MARTIN vs TAYLOR
- Thread starter jeep
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vernplum
New member
perhaps a poll is in order to find out the kind of distribution of them amongst Softies?
I'm a Martin owner, but I would love a Taylor. A buddy of mine recently bought one (I went with him to select it) and this particular one was wide open and zingy sounding which lent itself to a lot of styles compared to my Martin which I'd describe as 'dark and broody' and responds very well to enthusiastic strumming more than it does to no-nails-fingerpicking.
I'm a Martin owner, but I would love a Taylor. A buddy of mine recently bought one (I went with him to select it) and this particular one was wide open and zingy sounding which lent itself to a lot of styles compared to my Martin which I'd describe as 'dark and broody' and responds very well to enthusiastic strumming more than it does to no-nails-fingerpicking.
I have a cheapie Taylor, and being my first proper American solid top (vs laminate) acoustic, the tone, projection and clarity blew me away. Don't have a Martin to compare with, but typical feedback is that the Taylors are too "trebly" and not as warm sounding as the Martins.
But I think both are equally susceptible to our humid climate.
But I think both are equally susceptible to our humid climate.
Actually I gathered that most ppl own Taylors rather than Martins from the fact that I see many used Taylors going for sale (from the lower range to higher range) while Martins are really a rare sight in the buy/sell websites.
Talking about humidity, wouldn't the water-absorbing gel/thirsty hippo in hardcase/sound-hole solve the issue?
Talking about humidity, wouldn't the water-absorbing gel/thirsty hippo in hardcase/sound-hole solve the issue?
quiverpool
New member
i own a martin.
i agree with the santa cruz it beats the a martin in sound and in price.
the lower end martins are quite questionable in sound but the mid-high ends are the way to go.
usually when you try a martin you'll experience the warm and bassy sound and
a taylor will give you trebly and snappy sound.
however i experienced an old taylor that sounded like a martin...
yes the hungry hippo will suffice to fight the humidity here...but will cost you $5 a month at least.
i will always go for a martin if compared to a taylor though.
i agree with the santa cruz it beats the a martin in sound and in price.
the lower end martins are quite questionable in sound but the mid-high ends are the way to go.
usually when you try a martin you'll experience the warm and bassy sound and
a taylor will give you trebly and snappy sound.
however i experienced an old taylor that sounded like a martin...
yes the hungry hippo will suffice to fight the humidity here...but will cost you $5 a month at least.
i will always go for a martin if compared to a taylor though.
BigBrekkieFan
New member
Been looking at buying a new guitar and I've tried both (310,314,714,814 vs DC/OMC 16 series). Both sound totally awesome, but also totally different.
The Taylor ES system sounds really nice and bright, with great articulation and really sits nicely on top of the band. Generally the necks are great and playable. However, there are only 3 knobs for vol, treb, bass.
The Martin Aura (tried the Premium blend also) give you wider tonal variability. The can go from booming bass to nice rich mids to more mellow jazz. I love being able to select the different Aura settings and mix it with the UST. (Does tend to feedback a bit set on Aura fully, but there are anti-feedback electronics too). Does mean that your sound engineer has to work a bit harder if you change settings in between songs.
I tend to have the action not set super-low so I can whack the guitar fairly hard. It's really nice to attack the guitar and have it respond. Haven't really heard a problem with quacking.
I guess it comes down to personal pref what sort of tone you're going for.
The Taylor ES system sounds really nice and bright, with great articulation and really sits nicely on top of the band. Generally the necks are great and playable. However, there are only 3 knobs for vol, treb, bass.
The Martin Aura (tried the Premium blend also) give you wider tonal variability. The can go from booming bass to nice rich mids to more mellow jazz. I love being able to select the different Aura settings and mix it with the UST. (Does tend to feedback a bit set on Aura fully, but there are anti-feedback electronics too). Does mean that your sound engineer has to work a bit harder if you change settings in between songs.
I tend to have the action not set super-low so I can whack the guitar fairly hard. It's really nice to attack the guitar and have it respond. Haven't really heard a problem with quacking.
I guess it comes down to personal pref what sort of tone you're going for.
EugeneSmasher
New member
Between Martin and Taylor, its definitely all subjective. Some like the contemporary tone of Taylors, and some like the warm tone of Martins.
I like the Taylor tone more, but I prefer to spend less and get the same specs by getting an Alvarez, etc instead. Taylors are overrated, I feel.
I like the Taylor tone more, but I prefer to spend less and get the same specs by getting an Alvarez, etc instead. Taylors are overrated, I feel.
Francis_Sim
New member
any opinion on martin hd28 which is selling at a very discounted price...display set...not brand new....probably few yrs old.
chickenbackside
New member
I have one. It's definitely a strummer more than a fingerstyler. Of course it also depends on the song. I've used it successfully recording fingerstyle as well.
Here's a short clip of it. Recording chain is AKG C12VR > TLA VP-1 (class-A section) > Tubetech CL1B > Apogee AD > Logic Audio.
http://homepage.mac.com/adam.madmusic/FileSharing114.html
Here's the link to another forum where I did a comparison of some of my acoustic guitars. Includes some Taylors as well.
http://www.guitar4christ.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=20236
Rhizopus
New member
how to put a thirsty hippo in the case? it's quite big, right?
Francis_Sim
New member
Hi Chickenbackside,
Bought the hd28.....find the action abit tad high for me....did you get your action setup? wat string you use? any good luthier to reccommend? Thanks if you could answer the above.
Bought the hd28.....find the action abit tad high for me....did you get your action setup? wat string you use? any good luthier to reccommend? Thanks if you could answer the above.
penta-tonic
New member
get a goodall and u wont even be comparing anything anymore, save maybe a mcpherson.
serialninja
New member
i like the warmer sound of Martins. my favourite guitar to play is currently an old 1970s acoustic Yamaha fg-130. it has the body and tone of a Martin, with a Gibson J45 neck profile. it's a dream to play, and the sound is loud and clear.
chickenbackside
New member
This guy called Jarvis setup my guitar and changed my saddle to a Mammoth Ivory one. Fantastic job.
Here's his thread:
http://www.guitar4christ.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=8308
My personal preference for dreadnought strings are these:
http://www.wyresstrings.com/products/strings-style.asp?I=4
You can buy them from Maestro Guitar Shop at Excelsior.
Last edited:
chickenbackside
New member
Actually I don't quite agree. Apple and oranges. They are well made no doubt, and play really easy. Very modern sounding too.
But I prefer a woodier tone from an acoustic guitar, which the Macphersons and Goodall I have played didn't seem to have much compared with my Martins.
Last edited:
Francis_Sim
New member
Tks for the info CBS. Really appreciate it. I'll let this guy Jarvis setup my guit then. Cheers!!!
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