Anybody compared these two?

I almost bought the GE 2 years ago. IMHO they can vary quite a bit. Noticeable V-neck that I don't mind but some can't get used to.

There is usually a good selection of used ones at the UMGF. I don't visit there anymore because it seemed like a contest as to who could have the longest list of guitars in their signature line.

I just can't figure what Martin sees in the pickguard that they have been using recently. Looks like Italian sausage.

I like the D-18, D-18vs and my favorite is the D-18 AG (Andy Griffith). As a kid, we could stay up and wach the AG show but not The Twilight Zone.

Both are excellent Martin guitars but like El Jefe says they can vary so it's best to be able to play them first. The D18V will be warmer due to the sitka top... but can still handle flatpicking. I have bought and sold many a guitar and the D18V is the one I regret selling the most. I may be in the market for one myself. Good luck on your search.

El Jefe is right... all Martins vary a lot. Although, most of the 18 GE's I've played lately have been very good,many of them that hideous SB with huge necks. The 18V's not as much goodness with a more pronounced smaller V neck.A used 18 GE is usually a pretty good deal.

i thought my 18 GE had more punch and sparkle than the 18 V. that's the adi talkin. i hated the neck and sold it ($1800). i took quite a loss on it.

what did you hate about the neck? I really like big necks and V's are good - I love the neck on my 0002H fwiw

I had a D 18 GE for a while, and I didn't like the neck either. It was a great sounding guitar but I couldn't get past the neck.
It wasn't the width or the V, but more the way the V transitioned to the sides. Too drastic a change. - it didn't feel natural.
I've played some fantastic D 18V's as well. I'd buy one of those before the GE if it had a 1 3/4 neck.
I think the best recent Martin D 18's for the money are the Clarence White model if you can find one.
Tom

exactly, flatfoot. the 18GE has a great sound, but the neck was a real challenge. it was a struggle for me getting music out of it, and i've got hands like a gorilla. it might have been the way the fingerboard was radiused. or not radiused. in contrast, my D2-HA has a CW neck and is built for speed. it's not too chunky, and i like the way it meets at the fingerboard. it's a shame about the martin, because it had a nice sound.

Now see I like the big necks.

Never owned a D-18GE (played several), I did have an OM-18GE, amazing amazing amazing guitar. At least when I sold it, GAS for a Collings no less, I sold it to a dear friend.

I also had a D-18V, I sold it because I thought the neck was too skinny. Also, the appointments didn't really impress me much either, i.e. tuners, trim, could have been a little more upgrade there. Otherwise the D-18V had amazing tone. Really woody. Frankly, it's a great guitar. In theory, I would buy another and upgrade the tuners and nut and saddle, would be a perfect guitar.

The D-18GE's I've played, compared to the D-18Vs, have been fatter and more fundamental. The D-18V is a sweet strummer and light flatpicker picker. The D-18GE is a bluegrass powerhouse.

These days I am playing a 12 fret 00-18V, another amazing 18 Series Martin. I think they are making them as good as ever.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Robert Forman,

jimi, i also have a 0002H with the 2-13/16" neck and it plays like a dream. i've played merrill dreads and D-18As. no problem with the neck. btw, i did have to have the neck reset within a year and the frets were eventually replaced to help keep the neck true. worse yet, the guitar company did want to pay for any of it. i'll never buy another.

quote:

btw, i did have to have the neck reset within a year and the frets were eventually replaced to help keep the neck true. worse yet, the guitar company did want to pay for any of it. i'll never buy another.

To which guitar are you referring (D18 Authentic or the Merrill)?

the D-18GE was the problem guitar. i haven't owned the other dreads, just played them. i wish i owned that merrill.