Sitka Spruce vs Adirondack (Taylor 814ce Comparison)

[@Corbrwl]

To me, Adirondack has a fuller, deeper sound than the Sitka which sounded brighter.

[@jimmy5634]

It also depends on the guitar shape and bracing. The stiffness of Adi works well with certain body shapes and styles. Most people would find the Adi harsh right out of the box.

[@SirOttis]

Takes a stiffer pick to vibrate a newer one. But after a few years the Adi runs laps around the Sitka.

[@bekeneel]

@@SirOttis Or just give the top a thermal treatment so it will sound great right away :)

[@SirOttis]

I have a custom shop HD-28 with an adi top. It has scalloped forward shifted bracing which I think has a huge impact on the adi. The adi is a stiffer top out of the box and it can take a few years to really loosen it up. But when it does......man is it sweet. I would not think I would prefer a non-scalloped braced adi, much less a non-forward shifted braced. They are a stiffer wood and need to vibrate more so than sitka. The videos are fun to watch but you cannot hear the subtleties of the guitars. You have to go play them to really hear the voice of an acoustic. Also I have a D-18 with a sitka top and always used a Fender 351 Medium pick. That same pick was too weak for the adi top and didn't drive it enough. I switched to a Ultex .73 and it made all of the difference in the world. Just my $.02

[@bekeneel]

Isn't that the HD28V? But Martin is expensive, especially the custom shops... I'm a Takamine fan, got a TF430SS, and they make guitars now with thermal top too (who are like aged right out of the box), they also have custom shop. But too bad they don't seem to make guitars anymore with Adirondack spruce or madagascar rosewood with that, cuz I think that's a perfect combination. Madagascar is like Brazilian rosewoord but not so rare and so less expensive. They made a TF360SBG-MAG that had the red spruce top and madagascar back and sides, but it wasn't produced for a long time... Now they have a bluegrass model again with the thermal top which is very nice, but no Adi or Madi anymore and that's too bad...

[@sonofprovence]

I own both sitka and adirondack guitars. Adirondack is a bit punchier and has definitely stronger projection when you play unplugged. This does not mean sitka sounds worse. My advice is... Do not buy a guitar online unless you have played that same guitar and fell in love with its sound. Because men have such a unique and intimate relationship with their guitar, wait until you totally fall in love with the sound before you buy. For a long time, I wondered about adirondack/mahogany versus adirondack/Indian rosewood. It was not until I played both on the same day that I could make up my mind (adirondack/mahogany won for me).

[@JohnSmith-mk8hz]

The bracing can be as important as the top. Sitka bracing vs. Adirondack bracing. Each will lend a different sound to the final result.

[@cowdudeable]

Did the Adirondack seem louder?

[@jpcampos]

I second the comment for an engelmann spuce comparison video... With the adirondack and the sitka spruce...

[@VaibhavMittalIndia]

I love them both ❤️ Tones for days

[@TheGrasspond]

I normally struggle to notice the difference I really did here. I like the Adi much better. Thanks for the video

[@superdriver777]

The adirondack sounds better. Definitely fuller on the low end, and very crisp and bell-like in the single notes. Gorgeous!

[@slatermclatchey2294]

sitka for sure

[@snuffyballparks6501]

I have a 2008 Martin D-28 Marquis with an Adirondack top. The top is over 10 years old now and the guitar sounds fantastic.

[@PotPoet]

The Adirondack note separation and clarity is outstanding. This was a perfect demonstration. Both guitars are well built. The Adirondack clearly wins the day and proves why it was used up first and is now more expensive. And it has a proven track record for aging well.

[@bluebetty7847]

Sitka wins hands down. The adirondack has more punch but the sitka highlights the fine notes much better.

[@MWallis2]

While I normally prefer Adi over Sitka, in this instance the Sitka was my favourite. It helps to mellow out that Taylor brashness.

[@jaywalker8309]

i have a sitka top guitar and it seems to vibrate the way a top should after playing for a few minutes and the longer you play it the better it becomes

[@jaythizzle1969]

I thought they sounded very similar. Thanks for making a cool video.

[@JesseDylanMusic]

Paul is right, just depends upon what one wants. I got a Martin done custom with an Italian Alpine spruce top. It is great, but I then played the same guitar in sitka and thought... gee... why did I do that when I actually prefer the sitka? Still love my guitar though.

[@JesseDylanMusic]

However, as much as I like sitka, on this particular comparison I think I actually prefer the adirondack, at least from in front of the guitar...

[@BreadLightPray_EWFMgtr]

☑️ gudd review , I've owned all the acoustic tonewood combos and when it comes to spruce tops my preference order is European Alpine spruce , Engelmann , Sitka and then Adirondack _for my lighter finger style play ; they are all very good tops but Adirondack tends to be way too stiff & strong a top for me , not to mention most of today's Adirondack is not so tight grained like the other spruces are more visually appealing❗️🤔

[@pickerdad8402]

BillyCrash: Very good ears, my man. Martin dominance in the performer market has taught our ears that the Sitka sound is "correct". It's a great sound for work in a live band or a recording, and all those Martin users can't be wrong. But if I'm playing for friends in a living room, I definitely want the Adirondack. Please just tell me you're not taking the wood from those famous chairs! :-) I have mentioned several times in these fora (Yes, you heard me, the plural of Forum is Fora) that Cedar is the only antidote for the 'Martin sound'. Well I have to recant just a bit. Adirondack is also s viable alternative. It's not as rich and mellow as aged Cedar, but it is a very nice middle ground. I love the tone, but also that it blends the strings very nicely, so the guitar has one voice, not six. Please Taylor, keep them coming.For my money, Cedar is like a 30-year single malt, and Adi is a very clever 10-year blend. Sitka is a brash new bourbon. But of course, I play cedar, and might be just a tad biased. And a good bourbon is always nice.Again, BillyCrash, you got it exactly right, in one line. Why can't I do that? Hmmmmmmm mumble mumble mumble ...

[@icee934]

The adi top gets better if you warm it up with heavy strumming fir 30mins or so. My spruce tops are good, but cannit compare with adi tops.

[@markstaggs7342]

Both are beautiful sounding guitars I couldn't pick they both are really just beautiful ❤️ Taylor is my most favorite guitars out of all others,and I have a lot of guitars

[@CharlesParente]

I completely disagree with Wayne when he said Sitka sounds as good as it will sound on day one and implied that Sitka does not change/improve over time. My 1997 Taylors with Sitka have definitely developed better tone/sustain/complexity over 19 years of ownership!

[@igorsekulic6945]

Sitka definitely changes over time but I think what he means is right from the bat Sitka sounds great while adi sounds great adi gets better and better with age.

[@icee934]

Charles Parente thats probably because you wore down the finnish making it more resonant.

[@stephentyndall159]

The difference was almost like comparing light strings to medium. The Adirondack sounded like you'd put a heavier gauge string set on the same guitar. Interesting, I have an Adi topped Eastman that hates heavy strings. It always baffled me because I've always loved heavier strings. Maybe the top needs to open a little more.

[@fbcpraise]

The 814ce is indeed a highly respected modern classic, with a rich rosewood overtone balance. Hearing someone describe it as "jangly" leaves me mystified.

[@markstaggs7342]

Only martin fans says this BS In my honest opinion and I have both martin and Taylor guitars I like martin but I love and choose Taylor over any martin , That's my honest opinion

[@stephenreed1298]

I had an 810 CE Sitka for 15 yrs and the top really came into its own after about 6-7 years. These two are both awesome sounding, but for my style and taste, I slightly prefer the Adirondack for its punch. I'd accept either one if given to me though!!

[@tomlipscomb3695]

Both have the jangle Taylor tone.

[@BellTunnel]

What’s the first tune played? Can’t place it. Sounds great.

[@robw95]

Old Man River

[@evanpaulsmithfalconfogolin6147]

Sitka still changes over time for the better usually.

[@paterlinithiago10]

Adirondack too. Basically all solid tops are like this.

[@ericvel]

Both sounded great, but I'd take the adi!

[@Chargerd77]

it's hard....it's fkn hard!!! great vid thx!! ✌🏼

[@startreker8591]

I just love Old man River period

[@stevenheck9433]

Adirondack W/ Cocobolo

[@sebastiansmash]

compare with european spruce pls

[@rtmca1]

The strumming near 4:40 makes the comparison crystal clear. The Sitka takes it,

[@tylerlam6755]

What is the first song the Taylor guy is playing? I want to learn it!

[@robw95]

Old Man River

[@krustybuzzard2477]

they both sound kind 0f too bright to me but it's not live so I don't know what it sounds like really.

[@treyalexanderhaislip]

Krusty Buzzard That is typically how I perceive Taylor guitars in general (love their necks but too bright IMO.)

[@jackhammer111]

the Taylor guy says he's never seen an Adirondack 814? I have an old 814CE. It was never that white.

[@jeffbryan3224]

I thought the Sitka sounded "nicer" right away...a little bit at least... just curious.. won't the Sitka improve with age as well?

[@buddybeetle]

Jeff Bryan Of course.

[@JPVanderbuilt]

Absolutely.

[@thomaslau9631]

May be something can be done to the saddles ie. sand them down. Actions are too high as I can tell from the way he presses down the frets.

[@PiDev]

Let's hear that adi top in ten years.

[@LegsON]

Pious Devil Do you think that certain woods age better?

[@bekeneel]

You can have a guitar with a thermal top these days too that are aged right away ;-)

[@afarro]

Spruce seems to balance the already bright Taylor better .. adi on Taylor seems to get too bright or chimey . I can imagine adi might balance Martin guitars better ..

[@TheG7thcapo]

I like both if i have the budget

[@zplapplap]

This was a great comparison. The clarity in the playing allowed me to really listen and compare. The ring and sustain of single notes, the playing of dense and jazzier chords up and down the neck, open chords up and down the neck. Well done. After listening a few more times, I've changed my mind and would go with the Adirondack top on the 814ce. Every Sitka spruce topped guitar that I've owned has changed over time with most of that change occurring in the first year. Maybe the change in tone that I hear is coming from something other than the top. Anyway, interesting statement from the Taylor rep. Thank you, Paul for your ongoing commitment to The Acoustic Letter. Music Villa will get my business!

[@Eckspeck86]

my speakers almost blow off with the sound of he adirondack!! too many crisp high mids or what's going on..?

[@jeppep95]

can you make one comparing with engelmann spruce?

[@jimmy5634]

Engelmann will sound even warmer than Sitka. It is a softer spruce. I don't know that Taylor uses Engelmann but they do use Cedar on some of their guitars which is very close to Engelmann Spruce.

[@nmcnmb]

jimmy5634 I see some luthiers use German Master Spruce. How does that match up with the others?

[@Pootzification]

Whats the tune at 5:40 called again???

[@tomk2018]

Here, There and Everywhere

[@timhanson8556]

Sitka grabs me a bit more... though both are sweet..

[@maxwellfan55]

I love the reviews and comparisons on Acoustic Letter, they are guitarists talking to guitarists about guitars, no bullshit, they relate to us. So thank you. Regards the tops, much to my surprise the Sitka stands out head and shoulders above, clean, crisp and vibrant sustain. Some of us might not want to wait for the Adi to open up, and what if it doesn't?

[@JPVanderbuilt]

Thank you.

[@walterjulianorsini]

Adirondack tiene más brillo y suena con más vida!!! La sitka es más apagado y tiene un sonido más melancólico lo cual la asemeja al sonido de una Takamine o una Martin. Me quedo siempre con una Taylor Adirondack!!!

[@Thesappysongwriter]

I am really wanting to try a redwood top guitar.

[@MrMattias1991]

That is a very soft wood isn't it?

[@MauriceCondie]

Adirondack all the way in this test. Second only to Alpine.

[@camiloserranodamha]

Maurice Condie how does alpine compare to adirondack?

[@fedexnman]

Sound the same to me . Which is wierd most guitar models sound a hair different at least.

[@charlesdickens8599]

I like the Adirondack spruce sound much better: crisper and clearer. The other sounds muted in comparison. I would imagine that the Adirondack spruce has tighter growth rings based on less rainfall and growth per year; which would make it more dense and thus a better sound conductor.

[@johnjones-uc3ni]

Modern growth Adirondack has wider grain than Sitka.

[@ebookpioneers]

Can somebody tell me why it is that with most types of spruce people say that the tight, silky grain is the best, but with Adirondack it seems that it's _always_ a very wide grain, and yet nearly everyone says it sounds the best of all spruce for tops?

[@startreker8591]

Same terribly trebly😂❤

[@Unplugged704]

Adirondack sounds better.

[@billsmith3042]

sitka has a voice, addy has a choir

[@jjforeal2]

I’m not a fan of the book matching that comes with the Adirondack

[@cugir321]

You can't judge anything with elixir strings on it......they make a turd sound good.

[@gavinhughes9050]

...but where's Tony?

[@TheAcousticLetter]

Tony has been gone from this channel for about 2 years now.

[@CocoKoi321]

I'm saving up for that 714ce 😛 That fat midrange

[@chitunaaful]

Is there anybody knows that caucasian spruce and adirondack has similar sound?

[@seancurran6727]

I don't think there is much familiarity with the term "Caucasian Spruce" Did you mean Carpathian?

[@chitunaaful]

@@seancurran6727 i mean caucasian

[@johnboyle3884]

very nice,can,top the adi

[@nirwanaeathell]

5:36 what song it is ?

[@evanherrera6732]

The Beatles: Here, There and Everywhere.

[@seancurran6727]

@@evanherrera6732 No, it's Old Man River

[@GirthQuake3]

Sitka vs Adirondack vs engelmenn vs European spruce

[@soundknight]

But different Luthiers

[@teamsterbutch]

Adirondack. Hands down.

[@allanwells4886]

Do they make one that enables me to play like Doc Watson, Tony Rice, Norman Blake or Tommy Emanuel? It's not about the guitar; sorry fellas. Listen to Tommy on any humble Maton. In my younger days I thought "If only I had a Ramirez concert guitar". When I achieved that goal I definitely didn't sound like Segovia, Diaz or Bream. Drats!!!

[@seancurran6727]

I haven't heard anyone say the guitar is going to play itself. It's a question of tone, nobody said you don't have to practice. Anyone that thinks they're all the same just isn't listening.

[@bobwire4984]

Adirondack is warmer, deeper and darker, also more "piano" like, Sitka is to flat

[@canalmeu8865]

1:40 2:17 2:43

[@jackhammer8439]

god...out of the box...the adirondack sounds way too punchy and sharp(in a bad way). hard to say what time would do....but for me, even if it does age well, it is probably still overpriced in my book. To me, European spruce sounds best to my ear.

[@iyorit1089]

I like an adirondack 💪👍

[@dr150]

Use Antartica Spruce or go home!.....

[@wfqsfg]

Buy Sitka spruce. don't cut down trees in NY.

[@lastofthemohicans1]

Martins sound way less tinny

[@gamersinger5118]

lastofthemohicans Reason why I definitely prefer Martins. Don't care for the super brightness of Taylors. Never have.

[@lastofthemohicans1]

I sat in a room for an hour and played a Martin OM-28 and a Taylor 814. The 814 was really loud and bright. Martin was not as loud but still had incredible sustain and a really nice, warm tone. It was a hard decision, I went home with the Martin and I play it almost everyday.

[@toraow]

@@lastofthemohicans1 Just went to a guitar center. Checked out their taylor 914ce, martin D-28, huss & dalton TOM-R, and gibson j-45 standard. Disliked the martins and the huss & dalton, but I blame that on the deadish strings. 914ce had insane note separation and clarity that I abaolutely adored. Then I played the J-45 which blew my mind. It sounded alive and so full. There's just so many factors you have to consider before making rash judgements.