Who ACTUALLY Makes The Best D-18? | Back To Back Comparison

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Everyone wants a classic Martin D-18, but do they really need it to be a Martin? That's what we're answering today: which brand makes the best D-18 style dreadnought, we compared them to help you decide which you prefer!
🌟Specifically we're featuring the Bourgeois Touchstone Country Boy, Gallagher Doc Watson Model, Atkin Essential Dread, Eastman E10D, Guild D-40, and of course the Martin D-18.
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00:00 - Intro
02:10 - What Are We Comparing?
09:05 - Back To Back Tone Comparisons
11:02 - Guild D-40 Traditional
12:10 - Bourgeois TS Country Boy
12:58 - Atkin Essential Dread
13:54 - Gallagher Doc Watson
14:39 - Eastman E10D
15:30 - Martin D-18
16:10 - You Can't Out-do The Martin
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🔗 Experience the world of Stringed Instruments at The Acoustic Shoppe: www.theacousticshoppe.com/
👉 Don't miss the opportunity to watch a captivating full song performance of "18 Wheels And A Dozen Roses" here: • Guild and Martin Guita...
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#martinguitars #acousticguitarReview #TheAcousticShoppe #AcousticBrilliance #InstrumentReview #martinguitarcomparison #MusicGear #martind18 #JohnAndJeremyChapman #martinbluegrassguitar #AcousticMastery

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9 июн 2024

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Комментарии : 283

@Ditch1221 4 месяца назад

I’d be proud to own any of them.

@joshuahuff3645 4 месяца назад

im not a pro.. and i own an Eastman E10D. I love the guitar but I didnt even try to play a Martin because it was out of my price range. There is a huge price difference between the Eastman and the other guitars in this comparison. For me, If I wanted a D18 sound without a budget, im playing a bunch of Martins and picking my favorite D18. However I have a budget, so i searched alternatives and found a used E10D for less than $1k and it is awesome!

@georgeargon5113 Месяц назад

Martins are increasingly becoming a Blues Dentist brand. I own Eastman, Gibson, Martin and Takamine. American made instruments can not compare with quality and variety to Asian made brands unless the consumer is willing to shell out 2 or more times the money for an (almost) identical guitar.

@smcgst 4 месяца назад

the Martin and Eastman sounded the best for me

@AlexA99423 4 месяца назад

There's no best. Only different. As a musician, there have never been more good options👍Pick one you like and play it👍

@dontdoit6986 4 месяца назад

A stunning achievement by Martin. Even if my phone speakers, it sounds like the guitar that makes the most sense. It delivers across the spectrum of possibility. Like a home base. The others are great sounding, but they’re just different.

@dalesearcy5734 4 месяца назад

I just ordered a chicken and an egg from Amazon. Waiting to see which one comes first!

@AcousticShoppe 4 месяца назад

Let us know! 😂

@stringpicker5468 4 месяца назад

Item not in stock

@ratwynd 4 месяца назад

Eggs. Scrambled please with bacon.

@thepedalpress 2 дня назад

To me, the Atkin sounded really excellent and the Martin sounded correct. Great playing! A real joy to listen to.

@marc1590 4 месяца назад

Thank you for this excellent comparison video! Your comments and conclusions are objective and very usefull, espacially the difference between a stand alone situation and a band situation. I would love to see and hear a similar comparison with the D28, the rosewood back and sides dreadnoughts.

@Timberdam 2 месяца назад

Great Review ! Great playing ! That took a lot of editing ... Thank You !

@AcousticShoppe 2 месяца назад

Thanks for the feedback!

@i3theanswer 4 месяца назад

brilliant comparison video with nicely timed cuts and consistent playing!! Now please start a series on "Who makes the best...."! J-45, D28, etc etc =D

@AcousticShoppe 4 месяца назад

We may have to start that series, thanks so much for the feedback!

@USNAVDC 4 месяца назад

Jeremy Chapman keeps me laughing on every video! You guys are great together!

@seanhallahan14 4 месяца назад

Thank you! Nicely done.

@markwhite8640 4 месяца назад

I am a d18 Martin fan but out of the bunch for tone to the ear the Atkin stands out from all in this video it stood out to me when compared in your guitar review.

@jakewestor7840 2 месяца назад

I was fortunate enough to meet Doc Watson after watching him perform once at Stuart Auditorium. He signed my concert ticket afterward with his own hand, in his own signature. Make of that what you will ;)

@texhaines9957 4 месяца назад

Going by Sound alone: 1. ATKIN 2. Martin 3. Guild 4. Eastman 5. Bourgeois 6. Gallagher. Then, I would need a narrow nut (less than 1.75"). I like them all as my 1st guitar was a spruce mahogany dreadnought (Airline / Harmony Sovereign Regal H6600). Currently, my A Loprinzi LM-15 (1974 spruce mahogany, the "NJ Martin") fills the D-18 bill. Thanks

@martinleach9849 4 месяца назад

I love martin and Atkin guitars so much but really like the tone of the Gallagher.Many thanks for this video plenty of banter between you both which is just as entertaining as listening to you play .Martin from Cambridge uk

@AcousticShoppe 4 месяца назад

Thanks so much Martin!

@bigmac51290 4 месяца назад

Eastman's wood selection is crazy good.

@lilycat1694 4 месяца назад

1. Martin, 2. Bourgeois, 3. Atkin…. Excellent video!!! Would love to see the same comparison only with Martin D28 Standard against others….

@AcousticShoppe 4 месяца назад

That’s a great idea, hopefully one day we can!

@lilycat1694 4 месяца назад

@@AcousticShoppe thankyou for replying. Can’t wait for that comparison!!!

@kylerevette6930 3 месяца назад

YES this is exactly what I came to the comments for!

@snikpmotak 4 месяца назад

For availability, consistency, price, warranty, playability, and the overall best sound, I’m going with Martin. Are there better sounding guitars? Probably, but I’m sure all of the markers have stand outs that the stars just aligned with. Your listers won’t be able to tell the difference anyway! :) As usual great video!!

@robertsteinberger 4 месяца назад

Will you be doing this for rosewood dreads as well? I'd love to see that.

@AcousticShoppe 4 месяца назад

We would totally love to!

@user-nt4yv3uk4w 2 месяца назад

They all sound great. Your posture is clearly different with the Atkins and Eastman. So much more relaxed and natural than with all the others.

@4jrbirdman 4 месяца назад

They all had their own voice. I liked the Atkins, it sounded opened and woodie.

@fredve3984 3 месяца назад

Great review and playing guys! What is the name of the song starting ~9:10?

@jeremychapman7243 3 месяца назад

That's Blackberry Blossom.

@ricknielsen4160 4 месяца назад

Gallagher, Martin, Atkin. Great video.

@chrisperyagh 4 месяца назад

I like the Guild D-40 - it's beefy.

@bleufishtv 2 месяца назад

I’m waiting for my d40 to arrive!

@Magnum_Opus_Music 2 месяца назад

D40 is a great guitar! Love mine. Great overtones and neck plays great ❤ *Guild for the win*

@bleufishtv Месяц назад

@@Magnum_Opus_Music so much better than martin

@larrydunn4626 28 дней назад

D18 sound isn't supposed to be beefy, but if you prefer beefy, then great.

@chrisperyagh 28 дней назад

@@larrydunn4626 Descriptions and perceptions are purely personal - if I perceive it as beefy, then I'll say it sounds beefy as that's my perception of it compared to the others and there's nothing wrong with that. How would you describe how it's 'supposed' to sound? Is it 'supposed' to sound a specific way?

@bradbishop8229 4 месяца назад

I'm going to go with Martin for the win guys!!🤠 Guild was definitely impressive as well!

@kirkp_nextguitar 4 месяца назад

What a great comparison. It’s amazing how different such similar looking guitars can sound. It’s good to hear the E10D holding its own (I own a 2012 model). What string gauge was used? I assume it would be the same on all. I wonder how much the comparison might have changed if the mic were in a somewhat different location. A guitar that might not be quite what you’d like in that mic configuration might sound great with a small change. And of course a mic’ed guitar will never sound the same as an unamplified acoustic performance. That’s not criticism, just an observation. Good job.

@chrisb3k1 4 месяца назад

The Bourgeois was easily the best sounding one, especially the treble strings! But that Martin sounded great, too. Those would be the top two for me.

@riceflatpicking4954 3 месяца назад

I have a Circa D-18 style guitar. It’s phenomenal. I wish I lived close to your shop, I’d bring it to you for a test drive.

@Revansstuntdouble 2 месяца назад

These are all great sounding dreads. What I hear here is my own personal preference for Rosewood dreads coming through. I liked the sound of all of these instruments, but I don't love it like I do from a Rosewood guitar. Great video. THe Bourgious sounded particularly clear.

@BulldoggerJK 4 месяца назад

I got an Atkin D-37 and love it. I probably would’ve loved an essential if one would’ve been in the shop. I loved my Atkin so much I bought an Atkin EOM which is their version of an OM18. People have been freaking out at how this OM sounds like a dreadnought. I’m freaking out about it too. Pretty crazy.

@ManchurianCounterweight 4 месяца назад

How deep is that OM18?

@dennysitze6567 4 месяца назад

I'm not ready to make a firm decision on this.. I'm gonna have to re-watch.

@LucasHaneman 4 месяца назад

As a nearly blind man who has an actual affinity for light coloured binding (no joke) I find your doc Watson comment 51% hilarious and 49% borderline offensive lol so I demand a free Gallagher guitar :-)

@arneyt1 4 месяца назад

Love the vid, but why not just keep everything sitka and mahogany and demo the E6D?

@davidedwards4309 4 месяца назад

I wouldn’t say no to any of them❤

@roymeyer6837 4 месяца назад

I found the Guild to be an interesting sound. It sounded great, but also sounded like a guitar that needs to be played a lot and open up, and then it will be incredible. But it's really got its own voice and I'm interested in trying some out.

@tomformanek3312 2 месяца назад

With an Adi top it will need time to fully open up.

@WoodworkerDan 4 месяца назад

My top picks are the Martin and the Guild. I prefer the tone of the Martin, but I like the narrower neck width of the Guild.

@peterrahill9263 4 месяца назад

They all sound excellent - still favor the balance of the Martin overall. There's no wrong or bad choice here; whatever suits your own ears, and makes you wanna pick it up and play it.

@Rogmichael1 2 месяца назад

Which guitar had the most comfortable neck or the fullest feel, I’m not too sure about the MLO on the D-18, I hear some people feel some cramping on the first three frets. Thanks!

@turrafirmaguitarchannel 4 месяца назад

I’m like the other commenter; I have an e10d as the other ones are out of my price range, at least for now, and the Eastie hangs with the US big boys. The dread I have got my eye on is the Recording King Series 11 dreadnought. I have the 000; the series is very lightly built and responsive. Interested to hear what people think about them.

@Johnny-wc2nl 4 месяца назад

When I was looking for a d18 style a few weeks ago, it came down to the Martin and the Atkin. The Atkin impressed more so I bought it. The Martin was also very nice indeed. I also tried one of the non-torrefied Eastman E10s, nice guitar for the money but was not a patch on the Martin or the Atkin.

@randyshaves7956 3 месяца назад

You should have included the Blueridge. They're amazing.

@user-zv1jk9gw3q 4 месяца назад

That Doc Watson Herringbone joke was amazing. HAHA

@rzh3443 4 месяца назад

They are all very good pro quality instruments . A few years ago I, the local shop had a Collings D1 in on trade. We tried that against some other mahogany dreadnoughts and it was clearly superior , but at a much higher price. Whatever floats the boat and also leaves the credit card paid.

@jesseknight2311 4 месяца назад

That guild has some fire in it

@bruceskelton8160 4 месяца назад

My Alvarez Yairi DYMHD60 is awesome. I am saving up to go on a search for a D-18. I bought the Yairi during the pandemic, because I couldn't go in store shopping. I have seen huge inconsistencies in the D-18's. I love the DYMHD60. amazing craftsmanship.

@ralfybaby 4 месяца назад

I'll take that over a D18

@kurt8805 4 месяца назад

Save your money unless you're saving up for an old D-18. The Alvarez-Yairi DYM60HD is far superior to a new or recent D-18. Adirondack top, greater projection, rounder highs, better build quality overall.

@mikeelks3471 Месяц назад

Yairi makes dy18 awsome

@CenterThePendulum 4 месяца назад

Collings needs to be in any best d-18 conversation, they make the best among Martin/Bourgeois/Huss and Dalton/Santa Cruz etc

@MELLOWPAD 4 месяца назад

#1 Gallagher #2 Atkin #3 Guild #4 Bourgeois #5 Eastman #6 Lyle oh Martin

@apegrasshoplizard 4 месяца назад

1. Bourgeois touchstone 2. Martin 3. Eastman 4. Guild 5. Atkin 6. Gallagher

@markrobinson891 4 месяца назад

I don’t think we think of how a guitar sounds in a room full of nice guitars. The sound goes into, bounces around in, and comes back bigger. We rarely get to play alone in a room. These videos are all utilizing nice microphones a couple feet from the instrument. While that levels the playing field it doesn’t seem like it represents real world conditions. I’d also like to hear a Yairi Alvarez in this mix.

@bartondoug975 4 месяца назад

I was not familiar with the Adkin but was impressed with its tone. I have a 14 yr old E10D that gives D-18 a run for the money. However, I’m a fan of Adi tops and my Martin Custom Shop D-18 Adi is hard to beat.

@olarrist4273 4 месяца назад

Would be interesting to see a comparison of spruce top guitars created for fingerstyle players, like the Gallagher G-60 and the Martin 000-28.

@Jaws135 4 месяца назад

1. Martin 2. Gallagher 3. Atkin 4. Bourgeois touchstone 5. Guild 6. Eastman

@ramspencer5492 2 месяца назад

Bourgeois.... It's actually hand tuned... That's why it projects and resonates so much....

@Tommy-Art-Strong 4 месяца назад

Eastman sounded beautiful!😊

@davisphillips6409 4 месяца назад

I really like the Boucher BG-42 personally.

@AcousticShoppe 4 месяца назад

Definitely a contender.

@guitareveryone 4 месяца назад

There’s still something in the overall Martin tone for me. There’s that roundness with that jangle in the high strings that all the competition here seem to lack and I heard it again in this video in the first part where the high strings were accented. And the bottom end is legendary. Next for me in this video would be the Atkin. That sounded great too.

@WysteriaGuitar 4 месяца назад

My picks would be: 1. Martin, 2. Eastman, 3. Atkin, 4. Bourgeois, 5. Guild, 6. Gallagher

@R.L.Humpert 4 месяца назад

Yes maybe do the different Martin dread comparison please! Do a comparison of the -d18, D28 and the hd28 addi top, and the d28 etc… that would be amazing to hear since Martin really remains supreme. Can you do this? Thanks 😊

@AcousticShoppe 4 месяца назад

A full Martin line comparison would be awesome and we do really hope to do it one day. It’s just a matter of getting the guitars in!

@R.L.Humpert 4 месяца назад

@@AcousticShoppe yea that’s quite a load of expensive guitars. Maybe people could Lend their Martin for the show locally. Hehe 😉

@starfighter2952 Месяц назад

You can't tell when listening over ANY device. The true difference, if any, can only be heard in person playing them.

@R.L.Humpert 4 месяца назад

1. Martin for sure 2. Bourgeois 3. Atkin believe it or not 4. The rest were ok just random order. They all sound great but I’m always putting my money on the Martins. This was totally an awesome show. Do this with the other body styles and compare please. Super cool.

@AcousticShoppe 4 месяца назад

We’re always trying to do more comparisons! Thanks for watching!

@thejason9786 4 месяца назад

I bought a Bedell 1964 special edition square shoulder from the acoustic Shoppe back in October. Ive never heard a d18 anything with as much volume or midrange cut. Ive owned all the d18s from standard to custom shop sinker. No comparison.

@AcousticShoppe 4 месяца назад

That’s a great model!

@user-lz9xz6lu3u 4 месяца назад

I want a Bedell Coffee House Dreadnought so bad !! I am jealous of you!!

@thomasknapp7236 3 месяца назад

@user-lz9xz6lu3u someone just listed for sale here in Idaho for 2800 bucks! Killer deal. Immaculate shape

@markcaruana2697 3 месяца назад

I think I like the Atkins the best

@mklnm 4 месяца назад

Could you test smaller body guitars, guild OM 240 and a like please ?

@mt-nv4jd 4 месяца назад

Friend of mine bought a new D-18 in 1965. It was fine then, and I'm sure it is magnificient now.

@hansidelk6604 2 месяца назад

Both the Atkin and Bourgois blew the Martin out the window. Didnt expect that. Eastman sounded much cheaper, as did the Guild to me.

@Adoratek 4 месяца назад

Guild and Atkins are my favorites. Nice dark lows, and clarity in the highs.

@clstrat837 4 месяца назад

The Martin seems like it is better through the mid range…every other one sounded scooped to me

@rickaltizer5937 Месяц назад

The Martin and the Atkin for me please.

@jbarneson 4 месяца назад

Guild - Westerly, RI all the way. I've had mine since 1986. It rings.

@jacobwillis4937 3 месяца назад

I have a 1975 d35 thats a banjo killer

@jacobwillis4937 3 месяца назад

Cool comparison the guild sounded more like a martin than the martin. Would have liked to hear the fg5 in the mix even though its half the price

@whatsupchicken 4 месяца назад

Please include Larrivée as well!

@AcousticShoppe 4 месяца назад

They would definitely be in the mix, great guitars!

@markseelye8270 4 месяца назад

Hard choice. I like the Eastman. But the D18 sounds most like a D18. 😂

@kamarienedwards1757 4 месяца назад

On eastmans website is says their guitars are 1.72 now…. Can you feel the .03 inch difference?

@FlatpickingNM 2 месяца назад

The Bourgeois has power and punch, great for fiddle tunes.

@gillyOO7 2 месяца назад

Larivee make nice guitars and herd some good things about orangewood guitars. It would be interesting to do a video on how to make your own (Willie Nelson)Trigger and what guitars are available to do so. I see prismatonepickups now sell the pickup and a guitar w the pickup.

@whiteguard56 2 месяца назад

My Collings D1A seems to hold its own in the mix.

@michaelwebster8389 4 месяца назад

I like them all.

@davidedie1518 4 месяца назад

I am with most, they all sounded great. To me though, I still liked the Martin, then the Guild, then the Gallagher.

@Ed-pr7jv 4 месяца назад

I recently purchased a Martin D18, satin finish. To me, the sounds that this guitar produce are absolutely stunning! But when it arrived it was nearly unplayable. Martin ships these out with a high action, and with what they call medium gauge strings! I think you could suspend a bridge with those strings! Anyway, I ordered a string action tool, and a truss rod wrench, and made a few minor adjustments, and also switched to light action Elixir strings! Hugh difference in playability, especially finger picking! Martin gets my vote, but they all sound great! Would like to hear a Yamaha in this mix! The FG9, or the FG5! Next time. Thanks!

@marcus31599 4 месяца назад

Atkin, Gallagher, Bourgeois, Martin, Eastman, Guild

@donkeninitz4590 4 месяца назад

I've owned a bunch of Martins, still have a late 90's D-41. My Eastman 10D easily holds its own.

@ratwynd 4 месяца назад

My mahogany guitars are a 1971 J50 and a 1963 Epiphone Cabellero. My Martins are either rosewood or ovangkol. I also own a 80's vintage Vantage 12 string MIJ guitar with an ash back and sides. They are all VERY different in their sound profile. No such thing as a 'best' guitar. Find the instrument with the voice you want and you have found YOUR best guitar. The guitar I play out most often is a 1977 Takamine F400 12 string I bought for $100 in a pawn shop and restored fully. I have 5 12 strings in total including a D12-28 and Cole-Clark Fat Lady 2 12 string. I just love the voice and playability of the Takamine and I get a LOT of positive comments from audience and other players on its tone.

@ronuyeyama4020 4 месяца назад

I think you should throw in a authentic d18 in the mix

@genegiello3319 4 месяца назад

Martin Gallagher Eastman

@lenwest7734 4 месяца назад

~Collings~ makes the best production flat-top guitar!!!

@jptaylor80 3 месяца назад

This is a fact!

@2505674809 4 месяца назад

...Never heard of Atkin before !! I have a Martin D-18 GE my self. The Atkin is way above them all at my opinion.

@reghacksaw1258 4 месяца назад

I replaced my d-18 ge with an Atkin essential 18 custom 45mm nut, mod v neck and relic finish. I loved the Martin but the Atkin is just somehow better, sweeter sounding, better intonated and has incredible sustain.

@BST501 4 месяца назад

Martin & the Eastman

@RonRivet Месяц назад

My 3 favourites in order are #1 Atkin #2 D18 #3 Eastman The Atkin is something else, amazing!

@larrydunn4626 28 дней назад

we voted the same.

@cathys465 Месяц назад

My choice for best professional grade dreadnaught for the money is the Seagull S6. and no, I don't own one, only because dreads are too big for me. So I play a Seagull Amber Trail Folk model. Adirondack spruce top maple back and sides made in Canada.

@brokenoarspodcast3841 4 месяца назад

Martin. Because no one else makes a D18.

@johnwashburn3793 4 месяца назад

Why buy a copy? All sound fine, adequate even The world is safe. (And Doc, bless his heart...) I bought a D-18GE in '05..I don't need another. I did play a special Atkins slope shoulder in October but I am content with my Martins.

@brokenoarspodcast3841 4 месяца назад

: Exactly. No shade thrown on anyone making 'their version', but only one company actually makes a D-18. If that works for you, go for it. If something someone else does, go for that ...

@rainsford5576 4 месяца назад

Martin for notes. Bourgeois for chords

@craigdawson-yr4ve 4 месяца назад

I have a Collings and it's really nice...also Zager 900 that's close to the Collings

@markjohnson6485 4 месяца назад

There all good guitars . I have owned 3 Martin D18 standard series one modern deluxe D18 , a custom shop sinker hog D-18 and a 2023 1937 Authentic D-18 of these my authentic sounds the best but each person has there own opinion

@ronuyeyama4020 4 месяца назад

I like you guitar choices! I have a standard d18 and would love an authentic. I have a d28 that never gets played.

@gregpiper8416 3 месяца назад

It sounds like John is talking through Jeremy's mic for the first several minutes of the video. Sound check!😂

@Jackwyldes 3 месяца назад

Man that Atkin I loved its sound and then looked up its price 😅

@franklinsteen4721 4 месяца назад

'41 D18 with c.2000 Jeff Traugott euro spruce re-top/rebuild --Oh My, you better believe it.

@aaronlturner 4 месяца назад

I would love to have seen the Yamaha fG9 mahogany in the mix

@johnwashburn3793 4 месяца назад

Yes, but the Moustache reminds us that this was done quite a while ago. These guys are great at what they do and make amazing videos. Their post production is a tad slow. Just my observation and not a complaint. No "mean things"

@aaronlturner 4 месяца назад

yes sir I did not mean this, as a criticism In anyway. I love these videos!

@johnwashburn3793 4 месяца назад

Of course! I wasn't directing this at you, just pointing out that their videos take so long that the guitars have sold before we see the video. But they do a fine job when they do post stuff.

@AcousticShoppe 4 месяца назад

Actually funny that you mentioned this, we have that exact comparison on the way!

@aaronlturner 4 месяца назад

@@AcousticShoppe looking forward to that!