We musicians are very fortunate to have great guitar companies providing us with these wonderful (all individual sounding) instruments. :-) Nice demo guys.
Very interesting! The comparison at the end with smooth transitions from one guitar to another and the identity of each guitar onscreen while it is being played is the most valuable online comparison I've seen!
I own both a D18 and a Standard J45. Both are great guitars. Neither is “better” than the other. It’s a personal thing. I like them both for what they do.
Without any bias of label, the Martin is the dominant guitar here. Of course this isn't supposed to be a comparison. Just making an observation. Nothing to do with projection or volume. It's simply the most balanced guitar.
I have to agree with you, I was looking at the taylor, wanting it to be best, but you can't feel the low end like you can with the martin, and then turn around and on the gibson the high sounds muffled. The one thing the Taylor does bring is a very clearly different sound. The Martin and the Gibson sounded quite alike, but the Taylor was clearly different.
I got a 2019 j 45 standard. The guy has tried to buy it back twice and has an open offer for me to sell it back. It is an incredible sampling of the batches they have been making as of late. My family is a martin family. I also own a martin. But the newer j45 is special...
@@garrettchristopher3462 There's no reason to be an "either/ or" player. They're both amazing. I like Matins for songs that make me want to laugh, Gibsons for songs that make me want to cry.
I don't want any more than one good acoustic - they're too much maintenance to keep them in the right humidity range where I live. My one good guitar (2019 J45 std.) gets all my time.
I just met a girl named Taylor. We had a few dates. She was beautiful, in an understated way. Curves in all the right places. Impeccably put together and fine to the touch. Her neck was smooth. But there was something missing. There was no chemistry. In my mind, I wanted to love her, but my heart just wasn’t there. Was she too well balanced and too refined? Was her voice too thin? Did she lack character? I kept longing for my old girl (Martina), with her undeniable presence. Martina had an imposing bottom end and a growl when pushed. Complex yet reliable, her moods were various. She was versatile and suited many styles. Martina had charm. A little out of control at times, but exciting! She had character and when she was in a room, you noticed her. She stood out. So I broke it off with Taylor and went back to Martina ... The above summarizes my recent purchase and return of a Taylor 517 Grand Pacific. “Martina” is my Martin DR Centennial (VTS Adirondack top, rosewood back and sides). I never truly left her. I was just straying for a while. I have a tremendous amount of respect for Taylor guitars and Andy Powers. Instead of copying, they are forging their own path and taking guitar design and manufacture down a new, untrodden path. This takes vision and courage, which is admirable, and from which we will all, I have no doubt, benefit as players and lovers of acoustic guitars. The Taylor 517 Grand Pacific’s fit and finish is top notch, using the finest materials. Intonation is spot on and the string balance is even up the entire fret board and across strings. The tone is slightly rounded and has reasonable complexity, with nice overtones. The sound is somewhat compressed and very much under control. This would be an ideal studio guitar, as I am sure it would record beautifully. It would also nicely complement the singer songwriter. However, for the guitar player, live and unplugged, which is how I play, the evenness can come across as bland and uninteresting. This, of course, is very subjective. Beauty remains in the eye of the beholder and your experience may be different. Though not a keeper for me, the Taylor 517 Grand Pacific is a fine addition to the excellent choices now available. We live in great times for the acoustic guitar buyer. My next date is with a Martin Modern Deluxe D-18. I am very excited ....
great perspective and description, as a long time Taylor fan and proud 914 owner, I am torn between the 717. builders and a Martin D 35 as my next guitar, I appreciate your description and open mindedness towards both brands
I don’t quite understand why Taylor can’t bring the real depth and warmth of the other makers. They discontinued their dreadnaught, evidently due to weak sales, then introduce a “slope shoulder” dreadnaught and sell it as a “classic vintage”?? 11:45 Your discussion of playing in a room full of guitars is vital. Somehow when I play in a room full of other players like a jam session, all the sound hits in the middle of the floor and falls apart. It’s hard to hear anything. Good news, when you hit a wrong note, no one knows but you.
Listening to this, and having played some V Class models in the store, the new Taylors have their own sound and the word competition is probably a misnomer. My impression is that Taylor traded some depth on the bass end for more sustain and up -the- fretboard consistency in intonation. In the 1970s , Gibson ( already a mess in its new ownership at the time) attempted to find alternative and more "ideal" bracing patterns. Tested dozens. They hired scientists and employed instrumentation to measure sound quality. The result was the Mark Series guitars. The bracing pattern they chose had some of the same configuration characteristics as the V Class. The guitars did not sell though because they simply didn't sound like Gibsons. With the Taylor you are getting a torrified top, excellent build quality and playability. You' re not getting the Martin or Gibson sound, but I don't think they were trying for that.
The Taylor here is the only one with an aged top, the other companies do that at a much higher price. When I played a martin d 18 and then the d 18 modern deluxe (same but aged top) they were so different.
Indeed although the price differential is reducing as expected as the process is perfected. Bob Taylor just did a talk on the process during the TAylor Prime Time session this week. He doesn’t see it as an advantage for all woods and for some not at all. I have a 52 year old Hummingbird that is particularly resonant versus a new one ,even though the bracing at the time was less sophisticated.( supposedly to avoid warranty repairs). If you were to buy this TAylor shape I would check out the AD27. I listed to several reviews with headphones and it has a nice deep , mellow tone. The mahogany is not baked ( Bob Taylor says it is of no advantage for that wood and can be detrimental in fact). Having been to the Taylor factory a few years ago, I can say they can mass produce all wood guitars with very consistent and high quality. They use precut shaped braces for the top and back but not individually top tapped adjusted like Bourgeois, Collings and Santa Cruz. I am still not sure , technically, why V bracing does not deliver the low end “guts” of Martin, Gibson , etc.. Anyhow,, to each his own and hopefully a lot of enjoyment and inspiration for many years!
@@josephlaming8209 I would check out Breedlove USA (owned by Bedell) models. They are using a new, pretty sophisticated "electronic" system to "tap" theirs. Their website has a video on it. Doing it by ear is a time consuming process- tap, chisel , tap ,chisel, etc. ,ergo the extra cost. I have a Breedlove OMR Revival I bought in 2010 , that is just great. At the same time, the store owner asked me to try a Bourgeois OM. I tell you the Bourgeois was clearly a sonic step up, but i couldn't justify the extra 1500 bucks for it at the time. I subsequently bought a Bourgois jumbo OM and love that as well.
Just purchased a j-45 over the martin d-18. I played both side by side. I played the d-18 first since I am a martin guy with a d-35 and hd-28. I wanted a mahogany guitar. The tone of the j-45 and action of the j-45 blew me away. No additional cost for a set up which I would have had with the d-18. I haven't put my j-45 down yet. I play in church and even the people there commented on the good difference.
Ignore the Taylor haters in these comments! 😂I have a 517. I bought it during the Covid summer when a lot of us were sitting down with our computers and doing some guitar shuffling. It’s been four years now and I haven’t even thought about selling it. I mostly use it for fingerpicking, as I’m not a hard strummer. It sounds good recorded and through headphones. It’s also very easily to play with 13’s which adds to overall low-end and warmth.
With Taylors, you hear the strings; with Gibsons, you hear the mid range growl; with Martins, you hear the wood. It’s all what sounds best to you. I absolutely love my Martin D-18.
With all of them, I hear the strings and the wood (whatever that means to anyone). That's what I hate about us guitarists we say so much nonsense, I understand we're the butt of the joke of many other musicians.
For me who loves that bottom end, at least over this mic, the answer is "no." D-18 by a hair over J45, for all that engine on top of the bass, despite a big place in my heart for J45's growly thump, not quite as many ghosts in it as the D-18.
I own a Takamine TAN15C which just proves that a brand or price doesnt determine quality. BTW I would appreciate these reviewers to paly those string beforehand or put some elixir pb nanoweb so they dont sound brand new and metalicy...too sharp all of them for my ears.
There are guitars, and then there are Martin's, there is no comparison. In my humble opinion. Martin's set the standard for acoustics. And Quality hands down.
To each their own ,IN MY OPINION, READ CAREFULLY IN MY OPINION, Martin Guitars are the standard for acoustics, that's what I like ,you can like anything u want to like ,it's a free world I don't have to agree with you and you the same. Have a good day ok . SMDH
WakingCobain collins makes some amazing guitars. I do think they are neck on neck with Martin, sometimes even outdoing them. But they are so damn expensive.
The 517 definitely doesn't cut it when compared to the J-45 and D-18! It's a toss up for me between the 45 and the 18. I'd take either any day over the Taylor!
All three of these guitars are fine and fun to play. The Taylor seems best suited for someone who doesn't pick that hard. It makes the most out of light picking and does it really well. I haven't played too many Gibsons, but the one I remember most felt great and sounded great to me as I played it. Like a sports car that really hugs the road. And, built to stand up to 'use'. The Martin that I own (D-35) is the best of both worlds. I play bluegrass style, use medium gauge strings, and bang on it pretty good. It has held up very well, but I'm sure the others would too because of excellent workmanship. Materials matter, but over time, how it was built may matter the most. Hats off to any who do this for a living. And, a big thank you.
All personal preferences for sound. Great back to back comparisons! To many people judge a guitar by the name on the headstock so their opinion is biased.
Too often, 'It's good' translates to 'It's loud', which generally favors the Martin. Seems to me that Taylor is onto something with this new bracing system. A better-rounded sound, to my ear. I've always favored the Gibson because they're easier to sing with. I always enjoy your discussions and I especially like the comparos.
WryGrass Interesting comment. The Taylor demo'd here was designed in mind with "how guitars used to sound" in their heyday, as on old records, it wasn't trying to achieve the typical Taylor modern sound, so it's the one I'd also like to check out. It's supposed to be really comfortable to play too, but then I've always rated Martin and Gibson necks.
Well said @WryGrass100. Surprised at the negative comments towards the Taylor here which to my ears/eyes definitely is the better balanced of these three. In terms of EQ, both the Gibson and Martin sound like someone pressed the bass boost which, can’t be a good thing if you’re a finger style player, right? I own a J45 and as much as I love the vintage tone, it isn’t the most playable, affordable, inspiring or lovingly crafted acoustic I’ve ever encountered.
Agree!! Played the Gibson J45 standard & Deluxe, Taylore 517 & A17 and the Eastman E10ss & E20ss.... the Eastmans blew them all away, the E10ss had a great combination(Balanced) in sound with the ss Dreadnought and Mahogany body, The E20ss was an extremely boomy and also beautifully sounding Guitar and then they were both a lot cheaper than the others!! But my next is an E10d or E6dTC, just want the pickup as well and the E10ss and E10d did not sound all that different.
I compared a D18 to the J45 at a guitar store just last week and I thought I was a Martin man... but that J45 blew me away. The Gibson had a warmth to it that surpassed the D18 and made it actually feel stiff! I was shocked myself as I thought Martins would win in that category. Anyway My dream guitar might just be a J45 now?
Taylor’s are fantastic guitars. No doubt about it. But they don’t excite me enough to buy them. I’m sort of a guitar geek and I get wrapped up in the Martin and Gibson history. They have the sound and look that takes me back to Grandpas front porch so many years ago. They sound like home.
A huge thing missing in all the guitar review videos on RUclips are segments with someone singing along with the guitar. It changes the sound. Granted we all have different voices but still, no one is doing this and I think it would add another interesting dimension to guitar reviews.
Hey guys. Love your comparison videos. You do a nice job. Can I ask a question now and see what you think? I would love Quinton to talk about the playability of the neck and the fretboard. Just one guitar easier to play because of the neck, etc. how does it feel in other words.Keep up the good work you’re doing great
Growing up learning to play in the 1990s my Dad had a 1970s J45 (it was a square shoulder not a slope but it was a good one) and somehow held onto some of the jangly vibe and bottom the Gibson slope j45s are known for. Dad was a gospel bluegrass musician and that guitar sang oddly well against the Martin's and Taylors, in jam sessions. Lovely to see and this comparison I'm diggin that grand pacific but they all call to me in a different ways as well!
I felt the best over all tone is the Martin. The first strumming pattern you did at the end I liked that deeper sound with the J-45, but moving into the second rhythm pattern that’s when I felt the Martin moved ahead because it was super close with the first rhythm pattern with the J-45 and the Martin, but, again, I felt Martin pulled ahead within the second rhythm pattern. The Taylor sounded nice but it just doesn’t have that signature acoustic depth that the other two has. The Martin just seems to have a better tonal balanced over all of the three.
Great job demoing these beauties guys. Loved the Taylor for fingerstyle, loved the Martin for flatpicking and riffs, and can hear very clearly how/why the Gibson goes so well with vocals (since your voice is mid-range where the Gibson is quieter). I think I now see why Mercer (The Shins) uses one; it's a really good fit for his stuff. If I had the budget I'd have all 3, but would start with the Martin. In fact I may sell a couple and finally get that D18. 😎
If you're doing a lot of flat picking runs, I'd take the Martin, but for everything else the J-45 is the gold standard. It just has the big bass and the soul. And of course it has to be in Sunburst. I wouldn't turn any of them down.
1:07, with Kurt and Bob it's always been about the guitars and music v. "what're those guys over there doing?" Keep "messin'" around boys, great stuff.
I liked the J45 the best, but have to admit that I simply LOVE how a Taylor "fits" and feels when playing. Martins.... they just seem a bit "blocky" to me and don't melt into me like a Taylor does.
Interesting reading all of the opinions - all over the place in terms of the answer, but for me the Taylor has the fullest sound of all three - the Martin and the Gibson both sounded thin to my ears. I guess that's why they all sell a ton of guitars... to each their own I s'pose! Thanks for the comparison!
I'm a Taylor guy, but not because of the sound from Martin and Gibson. With that said, Gibson is great, but from this video, the low end is too saturated and overpowering. The D18 sounds more balanced, but still not as defined as Taylor
@@ArielCardona exact same experience. I felt like the 517 had more sound to offer that the others didn’t. The Martin and Gibson sounded fantastic, but I’m looking for the sound that the Taylor is offering
Yes, as many guitars as you can hide from your wife🤔🤗 I can tell the nuances between my 4 classicals and 4 steel strings, some for knock-around practice and some for quality performance. They all sound the same to most non-players🙂
Taylor makes great instruments, but to me they always sound a bit too jangly/bright and a little clinical. Good for strumming I think. Martin has the best fundamentals, very strong sounding, but I'm kind of biased, I own a Martin.
All 3 guitars sounds good, I’m a Taylor guy but it came in 3 rd place today. Martin 1st and Gibson a very close second. I agree the Taylor is a good soloist guitar and I’m thinking Andy is making a few to many changes at Taylor, Bob needs to keep a closer eye on him. ( Good Video)
To my ear, I'd take the Martin followed by the Gibson, and then the Taylor. I've spent a lot of time demoing these guitars...I have all three and have no real biases with the brands. One thing that stands out right away is the Taylor's lack of volume and projection as compared with the other two. I prefer to play this one plugged in.
I believe the square shoulders of the Martin design give it a specific nature to boost the bass, in both a positive way which to me turns on you when you play it hard. The low frequency resonance is so pronounced, I interpret it as a kind of "buffeting" I imagine the sound waves bouncing inside from end to end and back repeatedly like they do inside a jug. The bluegrass players call this the "boom" of the Martin. and they pretend to like it and I really love the bass played moderately but when it gets to the boom stage not so much. It becomes noisy and less musical. This only happens though in rhythm played firmly. I think the slope shoulders of the Gibson shape somehow break up the buffeting and it never gets boomy. It won't have quite the big bass sound as the D-18/28 but still plenty- and is my personal preference in most settings. No doubt the Martin D is the king of the boom.
Gotta say I'm prejudiced in this department, since I've got both a Martin HD28 and a Gibson J45, but to me and my loooooong trained ear the Taylor has more of a "tinny" sound - it's so much thinner sounding than the others. I like the basses of both the Martin and the Gibson, although the bass of the Gibson isn't as full as the Martin. Oh well, like I said, that's my prejudiced opinion.
I was here to listen a J45 against a D18, as Taylor was not on my radar... But now, I guess I'll have to try a few Taylors... With good headphones, the Gibson and the Martin sound excessively muddy. The bass freqs are soooo dominant. First thing I'd do if I had to mix this, is EQ the hell out low frequencies. The 517 is ready to use, balanced and precise. I understand that deep botom is more flattering, but in this case, it's too much.
Drews I like Taylors as well. They play buttery smooth and I like the way they look. I just started my guitar journey with a Martin and can’t move on I guess. I just sold my last Martin, a 2011 000-18 because of COViD (pretty sure I’ll need that near $2k when I lose my job here soon) and I miss it. Anyway, cheer up. We’re all being screwed over together by the globalists who released it onto us. Take care!
David Carter ahahaha I like the way you think. Not sure if you’re right about the globalists but it’s fun to consider the possibility anyway. I started off with Taylor’s but really appreciate the history and strong, rounded low end of Martin guitars.
I thought the Martin clearly had the best bass of this group, and was also the most open sounding guitar - but the treble response seemed close to non-existent. The J45 had the classic lo-fi sound you would expect from this guitar. And the Taylor was clearly the best balanced of the 3 but it sounded a little tight to my ears. If I had to pick one, if I had some assurance that the Taylor would open up more, I would take the 517. Otherwise it would be the J45.
I heard this through my Bose QC 35 headphones and it sounded very “boomy”, so it was hard to hear nuances. Also he was not sitting still, but moving the guitar sometimes away and sometimes towards the microphone, which also disturbed the volume and colour of each guitar. But since this was not meant as a comparison, then never mind. I liked all three, but favour the Gibson and Martin. I may be biased though, as already own a Martin OMCPA4, a Gibson Songwriter and a 12-string Gibson Hummingbird Pro. All outstanding guitar for each type of music. Martin for the fingerpick, Songwriter for heavy crosspicking, and the Hummer for “folksy” delicate tunes.
I appreciate these reviews but feel that the guy on the right cuts off the player and rushes him through these videos too much. Slow down and let us hear these beauties!
I like that you are both guitar savants, but please start playing after 3:30 haha. I'm glad you played the "warm up guitar" Taylor, because when you picked up the Gibson. Wow. And then the Martin.....interesting that you played them all differently according their "gifts" or what they're good for. But then in the end it was easier to compare whey you played them back to back with the same strum and chord progressions. I'm an owner of a Martin HD-28 for 28 yrs, and I guess I'm used to that punchy warm sound, so I'm biased. Oh well, I'll stick with what I got :)
The Taylor has more upper range and would be a good fingerstyle guitar. Overall it sounded a bit thin. The Gibson was full and throaty. I liked the Martin best. I play a D-18 and love it.
Being an owner of at least one of each, I've learned to appreciate each one. Taylor is a good all around player. It can fill in for bluegrass in a pinch and a great fingerstyle guitar. My J45 or '64 J50 makes me want to play rock of nearly any genre. Martin, definitely bluegrass. I used to think there was only Martin. Then I happened upon the '64 J50 and fell in love instantly. I heard the sound of nearly every 60's or 70's rock song coming out of it. I'm leaning more toward Gibsons nowadays.
“It will be interesting to see what the Grand Pacific tradition will be in 30 years.” There won’t be any tradition, it will be discontinued in 3 years when Taylor markets the next “big thing”
Agree. Taylor is very marketing driven. I see how they seed the contestants on American Idol with their instruments. It's smart, but I'm not the target audience for their guitars, especially as they add models at low(er) price points. For bang for the buck, I like Eastman, Yamaha, and the various Godin brands.
I like the J-45 for first and the Martin for a really close second (I usually prefer Martins, but this J-45 sounds great!). They represent the two classic flavors of what big-bodied guitars were designed for: big sound.. The Taylor just seems like a pose. It has nowhere near the punch, depth or fullness of the other two. I'm guessing because of V-bracing and the Taylor neck design? (Full disclosure - I have and love a 2015 320e, which I'm pretty sure would blow the Grand Pacific out of the water (I bought it because it stomped on a Martin D-18 and a D-15M in the store; and ran neck and neck with a D-28).
Oh man, the Taylor does not even belong with the Gibson or Martin IMO. Right when he strummed the Gibson there was no comparison. The Taylor is a nice guitar, it's just the Gibson was like wow! I was surprised when he played the D-18 it seemed less bassy, 10 minutes of talking and the last 1:30 was the best comparison when they overlayed each guitar playing the exact strum. I could barely distinguish the Martin from the Gibson. I suppose if I only heard the Taylor and not the other 2, I would be content with the sound. The comparison really made me pick the Martin and surprisingly, the Gibson for the 1st time. Even steven on the last two :)
J45 is king….blows away the D28 and Taylor with their springy thinned out top ends….even the lowly Gibson G45 studio would provide a threat with it thumping mids. Gibson acoustic guitars are just remarkable…!..time and time again the timeless J45 thrashes these contenders!!
I like the darker, "smoky" sound of the J45, but I wouldn't kick the D18 out of my studio. The Taylor? Did they fit that with Elixir strings? I wasn't a fan. Be interesting to insert that 1D Eastman/Sapele for $450 or so into that mix. I was VERY impressed with that bad boy.
Well, to each their own taste but for me this video like all other videos I've seen comparing Grand Pacific just show how weak it's tone really is compared to the J-45 and D-18. I guess a complement for the 517 would be that it's the most balanced of the three, but by balance we're talking about stripping away that mid-range thump sound the J-45 makes and that top-end clang the Martin D-18 delivers. To me the 517 just has no unique character in its tone. It's a guitar that just sounds like any other Taylor V braced GP guitar, I think for some that might be exactly what they are looking for. Also think this shows the weakness of V class bracing to X bracing and contend that eventually Taylor will switch back someday.
We musicians are very fortunate to have great guitar companies providing us with these wonderful (all individual sounding) instruments. :-) Nice demo guys.
Very interesting! The comparison at the end with smooth transitions from one guitar to another and the identity of each guitar onscreen while it is being played is the most valuable online comparison I've seen!
I own both a D18 and a Standard J45. Both are great guitars. Neither is “better” than the other. It’s a personal thing. I like them both for what they do.
D-18 for the win!
Yes indeed!!!!!!!!
no contest
Without any bias of label, the Martin is the dominant guitar here. Of course this isn't supposed to be a comparison. Just making an observation. Nothing to do with projection or volume. It's simply the most balanced guitar.
I have to agree with you, I was looking at the taylor, wanting it to be best, but you can't feel the low end like you can with the martin, and then turn around and on the gibson the high sounds muffled. The one thing the Taylor does bring is a very clearly different sound. The Martin and the Gibson sounded quite alike, but the Taylor was clearly different.
@Piano that Taylor sounded pretty bad in my opinion.
@Piano so when you disagree with someone it's cool, but if I disagree with you you feel the need to lecture me on points of view? Lol
D-18 hands down. The Gibson and Taylor sound great also but it’s hard to beat the D-18. Love the banter between you guys.
That particular J-45 is especially strong and good sounding.
YOU KNOW THEY GET THE BEST WHERE THEY ARE LOCATED
I got a 2019 j 45 standard. The guy has tried to buy it back twice and has an open offer for me to sell it back. It is an incredible sampling of the batches they have been making as of late. My family is a martin family. I also own a martin. But the newer j45 is special...
@@garrettchristopher3462 There's no reason to be an "either/ or" player. They're both amazing. I like Matins for songs that make me want to laugh, Gibsons for songs that make me want to cry.
"I wouldn't be opposed to having more guitars..." Absolutely and for sure!! Great to hear the variety, guys. Thank you!
I don't want any more than one good acoustic - they're too much maintenance to keep them in the right humidity range where I live. My one good guitar (2019 J45 std.) gets all my time.
The switch fro that Taylor to the Gibson says it all.
Yeah, from clear to muddy ;)
from thin to full bodied
I like both of your comments, but the Gibson sounds more full for sure, due to the shorter scale. It’s not quite as precise but she rings
The j45 is the sound of acoustic guitar for me
Great video,, can you do the same with a 717, D28 and Rosewood J45??
Another great vid guys, keep it going, we can't get enough of these guitars you're showcasing. (The sunburst on that Gibson is to die for).
I just met a girl named Taylor. We had a few dates. She was beautiful, in an understated way. Curves in all the right places. Impeccably put together and fine to the touch. Her neck was smooth. But there was something missing. There was no chemistry. In my mind, I wanted to love her, but my heart just wasn’t there. Was she too well balanced and too refined? Was her voice too thin? Did she lack character? I kept longing for my old girl (Martina), with her undeniable presence. Martina had an imposing bottom end and a growl when pushed. Complex yet reliable, her moods were various. She was versatile and suited many styles. Martina had charm. A little out of control at times, but exciting! She had character and when she was in a room, you noticed her. She stood out.
So I broke it off with Taylor and went back to Martina ...
The above summarizes my recent purchase and return of a Taylor 517 Grand Pacific. “Martina” is my Martin DR Centennial (VTS Adirondack top, rosewood back and sides). I never truly left her. I was just straying for a while.
I have a tremendous amount of respect for Taylor guitars and Andy Powers. Instead of copying, they are forging their own path and taking guitar design and manufacture down a new, untrodden path. This takes vision and courage, which is admirable, and from which we will all, I have no doubt, benefit as players and lovers of acoustic guitars.
The Taylor 517 Grand Pacific’s fit and finish is top notch, using the finest materials. Intonation is spot on and the string balance is even up the entire fret board and across strings. The tone is slightly rounded and has reasonable complexity, with nice overtones. The sound is somewhat compressed and very much under control. This would be an ideal studio guitar, as I am sure it would record beautifully. It would also nicely complement the singer songwriter.
However, for the guitar player, live and unplugged, which is how I play, the evenness can come across as bland and uninteresting. This, of course, is very subjective. Beauty remains in the eye of the beholder and your experience may be different.
Though not a keeper for me, the Taylor 517 Grand Pacific is a fine addition to the excellent choices now available. We live in great times for the acoustic guitar buyer.
My next date is with a Martin Modern Deluxe D-18. I am very excited ....
Haha. Well done.
great perspective and description, as a long time Taylor fan and proud 914 owner, I am torn between the 717. builders and a Martin D 35 as my next guitar, I appreciate your description and open mindedness towards both brands
That was a disgusting way of turning women into objects. Misogyny
I don’t quite understand why Taylor can’t bring the real depth and warmth of the other makers. They discontinued their dreadnaught, evidently due to weak sales, then introduce a “slope shoulder” dreadnaught and sell it as a “classic vintage”?? 11:45 Your discussion of playing in a room full of guitars is vital. Somehow when I play in a room full of other players like a jam session, all the sound hits in the middle of the floor and falls apart. It’s hard to hear anything. Good news, when you hit a wrong note, no one knows but you.
Listening to this, and having played some V Class models in the store, the new Taylors have their own sound and the word competition is probably a misnomer. My impression is that Taylor traded some depth on the bass end for more sustain and up -the- fretboard consistency in intonation. In the 1970s , Gibson ( already a mess in its new ownership at the time) attempted to find alternative and more "ideal" bracing patterns. Tested dozens. They hired scientists and employed instrumentation to measure sound quality. The result was the Mark Series guitars. The bracing pattern they chose had some of the same configuration characteristics as the V Class. The guitars did not sell though because they simply didn't sound like Gibsons. With the Taylor you are getting a torrified top, excellent build quality and playability. You' re not getting the Martin or Gibson sound, but I don't think they were trying for that.
The Taylor here is the only one with an aged top, the other companies do that at a much higher price. When I played a martin d 18 and then the d 18 modern deluxe (same but aged top) they were so different.
Indeed although the price differential is reducing as expected as the process is perfected. Bob Taylor just did a talk on the process during the TAylor Prime Time session this week. He doesn’t see it as an advantage for all woods and for some not at all. I have a 52 year old Hummingbird that is particularly resonant versus a new one ,even though the bracing at the time was less sophisticated.( supposedly to avoid warranty repairs). If you were to buy this TAylor shape I would check out the AD27. I listed to several reviews with headphones and it has a nice deep , mellow tone. The mahogany is not baked ( Bob Taylor says it is of no advantage for that wood and can be detrimental in fact). Having been to the Taylor factory a few years ago, I can say they can mass produce all wood guitars with very consistent and high quality. They use precut shaped braces for the top and back but not individually top tapped adjusted like Bourgeois, Collings and Santa Cruz. I am still not sure , technically, why V bracing does not deliver the low end “guts” of Martin, Gibson , etc.. Anyhow,, to each his own and hopefully a lot of enjoyment and inspiration for many years!
Anyone else doing the top taping at a more affordable price people could go check out?
@@josephlaming8209 I would check out Breedlove USA (owned by Bedell) models. They are using a new, pretty sophisticated "electronic" system to "tap" theirs. Their website has a video on it. Doing it by ear is a time consuming process- tap, chisel , tap ,chisel, etc. ,ergo the extra cost. I have a Breedlove OMR Revival I bought in 2010 , that is just great. At the same time, the store owner asked me to try a Bourgeois OM. I tell you the Bourgeois was clearly a sonic step up, but i couldn't justify the extra 1500 bucks for it at the time. I subsequently bought a Bourgois jumbo OM and love that as well.
Just purchased a j-45 over the martin d-18. I played both side by side. I played the d-18 first since I am a martin guy with a d-35 and hd-28. I wanted a mahogany guitar. The tone of the j-45 and action of the j-45 blew me away. No additional cost for a set up which I would have had with the d-18. I haven't put my j-45 down yet. I play in church and even the people there commented on the good difference.
Ignore the Taylor haters in these comments! 😂I have a 517. I bought it during the Covid summer when a lot of us were sitting down with our computers and doing some guitar shuffling. It’s been four years now and I haven’t even thought about selling it. I mostly use it for fingerpicking, as I’m not a hard strummer. It sounds good recorded and through headphones. It’s also very easily to play with 13’s which adds to overall low-end and warmth.
With Taylors, you hear the strings; with Gibsons, you hear the mid range growl; with Martins, you hear the wood. It’s all what sounds best to you. I absolutely love my Martin D-18.
With all of them, I hear the strings and the wood (whatever that means to anyone). That's what I hate about us guitarists we say so much nonsense, I understand we're the butt of the joke of many other musicians.
Maravi Yoso What I meant is the Taylor has more treble and sounds more like a arch top than a dreadnought. Just an opinion.
The warmth of a Martin gets me every time.
shimmer
It’s less “warm” than the Gibson. Hands down.
@@mikechivy Not in person.
For me who loves that bottom end, at least over this mic, the answer is "no." D-18 by a hair over J45, for all that engine on top of the bass, despite a big place in my heart for J45's growly thump, not quite as many ghosts in it as the D-18.
My ear seems to favor Gibson but i played a d18 in a shop the other day and it was unreal.
I own a Takamine TAN15C which just proves that a brand or price doesnt determine quality. BTW I would appreciate these reviewers to paly those string beforehand or put some elixir pb nanoweb so they dont sound brand new and metalicy...too sharp all of them for my ears.
There are guitars, and then there are Martin's, there is no comparison. In my humble opinion. Martin's set the standard for acoustics. And Quality hands down.
@@RBnd-te6ez dream on. Lowden, Goodall, Collins, Santa Cruz.....
To each their own ,IN MY OPINION, READ CAREFULLY IN MY OPINION, Martin Guitars are the standard for acoustics, that's what I like ,you can like anything u want to like ,it's a free world I don't have to agree with you and you the same. Have a good day ok . SMDH
WakingCobain collins makes some amazing guitars. I do think they are neck on neck with Martin, sometimes even outdoing them. But they are so damn expensive.
The 517 definitely doesn't cut it when compared to the J-45 and D-18! It's a toss up for me between the 45 and the 18. I'd take either any day over the Taylor!
Asshole
Thank you for longer videos! I am really enjoying the demos!
All three of these guitars are fine and fun to play. The Taylor seems best suited for someone who doesn't pick that hard. It makes the most out of light picking and does it really well. I haven't played too many Gibsons, but the one I remember most felt great and sounded great to me as I played it. Like a sports car that really hugs the road. And, built to stand up to 'use'. The Martin that I own (D-35) is the best of both worlds. I play bluegrass style, use medium gauge strings, and bang on it pretty good. It has held up very well, but I'm sure the others would too because of excellent workmanship. Materials matter, but over time, how it was built may matter the most. Hats off to any who do this for a living. And, a big thank you.
All personal preferences for sound. Great back to back comparisons! To many people judge a guitar by the name on the headstock so their opinion is biased.
Too often, 'It's good' translates to 'It's loud', which generally favors the Martin. Seems to me that Taylor is onto something with this new bracing system. A better-rounded sound, to my ear. I've always favored the Gibson because they're easier to sing with. I always enjoy your discussions and I especially like the comparos.
WryGrass Interesting comment. The Taylor demo'd here was designed in mind with "how guitars used to sound" in their heyday, as on old records, it wasn't trying to achieve the typical Taylor modern sound, so it's the one I'd also like to check out. It's supposed to be really comfortable to play too, but then I've always rated Martin and Gibson necks.
Well said @WryGrass100. Surprised at the negative comments towards the Taylor here which to my ears/eyes definitely is the better balanced of these three. In terms of EQ, both the Gibson and Martin sound like someone pressed the bass boost which, can’t be a good thing if you’re a finger style player, right? I own a J45 and as much as I love the vintage tone, it isn’t the most playable, affordable, inspiring or lovingly crafted acoustic I’ve ever encountered.
I've played the 717GP, it still lacks the warmth in the midrange and bass that good vintage guitars have.
WryGrass100
Nope.
Somehow they made the Martin louder and better though.
So interesting the different personalities of these three great guitars! Super and very helpful demo again - as almost always - thank you!
I love that sweet sound of the J-45 so recognizable.
Would love to have an Eastman E-10 added to the mix, it may well hold its own against the others at half the price.
Agree!! Played the Gibson J45 standard & Deluxe, Taylore 517 & A17 and the Eastman E10ss & E20ss.... the Eastmans blew them all away, the E10ss had a great combination(Balanced) in sound with the ss Dreadnought and Mahogany body, The E20ss was an extremely boomy and also beautifully sounding Guitar and then they were both a lot cheaper than the others!! But my next is an E10d or E6dTC, just want the pickup as well and the E10ss and E10d did not sound all that different.
Your playing and channel are incredible. Talented and informative. Perfect!!
The D-18
D18 and j45 both queen of mahogany !!!
I compared a D18 to the J45 at a guitar store just last week and I thought I was a Martin man... but that J45 blew me away. The Gibson had a warmth to it that surpassed the D18 and made it actually feel stiff! I was shocked myself as I thought Martins would win in that category. Anyway My dream guitar might just be a J45 now?
its funny i go back and forth Both amazing
I’m a Gibson guy one day a Martin guy the next
I had the same experience the other day. Loved the J45.
Excellent review, especially how each guitar uniquely represents a particular style of music.
Taylor’s are fantastic guitars. No doubt about it. But they don’t excite me enough to buy them. I’m sort of a guitar geek and I get wrapped up in the Martin and Gibson history. They have the sound and look that takes me back to Grandpas front porch so many years ago. They sound like home.
A huge thing missing in all the guitar review videos on RUclips are segments with someone singing along with the guitar. It changes the sound. Granted we all have different voices but still, no one is doing this and I think it would add another interesting dimension to guitar reviews.
This is a very valid point. Thank you for pointing it out. 😉
Hey guys. Love your comparison videos. You do a nice job. Can I ask a question now and see what you think? I would love Quinton to talk about the playability of the neck and the fretboard. Just one guitar easier to play because of the neck, etc. how does it feel in other words.Keep up the good work you’re doing great
Growing up learning to play in the 1990s my Dad had a 1970s J45 (it was a square shoulder not a slope but it was a good one) and somehow held onto some of the jangly vibe and bottom the Gibson slope j45s are known for. Dad was a gospel bluegrass musician and that guitar sang oddly well against the Martin's and Taylors, in jam sessions. Lovely to see and this comparison I'm diggin that grand pacific but they all call to me in a different ways as well!
I felt the best over all tone is the Martin.
The first strumming pattern you did at the end I liked that deeper sound with the J-45, but moving into the second rhythm pattern that’s when I felt the Martin moved ahead because it was super close with the first rhythm pattern with the J-45 and the Martin, but, again, I felt Martin pulled ahead within the second rhythm pattern. The Taylor sounded nice but it just doesn’t have that signature acoustic depth that the other two has. The Martin just seems to have a better tonal balanced over all of the three.
Great job demoing these beauties guys. Loved the Taylor for fingerstyle, loved the Martin for flatpicking and riffs, and can hear very clearly how/why the Gibson goes so well with vocals (since your voice is mid-range where the Gibson is quieter). I think I now see why Mercer (The Shins) uses one; it's a really good fit for his stuff. If I had the budget I'd have all 3, but would start with the Martin. In fact I may sell a couple and finally get that D18. 😎
I like your videos they're very informative and I appreciate it
Would like to see a classic Maton dreadnought added in along with these 3 to see how it fits in to the mix.
Yeah Paul, that noise "upstairs" has always been overwhelming ;-)
(Read: we can't hear it, even on studio speakers!)
To my ear, that Taylor Grand Pacific sounds like a $300 guitar.
You don't know what you're saying
@@ArielCardona I know what I am saying. It's an unimpressive guitar.
@@keithhunter3910 still don't know.
@@ArielCardona You're right, sadly you don't know. But if you play more guitars and gain more experience, you'll figure it out...probably.
If you're doing a lot of flat picking runs, I'd take the Martin, but for everything else the J-45 is the gold standard. It just has the big bass and the soul. And of course it has to be in Sunburst. I wouldn't turn any of them down.
Gibson J 45 all the way! As far as I’m concerned - Only A Gibson Is Good Enough !
Martin DSS would've been a better comparison with them, they all sound a little different and awesome. That Martin is a cannon!!!
Where’s the Beef? It’s in the J45. I have both & I play my Gibson 90% of the time.
Hi! Just saw some of your Yamaha reviews. Can you do a fgx820c vs fgx830c or just a demo of the fgx830c?
1:07, with Kurt and Bob it's always been about the guitars and music v. "what're those guys over there doing?" Keep "messin'" around boys, great stuff.
J 45 all the way. And no, the Taylor can’t compete
I liked the J45 the best, but have to admit that I simply LOVE how a Taylor "fits" and feels when playing. Martins.... they just seem a bit "blocky" to me and don't melt into me like a Taylor does.
Went buy a J45 a couple of weeks ago at Fretted American in Amherst and come home with a 2010 D18V ;0)
Why is the Guild D 40 not included in the comparison?
It is an outstanding guitar!
I agree 100 percent. Guild is slept on
Why is it that no matter what guitars are featured they are not the right ones?
Guild is dissed and I can't figure out why.........(D 40 , F412 , M 20 etc.)
what is the song 7:05?Could someone tell me?thanks
Interesting reading all of the opinions - all over the place in terms of the answer, but for me the Taylor has the fullest sound of all three - the Martin and the Gibson both sounded thin to my ears. I guess that's why they all sell a ton of guitars... to each their own I s'pose!
Thanks for the comparison!
I'm a Taylor guy, but not because of the sound from Martin and Gibson. With that said, Gibson is great, but from this video, the low end is too saturated and overpowering. The D18 sounds more balanced, but still not as defined as Taylor
@@ArielCardona exact same experience. I felt like the 517 had more sound to offer that the others didn’t. The Martin and Gibson sounded fantastic, but I’m looking for the sound that the Taylor is offering
I'll take all three! Then sell the Taylor and buy a backup J45 :)
Promot Ed better yet sell the Gibson and Taylor and have an 18,28,&35 ... lol
Great comparison. Well done.
Yes, as many guitars as you can hide from your wife🤔🤗 I can tell the nuances between my 4 classicals and 4 steel strings, some for knock-around practice and some for quality performance. They all sound the same to most non-players🙂
Cannyou suggest me an acoustic-electric guitar but very vibrant great volume by itself without connecting to amplifier?
D-18
They all sound so good 😍.
Martin takes the cake though :)
Taylor makes great instruments, but to me they always sound a bit too jangly/bright and a little clinical. Good for strumming I think. Martin has the best fundamentals, very strong sounding, but I'm kind of biased, I own a Martin.
All 3 guitars sounds good, I’m a Taylor guy but it came in 3 rd place today. Martin 1st and Gibson a very close second. I agree the Taylor is a good soloist guitar and I’m thinking Andy is making a few to many changes at Taylor, Bob needs to keep a closer eye on him. ( Good Video)
Too.
To my ear, I'd take the Martin followed by the Gibson, and then the Taylor. I've spent a lot of time demoing these guitars...I have all three and have no real biases with the brands. One thing that stands out right away is the Taylor's lack of volume and projection as compared with the other two. I prefer to play this one plugged in.
D18 for my taste
I believe the square shoulders of the Martin design give it a specific nature to boost the bass, in both a positive way which to me turns on you when you play it hard. The low frequency resonance is so pronounced, I interpret it as a kind of "buffeting" I imagine the sound waves bouncing inside from end to end and back repeatedly like they do inside a jug. The bluegrass players call this the "boom" of the Martin. and they pretend to like it and I really love the bass played moderately but when it gets to the boom stage not so much. It becomes noisy and less musical. This only happens though in rhythm played firmly. I think the slope shoulders of the Gibson shape somehow break up the buffeting and it never gets boomy. It won't have quite the big bass sound as the D-18/28 but still plenty- and is my personal preference in most settings. No doubt the Martin D is the king of the boom.
the Taylor is obviously the weakest of the three. My ear likes the D-18 ....Great Video! I like the shirt bit during the intro. Good Stuff.
Im think about getting the taylor 514 or the Gibson j45
Gotta say I'm prejudiced in this department, since I've got both a Martin HD28 and a Gibson J45, but to me and my loooooong trained ear the Taylor has more of a "tinny" sound - it's so much thinner sounding than the others. I like the basses of both the Martin and the Gibson, although the bass of the Gibson isn't as full as the Martin. Oh well, like I said, that's my prejudiced opinion.
I was here to listen a J45 against a D18, as Taylor was not on my radar...
But now, I guess I'll have to try a few Taylors... With good headphones, the Gibson and the Martin sound excessively muddy. The bass freqs are soooo dominant. First thing I'd do if I had to mix this, is EQ the hell out low frequencies. The 517 is ready to use, balanced and precise.
I understand that deep botom is more flattering, but in this case, it's too much.
Awesome video
I’ll save you all the suspense. The answer is “NO” says I.
David Carter shut up
@@drewsy that's it? You're not even going to explain why I should shut up? Why the Taylor is superior in your opinion? Give me something at least. 😁
David Carter No I just like Taylor guitars and I am grumpy.
Drews I like Taylors as well. They play buttery smooth and I like the way they look. I just started my guitar journey with a Martin and can’t move on I guess. I just sold my last Martin, a 2011 000-18 because of COViD (pretty sure I’ll need that near $2k when I lose my job here soon) and I miss it. Anyway, cheer up. We’re all being screwed over together by the globalists who released it onto us. Take care!
David Carter ahahaha I like the way you think. Not sure if you’re right about the globalists but it’s fun to consider the possibility anyway. I started off with Taylor’s but really appreciate the history and strong, rounded low end of Martin guitars.
D-18 ALL THE WAY 🎉
In this video the gibson sounds best of all three... Sad but true....
Taylor has a jangly/sparkly sound while the Gibson is warmer but overall the Martin owns it here.
I thought the Martin clearly had the best bass of this group, and was also the most open sounding guitar - but the treble response seemed close to non-existent. The J45 had the classic lo-fi sound you would expect from this guitar. And the Taylor was clearly the best balanced of the 3 but it sounded a little tight to my ears. If I had to pick one, if I had some assurance that the Taylor would open up more, I would take the 517. Otherwise it would be the J45.
Martin
I have a tele, a Santa Cruz firefly, and the Gibson hummer
I heard this through my Bose QC 35 headphones and it sounded very “boomy”, so it was hard to hear nuances. Also he was not sitting still, but moving the guitar sometimes away and sometimes towards the microphone, which also disturbed the volume and colour of each guitar. But since this was not meant as a comparison, then never mind. I liked all three, but favour the Gibson and Martin. I may be biased though, as already own a Martin OMCPA4, a Gibson Songwriter and a 12-string Gibson Hummingbird Pro. All outstanding guitar for each type of music. Martin for the fingerpick, Songwriter for heavy crosspicking, and the Hummer for “folksy” delicate tunes.
Gibson j-45 if we want best of both world. But i am always sucker for that martin thick tone 😭😭
I appreciate these reviews but feel that the guy on the right cuts off the player and rushes him through these videos too much. Slow down and let us hear these beauties!
I like that you are both guitar savants, but please start playing after 3:30 haha. I'm glad you played the "warm up guitar" Taylor, because when you picked up the Gibson. Wow. And then the Martin.....interesting that you played them all differently according their "gifts" or what they're good for. But then in the end it was easier to compare whey you played them back to back with the same strum and chord progressions. I'm an owner of a Martin HD-28 for 28 yrs, and I guess I'm used to that punchy warm sound, so I'm biased. Oh well, I'll stick with what I got :)
The Taylor has more upper range and would be a good fingerstyle guitar. Overall it sounded a bit thin. The Gibson was full and throaty. I liked the Martin best. I play a D-18 and love it.
Being an owner of at least one of each, I've learned to appreciate each one. Taylor is a good all around player. It can fill in for bluegrass in a pinch and a great fingerstyle guitar. My J45 or '64 J50 makes me want to play rock of nearly any genre. Martin, definitely bluegrass. I used to think there was only Martin. Then I happened upon the '64 J50 and fell in love instantly. I heard the sound of nearly every 60's or 70's rock song coming out of it. I'm leaning more toward Gibsons nowadays.
Taylor never hold up in bluegrass.
To my ear, the J-45 killed it.
You never see vintage Taylor’s now, where are all the early made Taylor’s now?
Considering that Martin and Gibson are mid 19th century brands and Taylor is just 47 year-old brand, your point is meaningless.
whats the song on 7:05.?
B.R.M.C..?
If you want warm: Martin
If you want mids: Gibson
If you want bright but not overly bright: Taylor
“It will be interesting to see what the Grand Pacific tradition will be in 30 years.” There won’t be any tradition, it will be discontinued in 3 years when Taylor markets the next “big thing”
Agree. Taylor is very marketing driven. I see how they seed the contestants on American Idol with their instruments. It's smart, but I'm not the target audience for their guitars, especially as they add models at low(er) price points. For bang for the buck, I like Eastman, Yamaha, and the various Godin brands.
Via headphones on a iPhone, it’s the J-45 in first, D-18 in second and I have no interest in the Taylor at all. Yet I’ve liked ‘em in store.
I like the J-45 for first and the Martin for a really close second (I usually prefer Martins, but this J-45 sounds great!). They represent the two classic flavors of what big-bodied guitars were designed for: big sound.. The Taylor just seems like a pose. It has nowhere near the punch, depth or fullness of the other two. I'm guessing because of V-bracing and the Taylor neck design? (Full disclosure - I have and love a 2015 320e, which I'm pretty sure would blow the Grand Pacific out of the water (I bought it because it stomped on a Martin D-18 and a D-15M in the store; and ran neck and neck with a D-28).
the v class brace should not be compared to those x braced guitars. its a matter of personal preference
The Taylor sounds good for finger style. Leave the dreadnought duties to the other two.
Oh man, the Taylor does not even belong with the Gibson or Martin IMO. Right when he strummed the Gibson there was no comparison. The Taylor is a nice guitar, it's just the Gibson was like wow! I was surprised when he played the D-18 it seemed less bassy, 10 minutes of talking and the last 1:30 was the best comparison when they overlayed each guitar playing the exact strum. I could barely distinguish the Martin from the Gibson. I suppose if I only heard the Taylor and not the other 2, I would be content with the sound. The comparison really made me pick the Martin and surprisingly, the Gibson for the 1st time. Even steven on the last two :)
J45 is king….blows away the D28 and Taylor with their springy thinned out top ends….even the lowly Gibson G45 studio would provide a threat with it thumping mids. Gibson acoustic guitars are just remarkable…!..time and time again the timeless J45 thrashes these contenders!!
I like the darker, "smoky" sound of the J45, but I wouldn't kick the D18 out of my studio. The Taylor? Did they fit that with Elixir strings? I wasn't a fan. Be interesting to insert that 1D Eastman/Sapele for $450 or so into that mix. I was VERY impressed with that bad boy.
4:46 before any real playing. Before that a note or two every couple of minutes. Sound like you're talking to an audience, not just to each other.
Well, to each their own taste but for me this video like all other videos I've seen comparing Grand Pacific just show how weak it's tone really is compared to the J-45 and D-18. I guess a complement for the 517 would be that it's the most balanced of the three, but by balance we're talking about stripping away that mid-range thump sound the J-45 makes and that top-end clang the Martin D-18 delivers. To me the 517 just has no unique character in its tone. It's a guitar that just sounds like any other Taylor V braced GP guitar, I think for some that might be exactly what they are looking for. Also think this shows the weakness of V class bracing to X bracing and contend that eventually Taylor will switch back someday.
Yeah I prefer the J45 and outside of a few outliers, I think Taylor is all hype. I do like the 600 series, though.
The Martin sounds good and they are akll different.