Martin vs. Taylor

[Gunny47]

Re: Martin vs. Taylor

There's good qualities on both... The Martins hold up better generally speaking with harder strumming than Taylors do from my experience. I just think thye keep their clarity more with the harder strumming. Taylors sometimes play better and have more options for electronics and doublecuts and what not. In short, the best of both worlds would be this:

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Martin-OMCAura-Cutaway-AcousticElectric-Guitar?sku=514517

That's my favorite acoustic guitar out there...

 

[theboatcandream]

Re: Martin vs. Taylor

Which do you prefer and why?

Martin. I prefer the sound. Taylors have tended to sound too bright and clean to me. Martins sound richer. And I prefer the feel of their necks.

 

[alex1fly]

Re: Martin vs. Taylor

I've had my Taylor for 4 years, only changed the strings a few times because it always gives me a beautiful sound. Warm, crisp, clear, something a little "different" to the tone that I dig.

Almost all the Taylors I played before buying just felt right. That's how I knew I should get a Taylor, I bought one off eBay and have been satisfied since.

 

[eggman]

Re: Martin vs. Taylor

Howdy,

I own a Martin D-28 and a USA-made Baby Taylor, which I bought for my lovely petite wife as a beginner guitar. I can comapre the two!
The Baby Taylor is affordable, small, sounds reasonably well for what it is..and i like it! (my wife gave up on learning, so the Baby Taylor is essentially mine). It's my go-anywhere guitar.
The Martin D-28 has deep, rich tone for days. I like to relax on the sofa with this legendary tone monster and sing to my wife and/or our Airedale Terrier 4 evenings per week. Great way to unwind, relax and sing some mellow songs. It's also fun to rock-out with a D-28 , a medium pick and some energetic strumming. But my D-28 is too valuable to take just any old where.
I like the Baby Taylor, too. My acoustic bases are pretty well covered, but it'd be nice to have a OOO-28 or OOO-18, instead of having to choose between the battleship (D-28) and the too small Baby Taylor. Test drive Taylor and Martin, make up your own mind.

Eggman

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: Martin vs. Taylor

The only Taylors I've ever cared for were the Babies. By and large Taylors seem like the accoustic guitar for electric players.

Additionally when I buy an accoustic I want no cutaway, no electronics, no BS. I just want an accoustic guitar! To find that in a Taylor is dang near impossible.

Luke

 

[darnright]

Re: Martin vs. Taylor

Taylors play better

Martins sound better

Is this thread over yet? :laughing:

Oddly enough, when I went shopping for a high-end acoustic, I was only looking at Taylors and Martins, and unlike most of you geeks, I actually did the "blindfolded acoustic guitar shopping" thing and went home with a Guild.

I think the Guild had the best and worst of both worlds, it was right down the middle;

Didn't play as good as a Taylor, but sounded better

Didn't sound as good as a Martin, but played better.

-Hunter

Great answer, I'd also want to include a vintage ('70'ish) Takamine (look like Martin's) or an older Alverez-Yairi. Both have some fantastic instruments.

-dave

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Martin vs. Taylor

I have five Taylors. My two faves are my Engleman Spruce and Brazillian Rosewood 710 and 810. I also have a Englemann and Indian Rosewood 814C and 910C and a little Englemann and Honduras Mahogany 512. I love them all and will probably never part with any of them.

Sold my Martins - and I had some real nice ones too: OM-28 and a D-28.

I like the way the Taylors play better and the way they sound better.

And they're a better value.

I get more for my money with a Taylor.

Mine are all from the 90's - my favorite Taylor era.

Nicer Martins have a deep warmth to them that's hard to beat - but the same body size in a Taylor tends to be louder, IMO, and more resonant - at least to this player.

All in all, I'm just a lot more inspired by the tone I hear while I'm playing my Taylors and more comfortable with the feel of the neck and fingerboard.

Lew

 

[JMSSMJ7]

Re: Martin vs. Taylor

From clips i've heard and from hearing others play the two, i like Martins a bit more than Taylors. To me the Martin sounded richer than the Taylor's. The Taylors sounded awesome too but, they sometimes sound a little too bright.

Although, if i had to go with a plugged in acoustic guitar (i guess if it was plugged in it would be acoustic eletric, but who cares) it would definately be a Godin. They sound amazing and the prices are great.

 

[Bludave]

Re: Martin vs. Taylor

Taylors play better

Martins sound better

Is this thread over yet? :laughing:

Oddly enough, when I went shopping for a high-end acoustic, I was only looking at Taylors and Martins, and unlike most of you geeks, I actually did the "blindfolded acoustic guitar shopping" thing and went home with a Guild.

I think the Guild had the best and worst of both worlds, it was right down the middle;

Didn't play as good as a Taylor, but sounded better

Didn't sound as good as a Martin, but played better.

-Hunter

What model Guild did you get?

Well to answer the thread question is I prefer Martins out of the two that are offered to choose from.

I own a bunch of acoustics. Most would be considered high end. I had replaced an old Gibson years ago on the recommendation of a friend and I bought a Taylor. Long story short I hated it. I had it for over 10 years and had reduced it to a slide guitar roll because I just could never really warm up to it. During the first year I had it I bought a Martin J40, this and my Guild D55 became my primary acoustics. I eventually replaced the Taylor with a Santa Cruz OM and that was the best day of my guitar buying life. Its a great guitar.

But if I had to choose between a Martin or a Taylor, for me it would always be a Martin. They have a much warmer tone, they play better(for me because I like an acoustic to play like an acoustic). The way I have always described Taylor;s is they are good acoustic guitars for electric guitar players. Low action, thin necks and a thin sound. They are not bad guitars, just not for me.

I just played one of the new "Chinese" Guilds and I loved it. A small body all Mahogany guitar that played and sounded great. They cut corners in some areas that are easy to fix. This one had come in to my buddies shop for a new nut & saddle (plastic on the original). After the bone saddle & nut were installed the guitar sounded great. The guy paid $600.00 for it. That's a deal!

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Martin vs. Taylor

I have five Taylors. My two faves are my Engleman Spruce and Brazillian Rosewood 710 and 810. I also have a Englemann and Indian Rosewood 814C and 910C and a little Englemann and Honduras Mahogany 512. I love them all and will probably never part with any of them.

Sold my Martins - and I had some real nice ones too: OM-28 and a D-28.

I like the way the Taylors play better and the way they sound better.

And they're a better value.

I get more for my money with a Taylor.

Mine are all from the 90's - my favorite Taylor era.

Nicer Martins have a deep warmth to them that's hard to beat - but the same body size in a Taylor tends to be louder, IMO, and more resonant - at least to this player.

All in all, I'm just a lot more inspired by the tone I hear while I'm playing my Taylors and more comfortable with the feel of the neck and fingerboard.

Lew

I think Lew and I have similar ears, I like a lot of the tones he likes.

Then again, he'd also call my Mesa a "Can of Bees", so it's definately not all inclusive.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Martin vs. Taylor

You guys have been playing some crappy Taylors or something.

I guarantee you if you tried one of my Taylors you'd want it - and wouldn't have anything negative to say about the tone or the feel.

But mine are all from the 90's. I don't care so much for the newer ones with spliced headstocks, built in electronics, etc.

I put a K&K pickup in one of mine and two others have under the saddle Fishman - but none have built in preamps, except for the little preamp that's in the input jack.

I use my two with Fishmans with the Fishman Aura modeling pedal, BTW. Fabulous tone!
Sold my Mama Bear when I got the Aura.

And I have two that are unamplified and are going to stay that way.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Martin vs. Taylor

I think Lew and I have similar ears, I like a lot of the tones he likes.

Then again, he'd also call my Mesa a "Can of Bees", so it's definately not all inclusive.

Hey - sometimes I play with that Can of Bumble Bees tone! Just for giggles though. It's not like I think I'm doing anything original or good or anything...

LOL!

Lew

 

[ErikH]

Re: Martin vs. Taylor

Between the 2, it's Martins for me. I love my D-28. It's got a big rich and full tone that can full up a room. I love the neck profile. That is one profile I'd like to have done for an electric guitar neck. It's just so comfortable.

I put a K&K pickup in one of mine and two others have under the saddle Fishman - but none have built in preamps, except for the little preamp that's in the input jack.

I use my two with Fishmans with the Fishman Aura modeling pedal, BTW. Fabulous tone!
Sold my Mama Bear when I got the Aura.

And I have two that are unamplified and are going to stay that way.

Lew, which Fishman pickup do you use? Is it the SBT-E? I have one on the way right now to put in my D-28. If that is what you have, I'd like your opinion on it. A pre-amp pedal will be something to get down the road. I've got a clean boost pedal that does the job for me at the moment.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Martin vs. Taylor

Get yourself a Taylor like this one and you'll never part with it: http://cgi.ebay.com/Taylor-710-Acou...14&_trkparms=72:1205|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318

I have an identical 710 like that one, and an 810 too Englemann Spruce and real Brazillian Rosewood.

You couldn't find a Martin dreadnaught with wood like that for anywhere near that price!

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Martin vs. Taylor

Lew, which Fishman pickup do you use? Is it the SBT-E? I have one on the way right now to put in my D-28. If that is what you have, I'd like your opinion on it. A pre-amp pedal will be something to get down the road. I've got a clean boost pedal that does the job for me at the moment.

I use the late 90's version of the Fishman Matrix. It sounds fine plugged directly into the PA but through a Fishman Aura modeling pedal ( http://www.fishman.com/aura/default.asp ) it can sound like about a dozen different great acoustic guitars.

The Aura won't work with the K&K pickup in my Taylor 814 though. It works best with the Fishman Matrix.

Fishman has improved the Matrix over the years and has come out with two new improved models since mine were built. But my oldies still sound great.

Ever tried the K&K stuff Erik? ( http://www.kksound.com/ ) Really great amplified tone.

BTW, I just got a broken Dunlap Crybaby layed on me. It looks like new but puts out a uselessly thin and weak signal even with a new battery. I'd like to get it fixed and give it to my buddy AJ for Christmas. He can't afford a wah wah and wants one bad.

Do you work on Crybabys? I'd like it made into a Fulltone Clyde type of pedal in terms of tone.

 

[ErikH]

Re: Martin vs. Taylor

I use the late 90's version of the Fishman Matrix. It sounds fine plugged directly into the PA but through a Fishman Aura modeling pedal ( http://www.fishman.com/aura/default.asp ) it can sound like about a dozen different great acoustic guitars.

The Aura won't work with the K&K pickup in my Taylor 814 though. It works best with the Fishman Matrix.

Fishman has improved the Matrix over the years and has come out with two new improved models since mine were built. But my oldies still sound great.

The Matrix is a really nice pickup. I have no interest in drilling a hole under the bridge saddle of my Martin, that's why I went with the transducer that'll stick to the sound board inside the body. I need to look in to the Aura. From what I read about it, that is one cool little device.

Ever tried the K&K stuff Erik? ( http://www.kksound.com/ ) Really great amplified tone.

Never tried their stuff, and honestly, this is the first time I've heard of their stuff. When it comes to preamps, I'll be looking at several options.

BTW, I just got a broken Dunlap Crybaby layed on me. It looks like new but puts out a uselessly thin and weak signal even with a new battery. I'd like to get it fixed and give it to my buddy AJ for Christmas. He can't afford a wah wah and wants one bad.

Do you work on Crybabys? I'd like it made into a Fulltone Clyde type of pedal in terms of tone.

I've done some work on my Crybaby. I'll be honest, I've never heard a Fulltone Clyde wah so I wouldn't even know what tone to go for.

If the one you got has SMT components rather than conventional components (most new ones do from Dunlop), it's best to just yank the board and put in something else.

Area 51 Tube Audio Designs makes a drop in kit of their wah, and it's a great sounding wah too. http://area51tubeaudiodesigns.com/M...reen=CTGY&Store_Code=001&Category_Code=cat002

The drop-in kit is like $140.00, but it comes wired and ready to just put in to place. They also sell a kit for $99.00 that includes a completed board, jacks, switch and wire, but you do the wiring up of the external components.

Sometimes, the issue with the sound you're describing is as simple as a broken solder point on one of the jacks. If the components are conventional and not SMT, that is something I could troubleshoot and hopefully get working. I'll take a look at it if you want rather than going with a replacement board.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Martin vs. Taylor

The Matrix is a really nice pickup. I have no interest in drilling a hole under the bridge saddle of my Martin, that's why I went with the transducer that'll stick to the sound board inside the body. I need to look in to the Aura. From what I read about it, that is one cool little device.


Never tried their stuff, and honestly, this is the first time I've heard of their stuff.

The K&K I use is three little sensors that glue to the bridge plate under the saddle. No holes except for enlarging the endpin hole so you can use a jack there.

My Taylor 814 already had the endpin jack from when I used to use a Sunrise pickup in the soundhole and that's the one I put the K&K in. I went with the K&K Pure Western Trinity which also includes a little microphone on a little gooseneck inside the guitar. Next time, I'd just get the model that omits the microphone and just uses the three sensors since the microphone doesn't help that much, IMO, and although it does give a little air to the tone it also feeds back easily.

Regardless, the K&K system sounds really, really REALLY good!

The Fishman Matrix pickups in my 710 and 910 were factory installed by Taylor in the 90's when the guitars were built. I plug them into an A/B box with the output going to the Aura. So I can switch between the two guitars by stomping on the A/B box and the output always goes into the Aura and then into the PA.

So I have three acoustics that I can amplify onstage. I use one in open G, one in open D and one in standard tuning. Those are my stage guitars.

My other two Taylors just get played around the house and used for recordings and don't have pickups and probably never will.

I've had my 814 since about 1996. But when I got my Taylor 710 and 810 (also from '96) with Brazillian Rosewood and Englemann Spruce top I sold my Martin D-28, OM-28 and Collings OM. I liked the Taylors so much more.

Lew

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: Martin vs. Taylor

What model Guild did you get?

I just played one of the new "Chinese" Guilds and I loved it. A small body all Mahogany guitar that played and sounded great. They cut corners in some areas that are easy to fix. This one had come in to my buddies shop for a new nut & saddle (plastic on the original). After the bone saddle & nut were installed the guitar sounded great. The guy paid $600.00 for it. That's a deal!

Mine is a 1998 Guild D30 bld

It's got a one piece arched flame maple back, flame maple sides, and a 3 piece flame maple - some dark wood, probably mahogany - flame maple neck. Spruce top, rosewood fingerboard, no electronics.

Made in Westerly, R.I.

Cell phone shot of the back

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Martin vs. Taylor

It depends on your application. I find that Taylor's cut through a band mix easier.

YMMV.

 

[Pastor of Muppets]

Re: Martin vs. Taylor

Taylors play better

Martins sound better

Is this thread over yet? :laughing:

-Hunter

I would have agreed with tha up until recently (and put Gibson in the 'plays better' bracket too). I really wanted a Martin cos I loved the sound; I tried out a few vintage and new dreads and OOs and they just didn't feel right, so I gave up on Martin.

Until I got my hands on a 000-28EC. Didn't want to spend that much money, didn't ever want to own a signature guitar, but boom - it was game over, I had to have it.

So, Martin. And poverty.