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 KC3PJ |
D-15S vs. D-18VS |
Lead | |
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(07/02/09 2:54 PM) |
Does anyone have experience playing both of these guitars? Is the D-18VS really worth over twice the cost of the D-15S? I realize that I will ultimately have
to play both for myself but just wanted to hear what others have to say.
Thanks. |
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Brent Hutto |
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(07/02/09 3:08 PM) |
I have not played a D-15S but generally speaking a mahogany-topped guitar is about as different from a D-18 as you can get and still have "Martin" on
the headstock. I do own an all-mahogany 000 (old vintage one, not a Martin) and while it's a cool guitar it's sort of a special-purpose instrument.
I'd almost go as far as to say you can do anything with the D-18VS that you could do with a D-15S but the opposite is far from true.
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jscio |
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(07/02/09 3:20 PM) |
They're two different animals. The rosewood 15-S has a bit more bottom, the 18VS has more clarity in the mids - IMHO.
Cost/value is subjective. You have to decide that issue for yourself. Personally, I lean toward the 15-S. I'd get one of the original D-18-S models before I'd go after the VS variety. The old guns have a bigger bang to them. Of course that's just me. Your mileage may vary. |
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kydave |
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(07/02/09 3:21 PM) |
Is the D-18VS really worth over twice the cost of the D-15S?Yes. Kentucky Dave's Martins: 00-28H (2006 Custom); SP000-16R (1999 Special Edition);
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ASC67 |
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(07/02/09 3:32 PM) |
jscio wrote: When did they start making a Rosewood D-15S ? Is it a new model ? Steve _______________________________________________________________ 2003 D-18 * 2006 Masterbilt DR500M * 2008 CV Strat |
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HardLuckWillie |
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(07/02/09 4:00 PM) |
The D-15S is all-hog (or, I suppose these days, sapele)
I have played them both but not side by side. There were some sound clips on here once - over a year ago, at least - that compared these two and they were surprisingly similar, given the different top wood and bracing. Though I bet in person the 18VS would be louder and, most certainly, cut through better w/ other instruments. It would also be more likely to 'open up' and change for the better with time. Neck profile is mod low oval on D-15S as opposed to mod-v on the 18, so that may be an issue as well. If you're on a budget and not playing acoustically with a loud group, the D-15S would probably do you fine. I think it's pretty cool myself. However, if you'll always be jonsen' for the D18VS, you might as well just get it over with. |
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Daniel Dorogusker |
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(07/02/09 4:54 PM) |
The D-15S is a good guitar for the money. The D-18VS is a world class instrument. You may prefer other similar guitars, but the D-18VS is a superlative guitar.
DD |
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 alphasports |
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(07/02/09 5:28 PM) |
Gee, thanks. Just when I thought GAS was on summer holiday, you guys have to chat up the D-18 VS...
Martin HD-28
Martin J-41 Special Collings 000-2H and a few others |
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KC3PJ |
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(07/02/09 9:11 PM) |
Thanks for all the imput. I expect to be blown away by the D-18VS !! My wife's first question will be which OTHER guitar is going to be sold....
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hogwldfltr |
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(07/03/09 8:10 AM) |
jscio wrote:15S is all mahogany and not rosewood and spruce. The 18VS is definitely worth it. If you are new player maybe not today but certainly down the road. Oh yes, the 18 has much better bracing, woods, neck joinery, sound and responsiveness. Not even a close comparison. -Lee
*************
I've been known to play with the following: '71 D-18 (restored): '06 D-18GE : Backpacker : '82 D-41 : '66 D-35 (restored): '30 2-17 (restored) : '67 00-18C : '44 00-18 : '44 00-17 (restored) : LX-175th : '30s 0 Uke: '20s 2-M Uke (restored): '82 MC-28 : Gibson C-0 Classic : '98 Martin D12-1 : '08 DSM : '80 D-37K : '70 Guild F-112 (restored) : and a '98 Harley-Davidson FLTR Road Glide. Forum intro #992, DON'T TRASH THEM; RESTORE THEM! ************* "What do you all look like?" Post #206 |
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cletusmcduff |
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(07/03/09 9:53 PM) |
I love mine!
Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
Martin D18 Golden Era (Hawg) Martin D-18vs (Hoss) Mid-Missouri Mandolin M1 (Li' Jo) Dobro Hound Dog (Trigger) Washburn B-16 Banjo (Bessie) Cordoba Classical (Smokey) www.myspace.com/cletusmcduff |
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dermot |
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(07/03/09 11:30 PM) |
15S is all mahogany and not rosewood and spruce. The 18VS is definitely worth it. If you are new player maybe not today but certainly down the road. Oh yes, the 18 has much better bracing, woods, neck joinery, sound and responsiveness. Not even a close comparison.Every rule needs an exception! I have a pair of D15S customs, one is mahog with spruce top, SW rosette, tortise binding and the other one is irw with the identical appointments.... I would say the D18VS has different (not better, just different) bracing & neck joinery, same woods, and the responceiveness of the minimilist 15 series braceing is awesome, and i prefer it. I could have bought a 18 series VS (or a Larrivee SD50) instead of the second custom, it would have been about the same cost, but the feather weight bracing, and ligtning responceivness of the A frame made it an easy choice... The price of 15 series customs has risen substaintily now, and these will likely be the only one's ever made, and they are not for sale, but if anyone wants to stop by sometime and play them, drop me a line. you can see the pair of them here, the mahog one has a 30's torch, grevin pg, and schaler open gear tuners, the rosewood one has a very cool Peter Cree celtic swirls artwork on the headstock, no pg, and waves; 
d. |
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kmacguitar |
Don't need exception to this rule... | ||
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(07/03/09 11:54 PM) |
I'm with Dermot above, the rule being that individual guitars compared to each other trumps average per the models compared. On average the VS is a winner
but the one you have to select may not outperform a good 15S, which is a very well designed guitar and excellent price/performance ratio if that's a factor
for you, it is for me. It's certainly worth asking folks perceptions, just keep that grain of salt handy and do your own research, good luck and write
back what you decide, Kerry
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hogwldfltr |
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(07/04/09 9:25 AM) |
I have a pair of D15S customs, one is mahog with spruce top, SW rosette, tortise binding and the other one is irw with the identical appointments.... I would say the D18VS has different (not better, just different) bracing & neck joinery, same woods, and the responceiveness of the minimilist 15 series braceing is awesome, and i prefer it.I too have a comparison to make which is my 14 fretters. Please excuse the extrapolation which it demands. I have or have had four which to compare. First let me say that between my D-18V (traded) and my D-18GE, there isn't as much difference as there should be for the price difference. My D-18GE is my favorite guitar which I own however teh D-18V was exceptional and other then the neck dimensions there isn't much sound difference between the two. I too have a D-15 custom called a DSM and made for GC. It is a great instrument however it doesn't have the depth of tone that either the V or GE has. Finally I recently received a D-15 standard for a small sum because the neck is loose. I've never seen a dove-tail neck joint loose; it is held together by the bolt. I truely believe in the long run the dove tail jointed necks will serve better then those with M&T. The question should also be what will last the longest without repair and what will retain its value best. Again I'd say the better built instrument. -Lee
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I've been known to play with the following: '71 D-18 (restored): '06 D-18GE : Backpacker : '82 D-41 : '66 D-35 (restored): '30 2-17 (restored) : '67 00-18C : '44 00-18 : '44 00-17 (restored) : LX-175th : '30s 0 Uke: '20s 2-M Uke (restored): '82 MC-28 : Gibson C-0 Classic : '98 Martin D12-1 : '08 DSM : '80 D-37K : '70 Guild F-112 (restored) : and a '98 Harley-Davidson FLTR Road Glide. Forum intro #992, DON'T TRASH THEM; RESTORE THEM! ************* "What do you all look like?" Post #206 |
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dermot |
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(07/04/09 11:00 AM) |
Happy 4th Lee!
I have or have had four which to compare. First let me say that between my D-18V (traded) and my D-18GE, there isn't as much difference as there should be for the price difference. My D-18GE is my favorite guitar which I own however teh D-18V was exceptional and other then the neck dimensions there isn't much sound difference between the two. I too have a D-15 custom called a DSM and made for GC. It is a great instrument however it doesn't have the depth of tone that either the V or GE has.Tone is very subjective, as said above i find that i like what the 12 fret customs have to offer.... but that is just me... Is this not the guitar that had been left in the sun and baked untill the glue let go? As we all know the bolt is there only to speed up the mfg process and therefore lower costs... A dovetail guitar left in the sun until the glue melts will do the same, except there's no bolt to slip it back into position, so a re-set or set up for slide (or firewood) would have been your choices.... this was all discussed at the time.... In short the lose neck had nothing to do with the bolt, but having the bolt saved you a fair chunk of change.... you were well served by the bolt in this case! Maybe because mine both came through the custom shop they are better made than a run of the mill D15S, or maybe not... i can only speak for the guitars i have experience with.. there was no corners cut in the build of these two, they are built to last, up to a standard not down to a price. They are not that diffrent from my '54 D18.... Now KC3PJ asked; Does anyone have experience playing both of these guitars? Is the D-18VS really worth over twice the cost of the D-15S?I think i am getting this right - it was a few years ago.... Andy had three 12 fret D's at one point, a D15S, a D18VS and a D42S custom... he's a great player and he recorded all three and let us guess what was what, and what we liked the best as a group.... wish i could find that thread.. it was epic... the upshot was that with all three blind, played the same tune, same strings, same mic's... the D15S was the fav by hair, and alot of folks were thinking it was the D42 custom... Moral of that story? play with your hands & ears, not your eyes, not your wallet... d.
Last Edited By: dermot
07/04/09 5:49 PM.
Edited 3 times.
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pastorharry |
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(07/04/09 7:27 PM) |
KC3PJ wrote:If you get the D-18VS you can probably sell ALL the rest and be quite happy!! BTW; Nice quiver Dermot!! |
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OLDANDINTHEWAY |
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(07/05/09 8:11 AM) |
I've owned both guitars. The D-18VS is the absolute winner. The V series
Martins get very high grade woods and the sound is complex and all you could ask for. The 15S is a great guitar and can be the only one you would need, but the 18VS has to be played to see where the additional cost comes from. To me, the D-18VS cost is well worth it. |
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hogwldfltr |
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(07/05/09 8:53 PM) |
Tone is very subjective, as said above i find that i like what the 12 fret customs have to offer.... but that is just me...Likely true since most would readily go for the D-18VS. -Lee
*************
I've been known to play with the following: '71 D-18 (restored): '06 D-18GE : Backpacker : '82 D-41 : '66 D-35 (restored): '30 2-17 (restored) : '67 00-18C : '44 00-18 : '44 00-17 (restored) : LX-175th : '30s 0 Uke: '20s 2-M Uke (restored): '82 MC-28 : Gibson C-0 Classic : '98 Martin D12-1 : '08 DSM : '80 D-37K : '70 Guild F-112 (restored) : and a '98 Harley-Davidson FLTR Road Glide. Forum intro #992, DON'T TRASH THEM; RESTORE THEM! ************* "What do you all look like?" Post #206 |
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tonguy |
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(07/06/09 11:16 AM) |
I've played both in close proximity on several occasions, and have always chosen the D-18VS.
That was, until I played 000-18 Norman Blake...
Tony
(Forum intro - page 11) Say hello to my little friend...  Mr. Slots Street Name - J-Bang (Just Buy A 'Nuther Guitar) My cure for GAS - my wife asking, "Which one(s) are you selling to get that?" |
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Larry the M |
Love it | ||
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(08/03/09 9:34 AM) |
I haven't tried the D 15 S, but over the years I've had a D-18, D-21, C-1 and a D 12 20.
The only thing wrong with the D 18 VS is that I'm sitting on the wrong side of it. Sitting behind it, I'm missing some of the glorious sound. Maybe I can mike it and run it through headphones.. Seriously I've had the hots for a 12-fret dreadnought ever since I saw Peter Yarrow's D-28 back in 1963. I love it so much I had Martin make a 12-string version for me. I can just about sit back and watch while it plays itself!
Larry the M
New toys: D-18 VS D-18 12 string custom (VS) Gold Star Weissenborn-type acoustic steel guitar (Gibson B 45 12 n- For sale at Sandy's in Cambridge) |
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HD18JBGuy |
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(08/03/09 9:52 AM) |
kydave wrote:Agreed 100%, but the 15s are nice sounding guitars guitars. I have an all mahogany Martin and really like the sound of it (albeit, its a higher end model than the 15 Series). |
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