GSWJ - The Ultimate Showdown: Boucher BG52 vs Martin D41. Gentlemen, To Your Corners!

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Love to all.

[@midnightrider3318]

My vote is for the D41. Thanks for the comparison!

[@JimWalkerMusic]

Ya know something JP. When you say you love us, I believe it. I also believe you're reviews and trust your word. I surely appreciate you and all you stand for. Thanks for just being you.

[@JPCormier]

I appreciate that

[@multipipi1234]

Egmond. Aaaah. Now thats a guitar. A laminate dream. I bought it 69. Sounds great now. If your fingers don't bleed...its no good.😁😷🥴

[@throwarockatme9290]

Agreed, you can feel the love and care. Just discovered this channel today, and I’m eager to see more!

[@guitareveryone]

I’d have to go with the Martin in this demo. I still find the Martin projects a thickness and distinct tonal character that I don’t hear from the a lot of competitors. I personally own a 2006 HD-28 that even when compared to a D-45 in my living room the HD-28 had more volume and bottom end. It’s an absolute cannon. However the Boucher did sound fabulous. But may I also add that if I could play guitar like J.P Cormier a plywood guitar would sound great.

[@ShockwaveZero]

The Boucher sounds darker to me almost like a D-18

[@tothepoint7258]

The Boucher is much better over all. The Martin has a muddy bottom but that is the "Martin" sound. You get it even more on a D35. Which is my opinion is the best Martin there is. You can make that Boucher sound like the Martin with the right pick but you will never get that Martin to sound like the Boucher.

[@James-oh1wp]

Preferred the Martin sound ever so slightly

[@derekmosher4561]

You scored a D41 , that`s freaking bad ass . Good on you man .

[@revcanada2147]

WOW that Martin ! She Special For sure!

[@jaylegere]

Would love to see a Yamaha LL56 in the mix. That said, Boucher seems cleaner, Martin seems deeper.

[@jeffreycohen3451]

They are both glorious guitars. I chose Boucher over most of the competition for its musical qualities, but also in no small part because it is made in Canada. I have BG-52.

[@arielmadridejo]

Martin won in my ears

[@mountfairweather]

You wrong

[@Geeman002]

Both beautiful, I prefer the Martin but openly admit Brand bias! In second listen, I’d say the Boucher is brighter and loud, and beautiful. I may prefer the D-41 because I’m a rock player and like the darker tone, but rest assured, I would love to own both ❤

[@howardlewis3153]

The strings on the Boucher are supporting each other like voices in a great choir. As a result, the sound is better balanced and rich in stacked overtones. Sometimes the bass strings on the Martin overpower the treble strings, and they don't always sing together.

[@tanyaking4950]

My dream guitar when I was young was an HD28 Martin which my husband bought for me in 2004. I prized it until it started to lose some of its character and finally let loose the plastic binding. I had that repaired and promptly sold it. I since have bought a custom OM built by a luthier near me that shamed the Martin. It’s truly in the builder. My luthier briefly apprenticed with Erwin Somogyi and the tone and sustain is ethereal. Thanks for the work you do JP

[@billbrowder1191]

I bought my dream guitar, a Martin D41 in 1972. Two years later I played a Gallagher G70 that blew the Martin into the weeds, and then into Jerry Jeff Walkers hands. My experience was much like yours in this video. I really enjoyed it!

[@steveb9325]

I gotta go with Martin. Both incredible guitars

[@crazycat1345]

If you do buy a Martin you will need also a tube of glue to hold them together.

[@steveb9325]

@@crazycat1345 I've been playing Martin guitars for 40 years. Never had a problem. Play on Crazy Cat

[@throwarockatme9290]

Man…they both sound so good. Trying to pick a favorite is like trying to pick your favorite kid. The Boucher has incredible clarity and a beautiful sound. The Martin has those classic “undertones” and a somewhat percussive quality to each individual string. Even if it didn’t have the name “Martin” on the headstock it would be my first pick because that sound appeals to me.

[@CamMacMastermusic]

My pick is the Boucher …… Listening through focal speakers my opinion is …. I don’t hear a significant volume ( db ) difference between the two. The Martin seems to have a louder lower tone (which is really only problematic in a studio) but the Boucher is right there with it but with more of an ultra clarity response. If you pick only one string to listen to it’s so easily distinguished from the others. Where as the Martin as awesome as it is doesn’t seem to stay in its own lane at the buffet. Kudos on a great video.

[@ToyotaFJOntario]

To my untrained ear, the Boucher had an incomparable warmth. Could I be biased? What a great review!

[@angelg8445]

To be fair Martin isn't 'hand voiced' or torrefied like the Boucher. Martin only does VTS(baked/torrefied top) after 2015 and doesn't do them on ALL of their standard guitars. Martin is worth it if u go Custom Shop, used and get the torrefied vts too! Ive got a Custom Shop 000 w/VTS and its well worth it.

[@CamMacMastermusic]

@@ToyotaFJOntario bias ….. Never !!! Are you saying that we are brainwashed? Lololol. Hope all is well.

[@CamMacMastermusic]

@@angelg8445 I bet that’s a honey of a rig you got there ! Great response too !

[@angelg8445]

@@CamMacMastermusic Its a lovely guitar! Thanks!

[@wildbill13s]

Awesome playing. Volume sounded the same on this side over KZbin. Martin had more chime and thump on open string runs. Boucher had more mid punch as you go up the neck. Great comparison!

[@jw9947]

I'm glad you express your opinion. Many don't when comparing. Wish I was there in the room. As delivered via youtube and your mic I liked the Martin more. Both sounded great.

[@samcolley5031]

Both guitars sound amazing. The Martin speaks to me. Nothing sounds like a Martin to me. Something about the classic distinct tone of the Martin does it for me. I’d take these guitars until I could get a Santa Cruz. Lol

[@denisfortin5631]

Ok. I just bought a Boucher last July and shortly after I had the chance to visit the shop where Robin Boucher (my guitar maker god) and his team make those great guitar. I bought a SG51. Rosewood. I tried many many guitar (Gibson, Martin, Taylor ) in every price range. Didnt matter to me. I focused only on the result , the emotion , the projection of the sound. All sounded good but not as great as Boucher dreadnought or om. It took me 4 years to decide as I wasnt in a hurry (already had a guitar). As a guitar player I do not deserve that instrument. It s only a reward for many years of doing home improvment myself. But what I can tell you is that they do sound better. Here , this will sound strange but, I think the Martin was slightly better. Great video. Thank JP. Update. The Boucher is better. After listening the video for the third time.

[@lilycat1694]

I would like to hear both of these guitars against that Yairi you played many months ago. That was amazing!

[@endoffate5475]

I agree, that Yairi was king.

[@JackTheRabbitMusic]

I own the Yairi. I would never buy the Martin. 😂

[@Hendrix.]

Martin has a little more balanced tone, Boucher is a bit treble. I'd go Martin but a Santa Cruz got my heart.

[@2dazetake]

When you drop down to d the boucher won hands down,both sound so similar,but the clarity of the boucher takes the cake.

[@WysteriaGuitar]

I have a Martin D-41 and I prefer that tone but the other one sounds great too.

[@MsDenver2]

It was close but when you used the capo the Martin had it , it was just beautiful.

[@billieg826]

This was quite the demonstration ! Thank you. I have played Martins and a Bouchet. The Bouchet was positively alive. The ringing sustain of notes and chords was incredible. I have a Martin now, but the next guitar I want to buy is a Bouchet.

[@allanhawryluk5725]

I own both of these guitars and both are great. But I’m with you JP, the Boucher is my preference as well, but I love them both.

[@lanetacker1496]

Congratulations on the dream guitar man!! Thanks for all you do and your wonderful music.

[@billbailey2858]

The Martin has deeper, well defined bass. It’s super rich.

[@robertforbes6502]

Don't think twice it's Allright. Keep both of them, you'll be glad you did:) I need a D41 grinding teeth

[@catfishcreekchuck2687]

I love the Martin. Slightly brighter. Rings and resonates better then the Boucher. Thanks JP

[@garethmurphy8235]

Resonates better....? Huh... That is literally the last thing I would say between these two guitars. It's like watching the Yairi Masterworks video showing the difference between 12 and 14 fret neck joints where the 14 fretter has notes that are like 5 times as long and walking away saying.. "WoW.. I can't believe that 12 fret design had longer sustain"...but when you actually time it...its the other way around....So weird that sound is a defined unchanging force of nature but people perceive it differently..

[@deweybowser796]

Such great videos, Thank you from Moses Lake Washinton

[@merlenidiffer8711]

I like your channel,because you tell the truth,and tell it like it is. You have a wonderful day.

[@bobleblanc4282]

Each of the twp guitars have their own voices, each is unique to itself...It's a matter of opinion to the player and what they're looking for in a guitar...I have 5 guitars: Maton EBG808TE (Tommy Emmanuel series, signed by Tommy Emmanuel) Gibson Songwriter Deluxe Studio Edition, Taylor 314 CE, Takamine (Glen Frey edition, signed by Glen Frey), Martin D16-RGT (signed by Tommy Emmanuel) All guitars are played through an AER 60 Compact Amplifier. Thanks to JP for taking the time to demonstrate these two great guitars. Heard JP play at the Hullabaloo in Perth Andover a couple of years ago and also played with Dave Gunning... Great concert and funny stories.....

[@kellycarmouche7452]

Boucher, especially with capo. I’d have either but the clarity of Boucher is amazing! Thanks!!

[@rabbisandra]

Another great episode. Thank you

[@titojeptv4749]

Both sounded incredible.

[@guitbone1]

Martin all the way!

[@ryanbloom1738]

Got to clear something up. In the states a Martin D41 is 5000Us at sweetwater. At Sound Pure in North Carolina a Studio goose Torrified Addy Indian rosewood is 5500Us. I will say Martin is ripping you guys up North though for sure but in the States they are pretty close.

[@slc640]

Your the 1 that changed my thinking on this thank you . And your exactly right on the money.

[@paullanier8280]

I sat through it until the end. My decision was Martin . The Boucher came squeaky close to the finish line . A close photo finish . Mr. Robin has a high quality build standard and he seems to be in control of all aspects of luthiery. The best to both companies ! ! ! !

[@Joe_Hunt_Music]

Both sound fantastic, but the D-41 takes the trophy IMO.

[@darrellmorris821]

I have to vote for the Martin. To me it had a much better tone and just as distinct as the Boucher. Actually, hearing with quality your phones, the Boucher had some funny sounds to it. It may well be if I could hear it live that would not be the case and maybe I would even change my mind. One other thing, I’ve never heard a comparison of guitars where the two sounded so closely alike.

[@manfredkranz1910]

A very respectful and fair description of these two extraordinary instruments. I have a Martin D-41 since 1972. Year of construction 70/71? Unfortunately typical neck break, but professionally by Prof. Luthier repaired. Gray original case that now tends into the gray - greenish in excellent condition. Except for the break and the reddish reeling of the guitar ceiling, except for a tiny quirk in almost new condition. Really unbelievable, I know. Tone: indescribable! Thanks for your great video - greetings from Germany - Manfred

[@georgebetor2943]

Both are similar however the Martin has a deeper warmer bass response, both however sound great!

[@truthtotell7583]

I felt a touch of "Deja vu" watching this. In 1989, for the first time in my life, I had cash available to buy a high-end guitar and went to try and buy a Martin, as I understood them to be the best. In-store I felt like a kid visiting a sweet shop for the 1st time. I sat and played so many my head started to spin - how the hell do you choose?! I picked up an old wreck of a guitar, just for fun, and it was out of this world for tone and volume, but looked so old and battered I would never consider buying it. It was a 1935 Gibson, and when I was told the price I very carefully and respectfully returned it to its stand. There were some new guitars, recently imported, that I'd never heard of - Norman guitars made by Canadian luthier Normand Boucher. I tried a B20 - nice, and a surprisingly low price. Then I tried a B50 - amazing playability, volume and tone, and very reasonably priced too. Then I picked up a top of the range ST68, and to this day it sounds like the Boucher in this video. The store owner was really pissed off, knowing that I'd gone there to buy a Martin.

[@dcallan1]

I think the Boucher only sounds louder to you in the room because of the larger sound hole sending sound up to your ears. The levels on the recording are almost identical with a slight edge to the Martin in terms of SPL into the mic.

[@farmbikemike8923]

I liked the the Martin for drop D and the thumb picking stuff. It was tighter and more focused. For everything else, BOUCHER! That guitar sounds absolutely enormous. It has halos around the notes. My little 0-18 has that roundness but at a low volume. Love your channel! You’re real as it gets! Keep up the good work.

[@tr233]

Sir you did earn my sub, both guitars epic!

[@etz6]

Thank you for the video. Did both guitars had the same strings? For my ears the bass on martin had more resonance, a bit richer tone. The Boucher had a bit more even tone across the strings. So it’s a matter of taste. I would like to hear them with more hard strumming to hear what happened to the sound of the guitars. One thing for sure You are a Great guitar player! Thanks again!

[@MsDenver2]

Like you say it’s what sits with your heart . For many years I have bought and sold my guitars and never being happy, my last one I sold was the Maton 808 and I was bitterly disappointed with that guitar . It was great though an amp but acoustically no volume and didn’t feel right. So I went I told a guitar shop in Birmingham uk my problem just could not find a guitar to satisfy me. So because of a permanent shoulder injury I have to have a smaller bodied guitar. They bought me out the Matin 0m28E and said it’s the best one of that Martin size that they played , so I had a good play on it and wow it just sang , I couldn’t believe how good it was and the neck is like silk so easy to play. Well I bought it . At last I Owen a guitar I want to keep , it’s just beautiful, no beautiful decor on the guitar just a beautiful, beautiful sound fantastic, thank you Martin.

[@japanesemaplepruning]

both sound amazing in different ways. Boucher sounds clearer to my ears and Martin has a grit that I also enjoy. Fantastic playing; whichever inspires you to play better is the victor

[@Ragnar-Viking]

Great demo ! They're different

[@JJDoole]

Personal, I know, but it’s the Martin for me by a country mile. Especially with the capo on.

[@davegordon6737]

Totally agree buddy! Well done.

[@brucemayer7456]

The Boucher has a clearer sound. Both sound amazing

[@leoviel3903]

Both beautiful. I play an old Martin JC-16R GTE Jumbo Ii love it and it booms. Not anywhere near the price range as the 2 you are showing. Thanks so much . You are an awesome player.

[@markola]

When strummed the D-41 just has so much more balanced harmonics.

[@keupe]

the MARTIN!!

[@richdubose]

They are very close, but I’ll take the Martin!

[@pawwalton2157]

Happy wild hair Tuesday, nice reviews.

[@jamesdeagle]

Solid video! What do you think of James Olson guitars (James Taylor Signature Model)? James Deagle

[@mellowman8695]

The richness of the martin is obvious, and I perfered it

[@davidmeinertdecrepidude]

I heard a little more high end jangle from the Martin, but love the overall balance and warmth of the Boucher

[@RadGuitarDad]

Through my headphones, 41 all day. Especially playing blackberry blossom. But I’ll take your word for it. Haven’t played a Boucher yet can’t wait to try one.

[@normanwheeler9802]

Great job .Great guitars .but I noticed you player the martin further away from the sound hole . Makes a big difference in sound

[@stevesavoie08]

Martin cleaner and more dialed in. Boucher sounds great but slight overtones possibly?

[@2010d1a]

I prefer the Martin sound. Boucher is not bad. It seems brighter and bass is a bit tight compared to D41. I like the bass on the Martin and so to me D41 wins. Good effort from Boucher though.

[@kinnjohn]

I watch your videos with awe and admiration. You are a great guitar player, sir! BUT, if you want level playing field, you ought to compare the torrified adi top Boucher to a Martin Authentic 1937 instead of a sitka topped standard series guitar. Thanks for posting, always a pleasure!

[@jmdbb]

Agreed. Or you could compare the Boucher to the exact same woods with a Martin Custom Shop Authentic D28.

[@SOPRATENOR]

@@jmdbb Exact! Because the Martin D28 Authentic 1937 (VTS since 2015) has the back and sides in Madagascar Rosewood. I am lucky to own this guitar which is really great! But I admit that I have completely fallen in love with the Boucher for a few years, and I ordered 2 :); I look forward to my HG56M which arrives in a few days. Coming back to J.P's video, I much prefer the Boucher BG52. It is more powerful and above all, all the notes are perfectly articulated; according to my ears and my tastes, the D41 is a little mush sometimes. But after reflection, it is true that they are hardly comparable; on the one hand because the D41 has a sitka table and the BG52 an adirondack table; and on the other hand and even more, the Boucher has a torrified table, which the Martin does not have. And that really changes everything! Torrefied tables, whether we like it or not, give a more "crisp" sound. And there you have it, that was only my modest opinion. Thanks to Mr Cormier for all these videos! Friendships!

[@SteveEdinger]

studio speakers here... Martin Fanboy here... both sound absolutely beautiful... I prefer Mahogany...

[@brucef5874]

Great commentary Thanks John

[@danielstobbs7366]

Boucher sounds more refined to me but they both sound amazing in the end. I own a 1972 Norman B20 which is when Normand Boucher started his company. That folded into godin then down the road Boucher was born through Normands son Claude 😊. My Norman sounds incredible. The top has aged incredibly well

[@piotrkarpienia4779]

Gotta love D-41 . Actually Ill take her out for a spin right now. 🎉

[@johnnyrkramerthemusicmovie3147]

great channel sir great guitars and picken sir

[@DannyBrooks1]

I like the deeper tone of the Martin but it’s damn close.

[@acousticaddiction7719]

JP, you should now do a comparison between the d-41 and the sigma dt-45.

[@jorgecubasnyc]

Would love to learn that version of Don’t Think Twice! Is that a cover I can find somewhere?

[@keninnis1]

WOW both guitars sound GREAT...Being a LOYAL CANADIAN..I would pick the Boucher...I`ve to Robins shop andI so impressed by the workmanship and friendliness they have.Martins are way over priced...but again they are (not all)worth having..Boucher is my choice...I`de proud to own either guitar.

[@butchd18]

Listen to both on here martin hands down is warmer just nicer tone

[@bauerandreimihail]

The Boucher is the winner here hands down. Both have spruce tops, Boucher has Adi which is superior to Sitka; both have spruce bracing, Boucher has Adi bracing, again superior; both have scalloped bracing, but Boucher’s is forward shifted which leaves more “real estate” to vibrate; on top of it, Boucher’s top wood is torrefied, so it’s like a 20+ years old natural top. In addition to this, the Indian rosewood on the back and sides seems darker on the Boucher, so again superior to the D41, more similar to a D45 or a custom. Very nice comparison!

[@bigfurlan]

The Martin D 41 sound and legacy lives on.

[@Akmatick]

Great comparison! Listening through studio headphones and the volume difference is not noticeable, though I see the Boucher has a larger sound hole.. Do you think that has any bearing on the apparent volume while you play it? That and I'm sure KZbin has some compression going on. Have to say I think the Martin edges it out in tone. Just a little more balanced to my ears while the Boucher seems a bit more scooped. I'd love to play them next to each other in person though! I don't think youtube does either of them justice.

[@jasongavel2787]

I have a d35 I would let you use it for a comparison video it’s from 1974 I think 🤔

[@Hollcall]

Martin has the choicer sound. Boucher is good but the Martin is better. As I play along on my SIGMA DR-41C I wonder why anyone would pay $7 grand while I payed $1100-Taxes in.

[@beastlybombers]

There is a distinct richness of sound more so in the lower register on the Martin it appears. Keep up the great work J.P. It would be great to see the Martin up against BooBoo

[@alisterrae5822]

Collings? Santa Cruz? Im lucky I have a Martin or two as well. I like them all man!

[@michaellacy8510]

They are both phenomenal instruments. Have to say though that I love and prefer the ringing sound of the Martin. (I admit to being a fanboy though.)

[@jkabanas]

extremely similar, but that martin just sounds more energetic..a little livelier. The boucher is a little stiff in comparison, though more even sounding, maybe will open up over the years

[@kevinohandley2580]

I’m a Martin guy, I own a 72 D18 but I want a Boucher!!

[@tomthomas4696]

Through the mic, the d41 wins hands down. Great for recording. You can hear stunning tone from the Boucher, and with the difference in volume, /you need to be in the room to appreciate. Both great.

[@rosslynemrys5829]

Does the Boucher smell as good as the Martin when you open the case? I believe part of the Martin magic is the feelings the scent of rosewood invokes...memories and emotions when you unlock those clasps, open the top, breathe in the wood scent and lift it from it's velvet bed and awaken the birds with some sweet strumming. Thank you for your love of well made guitars, J P !

[@emilychristoff9404]

Martin invented the Dreadnought FYI, your two dreads sound very similar it’s hard to make a choice. The addy top is a hair louder…love them both. You can call Martin and they will tell you what the top is on the 41, it may be just Alaskan Spruce…can’t tell with out a close up look at grain detail. I had a HD-28 custom shop with a torrified Adirondack top…and a 1971 German Silver Spruce D-41 only a few got that top back then, all the D-45s of that year had that one hardly sees those for sale… also went home for a visit several year ago with my relatives to Toronto with mom we stopped at at 12th fret I came with some with trades they had a Gurian FL-1 I came with that and a L-O5? Larrivee a piece of Canada that couldn’t leave behind… I no longer have those two Martins. I enjoyed your video and subscribed to KZbin site.

[@d35s2]

Well done JP. Have a 71´Martin D35, my work horse, which I will never sell, but can´t wait to play the BG152 I have ordered. From what I hear in your test is that both sound great, but it seems that the sound does not want to come out of the box as easily as it come from the Boucher...

[@kevinroberts5994]

I wish I were in the room, because you really can't tell a difference from here when you close your eyes

[@crouch0746]

Both sound great. I prefer the warmer (to me) sound of the Martin. The Boucher doesn't sound significantly louder to me through my computer speakers, but with headphones I do hear the Boucher as somewhat (but not dramatically) louder. I'm admittedly prejudiced by being a Martin guy (had 10 at one point, still have 6) and never having owned or played a Boucher.

[@mikegraham4513]

I love the Boucher, J.P., and as a Canadian I would be proud to own one, especially when it sounds just as good if not better, than the D-41 and a $1,400 price difference between the two guitars is a nice bonus, but the actual price difference is a lot less. The Boucher BG-52 GM is currently $6,463 compared to $7,019 for the D-41. Canadian dollars of course. These amounts exclude sales tax.

[@lucsaulnier1637]

They both sound great. I don’t have a d-41 but i do have a d- 28 and a bg52i Boucher. Love them both. But Boucher’s are on another level . I’ve never played a Boucher i didn’t like. Love your guitar reviews J.P. Keep them coming.

[@rickycarter7154]

Hello John, They're both great guitars. If they make you happy, keep them both. Like many others, I learned this the hard way.

[@jessicamckinney7508]

What is the name of the song u were finger picking. I gotta learn that. Was it, I gotta name by croche? If so I can't find a finger style version like u are playing darn it

Great demo!

[@mhw6160]

I hear a zing on the B string on the Martin that the Boucher doesn’t have. I prefer guitars not to have that zing. Do you hear it and know what causes that John? Thanks for a great video. Dream guitars!

[@johnhiscutt1853]

Great Guitar Stuff👍🎸😄