Hey Shawn,
Here are some more things to dig through on slotting:
Unofficial Martin Guitar Forum Search
theunofficialmartinguitarforum.y … IQQz2871WI
And from Bryan Kimsey:
bryankimsey.com/bridges/slotted.htm
You can just turn the bridge pins around as well. Reaming does just make the pins sit lower. Slotting alone will allow for solid pins.
I have a sitka on mahogany OM18V. I initially liked the sound of it, but as I played it the sound really got better. It took some time. I suspect your 18 will open up as well. Some of that is going to happen as the wood ages, and some will come from playing it. It might well sound a bit thinner than your 28 at this point. Also, it’s a different tone. The bottom on your 18 is probably going to be tighter than on your 28. The highs will probably stronger and clearer. It does take some ear adjustment, but the guitar will also get stronger over time. It seems that Sitka breaks in quicker that Adi.
On slotting, I haven’t done any of mine, but there are many people who do like it. I am not opposed to it, I just haven’t felt compelled yet. Trying a bone saddle would be a reversible thing, and is worth a shot. If nothing else, if the tone turns out to be similar you could set one saddle up a bit lower for summer use. I bought a toneRite. It’s kind of a snake oil thing, but in my opinion it does help my guitars that have tightened up from inadequate use. I think it might help accelerate the opening up process for your 18, and it’s non invasive.
Here’s a pic:
[attachment=0]toneright.jpg[/attachment]