Members epi56ebony Posted March 8, 2009 Members Share Posted March 8, 2009 I've been playing my Martin 000-18 today. Just wondering about the forum's opinion on the guitar. I really like my D-35s (D and HD) big boomy dreadnaughts. My 000-18 has a sweeter lighter tone and sounds best fingerpicked. When I use the pick with a heavy hand it sounds terrible, but a lighter touch helps immensly. I've also found if I use a capo, it tightens the strings and then I can really pick and strum away. It then has a very high pitched taut sound. Agree or disagree with anything I've said? It's a beautiful little guitar, Elvis owned one but traded it for a Martin Dreadnaught, I'm sure cause he wanted more projection and he was a strummer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guitarcapo Posted March 8, 2009 Members Share Posted March 8, 2009 Another guitar you might like is the Gibson J-185. Kinda similar but maple. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members larry50 Posted March 9, 2009 Members Share Posted March 9, 2009 000-18 is a totally classic Martin mahogany guitar. The one's I have played, but new and old have all been superb fingerpickers. 000's were not really built for heavy strumming. My own preference is for Martin's OM models, both for the longer scale and the 1 3/4" nut which suits me better. I have a "poor man's" OM-18 callled the OM-16GT and I love it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guitarcapo Posted March 9, 2009 Members Share Posted March 9, 2009 VERY poor man's 000-18 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DonK Posted March 9, 2009 Members Share Posted March 9, 2009 I love the 000-18! Short-scale Martins are sweet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members simplygoodmusic Posted March 9, 2009 Members Share Posted March 9, 2009 I love flatpicking 000s! But thats just me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Flogger59 Posted March 9, 2009 Members Share Posted March 9, 2009 I love flatpicking 000s! But thats just me. So does Ian Anderson. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Freeman Keller Posted March 9, 2009 Members Share Posted March 9, 2009 You've got the bases very well covered. Since I'm not a flat picker my D18 and D12-28 sit in the closet and I play my 000-28 and OM12-42 (and my new/old 12). The 000-18 is simply one of Martin's great blues and fingerstyle guitar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members epi56ebony Posted November 21, 2009 Author Members Share Posted November 21, 2009 Been playing my 000-18 a lot recently so I'm gonna bump this thread to see if anyone new would like to comment. I'd really like to hear comments on the traditional 000-18 not the other models like vintage, norman blake model, golden era etc. Just the standard bread and butter 000-18. Let's hear some love or even hate. Would like to read some new comments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Chordchunker Posted November 21, 2009 Members Share Posted November 21, 2009 Would love to have one, but more than likely would go for the 000-28. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members epi56ebony Posted November 21, 2009 Author Members Share Posted November 21, 2009 I've played the 000-28 very nice! ohh but the poor standard 000-18 seems to be one of the least popular Martins even though it has a great history in their product line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JasmineTea Posted November 21, 2009 Members Share Posted November 21, 2009 I think the short scale makes it not such a good strummer. I got an OM from the custom shop that is'nt too far off from a 000-18, but it's got light braces and long scale and it strums and does everything quite well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members epi56ebony Posted November 22, 2009 Author Members Share Posted November 22, 2009 I also have an OM-21 and it's loud with deep bass and beautiful full sound. The 000-18 is most definitely not a strummer. Needs a light touch, and responds best to fingerpicking. But the sound while not full like the OM-21 or even like my HD-35 Cannon, has a sweetness all it's own. Light and bouncy. You are also right that the short scale reduces volume and the body is smaller (less body width) but is also a bit easier to play chords on. Will truly appreicate this feature as I get older and the hands no longer have the strength or worse arthritis. Took me a while to bond with the guitar since I was used to the big full sounds of the OM and HD. Every guitar style brings its own sound though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members knockwood Posted November 22, 2009 Members Share Posted November 22, 2009 OM-21 is an unbelievably fantastic model, IMO. One of the best-conceived Martin guitars ever. At some point in my life, I must own one. I'm not crazy about the 000-18 in real life. I LOVE the looks, love the specs on paper, but every one I've ever tried out sounded basically lifeless to me. I think it is the combo of the short scale and non-scalloped braces on a little top - just makes it a little bit too tight and quiet for me. I love the basics of the model enough, though, that I had a custom 000-18 made last year. It's basically just a 000-18 but with scalloped braces and a little bit of herringbone trim. Otherwise, extremely close to the original. I love the rosewood fretboard and bridge on the original 18, so I kept those. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members larry50 Posted November 22, 2009 Members Share Posted November 22, 2009 OM-21 is an unbelievably fantastic model, IMO. One of the best-conceived Martin guitars ever. At some point in my life, I must own one.I'm not crazy about the 000-18 in real life. I LOVE the looks, love the specs on paper, but every one I've ever tried out sounded basically lifeless to me. I think it is the combo of the short scale and non-scalloped braces on a little top - just makes it a little bit too tight and quiet for me. I love the basics of the model enough, though, that I had a custom 000-18 made last year. It's basically just a 000-18 but with scalloped braces and a little bit of herringbone trim. Otherwise, extremely close to the original. I love the rosewood fretboard and bridge on the original 18, so I kept those. I'm in agreement about the 000-18. Still haven't played one I really liked. I snagged an OM-16GT about five years ago, which has scalloped braces and the longer scale length combined with that great mahogany woodiness. They've since discontinued that model for the 000-16GT, which has the shorter scale length and 1 11/16" nut. My OM is a great strummer and fingerpicker. Usually the first guitar I pick up. But, the 000-16GT can be viewed as a "poor man's" 000-18, and I think it sounds better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members maybe_ebyam Posted November 22, 2009 Members Share Posted November 22, 2009 I've got a 000- 18 an OM-28V an OM-42 D-35 and a D- 41 The 000- 18 does sound pretty terrible strummed, but flat- picked is almost unsurpassable. I can't get that sound from any other guitar. I love love love my higher end models and always try to record picked parts with them, but as soon as I pick up the 000 I know what guitar I'm going to use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members epi56ebony Posted November 22, 2009 Author Members Share Posted November 22, 2009 Regarding the 000-18 strumming, for myself, it seems to "pop" to life when I put the capo on it and has an even higher pitched sound almost like a mandolin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Terry Allan Hall Posted November 22, 2009 Members Share Posted November 22, 2009 I've been playing my Martin 000-18 today. Just wondering about the forum's opinion on the guitar.I really like my D-35s (D and HD) big boomy dreadnaughts. My 000-18 has a sweeter lighter tone and sounds best fingerpicked. When I use the pick with a heavy hand it sounds terrible, but a lighter touch helps immensly.I've also found if I use a capo, it tightens the strings and then I can really pick and strum away. It then has a very high pitched taut sound.Agree or disagree with anything I've said? It's a beautiful little guitar, Elvis owned one but traded it for a Martin Dreadnaught, I'm sure cause he wanted more projection and he was a strummer. IMABO, THE best model Martin ever made! Very balanced, warm tone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members epi56ebony Posted November 22, 2009 Author Members Share Posted November 22, 2009 IMABO, THE best model Martin ever made! Very balanced, warm tone. Alright! one for the 000-18! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JasmineTea Posted November 22, 2009 Members Share Posted November 22, 2009 Howabout a 000-18 with scalloped 1/4" braces and ebony b&b? ..er, maybe 1-3/4" f/b? Grover 18:1... Someone had to mention that OM-28V...I think I'd consider trading my OM-35 for an OM-28V. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Terry Allan Hall Posted November 22, 2009 Members Share Posted November 22, 2009 Alright! one for the 000-18! Indeed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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