martin for sure? is obviously biased you need a little clarity and string separation with mahogany and the taylor does it for me the martin is overly warm,
Martin. I used to love how taylors always sounded brighter when played side by side with martins. But then I don't love the brightness as much after a while. Taylors make martins sound kind of dead in the music store, a great selling point for them, but there's a difference between what you prefer in a comparison test (the louder guitar always seems better) and what you really prefer when you're playing in a quiet room trying to get all kinds of different things out of your guitars.
I went through the same phase. I used to tell my dad that a Taylor, at half the price, sounded better than his hd-28, but the longer you play, the more you learn appreciate the tone Martin produces.
I've been playing since I was 5 or 6, over 35 years and I have played them all! Taylors, Gibsons, etc. There is just something special about Martin guitars. I can't and won't say that Taylors and Gibsons sound bad because they don't. There is just something in the tone of a Martin that is missing in the others! Especially the mahogany Martin guitars!!
J Trice totally,,, martins just have soul.. Gibson have there own rotten wood kinda vibe going on, but Taylors are just awful... souless technology.. souls guitars... i like the mini taylor just for travel purposes but other than that Taylors make me feel sick.. its the antichrist of guitars.
impact glory I own both a Taylor and a Martin, and they are both superb instruments. I tend to prefer my Taylor for finger picking, and the Martin for strummed songs... mainly for the reason you hear in this video. The Taylor is bright and clear, which really accents delicate picking, but it can sound harsh if you are smashing chords out with a flat pick. The Martin is much more forgiving, and you can beat on that thing if you want to, but the clarity is just not the same as the Taylor. If you can have THAT negative of an opinion about either brand, then clearly you are not yet a good enough player to have a valuable opinion. And by the way, technology isn't a 4 letter word. Believe it or not, an extra 50 years of research and development can actually be a good thing.
Martin should make a fancier version. Because they have something special there on there hands. With binding and more trim it could become part of the popular standard models. Right next to the D18.
Two things my Grandpa told me, life's too short to drink cheap booze and play cheap guitars, hope you can afford a nice guitar in you're near future. I started out on a cheap guitar and found it very frustrating.Word of advice, when you get around to buying a nice guitar, make sure it's not made in Mexico, I made that mistake on a Fender Strat and on a Martin model DX1RAE. Needless to say I got rid of both of them.
Russ Makar I've had a Mexi Strat for over 10 years and I love it. I also have a DRS1 made in Mexico because I gig a lot and didn't want to spend an arm and a leg on a guitar that's going to be on the road with me.
Russ Makar I've also played a lot of martins but I remember the first time I played them in a music store. I didn't look at the price tags I just played them and my conclusion was the dx1ae played and sounded better than most of the 2k+ Martins. I know they start to sound better with age but I don't think the DX1AE is a bad choice for a beginner.
@@richardlucascronley5128 They have the same strings in this video. I agree with you about Taylor's metallic sound and that's why I like Martin's more.
Beautiful guitars. As usual the Taylor sounds brighter and that's a good thing for finger-stylists...the Martin to my ears has a more over all balanced tone to it- more pronounced bottom end and projection. An overall a warmer sound which is what a traditional mahogany guitar is all about.
I have both guitars and Martin is the premium engineered and designed guitar and slightly, but significantly better in acoustic discernment for tone and sustainment. There is just something about Martin's, if you know their history and the difference processes in manufacturing when compared to a Taylor. Martin is just a cut above, without a doubt.
If these guitars were singers, I’d say the Martin has that special voice that I’d recognize and pick out of a crowd. The Taylor has a pretty voice that sounds a lot like all the other pretty voices. But that Martin has lived the lyrics.
I've played both. The D-15 has way better bass, is much lighter and has a sweeter more dynamic tone overall. The Taylor has more midrange and treble, is heavier, and is louder overall, but the quality of that midrange is kind of grainy and just not very good. The Martin wins but my concern is the Martin is not all that great for single note runs up high, it's a bit too dark to cut through. It's great for strumming and picking down low though.
I bought the Martin D15M earlier this week and I've never played a guitar with such a warm, rich, smooth/cool tone. In this video it sounds rather muffled compared to the brighter Taylor, and I almost prefer the Taylor in this video. But when you're actually playing the D15M, it's oh so sweet.
Agree. I think the video is a little misleading. The D15m is simply a life changing guitar. Pure and simple. Will change the way you hear tone. It's pure heart and soul. Nothing more. Nothing less. Taylor is a fine guitar but that damn D15m is the bees knees!
I had a 2007 D-15 (no M). I sold it to help pay for a D-28, and now I am in the market for another D-15. I've sold a few guitars over the years, the only one I regret selling is the D-15.
mallardgreen agreed. I have the Martin in this test, and my first thought when I heard the Taylor was "oh wow. there's so much more separation." Then I realized really, it was just a bit brighter in some areas, but for my playing style, I actually rather still like the Martin better. I'm looking more to be an acoustic guitarist, accompanying my voice, and the Martin just seems better for that.
I've been comparing Taylor and Martin quite a bit now for a week or two here (and so grateful to Tony for the format, which makes it much easier), and this is a case in which the Taylor's brightness doesn't bother me as much as it does on some other models; because of the mellowing of the mahogany, the brightness that Taylor is known for works very well with it here- one works to balance the other. I love it. The separation is great, and it doesn't sound like a harpsichord as many Taylors do.
Ive played both and theyre both awesome, but the resonanse and sparkle of the taylor is great for fingerpicking. And I think it feels a Bit more comfortable too. This is a great vid
Got my Guild D25 in the 70s second hand so i would tend to lean towards the Martin the martin sounds great in this video the Taylor sounds a bit tinny up to the Martin
Iam normally martin all the way, however in this instance the taylor sounds more focused in the mids and slightly brighter, taylor , for today's, the winner to my ears
I love the innovation and behind the scenes amazing stuff Taylor has done. I love the pushed mid range in the Taylor, works better for live playing. Rosewood and Koa is still my favorite tonewoods. More than mahogany
I own the 310 and I love it, the Martin sounds great too! It's wrong to say one is better than the other. I'm just a fan of the Taylor brightness, which I feel is a must for when you play with other people so you can be heard. This is a great video, very well done!
Lets put it this way, if people were guitars, Johnny Cash would be a Martin, and Willie Nelson would be a Taylor. One is deeper and fuller, and one is higher and lighter, however, they both sound good.
That's probably the best comparison. It's funny how some people say that a Martin has "empty sounding bass" when I consider it fuller sounding. It's why there's more than one manufacturer out there.
I have the Martin D15M. I love the tone. It seems warmer and fuller than the Taylor. I currently own 3 different Taylor guitars and I wanted something with a little different sound. When I picked up the D15M and played it, I was in love. It was exactly the sound and feel I was looking for. A great guitar!
I own this Martin and recommend it to anyone who has the money. I love it today as much as the day I bought it. The sound is beautiful for chords and fingerstyle.
Normally I prefer the warmer sound of the Martin, but in this demo, I prefer the taylor because the lows are more balanced with the mids. This martin seems a bit muddy to my ears.
The Taylor, definitely. Has more clarity and complexity and a balanced tonal spectrum. The Martin sounds boxier and, for lack of a better term, "dry." I actually tried these out side by side at a local music shop and came home with the Taylor. Not only for the tone, but also the feel and playability. What really cinched it was the fact that the Taylor also beat out out a D-18 and hung real well with a D-28. Anyway, I also got a great deal on it, so it was a keeper.
Thanks for what is the best and most useful comparison between two guitars that I have found on RUclips to date. The 'cutting' between the two models mid-song enables the viewer/listener to make useful judgements, and it is clear that every effort has been made to ensure that microphone placement and player's technique/attack do not alter between the two guitars. All of the comments from viewers are in general agreement - the Taylor is brighter with a fuller upper range. I doubt that I'd ever choose a mahogany topped acoustic, but for what it's worth, on the basis of this demonstration, the Taylor wins for me.
I owned a Taylor 114CE and traded it in for a Martin X1-DE... Taylor sounds and feels great (plays like an electric guitar!) but the sound just lacks something. Honestly when I play or hear a Taylor I start to feel drowsy after about 15 minutes, but a Martin keeps me upbeat and awake and allows me to enjoy what I hear.
The Martin sounds more resonant and powerful, whereas the Taylor sounds brighter and more jangly. I prefer the Martin, but I'd love to see two people playing these guitars together, that would sound incredible.
Tried extensively both,Martin definitely wins.Much more depht of sound and nicer to play,also the elixirs that the Taylor had on felt weird,I was interested in the Taylor as a replacement to the D15m that I own,but after trying it I am happy with the Martin
I have the 320 , it was gifted to me. With that said the thing rings like a bell and always impresses listeners. I really like both. However I couldn't imagine not having the 320 in my arsenal.
Thanx for demo..low registers on martin and the martin(Brand) strings plus its higher action contribute to a more massive tone. The sapele tonewoods on Taylor create a bright sound and its lower action(softer on feel) has something to do with a more controlled and almost balanced dynamics. btw i think elixir is what it strung it with..love both of this!
Excellent comparison, it showcases the differences between the two guitars perfectly. I also like that there were no mic pre's or other effects in the signal chain.
The real question is, which sounds better un-mic'd 10~20ft away in a house show setting? In my experience, Martin's tend to fill a room and project better because they are darker and the bass-mid frequencies resonate longer, whereas Taylors have that nice chime and are brighter but don't sustain well.
I closed my eyes and could tell immediately when he switched. That Taylor is way more vibrant. The trebles are higher and louder and you can really hear each note as he strums the chord. That's not to say the Martin sounded bad, the Martin just sounded more muffled (for lack of a better word) than the Taylor. Thanks for doing this ! What is the Washburn comparison to these two? Any idea?
I like the low end of the Taylor, it's more focused while the Martin is a bit boomy and cloudy. But the Martin has a fuller mid ranger for sure, and a silkier top end also. So overall, the Martin. I used to own one, but sold it to get a ticket to Japan to teach English. That was 15 years ago and I'm still in Japan and married to my dream girl, so I guess I wouldn't change a thing. But I miss that Martin, lol ...
Had the Taylor on my lap yesterday and immediately fell in love! Just the perfect sound for strumming... I so much want to buy this beauty :-) Others might still look a wee bit better (mahagony is not my favourite) but the sound is hard to beat. Conclusion: love at first sight and a big hole in my budget ;-)
My experience with Martins is they always have their own mystique. The sound of my D-28 as compared to my friends exact same model D-28 not saying his has any lesser quality of sound it is just much different.
That Taylor takes the cake IMO GAAAAWD that thing sounds amazing! I like the sound of the Martin too, but I love the brightness of the Taylor, just a killer sound.
Two very different instruments. I like them both, but would probably prefer the taylor to cut though a mix with other instruments, but would prefer the Martin if it were to be heard either on its own or with only vocals. Great demo. Thanks!
I own the D15m, and I also a Gruhn special custom 0000-15M. It is bigger than the 000-15m, with a little more oomph, and more balanced (slightly less dark and bassy) than my D15m. I love both of them. You can't go wrong. I also have played the Taylor 320 at Russo's in Asbury Park. It is a winner and a great guitar. It would for sure be on my shopping list to try out if I were any of you looking at these hog tops.I happen to find the Martin neck more comfortable for me. One of you might prefer the Taylor neck. Play them both and decide - as an unconflicted bystander, you can not go wrong with either of these guitars. One last thing - the D15m can be bought anywhere from 40% off MSRP to 35% off MSRP (not MAP) once you get away from the big box stores. I am sure Acoustic Villa has great pricing, I'd give them a call if you are serious - they will be too.
Owned martins and taylors. Always loved both, particularly the Martin 15 series (OOO & OO guy). Both sound great and look classy. I prefer the Taylor's sound in this comparison.
I love my all mahogany Guild D-20. After 2 years, it has mellowed out really nicely. It has a 12" fretboard radius, and a 1 & 11/16" nut width. I never understood why Martins have a 16" radius on all their guitars. Who buys a dread so they can bend strings?
The bottom end of both sounds roughly equal, but compared to the Martin, the Taylor's middle sounds flat (not in pitch but in presence) and the top sounds jangly. The Martin's tone is just more rounded and balanced throughout the range.
Prob the best comparison demo I've ever seen, great editing guys and good demonstration riffs and licks. Both guitars sound great, I happen to prefer the depth of the Martin.
Both have the signature tone of their brand. I prefer the Martin tone. Especially in a mahogany guitar. Both are fine guitars, it's just a matter of taste and preference. And the direction of your music.
"We don't recall any acoustic guitars - from any maker and at whatever price point - that have caused the stir that these two simple-looking 'brown' Martins have managed. But it's their total, non-frilled fitness for purpose that has galvanised us all into wanting one so much. They look brilliant, they play and sound individually amazing and at this price point their Guitarist Gold awards are the no-brainer of the century." -Guitarist Magazine
I am not a huge fan of Taylor guitars, I much prefer Martin personally, but going by this video the Taylor 320 sounds much better to my ears. It is much clearer and a lot warmer. Great video!
Good comparison, thanks! Depends what you like in your sound I think, both seem very nice guitars. Personally I prefer the fuller bass tones of the Martin. Taylor is brighter but sounded nearly tinny on a couple of the higher notes, lost the fullness of the tone. I'm hoping to buy a Martin D15M in the next few days though so I could be a little biased...
Playing with fingers the Taylor holds up well to the Martin and has a different character. The tone of the Taylor is shifted a bit away from the bass to the mid and upper mids with the treble tones still pleasing. There is a slightly better separation of notes with the Taylor, but the affect is so subtle as to be functionally useless. The Martin is louder. Playing with a pick, the Taylor is noticeably harsher and the Martin does a better job here by still remaining musically organic.
They both sound amazing, think I prefer the Martin but that's only because I own it. If I woke up tomorrow and it magically turned into a Taylor I wouldn't lose any sleep, I would just play it.
It is subjective. Both are excellent. Personally I like warmth and bass (why I buy beats headphones) so I would chose the Martin but if I liked a more treble tone I would chose the Taylor. If I was rich I would buy both.
I like the Taylor better for the exact same reasons I chose my Taylor over a Martin. I was sold on a Martin back in 1995 and starting playing them all to figure out which one to buy. The guy at the guitar shop made me try out a Taylor and I was instantly sold. the Taylor also had the bass response and midrange voice but just had the extra brightness to it that I preferred. Since then, Taylor has become extremely popular which I assume is due to it's brightness. I always wondered if it was just a pair of fresh strings that had me sold - but watching this comparison, it brings me right back to 1995
Taylor is probably better for amplification, the Martin has a much more pronounced bass and a bit less upper mids and trebles (scooped sound, but the scooping is more on the uppers). I'd take the Martin, but I can definitely see how the Taylor is more useful in some situations.
I actually prefered the Taylor overal, but it was just a tad to bright for my liking. I feel like the sound of the martin was alot warmer, and blended more evenly when playing chords.
These guitars are as night and day. I feel the general difference between Martins and Taylors are displayed well here. The Martin with the immediate thump and warmness and the Taylor with the more distant brilliance.
Way too subjective. Also, to most players they are not the Epitome in all aspects. They have their strengths and weaknesses. They certainly do have a balanced and warm tone though.
Martin for sure. Who buys a mahogany top guitar for brightness? Extra bass and warmth are what matters.
Great point!
it's fully solid mahogany, not just the top, but i'm just being nit-picky.
+Basky Bask compleely agree with you
martin for sure? is obviously biased
you need a little clarity and string separation with mahogany
and the taylor does it for me
the martin is overly warm,
Ken Desjarlais, gtfo. Taylor fanboys are boring and ignorant. An all mahogany guitar being overly warm... roflmao. Give up, dude.
The tone of the Martin is just perfect, in my opinion.
Martin. I used to love how taylors always sounded brighter when played side by side with martins. But then I don't love the brightness as much after a while. Taylors make martins sound kind of dead in the music store, a great selling point for them, but there's a difference between what you prefer in a comparison test (the louder guitar always seems better) and what you really prefer when you're playing in a quiet room trying to get all kinds of different things out of your guitars.
I went through the same phase. I used to tell my dad that a Taylor, at half the price, sounded better than his hd-28, but the longer you play, the more you learn appreciate the tone Martin produces.
As a Taylor lover for years, I completely agree.
I've been playing since I was 5 or 6, over 35 years and I have played them all! Taylors, Gibsons, etc. There is just something special about Martin guitars. I can't and won't say that Taylors and Gibsons sound bad because they don't. There is just something in the tone of a Martin that is missing in the others! Especially the mahogany Martin guitars!!
I completely agree
MorrisUK1990 I also completely agree
J Trice totally,,, martins just have soul.. Gibson have there own rotten wood kinda vibe going on, but Taylors are just awful... souless technology.. souls guitars... i like the mini taylor just for travel purposes but other than that Taylors make me feel sick.. its the antichrist of guitars.
impact glory I own both a Taylor and a Martin, and they are both superb instruments. I tend to prefer my Taylor for finger picking, and the Martin for strummed songs... mainly for the reason you hear in this video. The Taylor is bright and clear, which really accents delicate picking, but it can sound harsh if you are smashing chords out with a flat pick. The Martin is much more forgiving, and you can beat on that thing if you want to, but the clarity is just not the same as the Taylor. If you can have THAT negative of an opinion about either brand, then clearly you are not yet a good enough player to have a valuable opinion. And by the way, technology isn't a 4 letter word. Believe it or not, an extra 50 years of research and development can actually be a good thing.
Dartheomus taylors are junk.. Ive played loads of taylors only ever liked 1... I own 3 martins and a taylor.. And the martins are a ton times better
Martin is a little bassier and the Taylor a little brighter. Neither would be deal breaker for me. Both great. No losers here.
Martin should make a fancier version. Because they have something special there on there hands. With binding and more trim it could become part of the popular standard models. Right next to the D18.
I'm too poor for this shit.
Two things my Grandpa told me, life's too short to drink cheap booze and play cheap guitars, hope you can afford a nice guitar in you're near future. I started out on a cheap guitar and found it very frustrating.Word of advice, when you get around to buying a nice guitar, make sure it's not made in Mexico, I made that mistake on a Fender Strat and on a Martin model DX1RAE. Needless to say I got rid of both of them.
Russ Makar
I've had a Mexi Strat for over 10 years and I love it. I also have a DRS1 made in Mexico because I gig a lot and didn't want to spend an arm and a leg on a guitar that's going to be on the road with me.
Russ Makar
I've also played a lot of martins but I remember the first time I played them in a music store. I didn't look at the price tags I just played them and my conclusion was the dx1ae played and sounded better than most of the 2k+ Martins. I know they start to sound better with age but I don't think the DX1AE is a bad choice for a beginner.
Best comment ever
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA
Martin wins to my ears. Both sounds good, but I don't like the Taylor jangle as much
always the same from 300 bucks to 10 grand..deep vs jangle
With the Martin you hear more "wood" with the Taylor you hear more "strings"
YEP I FIND THE SAME THING. THAT MARTIN GROWLS. LOVE IT
공감합니다
That's right
I'm pretty convinced Taylor's brighter metallic sound comes from the fact they have a metal bolt on neck and they typically come with elixers.
@@richardlucascronley5128 They have the same strings in this video. I agree with you about Taylor's metallic sound and that's why I like Martin's more.
I have played both guitars actually yesterday. Both sound very good. My preference is for the Martin, it has a little bit more bass than the Taylor.
Beautiful guitars. As usual the Taylor sounds brighter and that's a good thing for finger-stylists...the Martin to my ears has a more over all balanced tone to it- more pronounced bottom end and projection. An overall a warmer sound which is what a traditional mahogany guitar is all about.
You sir, have a refined ear, Alot of people run for the Taylor not knowing that the Martin is a more complex guitar.
you are quite correct
complex? nah its all subjective
I’m gonna buy the Martin.
Thanks bro just bought yesterday my first Martin D-15M dreadnoough love the warm tone for my church
Just played the Martin at guitar center. Tomorrow I'm trading in my old guitar and buying the Martin. I was absolutely blown away at the tones.
I have both guitars and Martin is the premium engineered and designed guitar and slightly, but significantly better in acoustic discernment for tone and sustainment. There is just something about Martin's, if you know their history and the difference processes in manufacturing when compared to a Taylor. Martin is just a cut above, without a doubt.
The Martin not only has warmth, but depth of tone. It seems more balanced. Both are really nice.
Love the sound of the Martin D15M. The more subtle bass overtones, put it over the top for me.
Wow, they both sound great! The Martin just has an extra richness.
Richness as in they bost cost two arms and legs and your favorite eyeball
1300 is not that much money lol
It is a lot of money. But the Martin is well worth it.
If these guitars were singers, I’d say the Martin has that special voice that I’d recognize and pick out of a crowd. The Taylor has a pretty voice that sounds a lot like all the other pretty voices. But that Martin has lived the lyrics.
I've played both. The D-15 has way better bass, is much lighter and has a sweeter more dynamic tone overall. The Taylor has more midrange and treble, is heavier, and is louder overall, but the quality of that midrange is kind of grainy and just not very good. The Martin wins but my concern is the Martin is not all that great for single note runs up high, it's a bit too dark to cut through. It's great for strumming and picking down low though.
I bought the Martin D15M earlier this week and I've never played a guitar with such a warm, rich, smooth/cool tone. In this video it sounds rather muffled compared to the brighter Taylor, and I almost prefer the Taylor in this video. But when you're actually playing the D15M, it's oh so sweet.
Agree. I think the video is a little misleading. The D15m is simply a life changing guitar. Pure and simple. Will change the way you hear tone. It's pure heart and soul. Nothing more. Nothing less. Taylor is a fine guitar but that damn D15m is the bees knees!
My conclusion.... I need them both!
I love the brightness of Taylor's sound.
I actually like that D-15. Nothing fancy about it, no binding, inlays etc - just sounds good
D15M is the best!
absolutely no contest. D15M is the sound that touches my soul, simply sets the bar which no other quite makes it to.
I had a 2007 D-15 (no M). I sold it to help pay for a D-28, and now I am in the market for another D-15. I've sold a few guitars over the years, the only one I regret selling is the D-15.
The Martin has warm rich tones while the Taylor projects the sound more
Taylor wins hands down for me, that brightness is beautiful, also the guitar is much more beautiful in appearance, that grain is amazing
I agree, and im usually all about the martin.
The Taylor is quite ugly. Ebony bridges and fingerboards look awful on mahogany bodied instruments. Ew.
Same. That’s why I bought it
Martin all the way, ever and always
I have a D15....love it. Warm, rich, good bottom end, beautiful tone....Taylors are nice, but a bit "bright" for my tastes....
mallardgreen good to know, gonna go try both this weekend. Ive got respect for both brands, yes.. But I admit I only own a Taylor.......for now (?)
mallardgreen agreed. I have the Martin in this test, and my first thought when I heard the Taylor was "oh wow. there's so much more separation." Then I realized really, it was just a bit brighter in some areas, but for my playing style, I actually rather still like the Martin better. I'm looking more to be an acoustic guitarist, accompanying my voice, and the Martin just seems better for that.
Steve Davis Indeed. Keep on using that, then! I prefer Martin too
Fanboy alert!
If I wanted an all mahogany guitar it would be the Martin. Taylors just leave me cold in general. I have two Gibsons and a Martin.
I've been comparing Taylor and Martin quite a bit now for a week or two here (and so grateful to Tony for the format, which makes it much easier), and this is a case in which the Taylor's brightness doesn't bother me as much as it does on some other models; because of the mellowing of the mahogany, the brightness that Taylor is known for works very well with it here- one works to balance the other. I love it. The separation is great, and it doesn't sound like a harpsichord as many Taylors do.
Ive played both and theyre both awesome, but the resonanse and sparkle of the taylor is great for fingerpicking. And I think it feels a Bit more comfortable too. This is a great vid
Got my Guild D25 in the 70s second hand so i would tend to lean towards the Martin the martin sounds great in this video the Taylor sounds a bit tinny up to the Martin
Iam normally martin all the way, however in this instance the taylor sounds more focused in the mids and slightly brighter, taylor , for today's, the winner to my ears
I love the innovation and behind the scenes amazing stuff Taylor has done. I love the pushed mid range in the Taylor, works better for live playing. Rosewood and Koa is still my favorite tonewoods. More than mahogany
I own the 310 and I love it, the Martin sounds great too! It's wrong to say one is better than the other. I'm just a fan of the Taylor brightness, which I feel is a must for when you play with other people so you can be heard. This is a great video, very well done!
Lets put it this way, if people were guitars, Johnny Cash would be a Martin, and Willie Nelson would be a Taylor. One is deeper and fuller, and one is higher and lighter, however, they both sound good.
That's probably the best comparison. It's funny how some people say that a Martin has "empty sounding bass" when I consider it fuller sounding. It's why there's more than one manufacturer out there.
AR357 God would be the Martin , Antichrist would be the Taylor...
AR357 How come Willy plays a Martin?
guitarnut Del I meant the tone of the guitar. Willie plays Trigger because he's had it since the 60's.
He plays a classical with a very mellow tone. So this is kind of a confusing comparison haha
I have the Martin D15M. I love the tone. It seems warmer and fuller than the Taylor. I currently own 3 different Taylor guitars and I wanted something with a little different sound. When I picked up the D15M and played it, I was in love. It was exactly the sound and feel I was looking for. A great guitar!
Listening to this with my headphones on, the martin shook my soul with the bass. Taylors brightness can sometimes totally ruin a guitar's vibe.
I own this Martin and recommend it to anyone who has the money. I love it today as much as the day I bought it. The sound is beautiful for chords and fingerstyle.
Imagine how good that Martin is going to sound in 10 to 12 years from now!
Normally I prefer the warmer sound of the Martin, but in this demo, I prefer the taylor because the lows are more balanced with the mids. This martin seems a bit muddy to my ears.
Theodore Rogers i agree. martin sounds all boom and the taylor backs a bit down from the boom with a sparkle of mid & highs.
Theodore Rogers ditto
My sentiments exactly.
Agreed.
Agreed! I'm not a fan of Taylor's but in this comparison the Taylor has a more defined and balanced sound where as the Martin is pure mud!
The Taylor, definitely. Has more clarity and complexity and a balanced tonal spectrum. The Martin sounds boxier and, for lack of a better term, "dry." I actually tried these out side by side at a local music shop and came home with the Taylor. Not only for the tone, but also the feel and playability. What really cinched it was the fact that the Taylor also beat out out a D-18 and hung real well with a D-28. Anyway, I also got a great deal on it, so it was a keeper.
I have owned the Martin dc15me for over 16 years and its still my favorite guitar.
Thanks for what is the best and most useful comparison between two guitars that I have found on RUclips to date. The 'cutting' between the two models mid-song enables the viewer/listener to make useful judgements, and it is clear that every effort has been made to ensure that microphone placement and player's technique/attack do not alter between the two guitars. All of the comments from viewers are in general agreement - the Taylor is brighter with a fuller upper range. I doubt that I'd ever choose a mahogany topped acoustic, but for what it's worth, on the basis of this demonstration, the Taylor wins for me.
I owned a Taylor 114CE and traded it in for a Martin X1-DE... Taylor sounds and feels great (plays like an electric guitar!) but the sound just lacks something. Honestly when I play or hear a Taylor I start to feel drowsy after about 15 minutes, but a Martin keeps me upbeat and awake and allows me to enjoy what I hear.
The Martin sounds more resonant and powerful, whereas the Taylor sounds brighter and more jangly. I prefer the Martin, but I'd love to see two people playing these guitars together, that would sound incredible.
Tried extensively both,Martin definitely wins.Much more depht of sound and nicer to play,also the elixirs that the Taylor had on felt weird,I was interested in the Taylor as a replacement to the D15m that I own,but after trying it I am happy with the Martin
I think it's worth mentioning that the Martin has the 00-14 fret neck where as the Taylor has the standard 00-16.
I have the 320 , it was gifted to me.
With that said the thing rings like a bell and always impresses listeners. I really like both. However I couldn't imagine not having the 320 in my arsenal.
Martin wins EVERYTIME
Damn, I would have said Taylor won myself! Both lovely guitars
Thanx for demo..low registers on martin and the martin(Brand) strings plus its higher action contribute to a more massive tone. The sapele tonewoods on Taylor create a bright sound and its lower action(softer on feel) has something to do with a more controlled and almost balanced dynamics. btw i think elixir is what it strung it with..love both of this!
This has got to be the best layout for a comparison ive ever seen, Great Job. I would choose the taylors brighter sound while retaining the bass.
They both sound nice but I prefer the deep, dark warmth of the Martin best :)
Martin for me. Deeper richer sound.
Excellent comparison, it showcases the differences between the two guitars perfectly. I also like that there were no mic pre's or other effects in the signal chain.
The real question is, which sounds better un-mic'd 10~20ft away in a house show setting? In my experience, Martin's tend to fill a room and project better because they are darker and the bass-mid frequencies resonate longer, whereas Taylors have that nice chime and are brighter but don't sustain well.
MARTIN 👍👍👍
The real question here for the gigging musician is which one will cut through the mix better......?
I grew up in Bozeman. Can't believe I saw that t-shirt on the first video I watched on this topic :)
I closed my eyes and could tell immediately when he switched. That Taylor is way more vibrant. The trebles are higher and louder and you can really hear each note as he strums the chord. That's not to say the Martin sounded bad, the Martin just sounded more muffled (for lack of a better word) than the Taylor. Thanks for doing this ! What is the Washburn comparison to these two? Any idea?
I like the low end of the Taylor, it's more focused while the Martin is a bit boomy and cloudy. But the Martin has a fuller mid ranger for sure, and a silkier top end also. So overall, the Martin. I used to own one, but sold it to get a ticket to Japan to teach English. That was 15 years ago and I'm still in Japan and married to my dream girl, so I guess I wouldn't change a thing. But I miss that Martin, lol ...
Had the Taylor on my lap yesterday and immediately fell in love! Just the perfect sound for strumming... I so much want to buy this beauty :-) Others might still look a wee bit better (mahagony is not my favourite) but the sound is hard to beat. Conclusion: love at first sight and a big hole in my budget ;-)
Both sound great, but the Taylor has a fuller, brighter sound. Could it be the Elixir strings?
My experience with Martins is they always have their own mystique. The sound of my D-28 as compared to my friends exact same model D-28 not saying his has any lesser quality of sound it is just much different.
That Taylor takes the cake IMO GAAAAWD that thing sounds amazing! I like the sound of the Martin too, but I love the brightness of the Taylor, just a killer sound.
Two very different instruments. I like them both, but would probably prefer the taylor to cut though a mix with other instruments, but would prefer the Martin if it were to be heard either on its own or with only vocals. Great demo. Thanks!
What about the price? is it similar. Well there's no doubt that the Taylor sounds best in my ears
Love them both...but I love the Martin more.
I own the D15m, and I also a Gruhn special custom 0000-15M. It is bigger than the 000-15m, with a little more oomph, and more balanced (slightly less dark and bassy) than my D15m. I love both of them. You can't go wrong. I also have played the Taylor 320 at Russo's in Asbury Park. It is a winner and a great guitar. It would for sure be on my shopping list to try out if I were any of you looking at these hog tops.I happen to find the Martin neck more comfortable for me. One of you might prefer the Taylor neck. Play them both and decide - as an unconflicted bystander, you can not go wrong with either of these guitars. One last thing - the D15m can be bought anywhere from 40% off MSRP to 35% off MSRP (not MAP) once you get away from the big box stores. I am sure Acoustic Villa has great pricing, I'd give them a call if you are serious - they will be too.
Owned martins and taylors. Always loved both, particularly the Martin 15 series (OOO & OO guy). Both sound great and look classy. I prefer the Taylor's sound in this comparison.
Taylor killed it, sound is more clear and vibrant. Exaggerates every note(Taylor) and really punches in with that beautiful sound.
I love my all mahogany Guild D-20. After 2 years, it has mellowed out really nicely. It has a 12" fretboard radius, and a 1 & 11/16" nut width. I never understood why Martins have a 16" radius on all their guitars. Who buys a dread so they can bend strings?
The bottom end of both sounds roughly equal, but compared to the Martin, the Taylor's middle sounds flat (not in pitch but in presence) and the top sounds jangly. The Martin's tone is just more rounded and balanced throughout the range.
Prob the best comparison demo I've ever seen, great editing guys and good demonstration riffs and licks. Both guitars sound great, I happen to prefer the depth of the Martin.
Both have the signature tone of their brand. I prefer the Martin tone. Especially in a mahogany guitar. Both are fine guitars, it's just a matter of taste and preference. And the direction of your music.
I tried out the 320. Amazing sound and feel
"We don't recall any acoustic guitars - from any maker and at whatever price point - that have caused the stir that these two simple-looking 'brown' Martins have managed. But it's their total, non-frilled fitness for purpose that has galvanised us all into wanting one so much. They look brilliant, they play and sound individually amazing and at this price point their Guitarist Gold awards are the no-brainer of the century." -Guitarist Magazine
If you close your eyes you can hear when they change but honestly, I wouldn't be disappointed with either.
I thought that the Martin sounded a little "mushy" too bassey whereas the Taylor was "crisper" sounding I own a Martin J 40 and a Taylor 710ltd.
I am not a huge fan of Taylor guitars, I much prefer Martin personally, but going by this video the Taylor 320 sounds much better to my ears. It is much clearer and a lot warmer. Great video!
Good comparison, thanks! Depends what you like in your sound I think, both seem very nice guitars. Personally I prefer the fuller bass tones of the Martin. Taylor is brighter but sounded nearly tinny on a couple of the higher notes, lost the fullness of the tone. I'm hoping to buy a Martin D15M in the next few days though so I could be a little biased...
Playing with fingers the Taylor holds up well to the Martin and has a different character. The tone of the Taylor is shifted a bit away from the bass to the mid and upper mids with the treble tones still pleasing. There is a slightly better separation of notes with the Taylor, but the affect is so subtle as to be functionally useless. The Martin is louder.
Playing with a pick, the Taylor is noticeably harsher and the Martin does a better job here by still remaining musically organic.
Martin is the sound,rich and warm👍🏻
Definitely the Martin sounds better
They both sound amazing, think I prefer the Martin but that's only because I own it. If I woke up tomorrow and it magically turned into a Taylor I wouldn't lose any sleep, I would just play it.
It is subjective. Both are excellent. Personally I like warmth and bass (why I buy beats headphones) so I would chose the Martin but if I liked a more treble tone I would chose the Taylor. If I was rich I would buy both.
I like the Taylor better for the exact same reasons I chose my Taylor over a Martin. I was sold on a Martin back in 1995 and starting playing them all to figure out which one to buy. The guy at the guitar shop made me try out a Taylor and I was instantly sold. the Taylor also had the bass response and midrange voice but just had the extra brightness to it that I preferred. Since then, Taylor has become extremely popular which I assume is due to it's brightness.
I always wondered if it was just a pair of fresh strings that had me sold - but watching this comparison, it brings me right back to 1995
To my surprise the Martin sounded like a Martin and the Taylor sounded like a Taylor.. lol
I like the huge sound coming from the Martin.
Both are great for me. For a must comparison, D15 one, 320 nil. D15 does the coordination of all strings better.
Taylor is probably better for amplification, the Martin has a much more pronounced bass and a bit less upper mids and trebles (scooped sound, but the scooping is more on the uppers). I'd take the Martin, but I can definitely see how the Taylor is more useful in some situations.
I dig the MUSIC VILLA shirt! I also dig my 15 series Martin. Highly reccomend.
i'll go for martin d15
I actually prefered the Taylor overal, but it was just a tad to bright for my liking. I feel like the sound of the martin was alot warmer, and blended more evenly when playing chords.
Always great review s thanks Tony.
These guitars are as night and day. I feel the general difference between Martins and Taylors are displayed well here.
The Martin with the immediate thump and warmness and the Taylor with the more distant brilliance.
Martin guitars the "EPITOME" of all acoustic guitars in all aspects (PERIOD).
Couldn't agree more!
your deaf-- cuz theres a lot better axes out there
Way too subjective. Also, to most players they are not the Epitome in all aspects. They have their strengths and weaknesses. They certainly do have a balanced and warm tone though.
if your living in nashville and your an endorseeeee--- tell that to tony rice
the D-15M is honestly a great guitar if you like the traditional mid range/bass sound of a dreadnought