• From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Topic: Martin or Taylor?

In the market for a new acoustic. What should I get?
I've been digging the smaller Auditorium bodies... also looking to spend $700-$1100.

Any advice would be appreciated.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • From: Ohio
  • Registered: 2007-09-10
  • Posts: 957

Re: Martin or Taylor?

I would say look into Breedlove. It has the smaller body and i think i payed about $550 for it, and i think it sounds EXACTLY the way an acoustic should. I traded my Taylor in for it. If you want to spend a little more, breedlove has a little higher end ones, all the way up to 5-6,000. Hope this helped, and hope you get a chance to try one out.

Good Luck!
Logan

Block inlay Gibson ES-335, 50th anniversary American Strat, '61 RI White SG, '62 RI Relic Strat, Replica Korina Flying V, Gold Tone Paul Beard Resonator,  '58 Les Paul RI, American Highway 1 Fender Strat, Breedlove Acoustic, Stonetree Joe Bonamassa Custom, HIWATT Lead 100R, Reeves Custom 30.
  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: Martin or Taylor?

I'd go Martin personally.  I do not have experience with either model you mentioned but I have day-in day-out played more awesome Martins than Taylors.  I'm sure they are both fine though.  Taylors have a certain brightness that is good for fingerpicking but can get lost compared to a thundering bassy/midrangy Martin.  I'd say play a bunch of them and take the pick of the litter so to speak.

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • From: N. Little Rock, AR.
  • Registered: 2007-03-02
  • Posts: 463

Re: Martin or Taylor?

Both are nice guitars.

    I would look into other brands.

Early 80's 1957 U.S. Vintage Reissue Stratocaster (Surf Green)-Warmouth Soloist  Pearly Gates Neck, Pearly Gates Bridge- Larrivee D-03 (Mahogany/ Spruce)
Carmen Ghia Head- Marshall 112 Cab W/G12H 30  or  Custom 4 X 6v6 Head  or  Budda Twinmaster Plus Head-Traynor 212 Cab w/Eminence Texas Heats. 
Mo'D-Eternity-Blues Pro- Timmy-BYOC Chorus/Vibrato- TC SCF- Korg DT 10 Pedal Tuner
  • Ocean
  • Silver Member
  • Offline
  • From: south of Dallas
  • Registered: 2008-06-13
  • Posts: 60

Re: Martin or Taylor?

My 2 cents is that you're talking apples and oranges with Martin vs. Taylor.  Asking which one you should get is kinda like asking if you should buy a Ford truck or a Honda Accord.  Both are great depending on the application.  I'd say - identify what you really need the guitar to do for you, take into consideration the type/size of venues you'll be playing, and PLAY BOTH OF THEM...ALOT.  Then you'll see that you need a Larrivee!  Martin tone, Taylor playability.  Check them out - absolute BEST bang for your buck in the acoustic guitar world...hands down IMO.  And whatever you do, don't ever buy an acoustic because it "sounds geat plugged in!"  You gotta like it unplugged.

CL

Ocean's Website

  • ken
  • ken
  • Titanium
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  • From: Orlando, FL
  • Registered: 2007-05-28
  • Posts: 949

Re: Martin or Taylor?

Don't forget to check out Yamaha L series in your search. Joe endorses and uses these so they must be good. I think he uses the Handcrafted which may be out of your price range, but there are L series models that are well within your range. I've never tried one, so don't know anything about them besides Joe's endorsement.

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Martin or Taylor?

I played some yamaha's and was unimpressed.

Ocean wrote:

Asking which one you should get is kinda like asking if you should buy a Ford truck or a Honda Accord.

I was hoping you'd say Corvette to Mustang...:/

I'll check out the Larrivees I guess.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool