BS: Taylor -VS- Martin

Subject: RE: BS: Taylor -VS- Martin
From: Little Hawk
Date: 26 Jan 05 - 09:24 PM

The "blindfold" test sounds like a very good idea. Gotta try that sometime.

Subject: RE: BS: Taylor -VS- Martin
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 26 Jan 05 - 09:11 PM

The principle advantage of pre-installed electronics is that the tone and volume controls are easy to get to. But there's something sacrilegous about cutting a hole cut into the side of a multi-thousand dollar guitar and filling it with ugly plastic sliders.

But, if we're talking about Taylor guitars, and specifically the Grand Concert and Grand Auditorium sizes, it's probablly smarter to go with the "EC" (electric cutaway) models. They outsell the regular models by a wide margin and if it ever comes down to needing to sell the thing to buy groceries an EC would be easier to unload.

Subject: RE: BS: Taylor -VS- Martin
From: PoppaGator
Date: 26 Jan 05 - 02:23 PM

Everything else being equal, is an electric-acoustic with pre-installed electronics preferable to a good plain acoustic isntrument with an after-market pickup installed later on?

Subject: RE: BS: Taylor -VS- Martin
From: Bert
Date: 26 Jan 05 - 01:46 PM

You're right dwditty.

Unless you are buying the guitar for it's looks then take an unbiased guitar playing friend along to a store with a big selection, and do the blindfold test.

You need the friend 'cos the sales bod isn't free from bias if said bod is on commission.

You choose the one which sounds the best, and don't forget to try the cheap ones. Sam Ash has some for around $100 which sound really good. And I'm sure your local store has some too for maybe twenty dollars more.

We just chose a guitar as a christmas present for a friend. The friend was a beginner so he didn't know what he wanted.

We started looking around at the buyer's price limit , less than $300, although it could have been more for the right guitar.

Of course we couldn't resist trying more expensive ones too. We finished up paying $128.

BTW. there's nothing wrong with buying a guitar for it's looks. I've done it myself. It's called "Peter's Placebo" - An ounce of image is worth a pound of performance.

I once thought that the Fender Stratacoustic looked cool and was ready to splash out and get one but it sounded like crap.

Subject: RE: BS: Taylor -VS- Martin
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 26 Jan 05 - 01:04 PM

Taylors do tend to have a certain sort of twanginess, which is quite different from the sort of ringing sound of Martins, and the woodiness of the dreadnought Gibsons. The Jumbo bodied Gibsons are different again. The little Robert Johnson Gibson sounds very like an old fashioned ladder braced bluesman's guitar.

The sort of twanginess I hear on Taylors (which I hear played unplugged) sounds to me very like the sort of twanginess I hear on the guitars on recordings of country music when I don't turn the radio off fast enough. The country musicians may well not have been playing Taylors, but the sort of twang sounds similar.

MG, I didn't say country musicians played Taylors.

Subject: RE: BS: Taylor -VS- Martin
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 26 Jan 05 - 12:11 PM

That's to say 'I' can't tell 'you' what's the best guitar to buy - it's a personal thang.
S:0)

Subject: RE: BS: Taylor -VS- Martin
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 26 Jan 05 - 11:39 AM

I have a Lowden O25 (my second Lowden, had an O10 previously) and a Martin J-40. Both equally 'good', but in different ways. The Lowden's loud and woody, the Martin's quieter and very smooth. Would hate to part with either.

I reckon this kind of 'brand v. brand' batting back-and-forth is a pointless argument. Can't be won. We all have different eyes and ears, and our boats are floated in different ways. The individual has to spend time trying lots of instruments, then it's make your mind up and splash the cash time. IMHO.
S:0)

Subject: RE: BS: Taylor -VS- Martin
From: Little Hawk
Date: 25 Jan 05 - 07:30 PM

Taylor and Martin are both a very good place to start with expensive guitars. Collings are superb. Some other wonderful brands, mostly already mentioned, are Larrivee, Santa Cruz, and Bourgeois. Then there are the handmade guitars by various fine luthiers, of which there are many. My advice is...play a bunch of different guitars of good makes and listen and feel what each is like. You may want one with an electronic pickup system too...it can be quite handy.    You'll eventually find one that sounds right and feels right, regardless of the name on the headstock. Don't buy it right away. Go away and think about it for a day or two. Then come back and try it again. Then go away and think about it. If you play it a 3rd time and hear something in you say, "this is the one", then buy it.

And if you want to be in a lower priced bracket, I highly recommend Yamaha guitars. They are a great deal for the money.

Subject: RE: BS: Taylor -VS- Martin
From: Cluin
Date: 25 Jan 05 - 07:20 PM

Got a free DVD in the mail 2 days ago from Taylor. It deals with their new pick-up system they are installing in their acoustic-electrics. I got it by providing my address through their website. Pretty interesting stuff, including a primer on setting up your sound through both a PA and/or an amp, as well as details of construction and installation.

Some nice live performances on the DVD too, using Taylors recorded through these pickups. My favourite one was a duet of Dan Crary and Beppe Gambetta teaming up on "Rollin' In My Sweet Baby's Arms".

Subject: RE: BS: Taylor -VS- Martin
From: dwditty
Date: 24 Jan 05 - 02:06 PM

Sorry, Peter, but I cannot contain myself.....My Collings forces mne to brag about it.

For sok (how do you make that accent over the "o"), though, it is strictly a matter of personal preference. You may consider conducting a test blindfolded at you guitar store. Have them hand you guitars and play them over and over. Pick the one that fits you best in terms of sound and feel. You may be surprised and save lots of dough, or you may go way over your budget. But, you will wind up with the guitar that is meant for you.

dw

Subject: RE: BS: Taylor -VS- Martin
From: PoppaGator
Date: 24 Jan 05 - 01:26 PM

Let me mention Lowden, a wonderful guitar maker that has only been cited once or twice here so far. I've only ever seen one of 'em, ever, and it may very well have been the very best guitar I've ever laid my hands on.

Every guitar *is* different, which means that one particular Taylor will probably be "better" (for you) than one particular Martin, while another Martin (or Gibson, or Lowden, or Santa Cruz, etc.) might be better than either.

Having a luthier custom-make an instrument to your personal specs would be nice, and would also (as mentioned above) contribute to the ongoing support of an important "dying art," but you are committed to your purchase before the guitar is made. I'd rather have the option of trying out various instruments and making my choice based on their actual sound.

Subject: RE: BS: Taylor -VS- Martin
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 24 Jan 05 - 04:28 AM

But whay compare Jeremy Taylor to Steve Martin in the first place? I like them both - though at a push I'd say Jeremy is funnier.

Subject: RE: BS: Taylor -VS- Martin
From: robomatic
Date: 23 Jan 05 - 10:51 AM

my relative works at a guitar dealer, and Mr. Collings gave a slide presentation about the history of his factory and their different problems and solutions in making a quality product. The place was packed with Collings devotees and I was impressed at how frank and meticulous the Collings folks were, including design changes they'd made and why.

Subject: RE: BS: Taylor -VS- Martin
From: van lingle
Date: 23 Jan 05 - 08:07 AM

I try to judge guitars one at a time without regard to the maker or preconceptions about a particular brand name regarding tone and playability. Warranty and build quality might be reasons to consider one maker over another.In my case, I find that if you play enough different instruments the one you want will eventually jump out at you (bearing in mind that a new instrument might need a bit of playing in before it can be fairly compared to an older guitar so you might need to use a bit of imagination there). I recently heard and played a Martin HD-28 that really stood out in the presence of a bunch of other high end guitars and I found a Taylor 514 with a cedar top that I thought was a helluva buy at around $1600. Of course, one of the best OM's I heard was a Larrivee OM-10 which held it's own when AB'ed with a very ornate Brazilian Bourgeois. At any rate it's ears before eyes with me. Have fun. vl

Subject: RE: BS: Taylor -VS- Martin
From: Mooh
Date: 23 Jan 05 - 06:47 AM

oranges...before someone corrects me...whatever...Mooh.

Subject: RE: BS: Taylor -VS- Martin
From: Mooh
Date: 23 Jan 05 - 06:45 AM

Very often the guitar a player is used to (or lusts after) is the standard by which they judge other guitars.

I seem to have an appreciation for the sound of solid wood instruments and like the variety of timbres available. Sometimes the big fat bluegrass dread is the ticket, sometimes the tight waisted auditorium turns my crank, sometimes low, sometimes high, 12, electric, whatever. Once that threshold standard of quality, playability and sound is set, it's a matter of apples and orages.

I get to play a lot of pretty good guitars, hanging out at jams, festivals, stores, and knowing folks with the goods...sometimes I start to change my tastes. But in the end, I always come back to the sound of my favourite. Spruce top, rosewood back and sides, mahogany neck, ebony board and bridge, maple binding, some inlay but otherwise conservatively adorned. I can be tempted by others, but nothing makes me happier than the guitar that sets the standard in my mind.

If I had the resources today I'd like to have another Beneteau 6 made in the style of my first except with a cedar top for variety. Trouble is, I'd have to play it in like the first one.

Anyway, once the ears and mind develop a bias, that bias becomes the standard by which other guitars are judged.

My 2 cents.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: BS: Taylor -VS- Martin
From: burntstump
Date: 23 Jan 05 - 03:32 AM

If Taylor spent as much money on making good sounding guitars as they do on marketing them they would be a lot better instruments, my local dealer has 6 Taylors in stock, all brand new, price range from £500 --£3000 not one of them compares to 2nd hand Gibson or Martin from the 60s.

Subject: RE: BS: Taylor -VS- Martin
From: GUEST,Claymore
Date: 23 Jan 05 - 12:46 AM

I have owned more that twenty guitars over the years, which I used to trade up when possible, and have owned Collins, Taylors and Gibsons.

I have had my Martin K2 for the last ten years, which I bought as it was one of the few Martins that can handle my custom Elixer heavy strings (59-13s), and it is an excellent instrument. I thought I had come to the end of the GAS (Guitar Acquisition Syndrome).

However, three years ago I picked up one of the first Presentation Larivee's with a custom Vine and Vase fretboard inlay, and a Wendy Larivee custom Terpsichore inlayed headstock, with abalone purfling on top, sides and back. It has Celtic Knots on the bridge piece and also has the OM string spacing which I like better than the Martins standard spacing. It was and remains the best looking, best sounding guitar I have ever had, and creates instant jealousy as soon as any other guitar player in the room hear its bottom, while the treble cuts through glass.

I still use the K2 as my travel guitar, when I go to Ireland, but the Larivee stands alone...

Subject: RE: BS: Taylor -VS- Martin
From: Bobert
Date: 22 Jan 05 - 08:10 PM

The problem is that if we're comparing off the shelf new guitars these guitars are probably very equal, however...

I wouldn't trade my '64 Martin D-18 for anything new, Taylor or Martin 'cause it sounds and plays better than anything on the shelf today.

No brag, just fact.

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: Taylor -VS- Martin
From: Auggie
Date: 22 Jan 05 - 08:06 PM

Why is this thread below the line?

Subject: RE: BS: Taylor -VS- Martin
From: Terry Allan Hall
Date: 22 Jan 05 - 06:30 PM

Well, I personally agree that if you can wait for it and can afford it, a custom-made from a good luthier is a great way to go.

If you can't wait, a Martin D-18, a Guild or any Taylor is great. Other Martins are more variable, but a properly built D-18 (watch out for models from the mid-70s, though!) always sounds good.

Subject: RE: BS: Taylor -VS- Martin
From: Cluin
Date: 22 Jan 05 - 12:13 PM

What Freightdawg said.

Subject: RE: BS: Taylor -VS- Martin
From: freightdawg
Date: 22 Jan 05 - 12:12 PM

Hear, Hear, Mandotim!!

Can't say enough about custom mades. You say you are willing to sink some cash into this one - can you also spare some time?? Having a custom made is as close to heaven as I'll get down here. You can choose which wood you want for your top - same with sides and back, inlay or no inlay, what type of tuners you want, how you want the neck shaped, the list goes on. If you choose a luthier close to you, you also have the advantage of going to the "nursery" and watching your "baby" come into existance piece by piece.

In addition, you will be helping to promote a dying art and also help a true artisan stay in business a little while longer.

Freightdawg

Subject: RE: BS: Taylor -VS- Martin
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 22 Jan 05 - 10:13 AM

Methinks this thread should be upstairs.
I love my Martin D28 it was the realisation of dream the day I bought it.
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: Taylor -VS- Martin
From: Hand-Pulled Boy
Date: 22 Jan 05 - 09:14 AM

Adam go into Antones on Beverley road. There are Taylors and Martins to try in there. There's little else to try in Hull but you do need to try as many guitars as possible and that will mean travelling to Doncaster and Leeds as your nearest options.

Subject: RE: BS: Taylor -VS- Martin
From: Once Famous
Date: 21 Jan 05 - 09:01 PM

Taylors do not sound country Richard Bridge. They are only used by a few country singers. But I wouldn't expect you to know much about country music any way.

Now Gibsons are firmly entwined with country music and always have been.

Subject: RE: BS: Taylor -VS- Martin
From: GUEST,Sleepless Dad
Date: 21 Jan 05 - 08:36 PM

It seems to me that a lot of folks that used to play electric guitar now play Taylors. The neck seems to me more comfortable for them. It doesn't answer your question but it's what I've observed.

Subject: RE: BS: Taylor -VS- Martin
From: GUEST,Russ
Date: 21 Jan 05 - 07:43 PM

WARNING-Expression of personal preferences follows]

Three most important factors
Sound
Sound
Sound

Another very important factor
playability

Significantly less important
appearance

Whether you should buy an existing instrument depends upon the state of your sonic desires.

At this stage I am so picky about the sound I want an instrument to produce that I would never buy one without hearing it first. For me, a commissioned instrument by any luthier, no matter how heralded, would be a pig in a poke.

No two instruments sound the same.

Subject: RE: BS: Taylor -VS- Martin
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 21 Jan 05 - 07:14 PM

Taylors sound country.

Subject: RE: BS: Taylor -VS- Martin
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 21 Jan 05 - 06:37 PM

What style(s) of music do you play, s6k? What body size youd you be looking for? As a very general rule, I personally prefer Martins over Taylors as far as full-sized dreadnaughts go - Taylors over Martins when it comes to smaller fingerpicking guitars - Collings or Santa Cruz over both of 'em in any size.

Subject: RE: BS: Taylor -VS- Martin
From: mooman
Date: 21 Jan 05 - 05:52 PM

Sorry...neutral on this!

Peace

moo (very satisfied Lakewood owner)

Subject: RE: BS: Taylor -VS- Martin
From: Midchuck
Date: 21 Jan 05 - 05:28 PM

Robo, Wesley:

SHUT THE HELL UP!

If everyone finds out, the demand will increase and prices go up!

Peter.

Subject: RE: BS: Taylor -VS- Martin
From: kendall
Date: 21 Jan 05 - 05:28 PM

I've joined in on many a bluegrass picking party and most of them play Martins, either D28 or D18, but no matter how hard they slam those Martins, the Taylor 810 is right there with the berries.

Subject: RE: BS: Taylor -VS- Martin
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 21 Jan 05 - 05:24 PM

All the guitar names mentioned here are good. My aunt had a Martin 000-28 made in the 30's, I believe, that sounded great. I've owned a Fylde Orsino, Taylor 512, Breedlove, and Santa Cruz model H over the years. I liked the way all of them sounded. I currently have a Taylor K-14c and a 30th anniversary RS model, along with a Santa Cruz OM/PW. The K-14c seems to be my main instrument. I like the neck width and and the note sustain on it. I've liked the way all of them for a variety of reasons. I haven't kept all of them because I don't want to neglect any of them. So, it's gotten to the point that if guitar lust strikes, I have to figure out which guitar I'm going to sell to get it.   I like the advice above about playing various guitars, not paying a lot of attention to the brand and finding one that you really want to have.

Subject: RE: BS: Taylor -VS- Martin
From: Once Famous
Date: 21 Jan 05 - 05:23 PM

Ah, isn't capitalism a wonderful thing, Robo?

Subject: RE: BS: Taylor -VS- Martin
From: Wesley S
Date: 21 Jan 05 - 05:22 PM

Another vote for Collings.

But the only opinion that matters is yours. Don't decide based on what we think. Go out a play a LOT of different guitars. All makes models and sizes. Your ears and wallet get to decide which one is best.

Subject: RE: BS: Taylor -VS- Martin
From: robomatic
Date: 21 Jan 05 - 04:52 PM

COLLINGS

If you have purchased a recent Martin, you owe a debt to Collings. Their inception and quality made Martin clean up their act big-time.

Subject: RE: BS: Taylor -VS- Martin
From: Donuel
Date: 21 Jan 05 - 03:53 PM

All I know is that I enjoyed hearing my friend Rick Burton play his Martin. Gorgeous sound.

Subject: RE: BS: Taylor -VS- Martin
From: Once Famous
Date: 21 Jan 05 - 03:08 PM

Both of these brands have fine reputations.

Both of these brands have recently entered in to lower priced markets successfully.

I am partial to Martins as I believe the Martin is best for what I play which is folk, country, and bluegrass. They are by far much more popular to musicians who play in those genres.

Subject: RE: BS: Taylor -VS- Martin
From: mandotim
Date: 21 Jan 05 - 02:58 PM

Martins and Taylors are both good, mass produced guitars, depending on the model you choose; however, there are serious advantages to visiting a Luthier and having a guitar built to your specifications. There are dozens of these small operations around, and it's worth asking around on the various forums for a recommendation. If you are in the UK, the names Northworthy, Lowden, Fylde and(especially) Rob Armstrong spring to mind. I asked Rob about the difference between buying a Taylor and buying one of his custom guitars; his reply was that if you went to the Taylor factory it's unlikely that they will stop production, make you a cup of tea, give you several guitars to try, listen to how you play, measure your hands, talk for a couple of hours about the sort of guitar you really want, and then build exactly that. The prices, by the way, are about the same...
Tim from Bit on the Side

Subject: RE: BS: Taylor -VS- Martin
From: Amos
Date: 21 Jan 05 - 02:56 PM

Get thee a Lowry.


A

Subject: BS: Taylor -VS- Martin
From: s6k
Date: 21 Jan 05 - 02:40 PM

Let the battle commence.

I will probably soon be purchasing a very expensive acoustic guitar. so i will be going out there and playing loads of stuff. But i hear good things of Martin and Taylor.

One thing I have heard about them are that Martin make very expensive guitars - but some aren't so good. Wheras Taylor make very expensive guitars and ALL of them are good.

So what is everyones thoughts on the two?