Mine looks like it has been played for 40 years for sure but still the sound is what counts. The d-18 was superb back then, so was the d-28. I had to take a loan out to buy it for the 4o0 bucks I paid or so. I don't know if there was a difference or not sound wise (I doubt it). I just fell in love with the 28 model. Didn't care about the rosewood just for me I liked the sound and feel and I suppose all my folk heros had the 28 so I wanted one like theirs. I probably would have fell in love with a model 18 also. Back then I doubt there was any difference in quality or sound