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Comments
I always regretted not buying an HD28V that was absolutely stunning. I went back to the shop a couple of weeks later and they had sold the one I played. I tried the one they had got in to replace it, but it was nowhere near as good.
Do current D18 models have forward shifted bracing... like the D18V?
To my ears, forward shifted bracing delivers deeper bass, brighter highs and more 'scooped' mids. In exchange for sightly more volume, you lose sustain.
The (for want of a better description) 'back shifted'/non-scalloped bracing is more 'even' sounding - with warmer mids - less overt brightness - and less extended bass. More 000/OM-like - but retaining Dreadnought 'punch'.
Its easy to be swayed by superficial differences when auditioning acoustic guitars - sometimes their real qualities take a while to appreciate. I recommend taking your time playing a few alternatives before you part with your money.
I'd agree with this to a certain extent, I have an OM18V which is great at finger style, but not as good for strumming when compared to a D28 or J45. How much this has to do with the bracing rather than the shape is debatable.
A lot of these things are a matter of what sound you like. @richardhomer might not be bothered about forward shifted (pre-war style) bracing but to me it is a huge improvement - on Dreadnoughts at least. I've not really played enough other body styles to be sure about them.
I have owned 2 x D-18 Authentics and 3x D-18 GEs and found them all to have been beautifully constructed and with great attention to detail and finish. They have all sounded full-bodied, well balanced and powerful, and make superb flat pickers, especially like me, if you play Bluegrass & Old Time. For a vintage American sound they can't be beat, although the Authentics are priced pretty high!
For a more dry and mid rangy sound I love the higher end J-45 or J-50s and there are some superb examples built by ex Gibson luthiers; Ren Ferguson, John Walker and Kevin Kopp, which really capture that great early Gibson sound.
By the way, the original poster asked when the D-18 was revamped - it had all new specs from 2012. Details can be found on the Martin website or Unofficial Martin Guitar Forum.