A Martin 00-15 mahogany. Just magic. But I love Taylor as well. Taylor’s always sound brighter to me, but with acoustic I usually prefer the warmer creamier sound of Martin.
Not me but I respect your opinion. I’m not a Martin fan. I’ve always loved Taylor’s because for me the Martin is too much bass not enough mids and treble for me.
It varies from model to model. Dreadnoughts have more bass, An 000 is more rounded and better for fingerpicking. Also, the wood used makes a huge difference I’ve never liked the fact that Taylor uses a three-piece neck with a joint at the heel, and at the headstock, like the inexpensive Asian guitars. It obviously saves them money, but there is a sacrifice in tone. Martin carves their necks, out of a one piece block of wood.
I was surprised by how different the two were As a Martin owner, I instantly recognised that warm, resonant tone that instantly gives campfire vibes. Feels like the Taylor was tailor made (heh) for sitting well in a mix though Martin as solo instrument - Taylor for studio use?
@@Rovingdog628 Maybe you old cats should use your remaining powers of deduction to figure out through context clues that @Bacontruffle was referring to the two guitars in this video.
That was great fun to watch, Mike! I had a similar dilemma some time ago. Solved it by acquiring both a D-28 natural and a J-45 sunburst. If someone held a gun to my head I couldn’t come up with an answer other than my favorite is the one I’m playing now or, that I played last. Keep ‘em coming, kid!
As I've played literally a thousand different acoustics over my 57 years of playing, nailing it down to just one would be impossible. That said, I will break it down to a handful of categories... Best Plying (Felt best in the hands) - My Mothers' 1964 Gibson Hummingbird Best Live Performance instrument - 2004 Rainsong 12 string that I inherited from my Father Best Studio recording instrument - 2 way tie between a 1990 Martin D-41 and a 1927 Washburn Parlor (not sure about the model number, or if it even had one) Best campfire guitar - Yamaha FG-380
As a person who has visited guitar shops and picked up everything I found one vintage Martin that was it very expensive but the sound was amazing. I believe each person finds one or a few that it touches a spark within their new owners if you can afford it.
I like that he used comparable guitars, and I was confronted with the same decision a few years ago. You can't go wrong with either guitar as both companies are about quality. The Martins are warmer while the Taylor's are brighter and yes, it seems people who play a lot of electric guitars prefer Taylors for acoustic because of the neck. I bought a Taylor 214CE and never seriously considered the Martin. But if I had purchased a Martin, I know I'd be happy with that today just as I'm very happy with my Taylor. Buy the one that suits you but you can't make a bad decision if you're choosing between a Martin and a Taylor.
Thought I was Taylor for life until I borrowed a friends BreedLove with Myrtlewood body. Not sure how much the wood choice vs the company is what makes this one so special. But after going along time not finding any myrtlewood guitar locally I ended up ordering one from Sweetwater fully prepared to return if not as comfortable/tonal as my friend's. It is practically identical. I'm all around super impressed with BreedLove and Sweetwater and really happy with this beauty.
I love both Martin and Taylor, because I don’t have the funds I only own one acoustic which is the 314CE. It’s my favorite guitar that I’ve ever owned. My dad has a Martin HD28. I pull it out of the case and play every time I go over there. Martin has a warm tone, Taylor is a bit brighter but both sound great!
I purchased my 1st Taylor 6 years ago and haver never looked back. I am going to purchase one more Taylor in my life as a present to myself. This will a celebration for raising my kids and them being on their own.....a 914CE Special Edition. CHEERS to ALL
In college at the end of the 1990s, I pined for Taylor guitar but had no way to get one. When I got married, my wife bought me my dream Taylor. 2001 Taylor 614ce in blue with three piece back. The guitar sounds phenomenal and just stays in tune. I am so blessed to have a guitar that sounds and plays so good.
I’ve owned a taylor 322ce and tried a bunch of martins, but my favorite acoustic guitars have always been Yamahas. Currently I own an LS36 and a Yamaha AC5R. I ended up selling my 322ce because I didn’t like it as much as the Yamahas, I never picked it up. It was still a great guitar. The neck shape on the Yamahas are just perfect to me, the tone is balanced and lush, fit and finish is literally perfect on both. Highly recommend trying the FG5 and FS5 if you haven’t or their newest model the FG9, incredible instruments. If you ever get the chance to try the L series I think you’ll be blown away, but they’re very rare in the US and are available in low quantity due to being made by a single luthier (top model). Anyone else like Yamahas?
My cheapest guitar is an fs820 in black with cream binding. And I've played it pretty much every day for 5 years. I love the red label 3 and 5 series too. In fact I couldn't tell any difference between them.
The best acoustic I ever played is a classical guitar : it's an Alhambra 7C classic, it's spanish and it sound marvellous and even though the neck is a chunky classical neck, I would never let it go. Plus, it's my first ever individual guitar that I didn't have to share with anybody. Keep the good stuff up man and have a nice day.
I have found over the 60 years over which I've owned guitars is that the guitars that I have are ALWAYS the best and the rest of them suck. Know what I mean?
The lovely thing about acoustic guitars is that they are individuals. Here one is more resonant, the other brighter. Your milage may vary...and how you hear it that day can be affected by so many things. Nice video Mr Mike 👍 I played every single guitar in a little shop and walked out with a Guild.
My main acoustic is a Taylor 510 with englemann Spruce top I bought about 19 years back. I had the pickup replaced many years ago, and it still plays and sounds great. I also have a GS Mini, which is my beater acoustic. I recently was gifted a left handed Martin, after my old theatre professor passed away. I’d love to get it set up for right handed play.
The only thing you need to do is put the strings on for a right hander. If you want you can glue on a pick guard. You can either leave the lefty pick guard, or take it off. I'd take it to a luthier to take it off though chances are he can get it off without ruining the finish.
I've always wanted to try a Larrivee!! I've heard they are phenomenal guitars!! I just can't find any in the wild here in the cornfields of southern Illinois 😢
@@mikemaysmusic5519 shameless plug: check out my RUclips channel (L&M Guitar Corner), I have a couple of videos about my Larrivée, including a comparison with a Martin 000-28EC
@@mikemaysmusic5519 I picked up an 87' Larrivee D-09 for a wicked deal and it is killer. Would def reccomend the brand if you find one. I picked it over a 90s D28 I played, and that was without knowing it was 1200 bucks cheaper. I might have also got an extra special one haha, but it is just great.
My friend owns a Martin Road Series grand auditorium and a Taylor 414ce. I have a Martin D-X2E 12 string. Both of his guitars have bone saddles, and I've played them both. I loved the low end and fullness of the Road Series, but also, the Taylor just seemed so much more bright. With all due respect, I just love the deeper and more classic sound. The X series 12 string also has a full sound despite being HPL on the sides and back. Loved the video! Thanks for the time and money you spent to make it happen!
Loved your video. I was Taylor exclusive for my acoustics until about 2-3 years ago. My first Martin was HD28 and I LOVE. That does not mean my Taylor’s have been kicked to the curb. I still love them and play as much if not more than newer Martin. Depends on song as they all have unique sounds/playability that I try to match to what I want to play. If you can justify a few different guitars of different brands (I also have a Maton I am quite fond of), go for it! The differences will inspire you in different ways or just be fun to experience how a given song sounds on a different type guitar in woods, body shape, manufacturer. If you can only have one guitar, pick the one that feels best in your hands with sound you like. You can really make anything sound good on on whatever your favorite guitar is!
I'd like to play a Maton, but I'm afraid they are overpriced simply because Tommy Emmanuel plays them. I will NEVER buy a signature guitar because I know they just stick an extra few hundred dollars on them. Take an Olson, the brand James Taylor plays . . . . $20k base plus extras. Why? Because James Taylor plays them. I'm sure they are excellent guitars, but I'm not about to fork over $20k and wait two years or more for delivery, even though I can afford it. My Taylor 814ce suits me fine and my Martin H-28 comes a close second, although a different playing experience. But hey, different is good!
For two years I agonized over which iconic acoustic to buy. I am a proud owner of an Ovation, made in US, that I bought in 2005 for $1100. It still sounds amazing. Finally decided on the taylor 414c. What an amazing guitar. Worth every penny. I am toying with getting a Martin road series but the Taylor was and is amazing
😂 Good one Mike If you are primarily an Acoustic player, I'd pick the Martin. Electric players who also play Acoustic tend to like the Taylors for the feel of the neck. Can't go wrong with either really.
Even acoustic players can appreciate not having to work harder than necessary. There's something to be said for maintaining the strength to dig into any old shoebox with strings you get handed, but I would assume that most of us like there to be as little barrier to comfortable playing as possible. Taylors have nice action, which shows that acoustics can have nice action. Why are we ever defending high action? I have been an acoustic player my whole life, but I don't want to have to overplay to project volume. That's what electronics are for. I want to relax, and feel like my guitar is working with me.
That was entertaining, kudos! In this particular case it’s the Martin for me. I’m a Martin guy myself, but I’ve played many really great ones from both brands. A matter of personal taste. Keep the great vids coming.
Best acoustic guitar I've ever played; Gibson J-160E. There was a music store in Bridgeport, CT (can't remember the name but I doubt it's still there) that had once, and I was lucky enough to take it off the wall and play it for a few minutes. It sounded and felt exactly like I thought it should feel.
I have a Martin 000-18 and a Taylor 414CE and my most loved, favorite sounding guitar is, by far, my boyfriend’s Gibson G-200. It blows both my Martin and Taylor out of the water. Hoping to get a G-Writer EC or Hummingbird in the future. I was made for Gibson.
That’s why I have a 2009 Taylor 814ce and a 2019 Martin OMCE blaze burst 1 of 50 custom shop. I love both of them equally the same. Each have their own unique voice. Since I couldn’t choose one over the other, I kept both.
Id say either is fine. I could make that martin sound brighter with the right strings and picks. I could make the taylor sound warmer with the right strings and picks too. But they definitely lend themselves naturally to a different kind of sound. Not night and day but different. At the end of the day they both sound like high end guitars. If you have one enjoy it.
My parents bought my a Taylor DN8 for my high school graduation back jn 2010 and it still sounds and plays amazing. I've played a friends Martin a couple dozen if times and it was awesome too. I honestly wouldn't be able to decide between the two companies if I was starting over but because I've owned a Taylor for so long I think I'll stick with them. I'm also from San Diego and it's tight that Taylor has a facility here.
I’ll always be a Taylor fan I’ll never forget when I played my first one not knowing what it was. And when I bought my first one which is the most I’ve ever spent on a guitar or anything really. They redefined what a guitar could sound and feel like and turned me into an acoustic-dominant player for life
My bandmate and l were using Taylors 110e and 114ce for years. We thought we sounded bright together. I switched to Martin DCPa5 and now we have a more balanced tone. Though l still miss the bright crisp tone of my Taylor, lm loving the low ends of my Martin. Now l have my eyes on an affordable (German Brand)Baton Rouge AR21 ACE for finger picking . Within $300-$350 price range but with a tone comparable to a Maton and a look of a Taylor.
I own both. A Taylor 814ce and a Martin D35, an OM18, and a D18. Martin and Taylor are both great but very different. The Taylor 814ce is a masterpiece…every detail is meticulous and beautiful. Even the bridge pins are adorned with abalone. Sounds incredible…bright but lush woody tone…..plays like a dream…perfection. Truth be told though…if I could only keep one…it would be the Martin D18. It’s that good.
Hey, awesome video! I’ve owned a Taylor 814ce for about 10 years now, and lately, I've been thinking about getting a Martin guitar. The grass is always greener on the other side... I definitely recommend recording with a small diaphragm mic, like the Neumann KM 184. For me, it was that "BOOM, that's the record sound" moment.
My favorite acoustic guitar is the Larrivee L09. It was only 1575.00 back when I bought it 25 years ago. This is a funny video. I always look forward new ones from Mike.
One who has been playing and touring for years, ( well decades), I can tell a Martin guitar by hearing it in an instant. Nobody does what they do and the type of guitars they produce better. I know the Martin folks and hang out with them often at NAMM and have demo'd their guitars at several events with great joy. Truly wonderful instruments for what they do and played by so many both pros and amateurs' alike. Taylor in my opinion, produces more guitars with rather diverse personalities. They seem a bit more "playable" in terms of zipping around the neck for whatever reason. To say that one is better than the other would be impossible, as selecting the right guitar is very much a personal decision. The guitar and the guitar player have to form a relationship. It takes two. The guitar and the one who is landing the tunes with it. When you put a guitar in your lap, whether it be a Martin, Taylor, Guild, Gibson or whatever make and model, it is as much as about feel as it is sound. I learned how to play guitar on my mothers 1951 0017 model that she bought new for $75.00 and still has it! I have several Taylor guitars and have been to the factory quite a few times. The Martin is a more hand crafted instrument. They deliver about 55, 000 guitars in a year where Taylor is in the hundreds of thousands. Don't be mislead in in thinking that those numbers make Taylor a better guitar, they just have so many models and are able to produce them with robot controlled lasers and such that make each guitar so precise. They will sometimes come out with a terrific limited edition using a special wood and once it's sold out, it's gone. Their product line and diversity of woods in each is enormous. Don't be concerned by what top is matched with what back and sides, put in in your lap and see if it does it for you. If you really want to get serious about great guitars, then one must try a Collings, Santa Cruz, Larrivee and such. There truly is a world of difference (and price) there. But again, one can pick up an inexpensive Yamaha, Alvarez and such and find that is "the guitar". It does it, regardless of the financial ability to afford a much more expensive instrument. It all comes down to the players sound and feel for one's own music and what they want to project to the audience that they share it with. Get inspired, create, perform!!
I would challenge that claim, especially on cheap import guitars like this one that is licensed by Martin. Shares none of the typical Martin design and is made of essentially plywood....but you can tell the brand by listening to it?
I've owned a Martin and played some of my friends Martin guitars. I sold my Nartin and bought a Taylor 214ce-K and a Taylor gs mini mahogany. Best acoustic guitars I've ever played.
4 minutes in, and I didn't really care how the rest of the video went. Subbed. Your delivery is great, and whatever you ended up with in the end will match that.
i just bought my Taylor AD17e yesterday, i'm so happy with this guitar, my first all solid guitar! the sound is incredible, but the cons is the fact that came with elixir strings, which i hate that super bright sound. Awesome video mate!
For true, first and foremost guitar players who want a great guitar for picking, get a Martin (but don't waste your time unless you're gonna get at least a $2000 Martin). For singer songwriters, church worship leaders who lead on acoustic, and folksy fingerstyle players, get a Taylor instead of a Martin, and you only have to spend $1000-2000. Nobody goes to Taylor for the best, boomy dreadnoughts for picking-heavy playing. They go to Martin or a Martin-inspired bespoke luthiery. Nobody goes to Martin for a bright, beautiful top-end frequency, grand concert body style that sits nicely in a bigger mix. They go to Taylor for that.
I have a Martin 000-15S and a Gibson J35. Very different sounds but both great. Then this summer I picked up a Yamaha FSX5 - which is a wonderful guitar too.
In this comparison, I think I liked the Martin. I am fortunate to have one of each. A 000-15SM and a 614ce BE. They don’t sound at all like each other, which is great, so I cannot compare them. But … the one I love the most is, almost always, the one I just played. These are two seriously good companies striving to put phenomenal instruments into the hands of musicians. And almost any of the usual complaints may be addressed by trying a different pick or set of strings.
@CameraLaw . . . . Once again you have proved that it is all a matter of taste when you compare high-end guitars to high-end guitars. But these guys who compare the low-ends to the high-ends are just blowing smoke.
@@Rovingdog628 The main problem with any guitar review is that it usually looks at a guitar straight out of the box using the strings that came on it. Nothing wrong with that, in general, but find a good luthier to properly set up the guitar and some strings that meet your taste and your opinion might change. It took me four sets of strings to find one that maximized my 1989 Alvarez Yairi dreadnaught (the answer was mid tension Santa Cruz), now I'm perfectly content (the prior choices were Martin 80/20, PB, and Retro).
For me it’s was a vintage Martin in Hollywood Guitar Center. I picked it up and it was like it played itself it was old and very expensive the sound was so perfect my heart was pounding ya it was the absolute best one I ever played. I have some each one has it’s own spark. Still looking for a Martin 12 string with that spark
I’m 72yrs old,,, I been playing since 9-10yrs,,, It’s getting a little too tiring doing 4hr gigs with the hard rock/blues bands lately,,, I did a lot of acoustic guitar/singing by myself back in the 70’s&80’s,,, with a great sounding Gibson,,, I’m gonna be doing Christian acoustic & singing again & just got a Martin (because it was the one on sale) LOL,,, Taylor & Martin ARE the richest sounding at good prices!!! Although distinct differences,,, BOTH are definitely the ‘Cadillac’s’ Of acoustic guitars!!! There’s a few Ferraris’s out there,,,, but for most people, there prices are way out of reach! You did a great video!!! 🥰👍👍👍
For me it’s always been Breedlove. Created by ex Taylor designers and luthiers, and it sounds amazing in a full band, and multiple recordings, and I’ll never deviate.
I have a breedlove all Koa, and while I agree, it's magic and has a great sound/playability. My 000-28 martin blows it out of the water. Both great guitars, and I'm sure I'll own more breedlove guitars in the future. I would not put them in the same category as a high end Martin however.
That was a fun video. Especially since I’m at the crux of this question RIGHT NOW. I’ve been a Taylor guy my whole life. Taylor BB2, 312, GS Mini Mahogany, more. 20+ years of fingerstyle training and playing and evolution. All of a sudden i want a Martin, and here’s this vid lol.
In this comparison. Its the martin. It has more bass, sounds more balanced. The taylor is so bright and tingy. It sounds good but its not as good as the martin to my ears. But ive never played each of these either so maybe the feel of each would lead me another direction.
So very happy I found your channel. On the advise of a friend, I bought a Taylor. It's a Gt Urban Ash. A great couch guitar. I'm learning it for the first time at age 68. Love it. Uber quality.
I'm 70 and I enjoy your channel. Over the years I've owned a LOT of guitars (both acoustic and electric). Every one of them is different. Clearly the Martin you selected for your video isn't a traditional Martin so it won't have that Martin sound (how can it with a bolt on neck). Even so, as a solo acoustic guitar that Martin sounded better to my (old) ears however I suspect that I'd prefer the Taylor in a group setting as it seemed to be brighter. I've played a bunch of Taylors and just could never get around the fact that the headstock is a different piece of wood from the neck proper. My Martin HD2832 has delighted me for 40 years now (despite the fact that it has plywood back and sides). I love the neck shape which is more like a tele than a traditional Martin neck.
Martin OM-28, Martin D-35, Taylor 410 (1990), Taylor Custom TF, Gibson J-200. Emerald custom Full Carbon. I've had most of these for years. The Emerald and Taylor TF just 3-4 years. They are all wonderful but very different instruments. I wouldn't even begin trying to say one is 'better' than another.
Mike, I loved your video. Awesome and very informative. I have to tell you, I'm an old guy that plays guitar and I have about a dozen but my acoutics go from a Martin, Takamine and a Michael Kelly. The best acoustic guitar I ever owned was an Epiphone. It was an acoustic guitar with a cutaway and seemed to have a little larger box than the usual acoustic. I wish I still had it. I sold it years ago and have been looking for another, ever since.
I recently discovered your channel. Very well done, your format and style and presentation and content and production are among the best I’ve seen. Bravo. You will reach a million subs one day. BTW, I’m an old guy with a Taylor 314ce. But I’d really like to also have a Martin, well, because……
Great vid! One thing though : Taylors have bolt on necks and once your acoustic needs a neck reset you'll be happy to have a taylor, I own a 214ce DLX, couldnt be happier (especially after a much needed neck reset 🙂)
@foesherino77 . . . . "Taylor" do NOT have bolt on necks. The cheaper ones like the 214ce does, but when you get into the $2k to 4k models they are set necks. And there is a reason for that. I've had guitars from the 1960s that have never needed a neck reset. A few more years of experience will teach you a lot.
I am a Taylor guitar player. I have a 214e, a GS Mini Mahogany and a 712ce-12fret. I’ve been playing Taylors for 10 years now. Honestly, I tried different shapes and sounding of Martin guitars. I fell in love with the 000-13e. I didn’t buy it. I regret it. Recently, I discovered the Martin SC like the one you are playing but without the sunburst. It’s definitely a game changer for me. This is the most easiest guitar to play ever. The neck is build in a way you can find a confort at any position. It’s just a mind blowing!
Thanks for the video! I've been playing guitar since Christmas of 87. In my early days, I just wanted to be a vicious ripper like poison, warrant, ratt, etc. Acoustic instrumentation was far from my mind. But in 2003, I was fortunate enough to attend SAE Institute in Nashville, studying under the greatest audio engineers in the land. I had, of course, seen the ungodly expensive Martins hanging on the wall at Guitar Center. But that was about my extent of acoustic guitar knowledge at that moment in time. I do remember, almost with an evil thought in mind, grabbing a several thousand dollar Martin off the wall and playing it almost as a joke. (Like I could ever afford one.) I thought, "wow, I half expected it to play itself for this money." But to my surprise, it was outfitted with enormous guage strings, way too high for this cowboy, and stunk of bronze like every other acoustic guitar that I didn't want to play. Fast forward a few years I am at a seminar put on by a professional session guitarist at sae. He made no buts about it, that Taylor was the only choice for a working professional that isn't rich. I had seen the name on 1 or 2 guitarist's guitars on MTV. But he ensured they were unbeatable in so many words, but in such a way as to not offend the Martin crowd. One of the other kids in class invited me over to join his band. He had a Taylor "big baby." I fell madly in love almost immediately. I was a Taylor fan from then on. Fast forward a few more years my, then, wife asked me, "If you could have any guitar you wanted, what would it be?" That wasn't a tough question. Not even a little. Christmas 2008 rolled around and my ex and her wonderful parents got me a 114ce. Kind of a shady deal by guitar center, but they up-sold her to a 214 for a few hundred more, but it had to be ordered. Nonetheless, a 114 showed up. I never heard about the "up-sell" thing until years later, and pieced it together. But nonetheless, my 114 has been a trooper for 16 years. I really hoped that by this point it would look like Wiilly Nelson's "Trigger" but it still looks brand new. (And I'm very rough on guitars) it's sweet tones from its lab made laminated body only get sweeter with each year that passes. Because of sentimental reasons, and the fact that the martin's costing several times more don't sound nearly as good or play even close. No question in my mind that by the time I die of old age taylor will be the only choice.
I did the same exact thing. I met so many people that had Martins. So I thought I was gonna be a Martin guy. I played quite a few and loved them. But I finally decided to mess around and play a Taylor. It was a Taylor Big baby. At that moment, I automatically fell in love. I first started on a Taylor 114ce. Then went to a 214ce. And now, as a studio musician, I have a 724ce Koa Auditorium. Oh, and a big baby for a great travel and practice guitar. Don't get me wrong, Martins are still amazing sounding and playing guitars. But I'll always think that Taylors sound, play, and look better than Martins ever will.
I was listening via PCM Result-6 monitors fed via an SSL 2+ audio interface. The guitars definitely sounded different, but as to which sounded better, that would depend upon the player, the arrangement and the song. The strummed Taylor definitely cut through the mix better than the Martin. I would love to know how different they are to play. Great video though.
The greatest sounding acoustic guitar that I've ever played is the mid 1960s Martin owned by my friend and absolutely fabulous fingerstyle player, Don Ablett. Brazilian rosewood back and sides and filled with beautiful overtones! Check out Don on the web, you'll be blown away! The greatest acoustic guitar I've ever owned - and still own - is my 2010 Taylor GS8 (Grand Symphony). It's an absolute monster! Articulate yet warm - not the typical Taylor sound - due to the larger body size, the GS8 SINGS!! Beautiful for fingerstyle! Gorgeous note separation and overtones! Dig in and play it hard and it revs like a Ferrari! No note compression! After playing my GS8 shortly after I found it, in the words of Don Ablett: "The great guitars push a lot of air, and this is a great guitar!" High praise from a man who knows acoustic guitars like few others! And to top it off the GS8 sounds AMAZING when amplified! I have a K&K Mini pickup that I use with both a passive or active preamp as the situation needs and the GS8 ALWAYS sounds stunning! Sure, I'd love to own a Martin but even if I never do, my GS8 is a guitar that can be passed down through generations of my family in years to come. 🙂
Martin is "THE sound." Taylor is nice and bright and sits well in the mix (I find them ridiculously easy to mike up). For me, the winner was a Larrivee C-09!
Martin is "THE" sound because it's the first one in the category. They unintentionally established the "standard" of the sound of an acoustic guitar. There's nothing wrong with that but just for the discussion, what if it were not? I think if we want to compare them objectively, the "standard" should not exist at all, like an experiment without a control. But comparing them objectively is stupid. Just go with what your heart feels is the right one. 😂😂
Martin: The sound of wood. Taylor: The sound of strings. Martin- You hear "in to" the wood Taylor- I hear the finish on top of the wood Taylor guitars often get the attention of a potential buyer right away because they convey more high frequency info, but that's because you hear the sound of the strings interacting with their industrial wood finishes. Some people like this. I don't. I find they have an overly artificial sounding top end. In contrast, a lot of Martin guitars convey a balanced and natural tone. (less hyped). To some, they sound "dull". I think they sound amazing. It might not get your attention right away, but over time, it's something you might grow to appreciate. Both manufacturers make amazing guitars, but after having owned several examples of each over the past 25 years, I now find the sound of Taylors to be a bit annoying and the current build quality of Martins to be inconsistent. . In fact, my vote is for vintage Gibsons. :)
Your analysis is spot on. I think 'woody' when I hear a Martin. I bought a 314ce in 2008, and still play it all the time. I do want a Martin though. I need that earthy, warm tone.
Ive owned and played both and love the deep, resonant sound of a Martin . Taylor is great for recording since its crisp, sharp tones go straight through the mix
Forethought: I’ve played electric & acoustic guitar since the 60’s. Garage bands / adjudications / worship bands/ bands / duo’s / instrumentals at weddings & funerals / gigs. Fave electric - Fender Strat. Have had Yamaha’s, Tak’s, Epiphone’s. Eventually got a Larrivee, a Rainsong, a Taylor and a Gretsch. Larrivee’s are beautiful works of art that are sonically perfect. Rainsong jumbo is a workhorse. The Taylor is my go to. I love hearing Martins being played by experienced bluegrass players. But in *my* experience(and this only applies to *me*): I’ve never pulled a Martin off a music store wall that appealed to me…*EXCEPT*…a Cocobolo Martin.
It always pulls you to what brand you already have, just to convince yourselves, that you made the right choice, unless you owned both then you’ll be biasless..
I have only played a Martin a few times and I have a Taylor 1978 . I couldn't say they are both awesome guitars but I think the Martin has a richer full sound but I have small hands and the Taylor feels better to me . I would like to add a Martin to my collection some day .
I've played and recorded with MANY Martin, Taylor, Gibson, Takamine and many others. The Gibson J45 is the best ever. Not a D28, not a 814ce, not anything else.
A friend of mine made a few comments on how he was never impressed with Taylor. He plays mostly on a 1949 and a 1954 Martin. I don't remember the exact makes, but given their age and notoriety I don't feel it is going to help Martin in this story. I brought my Taylor 314 CE limited (Torrified Sitka top with Sapele back and sides) over for him to try out. Where the Martin's have a distinctive sound mostly from the fact they were made out of completely different materials, they did not dominate the Taylor like you might expect, or have been brainwashed into thinking that an old Martin dominates the acoustic guitar world. It was ground breaking to watch his playing open up as he responded to the sounds that he was bringing out of the Taylor. He went from uninterested and annoyed in giving into my request to try it out to drifting off into his favorite songs to play. I finally motioned for him to give it back as I was becoming concerned he was going to try and keep it. Mic drop!!!
I like that you jump right into the content from the very beginning of the video, instead of introducing yourself and explaining what you're going to be doing like every other annoying RUclipsr. So just for that reason, I'm going to subscribe to your channel. Keep up the good work.
Mike - bro you are hilarious! My name is also Mike, I am a Martin guy, but I've also tried some Taylors. I just got a 214CE Plus. I like Larrivees as well. OK - there is no doubt that an experienced guitarist can tell the diff between a martin and a taylor - the difference is as clear as the difference between mid morning and mid afternoon. But if its a sunny day - what difference does it make? They both sound really good. This is a great video and I applaud your presentation here!
I own both a Martin (00018) and two Taylor’s (Lutz spruce/rosewood and a Koa) and play mainly finger style. My Taylor’s when new sounded bright and since aging have warmed up to a nice balanced articulate sound. Martins are overall warmer, with higher highs and lower lows, louder, project with a fuller sound. Taylor grand concert fits my body better (I’m a shorter male with small hands) and they are just easier to play. I like the deeper bass and fuller sound on the Martin though when a song or tune calls out for it. I don’t know if I could really choose one guitar over the other. With the two guitars you played I like the Martin sound more
Both Martini and Taylor are plenty good for me! I happen to own a Martin Road Series which is my absolute favorite. I got it used on Craigslist for $420 about 3 years ago. It was dried out and had a high action and smelled like marijuana. I took some off the saddle and humidified it, and it sounds and plays great! But I'm sure there are Taylors that would make me just as happy. I now know to avoid plywood top guitars. Also, if you want a lower price point, Seagull guitars are great. And even lower, the Yamaha's are a great value.
I own a Martin hd28, and love it. But I rented a Taylor-214 I think-for a week, and while the tone wasnt my preference, I loved the feel of it. I really need to get one...
I have always loved taylors. I sat in a music shop and went back and forth between taylors and martins and the taylors were always just slightly warmer and gentle which I prefer. Obviously it varies guitar to guitar but I realy love taylors....also taylor koa guitars are immaculate to look at.
Best acoustic I've ever played was a McPherson, but that's way out of a mere mortals price range. Second best was actually a recent custom shop J35 (but not cheap by any means either). I've always preferred Martin over Taylor. Taylor has always been way too bright for my liking and quite shrill when brought into a mix.
To me, I do not like to think in terms of one or the other, but to the strengths of each. Many get too caught up on the whole brand loyalty and all that, but to me the beauty of any instrument is the voicing, and understand how that sound applies to different contexts. Certain guitars will always just speak to you, and I have played Martin, Taylor, Yamaha, Fender, PRS and others, and when they do speak to you, thats when it makes sense. Likewise, I also love my cheapo Gretch Jim Dandy, it just has a certain mojo to it, its lo fi sounding and kinda boxy, and that sound just inspires me to take it wherever it takes me. I would add a third comparison to the standard tests we see. Reviews like to focus on hearing them side by side, but rarely, if ever have i stumbled upon those who play them together is a mix, and how they compliment each other, instead its just pitting them against each other.
I currently own 4 Taylors and admittedly have very very little experience with Martin, but they both make amazing guitars and were lucky to have them, plus other great brands to choose from. I love my Taylors, but a D28 is one of my “one day” guitars
First of Mike I thought this was a fun video to watch and I enjoyed it. I was a Martin Guy for a long time, but as a gigging musician I have changed to Taylor, Body Size, quality build and good electronics. So, I do like Martin but prefer Taylor Guitars. Now let's throw a Monkey Wrench into the mix, I am a Taylor Guy who also Plays and enjoys a Gibson J-45 Studio Rosewood.as well. For Stage and Home practice Taylor is becoming my guitar of preference. However, when I want that change in sound and a growl I play my Gibson J-45 Studio Rosewood that you will have to pry out of my dead hands. Martin is Good, Taylor is great, and Gibson is amazing. Again, thank you and really nice video that I enjoyed. Well Done.
I was very lucky to work with a gentleman who lent me his Martin and his Taylor after he heard I was willing to spend some coin on a serious guitar. I have no idea what each model was but he informed me most people fall into one of two categories: Martin people or Taylor people. I played both and instantly knew I preferred the Taylor. Deep, rich, warm tones all around. The Martin sounded much more twangy, like more for country music, which I avoid at all costs. I returned them, thanked him profusely, and he told me he was a Martin guy. To each their own, whichever inspires you to play and create more, that’s the one for you.
A Martin 00-15 mahogany. Just magic. But I love Taylor as well. Taylor’s always sound brighter to me, but with acoustic I usually prefer the warmer creamier sound of Martin.
Not me but I respect your opinion. I’m not a Martin fan. I’ve always loved Taylor’s because for me the Martin is too much bass not enough mids and treble for me.
If I want bass, I got bass, electric, muting and bigger guitars.
It varies from model to model. Dreadnoughts have more bass, An 000 is more rounded and better for fingerpicking. Also, the wood used makes a huge difference I’ve never liked the fact that Taylor uses a three-piece neck with a joint at the heel, and at the headstock, like the inexpensive Asian guitars. It obviously saves them money, but there is a sacrifice in tone. Martin carves their necks, out of a one piece block of wood.
yeah the Taylor is a bit brighter
I have a Martin 00-15M and It's my favorite guitar. I've had Gibsons, Martins and Taylors and if I could only have one, it would be my OO-15M
I was surprised by how different the two were
As a Martin owner, I instantly recognised that warm, resonant tone that instantly gives campfire vibes. Feels like the Taylor was tailor made (heh) for sitting well in a mix though
Martin as solo instrument - Taylor for studio use?
@@Rovingdog628 Maybe you old cats should use your remaining powers of deduction to figure out through context clues that @Bacontruffle was referring to the two guitars in this video.
So I can buy both 😂
@@Juul096 You never need anyone's permission to do that king (aside from possibly your wife. Remember, happy wife happy life)
Exactly!
@@Rovingdog628knock the dust off your brain and pick up on some context clues
That was great fun to watch, Mike! I had a similar dilemma some time ago. Solved it by acquiring both a D-28 natural and a J-45 sunburst. If someone held a gun to my head I couldn’t come up with an answer other than my favorite is the one I’m playing now or, that I played last. Keep ‘em coming, kid!
Good choices
As I've played literally a thousand different acoustics over my 57 years of playing, nailing it down to just one would be impossible. That said, I will break it down to a handful of categories...
Best Plying (Felt best in the hands) - My Mothers' 1964 Gibson Hummingbird
Best Live Performance instrument - 2004 Rainsong 12 string that I inherited from my Father
Best Studio recording instrument - 2 way tie between a 1990 Martin D-41 and a 1927 Washburn Parlor (not sure about the model number, or if it even had one)
Best campfire guitar - Yamaha FG-380
I have a 1934 Gibson L-7, sounds like jazz angels.
As a person who has visited guitar shops and picked up everything I found one vintage Martin that was it very expensive but the sound was amazing. I believe each person finds one or a few that it touches a spark within their new owners if you can afford it.
Do you mean FG-830? I can't find any model as a 380.
I like that he used comparable guitars, and I was confronted with the same decision a few years ago. You can't go wrong with either guitar as both companies are about quality. The Martins are warmer while the Taylor's are brighter and yes, it seems people who play a lot of electric guitars prefer Taylors for acoustic because of the neck. I bought a Taylor 214CE and never seriously considered the Martin. But if I had purchased a Martin, I know I'd be happy with that today just as I'm very happy with my Taylor. Buy the one that suits you but you can't make a bad decision if you're choosing between a Martin and a Taylor.
Thought I was Taylor for life until I borrowed a friends BreedLove with Myrtlewood body. Not sure how much the wood choice vs the company is what makes this one so special. But after going along time not finding any myrtlewood guitar locally I ended up ordering one from Sweetwater fully prepared to return if not as comfortable/tonal as my friend's. It is practically identical. I'm all around super impressed with BreedLove and Sweetwater and really happy with this beauty.
Breedloves are sweet guitars, and somewhat local here in Oregon..
I love both Martin and Taylor, because I don’t have the funds I only own one acoustic which is the 314CE. It’s my favorite guitar that I’ve ever owned. My dad has a Martin HD28. I pull it out of the case and play every time I go over there.
Martin has a warm tone, Taylor is a bit brighter but both sound great!
I currently own a Taylor 314, but I am looking at a Martin.
I purchased my 1st Taylor 6 years ago and haver never looked back. I am going to purchase one more Taylor in my life as a present to myself. This will a celebration for raising my kids and them being on their own.....a 914CE Special Edition.
CHEERS to ALL
Try a Furch or even better, a multiscale.
Martin: matte, woody, traditional
Taylor: bright, crisp, articulate
In college at the end of the 1990s, I pined for Taylor guitar but had no way to get one. When I got married, my wife bought me my dream Taylor. 2001 Taylor 614ce in blue with three piece back. The guitar sounds phenomenal and just stays in tune. I am so blessed to have a guitar that sounds and plays so good.
I’ve owned a taylor 322ce and tried a bunch of martins, but my favorite acoustic guitars have always been Yamahas. Currently I own an LS36 and a Yamaha AC5R. I ended up selling my 322ce because I didn’t like it as much as the Yamahas, I never picked it up. It was still a great guitar. The neck shape on the Yamahas are just perfect to me, the tone is balanced and lush, fit and finish is literally perfect on both.
Highly recommend trying the FG5 and FS5 if you haven’t or their newest model the FG9, incredible instruments. If you ever get the chance to try the L series I think you’ll be blown away, but they’re very rare in the US and are available in low quantity due to being made by a single luthier (top model). Anyone else like Yamahas?
I have a Martin and a Yamaha! Love 'em both. The Yamaha goes outside the house, but the Martin stays in! :)
I've been lucky to pick up a 1966 fg-180. What a great sounding guitar it is.
I have an African mahogany A3R in tobacco sunburst. It is the best guitar I have ever owned.
Yamaha LL16M owner and love it!
My cheapest guitar is an fs820 in black with cream binding. And I've played it pretty much every day for 5 years. I love the red label 3 and 5 series too. In fact I couldn't tell any difference between them.
The best acoustic I ever played is a classical guitar : it's an Alhambra 7C classic, it's spanish and it sound marvellous and even though the neck is a chunky classical neck, I would never let it go. Plus, it's my first ever individual guitar that I didn't have to share with anybody.
Keep the good stuff up man and have a nice day.
I have found over the 60 years over which I've owned guitars is that the guitars that I have are ALWAYS the best and the rest of them suck. Know what I mean?
The lovely thing about acoustic guitars is that they are individuals. Here one is more resonant, the other brighter. Your milage may vary...and how you hear it that day can be affected by so many things.
Nice video Mr Mike 👍
I played every single guitar in a little shop and walked out with a Guild.
My main acoustic is a Taylor 510 with englemann Spruce top I bought about 19 years back. I had the pickup replaced many years ago, and it still plays and sounds great. I also have a GS Mini, which is my beater acoustic. I recently was gifted a left handed Martin, after my old theatre professor passed away. I’d love to get it set up for right handed play.
The only thing you need to do is put the strings on for a right hander. If you want you can glue on a pick guard. You can either leave the lefty pick guard, or take it off. I'd take it to a luthier to take it off though chances are he can get it off without ruining the finish.
@Rovingdog628 You have to replace the nut or the strings won't fit.
My Larrivée OM-03R is my number 1 acoustic
I've always wanted to try a Larrivee!! I've heard they are phenomenal guitars!! I just can't find any in the wild here in the cornfields of southern Illinois 😢
@@mikemaysmusic5519 shameless plug: check out my RUclips channel (L&M Guitar Corner), I have a couple of videos about my Larrivée, including a comparison with a Martin 000-28EC
@@mikemaysmusic5519 I picked up an 87' Larrivee D-09 for a wicked deal and it is killer. Would def reccomend the brand if you find one. I picked it over a 90s D28 I played, and that was without knowing it was 1200 bucks cheaper. I might have also got an extra special one haha, but it is just great.
I have and OM-03re and agree that it is spectacular.
so glad mike is on yt, content like this weekly really is a treat
In this comparison I liked the Taylor better, but really I think every guitar player needs one of each, or maybe a couple of each.
My friend owns a Martin Road Series grand auditorium and a Taylor 414ce. I have a Martin D-X2E 12 string. Both of his guitars have bone saddles, and I've played them both. I loved the low end and fullness of the Road Series, but also, the Taylor just seemed so much more bright. With all due respect, I just love the deeper and more classic sound. The X series 12 string also has a full sound despite being HPL on the sides and back. Loved the video! Thanks for the time and money you spent to make it happen!
Loved your video. I was Taylor exclusive for my acoustics until about 2-3 years ago. My first Martin was HD28 and I LOVE. That does not mean my Taylor’s have been kicked to the curb. I still love them and play as much if not more than newer Martin. Depends on song as they all have unique sounds/playability that I try to match to what I want to play. If you can justify a few different guitars of different brands (I also have a Maton I am quite fond of), go for it! The differences will inspire you in different ways or just be fun to experience how a given song sounds on a different type guitar in woods, body shape, manufacturer. If you can only have one guitar, pick the one that feels best in your hands with sound you like. You can really make anything sound good on on whatever your favorite guitar is!
I'd like to play a Maton, but I'm afraid they are overpriced simply because Tommy Emmanuel plays them. I will NEVER buy a signature guitar because I know they just stick an extra few hundred dollars on them. Take an Olson, the brand James Taylor plays . . . . $20k base plus extras. Why? Because James Taylor plays them. I'm sure they are excellent guitars, but I'm not about to fork over $20k and wait two years or more for delivery, even though I can afford it.
My Taylor 814ce suits me fine and my Martin H-28 comes a close second, although a different playing experience. But hey, different is good!
For two years I agonized over which iconic acoustic to buy. I am a proud owner of an Ovation, made in US, that I bought in 2005 for $1100. It still sounds amazing. Finally decided on the taylor 414c. What an amazing guitar. Worth every penny. I am toying with getting a Martin road series but the Taylor was and is amazing
Love the ol Ovation
Go with Martin, the bright Taylor will get to you in time
Ovations are great in a flood if you need a flotation device. Trust me!
😂 Good one Mike
If you are primarily an Acoustic player, I'd pick the Martin. Electric players who also play Acoustic tend to like the Taylors for the feel of the neck. Can't go wrong with either really.
I own three top-o-the-line Taylors. I've played all the Martins. I'll take the Taylors.
Agree with this. The Taylor necks are familiar to electric players.
Even acoustic players can appreciate not having to work harder than necessary. There's something to be said for maintaining the strength to dig into any old shoebox with strings you get handed, but I would assume that most of us like there to be as little barrier to comfortable playing as possible. Taylors have nice action, which shows that acoustics can have nice action. Why are we ever defending high action? I have been an acoustic player my whole life, but I don't want to have to overplay to project volume. That's what electronics are for. I want to relax, and feel like my guitar is working with me.
That was entertaining, kudos! In this particular case it’s the Martin for me. I’m a Martin guy myself, but I’ve played many really great ones from both brands. A matter of personal taste. Keep the great vids coming.
Best acoustic guitar I've ever played; Gibson J-160E. There was a music store in Bridgeport, CT (can't remember the name but I doubt it's still there) that had once, and I was lucky enough to take it off the wall and play it for a few minutes. It sounded and felt exactly like I thought it should feel.
I have a Martin 000-18 and a Taylor 414CE and my most loved, favorite sounding guitar is, by far, my boyfriend’s Gibson G-200. It blows both my Martin and Taylor out of the water. Hoping to get a G-Writer EC or Hummingbird in the future. I was made for Gibson.
The answer is simple, buy both.
That’s why I have a 2009 Taylor 814ce and a 2019
Martin OMCE blaze burst 1 of 50 custom shop. I love both of them equally the same. Each have their own unique voice. Since I couldn’t choose one over the other, I kept both.
Id say either is fine. I could make that martin sound brighter with the right strings and picks. I could make the taylor sound warmer with the right strings and picks too. But they definitely lend themselves naturally to a different kind of sound. Not night and day but different. At the end of the day they both sound like high end guitars. If you have one enjoy it.
My parents bought my a Taylor DN8 for my high school graduation back jn 2010 and it still sounds and plays amazing. I've played a friends Martin a couple dozen if times and it was awesome too. I honestly wouldn't be able to decide between the two companies if I was starting over but because I've owned a Taylor for so long I think I'll stick with them. I'm also from San Diego and it's tight that Taylor has a facility here.
I’ll always be a Taylor fan I’ll never forget when I played my first one not knowing what it was. And when I bought my first one which is the most I’ve ever spent on a guitar or anything really. They redefined what a guitar could sound and feel like and turned me into an acoustic-dominant player for life
My bandmate and l were using Taylors 110e and 114ce for years. We thought we sounded bright together. I switched to Martin DCPa5 and now we have a more balanced tone. Though l still miss the bright crisp tone of my Taylor, lm loving the low ends of my Martin. Now l have my eyes on an affordable (German Brand)Baton Rouge AR21 ACE for finger picking . Within $300-$350 price range but with a tone comparable to a Maton and a look of a Taylor.
I own both. A Taylor 814ce and a Martin D35, an OM18, and a D18. Martin and Taylor are both great but very different. The Taylor 814ce is a masterpiece…every detail is meticulous and beautiful. Even the bridge pins are adorned with abalone. Sounds incredible…bright but lush woody tone…..plays like a dream…perfection. Truth be told though…if I could only keep one…it would be the Martin D18. It’s that good.
Taylor is Pepsi. Martin is Coke.
Jesus, the best answer I've seen
Amen 🙏🏻😊❤️
And I prefer Coke, as well as Martin.
Voilà ! Is’t a matter of taste.
Gibson is 7-Up?
Hey, awesome video! I’ve owned a Taylor 814ce for about 10 years now, and lately, I've been thinking about getting a Martin guitar. The grass is always greener on the other side...
I definitely recommend recording with a small diaphragm mic, like the Neumann KM 184. For me, it was that "BOOM, that's the record sound" moment.
My favorite acoustic guitar is the Larrivee L09. It was only 1575.00 back when I bought it 25 years ago.
This is a funny video. I always look forward new ones from Mike.
Thank you for telling the definitive answer
I like how he didn't choose not to say the definitive answer and picked a side
One who has been playing and touring for years, ( well decades), I can tell a Martin guitar by hearing it in an instant. Nobody does what they do and the type of guitars they produce better. I know the Martin folks and hang out with them often at NAMM and have demo'd their guitars at several events with great joy. Truly wonderful instruments for what they do and played by so many both pros and amateurs' alike.
Taylor in my opinion, produces more guitars with rather diverse personalities. They seem a bit more "playable" in terms of zipping around the neck for whatever reason. To say that one is better than the other would be impossible, as selecting the right guitar is very much a personal decision. The guitar and the guitar player have to form a relationship. It takes two. The guitar and the one who is landing the tunes with it.
When you put a guitar in your lap, whether it be a Martin, Taylor, Guild, Gibson or whatever make and model, it is as much as about feel as it is sound. I learned how to play guitar on my mothers 1951 0017 model that she bought new for $75.00 and still has it! I have several Taylor guitars and have been to the factory quite a few times. The Martin is a more hand crafted instrument. They deliver about 55, 000 guitars in a year where Taylor is in the hundreds of thousands. Don't be mislead in in thinking that those numbers make Taylor a better guitar, they just have so many models and are able to produce them with robot controlled lasers and such that make each guitar so precise. They will sometimes come out with a terrific limited edition using a special wood and once it's sold out, it's gone. Their product line and diversity of woods in each is enormous. Don't be concerned by what top is matched with what back and sides, put in in your lap and see if it does it for you. If you really want to get serious about great guitars, then one must try a Collings, Santa Cruz, Larrivee and such. There truly is a world of difference (and price) there. But again, one can pick up an inexpensive Yamaha, Alvarez and such and find that is "the guitar". It does it, regardless of the financial ability to afford a much more expensive instrument. It all comes down to the players sound and feel for one's own music and what they want to project to the audience that they share it with. Get inspired, create, perform!!
I would challenge that claim, especially on cheap import guitars like this one that is licensed by Martin. Shares none of the typical Martin design and is made of essentially plywood....but you can tell the brand by listening to it?
I've owned a Martin and played some of my friends Martin guitars.
I sold my Nartin and bought a Taylor 214ce-K and a Taylor gs mini mahogany. Best acoustic guitars I've ever played.
4 minutes in, and I didn't really care how the rest of the video went. Subbed. Your delivery is great, and whatever you ended up with in the end will match that.
They are both equally awesome and separately awesome! They are just awesome. Fantastic guitars!!
i just bought my Taylor AD17e yesterday, i'm so happy with this guitar, my first all solid guitar! the sound is incredible, but the cons is the fact that came with elixir strings, which i hate that super bright sound. Awesome video mate!
For true, first and foremost guitar players who want a great guitar for picking, get a Martin (but don't waste your time unless you're gonna get at least a $2000 Martin).
For singer songwriters, church worship leaders who lead on acoustic, and folksy fingerstyle players, get a Taylor instead of a Martin, and you only have to spend $1000-2000.
Nobody goes to Taylor for the best, boomy dreadnoughts for picking-heavy playing. They go to Martin or a Martin-inspired bespoke luthiery.
Nobody goes to Martin for a bright, beautiful top-end frequency, grand concert body style that sits nicely in a bigger mix. They go to Taylor for that.
Best acoustic I've played: Santa Cruz D Model - Saving up my pennies for this one.
Best acoustic I own: Eastman AC722CE
Great review!!
I have a Martin 000-15S and a Gibson J35. Very different sounds but both great. Then this summer I picked up a Yamaha FSX5 - which is a wonderful guitar too.
Furch - the lovechild of the two. The color series for more taylor-esque sound, vintage series for folks leaning more towards the Martin.
In this comparison, I think I liked the Martin. I am fortunate to have one of each. A 000-15SM and a 614ce BE. They don’t sound at all like each other, which is great, so I cannot compare them. But … the one I love the most is, almost always, the one I just played. These are two seriously good companies striving to put phenomenal instruments into the hands of musicians. And almost any of the usual complaints may be addressed by trying a different pick or set of strings.
@CameraLaw . . . . Once again you have proved that it is all a matter of taste when you compare high-end guitars to high-end guitars. But these guys who compare the low-ends to the high-ends are just blowing smoke.
@@Rovingdog628 The main problem with any guitar review is that it usually looks at a guitar straight out of the box using the strings that came on it. Nothing wrong with that, in general, but find a good luthier to properly set up the guitar and some strings that meet your taste and your opinion might change. It took me four sets of strings to find one that maximized my 1989 Alvarez Yairi dreadnaught (the answer was mid tension Santa Cruz), now I'm perfectly content (the prior choices were Martin 80/20, PB, and Retro).
For me it’s was a vintage Martin in Hollywood Guitar Center. I picked it up and it was like it played itself it was old and very expensive the sound was so perfect my heart was pounding ya it was the absolute best one I ever played. I have some each one has it’s own spark. Still looking for a Martin 12 string with that spark
I’m 72yrs old,,,
I been playing since 9-10yrs,,,
It’s getting a little too tiring doing 4hr gigs with the hard rock/blues bands lately,,,
I did a lot of acoustic guitar/singing by myself back in the 70’s&80’s,,, with a great sounding Gibson,,,
I’m gonna be doing Christian acoustic & singing again & just got a Martin (because it was the one on sale) LOL,,,
Taylor & Martin ARE the richest sounding at good prices!!!
Although distinct differences,,, BOTH are definitely the ‘Cadillac’s’ Of acoustic guitars!!!
There’s a few Ferraris’s out there,,,, but for most people, there prices are way out of reach!
You did a great video!!! 🥰👍👍👍
For me it’s always been Breedlove. Created by ex Taylor designers and luthiers, and it sounds amazing in a full band, and multiple recordings, and I’ll never deviate.
Can you explain which model. Because most of breedloves I’ve picked up are rough to the fingers and dead sounding.
@@david8252 I completely agree. Their fretboards have always been really dry feeling to me making it harder to change positions
Sounds amazing in a full band translates to; doesn’t stand up on its own. Martin for the win.
I have a breedlove all Koa, and while I agree, it's magic and has a great sound/playability. My 000-28 martin blows it out of the water. Both great guitars, and I'm sure I'll own more breedlove guitars in the future. I would not put them in the same category as a high end Martin however.
I have always been underwhelmed by Breedlove guitars.
Best acoustic I ever played in my life was neither a Martin or Taylor...it was 1967 Guild d55...absolutely magic
That was a fun video. Especially since I’m at the crux of this question RIGHT NOW. I’ve been a Taylor guy my whole life. Taylor BB2, 312, GS Mini Mahogany, more. 20+ years of fingerstyle training and playing and evolution.
All of a sudden i want a Martin, and here’s this vid lol.
In this comparison. Its the martin. It has more bass, sounds more balanced. The taylor is so bright and tingy. It sounds good but its not as good as the martin to my ears. But ive never played each of these either so maybe the feel of each would lead me another direction.
So very happy I found your channel. On the advise of a friend, I bought a Taylor. It's a Gt Urban Ash. A great couch guitar. I'm learning it for the first time at age 68. Love it. Uber quality.
I'm 70 and I enjoy your channel. Over the years I've owned a LOT of guitars (both acoustic and electric). Every one of them is different. Clearly the Martin you selected for your video isn't a traditional Martin so it won't have that Martin sound (how can it with a bolt on neck). Even so, as a solo acoustic guitar that Martin sounded better to my (old) ears however I suspect that I'd prefer the Taylor in a group setting as it seemed to be brighter. I've played a bunch of Taylors and just could never get around the fact that the headstock is a different piece of wood from the neck proper. My Martin HD2832 has delighted me for 40 years now (despite the fact that it has plywood back and sides). I love the neck shape which is more like a tele than a traditional Martin neck.
Martin OM-28, Martin D-35, Taylor 410 (1990), Taylor Custom TF, Gibson J-200. Emerald custom Full Carbon. I've had most of these for years. The Emerald and Taylor TF just 3-4 years. They are all wonderful but very different instruments. I wouldn't even begin trying to say one is 'better' than another.
My main squeeze is an Alvarez YAiri. My friend has a really valuable Martin D-45 Snowdrop. I tried that once. It was really cool.
Mike, I loved your video. Awesome and very informative. I have to tell you, I'm an old guy that plays guitar and I have about a dozen but my acoutics go from a Martin, Takamine and a Michael Kelly. The best acoustic guitar I ever owned was an Epiphone. It was an acoustic guitar with a cutaway and seemed to have a little larger box than the usual acoustic. I wish I still had it. I sold it years ago and have been looking for another, ever since.
Definitely this takamine of mine , solid nude rosewood , I keep it away for shows . My go to acoustic is 69’ harmony.
The definite answer is to own both! They both sound great...
I recently discovered your channel. Very well done, your format and style and presentation and content and production are among the best I’ve seen. Bravo. You will reach a million subs one day. BTW, I’m an old guy with a Taylor 314ce. But I’d really like to also have a Martin, well, because……
Great vid! One thing though : Taylors have bolt on necks and once your acoustic needs a neck reset you'll be happy to have a taylor, I own a 214ce DLX, couldnt be happier (especially after a much needed neck reset 🙂)
@foesherino77 . . . . "Taylor" do NOT have bolt on necks. The cheaper ones like the 214ce does, but when you get into the $2k to 4k models they are set necks. And there is a reason for that. I've had guitars from the 1960s that have never needed a neck reset. A few more years of experience will teach you a lot.
Great video, bro.
Appreciate your efforts.
You're on a great path.
Your future looks bright.
I am a Taylor guitar player. I have a 214e, a GS Mini Mahogany and a 712ce-12fret. I’ve been playing Taylors for 10 years now. Honestly, I tried different shapes and sounding of Martin guitars. I fell in love with the 000-13e. I didn’t buy it. I regret it.
Recently, I discovered the Martin SC like the one you are playing but without the sunburst. It’s definitely a game changer for me. This is the most easiest guitar to play ever. The neck is build in a way you can find a confort at any position. It’s just a mind blowing!
Brilliant vid, made me laugh 😂 I’d be happy with either guitar, they are both a work of sonic art
I got to the point where you tested both guitars and they both sound incredible!!! Both of them!
Thanks for the video! I've been playing guitar since Christmas of 87. In my early days, I just wanted to be a vicious ripper like poison, warrant, ratt, etc. Acoustic instrumentation was far from my mind. But in 2003, I was fortunate enough to attend SAE Institute in Nashville, studying under the greatest audio engineers in the land. I had, of course, seen the ungodly expensive Martins hanging on the wall at Guitar Center. But that was about my extent of acoustic guitar knowledge at that moment in time. I do remember, almost with an evil thought in mind, grabbing a several thousand dollar Martin off the wall and playing it almost as a joke. (Like I could ever afford one.) I thought, "wow, I half expected it to play itself for this money." But to my surprise, it was outfitted with enormous guage strings, way too high for this cowboy, and stunk of bronze like every other acoustic guitar that I didn't want to play. Fast forward a few years I am at a seminar put on by a professional session guitarist at sae. He made no buts about it, that Taylor was the only choice for a working professional that isn't rich. I had seen the name on 1 or 2 guitarist's guitars on MTV. But he ensured they were unbeatable in so many words, but in such a way as to not offend the Martin crowd. One of the other kids in class invited me over to join his band. He had a Taylor "big baby." I fell madly in love almost immediately. I was a Taylor fan from then on. Fast forward a few more years my, then, wife asked me, "If you could have any guitar you wanted, what would it be?" That wasn't a tough question. Not even a little. Christmas 2008 rolled around and my ex and her wonderful parents got me a 114ce. Kind of a shady deal by guitar center, but they up-sold her to a 214 for a few hundred more, but it had to be ordered. Nonetheless, a 114 showed up. I never heard about the "up-sell" thing until years later, and pieced it together. But nonetheless, my 114 has been a trooper for 16 years. I really hoped that by this point it would look like Wiilly Nelson's "Trigger" but it still looks brand new. (And I'm very rough on guitars) it's sweet tones from its lab made laminated body only get sweeter with each year that passes. Because of sentimental reasons, and the fact that the martin's costing several times more don't sound nearly as good or play even close. No question in my mind that by the time I die of old age taylor will be the only choice.
I did the same exact thing. I met so many people that had Martins. So I thought I was gonna be a Martin guy. I played quite a few and loved them. But I finally decided to mess around and play a Taylor. It was a Taylor Big baby. At that moment, I automatically fell in love. I first started on a Taylor 114ce. Then went to a 214ce. And now, as a studio musician, I have a 724ce Koa Auditorium. Oh, and a big baby for a great travel and practice guitar. Don't get me wrong, Martins are still amazing sounding and playing guitars. But I'll always think that Taylors sound, play, and look better than Martins ever will.
I was listening via PCM Result-6 monitors fed via an SSL 2+ audio interface. The guitars definitely sounded different, but as to which sounded better, that would depend upon the player, the arrangement and the song. The strummed Taylor definitely cut through the mix better than the Martin. I would love to know how different they are to play. Great video though.
I have a Martin Sc-10E that is great all solid wood fish man pickups a cutaway it is gorgeous and sounds amazing and dark
The greatest sounding acoustic guitar that I've ever played is the mid 1960s Martin owned by my friend and absolutely fabulous fingerstyle player, Don Ablett. Brazilian rosewood back and sides and filled with beautiful overtones! Check out Don on the web, you'll be blown away!
The greatest acoustic guitar I've ever owned - and still own - is my 2010 Taylor GS8 (Grand Symphony). It's an absolute monster! Articulate yet warm - not the typical Taylor sound - due to the larger body size, the GS8 SINGS!! Beautiful for fingerstyle! Gorgeous note separation and overtones! Dig in and play it hard and it revs like a Ferrari! No note compression! After playing my GS8 shortly after I found it, in the words of Don Ablett: "The great guitars push a lot of air, and this is a great guitar!" High praise from a man who knows acoustic guitars like few others!
And to top it off the GS8 sounds AMAZING when amplified! I have a K&K Mini pickup that I use with both a passive or active preamp as the situation needs and the GS8 ALWAYS sounds stunning!
Sure, I'd love to own a Martin but even if I never do, my GS8 is a guitar that can be passed down through generations of my family in years to come. 🙂
the best guitar is that one you play and have fun with
Ive owned both, and I love my Taylor. Its louder and brighter and is just easier to play. Just my opinion.
Martin is "THE sound." Taylor is nice and bright and sits well in the mix (I find them ridiculously easy to mike up). For me, the winner was a Larrivee C-09!
Martin is "THE" sound because it's the first one in the category. They unintentionally established the "standard" of the sound of an acoustic guitar. There's nothing wrong with that but just for the discussion, what if it were not? I think if we want to compare them objectively, the "standard" should not exist at all, like an experiment without a control.
But comparing them objectively is stupid. Just go with what your heart feels is the right one. 😂😂
@BrettValentine . . . If you like the Larrivee C-09 you'll love this video: ruclips.net/video/_LMhSI0WwLM/видео.html
Martin: The sound of wood.
Taylor: The sound of strings.
Martin- You hear "in to" the wood
Taylor- I hear the finish on top of the wood
Taylor guitars often get the attention of a potential buyer right away because they convey more high frequency info, but that's because you hear the sound of the strings interacting with their industrial wood finishes. Some people like this. I don't. I find they have an overly artificial sounding top end. In contrast, a lot of Martin guitars convey a balanced and natural tone. (less hyped). To some, they sound "dull". I think they sound amazing. It might not get your attention right away, but over time, it's something you might grow to appreciate.
Both manufacturers make amazing guitars, but after having owned several examples of each over the past 25 years, I now find the sound of Taylors to be a bit annoying and the current build quality of Martins to be inconsistent. . In fact, my vote is for vintage Gibsons. :)
Your analysis is spot on. I think 'woody' when I hear a Martin. I bought a 314ce in 2008, and still play it all the time. I do want a Martin though. I need that earthy, warm tone.
Nailed it bud!!
how about both
Ive owned and played both and love the deep, resonant sound of a Martin . Taylor is great for recording since its crisp, sharp tones go straight through the mix
Forethought:
I’ve played electric & acoustic guitar since the 60’s.
Garage bands / adjudications / worship bands/ bands / duo’s / instrumentals at weddings & funerals / gigs.
Fave electric - Fender Strat.
Have had Yamaha’s, Tak’s, Epiphone’s.
Eventually got a Larrivee, a Rainsong, a Taylor and a Gretsch.
Larrivee’s are beautiful works of art that are sonically perfect.
Rainsong jumbo is a workhorse.
The Taylor is my go to.
I love hearing Martins being played by experienced bluegrass players.
But in *my* experience(and this only applies to *me*):
I’ve never pulled a Martin off a music store wall that appealed to me…*EXCEPT*…a Cocobolo Martin.
Excellent video. You did a great job of explaining the differences between the two. Well done!
Great Stuff Mike!! I appreciate and respect what you provide!!! \m/
It always pulls you to what brand you already have, just to convince yourselves, that you made the right choice, unless you owned both then you’ll be biasless..
I have only played a Martin a few times and I have a Taylor 1978 . I couldn't say they are both awesome guitars but I think the Martin has a richer full
sound but I have small hands and the Taylor feels better to me . I would like to add a Martin to my collection some day .
What about those of us who worship at the altar of Gibson?
They’ve all gone over to Martin…
I love my Hummingbird!
I've played and recorded with MANY Martin, Taylor, Gibson, Takamine and many others. The Gibson J45 is the best ever. Not a D28, not a 814ce, not anything else.
@@alancandy6080 really? I went from Martin to Taylor and from Taylor to Gibson. . . and have NEVER looked back
I’m very fortunate to own a Martin SC -10 e and a Taylor 414ce…. Best of both worlds.
Great acting at the end by both of you guys. You could be actors. I preferred the Martin sound by far but I play solo mostly.
A friend of mine made a few comments on how he was never impressed with Taylor. He plays mostly on a 1949 and a 1954 Martin. I don't remember the exact makes, but given their age and notoriety I don't feel it is going to help Martin in this story. I brought my Taylor 314 CE limited (Torrified Sitka top with Sapele back and sides) over for him to try out. Where the Martin's have a distinctive sound mostly from the fact they were made out of completely different materials, they did not dominate the Taylor like you might expect, or have been brainwashed into thinking that an old Martin dominates the acoustic guitar world. It was ground breaking to watch his playing open up as he responded to the sounds that he was bringing out of the Taylor. He went from uninterested and annoyed in giving into my request to try it out to drifting off into his favorite songs to play. I finally motioned for him to give it back as I was becoming concerned he was going to try and keep it. Mic drop!!!
I like that you jump right into the content from the very beginning of the video, instead of introducing yourself and explaining what you're going to be doing like every other annoying RUclipsr. So just for that reason, I'm going to subscribe to your channel. Keep up the good work.
Mike - bro you are hilarious! My name is also Mike, I am a Martin guy, but I've also tried some Taylors. I just got a 214CE Plus. I like Larrivees as well. OK - there is no doubt that an experienced guitarist can tell the diff between a martin and a taylor - the difference is as clear as the difference between mid morning and mid afternoon. But if its a sunny day - what difference does it make? They both sound really good. This is a great video and I applaud your presentation here!
I own both a Martin (00018) and two Taylor’s (Lutz spruce/rosewood and a Koa) and play mainly finger style. My Taylor’s when new sounded bright and since aging have warmed up to a nice balanced articulate sound. Martins are overall warmer, with higher highs and lower lows, louder, project with a fuller sound. Taylor grand concert fits my body better (I’m a shorter male with small hands) and they are just easier to play. I like the deeper bass and fuller sound on the Martin though when a song or tune calls out for it. I don’t know if I could really choose one guitar over the other. With the two guitars you played I like the Martin sound more
Both Martini and Taylor are plenty good for me! I happen to own a Martin Road Series which is my absolute favorite. I got it used on Craigslist for $420 about 3 years ago. It was dried out and had a high action and smelled like marijuana. I took some off the saddle and humidified it, and it sounds and plays great! But I'm sure there are Taylors that would make me just as happy. I now know to avoid plywood top guitars. Also, if you want a lower price point, Seagull guitars are great. And even lower, the Yamaha's are a great value.
I own a Martin hd28, and love it. But I rented a Taylor-214 I think-for a week, and while the tone wasnt my preference, I loved the feel of it. I really need to get one...
I have always loved taylors. I sat in a music shop and went back and forth between taylors and martins and the taylors were always just slightly warmer and gentle which I prefer. Obviously it varies guitar to guitar but I realy love taylors....also taylor koa guitars are immaculate to look at.
I have an early 60s martin baritone ukulele and 1996 martin d18vs, those are my all time favorite instruments.
Why does it have to be either or or? Why not both?
Best acoustic I've ever played was a McPherson, but that's way out of a mere mortals price range. Second best was actually a recent custom shop J35 (but not cheap by any means either). I've always preferred Martin over Taylor. Taylor has always been way too bright for my liking and quite shrill when brought into a mix.
I love my custom shop D18. Sounds great, and just stays in tune
To me, I do not like to think in terms of one or the other, but to the strengths of each.
Many get too caught up on the whole brand loyalty and all that, but to me the beauty of any instrument is the voicing, and understand how that sound applies to different contexts.
Certain guitars will always just speak to you, and I have played Martin, Taylor, Yamaha, Fender, PRS and others, and when they do speak to you, thats when it makes sense.
Likewise, I also love my cheapo Gretch Jim Dandy, it just has a certain mojo to it, its lo fi sounding and kinda boxy, and that sound just inspires me to take it wherever it takes me.
I would add a third comparison to the standard tests we see. Reviews like to focus on hearing them side by side, but rarely, if ever have i stumbled upon those who play them together is a mix, and how they compliment each other, instead its just pitting them against each other.
I find that every guitar has its own voice, and THAT is the magic.
That said... my first acoustic is a Taylor 314ce and I adore her. ❤
I currently own 4 Taylors and admittedly have very very little experience with Martin, but they both make amazing guitars and were lucky to have them, plus other great brands to choose from. I love my Taylors, but a D28 is one of my “one day” guitars
First of Mike I thought this was a fun video to watch and I enjoyed it. I was a Martin Guy for a long time, but as a gigging musician I have changed to Taylor, Body Size, quality build and good electronics. So, I do like Martin but prefer Taylor Guitars.
Now let's throw a Monkey Wrench into the mix, I am a Taylor Guy who also Plays and enjoys a Gibson J-45 Studio Rosewood.as well. For Stage and Home practice Taylor is becoming my guitar of preference. However, when I want that change in sound and a growl I play my Gibson J-45 Studio Rosewood that you will have to pry out of my dead hands. Martin is Good, Taylor is great, and Gibson is amazing.
Again, thank you and really nice video that I enjoyed. Well Done.
You make them both sound good!
I know right? I once criticised an amp modeller and I spent 15 months in guantanamo bay. And when I got out it still didn't have plugin support.
I was very lucky to work with a gentleman who lent me his Martin and his Taylor after he heard I was willing to spend some coin on a serious guitar. I have no idea what each model was but he informed me most people fall into one of two categories: Martin people or Taylor people. I played both and instantly knew I preferred the Taylor. Deep, rich, warm tones all around. The Martin sounded much more twangy, like more for country music, which I avoid at all costs. I returned them, thanked him profusely, and he told me he was a Martin guy. To each their own, whichever inspires you to play and create more, that’s the one for you.