guitar in London yesterday. I believe you it was something. That's how a guitar is suppose to sound.
I love this! I'm jealous and excited for you. These are super special, long live Mahogany!
Inlay pattern - style is called "Foden pattern" from the old "Foden Special" models, not snowflakes. Good guitar.
Great explanation and demo! Curious, what's the Tele on the wall? Is it copper colored? Next to the 335. If so which model? Thanks!
It’s a fender modern player short scale telecaster. It’s actually for sale if you’re interested
@Evan Ogden thanks for the reply! I actually have one like like it but full scale. Best with the sale!
In the end the best we can do is be the temporary owner of the guitar unless its decommission otherwise it will end up in someone's elses hands. This is why I say that every guitar has its own story and it shouldn't be forgotten. Sinkerwood has been a premium wood for many years and of course in the end its in the ears of the beholder if it meets you needs. Sounds pretty good to me. Enjoy your friend.
I have 8 or 9 50 year old Yamaha FGs, and love 'em all. I love old guitars that have mellowed into beautiful sound, and these ring like bells. I'd like to say it's my playing, but - when I sneeze, it sounds like the bells of St. Mary's in here XD XD.
You are correct about the story, it fuels my desire.
And don’t forget the smell from the sound hole! Martin also made all solid sinker tenor ukuleles which have gone on to be very collectible.
It looks and sounds amazing 👏
It's the "Flavor of the Month" mahogany.
It's not hype. It is amazing
I like mahogany that didn't sink. Seriously in your hands it sounds great, it's worth the extra bucks and a keeper for sure. I have a 2020 D18 that to me is my lifetime acoustic that feels like a custom shop that does everything well. Thank you Martin, I will be back!
LOL. Donald, is that you?!
@@truthray2885 Sorry my name is Don.
I just picked up a 0000 sinker. I was blown away at the bass it has. Not as boomy as my D18 Mahogany but more focused. I have never had an adi top before so I don't know what I'm listening to or for, but it has a different sound for sure. Not better or worse just different. One day, not in my lifetime for sure, but these guitars will probably be sought after. I think they will become the pre war guitars for the next generation so to speak. But as always I could be wrong. Its not better than my 2016 D18, just different.
That is kind of my thought too. Like I said, they aren't making any more old growth wood.
I ended up selling this guitar since I have more sentimental dreadnaughts, but I will be on the lookout for a 000 or 0000 like yours!
It has. A perfect. Tone.....it's beutiful
So wish that Martin made a 12th-fret M36/38 with sinker mahogany WITH a venetian cutaway (for upper chord access). Could go custom shop for that build but it'd be 10k+...yikes.
As a limited run though it might be cheaper and successful.
I could get behind this except for the cutaway. I just can’t do cutaways with acoustics, but I’m not a lead player
@@evanogden Yeah, for me the cutaway is not so much for lead stuff as it is for trying to play some of the chords high up, near where the neck meets the shoulder on a typical acoustic guitar (14th fret).
Plus having the neck meet at the 12th fret would move the bridge & bracing back a little bit for a deeper tone perhaps.
I'm not solid on it sounding better. Wood being submerged under water for decades causes molecular change, a breakdown of hemicellulose and lignin. Regardless how much work has gone into drying that wood out for use, because of its chemical makeup changing and this loss, it will never be restored and some of the integrity is lost forever... This is common sense, but also Science. I realize Guitar builders are always on the hunt for something new to market and "sinker Rosewood" or "sinker Mahogany" are marketable terms, but this sort of thing does annoy me... Does it sound "better". Subjective of course, it's molecular different than wood that was not submerged, and also as Science tell us, most certainly weaker in density than wood that's never been submerged... So this takes us to theory about vintage acoustics sounding better (to my ears, the ones aged well do). Over time, cared for in proper environments, acoustic guitars loose a safe amount of moisture each year, the wood becomes denser and lighter the more moisture lost and this creates, what most collectors and educated players feel are the best sounding acoustics... "sinker wood" goes completely against that, tries to disregard the Science of what's happen and put focus on myths and marketing terms to sell more guitars... An example of why the musical gear industry in general is one I truly hate...
It's just filled will carnival barkers and snake oil salesman trying to manipulate people... Objectively a "good sounding guitar" is going to be the sound of a guitar found on tens of thousands of Gold, Platinum and Diamond records. Their success in the studio on hit tracks takes opinion out of the equation, when you do that, you're just left with a handful of great sounding guitars. They are the Martin D18, Martin D28, Martin 000-18, Martin 000-28, Gibson J45, Gibson Hummingbird and Gibson J200. These are the most recorded acoustic guitars in history, the tone they make are the bar every god damn guitar built is measured by. None of them were built using "sinker" wood of any kind.
Once a man in a guitar store had a $8000 Santa Cruz model. He strummed it and the thing rings for five minutes, the owner is smiling at me and I don't look impressed. He stops smiling and asked if I like it. I tell him I don't give a rats ass how much sustain it has or if it's bass shakes the walls, it doesn't have the proven pedigree of Martin D28 or a Gibson J-45. Then I asked him if he had ever done any work behind a mixing console for audio? Answer, No. I had to explain to him that too much sustain, too much bass, etc.. can be a bad thing. It's all about finding the right balance and we have on record what works in terms of tonal balance for acoustic guitars. Everything else is just noise and bunch of business folks trying to figure out how to make something better, and really just trying to find ways to prey on players and make them spend more money. No one has topped the icons and I doubt they ever will. Pay a small shop luthier to build unique instruments if you can afford it and that's your thing, but don't think just because it's built by hand it's going to disrupt the history of the iconic models... Also, off topic a bit, but as you may guess I'm not a fan of Taylor guitars.
Interesting read. I’ve been struggling with the sinker mahogany d18 vs reimagined or the custom 37 remake. I have a 00-18 1965 and a J40. Looking for the between which fo my ears is a d18 or 000-0000-18. Your post definitely makes me question the sinker. Thanks for the rational evaluation.
play them. I have 2 they are amazing the sinkers blow everything I have had out of the water@@hogtale1155
Played a sinker and was blown away. Take each guitar at face value whilst playing it. Everything else is theory nonsense
Sapele ❤🎉
Once a person realizes "the best" is subjective, it becomes pointless.
Is "The Tree" the best mahogany?!? Probably yes. At least the price is hinting in that direction. But again, it is just mahogany, which happened to mutate uniquely, forming all these tortoiseshell figures. So I guess everything is subjective.
Well I think "sinker" mahogany is just a marketing ploy....whenever trees are cut, a certain percentage sink when they float downstream.....now it may be true that they're older....but I think if you want to compare what a "sinker" guitar sounds like you have to have a similar guitar and do a side by side with one that isn't.....I agree with you that 12 fret models sound better.....because they do, eh! Yep, at the end of a day, it's just a story to charge the consumer an extra two grand for not really anything more than the story.....kinda typical for the Martin guitar company. One of the claims they make is basically that older and aged sounds better, right? Well, hate to break it to you, but Canada and Boucher has the only old growth red spruce stands in North America, and Boucher used to supply all his second, third, and fourth pick spruce to the U.S. makers. I guess the truth hurts, knowing that your Martin and whatever boutique American build you have Adi top is a "reject' from Robin Boucher lol!
X definitely not a marketing ploy.
@@el34glo59 and you know this how???
I don’t agree with this at all. I A/B’d a few Martins two days ago, including a Custom Shop sinker mahogany version. The sinker sounded absolutely amazing.
@@Bds737 maybe because you just wanted it to…..I haven’t heard one so I wouldn’t actually know but I’ve played quite a few and heard quite a few mahogany guitars and I don’t like their sound….it’s usually dark, muddy and lifeless compared to a good cedar or spruce top to my ears
@@dietersdawgs These are not an all mahogany guitar. Most of them will have either spruce or adi tops. With adi bracing