MARTIN VS YAMAHA -D18 OR FG5 RED LABEL- GUITAR REVIEW IN SINGAPORE
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- čas přidán 11. 03. 2020
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MARTIN VS YAMAHA D18 AGAINST FG5 RED LABEL GUITAR REVIEW IN SINGAPORE
WHICH ONE SHOULD I BUY ?
BOTH GUITARS HAS BEEN FULLY PROFESSIONAL SETUP BY JARVIS WONG OF THE GUITAR SPA SINGAPORE - Hudba
I love the way you present this and your personality. I too have reviewed this guitar on my channel, and I think Yamaha has blown most American guitars of these materials out of the water for a third of the price. I have the 3 and the 5 and I won’t part with either one.
J.P. Cormier cool and lovely channel your have there .. I just sub you
Your review sold me on the FG5. I tried one out and adopted it. Every time I pick it up I love it more.
Harold McLellan Super man ... give it 6 months and it will open up a bit more
J.P. Cormier lol I just watched your test drive of the yammie fgx5, I just parted with a Breedlove today and I'm buying the fgx5 for myself for Christmas
I just received my fg5 last week and i feel plenty of happyness, it,s so well made and sounds so beautifull. It,s hard to stop playing it. Jarvis and J.P are both guilty of my choice with their reviews 🤣. Thanks, Fg5 worths!!
D18 warmer mellow sound. The Yamaha has a very piano like sound. No loser here
love that upper register piece you're playing.......very nice
I like the Japanese better,
I like their cars and their commitment to quality and common sense.
true, dont forge honor.
One of just a few country's that is still whaleing.
@@ryanbloom1738 And many states in the USA will force a woman who was raped to have the child. They will also force an underage incest victim to have the child. Every country has flaws. It has nothing to do with this guitar.
I just got myself an FGX5 because I came across your reviews few weeks earlier. Thanks for your work man , I am grateful I came across your channel
Perfect man and I’m happy for you
Always a pleasure to listen to you play and narrate through the nuances of a guitar!! For me, I love the complete package of the Yamaha.
The A.R.E process on the Yamaha FG5 Sitka top, makes a big difference in the tone and sounds beautiful, especially for just under $1,500 as of Jan. 2024. But I still prefer the tone separation & smooth sound of the Martin D-18. That's why I'm selling my FG5.
I agree. Unfortunately the d18 here in Australia is almost double the price of the Yamaha
Sold my FG5. Kept my D18. Now looking for an Eastman E1D Special version.
to my ear, the Martin is a ringer, with overtones that flood your ears. i love the consistent quality of Yamaha instruments, and I'm tempted to buy one of these low cost craftings, but if my top priority is harmonic timbre, there's really no comparison to my ears.
Finally, I have decided to get the Yamaha. I don't have doubts now, thanks :)
There is no wrong answer, they are both outstanding and so is the playing! Pick the one that speaks to you when you play it.
Both sound great. I already have a D18. Now I will get this Yamaha.
your video of the fg5 is probably the only one out there right now that really highlights the treble side of the fg5, thanks and great playing, yamaha wins this one for sure.
As much as I'd like the FG5, my ears still prefer the D18. So sweet when being strummed.
These two are just special Zz
I don't know why Martin owners are so closed to the idea that a Yamaha can be as good as a Martin. I own both brands. Martin dreads have always been knowned for their bottom end, boomy sound. High end quality Yammies for their mids. But the FG5 just filled the gap. I even think that the FG5 besides being as boomy as the D18, is more balanced and provides better mids. Im getting one. Good job Yamaha !
gino marra very true about what you’ve said
You are 100% correct. Just got one for my self. I hope you did as well. You won’t be disappointed.
I clearly disagree i mean depends on the year of the d18 if ita after 2018 the yamaha dont compete with the forward shifted x bracing
In addition, the D18 is twice as much money
I got one a few weeks ago and it's a fantastic guitar, I absolutely love it, many think no D-18 can stand against this top class Yamaha.
Hey Man , awesome video !! I'm sitting here working on my Yamaha A1R listening to your video and the music you started playing at 11:20 in the video is BEAUTIFUL !!!!! I just put my guitar down and listened to it about 40 times ! LOL Thank You for sharing it . Loved it !!
Both great sounding guitars but my choice would be the FG5
Jake Regan excellent
Hi Jarvis
You have helped educate a novice like me to a great deal through your videos.....
Thanks a bunch
Love from New Delhi, India.
That’s nice to know
This dude is cool!👍🏻 Love the enthusiasm and positive attitude! Cool comparison. Keep up the good work man😁
I am a Martin fanboy having owned Martin’s d-18, 000-18, and 000-15m. The Yamaha here has such a sweet sound that to me makes it a more versatile instrument. Definitely don’t mind buying both!
I like both. Like beautiful sunsets, no two are exactly the same.
I think I'm going to pull the trigger on an FG5X for my 50th birthday in January. I have two other LL16 guitars, a transacoustic and a 12 string and I love them both. I have no doubt the FG5X will be dearly loved as well. Love the channel man. Hope I can jam with you one day!
Martin impresses with strumming but Yamaha expresses tone and dynamics better. Both sound great with your playing styles.
I'm getting an fgx5 for myself for Christmas, I'm a big Yamaha fan I've had several over the years!
Great video helping those of us that don't have access to a guitar store to try them out. I have subscribed and thank you for your efforts !
that’s great
I have a Yamaha FSX5. I can hardly keep my hands off of it. It's my fingerpicking guitar and sounds better than my Martin HD-28 for fingerpicking. Nice job on the demos. Thanks!
Glad I came across this awesome video! Im actually trying to decide now between these 2 exact models!
Great advice about the capo test and great comparison!
The fingerstyle song on the Yamaha sounded fantastic.
Amongst the very best guitar review channels...
Kennedy O'Donnell thanks buddy
Thanks for this. What a tough one to have to pick a winner. For first position strumming , the Martin seems to outperform the Yamaha, but everywhere else, I think the Yamaha seems to be a little more warm and resonant. Love the capo test. Selling my strat to buy one of these two...may be the Yamaha.
Just checked the prices. On Sweetwater the FG is US$1199 while the D18 is US$2499. No comparison, the Yamaha is a massively better value. You can buy two Yams for one Martin. I did not notice much of a difference in tone both sound fantastic in Jarvis' hands. Thanks for this!
You could buy an FG and an A5R for the price of one D18. The Martin is nice but i don't know if it's that nice. The Yamaha A5R is also a really nice guitar plus you get an FG for free basically.
FGX5 is 200.00 more than I paid 1.5 years ago. My Martin D16E is 400.00 more than I paid 2.5 years ago. I say my FGX5 sounds nicer than the Martin but I like the smaller 000 body size. Can't complain much about either guitar.
Most people, as they advance as a guitarist, aren't willing to sacrifice tone for the value. I used to go for value now that little extra sparkle makes the difference.
Red label didn’t like the capo very much, could just be string stretch, I loved both but the D-18 wins buy a small margin, mostly because I’ve always wanted one 🤦♂️
Great comparison of two phenomenal guitars. The D18 sounded a tad sweeter to my ears and more balanced to my ears. The FG5 is significantly cheaper in price-FG5 for the win on budget with the D18 win for tone.
I think both are great guitars ! I love all brands of acoustic guitars
I really enjoyed this rewiew and for me fg5 not just for the money
They both sound like their name brands . The Martin is warm with scooped mid definition while the Yamaha
has well defined mids . The "D" chord 1st position , I like the Martin but the Yamaha has a great clean and clear "E" chord .
Very informative vid , I just ordered the Yamaha FG5 , hopefully get it by Friday .
I was considering a martin 000 and played a FS5 and totally fell in love with it. I’d still like a martin small bodied guitar some day, but the fs5 is super underrated.
I have the FGX3 and it is amazing. Could not find a 5 anywhere....so upgraded mine with Colosi bone saddle and bone pins.
Great vid again Jarvis. Love these head to head comparison videos. Would you consider doing 000/OM vs FS5 by any chance?
Guys even the L-Series Japan will do me fine back then. Great reviews JP and Jarvis....I have the FG-180/335/460 Dove headstock myself & they are keepers IMHO.
This guys review guitars very well 👌
Nice review as usual. I would love to see L series vs Martins/Taylor
Good comparison & good point about capo-ing up to see if the tone changes.
Glad you liked it!
Fantastic review and playing! 👍
Excellent review! The Yamaha holds its value very well, considering the difference in $. Thanks a lot!
I own a Yamaha LL6 and a Martin D18. Both are excellent guitars just like I am sure is the FG5. But when I play the D18 it just takes over for me. The aroma and feel of the guitar is sublime. Plus it is so easy to play it. So resonant! There is a sweetness to a Martin D18 that I have not heard from any other guitar. If it was just about the money the Yamaha sure is a great value and a nice sounding guitar. But the reason I spent so much money to buy the D18 is the beauty of its sound, the feel of playing it. The wood that is used is simple yet elegant at the same time. My D18 will stay with me as long am able to have it!
feel same way about
my 1970 yamaha FG180.
$125 / CASE...great build with spruce top mahogny body rose wood finger board. perfect knock off of martin D18. plays as well, sounds as sweet. for several hundreds of $ less.
carried it all over country
for 55+ years...played family functions, bands, bars, duo's, churches, picnics, camping, vacations and many miles in my work truck for solo evening
entertainment.
great musical toy.
love it. always.
The d-18 is mahogany and the ll6 is rosewood right? You prefer mahogany maybe. Keep on picking.
Hey man,your comparement is the "real thing",in my opinion!
In a blindfold test, I would choose the Yamaha....
Great and it’s cheaper too
10:00 Great point about the capo. That's an accurate assessment of finding resonance. Well said.
Great review - you kept things simple sand conversational. Most reviewers yap for about five minutes before you get to the actual comparison; refreshing to watch you introduce them and just play. Very nice job! As far as the better guitar, it's close; but the Yamaha won me over. I own a couple Martins, they're fantastic guitars. They're pricey, but you know what you're getting, and that's key. I believe that FG is a Japanese made Yamaha, so build and materials seem to be on par with the Martin. I need another guitar like I need a hole in my head, but if I was buying I'd pick up the FG - there's no way the D-18's worth 2.5x the price. The Martin has better resale sure, but who wants to sell their guitars? More fun to collect them!
Great playing and strong rhythm, love it! Other people talk too much and dont play enough.
If I could drop USD 2,500 without even noticing it was gone, I'd buy the D18; otherwise, I'd get the FG5 and invest some of my savings in lessons with a good teacher.
I might just do that!
Or.. buy some useful guitar accessories with the extra money!
That was great comparison, think i like the tone from the Yamaha over the martin. Yamaha makes some serious musical tools. Love my yamaha. It aint high end but plays well and sounds like it likes me. Getting better as it gets older. Thank you Singapore
Great video!! I would like to see a comparison between the Takamine P7DC and high end Martins.
Jarvis, great video - I own that Martin D-18 and it's my favorite acoustic for sure. I wanted to add that the Martin actually doesn't have black binding, it's tortoise shell, but unfortunately it's extremely dark instead of being more attractive. Ends up looking almost totally black unless you are out in the sun or hold it under a bright light. I love tortoise binding and it's a really cool way to spruce up this simple guitar, I just wish it showed more.
I just got a fgx5 from my local dealer. Went to play it yesterday and it was amazing. Just gotta pay a little more and it’s mine to take home
money ..you can always earn them...experiecing it could be priceless
I think the Yamaha is far more dynamic both are very full and sound nice. The Yamaha seems to have a better balance over all. Of course a d-18 will have a warmer sound both sound gorgeous I personally feel like the high end gets lost when strumming the Martin but doesn’t make it inferior just different. I like that you can clearly hear every note of a chord on the Yamaha. Which I love. If I had to choose only one I’d buy the Yamaha first. I’d still want the d-18 though. Lol
Man, they're both amazing. The Martin sounded like it had more note separation but the tone of the FG5 was creamier to my ear
Your smile on your face pics the winner.... ps I love my FSX5
The FG5 sounds more smoothly n balanced in tone I think is a good guitar for song writers.
I began playing on an FG180 in 1971, and recognize something of that same sound in the FGX5. Lovely! Tempted to trade off my Martin.
They are both great. I would give a slight edge to the D-18, more robust sound to my ears. But, between these 2, I would choose the one that feels the best in my hands. The sound differences are not that important to me. Using a capo often requires a bit of tuning touch-up. This might have to do with frets, but likely adjusting the exact tension provided by the capo itself could compensate.
Martin was more robust? Watch it again blindfolded and then decide.
Martin is a great guitar, but Yamaha also gives more than enough for that money. Great review, and comparative test.
I think I prefer the Martin tone still, but there's no question that for half the price the Yamaha is incredible. It has a nice dense, strong sound. The Martin has those bell like overtones and bit more character. I'm sure the Yamaha would record really well, and probably sound better amplified with less effort for a sound engineer.
I own a Yamaha FGX3 and I can safely say it's the best sounding strumming guitar I have ever found, and I've played a lot of high-end guitars.
I have a Washburn Japanese Yamaki D-67 Harvest back and sides Ovangkol and it’ll keep up with any guitar
Martin all day, just so sweet!
I have both. My preference stay on my 14 years old D18V, mainly because the harmonics are richer in the high register. The lows are deeper too , and a better note to note separation.
But my new FG5 is more resonant with a gutural voice in lows and low-middles that is very beautyful.
The voice is full and I think an overall better projection than my D18.
Give the feeling to play a (more) old guitar.
A very nice guitar, for songwriters !
A keeper. Hurry to see what it will become after 10 years of playing.
Its nice to hear FG5 can stand up to D18, Yamaha has hevier bracing and thicker top, and to me FG5 sounds more dark and mellow, but I dont have direct comparsion. I am really happy with my FGX5, best spent money on any of my gear ever ;)
@@podfuk For sure, a (my) FG5 is a keeper !
Where she take advantage on my D18V is :
- the spontaneity of the resonant character of the guitar,
- the fullness of the voice. She push the air very hard !
Great video as usual.
Colin Padley appreciate your kind comments
Colin Padley which would you take Colin .. martin or Yamaha
FG5 is a better deal for your $$
The Winner !!!....Yamaha FG5...Powerful sounding guitar....Luv it !!!
I have been Sold on Yammies since the late 60's. I have every vintage Red Label form the 110 to the 300. When I pick up my 69 bell cover FG 180, with new Grover tuners, it's hard for me to imagine a better sounding acoustic. Great video! I will be searching for the FG-3 and 5!! I do have a Martin D-28 and its a great guitar, it just COST SO MUCH....Why? Martin could sell 5x's as many if they would just LOWER THEIR COST!!
The FG is on the way as I type. So excited to be getting it! But I definitely hear more distinctive separation of notes in the D18. The clarity factor is just a little bit different. The Yamaha seems to make the chords almost sound like a more condensed whole while it feels like everything shines through on the D18. I wonder if strings/mic placements/etc would make a difference on that though. Hoping the FG will be a really good recording guitar.
Both guitars has its own beauty. Love them both. It’s hard to choose which one but just a preference I’ll go with D18.
Thank you...
Thanks for the review. Your playing is outstanding sir. As difficult as it is to honestly assess guitars on CZcams, your comparison is very well done. Which guitar should you buy? I have to say I’m partial to Yamaha as I’ve played them for 40 years, but the Martin sounded wonderful. If money is not a factor then buy the Martin. However, money is nearly always a factor. I can’t tell a big difference between the two and it’s a bit unfair to judge guitars with such a dramatic price difference. I would have to recommend the Yamaha because the sound difference is negligible and the cost is half that of the Martin.
Hearing the first chord u played on the Martin, I wanted to sing the first note by Bread "Hey have u ever tried...really reaching out for the other side....."....hee hee
There is just something about a martin. Even my little martin. It just makes me want to play. Love the FG5 and originally was going to buy one, but i think i would always want the D-18.
Rellings then get the d18 if that is in your heart
I’m shopping for a guitar and this comparison has been super useful. To me the Yamaha had superior tonal characteristics , to my ear , obviously it’s very personal. The Martin has a great name and many folks will buy it for the brand. Both excellent guitars. Thanks again for video, most informative.
Both sound fantastic, but the yamaha sounds fuller, warmer, and more resonant. Great guitars.
I own the Yamaha FG5 and loved your video. In my experience the issue with intonation when the Yamaha is capoed has to do with the fact that the Yamaha is a shorter scale neck. This is not a manufacturing or string fault, but an issue common to most shorter scale length guitars. I learned to adjust and the FG5 is the best acoustic I have ever owned.
My Martin guitar is a D25K [Koa back and sides] , but is used very little now that I have the Yamaha.
how do you adjust?
Martin edged out the Yamaha in every style to my ears. However I can not afford the Martin. Beautiful playing with intense feeling. Thank you Jarvis!
Just got off of the wait list today today, FG is on the way.
Robert
Me Too, My FG5 is coming Tuesday from Sweetwater.
Congratulations !
Always wished someone will do a comparison test on this two legendary guitars. You did it, thank you so much man. Now I’m confused which one which one shall I buy 😂😂
SJ 0606 my pleasure
That Yamaha isn’t the same old guitar from 1966. It’s a 100% different monster
If you're rich buy Taylor. If you're poor buy Yamaha.
@@frants48yea, if you’re buying just to have a name.
If you’re smart, you try them both out and buy based on what sounds and feels best.
Both guitars are very nice. But I still have to go with the Martin D 18. The sound is so smooth and balanced with none of the high-pitched tinge sound. The price point is the big question that depends on what one wants in their instrument. I also love JP’s and Jarvis’ reviews.
instrument
Both ❤️
The D18 is very nice.
The FG5 is more alive sounding, and multi dimensional.
The FG5 has a superb high treble shimmer, and more separation between Highs , Mids and Bass response.
That’s so hilarious… I felt like I heard exactly the same thing but for the D18 instead! 😆 Every ear is different.
@@MississippiDave- Yep me too!
I agree with some of the other comments on here, Martin sounds tailor-made for strummers (probably due to the more pronounced scalloped bracing) while the Yamaha actually beats it in the finger-picking department. I'm more of a picker myself so naturally the Yamaha resonated a lot more with me by comparison, plus that price-point is damn near impossible to beat for that level of quality. Like I said before, Martin's not the only game in town as far as high-end acoustic guitars go and haven't been for quite some time now...
;-)
Strumming, it’s still the Martin. The D-18 doesn’t flatten out when strummed like even this great sounding Yamaha does. This gentleman gives a good sound example being a heavy strummer (like myself) you can hear (with good headphones) the Martin’s depth keep going because of the harmonics, where as the Yamaha flattens at the same strum point. But the Yamaha is a great guitar for the price point. Great job, and Thank You for taking the time to do this demo.
You are most welcome
Both sound great, but both also sound different. The FG5 to me has a more pronounced high mids and the D18 sounds slightly scooped in this area which i prefer - less harsh. Also the D18 sounds more evenly balanced regarding the all the notes played at different areas of the guitar - i like this very much so for me the D18 is my winner 🙂
I really didn't expect to prefer the Yamaha!
Yamaha all the way, for me at least ;)
Nice vid, specify the strings of each guitar, if they are not the same please use the same strings!
I'll honestly have to give it to the Martin D 18 on this one
Thank you for the video. Could you please compare Yamaha FGX5 and Yamaha AC5R.
Both are very nice. If $$ no issue - Martin Yamaha is a good bang for the buck. Happy to see all these great video from you Javis !
D18 for strumming, and the FG5 for finger style
The FG5 is the one the sound has much better resonance. But I would like to get the yamaha ll26 but the fg5 might be a purchase for me too.
On the recording, to my ears the Martin is by far the most balanced, well-intonated guitar. I'm confident the Martin would sound best in a mix with other instruments. Your playing is very nice, by the way, tasteful and lyrical.
thanks scott
why is it always a contest ?..both guitars are beautifully played and sound fantastic. thank you for showing us them.
Because a lot of people will buy one of the two
Contest, or comparison?
People don't always have the ability to see / hear these guitars at their local shops. It's extremely helpful to have someone who knows their way around a guitar explain, and demo each of the guitars so people can make educated decisions.
Thanks for a great shootout.I love the Yamaha red label FG guitars but if I have to choose one I would go for the D 18 because I believe it will suit my style better. It sounds much sweeter than the FG and more middle-end dynamics.
Sounds like one I could have for life.
I don't even have to look further or higher in the Martin range.
That D18 is really awesome 👌 👏