Chris, given the choice I would pick the Gibson. My ears prefer the Gibson. Both are going to give their owners years of joy. I especially like your comments about not focusing on specifications or making assumptions. It took decades before I learned to appreciate a chunkier neck. Also, you gave an excellent demo of both guitars.
I have the 000 18M which I love. I enjoyed the sound of the Gibson here. Articulate is the word. Brighter and more pronounced. Digging the aesthetic too for sure.
Chris, that blues piece you played really showed what those guitars can do. And BTW, you're a damn good musician! I think both sound great. A little over a year and a half ago I purchased a 00-18. I love the Gibson sound and playability. but it's not available in a natural finish and comes standard with a pickup which I don't need.
The Martin had a low mid loading that masked the clarity a bit. They are both great guitars and a nearly perfect size and shape! I have a 30s HG-00 Gibson and a 20s 00-18 Martin both of which are 12 fret. I would really enjoy a comparison with similar guitars using 12 fret vs 14 fret! Well done! Thanks for a great video.
Great video. It's so good to hear you playing the familiar test pieces that let us compare across videos. Cooper is amazing but I can't even lie to myself and say "that's what I like to play." My picking buddy has an L-00 and I love the tone but the neck/nut/spacing doesn't fit my hand. You are exactly right that the whole neck system has to work with your fretting hand and technique. That's one reason that I have a 000-15sm. Cheers.
I know what you mean. I love hearing/watching Cooper play, but none of my guitars will ever be played like Cooper plays. (don’t stop doing what you do, Cooper - I always enjoy watching and hearing you play). I will probably never play as well as Chris either, but there is still hope.
As usual, you using those familiar pieces for demo is so smart. Nobody does reviews better! Your playing is very emotional and from the soul. I love Martins, i own a D 28e modern deluxe, CEO9 & 12 string. I love Gibsons. I own a J45e and yes a L-OO. Nough said. Thanks for as usual, a great review.
Same old story. Martin sounds "better", Gibson has the mojo. There's something I can't resist in a L-00. Maybe we can notice that the Gibson has a quite wider hole. I think it affects the sound more than other features. Looks? Gibson wins. It's one of the coolest guitars out there. Martin style is a classic, of course. But, again, Gibson has the mojo. Precious video, thank you
Nicely done! Great presentation! The Martin had more depth in its tones, to my ear. I agree the Gibson was a little brighter and articulate, but I’d spend my money on the 00-18.
look carefully he did not play the exact same music.. he played the top end more on the gibson.. fact is the gibson has a great bottom end tone with out sacrificing the top end. I have this guitar and if you use recommened strings, the bottom end is just melt in your mouth. I also own a ooojr-10C Martin, not the same as the demo one but its c lose.. Both great guitars and both I will be keeping.
I have an L00 acacia and it sounds fairly similar to the one in the video. One thing i found with L00 is the volume in the DG&B strings. The 0018s that i tried were more balanced, but Gibson upper mid-range is rich and addictive. My brain tells me Martin, but my heart chooses Gibson.
I love both companies, I don’t own any acoustic Gibson’s but a handful of their electric models. I own two Martin’s and love them both, hoping to acquire a Gibson one day. They both sounded fantastic and nice playing Chris 🤙 Thanks for all your awesome feeds, I enjoy them all. Tommy~
Small body guitars are unique, not just for the blues (cliché) but any song fingerstyle as well. I found a Stanford Golden Era (parlor), yes MIC but remarkably crafted, quite pricey and sounds heavenly, and of course, very comfortable! Thanks Chris for this review about small bodied guitars!
I’m a Gibson Fanboy who also loves martin’s (how could you not). I’m making this comment during your demo in case you were wondering… couldn’t wait until the end :). My two cents, if this is going to be your only/primary guitar, i think you go with the Martin, but if you have lots of other options, i think the Gibson will sound different than most of your other guitars, and might be the better choice. I only own one small body Martin, and it’s a 1953 0-18 that has been previously abused (i mean loved) and recently brought back to life. It sounds great, but seeing that sparkly clean new one sound so good, makes me a little jealous.
My sunburst L00 Gibson cam with Grover tuners. I’m the happiest I’ve ever been with a small body acoustic. Don’t forget the LR Baggs!!! That’s awesome too. Mine has that. With volume and tone controls in the sound hole. I also own a 1979 Martin D28. So I’m in guitar bliss right now.
Nice voicing demo, and I am partial to the Martin. However, a closer comparison to the Gibson would be the Martin CEO-7 or Iris OGe. The Iris sounds more like an OLD Gibson with the Gibson growl at a lower price. Re: nut width: really depends on YOU. My fretting hand has had surgeries, bone and knuckle fractures (all before 4th grade), heredity issues, and more from drivers driving on the sidewalk. So narrower nut, shorter scale, shallow neck profile is my favorite. Thanks.
They both sound great, however the Martin is more mellow sounding, whereas the Gibson is sharper sounding. I have always been a Martin fan so I would choose it.
Really good demo Chris! They both sound great but I have wanted a 00-18 for a long time. I have a HD-28 and a D-18 but have been wanting a guitar to just sit on the couch and play. I do love the looks of the Gibson. Nice playing also.
I have a 1930-31 Gibson L-00 (12 fret at body) and I recognise the same tone and character in the new version. I thought, as you do, its a more interesting and expressive instrument. That big sound hole makes you aware of its voice and what you can do with it and ways to use it. Thanks for the demo.
Both very nice guitars. After first listen I thought the Martin had a bit more punch. After hearing the comment about the Gibson seeming more articulate, I listened again and Gibson yields up clearer definition with lighter playing while the Martin seemed (to me of course) to want to be driven a bit harder.
@@anneberkeley7411 Yup, I know. I have a CEO-7. Hearing them played, one after the other, is what I was suggesting. A verbal description of sound pales in comparison to actually hearing the differences.
@@BobDorfmanHow do you like your CEO7? I was dazzled by its sound when I compared it with the 0018, but chose the 18 because the thinner neck works best for me. Don't get me wrong though, the 18 has its own beauty and magic.
@@anneberkeley7411 I love it. It didn’t take me long at all to adjust to the modified V neck shape and I have averaged size hands. I have 3 “good” acoustics, all with different neck shapes. I switch between them with ease. It took me about an hour of playing before the mod V neck felt as natural as the others.
@@anneberkeley7411 Love it. It took me about an hour of playing before the modified V neck felt as natural as the low oval on my other guitar. The “7” has become my go-two guitar for most fingerpicking.
Gibson has more depth and bite to it. I always smile when I pick mine up and play it. I have never played at 00-18 but I love my 00-15m Martin for different reasons. But that Gibson has so much character and depth. I wouldn't trade it for anything.
I don't actually agree with comments that claims the L-00 to be more articulate. I had them both in the past and I found the L-00 more midrange focused, great for old timey blues (of course). I sold it for a 0018 which is more articulate to me, especially in the high end, more versatile. Both great guitars, tonally different. Btw, I eventually sold the 0018 too for a 00018 that is my love ;) I always wondered what L stands for in L-00.
As a certified Gibson fan boi_ the first 2 demos were kind of embarrassing with the L-00 sounding fairly thin and nowhere near as rich as the Martin. But in the fingerstyle segment the Gibson availed itself nicely with rich and nuanced tone. If I had the disposable income and needed a 00 style guitar though it would have to be the Martin I'd go with though. Now if we were talking about a vintage Dove on the other hand_ I had a buddy with a '63 Dove that to this day is my favorite acoustic guitar I've ever played. I never could afford one though so I ended up with a Taylor....
I just traded a Martin 00015M for a Gibby L00. To my ears, based on my side by side comparison of my two coupled with the comparison here is that Martin and Gibson have completely different tone profiles - neither one superior. The Martin(s) seem to have a smoother balance across the tonal spectrum - more of a “flat” response, while I’m hearing a hump in the midrange of the Gibson. The Gibson “seems” louder, but it also has more mid-presence, which may help to explain the crispness. It really seems to carry at about 1-3k. I prefer the shorter scale length and appreciate the string spacing on the Gibson. Mine has the closed Grovers, rather than the open vintage (which I also appreciate). Feels Like the Martin might accompany a Voice better, but the Gibson should cut through with other instruments. Nice comparison, sweet playing, and two really great little guitars! Thanks!
Chris, I would describe the Gibson as "tighter" but both have excellent tone. So, it has to come down to playing each one and decide on which one feels best. After seeing Tommy Emmanuel last night, he proved its way less about the guitar than the skill and feel projected by the player.
I just compared the CEO-7 with the 00-18. The CEO-7 is a stunning guitar. What makes it different is the adirondacks spruce top (instead of sitka spruce) which projects more bass tones and really articulates with a certain crispness I can't describe. I LOVED the CEO but I also loved the 00-18, and ended up with it because I preferred its thinner neck profile.
Just bought a 00-18. In no way does it have a muddy sound. It was one of the more articulate guitars I've ever play. But agree the Gibson is brighter and I'd love one of them too!
I have both and they are both awesome. I traded a CEO-7 for the L-00. The CEO was very nice, but the Gibson was next level in my opinion. Can't really go wrong with any Martin or current (or vintage) Gibsons.
I have both of these guitars and his review is spot on. His comment about the Gibson tuners is spot on too...They're excellent tuners but they are a little tighter.
Another attempt at a comparison. There are only two things that matter when purchasing/comparing guitars; how does it sound (to you!) and how does it feel, primarily, how does it feel in your hands. This comparison (and most others) fails to inform us about the neck profiles (shape), neck thicknesses and the overall feel of the two necks. Is there anything more important? (Answer, 'No'). We're told the Gibson neck feels like a Les Paul. (I seriously doubt that but there are a dozen different Les Paul neck shapes/sizes,..again this is no help). Then there's string spacing at the nut and string spacing at the bridge,..yeah, it's very important when comparing/purchasing guitars. Also, if one of those guitars has medium strings and the other has lights, the comparison is close to useless. We're not told what strings are being used. What I find much less important, is what woods are used, the cost of the instrument, who makes the instrument, bracing, binding, etc. Again,..how does it sound?,..how does it feel?,..all that matters. Not to bemoan this particular RU-vid posting,..it's an honest effort. But most these comparisons leave me uninformed.
In general, you did not play the guitars the same way, consequently it’s hard to speak of nuance. However, as I heard it, I partially agree with you. You attacked the Gibson and your gusto made it very bright and brassy (I don’t like that in an acoustic) where you softened your style considerably on the Martin which brought out a very warm and smooth tone. Which was all well and good until you got to the blues progression. I listened through that three times and usually I like that to be a slow and warm sound, but the Martin sounded muddy and despite my listening three times I could not pick up if was your playing or the guitar. From what I heard, I’d pick the Martin over the Gibson, and that’s saying something because I’m a Gibson guy, but, if I was a blues player, I’d probably pick the Gibson as that "articulation" really brought homes the blues sound. Again, not certain if it was you or the guitar bringing that out. I have almost no experience with Martin since it’s frequently one or two thousand more than a Gibson. On this case money wasn’t a factor and I’d be buying a Martin based on your demo. As a minimum I’m going to surf around and see if I can pick up the same distinctions from other players. Thanks for the demo.
Well I like the clarity , string to string seperation, and responsiveness of the Gibson. The bottom end of the Martin sounded muddy in comparison. That being said the each would have their place.
Nut width matters, even down to the 16th inch difference between 1 11/16ths and 1 3/4. I prefer 1 13/16s and 1 7/8ths. String spacing at the bridge matters. I prefer 2 1/4 at minimum up to 2 5/16ths and 2 3/8 ths.
In this comparison the tighter waste gives a tad more boxy sound and more defined bass articulation for the L00. Yet I am convinced that rosewood board and bridge contribute a lot to the Gibson tone in regards to the sound transmission from where the string is pressed and the sound vibrating from bridge surface to the top. As rosewood is much softer so the sound is more absorbed rather than ringing with ebony. Of course the bracing plays a part as well. I own an LG2 and an OM28 which are way different but ebony vs rosewood is massive imo.
love my Gibson. I have a strong Gibson bias.Been playing my b25 since I got it in 1963. got the l-00 because my b25 has a terminal neck issue. love the 00. quite different sounding than the b25 which is a mahogany/spruce guitar too.
Great review and comparison. And some really niece guitar playing to boot! To my ears the L-00 does definitely sound brighter but conversely, I find the 00-18 to be more articulate in terms of hearing note articulation. The reason might be because of what mentioned briefly... about the 00-18 being less slinky than the L-00? I'm a Martin fan and love my D-28 but I am now considering a L-00 for my next acoustic after watching this. Cheers!
Great review, thanks. Annoyingly (to me) the Martin has the sweeter tone of the two, but the Gibson looks way cooler. However, the tone of the Gibson could be adjusted somewhat by putting on different strings - I would try either D'Addario Flat Tops, or D'Addario Half Rounds, or even possibly D'Addario Chromes, or some combination of these. Therefore I would buy the Gibson, or at least I would if I had the money. What I'm more likely to do is to by the Epiphone EL - 00 (the Epiphone equivalent of the Gibson) which I might possibly be able to afford...
Coming in late to the party... My 2 cents: Initially the L-00 was shockingly bright and articulate, but with further listening and comparing I realized I was missing the low/mid range balance. I prefer to Martin even though it was a bit weaker in the upper register. The balance and overall warmth is what moves me more.
I'd take the Gibson. It seems to better fill the midrange and so create a more complete tone for solo playing like I mostly do. Plus I like the exclusive old time look. although I'd probably prefer the sunburst version. .
The Martin is more open and more overtone. It may be more versatile for fingerstyle, and the wider nut width helps The Gibson has a little more focused power, tight bass and less overtone. It has punch, even with a shorter scale. It has a flatter frequency response, more like an archtop. It is more specifically a blues guitar. I really like them both.
Both insanely great... Gibson definitely has that bubbly thump which I love. Martin a more traditional darker sound (not in a bad way) that I also like alot
Excellent Demonstration The Gibson, sounded better to me. I have owned several Acoustic models of both brands and it really depends son the individual guitar. I will say this after owning several Models of Martin Guitars, models with Adirondack spruce tops seem to be the best (along with additional price). I have a used OM-18 is a cannon and an M-36 with an Adirondack top. Best two Martins I have ever played. I really like your channel great information on Acoustic guitars.
Love all your videos. I come from France and you are one of the only guy I can understand what your a saying 😂. And BTW your explanation and sounds comparison are always great 👍
Hearing Chris play the old familiar songs is like visiting his old family church on Mother's Day! This fingerstyle definitely worked best for this video, as that is best for each of these. There was much pick noise which was distracting. I have played many more Martin guitars than Gibson and I typically play Martin with mahogany. I think I enjoyed the Gibson this round, but both are my styles of choice in a guitar these days. All trees are different and some are better for a guitar. I need neither but would accept either. Ask me for my address...
I have an L-00, and when you played the Martin first I was like, "Damn, that sounds good..." Then you played the L, and it was at least the equal of the Martin. Love my Gibbys, but have had a few Martins I've really liked, and that one sounds great. Still, the L-00...
Chris, regarding the tuners on the Gibbie, I had the same situation when I purchased my LP Special. The tuners were similar but just obviously not on a 3-way plate, but they felt cheesy. I swapped them out with a set of Keystone Klusons , don’t know why Gibson is using this company ( whoever they are ) regarding their vintage style tuners but they really need to get something better, especially when you’re spending 2-3 grand on an instrument 🤙
Both nice, but for me the Martin knocked it out the park. I don't have a 0018, but I do have a couple of 00015m's, a J40 and one of the x series (don't ask me which one lol) and the one I play the most is one of the 00015's - it has a quality of sound I've just not found in anything else. Oddly enough the x series is a fantastic guitar too and gets more use than the far more expensive J40. Never had a Gibson acoustic simply because I never found one that made me want to buy it. There's a Gibson custom shop L00 for sale locally, that's why I'm watching these video's, trying to figure out if I want it or not. Still not sure lol, even here the Martin just sounded better to me but the Gibson has a different sound - one I don't already have. Hmmmmm 🤔
I love both guitars, but every time I listen to a Gibson vs Martin comparison, I always walk away liking both, but to me the Martins have a nice bass sound, but sound a bit "muddy" to me, whereas the Gibson's always seem to articulate better, meaning I can hear all 6 strings more clearly. As I said, I always like the sound of both brands, but I always like the Gibson sound just a bit better.
In this size personally I like the Gibson, has more of a slightly mid scooped sound which for the intimate feel I like me to my ear, for some reason I feel a bigger size for the body shape of the Martin would fit it better but I don’t have any experience or good reasoning for it
I started out 'wanting' to prefer the Gibson, but that Martin has a really nice tone, and seemed a bit 'fuller' sounding than the Gibby. I already own several world class 00s, including Collings Waterloos, and an original 1933 Gibson/Kalamazoo that is scary; but I wouldn't say no to either of those two.
Chris, I like the finish on the Martin better. I don’t like painted guitars as the manufacturer can scrimp on the quality of top and you won’t know. I agree about the Gibson tuners because the knobs look cheesy like plastic. The Gibson does sound a little brighter to my ear but the Martin sounded better on your jazz Selection. Are they both the same depth in the body or is the Martin thicker? I have an HD28 but want something a little smaller for thumb strumming. Does Taylor have something comparable?
I had the chance to try an L-00 in a shop lately, and I was surprised how similar the sound was compared to a J-35 (fingerpicking with nails). For about half the price of an L-00 the J-35 lacks just a tiny bit of base. Since I already own a J-35 I would not like to buy a guitar that sounds almost the same. The Martin 00-18 is a respectable instrument with a completely different sound profile and I would be happy to own one. As for the Gibson guitars - as far as I see they put their coated phosphor bronze strings on every instrument that they ship. They are a bit on the warmer side of the spectrum, definitely a great choice for their J-45s. I suppose just like my J-35 the L-00 would benefit a lot from an 80/20 bronze set, or if you want to stick with phosphor bronze, a brighter one, like Elixirs. This will bring out the articulation and mellow trebles even more.
I traded a Martin 000-18 for a Gibson L-00, both great instruments. Need to take into consideration the individual guitars. If you Line up several of the same guitars, each will play and sound a bit different. The trick is to find a good one, ie. the guitar most pleasing to your ear.
My thought on small-bodies........was Guild did the best small-bodies, especially the small-body 12-string they did.......though I am thinking in terms of the 1970s, 1980s......you could raise that question in a later filmita (as my Spanish friends call these RU-vid shorts).......small body Guilds......I really liked a Guild small body 12-string I had in particular.....in the 1980s. 15:31
