Some help please, Martin JC-16-GTE-R -or- Taylor 615ce

[jyd59]

I want a jumbo good for both strumming and flatpicking, and it comes down to these two. I'm leaning slightly towards the Martin, but I'd like to hear some of your opinions. Any Martin owners out there who can comment on the Micarta fingerboards, for example, or Taylor 600 series owners who can comment on the expression system with maple back/sides would be helpful.

[Scodiddly]

When I finally bought my "pro" acoustic a couple years ago, I ended up spending over 3 hours in the store (over 2-3 visits) switching between guitars. Narrowed it down to 3 similar Taylors, and spent maybe an hour switching between the three playing everything I could think of to hear how the different guitars sounded. Nobody else's opinion could have gotten me anywhere close to where I ended up, with a 314.

[redman]

The Taylor Expression System would scare me away. There has been many problems with the system. Some work great, some seem to have serious problems. Had one for 3 months, out of those 3 months, was sent back for repairs twice for a total of 5 weeks. Needless to say that guitar is someone else's problem now.

 

The micarta fingerboard is nothing to worry about. A good, dense material that will probably outlast ebony or rosewood.

 

99% of those who play it can hear no difference. The 1% who claim they do probably hear a difference because they think they should.

[JasmineTea]

 

Originally posted by redman The micarta fingerboard is nothing to worry about. A good, dense material that will probably outlast ebony or rosewood. 99% of those who play it can hear no difference. The 1% who claim they do probably hear a difference because they think they should.

Agreed. I have a D-16GT with micarta.

 

Even though I keep my nails short, I still ware grooves into r-wood and ebony boards. But I think the micarta will stand up to my playing.