Query failed: connection to localhost:9312 failed (errno=111, msg=Connection refused). D-18s - the good, the bad and the indifferent? - Acoustics Discussions on The Fretboard
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UNPLANNED DOWNTIME: 12th Oct 23:45

D-18s - the good, the bad and the indifferent?

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TimmyOTimmyO Frets: 6976
in Acoustics
I've been selling more stuff, and I may soon have scraped enough together to nose around for a used D-18

I seem to recall that it was mentioned that they had a spec change (improvement) relatively recent, can anyone remember what production year that was? 

Any other things to be aware of? 
"Congratulations on being officially the most right anyone has ever been about anything, ever." -- Noisepolluter knows the score
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  • LewyLewy Frets: 3795
    TimmyO said:
    I've been selling more stuff, and I may soon have scraped enough together to nose around for a used D-18

    I seem to recall that it was mentioned that they had a spec change (improvement) relatively recent, can anyone remember what production year that was? 

    Any other things to be aware of? 
    2012 was the spec change. I've never played one but I've never heard anything but positive noises about them.
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  • richardhomerrichardhomer Frets: 24339
    I have played an updated one - they sound markedly 'looser'/louder than earlier ones.

    Whether that is an 'improvement' is a matter of taste.
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  • crunchmancrunchman Frets: 10961
    richardhomer said:
    I have played an updated one - they sound markedly 'looser'/louder than earlier ones.

    Whether that is an 'improvement' is a matter of taste.
    It's not just looser/louder.  I've found any Martin with forward shifted (pre-war style) bracing has a lot more dynamics to it.  The "standard" bracing needs heavy strings and you to dig in a lot more to get anything out of it.  With the forward shifted bracing it responds a lot better when you play gently in my experience.

    One of the reasons why the pre-war Martins are regarded as the holy grail of acoustics is the bracing.

    To the OP, I'd go out and play both styles and see which you prefer.  I'd also look at Furch/Stonebridge as well.   They make really good guitars.
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  • McSwaggertyMcSwaggerty Frets: 650

    2012.....forward shifted x bracing, 1.3/4" Nut.... instead of 1 11/16" Nut.

    Tortoise shell Pickguard instead of Black and open geared tuners instead of closed.

    Sounded great to me - still sold it though !

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  • jellyrolljellyroll Frets: 3073
    @TimmyO - just curious - what was wrong with last month's acoustic? :)
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  • earwighoneyearwighoney Frets: 3380
    Depending on how much you have to spend, keep an eye out for a D-18 GE if you can.  

    Superb guitars. 
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  • TimmyOTimmyO Frets: 6976
    jellyroll said:
    @TimmyO - just curious - what was wrong with last month's acoustic? :)
    I have more money now! 
    "Congratulations on being officially the most right anyone has ever been about anything, ever." -- Noisepolluter knows the score
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  • TimmyOTimmyO Frets: 6976

    earwighoney said:
    Depending on how much you have to spend, keep an eye out for a D-18 GE if you can.  

    Superb guitars. 
    ...but not that much :-) 
    "Congratulations on being officially the most right anyone has ever been about anything, ever." -- Noisepolluter knows the score
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