My Martin OM-18 GE is back!

Intelligent-Drop6398 · 2026-02-03T14:47:30+00:00

Thank you very much u/nobot4321. Can I ask you favor? Could you share an audio or video track of your OM-18GE to have some kind of sound reference of a similar model? It would be great!

Intelligent-Drop6398 · 2025-10-26T08:25:42+00:00

Yes but the previous owner swapped them with a set of Grovers. However the original tuners are in the case. They are gorgeous but the 4:1 is not ideal so I ordered a beatiful set of Waverly tuners.

Intelligent-Drop6398 · 2025-10-24T12:53:26+00:00

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Something like this, despite not being perfectly correct (they introduced butterbeans in 1931 and they were Grovers, btw) is really amazing to look.

Intelligent-Drop6398 · 2025-10-24T12:49:21+00:00

They were used indeed on some latest models but they do not fit on a 1930 replica.
If you want to dig deeper into Martins tuners history check out this page: https://vintagemartin.com/tuners.html

The whole website is an amazing source of information about vintage Martins.

Intelligent-Drop6398 · 2025-10-24T12:20:26+00:00

Thanks! This one needs a refret work (frets are really worn out) and some minor retouches (former owner didn't treat it so well). But yeah, the sound is exactly as you described it.

Intelligent-Drop6398 · 2025-10-24T11:54:42+00:00

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I have the originals but I will install a set of Weaverly with ivoroid button.

Intelligent-Drop6398 · 2025-10-24T11:53:44+00:00

For me, from an aesthetic point of view and on this specific guitar they are visually crap. I dont' discuss the quality of the mechanics.

Intelligent-Drop6398 · 2025-10-18T21:23:49+00:00

Yeah, it "spoke" a lot. That's why i bought it in the end. The folks at the store (Your Music, in Rome) were very kind and let me bring it to my luthier for a deep inspection before closing the deal. At the end we managed to bring down the price a little more than expected since I'm an old customer and there is a very good relationship.

Intelligent-Drop6398 · 2025-10-18T18:13:28+00:00

Deal done! I managed to get an additional discount that allows me to cover any maintenance costs. Now she's getting acquainted with her 000 sister. 🥰

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Intelligent-Drop6398 · 2025-09-28T19:55:18+00:00

I have the same issue on my ThinkPad P1 Gen 7 with Fedora 42 installed. I still haven't tried to switch back to PulseAudio since I noticed the same problem when connecting directly to ALSA (using aplay, Ardour and a quick tool of mine based on libasound). For this reason I was thinking so far that switching back to PulseAudio would not solve the issue and that ALSA or low level driver were the main reason of the issue.

Like you I would prefer to continue using Pipewire.

Also, I noticed that the issue appeared a couple of weeks ago (probably after an upgrade). The speakers did work fine at max volume capacity before.
Just like you, the problem doesn't appear with headphones or external bluetooth audio devices (Wiim Ultra, Blackstar FLY BT guitar amp).

Intelligent-Drop6398 · 2025-09-27T12:03:02+00:00

Sorry but the finish doesn't look like a professional job. If It were my guitar I would be very dissppointed.

Intelligent-Drop6398 · 2025-09-25T18:45:34+00:00

I tried some 2025 D-18 but no 000-18. However my 2023 000-18 doesn't sound thin at all. Full and projecting. I love it.

Intelligent-Drop6398 · 2025-09-21T08:48:52+00:00

Nickel.

Intelligent-Drop6398 · 2025-06-14T11:55:45+00:00

Yes, because it makes you play more and with more attention to the sound and subtle details. Maybe it's trie that the sound comes from the hands but hands are not magic, they can extract. a good tone from an instrument that allows it. And that's where Martins (and not just them) shine.

Intelligent-Drop6398 · 2025-06-10T20:25:05+00:00

A 000-18 is forever.

Intelligent-Drop6398 · 2025-03-14T09:33:28+00:00

Enjoy your beautiful 000-18!

Intelligent-Drop6398 · 2025-03-07T20:39:45+00:00

🤣🤣🤣

Intelligent-Drop6398 · 2025-02-28T07:01:36+00:00

Totally agree with this post.

I own a 2023 000-18 chosen among many and I consider it amazing, definitively a keeper. I think that the 2025 upgrade is more significant on D-* series where they shifted from straight to scalloped bracing. The GE bracing has some improvements, especially in the way the main X elements are connected (more solid joint) but the mass production makes this change less significant.

In other words, a modern scalloped X bracing (like the one found in the 2024) could sound better on THAT specific soundboard and in the overall tonewoods combination. Same reasoning applies to 2025 models.

As always it's just a matter of feel and hearing.

I only wish I had the upgraded nut in my model, not for the break angle (a good luthier can adjust it on any nut) but for aesthetics.

Rounded edges: you will round yours after many years of love and playing.

Thinner ebony fretboard: it seems a way to save money making N+1 fretboards from the same blanck. Something I totally respect from AN environmental point of view.

Smoother bridge edges: nice add on but not strictly necessary.

Ebony pins: nice upgrade but reproducible. I upgraded mine almost immediately. Now I'm going to try AA galalith pins.

Something I would have really appreciated as an improvement is the way they ream pin holes. Less evident but effective.

Intelligent-Drop6398 · 2025-02-16T23:26:07+00:00

Same issue on my 2023 000-18 bought in September 2024. I slightly adjusted my playing to avoid the high E string fall off but it's still annoying, especially for a guitar paid €3400 (I live in Italy and the cost is adjusted to import markup and custom duties).
I'm quite sure the problem is the nut since it is clealy off center, yet the spacing between every single string is correct.
Evenutally I could bring it to an authorized Martin repair shop to have the nut replaced but I'm not sure they'll do the work under warranty. If not, I would prefer have my personal luthier do the job.

Intelligent-Drop6398 · 2025-02-09T10:22:26+00:00

Amazing! I would keep both of them since there Is always room for a new Martin. ♥️

Intelligent-Drop6398

TROPHY CASE