This is the most useful aid I've found in years. Really makes direct comparison easy. Thanks.
@RocKreations2 ай бұрын
Thank you!!!! Great way to compare the sound of each guitar.
@misha1d14 жыл бұрын
To my ear, the D 18 sounds best. All of those guitars are absolutely amazing.
@jamoe4802 Жыл бұрын
Agreed.
@gingeoram5 жыл бұрын
J45 Vintage is my favorite. Most Gibsons have the sound that makes me want to listen and to play. The Grand Pacific has a richer tone than any Taylor I've heard before. Thanks for this excellent demonstration.
@thelonglife5772 Жыл бұрын
I’m on the exact same page .. . I’ll be needing one of those j45 (50’s) newer Montana made models . The sound is what my ears like .
@estebangarcia7474 жыл бұрын
To be honest that D18 sounds better for me in my opinion.
@ralex36974 жыл бұрын
Same here, warmest smoothest tone
@RocKreations2 ай бұрын
It's a difficult decision for me. I like the Martin but I grew up listening to my dad play a '40's-50's model 12 fret Gibson.....I'm looking at it right now, and I have a hard time leaving that Gibson sound. I think a person would be happy with any ....no, ALL of these guitars. Musical instruments are like firearms, a person can never have too many.
@edfulginiti87984 жыл бұрын
Three great guitars...three different sounds, each precious. No winners/losers...just great musical instruments.
@AlamoMusic4 жыл бұрын
Agreed!
@EllyCamperChic6 жыл бұрын
Beautiful guitars. Soundwise I choose the d18.
@jsphillip606 жыл бұрын
Elly GuitarChic And apparently the Martin is the most affordable of the four. "Hey, I bought the 'cheap' guitar... it's just a lowly Martin D-18"! ;-). I've had my ears on a D-18 for a long time. I also hope to own a J45 someday. Iconic guitars for a reason. P.S. Didn't you buy one of the Yamaha A5 guitars? I've been really interested in those...
@EllyCamperChic6 жыл бұрын
Hi js Phillips. Yes I bought a yamaha AC5r :-) and absolutely love it. As for the d18 very few guitars will ever come to the level of a Martin dread. Saying that id love to own a j45 too :-).
@jsphillip606 жыл бұрын
Elly GuitarChic Yes, that's the Yamaha I was leaning towards! I play electrics mostly. The only acoustic I currently own is a Taylor 514C that I bought new in 1996. Grand Auditorium, Cedar top, mahogany back and sides. No electronics. I love it, but I'm looking for a new flavor. I thought spruce/ rosewood might be the way to go, though I seem to be attracted to the sound of mahogany b/s guitars. How do you like the sound of the electronics on the Yamaha? I really need a "gig ready" plug in and play guitar. Thanks for your feedback! :-)
@EllyCamperChic6 жыл бұрын
@@jsphillip60 it is second to none. Honestly you can't go wrong with the yamaha guitar and their electronics are fantastic quality. an All mahogany guitar is my favourite but I have always found spruce top with rosewood back and sides to be more reliable, meaning the combination of woods to always sound good and is more versatile. Good luck with your choice :-)
@jsphillip606 жыл бұрын
Elly GuitarChic Thanks again! :-)
@AndyKimbel5 жыл бұрын
The 517 is a great guitar in all respects. I have played it, and also the other Grand Pacific models and really enjoy the instruments and all that they can create with so little effort. I have also played the Gibson models and they are fantastic as well. Choosing a guitar as to which is the right one for you is truly a very personal one. Best to put a guitar in your lap, play it and select the one that communicates with you over time. Keep coming back. Play it for an hour or more. No pressure from salesmen! What is the potential for you to work together in expressing and growing who you are as a musician?? You have to feel it, not just hear it. It takes two, the guitar as well as the musician. The relationship between the guitar and the one who plays it is what enables music to land, not just be heard. Listen for the complexity of the overtones. It is not only the note, but what happens to the space that surrounds it. I must say, as big of a Taylor fan that I am, in terms of it all coming down to the sound, the Martin D-18 really is at the top in that particular category- type. It really is. (Do check out the HD28 as well). I guess Martin has earned it as the reputation and history of these instruments precedes them for all the right reasons. Love playing Taylor guitars through!! Probably the most fun I have ever had playing any guitar of all the larger "mass-production" builders. I feel like I am on auto pilot with these guitars! Taylor 12 string models rule. All the best!
@ricardorobbiano4524 жыл бұрын
Congratulations for your comment. The most accurate and brilliant I've read on the web about instrument testing. Cheers!
@dmar36516 жыл бұрын
If Taylor were indeed going for that old music sound, then they definitely achieved that. The comparison with the J-45 Vintage was really spot on. They sound like brothers.
@kalvino676 жыл бұрын
D18 all the way!! You sold me!
@parkerramsay9904 жыл бұрын
Just purchased my first guitar and went based of a few recommendations and this video aided as well. Thank you. Happy owner of a J-45 😀
@AlamoMusic4 жыл бұрын
Rock on!
@dennism71914 жыл бұрын
The J45 Standard had the most robust sound to my ear and was loudest. Loved the tone. Taylor was a bit thin in this group. My next purchase decision is going to be very tough, especially since my current guitar is jumbo, mahogany body and Sitka top. I will most likely head toward rosewood.
@fender16814 жыл бұрын
The 517e is incredible. It's my "late to work" guitar ... just can't put it down...
@AlamoMusic4 жыл бұрын
Haha never heard that one before (:
@arunakalu6 жыл бұрын
All guitars sounds great. But I would like a 517 for new looks and a bit of a modern sound. Sound is such a personal thing.
@chinopapillo4 жыл бұрын
Love how the J45 standard sounds!
@swampscott26705 жыл бұрын
No matter how often I test and listen to acoustics I always land on a J45 (standard, not the fake vintage). It'll just be a matter of finding one that is actually really good and without any defects that slipped through QC.
@jsphillip606 жыл бұрын
Gibson J45 Vintage and Martin D-18 are the standouts for me (for different reasons), but all four guitars sound very nice, there ain't a runt in the litter! Hats off to Taylor for this welcome new line.
@jamesmoffatt64356 жыл бұрын
The J-45 Vintage...deep, deep resonance reminiscent of the big box solid body Acoustics of the 30's & 40's... Great playing, Mon!!
@RonRivet6 жыл бұрын
The 517 held it`s own when compared to the big name, big sound guitars but I have to say....the Martin D18 is so sweet sounding! This coming from a Taylor guy. :) Well done as usual brother!
@RonRivet5 жыл бұрын
@Timothy Lee Martin D18 and the Gibson J45 are the "big name and big sound guitars" that have been around for a long time compared to the Taylor 517. That`s what I meant. I have 2 Taylors and have visited the factory in El Cajon. I am aware of how big of a brand Taylor is.
@BlackKeys_366 жыл бұрын
I had the privilege of playing a 517, a 717 (both straight out of the box), and an assortment of high end Martins, Gibsons, and Guilds last week, and my takeaway playing them in person in a quiet acoustic room at a local music store was that if you handed those 2 Taylors to any objective experienced (those two things are probably mutually exclusive) guitar player they would like them and say they are good guitars that play and sound great. The new neck carve was interesting and i enjoyed playing it. To me and the other 5 or so people hanging around, the 717 was the unanimous winner between the two new Taylors. Where you will lose people is in trying to make them compete with a Martin, Gibson, or Guild dreadnought for a dreadnought sound. These guitars still have a distinctive "Taylor" sound and play and sound great. I was hoping they would sound less Taylor and more typical dreadnought based on the marketing, but that just wasn't the case. The AG expert at this music store who does multiple trips to Taylor and Martin every year and buys literally hundreds of thousands in high end acoustics annually said with confidence that it has to do with Taylor's neck joint and that as long as they do their necks the way they do they will always sound like Taylors and never be able to get the traditional "dreadnought sound". I don't know enough to comment on that. I left the store thinking, "that's a sweet acoustic guitar, but i would never buy it to fill the dreadnought niche in my collection."
@fedexnman5 жыл бұрын
Taylor , bolt on neck , makes it easier for neck resets . I don't think they even use glue ? I think the Taylor in the video sounds the best , but that is a microphone and not our actual ears . I'd love to hear in person .
@daleshipley69926 жыл бұрын
The Gibson Vintage sounds so alive - first choice for sure. The D18 is always a great guitar.
@bonannop4 жыл бұрын
Nice Chris, comparisons are always useful -- that D-18, very nice
@AlamoMusic4 жыл бұрын
Glad you liked it!
@cliffordgwekwe98535 жыл бұрын
A lot of people believe in martin including me but honestly i fell in love with the taylor and the j45 vintage.. Thanks for making this video man
@sheridanhenson28866 жыл бұрын
Outstanding video as always, Chris, and I really appreciate the thoughtfulness of a comparison. I can't wait to play one! That 517 is SO balanced on a mic.
@donadolfo116 жыл бұрын
Despite all the V-Bracing and the new Grand Pacific shape, soundwise I still clearly go with the Martin D18. It's just this special sound and tonal balance.
@kellyc24255 жыл бұрын
The D-18 is pretty darn special!
@jaydeebuensalida20546 жыл бұрын
i like the Gibson J45 Standard & Martin&Co. D18
@jimmy56344 жыл бұрын
Me too...got one of each.
@srqpdq66975 жыл бұрын
This video was so helpful to me thank you! I found myself humming and scatting to your playing on the J45 Vintage and then doing so even better on the Grand Pacific which I just purchased. Thanks again - you're really good at what you do.
@susanlyman-krom26614 жыл бұрын
Loving the Gibson
@AlamoMusic4 жыл бұрын
Gibson's are amazing!
@paule46964 жыл бұрын
This video makes a great case for owning multiple guitars. I'll be showing this to my wife! To my ear the J-45's had more bottom end which would work better in a solo singer/guitar setup. The Martin and Taylor were brighter which may let them cut through a mix better with a band. All sounded really good to me. If I could only have one I'd probably go for the J-45 Standard.
@RogerThat9024 жыл бұрын
That's what I heard w/ the J-45. I'm not a big Gibson fan, but I love the low end of those Gibsons. May have to just follow my ears and just get one :)
@nathanbarnette11623 жыл бұрын
Good luck!
@NexusDL124 жыл бұрын
I think they all sound great and very similar. If I were to spend my hard earned money on one, it would be the 517! The Taylor slope style dreadnaught held its own against those other fine guitars . I think the 517 had a bit more projection and sounded sweet with nice bass and treble notes coming out of it. Aesthetically, I think the 517 was the best looking guitar of the bunch and with the rounded edges on the binding , it would be the most comfortable to play! Taylor 517 wins it for me!
@scottwilson7095 Жыл бұрын
The j45 vintage is my favorite. I was surprised that the Taylor sounded so similar. Very nice guitar. I still want the j45 vintage though. Thanks for the review.
@dgheonmd4 жыл бұрын
wanted to like the J45s and they were fantastic, and although the vintage J45 was very close the Martin D-18 probably sounds best. The Taylor has made a huge improvement in the dreads but has less bass and more mids. Not as warm as the others.
@lefty19492 жыл бұрын
Great comparison as always. My preference is the J45 Standard. The Vintage J45 had a bit too much boom for me. I prefer the shorter scale on the Gibson's. The D18 sounds very good. Didn't like the Taylor as much. With that said, I currently own Taylor 214CE and 324CE acoustics. Being left-handed, it's great that Taylor makes all models in a lefty version. Thanks Chris!
@stevecurtis9086 жыл бұрын
They are all wonderful, really helpful review thanks. But my overall favourite was the Taylor 517 because it is so even-handed. The Martin wins in the power stakes but the Taylor has better articulation to my ear. I am more a fingerpicker so probably a bit biassed toward the performance in that arena. (Auckland, New Zealand)
@scottperry81626 жыл бұрын
Man I love your style of acoustic playing!!!
@bobs28095 жыл бұрын
D18 sounds best to me.
@kenwilson38883 жыл бұрын
In my opinion, I thought the Taylor sounded a little more alive than the rest, the Martin sounded a little bassier, the Vintage coming a close second. The sustain in the Taylor with the note clarity makes it a winner.
@chadnedohin6 жыл бұрын
I was really hoping for more out of the 517, but once again, the J45 Standard proves its worth, with the D18 winning the country/bluegrass category.
@JorgeTheilacker6 жыл бұрын
Nice comparison, as always. It really helps identify what you like most.
@ksnrfl6 жыл бұрын
I'm a huge Taylor fan and have been for many years.I own a k14, 814 , a 614, and a 510 from '91. In this comparison, the Martin sounded the best. Now I want a D-18!!!!!
@TheBigDean186 жыл бұрын
I think the biggest issue with Taylor's are the Elixr strings, every used Taylor I've played that has different strings has so much more warmth to it
@NorthMan-y6w6 жыл бұрын
My take: The Martin has way better tone separation, it plays clearer, and it is a lot easier to hear the finer strings. On the other hand, it does not have the same warm and cozy sound - there I think the Taylor wins (and I am wondering if it is the Taylor that sounds the most "vintage")? I think the Gibsons have a nice sound, especially exiting with the red spruce of the vintage model - I can hear the difference. I am not sure which of these would be my pick, though. I would have to try them in person. I would like the qualities of the Martin and of the Taylor in one guitar. Maybe not possible? Which of these do you (anyone) think sounds the most "vintage"?
@jaeyooncho27124 жыл бұрын
Martin D18 is outstanding
@Tiger1016.2 жыл бұрын
This is the perfect comparison of any guitar gear I have seen so far in general. It is also the right line up of options and styles for my current acoustic search. Finally, this channel was consistently the most helpful resource when I was all over the place with my acoustic search before narrowing it down. Many thanks for all that you are doing. Will definitely stop by the next time I make it to San Antonio.
@mcdee566 жыл бұрын
Though Im not a Taylor fan, I must say that it sounds really good when finger picked here! THX
@frankbartolo703 жыл бұрын
the taylor had the most clarity, the notes bloomed and i feel it had a little brighter overall sound
@bgbreslin45962 жыл бұрын
I bought a Taylor 517 because if this video. I'm pretty happy with it. It definitely has its own voice and I feel it's a good addition to any acoustic guitar collection.
@EmptyMirrorMindful2 жыл бұрын
Personally I thought the Martin did and I wanted to prefer the gibson. Taylor was nice enough but I found the notes just ever so slightly less defined and a bit 'muddy'. Wisb I could get the depth of the gibson with the mids of the Martin. :)
@jimkif41105 жыл бұрын
I own 4 Martin dreads, D and HD 28`s and 35`s..I also own a J-45 TV. When compared in person, in the same room, the Martins are louder than the Gibby. With that said, there are days when I prefer the Gibson. I`ve never understood how people don`t get the difference between objective truth and personal preference. Most people would be happy to own any of the three in this video. I love my Martins, but the Gibson is a great guitar as well. I sold my Taylors....great guitars, but not the sound for me.
@shawnsnow64133 жыл бұрын
I was working with this playing in the background. Everytime you played the D-18 I looked up to see which one it was. D-18 ftw.
@scalwi4 жыл бұрын
nice side-by-side comparison. I liked the sound of the taylor second most to the j45 vintage; the d18 seemed to be the loudest, and i understand why people love it...not a bad guitar in the bunch. since the d-18 is in the mix, it would have been nice to see the guild d40 in the mix
@colakeith15 жыл бұрын
Actually that is one of the best sounding Taylors I 've heard. Amazingly, when it moved to the J45 I noticed where Taylor was squarely aiming. Their tones were so similar. When the Martin came on it was almost a breath of fresh air. It's tone was clear as all were, but with a clarity with definition and a breathable quality. They all hold their own and would be a great to own.
@Pinoysoundmachine745 жыл бұрын
If i had to pick any of these guitars in doomsday without any second thoughts i’ll grab the Martin D18’s!!!!
@timknguyen4 жыл бұрын
Excellent review, Chris, as usual I learned a lot from your videos! I own a Martin Special D Ovangkol Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric and a Taylor 317e Grand Pacific and I can’t decide which one is better as I truly love them both! I am slightly partial to the Martin because it was my first guitar and I have loved the Martin sound for decades but the Taylor is superb! After watching this video, I will explore adding a Gibson to my collection (I am a lifelong piano & keyboard player who has just got into guitars) 😀😎
@srqpdq66974 жыл бұрын
Martin got the Boom, Gibson got the Twang, Taylor got the balance. Gotta say liking the 517.
@MtnLiner5 жыл бұрын
When I was young, I would have been in heaven with any of these. That being said, I drive a Chevy, drink Coors and play an old D-28.
@richardlucascronley51283 жыл бұрын
It's interesting seeing how much people use corporate brands as a part of their identity. The fact you drink Coors drive a Chevy says nothing about your character, other than you're most influenced by a certain form of advertising.
@G_Demolished Жыл бұрын
@@richardlucascronley5128 I think more was revealed about character in your comment than his.
@goeatbox14 жыл бұрын
Generally I’m a Gibson man. Truth be told I’ve always wanted to like the Taylor’s but they never sound right. Always too bright and thin. However, I’m going to need to give one of these a try. As a big Bozeman fan I must say the Martin is the absolute winner, but I like the Taylor for #2 followed by the vintage J then the Standard. I still love my Gibson stuff and will continue to play em’ but there’s always room for friends!
@Dabberontour3 жыл бұрын
J45 has the sound I love, something about the Gibson standard speaks to my heart
@austinvickymoore36563 жыл бұрын
All very lovely guitars... my dream would to own one of any of the these.. I would never buy another guitar I want to buy it and play it till I die and pass it to my kids and so on.. ill just keep saving till that day! First... I need to learn more then just one song! Lol but amazing video man keep it up!
@billgreen45926 жыл бұрын
Thanks for making this video! I guess that I have been, making, selling, and recording guitars for too long. I basically agree with you that in the studio I would want to record the 517, because I wouldn't have to "fix it in the mix." I just can't get with the rank and file comments on here with the, "Martin is the best dude. . " vibe. That statement sounds like you should be sitting in a ford F150, with a can of Bud in your hand. I would love to see all these "experts" listen to this comparison without seeing the video. . .One thing I will agree with is that up until this guitar, Taylor dreads were not good guitars. Time will tell, but I think this guitar will prove to be a winner. I was pleasantly surprised by the Gibson Vintage, that is a very nice ax.
@richardmckrell48995 жыл бұрын
I like all of the Gibson Vintage acoustics.
@cleve23235 жыл бұрын
I did listen to it blind and picked out the 18 and 45, the 517 the only one left, and with my incredible powers of deduction was spot on with the Taylor as being the first one played. I'm a regular Sherlock Holmes! LOL
@MtnLiner5 жыл бұрын
Lol. Rails on the “Brand” concept then carpet bombs Taylor dreads.
@cleve23235 жыл бұрын
The Taylor sounds awesome and the first of their long line that I would consider owning.
@1olddoggie5 жыл бұрын
I agree the builders addition are the only ones that tempt me. They sound great!
@57taylorplayer5 жыл бұрын
you can't make a determination by listening to the recorded sound of a guitar. You have to experience it by playing it hands on. You can have 2 models of the same guitar and they will be different in tone and playability. I have a D-28 and a Gibson songwriter deluxe standard, that are great guitars, but my newly acquired 517e just blows them away. I played 2 other 717's and another 517, but they didn't impress me like the one I bought. I don't think you can go wrong with a Taylor. They have perfect intonation and sound wonderful acoustic or plugged in.
@larrydunn46264 жыл бұрын
well, that depends on your purpose for the guitar. How a guitar sounds to you while you're playing it unamped is only the point if that is your purpose for the guitar. If you want it to sound good to others who are out in front of the guitar, then how it sounds from that position is what matters. They are very, very different.
@richardblock24585 жыл бұрын
I liked the 517 so much I bought one. The Martin is great, and the Gibsons are both superb. I think the 517 is overpriced but I paid a lot less than list.
@gui-texzan74776 жыл бұрын
First and foremost: What a wonderful video comparison you guys did! That may be Taylor's best dread yet, but in my opinion it placed fourth in this sound test. Also, it simply doesn't have the mojo of either of the other icons, so I would never buy it over the others.
@ricardosotosan22796 жыл бұрын
They all sound great. Each have their own strong points.
@BrianHannah7816 жыл бұрын
I like the looks, but the Martin just owns that dreadnaught sound.
@maxwellfan556 жыл бұрын
Brian H. It's great but I don't agree, sure you're not relying on past glories, noble as loyalty is? Listen to the last chord he plays on the strumming section and check again. Refinement and improvements are happening all the time as companies compete so you gotta take these other guys seriously!
@kelley716 жыл бұрын
The D-18 was not an equal comparison because of the square shoulder but nonetheless a good reference point. He should have used a round shouldered Martin. But I agree with Brian. Martin owns the dreadnaught sound. They invented it. It is what everyone mimics with that shape. Unfortunately sound is subjective and none of us can prove ourselves right because "right" hasn't been established. Of the guitars compared here, I gravitate towards the J-45TV for my style of playing. @@maxwellfan55
@truthof73826 жыл бұрын
maxwellfan55 Brian H, It really is a personal preference thing of course, but the Martin D-18 has been updated over and over threw the years as well. Last overhaul was in 2012. I do agree as some have said, that the D-18 is not apples because it’s a square shoulder.
@tomm73546 жыл бұрын
The thing I also notice about taylor that the others don't have is what you also hear with cheaper guitars. You can actually just hear him pluck the strings, while it's not noticable with the others. Maybe it's because the better lower end covers it up with the others? It just makes it sound very cheap and common to me.
@markstaggs12465 жыл бұрын
Wrong
@CalixaCal2 жыл бұрын
They all sound great! You can't go wrong with any of them.
@subbbass3 жыл бұрын
very good comparison and good playing! Thank you for this video!
@keithbaker2965 жыл бұрын
Thanks for taking the time to make this guys, it was a lot of fun to watch. I can understand why Taylor and Andy Powers want to have something very different from what Martin and Gibson offer, but only time will tell if the GP series is a winner. To my ears, this new model along with other "V-Class" guitars sounds more "modern" and "european". It seems like it would be more at home in a comparison with Lowden than with Martin.
@guitargreg514 жыл бұрын
I have a Martin Cherry OME, plays great but kinda twangy plugged in. I'm looking for a Gibson but the Taylor 517 sounded like it resonated more. Love to hear it amped.
@stoneygreek5 жыл бұрын
i have a Taylor 710 S.E. and a Martin D18. The Martin is my go to guitar. Sounds best on this vid for sure
@srqpdq66974 жыл бұрын
From the perspective of a singer-songwriter I'm really liking the 517 for it's warm balanced roundness. While the others sound crisper and more distinctive in and of themselves, the 517 almost muffled in comparison, for singing there's a little bit too much chime and twang on the Martin. I can see why so many opt for the J 45 to be sure it's just there's so many versions with so much individual variance while the 517 seems to have consistency in their production.
@johnwbanjo4 жыл бұрын
Like the D18 best although I acknowledge I’m prejudiced: I play a D18. Like the J45 standard too. The Taylor definitely holds it own. Why doesn’t it have a pick guard?
@jimdoner34435 жыл бұрын
Taylor sounded the best to me and the Gibson standard really surprised me I thought I'd like the v o s better but the standard won out. Martin sounded muddy in its minds so slightly unballanced.Thank you Chris all the guitars are very nice and have my respect prefferences are just that what my ear hears.
@kinnjohn6 жыл бұрын
Thanks for a great comparison as always, but you should have played that lyrical finger style tune on the J45 vintage as well instead of the bluesy stuff, because I think the Vintage would have sounded great on that tune. All great guitars, but forced to choose, I'd go with the J45 vintage.
@algomez046 жыл бұрын
I love Martins but I’d take the J45 in a second.
@oaktree16286 жыл бұрын
algomez04 I bought a J45 and an HD35 to get the best of both worlds.
@algomez046 жыл бұрын
N M ok man just rub it in. Lol. Congrats. Do you lean to one or the other or use them for different things?
@oaktree16286 жыл бұрын
algomez04 - the J45 is great for strumming and playing hard whereas the HD35 is really great for finger picking. Doesn’t take much effort to get a big sound from the HD35 due to the scalloped bracing and the rosewood back and sides. I love them both.
@algomez046 жыл бұрын
N M awesome. I’m looking for a hardcore strummer. I have a Martin 000 I use for blues and finger picking
@oaktree16286 жыл бұрын
algomez04 - one thing I noticed is my J45 is more high maintenance. It is more sensitive to low humidity environments than my HD35. In fact, when I left both of them out of their cases for several weeks this winter, the J45 went out of tune more and the string action lowered so much that I started getting really bad fret buzz higher up on the neck. This didn’t happen with my HD35. I put the J45 back in its case, added some hydrating products, and a week later everything went back to normal.
@Transterra556 жыл бұрын
All very nice guitars--the Martin had the most balanced tone and nuanced midrange and high end.
@auramac4 жыл бұрын
All sounded good at various times, but by the end it was apparent that the Martin was the smoothest, most solid- as if this were the guitar and the others were mimicking it. I was shocked, because I have a J45 and expected one of them to be more pleasing to me. Actually, the Standard came in second.
@marcscordato43856 жыл бұрын
As a rule of thumb I prefer Taylor to Martin with the exception of dreadnoughts thats were Martin shines . The Taylor has a clean sound with a solid mid range punch. But the Martin has that warmth they are known for . It will be interesting to see if Taylor can also dominate the tradition dreadnought market that has alway eluded them.
@markrobinson8916 жыл бұрын
A local luthier told me he’s seen Gibsons come in to the store in varied quality control. Also, just personal taste but I can’t look at a bridge mounted upside down. This demo didn’t help me. Need them side by side in my living room.
@timgelder42636 жыл бұрын
Their QC can be shaky. When I bought a J45 in 2006 I took it in for a setup and was told about a hump in the neck where it meets the body which in my naivete I hadn't noticed. I took it back and got another which turned out to be an incredible guitar which will be with me till the end.
@JorgeTheilacker6 жыл бұрын
You're right!! Need them too, rsrsrsr
@marcscordato43855 жыл бұрын
Mark Robinson Never played at terrible Martin or Taylor but There are wonderful and horrible Gibson’s .
@jimmy56345 жыл бұрын
Gibson has stepped up their game. A lot of that stuff about inconsistencies is from years ago. My J45 is stellar . Don't believe everything you hear.
@mervinjumawan67845 жыл бұрын
In this group of guitar the Martin sound more of a all rounder guitar
@claytonthurmond83724 жыл бұрын
Great video. The Martin and the Gibson ran it close. In my opinion Martin took the first round with the J45V taking the second. Round three could go either way. Martin is classic dreadnought though. As for Taylor, dreadnought isn’t at its greatest. It doesn’t sound bad here, but can go with Gibson and Martin. Now if you did a Grand Auditorium competition, Taylor very well could win
@AlamoMusic4 жыл бұрын
Fair enough!
@frederickthompson86866 жыл бұрын
I'm a sucker for Martins. My HD-28 just oozes complex sounds, depending on attack and voicings of course.
@blakevanhouten16724 жыл бұрын
thought the J45 vintage and the 517 were very close. new J45 sounded warm and mid rangy (in the best way) and the D18 sounded scooped.
@1olddoggie5 жыл бұрын
I love the Taylor 517. All sound great. The 1.75 nut width rules out the Gibsons and other guitars. Sadly. Small hands are the only trait I share with Trump.
@stellingbanjodude4 жыл бұрын
Rick Costa it’s a shame you didn’t come with his work ethic! Hahahahaha
@robertlester6415 жыл бұрын
1) 517 2) J45 Vintage 3) J45 4) D18 Martins always have more boom and jangle to me and I am all about the warm mids
@robertlapp97866 жыл бұрын
I love mahogony body acoustics!
@adriannasanchez4685 жыл бұрын
They're all wonderful instruments. I've read comments about the record-ability and note distinction coming from one bracing pattern to the next, but I find that strings and top wood play the largest role, of course back and sides too. Hogs in general seem to have great clear piano like ring but also that non boomy growls low end that really rumbles your gut. I think hog instead of rosewood will make a larger difference regarding boo mines and note clarity than bracing pattern
@JayValorMusic4 жыл бұрын
The 717 would be a better comparison since the 517 has a mahogany top. That Martin D-18 sounds absolutely perfect though.
@deepeegg4 жыл бұрын
517 has a spruce top.
@UAL3204 жыл бұрын
Is the D-18 the “reimagined” model??
@brenthall91676 жыл бұрын
Ok, so I own a Taylor and a Martin. Slope shoulder is my next guitar. Here’s my preference: 1. Vintage J45 2. Taylor 517 3. Traditional J45 4. Martin So for $1000 less than the Vintage J45 I think the Taylor is the best option here. I’m always amused by the Martin or die people on here. I love my Martin but it’s not the only flavor I like. Can’t wait to start seeing these Taylor’s showing up on stages around town here in Nashville!
@bradh.6896 жыл бұрын
It's more money, but check out a Bourgeois SS dread! I just picked up one a few weeks ago and its quickly became my favorite guitar I've ever owned.
@larryadams18735 жыл бұрын
Great video for sure. Very interesting comparison of some very different sounding yet awesome and iconic guitars. Personally I’ve never been a Taylor fan. I tend to lean toward the Martin sound with Gibson as a very close second. The Taylor was super impressive. It has a more familiar tone more like the others. It does have that “old school” flavor similar to Gibson and Martin. I think in time it will open up and sound much better but for now I lean toward the Martin. It’s the best thing I’ve personally heard from Taylor and it refreshing to see them build something that has a classic flavor to it. Again great job on the comparison of some classic yet very different sounding instruments.
@billadama5 жыл бұрын
The Taylor's top is torrified, which is a sort of aging process. This means it won't open up nearly as much as a regular top because it's mostly done that already. The good news is you don't have to wait for it to sound amazing!
@bigpike086 жыл бұрын
D18 👍 The Taylor is too thin still
@CameraLaw3 жыл бұрын
Late to this party, but really loved the comparison, the playing, and all the thoughtful comments. The Martin has a smooth overall tone. But the lead lines, which I like to listen to, stand out better to my ear on the Taylor and the Gibsons, even if its at the cost of the fantastic Martin bass sound. I own a Taylor 614ce BE, and what I personally like about the Taylor signature sound is that, to my ear, the strings sound more like those on a piano (which I also play) than a guitar. They ring out. Great attack and lovely sustain. I get that others don’t like it because, to be honest, it is a different tone than any other brand. But I love it, and the Grand Pacific 517 BE is very appealing to my ears based not only on this video, but others. I also played a 517 in the store at the time I was also looking at the 614 that I ultimately preferred for not only sound, but also for it’s beveled Venetian cutaway. But the 517 was nipping at its heels. (Other guitars I considered at the time were the J-45 and Hummingbird (Studio models), and an HD-28).
@teamrockettes4 жыл бұрын
The J45-Standard had really nice articulation. And strangely when I wasn't paying attention I thought the addy-top vintage J-45 was the martin.
@jamiemcneil94625 жыл бұрын
Which one is the best is easy to answer - All of them are the best. Honestly, these are all high end fiddles with exceptional build quality. Only one thing - they all sound different, so what you are listening for and want, will vary from player to player. I was amazed by the dynamics of the Gibson Std. J45 .. Notes seemed to be flying out at me from everywhere. I am listening to Klipsch Cornwall's powered by a Prima Luna amp that is driven by a PS Audio Direct Stream DAC. The D18 sounded exactly like a D18, it's got a sound, and if you want that sound nothing else will do, but in no way does it match the Std. J45 in dynamics. The music had greater layers with the Std. J45 and the notes blended nicely presenting a smoky butter smoothness that really grabbed a hold of my ears. Compared to the Std. J45 the D18 sounded a bit clinical. Not as smooth and not as dynamic, but the isolation of every note and crystal clarity really stood out in the D18. The Taylor and the Vintage Gibson are not front runners for me so I have nothing to say about them. Thanks for the cool vid. I already own a D18 and was not in the market for any guitar, but now a Gibson Std. J45 will have to be mine in the near future.
@cmcg57885 жыл бұрын
In this particular video, I prefer the sound of the J45 Standard the most--surprising, since I own a Taylor dread and a Martin 00L and I haven't played a Gibson acoustic yet that I like.
@dougmckernan85806 жыл бұрын
Thank you for this review. I think the sections played up the neck, and finger style are where the Taylor differentiated itself. It seems as if You needed to attack the Gibson's (and to a slightly lesser extent, the Martin) a bit harder to get the same response.
@jenslorbeer53075 жыл бұрын
I find the Martin the most charming in this video but I bet the Taylor will cut through any mix right at the spot and will shine in a band. I have never really cared about Taylor but they produce a lot of useful stuff
@thomaskendall62554 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the review... I just started looking for my next acoustic, and I found this extremely useful. Having played several Taylors I had completely ruled them out because of the lack of depth and "over-brightness" as I would probably describe it. I do think the D18 still sounds the most balanced of all of those guitars, but the J45 always seems to feel better and have a nice mellow deep tone. The 517 in your review sounds like a J45 Vintage with all it's deepness, but at the price of a J45 Standard, which makes me want to try it if I can find one (no luck so far, though). Really curious how you would say it feels as compared to the J45. I feel the D18 has a stiffer action, and the J45 is softer and easier in comparison. The Taylor 8 series I've tried seem to fall in between the two. Any thoughts on that? I know it's been a year, so..
@michaelmetal715 жыл бұрын
hey chris it’s michael great job,you need to put a lesson video on how to play those cool passages you play in all your videos,anyway love all those guitar i’m warming up to the grand pacific but you know me being a lead guitarist i need that cutaway to reach those higher notes will it come with that option and a lefty, model btw i still need a J-45 or J-15 to finish my collection and my wife needs a Taylor K12-E
@billypickering2644 жыл бұрын
Very surprised by the j45s, thought it was ahead of the rest for tone, the vintage and d18 both close for 2cd I
@Imafriggingoddess6 жыл бұрын
I think the Martin takes it for me. Second is tied between vintage J45 and Taylor. J45 standard sounded very lackluster to me.
@karalee57276 жыл бұрын
Flat picked I liked the D-18, but finger style I liked the Taylor.
@kirkeipper99906 жыл бұрын
Kara Lee for fingerpicking find a mid-70s D18-S. 12 frets to the body bigger neck and larger upper bout.