Martin D-18 Modern Deluxe Review

Best Sounding Guitar I've Heard

I am no guitar aficionado but I know what sounds good to me. This D-18 Modern Deluxe is the best sounding acoustic guitar I've heard. I am thrilled with it and find myself playing 1-2 hours everyday when I was struggling just to get in 15 minutes before. I almost didn't buy this because I wasn't sure if the difference between the D-18 and Modern Deluxe was really worth it. … read more It is!

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Second Update - Martin D-18 Modern Deluxe - Odd Sound Is Gone.

In my original review, I said that, "The fancy liquid metal pins seem to impart a tinny overtone that sometimes sounds as if two strings are being played when one strikes a single note, and that sound is NOT coming from the saddle; it may have something to do with the strings." Well, I'm happy to report that the tinny overtones or doubling sounds seem to have worn away. Perhaps… read more the ball end of a string or two was seated funny against a bridge pin. I've tried a number of different tunings which loosened and tightened the strings, and now the odd sound is gone. The sound of the guitar has become more clear. Perhaps the guitar just needed some playing-in. I see no reason not to upgrade to the liquid metal bridge pins that are standard on the Modern Deluxe Series, if you were thinking about it and don't mind spending the bucks to experiment. I don't know that they improve anything, but I can say they don't seem to have hurt anything, either. The original Lifespan coated strings are sounding better now, and they work very well with Drop D tuning. I'm really enjoying this guitar, but I do wish the string spacing at the saddle had been a bit wider; I play fingerstyle with a thumb pick and like a bit more room. It's quite good for flat picking, or quick runs with a thumb pick. This would make a great 12 fretter.

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Update - Additional info on the Martin D-18 Modern Deluxe

In my earlier review I mentioned that there was no lock on the case, which I should have clarified as no built-in locking latch with key, which one typically finds on guitar cases. While that statement is true, the Martin TKL case supplied DOES HAVE a small lock loop at one latch which allows the use of a small padlock of TSA lock size or just a bit larger. Therefore, one can… read more lock the case, if needed. An advantage of this design is that, should one's lock become inoperable, one has only to purchase a new lock, and one can choose between key or combination lock. Another thing I'd like to mention is that Martin supplied the guitar with 13-gauge, lifespan-coated strings, which are rather heavy and stiff, good for drop tunings, but many buyers will likely want to change to 11 or 12-gauge strings for ultimate ease of playing in standard tuning.

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New D-18 Modern Deluxe - My Thoughts

January 19, 2020. This is a review of the Martin D-18 Modern Deluxe, which I purchased from Sweetwater between Xmas 2019 and New Years 2020. To begin, I have 5 Martin guitars, and every one needed a setup to get the action reasonable, the D-18 Modern Deluxe, as well. Martin has a habit of supplying tall saddles, and that has put a lot of people off Martin guitars, even though… read more it is a simple manner to sand the bottom of the saddle to remove perhaps 1/8 inch or less of material. Martin's Plek process is evident on the D-18 Modern Deluxe, as slight adjustments at the truss rod and saddle result in a very playable guitar with no string buzz, and without the need for nut adjustments. Martin has really upped its game in terms of overall quality and presentation. The overall fit, finish, and execution of build in the D-18 Modern Deluxe is first rate, easily comparable to Collings or Bourgeois, and at a significantly lower price. The guitar's simple appointments are very well done, and truly beautiful without the need for additional ornamentation. Do you remember the early baked sitka tops with burned centers? None of that on this guitar. The top wood is gorgeous, with tight grain and flaxen hue, while the back and side mahogany is the highest quality I have ever found on any guitar. The neck has a beautiful satin finish and the headstock is polished, with a nice abalone Martin inlay instead of the usual decal. The reduction in weight of the new titanium truss rod is welcome, and those that play while standing will appreciate that advantage. The tuners are Waverly's, my preferred brand, and even the pick guard appears to be of a higher quality. The case, while not Martin's Fancy, and heavy, Geib model, is a custom form-fitted wood-body TKL box with a slightly arched top, adequate padding, a nice storage pocket, lovely finish covering (crinkled black with white stitching), 4 chrome latches (no lock), and proper neck support. This case is sturdy, yet light in weight, so no need to purchase a gig bag to avoid muscle strain while carrying, although gig bags do offer shoulder straps. The Unexpected: While online reviews of the guitar were positive and the new liquid metal bridge pins have been claimed to offer a significant increase in volume, it took nearly two weeks of humidification before the guitar DIDN'T sound lifeless, quiet and boxy! In fact, I was so disappointed in the lack of volume and what I perceived as poor tone ON ARRIVAL that I was about to return it! But, I thought I'd give it time to fully humidify, and I'm now glad that I waited. Consider that I had the guitar shipped overnight to avoid drying and cracking in the cold, and I waited the full 24 hours before unpacking. Yet, this guitar REALLY needed humidity! Perhaps Sweetwater should consider humidifying these and placing them in plastic bags and THEN in the case; the guitar was not in a bag. Following humidification, it sounds MUCH better, although I suspect its sound might be improved with ebony or bone bridge pins. The fancy liquid metal pins seem to impart a tinny overtone that sometimes sounds as if two strings are being played when one strikes a single note, and that sound is NOT coming from the saddle; it may have something to do with the strings. At this point I highly recommend the guitar but I DON'T recommend the liquid metal bridge pins, certainly not as an aftermarket advantage. Sound is subjective, but that's my opinion. On another note, this guitar uses a 4 MM truss rod wrench which is not supplied by the maker. The typical 5 MM is too large, but several online retailers and Martin offer a 4 MM model with handle, and it's worth spending 8 or 10 bucks to get one. I did. Moving on, the new Modern Deluxe neck carve is the thinnest I've encountered on any acoustic, thinner than some solid body electrics, and plays very easily. It actually feels like it has a narrower nut, although it is Martin's standard 1.75 incher. My personal preference is for wider string spacing at the saddle, but one gets used to the spacing Martin has provided, and flat pickers will likely sing its praises. Fortunately, the D-18 Modern Deluxe is a 6 string guitar, because this neck carve doesn’t allow the palm support needed when playing a 12-string guitar. Should Martin decide to build a D-28-12 Modern Deluxe, I would advise them to add some meat to the neck or use their modified V with a slight performance taper toward the heel. THAT neck would be the best neck ever! Conclusion: My overall opinion is that if you've generally liked Martin guitars, but would probably have purchased a Collings, Bourgeois, Huss & Dalton or other boutique brand if Sweetwater offered them, you'll be more than happy with the Martin D-18 Modern Deluxe. This is a guitar of immense quality and beauty without the immense price of the boutique brands. It takes drop tunings well, allows one to cover the bass E-string with one's thumb literally everywhere up and down the neck, sounds good and may sound even better without the fancy liquid metal bridge pins, comes with a really good and lightweight case, and is available at a much better price from a terrific retailer that double boxes and offers overnight shipping. It's a keeper, but expect it to need a couple of weeks of using humidifiers before it's able to reach full voice.

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The ultimate acoustic

I was recently sitting in the acoustic guitar show room at Sweetwater, surrounded by an array of tasty Taylor, Gibson, and Martin acoustics that I was sampling, when Greg Baum, the Sweetwater guitar (and especially Martin) guru stopped to watch my agonizing selection angst. He listened and watched for a moment, and then told me to wait a moment in a quiet recording room while he… read more fetched the guitar that he thought I was seeking: the Martin d18 Modern Deluxe. This guitar was a revelation! It blew away all the competition, with heavenly tone, endless sustain, massive volume, and fabulous playability. It really is like a guitarist"s dream come true, and the torrefaction of the spruce top really does provide instant vintage tone. I can actually feel as well as hear all the angelic tones and overtones, and I may be getting addicted to this instrument! The good part is, that I play it so much that I am really getting quite good. It is simply the ultimate acoustic guitar for a lifetime of musical pleasure. Sweetwater is the ultimate music store!

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