Re: Martin, Taylor, Other and Why?
I have been an acoustic player my whole life. Started on a Stella tenor, then a Lyle Classic. I then had a Harmony Sovereign Jumbo. When that guitar was stolen in 1972, I bought a MIJ Fender dread that self-destructed. That led me to my first Martin in 1973, a new D-18. I bought a 1975 D-28, and made my living with those guitars for a number of years. I sold the 18 about 15 years ago to buy my 2002 Taylor 710-CE, and I still have it and the 28. My D-28 is now 42 years old, and it has aged beautifully, like a fine bourbon, with a rich, smooth and mellow voice. It is not my loudest guitar, but the tone is incredible. An unfortunate accident cause a broken headstock, an I elected to re-neck the guitar. Thus, it doesn't have a collectible value, but it's a guitar that makes everyone go, "Wow!" The guitar has several long finish cracks and a few dings so it ain't pretty, but it has been a life-long friend, through many loves and breakups, a marriage and divorce, many weddings, and countless campfires and jams.
The 710-CE has filled a role for me as as stage guitar. Mine is a transitional model, with the Fishman pickup, New Technology neck, and the revoiced top. It does have a great neck. But, it does not have the rich, warm tone and sustain of a comparable Martin. It is beautifully made guitar, just excellent workmanship.
The two companies could not be more different; Martin steeped in tradition, Taylor on the cutting edge of technology. Bob Taylor is the Leo Fender of acoustic guitars. He's really re-thought the manufacturing process, and like Leo, designed many of his machines. Taylor's work force young, while many of the Martin employees have been there for 30 years or more. Taylor is California; Martin is Lehigh Valley. Taylor is the company that has really pushed Martin to get better, and Martin responded.
There are some other great acoustic makers. I like Santa Cruz, Bourgeois, Collings, Huss and Dalton. I'm not crazy about Breedlove or Gibson guitars...probably would never buy one, but they have their fans. But when I've sat in a showroom and compared comparable top-of-the-line Gibson, Taylor, Collings, Breedlove models to a Martin, the HD-28V was hands down the consensus winner to myself and my "audience"...and it wasn't even close.
I've been very blessed over the last few years and I now own 15 acoustics, all dreads, including two Takamine 12-strings, which are very good and with their excellent pickups have been a great value. I also have a 1999 Ibanez Artwood, which is my take-anywhere guitar. Frankly, it sounds as good as my Taylor. It was a pawnshop prize.
The rest are Martins. I think they are all exceptional guitars. I finally got my own HD-28V, and it is rave-worthy. It is just the most responsive and dynamic acoustic I have ever played. It is loose, open, resonant, deep, rich and powerful...and it was that way right out of the box! It's like a racehorse, just wanting to run. A Formula One car in a field of Honda Civics.
The HD-28V uses Martin's forward-shifted scalloped bracing, and my D-18, D-18E Retro, and HD-28VE Retro all use this bracing. These guys use Martin's Performance Taper neck which is very similar to the Taylor neck. All are just extremely responsive.
The Retros use the Fishman F1 AURA+ pickup, and I think it is the the most natural sounding pickup on the market. What I hear out of the speaker is what I hear out of the soundhole.
So, I am a HUGE fan of Martin guitars. And I always tell guys to buy a Martin. Over a lifetime, the cost is pennies per day. It's an investment you'll really enjoy for a lifetime.
And when you die, your family will be fighting over who gets grandpa's Martin, before they throw the first clump of dirt on your coffin!
Bill
