@Guitario I used to have an Aria acoustic when I was younger. It’s been a while and I was young so I don’t know if I was just ignorant but I remember it having a great sound and really comfortable to play. It’s been probably 25 years since I had it. Have you ever played that brand before?
I recently bought a Martin after playing on Tanglewood and Yamaha for years, The Martin is a whole different animal, it has a beautiful tone quality and feels great to play.
I picked up an OM-28 back in 2015 from Guitar Center. What I did (which I highly recommend if they still do it) is purchase a new guitar (order if necessary) during their black Friday sale. They offered a 15% discount on anything, and I took advantage of it to order a new Martin. I save over 400 bucks that way (about 2800 vs 2400).
I bought a 000-28 about 6 months ago and couldn't be happier! Never thought I would spend that much on a guitar but it will probably be the last one I buy. I have a Yamaha which I still like and play often but I thought it was time to step up! Very happy with my choice!
I bought my first Martin in 1971 and still own it and have added to the collection since then. For me their warmth, pronounced bass and playability make them a joy every time I pick them up. Taylor’s are just a bit behind but still wonderful to play. Your guitar life is a journey, enjoy them all.
I generally agree with all that you said with some exception. A good sounding Gibson, belongs in the tier above - it does depend on what sound you want. Martin has a thunderous voice and Gibson can have a nice tonal ring to it. I have a Taylor 710 which produces a synthesized sound of the two above. A Santa Cruz parlor guitar will fill the room with the volume of a dreadnought. Finally, the most sound for the $ comes from a Yamaha!
Someone I know plays his Martin at church for school assembly. I'm sitting at the back behind the kids, so can't see the guitar. We came back from summer break 2021 and as soon as he started playing I'm thinking, "That's not a Martin!" It sounded terrible compared to a Martin D28. Turns out he'd splashed out on a Taylor during the summer break, so I immediately asked him what he's done with the Martin - unfortunately he's keeping it for his kids (wise man!)
People doing acoustic guitar reviews always pick the multi thousand dollar guitar as the greatest thing since slice bread. Most wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a 500 and a 5000 dollar guitar in a blind sound test. It boils down to snob appeal and my wonderful ears are much more refined than yours. I bought a 500 dollar Epiphone Humming bird about a year ago. It is one of the best playing and sounding guitars I have owned in the last fifty years of playing and recording. I have martin, yamaha, gretch, Gibson, and ovation. All sound different in an acoustic setting. But all sound pretty much, or can be adjusted with eq to sound the same through a pa or amp. If your paying more than 6 to 8 hundred for an acoustic, you either want it for snob appeal or you have more money than you know what to do with. Just saying
I think you're spot on with everything here. I would highly recommend to check out Godin Acoustics, they are not widely distributed in the US. That is changing... really great craftsmanship, sound, playability, etc. Thanks!
Larrivee’ is a way better guitar than the rest he listed in that group. Just because he doesn’t like the tone...the quality, build and materials are superb.
I have a bottom-end Taylor Big Baby without any pickup that people always comment favorably on the tone. I also use it with Will Ackerman's menagerie of different tuning and it handles that amazingly well. The various woods give a broad range of tones in the different models with Taylor.
I think I would do a what's the best acoustic guitar for what you want it to do and for what you can afford what is best for studio work, what is best for being in a band, what is best for solo playing on stage , what is best for solo playing at home what is best for a road guitar what is best under $1000, $2000, $3000 etc. what is best in sound , what is best in value, what is best in quality what is best for strumming , what is best for finger picking,..... what is best nylon, what is best steel string, what is best hybrid, what size, what style - flat top, arch top,... best for easy playing (scale length, nut width...etc) You see what I mean? The list goes on and on. Decide what it is you want out of a guitar and what price range you can afford then compare and decide what's best for you. For acoustic I started with a Yamaha folk steel string, after that I've had Gibson, Ovation, Larrivee, Huss and Dalton, Eastman, Pavan, Takamine, Cordaba, My most recent and favorite is a 000 size Martin - solid adi-spruce top, rosewood back and sides, short scale flat head 14 fret (I would prefer a slot head 12 fret but can not afford it). It took me a long time to really understand what guitar best suited my playing style.
Nice job. Good list. I think you have the top ends pretty well pegged, though I personally am not much of a Taylor fan. They are built well and are good looking, but the sound just doesn't measure up to the others you rank them with, IMO. I think when you play some of the other Boutique guitars like Boucher, Gallagher, Bourgeois, Santa Cruz, Huss and Dalton and the like, you will find a whole other level of excellence. Of course, those brands don't really have entry levels to levelize the playing field, but they are just superb sounding instruments. Well done on your review.
I've been working on acoustic gtr's for 39 years . Also growing up with my Dad playing a Martin. They have the most potential to be the best with a good set up on them.
It just all boils down to what sounds good to you / what you can afford. I’ve played them al over the 60 years of playing guitar and I’m in love with my ZAD80 ZAGER guit.
Yeah Im lucky to have two of their high end Gold series - blown away by response from a couple of different luthiers about quality and tone especially for the dollars -come setup well but truly come alive after a good setup. I love the sound and feel and that I don’t have to be too precious with them.
I am a Taylor fan. Owned a 310CE and traded it for 412E and sold it. Bought myself the Taylor Mini GS and it blew my mind. I played this guitar every day in the last 6 months of owning it than the 2 previous Taylors that I had when I owned it. It doesn't matter what brand or model or price of the guitar you get as long as it is comfortable and it has that connection to you.
Hear that, picked up a mini 6 mo back and its all good, great bang for the buck. Though that action on the fretboard, i just gota laugh/ha ha! Multiple forums ive seen people complain about it, though easily fixable hitting up the truss rod. That being said; I occasionally mess around with a slide and some blues, which actually goes great with high action /so haven't done any adjusting for the time being. The couch guitar is a thing.. a strange and cool phenomenon, anything that gets you practicing more is a win. -Cheers
The BEST acoustic guitar brand is the guitar that you can afford and the guitar that INSPIRES you to pick it up and play every day. There is no BEST guitar brand. Just my opinion, of course.
I'm with you there Tyler. I have had some good Martins, but I'm currently play a Taylor 522 Hog, love this guitar, and haven't found a Martin that sounds as good to me. It's a matter of choice, I don't think you can pick a "best" brand.
I totally agree! When I first started playing a couple of years ago I started with a cheap £60 guitar from Argos. The strings were so hard to push down and would buzz even if your finger placement was perfect. It ended up gathering dust for a few months until recently. I just couldn't play anything on it and had become unmotivated. A couple of weeks back i decided to pop down to my local guitar shop and start learning again from scratch and I've brought a new guitar for about £200. It is a Vintage solid top and I love it!! It has a really nice sound and the action is much lower so pressing the strings is so much easier. I've practised every day since buying it and will hopefully be able to play something soon like a full song 😂
@@MrSmackdab okay, i m actually searching for a new accoustic guitare but i m still a beginner and i don t know which one choose so if you can help me😉
Buying a Martin after almost quitting was the spark I needed to fully learn guitar. Didn’t realize how good I had gotten until I actually played on a decent guitar - you’d be surprised by the difference. They are incredible in terms of playability
@@dbpool I guess every brand no matter how good can have a dodgy one. It's not indicative of the entire brand. Asz for electric guitars I recognise that Gibson are a good guitar but I'm not a true fan. I had a LP but it was heavy and it had some quality issues. Played fine but absolutely not worth the money they charge. I am a big fan of Fender electric even though they at times also have quality issues. For me they sound better, feel better, look better. It's all personal taste isn't it?
@@dbpool That is normal. Wood is a living thing and moves with the weather and temperature changes. Even with the best instrument tuning can vary, even during a playing session. I check my tuning between every song when I am on stage, always tune up before playing and just expect to do that. It is automatic. The first step to learning to play a guitar is to learn how to tune it. I am old enough to have used a tuning fork as the only accurate option. Clip on electronic tuners are cheap and awesome today. It does not matter if I pick up a cheap electric or my D35, first thing I do is tune it. It is the most import part of your playing. Tune early, tune often, sound great, be happy player!
I have an S6 for over 13 years now, and I've written so many songs on it I can't remember. I take it with me everywhere I go and it's got a beautiful woody sound to it now after a decade of being loved. I have all the other guitar models and makes, but I always take my Seagull with me everywhere I go.
I have a Takamine pro series made in Japan that I regularly gig with for about a year now. It was 1500.00 US dollars. I’ve owned and played everything from Rouge to Martin and in between. My Takamine plays and sounds better than all of them. Of course that’s subjective, but that’s been my personal experience.
I once bought a Takamine because I thought it was beautiful. I thought I would learn to play... I never learned. I sold it 10 years later for full price. Resale tells you plenty about any instrument.
There is a big difference between the G series guitars and the guitars made in Japan. Night and day. the Japanese Takamine guitars IHO are right up there with Martin and Taylor. With the best ones costing over 5K. Takamine wrote the book on acoustic guitar pickup systems and they still are ahead of the pack.
I have a 12 string takamine that is about 30 years old from Japan and it is the best I have ever played. Everyone who plays it loves and wants it. Japan taks are tier A in my opinion.
For me the Taylor necks and fretboards are just perfect. They just feel right. I think how the guitar fits your particular body makes a big difference.
Agreed. I have had a Taylor 315 for 18 years, it is my partner. I chose a Breedlove 12 for when I want 12, it's good enough... if not great. I will stand by classic Gibsons though, I have a family hand me down S-25 that just has the most amazing tone, doesn't get the playtime my Taylor does, but it's still a great guitar. Sad that Gibson is no longer as good as they once were.
@@sabermoon5393 Gibson's quality control is a lot better now. In 2022, I bought a new Les Paul Standard, and in 2023 I got a new J-45 Standard. Both these guitars absolutely dominate my old '90s era Gibsons. I also have a Taylor 414ce that I love, but this J-45 is in an entirely different universe. I was shocked that this or any guitar could be that much better than the Taylor.
@@f3uibeghardt522 Good to hear Gibson is getting that under control. My S-25 is a real jewel and I have played many Gibsons that were the best of the best, but in the 2000's though that seemed to change. The S-25 (Folksinger) is a vintage 64.
@@leefranklin3054 Oh yeah, definitely. Gibson was awful during all those years. Every one I picked up and played was just utterly terrible, and I pretty much completely wrote Gibson off and saw them as an irreparable lost cause. But even I can't believe how fantastic my new ones are. And it's not just the tone or fit and finish/QC that are superior, the playability is unbelievably good. I can't believe I'm actually hearing myself say these words right now. I would've been thrilled if they were simply able to return to the quality of my '90s 'good wood era' Gibsons, but these new ones are actually even better - and better by many orders of magnitude.
That video was sensational. I wish more people with a broad range of experience would do this "tier" sort of breakdown, whether that be Power Tools, Lathes, Scuba Diving gear or anything. It is very handy for when you're just trying to get a feel for a particular market before buying and it helps reduce the overall amount of research you need to do when getting in. Cheers
I agree. Would make an informative, overall valuable list for beginners to continuous, advanced, professional enthusiasts. There would be a lot of branches on the acoustic tree. Classical, Spanish, Folk, Western, Rock, Rock, Blues, Jazz...etc.
Larrivee is a much better guitar than where you put it....consistently far better....A for sure....I own a Larrivee L04....incredible guitar....superior to any of the new Martins or Taylors I tried out (I also own two vintage Martins....a 1941 D-18 and a 1955 D-28....prefer using Larrivee for everyday playing to Martins)....the Larrivee is my go to acoustic guitar
Larivee and Gibson are A tier guitars. I've got a Martin 00018 and a Taylor 810 and they're both amazing guitars but Ive played Larivees and Gibsons that are definitely in the same league. Martins are woody and lush, Taylors are very hifi and chimey, Larivees and Gibsons are kinda somewhere in between with their own unique voices.
Seagull guitars are the best value period, change my mind. It plays like a thousand bucks and you only pay around five hundred for it, every guitar they've ever made has a solid wood top and solid maple neck, and you can get solid wood body ones for under $1000. Action is set up very well and the tone is warm and full. Long live Seagull
I agree! Seagull S6 original are great guitar for the money. Sound is bright and built quality is fantastic.Godin makes excellent instrument for the money.I play on the S6 most of the time.
Bought my Seagull S6 when I graduated from high school and still absolutely love it to this day (15 years later). I’ve got some nicks and dings in the finish from not properly placing it on guitar stand through the years, but that thing sounds better than I say I bought it. Would never get rid of it. Just bought a Taylor 114e as my intro into the Taylor world. A lot people say the Seagull S6 is better, so I will soon find out. Either way, I’m sure I’ll love both for their separate personalities.
Bought a Martin 12-string for just over $800 then brought it back and exchanged it for a Seagull Coastline 12-string and saved $200. Maybe just a tad brighter than the Martin but still warm and room-filling sound. The build materials and quality of construction has no match at this price.
Absolutely agree! I have several Martins, all nicer ones (i.e., solid wood bodies). The only other guitar in my collection that comes close to them is a lower-end Seagull (Entourage Rustic). Even with a laminate body, it's nearly as enjoyable and satisfying to play as my Martins that all cost considerably more - several times more in some cases.
Very interesting and honest tier list. Too bad most responders didn't pay attention when you stated numerous times that this was based solely on your own personal experience with playing different guitars in their range. Though I didn't agree with the Guild placement, I only have experience with their upper tier models and not their lower tier, so I really wouldn't know the overall picture. Good job.
I think you’re off on Guilds, especially on the higher end Guilds. I have a F47ce that just is such a pleasure to play, very responsive and warm sounding
I bought an Orangewood Morgan Mahogony Live. I really liked the guitar. However, the low E string was buzzing and I learned that the Truss rod turns with no effect. It is stripped inside. A repair expense that would exceed the cost of the guitar.
I own several Martin and Taylor guitars...And I love them both, tho they sound very different. But Breedlove??? Are you kinding me??? You cant compare a guitar that looks good but sounds like crap to a Martin or Taylor! Breedlove has some of the best looking guitars ever and I respect the craftsmanship...! But they all sound like garbage!!! Dont be fooled by the look and price of the guitar! They sound horrible!!! You will not see many pros playing a Breedlove...And if you do Im pretty sure they didnt use it on thier recordings!
I have an awesome Breedlove. Wasn't looking for one. Saw it hanging in the store, took it down 'cause it looked good, met my other more critical criteria...sounded good, intonation was good, played easily.
Did A LOT of research and ended up buying a Breedlove concert cutaway. Had to string it with .10 Ernie Balls (to save my finger tips) but it is great! glad you ranked it. You should check out Giannini.
I've got to stick up for Larrivee guitars. I have a D-05 and my brother-in-law has the LV-05. These are both superb hand built guitars of very high quality and compare very favourably to high end Martin guitars. I think they should have made the A section particularly as the woods they are made from are sourced by a world renowned expert in tone woods. Jean Larrivee.
I would move Larrivee and Gibson up to "A". In the "S" class, you mentioned Santa Cruz and Olson. There is also Huss and Dalton, Bourgeois, and a few overseas brands...Furch, Henkes and Blazer, and B&G.
Larrivee is a great build. The build is great but they are really tight guitars. Ive owned two of them and initially loved their tone (L-09 and D-60). The problem I had with them is that they never really opened up and sounded too tight which affected the overall sustain. Build quality - I'd put them over standard Martins any day and right up there with Collings and most other boutique makers. I could be wrong but I read somewhere that they use a poly finish instead of a nitro finish. If true, thats their problem. I would also put Martins Custom Shop in the S class as well.
As for me, _Furch guitars_ would be very high on this list, fully comparable to Martin and Taylor concerning quality, and with excellent quality-to-price ratio.
You forgot Cort guitars. For me they are in the same league as Yamaha Guitars. I think Takamine deserves a better rating. They have great guitars in every level. And Breedlove is rated too high for my taste. I had one and was not impressed. But all is a matter of taste.
It more a matter of which model of Breedlove you play. I have their Masterclass 12-string guitar from 1993. It has a nice spruce top with Madagascar Ebony sides and back. I've heard the sound described as piano-like. I don't think they make them with Madagascar Ebony anymore but I've seen one that uses Maple sides and back. They also make a beginner's model for around $400. What model did you play?
I can't speak for the newer models, but I own a 1976 Guild D35, and it is hands down the best guitar I've ever played. When I bought it new in 76 I played several Gibson's and Martin's and to me they didn't even come close. I wouldn't trade my Guild for any other guitar. I feel like they are the most underrated guitar on the market. I think part of the problem is that they have been owned by a number of different companies and that has hurt them. I'm hoping that Cordoba can bring them back where they belong.
I'm 68 and have been playing since 70, Guilds, were great and even cheaper than Martin's and Gibsons. Guilds were made in NY. But I went with a Martin D 28. Many is.the time I questioned, did I make the right decision.
I have a Guild D40 (solid spruce and mahogany ) from 1977. The tone is really good. After some action work and some better machine heads, it's a wonderful guitar.
If Guild was good enough for Stevie Ray Vaughn (Life by the Drop), it's good enough for me. That guitar sounds amazing. It is a 12 string though. I'd love to play a few Guilds but like everything else, it's hard to find much these days in stores.
I have 6 acoustic and 1 electric guitars, since I don't go ANYWHERE without taking my guitar with me, I've decided to get myself an 3/4 scale travel guitar. Having a tough time between Martin, Taylor, Breedlove or something by Orangewood. The Orangewood sounds great but I think that when people see names of guitars on the headstock, if they know anything about guitars, the names immediately tell them you are serious about quality. Breedlove guitars are up the scale with quality and I've noticed that Breedlove actually sells guitars for less than a Martin or a Taylor. I still want to go into a guitar store to make my final decision. Love to all----Peace out !!
Started playing a Martin last year after playing an old Guild D-50 for four decades. As much as I love my old Guild, I must say that the Martin is now my favorite guitar.
Same. Went from a Guild D-30 that I played for many years, sold it and bought a Martin HD-35. Spent all day in the store (which, incidentally, was in Nazareth, PA, about 2-3 miles from the factory) playing about 10-12 different Martins. Each had their own appeal...it was a difficult choice.
I think Eastman acoustic guitars belong on this list in one of the upper tiers. I have an E20 OOSS that plays and sounds marvelous. The build quality is in a league with Martin, Taylor and other high end guitars. A friend of mine has their archtop jazz guitar and it is also a fantastic instrument.
I personally think Eastmans are more consistent than Martins and Taylors, and the sound is phenomenal. The icing on the cake is that they cost 3 times less. It's a shame they weren't included on this list. They are my favorite brand because the value is incredible.
My Eastman OO was a third of what a similar Martin would have cost. Being primarily a bassist that was looking for a good quality acoustic guitar, it was a no-brainer. It was the owner of the guitar shop that steered me in that direction when she could have made more money had I decided to go with the Martin OO that I was considering. @@danielniesing5628
Even if Alvarez, Larivee, and Seagull rank below Martin, Taylor, and Breedlove in absolute quality, which is questionable, they are at or close to the top when value is taken into account.
Quite possibly it's because the Far Eastern Guilds aren't of such good quality, and also maybe because quality in general has declined since the 80s or 90s when they got bought out.
After putting Alvarez on the 'B' line, you'd mentioned that the Alvarez Yairi series ranks as an 'A' and I agree, being the proud owner of a Yairi Masterworks DYM-70CE. You should separate the Yairi Series into the A category, from the generalization of Yairi overall being a B-level acoustic. While there are tonal differences, I would pair my Alvarez DYM as equivalent to my Taylor 414ce-R ... definitely A-level instruments.
For other brands he as well gave a median ranking for the full range. If he used an $8,000 Martin, I would expect it to be rated higher than my lowly OM-28V, which only cost $2,500 but still is A-plus. Why should Alvarez receive preferential treatment?
I am surprised by how similar your experiences are to mine. The only difference is Guild. I recently played one that was, as you said, lifeless, but the vast majority of them have been very lively. I am 61, and most of the instruments I have played (including the one that I own) were made decades ago, and maybe the ones you played were newer and aren't made to the same standard.
It's pretty hard to beat a vintage guild. The new ones though are made by fender and only thing that's the same is the name guild. But the vintage guild.. They sound like a harp frm heaven. I wish I owned one. My buddy has one and won't part with it.
I have a ‘72 Guild F20 and I’ll never need another guitar. That doesn’t mean I won’t talk myself into buying 20 more... but I’ll always come back to her.
The best acoustic I ever played was a $600 range Alvarez jumbo acoustic - spalted maple. I compared it to every taylor and Martin I could get my hands on, and the Alvarez sound is just amazing.
Yep, I'm a pro bass player and just play acoustic guitar for shits and giggles around the house. Got two Alverez's that sound great and didn't bust my wallet.
I bought a 12 string about 45 years ago for $125 at a pawn shop. Had it for about a year and it got stolen. Now, I play my late fathers 1920 Sovereign.
Good job and a tough one at that..I wish I still owned my Alvarez Yari I got it new in 1982 to best of my knowledge ..wow hands down 1 of the best I ever laid my hands on!!!!! ***** !!!!!
There is no "best" guitar brand. It's all subjective, like a work of art. What I like, you may not. What you like, I may not. That's the long and the short of it. Cheers.
The old ones made in Westerly, Rhode Island are usually fantastic. Their 12-strings, like the F-512 were unbeatable. Wish I could find one. I have a 40 year old D-212 with no struts in the back (Guild curved bulge back) and the sound absolutely BOOMS out of that. There's practically nothing that compares for the bass notes that come out of it, and it's beautiful and easy to play!
I think you were little harsh on guild, they are the best at making 12 strings, the maple model Old f-412 or the new f-512 maple are like a one man orchestra. They have made many great 6 string guitars as well. Hopefully under Cordoba's ownership they will continue making great guitars for many years.
I think I'd have to give Alvarez an A based on what they are actually selling right now. They are making great guitars in every line from the artist series up. I'm also wondering if you would bump Gibson up solidly into the A category based solely on what they are currently producing.
I totally agree! I bought mine (Alvarez Yairi) in 1997 and when I was searching for one I tried lots to finaly having to choose between a Gibson J-45 at 2500.00$ CAD and my dear Yairi DY-50N at 1300.00$ CAD. The Yairi wins all the way not only for the price but for the deep sound she provides. Since then, this instrument still is my best guitar !
Pretty good selection Eastman guitars are a brand you must check out there stunning guitars.glad you put a godan guitar up there they make great guitars
Good list. I agree with your opinion of Yamaha. I have a D25 Guild that I bought new in 1977. I own a Martin D28 and a Gibson J50 but I keep going back to the Guild. I love it.
@@ahmedsyed5239 American made Guilds should be at least on the B level. A D55 Guild is at least as good as a Martin HD28, and nothing touches a Guild 12 string other than my custom Furch which is on the S level as far as I'm concerned
I also have a D55 made in RI, and it is a top tier production model acoustic. Guild's downline stuff may be where that rating comes from, but the same could be said of Martin's sub $800 models - they are nothing special at all.
You lost me at Ovation. Our tastes in acoustic are very different. To me Ovations play and sound like F class crapp. And Takamine beats everything in your B class save for Yamaha. IMO.
aoctavio My Ovation, American, NOT Celebrity, is an awesome guitar. Plays great, balanced sound, stays in tune, very solid. Though I have a coder too...The spruce are bright.
I agree. If Takemime is good enough for Springsteen it’s good enough for me. 20 years since I picked mine over a Martin and a Taylor and I’ve never looked back.
I have a Martin D 18 from around 1990 and a Norman B 20 about the same age ! Both have the same strings and the same setup ! I dont even play the Martin anymore ! I also have a Guild with a pickup and a Yamaha F 75 red label and a few others as well ! I mainly play only the Norman 98 % of the time for the last couple years and wish I would have found it first ! The best part is the Norman was put to the curb because of a broken bridge but I did the repairs myself ! I am always looking for good quality accoustic guitars ( I think its a sickness ) and if it needs a neck reset I am interested ! If you are lucky you can find a good used Norman for about $500 !
Curious to see L'Arrive wasn't higher. Those always impress me when I see them. Also, my latest cheap acoustic which I *love* (at the price) is a $200 Fender CP-60S. It was in a shop alongside $400 Guilds that were garbage in comparison. I do hope to get back to Martins some day. My first acoustic was a terrible Yamaha. My second was a superlative Seagull S-6. That one was the guitar that made me understand acoustics could be fun.
Recently bought a Larivee and I definitely would have this as an A class guitar, hands down better feel and richer tone than Seagull, Yamaha or Ovation. I tried all of them before I bought and kept coming back to the Larivee. Personally I think they are in a class by themselves, certainly on a par with many of the more expensive Martins I have played.
I'm with you 100%. Larrivees just have a distinct tone to my ear, and far nicer and more unique than anything else out there. I came here to see where he put them on the list. Should be top-tier, IMO.
I have a Fender, a Takamine, a Larrivee, and two Martin’s. My Fender plays amazing well, gets the job done and is my “campfire” guitar. The Takamine has a cedar top, no pick guard and a light weight solid body that makes it really loud and a bit woody. The custom D40R Larrivee is beautifully constructed, almost plays itself and has a very open balanced tone - excellent for recording. My D-28 Martin has traditional straight bracing with a 50s or 60s sounding voice that barks out a rich, punchy, classic Martin tone that turns heads; it’s my go-to guitar that puts a smile on everyone’s face. My 2018 Martin HD-12-28 plays as easily as a well setup six string and is a marvel with huge chorus like tone that sustains like a Steinway Grand Piano. I have yet to buy a new guitar. I look for well cared for used Martin’s that have open up with age.
Agree with this comment about Larivee. I currently owned one plus a Gibson and a Taylor. I am also very experienced with various Martins. I agree with all your ranking of those I have played except the Larivee although I only know about the one I own which is a mid-priced product. The think the Larivee should be in the "A" category. I was amazed I could afford a guitar that sounds so good.
Guild at C - not right? They are tonally magical. This is too subjective, everyone has different requirements across the board. Trouble is videos like this influence people, get out and play a few and then buy what you like.
Have you not played a Maton guitar?, good enough for arguably the best acoustic guitar player ever,Tommy Emmanuel,please do check them out,as good as Martin?😀
In the US, Yamaha is known mostly for their more reasonably priced guitars BUT the company also plays in the upper reaches of the market as well. They makes some amazing, handmade in Japan guitars built by master luthiers. These instruments cost 2-4K USD and they compare quite well with anything in your A tier.
Yup, I bought a FGX5, great guitar. The Red Label series from Yamaha reminds me of the Masterbuilt series from Epiphone. For the money the quality is are very hard to beat.
@@johndavies5023 Same man I’ve had apparently better guitars but my FS5 is the favourite. Reliability never comes into these comparisons. The Yammy rocks and I trust it to perform exactly the same every time. Great guitars
I love my current Yamaha FS5. I think they win hands down as a company ..and that’s what is being compared here. The quality of there budget guitars has been the starting point for more great players than anyone else and the current Red labels are fantastic. High end I haven’t played but would imagine they must be incredible.
@@alexandrealphonse69He did not play a Guild. He is seen on the album cover Bryter... holding an M20, but this guitar did not belong to him. He played a Levin dread and later a Martin D-28.
I own a 1996 Guild Bluesbird electric (LP style) that was made in the Fender Custom Shop in Corona ,CA shortly after Fender acquired Guild. When I want to play some blues she sings. I have played a lot of Les Paul's from studios to R9 Custom Shop level. They never lit up my ears the way this Guild Bluesbird does and I just loose the awareness of the guitar as I play it. It becomes transparent to me. Never owned a Guild acoustic but my sister has 2 of them, a D30 and a maple jumbo 12 string both USA made. She also owned a Bluegrass Jubilee for a while, a really sweet axe. I have played Guilds there and elsewhere a good bit. I started with a Gibson J50 and now have several Martins and others. A Guild D50 or D55 would be a prime addition.
I found Guild guitars are not as well crafted as some others that ranked above Guilds like Taylors, Martins, and Gibsons. However, Guild guitars are way better crafted than most of other guitars in the C group. Sound wise, Guilds should be in the B group but with Guild guitar price going up in recent years I think Guild doesn’t deserve to be in the B group. I have 4 Guild guitars (f512 rosewood, f512 maple, f55 rosewood, d55). Needless to say I’m a Guild fan. I’m sad to say C group is where Guild should be given its craftsmanship and price tag nowadays.
I have a Taylor and a Martin. Love them. You can include Collings, Furch and Lakewood guitars in that same level. Personally, my other favourite guitars that I have tried and are a notch higher are McPherson, Goodall, Charis and Kevin Ryan guitars. Ones I have not tried yet are the Froggy Bottom and Olson guitars. But the reviews are superb.
I've always stuck with Guild.I've owned one Seagull,and will be purchasing a Seagull 12 string as soon as they become available.Extremely impressed with Seagulls build quality, sound, and value for money.
I love a post world war 2 Martin D-28 they have a really fat sound and they are a bigger guitar than the Martin D-28 in 2023. They also have a darker finish
I'd have put Eastman acoustic guitars on here, perhaps in the B category of this particular list. I own a couple of high endMartins and a couple of high end Yamahas. They are great, but so is my Eastman E20D, and it is the least expensive of my collection, although, you wouldn't think so after hearing and playing it. Anyway, fun list. Always fun to do that exercise!
I think he's underrating Guild a bit, and my two Taylors just don't equate with Martin's deep, warm sound, although they play easier along the fretboard. Go figure!
I think it's because Guilds are so overbuilt that they take years to reach their full potential. An old Guild is A tier all day long, IMHO. Also, I'm not a Taylor guy, actually have multiple Martins and greatly prefer them. That said, I think Taylor's insane consistency makes them an A-tier brand. I can play 2 Martins, same model, and have 1 that I like but the other that absolutely blows me away. I've played good Martins, and I've played unbelievable Martins, up and down their product range (never bad though, if it's made of wood). On the other hand, if I pick up any 2 Taylor 714s, I'm gonna say, "that sounds *just like* I expect a Taylor 714 to sound." So even though it's not the sound I prefer, it's a sound you can count on if it's your thing. And that, to me, is A-tier worthy.
@@roymeyer6837 Great reply. I've owned all three, and my Guild held its own. I've found Taylors to be the most playable along the fretboard, but if I play the k14ce, and then pick up my Martin D18 shortly thereafter, there's just no comparison in tone. Martin is deeper, warmer, richer, more even across the strings. I get the inconsistency, maybe because C.F.M. seems to be overproducing these days, going for a wider costumer base. I bought the Taylors because with age came some fingering difficulties, and I found them easier on my hands. By the way, I'm not wealthy at all, average really, but who can resist a new ax every once in awhile?
@@stashuk7450 yeah, I also think some of the Martin variance is because that's just the nature of building by hand with natural materials. I had 2 DMs, which aren't made anymore but were some of the best entry-level models Martin ever made. One was really good. The other was on par with any D-18 I've ever heard.
Ummm where is Maton? The guitar used by the best acoustic players! Also I think you were way to harsh on Takamine, whenever I play them against so called better brands they just sound better and their thermal top series is up there with the very best.
what about one of my favorites, possibly cos I'm Aussie, but Maton is a great acoustic guitar brand from Australia, don't know how they go around the world but are definitely top notch.
Overall a pretty decent assessment but I think with a few brands it isn't helpful to average them out. For example, Takamine's lower end models would certainly be in the "C" category. But I own one that I got more than 15 years ago that cost over $1200 at the time. It is definately higher than a "C" category guitar. It is at least a "B" and maybe an "A-". Martin is another. On the lower end they make some composite models that probably belong in the "C" category but their upper end models and their Custom/Commemorative models would have to be in the "S" category, IMO.
Pretty good list overall and Collings is my favourite from the list, I personally would switch Takamine into the B tier though I think they are certainly above the other C tier options.
Great post! I own a Simon and Patrick acoustic made by a Canadian company in Quebec called Godin. It has a big full sound and also sounds great plugged in.
I own several guitars but of course I’m not rich I got some that were handed down and some for gifts and some I bought. I have a guild and it sounds great but the action has been so high it was hard to play. I’ve had the nut sanded down at the top and at the bridge and had the neck adjusted and the only thing I know is to have the bridge itself sanded down but it’s a shame a guitar that sounds that good is so hard to play. Of course I know if the bridge is sanded down I run the risk of losing tone quality. The first guitar I ever owned came from Sears liquidation store for $17.00 and it was extremely hard to play but I got use to it but something like a Guild should play better than a dirt cheap guitar. I was told by a guy that nobody trust that it was a factory second kind of like an irregular shirt I don’t know.
I've played all but the "F" tier you mentioned, and I think you did a pretty accurate job (in my humble opinion). Santa Cruz, Froggy Bottom, Olson, Huss, and Dalton, etc are all Amazing guitars too.
Agree with Tony and others on the Larrivee. I have a Taylor 614ce and a Larrivee LV-03re, also a Larrivee parlour. I always go for the Larrivee LV over the Taylor for sound. The body sizes are similar, although the Larrivee is rosewood and the Taylor is maple but the little parlour is mahogany an it also has a killer sound for the size of it. All really fine instruments but Larrivee should definitely be a tier higher in my books. The rest of the list is pretty accurate. Well done
Had an old Guild 12 string that was just right for me. I've enjoyed Martin , Taylor and Yairi as well, but that old Guild sounded like it had been a lifelong cigar smoker. Rough and warm.
Bought a Washburn D10SCE from a factory outlet on ebay, 15 or so years ago, for £160. What a great guitar it has been for me, and still going strong. Might need to get the tuners replaced in the next few years, but apart from that, everything is spot on, and it sounds lovely.
I totally agree! I bought mine (Yairi) in 1997 and when I was searching for one I tried lots to finaly choosed between a Gibson at 2500.00$ CAD and my dear Yairi at 1300.00$ CAD. The Yairi wins all the way not for the price but for the deep sound she provides. This instrument is still is my best guitar ever!
Martin for sure. I have a om 18e . Been playing a lowden o10 for years. The Martin has the best tone . I feel like I’ve missed Out . Martin Tone is something special
The big 3 for me are Martin, Gibson, and Taylor. I owned a few Recording Kings but didn't like the tone. Played all the cheaper models on your list and hated them all for more than 1 reason. I've been consistent with Martin but I won't play anything cheaper than the 18 series. A Martin 18 is as low as Ill go with a Martin.
#Larrivee as a B?! But that it’s equal with Yamaha and ovation??? Dude. I was with you until the B tier. Then you went way left field. Taylor has ZERO low end. None. Great quality sure but tone is very lacking and their low end 1, 2 and 2 deluxe are as high at $1700 and still NOT solid wood. Swap Larrivee and Breedlove and your set. Oh, and add Bourgeois and Rockbridge to A. This is all merely on a profession level sound basis but the best guitar is always the one that drives you to play.
I think this is a great list - I play a Martin D28 and I can't possibly imagine that there is a better acoustic guitar out there so I'm really curious what a Collings might sound like - not that I could afford one at the moment ... I recently got myself a 450 $ Guild baritone guitar and I was really pleasently surprised - but I don't know what their regular Acoustics are like
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apparently you haven,t played a high end takamine,
Zager!!!
Luna wasn't there...
No Maton?!
@Guitario I used to have an Aria acoustic when I was younger. It’s been a while and I was young so I don’t know if I was just ignorant but I remember it having a great sound and really comfortable to play. It’s been probably 25 years since I had it. Have you ever played that brand before?
I recently bought a Martin after playing on Tanglewood and Yamaha for years, The Martin is a whole different animal, it has a beautiful tone quality and feels great to play.
I prefer the D-18 to the D28 for the warmer sound from mahogany, but that's a matter of taste.
A buddy of mine just purchased one and it sounds incredible and is super light.
I picked up an OM-28 back in 2015 from Guitar Center. What I did (which I highly recommend if they still do it) is purchase a new guitar (order if necessary) during their black Friday sale. They offered a 15% discount on anything, and I took advantage of it to order a new Martin. I save over 400 bucks that way (about 2800 vs 2400).
I bought a 000-28 about 6 months ago and couldn't be happier! Never thought I would spend that much on a guitar but it will probably be the last one I buy. I have a Yamaha which I still like and play often but I thought it was time to step up! Very happy with my choice!
I bought my first Martin in 1971 and still own it and have added to the collection since then. For me their warmth, pronounced bass and playability make them a joy every time I pick them up. Taylor’s are just a bit behind but still wonderful to play. Your guitar life is a journey, enjoy them all.
I generally agree with all that you said with some exception. A good sounding Gibson, belongs in the tier above - it does depend on what sound you want. Martin has a thunderous voice and Gibson can have a nice tonal ring to it. I have a Taylor 710 which produces a synthesized sound of the two above. A Santa Cruz parlor guitar will fill the room with the volume of a dreadnought. Finally, the most sound for the $ comes from a Yamaha!
Someone I know plays his Martin at church for school assembly. I'm sitting at the back behind the kids, so can't see the guitar. We came back from summer break 2021 and as soon as he started playing I'm thinking, "That's not a Martin!" It sounded terrible compared to a Martin D28. Turns out he'd splashed out on a Taylor during the summer break, so I immediately asked him what he's done with the Martin - unfortunately he's keeping it for his kids (wise man!)
People doing acoustic guitar reviews always pick the multi thousand dollar guitar as the greatest thing since slice bread. Most wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a 500 and a 5000 dollar guitar in a blind sound test. It boils down to snob appeal and my wonderful ears are much more refined than yours.
I bought a 500 dollar Epiphone Humming bird about a year ago. It is one of the best playing and sounding guitars I have owned in the last fifty years of playing and recording. I have martin, yamaha, gretch, Gibson, and ovation. All sound different in an acoustic setting. But all sound pretty much, or can be adjusted with eq to sound the same through a pa or amp. If your paying more than 6 to 8 hundred for an acoustic, you either want it for snob appeal or you have more money than you know what to do with. Just saying
I think you're spot on with everything here. I would highly recommend to check out Godin Acoustics, they are not widely distributed in the US. That is changing... really great craftsmanship, sound, playability, etc. Thanks!
I own a fender. It is trash but it was cheap trash, so I don't totally hate it. Fender is easily D tier.
Vintage fender though are very nice 70s and older are great guitars
You call it trash but I paid 1000 bucks in my own country for a beginner fender...
AND I am butthurt AF right now.
Larrivee’ is a way better guitar than the rest he listed in that group. Just because he doesn’t like the tone...the quality, build and materials are superb.
I have a bottom-end Taylor Big Baby without any pickup that people always comment favorably on the tone. I also use it with Will Ackerman's menagerie of different tuning and it handles that amazingly well. The various woods give a broad range of tones in the different models with Taylor.
Martin, Bourgeois, Collings, Santa Cruz, Huss & Dalton..........serious guitars.
I think I would do a
what's the best acoustic guitar for what you want it to do and for what you can afford
what is best for studio work, what is best for being in a band, what is best for solo playing on stage , what is best for solo playing at home
what is best for a road guitar
what is best under $1000, $2000, $3000 etc.
what is best in sound , what is best in value, what is best in quality
what is best for strumming , what is best for finger picking,.....
what is best nylon, what is best steel string, what is best hybrid,
what size, what style - flat top, arch top,...
best for easy playing (scale length, nut width...etc)
You see what I mean? The list goes on and on.
Decide what it is you want out of a guitar and what price range you can afford
then compare and decide what's best for you.
For acoustic I started with a Yamaha folk steel string, after that I've had Gibson, Ovation, Larrivee, Huss and Dalton, Eastman, Pavan, Takamine, Cordaba,
My most recent and favorite is a 000 size Martin - solid adi-spruce top, rosewood back and sides, short scale flat head 14 fret (I would prefer a slot head 12 fret but can not afford it).
It took me a long time to really understand what guitar best suited my playing style.
Nice job. Good list. I think you have the top ends pretty well pegged, though I personally am not much of a Taylor fan. They are built well and are good looking, but the sound just doesn't measure up to the others you rank them with, IMO. I think when you play some of the other Boutique guitars like Boucher, Gallagher, Bourgeois, Santa Cruz, Huss and Dalton and the like, you will find a whole other level of excellence. Of course, those brands don't really have entry levels to levelize the playing field, but they are just superb sounding instruments. Well done on your review.
I've been working on acoustic gtr's for 39 years . Also growing up with my Dad playing a Martin. They have the most potential to be the best with a good set up on them.
It just all boils down to what sounds good to you / what you can afford. I’ve played them al over the 60 years of playing guitar and I’m in love with my ZAD80 ZAGER guit.
Cort is a very underrated guitar company
He probably overlooked Cort which have many good affordable ones n the Earth 300ss is Wow!
Was the very first guitar I bought. Still love it, has a great sound for blues and it’s in my office at work and gets plenty of attention every day!!
Yeah Im lucky to have two of their high end Gold series - blown away by response from a couple of different luthiers about quality and tone especially for the dollars -come setup well but truly come alive after a good setup. I love the sound and feel and that I don’t have to be too precious with them.
I think Cort stand on par with the Yamahas?
I am a Taylor fan. Owned a 310CE and traded it for 412E and sold it. Bought myself the Taylor Mini GS and it blew my mind. I played this guitar every day in the last 6 months of owning it than the 2 previous Taylors that I had when I owned it. It doesn't matter what brand or model or price of the guitar you get as long as it is comfortable and it has that connection to you.
Hear that, picked up a mini 6 mo back and its all good, great bang for the buck. Though that action on the fretboard, i just gota laugh/ha ha! Multiple forums ive seen people complain about it, though easily fixable hitting up the truss rod. That being said; I occasionally mess around with a slide and some blues, which actually goes great with high action /so haven't done any adjusting for the time being. The couch guitar is a thing.. a strange and cool phenomenon, anything that gets you practicing more is a win. -Cheers
Yep I have the Taylor gs mini in koa and same experience blew my mind had to buy it
The BEST acoustic guitar brand is the guitar that you can afford and the guitar that INSPIRES you to pick it up and play every day. There is no BEST guitar brand. Just my opinion, of course.
I'm with you there Tyler. I have had some good Martins, but I'm currently play a Taylor 522 Hog, love this guitar, and haven't found a Martin that sounds as good to me. It's a matter of choice, I don't think you can pick a "best" brand.
Spot on. Period.
Great point, if your ear doesn't like it, don't buy it.
Well said
I totally agree! When I first started playing a couple of years ago I started with a cheap £60 guitar from Argos. The strings were so hard to push down and would buzz even if your finger placement was perfect. It ended up gathering dust for a few months until recently. I just couldn't play anything on it and had become unmotivated. A couple of weeks back i decided to pop down to my local guitar shop and start learning again from scratch and I've brought a new guitar for about £200. It is a Vintage solid top and I love it!! It has a really nice sound and the action is much lower so pressing the strings is so much easier. I've practised every day since buying it and will hopefully be able to play something soon like a full song 😂
Dear stranger whoever reads this: may your mother live over 100 years...
That just sucks, living over 100 years will be pain and what about our dads
Sorry mate, already gone
I appreciate the wishes, but I doubt my mother would want to live over 100 years...nor would I. That's too long and too old lol.
Too late
gibson has the distinction of being the worst and best guitar I've ever played
Wich guitar is the best and the worst?
@@marty9221 no specific models - I've just had varying degrees of success with Gibson -
@@MrSmackdab okay, i m actually searching for a new accoustic guitare but i m still a beginner and i don t know which one choose so if you can help me😉
@@marty9221 what's the budget?
@@louismachin9681 around 350$/€
Buying a Martin after almost quitting was the spark I needed to fully learn guitar. Didn’t realize how good I had gotten until I actually played on a decent guitar - you’d be surprised by the difference. They are incredible in terms of playability
Had a buddy buy a Martin - and depending upon the humidity it went in and out of tune constantly.
@@dbpool I guess every brand no matter how good can have a dodgy one. It's not indicative of the entire brand. Asz for electric guitars I recognise that Gibson are a good guitar but I'm not a true fan. I had a LP but it was heavy and it had some quality issues. Played fine but absolutely not worth the money they charge. I am a big fan of Fender electric even though they at times also have quality issues. For me they sound better, feel better, look better. It's all personal taste isn't it?
@@dbpool I have 3 Martins and never have had this issue. You probably live in a climate that favors one humidity extreme or something.
Probably loose or bad tuners.@@dbpool
@@dbpool That is normal. Wood is a living thing and moves with the weather and temperature changes. Even with the best instrument tuning can vary, even during a playing session. I check my tuning between every song when I am on stage, always tune up before playing and just expect to do that. It is automatic.
The first step to learning to play a guitar is to learn how to tune it. I am old enough to have used a tuning fork as the only accurate option. Clip on electronic tuners are cheap and awesome today. It does not matter if I pick up a cheap electric or my D35, first thing I do is tune it. It is the most import part of your playing. Tune early, tune often, sound great, be happy player!
Proud Yahama owner, good bang for my buck and helped get me jump started playing. ❤️
Same here.
same here...i have a very good ovatin as well as a greg bennet too...these are are well made and very nice..
Yahama? Anything like my Yamaha?
same here
For the money you can't beat yamaha.
Seagull guitars have such an inspiring sound to them. Makes me want to play it all day.
The cherry with the cedar top has the most unique sound of all that warm mellow sound that sings to your heart
Couldn't agree more. I have a Seagull Entourage...basically an S6 with a burst top. The quality you get for the price is extraordinary.
I have an S6 for over 13 years now, and I've written so many songs on it I can't remember. I take it with me everywhere I go and it's got a beautiful woody sound to it now after a decade of being loved. I have all the other guitar models and makes, but I always take my Seagull with me everywhere I go.
Agree, I have played just about every Seagull guitar models and they're excellent. I liked the Maritime SWS CW GT Q1T more than the D16rgt.
I think Seagulls sound great, but for the life of me, I can't get over the goofy headstock.
I have a Takamine pro series made in Japan that I regularly gig with for about a year now. It was 1500.00 US dollars. I’ve owned and played everything from Rouge to Martin and in between. My Takamine plays and sounds better than all of them. Of course that’s subjective, but that’s been my personal experience.
I once bought a Takamine because I thought it was beautiful. I thought I would learn to play... I never learned. I sold it 10 years later for full price. Resale tells you plenty about any instrument.
There is a big difference between the G series guitars and the guitars made in Japan. Night and day. the Japanese Takamine guitars IHO are right up there with Martin and Taylor. With the best ones costing over 5K. Takamine wrote the book on acoustic guitar pickup systems and they still are ahead of the pack.
I have a 12 string takamine that is about 30 years old from Japan and it is the best I have ever played. Everyone who plays it loves and wants it. Japan taks are tier A in my opinion.
For me the Taylor necks and fretboards are just perfect. They just feel right. I think how the guitar fits your particular body makes a big difference.
Agreed. I have had a Taylor 315 for 18 years, it is my partner. I chose a Breedlove 12 for when I want 12, it's good enough... if not great. I will stand by classic Gibsons though, I have a family hand me down S-25 that just has the most amazing tone, doesn't get the playtime my Taylor does, but it's still a great guitar. Sad that Gibson is no longer as good as they once were.
@@sabermoon5393 Gibson's quality control is a lot better now. In 2022, I bought a new Les Paul Standard, and in 2023 I got a new J-45 Standard. Both these guitars absolutely dominate my old '90s era Gibsons. I also have a Taylor 414ce that I love, but this J-45 is in an entirely different universe. I was shocked that this or any guitar could be that much better than the Taylor.
@@f3uibeghardt522 Good to hear Gibson is getting that under control. My S-25 is a real jewel and I have played many Gibsons that were the best of the best, but in the 2000's though that seemed to change. The S-25 (Folksinger) is a vintage 64.
@@leefranklin3054 Oh yeah, definitely. Gibson was awful during all those years. Every one I picked up and played was just utterly terrible, and I pretty much completely wrote Gibson off and saw them as an irreparable lost cause. But even I can't believe how fantastic my new ones are. And it's not just the tone or fit and finish/QC that are superior, the playability is unbelievably good. I can't believe I'm actually hearing myself say these words right now. I would've been thrilled if they were simply able to return to the quality of my '90s 'good wood era' Gibsons, but these new ones are actually even better - and better by many orders of magnitude.
gc ukulele
That video was sensational. I wish more people with a broad range of experience would do this "tier" sort of breakdown, whether that be Power Tools, Lathes, Scuba Diving gear or anything. It is very handy for when you're just trying to get a feel for a particular market before buying and it helps reduce the overall amount of research you need to do when getting in. Cheers
^^^^
I agree. Would make an informative, overall valuable list for beginners to continuous, advanced, professional enthusiasts. There would be a lot of branches on the acoustic tree. Classical, Spanish, Folk, Western, Rock, Rock, Blues, Jazz...etc.
Larrivee needs to be A for real. Such super quality parts and build quality. These really are some of the best guitars out there
Larrivee is a much better guitar than where you put it....consistently far better....A for sure....I own a Larrivee L04....incredible guitar....superior to any of the new Martins or Taylors I tried out (I also own two vintage Martins....a 1941 D-18 and a 1955 D-28....prefer using Larrivee for everyday playing to Martins)....the Larrivee is my go to acoustic guitar
That one surprised me the most too...
YES, YES, YES - the only guitar that sounds better to me is a Collings - but they are way outside my price range
Awesome guitars. When they were made in Vancouver. A little stiff in the beginning
Larivee and Gibson are A tier guitars. I've got a Martin 00018 and a Taylor 810 and they're both amazing guitars but Ive played Larivees and Gibsons that are definitely in the same league. Martins are woody and lush, Taylors are very hifi and chimey, Larivees and Gibsons are kinda somewhere in between with their own unique voices.
Seagull guitars are the best value period, change my mind. It plays like a thousand bucks and you only pay around five hundred for it, every guitar they've ever made has a solid wood top and solid maple neck, and you can get solid wood body ones for under $1000. Action is set up very well and the tone is warm and full. Long live Seagull
I agree! Seagull S6 original are great guitar for the money. Sound is bright and built quality is fantastic.Godin makes excellent instrument for the money.I play on the S6 most of the time.
I agree if you cant afford a Martin or Lowden Seagull are a great alternative
Bought my Seagull S6 when I graduated from high school and still absolutely love it to this day (15 years later). I’ve got some nicks and dings in the finish from not properly placing it on guitar stand through the years, but that thing sounds better than I say I bought it. Would never get rid of it.
Just bought a Taylor 114e as my intro into the Taylor world. A lot people say the Seagull S6 is better, so I will soon find out. Either way, I’m sure I’ll love both for their separate personalities.
Bought a Martin 12-string for just over $800 then brought it back and exchanged it for a Seagull Coastline 12-string and saved $200. Maybe just a tad brighter than the Martin but still warm and room-filling sound. The build materials and quality of construction has no match at this price.
Absolutely agree! I have several Martins, all nicer ones (i.e., solid wood bodies). The only other guitar in my collection that comes close to them is a lower-end Seagull (Entourage Rustic). Even with a laminate body, it's nearly as enjoyable and satisfying to play as my Martins that all cost considerably more - several times more in some cases.
Very interesting and honest tier list. Too bad most responders didn't pay attention when you stated numerous times that this was based solely on your own personal experience with playing different guitars in their range. Though I didn't agree with the Guild placement, I only have experience with their upper tier models and not their lower tier, so I really wouldn't know the overall picture. Good job.
All UA-cam reviewers are sponsored or hoping to be lol. He wouldn't have looked as insane if he did it by price range at least. Lol
Are you here to share your experience or just to brag about your fancy guitars by bashing other people opinions on their humble guitars?
I think you’re off on Guilds, especially on the higher end Guilds. I have a F47ce that just is such a pleasure to play, very responsive and warm sounding
I'd love to know where you would put an orangewood guitar on this list.
S tier for Surprisingly Similar to an A tier guitar.
C/D Looks good, sound eh.
I got rid of mine.
I bought an Orangewood Morgan Mahogony Live. I really liked the guitar. However, the low E string was buzzing and I learned that the Truss rod turns with no effect. It is stripped inside. A repair expense that would exceed the cost of the guitar.
Not very good. C/D
I’d be interested where you think Maton guitars sit if you’ve played them?
Really good…….I have a Tommy Emmanuel Maton………can’t fault it…….all the best
Maton are stunningly good Australian guitars. 🎶🎸🇦🇺
Based on his assessment of Larrivee and Guild, probably below Epiphone.
I own several Martin and Taylor guitars...And I love them both, tho they sound very different. But Breedlove??? Are you kinding me??? You cant compare a guitar that looks good but sounds like crap to a Martin or Taylor! Breedlove has some of the best looking guitars ever and I respect the craftsmanship...! But they all sound like garbage!!! Dont be fooled by the look and price of the guitar! They sound horrible!!! You will not see many pros playing a Breedlove...And if you do Im pretty sure they didnt use it on thier recordings!
I'm a breedlove acoustic owner, it is absolutely an amazing instrument, and the breedlove family is awesome and have great customer service!
I have an awesome Breedlove. Wasn't looking for one. Saw it hanging in the store, took it down 'cause it looked good, met my other more critical criteria...sounded good, intonation was good, played easily.
Did A LOT of research and ended up buying a Breedlove concert cutaway. Had to string it with .10 Ernie Balls (to save my finger tips) but it is great! glad you ranked it.
You should check out Giannini.
My 40 yrs experience finds this list VERY accurate... find the sound you like, that you can afford and can’t wait to practice!!
List looks good. I'd include Santa Cruz near the top.
I've got to stick up for Larrivee guitars. I have a D-05 and my brother-in-law has the LV-05. These are both superb hand built guitars of very high quality and compare very favourably to high end Martin guitars. I think they should have made the A section particularly as the woods they are made from are sourced by a world renowned expert in tone woods. Jean Larrivee.
Mine is over 40 years old, never played one I didn't like.
I played 'em all, one right after the other. Kept coming back to the Larivee. The Larivee sound tops 'em all.
I love my Larrivee! Never played one I didn’t like.
Be serious. CF Martin.
I would move Larrivee and Gibson up to "A". In the "S" class, you mentioned Santa Cruz and Olson. There is also Huss and Dalton, Bourgeois, and a few overseas brands...Furch, Henkes and Blazer, and B&G.
Larrivee is a great build. The build is great but they are really tight guitars. Ive owned two of them and initially loved their tone (L-09 and D-60). The problem I had with them is that they never really opened up and sounded too tight which affected the overall sustain. Build quality - I'd put them over standard Martins any day and right up there with Collings and most other boutique makers. I could be wrong but I read somewhere that they use a poly finish instead of a nitro finish. If true, thats their problem.
I would also put Martins Custom Shop in the S class as well.
There is also Andrew white guitars
Totally agree. Huss and dalton and bourgeois are amazing.
As for me, _Furch guitars_ would be very high on this list, fully comparable to Martin and Taylor concerning quality, and with excellent quality-to-price ratio.
You forgot Cort guitars. For me they are in the same league as Yamaha Guitars. I think Takamine deserves a better rating. They have great guitars in every level. And Breedlove is rated too high for my taste. I had one and was not impressed. But all is a matter of taste.
sleepy55 totaly agree, I love my Cort guitars and my Parkwood, the Luthier brand from Cort.
It more a matter of which model of Breedlove you play. I have their Masterclass 12-string guitar from 1993. It has a nice spruce top with Madagascar Ebony sides and back. I've heard the sound described as piano-like. I don't think they make them with Madagascar Ebony anymore but I've seen one that uses Maple sides and back. They also make a beginner's model for around $400. What model did you play?
I can't speak for the newer models, but I own a 1976 Guild D35, and it is hands down the best guitar I've ever played. When I bought it new in 76 I played several Gibson's and Martin's and to me they didn't even come close. I wouldn't trade my Guild for any other guitar. I feel like they are the most underrated guitar on the market. I think part of the problem is that they have been owned by a number of different companies and that has hurt them. I'm hoping that Cordoba can bring them back where they belong.
My main guitar is yours' twin. Same year too! It's a great, great instrument.
I'm 68 and have been playing since 70, Guilds, were great and even cheaper than Martin's and Gibsons. Guilds were made in NY. But I went with a Martin D 28. Many is.the time I questioned, did I make the right decision.
I have a Guild D40 (solid spruce and mahogany ) from 1977. The tone is really good. After some action work and some better machine heads, it's a wonderful guitar.
If Guild was good enough for Stevie Ray Vaughn (Life by the Drop), it's good enough for me. That guitar sounds amazing. It is a 12 string though. I'd love to play a few Guilds but like everything else, it's hard to find much these days in stores.
Like em' but won't buy one because I cant get past the gaudy head stock.
I would include Bourgeois in the very top tier
Breedlove doesn’t get enough credit - I love my Breedlove - glad to hear someone else giving them attention
I have 6 acoustic and 1 electric guitars, since I don't go ANYWHERE without taking my guitar with me, I've decided to get myself an 3/4 scale travel guitar. Having a tough time between Martin, Taylor, Breedlove or something by Orangewood. The Orangewood sounds great but I think that when people see names of guitars on the headstock, if they know anything about guitars, the names immediately tell them you are serious about quality. Breedlove guitars are up the scale with quality and I've noticed that Breedlove actually sells guitars for less than a Martin or a Taylor. I still want to go into a guitar store to make my final decision. Love to all----Peace out !!
Started playing a Martin last year after playing an old Guild D-50 for four decades. As much as I love my old Guild, I must say that the Martin is now my favorite guitar.
Same. Went from a Guild D-30 that I played for many years, sold it and bought a Martin HD-35. Spent all day in the store (which, incidentally, was in Nazareth, PA, about 2-3 miles from the factory) playing about 10-12 different Martins. Each had their own appeal...it was a difficult choice.
Older Guild guitars are exceptional instruments.
I think Eastman acoustic guitars belong on this list in one of the upper tiers. I have an E20 OOSS that plays and sounds marvelous. The build quality is in a league with Martin, Taylor and other high end guitars. A friend of mine has their archtop jazz guitar and it is also a fantastic instrument.
I love my Eastman SS,can’t put it down and don’t want to!
Same!! I also have an Eastman, but a midrange PCH1-D Dreadnought, but it still sounds extremely good for the price.
I personally think Eastmans are more consistent than Martins and Taylors, and the sound is phenomenal. The icing on the cake is that they cost 3 times less. It's a shame they weren't included on this list. They are my favorite brand because the value is incredible.
Eastman's are good guitars. American made prices for Chinese made guitars though is a no go for me.
My Eastman OO was a third of what a similar Martin would have cost. Being primarily a bassist that was looking for a good quality acoustic guitar, it was a no-brainer. It was the owner of the guitar shop that steered me in that direction when she could have made more money had I decided to go with the Martin OO that I was considering. @@danielniesing5628
Martin ... THE definitive acoustic guitar imho
would place Guild higher - and Seagull a C
Seagull definitely sounds better than Guild generally speaking. They belong in B
Even if Alvarez, Larivee, and Seagull rank below Martin, Taylor, and Breedlove in absolute quality, which is questionable, they are at or close to the top when value is taken into account.
I think the Seagull SWS (Solid wood series) should be in the A class. Beautiful sounding and looking guitar.
Guild in the same tier as Epiphone is an insult.
I recently got a Guild OM 120. I think it sounds awesome, it's all solid mahogany.
Yes that's a insult..
yes, in my repair work the older ones sound great, as good as any factory effort
My Guild from 1972 isn't the same Guild you buy today.
Quite possibly it's because the Far Eastern Guilds aren't of such good quality, and also maybe because quality in general has declined since the 80s or 90s when they got bought out.
After putting Alvarez on the 'B' line, you'd mentioned that the Alvarez Yairi series ranks as an 'A' and I agree, being the proud owner of a Yairi Masterworks DYM-70CE. You should separate the Yairi Series into the A category, from the generalization of Yairi overall being a B-level acoustic. While there are tonal differences, I would pair my Alvarez DYM as equivalent to my Taylor 414ce-R ... definitely A-level instruments.
For other brands he as well gave a median ranking for the full range.
If he used an $8,000 Martin, I would expect it to be rated higher than my lowly OM-28V, which only cost $2,500 but still is A-plus.
Why should Alvarez receive preferential treatment?
There is no best brand LOLOLOLOLOL, just what you like and afford...................................
I am surprised by how similar your experiences are to mine. The only difference is Guild. I recently played one that was, as you said, lifeless, but the vast majority of them have been very lively. I am 61, and most of the instruments I have played (including the one that I own) were made decades ago, and maybe the ones you played were newer and aren't made to the same standard.
It's pretty hard to beat a vintage guild. The new ones though are made by fender and only thing that's the same is the name guild. But the vintage guild.. They sound like a harp frm heaven. I wish I owned one. My buddy has one and won't part with it.
@@tomterry2662 Agreed. A 1970s Guild is a wonderful, deep, ringing masterpiece. But the new ones are something else.
Ditto everything you said (we're even the same age). My Guild is a 1971 D35 that sounds rich as can be.
I have a ‘72 Guild F20 and I’ll never need another guitar.
That doesn’t mean I won’t talk myself into buying 20 more... but I’ll always come back to her.
Best acoustic I’ve ever played was a vintage Guild.
Good ole boys play martin, bad boys play gibson and choir boys play taylor!
Zager the best by far.. unreal play like an electric...
My Taylor sounds awesome and when I want to hear a Martin or Gibson, I retreat to the latrine!
@BALDY MCNUTT They are indeed, I owned 4 of them.
CHEVY!!
I have all three
Eastman acoustics overall are great.
One of the best guitars out there period.
For the money, nearly unbeatable.
Bought a new PCH for 300, great value for the money
The best acoustic I ever played was a $600 range Alvarez jumbo acoustic - spalted maple. I compared it to every taylor and Martin I could get my hands on, and the Alvarez sound is just amazing.
Yep, I'm a pro bass player and just play acoustic guitar for shits and giggles around the house. Got two Alverez's that sound great and didn't bust my wallet.
I bought a 12 string about 45 years ago for $125 at a pawn shop. Had it for about a year and it got stolen. Now, I play my late fathers 1920 Sovereign.
Alvarez are under rated tbf
My mom has a 12 fret Alvarez that’s pretty incredible.
Good job and a tough one at that..I wish I still owned my Alvarez Yari I got it new in 1982 to best of my knowledge ..wow hands down 1 of the best I ever laid my hands on!!!!! ***** !!!!!
I don’t care what y’all say, First Act is the number one brand
I prefer the tone of pressed cardboard :p
First Act works for me if you like smashing guitars. Lol. Although, you never know!
Thanks for the chuckle!!!
hahah
I have one for my kid and it is surprisingly fun to play. And finally I can bar chord!
There is no "best" guitar brand. It's all subjective, like a work of art. What I like, you may not. What you like, I may not. That's the long and the short of it. Cheers.
You rate Guild way too low, especially high-end. They are some of the best.
The old ones made in Westerly, Rhode Island are usually fantastic. Their 12-strings, like the F-512 were unbeatable. Wish I could find one. I have a 40 year old D-212 with no struts in the back (Guild curved bulge back) and the sound absolutely BOOMS out of that. There's practically nothing that compares for the bass notes that come out of it, and it's beautiful and easy to play!
I play a top end Guild and wouldn't change it! Bought it 20 years ago over $1200.
Agreed, dollar for dollar, Guild is the best guitar you can get. They are easily as good as guitars twice or three times the price.
My dad has a late 70’s D-35 guild and that thing sounds amazing
I think you were little harsh on guild, they are the best at making 12 strings, the maple model Old f-412 or the new f-512 maple are like a one man orchestra. They have made many great 6 string guitars as well. Hopefully under Cordoba's ownership they will continue making great guitars for many years.
I think I'd have to give Alvarez an A based on what they are actually selling right now. They are making great guitars in every line from the artist series up. I'm also wondering if you would bump Gibson up solidly into the A category based solely on what they are currently producing.
I totally agree! I bought mine (Alvarez Yairi) in 1997 and when I was searching for one I tried lots to finaly having to choose between a Gibson J-45 at 2500.00$ CAD and my dear Yairi DY-50N at 1300.00$ CAD. The Yairi wins all the way not only for the price but for the deep sound she provides. Since then, this instrument still is my best guitar !
Pretty good selection Eastman guitars are a brand you must check out there stunning guitars.glad you put a godan guitar up there they make great guitars
Check Dowina and Furch guitars. Amazing, deep sound. Made by Czech adn Slovakia
Good list. I agree with your opinion of Yamaha. I have a D25 Guild that I bought new in 1977. I own a Martin D28 and a Gibson J50 but I keep going back to the Guild. I love it.
Obviously you’ve never played an American made Guild.
Paige Esposito bless you. I was pretty surprised at him putting guild in C tier...
@@ahmedsyed5239 American made Guilds should be at least on the B level. A D55 Guild is at least as good as a Martin HD28, and nothing touches a Guild 12 string other than my custom Furch which is on the S level as far as I'm concerned
@@Triggsflyer I agree NOTHING touches a Guild 12 String!
D-55 is a stout guitar very under rated.
I also have a D55 made in RI, and it is a top tier production model acoustic. Guild's downline stuff may be where that rating comes from, but the same could be said of Martin's sub $800 models - they are nothing special at all.
You lost me at Ovation. Our tastes in acoustic are very different. To me Ovations play and sound like F class crapp. And Takamine beats everything in your B class save for Yamaha. IMO.
Eh, never really liked Takamine, in my eyes, nothing really beats a good Cole Clark.
aoctavio takamine 12 strings beat all of em compa!
aoctavio My Ovation, American, NOT Celebrity, is an awesome guitar. Plays great, balanced sound, stays in tune, very solid. Though I have a coder too...The spruce are bright.
I agree. If Takemime is good enough for Springsteen it’s good enough for me. 20 years since I picked mine over a Martin and a Taylor and I’ve never looked back.
@@anthonygroza2441 depends. The Japanese Taks are awesome for Stage, but damn they are way overpriced.
The China made Taks are pathetic.
I have a Martin D 18 from around 1990 and a Norman B 20 about the same age ! Both have the same strings and the same setup ! I dont even play the Martin anymore ! I also have a Guild with a pickup and a Yamaha F 75 red label and a few others as well ! I mainly play only the Norman 98 % of the time for the last couple years and wish I would have found it first ! The best part is the Norman was put to the curb because of a broken bridge but I did the repairs myself ! I am always looking for good quality accoustic guitars ( I think its a sickness ) and if it needs a neck reset I am interested ! If you are lucky you can find a good used Norman for about $500 !
Curious to see L'Arrive wasn't higher. Those always impress me when I see them. Also, my latest cheap acoustic which I *love* (at the price) is a $200 Fender CP-60S. It was in a shop alongside $400 Guilds that were garbage in comparison. I do hope to get back to Martins some day.
My first acoustic was a terrible Yamaha. My second was a superlative Seagull S-6. That one was the guitar that made me understand acoustics could be fun.
I have a 70's Fender that has an awesome sound with great play ability. Maybe one in a million? Took it for lessons and the instructor was blown away.
I completely agree, every Larrivee I’ve played I’ve been absolutely blown away with and I personally love them more than Martins
Recently bought a Larivee and I definitely would have this as an A class guitar, hands down better feel and richer tone than Seagull, Yamaha or Ovation. I tried all of them before I bought and kept coming back to the Larivee. Personally I think they are in a class by themselves, certainly on a par with many of the more expensive Martins I have played.
I'm with you 100%. Larrivees just have a distinct tone to my ear, and far nicer and more unique than anything else out there. I came here to see where he put them on the list. Should be top-tier, IMO.
I agree, just purchased an L-03rw and It sounds better than many guitars that are far more expensive.
I have a Fender, a Takamine, a Larrivee, and two Martin’s. My Fender plays amazing well, gets the job done and is my “campfire” guitar. The Takamine has a cedar top, no pick guard and a light weight solid body that makes it really loud and a bit woody. The custom D40R Larrivee is beautifully constructed, almost plays itself and has a very open balanced tone - excellent for recording. My D-28 Martin has traditional straight bracing with a 50s or 60s sounding voice that barks out a rich, punchy, classic Martin tone that turns heads; it’s my go-to guitar that puts a smile on everyone’s face. My 2018 Martin HD-12-28 plays as easily as a well setup six string and is a marvel with huge chorus like tone that sustains like a Steinway Grand Piano. I have yet to buy a new guitar. I look for well cared for used Martin’s that have open up with age.
I agree... Very underrated guitar by some. Amazing quality and sound.
Agree with this comment about Larivee. I currently owned one plus a Gibson and a Taylor. I am also very experienced with various Martins. I agree with all your ranking of those I have played except the Larivee although I only know about the one I own which is a mid-priced product. The think the Larivee should be in the "A" category. I was amazed I could afford a guitar that sounds so good.
Guild at C - not right? They are tonally magical. This is too subjective, everyone has different requirements across the board. Trouble is videos like this influence people, get out and play a few and then buy what you like.
Guild now is not the same as Guild up until 1990. I have a Westerly-built Guild from 1990 that is magical. I’ve played new ones that are “meh”.
Very fair assessment of these guitar brands . I've owned five of those brands you listed and thought you were almost spot on. Cheers.
My Maton made from QLD Mable is a thing of beauty, I named her Eleanor, same as my birth year Mustang 🐎 😍
I wish you’d included eastman or Ashland, they’re both superior brands with amazing quality
This is based on guitars he played.
Have you not played a Maton guitar?, good enough for arguably the best acoustic guitar player ever,Tommy Emmanuel,please do check them out,as good as Martin?😀
In the US, Yamaha is known mostly for their more reasonably priced guitars BUT the company also plays in the upper reaches of the market as well. They makes some amazing, handmade in Japan guitars built by master luthiers. These instruments cost 2-4K USD and they compare quite well with anything in your A tier.
Waited 8 months for my Yamaha FSX5 Red Label. Amazing guitar for the price and I'd put it up against my Martin any day.
Yup, I bought a FGX5, great guitar. The Red Label series from Yamaha reminds me of the Masterbuilt series from Epiphone. For the money the quality is are very hard to beat.
@@johndavies5023 Same man I’ve had apparently better guitars but my FS5 is the favourite. Reliability never comes into these comparisons. The Yammy rocks and I trust it to perform exactly the same every time. Great guitars
@@douglaswesson2458 yep they have a real loyal following for a reason. I love mine.
I love my current Yamaha FS5. I think they win hands down as a company ..and that’s what is being compared here. The quality of there budget guitars has been the starting point for more great players than anyone else and the current Red labels are fantastic. High end I haven’t played but would imagine they must be incredible.
Personally I’m enamored by all of Guild’s guitars-top to bottom line. They’re just so good. But everyone has their own opinion that I respect fully!
Nick Drake played a Guild. That's it. S tier. 8--)
@@alexandrealphonse69He did not play a Guild. He is seen on the album cover Bryter... holding an M20, but this guitar did not belong to him. He played a Levin dread and later a Martin D-28.
@@andygump724 thanks
I own a 1996 Guild Bluesbird electric (LP style) that was made in the Fender Custom Shop in Corona ,CA shortly after Fender acquired Guild. When I want to play some blues she sings. I have played a lot of Les Paul's from studios to R9 Custom Shop level. They never lit up my ears the way this Guild Bluesbird does and I just loose the awareness of the guitar as I play it. It becomes transparent to me.
Never owned a Guild acoustic but my sister has 2 of them, a D30 and a maple jumbo 12 string both USA made. She also owned a Bluegrass Jubilee for a while, a really sweet axe. I have played Guilds there and elsewhere a good bit. I started with a Gibson J50 and now have several Martins and others. A Guild D50 or D55 would be a prime addition.
I found Guild guitars are not as well crafted as some others that ranked above Guilds like Taylors, Martins, and Gibsons. However, Guild guitars are way better crafted than most of other guitars in the C group. Sound wise, Guilds should be in the B group but with Guild guitar price going up in recent years I think Guild doesn’t deserve to be in the B group. I have 4 Guild guitars (f512 rosewood, f512 maple, f55 rosewood, d55). Needless to say I’m a Guild fan. I’m sad to say C group is where Guild should be given its craftsmanship and price tag nowadays.
I have a Taylor and a Martin. Love them. You can include Collings, Furch and Lakewood guitars in that same level. Personally, my other favourite guitars that I have tried and are a notch higher are McPherson, Goodall, Charis and Kevin Ryan guitars. Ones I have not tried yet are the Froggy Bottom and Olson guitars. But the reviews are superb.
Don't forget Boucher guitars as well!
If you like an Olson, try his protégée, Brian Applegate. He built me two acoustics (and two Teles as a personal favor) and they are AMAZING.
Before I forget, I'd put Huss & Dalton firmly in the "S"-tier as well.
best Ive ever played
I've always stuck with Guild.I've owned one Seagull,and will be purchasing a Seagull 12 string as soon as they become available.Extremely impressed with Seagulls build quality, sound, and value for money.
I love my seagull 6 string. It has aged well and sounds better than other cheap guitars that I've owned.
My Seagull Mini Jumbo is perfect.
Got a ooo-15m Martin. 👍👍👍👍👍🎵 The Guild used to be popular/iconic in the 60s...
I love a post world war 2 Martin D-28 they have a really fat sound and they are a bigger guitar than the Martin D-28 in 2023. They also have a darker finish
I'd have put Eastman acoustic guitars on here, perhaps in the B category of this particular list. I own a couple of high endMartins and a couple of high end Yamahas. They are great, but so is my Eastman E20D, and it is the least expensive of my collection, although, you wouldn't think so after hearing and playing it. Anyway, fun list. Always fun to do that exercise!
I think he's underrating Guild a bit, and my two Taylors just don't equate with Martin's deep, warm sound, although they play easier along the fretboard. Go figure!
Guild should be in the A tier
Agreed. Guild is right up there alongside martin and Taylor. Perhaps this guy hasn't played enough of them.
I think it's because Guilds are so overbuilt that they take years to reach their full potential. An old Guild is A tier all day long, IMHO. Also, I'm not a Taylor guy, actually have multiple Martins and greatly prefer them. That said, I think Taylor's insane consistency makes them an A-tier brand. I can play 2 Martins, same model, and have 1 that I like but the other that absolutely blows me away. I've played good Martins, and I've played unbelievable Martins, up and down their product range (never bad though, if it's made of wood). On the other hand, if I pick up any 2 Taylor 714s, I'm gonna say, "that sounds *just like* I expect a Taylor 714 to sound." So even though it's not the sound I prefer, it's a sound you can count on if it's your thing. And that, to me, is A-tier worthy.
@@roymeyer6837 Great reply. I've owned all three, and my Guild held its own. I've found Taylors to be the most playable along the fretboard, but if I play the k14ce, and then pick up my Martin D18 shortly thereafter, there's just no comparison in tone. Martin is deeper, warmer, richer, more even across the strings. I get the inconsistency, maybe because C.F.M. seems to be overproducing these days, going for a wider costumer base. I bought the Taylors because with age came some fingering difficulties, and I found them easier on my hands. By the way, I'm not wealthy at all, average really, but who can resist a new ax every once in awhile?
@@stashuk7450 yeah, I also think some of the Martin variance is because that's just the nature of building by hand with natural materials. I had 2 DMs, which aren't made anymore but were some of the best entry-level models Martin ever made. One was really good. The other was on par with any D-18 I've ever heard.
Ummm where is Maton? The guitar used by the best acoustic players! Also I think you were way to harsh on Takamine, whenever I play them against so called better brands they just sound better and their thermal top series is up there with the very best.
what about one of my favorites, possibly cos I'm Aussie, but Maton is a great acoustic guitar brand from Australia, don't know how they go around the world but are definitely top notch.
Overall a pretty decent assessment but I think with a few brands it isn't helpful to average them out. For example, Takamine's lower end models would certainly be in the "C" category. But I own one that I got more than 15 years ago that cost over $1200 at the time. It is definately higher than a "C" category guitar. It is at least a "B" and maybe an "A-". Martin is another. On the lower end they make some composite models that probably belong in the "C" category but their upper end models and their Custom/Commemorative models would have to be in the "S" category, IMO.
Pretty good list overall and Collings is my favourite from the list, I personally would switch Takamine into the B tier though I think they are certainly above the other C tier options.
Collings are good guitars but way overpriced for what they are - the frets also wear too easily
Great post!
I own a Simon and Patrick acoustic made by a Canadian company in Quebec called Godin. It has a big full sound and also sounds great plugged in.
Godin are amazing guitars! I would love to have a Godin, Bedell, or Maton. Or of course Martins, those are my favorite more well-known guitar company
I own several guitars but of course I’m not rich I got some that were handed down and some for gifts and some I bought. I have a guild and it sounds great but the action has been so high it was hard to play. I’ve had the nut sanded down at the top and at the bridge and had the neck adjusted and the only thing I know is to have the bridge itself sanded down but it’s a shame a guitar that sounds that good is so hard to play. Of course I know if the bridge is sanded down I run the risk of losing tone quality. The first guitar I ever owned came from Sears liquidation store for $17.00 and it was extremely hard to play but I got use to it but something like a Guild should play better than a dirt cheap guitar. I was told by a guy that nobody trust that it was a factory second kind of like an irregular shirt I don’t know.
I've played all but the "F" tier you mentioned, and I think you did a pretty accurate job (in my humble opinion). Santa Cruz, Froggy Bottom, Olson, Huss, and Dalton, etc are all Amazing guitars too.
I agree my fav is my 94 yr santa cruz d mdl. it just has it all for me. love this guitar.
@@johnmyers8415 I played a pre-war style Santa Cruz D at the Music Emporium in MA years ago. I fell in love!!
Agree with Tony and others on the Larrivee. I have a Taylor 614ce and a Larrivee LV-03re, also a Larrivee parlour. I always go for the Larrivee LV over the Taylor for sound. The body sizes are similar, although the Larrivee is rosewood and the Taylor is maple but the little parlour is mahogany an it also has a killer sound for the size of it. All really fine instruments but Larrivee should definitely be a tier higher in my books. The rest of the list is pretty accurate. Well done
I own a Taylor, but Larrivee beats it in bass tones. I find the Taylor extremely well balanced, but lacking “punch” in the first string.
Had an old Guild 12 string that was just right for me. I've enjoyed Martin , Taylor and Yairi as well, but that old Guild sounded like it had been a lifelong cigar smoker. Rough and warm.
"lifelong cigar smoker" is one of the best ways I've ever heard a guitar tone described!
Where would you place Preston Thompson quitars?
Bought a Washburn D10SCE from a factory outlet on ebay, 15 or so years ago, for £160. What a great guitar it has been for me, and still going strong.
Might need to get the tuners replaced in the next few years, but apart from that, everything is spot on, and it sounds lovely.
My first guitar when I was 14 years old was aK Yairi for like 500 Euro, back in 1982. I Still Love It And Will Never Sell It 🥰 Incredible quality
I totally agree! I bought mine (Yairi) in 1997 and when I was searching for one I tried lots to finaly choosed between a Gibson at 2500.00$ CAD and my dear Yairi at 1300.00$ CAD. The Yairi wins all the way not for the price but for the deep sound she provides. This instrument is still is my best guitar ever!
Those are lifetime keepers.
Thanks for great video. I think you should add Furch quitar on the list 😉
Martin for sure. I have a om 18e . Been playing a lowden o10 for years. The Martin has the best tone . I feel like I’ve missed Out . Martin Tone is something special
The big 3 for me are Martin, Gibson, and Taylor. I owned a few Recording Kings but didn't like the tone. Played all the cheaper models on your list and hated them all for more than 1 reason. I've been consistent with Martin but I won't play anything cheaper than the 18 series. A Martin 18 is as low as Ill go with a Martin.
Just bought a Yamaha solid top and am pretty happy with it 😊.
#Larrivee as a B?! But that it’s equal with Yamaha and ovation??? Dude. I was with you until the B tier. Then you went way left field. Taylor has ZERO low end. None. Great quality sure but tone is very lacking and their low end 1, 2 and 2 deluxe are as high at $1700 and still NOT solid wood. Swap Larrivee and Breedlove and your set. Oh, and add Bourgeois and Rockbridge to A. This is all merely on a profession level sound basis but the best guitar is always the one that drives you to play.
I own a Martin and it was my third guitar, it just feels so good with age I’ve had it for four years and it sounds better each year.
I think this is a great list - I play a Martin D28 and I can't possibly imagine that there is a better acoustic guitar out there so I'm really curious what a Collings might sound like - not that I could afford one at the moment ... I recently got myself a 450 $ Guild baritone guitar and I was really pleasently surprised - but I don't know what their regular Acoustics are like
Collings were good a few years ago but today its not as good as a Martin.
If you like your D28, you might someday check out the HD-28: scalloped bracing and some other touches make it the better guitar.
I have an hd-28 and my guild d-55 makes it sound horrible. I would say the D-55 is king of the dreads!!