Are Martin Guitars More Valuable Than Taylors? Vintage Value Discussion

Today we're talking about the two big ones in our store, Taylor and Martin, and how they differ when it comes to resale value. Take a listen and let us know your opinions!
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[@Em_Dee_Aitch]

When Andy came to Taylor as the anointed one, I was on board. Now, not so much. My next and final guitar purchase will become an heirloom for my son, and there is no doubt that it will be a Martin.

[@CameraLaw]

Love the way you guys approach this third-rail issue. When lockdown opened up, I went to a nearby music store to buy a Martin, a lifetime dream of mine, and came home with a Taylor. My ears led the way, the Taylor sounded nicely jazzy to me, but my fretting hand quickly followed. The Martin was an HD-28E (LR Baggs) and the Taylor was a 614ce Builder’s Edition. I couldn’t really go wrong. Owning a Martin is still a dream, but on that day (actually, it was three days of comparisons with a Gibson J-45 thrown in), in that space, Taylor vibrated my strings in just the sweetest way.

[@JayPooler]

I want a SJ200 aplain 1 3500 to the nicer 1s 5000/7000 Woza..I have a Taylor 110 414 willcut lmt ed..and a12string 562 ..just brought in aug

[@chrisbotelho7212]

I've owned a Taylor 615 with an Englemann top since 1994. It is a beautiful guitar. Wonderful. Hands down best neck I've ever played.

[@inlovewithguitars]

To me, the years 1998 to 2006 are the golden era of Taylor guitars. To my eyes and ears, guitars from those years have a quality in woods and a lushness in sound I am really drawn to!

[@jim4588]

As the owner of a '99 510, I sure hope you're right!

[@scouser2230]

I agree with what you guys said re valuation of older Martins vs Taylors. Obviously as Martin was founded in 1833 and Taylor in the 1970’s there was only an opportunity for Martin to experience the “vintage” monicker.

[@markinmemphis]

There’s plenty of room for both. I have 3 Taylors, the oldest, an 810 is from 2015. I have two Martins, a new HD28 and a 53 year old 000-18.

[@michael_caz_nyc]

Both fantastic guitars. You can't go wrong with either-one. I have a 2020 Taylor 414ce-R and a 1995 Ovation Black Legend (I love em both). My advice: Pay attention to proper Humidification, care & maintenance. Great job with this guys. oNe LovE from NYC

[@thewhiskeycowboy-official]

I don't buy because someone says it is "more valuable". I want a guitar I can play more comfortably and gravitate to playing... and having played both Martins and Taylors.... I will not even think twice... Taylor.

[@jameseppinger459]

I have a d28 Martin 1968 and it really sounds good

[@joedewberry]

I love your analyses and demos. This comparison was also quite interesting. As a lefty, I appreciate you showing the lefty Taylor.

[@anthonyb2334]

I think you hit on many of the reasons WHY MARTIN vintage instruments sell for more. In my opinion, and I might be wrong, but as an older guy who is from the “baby boomer” generation (I hate that term”,) there is a SOUND Martin has that just appeals to me. Maybe the old guys like me have the coin to pay crazy money. Not me. Taylor is growing on me, I’ve owned 5 different ones but none of the upper end ones. Martin is still my favorite, regardless if it is a D28, 0015, or 00028. But one day, I hope to have one of the really nice Taylors. Thanks for what you guys do. Fantastic job.

[@ansgarness]

I bought and sold several guitars along the road. The best one I ever had is my current 2012 Martin OM28V, the one I most painfully regret selling (for a so-so Martin 0018) is a 2007 Taylor 412CE. I think my next move is for a great Taylor to accompany my OM28V.

[@gbbruno596]

I still remember when the guys at Acoustic letter went for a blind test to present the new V-class bracing, declared one of the two guitars to be fuller, with more bass and better intonation just to discover (with maximum embarassment) it was the "old" Taylor with X bracing. Taylor guitars are beautiful, craftmanship is second to none and their marketing is top notch, but they always sound thin, bright, with almost zero low end (and V class made things worse, if anything). Unless you really like that "Taylor sound", or you are a fingerpicker, a comparison between Taylor and Martin cannot be even made. Martin represents THE sound of American acoustic guitars, as it should be. It is the standard against which everything else is measured.

[@tommylitchfield3450]

I owned a little known Taylor that I traded for, new, in 1999. It was a 810 WMB. (With More Bass) Taylor knew that their sound was "thin" even then. It was basically a 910 with 800 fingerboard inlays. It sounded REALLY good in the music store, but when I got it home, to my embarrassment, my older Yamaha dread sounded better. I traded it with some money to my uncle for a 1996 Ford R150, which I traded for a 1995 extended cab Chevy 1500 that I still drive. So that Taylor wasn't a COMPLETE loss. It wouldn't hold a candle, anywhere, to the 1971 beat up D-18 that I had at the time. The same uncle that I traded the Taylor to SAT on that D-18 and turned it into firewood!

[@rosewoodsteel6656]

I just watched a comparison video by Alamo (Taylor 2017 914ce vs 2018 914ce V-Class Comparison) and thought the 914 with the V bracing sounded real nice. Check it out if you have a few.

[@nellatrab]

@@tommylitchfield3450 Taylor has always claimied they have the new brew, always...I mean they send me and everyone else a highend advertisement every quarter.

[@giuliotoffano4763]

I went to the shop to buy a Martin d15 and came out with a Taylor 310. More bass, more warmth, more comfortable. With elixir phosphor bronze is magic but if you change strings it loses that magic. I found out when I changed strings with another brand... This is to say that it is not a mathematical formula that everyone likes Martins

[@gbbruno596]

@@giuliotoffano4763 I can see a Taylor being more comfortable. But more bass/warmth is unheard of (it is not a secret that Taylor guitars are bright and thin sounding). I have not played any d15 though, but the truth of the matter is that tone is subjective. Probably, you just liked that Taylor a bit more.

[@basilbcf]

Bought my D12-35 in 1974 when I was a young airman. I remember walking into a guitar shop in Great Falls and seeing it hanging on the wall. I honestly didn't know much about Martin guitars back then, but when I played that guitar in the store, I knew I had to have it.

[@leoallard6125]

Terrific conversation, gentlemen! I enjoyed the back and forth, and honestly agree with both of you. Martin tends to 'look back' through their innovation, while Taylor tends to 'look forward' in theirs. I mean, you can purchase one of 4 D-18 models: the Martin D-18, the Martin D-18 Modern Deluxe, the Martin D-18 Authentic 1939, or the Martin D-18 Authentic 1939 Aged models. That's some serious heritage thinking! As far as the Taylor goes, I haven't found any that 'celebrate the past' by being a 'reissue' model. At least not yet. Maybe in the 2050's? So, if you are a person who values innovation, creativity, and the promise of things getting better, you are probably a younger person. And you probably don't have a lot of extra money lying around. BUT if you are a person who values longevity, loyalty, and history, then you're probably an older person. And you probably do have a little extra money lying around. So, yes, the Martins will hold their resale value more, if they are those standard historic models. At least until the 2050's.

[@jamesfulton8619]

How many guitar companies can say they were played during the Civil War,WW1,WW2;Korea,Vietnam,Gulf 1&2 nuff said.BTW I own 3 martins 1 Taylor I Fender love them all it’s all about tone:

[@RjBenjamin353]

I’ve got 3 Taylor acoustics and used to have a Martin D-28. One Taylor is a 2009 414 Ce Fall Ltd, a Taylor 514 Ce Mahogany and a Taylor GS mini. So which one do I absolutely love and play every day? The Taylor GS mini it is one great awesome instrument

[@johnsullenger4397]

The fact that everyone is always comparing everything to a Martin says all you need to know about Martin guitars

[@winejock]

I currently own a 2002 Taylor 414ce Ovangkol and like it a lot. However, it was built before they started putting the Expression system in their guitars and I'm stuck with a Fishman Prefix, which is still a pretty good pickup. I love the feel and sound of the guitar, but string it with D'Addario EXP's. I never cared for Elixirs, which I had on my Taylor 210. Guess I prefer a bigger low end since I have owned a Martin HD 28 and a Gibson Sheryl Crow signature model C & W square shoulder mahogany back guitar, both of which I sold, but now I want to own one of each of the "Big 3" brands. However, I'm retired now and don't have the weekly commission checks coming in, so if I could own only one guitar I might just trade up to a Taylor V brace 714ce. The one in Western Sunburst might just turn my crank!

[@justice1606]

They’re both fantastic sounding. I’d use both in different settings. You hit on something so very true: Taylor’s inspire my playing like nothing else. I can sit with a Taylor for hours and find riffs coming out of me that I’ve never played before. I love my 1975 D-35, but my 826e is something special.

[@nikoloff]

I watched this channel long enough to see Chris' beard gray out, waiting on Cooper's :D

[@sc12100]

@7:07 Give me a break with that nonsense. “They think they don’t like the sound”? There’s a lot of us who don’t like the V class bracing. There’s a reason X bracing has been copied for so many years. It’s been tweaked here and there, but it’s proven.

[@dondeese7167]

I was lucky. I bought a 2017 814ce x-braced guitar when the 2018 814ce v class first came out and I had the opportunity to hear both played before I made the purchase. (I’m a lefty so I had to go to the store hear someone play the righties so I could make my decision) I could hear a huge difference in the two. The v brace didn’t come close. I won’t buy a v braced Taylor, the statement that all like the v brace is far from true. I have bought two Martins and a Gibson since Taylor’s V brace has come out though. I do love my 2017 x-braced Taylor 814ce though

[@dondeese7167]

@@gettyshiloh my mandolin has V class bracing😊

[@sc12100]

“ I think” Alamo has too many Taylors in stock and are trying to move them.

[@superblindeye1]

What kind of mandolin do you have?​@@dondeese7167

[@bertrandguerra7621]

From my own experience, Taylor are much more consistent in their quality. All Taylor guitars are consistently similar, without defects. Martin, depending on your luck, you can get a shit D-18 with low projection and unsolvable fret buzz issues...or a fantastic acoustic cathedral. I would order online any Taylor guitar without fear, I would never do so with a Martin. I think too that low end Martins (

[@scoggers1628]

Agree about more affordable Taylors are better value than Martins in the same price range, albeit with one exception, the Martin Dreadnought Jr. is a damn fine guitar for it's price and doesn't get enough credit.

[@BaktaBak3]

@@scoggers1628 Had the Taylor GS Mini Koa acoustic electric . The more I played it the less I liked it. Plus the 2032 batteries for the pickup didn't last very long. Traded for the Martin Dred Jr. E . All solid wood acoustic electric with that nice warm Martin Dred tone . Fishman Electronics takes the 9 volt LONG LASTING battery .

[@aldenwilkins]

I think Dave’s signature Martin was the DM3MD. It was based on a D-28 or an HD 28, but with a 3 piece back like a 35. (Going from memory, could be off)

[@MrMattsac232]

Martin has a bit of what Gibson has going on, in that the prevailing opinion is that original designs and original instruments are better. Where as Taylor’s entire thing is basically refining the acoustic guitar to make it better. In a way the best Taylor guitar should always be this years model. That’s a simplification and doesn’t account for aging of woods but that’s how Taylor has positioned themselves.

[@charlesbranch4120]

Taylor Guitars produced 40,000 more guitars in 2021 than they did during their record production year of 2019. That's 78,000 more guitars than in 2020, according to Kurt Listug in the current issue of Wood & Steel magazine. That says a lot about Taylor's new owners, every worker!

[@falcongunner33]

Quick note on the Dave Matthews Martin DM3MD. That guitar was played a lot by John Mayer when he was coming up and was actually the inspiration for his OM-28JM with engelmann top. I feel like that has a lot to do with bumping the resale value of that guitar, a lot of Mayer discussions I've seen hold that guitar on a pedestal for Mayer, not Matthews. Great video!

[@nicolen.9642]

Martin guitars have a long history...therefore they got the upper hand. But new generations may enjoy Taylor guitars they're great. But for vintage lovers Martin can't be beat. Thanks Chris and Cooper for the review. 🎶🎶🎶

[@RonRivet]

When I was looking to buy my "keeper" guitar, I found and bought my lovely BTO5128 GS custom built for the 2012 Taylor Road Show guitar in 2014. I could`t believe nobody had bought it for 2 yrs so I got a great deal on it. I tried a Martin HD 28 and D28 but decided to go with my Taylor which was close to the same price. My Taylor has Adirondack CV bracing w/relief rout and it sounds amazing! I would love to own a Martin D18 one day but the prices sure went up since I was looking in 2014! I`ve been to Gruhn`s Guitar. Amazing place! Didn`t leave with a guitar but did buy a t-shirt, a hat and a sticker....that I placed on my Taylor guitar case. ;)

[@haroldfloyd5518]

I don’t care about what collectors value. All I care about is what guitarists value. Overwhelming collectors are not guitarists; they are investors.

[@drbrooky]

I own gibson, fender, ibanez guitars and recently went to add a martin to my collection. And walked out with a taylor 324 builders edition. Martins just fealt like and sounded like an average acoustic. But as soon as you hold and play a taylor. They feel special. And thats what you want from a guitar. Now i want a baby taylor or a gs mini plus to keep in my living room. Just to have to hand. Dont think I'll ever purchase a different brand of acoustic guitar.

[@T.C..]

I wish Taylor would tone down the number models they offer. Dealers rarely have more than a few models to try out anyway.

[@superbuddy3942]

Martin was at one time No.4 on the list of finest items produced in the US. Every Martin is pre-sold to vendors based on the vendors previous years sales and movement. Glued in hand finished set neck vs. CG necks. Ive owned both and my choice is Gibson.

[@gbbruno596]

When a Gibson is right, it cannot be beaten. Unfortunately mileage may vary with that brand.

[@yourmomsdildodrawer]

Got a 2020 814CE and sent it back in the first 30 minutes. Now I have 1997 814C and love it. I also, have a 1999 000-28 EC and i love it as well. I find myself playing fingerstyle on my Martin and flat picking on my Taylor. Both are great guitar makers.

[@strummercash5601]

Yuck. Eric Clapton murdered his son when the devil came for his soul. That “Tears in Heaven” was Satan’s last gift to EC before dragging him eventually to hell. And, Eric “wrote” that on his signature Martin.

[@rd5081]

Very Interesting discussion.. here’s my 2 cents … have 30 acoustics .. gonna start liquidating… it’s the 4th quarter of the football game .. Taylors:crisp and bright.. and responsive .. Martins : warm , rich.. responsive …all string dependent of course …Washburn, Crafter . Kalamazoo Gibson : solid sounds .. base and treble All /most Epiphone acoustics great but good sound for the money Big breaths of fresh air for me … my 1964 Sears Silvertone .. =cuts thru sound , 1965 Stella harmony 12 string … both sunbursts bought in my early teens with my newspaper route money and I still have them both … Stella needs n reset but still playable … the Silvertone was $17.95 with mulched cardboard case Did you guys see Jeff Daniels play guitar song on Kelley Clarkson’s TV show 2 nd week of May 2024???? KOOL TUNE …Great live performance , Jeff! … Not Old … just getting Old(er) ! Romeo , Michigan

[@jdb9388]

So true competition drives innovation

[@eddoucet2978]

Back in the 90s I purchased a "Monday morning" Martin. The top refused to settle in; I sent it back to Martin, but it came back worse. Finally, the retailer and I reached a deal... of sorts. The takeaway? Not all hamburgers are created equal.

[@MrClixFlix]

Taylor is only just now getting to the point where some of the very early ones could possibly be considered vintage. I think in 50 years, comparing same year to same year they will be worth the same. Right now Martin has an advantage because they have the larger pool of truly vintage instruments.

[@clovergrass9439]

Great discussion, very much enjoyed the video!

[@jackkunkel4773]

Great show boys this is something we all need to know. I know a guy with the Taylor and he is just not a “Martin guy.” This kind of explains it , thanks.

[@harrystred7350]

I think I would argue one of the reasons Taylor hasn’t had a dip in their curve to this point is due to the era they came up in. It’s not all due to this, when a company has great vision, direction, philosophy and decision making you’re going to trend towards success. Pair that with what I would say has been a friendlier market as a whole over their existence and you get Taylor guitars. Taylor has been able to stand on the backs of giants (Martin) and learn from their mistakes which is wise. But where Martin had to deal with folk/bluegrass go from pop to niche in a span of a few years, Taylor has actually seen acoustic centered music become more popular over their existence so far. Just my very brief thoughts. Again I am not saying I attribute Taylor’s success completely to luck in the market, simply that when you have a great company making a solid product and the market starts to become friendly it is a recipe for tremendous success.

[@jaked3459]

The hate for Martin is strong in this one…..

[@leerothman7570]

After 60 years of playing, having owned 9 top Martins and 3 top Taylors along the way, all I can say is Taylor's sound simply does NOT provide me with the feel that a good Martin does. Mids and Highs just doesn't do it alone for me. I have to FEEL it while I'm playing it. Ironically over the last 2 years I've moved on to top Yamaha's. They are more musical, balanced and rich then them ALL. I have a LL-56 on order and can't wait to get my hands on it.

[@steves12strings]

With brands like Blueridge, Eastman, Sigma and even Epiphone and PRS making solid reconstructions overseas at a quarter of the cost, both Martin and Taylor have no choice but to step up their game. Especially Martin. But to answer the question, at this time, the answer is Martin solely based on the surviving golden era pieces. Take that out of the equation and it's fair to say Taylor at least holds their value as well, if not better.

[@LuckyInCards]

Is Cooper Greenberg ambidextrous? Or is he just holding a left-handed guitar?

[@maxallmark736]

Love em both can’t afford either 😂

[@edfulginiti8798]

Excellent guys👍and informational.

[@jamesfe5]

There is really no debate on this. These guys know it , but still do this for a Good watch. Taylors, no mater what Bob innovates will never be in the same class as a Martin. The tinny and sympathetic overtone sounds that taylor have , is a flaw Bob just can't undo.

[@jorgesam90]

I could not get used to v class…. I had to buy a 2016 x brace! I thought I could adopt the v class, but I found that the 814 could be overplayed too easily. The 414 v class was better, but at the end of the day, I went with a 710. It’s a dreadnought and it’s what I expect Taylor to sound like.

[@sc12100]

Taylor has redesigned itself so many times, they have no identity.

[@meteor1237]

Played many acoustics in my 69 years; my 2013 Taylor 618e best guitar I've ever played or owned. Know Martins are super, but my 618e just hits the spot.

[@leesanders1619]

I agree. When talk OLD guitars, Martins own the collector market. As of Today, I think that in 20 years, collectors are going to flock to Taylor V bracing special edition guitars and leave Martins behind.

[@gregepperson1793]

Martin may be worth more, but I swear Taylor makes a better playing and sounding guitar. Have you tried a GS mini? It is amazing!!

[@Romamb]

😬

[@clementnade972]

The best guitar will always be the guitar that sounds good in YOUR HANDS.

[@michelle-psl4441]

I would say that the person buying the used guitar determines the market value. Right now there are just more people who think Martin is "the" guitar to have. Martin has a historical market presence that is very difficult to beat. In a few years, the mindset could change and Taylors might be the hot ticket. Once you get past the older generations who were so Martin-focused, it will be a new ballgame.

[@sc12100]

I’m relatively young and to my ears, Martin sounds better. I don’t think it’s about young or old, it’s about what sounds better. Ive said in other posts that Taylors problem is they lack an identity.

[@Mjr1348]

Great video , so interesting. Everything is all personal preference and something is only worth what someone will pay for it.

[@aum3.146]

Adore Martin's sound and play , don't like Taylors to play, sound ok.

[@joebedale5666]

100% on-point! Love this. It is the truth people in the better - quality guitar business know but it is something they never speak. So-🤔 are you 100% sure you did not violate an industry secret🤣😆 here?

[@joebedale5666]

So... what do you do with the great vintage Pre-Gibson Epiphone guitars!?🤔

[@danielallen7384]

I think most people buy Martin guitars because they not only want a great guitar but to own a little piece of the rich history of the brand. And know when you're playing, you're holding an instrument that was made in the same building that a lot of famous guitars were also made. That is if you buy an American made Martin.

[@stephensmith60]

I've owned both (several). To me the Taylor hasn't near reached the level of a Martin. My 2 cents. Taylor is too (Lite) sounding. I want something rich!

[@timnewman1172]

A Taylor sounds like a Taylor, just like a Martin sounds like a Martin. Not better or worse, but different... Throw Guild into the mix, and we will be here all day!

[@gclaytony]

I think Martin has a particular cache' that feeds the heritage market value at this point and probably into the future. Taylor is too young in the market place (relative to Martin and Gibson) for that to be a factor yet. IMO. I do think the final year before the V-brace will have some collectability value in out years, simply because those guitars will reflect the apex of Taylor development in X-bracing. The first two years of the V-brace models may gain some value to collectors as representatives of the start up of a brand new top brace design across the model line. After that well, who knows? I think the PS series will always have some collectability simply due to their limited numbers, quality of accouterments, and unique tonewood combinations. IMO. One aspect of Taylors (IMO) is that they have a unique tone and clarity of enunciation that is not duplicated by other builders. That being said, I do feel that the 327E is a rather Martinesque sounding Taylor, tending to have more blended chords vs. the distinct enunciation typical of Taylors. YMMV.

[@jackkunkel4773]

Nailed it. Keep it up.

[@WoodworkerDan]

From my experience, the quality of Martin guitars became inconsistent, but many excellent guitars were produced in that period. For instance, I have heard that there were three fixtures to determine bridge placement, and that two were fine and one was not, so there was a one in three chance that the intonation would be off. It really was luck of the draw. Some friends of mine bought Martins during that period, and there were no issues whatsoever, but music store owners told me that there were quality control issues that lingered into the 1980s.

[@terryclay6668]

What about a 1956 model d 28.

[@blessedwithchallenges9917]

Yes

[@truthof7382]

Yes.

[@rosewoodsteel6656]

IMO, in the future, when today's pick-up systems become obsolete, old Taylor's with the huge holes cut in their sides will not hold their value.

[@johnnyx9892]

I don't care for the V bracing tone.

[@michealhuskeymusic4508]

Santa Cruz are #1 Martin is #2. But my ‘97 Taylor 410 (last year they made the back and sides out of solid mahogany) sounds better than any of the 410’s after that…at least of the ones I’ve heard and played. My 2017 Martin OM 28e is the best guitar I’ve ever owned. Still, Santa Cruz makes the best guitar I’ve played, short of a friends 2nd guitar he ever built. He nailed it on that one but you can’t buy them.

[@christiannordve5730]

Kudos for bring in a Lefty. God bles you, Cooper. I hope your back survived 😂. Best Regards a happy Taylor owner, that probably be a happy Martin owner as well if I could fins one 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@OneWayTruthLife]

The difference, I think, is that Taylor has constantly improved. I bought a relatively cheap Taylor 10 years back. Here is a playlist of my original songs with all chords and solos played on the Taylor in different styles: kzbin.info/www/bejne/opqsdpKEnMagnbM&ab_channel=MarioAlleckna

[@romeovelasco4151]

I just wanted to hear what is your personal choice between these two guitars without reservations ... The finest guitar always depend on what you prefer...

[@nuttynut54]

I know this video is 6months old But do you guys still have that lefty in stock I been looking for a Taylor For a long time

[@johnnyfreeman1018]

Matin is my favorite.....but in saying that all older Martins are not created equal.....I do not care about the year,I always let my ears and hands tell me.....

[@patrickroe3260]

Don't forget Taylor's guitars with the finger jointed necks. They were pretty doggy.

[@butchworm7793]

Yes, I own both and Martins are worth more!! Not only $$$$ but sound and playability.

[@YourFavouriteColor]

I don't think Taylors compare to Martins at all. I do think their QC and workmanship is top notch. You're getting a well-made guitar when you get a taylor. But their philosophy has led to, in my opinion, inferior tone all around. First off, Nitro is gonna beat UV any day. Not because nitro is like magic, but it's more porous and thinner. Same with shellac or any other thin varnish or finish. UV is okay, but nitro makes a difference on acoustics IMO. All taylors have cutaways, which remove mass from the resonance chamber, and take away from volume and overall tone. Taylor's insistence on electronics on all their guitars make them uglier, add weight, and of course are useless because an electrified acoustic guitar sounds like crap, whether it's a 300 or 3000 dollar guitar. The amplified acoustic is literally BYPASSING the acoustic guitar and listening to the bridge plate. If you want to play a superb acoustic with superb sound, get a d-28, hd-28, or d-35 with NO electronics. Get it set up and maintain humidity, and you'll never pick up another Taylor again.

[@YourFavouriteColor]

@@gettyshiloh almost all of them are. you can special order a non-cutaway of anything which I recommend to anyone, and also I recommend ordering without electronics. But the fact that, by default, almost all taylors ship with cutaways and electronics, it's just a philosophy of acoustic guitars I fundamentally disagree with

[@sc12100]

@@YourFavouriteColor Yup - Taylor’s imo are mainly built for gigging and being plugged in. That’s Taylor’s mindset. Tone isn’t necessarily their priority and Bob himself doesn’t even design his own guitars anymore.

[@YourFavouriteColor]

@@sc12100 yeah I agree it just defeats the purpose of an acoustic instrument. It's just totally misguided. I also think more gigging acoustic players should just mic their acoustics. sure it restricts movement but oh my god it sounds SO much better. A good strat sounds musical. A 4000 dollar acoustic plugged in sounds like crap and as I said it just bypasses the entire resonating body. Such a cultural/industry misstep

[@BaktaBak3]

Taylors are beautiful ......however, maybe too "furniture like" .....too glossy , and really don't sound that great until you get into the higher end register of their guitars. Martins sound great (like a Martin) at all their price points. Just my opinion. Owned one older model Taylor (414CE) that I loved......was stolen on a gig. Haven't found another I really liked since.

[@randybecker7339]

To me, vintage valuation is a shot in the dark combined with having someone or a group of someones saying, "I'll pay this much money for XXX guitar." Whithout those specific people, there is no market. Martin has been around much longer than Taylor so there are simply more "vintage" Martin guitars out there and with more out there, the greater certainty more people will be aware of their existence. Personally, I enjoy Martin's sound more that Taylor's sound. But that is not to say Taylor's sound is bad. It only means I like the Martin sound MORE than Taylor's. Which is more valuable is unknowable because you're comparing apples to oranges. Martin has been in the vintage category far longer than Taylor and Taylor can never catch up. Remember also the value of something exists only when there is someone around to agree and then pay the asking price.

[@joesanders6898]

I thought I was going to hear you play them.

[@TexanUSMC8089]

Guitar sales are through the roof right now. At some people every company will go through a drought and Taylor will hit a downward turn then...probably or maybe. Car companies go through it.

[@richardwilson5709]

First off I will say Martin Guitar sounds better than a Taylor guitar. The Martin guitar will have a better resale value than Taylor Guitar, because buyers want Martin guitars moreso than they want Taylor Guitars.

[@BaktaBak3]

Martin .....just has "that sound" & "smell". 🥰 It's "Americana" fur sure ! ! !

[@JackTheRabbitMusic]

Martin guitars: "we are so popular that we have trouble keeping up with demand...also, we can't afford new tooling" WTF?!🤣🤦‍♂️🤷 A "pre-war" guitar, to me, is anything before the war in the Persisn Gulf: 8/2/1990...that's the first war I remember as a kid. I even had trading cards showing off the newest bombs and other military equipment.

[@shravanacharyaofficial]

I still think that Martin Guitars are way better than Taylor cuz they sound even. There is no more no less of anything.. The balance between all 6 strings sound so freaking good especially when you are recording. In my opinion atleast.

[@morgunstyles7253]

Taylor doesnt deserve to be in the same room with a Martin.

[@nellatrab]

Professional musicians and rich folks buy vintage instruments...I have played some unbelievable Martin's at Gruhn's from the 40's for 5 grand. BTW I have a 69 D28 that is like a grand piano, untouched, no repairs! And my 94 Taylor 710 sounds great but different and just doesn't ring like a bell.. Taylor is on its downfall now, that's why they are changing everything to generate sales, saying they have discovered something better...Compare them guys, V vs X you will understand X braced simply sounds better! What Martin has over Taylor is tone, rich and bell like! Martins will hold their value much better! BTW I do agree plugged in is Taylor's forte why people play them out, at home they play martins...Martin and Taylor will build any inlay or custom you want if you pay them...Taylor has always claimed they have the new brew...it's marketing! Remember the models "ROBERT TAYLOR (R Taylor)" Style 1' and 2s There are several for sale down the road from my house at Dream Guitars and they sound like Taylor trying to emulate a Martin... Nice discussion guys. UPDATE March 12: I went to my local Big Box (G) store this week to buy a particular used guitar I saw online. When I was there in their acoustic room, I notices about 7or 8 used V class guitars and two 214's, a couple GT's ect. One was a very nice builders addition, along with several AD American Dreams. One that stood out price wise was a blacktop AD17e for $888, it was lightly pick scratched and had a pickgaurd added to try toccover some of it up. I must say it sounded terrible to me, even for $888....I played all of the Taylor's, but was there to buy a particular used 000-15M, as long as it was in good shape and sounded decent to add to my corral. Anyway speaking with the sales person, I asked what's up with all the used "V" Taylor's. Her response was, "seems folks are finding out Taylor's change in bracing and tone is not what they expected...We have a few more used ones in in back, if you would like to try them". I have to agree after playing them all...Taylor's are known for a bright defined highend shimmer and I surmise that the V class seems to increase that. The builders addition was so resonate in the mids and trebles it stepped all over itself ,almost like it had a delay. Just not a lot of color/textures to the sound, super defined trebles. I had to palm mute it to to successfully hear it's bass tones. Nice action though. www.martinguitar.com/guitars/authentic-series/D-45S-Authentic-1936-Aged.html

[@ericoswood1856]

Martin guitars maintain a higher residential value then other acoustic guitars. Preowned Taylor guitars are basically used guitars, they’re good but they do not hold their values like Martins. I know based on real experience.

[@markhill9275]

What is far more valuable than either is a Maton!

[@richardwilson5709]

Btw, I

[@powbobs]

Never played a Taylor I’ve like playability wise. And as far as sound, Taylors only sound good plugged in.

[@kevincrouch3956]

I go straight to the top of the hill and choose a Maton...

[@jessd1952]

Martin's still sound the most acoustickee. I'm also starting to think "kids these days,pfff".

[@rosewoodsteel6656]

Taylor has much more bling than Martin. :)

[@tobytootimes7639]

Buy a J-45 and be done with it all.

[@tobytootimes7639]

@Neon Thunderbird I feel the same way about Martin.

[@tobytootimes7639]

@Neon Thunderbird nah, it’s mostly all the loose binding and neck reset issues.

[@tobytootimes7639]

@Neon Thunderbird I think both companies are highly, highly overrated and often times lack in quality for the premium they are asking.

[@sc12100]

@@tobytootimes7639 had a J45 and the headstock broke off. Never again !

[@tobytootimes7639]

@@sc12100 that’s terrible! Did you drop it?

[@mariese3546]

There are many luthiers building guitars better than production guitars, and you’ll pay big money. Taylor’s are fine instruments but lack volume and are overpriced.

[@MrLunchHour2]

When it comes to High end guitars, Martins are better. The lower priced guitars, Taylors are better

[@R.L.Humpert]

HD 28 is far better sound than any Taylor. No comparison sound wise. Taylor’s are all very tinny other than one I have played my uncles 414. Rest are not even close To martins pound for Pound.

[@BaktaBak3]

Taylors are very nice ......however.........to thin/bright for my liking .

[@robertflagg2461]

Martin D 28s are for Bluegrass .If you are playing any other music besides Bluegrass you really don't need a Martin there are alot of good guitars now under $ 1000 ,even for bluegrass . But if you stand in a field with a full bluegrass band without at least a Martin you won't hear the guitar.Martin is the best production guitar for acoustic playing especially bluegrass for $3000. You can buy guitars that are just as good or better than Martin,they will cost alot more than a new Martin, and worth half the price forever on in ,more than likely .All 20 year old Martins are worth more than they were new! Better than stock Market, and you don't pay taxes in selling your used Martin for $10,000. Just sayin! If you want an investment Martin is just a no Brainerd all the way around with almost no risk .Can stock market say that?Take a 1944 Martin put it in a 1944 car and you could buy a house ,Or 2 if you want to live south