The Martin D-18 and D-28 are two of the most popular American-made dreadnought acoustic guitars of all time. In this article, I’ll directly compare the features and tones of both guitars so you can decide which is the best model for you.
Quick Comparison
The Martin D-18 acoustic guitar has mahogany back and sides, whereas the Martin D-28 has rosewood back and sides. The D-18 sounds warmer and fuller compared to the D-28 which sounds brighter and richer. Both guitars have the same necks and body shapes. The D-28 is more expensive than the D-18.
Here is a full list of the main feature differences between the D-18 and D-28.
| Feature | Martin D-18 | Martin D-28 |
| Back and Sides | Solid Mahogany | Solid East Indian Rosewood |
| Scalloped Bracing | Yes | No |
| Binding | Faux Tortoise | Antique White |
| Inlays | Abalone | Mother of Pearl |
| Rosette | Old Style 18 Multi-Stripe | Multi-Stripe |
| Headstock Shape | Square Taper | Square Taper and Diamond |
| Case | Ply Hardshell | Molded Hardshell |
Martin D-18
Martin D-28
Tonal Differences
There are two main differences in specification which cause the D-18 and D-28 to sound different:
- The D-18 has mahogany back and sides whereas the D-28 has rosewood back and sides
- The D-18 has scalloped X-bracing whereas the D-28 has non-scalloped X-bracing
Whilst the scalloped vs non-scalloped bracing does make a difference to the overall tone of the guitar, it’s mainly the back and side woods which cause these two guitars to sound different from one another.
The mahogany back and sides found on the D-18 give it a warm and full sounding tone, compared to the rosewood back and sides on the D-28 which give it a richer and brighter tone.
Mahogany gives the D-18 more mid-range emphasis, whereas rosewood gives the D-28 more treble and bass emphasis. Rosewood is also richer in overtones making it very popular for fingerstyle.
Here is a diagram comparing the EQ balance of these woods.
If you want to learn more about the differences between these woods, check out my article comparing rosewood and mahogany guitars.
The scalloped bracing is designed to scoop the mid-range frequencies slightly which makes the D-18 have a flatter EQ compared to if it were just to have non-scalloped bracing.
However, the D-18 doesn’t have a “scooped” mid-range overall due to the mahogany back and sides which boost the mid-range slightly. Hence, the D-18 has a pretty flat EQ with fairly balanced bass, mids and treble. The D-28 on the other hand does have a scooped mid-range due to the rosewood back and sides.
Check out this YouTube video to hear the sound difference between the D-18 and D-28.
Other Differences
The D-28 is around $400 more expensive than the D-18 in the USA and around £400 more expensive in the UK. This is primarily because rosewood is a more expensive material compared to mahogany.
Rosewood has always been rarer and more difficult to export but since the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) tightened regulations a few years ago it has become even more expensive to get into the USA.
Rosewood is also heavier than mahogany so the D-28 is slightly heavier.
- The average Martin D-18 guitar weighs 4.2 lbs
- The average Martin D-28 guitar weighs 4.7 lbs
There are also a couple of other notable differences between the D-18 and D-28 which helps to justify the price difference:
- The D-28 comes with an upgraded molded-hardshell case whereas the D-18 has a cheaper ply-hardshell case
- The D-28 has mother of pearl inlays whereas the D-18 has abalone inlays
- The D-28 has an Old Style 18 Multi-Stripe Rosette whilst the D-18 has a standard Multi-Stripe Rosette
- The D-28 has antique white binding and the D-18 has faux tortoise binding
Similarities
The Martin D-18 and D-28 feel the same to play, except for the slight weight difference. They have the same:
- Scale length
- Body shape and size
- Neck
- String gauge
- Tuning machines
Other key cosmetic similarities include the spruce top, mahogany neck, gloss body finish, satin neck finish, tortoise pickguard and headstock logo. Apart from the obvious difference in color on the back and sides, these guitars look very similar.
Considering other Martin guitars? Check out these comparisons too:
Martin D-28 vs HD-28
Martin D-28 vs D-35
Full Specification List
Below are tables listing the specifications for the Martin D-18 and D-28. I have also listed the specifications for the “Modern Deluxe” versions of each guitar in the next table.
If you want to check the current prices of each model, here are links to Guitar Center:
Martin D-18 vs D-28
| Feature | Martin D-18 | Martin D-28 |
| Body Size | D-14 Fret | D-14 Fret |
| Body Finish | Gloss | Gloss |
| Bracing | Forward-Shifted X-Bracing | Forward-Shifted X-Bracing |
| Scalloped Bracing | Yes | No |
| Brace Size | 0.31” | 0.31” |
| Top | Solid Sitka Spruce | Solid Sitka Spruce |
| Back and Sides | Solid Mahogany | Solid East Indian Rosewood |
| Neck | Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Scale | 25.4” | 25.4” |
| Frets | 20 | 20 |
| Nut Width | 1.75” | 1.75” |
| Fingerboard Width (12th Fret) | 2.13” | 2.13” |
| Bridge String Spacing | 2.16” | 2.16” |
| Neck Shape | Modified Low Oval | Modified Low Oval |
| Neck Taper | High Performance Taper | High Performance Taper |
| Neck Joint | Dovetail | Dovetail |
| Neck Joint Position | 14th Fret | 14th Fret |
| Neck Finish | Satin | Satin |
| Bridge | Ebony – Modern Belly | Ebony – Modern Belly |
| Saddle | Compensated Bone | Compensated Bone |
| Saddle Radius | 16” | 16” |
| Binding | Faux Tortoise | Antique White |
| Pickguard | Tortoise | Tortoise |
| Inlays | Abalone | Mother of Pearl |
| Rosette | Old Style 18 Multi-Stripe | Multi-Stripe |
| Headstock Shape | Solid w/ Square Taper | Solid w/ Square Taper and Diamond |
| Headstock Material | Solid East Indian Rosewood | Solid East Indian Rosewood |
| Headstock Logo | Script Old Style Overlay | Script Old Style Overlay |
| Tuning Machines | Nickel Open Gear | Nickel Open Gear |
| Strings | Medium (0.013) | Medium (0.013) |
| Case | Ply Hardshell | Molded Hardshell |
| Left-Hand Available | Yes | Yes |
| Average Price | $2600 | $3000 |
Martin D-18 Modern Deluxe vs D-28 Modern Deluxe
| Feature | Martin D-18 Modern Deluxe | Martin D-28 Modern Deluxe |
| Body Size | D-14 Fret | D-14 Fret |
| Body Finish | Gloss | Gloss |
| Bracing | Forward-Shifted X-Bracing | Forward-Shifted X-Bracing |
| Scalloped Bracing | Yes | Yes |
| Brace Size | 0.31” | 0.31” |
| Top | Solid Sitka Spruce | Solid Sitka Spruce |
| Back and Sides | Solid Mahogany | Solid East Indian Rosewood |
| Neck | Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Scale | 25.4” | 25.4” |
| Frets | 20 | 20 |
| Nut Width | 1.75” | 1.75” |
| Fingerboard Width (12th Fret) | 2.13” | 2.13” |
| Bridge String Spacing | 2.16” | 2.16” |
| Neck Shape | Vintage Deluxe | Vintage Deluxe |
| Neck Taper | High Performance Taper | High Performance Taper |
| Neck Joint | Dovetail | Dovetail |
| Neck Joint Position | 14th Fret | 14th Fret |
| Neck Finish | Satin | Satin |
| Bridge | Ebony – Modern Belly | Ebony – Modern Belly |
| Saddle | Compensated Bone | Compensated Bone |
| Saddle Radius | 16” | 16” |
| Binding | East Indian Rosewood | European Flamed Maple |
| Pickguard | Tortoise | Tortoise |
| Inlays | Abalone | Abalone |
| Rosette | Old Style 18 Multi-Stripe | Style 28 Multi-Stripe |
| Headstock Shape | Solid w/ Square Taper | Solid w/ Square Taper and Diamond |
| Headstock Material | East Indian Rosewood | East Indian Rosewood |
| Headstock Logo | Stylised Script Overlay | Stylised Script Overlay |
| Tuning Machines | Gold Open Gear | Gold Open Gear |
| Strings | Medium (0.013) | Medium (0.013) |
| Case | Ply Hardshell | Ply Hardshell |
| Left-Hand Available | Yes | Yes |
| Average Price | $3600 | $4000 |
Check out my comparison between the Martin D-28 and HD-28.
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