Probably the best comparison I've seen for two comparable guitars. I really love the sound of the Martin over the Taylor in both styles of playing.....
I like the sound of the Martin here. I love 814ce's. Once Taylor came out with the V-bracing, I played an 814ce side-by-side against an 814ce with X-bracing. To my ear, there was no comparison. The V-bracing sounded dull and polite to me. I now own and 814ce-Dlx from 2016 with the X-bracing. It is a terrific sounding and playing acoustic.
Totally agree that the x braced 814 is much better than the v braced.. This Taylor he is playing sounds terrible and nothing like a high end guitar.. And I'm a Taylor guy!
I definitely like the X-braced Taylors over the same model V braced ones. I recently played an 816ce V-braced builders edition Taylor, the playability was great, but the sound was so disappointing. It was a very bland guitar, strumming sound was not good at all. Finger style wasn't bad though, but I much preferred Martins that I tried along side this guitar. If I ever buy a Taylor I'll be looking for the older X-braced ones.
Hi I am Taylor fan but I have to admit here that Martin guitar sounds better in my ear as the Taylor guitar sounds louder but the note goes flat. That's the disappointment in case of Taylor after Andy power changes tone of the Taylor guitar with his so called " V class bracing which has removed the lovely Taylor signature sound. Very sad but it seems many people failed to recognise that.
A very useful and well done comparison. I’ve read quite a few of the comments, and it’s fairly unanimous: the Martin just sounds superior. This coming from a Taylor 614ce owner.
I have a GPC28e. its amazing. it took a few weeks to dial it in. the setup is perfect now. I was playing some songs in alternate tuning. I noticed if I had to put more tension and tighten strings I got much more richer fuller sound. I went up a guage in strings and that made a huge huge huge differance. when I strum my guitar in a room full of guitarists I observe a lot of people stop and notice my GPC chiming out huge full rich tone. it's worth every penny to have that beautifull sound in a guitar that will only sound better and be more valuable with age.
put higher tension strings on my gpc28e and it brought huge tone. found that out by tuning to open G. you really stretching those strings with tension and it brings more tone. bridge bulged a little at first.
All a matter of taste and style. I have both but prefer my Taylor 814 CE X brace. Taylor is fuller for strumming and flat picking, Martin GPC Aura GT suits fingerstyle so I love both.
Larry, can you please help me decide. I have 2-3k to spend. Play mostly at home. Just want good tone. I am mostly between the 414ce, 714ce or 814ce (ideally pre-2018) and a D-28, OM-28, GPC28E. The cutaway would be nice but I don't want to sacrifice too much tone. Since you already lean towards the Martin, would the GPC28E be a big difference sonically from the regular OM-28? Anyone's thoughts would be very much appreciate! Thanks!
@@ralex3697 idiots! Ive Played for 50 years, I have a masters in music from UCLA I've been to Taylor, Breedlove, Martin, and many other Manufacturing facilities. I have great friends in the music industry. I'm on albums and in studio for R.E.M., The Police, ZZ Top, Foo Fighters, Pantera and many others..... but you're right I don't know what I'm talking about, and what bands have you played with and what albums are you on?
@John wayne that's why Martin has an! After my statement because Martin is the Sound Taylor is just looks I've been playing for over 50 years in the studio with some of the biggest rock and roll Stars I'm on over 22 albums I know guitar thank you
Still a matter of pick your flavor. Martin a bit more balanced within it's tonal palette, maybe? Or it could be the somewhat warmer sound of the Martin vs the clarity of the Taylor is tweeking my ear.
One thing I've learnt about guitar videos on youtube, it's best to go and try the guitars out, then form conclusions, because they really sound very different in person. Room acoustics, strings, mic recording positions can all make a massive difference to the perceived sound of a guitar on these sort of videos. Videos serve a great purpose, to demonstrate each guitar, but seriously people need to try them and not base their choice purely on a video. Great demo though !
Theo, you nailed it! Another consideration is that every guitar is an individual and each might be a bit different from each other. We like doing these comparisons as they often give some general guide as to how multiple instruments compare but there's no substitution for trying them out for yourself!
I always prefer Martins over Taylors, but I'm really surprised at how much the Martin crushes the Taylor in this comparison. I know he is now an ownership partner, but someone at Taylor needs to be able to look Andy Powers in the eye and tell him that V Bracing just doesn't work.
He is a marketing genius but ....I do not even think most Taylor's are strictly "acoustic", they re simply good studio/stage guitars w/the expressions system. The problem is this new V brace has made Taylor even more lifeless sounding(no overtones, bass response, added volume). The sustain and playability of Taylors is excellent but they are not as rich sounding as Martin, Larivee, or even some Eastman's. The emperor has no clothes after all.
i think taylor will be going back to x bracing very sooon.. I was set on getting a taylor. Tried about 10 or 15 of them. They just sound dull, boxy now. Sounded more open with the x bracing to my ears.. Tried a Larrivee l-09 and left the store with it
When you play X brace to v brace x always has a funeral sound on the low end but at mid and high end along with the low end the V bracing has a more balanced fuller sound across the spectrum and plays better through an Amp thane the x bracing.
To my ears, the Taylor sounds louder and brighter. The Martin sounds quieter and darker. Really, it comes down to personal preference. Regardless, the recording doesn't do either guitar justice.
Sorry that you feel that the recording doesn't do the guitars justice. Ultimately, the only way to truly evaluate a guitar's sound is in person with the guitar. No UA-cam video will ever beat that experience. Overall, Taylors tends to have a brighter, more modern voice than Martin's warmer, traditional sound and we're glad that you could at least hear that.
I must admit, I have always loved Martin guitars for the warmth of the tone. But I am surprised at how the Martin crushed the Taylor in this comparison.
ANdy Powers ruined the Bass response with his crap marketing tool V bracing! Taylor now sucks! I've own about every guitar Taylor has released. Now my relationship with Taylor is over since Powers screwed them up.
I am not a fan of the the new age Martins.. nor am I a fan of Taylor. In this demonstration, I prefer the Martin guitar sound to the Taylor acoustic appliance.
Interesting responses but I dudn't 'find this a good comparison. I own a 914ce with the V bracing and on my acoustic amp it sounds great. I can adjust the electronics on it to get good bass and tone down what you are calling '"tinny" sound even when not on amp. I am considering this Martin and the reason I was watching. Think I will have to go check them out myself. I have a Streetmaster and love it for fingerpicking. I'm not absolutely loyal to either brand but love both that I do have.
Whenever the option is there, we always recommend comparing the guitars in person! There are lot of variables going on in the video making process that can color the sound in a number of ways. Ultimately, videos like this are meant more as a means of educating and perhaps showcasing the obvious differences between the two guitars. We love them both!
Not a Taylor fan at all. Martin solid wood guitars always sound great to me. Also like Gibson for warm vintage sound. Breedlove makes a great sounding guitar also. Taylor’s just don’t do it for me personally
Guess ears hear differently. I prefer the sound of the Taylor by far! The Martin, while very good, sounded muted to me. Different strokes for different folks I suppose.
I find the Taylor is bright but focused. The Martin is warmer, richer, and more rounded sound. I’d have to play them in person to know what I would prefer, but typically speaking, I haven’t been a fan of the Taylor grand auditorium guitars.
@@maplestreetguitars I would agree with that! Having them play a duo together with different tonal characteristics would bring out the best of each and allow that contrast to shine through
I have 3 Taylors, 3 Martins..Taylor bears Martin in only 1 category, and that is Taylor's neck is and string tensions making playing lead guitar easier and faster.. I can bend the Taylors up 2 whole tones, Martin 1 and half tones. Otherwise Martin wins in all area's
I bought the Taylor...played it for 2 minutes and hated it. I returned it the very next day. It sounds tinny, bright, the strings squeak, there’s no bass. It sounds like a banjo. Do not buy
I call bullshit. You dropped over 3k on a guitar that you decided to return after only playing 2 minutes? Why didn't you save yourself the time and money by playing it for 2 minutes in the store before buying? You sound like another lying martin fanboy to me.
Muito sinceramente ñ concordo com estas comparações.são guitarras excelentes mas as diferenças apenas sentimos ao testar.quanto á taylor devo dizer que gostava mais dos modelos anteriores. está perdendo qualidade e aparência.já foram melhores e mais bonitas.
V bracing on Taylor sounds dead, with lots of weird harmonics. Shocking really. My GPC3 is better than the new 814, but not my 20 year old 714, go figure.
mmmmm no, I ve tried both (a preowned Taylor 814ce with x bracing and a preowned GPC28e with forward x bracing) and difference was smaller that in this comparative BUT Martin was still WAY better. So I purchased the Martin without any doubt.
Today i tried myself these guitars. Martin Is just another story, much better. Amplified, Martin is very good. Taylor is a joke, unbelievable. My 20yo fishman is better than this expression 2. I mean it cannot seriously be used .
나는 두개의 기타를 다 사용해 보았고 소장하고 있다. 나의 결과는 미틴기타가 테일러 보다 좋다는 결론을 얻었다. I use and own both guitars. My results are that Mitin Guitar sounds much better than Taylor. Martin’s technology is also good.
The downside to Martin guitars is that they do not come with pickups. Times have changed, but you're stubborn... (통기타도 지금시대는 테일러처럼픽업을달아서판매해야한다. 마틴은 1010년 전 동고짖을부리고 있다. 기타사고 또 돈주고 픽업사서 기술자에게 또 돈 주고 픽업을 달아서 쓰라니? 뭐야 이건? 정신차려라 마틴....시대가 바뀌었다.)
Probably the best comparison I've seen for two comparable guitars. I really love the sound of the Martin over the Taylor in both styles of playing.....
Damn, Martin does sound fuller.
Right away, that Martin sounded so much better. So much fuller and full of warmth. Like sitting by a fire on a cold winter day.
Wow, I did not expect the Martin to sound that much better. The Taylor sounds thin and brittle.
Thanks- great comparison. Martin for sure.
I like the sound of the Martin here. I love 814ce's. Once Taylor came out with the V-bracing, I played an 814ce side-by-side against an 814ce with X-bracing. To my ear, there was no comparison. The V-bracing sounded dull and polite to me. I now own and 814ce-Dlx from 2016 with the X-bracing. It is a terrific sounding and playing acoustic.
Totally agree that the x braced 814 is much better than the v braced.. This Taylor he is playing sounds terrible and nothing like a high end guitar.. And I'm a Taylor guy!
I definitely like the X-braced Taylors over the same model V braced ones. I recently played an 816ce V-braced builders edition Taylor, the playability was great, but the sound was so disappointing. It was a very bland guitar, strumming sound was not good at all. Finger style wasn't bad though, but I much preferred Martins that I tried along side this guitar. If I ever buy a Taylor I'll be looking for the older X-braced ones.
Hi I am Taylor fan but I have to admit here that Martin guitar sounds better in my ear as the Taylor guitar sounds louder but the note goes flat. That's the disappointment in case of Taylor after Andy power changes tone of the Taylor guitar with his so called " V class bracing which has removed the lovely Taylor signature sound. Very sad but it seems many people failed to recognise that.
Not true with every Taylor model. Particularly the 322ce hog/Blackwood version, which IMO opens up the tone quite nicely.
I agree, I just can’t vibe with the new Taylors
A very useful and well done comparison. I’ve read quite a few of the comments, and it’s fairly unanimous: the Martin just sounds superior. This coming from a Taylor 614ce owner.
I have a GPC28e. its amazing. it took a few weeks to dial it in. the setup is perfect now. I was playing some songs in alternate tuning. I noticed if I had to put more tension and tighten strings I got much more richer fuller sound. I went up a guage in strings and that made a huge huge huge differance. when I strum my guitar in a room full of guitarists I observe a lot of people stop and notice my GPC chiming out huge full rich tone. it's worth every penny to have that beautifull sound in a guitar that will only sound better and be more valuable with age.
What gauge strings do you use? Martin strings?
put higher tension strings on my gpc28e and it brought huge tone. found that out by tuning to open G. you really stretching those strings with tension and it brings more tone. bridge bulged a little at first.
I own both and have to say I play the Martin way more often.
All a matter of taste and style. I have both but prefer my Taylor 814 CE X brace. Taylor is fuller for strumming and flat picking, Martin GPC Aura GT suits fingerstyle so I love both.
You’re a fortunate dude, I’d be thrilled to have just one!
Lucky you 🙂🙂🙂
Larry, can you please help me decide. I have 2-3k to spend. Play mostly at home. Just want good tone. I am mostly between the 414ce, 714ce or 814ce (ideally pre-2018) and a D-28, OM-28, GPC28E. The cutaway would be nice but I don't want to sacrifice too much tone. Since you already lean towards the Martin, would the GPC28E be a big difference sonically from the regular OM-28? Anyone's thoughts would be very much appreciate!
Thanks!
I listened to them several times.... finally I chose the Taylor for the cleaner sound... the Martin was rich but a bit cloudy.
you want looks, you go for Taylor. You want sound, you go Martin!
That’s what I’m discovering from these videos
Untrue, but you are entitled to your opinion
@@ralex3697 idiots! Ive Played for 50 years, I have a masters in music from UCLA I've been to Taylor, Breedlove, Martin, and many other Manufacturing facilities. I have great friends in the music industry. I'm on albums and in studio for R.E.M., The Police, ZZ Top, Foo Fighters, Pantera and many others..... but you're right I don't know what I'm talking about, and what bands have you played with and what albums are you on?
@John wayne that's why Martin has an! After my statement because Martin is the Sound Taylor is just looks I've been playing for over 50 years in the studio with some of the biggest rock and roll Stars I'm on over 22 albums I know guitar thank you
@@TheTriplelman we’re not worthy , 😆
Martin sound wins out on this comparison for me, the Taylor sounds great but is a little brighter and has more overtones especially when plugged in..
I have some pretty nice 2 driver earbuds in...Martin sounds a little fuller in tone...warmer....they both sound good...
Taylor for the looks and Martin for the sound :)
Very nice! Thank you :)
Still a matter of pick your flavor. Martin a bit more balanced within it's tonal palette, maybe? Or it could be the somewhat warmer sound of the Martin vs the clarity of the Taylor is tweeking my ear.
One thing I've learnt about guitar videos on youtube, it's best to go and try the guitars out, then form conclusions, because they really sound very different in person. Room acoustics, strings, mic recording positions can all make a massive difference to the perceived sound of a guitar on these sort of videos. Videos serve a great purpose, to demonstrate each guitar, but seriously people need to try them and not base their choice purely on a video. Great demo though !
Theo, you nailed it! Another consideration is that every guitar is an individual and each might be a bit different from each other. We like doing these comparisons as they often give some general guide as to how multiple instruments compare but there's no substitution for trying them out for yourself!
@@maplestreetguitars I agree in terms of higher end guitars. Ones made in factories that sell for hundreds of dollars tend to be identical.
Every single guitar is a little different but here it has got to be the Martin.
Taylor sounds tinny, but in this recording, the Martin does too. Wish sound was more true to what each sounds like.
I own both of these. My Martin is the non cutaway. Martin tone wins. The 914 comes close to the tone but at double the price
I own a 814 CE and I love it but the Martin sounds so much better than it in this video.
I always prefer Martins over Taylors, but I'm really surprised at how much the Martin crushes the Taylor in this comparison. I know he is now an ownership partner, but someone at Taylor needs to be able to look Andy Powers in the eye and tell him that V Bracing just doesn't work.
He is a marketing genius but ....I do not even think most Taylor's are strictly "acoustic", they re simply good studio/stage guitars w/the expressions system. The problem is this new V brace has made Taylor even more lifeless sounding(no overtones, bass response, added volume). The sustain and playability of Taylors is excellent but they are not as rich sounding as Martin, Larivee, or even some Eastman's. The emperor has no clothes after all.
i think taylor will be going back to x bracing very sooon.. I was set on getting a taylor. Tried about 10 or 15 of them. They just sound dull, boxy now. Sounded more open with the x bracing to my ears.. Tried a Larrivee l-09 and left the store with it
When you play X brace to v brace x always has a funeral sound on the low end but at mid and high end along with the low end the V bracing has a more balanced fuller sound across the spectrum and plays better through an Amp thane the x bracing.
To my ears, the Taylor sounds louder and brighter. The Martin sounds quieter and darker. Really, it comes down to personal preference. Regardless, the recording doesn't do either guitar justice.
Sorry that you feel that the recording doesn't do the guitars justice. Ultimately, the only way to truly evaluate a guitar's sound is in person with the guitar. No UA-cam video will ever beat that experience. Overall, Taylors tends to have a brighter, more modern voice than Martin's warmer, traditional sound and we're glad that you could at least hear that.
I must admit, I have always loved Martin guitars for the warmth of the tone. But I am surprised at how the Martin crushed the Taylor in this comparison.
In this video the Taylor sounds virtually bass free... and we know, "it's all about that bass".
ANdy Powers ruined the Bass response with his crap marketing tool V bracing! Taylor now sucks! I've own about every guitar Taylor has released. Now my relationship with Taylor is over since Powers screwed them up.
Seems a not so good recording quality, anyway, for me Martin looks and sounds better for me. How much they cost?
for you......alot
Poorly recorded video
Martin 100% the Taylor is awesome too. But to my ears. Martin wins
It’s Martin, hands down
I am not a fan of the the new age Martins.. nor am I a fan of Taylor.
In this demonstration, I prefer the Martin guitar sound to the Taylor acoustic appliance.
I own neither brand. The Martin clearly sounded better.
The Martin Killed that Taylorvit had more bottom and a warm feel
Interesting responses but I dudn't 'find this a good comparison. I own a 914ce with the V bracing and on my acoustic amp it sounds great. I can adjust the electronics on it to get good bass and tone down what you are calling '"tinny" sound even when not on amp. I am considering this Martin and the reason I was watching. Think I will have to go check them out myself. I have a Streetmaster and love it for fingerpicking. I'm not absolutely loyal to either brand but love both that I do have.
Whenever the option is there, we always recommend comparing the guitars in person! There are lot of variables going on in the video making process that can color the sound in a number of ways. Ultimately, videos like this are meant more as a means of educating and perhaps showcasing the obvious differences between the two guitars. We love them both!
Taylor tones are jarringly bright and boxy sounding, has a bit of a banjo tone to it. Martin sounds like a guitar should.
LOL he's recorded the audio on his camera who can tell what either really sound like - both sound like $50 guitars
Not a Taylor fan at all. Martin solid wood guitars always sound great to me. Also like Gibson for warm vintage sound. Breedlove makes a great sounding guitar also. Taylor’s just don’t do it for me personally
Guess ears hear differently. I prefer the sound of the Taylor by far! The Martin, while very good, sounded muted to me. Different strokes for different folks I suppose.
Guitars are about as subjective as they come!
I find the Taylor is bright but focused. The Martin is warmer, richer, and more rounded sound. I’d have to play them in person to know what I would prefer, but typically speaking, I haven’t been a fan of the Taylor grand auditorium guitars.
In a lot of ways, the two compliment each other!
@@maplestreetguitars I would agree with that! Having them play a duo together with different tonal characteristics would bring out the best of each and allow that contrast to shine through
The GP sounds like a guitar.
I have 3 Taylors, 3 Martins..Taylor bears Martin in only 1 category, and that is Taylor's neck is and string tensions making playing lead guitar easier and faster.. I can bend the Taylors up 2 whole tones, Martin 1 and half tones. Otherwise Martin wins in all area's
Martin
Let's not discount what mic is being used here. 814 sounds a lot better in person!
I own the Martin and you can hear why.
Martin 100%
Oooooh me-oh my-oh, look at Miss Ohio
Martin’s quality and full bodied sound is only out ranked by one other brand; Takamine.
Martin any day.
I bought the Taylor...played it for 2 minutes and hated it. I returned it the very next day. It sounds tinny, bright, the strings squeak, there’s no bass. It sounds like a banjo. Do not buy
I call bullshit. You dropped over 3k on a guitar that you decided to return after only playing 2 minutes? Why didn't you save yourself the time and money by playing it for 2 minutes in the store before buying? You sound like another lying martin fanboy to me.
Muito sinceramente ñ concordo com estas comparações.são guitarras excelentes mas as diferenças apenas sentimos ao testar.quanto á taylor devo dizer que gostava mais dos modelos anteriores. está perdendo qualidade e aparência.já foram melhores e mais bonitas.
Come on ... its the Taylor .
V bracing on Taylor sounds dead, with lots of weird harmonics. Shocking really. My GPC3 is better than the new 814, but not my 20 year old 714, go figure.
Martin - sounds like a million dollars
Taylor - cheap ass guitar sound
The x-bracing 814ce would've blown the Martin GPC-28E out of the waters, no questions. It's a shame, v-bracing is complete garbage.
mmmmm no, I ve tried both (a preowned Taylor 814ce with x bracing and a preowned GPC28e with forward x bracing) and difference was smaller that in this comparative BUT Martin was still WAY better. So I purchased the Martin without any doubt.
Yes 100%
Today i tried myself these guitars. Martin Is just another story, much better. Amplified, Martin is very good. Taylor is a joke, unbelievable. My 20yo fishman is better than this expression 2. I mean it cannot seriously be used .
They both sound terrible in this video
Robin, we're sorry you feel that way! These videos are a constant work in progress so hopefully some future ones will sound better to you.
나는 두개의 기타를 다 사용해 보았고 소장하고 있다. 나의 결과는 미틴기타가 테일러 보다 좋다는 결론을 얻었다.
I use and own both guitars. My results are that Mitin Guitar sounds much better than Taylor. Martin’s technology is also good.
The downside to Martin guitars is that they do not come with pickups. Times have changed, but you're stubborn... (통기타도 지금시대는 테일러처럼픽업을달아서판매해야한다. 마틴은 1010년 전 동고짖을부리고 있다. 기타사고 또 돈주고 픽업사서 기술자에게 또 돈 주고 픽업을 달아서 쓰라니? 뭐야 이건? 정신차려라 마틴....시대가 바뀌었다.)