Hi John! great video as usual. Greatly enjoy all the content you guys put out. I have a question that has been eating me alive. I've noticed that over the years, a lot of the older vintage guitars have a long saddle on them, probably bone. You have one on your 1940 in this video. My question is, why don't more guitar manufacturers put long saddles on their guitars? Doesn't seem to me that cost would be what prohibits this, so not sure the answer. Hope you can help me with this one. I had one put on my Martin HD28-Custom 15 (1988) and feel like it improved the tone immensely. Thanks and take care.
This is a great question! Adding a cut-through saddle is actually quite a bit more time-consuming for manufacturers rather than just CC'ing a slot and dropping in the saddle. The cut-through saddles need to be shaped specifically. Some other things that can become a problem are it can be harder to install a pickup with a slot-through saddle or adjust the action by lowering the saddle. That is why having a cut-through saddle is more of a custom spec. We do totally agree that it can have a positive impact on tone and that is awesome that you were able to upgrade your guitar!
The reason companies quit cut through saddles is that is a weaker place in the bridge making it more likely to crack and separate. It also makes pickup options very limited. I personally like the look, but only for the nostalgia/ traditional aspect.
@@BulldoggerJK it is $6500 with a Calton. I am going to look at that Santa Cruz that was owned by Tony Rice too. Try to get him to throw that in on the deal ☺️
I like it….no tears-in-the-eyes, no gushing or weeping, no “holy grail” (massively overused term), no “best I ever played”. Seems like a good honest review.
What are your prefered strings & gauge on this guitar? When evaluating such nuanced variation in sound of vintage D-18s , strings & flatpick choice are right up top IMO. Thanks for the great video.
For sure! John prefers to use mediums and he'll either have on D'Addario XS strings for their longevity (I believe those are the strings in this video). then John also tends to use GHS Americanas for the tone.
Thanks for sharing it with us John .. I have a question. It looks like the saddle is a little forward on the bridge .. I know you said you had to do some work at the bridge to get the inotarion correct .. is that what I'm seeing ?
John, I also own a 40' D18...I used to hear that D18 from the early 2000's up through 2010..Great sound/tone. What thickness TS pick were you using during that era?
In general, there are only a limited number of upgrades that can be done to acoustics and the "upgrades" are very subject to opinion. An easy and inexpensive one would probably be switching out the bridgepins to bone bridgepins and seeing how you like those!
I own a 2002 Martin c 15E. I absolutely love it.
Thanks for the shout out brother!!
Thank you Mr. Martin for your D-18 guitar.
The Ol' Town Pickin' Parlor in Arvada, Colorado is my local shop. Great place. I live very close by.
Great guitar John!
The bass response, depth, and warmth are incredible. Thanks for sharing this with us.
John, always appreciate your insight and knowledge about guitars. Thanks for sharing.
Hi John! great video as usual. Greatly enjoy all the content you guys put out. I have a question that has been eating me alive. I've noticed that over the years, a lot of the older vintage guitars have a long saddle on them, probably bone. You have one on your 1940 in this video. My question is, why don't more guitar manufacturers put long saddles on their guitars? Doesn't seem to me that cost would be what prohibits this, so not sure the answer. Hope you can help me with this one. I had one put on my Martin HD28-Custom 15 (1988) and feel like it improved the tone immensely. Thanks and take care.
This is a great question! Adding a cut-through saddle is actually quite a bit more time-consuming for manufacturers rather than just CC'ing a slot and dropping in the saddle. The cut-through saddles need to be shaped specifically. Some other things that can become a problem are it can be harder to install a pickup with a slot-through saddle or adjust the action by lowering the saddle. That is why having a cut-through saddle is more of a custom spec. We do totally agree that it can have a positive impact on tone and that is awesome that you were able to upgrade your guitar!
The reason companies quit cut through saddles is that is a weaker place in the bridge making it more likely to crack and separate. It also makes pickup options very limited. I personally like the look, but only for the nostalgia/ traditional aspect.
So neat hearing the story of your guitar!
John , you are a great picker, awesome
I ❤️ John's guitar vault!
I love my 2023 d18 StreetLegend!!
Looking forward to taking this home with me in a couple of weeks.
He's not selling this guitar it's his personal guitar
@@huliniswhoiamPretty sure he said $5,500 without the original case.
@@BulldoggerJKI don't know. It just seems odd if it's his personal guitar
@@BulldoggerJK it is $6500 with a Calton. I am going to look at that Santa Cruz that was owned by Tony Rice too. Try to get him to throw that in on the deal ☺️
@@mtweaver1978 I’d make him throw in an Elliot and a Blue Chip too.
Always love seeing your D18. You have a good one on your hands.
Awesome guitar congratulations
I like it….no tears-in-the-eyes, no gushing or weeping, no “holy grail” (massively overused term), no “best I ever played”. Seems like a good honest review.
What are your prefered strings & gauge on this guitar? When evaluating such nuanced variation in sound of vintage D-18s , strings & flatpick choice are right up top IMO. Thanks for the great video.
For sure! John prefers to use mediums and he'll either have on D'Addario XS strings for their longevity (I believe those are the strings in this video). then John also tends to use GHS Americanas for the tone.
I love them that look and sound their age, and this is a good one!
Thanks for sharing it with us John ..
I have a question. It looks like the saddle is a little forward on the bridge .. I know you said you had to do some work at the bridge to get the inotarion correct .. is that what I'm seeing ?
Beautiful
John I have D28 1947 same for me be with me to the end some have said it the best guitar that they have Played
what a guitar... I'd love to hear an A/B with a Standard D18
John,
I also own a 40' D18...I used to hear that D18 from the early 2000's up through 2010..Great sound/tone. What thickness TS pick were you using during that era?
John says he played around a 1.2-1.3, same thickness he prefers today!
This reminds me of SRV's number 1.
Have you played a Rick Farris dreadnought? I heard they are a killer bluegrass monster.
Many times!
What is the best upgrade i coul do on my 2022 d 18
In general, there are only a limited number of upgrades that can be done to acoustics and the "upgrades" are very subject to opinion. An easy and inexpensive one would probably be switching out the bridgepins to bone bridgepins and seeing how you like those!
My D-18 1937 Authentic does NOT sound like this. Welp, at least you have a great sounding guitar.
Aaargh