I’ve always been a rosewood guy but I recently bought one of the newer 00018s because it sounded amazing. Mahogany is a little bit drier and less busy sounding than rosewood. It still has some very pretty sounding overtones, but they tend to hang and frame the fundamental notes rather than strobe and sparkle around the fundamental notes like rosewood. It’s a cool sound. They record really well.
Jarvis - thanks for promoting mahogany guitars! I used to be the exact person you were referencing. I started on a cheaper Epiphone mahogany, which has grown to sound great for a 20 yr old instrument, then got a Taylor 310CE which is African mahogany (sapele) and then finally got a Rosewood Martin Custom D Classic. It's a great guitar, but dries out easily having little to no finish on it. I finally got to play multiple top-end Martins at their factory store two years in a row - D-35, D-28, CEO, D-16, D-15, etc. Guess what? I ended up every time with a D-18 in my hands and loving it. I will say, I think a good bit of the magic is in the bracing style. Since 2012, the D-18 has forward shifted scalloped X-bracing, which gives it great bass and an inherent woody sweetness. You are absolutely spot-on about the natural, organic woody tone that Martin solid mahogany guitars bring. I'm in the camp that says the D-18 is better sounding than any other guitar in their line. I still have to play an HD-28 though!
I need a guitar to play while singing. So i went to my local shop and tested much, heared every guitar on the youtube and read through forums between the: 000-28, 000-28 MD, 000-18, 000-18 MD, OM-28 and OM-28 MD and i think the 000-18 might be the right one for me. All of the Modern Deluxe guitars are very nice but they are more suited to play without singing. For a nice warm sound while singing the 000-18 and the 000-28 are very nice options, even the OM-28 was very "in-your-face" and direct, same with the modern deluxe series, the guitars sings with you in a duet instead beeing a accompaniment to your voice. And the golden standard nowadays and in the past is the Gibson J-45, which is too big for me, i like the triple O size. The J-45 is like the 000-18 spruce top and mahogany sides and back - beautiful combination for notes that doesn'r ring too long so you can hear the voice niceley. I think the Martin 000-18 is a marvelous choice for singers/songwriters and even small stages. If i wanted to impress with the Guitar and let it sing, my choice probably would be the OM-28 Modern Deluxe. I hope that helps anyone ...
I bought a Martin 2017 OM-21 new; then. In three years the binding fell off, the neck twisted. I traded it in and bought a Collings that I still have today and is great.
It's true. Us older more experienced players tend to prefer mahogany. There is a lot of cross-frequency overlap with new Indian rosewood and and that muddiness is euphemized as warmth or harmonic complexity etc. Mahogany produces a brighter, clearer sound. I got the 000-18 modern deluxe as that further emphasizes those characteristics. It gets rid of the plastic pins and most know the rest of the added features. Many shun all this as a marketing trick. I would say they are right about the marketing "value" of producing something new, but the tonal change is very real and pronounced. The MD version sparkles compared to the already bright and airy sound of the standard 000-18 or the D-18 etc. Anything in the D series are some of my favorite Martins, definitely preferable to me then some far more expensive guitars made with different woods. Also I like the elegant simplicity. They aren't drenched in abalone or jewel-studded binding etcthat does nothing to improve tone. In the end, it's all about sound.
A mahogany fan in a forum once described a rosewood guitar he played as “a condom of harmonics so thick I couldn’t feel a thing in terms of responsiveness”. 😂
I love mahogany guitars. I’ve got a Gibson hummingbird that I absolutely love. I’ve got an OM-21 for when I need rosewood sound but they are more different than you could possibly hear through phone or computer speakers.
Thank you Jarvis for another great review. Does Martin offer a less expensive model with similar size and sound that you could recommend? I also want to thank you for being such a blessing to so many of us older guitar players around the world. You give us great advice on guitar set-ups and inspire us with your songs. I will continue to watch all of your videos in the New Year. Cheers to you my friend.
Get your hands on a 16 series 000 - they go for almost half the 18 series used, and the only main difference is the neck joint. You also get electronics from the factory, which is a huge plus if you plan to actually play in front of people.
I have a 1962 000-18 and a retopped 1944 D-18. Love them both. Although my D-41 is my daily guitar, I love to pick up one of the mahogany guitars when I feel like something different. I find each inspires me to play different stuff. And yes, I know how lucky I am to have such great guitars to play. I feel very grateful and never take it for granted.
Great review Jarvis. I recently played a 000-18 at a local guitar shop and it sounded wonderful. The issue is, there was a D-18 that sounded great as well, and my wife won't let me get both...LOL. Keep up the excellent videos my man!
@@Highland_Dirk one thing about wives is you can’t replace them .. they are priceless . And one of a kind ..limited edition .. every one sounds different LOL!!
Jarvis, I really enjoy your videos. This one in particular is one of my favorites. The 000-18 sounds amazing. You really make it sing ! I had a custom shop 000-18 with an Adi top in Ambertone. One of my biggest regrets selling it. I might have to get another one.
I came to the city to pick up a Yamaha LL26 brand new but was made in 2015... the tone was beautiful and the sustain was crazy even with the 6 year old strings (original strings) but it had a defect in the back the rosewood grain looked like it had started to separate... not on the seem but one of the grain lines and can be felt with my finger.. I couldn't get it even though I wanted it so badly!! So I ended up trying a d28... nice but I wasn't really impressed with the tone... then I asked to try a 2017 Martin 000-18... it is coming home with me!! The hog is what truly got me... Im thought I wanted a rose wood guitar but didn't like the ones I tried except for the LL26.. but I now own a Martin 000-18 and I feel it will pair nicely with my FG5!!!
Thanks so much for the nice review and playing. I especially enjoy the fingerpicking on this guitar. I have a 000-18 in the mail on the way to me. Excited to play it. I didn't quite catch what pins did you replace the plastic ones with? Did it make a big difference in tone? Thanks!
you cant beat a D-18. I have several standard series guitars 18 style and 28 style. I used to hate Dreadnoughts, now my go to is a D-18, second to that is a 00-18. My OM-28 and HD-28 sit in their cases.
What are your thoughts on an 0-18 as they have the deeper body? I played a d28, sounded like led Zeppelin no surprise there, but picked up a 00-18 and vastly preferred it that particular day.
@@Ledzepfan88 I have one. Love it. Its actually the guitar I've owned the longest. Many have come and gone, but the 0-18 still lives with me. They sound full, its an unexpected sound really, very nice/clear sound. One of the better sounding guitars I own. If you can swing it, go for it!
@@TheGuitarSpaSingapore Yeah, had both, kept the Martin. The Yamaha, while better setup out of the box, was too bright for me. And, a few ounces make a big difference, at least to me.
@@TheGuitarSpaSingapore Yes, did that and then the Martin was better than the FS5. The 000-18 is my keeper. 6 months in and it is opening up nicely. I just put some liquid metal bridge pins in it. And, got a Collings traditional case (fits like a glove).
Rosewood is too lush when doing chords and metallic sounding. Mahogany has a country twang and character, is lighter and thankfully also cheaper. You can hear every note in a chord with mahogany and certain brands give you overtones with mahogany. Larrivee do amazing mahogany guitars. You will read online after decades of playing many end up playing mahogany
☑️ forty years and sixty acoustic guitars later and my choice #1 tonewood is Mahogany , then Koa , Rosewood I thought was IT when I was a young novice and looked more at the price and model numbers to determine what was better , but that thinking is completely reversed now ‼️🤔🥸🤓😜🤑
I’ve always been a rosewood guy but I recently bought one of the newer 00018s because it sounded amazing. Mahogany is a little bit drier and less busy sounding than rosewood. It still has some very pretty sounding overtones, but they tend to hang and frame the fundamental notes rather than strobe and sparkle around the fundamental notes like rosewood. It’s a cool sound. They record really well.
Jarvis, you give the best reviews on the internet in my opinion.
Thanks buddy
I have checked these out before. They play like butter. Smooth and easy to play. Wonderful tone and super comfortable to hold. 🎉
Jarvis - thanks for promoting mahogany guitars! I used to be the exact person you were referencing. I started on a cheaper Epiphone mahogany, which has grown to sound great for a 20 yr old instrument, then got a Taylor 310CE which is African mahogany (sapele) and then finally got a Rosewood Martin Custom D Classic. It's a great guitar, but dries out easily having little to no finish on it. I finally got to play multiple top-end Martins at their factory store two years in a row - D-35, D-28, CEO, D-16, D-15, etc. Guess what? I ended up every time with a D-18 in my hands and loving it. I will say, I think a good bit of the magic is in the bracing style. Since 2012, the D-18 has forward shifted scalloped X-bracing, which gives it great bass and an inherent woody sweetness. You are absolutely spot-on about the natural, organic woody tone that Martin solid mahogany guitars bring. I'm in the camp that says the D-18 is better sounding than any other guitar in their line. I still have to play an HD-28 though!
That’s great
I went in to buy a 28 and got the D18 instead.
I need a guitar to play while singing. So i went to my local shop and tested much, heared every guitar on the youtube and read through forums between the: 000-28, 000-28 MD, 000-18, 000-18 MD, OM-28 and OM-28 MD and i think the 000-18 might be the right one for me.
All of the Modern Deluxe guitars are very nice but they are more suited to play without singing.
For a nice warm sound while singing the 000-18 and the 000-28 are very nice options, even the OM-28 was very "in-your-face" and direct, same with the modern deluxe series, the guitars sings with you in a duet instead beeing a accompaniment to your voice. And the golden standard nowadays and in the past is the Gibson J-45, which is too big for me, i like the triple O size. The J-45 is like the 000-18 spruce top and mahogany sides and back - beautiful combination for notes that doesn'r ring too long so you can hear the voice niceley.
I think the Martin 000-18 is a marvelous choice for singers/songwriters and even small stages.
If i wanted to impress with the Guitar and let it sing, my choice probably would be the OM-28 Modern Deluxe.
I hope that helps anyone ...
I bought a Martin 2017 OM-21 new; then. In three years the binding fell off, the neck twisted. I traded it in and bought a Collings that I still have today and is great.
It's true. Us older more experienced players tend to prefer mahogany. There is a lot of cross-frequency overlap with new Indian rosewood and and that muddiness is euphemized as warmth or harmonic complexity etc. Mahogany produces a brighter, clearer sound. I got the 000-18 modern deluxe as that further emphasizes those characteristics. It gets rid of the plastic pins and most know the rest of the added features. Many shun all this as a marketing trick. I would say they are right about the marketing "value" of producing something new, but the tonal change is very real and pronounced. The MD version sparkles compared to the already bright and airy sound of the standard 000-18 or the D-18 etc. Anything in the D series are some of my favorite Martins, definitely preferable to me then some far more expensive guitars made with different woods. Also I like the elegant simplicity. They aren't drenched in abalone or jewel-studded binding etcthat does nothing to improve tone. In the end, it's all about sound.
A mahogany fan in a forum once described a rosewood guitar he played as “a condom of harmonics so thick I couldn’t feel a thing in terms of responsiveness”. 😂
Thanks Jarvis, great review and playing...
Welcome buddy
I love mahogany guitars. I’ve got a Gibson hummingbird that I absolutely love. I’ve got an OM-21 for when I need rosewood sound but they are more different than you could possibly hear through phone or computer speakers.
Thank you Jarvis for another great review. Does Martin offer a less expensive model with similar size and sound that you could recommend? I also want to thank you for being such a blessing to so many of us older guitar players around the world. You give us great advice on guitar set-ups and inspire us with your songs. I will continue to watch all of your videos in the New Year. Cheers to you my friend.
Get your hands on a 16 series 000 - they go for almost half the 18 series used, and the only main difference is the neck joint. You also get electronics from the factory, which is a huge plus if you plan to actually play in front of people.
Thanks.
I have a 1962 000-18 and a retopped 1944 D-18. Love them both. Although my D-41 is my daily guitar, I love to pick up one of the mahogany guitars when I feel like something different. I find each inspires me to play different stuff. And yes, I know how lucky I am to have such great guitars to play. I feel very grateful and never take it for granted.
Same here I have mahogany and a Brazilian rose wood. Love them both,,
Great review Jarvis. I recently played a 000-18 at a local guitar shop and it sounded wonderful. The issue is, there was a D-18 that sounded great as well, and my wife won't let me get both...LOL. Keep up the excellent videos my man!
Put up your wife for sale at the guitar shop and then you can buy both ...
That is only if
She could be sold !!’ Hahhaha
@@TheGuitarSpaSingapore she might not like that so much...LOL.
@@Highland_Dirk one thing about wives is you can’t replace them .. they are priceless . And one of a kind ..limited edition .. every one sounds different LOL!!
get the D-18, you won't regret it!
@@TheGuitarSpaSingapore very true.
Jarvis, I really enjoy your videos. This one in particular is one of my favorites. The 000-18 sounds amazing. You really make it sing ! I had a custom shop 000-18 with an Adi top in Ambertone. One of my biggest regrets selling it. I might have to get another one.
please go and get another one
I came to the city to pick up a Yamaha LL26 brand new but was made in 2015... the tone was beautiful and the sustain was crazy even with the 6 year old strings (original strings) but it had a defect in the back the rosewood grain looked like it had started to separate... not on the seem but one of the grain lines and can be felt with my finger.. I couldn't get it even though I wanted it so badly!! So I ended up trying a d28... nice but I wasn't really impressed with the tone... then I asked to try a 2017 Martin 000-18... it is coming home with me!! The hog is what truly got me... Im thought I wanted a rose wood guitar but didn't like the ones I tried except for the LL26.. but I now own a Martin 000-18 and I feel it will pair nicely with my FG5!!!
Well done great story .. enjoy
Listening in my car and the bass sounds tight n has that guy wrenching thump. If only you had a same model in rosewood for comparison 😊
Well this one came in fast and was out of my place in 90mins
@@TheGuitarSpaSingapore if you ever come across one later, you can always recreate the same tune / strum & reference back to this vid ;)
@@kckong3 sure
Thanks so much for the nice review and playing. I especially enjoy the fingerpicking on this guitar. I have a 000-18 in the mail on the way to me. Excited to play it. I didn't quite catch what pins did you replace the plastic ones with? Did it make a big difference in tone? Thanks!
like a bell!
ABSOLUTELY
i love my 00-15 mahogany sound
Mahogany is more bright and light tone while rosewood is deep and heavy tone .. i like both sound i choose one as song changes
Nice sound,nice playing! how did you feel about the D18 compare with the 00018?
you cant beat a D-18. I have several standard series guitars 18 style and 28 style. I used to hate Dreadnoughts, now my go to is a D-18, second to that is a 00-18. My OM-28 and HD-28 sit in their cases.
What are your thoughts on an 0-18 as they have the deeper body? I played a d28, sounded like led Zeppelin no surprise there, but picked up a 00-18 and vastly preferred it that particular day.
@@Ledzepfan88 I have one. Love it. Its actually the guitar I've owned the longest. Many have come and gone, but the 0-18 still lives with me. They sound full, its an unexpected sound really, very nice/clear sound. One of the better sounding guitars I own. If you can swing it, go for it!
I sold mine almost a year ago for fear of joblessness. It was a 2011...can 2020 end please?
DONT ALLOW FEAR TO RUIN YOUR LIFE ,,,BRO...WHATS HAPPENING IS ONLY FOR A SEASON ,...THIS SHALL PASS
For my next guitar I'm trying to decide between an 18 or a j45.
GET THE ONE THAT MOVES YOUR HEART
Do what Jarvis says - then get the D-18 lol
hey friend, I just had to make this choice...
I bought both. My wife was angry.
Make sure to play them in person!
I played all of them and got the D18. It’s in a world of its own.
Hey Jarvis how would you compare this with a yamaha FS5?
You can hear that this one sounds pretty vintage and also more bass than the trebles
@@TheGuitarSpaSingapore Yeah, had both, kept the Martin. The Yamaha, while better setup out of the box, was too bright for me. And, a few ounces make a big difference, at least to me.
@@mikeyankie9594 get the Martin setup well and you have a winner for years to come
@@TheGuitarSpaSingapore Yes, did that and then the Martin was better than the FS5. The 000-18 is my keeper. 6 months in and it is opening up nicely. I just put some liquid metal bridge pins in it. And, got a Collings traditional case (fits like a glove).
How does it compare with OM-18??
This is shorter scale so warmer
this or a d18?
Well if you like a small body then this is it...if you want a deeper bass then the d18
How would you compare 000 18 vs yamaha FS5
Martin dryer tone and woody ..
This or a 000-28 if I already have a D28?
This is goood
Rosewood is too lush when doing chords and metallic sounding. Mahogany has a country twang and character, is lighter and thankfully also cheaper. You can hear every note in a chord with mahogany and certain brands give you overtones with mahogany. Larrivee do amazing mahogany guitars. You will read online after decades of playing many end up playing mahogany
☑️ forty years and sixty acoustic guitars later and my choice #1 tonewood is Mahogany , then Koa , Rosewood I thought was IT when I was a young novice and looked more at the price and model numbers to determine what was better , but that thinking is completely reversed now ‼️🤔🥸🤓😜🤑