Maybe not exactly on course with this video, however I bought a new martin 000 15 in ,2018 I have played many guitars since then but have never considered a replacement for it, 6 years later it is still # 1. Thanks for the great video
If you take them toe to toe dont attempt to tiptoe through the tulips. Martin still makes them great. As always some turn out phenomenal. Some just great.
Great topic. Jeremy is spot on. If players believe the best Martin guitars are behind us (it seems we all do), while Taylor believes the best is yet to come (and they/we do), then Martin better get their crap together and figure out how to recapture the blissful sound of yesteryear or there ain’t gonna be a very bright future for Martin … theirs will be a future based on “my grandpa’s Cadillac”. Complacency is where tradition goes to die. History has proven.
I got to play a Martin at a place I did not expect would have one. It was such a nice guitar and a joy to play. Later on, (different time and place)I had to rent a guitar and was surprised when they gave me a really nice Taylor. Also wonderful to play. Two very different guitars but I liked them both. Sometimes I think about buying an acoustic but I don't know what one I want. Taylor's seem to be more available in local stores. Saw a 12 string Martin though that I gave a lot of thought to. If I wasn't saving for a new amp I would have grabbed that one.
Both Taylor and Martin build wonderful guitars. I prefer Taylor because I find the neck more playable. Which ever you play, that’s the key, play them, no two are alike and sometimes the day you play, you may pick one over the other. Buy and play what feels and sounds the best.
Great video. Ive had a couple of Martin HD28’s and a ton of Taylors. Love my current 717 Builders Edition Taylor. It’s so easy to play etc, but there’s also something about a Martin that I miss. It’s like, I want to play my Taylor all the time, but miss the nostalgia of my Martin. I need a D-18 or HD-28 as well. use need both….lol
I like that my J-29 has the same scale length as my other nine Gibsons, Guild F-20, Gretsch Junior Jet Club and Epi Junior. Only five guitars (Squiers, Fenders and lone Steinberger) have a long scale. Martins used to move me (had a D-35), Taylors don't move me at all.
Love them both. Have had 4 Taylors no Martins but have played several and love the sound. What I really love about Taylors is how easy they are to work on. I have had the neck off of my AD-17 three times and have the action dialed in to what works best for me. Never had to sand the saddle or nut. To do that on a Martin requires invasive surgery.
Tambourines and elephants are playing in the band … love both. Looking out my back door … I just purchased a “vintage” Taylor 12 string, ‘93, and … wow, the price was low, too low, and the quality was through the roof. It was good enough for Neil Young, Prince, and Leo Kottke. Back in the olden days, sonny boy, that Bob Taylor could sure build ‘em.
I own a 717 that I love, but I definitely hear the lack of low end. V Bracing has pushed me back to Martin and Gibson. Recent Taylors just don’t have the full sound they used to. I owned a 914ce for a short period and it sounded like Taylor put strings on a cigar box. I wish they would address it and do something to get back the low end they used to have.
I have one of each brand and love them both. It is my opinion that I'd love the recent Taylors more if they would be offered also with the classical bracing. IMO V-Class bracing gives more clarity and light response. Good for players with light touch. IMO classical Bracing (X-Bracing) gives more growling tone when you strum it with a stronger right hand strumming.
The year, 1998. I went to my local music store after saving my money, fully intending on buying a Martin. The salesman told me to check out a Taylor and I walked out with a 310CE. I've had dozens of electric guitars but only 1 acoustic.
I've played a few Taylors that I really liked...that being said I own 4 Martins and 0 Taylors...but I can't say I'm a huge fan of some of Martins newer stuff either. At the end of the day, it kinda comes down to a guitar by guitar basis...if it catches my eye, I'll play it...if it sounds good I'll consider buying it. It's all about what trips your trigger lol
Martin doesn’t need to reinvent the wheel though when their traditional models sound better than anything new. I sold My Taylor’s and bought Martin’s. Not Even close In sound. I like The mini Taylor but I don’t get how anyone doesn’t hear the depth to a Martin guitar. Taylor’s are almost All very tinny.
@@R.L.Humpert Totally agree man, totally agree. And I get where that Taylor "thing" might be just what someone else wants or needs for a given situation...but I fall back on the fact that I own 4 Martin guitars and 0 Taylors. To each their own but I know where my preference is lol
It’s funny how we all have different views on this stuff. I see it as selling Nostalgia vs Anti-Human Industrialism. Gibson is in the same camp as Martin, selling folks on nostalgia and sentimental feelings. I pick none of the above. 😂
When you have a Martin D18 Authentic and you stand in front of a condenser mic and play a G chord, and it fills the room. Nothing, nothing is better than that.
I come from the “modern” rock / punk generation and I had all intentions on buying a Taylor 400 series. Researched and saved for about a year, talked to multiple people, played many examples, you can say my mind was set! Went to my local store and was about to pull the trigger on a 414 and walked out with a Martin D28. The Martin did not play as well or was set up as nice but the tone was glorious! It was big, booming, and well balanced. It projects from here to the ends of the earth. The Taylor was amazing, played effortlessly and the craftsmanship was top notch but it just did not win me over. For the 12 years that I have owned the D28 it has just been getting better and better.
I love the idea of Martin , but I have owned 6 or so and none grabbed me enough to stay , the one thing I don't get about Martin is they have made guitars for 190 years, so why can't they set a neck consistently. I have picked up one with bridges so thin you wonder how they got through QC. The other thing I am in Europe and there warranty sucks here.
I tend to gravitate towards Taylor myself. I don’t think I’ve ever played a Martin honestly. I’m from a pretty rural area and I just see more Taylor’s out in my area of the world. Maybe it’s time to start saving and get a Martin.
Fact larrivee sets the dovetail better than Martin unless you go custom shop. Owned two d28 reamangined and the notes were dead past the fourth fret. My larrivee rings right but the Martin does have that sound sound is subjective i dont know my sences are dead anyway.
A guitar I can have and play is far better than the "Best" guitar I can never acquire or get to play when I want to because of it's price or rarity. Any solid and well made guitar can be made playable with a little work. (or sometimes a lot of work). But doing that makes for a guitar you know and have some personal 'skin' into, particularly if you learn to do it yourself.
It's Taylor Guitars 50th Anniversary and sadly they don't have a single historic model to reissue, because they are, as Jeremy said "all about the future", but we all know the acoustic guitar, like a Stradivarius Violins peaked long, long ago. For acoustic guitars, collectors set that bar at and just before wartime in the 1940s. Almost all of the boutique built instruments that are so sought after are created by craftsmen and craftswomen chasing that golden era tone and build quality. Tone is subjective, but there are metrics of what makes great tone that are objective. When you listen to the iconic recordings of acoustic guitar playing by great acoustic players of the 50s/60s/70s/80s/90s C.F. Martin and Gibson acoustics, and just handful of models dominate those recordings. So collectively, in aggregate those recordings have created in the ear of listeners the reference tone for what make a great acoustic guitar sound. Taylor, much like brands like Ovation and Takamine before them, are built on the gimmick of innovation for a product line deeply rooted in tradition and fine craftsmanship. I realize, there's a lot of PR from Taylor about the good will they are doing in the world with forestation, procuring an ebony mill, etc.. All of those things have good will in them, but there is business agenda behind them they aren't up front about. For example, Taylor owns the land they plant the trees, these trees are being grown on Taylor land for the purpose of being harvested someday to build Taylor guitars and perhaps sell to other builders. The same with the Ebony mill, it's good will for the local community and environment, but it's also very much supply chain control giving Taylor leverage in the industry. They could openly talk about both, but they use PR to just focus on the green efforts here and leave out the potentially huge business leverage these decisions give them hidden away. V-Class bracing does offer a new direction. The very week V-Class bracing shipped, I was in one of the biggest Taylor dealers in Texas on a Tuesday morning, the store was empty. I was able to A-B test an 800 and 900 series V-Class vs X-braced and will save the full observation, but will just say I much preferred their X-braced tone even if I could hear clearer note separation chording up the neck on the V-Class. The V-Class had (and still has) a more unpleasant decay and lacks open chording depth. Every decision in guitar construction is about compromise, you gain one thing you loose something else. The luthier understands the compromise and decides "this is the guitar I want to make", but it's when they try to sweep the compromises under the rug that I take strong issue, and I think with V-Class bracing, their pickup technology and other things Taylor pushes changes as innovation instead of being up front on trade-offs and why they made the decisions they did. It makes them sort of dishonest at the core and as a business that always has to show innovation, they sort of have to do deceitful about those compromises to make their changes more appealing. Put all of those problems with Taylor aside and the bigger issue I have is that their guitars sound very generic. It's a usable, well intonated sound, also very consistent guitar to guitar (which retailers love because they don't have duds on their rack) but it's also a very uninspiring, depth-lacking tone and their tone is very consistent even from like the 300 series up to the 800 series, there's not a lot of variation. When they were all X-braced, the 100 series even sounded almost as good as the 800 series, their ROI has always been and continues to be on Taylors Mexican made product lines, 100-200 series and GS Mini and I have no doubt that these are their best sellers.
To me, it seems like Taylor was just a footnote until worship music took off. That alone has to be responsible for a huge portions of their market share. I've worked on many a worship sessions and live gigs and it's all Taylor. Outside of that, Martin dominates every other session and live gig I've done. Takamine would be in the mix a bit too, but overwhelmingly Martin in the secular scene. That's my experience anyway......
I think a biggest part of the Martin vs. Taylor debate is how people attack the guitar. Martin guys love to hit it hard and that works. Taylors are much more responsive and reward light players. Taylors are also one of the best playing guitars on the planet without having to pay $$$ for a setup. QC is also top shelf.
I’m a fingerpicker who likes low action & my Martin OM 28 & CEO-7 came set up perfectly from the factory, the action on my Taylor GS mini however came too high at the nut and needed a setup
I, too, am a cotton picking fingerstyle Martin owner who never uses a pick. I love the full tonal spectrum, sustain and responsiveness I get from my Martin CEO 7 and D-18GE. Try listening to some CSN&Y. They play large Martin guitars.
@@johnwashburn3793 I actually traded in my D-18 for the CEO-7, but Helplessly Hoping did sound really good on it. So did Townes Van Zandt! I just really wanted a short scale guitar and the smaller bodies are much more comfortable for me. I’m happy with the trade, but the D-18 was a great guitar too!
I would think that was a great move. You do have the OM-28 OMG. You will not miss the dreadnought until you play one again, but not after you pick up the CEO. I was having a right shoulder pain when I had Casino hold mine for pick up (I was going to be about 4 hours away very soon). I also saw a doctor and my shoulder is fine. I typically grab the CEO, but now I truly appreciate the dreadnought. If I had to choose...I have given thought...I would keep the CEO 7 most likely.
I am from PA, I grew up about 45 minutes from Nazareth. It took me years to find a Martin that I connected with a 000-28 MD, it is a wonderful guitar. I rarely found a Taylor that I didn’t connect with. I have two Taylor’s now I’ve owned four or five. One of the people on this videos disdain for Taylor guitars is palpable.
I didn't see it as you. One prefers older guitars and the ability to flip them for a profit. Martins hold their resell value better than do used Taylor guitars.
@@johnwashburn3793 I’m not talking about flipping, I used to watch his channel but grew tired of the Taylor hate, it seemed to contradict the friendship and music thing.
I don’t like Martin guitars because they sell nostalgia, and every Martin I’ve ever owned had issues. I don’t like Taylor guitars because they are too similar across all of their series, due to being largely machine (CNC) made; I view them as “not as human”. I don’t care what other people do, and will never bash anyone for the guitar they choose to play. I spent many, MANY years with a cheap Ibanez laminate guitar, but it was the only thing I could afford then. I’m much more blessed now, but over the almost 40 years of playing guitar, Ive learned the best guitar is the one you play.
@@JackTheRabbitMusic I spent my 1st 37 years on an entry-level Yamaha acoustic that my parents bought me that I still have ,that I still love. I’m not entirely sure that you understood the point I was trying to make but that’s OK.
I do understand your point. I didn't know that you were familiar with both parties. I have noticed very strong opinions with which I do not agree, but I never let it bother me. He is a good kid and he tries to do right. I have kids his age and they have different opinions than I. He laughs at Ovation guitars and I have owned one older than he,and I was just playing it moments ago. It sounds so good that I will change the strings on my Martins tomorrow. He has educated me in many ways about things I was ignorant. I chose to forgive him his trespasses. I do understand your point and I hope that he sees it. Enjoy your guitars Bob and Andy are smiling. @davegallagher7428
So many stereotypes here. Honestly with Powers at the helm, Taylor's best guitars are behind them. I love Bob's creations, but the only good thing Andy has done outside of some of the early recording is the Grand Pacific.
Dear Martin, “The best guitars are clearly behind us” is a wonderful thought. Now, please quit making guitars. DearTaylor, Please make guitars human again. Thank you. ❤ always, Jack T. Rabbit
I've been burned by Taylor and Martin. Both US made and my martin is a custom shop. It sounds amazing so I'll keep it. My HD28 suffers from the binding separating. Only way I'd buy another Taylor would be without their pickup system
@@alexwoolridge94aw Anthems are the best! I have them in 2 RainSongs, and they are terrific! I have had a thought that I will share with you. I haven’t done it yet, but am thinking about trying it soon: the ES2 system has BEHIND the saddle transducers, which SHOULD allow us to install an Anthem, which has an under-saddle Element transducer. Install the Anthem with a second endpin jack, and you could play either pickup by itself. Or, buy a short, mono Y-cable from Sweetwater, and blend them both! I am thinking of buying a used 8 string Baritone Taylor, and adding the Anthem. At the very worst, I just wouldn’t use the ES2, and the cost would be just for the Anthem. If it works the way I think it could, use the Y-cable, and blend both. Cole Clark, and Yamaha use 3 source pickups, and they sound great. They believe that more sources the better, and I tend to agree. If it is one source, our ears can hear it distinctly what it is… mic, piezo, magnetic. But, if it is multiple sources, it is harder to separate out what we hear. BTW, I have done the dual endpin jack / Y-cable thing, with other pickups, and it works great! I added a Fishman Rare Earth Humbucker to my RainSong,(StagePro Anthem), with a separate jack. Playing solo, I just use the Anthem, blended 50-50%. Playing with a full band, I use both pickups, turn the TruMic all the way off, so it is just Element and Humbucker. Cuts through! If it is really loud, and I start getting feedback from the Element, I just pull the plug on the Anthem, and play through the Rare Earth only… no feedback.
I usually enjoy Baxter 's videos. A bit sad here he dissed Jeremy on his looks compared to how his wife looks. Ok, might have been a feeble attempt of Baxter to be funny, but it felt like it made Jeremy a bit uncomfortable and the dude deserves better. Jeremy is a gem. Grts.
The guitar in my picture is a 28” scale length TX Elite D-Scale Ovation. Pretty solid stage guitar for us that tune down… no longer have it, but I played 1,000+ shows with it!
Martin clearly clearly has better sound than Taylor. Taylor makes beautiful looking guitars and all but Martin just has so Much depth. I sold my Taylor’s and bought Martin’s there’s just no comparison in sound.
Hate Taylor since Andy Powers took over with his guru BS which he actually describing a Gibson. Hate the V bracing... tinny and thin sounding! Bob Taylor sold out to employees in late 2018 and they are trying to throw anything out there to see if they can find winner. Hate, hate, hate Taylor after 2018! And Taylors Circa SUCKS!
100 percent agree with you. That v bracing is garbage. Sounds like there’s no bass. Martin clearly overpowers any Taylor. Why worry about inventing something new when you already make the best products. D18, D28, HD28, on up are All superior.
@@deborahmcalister3936 I had a few Taylor’s and I wouldn’t admit it for a long time because they were expensive but then I was able to sell them and my Martins are clearly better sound. Taylor’s were beautiful looking but yea I don’t know why people hear with Taylor’s. I will say the one George strait uses that black one American dream series sounds pretty good and it’s not even too expensive. My mini Taylor amped up sounds decent for sure it’s the Koa one. Martin is king!
+ The best guitar is the one I am getting to play at any given moment, even if it is not the best guitar 'Ever Made'(tm). I have both vintage and new guitars and love them all. As to the Martin/Taylor thing, I am a Martin guy, I have owned 5 over time and also Gibson and Epiphone vintage guitars. Every Taylor I ever played except for a Taylor 250 12 string felt heavy and a bit unbalanced to my hands and I have played a good number of models. Recently looked at a Taylor small body 12 fret with slot head. $2500 and the setup was just unplayable it was so high at the nut. Recently bought an Alvarez baritone acoustic on sale new from online "box store". Setup not prefect but far better than the Taylor at 5 times the price. Multiple others on the rack were the same, needed major setup work. Every Martin I bought was playable when taken home so far.
That might have been one of the more intelligent discussion on the Casino Guitars channel. Great collaboration.
I’ve never heard of the binding coming unglued on a Taylor.
I am glad you are happy. I am glad we all have a choice I am happy that I chose to play Martin guitars. Let's all rejoice!
@@johnwashburn3793 I own a 2022 000-18 Standard. I also own a Taylor. Both are wonderful instruments.
Maybe not exactly on course with this video, however I bought a new martin 000 15 in ,2018 I have played many guitars since then but have never considered a replacement for it, 6 years later it is still # 1. Thanks for the great video
Cool video. Thanks! I’m torn btw the 2. You mentioned the Taylor 214ce plus and deluxes. How would the Martin Road Series D13E compare?
I don't know about the Mexican Taylor guitars. I would go Martin, but try each one and decide. It might be tone or comment, but I don't know.
If you take them toe to toe dont attempt to tiptoe through the tulips. Martin still makes them great. As always some turn out phenomenal. Some just great.
2 of my favorite channels- it's like a Reese's pb cup on a Sat morning.
When I see “Reese’s”, all I can think about is poison chemical companies making food-like industrial products to shorten humanity’s lifespan. 😂
😘
Great topic. Jeremy is spot on.
If players believe the best Martin guitars are behind us (it seems we all do), while Taylor believes the best is yet to come (and they/we do), then Martin better get their crap together and figure out how to recapture the blissful sound of yesteryear or there ain’t gonna be a very bright future for Martin … theirs will be a future based on “my grandpa’s Cadillac”.
Complacency is where tradition goes to die. History has proven.
I got to play a Martin at a place I did not expect would have one. It was such a nice guitar and a joy to play. Later on, (different time and place)I had to rent a guitar and was surprised when they gave me a really nice Taylor. Also wonderful to play. Two very different guitars but I liked them both. Sometimes I think about buying an acoustic but I don't know what one I want. Taylor's seem to be more available in local stores. Saw a 12 string Martin though that I gave a lot of thought to. If I wasn't saving for a new amp I would have grabbed that one.
Both Taylor and Martin build wonderful guitars. I prefer Taylor because I find the neck more playable. Which ever you play, that’s the key, play them, no two are alike and sometimes the day you play, you may pick one over the other. Buy and play what feels and sounds the best.
Great video. Ive had a couple of Martin HD28’s and a ton of Taylors. Love my current 717 Builders Edition Taylor. It’s so easy to play etc, but there’s also something about a Martin that I miss. It’s like, I want to play my Taylor all the time, but miss the nostalgia of my Martin. I need a D-18 or HD-28 as well. use need both….lol
I like that my J-29 has the same scale length as my other nine Gibsons, Guild F-20, Gretsch Junior Jet Club and Epi Junior. Only five guitars (Squiers, Fenders and lone Steinberger) have a long scale.
Martins used to move me (had a D-35), Taylors don't move me at all.
Love them both. Have had 4 Taylors no Martins but have played several and love the sound. What I really love about Taylors is how easy they are to work on. I have had the neck off of my AD-17 three times and have the action dialed in to what works best for me. Never had to sand the saddle or nut. To do that on a Martin requires invasive surgery.
Tambourines and elephants are playing in the band … love both. Looking out my back door … I just purchased a “vintage” Taylor 12 string, ‘93, and … wow, the price was low, too low, and the quality was through the roof. It was good enough for Neil Young, Prince, and Leo Kottke. Back in the olden days, sonny boy, that Bob Taylor could sure build ‘em.
I don't play Taylor, but great comment!
I own a 717 that I love, but I definitely hear the lack of low end. V Bracing has pushed me back to Martin and Gibson. Recent Taylors just don’t have the full sound they used to. I owned a 914ce for a short period and it sounded like Taylor put strings on a cigar box. I wish they would address it and do something to get back the low end they used to have.
I have one of each brand and love them both. It is my opinion that I'd love the recent Taylors more if they would be offered also with the classical bracing. IMO V-Class bracing gives more clarity and light response. Good for players with light touch. IMO classical Bracing (X-Bracing) gives more growling tone when you strum it with a stronger right hand strumming.
The year, 1998. I went to my local music store after saving my money, fully intending on buying a Martin. The salesman told me to check out a Taylor and I walked out with a 310CE. I've had dozens of electric guitars but only 1 acoustic.
Taylors are made for electric players. Martins are made for acoustic players (with a Bluegrass bent).
I've got a Breadlove Atas Fretless Bass. Love it, but sometimes afraid to take out of case cause its so gorgeous. But then I remember it's only $800 😂
I've played a few Taylors that I really liked...that being said I own 4 Martins and 0 Taylors...but I can't say I'm a huge fan of some of Martins newer stuff either. At the end of the day, it kinda comes down to a guitar by guitar basis...if it catches my eye, I'll play it...if it sounds good I'll consider buying it. It's all about what trips your trigger lol
Martin doesn’t need to reinvent the wheel though when their traditional models sound better than anything new. I sold
My Taylor’s and bought Martin’s. Not
Even close
In sound. I like
The mini Taylor but I don’t get how anyone doesn’t hear the depth to a Martin guitar. Taylor’s are almost
All very tinny.
@@R.L.Humpert Totally agree man, totally agree. And I get where that Taylor "thing" might be just what someone else wants or needs for a given situation...but I fall back on the fact that I own 4 Martin guitars and 0 Taylors. To each their own but I know where my preference is lol
Basically, Iconic vs. Innovative. Gotta be one of each!
It’s funny how we all have different views on this stuff.
I see it as selling Nostalgia vs Anti-Human Industrialism.
Gibson is in the same camp as Martin, selling folks on nostalgia and sentimental feelings.
I pick none of the above. 😂
@@JackTheRabbitMusic Taylor is 100% employee owned… Anti-human industrialism? Human employees own the company. How is that anti-human?
I have both.. Taylor's for finger style and Martin for flat picking. I also have a D28-12.
When you have a Martin D18 Authentic and you stand in front of a condenser mic and play a G chord, and it fills the room. Nothing, nothing is better than that.
I come from the “modern” rock / punk generation and I had all intentions on buying a Taylor 400 series. Researched and saved for about a year, talked to multiple people, played many examples, you can say my mind was set! Went to my local store and was about to pull the trigger on a 414 and walked out with a Martin D28. The Martin did not play as well or was set up as nice but the tone was glorious! It was big, booming, and well balanced. It projects from here to the ends of the earth. The Taylor was amazing, played effortlessly and the craftsmanship was top notch but it just did not win me over. For the 12 years that I have owned the D28 it has just been getting better and better.
Quality for the money? Larrivee.
Agree.
Just got a d44r and think I'm in love ❤️ next it's one with a moon wood top.
Eastman as well!
I love the idea of Martin , but I have owned 6 or so and none grabbed me enough to stay , the one thing I don't get about Martin is they have made guitars for 190 years, so why can't they set a neck consistently. I have picked up one with bridges so thin you wonder how they got through QC. The other thing I am in Europe and there warranty sucks here.
I tend to gravitate towards Taylor myself. I don’t think I’ve ever played a Martin honestly. I’m from a pretty rural area and I just see more Taylor’s out in my area of the world. Maybe it’s time to start saving and get a Martin.
Checked out the modern deluxe series by martin. Its spendy but I feel its a guitar that would be right in the middle between a Taylor and a Martin.
Start saving and get a Yairi.
Fact larrivee sets the dovetail better than Martin unless you go custom shop. Owned two d28 reamangined and the notes were dead past the fourth fret. My larrivee rings right but the Martin does have that sound sound is subjective i dont know my sences are dead anyway.
Full video .nice!! We don't really know and may never know if the best are coming. Or perhaps in 50 years a 2024 so and so will be very desired!!
A guitar I can have and play is far better than the "Best" guitar I can never acquire or get to play when I want to because of it's price or rarity. Any solid and well made guitar can be made playable with a little work. (or sometimes a lot of work). But doing that makes for a guitar you know and have some personal 'skin' into, particularly if you learn to do it yourself.
But what about Collings!
It's Taylor Guitars 50th Anniversary and sadly they don't have a single historic model to reissue, because they are, as Jeremy said "all about the future", but we all know the acoustic guitar, like a Stradivarius Violins peaked long, long ago. For acoustic guitars, collectors set that bar at and just before wartime in the 1940s. Almost all of the boutique built instruments that are so sought after are created by craftsmen and craftswomen chasing that golden era tone and build quality. Tone is subjective, but there are metrics of what makes great tone that are objective. When you listen to the iconic recordings of acoustic guitar playing by great acoustic players of the 50s/60s/70s/80s/90s C.F. Martin and Gibson acoustics, and just handful of models dominate those recordings. So collectively, in aggregate those recordings have created in the ear of listeners the reference tone for what make a great acoustic guitar sound. Taylor, much like brands like Ovation and Takamine before them, are built on the gimmick of innovation for a product line deeply rooted in tradition and fine craftsmanship. I realize, there's a lot of PR from Taylor about the good will they are doing in the world with forestation, procuring an ebony mill, etc.. All of those things have good will in them, but there is business agenda behind them they aren't up front about. For example, Taylor owns the land they plant the trees, these trees are being grown on Taylor land for the purpose of being harvested someday to build Taylor guitars and perhaps sell to other builders. The same with the Ebony mill, it's good will for the local community and environment, but it's also very much supply chain control giving Taylor leverage in the industry. They could openly talk about both, but they use PR to just focus on the green efforts here and leave out the potentially huge business leverage these decisions give them hidden away. V-Class bracing does offer a new direction. The very week V-Class bracing shipped, I was in one of the biggest Taylor dealers in Texas on a Tuesday morning, the store was empty. I was able to A-B test an 800 and 900 series V-Class vs X-braced and will save the full observation, but will just say I much preferred their X-braced tone even if I could hear clearer note separation chording up the neck on the V-Class. The V-Class had (and still has) a more unpleasant decay and lacks open chording depth. Every decision in guitar construction is about compromise, you gain one thing you loose something else. The luthier understands the compromise and decides "this is the guitar I want to make", but it's when they try to sweep the compromises under the rug that I take strong issue, and I think with V-Class bracing, their pickup technology and other things Taylor pushes changes as innovation instead of being up front on trade-offs and why they made the decisions they did. It makes them sort of dishonest at the core and as a business that always has to show innovation, they sort of have to do deceitful about those compromises to make their changes more appealing. Put all of those problems with Taylor aside and the bigger issue I have is that their guitars sound very generic. It's a usable, well intonated sound, also very consistent guitar to guitar (which retailers love because they don't have duds on their rack) but it's also a very uninspiring, depth-lacking tone and their tone is very consistent even from like the 300 series up to the 800 series, there's not a lot of variation. When they were all X-braced, the 100 series even sounded almost as good as the 800 series, their ROI has always been and continues to be on Taylors Mexican made product lines, 100-200 series and GS Mini and I have no doubt that these are their best sellers.
🕊🕊🕊🕊
To me, it seems like Taylor was just a footnote until worship music took off. That alone has to be responsible for a huge portions of their market share. I've worked on many a worship sessions and live gigs and it's all Taylor. Outside of that, Martin dominates every other session and live gig I've done. Takamine would be in the mix a bit too, but overwhelmingly Martin in the secular scene. That's my experience anyway......
That explains why I don't play at church. I have worldly guitars 😂
I think a biggest part of the Martin vs. Taylor debate is how people attack the guitar. Martin guys love to hit it hard and that works. Taylors are much more responsive and reward light players. Taylors are also one of the best playing guitars on the planet without having to pay $$$ for a setup. QC is also top shelf.
I’m a fingerpicker who likes low action & my Martin OM 28 & CEO-7 came set up perfectly from the factory, the action on my Taylor GS mini however came too high at the nut and needed a setup
I, too, am a cotton picking fingerstyle Martin owner who never uses a pick. I love the full tonal spectrum, sustain and responsiveness I get from my Martin CEO 7 and D-18GE. Try listening to some CSN&Y. They play large Martin guitars.
@@johnwashburn3793 I actually traded in my D-18 for the CEO-7, but Helplessly Hoping did sound really good on it. So did Townes Van Zandt! I just really wanted a short scale guitar and the smaller bodies are much more comfortable for me. I’m happy with the trade, but the D-18 was a great guitar too!
I would think that was a great move. You do have the OM-28 OMG. You will not miss the dreadnought until you play one again, but not after you pick up the CEO. I was having a right shoulder pain when I had Casino hold mine for pick up (I was going to be about 4 hours away very soon). I also saw a doctor and my shoulder is fine. I typically grab the CEO, but now I truly appreciate the dreadnought. If I had to choose...I have given thought...I would keep the CEO 7 most likely.
Is it Ground Hog Day again?
Full length this time.
@@johnbriggs3916 😂
Deja Voodoo!
I am from PA, I grew up about 45 minutes from Nazareth. It took me years to find a Martin that I connected with a 000-28 MD, it is a wonderful guitar. I rarely found a Taylor that I didn’t connect with. I have two Taylor’s now I’ve owned four or five. One of the people on this videos disdain for Taylor guitars is palpable.
I didn't see it as you. One prefers older guitars and the ability to flip them for a profit. Martins hold their resell value better than do used Taylor guitars.
@@johnwashburn3793 I’m not talking about flipping, I used to watch his channel but grew tired of the Taylor hate, it seemed to contradict the friendship and music thing.
I don’t like Martin guitars because they sell nostalgia, and every Martin I’ve ever owned had issues.
I don’t like Taylor guitars because they are too similar across all of their series, due to being largely machine (CNC) made; I view them as “not as human”.
I don’t care what other people do, and will never bash anyone for the guitar they choose to play. I spent many, MANY years with a cheap Ibanez laminate guitar, but it was the only thing I could afford then. I’m much more blessed now, but over the almost 40 years of playing guitar, Ive learned the best guitar is the one you play.
@@JackTheRabbitMusic I spent my 1st 37 years on an entry-level Yamaha acoustic that my parents bought me that I still have ,that I still love. I’m not entirely sure that you understood the point I was trying to make but that’s OK.
I do understand your point. I didn't know that you were familiar with both parties. I have noticed very strong opinions with which I do not agree, but I never let it bother me. He is a good kid and he tries to do right. I have kids his age and they have different opinions than I.
He laughs at Ovation guitars and I have owned one older than he,and I was just playing it moments ago. It sounds so good that I will change the strings on my Martins tomorrow.
He has educated me in many ways about things I was ignorant. I chose to forgive him his trespasses. I do understand your point and I hope that he sees it. Enjoy your guitars Bob and Andy are smiling. @davegallagher7428
So many stereotypes here.
Honestly with Powers at the helm, Taylor's best guitars are behind them.
I love Bob's creations, but the only good thing Andy has done outside of some of the early recording is the Grand Pacific.
Dear Martin,
“The best guitars are clearly behind us” is a wonderful thought.
Now, please quit making guitars.
DearTaylor,
Please make guitars human again.
Thank you.
❤ always,
Jack T. Rabbit
they have a saying and that sums it up well... "Martin are for "good ole" boys, Taylors are "choir boys" and Gibson are for "bad boys"!!!!
I would love to see a true vintage prewar martin put up head to head against the best taylor guitar made today.
I've been burned by Taylor and Martin. Both US made and my martin is a custom shop. It sounds amazing so I'll keep it. My HD28 suffers from the binding separating. Only way I'd buy another Taylor would be without their pickup system
and (almost) everything Taylor makes is available WITHOUT electronics for a lower price.
@@charlesbolton8471 has to be a special order.
Did you buy your Martin with a pickup in it, or did you add?
@@jed1166 I bought it used with an LR Baggs pickup installed.
@@alexwoolridge94aw Anthems are the best! I have them in 2 RainSongs, and they are terrific!
I have had a thought that I will share with you. I haven’t done it yet, but am thinking about trying it soon: the ES2 system has BEHIND the saddle transducers, which SHOULD allow us to install an Anthem, which has an under-saddle Element transducer. Install the Anthem with a second endpin jack, and you could play either pickup by itself. Or, buy a short, mono Y-cable from Sweetwater, and blend them both! I am thinking of buying a used 8 string Baritone Taylor, and adding the Anthem. At the very worst, I just wouldn’t use the ES2, and the cost would be just for the Anthem.
If it works the way I think it could, use the Y-cable, and blend both. Cole Clark, and Yamaha use 3 source pickups, and they sound great. They believe that more sources the better, and I tend to agree. If it is one source, our ears can hear it distinctly what it is… mic, piezo, magnetic. But, if it is multiple sources, it is harder to separate out what we hear.
BTW, I have done the dual endpin jack / Y-cable thing, with other pickups, and it works great! I added a Fishman Rare Earth Humbucker to my RainSong,(StagePro Anthem), with a separate jack. Playing solo, I just use the Anthem, blended 50-50%. Playing with a full band, I use both pickups, turn the TruMic all the way off, so it is just Element and Humbucker. Cuts through! If it is really loud, and I start getting feedback from the Element, I just pull the plug on the Anthem, and play through the Rare Earth only… no feedback.
I usually enjoy Baxter 's videos. A bit sad here he dissed Jeremy on his looks compared to how his wife looks. Ok, might have been a feeble attempt of Baxter to be funny, but it felt like it made Jeremy a bit uncomfortable and the dude deserves better. Jeremy is a gem. Grts.
Ovation is definitely the future of guitar building.
I am sure there is an alternate universe where that could be true.............follow the dolphins............😁
Adamas till I die! For me, it's how hard they are to play, their quacky acoustic tone, and top cracks that really win me over.
Yep, I see a round bowl Martin in my future🤣
@JeremySheppard Much applause (many Applause? )
Yeah but...
The guitar in my picture is a 28” scale length TX Elite D-Scale Ovation. Pretty solid stage guitar for us that tune down… no longer have it, but I played 1,000+ shows with it!
Martin clearly clearly has better sound than Taylor. Taylor makes beautiful looking guitars and all but Martin just has so
Much depth. I sold my Taylor’s and bought Martin’s there’s just no comparison in sound.
breedlove
Taylors are a guitar repairman's dream, Martins stand up a lot better
martin necks is to thick
Hate Taylor since Andy Powers took over with his guru BS which he actually describing a Gibson. Hate the V bracing... tinny and thin sounding! Bob Taylor sold out to employees in late 2018 and they are trying to throw anything out there to see if they can find winner. Hate, hate, hate Taylor after 2018! And Taylors Circa SUCKS!
100 percent agree with you. That v bracing is garbage. Sounds like there’s no bass. Martin clearly overpowers any Taylor. Why worry about inventing something new when you already make the best products. D18, D28, HD28, on up are
All superior.
@@R.L.Humpert Exactly!!!!!
@@deborahmcalister3936 I had a few Taylor’s and I wouldn’t admit it for a long time because they were expensive but then I was able to sell them and my Martins are clearly better sound. Taylor’s were beautiful looking but yea I don’t know why people hear with Taylor’s. I will say the one George strait uses that black one American dream series sounds pretty good and it’s not even too expensive. My mini Taylor amped up sounds decent for sure it’s the Koa one. Martin is king!
+ The best guitar is the one I am getting to play at any given moment, even if it is not the best guitar 'Ever Made'(tm).
I have both vintage and new guitars and love them all.
As to the Martin/Taylor thing, I am a Martin guy, I have owned 5 over time and also Gibson and Epiphone vintage guitars.
Every Taylor I ever played except for a Taylor 250 12 string felt heavy and a bit unbalanced to my hands and I have played a good number of models. Recently looked at a Taylor small body 12 fret with slot head. $2500 and the setup was just unplayable it was so high at the nut.
Recently bought an Alvarez baritone acoustic on sale new from online "box store". Setup not prefect but far better than the Taylor at 5 times the price. Multiple others on the rack were the same, needed major setup work. Every Martin I bought was playable when taken home so far.