The Surprising Sound Difference Between  

Both are great sounding guitars. I enjoyed your playing....Thanks! Mahogany typically seems more much more mellow in sound to me. Would be interested in hearing a comparision between the Gibson and a Martin D-28 since it is rosewood as well. Martin's are usually pretty consistent, Gibson not so much. Seems like you may have landed one of those "special" Gibsons everyone talks about.

I’ve played both recently in music stores. The Martin D18 standard I played today is the absolute best sounding guitar I have ever heard . I currently own a custom D18 with Adirondack top but the regular D18 with Sitka spruce is the best value and tone in my opinion including much more expensive models.

perfect pair- keep these two and be done... gotta keep em both!

Well thanks Jeff. That was a really interesting contribution to the discussion. And wow, you have played some great guitars. Thank you so much for watching and sharing your experiences. Loved hearing them. Cheers mate.

They both sound amazing !

Personally I am a Martin guy , I have 2 of them. However I also have a J-45 Mahogany and I barely play it to be honest with you. It just doesn’t have the magic ya know like when you strum a chord and it sounds like a piano or an organ and it literally inspires you to play better.. both my Martins do this and well. In fact one of them I had no intention of purchasing it because it was a crossover Nylon guitar and I had never played a nylon guitar that not only sounded good but wasn’t difficult to play but that Martin 00016c nylon didn’t have the 2+ inch nut and flat fretboard and it was set up phenomenally . It took me strumming 2-3 chords and I knew I was talking it home to my amazement. Like I said I didn’t like nylon guitars previously. But it had that “ magic “ that inspired you to not only play better but also inspired what you played on it , and it’s a Mahogany guitar back and sides. My other Martin is Rosewood back and sides. Mahogany has the midrange whereas Rosewood has the midrange scooped out lots of Lows and lots of highs but hardly any mids , great for a singers voice to fill in the mids . That’s my take on the difference between Rosewood and Mahogany.

I have a J-45 burst Mahogany 1950s reissue (2018), and a D-28 (2019). The Martin is a bit more upmarket. Wasn't the J-45 just an average guitar at first? The tone woods aren't average though. J-45 got a reputation. Martin was never average. As for the sound I love them both. Probably would keep the Martin over the J-45. I love the fingerboard.

Nice playing mate. These two guitars both respond well to your playing style here even though they have a different tonal character. I like both, but prefer the sound of the Gibson.

Interesting comparison. Martin's tone and timbre is more deeper. Keep up your good work.

I prefer the look of a round shoulder and that studio rosewood sounded very good indeed

Great informative video, I’ve been looking into a used D-18 or Gibson Songwriter maybe also have a look at j-45 studio. Thanks

Yes sean. True. And yet i love that martin mahogany tone. Its a rock and a hard place. Thanks for watching. Appreciate it.

The Gibson is deep and tonally appealing. I was surprised too. The Martin would be my 2nd choice in this comparison.

They both sound good, but the Gibson had a brighter sound. I have a Yamaha LLTA that has Rosewood back and sides. I just love it

I Love the Gibson! With my ears and a good speaker the panoramic sound of the Gibson is hands down best. Don’t lose that baby. Get her insured.

I think it depends on your style,, if more a strummer,, the Gibson. If you do individual notes the Martin.. but seems your style does both..which leans me toward the Martin.

I think you make a good point @mrcolin2u. These newish D18's can sound sensation. I'm also surprised by how good this gibson sounds. Thanks for watching. Much appreciated. Cheers.

I love Martin D-18s. There’s something plain spoken about them that sounds like an acoustic should in my head. That said, the Gibson sounds great! Good luck deciding!

Thanks robert. That rosewood is really sweet. But the martin tone is also special. Cheers mate.

Just keep them both. They both have their uses.

I didn't think I would ever hear a Gibby sound better than a Martin but it sure does over the You Tube channel.

I have owned many Gibsons.. about 10, and more Martins, around 15 since 1961.. the older the better, pre 1980s is my preference. My choice in Martins has always been Mahogany backs and sides... and specifically D-18s and 00-18. I currently have a 2015 00-18V with flamed Mahogany backs and sides, an exception to my usual vintage. A couple of my Gibsons were outstanding,, my first a 1946 J45 bought in 1965 for $100.. fantastic guitar.. sadly stolen in 1967. The next I liked was the WM-45 which was the only other Gibson I have owned I would say was equally good. When you find an exceptional Gibson there is nothing like it, and nothing Martin can touch. Finding such a Gibson is difficult as Gibson is consistently inconsistent. The Gibson in this video was, to me, one such Gibson. The Martin, while good, was not spectacular. I am not a rosewood fan, but this particular Gibson was outstanding. Would I buy it, no. Gibsons are grossly over-priced. I'll continue my search for another WM-45.

You really can’t go wrong with either one mate. That rosewood is pushing more air, and is a bit more percussive with it’s attack. For me the Martin would physically be more comfortable to play, especially while standing. They both will record wonderfully… I’m certain of that. I’d keep both of them. Two beautiful instruments.

u got it the other way around mate mate, gibson is famous for its mahogany and martin is for rosewood lol

Trouble is the sound you hear sat on top of the instrument is not what the listener hears, plus once you start playing with other instruments the sound you have blends differently for better or worse, for my money i prefer the martin❤

I prefer the Martin. But you seem to like the Gibson. Which ever one you like, go with your gut feeling.

Is this the newest version of the studio? Where the body thickness is the same as a standard?

Nice 🎸👍🏼🎸 thankyou 🎸👍🏼

I’ll take the one you don’t want…😛

The Gibson definitely has more sustain and a lovely rich tone. The Martin sounds a quieter as it's not a studio but also a lighter tone. I think also the Gibson tone seemed more balanced across the strings.

So which one did you keep?

J45 has got it for me.

Gibson is so rich, brighter. I'd keep the Gibson!

amazingradio.com/profile/petemac2/tunes/d79a4519-8b7c-4525-b64f-51eed5b0a76b

I think the Gibson sounds so full with loads of overtones. My preference anyway. Both are great.

Here's my take for what it's worth: If it was me I would find a way to keep both, lol. They sound good for sure. However, here is what I'm hearing: Because the tuning is down a half step, I think the bass response on the J-45 is exaggerated. Rosewood has more bass in general, and a little less tension actually makes the bass less tight, sound like more bass and "richer". The D-18 also has a bit more bass response when tuned down but you still hear the mids ring through, and presents with more clarity in the notes. Overall, tuned half down or to standard pitch, I often find the D-18 is clear and will punch in the mix or jam due to the mids from the Mahogany. It still has a good bass response, but not enough to take away from the mids and treble...making it clear to my ears. There is a lot of personal preference in choosing an instrument of course. What one may like another may not! All the best

Actually, the Gibson J45 studio w/rosewood would be more comparable to the Martin D-28. THAT is the difference. The standard J45 with mahogany would be the true comparison to the D-18. You are comparing apples and oranges. Of course there are striking differences.. As well the differences of a D-28 as with the D-18. This comparison is really wrong. They BOTH sound wonderful. Keep them BECAUSE of their differences.

Connot compare Chipson to Quality Martin Guitar .... if you like Rosewood get D41-45 or D28... Martin is the far best sounding than Chipson

I guess i have enough different kinds of guitars ,and at this age it should qualify me to be an official member of the old fart acoustic guitar demo club.