Both sound exceptional. The Martin sounded a little Taylor-like, in that it was very articulate and crisp, while the Taylor sounded somewhat Martin-like, with its warmth and rich bottom end. The best thing about the video is that it was a terrific demo of both instruments. Wish everyone who demos guitars would be as detailed in offering the many facets of what a quality acoustic guitars can offer, not just fingerpicking, not just strumming, but the whole gamut. Nice job!
Wow! This is my exact experience after owning a 717 and 914. Love the high strings of a Taylor, but much prefer the low end of Martins. Martin high end is thin and nonexistent for me.
Both sound great, but although the Martin is a decibel or so louder, I think the Taylor has a very pretty tonal blend to it! I'll go with the Taylor on this shootout!
Neck joint difference makes the martin sounds warmer. V bracing makes taylor more tight and responsive. Again, its all about perspective. Both are amazing!
This is a tough one, the Martin's warm tone and strong bottom end is familiar and pleasing, but the Taylor's well balanced sound with that gorgeous shimmer is beautiful. The guitar playing is great and really shows the strengths of these guitars. I don't think you can go wrong with either one of these.
Good ear, these two are amazing but have their slight nuances...to me Martin's are just incredibly consistent across the Highs and Lows and of course have that "Martin" sound...on the other hand the Taylor just pops out BUT the 914ce brings more consistency than the lower model Taylor's where IMO and to my ear the highs slightly (I mean slight) get washed out. There is no argument to be had here, they are both fantastic that you can literally NOT go wrong! Such beautiful instruments its unreal! 7:44 is a perfect example of what I am talking about when it comes to the Martin, notice how the Martin reacts to the heavier attack, the balance, the lows don't boom out over the highs..its all just there in an even texture. The Taylor will explode in sound when you produce a heavier attack and for me those slight nuances and the style of music you are playing will be the determining factor.
i listened with headphones without looking at the video - the balance of the 914ce is insane, note separation, especially on high frets sound phenomenal - sounds like a harp wow!!! and the harmonics - just unreal the martin is warm but it overpowers the tone and the highs get overwhelmed GA body is too big for me, i’m gonna save for a v class grand concert...in cocobolo...now that will be amazing!!!!!
That’s what I picked up as well I’m a Martin owner and I love them Some Taylors I’ve played we’re almost too clean and perfect for my tastes... almost clinical but great for recording. My Martins have great color and character and won’t be trading in, but that 914 is amazing
Love both... a lot ! I’m a Martin guy but I have to give to the Taylor in this comparison wider frequency range with insane articulation from top to bottom
How could you not like both of these guitars? That said, I am a Taylor man and part of that has to do with the play-ability. The necks on the Taylor line is just so consistent. There is not a bad choice here, both sound great. Great job on the review Chris. I can't say enough about how much I appreciate what Chris does on these demos. Thing is, whether you are interested in what he is reviewing or not, for a guitar nut, (no pun intended), I just love his reviews.
Thanks Chris for the beautiful playing. Makes me love my 914ce v braced Taylor even more. With a good acoustisonic amp you can get the darker tones that Martin's have from this guitar. I have a lower end Martin 000 Srreetmaster and love it too for the simplistic beauty and finger picking. Thanks again for the lunch time serenade!! 💜
The Taylor sounds very well balanced and more pronounced than the Martin. Although the Martin did provide a much "bigger" sound, the Taylor was overall much more responsive with each note ringing out even during those strummed chords.
Alamo... Guys I have watched many of your videos and find them informative and focused toward sound output more so than many other reviewers. Can I offer a suggestion? Do a RUclips study on mic placement. You tend to center your mic over the sound hole. The way sound pushes from the sound hole tends to contribute a bottom-end boom effect which is likely off from the sound you hear when you have the guitar on your lap. Many additional things will affect the final result, some of which I can see you've addressed in the video. I'm suspecting the Taylor likely provides a fuller low-mid than is exampled in the recording. The bottom pushes too hard and we miss the full experience. Thanks for another great video. :)
The Martin brings out stronger bass tones, and the Taylor is more pronounced in the midrange tones. High trebles on both are fine. Tonally, the Taylor is more balanced.
Interesting, each set of ears is as different as individual guitars Over my headphones I heard the opposite. To my ear the Taylor covered a wider range of frequencies with slightly less emphasis on midrange... more bass more highs without crowding, and I’m a Martin guy. The Martin had a slightly more even spread and slightly brassier tone imo. The bass coming from the Taylor was gorgeous without being too much... some I’ve played had too much bass and squashed the mods n highs...
I think they both sound wonderful; but, I love the Martin sound and am drawn to it. The Martin sounds like a Martin and the Taylor sounds like a Taylor. Each unique, but I'm not sure one is better than the other - personal preference would have to decide. I thing fingerstyle guitarists might lean more towards the Taylor. The Martin might excel at versatility. But both have beautiful tone and harmonics. It would be interesting to throw a Ryan into this comparison!
Ok I want one of each because they produce vastly different tones I am biased toward Martin and the sweet comforting overtones Taylor hits out of the park with clarity and distinct character of each string that will cut through the mix My impression also theTaylor is easier to play So Martin- solid gold, Taylor- platinum with diamonds
Good stuff. Great comparison back to back. Both sound really good. Definitely different tones so as to make a defined decision as to what type sound you like from your guitar.
Thanks so much again, Chris, for another super cool & informative review & demo! Definitely some of the best on the internet & one of my fave places to check out guitar info! Beautiful playing, as always! :) First I want to say that I absolutely love the smaller body style guitars...Grand Performance, Grand Concert, Grand Auditorium, 000, OM...for me, they are the perfect size. I've had a zillion dreads over the years, but now only purchase the smaller styles because they are so much easier to handle, & I love the sound & feel. Unless one is playing with a loud band, I really thinks most folks would be more than happy with the smaller sizes. I used to think that only dreads would give me a full sounding guitar, but I have a Martin GP & a Seagull Concert Hall, & I was shocked at how rich & full they sounded! Some say there is less bass & volume, but if there is, I really don't notice it, & I also feel that these smaller bodies have a more even sound. Anyway, on to these two. I also will take one of each!!! lol Well, a little out of my price league, but both are gorgeous instruments. Of course it's difficult to tell w/o playing in person, even with high quality speakers, but to my ears, the Taylor was fuller, richer, & more even & distinct. Thanks again for all of the time & effort you folks put into these vids! Janine
the class V definitely very clear and sharp on the highest notes, has been improved in sustain compared to its previous models and it has also improved the sound that is warmer on the low notes, but does not reach the low notes of martin, maybe it is wanted and maybe not, but that's what I noticed. but improvement of the class V comes much closer to the sound of the martin models of the past taylor. Hello from Italy
I sold my great Taylor GA BTO and bought a fantastic Martin OM45 Custom Shop. The Taylor was bright, clear, balanced, but without a soul. Martin is woody, nasal, charismatic. It's a matter of taste. Love it or leave it... Very good comparison. Thanx😗
Two guitars sound great. But there's an issue of top stability of v bracing under the 20th fret just above the soundhole, because of string tension. That area needs an upper faced brace to prevent a low warping or a tendency of collapsing in the future. Other point is ,how about if the truss rod is accessible above the soundhole. This observation is for other aspiring luthiers to adopt the vbracing pattern.
Your playing makes the Martin sound warm and better than the Taylor That has not been my experience with many other reviews. Still leaves me in a quandary . At this level best to own both lol
I recently purchased 714ce wsb v-class in the UK. Sounds amazing especially when I replaced the factory installed Elixir Nanoweb strings with Elixir Polyweb strings.
Interesting how the Martin 00042 has gone up in price in the last few years. I've seen it selling for about $6200.00 whereas the Taylor has remained the same price it was since introduced. I do indeed love both, however, if I had to choose just one, I personally love the warmer earthier tone of the Martin's. I have an OM28 MD and I just adore it. Would love to add the 42 though.
I want to say Taylor because they came out with such an revolutionary bracing pattern. But the Martin still has that warm I’m playing under the sun sound.
Fantastic sounding, beautifully crafted guitars. I found the Martin to have a warmer, fuller sound, with a nice botton-end. The Taylor had a wonderful melodic sound and outstanding sustainablity. For my personal taste, if I'm playing, writing finger style melodies, the Taylor would be my preference. If I'm playing rhythm guitar or need boom/projection and warmth, the Matrin would be my choice. Regardless of choice, they both would be a welcome addition to my stable. Thanks for comparing the guitars.
The familiar Martin sound is sweet. The Taylor with V bracing sounds "harp like" to my ears....not a bad thing.....very nice. So one really needs to get both guitars . :-)
Great demo and nice playing. Good mic setup too. I pretty much prefer the Taylor, which is why I’m about to buy one. But I would like to know whether the ‘reimagined’ 000-42 has the V profile neck, as I just couldn’t get on with the old model. Anybody know?
VERY NICE SONG and playing,,,,,, BUT,,,,, The switch should have been made sooner and many more times throughout so the distinct and subtle differences are easier for the untrained ear to hear,,,,,, and on simple computer speakers or head phones.I cant tell which is better as they are both masterpieces
The G bass on this OM-42 is absent. Many Martins especially Dreads with 25.4" scale have this issue when fingerpicked. I assume the issue comes from the ratio of the volume of the body and size of sound hole. OM is smaller and usually this issue is not that obvious somehow. My OM-35 is actually fine. On the other hand, 000s with 24.9" scale usually have B or Bb bass dead.
Both guitars are exceptional and while the tonal qualities are slightly different, they are magnificently balanced. So, I'll go with aesthetics and go with the Taylor.
From the very first strum I knew I liked the Martin much more than the Taylor. Nice comparo video. Can't afford guitars like this - not even close to being affordable for me. But I do enjoy these demo vids. Thumbs up
First, I love the playing and song. As for the guitars, it still boils down to the same old thing after all these years to me. If you like the muddy, "bassier" tone, you'll pick the Martin. If you like a more bright, clear tone, you'll choose the Taylor. To my ear, the Taylor was a lot more articulate all the way up the neck. I could hear each note with the same volume and resonance. So I'd pick the Taylor but I sure liked the Martin as well.
The Taylor seems to have a much improved sound from their former harpsicord like tones but the Martin retains that Grand piano like perfection we all love so much. Its a tough choice but I think the Taylor is finnally posing a legitimate competative edge with the revolutionary bracing producing a very beautiful full sound and for their bold move and true individual spirit I have to almost chose them,,,,,, BUT,,,, I am forced to pick both because they do sound so different yet each has gained that true mark of exellence that makes them actually compliment each other as necessary instruments for any ones collection.
I couldn't agree more. They sound quite different, but each complete/perfect in its own way. For me, choosing one over the other would come down to which one felt more resonant, more alive, in my hands while playing. But honestly, if I could afford it, based on listening to this comparison, I would own one of each and use them for different types of playing.
It's great to see positive opinions on both for a change. I also find each builder make great guitars, that cover different sonic spectrums in their own right. I've actually enjoyed using both a Martin and a Taylor on the same recording. They really compliment each other and make mixing that much easier, as there is less EQ and hard panning needed to separate the acoustic tracks from each other. Sometimes it feels like Chevy vs. Ford on some of these comparison videos, with each side attacking the other over who makes the best product. To each their own in the end, but you really can't go wrong with either brand, as long as you find the one you love to play.
@@musicmason I agree 100 percent. I own a 914ce (06) and I love it, but I also would like to have a Martin dread for contrast and different playing styles
I was surprised by the Taylor in that it has a very rich and full sound, very clean,clear,crisp and distinct. I thought I was going to prefer the Martin but after your comparison I like the sound of the a Taylor a bit more
I can tell you that i have owned, and played some of the best guitars in the world. As the former manager of a premium guitar shop, i love great guitars, and am also a fan of brevity. Taylor guitars have made a great contribution to the music world, and i love what bob and kurt have done in the last 40 years. My comment, for what it's worth, is that most Taylor guitars sound their best when new, but Martins generally improve with age. This recipe is a mystery to me...
max webster some have argued that the nitro finish off gassing and sinking into the wood over time can contribute to this. I think the thinner finishes Taylor is currently using may help with this as well. It is a bit of a mystery overall and may not really be the case when all is said and done. Martins from the 70’s aren’t that great and pre-war Martins are a very different thing. There are no 80 year old Taylors but I am super impressed some 30 year old Taylor’s I have played. YMMV - Chris
I always loved Taylor and Martin, but I have been most partial to the warmer and woodier, classic sounds of the Martin guitars. I own three Martins and two Taylors. The new 914CE in this video sounds just about as amazing as that Martin Reimagined OOO-42. I love the auditorium body guitars much more than the dreadnought when it comes to both the tones and comfort of playing when sitting down (which is why all my Taylor and Martin guitars are that body style). I will say I also got to demo a HD35 and that guitar sounded amazing as well.
This is a great video. The Taylor blows the Martin away in my opinion. We all know a Martin is a great guitar company and always has been. That said, Taylor keeps pushing the envelope and while it is subtle many times, it all adds up. The new V braced guitars are the best guitars I have ever played. Thank you Alamo for these great video's.
Like a few others have written, the Taylor has a much better balance. The Martin has a nice woody tone but the bass is a bit overpowering. I think the Taylor relief rout makes a big difference to tone and lets the top vibrate more, which gives it more shimmer. It just seems to be more together.
Crisper sounding Taylor. I have older Taylor 810 and this sounded fuller & richer. However, I would like to hear the Martin live as suspect we are missing the high end tones from a live demo.
Very good comparison of to very good instruments. Good but different in sound and tone so maybe not fare to compare at all? The playability would also be a issue for many players. Little bit hard for me to explain my feelings here because I have not English for my first language. I have my favorite without any doubts and maybe because I have played a Martin 00028 sense 1978 so I will go for the Martin but if I ever come around Alamo Music Center I will ask if it’s possible to try a Taylor.
Taylor by a country mile, it’s amazing how far in the dust is leaves the high end Martin... I guess you don’t have to wait a hundred years for a Taylor to start sounding good... that grin after Taylor amazing grace is priceless.
I like the sound of the Taylor. I have one. I spent two hours in a store this weekend comparing high end Martins to the Taylor I would trade for one. The Martin was more comfortable to play, but the Taylor flat out sounded better and I took it home.
As with every Taylor vs Martin comparison I've ever heard the result is consistent: Martin has a big boomy low end but lacks the upper harmonics. The Taylor is not quite as boomy in the low end but rings like a bell. Not just my subjective opinion: it shows up in the freq spectrum as a +/-3dB difference; slight but measurable.
I love the Taylor a bit more when picked and the Martin a bit more strummed. So I need to finde a sponsor who give sme both of them :-). The look of the Taylor is nearly unstoppable.
Wow, to my ears the Taylor has a much more vibrant, brighter sound that is patently obvious. The Martin is more subdued, more mellow, with a deep martin sound that you expect from Martin. I have a 2018 Taylor 914 CE as well as a Martin 2015 HD 28, and I notice the same qualities. Lastly, I must say, I love both guitars!
This is Thomas from Germany :) ... Chris thanks for all your great videos. They are all very informative and well arranged. I really like both instruments as all do when reading the comments below. However, the Taylor is really impressing with the strong bass and the clarity and presence at higher registers. By the way: What instrumental did you play at the end? I will get a 614ce Builders Edition tomorrow. I am really excited to see what it will sound like. There is no video on youtube yet.
I have tried a number of Taylor's + they all seem to have too much "Midrange" for my liking. I am a longtime Martin guy owning 4 + quite happy. Certainly the Taylor's are well made + look great, but i gotta stick with my Martin's. Nice job on comparison.
Both are great guitars. To me the Taylor seems to have quite a bit of bass but the midrange and especially treble seem a bit muted. Of course it could be the tune that he is playing that causes that. The Martin has that sweetness that I love. Believe me I would be happy with either one of these guitars or both!
Well I brought home the 914ce yesterday. It is by far the best guitar I have ever played. Crispy clear yet mellow warm tonality. I know, I know, at 5k it better sound amazing 😉. But I played five guitars in the 3-6k price range and found the 914 had the best overall sound and neck action of all. It was so much better than the rest I actually played better because I didn’t want to miss a note in honor of the guitar and the craftsmanship that went into it. I think you get what I mean. My apologies to the Alamo as I found this review after my purchase.
From my own experience this is my own opinion. Despite the best efforts it is impossible to record the magic of an acoustic guitar. Recording are essentially the result of careful EQ, compression and tonal interpretation of the engineer. We all know this. Both guitars featured here are superb angles of tone. At this level of quality sound is influenced more by the player and strings than craftsmanship. It’s just a matter of personal preference and brand loyalty.
The Martin makes feel warm and fuzzy inside. It sounds more like a high end instrument. It depends on the type of music you play. If I could only afford one it would be the Martin. It has more character.
Taylor gets one more point for it's beauty, where martin might looks old but sounds mystical and has a feel, vibe, pain whatever you can say. Both are great guitars i will definitely want to own each of these guitars
Until this video, I've rarely heard a comparable Taylor/Martin comparison where the Taylor was so clearly superior to the Martin. Granted, my opinion is limited to these two specific guitars and not a model or builder in general.
Hmmm. Let me start by saying Martin sounds better IMO. Taylor base is a bit too muddy. The Martin is better balanced. Taylor trebles are very nice. MIds are ok. Martins base mids and trebles all excellent. Great job comparing by the way!!!!
Martin by a country mile, it's amazing how far in the dust it leaves the high end Taylor. The Taylor has more in the high midrange but it makes it sound a little harsh. The Martin has that..that..SOUND. Love it.
depends on your style of music, for heavy strumming I'd probably take the martin, for finger picking or light strumming I think the Taylor blows the martin away, all subjective to personal taste I guess
Wow very good comparison I'm partial to Taylor cause they are so easy to play but thru my speaker on my phone they were very close in sound I have a pretty good music ear I can usually Kno a martin but they are very close.
First comparison video for the V-Class bracing after reading so much about it. I was honestly expecting the 914ce to sound better going in and I’m surprised to say the Martin sounded so much better to my ear. Both great guitars though!
7:30. Chris is softening up his attack and not letting the Martin do it’s thing. It sounds muffled against the Taylor which isn’t a good comparison. The playing style has a lot to do with how these two compare. Both of these guitars are new. Out of the box, Martin Sitka tops are known to be tight and not yet mature in their complexity. You have to hit them hard at first. Taylor’s tend to be a little more played in out of the box. A head to head at this juncture isn’t going to tell you much. Chris seems to have a player’s bias for the Taylor (he owns a 914) and seems to struggle with the Martin neck, a very different animal than the Taylor. I own an OM42 in Koa/Sitka. Besides being stunning to the eye, It’s 16 years old and an acoustic cannon with tone from heaven. I also own an 8 yr old 814C (essentially the same as 914 just less bling) and it is the best overall sounding-playing guitar ever. This comparison is fun to watch. Chris is a wonderful player and does well with both guitars. But the comparison is a little hollow as these two are totally different instruments. My OM42 is stellar and a lifetime guitar. My 814C is like an old friend but if I had to release one of them the Taylor would go, not without tears though.
Everything I’ve heard about V-class makes sense now the overtones are a lot cleaner on the Taylor than the Martin though both were still beautiful and I plan on buying higher end guitar from both manufacturers!😁
The Martin is warm and woody, the Taylor sparkles with harmonic fullness.
Great guitars
Wouldn't be an Alamo guitar video without ending everything with a sweet rendition of Amazing Grace
Both sound exceptional. The Martin sounded a little Taylor-like, in that it was very articulate and crisp, while the Taylor sounded somewhat Martin-like, with its warmth and rich bottom end. The best thing about the video is that it was a terrific demo of both instruments. Wish everyone who demos guitars would be as detailed in offering the many facets of what a quality acoustic guitars can offer, not just fingerpicking, not just strumming, but the whole gamut. Nice job!
I would like to have first 3 strings of Martin and last 3 strings of Taylor.
Wow! This is my exact experience after owning a 717 and 914. Love the high strings of a Taylor, but much prefer the low end of Martins. Martin high end is thin and nonexistent for me.
Both sound great, but although the Martin is a decibel or so louder, I think the Taylor has a very pretty tonal blend to it! I'll go with the Taylor on this shootout!
Neck joint difference makes the martin sounds warmer. V bracing makes taylor more tight and responsive. Again, its all about perspective. Both are amazing!
Rob MDS Taylor all the way
Any guitar playing fanatic would want both ! Taylor just released the 700 series with V braces and they sound good as well.
This is a tough one, the Martin's warm tone and strong bottom end is familiar and pleasing, but the Taylor's well balanced sound with that gorgeous shimmer is beautiful.
The guitar playing is great and really shows the strengths of these guitars.
I don't think you can go wrong with either one of these.
Good ear, these two are amazing but have their slight nuances...to me Martin's are just incredibly consistent across the Highs and Lows and of course have that "Martin" sound...on the other hand the Taylor just pops out BUT the 914ce brings more consistency than the lower model Taylor's where IMO and to my ear the highs slightly (I mean slight) get washed out. There is no argument to be had here, they are both fantastic that you can literally NOT go wrong! Such beautiful instruments its unreal!
7:44 is a perfect example of what I am talking about when it comes to the Martin, notice how the Martin reacts to the heavier attack, the balance, the lows don't boom out over the highs..its all just there in an even texture.
The Taylor will explode in sound when you produce a heavier attack and for me those slight nuances and the style of music you are playing will be the determining factor.
area49g ok Taylor made my day
i listened with headphones without looking at the video - the balance of the 914ce is insane, note separation, especially on high frets sound phenomenal - sounds like a harp wow!!! and the harmonics - just unreal
the martin is warm but it overpowers the tone and the highs get overwhelmed
GA body is too big for me, i’m gonna save for a v class grand concert...in cocobolo...now that will be amazing!!!!!
zeeb0w Me too! I hope it's gonna be available soon.. it will be a dream guitar!! 912 GC V brace oh gosh 😄
That’s what I picked up as well
I’m a Martin owner and I love them
Some Taylors I’ve played we’re almost too clean and perfect for my tastes... almost clinical but great for recording. My Martins have great color and character and won’t be trading in, but that 914 is amazing
I will take one of each.
Ha! Excellent decision, Gordon. I would be more than happy to point you in the right direction!
Love both... a lot !
I’m a Martin guy but I have to give to the Taylor in this comparison
wider frequency range with insane articulation from top to bottom
I own a Taylor guitar. And I prefer Taylor, but the Martin is very nice as well. Both are very high end, It would be a pleasure to have either one.
How could you not like both of these guitars? That said, I am a Taylor man and part of that has to do with the play-ability.
The necks on the Taylor line is just so consistent. There is not a bad choice here, both sound great. Great job on the review Chris. I can't say enough about how much I appreciate what Chris does on these demos. Thing is, whether you are interested in what he is reviewing or not, for a guitar nut, (no pun intended), I just love his reviews.
Thanks Chris for the beautiful playing. Makes me love my 914ce v braced Taylor even more. With a good acoustisonic amp you can get the darker tones that Martin's have from this guitar. I have a lower end Martin 000 Srreetmaster and love it too for the simplistic beauty and finger picking.
Thanks again for the lunch time serenade!! 💜
|||(1)||| 3:56 Martin vs 2:10 Taylor |||(2)||| 5:18 Taylor vs 5:47 Martin ||||(3)||| 6:19 Taylor vs 7:18 Martin |||(4)||| 8:14 Taylor vs 9:03 Martin
The Martin, just reaches out and touches the soul. Feels like the guitar, it's self, is weeping.
Terrific playing, Chris!
The Taylor sounds very well balanced and more pronounced than the Martin. Although the Martin did provide a much "bigger" sound, the Taylor was overall much more responsive with each note ringing out even during those strummed chords.
Alamo... Guys I have watched many of your videos and find them informative and focused toward sound output more so than many other reviewers.
Can I offer a suggestion? Do a RUclips study on mic placement. You tend to center your mic over the sound hole. The way sound pushes from the sound hole tends to contribute a bottom-end boom effect which is likely off from the sound you hear when you have the guitar on your lap. Many additional things will affect the final result, some of which I can see you've addressed in the video.
I'm suspecting the Taylor likely provides a fuller low-mid than is exampled in the recording. The bottom pushes too hard and we miss the full experience.
Thanks for another great video. :)
The Martin brings out stronger bass tones, and the Taylor is more pronounced in the midrange tones. High trebles on both are fine. Tonally, the Taylor is more balanced.
Interesting, each set of ears is as different as individual guitars
Over my headphones I heard the opposite. To my ear the Taylor covered a wider range of frequencies with slightly less emphasis on midrange... more bass more highs without crowding, and I’m a Martin guy. The Martin had a slightly more even spread and slightly brassier tone imo. The bass coming from the Taylor was gorgeous without being too much... some I’ve played had too much bass and squashed the mods n highs...
I think they both sound wonderful; but, I love the Martin sound and am drawn to it. The Martin sounds like a Martin and the Taylor sounds like a Taylor. Each unique, but I'm not sure one is better than the other - personal preference would have to decide.
I thing fingerstyle guitarists might lean more towards the Taylor. The Martin might excel at versatility. But both have beautiful tone and harmonics.
It would be interesting to throw a Ryan into this comparison!
Ok I want one of each because they produce vastly different tones
I am biased toward Martin and the sweet comforting overtones
Taylor hits out of the park with clarity and distinct character of each string that will cut through the mix
My impression also theTaylor is easier to play
So Martin- solid gold, Taylor- platinum with diamonds
Ha! don't we all? We can certainly make this a reality for you!
Good stuff. Great comparison back to back. Both sound really good. Definitely different tones so as to make a defined decision as to what type sound you like from your guitar.
Thanks so much again, Chris, for another super cool & informative review & demo! Definitely some of the best on the internet & one of my fave places to check out guitar info! Beautiful playing, as always! :) First I want to say that I absolutely love the smaller body style guitars...Grand Performance, Grand Concert, Grand Auditorium, 000, OM...for me, they are the perfect size. I've had a zillion dreads over the years, but now only purchase the smaller styles because they are so much easier to handle, & I love the sound & feel. Unless one is playing with a loud band, I really thinks most folks would be more than happy with the smaller sizes. I used to think that only dreads would give me a full sounding guitar, but I have a Martin GP & a Seagull Concert Hall, & I was shocked at how rich & full they sounded! Some say there is less bass & volume, but if there is, I really don't notice it, & I also feel that these smaller bodies have a more even sound. Anyway, on to these two. I also will take one of each!!! lol Well, a little out of my price league, but both are gorgeous instruments. Of course it's difficult to tell w/o playing in person, even with high quality speakers, but to my ears, the Taylor was fuller, richer, & more even & distinct. Thanks again for all of the time & effort you folks put into these vids! Janine
the class V definitely very clear and sharp on the highest notes, has been improved in sustain compared to its previous models and it has also improved the sound that is warmer on the low notes, but does not reach the low notes of martin, maybe it is wanted and maybe not, but that's what I noticed. but improvement of the class V comes much closer to the sound of the martin models of the past taylor.
Hello from Italy
I sold my great Taylor GA BTO and bought a fantastic Martin OM45 Custom Shop. The Taylor was bright, clear, balanced, but without a soul. Martin is woody, nasal, charismatic. It's a matter of taste. Love it or leave it...
Very good comparison. Thanx😗
Two guitars sound great. But there's an issue of top stability of v bracing under the 20th fret just above the soundhole, because of string tension. That area needs an upper faced brace to prevent a low warping or a tendency of collapsing in the future. Other point is ,how about if the truss rod is accessible above the soundhole. This observation is for other aspiring luthiers to adopt the vbracing pattern.
this is the video i am waiting for ^^ thanks
Your playing makes the Martin sound warm and better than the Taylor
That has not been my experience with many other reviews.
Still leaves me in a quandary .
At this level best to own both lol
I recently purchased 714ce wsb v-class in the UK. Sounds amazing especially when I replaced the factory installed Elixir Nanoweb strings with Elixir Polyweb strings.
How would you describe the difference in the two? I've got the "nano" strings still on my new 714ce I've had for about 9 months.
When played properly together, these sound great! Martin strumming in the background with Taylor doing lead! Nothing beats it
Interesting how the Martin 00042 has gone up in price in the last few years. I've seen it selling for about $6200.00 whereas the Taylor has remained the same price it was since introduced. I do indeed love both, however, if I had to choose just one, I personally love the warmer earthier tone of the Martin's. I have an OM28 MD and I just adore it. Would love to add the 42 though.
I want to say Taylor because they came out with such an revolutionary bracing pattern. But the Martin still has that warm I’m playing under the sun sound.
Fantastic sounding, beautifully crafted guitars. I found the Martin to have a warmer, fuller sound, with a nice botton-end. The Taylor had a wonderful melodic sound and outstanding sustainablity. For my personal taste, if I'm playing, writing finger style melodies, the Taylor would be my preference. If I'm playing rhythm guitar or need boom/projection and warmth, the Matrin would be my choice. Regardless of choice, they both would be a welcome addition to my stable.
Thanks for comparing the guitars.
They're different but I can't choose between them - wish I could afford both - great video, lovely guitars
The familiar Martin sound is sweet. The Taylor with V bracing sounds "harp like" to my ears....not a bad thing.....very nice. So one really needs to get both guitars . :-)
Great demo and nice playing. Good mic setup too. I pretty much prefer the Taylor, which is why I’m about to buy one. But I would like to know whether the ‘reimagined’ 000-42 has the V profile neck, as I just couldn’t get on with the old model. Anybody know?
The bass on the Taylor is just killer and for that reason, it gets my vote
Both sound very different and both sound gorgeous in there own way, hell I wish I own both :)
The player (here Chris) makes them both gorgeous sounding.
Prices have skyrocketed and I'm not sure the Martin is now worth more than $2000 over the Taylor?
VERY NICE SONG and playing,,,,,, BUT,,,,, The switch should have been made sooner and many more times throughout so the distinct and subtle differences are easier for the untrained ear to hear,,,,,, and on simple computer speakers or head phones.I cant tell which is better as they are both masterpieces
The G bass on this OM-42 is absent. Many Martins especially Dreads with 25.4" scale have this issue when fingerpicked. I assume the issue comes from the ratio of the volume of the body and size of sound hole. OM is smaller and usually this issue is not that obvious somehow. My OM-35 is actually fine. On the other hand, 000s with 24.9" scale usually have B or Bb bass dead.
I want that Taylor so badly.
I think the Martin sounds more richer. Thanks for this wonderful comparison.
The v bracing just allows for a wider range of tone, you can hear all notes equally well
Both guitars are exceptional and while the tonal qualities are slightly different, they are magnificently balanced. So, I'll go with aesthetics and go with the Taylor.
From the very first strum I knew I liked the Martin much more than the Taylor. Nice comparo video. Can't afford guitars like this - not even close to being affordable for me. But I do enjoy these demo vids. Thumbs up
First, I love the playing and song. As for the guitars, it still boils down to the same old thing after all these years to me. If you like the muddy, "bassier" tone, you'll pick the Martin. If you like a more bright, clear tone, you'll choose the Taylor. To my ear, the Taylor was a lot more articulate all the way up the neck. I could hear each note with the same volume and resonance. So I'd pick the Taylor but I sure liked the Martin as well.
The Taylor seems to have a much improved sound from their former harpsicord like tones but the Martin retains that Grand piano like perfection we all love so much. Its a tough choice but I think the Taylor is finnally posing a legitimate competative edge with the revolutionary bracing producing a very beautiful full sound and for their bold move and true individual spirit I have to almost chose them,,,,,, BUT,,,, I am forced to pick both because they do sound so different yet each has gained that true mark of exellence that makes them actually compliment each other as necessary instruments for any ones collection.
I couldn't agree more. They sound quite different, but each complete/perfect in its own way. For me, choosing one over the other would come down to which one felt more resonant, more alive, in my hands while playing. But honestly, if I could afford it, based on listening to this comparison, I would own one of each and use them for different types of playing.
It's great to see positive opinions on both for a change. I also find each builder make great guitars, that cover different sonic spectrums in their own right.
I've actually enjoyed using both a Martin and a Taylor on the same recording. They really compliment each other and make mixing that much easier, as there is less EQ and hard panning needed to separate the acoustic tracks from each other.
Sometimes it feels like Chevy vs. Ford on some of these comparison videos, with each side attacking the other over who makes the best product. To each their own in the end, but you really can't go wrong with either brand, as long as you find the one you love to play.
@@musicmason I agree 100 percent. I own a 914ce (06) and I love it, but I also would like to have a Martin dread for contrast and different playing styles
I was surprised by the Taylor in that it has a very rich and full sound, very clean,clear,crisp and distinct. I thought I was going to prefer the Martin but after your comparison I like the sound of the a Taylor a bit more
I can tell you that i have owned, and played some of the best guitars in the world. As the former manager of a premium guitar shop, i love great guitars, and am also a fan of brevity. Taylor guitars have made a great contribution to the music world, and i love what bob and kurt have done in the last 40 years. My comment, for what it's worth, is that most Taylor guitars sound their best when new, but Martins generally improve with age. This recipe is a mystery to me...
max webster some have argued that the nitro finish off gassing and sinking into the wood over time can contribute to this. I think the thinner finishes Taylor is currently using may help with this as well. It is a bit of a mystery overall and may not really be the case when all is said and done. Martins from the 70’s aren’t that great and pre-war Martins are a very different thing. There are no 80 year old Taylors but I am super impressed some 30 year old Taylor’s I have played. YMMV - Chris
I always loved Taylor and Martin, but I have been most partial to the warmer and woodier, classic sounds of the Martin guitars. I own three Martins and two Taylors. The new 914CE in this video sounds just about as amazing as that Martin Reimagined OOO-42. I love the auditorium body guitars much more than the dreadnought when it comes to both the tones and comfort of playing when sitting down (which is why all my Taylor and Martin guitars are that body style). I will say I also got to demo a HD35 and that guitar sounded amazing as well.
I'm assuming both guitars have the same exact strings and gauge for proper comparison
Both guitars sound amazing , but I think I would choose the Taylor, so much balance up and down the neck. The Martin 000 42 has a really warm sound.
This is a great video. The Taylor blows the Martin away in my opinion. We all know a Martin is a great guitar company and always has been. That said, Taylor keeps pushing the envelope and while it is subtle many times, it all adds up. The new V braced guitars are the best guitars I have ever played. Thank you Alamo for these great video's.
What is the first song？Beautiful chords.
Like a few others have written, the Taylor has a much better balance. The Martin has a nice woody tone but the bass is a bit overpowering. I think the Taylor relief rout makes a big difference to tone and lets the top vibrate more, which gives it more shimmer. It just seems to be more together.
Crisper sounding Taylor. I have older Taylor 810 and this sounded fuller & richer. However, I would like to hear the Martin live as suspect we are missing the high end tones from a live demo.
It would be helpful on any review of acoustic guitars that the type and gauge of the strings in use be stated.
Very good comparison of to very good instruments. Good but different in sound and tone so maybe not fare to compare at all?
The playability would also be a issue for many players. Little bit hard for me to explain my feelings here because I have not English for my first language. I have my favorite without any doubts and maybe because I have played a Martin 00028 sense 1978 so I will go for the Martin but if I ever come around Alamo Music Center I will ask if it’s possible to try a Taylor.
Taylor by a country mile, it’s amazing how far in the dust is leaves the high end Martin... I guess you don’t have to wait a hundred years for a Taylor to start sounding good... that grin after Taylor amazing grace is priceless.
I agree the Taylor is definitely the overall better sounding guitar between these two
With your playing, I'm sure you could even make a broomstick with 3 strings sound fine :)
Many thanks!
I like the sound of the Taylor. I have one. I spent two hours in a store this weekend comparing high end Martins to the Taylor I would trade for one. The Martin was more comfortable to play, but the Taylor flat out sounded better and I took it home.
I'm picking my Taylor up this week. I'm sold..
As with every Taylor vs Martin comparison I've ever heard the result is consistent: Martin has a big boomy low end but lacks the upper harmonics. The Taylor is not quite as boomy in the low end but rings like a bell. Not just my subjective opinion: it shows up in the freq spectrum as a +/-3dB difference; slight but measurable.
I love the Taylor a bit more when picked and the Martin a bit more strummed. So I need to finde a sponsor who give sme both of them :-). The look of the Taylor is nearly unstoppable.
Nice but that should have been compared against an OM with an equal scale length, the OOO will of course be darker with the short scale
Wow, to my ears the Taylor has a much more vibrant, brighter sound that is patently obvious. The Martin is more subdued, more mellow, with a deep martin sound that you expect from Martin. I have a 2018 Taylor 914 CE as well as a Martin 2015 HD 28, and I notice the same qualities. Lastly, I must say, I love both guitars!
This is Thomas from Germany :) ... Chris thanks for all your great videos. They are all very informative and well arranged. I really like both instruments as all do when reading the comments below. However, the Taylor is really impressing with the strong bass and the clarity and presence at higher registers. By the way: What instrumental did you play at the end? I will get a 614ce Builders Edition tomorrow. I am really excited to see what it will sound like. There is no video on youtube yet.
The warmer martin is my choice. I would love to own a 000 42
Well we can certainly make that happen for you!
Alamo Music Center only if you have a lot of money.😥
finishim100 i know right? I will buy when i sell my car
Lu Ag my cars is cheaper.
finishim100 😂 💀
Own Both High end Martins and Taylors, Taylor great stage guitar fun and easy to play great plugged, UNPLUGGED not even close Martin by a mile.
not between these two!...the Martin lacks the complexity of the Taylor.
I have tried a number of Taylor's + they all seem to have too much "Midrange" for my liking.
I am a longtime Martin guy owning 4 + quite happy.
Certainly the Taylor's are well made + look great, but i gotta stick with my Martin's.
Nice job on comparison.
Both are great guitars. To me the Taylor seems to have quite a bit of bass but the midrange and especially treble seem a bit muted. Of course it could be the tune that he is playing that causes that. The Martin has that sweetness that I love. Believe me I would be happy with either one of these guitars or both!
Well I brought home the 914ce yesterday. It is by far the best guitar I have ever played. Crispy clear yet mellow warm tonality. I know, I know, at 5k it better sound amazing 😉. But I played five guitars in the 3-6k price range and found the 914 had the best overall sound and neck action of all. It was so much better than the rest I actually played better because I didn’t want to miss a note in honor of the guitar and the craftsmanship that went into it. I think you get what I mean. My apologies to the Alamo as I found this review after my purchase.
Hey Chris I like your style how you play the guitar it's amazing.
From my own experience this is my own opinion.
Despite the best efforts it is impossible to record the magic of an acoustic guitar. Recording are essentially the result of careful EQ, compression and tonal interpretation of the engineer. We all know this.
Both guitars featured here are superb angles of tone. At this level of quality sound is influenced more by the player and strings than craftsmanship.
It’s just a matter of personal preference and brand loyalty.
Great picking ... both sound great
The Martin makes feel warm and fuzzy inside. It sounds more like a high end instrument. It depends on the type of music you play. If I could only afford one it would be the Martin. It has more character.
Both sound killer! :)
Agreed!
My new Taylor 314ce V Special with tortrified spruce top is Incredible
Taylor gets one more point for it's beauty, where martin might looks old but sounds mystical and has a feel, vibe, pain whatever you can say. Both are great guitars i will definitely want to own each of these guitars
The Taylor sounds more perfect..almost too much so...like a software emulation. The Martin sounds more alive, wooden and complex. Both are amazing.
I like the Taylor a little more than the Martin, but both sound terrific.
Taylor is getting closer to the Martin round tone with V-class and I’m not bias I own 3 of each brand.
I'll take the taylor (biased though as I have a 2017 614ce)
Until this video, I've rarely heard a comparable Taylor/Martin comparison where the Taylor was so clearly superior to the Martin. Granted, my opinion is limited to these two specific guitars and not a model or builder in general.
Hmmm. Let me start by saying Martin sounds better IMO. Taylor base is a bit too muddy. The Martin is better balanced. Taylor trebles are very nice. MIds are ok. Martins base mids and trebles all excellent. Great job comparing by the way!!!!
Taylor was spot on.
Martin had that spirit.
Taylor - LeBron
Martin - Jordan
Taylor wins
Martin totally wins. Bolt on neck ruins the design
Lets make Taylor Kobe.
Martin by a country mile, it's amazing how far in the dust it leaves the high end Taylor.
The Taylor has more in the high midrange but it makes it sound a little harsh. The Martin has that..that..SOUND. Love it.
depends on your style of music, for heavy strumming I'd probably take the martin, for finger picking or light strumming I think the Taylor blows the martin away, all subjective to personal taste I guess
Wow very good comparison I'm partial to Taylor cause they are so easy to play but thru my speaker on my phone they were very close in sound I have a pretty good music ear I can usually Kno a martin but they are very close.
Would be equally happy with either. Too close to have a preference.
Taylor's just got it I love Martin's... it's hard for me to explain the ear sounds I hear
First comparison video for the V-Class bracing after reading so much about it. I was honestly expecting the 914ce to sound better going in and I’m surprised to say the Martin sounded so much better to my ear. Both great guitars though!
Your wrong Taylor is much much better sounding
The Taylor 914ce is just one of the best sounding best built acoustic guitar out there . The taylor has perfect balance atleast in this video
Beautiful playing
7:30. Chris is softening up his attack and not letting the Martin do it’s thing. It sounds muffled against the Taylor which isn’t a good comparison. The playing style has a lot to do with how these two compare. Both of these guitars are new. Out of the box, Martin Sitka tops are known to be tight and not yet mature in their complexity. You have to hit them hard at first. Taylor’s tend to be a little more played in out of the box. A head to head at this juncture isn’t going to tell you much. Chris seems to have a player’s bias for the Taylor (he owns a 914) and seems to struggle with the Martin neck, a very different animal than the Taylor.
I own an OM42 in Koa/Sitka. Besides being stunning to the eye, It’s 16 years old and an acoustic cannon with tone from heaven. I also own an 8 yr old 814C (essentially the same as 914 just less bling) and it is the best overall sounding-playing guitar ever. This comparison is fun to watch. Chris is a wonderful player and does well with both guitars. But the comparison is a little hollow as these two are totally different instruments. My OM42 is stellar and a lifetime guitar. My 814C is like an old friend but if I had to release one of them the Taylor would go, not without tears though.
Great.. thank you.
You ought to have a playlist of just music
Everything I’ve heard about V-class makes sense now the overtones are a lot cleaner on the Taylor than the Martin though both were still beautiful and I plan on buying higher end guitar from both manufacturers!😁
I’ll choose the Taylor 914 due to sounds and neck and nice for solo for acoustic
I’ve always been a Martin guy but played a 914ce today and I’m converted. Taylor just has a much more clear tone and I feel like it plays easier