Members ExtraGum Posted April 20, 2006 Members Posted April 20, 2006 Hi all, I usually post in the electric forum. I'm really close to buying the MF $699 D-15 Spruce custom. But I wonder if I will regret not ponying up for the D-18 in a coupla years (I can probably afford the D-18, but it kinda makes me feel guilty w/ re to my wife ) Thoughts? I'm upgrading from a Seagull S6 Cedar. I'm looking for -CRISP- chording.
Members JasmineTea Posted April 20, 2006 Members Posted April 20, 2006 D-15 custom has rose b/s, D-18 has hog. I'd say hold out for the 18 if you like crisp. Not that a D-18 defines crisp, but it'll likely be brighter than the 15 custom.
Members Whalebot Posted April 20, 2006 Members Posted April 20, 2006 Wait for the D-18 if you want a Standard Series. the 15's are just fine but the 18 will sound, well, better. I've also seen used D-35s and D-28's for around $1,700.
Members Freeman Keller Posted April 20, 2006 Members Posted April 20, 2006 Originally posted by ExtraGum Hi all, I usually post in the electric forum. I'm really close to buying the MF $699 D-15 Spruce custom. But I wonder if I will regret not ponying up for the D-18 in a coupla years (I can probably afford the D-18, but it kinda makes me feel guilty w/ re to my wife ) Thoughts? I'm upgrading from a Seagull S6 Cedar. I'm looking for -CRISP- chording. Your last statement is the clue - "crisp chording". The D-18 is usually thought of as a bluegrass lead guitar, simple, cutting, loud, and I guess, "crisp". A rosewood guitar like a D28 is thought of as the rhythm players git - chording along playing lots of G-runs, but with a full rich complex sound. Your cedar top probably has a wonderful mellow fingerstyle sound. But "crisp chording" - I'm not too sure what you mean. Sounds like you should put your money in a cd for a while and go out and try everything you can, listening carefully to the differences. Listen to the sound clips at Maurys and the other sites that I have posted. The MF git might be a wonderful guitar and absolutely perfect, but until you've played it and compared it to others you might be making a very big mistake. I made one long ago when I bought my D-18, and made another when I bought my 12 string.
Members ExtraGum Posted April 20, 2006 Author Members Posted April 20, 2006 I appreciate your thoughts guys. MF actually offers the D-15 Custom w/ solid spruce top, and solid mahogany sides and back ($699) or solid rosewood ($799). Something like poorman's D-18 and D-28s, respectively (of course there are many differences between the two.) I've played every decent Martin at the local GC, and I've pretty much settled on the mahogany back. The D-18 essentially has better bracing, back binding, and a gloss finish as compared to the d-15... http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Guitar/Acoustic?sku=514700
Members Freeman Keller Posted April 20, 2006 Members Posted April 20, 2006 I've actually heard very good things about both of these MF guitars and their customer service and return policy is tops. Those little cosmetic things won't make any difference. I doubt that you will regret it. I need to clarify - when I say I made mistakes it is only that dreads don't fit my playing style. I dearly love both my Martins and play them both frequently - but mostly I fingerpick on my little guys. For flatpick and strumming I think you will really like the mahogany dread.
Members kdp86 Posted April 20, 2006 Members Posted April 20, 2006 buy a d-16. $1000, and it sounds better than both, it's the only one that has scalloped braces.
Members Sweb Posted April 21, 2006 Members Posted April 21, 2006 Heck no. The D-18 I had was a most respectable guitar.
Members knockwood Posted April 21, 2006 Members Posted April 21, 2006 I think all the gits you're considering are good. The D-18 is a classic, though. Hard to go wrong if you DO wait. If you hold out and get the 18 and are somehow disappointed you can always sell it and get the D-15 Custom...
Members ExtraGum Posted April 21, 2006 Author Members Posted April 21, 2006 Originally posted by kdp86 buy a d-16. $1000, and it sounds better than both, it's the only one that has scalloped braces. From shear prejudice alone, I will not spend $1000+ on a guitar with non-traditional materials (Sapele, spanish cedar, micarta, e.g.) I won't defend this in an argument, but it's my hard-earned scratch, so... :shrug: I don't see a 16 series that is available in all traditional materials, so I ruled the whole line out.
Members ExtraGum Posted April 21, 2006 Author Members Posted April 21, 2006 Originally posted by knockwood I think all the gits you're considering are good. The D-18 is a classic, though. Hard to go wrong if you DO wait. If you hold out and get the 18 and are somehow disappointed you can always sell it and get the D-15 Custom... I'm waiting for the D-18. I'm gonna drive to elderly instruments in a few weeks and try to make a trade for a nice D-18 that I can pick by hand rather than ordering from MF for the instant (quicker) gratification.
Members Andrewrg Posted April 21, 2006 Members Posted April 21, 2006 Good decision! The D18 is a classic and the industry standard hog dread, find a good one and be amazed.Mine took a couple of months to loosen up but the difference between new and a couple of months is significant.If you can find a mint used one that would be a good choice-if you can live without the lifetime warranty.Have fun!
Members t60 fan Posted April 21, 2006 Members Posted April 21, 2006 Originally posted by ExtraGum From shear prejudice alone, I will not spend $1000+ on a guitar with non-traditional materials (Sapele, spanish cedar, micarta, e.g.) I won't defend this in an argument, but it's my hard-earned scratch, so... :shrug:I don't see a 16 series that is available in all traditional materials, so I ruled the whole line out. The micarta is what bugs me. It looks great, but it still bugs me.
Members knockwood Posted April 21, 2006 Members Posted April 21, 2006 I'm still not sure where I am on the whole micarta thing. A year ago I would have objected to it outright, but I've since heard a lot of good things from people who actually own gits with micarta boards. Last time I tried a 16, I couldn't get over this sense that the board and bridge felt somehow light and plasticky... but that could have been only 'cause I knew about the micarta beforehand. I am, after all, a lunatic. I do wonder, though, how the stuff would behave in the event of a refret.
Members JasmineTea Posted April 21, 2006 Members Posted April 21, 2006 Originally posted by knockwood but that could have been only 'cause I knew about the micarta beforehand. I did'nt know mine was micarta till I got it home and looked it up. Took me a while to adjust phsycologically, but the guitar sold itself to me before I knew it was micarta. After I thought about it I realized that for me it was a good thing because I ware grooves in fretboards, deep grooves that make it hard to play, uncomfortable. (yes, I clip my nails, but it does no good. Don't ever loan me a guitar) Originally posted by knockwood I do wonder, though, how the stuff would behave in the event of a refret. I'm thinking mine will need refretting by this fall. I'll post.
Members lalatingstrings Posted April 23, 2006 Members Posted April 23, 2006 you will regret not buying the guitar you really want,whatever it may be.
Members Sasquatch51 Posted April 23, 2006 Members Posted April 23, 2006 Don't buy a D-18 just because it's a D-18. It's a great guitar (especially if you want to record with it), but let your ears tell you what you want. Try a bunch of different guitars. You may find that you like a D-28 better....you'll just have to save a little longer, that's all. Or, you may like the D-15 better and save a few bucks. Don't make the mistake of buying based just on price or model numbers. Buy what pleases your ears, eyes, and hands. Just remember that solid wood guitars sound better and better the more they are played....whatever it sounds like when you're auditioning it will just get better with age and experience.
Members Rada Posted April 23, 2006 Members Posted April 23, 2006 Originally posted by ExtraGum Hi all, I usually post in the electric forum. I'm really close to buying the MF $699 D-15 Spruce custom. But I wonder if I will regret not ponying up for the D-18 in a coupla years (I can probably afford the D-18, but it kinda makes me feel guilty w/ re to my wife ) Thoughts? I'm upgrading from a Seagull S6 Cedar. I'm looking for -CRISP- chording. CRISP? Shouldn't you go with Spruce/Rosewood or Spruce/Maple then?
Members leftync Posted April 23, 2006 Members Posted April 23, 2006 the seagull is a pretty good guitar. i wouldn't upgrade until I got a guitar that blew it out of the water. i've got a seagull m6, and i won't upgrade with less than a d-28 or a taylor 410 or similar larivee. unless you just want it for a couple of years while you keep saving.
Members Rada Posted April 23, 2006 Members Posted April 23, 2006 Originally posted by leftync the seagull is a pretty good guitar. i wouldn't upgrade until I got a guitar that blew it out of the water. i've got a seagull m6, and i won't upgrade with less than a d-28 or a taylor 410 or similar larivee. unless you just want it for a couple of years while you keep saving. You are a very wise man
Members Andrewrg Posted April 23, 2006 Members Posted April 23, 2006 Originally posted by knockwood I'm still not sure where I am on the whole micarta thing. A year ago I would have objected to it outright, but I've since heard a lot of good things from people who actually own gits with micarta boards. Last time I tried a 16, I couldn't get over this sense that the board and bridge felt somehow light and plasticky... but that could have been only 'cause I knew about the micarta beforehand. I am, after all, a lunatic.I do wonder, though, how the stuff would behave in the event of a refret. Luthiers apparently love the stuff-its tough, consistent in density, polishes well and wont chip and splinter as ebony is prone to do when pulling frets.Its worth remembering that Micarta, although a manufactured product, is a composite of linen and paper, both of which come from....wood!I had a Martin CEO4R.I had no idea the bridge and board were Micarta when I bought it.After a few weeks playing it became a non-issue because of the great feel of the playing surface.
Members t60 fan Posted April 23, 2006 Members Posted April 23, 2006 Originally posted by Andrewrg Its worth remembering that Micarta, although a manufactured product, is a composite of linen and paper, both of which come from....wood! Thanks, that does help my biggoted mind deal with that mysterious yet beautiful black substance...
Members rjoxyz Posted April 23, 2006 Members Posted April 23, 2006 I bought a D-15 Custom (mahogany/spruce) from MF as a "Christmas present" for myself last year and an affordable step into Martin guitars. It was my first all solid wood guitar and I was very impressed. It has a "crisp", bright tone (but sweeter and less brittle than maple). It also produces a solid bass with the right strings. I replaced the saddle and pins with bone and the volume and sustain was enhanced, but the bass suffered. Replaced bone pins with ebony and bass is stronger than ever. The D-15 Custom is as good a value as you will find. As it turned out, I really favor the rosewood tone of Martin's dreads. I found myself obsessing over the HD-28 until I broke down and bought one 2 weeks ago. I love this guitar. It appears the D-15 was a "gateway" Martin for me. GAS is a progressive disease in dire need of a 12 step program. The bottom line is the D-15 Custom is a tremendous value and a great sounding guitar. However, if you think you might regret not waiting for the D-18, then wait. On the other hand, there is nothing substandard about the D-15 Custom. In fact, it seems the light A-frame bracing has allowed the top to open up faster than the standard series X bracing would allow. Good luck!!
Members ExtraGum Posted April 24, 2006 Author Members Posted April 24, 2006 Wow. I had a busy working weekend. Didn't realize there was still some activity on this thread. Thanks for all the additional thoughts. Originally posted by Sasquatch51 Don't buy a D-18 just because it's a D-18. With all due respect, I own over 10 guitars, (mostly electrics,) including a couple of Rics, a couple USA Fenders, and others. Nothing fancy, but solid stuff. I know what I like by now. Originally posted by radaCRISP? Shouldn't you go with Spruce/Rosewood or Spruce/Maple then? I don't think so. My experience was that Rosewood was "boomier" and had less top end. NOT what I am looking for. I did try a rosewood backed '000' cutaway that sounded nice to me--I'd say the reduction in size compensated for the increased bass. But for a full-sized dread, it's the mahogany that gets the sound I'm after.
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