TheLivingDead
Dawn Of The Shred
Re: Taylor, Martin or Gibson (Acoustic) Poll
Martin, easily!
Martin, easily!
Taylor, Martin or Gibson (Acoustic) Poll
- Thread starter mwalluk
- Start date
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: Taylor, Martin or Gibson (Acoustic) Poll
I chose Martin.
I have only ever played one Gibson acoustic that I liked, in 46 years of playing the guitar. Though I must admit, the Bozeman shop is turning out some nice guitars.
I do own a 2002 Taylor 710CE with the Fishman pickup; and I owned and sold two others: a Baby Taylor and a Custom Shop Cocobolo 710CE with the Expression System.
The 2002 710CE has been my main stage acoustic for that last 10 years. It sounds good and is totally functional, but it just doesn't have the tone of the Martin. The baby was fine for what it was; but the Coco 710CE ACOUSTICALLY was a terrific guitar. However, the ES was total POS, and it would not work properly. Plugged in, it was a dog. Taylor gave me a big runaround that left a very bitter taste--really crappy customer service, in my book. I'm probably goiing to sell the Taylor--it sounds kinda dead and just doesn't have any resonance or depth to the tonees[ecially compared to the Martins.
I also own an Ibanez Artwood AW50CENT that is my pawnshop beater, and it is a pretty decent guitar. I actually think it sounds almost as good as the Taylor, and it was 1/10 the cost. I keep Lights on it, and use it with my band for songs where I am playing leads.
And that leaves Martin, my choice in the poll. Here are the ones I own, all dreads:
1975 D-28
1996 MTV-1
2002 D-28, fitted with a Fishman Ellipse Blend
2003 D-35
2004 D-18
2009 HD-28V
2009 DC AURA
The HD-28V is acoustically the best of the bunch, very lively and resonant, but the 2002 D-28 and the D-35 are very close behind. The 1975 D-28 has a wonderfully warm and woody tone with a softer voice, but it has a replacment neck due to that big Seattle earthquake a decade ago. The MTV-1 is quite the novelty, done with the treble back and sides in mahogany and the bass side in rosewood. Definitely collectible, but it's also a very good sounding guitar. The DC AURA simply blows away the Taylor 710CE. It is a much warmer and deeper sounding guitar, and the AURA system is far superior to any Taylor ES guitar. The first time I used it, several people came up to the stage and commented on the guitar's tone. It has a super fast neck, too. The D-18 is really nice, but this one is still a little stiff sounding. I've been using it as my sofa guitar for the last few months. Most of my guitars have rosewood, but my first Martin was a D-18, and I have a real soft spot in my heart for them.
I think if you want a purely acoustic guitar that you will want to keep for a lifetime, I would suggest the Standard Series D-28 or D-18. Taylors are well-built guitars, no doubt about it--but I see more used Taylor -14 series guitars for sale on E-bay and Craigslist than anything else. If you want an acoustic electric, I would stay away from the ES--in my experience the AURA out-performs it.
So make mine a Martin. And know that your grandkids will be fighting over who gets your Martin before the first clup of dirt hits your coffin!
Bill
I chose Martin.
I have only ever played one Gibson acoustic that I liked, in 46 years of playing the guitar. Though I must admit, the Bozeman shop is turning out some nice guitars.
I do own a 2002 Taylor 710CE with the Fishman pickup; and I owned and sold two others: a Baby Taylor and a Custom Shop Cocobolo 710CE with the Expression System.
The 2002 710CE has been my main stage acoustic for that last 10 years. It sounds good and is totally functional, but it just doesn't have the tone of the Martin. The baby was fine for what it was; but the Coco 710CE ACOUSTICALLY was a terrific guitar. However, the ES was total POS, and it would not work properly. Plugged in, it was a dog. Taylor gave me a big runaround that left a very bitter taste--really crappy customer service, in my book. I'm probably goiing to sell the Taylor--it sounds kinda dead and just doesn't have any resonance or depth to the tonees[ecially compared to the Martins.
I also own an Ibanez Artwood AW50CENT that is my pawnshop beater, and it is a pretty decent guitar. I actually think it sounds almost as good as the Taylor, and it was 1/10 the cost. I keep Lights on it, and use it with my band for songs where I am playing leads.
And that leaves Martin, my choice in the poll. Here are the ones I own, all dreads:
1975 D-28
1996 MTV-1
2002 D-28, fitted with a Fishman Ellipse Blend
2003 D-35
2004 D-18
2009 HD-28V
2009 DC AURA
The HD-28V is acoustically the best of the bunch, very lively and resonant, but the 2002 D-28 and the D-35 are very close behind. The 1975 D-28 has a wonderfully warm and woody tone with a softer voice, but it has a replacment neck due to that big Seattle earthquake a decade ago. The MTV-1 is quite the novelty, done with the treble back and sides in mahogany and the bass side in rosewood. Definitely collectible, but it's also a very good sounding guitar. The DC AURA simply blows away the Taylor 710CE. It is a much warmer and deeper sounding guitar, and the AURA system is far superior to any Taylor ES guitar. The first time I used it, several people came up to the stage and commented on the guitar's tone. It has a super fast neck, too. The D-18 is really nice, but this one is still a little stiff sounding. I've been using it as my sofa guitar for the last few months. Most of my guitars have rosewood, but my first Martin was a D-18, and I have a real soft spot in my heart for them.
I think if you want a purely acoustic guitar that you will want to keep for a lifetime, I would suggest the Standard Series D-28 or D-18. Taylors are well-built guitars, no doubt about it--but I see more used Taylor -14 series guitars for sale on E-bay and Craigslist than anything else. If you want an acoustic electric, I would stay away from the ES--in my experience the AURA out-performs it.
So make mine a Martin. And know that your grandkids will be fighting over who gets your Martin before the first clup of dirt hits your coffin!
Bill
Chris of Arabia
Desert RATT
Inkstained
New member
That90'sGuy
DyzaBoyzologist
Re: Taylor, Martin or Gibson (Acoustic) Poll
One of my good friends has several Martins and I love them far more than any Taylor I've ever played. I think the ES system sounds like garbage too. My Ovation 1771LX has a better sounding preamp than that junk they put on their 2k plus guitars (sorry Taylor lovers, I'm just not a fan). However, my friend has a vintage Gibson J series guitar (one of these days I have to ask him what model it is) and that thing just oozes mojo... it's the best acoustic I've ever played and it's amazing. If I could have any acoustic, I'm pretty sure I'd have a J-45. To me, the midrange response, the warmth and the depth all make it stand out and it has just enough bite to make it cut in the mix too without being quite as booming as Martins tend to be. I've never found any Martin to be considered "unplayable", they just are fatter than Taylors which IMHO is a "good" thing.
One of my good friends has several Martins and I love them far more than any Taylor I've ever played. I think the ES system sounds like garbage too. My Ovation 1771LX has a better sounding preamp than that junk they put on their 2k plus guitars (sorry Taylor lovers, I'm just not a fan). However, my friend has a vintage Gibson J series guitar (one of these days I have to ask him what model it is) and that thing just oozes mojo... it's the best acoustic I've ever played and it's amazing. If I could have any acoustic, I'm pretty sure I'd have a J-45. To me, the midrange response, the warmth and the depth all make it stand out and it has just enough bite to make it cut in the mix too without being quite as booming as Martins tend to be. I've never found any Martin to be considered "unplayable", they just are fatter than Taylors which IMHO is a "good" thing.
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Re: Taylor, Martin or Gibson (Acoustic) Poll
You know, maybe this is too simplistic, and I'm by no means a high end acoustic tone guy, but to me:
Taylor - the guitar for fans of high end.
Gibson - for the fans of the big bottom.
Martin - Best all-around
As much as i want to love a J-45, or the Taylor-du-jour....A Martin D-28, that is THE definition of awesome acoustic for anything to me.
Each individual guitar will vary somewhat, but also, in that range, there are no dogs either.
You know, maybe this is too simplistic, and I'm by no means a high end acoustic tone guy, but to me:
Taylor - the guitar for fans of high end.
Gibson - for the fans of the big bottom.
Martin - Best all-around
As much as i want to love a J-45, or the Taylor-du-jour....A Martin D-28, that is THE definition of awesome acoustic for anything to me.
Each individual guitar will vary somewhat, but also, in that range, there are no dogs either.
Bfeeney
New member
Re: Taylor, Martin or Gibson (Acoustic) Poll
That's one of the main reasons I quit playing acoustics, got sick of smashing my hand/arm inbetween the strings and the top to fish a pick out. On the plus side, once you get enough picks in there you can have 2 instruments in 1!
That's one of the main reasons I quit playing acoustics, got sick of smashing my hand/arm inbetween the strings and the top to fish a pick out. On the plus side, once you get enough picks in there you can have 2 instruments in 1!
ItsaBass
New member
Re: Taylor, Martin or Gibson (Acoustic) Poll
Yes, a good D-28 is my idea of "An Acoustic Guitar." Classic.
But a good D-35 is "The Ultimate Acoustic Guitar." In terms of pure musicality, a good D-35 will mop the floor of all in its path. They are beasts. Balanced, shimmery, harmonic, responsive, tough and raunchy, and loud. They can do almost anything, and do it better than most anything else IMO. Plus they are just gorgeous.
Yes, a good D-28 is my idea of "An Acoustic Guitar." Classic.
But a good D-35 is "The Ultimate Acoustic Guitar." In terms of pure musicality, a good D-35 will mop the floor of all in its path. They are beasts. Balanced, shimmery, harmonic, responsive, tough and raunchy, and loud. They can do almost anything, and do it better than most anything else IMO. Plus they are just gorgeous.
Last edited:
firebirdV
New member
Re: Taylor, Martin or Gibson (Acoustic) Poll
Out of these options, I would take a Martin any day.
To me, Taylors sound nice for strumming and light fingerpicking (and I have played a lot of them!). Anything more dynamic highlights their weaknesses.
The one Taylor that I really liked was a custom shop job and was also the only Taylor I ever played that had a stiff Martin-like feel. It also had a beautiful chunky tone that didn't flub out easily.
Out of these options, I would take a Martin any day.
To me, Taylors sound nice for strumming and light fingerpicking (and I have played a lot of them!). Anything more dynamic highlights their weaknesses.
The one Taylor that I really liked was a custom shop job and was also the only Taylor I ever played that had a stiff Martin-like feel. It also had a beautiful chunky tone that didn't flub out easily.
hareek
New member
Re: Taylor, Martin or Gibson (Acoustic) Poll
+1 to this as well. I was playing my dad's Guild last night. It's a very underrated guitar in my opinion. People forget about it, and I swear it sounds better than most Martin's and Taylor's I've played over the years.
+1 to this as well. I was playing my dad's Guild last night. It's a very underrated guitar in my opinion. People forget about it, and I swear it sounds better than most Martin's and Taylor's I've played over the years.
V
Varg
Guest
Re: Taylor, Martin or Gibson (Acoustic) Poll
Best acoustic I've played was a BC Rich
I should get myself a 12 string, I love the sound of those.
Best acoustic I've played was a BC Rich
I should get myself a 12 string, I love the sound of those.
Although, the best acoustic I have ever played was a 1950 Gibson CF-100... but you can't just pick one of those up any day of the week. Lol
woemoejack
New member
Re: Taylor, Martin or Gibson (Acoustic) Poll
Had a martin, traded it for an Art and Lutherie. Havent looked back. I'll admit that I've never played a Gibson acoustic, so I cant comment on them. As for Taylor, my experiences have been a mixed bag. I dont think I like the thinner body styles. Give me a good dreadnought any day.
Had a martin, traded it for an Art and Lutherie. Havent looked back. I'll admit that I've never played a Gibson acoustic, so I cant comment on them. As for Taylor, my experiences have been a mixed bag. I dont think I like the thinner body styles. Give me a good dreadnought any day.
longcat
New member
Re: Taylor, Martin or Gibson (Acoustic) Poll
i don't have the money for any of those three. having noodled on some in shops though, if i HAD to pick just from those three, i'd probably go with taylor.
my acoustic is a yamaha. sunny. i like him just fine. i've played mr LC's guild as well, and it sounds a bit nicer, but not enough to warrant spending more than twice what i did on sunny, given my skill level.
ask me again in a few years when i'm a little better. maybe i'll have changed my mind.
i don't have the money for any of those three. having noodled on some in shops though, if i HAD to pick just from those three, i'd probably go with taylor.
my acoustic is a yamaha. sunny. i like him just fine. i've played mr LC's guild as well, and it sounds a bit nicer, but not enough to warrant spending more than twice what i did on sunny, given my skill level.
ask me again in a few years when i'm a little better. maybe i'll have changed my mind.
bigmack209
New member
Re: Taylor, Martin or Gibson (Acoustic) Poll
i knew i liked taylors but i thought i was the odd man out. really surprised to see taylor on top.
i knew i liked taylors but i thought i was the odd man out. really surprised to see taylor on top.
J
Jessie's ghost
Guest
Re: Taylor, Martin or Gibson (Acoustic) Poll
I like them beyond a certain price point. On the low end, I've been puzzled and dismayed by what looked like drywall screws in the fretboard, near the neck joint. On new guitars, hanging up at GC. WTF? Go up a little higher in the line, and there are great, great guitars -- no doubt about it.
Jewel Kilcher and Taylor Swift can't be wrong, dudes.
I like them beyond a certain price point. On the low end, I've been puzzled and dismayed by what looked like drywall screws in the fretboard, near the neck joint. On new guitars, hanging up at GC. WTF? Go up a little higher in the line, and there are great, great guitars -- no doubt about it.
Jewel Kilcher and Taylor Swift can't be wrong, dudes.
Matt42
New member
Re: Taylor, Martin or Gibson (Acoustic) Poll
Honestly, this comparison is kind of moot, all three brands excel in certain areas. In a hypothetical situation, if I owned one high end guitar from each I would use them all differently. If I were going to a bluegrass picking circle, I would choose the Martin. If I were going to be playing in an amplified band in a rock type setting, I'd use the Taylor for the ease of playing and the excellent sound system. If I were going to be playing acoustic blues or country I'd take the Gibson (preferably a jumbo).
Honestly, this comparison is kind of moot, all three brands excel in certain areas. In a hypothetical situation, if I owned one high end guitar from each I would use them all differently. If I were going to a bluegrass picking circle, I would choose the Martin. If I were going to be playing in an amplified band in a rock type setting, I'd use the Taylor for the ease of playing and the excellent sound system. If I were going to be playing acoustic blues or country I'd take the Gibson (preferably a jumbo).
Similar threads
