With the brand new Tremendous D and D-18 Avenue-Legend fashions, C.F. Martin and Firm has not precisely reinvented the wheel, however has definitely taken their classics out for slightly contemporary air. The Customized Store Tremendous D (Tremendous Dreadnought) actually stretches the design of the usual dreadnought, increasing the physique’s width from the usual 15-5/8″ to a noticeably bigger 16-3/8″—or an approximate improve of 20 p.c extra air quantity throughout the physique. This beast is the biggest in Martin’s present lineup.  

The D-18 StreetLegend, in the meantime, is a part of a brand new line of distressed-looking guitars that additionally features a D-28. The D-18 seems extra radically relic’d—a beauty remedy that bears an eerie resemblance to Kurt Cobain’s legendary 1953 D-18, affectionately generally known as “Grandpa,” which now resides within the Martin Museum.

Whereas every of those new choices from Martin stretches the parameters of the traditional fashions they construct upon, neither abandons the core sonic or construct qualities—or just the general excellence—that one expects when making a major buy like a D-28 or a D-18. That stated, the imaginative and prescient behind them features a sure inventive power that’s palpable as you play, proof optimistic of the adage “What’s previous is new once more.”

Customized Store Tremendous D

Although at first blush the Tremendous D would possibly look intimidating to carry, the elevated physique dimension needs to be fairly manageable for anybody accustomed to enjoying a typical dreadnought. The identical could be stated of its gorgeously carved and tapered mahogany neck with a modified low oval form, which felt true and comfy straight out of the fairly massive case. 

As dreadnoughts go, a D-28 is just about a cannon to start with, so that you gained’t be shocked to study that the Tremendous D strikes some severe air—as much as 12dB extra quantity than a typical mannequin, as gauged by Martin’s in-house testing. With its torrefied Sitka spruce high, three-piece Guatemalan rosewood again and sides, and elevated girth, the Tremendous D possesses an extremely full and dynamic sound. (The guitar can also be obtainable with figured koa again and sides.) 

Not solely is the Tremendous D loud, it produces an outstandingly wealthy and lustrous tone, with an particularly proud low-end response. Strive enjoying it in open G or double dropped D for maybe the richest bass tones you’ve ever heard from a Martin. As for the mids and highs, it’s nearly as in the event that they overlap completely, so lush is the sound with each plectrum and fingerstyle. The Tremendous-D method has discovered a kind of clean and natural integration of frequencies—toppy and coppery within the highs in addition to supportive and velvety within the mids, with a really pure and sturdy EQ arc that by no means allows you to consider them as in any approach separate. A really satisfying sound, to say the least.

D-18 StreetLegend

The D-18 is likely one of the most iconic of all dreadnoughts—a necessary software of singer-songwriters, flatpickers, and fingerstylists alike for the higher a part of a century. Crucially, the StreetLegend iteration has each little bit of that attribute midrange bump, sculpted bass response, even dynamic vary throughout the strings, and nice quantity and projection related to forward-shifted, scalloped bracing and mahogany again and sides.

The StreetLegend ticks all these bins, and I discovered it equally perfect for accompanying my voice, including acoustic overdubs, and enjoying full-bodied fingerstyle rolling patterns. And just like the Tremendous D, the guitar’s mahogany neck has a modified low oval form and high-performance taper, for a glossy and welcoming really feel, to say nothing of an ideal Plek setup from the manufacturing unit. By way of construct high quality and sonic character, the D-18 StreetLegend is totally worthy of the mannequin and the maker.

I have to rapidly clear up any potential misconceptions concerning the aged look of this guitar’s high. About these dramatic gouge marks that look so badass within the images or from a brief distance: You’d by no means even know they have been there should you closed your eyes and ran a finger throughout the soundboard. That’s as a result of the “put on” has been utilized utilizing a expertise generally known as digital microburst printing, which signifies that the integrity of the guitar’s high has not been compromised in any approach. The look could also be vintage and crushed, however you’re getting a brand-new D-18. That’s additionally the case with the D-28 StreetLegend, which makes use of the identical software for its barely much less aged-looking high.

Though they don’t carry the StreetLegend designation, there are two extra new satin-finished D-18s, every exuding a equally cool classic vibe: a pure end model, and my private favourite, the beautiful Amber Burst. Oh, and one different noteworthy benefit to those contemporary D-18s: Because of the much less time- and material-consuming nature of the method concerned in making use of a satin end, they record at $400 lower than the usual gloss mannequin. 

The Backside Line

For a lot of, C.F. Martin and Co. is greater than only a guitar maker. Owing to its lengthy historical past and continued intersection with American folks and well-liked tradition, the Martin expertise is as a lot a mindset as merely a set of musical instruments. Balancing that form of legacy—and people form of excessive expectations—with the evolution of well-liked music and the rising tendencies of the trendy guitar market can’t be a simple ask, but it’s a necessary one. 

The brand new Tremendous D ably provides a literal new dimension to each the model and the mannequin, and sure, there’s a large price for the unimpeachable excellence it delivers. I’m maybe much less offered on the D-18 StreetLegend, with its not-exactly-authentic growing old, however the guitar’s glorious tone and straightforward playability do suggest it to dreadnought lovers of all sorts.

Customized Store Tremendous D Specs

BODY 14-fret tremendous dreadnought physique; VTS (Classic Tone System) Sitka spruce high; scalloped X-bracing; three-piece Guatemalan rosewood or koa again and sides; ebony bridge; drop-in saddle with 2-5/32″ string spacing; tortoise sample pickguard; gloss end

NECK Mahogany; dovetail joint; 25.4″ scale size; 1-3/4″ nut width; modified low oval form with high-performance taper; ebony fretboard; nickel open-gear Gotoh tuners; satin end

OTHER Martin Genuine Acoustic Lifespan 2.0 strings (.013–.056); ply hardshell case; obtainable left-handed

MADE IN USA

PRICE $4,999 avenue

D-18 StreetLegend Specs

BODY 14-fret dreadnought; spruce high; forward-shifted, scalloped X-bracing; mahogany again and sides; ebony trendy stomach bridge; drop-in saddle with 2-5/32″ string spacing; tortoise sample aged pickguard; satin end with digital-microburst-printed high

NECK Mahogany; dovetail joint; 25.4″ scale size; 1-3/4″ nut width; modified low oval form with high-performance taper; ebony fingerboard; nickel open-gear tuners; satin end

OTHER Martin Genuine Acoustic Lifespan 2.0 strings (.013–.056); hardshell case; obtainable left-handed

MADE IN USA

PRICE $2,399 avenue

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