First good acoustic, martin vs. taylor

[Pwn3d]

I kind of want an all around guitar thats going to give me a good sound. I'd mostly be playing solo with it so its got to have a nice stand alone sound. My friend has an older 414ce that I like, yet I cant justifly the price for a new one. I was looking at the special addtion martins that musicians friend sells. ( the d-15 with sitka spruce top and rosewood or mahogany sides) And I was also wondering how the taylor 210/214 would stack up to it. I know taylor and martin are nearly completely opposites, but Im talking quality wise. Like, which one would open up more after so much time and which one would serve a better purpose for my application. I am planing on going to guitar center soon to try out the taylor 200 series, but since the martin is only sold through the friend I have no way of trying that one out.

 

So could you guys tell me about the:

 

Martin D-15's and whats the difference between the rosewood and mahogany.

 

And which guitar would serve a better purpose for my application.

 

(Also, could you maybe tell me about the taylor 410's? I could maybe splurge enough for that, but that would mean no more new gear for a loooooong time.)

[KATMAN]

Myself,if I choose between a Taylor 210 and a Martin D-15,I'd take the Taylor. I played each of them for my search and found that the Taylor had a better setup and sounded fuller than the Martin. Rosewood sounds pretty good,Mahogany sounds dark,but Rosewood sounds better IMO.If I had to choose between the Taylor 210 and the 214,I'd take the 214,the 210 is a dred while the 214 is a small auditorium,kind of like a baby grand ,if you was playing a piano.

[Pwn3d]

Originally posted by KATMAN Myself,if I choose between a Taylor 210 and a Martin D-15,I'd take the Taylor. I played each of them for my search and found that the Taylor had a better setup and sounded fuller than the Martin. Rosewood sounds pretty good,Mahogany sounds dark,but Rosewood sounds better IMO.If I had to choose between the Taylor 210 and the 214,I'd take the 214,the 210 is a dred while the 214 is a small auditorium,kind of like a baby grand ,if you was playing a piano.

 

I've always liked taylors more out of a bunch, and I've always liked the 14 series better. I just wanted to keep my options open.

[Pwn3d]

Also, how are the es blue systems on the taylors?

[Cldplytkmn]

if it was me, i'd be all over a -15 series martin... i've been obsessing over them for a month or so... the all mahogany ones though, i dunno about a musician's friend special... 000-15... mmmmmm...

 

i admittedly just cannot stand taylors... they are quality guitars... but yech... just not for me

[Pwn3d]

Yeah, I still dont know. The only thing that shys me away from martin is the HD-28 that I tried sounded like crap. No matter what I tried witht that thing it sounded bad. But that was only one guitar, Im still going to GC to try out other martins for the whole "martin feel" but yet Im still leaning toward taylor.

[Pwn3d]

 

Originally posted by Cldplytkmn if it was me, i'd be all over a -15 series martin... i've been obsessing over them for a month or so... the all mahogany ones though, i dunno about a musician's friend special... 000-15... mmmmmm... i admittedly just cannot stand taylors... they are quality guitars... but yech... just not for me

 

 

What have you used in your recordings?

 

 

 

 

Argh... picking guitars.... its seems so easy until the very end.

[guitarcapo]

Taylor strengths seem to be their 14 series, their expression system, and their midrange priced guitars. The only things I don't like about them are the polyester finish they use and the tone can sometimes be a litle cold and sterile.

 

Martins have a nicer finish (nitro) and a tone unplugged with more character. Their pickup systems aren't as good IMHO.

 

Both companies are great though with their own strengths and you just have to play a few until you find one that's good for you.

 

Gibsons are also great in my opinion. I played a Masterbuilt series with a cutaway

at Guitar Center a few days ago that was killer.

[b0dah]

 

Originally posted by guitarcapo Taylor strengths seem to be their 14 series, their expression system, and their midrange priced guitars.

 

 

 

in dollars, what is a midrange priced taylor?

[Preacher Will]

Quality-wise, they are both excellent guitars. They are well-built and well-backed by two of the most reputable firms in the business. They are also built with different intentions for tone. My personal preference is for the Taylor. The tone that some describe as "sterile" and "cold" is, to me, "clear" and "ringing." That just goes to show that tonal preference is a reflection of personal taste. My advice? Play several examples of both. The one YOU like the best, buy.

[Cldplytkmn]

 

Originally posted by Pwn3d What have you used in your recordings? Argh... picking guitars.... its seems so easy until the very end.

 

 

most recordings are my takamine AN10... it can be had under 650, but you gotta find out if it suits you... its a very plain cedar topped guitar. its a flat out player though...

 

and don't worry about the frustration... when most people are confused while shopping for guitars, they end up with both guitars they were considering... in the long run that is. I've said it before, I thought when i bought my gibson that i was done, but two days later i got bit by the bug to get a 000-15 martin... i'm fighting it though... haha... i don't know how long i can hold out.

[Pwn3d]

 

Originally posted by Cldplytkmn most recordings are my takamine AN10... it can be had under 650, but you gotta find out if it suits you... its a very plain cedar topped guitar. its a flat out player though... and don't worry about the frustration... when most people are confused while shopping for guitars, they end up with both guitars they were considering... in the long run that is. I've said it before, I thought when i bought my gibson that i was done, but two days later i got bit by the bug to get a 000-15 martin... i'm fighting it though... haha... i don't know how long i can hold out.

 

 

I think the martin is in the lead right now, well, after thinking about it for a day.

[KATMAN]

Next time you go in there,bring a freind who plays,along with the salesman. Turn your head away and let them play something on it,perferably the same song. Give them each a number,let your ears hear it.Then pick out the number you liked best,you may be surprised.

[Pwn3d]

Originally posted by KATMAN Next time you go in there,bring a freind who plays,along with the salesman. Turn your head away and let them play something on it,perferably the same song. Give them each a number,let your ears hear it.Then pick out the number you liked best,you may be surprised.

 

The guys from guitar center suck at playing. Im better off going to another shop or just pulling other customers off the floor.

[KATMAN]

Next time you go in there,bring a freind who plays,along with the salesman. Turn your head away and let them play something on it,perferably the same song. Give them each a number,let your ears hear it.Then pick out the number you liked best,you may be surprised.

[KATMAN]

Stupid double post. You can bring two freinds that play who don't suck!

[guitarcapo]

It's amazing how much different an acoustic will sound 10-15 feet away compared to how it sounds when you are playing it. Often the smaller guitars will sound LOUDER. (notice how small a violin is?)