wonky D-18 on "Landslide"

chazmo

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Yes, for sure, out of tune. Toy sounding? Not sure I get that. In any case, I would not hold that up as an example of how a Martin should sound.
 

Westerly Wood

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i think that has a nice old Martin growl to it.
cool to see him play that song. that F#/D chord was a great idea.
 

Nuuska

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Very "funny" to see that while in recording studio with a fancy desk etc there is a Shure SM58 mic - it makes a good doorstop or lousy hammer - but there are hundreds of better mics for acoustic guitar.
 

Quantum Strummer

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The SM58 has "a sound," though, which makes it a useful option if you want something (guitar, voice, whatever) to sit in a certain frequency range and otherwise stay out of the way, and without using mixer/external EQ. Same reason 57s still get used on amps. I like my Electro-Voice RE16 for this kinda thing.

-Dave-
 

Neal

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Out of tune and using what sound like old strings.

It is a '69, which is right around when Martin started installing over-sized rosewood bridge plates on the D-18. The rosewood plates are generally considered tone-killers.

But it is Lindsay's first good guitar, one that he bought in his teens. So the guitar obviously taught him quite a bit.
 

steve488

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Out of tune and using what sound like old strings.

It is a '69, which is right around when Martin started installing over-sized rosewood bridge plates on the D-18. The rosewood plates are generally considered tone-killers.

Maybe that is why the early 70's one I had never made the grade in my mind (my ear?). No matter - its replacement says Guild on it..... :)

Oh yeah - that D-18 is definitely out of tune during the video. One might have thought a quick adjustment could have been included or performed and cut out of the video....
 
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jeffcoop

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Definitely out of tune, as others have confirmed. "Toy sounding" is a bit harsh, but it certainly doesn't sound great.

One of the joys of those late-'60s/early '70s Martins is that there's no truss rod. If the neck needs tweaking, the only option is a neck reset. Had it done on my (formerly my stepmother's) 1970 about a decade ago.

I do enjoy the sound of that guitar. By general consensus, it's not Martin's finest period. But it's definitely nice, and it has calmed my desire for a D40.
 

F312

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Maybe that is why the early 70's one I had never made the grade in my mind (my ear?). No matter - its replacement says Guild on it..... :)

Oh yeah - that D-18 is definitely out of tune during the video. One might have thought a quick adjustment could have been included or performed and cut out of the video....[/QUOTE

Check this read, They did all the corrections at Martin in Nazareth, PA, most under warranty on my 73 D35. https://reverb.com/news/70s-martins-what-you-need-to-know

Ralph
 

Westerly Wood

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I had no Martin and I felt sorry for myself until I met a man who had no D40.
:glee:

old Martins are great. I bet neal's 1960 is awesome sounding. A simple D-18. It does not get more fundamental bluegrass and old time folk than that.

and i have owned my share of old martins: D-35, HD-28, D-28, 0-16NY (one that should have never got away)...

that all being said, my D25 Br sounds fantastic for what it is. $225 in 1971. But all solid wood so it has aged nicely. It sounds like a more expensive dread. and over time, i think one gets used to the darkness and definition of all mahogany.
 

Quantum Strummer

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One of the joys of those late-'60s/early '70s Martins is that there's no truss rod. If the neck needs tweaking, the only option is a neck reset.

This was the case for most of Martin's history in fact. Truss rods are a fairly recent thing for them.

-Dave-
 

jeffcoop

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I had no Martin and I felt sorry for myself until I met a man who had no D40.
:glee:

:fat:

Note that I said "calmed," not "cured!"

And you'll note that I have a couple of other hog-backed Guild dreads. Just not a D40. Yet.
 
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