I’ve had my D18 for a month or so now, and it’s been quite an adjustment, so here’s my report.
The dynamics on this guitar are so different from what I’ve been used to with my Takamine and Tayor, I feel like I’ve had to relearn how to play to some degree. The guitar has some great tones, but they can’t simply be beaten out of it. She responds much more nicely to a light touch. I find myself with a lighter pick grip for almost all my rhythm playing, now. And without all those rumbling overtones of rosewood, it sure is difficult to cover up slopply play. I’ve had to go back and clean up my pickin’ on several songs I thought I already had down.
The reward, of course, for handling her just right is a crystal clear ringing tone. I started trying some recording with it this week, and it records beautifully. It just about EQ’s itself.
I feel like I’m still learning what the guitar can do, but she’s definitely growing on me.