1. Incubus - Drive 2. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Slow Cheetah 3. Dream Theather - A Change Of Seasons 4. Tommy Emmanuel - Angelina 5. Fleetwood Mac - Never Going Back Again
@@gamete4375 Some Taylor are great for my ears and I prefer them over yamaha and martin guitars I have heard so far, but there is something about Simon and Patrick and Art and Luthrie guitars that just hit the spot for my ears and I have tried some acoustic guitars myself. I even think my Godin hollow body sounds good acousticly when setup properly. I prefer its acoustic sound over my epiphone hollow bodies acoustic tone... Sometimes some music mixing can make one guitar sound like another though lol, but I would get one that also sounds super good to me for just jamming acousticly without recording maybe one day.
@@SpartanLaserCanon I also have A&L and a couple of Recording Kings. Have you tried Loar? Highly recommend for the money. I guess I mean that Martin and Taylor are generally speaking middle of the road cost-wise. See SANTA CRUZ, PRESTON THOMPSON, HUSS AND DALTON, and a few others. You'll find yourself in the $5,000 range to start. Martin and Taylor start around $1000. They're just not the most expensivist.
Sample 1: Taylor 0:16 Martin 0:46 Sample 2: Taylor 1:17 Martin 2:05 Sample 3: Taylor 2:51 Martin 3:20 Sample 4: Taylor 3:51 Martin 4:23 sample 5: Taylor 5:00 Martin 5:24
The Martin reminds me of a wise old man who has hundreds of stories to tell and the Taylor reminds me of a young man in his 20’s, eager to take on the world.
Both bodies are different too, so that will play a role in tonality in addition to the wood, but this isn't really a true comparison. If both dreadnought bodies were compared, that would make for a more accurate comp. I think.
Such a great comment and in my case, it's spot on. I am playing a Taylor grand 214ce after borrowing a friend's Martin which cost 3x the Taylor. My small Taylor is the only guitar that has ever made my playing sound good. And it's finally, a guitar that my little hands can manage at a price point that my wallet can stomach.
That... is a bit interesting. Yesterday I was in a big guitar shop and tried many many acoustics but nothing felt right. Then I stepped into the Taylor room... First one I tested was a 114 CE and I immediately started to play more freely. Unfortunately they had no Martins, so I cannot compare to them. There's a lightness in how the Taylor's play. My heart say Martin though, I like that company, so I have to visit another shop.
100%!!! I had taken back a Seagull S6 because the neck just didnt feel right. had the means to buy a Martin 00015M. I really wanted it because it was beautiful, made in PA and I been to the factory and was amazed at what I saw....obviously because of Martin's history as well. I played it with my very minimum skills for a 1/2 hour. Just wasnt feeling it. Decided I really loved the Taylors but did not want electronics. Went with a Seagull S6 Slim. Love it. I do have a Taylor Mahogany GS Mini. Thats an amazing guitar. Got it when I returned the Little Martin. Im just not good enough to make a Martin sound good. LOL
They both sound equally awesome. Martin has that deeper, woodie tone whereas the Taylor has more of that sparkle and jangle up high with a more sculpted bass sound. Both are stellar. One need not argue Taylor vs Martin; one need buy both.
When Guitars sound this good it's really up to which ever one feels better for you to play. Ten players might say Martin ten might say Taylor no wrong answer.
0:14 Incubus - Drive 1:16 Red Hot Chili Peppers - Slow Cheetah 2:50 ? (sounds a little like Time In A Bottle - Jim Croce) 3:50 Tommy Emmanuel - Angelina
Last year my dad asked me if I wanted a stored guitar that he had purchased in 1977 with the intention of learning to play. I opened the case to the beautiful sight and smell of a mint 1976 Martin snuggled in red velour that hadn't seen the light of day in over 40 years. No other guitar I own sounds as beautiful.
I'm happy for you. I recently opened the case that held a Gibson J-55 after not playing it in, oh, 35 years. The binding was falling off all over and cracks had developed in the wood. Repairing it will cost way too much. I'm afraid it's a goner. I'm thinking of switching to a Taylor Academy 10E. I will take better care of this beauty, including playing it frequently.
@@ianson3 Thanks, it's a mint, beautiful D35 that sounds better than my other 2018 Martin. It's not worth a ton of money, but its the one guitar I can never part with: the sentimental value more than anything else is immeasurable.
56 year old guy here,a slow process but learning the guitar, under no illusions of my capabilities, but blow me its the best thing I've ever done!I can honestly say it's in my thoughts every day,which is no bad thing.Your videos along with others,give me that push when I'm struggling, Thanks!
Ive watched many taylor/martin comparison videos and it always comes down to this. You want a mellow, warm sounding guitar thats subtle and feels good, get the martin. If you want a guitar that has a very opened up sound with a lot of highs, something that has a cutting sound for picking rather than strumming, get the taylor. So the answer is simple, get both because both guitars are good at their own things, masters of their own craft.
Bravissimo infatti ho acquistato una Martin d-42 e una Taylor 814ce builder's edition, provate in casa io preferisco Martin, alcuni amici preferiscono l'aggressività reattiva e squillante della Taylor.
Agreed Marcos. I play mostly live and the Taylor feels alive and responsive and more dynamic. The Martin is beautiful and sweet, but the Taylor feels like not just a guitar but a percussion instrument too.
The taylor is perfect for live playing, which is why today you see more and more "stars" using taylor on stage than any other guitar. Unless someone is trying to make a nastalgic statement to their "look" by playing a Martin or Gibson.
Not a straight up comparison. The Taylor is a Grand Auditorium with a cutaway, the Martin is a Dreadnought. Different body shapes that are designed to sound different. They're both great.
mr20barefoot different shapes are for different purposes. IMO it would be more proper to use the same shape in this case it would be dreadnought to compare.
And both very characteristically their respective brands. I think its valid. If youre gonna buy a Taylor its probably gonna be a GA or GS. If youre gonna buy a Martin its probably gonna be a D. Well, me at least lol.
I will say I have played a Taylor for a few years because that is the guitar that worked with me, but I recently played a Martin and have not forgot about that guitar. Not to replace my Taylor, but that deeper tone that Martin had (at least that guitar did) was a pretty cool change. No better, just different. Good to have options.
I slightly prefer the Taylor on chords. After hearing this, I think “Drive” (song at the beginning) may have been recorded on that model of guitar. Martin on fingerstyle is just another level, so rich and beautiful. Both tremendous instruments, and I prefer the Martin overall.
I thought the treble in the Martin sounded more like Drive. If the strumming was perfect and I closed my eyes I would've thought I was listening to Incubus. I own a Taylor 214ce and I have to give it up on the Martin for this one. Just shows you how everyone's ears are different!
I am far from an expert, but I like the sharper tone from the Taylor. They both sound fantastic, but they definitely have a different sound. This was great for me to hear. A definite learning experience. Both are amazing! The player ain't too bad as well.
@@DarrynDavis For some reason a lot of Martin fans tend to be really toxic in the comments, always putting down other guitars and people who prefer them.
ur an expert. most people we are biased to what we have heard in the past. Taylor makes the best guitars, otherwise the others wouldn’t copy them. but classics are classic for a reason.. enjoy em all
Listening to a Taylor for me is like attending an open air concert. Listening to a Martin is like laying out in the woods with Gordon Lightfoot going in your headphones... Oh, and neither one is bad at all...
Very similar to what I was thinking. Taylor's got a lot more bite overall it seems, and the Martin is smooth but subdued - surprising for a dreadnaught though tbh
Both together in harmony are the ultimate guitar duet. One Taylor and one Martin together will always sound better than two Taylor’s or two martins: change my mind
Man this is brilliant. I can’t imagine the planning and choreography that had to into making this vid , getting your reactions right and timed correctly to make it as realistic as it is. 🙌🏾
For fun I analyzed the spectrum for each guitar for each song and compared them. They are both extremely similar, with slight variations due to overall loudness and different note strikes between the two players. For a couple of the songs Martin has 3dB more in the bass and midrange but Taylor matched the low end for the other 3 songs. Taylor's low end peaks are narrower and more precise. Martin's low end spikes are usually wider and fuller which represents slightly more energy. Taylor consistently showed a 6dB advantage in the higher harmonics (>1kHz) which is significant as 6dB equals 2x amplitude advantage. I made a playlist of each so I could rapidly shift between them and I can hear the extra harmonics in the Taylor. It's just got slightly more of a ringing bell quality to it compared to the Martin.
I'd agree with that. After just one listen through I could hear the Martin was louder in the bass to mid range, but the Taylor was clearer on the top end overall.
Have you analysed for volume? The Taylors I have played are very stable guitars, not just in terms of timbre but in volume. The sound is consistent and smoth without drastic changes in tone or spikes in loudness. I liked the one Martin I played better because I could make it speak. You could mix timbres to get an orchestral effect. You could make it whisper clearly or boom without distortion. You could get a harsh bluesy wail or a rounded flute tone from the same box of wood. It gave more, but was less forgiving of mistakes.
Ubu987 I think you are right on. The Taylor sustains the volume of each tone longer giving it a more even dynamic, whereas I feel the Martin is capable of much more dynamic playing. I don’t think one is better than the other, the are enough fantastic sounding guitars, and both shine is different situations. I’d use the Taylor if I was trying to record an acoustic part that needs to sound very consistent dynamically, like for a pop tune with heavy strumming. I’d use the Martin for a more intimate acoustic led song.
The martin is a dreadnought shape so its not surprising that the taylors high end cuts through while martins bass and mids are more noticeable, comparatively speaking
Love them both! Great comparison! My preference, the Taylor. I think it had a little fuller sound. I noticed especially with the high notes that the Martin came off just a little tinnier. Not complaining at all, would take either. Great job guys.
@@dmanstarr Apparently. Martin tinny.? That guitar had a low growl. I have owned 15 Martins, currently 2. They all sounded better than the one in the video. That particular model is about bling. As to that particular Taylor, I preferred it over the Martin, and I don't warm up to Taylors.
@@jeffhildreth9244 You know what. I changed my mind a bit. I know what the OP meant. On strummed chords the Martins highs are less harmonically developed. This Taylor records like a mother fucker. out of these two, if you do mostly cowboy chords, get the Taylor. If you aren't a flat slammer or don't record a lot, get the Martin. Both nice guitars.
PS The Martin fixed in post would probably be better than the Taylor fixed in post. Martins have so much bass it makes the treble sound flimsy on recording with full chords. Taylors need little eq because they go easy on the bass. They don't have the single note magic of Martins. At least not that I've heard. Both brands can be hit and miss. At the end of the day, they are good quality, yet factory guitars.
Apples and oranges. They are two totally different styles of guitar designed to favor a certain kind of playing. This particular Taylor is built more for finger picking and this particular Martin is build to favor strumming. That being said you can still hear what both guitars are known for. The Taylor has a brighter sound and the Martin has that famous low end. To my way of thinking it's not a mater of which one is "better" it's a mater of which one YOU like most. Personally I favor the brighter sound of a Taylor. The Martins to me generally sound a bit dark and at times (depending on the guitar) down right 'muddy'. At times though, depending on the woods, the Taylors can sound a bit TOO bright to my ear. That's why I had a guitar built with a western cedar top for warmth and cocobolo back and sides for high end. It's turned out to be a perfect blend "FOR ME".
I agree, not a good comparison, I like the sound of Martin's just dont like the necks, Taylors play fast like an electric. As far as being too bright, stay away from Maple bodies, a good EQ can be a big help.
John Rodgers So in short, you have to pay $5,000 twice just to have a great sounding strumming guitar and another great sounding finger plucking guitar. I once thought a $5,000 guitar should sound great when played properly and nicely all the time, be it strumming or plucking the strings
I didn't say anything about having one guitar for strumming and one guitar for flat picking. When I spoke with my custom builder I told him that I was aiming for a guitar that would sound great rather it be finger picked or with a guitar pick and that's what I got. Yeah I don't know what gave you that idea. This sounds AMAZING both ways (and it was 8K). If you look at a lot of top shelf players (Phil Keagy, James Taylor and others I think you'll find that many of them get top shelf custom guitars like an Olson (not that I could afford an Olson) or something like it. If one looks at what Jim Olson builds, listen to them, read reviews about how they play, see the craftsmanship than it's clear that they are truly in another class than "off the rack" guitars.
In my experience, Taylor guitars generally give you better playability than Martin, whilst sacrificing a bit of volume in the process. This will vary a bit from model to model, and even from guitar to guitar obviously. But generally speaking, that is the largest differentiating factor I've noticed between the two brands. Martin is kind of the classic acoustic guitar brand. If you value tradition in guitar builds, and want a guitar which is true to the old school guitar craftsman, Martin is the way to go. I'd also give points to Martin for how the sound of their high end guitars developes over time, when properly maintained. The only problem is that most people don't live in stable climates, or in houses which have humidity controlled rooms, so "properly" maintaining a Martin, and achieving a more developed sound over time is exceedingly difficult, because changes in humidity can lead to irreparable damage to the playability of the guitar. Taylor, on the other hand, has adopted a more modern, innovative approach to guitar building. For example, Martin has traditionally used hide glue to bind different parts of the guitar to one another (e.g. the fretboard to the neck, neck to body... etc), although I'd be surprised if they weren't using a different adhesive for modern guitar builds. Taylor does not use adhesives at all for their high end models. They created a system of joints that allow their guitars to be easily disassembled when in need of repairs. So if your fretboard is old and worn out, and you want to replace it, you can remove the fretboard without having to file away 40 year old hide glue. Another innovative feature of Taylor guitars is their system for adjusting the angle of the neck relative to the body. They use a system of spacers within their neck joint to allow easy adjustments to the angle of the neck. If your neck swells on a Martin, and is elevated or declined by a few degrees relative to the body, there is no real solution to that problem, which becomes an inevitability if you live in an area that sees large changes in humidity throughout the year. A truss rod adjustment to compensate for buzzing, at that point, would only serve to hurt the playability of the guitar. As I said earlier, Taylor is an innovative guitar company. They realized that was a problem, and found a solution. I like Taylor guitars better generally, but there's really no wrong answer to which brand is better. It all depends on what you personally prefer. Both brands are great, and both create sonically, and aesthetically pleasing guitars with different benefits that will appeal to different types of guitarists.
George Mason Thank you for summarizing the differences between the two brands. The technical aspects of your explanation are really helpful and eye opening.
That was a nice addition to the conversation. I had the general feeling that Martin was maintaining a tradition they’ve mostly perfected. That’s a quality company that might have generations of Americans working for them. I admire that. Now I know that Taylor is progressive in their nature and construction. The proof is in the quality of the brand. That’s also admirable. One of each, please.
I own both brands, they both sound great! I have expensive Martins and a very expensive Taylor Koa, I love them both, it's really about what you think which tone woods you like! I love Koa, but like Indian Rosewood too! My favorite is a Martin because it was only $1500.00 and isn't in my safe! I wouldn't want to lose the expensive Martins or really expensive Taylor Koa, so keep them locked up? I've grown attached to them and love my two strats and one tele too! Taylor seems to be the best for play ability and more innovative! It is amazing the tones out of some of their newest! But I still love them both!
Taylor: Clear, Cutting, Bright Martin: Boomy, Expansive, Rich Taylors are excellent for complicated fingerpicking/recording and Martins are excellent for long sustained notes and strumming/live performances. Taylors are more detail oriented and Martins are more soothing.
Admittedly, I'm not a huge fan of the Taylor tone. But, there is a reason that a lot of people that sing while playing, play a Taylor. It fits most vocal registers whereas a lot of others would cause the vocalist to force the sound or get completely washed out. As a standalone however, the Taylor just isn't my thing.
Not a hundred percent confident I think the song list is: 1. Drive by Incubus (strum chorus) 2. Slow Cheetah by Red Hot Chili Peppers (strum/pick intro and verse) 3. Time in a Bottle by Jim Croce (Instrumental verse/chorus) 4. Papa George by Tommy Emmanuel (slower tempo) 5. Never Going Back Again by Fleetwood Mac (Opening Lick through verse)
+Paul Davids Thank you. You have inspired me to search for the names of 3 and 4. I am appreciative of these videos; they are a big help in deciding on a new guitar in the future. The sound contrast is good to hear and with good songs to sample depth, pitch, and string tone (something that is important to me).
Well for starters, the difference in body shapes plays a huge part in the tones. I’ve played both high end and lower end Taylor’s and Martin’s. Taylor’s always sound brighter and more brassy in my opinion. Martins have a smoother tone and just sound so full overall. Like almond milk VS whole milk. I don’t hate Taylor’s as they do have a place, but overall, Martin is where it’s at on a much larger scale of applications
Something about old Martin's that just bring shivers down my spine. I've played some new nice guitars and they sound damn near perfect. But when you pick up an old worn Martin it just sounds like it was made just for you. If anybody has a chance to own or just jam on a old broke in Martin please do so!
Augustine Coronado I own (and love) a Taylor 514C, 1996 model. I once jammed with a fellow that had a 1950's Martin "parlor" size guitar (not sure of the model number). Two totally different guitars, of course, but I instantly fell in love with that little Martin. One of the sweetest sounding (and playing) guitars I've ever encountered! He took a liking to my Taylor, BTW. I jokingly told him I'd trade him even. Of course, he laughed and said, "no, thanks!" ;)
Listen, I would throw either one of these guitars out of bed. But the Martin emphasizes the bass. I like the Taylor slightly better. Both are super sweet. Way out of my range.
Truth1 that's why I've always told people that i see martins as very valuable as rhythm guitars in a lot of genres, and Taylor's as a bit more universal with lead parts. But it's not like that's universal for every song and every person. That's my opinion though based on the fact that you pointed out the Martin is a bit more bassy
Truth1 The three dots on the side will let you edit after you hit reply. The Taylor will sound thinner with less wood on the top to vibrate. Did you notice the Taylor has only one Mic and the Martin has two? It's apples and oranges. We live in our imagination trying to fulfill our Phantasy
Both sound great. Taylor’s generally have a brighter/ cleaner evenly projected sound while Martin’s have a deeper mellow tone with a focus on mid tones. Love both. I had a 1995 Taylor GA/MC (300 ever made) that had such a rich sound. Should have kept it.
Thanks so much for posting this, I'm left handed and in my 50+ yrs of playing ive never owned an acoustic. Mostly because there are few left handed acoustics out there at least now there are many more to choose from. Maybe I'm getting my Taylor tomorrow , after all its Father's Day .lol
I OWN A MARTIN D18.$2000...I OWN A YAMAHA FS800.$200....GUESS WHICH I PLAY MORE?.....REALLY!! GO FIND A FS OR FG YAMAHA USED AND YOU WILL BE A HAPPY PERSON....5 OUT OF 5 DENTISTS AGREE..
Martin hands down. Don't get me wrong the Taylor sounds great. The Martin's rich balanced tone is exactly what a guitar should sound like in my personal opinion.
Try a Taylor dreadnought 710e not a 714ce Smaller guitar! Of course the Martin will sound bigger....dumb comparison. A Taylor Dread will sound bigger than the Martin hand down
Flipper Carlin I was just about to say that lol. This isn’t a fair comparison. Great video, and thanks to the uploader for making it, but try a 710ce or a 810ce.
It’s weird I love the way Taylor’s play, they’ve got that down, the intonation is almost always perfect and they are clean and clear ... but, that Martin sounds FN great man. It’s just very woody and musical, voicing perfect, you get those Martin overtones. In a perfect world for me a Taylor with Martin characteristics... ahh, I think I’m starting to blow smoke outta my ass. There both great.
When you're a player at that skill level and have this kind of professional understanding in recording and post-processing audio, almost any guitar would sound amazing. I assume effects and EQ were adjusted separately to support each of the guitars as well. Man, that reverb on the Taylor sounds divine. Very, very impressive!
It would be nonsensical to use effects in comparisons for two acoustic instruments. I would assume that what you mistook for reverb is probably just natural resonance.
I read one persons comments and obviously they can’t read or disregarded be kind and courteous. I’ve been blessed with the ability to have owned both. I currently have a 2021 OOO15SM AND A 2013 GCPA4R they are wonderful and different. Santa Cruz, Maton, Taylor all make good guitars. Nice post and yes they both sounded really nice. M. Christmas
"Better" is what you like, so a better book or movie or wine or guitar sound is what you like. This Taylor is brighter, stronger mid-high tones, more metallic edge. It presents a slight "electric" lean to the sound, so most young music fans will like it. The Martin is smooth as silk, a real gem as far as how my ear hears it.
I currently own a Martin 000rs1 (most balanced git ive ever played), Gibson j-50 and Taylor 214ce Deluxe. Have to say, the Martin in this video sounded pretty muddy and not open. Maybe, its because its new or something but it certainly hasnt opened up, the Taylor just blows it away, especially on the incubus song, its not even close how much clearer it sounds. This is coming from someone who normally likes dry tones of j45s and sapele btw. Give that martin some fresh air and play it regularly, in a few years it should sound every bit as good, but the Taylor wins here for me.
A revisit to this video Paul. I love when you do this kind of side by side comparison. Both of these guitars have very distinct sounds...wish I had the money to own one of each!
@@nickcage3703 seriously. Like how. It feels like nostalgia. Of some place i call home that i miss. When i dont even have a home lol. Makes me feel so relaxed and happy. The taylor is too harsh. I sold my taylor 814ce. It was cool when i was 15 and saved for 4 years to buy it. But inwas young and on the hype train. Going for a martin this time.
I had a lot of trouble with my 8 series Taylor, constantly needed adjustment. Switched to a Martin OM28 and have had zero problems for 20 years. Taylor makes beautiful guitars and this is not a "beat up Taylor" comment it's just that I will always look to Martin 1st just for the stability. There was also the issue of the "Taylor bump", look it up. BTW thanks Paul for all the videos enjoy them very much.
I have more issues with my Martins' mecks actually. I have 4 Taylors ranging from 6 to 12 years old and have never had to have the neck adjusted. I slightly favor the Martin sound in general but I find Taylor quality the best out of the big three acoustic companies.
@@asuww1995 Yes. Taylor EQ sounds to my ears like it is missing many mid tones and some bass, emphasizing high end brightness. Martin sounds more like a balanced tone throughout the range. Interesting comparison. The shape difference could contribute to that (there's more equidistant space inside the Martin, allowing the sound waves to bounce around in a more balanced fashion), and so could mic placement, which seems slightly different for each guitar as well. Difficult to really compare unless you go to a shop and sit down with no one else around. Trust one's own ears/feel/experience, not a youtube video.
@@MikeandMandy it really depends on the recording and the acoustic space hes playing in , brighter ones tend to sound more impressive in a bigger room as it carries 'more' sustain and attack which draws more attention in a low SPL situation(e.g unplugged in a concert hall)
1st off two AMAZING players! I loved this. 2 different body styles tho. In my experience, the cut out makes a difference . Outside of that it really depends on the player. I love both brands but I will add that the low end Taylor guitars still sound like a good player ready guitar. Where as less expensive Martin’s don’t really sound that great. Again, I love both brands. As a guitarist who’s logged in a lot of hours (Live) on my axe’s!
The Martin completes the sound when compared to the Taylor side by side. The Taylor only gives you 90% of the Martin. I own both brands and they both have great sound but there's just something about a Martin dreadnought you just can't replicate.
what makes you think the taylor is trying to copy martin? the taylor has diffrent woods and a diffrent bodyshape. its 0% martin because its a taylor and martin is 0% taylor. they are completely diffrent.
I went to the guitar center last week with the intention to trying few Taylor’s in particular the 214ce and 324ce ... “that is my budget “ pretty much.. but I have to say I was a bit disappointed of the sound then I tried a Martin if I remember was a gpc electric cut and I really liked the bass sound.. very deep... I had never played a Taylor or martin before ... I’m thinking I’ll buy a Martin then when I’ll make more money I’ll buy a Taylor.. lol maybe.
Now... That's the best objective observation from all the comments I've read around here. You've got to be a musician...😁 Still, that's why I like Taylor the most... 😀
First of all, I love the way a higher end Taylor feels under the fingers. Like driving a Mercedes Benz vs Honda Accord. Also looks great as far as fit and finish. Finally, it sounds like a great guitar. I have a Martin D-28 Authentic 37 and the sound is not just bigger in every way but far more interesting than my friends newer Taylor 814ce. High end martins capture every imaginative nuance possible that an acoustic guitar can possibly give. The 814 feels great, sound great, looks great but the Martin allows you to discover emotion while playing. Very Touch sensitive and then gives youneven more when you dig in. The spectrum of sound is so vast your sound will reflect your mood. The dynamics make it easy to play beautifully through inspiration. Plus, that boom against your body feels like something you can even explain. I truly love guitar (playing 30 years at 35 yrs old) and now I have a much richer understanding and appreciation for the instrument. Martin gave me that understanding and they help maintain my love an enthusiasm for music. Play a 1963 Gibson hummingbird, custom Collins, high end Taylor, etc... and you’ll say “wow that was an awesome guitar and I had fun playing it”. I’ve literally played a thousand different guitars from my first one, ($50 with the case included ) to a upwards $120k and all in between. Pick up a raggedy beat down and dirty 1935 Martin D28 and you’ll see the acoustic guitar differently forever. If you feel the love for the hobby then go buy, slowly pay on and eventually own a high end recreation of that hand build masterpiece, (like my d-28 Auth) and you’ll play it for a lifetime and never stop discovering what all it has to offer up. If you truly love guitar, (you would have to love it) it’s an investment that will hold and even increase in value (not very many good trees left to build amazing high end instruments) over time. Maybe not historically speaking, like the old ones but in quality woods and craftsmanship. You will enjoy it for a lifetime then a loved one for the rest of there’s and so on. Some people spend more on a 7 day vacation. You get what you pay for when it comes to guitars and if you disagree than maybe you need to practice more then go play a few. At a certain point you’ll be able to hear and feel the difference I promise. I couldn’t afford mine but planned it in the budget. 46 months later I owned something I’ll pass down and can enjoy throughout life when I’m playing live, with friends, or every time I’ve got quick sec to pick it up. For all you haters out there.
Quantum Music Creations the 42 is less expensive and a better sounding guitar than the 45. It all has to do with the forward bracing. I’ve owned both over the years . When the 42 was reintroduced in early - mid 1990s I tried one. Immediately sold my 45 ...
That's no surprise...the Martin is a dreadnought shape, which emphasizes the bass. The naroow waist of the GS emphasizes mid-range and trebles. Comparing a Taylor GS to Martin dreadnought is a bit of an apples vs oranges thing.
When I bought my Taylor I spend a good couple hours in the local shops acoustic room. Played everything. Ended up with a Taylor by process of elimination as to what sounded and felt best. What I do remember is the Taylor’s having a brighter and more pronounced sound than the martins. I opted for a Taylor but I would love to add a Martin to my arsenal. They are darker sounding acoustics to my ears and that has its own place for sure. I have yet to experiment with strings. Have only used the recommended elixirs but I need to see how the Taylor performs with a different brand of strings. I don’t think you can go wrong with either guitars. They are both superb.
They are both incredible sounding however if I was to buy one after watching this video I'd buy the Taylor . It just appeals to my ears more .really good comparison and nice guitar playing! Smart idea having the same guitarist playing both.
I think Martin has a more “traditional” sound, fat and creamy, and I love it. Taylor is a very clear instrument, maybe too mutch for me. Great instrument, though.
Excellent video Paul as all of your videos always are. The comparison does a good job of showing strengths of each. The brawny sound of the Martin is undeniable. The articulate voice of the Taylor’s midrange are equally impressive. I own a 1975 D28 that I purchased new. Not the best years for Martin but since I got the neck reset (under warranty 30 years after I bought it and changing out the Grover tuners with Waverly open backs, a bone saddle and tusk bridge pins I can say it is really sweet. I also owned a Taylor 814 that I really liked but sold it. In its place with a little bit more full voice I bought a Furch Pure Red auditorium body guitar. It is a cut above. What a beauty.
I think in a quiet room the Martin has such a moody sound which is awesome and intimate, but I always found the Taylors to be more projecting and fun to play.
ImagineNation MAYBE BECAUSE IT'S NOT A CUTAWAY AND LETS BE HONEST, THEY COULD HAVE PICKED A HIGHER END TAYLOR COMPARED TO THE TIER OF THAT MARTIN. TO ME TAYLOR HAS ALWAYS SOUNDED FULLER..
Taylor sounds weak by comparison. MAYBE BECAUSE THEY"RE ARE MORE FOCUSED ON CUTTING CONSTRUCTION COSTS THAN MAKING GREAT GUITARS. [ if you scream it it doens't make it so ]
Still not a Dreadnought 800 campared to the D 42....unfair. and I've had many many Martins since 1968...the 70's were not a good time for Martins either and I had them all. Except a D 45. And my 410e Rosewood Taylor blows every 70's Martin Ive had. Dont get me wrong...selling Martins as a dealer for years I know. Many I love. But selling Taylors now....big difference.
Bringing this old comment back up to the top for easier clicking: Sample 1: Taylor 0:16 Martin 0:46 Sample 2: Taylor 1:17 Martin 2:05 Sample 3: Taylor 2:51 Martin 3:20 Sample 4: Taylor 3:51 Martin 4:23 sample 5: Taylor 5:00 Martin 5:24
You started playing Drive at the beginning and I was so happy. One of my friends is a major incubus fan and told me to learn that song, so I did, the first incubus sing I learned. Great work!
The Martin has a richer tone and the Taylor is brighter. In my humble opinion, the Martin fills the space better and is suited more towards live performances. Nonetheless, another superb video from Mr. Davids.
I played my first Taylor a week or so ago and I felt like it had that bass I was missing (although some of that could be that it was in d# tuning), but now that your saying it’s brighter, I might have to check a Martin out…especially because videos never do it justice
Martin sounds thoroughly good. I hear a bit of resonance missing from the Taylor however the Taylor does have some brightly pronounced notes. I favor the Martin.
I own a Martin, love it, had it for about 20 yrs now. my previous guitar was a Canadian seagull, exquisite guitar, should never have sold it. both guitars were amazing for stage and recording.
100%!!! I had taken back a Seagull S6 because the neck just didnt feel right. had the means to buy a Martin 00015M. I really wanted it because it was beautiful, made in PA and I been to the factory and was amazed at what I saw....obviously because of Martin's history as well. I played it with my very minimum skills for a 1/2 hour. Just wasnt feeling it. Decided I really loved the Taylors but did not want electronics. Went with a Seagull S6 Slim. Love it. I do have a Taylor Mahogany GS Mini. Thats an amazing guitar. Got it when I returned the Little Martin. Im just not good enough to make a Martin sound good. LOL
@@maison1306 Tell me about it Dan, its been probably 15 years and I still regret it.. although I did sell a Maton backpacker 12 string which I wasn't happy with.. I had wanted a Maton before I even bought the seagull but after having trouble with 2 seperate salesmen when I was out to buy one I ended up at "Gallum's rare guitars" in Melbourne, when I walked into the shop there was the salesman sitting on an amp surrounded by Guilds and Gibsons and Martins and he was playing the seagull, hearing it through the amp and seeing it I couldn't refuse it. it was spectacular. I have my Martin now, its a great guitar expertly crafted, but I think the seagull was made with love. the Martin is more of a mass produced carbon fibre job.. Thanks for your input.
@@MrHip76 we learn every day Keith, the more you expose yourself to the guitar the better you will be, I've found that if you play the guitar and listen to it through headphones you really hear every little touch of the strings and you can fine tune your skills.. KEEP PLAYIN!!
I am blessed with my dad's old D-1R that we purchased together in 95, the sound is so rich and the harmonics are just to die for. Deep bass, gorgeous clear mids and bright highs that are all in such balance. But the setup is hard to play. I'm adjusting it now. Ive always loved the way that Taylors play out of the box. Now I have my own a DCX1AE for the past 12 years and it's plays great, better for finger picking and lead. I'm a Martin man but I admire a good Taylor. Seriously want one too. Maybe one day. But my two Martin's are fantastic guitars.
You guys are comparing apples to pineapples. They're both really nice guitars and that's where the comparison ends. One is made for finger picking (Taylor) and the other for rhythm, flatpicking and banjo killing (Martin). The Martin sounds like a Martin dread with Rosewood back and sides and the Taylor sounds like a Taylor GS. Martin doesn't make a GS size guitar. Taylor makes a very nice selection of Dreads. Taylor and Martin make a bazillion different body sizes/configurations. They all sound different, not better. There is no "Best" guitar! Nice playing by the way!.
Sorry Mark, they're obviously comparing apples to apples. Unless you are blind, one can ascertain that both of these are guitars. Not only that, they appear to be dreadnaught body style. Apples to PIneapples would be comparing a dreadnaught guitar to something dissimilar. Such as a bass or a Uke. There is no harm in saying this guitar or that guitar sounds the best. In large part it is a subjective appraisal, but nevertheless if, in the event, I favor Taylor guitars and commend them to people seeking my opinion it would not be wrong of me to do so. It is possible to be different and better... logically speaking. For example if you're seeking a certain sound and like the sound as a matter of opinion and one of the above guitars suits that sound it is not wrong to name one as better than the other.
To me its impossible to tell them apart. The Martin seems to compress a bit less though, which i like. I have a Martin and love the feel of the guitar, never played a Taylor though..
@@georgetovar8947 The Dread Martin was low end boomy as expected. Nothing spectacular about that particular guitar. I have owned 15 Martins, currently two. The Martin in the video was not a one of best I have heard. The Taylor was cleaner and focused. I have not been compelled to buy a Taylor to include this particular Taylor . Conclusion, The Taylor was a better example of a Taylor than the Martin was a Martin. But, then, this is youtube, not live.
Both guitars sounds absolutely beautiful and they are perfect fits for different genres of music. For me I always prefer the airy sound of a Taylor guitar.
They both sounds beautiful. The differences are negligible at best, and entirely up to preference of the player... that said, as far as I’m concerned, my 2016 Taylor 614ce blows everything else I’ve played out of the water. I’ve played dozens of world class guitars in excess of $50000 dollars, and I wouldn’t trade anyone of them for the tone, beauty, and playability of my Taylor.... but as I’ve said, it my personal preference. Some of you I’m sure would say the same of some other guitars and I’m happy for each of you who have found the one as I have!
It's technically true but this is a very faithful comparison nonetheless. Martin are famous for creating the Dreadnought style body whereas Taylor are famous for creating the Auditorium style body and X bracing. At the highest dollar, people will either purchase a Martin for the Dreadnought or the Taylor for an Auditorium because they epitomize the best in class of each respective style of guitar shape so it's fitting that they be compared in this way. Besides, the Taylor has some very punchy mids whereas the Martin seems to excel in the highs and lows. I wouldn't say the Dreadnought Martin is better perse than the Taylor Auditorium shape, they just offer different tonal properties. My bet is if they were both Auditorium or both Dreadnought the differences would be almost non-existent because of the near identical level of craftsmanship.
To my untrained ear the Martin has a richer, deeper sound, while the Taylor has a more twangy sound. It depends on your preference but I like the Martin.
Exactly right. And for some situations, the Taylor is a much better tool than the Martin. Like in a band situation, you want a guitar to cut through the mix so it needs high end. I have a D-42 myself and it is a wonderful, amazing guitar. But not always the right tool. If you play singer-songwriter things acoustically, strumming, very few guitars on the planet will sound better. But for fingerpicking a 000 or OM just works better. Horses for courses! This is why great guitarists, who have a bit of money, own 100 or more guitars. 🙂. They all have their mojo.
I have a Taylor, a Gibson, and a Martin. I keep returning to my Taylor for the ease of playing on it. My Taylor is a 514 ce, the Gibson is a J45 and the Martin is one of 250 Custom Shop guitars. All have excellent build quality.
Agreed, and I'm a Martin guy. There's a thing about Martin guitars, though: they make me feel more emotional about the music. Like there's little dynamics in there from the Martin that the Taylor just drowns out. But in a live setting, I'd choose the Taylor. At home, on my couch, hand me the Martin.
I honestly love the sound of both of them. I liked the Martin the best but, that could change depending on my mood on a given day. The martin sounded a lot closer to recorded version of "Never going back again" than did the Taylor. I say this realizing that linsey typically uses Taylors these days.
I have an old Martin HD-28. Love it. My son just bought a Taylor 314ce from Sweetwater yesterday, can't wait for it to arrive. I'm excited to play side by side, that should sound incredible!
@@dustinglass They both sound beautiful in their own way. Taylor has excellent mids and highs and sounds absolutely great. Martin has the whole spectrum, but the way it resonates just blows me away. When you play a Martin you and everybody listening knows it! The best way I can explain it is like this; Lets say you walk into a room blindfolded. Somewhere in that room, someone is playing a Taylor. Even blindfolded you could point to where the sound is coming from. Now, walk into that room when someone plays a Martin and you are completely surrounded by tone. It fills the room evenly. I've always been a Martin guy but I would never turn down a good Taylor either. If it wasn't for being a lefty, I'm sure I'd already own a Taylor. Keep in mind that both companies make their lower end models as well as their higher end models. And there is a BIG difference. So I hope this answers your question and if you're trying to choose, I say play them both and go with what feels and sounds better to YOU. You can't go wrong with either one.
1. Incubus - Drive
2. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Slow Cheetah
3. Dream Theather - A Change Of Seasons
4. Tommy Emmanuel - Angelina
5. Fleetwood Mac - Never Going Back Again
You deserve the cookie!
Both of you deserve a cookie because it was a very nice choice of songs
nice going man :) was really looking for the songs , helped a lot.
also i like the taylor a little more , just an opinion
Dude you literally made life amazing
Martin: Comment
Taylor: Comment
Can’t afford: Like
Like
I own both, but am so much a cork sniffer that these don't register as "high end".
I want them both, but I have no money for either so I like and comment
@@gamete4375 Some Taylor are great for my ears and I prefer them over yamaha and martin guitars I have heard so far, but there is something about Simon and Patrick and Art and Luthrie guitars that just hit the spot for my ears and I have tried some acoustic guitars myself. I even think my Godin hollow body sounds good acousticly when setup properly. I prefer its acoustic sound over my epiphone hollow bodies acoustic tone... Sometimes some music mixing can make one guitar sound like another though lol, but I would get one that also sounds super good to me for just jamming acousticly without recording maybe one day.
@@SpartanLaserCanon I also have A&L and a couple of Recording Kings. Have you tried Loar? Highly recommend for the money. I guess I mean that Martin and Taylor are generally speaking middle of the road cost-wise. See SANTA CRUZ, PRESTON THOMPSON, HUSS AND DALTON, and a few others. You'll find yourself in the $5,000 range to start. Martin and Taylor start around $1000. They're just not the most expensivist.
Sample 1: Taylor 0:16 Martin 0:46
Sample 2: Taylor 1:17 Martin 2:05
Sample 3: Taylor 2:51 Martin 3:20
Sample 4: Taylor 3:51 Martin 4:23
sample 5: Taylor 5:00 Martin 5:24
Thanks
Taylor All the way!!!
What song is sample 4?
Tommy Emanuel - Angelina
What song is a sample 3?
The Martin reminds me of a wise old man who has hundreds of stories to tell and the Taylor reminds me of a young man in his 20’s, eager to take on the world.
Couldn’t have explained it better myself!
Sounds like some Jimi Hendrix lyrics.
I'd rather be a young man in 20s with lots of young chicks around me ...so Taylor suits my taste perfectly
@@phunguyen-pl5gh sounds fun! Just be careful you don't break too many G strings 😉
Taylor is rather a woman.
To me, Martin sounds more balanced, a bit towards bass, and Taylor towards Treble. I prefer more bass, warmer to me.
It might be for the box size
Hiển Râu ơ sếp cũng xem à :))))
Anh hiển ơi:))
Yeah i thought the exact same thing :D
Both bodies are different too, so that will play a role in tonality in addition to the wood, but this isn't really a true comparison. If both dreadnought bodies were compared, that would make for a more accurate comp. I think.
Whenever I've played them both in stores, the Taylors often made me sound good but the Martins exposed me for the fruad I am.
Such a great comment and in my case, it's spot on.
I am playing a Taylor grand 214ce after borrowing a friend's Martin which cost 3x the Taylor.
My small Taylor is the only guitar that has ever made my playing sound good. And it's finally, a guitar that my little hands can manage at a price point that my wallet can stomach.
That... is a bit interesting. Yesterday I was in a big guitar shop and tried many many acoustics but nothing felt right. Then I stepped into the Taylor room... First one I tested was a 114 CE and I immediately started to play more freely. Unfortunately they had no Martins, so I cannot compare to them. There's a lightness in how the Taylor's play. My heart say Martin though, I like that company, so I have to visit another shop.
100%!!! I had taken back a Seagull S6 because the neck just didnt feel right. had the means to buy a Martin 00015M. I really wanted it because it was beautiful, made in PA and I been to the factory and was amazed at what I saw....obviously because of Martin's history as well. I played it with my very minimum skills for a 1/2 hour. Just wasnt feeling it. Decided I really loved the Taylors but did not want electronics. Went with a Seagull S6 Slim. Love it. I do have a Taylor Mahogany GS Mini. Thats an amazing guitar. Got it when I returned the Little Martin. Im just not good enough to make a Martin sound good. LOL
😂😂😂
Brilliant. I felt the same
They both sound equally awesome. Martin has that deeper, woodie tone whereas the Taylor has more of that sparkle and jangle up high with a more sculpted bass sound. Both are stellar. One need not argue Taylor vs Martin; one need buy both.
If you like sparkle use a telecaster .
@@geraldhills41 that’s comparing apples and oranges… one is acoustic, the other is electric. You can’t do that😂
This is a very apt description!
True, great description!
True, I’m gonna sell my two kidneys for these
When Guitars sound this good it's really up to which ever one feels better for you to play. Ten players might say Martin ten might say Taylor no wrong answer.
True!!!
Exactamundo.
Yes. A thousand times yes.
0:14 Incubus - Drive
1:16 Red Hot Chili Peppers - Slow Cheetah
2:50 ? (sounds a little like Time In A Bottle - Jim Croce)
3:50 Tommy Emmanuel - Angelina
2:50 is Dream Theater!! Change of Seasons
You da man!
Steff thanks
Steff ol
Congratulations men! Have you get a big ass cookie?))))) P.S its says under author's video)
Last year my dad asked me if I wanted a stored guitar that he had purchased in 1977 with the intention of learning to play. I opened the case to the beautiful sight and smell of a mint 1976 Martin snuggled in red velour that hadn't seen the light of day in over 40 years. No other guitar I own sounds as beautiful.
If you ever feel inclined to share a video of it, I’d love to hear it.
As do I
I'm happy for you. I recently opened the case that held a Gibson J-55 after not playing it in, oh, 35 years. The binding was falling off all over and cracks had developed in the wood. Repairing it will cost way too much. I'm afraid it's a goner. I'm thinking of switching to a Taylor Academy 10E. I will take better care of this beauty, including playing it frequently.
@@ianson3 Thanks, it's a mint, beautiful D35 that sounds better than my other 2018 Martin. It's not worth a ton of money, but its the one guitar I can never part with: the sentimental value more than anything else is immeasurable.
@@ianson3 have you priced what it would cost to fix? I work at Gibson in Nashville. Yours is prob worth fixing, just sayin.
56 year old guy here,a slow process but learning the guitar, under no illusions of my capabilities, but blow me its the best thing I've ever done!I can honestly say it's in my thoughts every day,which is no bad thing.Your videos along with others,give me that push when I'm struggling, Thanks!
Keep going, man! It only gets better with time!
You got this.
Me too. I started Jan 2024 at the age of 54. I deeply regret not making it a priority when I was younger. But I am still so glad that I started.
Ive watched many taylor/martin comparison videos and it always comes down to this. You want a mellow, warm sounding guitar thats subtle and feels good, get the martin. If you want a guitar that has a very opened up sound with a lot of highs, something that has a cutting sound for picking rather than strumming, get the taylor.
So the answer is simple, get both because both guitars are good at their own things, masters of their own craft.
Taylor was on the left
Bravissimo infatti ho acquistato una Martin d-42 e una Taylor 814ce builder's edition, provate in casa io preferisco Martin, alcuni amici preferiscono l'aggressività reattiva e squillante della Taylor.
Sell your house and get both...yes
Martin: warm, earthy, woody good for the studio
Taylor: bright, beautiful sparkly top end, feels amazing in the hands, perfect for live playing.
Agreed Marcos. I play mostly live and the Taylor feels alive and responsive and more dynamic. The Martin is beautiful and sweet, but the Taylor feels like not just a guitar but a percussion instrument too.
The taylor is perfect for live playing, which is why today you see more and more "stars" using taylor on stage than any other guitar. Unless someone is trying to make a nastalgic statement to their "look" by playing a Martin or Gibson.
Like Martin
The Taylor impressed me the most. There just seems to be a bit more about it. More alive.
i think so. for me i like both of them. i think it up to what style that you want to play
Not a straight up comparison. The Taylor is a Grand Auditorium with a cutaway, the Martin is a Dreadnought. Different body shapes that are designed to sound different. They're both great.
The Taylor is a Grand Symphony (not Grand Auditorium). It is closer to the dreadnought in terms of size.
It is still a comparison.. just not what you want or like..
mr20barefoot different shapes are for different purposes. IMO it would be more proper to use the same shape in this case it would be dreadnought to compare.
@@oreo10baht nonetheless... still a comparison between a taylor and a martin...
And both very characteristically their respective brands. I think its valid. If youre gonna buy a Taylor its probably gonna be a GA or GS. If youre gonna buy a Martin its probably gonna be a D. Well, me at least lol.
Taylor: Light, bright, airy
Martin: Deep, rich, crisp
Alyssa Keane
Taylor: expensive
Martin: expensive
Alyssa, my thoughts too.
Switch airy and crisp
100% =)
My thoughts exactly. I prefer the Martin.
I will say I have played a Taylor for a few years because that is the guitar that worked with me, but I recently played a Martin and have not forgot about that guitar. Not to replace my Taylor, but that deeper tone that Martin had (at least that guitar did) was a pretty cool change. No better, just different. Good to have options.
I slightly prefer the Taylor on chords. After hearing this, I think “Drive” (song at the beginning) may have been recorded on that model of guitar. Martin on fingerstyle is just another level, so rich and beautiful. Both tremendous instruments, and I prefer the Martin overall.
Yeah the 716 really nailed the Drive tone and the Slow Cheetah one too. I think the D41 would be an even closer comparison here.
I thought the treble in the Martin sounded more like Drive. If the strumming was perfect and I closed my eyes I would've thought I was listening to Incubus. I own a Taylor 214ce and I have to give it up on the Martin for this one. Just shows you how everyone's ears are different!
Ibanez AW series used to be exact
I agree! Taylor on the chords, Martin on the finger style. Just not sure I would choose the Martin overall, tough choice.
I love Taylor. Bright and clear. Martin sounds very warm and balanced.
I am far from an expert, but I like the sharper tone from the Taylor. They both sound fantastic, but they definitely have a different sound. This was great for me to hear. A definite learning experience. Both are amazing! The player ain't too bad as well.
Like you said....you're no expert....
And that was warranted why?
@@wrmhall4735 you dont like the world, do you?
@@DarrynDavis For some reason a lot of Martin fans tend to be really toxic in the comments, always putting down other guitars and people who prefer them.
ur an expert. most people we are biased to what we have heard in the past. Taylor makes the best guitars, otherwise the others wouldn’t copy them. but classics are classic for a reason.. enjoy em all
They both sound amazing. That Taylor is nice and bright and the Martin is so smooth and rich. I’ve owned both brands and love both
Listening to a Taylor for me is like attending an open air concert.
Listening to a Martin is like laying out in the woods with Gordon Lightfoot going in your headphones...
Oh, and neither one is bad at all...
Very similar to what I was thinking. Taylor's got a lot more bite overall it seems, and the Martin is smooth but subdued - surprising for a dreadnaught though tbh
🤗🤗🤗 You took the words out of my mouth
Both together in harmony are the ultimate guitar duet. One Taylor and one Martin together will always sound better than two Taylor’s or two martins: change my mind
Great idea.
I agree! Both guitars together cover every tonal nuance imaginable! Great to show them as a duo!
“Angelina” has been my alarm clock for years. I got butterflies when I heard you start playing it! Such a beautiful song.
I was just stunned when I heard it and I'm starting to learn it myself.
You need a Maton for Angelina though
Both are so good. Just when I think one sounds better, the other sounds just as good. And those guitarists are fabulous!
Maybe you noticed, but it's just one guitarist.
I thought they were twins😂😂
@@jimmyhansen5842 I actually did too...
I love my Martin. Such a thick and even sound. And the wood is gorgeous
Man this is brilliant. I can’t imagine the planning and choreography that had to into making this vid , getting your reactions right and timed correctly to make it as realistic as it is. 🙌🏾
What do you mean. They're both sitting next to each other in the same room?
@@bsquare6809 😂
For fun I analyzed the spectrum for each guitar for each song and compared them. They are both extremely similar, with slight variations due to overall loudness and different note strikes between the two players. For a couple of the songs Martin has 3dB more in the bass and midrange but Taylor matched the low end for the other 3 songs. Taylor's low end peaks are narrower and more precise. Martin's low end spikes are usually wider and fuller which represents slightly more energy. Taylor consistently showed a 6dB advantage in the higher harmonics (>1kHz) which is significant as 6dB equals 2x amplitude advantage.
I made a playlist of each so I could rapidly shift between them and I can hear the extra harmonics in the Taylor. It's just got slightly more of a ringing bell quality to it compared to the Martin.
I'd agree with that. After just one listen through I could hear the Martin was louder in the bass to mid range, but the Taylor was clearer on the top end overall.
Dave Anderson You mentioned between the “players” there is only one player
Have you analysed for volume? The Taylors I have played are very stable guitars, not just in terms of timbre but in volume. The sound is consistent and smoth without drastic changes in tone or spikes in loudness. I liked the one Martin I played better because I could make it speak. You could mix timbres to get an orchestral effect. You could make it whisper clearly or boom without distortion. You could get a harsh bluesy wail or a rounded flute tone from the same box of wood. It gave more, but was less forgiving of mistakes.
Ubu987 I think you are right on. The Taylor sustains the volume of each tone longer giving it a more even dynamic, whereas I feel the Martin is capable of much more dynamic playing. I don’t think one is better than the other, the are enough fantastic sounding guitars, and both shine is different situations. I’d use the Taylor if I was trying to record an acoustic part that needs to sound very consistent dynamically, like for a pop tune with heavy strumming. I’d use the Martin for a more intimate acoustic led song.
The martin is a dreadnought shape so its not surprising that the taylors high end cuts through while martins bass and mids are more noticeable, comparatively speaking
Love them both! Great comparison! My preference, the Taylor. I think it had a little fuller sound. I noticed especially with the high notes that the Martin came off just a little tinnier. Not complaining at all, would take either. Great job guys.
Tinny? You have wooden ears.
@@dmanstarr Apparently. Martin tinny.? That guitar had a low growl. I have owned 15 Martins, currently 2. They all sounded better than the one in the video.
That particular model is about bling. As to that particular Taylor, I preferred it over the Martin, and I don't warm up to Taylors.
@@jeffhildreth9244 To be fair, you really need to hear in person, I don't care how you mic it.
@@jeffhildreth9244 You know what. I changed my mind a bit. I know what the OP meant. On strummed chords the Martins highs are less harmonically developed. This Taylor records like a mother fucker. out of these two, if you do mostly cowboy chords, get the Taylor. If you aren't a flat slammer or don't record a lot, get the Martin. Both nice guitars.
PS The Martin fixed in post would probably be better than the Taylor fixed in post. Martins have so much bass it makes the treble sound flimsy on recording with full chords. Taylors need little eq because they go easy on the bass. They don't have the single note magic of Martins. At least not that I've heard. Both brands can be hit and miss. At the end of the day, they are good quality, yet factory guitars.
Apples and oranges. They are two totally different styles of guitar designed to favor a certain kind of playing. This particular Taylor is built more for finger picking and this particular Martin is build to favor strumming. That being said you can still hear what both guitars are known for. The Taylor has a brighter sound and the Martin has that famous low end. To my way of thinking it's not a mater of which one is "better" it's a mater of which one YOU like most. Personally I favor the brighter sound of a Taylor. The Martins to me generally sound a bit dark and at times (depending on the guitar) down right 'muddy'. At times though, depending on the woods, the Taylors can sound a bit TOO bright to my ear. That's why I had a guitar built with a western cedar top for warmth and cocobolo back and sides for high end. It's turned out to be a perfect blend "FOR ME".
I agree, not a good comparison, I like the sound of Martin's just dont like the necks, Taylors play fast like an electric. As far as being too bright, stay away from Maple bodies, a good EQ can be a big help.
John Rodgers So in short, you have to pay $5,000 twice just to have a great sounding strumming guitar and another great sounding finger plucking guitar. I once thought a $5,000 guitar should sound great when played properly and nicely all the time, be it strumming or plucking the strings
I didn't say anything about having one guitar for strumming and one guitar for flat picking. When I spoke with my custom builder I told him that I was aiming for a guitar that would sound great rather it be finger picked or with a guitar pick and that's what I got. Yeah I don't know what gave you that idea. This sounds AMAZING both ways (and it was 8K). If you look at a lot of top shelf players (Phil Keagy, James Taylor and others I think you'll find that many of them get top shelf custom guitars like an Olson (not that I could afford an Olson) or something like it. If one looks at what Jim Olson builds, listen to them, read reviews about how they play, see the craftsmanship than it's clear that they are truly in another class than "off the rack" guitars.
John Rodgers I agree
You got it going on bro... I agree with you about Taylor brightest sound comparing to Martin
I much prefer the rich resonance sound of the Martin. The Taylor is a beautiful sounding guitar in it own right, both good instruments.
In my experience, Taylor guitars generally give you better playability than Martin, whilst sacrificing a bit of volume in the process. This will vary a bit from model to model, and even from guitar to guitar obviously. But generally speaking, that is the largest differentiating factor I've noticed between the two brands.
Martin is kind of the classic acoustic guitar brand. If you value tradition in guitar builds, and want a guitar which is true to the old school guitar craftsman, Martin is the way to go. I'd also give points to Martin for how the sound of their high end guitars developes over time, when properly maintained. The only problem is that most people don't live in stable climates, or in houses which have humidity controlled rooms, so "properly" maintaining a Martin, and achieving a more developed sound over time is exceedingly difficult, because changes in humidity can lead to irreparable damage to the playability of the guitar.
Taylor, on the other hand, has adopted a more modern, innovative approach to guitar building. For example, Martin has traditionally used hide glue to bind different parts of the guitar to one another (e.g. the fretboard to the neck, neck to body... etc), although I'd be surprised if they weren't using a different adhesive for modern guitar builds. Taylor does not use adhesives at all for their high end models. They created a system of joints that allow their guitars to be easily disassembled when in need of repairs. So if your fretboard is old and worn out, and you want to replace it, you can remove the fretboard without having to file away 40 year old hide glue.
Another innovative feature of Taylor guitars is their system for adjusting the angle of the neck relative to the body. They use a system of spacers within their neck joint to allow easy adjustments to the angle of the neck. If your neck swells on a Martin, and is elevated or declined by a few degrees relative to the body, there is no real solution to that problem, which becomes an inevitability if you live in an area that sees large changes in humidity throughout the year. A truss rod adjustment to compensate for buzzing, at that point, would only serve to hurt the playability of the guitar. As I said earlier, Taylor is an innovative guitar company. They realized that was a problem, and found a solution.
I like Taylor guitars better generally, but there's really no wrong answer to which brand is better. It all depends on what you personally prefer. Both brands are great, and both create sonically, and aesthetically pleasing guitars with different benefits that will appeal to different types of guitarists.
George Mason Thank you for summarizing the differences between the two brands. The technical aspects of your explanation are really helpful and eye opening.
That was a nice addition to the conversation. I had the general feeling that Martin was maintaining a tradition they’ve mostly perfected. That’s a quality company that might have generations of Americans working for them. I admire that.
Now I know that Taylor is progressive in their nature and construction. The proof is in the quality of the brand. That’s also admirable. One of each, please.
I own both brands, they both sound great! I have expensive Martins and a very expensive Taylor Koa, I love them both, it's really about what you think which tone woods you like! I love Koa, but like Indian Rosewood too! My favorite is a Martin because it was only $1500.00 and isn't in my safe! I wouldn't want to lose the expensive Martins or really expensive Taylor Koa, so keep them locked up? I've grown attached to them and love my two strats and one tele too! Taylor seems to be the best for play ability and more innovative! It is amazing the tones out of some of their newest! But I still love them both!
Very helpful! Even tho chances I might even touch both guitar is below 10%
George Mason b
I'm all in on the Taylor. I was scrolling thru the comments and whenever you played the Taylor I'd hop back to watching you. It totally caught my ear!
Taylor: Clear, Cutting, Bright
Martin: Boomy, Expansive, Rich
Taylors are excellent for complicated fingerpicking/recording and Martins are excellent for long sustained notes and strumming/live performances. Taylors are more detail oriented and Martins are more soothing.
Taylor
Taylors are overrated church guitars lol
@@jakeneuman8122 you're an overrated human
Admittedly, I'm not a huge fan of the Taylor tone. But, there is a reason that a lot of people that sing while playing, play a Taylor. It fits most vocal registers whereas a lot of others would cause the vocalist to force the sound or get completely washed out. As a standalone however, the Taylor just isn't my thing.
Taylor is the innovator but Martin is the Originator.
I agree
Gian Carlo Navoa I’ll take an old Martin any day
BrandonBradshawTV Who wouldn’t the have the most amazing sound
BrandonBradshawTV I’ve played martins from the 30-40’s and they sound great
Max Love I’ve played at ‘37 D28 once. It was spectacular
Not a hundred percent confident
I think the song list is:
1. Drive by Incubus (strum chorus)
2. Slow Cheetah by Red Hot Chili Peppers (strum/pick intro and verse)
3. Time in a Bottle by Jim Croce (Instrumental verse/chorus)
4. Papa George by Tommy Emmanuel (slower tempo)
5. Never Going Back Again by Fleetwood Mac (Opening Lick through verse)
+Zach “a.k.a Lurch” Addams 3/5.
+Paul Davids Which were correct? If I might ask.
1 2 and 5
+Paul Davids
Thank you. You have inspired me to search for the names of 3 and 4.
I am appreciative of these videos; they are a big help in deciding on a new guitar in the future. The sound contrast is good to hear and with good songs to sample depth, pitch, and string tone (something that is important to me).
i think the fourth song is angelina - tommy emmanuel
Well for starters, the difference in body shapes plays a huge part in the tones. I’ve played both high end and lower end Taylor’s and Martin’s. Taylor’s always sound brighter and more brassy in my opinion. Martins have a smoother tone and just sound so full overall. Like almond milk VS whole milk. I don’t hate Taylor’s as they do have a place, but overall, Martin is where it’s at on a much larger scale of applications
I can make both of them sounds like cheaper guitar tho. 😂😂
You are so 牛皮
i can too 😂hahaha
ｉ bought talor 814ce 2 month ago ，actually it is verey soft when you play it and，it sounds clean
As can i
U r a genius!
Something about old Martin's that just bring shivers down my spine. I've played some new nice guitars and they sound damn near perfect. But when you pick up an old worn Martin it just sounds like it was made just for you. If anybody has a chance to own or just jam on a old broke in Martin please do so!
Augustine Coronado I own (and love) a Taylor 514C, 1996 model. I once jammed with a fellow that had a 1950's Martin "parlor" size guitar (not sure of the model number). Two totally different guitars, of course, but I instantly fell in love with that little Martin. One of the sweetest sounding (and playing) guitars I've ever encountered! He took a liking to my Taylor, BTW. I jokingly told him I'd trade him even. Of course, he laughed and said, "no, thanks!" ;)
Yup. The same thing happens to me.
Augustine Coronado yessir, even some older guitars from the Martin subdivision, sigma, get better with age
Listen, I would throw either one of these guitars out of bed. But the Martin emphasizes the bass. I like the Taylor slightly better. Both are super sweet. Way out of my range.
I left out a word in "I would not throw" Skull cramp.
Weren't you going to get me one of these for Xmas? ;-)
That's why its hard to rate guitars, because we all have slightly different tastes. I do love these guitar comparisons, though.
Truth1 that's why I've always told people that i see martins as very valuable as rhythm guitars in a lot of genres, and Taylor's as a bit more universal with lead parts. But it's not like that's universal for every song and every person. That's my opinion though based on the fact that you pointed out the Martin is a bit more bassy
Truth1 The three dots on the side will let you edit after you hit reply. The Taylor will sound thinner with less wood on the top to vibrate. Did you notice the Taylor has only one Mic and the Martin has two? It's apples and oranges.
We live in our imagination trying to fulfill our Phantasy
Both sound great. Taylor’s generally have a brighter/ cleaner evenly projected sound while Martin’s have a deeper mellow tone with a focus on mid tones. Love both.
I had a 1995 Taylor GA/MC (300 ever made) that had such a rich sound. Should have kept it.
I ordered d-42 reimagined I’m so excited for it to arrive tomorrow ❤️👌
Tell us how it went :D
Thanks so much for posting this, I'm left handed and in my 50+ yrs of playing ive never owned an acoustic. Mostly because there are few left handed acoustics out there at least now there are many more to choose from. Maybe I'm getting my Taylor tomorrow , after all its Father's Day .lol
I'm also left handed! Martin sells left handed guitars, I got a little Martin left handed a few years ago.
I don't care which on sounds better cos I can't even afford to buy any of them hahaha
I OWN A MARTIN D18.$2000...I OWN A YAMAHA FS800.$200....GUESS WHICH I PLAY MORE?.....REALLY!! GO FIND A FS OR FG YAMAHA USED AND YOU WILL BE A HAPPY PERSON....5 OUT OF 5 DENTISTS AGREE..
I can relate haha, I have a Washburn as my acoustic but I absolutely love Taylor and martin
Poor guy, just like me : (
My cheap yamaha f310 is better than both of them :p
Hhhhhhha
I came to this after 5 years and having tears it's like found my lost treasure,the tunes are simply beautiful thanks for making it.
Martin hands down. Don't get me wrong the Taylor sounds great. The Martin's rich balanced tone is exactly what a guitar should sound like in my personal opinion.
Try a Taylor dreadnought 710e not a 714ce Smaller guitar! Of course the Martin will sound bigger....dumb comparison. A Taylor Dread will sound bigger than the Martin hand down
Flipper Carlin I was just about to say that lol. This isn’t a fair comparison. Great video, and thanks to the uploader for making it, but try a 710ce or a 810ce.
Nope. Played both. D42 is much louder and richer than the 710.
It’s weird I love the way Taylor’s play, they’ve got that down, the intonation is almost always perfect and they are clean and clear ... but, that Martin sounds FN great man. It’s just very woody and musical, voicing perfect, you get those Martin overtones. In a perfect world for me a Taylor with Martin characteristics... ahh, I think I’m starting to blow smoke outta my ass. There both great.
When you're a player at that skill level and have this kind of professional understanding in recording and post-processing audio, almost any guitar would sound amazing.
I assume effects and EQ were adjusted separately to support each of the guitars as well. Man, that reverb on the Taylor sounds divine.
Very, very impressive!
It would be nonsensical to use effects in comparisons for two acoustic instruments. I would assume that what you mistook for reverb is probably just natural resonance.
I read one persons comments and obviously they can’t read or disregarded be kind and courteous. I’ve been blessed with the ability to have owned both. I currently have a 2021 OOO15SM AND A 2013 GCPA4R they are wonderful and different. Santa Cruz, Maton, Taylor all make good guitars. Nice post and yes they both sounded really nice. M. Christmas
"Better" is what you like, so a better book or movie or wine or guitar sound is what you like. This Taylor is brighter, stronger mid-high tones, more metallic edge. It presents a slight "electric" lean to the sound, so most young music fans will like it. The Martin is smooth as silk, a real gem as far as how my ear hears it.
I currently own a Martin 000rs1 (most balanced git ive ever played), Gibson j-50 and Taylor 214ce Deluxe. Have to say, the Martin in this video sounded pretty muddy and not open. Maybe, its because its new or something but it certainly hasnt opened up, the Taylor just blows it away, especially on the incubus song, its not even close how much clearer it sounds. This is coming from someone who normally likes dry tones of j45s and sapele btw. Give that martin some fresh air and play it regularly, in a few years it should sound every bit as good, but the Taylor wins here for me.
Totally agree. The Taylor sounded much brighter.
This is the best comment on here. Agree 100%
Как по мне мартин просто унизил тэйлор в звуке... яркость это не значит хорошо😂 тэйлор бэби тоже звучит ярко и что😂 у вас нет слуха вы делетант!!!
@Nemesis 🇺🇸 в акустике мартин на первом месте!!! Все остальные после него...
It’s a cutaway vs a dreadnought. Don’t forget that part.
Martins will always be better in my opinion. They have a fuller sound
A revisit to this video Paul. I love when you do this kind of side by side comparison. Both of these guitars have very distinct sounds...wish I had the money to own one of each!
Me too definitely.. lol
Taylor guitar is my first love
Martin is my now wife :D
This comment is enough said
Very clear description ! I agreed.
Takamine is my mistress :))
So you've settled down? :P
Work Rj Epiphone is my lap dancer lol
I got a Taylor, bought a Martin last week
My Taylor still wins my heart every time I play
Megan hello!! beautiful can u put a video if I play guitar plz
Maybe the Martin is too new for a nice sound ?
Taylors seem to appeal to a lot of women. I've known several women who have them. Martin D-28 for me.
Aren't you the girl on all of the Sabrina Carpenter videos too?? I feel like I see you everywhere! lmao
Martin every where...
The Martin sounds like home
What a perfect way to describe it.
Seriously, Martin's have a way of doing that for some reason
@@nickcage3703 seriously. Like how. It feels like nostalgia. Of some place i call home that i miss. When i dont even have a home lol. Makes me feel so relaxed and happy. The taylor is too harsh. I sold my taylor 814ce. It was cool when i was 15 and saved for 4 years to buy it. But inwas young and on the hype train. Going for a martin this time.
Damn man exactly what i thought
The sound is so warm and comfortable. :)
Not even just the content but just the structure alone of this video is excellent
I had a lot of trouble with my 8 series Taylor, constantly needed adjustment. Switched to a Martin OM28 and have had zero problems for 20 years. Taylor makes beautiful guitars and this is not a "beat up Taylor" comment it's just that I will always look to Martin 1st just for the stability. There was also the issue of the "Taylor bump", look it up. BTW thanks Paul for all the videos enjoy them very much.
I have more issues with my Martins' mecks actually. I have 4 Taylors ranging from 6 to 12 years old and have never had to have the neck adjusted. I slightly favor the Martin sound in general but I find Taylor quality the best out of the big three acoustic companies.
They both sound really good, the Martin has a sweeter sound, the Taylor has a bright crisp sound.
Define sweet? I like to keep it simple, taylor good, martin bad.
@@lvlultiplication9751 i think a less bright, fuller bodied sound is what he meant.
@@asuww1995 Yes. Taylor EQ sounds to my ears like it is missing many mid tones and some bass, emphasizing high end brightness. Martin sounds more like a balanced tone throughout the range. Interesting comparison. The shape difference could contribute to that (there's more equidistant space inside the Martin, allowing the sound waves to bounce around in a more balanced fashion), and so could mic placement, which seems slightly different for each guitar as well. Difficult to really compare unless you go to a shop and sit down with no one else around. Trust one's own ears/feel/experience, not a youtube video.
@@MikeandMandy it really depends on the recording and the acoustic space hes playing in , brighter ones tend to sound more impressive in a bigger room as it carries 'more' sustain and attack which draws more attention in a low SPL situation(e.g unplugged in a concert hall)
Hany Theo q
1st off two AMAZING players! I loved this. 2 different body styles tho. In my experience, the cut out makes a difference . Outside of that it really depends on the player. I love both brands but I will add that the low end Taylor guitars still sound like a good player ready guitar. Where as less expensive Martin’s don’t really sound that great. Again, I love both brands. As a guitarist who’s logged in a lot of hours (Live) on my axe’s!
It’s a camera trick . Both players are Paul Davids. But you’re right; both of them ARE very good. lol
The way you played a change of seasons was truly beautiful. You got a like from me!
The Martin completes the sound when compared to the Taylor side by side. The Taylor only gives you 90% of the Martin. I own both brands and they both have great sound but there's just something about a Martin dreadnought you just can't replicate.
It’s the bass
I also feel the same by listening the Taylor sound a bit dark and Timbered that Martin
When he plays Bright and pleasant tone Martin wins✨✨.
what makes you think the taylor is trying to copy martin? the taylor has diffrent woods and a diffrent bodyshape. its 0% martin because its a taylor and martin is 0% taylor. they are completely diffrent.
I went to the guitar center last week with the intention to trying few Taylor’s in particular the 214ce and 324ce ... “that is my budget “ pretty much.. but I have to say I was a bit disappointed of the sound then I tried a Martin if I remember was a gpc electric cut and I really liked the bass sound.. very deep... I had never played a Taylor or martin before ... I’m thinking I’ll buy a Martin then when I’ll make more money I’ll buy a Taylor.. lol maybe.
The Taylor 716 has a more clear and brighter tone. The Martin D42 is more mellow but with better sustain, and sounds great for finger picking.
Martin D 45 but yes it had the better sound to me
Taylor better at fingerpicking imho
Now... That's the best objective observation from all the comments I've read around here.
You've got to be a musician...😁
Still, that's why I like Taylor the most... 😀
First of all, I love the way a higher end Taylor feels under the fingers. Like driving a Mercedes Benz vs Honda Accord. Also looks great as far as fit and finish. Finally, it sounds like a great guitar. I have a Martin D-28 Authentic 37 and the sound is not just bigger in every way but far more interesting than my friends newer Taylor 814ce. High end martins capture every imaginative nuance possible that an acoustic guitar can possibly give. The 814 feels great, sound great, looks great but the Martin allows you to discover emotion while playing. Very Touch sensitive and then gives youneven more when you dig in. The spectrum of sound is so vast your sound will reflect your mood. The dynamics make it easy to play beautifully through inspiration. Plus, that boom against your body feels like something you can even explain. I truly love guitar (playing 30 years at 35 yrs old) and now I have a much richer understanding and appreciation for the instrument. Martin gave me that understanding and they help maintain my love an enthusiasm for music. Play a 1963 Gibson hummingbird, custom Collins, high end Taylor, etc... and you’ll say “wow that was an awesome guitar and I had fun playing it”. I’ve literally played a thousand different guitars from my first one, ($50 with the case included
) to a upwards $120k and all in between. Pick up a raggedy beat down and dirty 1935 Martin D28 and you’ll see the acoustic guitar differently forever. If you feel the love for the hobby then go buy, slowly pay on and eventually own a high end recreation of that hand build masterpiece, (like my d-28 Auth) and you’ll play it for a lifetime and never stop discovering what all it has to offer up. If you truly love guitar, (you would have to love it) it’s an investment that will hold and even increase in value (not very many good trees left to build amazing high end instruments) over time. Maybe not historically speaking, like the old ones but in quality woods and craftsmanship. You will enjoy it for a lifetime then a loved one for the rest of there’s and so on. Some people spend more on a 7 day vacation. You get what you pay for when it comes to guitars and if you disagree than maybe you need to practice more then go play a few. At a certain point you’ll be able to hear and feel the difference I promise. I couldn’t afford mine but planned it in the budget. 46 months later I owned something I’ll pass down and can enjoy throughout life when I’m playing live, with friends, or every time I’ve got quick sec to pick it up. For all you haters out there.
Brand snob is what I'm hearing
Martin sounds so relaxing and the vitage vibe feels so satisfying.
Martin all the way but that Taylor sounds amazing as well I must say. Martin D45 my dream guitar. Big Johnny Cash fan.
Quantum Music Creations the 42 is less expensive and a better sounding guitar than the 45. It all has to do with the forward bracing. I’ve owned both over the years . When the 42 was reintroduced in early - mid 1990s I tried one. Immediately sold my 45 ...
Did Johnny use a 45? I always thought he used a 30
Your Mom His main one over the years was a D45. He used other models but that was his most used guitar.
jacques Cousteau Hi thanks for that info. I never played a 42 but I will have to check it out.
I just come for the guitar playing he kills it, what a musician
Nothing can compete with that Martin bottom end! Have both these guitars both are amazing.
Yeah, to me a Taylor has always had a golden ringing sound to it, but that Martin is REALLY warm.
That's no surprise...the Martin is a dreadnought shape, which emphasizes the bass. The naroow waist of the GS emphasizes mid-range and trebles. Comparing a Taylor GS to Martin dreadnought is a bit of an apples vs oranges thing.
When I bought my Taylor I spend a good couple hours in the local shops acoustic room. Played everything. Ended up with a Taylor by process of elimination as to what sounded and felt best. What I do remember is the Taylor’s having a brighter and more pronounced sound than the martins. I opted for a Taylor but I would love to add a Martin to my arsenal. They are darker sounding acoustics to my ears and that has its own place for sure. I have yet to experiment with strings. Have only used the recommended elixirs but I need to see how the Taylor performs with a different brand of strings. I don’t think you can go wrong with either guitars. They are both superb.
I much prefer the mellowness, sustain, and bass of the Martin to the Taylor.
They are both incredible sounding however if I was to buy one after watching this video I'd buy the Taylor . It just appeals to my ears more .really good comparison and nice guitar playing! Smart idea having the same guitarist playing both.
I think Martin has a more “traditional” sound, fat and creamy, and I love it. Taylor is a very clear instrument, maybe too mutch for me. Great instrument, though.
Excellent video Paul as all of your videos always are. The comparison does a good job of showing strengths of each. The brawny sound of the Martin is undeniable. The articulate voice of the Taylor’s midrange are equally impressive. I own a 1975 D28 that I purchased new. Not the best years for Martin but since I got the neck reset (under warranty 30 years after I bought it and changing out the Grover tuners with Waverly open backs, a bone saddle and tusk bridge pins I can say it is really sweet. I also owned a Taylor 814 that I really liked but sold it. In its place with a little bit more full voice I bought a Furch Pure Red auditorium body guitar. It is a cut above. What a beauty.
A lot of people are praising Furch online these days, guess I should check them out
“Shall me compare them?” I haven’t heard that since the gym locker room before school was out.
Sem dúvida melhor a martin
"Gaaayyyyiiiiieeeee!" -Señor Ben Chang
I think in a quiet room the Martin has such a moody sound which is awesome and intimate, but I always found the Taylors to be more projecting and fun to play.
MARTIN MARTIN MARTIN , LISTEN TO THE LOW END ... SUCH A FULLER SOUND
ImagineNation MAYBE BECAUSE IT'S NOT A CUTAWAY AND LETS BE HONEST, THEY COULD HAVE PICKED A HIGHER END TAYLOR COMPARED TO THE TIER OF THAT MARTIN. TO ME TAYLOR HAS ALWAYS SOUNDED FULLER..
Taylor sounds weak by comparison. MAYBE BECAUSE THEY"RE ARE MORE FOCUSED ON CUTTING CONSTRUCTION COSTS THAN MAKING GREAT GUITARS. [ if you scream it it doens't make it so ]
This is not a Grand Auditorium. It's a Grand Symphony
Still not a Dreadnought 800 campared to the D 42....unfair. and I've had many many Martins since 1968...the 70's were not a good time for Martins either and I had them all. Except a D 45.
And my 410e Rosewood Taylor blows every 70's Martin Ive had. Dont get me wrong...selling Martins as a dealer for years I know. Many I love. But selling Taylors now....big difference.
ImagineNation nop
Song selection was incredible. Perfectly executed
Bringing this old comment back up to the top for easier clicking:
Sample 1: Taylor 0:16 Martin 0:46
Sample 2: Taylor 1:17 Martin 2:05
Sample 3: Taylor 2:51 Martin 3:20
Sample 4: Taylor 3:51 Martin 4:23
sample 5: Taylor 5:00 Martin 5:24
i thought i liked the Taylor but i guess Martin is my thing... except in sample 4( i liked Taylor more ) 🤪
Not a fair comparison. You can't compare a dreadnought and a cutaway. Not for sound, tone or timbre anyway.
Martim 10 x 8
Robert Ruork either way both of them still sound amazing
That’s what I was thinking.
You can. And he did! 😁
I totally agree.
My time vs. Guitars I can't afford
Welcome to Bidenomics
You started playing Drive at the beginning and I was so happy. One of my friends is a major incubus fan and told me to learn that song, so I did, the first incubus sing I learned. Great work!
The Martin has a richer tone and the Taylor is brighter. In my humble opinion, the Martin fills the space better and is suited more towards live performances. Nonetheless, another superb video from Mr. Davids.
I played my first Taylor a week or so ago and I felt like it had that bass I was missing (although some of that could be that it was in d# tuning), but now that your saying it’s brighter, I might have to check a Martin out…especially because videos never do it justice
The Taylor is not only brighter, but boomier. To me it had a presence the Martin lacked.
Martin sounds thoroughly good. I hear a bit of resonance missing from the Taylor however the Taylor does have some brightly pronounced notes. I favor the Martin.
I own a Martin, love it, had it for about 20 yrs now. my previous guitar was a Canadian seagull, exquisite guitar, should never have sold it. both guitars were amazing for stage and recording.
Lee Martin I still have my Godin Seagull with a cedar top. Was going to sell it, but went ahead and kept it and just got a Martin. Love them both.
100%!!! I had taken back a Seagull S6 because the neck just didnt feel right. had the means to buy a Martin 00015M. I really wanted it because it was beautiful, made in PA and I been to the factory and was amazed at what I saw....obviously because of Martin's history as well. I played it with my very minimum skills for a 1/2 hour. Just wasnt feeling it. Decided I really loved the Taylors but did not want electronics. Went with a Seagull S6 Slim. Love it. I do have a Taylor Mahogany GS Mini. Thats an amazing guitar. Got it when I returned the Little Martin. Im just not good enough to make a Martin sound good. LOL
Lee Martin never sell a guitar.
@@maison1306 Tell me about it Dan, its been probably 15 years and I still regret it.. although I did sell a Maton backpacker 12 string which I wasn't happy with.. I had wanted a Maton before I even bought the seagull but after having trouble with 2 seperate salesmen when I was out to buy one I ended up at "Gallum's rare guitars" in Melbourne, when I walked into the shop there was the salesman sitting on an amp surrounded by Guilds and Gibsons and Martins and he was playing the seagull, hearing it through the amp and seeing it I couldn't refuse it. it was spectacular. I have my Martin now, its a great guitar expertly crafted, but I think the seagull was made with love. the Martin is more of a mass produced carbon fibre job.. Thanks for your input.
@@MrHip76 we learn every day Keith, the more you expose yourself to the guitar the better you will be, I've found that if you play the guitar and listen to it through headphones you really hear every little touch of the strings and you can fine tune your skills.. KEEP PLAYIN!!
I am blessed with my dad's old D-1R that we purchased together in 95, the sound is so rich and the harmonics are just to die for. Deep bass, gorgeous clear mids and bright highs that are all in such balance. But the setup is hard to play. I'm adjusting it now. Ive always loved the way that Taylors play out of the box. Now I have my own a DCX1AE for the past 12 years and it's plays great, better for finger picking and lead. I'm a Martin man but I admire a good Taylor. Seriously want one too. Maybe one day. But my two Martin's are fantastic guitars.
Both killer sounds. Owning one brand and not the other is not an option. Definitely need both in your arsenal!
I’m just amazed people actually disliked this video 🤷🏻♂️ awesome review!👌
Emiliano Hernandez Romero They are from Gibson and Fender, after being left out in the review 😂
Your Taylor sounds a better fit for your style of playing while I prefer Martin guitars for mine. Great review
I love it that u played Drive for this demo. Sounds brilliant.
You guys are comparing apples to pineapples. They're both really nice guitars and that's where the comparison ends. One is made for finger picking (Taylor) and the other for rhythm, flatpicking and banjo killing (Martin). The Martin sounds like a Martin dread with Rosewood back and sides and the Taylor sounds like a Taylor GS. Martin doesn't make a GS size guitar. Taylor makes a very nice selection of Dreads. Taylor and Martin make a bazillion different body sizes/configurations. They all sound different, not better. There is no "Best" guitar! Nice playing by the way!.
we share same opinion.!BIG Like for your comment!
Nice comment .
Trueeee
But why cant fruit be compared
Sorry Mark, they're obviously comparing apples to apples. Unless you are blind, one can ascertain that both of these are guitars. Not only that, they appear to be dreadnaught body style. Apples to PIneapples would be comparing a dreadnaught guitar to something dissimilar. Such as a bass or a Uke. There is no harm in saying this guitar or that guitar sounds the best. In large part it is a subjective appraisal, but nevertheless if, in the event, I favor Taylor guitars and commend them to people seeking my opinion it would not be wrong of me to do so. It is possible to be different and better... logically speaking. For example if you're seeking a certain sound and like the sound as a matter of opinion and one of the above guitars suits that sound it is not wrong to name one as better than the other.
To me its impossible to tell them apart. The Martin seems to compress a bit less though, which i like. I have a Martin and love the feel of the guitar, never played a Taylor though..
You mean the guys right?
the only way to hear the difference is in person.
You have GOT to be kidding. You can’t hear the difference? The Martin is so much cleaner sounding. Far superior quality.
@@artvandelay837 I can’t believe you would say that. The difference is SO obvious.
@@georgetovar8947 The Dread Martin was low end boomy as expected. Nothing spectacular about that particular guitar.
I have owned 15 Martins, currently two. The Martin in the video was not a one of best I have heard.
The Taylor was cleaner and focused.
I have not been compelled to buy a Taylor to include this particular Taylor .
Conclusion, The Taylor was a better example of a Taylor than the Martin was a Martin.
But, then, this is youtube, not live.
Both guitars sounds absolutely beautiful and they are perfect fits for different genres of music. For me I always prefer the airy sound of a Taylor guitar.
They both sounds beautiful. The differences are negligible at best, and entirely up to preference of the player... that said, as far as I’m concerned, my 2016 Taylor 614ce blows everything else I’ve played out of the water. I’ve played dozens of world class guitars in excess of $50000 dollars, and I wouldn’t trade anyone of them for the tone, beauty, and playability of my Taylor.... but as I’ve said, it my personal preference. Some of you I’m sure would say the same of some other guitars and I’m happy for each of you who have found the one as I have!
I think the dreadnought is going to automatically sound fuller, regardless of the brand.
Right, exactly. Cutaway for convenience, dreadnought for resonating.
It's technically true but this is a very faithful comparison nonetheless. Martin are famous for creating the Dreadnought style body whereas Taylor are famous for creating the Auditorium style body and X bracing. At the highest dollar, people will either purchase a Martin for the Dreadnought or the Taylor for an Auditorium because they epitomize the best in class of each respective style of guitar shape so it's fitting that they be compared in this way. Besides, the Taylor has some very punchy mids whereas the Martin seems to excel in the highs and lows. I wouldn't say the Dreadnought Martin is better perse than the Taylor Auditorium shape, they just offer different tonal properties. My bet is if they were both Auditorium or both Dreadnought the differences would be almost non-existent because of the near identical level of craftsmanship.
@@levijonathansix I believe Martin invented the X bracing and Taylor use their patented V bracing now
Id like to be objective but considering I live in the town where the Martin factory is. It's a no brainer
+Matt Warner Nice! I visited that place this summer :) Cheers
Patrick O'Donnell yes sir!!
"i went back to Nazareth; I was feelin' 'bout half past dead . . . "
I visited the factory in 1990, myself. I was 15.
i'm from Việt Nam,in Việt Nam Martin is not popular as Taylor, because It is very expensive when sold in Viet Nam.
tien pham That's interesting to hear.
Coincidentally, my favorite Vietnamese restaurant is right around the corner from Guitar Center . . .
To my untrained ear the Martin has a richer, deeper sound, while the Taylor has a more twangy sound. It depends on your preference but I like the Martin.
Your ear is exactly right. A cutaway has less resonance where as the dread knot has a bigger more balanced sound. You can’t compare apples to oranges
Exactly right. And for some situations, the Taylor is a much better tool than the Martin. Like in a band situation, you want a guitar to cut through the mix so it needs high end. I have a D-42 myself and it is a wonderful, amazing guitar. But not always the right tool. If you play singer-songwriter things acoustically, strumming, very few guitars on the planet will sound better. But for fingerpicking a 000 or OM just works better. Horses for courses! This is why great guitarists, who have a bit of money, own 100 or more guitars. 🙂. They all have their mojo.
I have a Taylor, a Gibson, and a Martin. I keep returning to my Taylor for the ease of playing on it. My Taylor is a 514 ce, the Gibson is a J45 and the Martin is one of 250 Custom Shop guitars. All have excellent build quality.
Martin sound is just amazing ! love it particularly on slow cheetah..... great job dude !
Both guitars sounded great but from the sound alone I think the Taylor was much more responsive.
Agreed, and I'm a Martin guy. There's a thing about Martin guitars, though: they make me feel more emotional about the music. Like there's little dynamics in there from the Martin that the Taylor just drowns out. But in a live setting, I'd choose the Taylor. At home, on my couch, hand me the Martin.
I honestly love the sound of both of them. I liked the Martin the best but, that could change depending on my mood on a given day. The martin sounded a lot closer to recorded version of "Never going back again" than did the Taylor. I say this realizing that linsey typically uses Taylors these days.
I believe Never Going Back was recorded on a Taylor. Lindsey Buckingham plays that song with a Taylor all the time.
I have an old Martin HD-28. Love it. My son just bought a Taylor 314ce from Sweetwater yesterday, can't wait for it to arrive. I'm excited to play side by side, that should sound incredible!
Which did you like more?
@@dustinglass They both sound beautiful in their own way. Taylor has excellent mids and highs and sounds absolutely great. Martin has the whole spectrum, but the way it resonates just blows me away. When you play a Martin you and everybody listening knows it! The best way I can explain it is like this; Lets say you walk into a room blindfolded. Somewhere in that room, someone is playing a Taylor. Even blindfolded you could point to where the sound is coming from. Now, walk into that room when someone plays a Martin and you are completely surrounded by tone. It fills the room evenly. I've always been a Martin guy but I would never turn down a good Taylor either. If it wasn't for being a lefty, I'm sure I'd already own a Taylor. Keep in mind that both companies make their lower end models as well as their higher end models. And there is a BIG difference. So I hope this answers your question and if you're trying to choose, I say play them both and go with what feels and sounds better to YOU. You can't go wrong with either one.