G45 vs AD17 - Made in the USA Acoustic Guitar Battle (Taylor vs Gibson)

Today it's a battle of the lowest priced US-made acoustic guitars from Gibson and Taylor. With only $100-$300 difference (depending on pickups) would you go with the Gibson G-45 Standard or the Taylor AD17?? Both models are new within the last year and provide HUGE bang for your American dollars!
Gibson G-45 Standard:
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Taylor AD17:
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[@A2an]

Just Beautiful played, as always. Thanks for your time and effort. I really enjoyed these small videos ("intermezzo")👍

[@coryeasterling1073]

Finger style they were closer but when played with a pick, Gibson by a landslide. I mean good grief it sounded so much better than the Taylor with a pick. I was considering the Taylor before this. Thank you!!

[@guitarbite2514]

Not even close, between these 2 guitars.... Gibby all the way.

[@Bossanovawitcha]

people always compare sound to what they expect from the past sounds, which were often flawed and limited ..

[@Bossanovawitcha]

the Gibson dread is larger, louder, not necessarily better, especially finger style or plugged in.. one better for digging in, the other better for vocals.. both great rigs tho

[@miggybyte]

Been looking forward to this comparison. Thanks guys! Both of these guitars on my list. Just need to pick one though.

[@yusufjona7173]

Greetings from London UK......The G-45 Standard for me all the way in this case! Another nice comparison. Thanks guys....very helpful as always.

[@marzipanolicorice2762]

I wonder how much brand name loyalty plays into these comments? Listening to the comparison clips at the end, the Taylor is not only louder, but also less “muddy” and generally better sounding.

[@nathanpartin7197]

It seems like the talor has more sustain, the gibson notes decay too quickly for my taste

[@Kamotez]

I have a G45. I love it, i think the studio version of it is the best guitar on that price point. The AD17 sounds good too, im thinking of getting that or a Furch vintage 1.

[@janmichaeljablonsky9847]

I've said this before, but they should do a pre-show appraisal before the cameras roll. Perhaps that would minimalize the waffling.

[@tyleranderson9190]

No surprise here, the Gibson sounds like a Gibson, the Taylor sounds like a Taylor. I prefer the Gibson but they both sound good.

[@kylersmith709]

Do you by any chance play trombone?

[@tyleranderson9190]

@@kylersmith709 I do not.

[@kylersmith709]

Ok sorry for the strange question, I know a Tyler Anderson that does!

[@slpc30]

Oh wow how did I miss this video thank you for posting this

[@peterbonanno846]

I don't know guys I thought that Taylor sounded pretty good

[@raydecampos7327]

Gibson! I played one of these and I loved it...

[@whatsupchicken]

This G 45 has a really nice sound. Unfortunately the new G45 with the side hole called Generation Collection is far inferior thin sounding. Not many people talk about this confusion about the G 45 standard/studio vs this new G 45 Generation Collection side holed weird thing.

[@Digitaliziation]

Gibson for sure

[@shivaskrivs2612]

D40 Guild should be a third option in this comparison.

[@stevezelik9535]

Gibson for the bass. Taylor for the playability. Depends on what you play.

[@BaktaBak3]

Both NICE !

[@tbchew6591]

Love gibson sounds.....original slope shoulder sounding

[@briang768]

My ears prefer the G-45. YMMV.

[@texhaines9957]

The Gibson sounds like it has a bit more bass. I've heard that walnut is a cross of maple toward Rosewood. What's the difference in scale length? Nice comparison Quinton. Thanks Paul.

[@soofitnsexy]

same i think

[@TheSoulsandRevive]

Great review. Gibson is my preference. Cheers

[@iconoclast2.079]

Maan I must attest Gibson makes the best sounding acoustic.......all Taylor’s kinda sound the same from laminate to solid....I bought the Gibson g45 studio...the walnut was a little stiff at first...but my gosh once it got played that walnut starts opening up...it creates such a solid even tone...... replace the 11 strings with so-10 lights and it still sounds awesome tho it’ sound more awesome with the sz-11 strings...the neck is awesome for finger wrapping...unlike the wider J45 and J15.... looove the satin artsy Finnish...this g45 studio is my forever guitar. My Taylor 110 is up on Offer Up for sale lol...I’m a forever Gibson convert!

[@jaydavis7258]

The Gibson rings on the high end a bit more than the Taylor.

[@metalrunner4398]

Gibson all the way! Try comparing them to Furch blue series which is in the same price range.

[@dingalsbe88]

oh yeah, that Gibson sounds real good...

[@Serial1132]

What is the song at start ? Just amazing play

[@LindaLooUK]

The Taylor sounds a little more forward and clear to my ears but they're both good. A request about not palm-muting if possible as it's difficult to hear the true sound of the bottom notes. Thanks guys! 😊👍

[@MrGoogster]

Excellent point about the palm-muting. Q performs it to great effect but it does limit the demo somewhat.

[@JS-nf1sn]

Is the Gibson using flat sawn wood for the back??? We will see how many get cracks over time. I'm out for sure just because of the flat sawn wood.

[@shawnclayton1804]

Taylor's the winner here in this comparison. I really love Gibson, but I have to call it like I hear it.

[@mickymillersson4376]

I noticed that both their voices sounded bassy at the beginning which leads me to believe that there is some, shall we say, manipulation on the sound spectrum.

[@colakeith1]

They both have a great tone and made in USA! The AD17 was crisp and articulate. The G45 had a fuller sound with undertones I liked a little better than the Ad17. Both would be a good instrument to have in your arsenal. Though I would buy the G45 before the AD 17.

[@edfulginiti8798]

Taylor to my tin ear...lovely sound.

[@donadolfo11]

The Gibson for me!

[@toddbeeman5933]

My local guitar shop got 2 American Dream acoustics a few weeks back. The one with a natural top sounds extremely muted, doesn't have hardly any tonal range, and is very quiet. The one with a black top sounds pretty good, until it's compared to a 300 series. I'm not sure if the natural top AD17 is just a bad apple or if they're all like that.. but I was so disappointed when I got my hands on it for the first time. The one in this video sounds way more like the black top one I tried at my local store. As far as the comparison to the Gibson in this video, I believe the Taylor came in a fairly lengthy second place. When I saw the introduction of the new Taylor Grand Theater, I was excited. I've been wanting a parlor-type/sized solid wood acoustic to add to my collection for a while now. But then I heard about all the specs, saw it didn't even have binding, the fretboard and bridge isn't ebony, etc.. and it's $1600!? I've truly always been proud to own the Taylors I have because of their stance on the environment, sustainability, the quality of their instruments, and more. I thought the American Dream series was a great idea.. until I played one that sounded like a $150 piece of junk. Then the outrageous price of the GT. My mind has been changing rapidly about Taylor, their ideas, and their products. It's sad. I should've known 2020 was going to knock my acoustic guitar manufacturer off the pedestal I've imagined it being king of for years. I'm gonna slowly start selling off and/or trading my Taylors for companies I feel more comfortable representing and supporting. It's time to get more Breedloves and Martins.. and probably add a Gibson or 2 to my guitar room.

[@tincansailor9437]

This multi-Taylor owner votes for the Gibson. Not even close to my ears. Listening with good headphones, too.

[@MrGoogster]

Pretty easy call for the Gibson overall. The Taylor sounded a little "student-guitar" to me.

[@JorgeTheilacker]

Gibson has the fuller tone I like. Taylor sounds too treble

[@roymoderatto]

So close! I guess it depends on the song, even. But you know? I tried the G-45 Studio an it blows away the Standard! Sonically, better than its more expensive sister! Probably because of the thiner finish. And it’s $999 with the same case. Most affordable USA madeI all-solid wood dreadnought. Tried both of them at NAMM. I want to own the Gibson G-45 Studio and the Taylor AD black top... they would record great doubling the part with same mics and hard panning. The Black top looks killer!

[@robertoboyle1153]

Yes the Gibson please!

[@seamusdelahunty1615]

might be down 2 which comes with a case

[@awe1953]

A Blueridge BG-160 slope shoulder will put both of those guitars back on the wall!!

[@audioruss]

Taylor was far better. Sounded woodier. The Gibson was tinny.

[@mrassilyer]

At this price point, I would chose the Taylor, because it’s always going to be easiest to play.

[@bb38313]

my $500.00 Alvarez sounds better than both. I bought mine in 1971

[@Joe_Montfort]

It should. Adjusted for inflation, $500.00 in 1971 is around $3,200.00 today. Hang onto it. :) There were some awesome Japanese guitars in the 70s.

[@robbiecleighmarks3088]

Those vintage Alvies are collectible. Hang on to it

[@WoodworkerDan]

Gibson. Very smooth, more balanced, more solid sound on the low end.

[@rzh3443]

Good comparison. Surprisingly, the Walnut Gibson delivered a deeper bass and overall response. One would think the opposite given the similarity of ovangol to rosewood in the sonic spectrum. Comparing the G45 with the AD27 might be interesting as well. Taylor playability out of the start gate is hard to beat though.

[@metalplatedfacejob]

Taylors sound like Taylors because of the way they attach the necks.

[@ducwolf]

Would like to hear two exact tuned instruments ....

[@roytube10]

first 50 seconds the gibson won for what I want to hear, taylor is great but too bright. LOL I was laughing when Q came in with the product pitch before Paul could!

[@powbobs]

Taylor : for people who don’t like bass. LOL

[@JeremyCrookWrites]

The Taylor clearly sounds better to me.

[@matheusgomes3605]

Taylor always exceeds on presence. Gibson is way more balanced for my taste.

[@rgerard5083]

Seems like the guy on the right is alway irritated like there's somewhere else he'd rather be. Gibson wins hands down, btw.

[@TheCarolo08]

gibson is better!

[@SingSurfStrum]

That Gibson certainly sounds Gibsony.......Get the Elixirs off the Taylor and go again please

[@jimmessina]

Do you think that the elixirs make sound the taylor way to brighty?

[@SingSurfStrum]

@@jimmessina Yes, exactly that and a little synthetic

[@jimmessina]

@@SingSurfStrum which one do you recommend to sound warmer?

[@SingSurfStrum]

@@jimmessina Ikm loving Curt Mangan Phospher Bronze or Martin Flexible Core Phos Bronze on Taylor AD27 or Martin D18 or Gibson J200. to get warm and balanced sounds with still character from the various woods

[@viniciusvilaca4616]

Taylor all the way

[@Beatles123ful]

I think the Gibson is superior and a better value. When you look at the fact the Gibson has an dove tail joint and the Taylor is a bolt on neck makes a huge difference.

[@amaurythewarrior]

i'm sorry...bolt-on neck? on an acoustic?

[@toddaglialoro6118]

@@amaurythewarrior All Taylors have bolt-ons.

[@martinkleinman2522]

Given that price and that tone, I'd go offshore with Eastman or Yamaha. Or...save up for a better domestic product.

[@jed1166]

Yamaha Red Label FG5!

[@JosiahDietrich]

Taylor sounds like they put too aggressive of a high pass filter on it. There's almost no low end.

[@josephliptak]

Just doesn't have the sound of the much better J45.

[@bsharporbflat8378]

Not same price point, the J45 is double the price.

[@josephliptak]

@@bsharporbflat8378 exactly, and you get what you pay for.

[@soofitnsexy]

@@josephliptak always always and always...I played 27 acoustics yesterday in sam ash....the more expensive ones were always better

[@jsutton1613]

Not supposed to sound like a j45. That's why it's called g45.

[@deborahmcalister3936]

GIBSON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Powers version of Taylor SUCKS! Dont waste your money on a APowers, TayPow!

[@joycesampsonmusic9553]

Gibson all the way over the Taylor for me on this.

[@danvitale1825]

Gibson.