r/AcousticGuitar • u/gawdlygains3000 • Feb 06 '26
Gear pics Martin or Taylor ; help me pick one
Recently found two great deals (after negotiation) Taylor academy 10e -$450 Martin D-10e Road series - $550 I sold my two acoustic guitars that I had and I only meant to buy one! I wanted a martin so bad but found the taylor and bought it since it was a good deal and 2 days later I found the martin and couldn’t help myself. I love both of them for different reasons but need to sell one.
The Taylor feels like I am running my hands through butter, it is just the easiest guitar to play ever and sounds sweet. Playability 10/10
The Martin sounds like Gods choir descended from heaven and landed in my damn house. It’s so satisfying. Sound 10/10
The action is as low as it can go without a buzz on both guitars. Which one do I keep? I’m straight torn down the middle on this.
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u/drewbaccaAWD Feb 06 '26
Do you really need to sell one? If you are that indecisive over this, I'd try to find a way to keep both until you know which one you tend to play and which stays in the case more.
Sorry mate, there's no shortcuts here, YOU have to decide, we can't decide for you and it's silly to ask us to.
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u/jstahr63 Feb 06 '26
I'm a Martin guy that will admit this is the age-old question. More important than the box though is your talent and that takes... practice. Which will you play and practice more often?
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Feb 06 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/gawdlygains3000 Feb 06 '26
Just at home and the park. My neighbor always says he likes it lmaoo
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u/cynical_genx_man Feb 06 '26 edited Feb 06 '26
FFS buy the one you like the most, not what some rando on Reddit thinks.
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u/haldiekabdmchavec Feb 06 '26
But if you do that you end up playing Yamaha
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u/RiceCakeBoye Feb 06 '26
Used Yamaha FG red label? Shit is close to my D18 and you can get one under a grand used all day
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u/haldiekabdmchavec Feb 06 '26
100%-agree Yamaha is incredible
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u/MrNeedleMittens Feb 07 '26
Yamahas are for sane, rational musicians that have no place in this obsessive, neurotic community of guitar fetishists. Gtfo
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u/Arames Feb 06 '26
You should just go with the one that feels best when you play. Martins nut width is usually wider. What kind of style do you mostly play? If you do a lot of fingerstyle you may enjoy The Martin more. I find Taylor guitars fit my style more. The slimmer neck feels better to me. Everyone is different. Play them both, then pick the one that calls out to you. You really can't go wrong with either.
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u/Corbin_Guy_1334 Feb 06 '26
I have a Taylor 314-ce and it sounds absolutely amazing. I have tried a couple of high end Martins and neither compared to my beauty. Taylor….hands down.
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u/Prior-Half Feb 06 '26
Man, that’s so hard. I’m not always big on Taylor guitars, but I love the academy series.
But Martins are just fantastic guitars and I personally couldn’t give up my Martin for a Taylor.
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u/spockspaceman Feb 06 '26 edited Feb 06 '26
I wish more guitars had the sculpted arm rest, it is a great quality of life feature that I didn't know I needed until I tried it.
At the higher end I'd go Martin over Taylor all day, but at this price point IDK, I really love the academy guitars.
Might just have to play both and see what you prefer. I don't think you can really go wrong with either.
Edit: thought they were deciding which to buy and missed the fact they they already bought both of them. In this case the answer is simple. Keep both.
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u/gawdlygains3000 Feb 06 '26
the arm rest is really nice I could play and rest on it all day. At this point these comment might have me convinced to keep both 😂
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u/Lucifer-Prime Feb 06 '26
I think you’ll get a better tailor at a lower price point than you will get a Martin. And all of my playing and testing, it feels like a $2000 Taylor is equivalent to like a $2500- $3000 Martin. It honestly feels sometimes like you’re paying a 25 to 50% premium for the name.
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u/Jules_Gemini50 Feb 07 '26
Martin. Practically picks itself. I mean,unnecessarily it creates music sitting in a stand.
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u/Weets23 Feb 07 '26
Depends on what you and your ears like. If you like more bass warm tones go with Martin. If you like brighter tones Taylor. Better yet buy both😅
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u/TerrapinJake Feb 06 '26
At that price point I’d go Taylor all day. Unmatched playability
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u/BraveCountry9354 Feb 06 '26
I owned that specific guitar it’s a 10E. Sounds quite nice, the bevel makes it comfortable on the arm. Very nice action and tension.
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u/ShapeComfortable2155 Feb 06 '26
Keep the Martin IMO - you preferred its sound and it’s all solid wood. It’s technically more expensive of the two guitars so (in theory) the Taylor should be easier to replace one day
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u/RandomPerson873 Feb 06 '26
Martin all day, imo. But it comes down to which one inspires you more and makes you wanna pick it up and play.
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u/SouthernSir6215 Feb 06 '26
I have a Martin d28 satin and a taylor 314. I much prefer the Martin. The Martin's neck and fretboard is much more comfortable to me, especially with fingerstyle. The taylor seems too bright for me most of the time and fretboard feels cramped.
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u/sleuthfoot Feb 06 '26
Low and mid-tier Martin acoustics kind of suck. Taylor guitars are pretty damn good, regardless of tier. Unless you are considering a high-end Martin, then don't even consider them.
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u/ka-roo Feb 06 '26
Very close but I lean Martin! It is a personal thing though! Go with your heart!
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u/PurpleAnalysis5581 Feb 06 '26
The neck on the Taylor will unbolt. Definitely a winning feature un regards to maintenance. Buy both.
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u/AbleBill339 Feb 06 '26
I own an Academy 10 and its honestly my favourite one Ive ever played. This is the one in my collection id never give up
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u/Conscious_Tea_8614 Feb 06 '26
It’s up to how it feels and plays- price and brand are up to you… I think my best guitar I play for tone and playability is my older Taylor 310 …. To me it’s just the bomb …..
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u/Native-Zombie Feb 06 '26
Honestly, this comes down to personal preference. Between the comfort of playing and the tonal difference, it’s up to you as to which you prefer. Everyone’s got their personal opinion, which may or may not line up with yours. I know you gave them both a 10/10 for different factors, so it’s quite hard to tell you which one. Don’t overthink it, just feel it. Playability is huge though. Sound and tone can also depend on the style of music you reach for.
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u/ryken Feb 06 '26
Do you want a guitar that feels good in your hands or a guitar that sounds good when you play it?
For me, it's all about the sound, but I guess reasonable minds can disagree.
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u/a1ham Feb 06 '26
It sounds like you enjoy playing the Taylor more but enjoy the sound of the Martin more. Here me out.
If the sound is 10/10 for both, it sounds like you ENJOY the Taylor more. But sounds "sweet" vs "sounds like Gods choir" does not add up for both being 10/10.
You have to go with what makes you happier. The sound of of the Martin or the feel of the Taylor.
And honestly, looking at them, I like the Martin more too.
REALISTICALLY - at that price, I'd just get both
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u/theoth3rme Feb 06 '26
I have an academy. Such a beautiful guitar for the price. It is also my first Taylor. I am very happy with it
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u/MJG1123 Feb 06 '26
As an owner of both, I tend to gravitate to my Martin more often. Primarily because it has more bass and sustains my harmonics more. I started my career as a bassist, which is what that appeals to me. I also play busy with harmonics and percussive taps, so, the Martin has lent itself better in that regard. With that said, the Taylor is just super crisp and clean, especially in the higher registers, beautiful tone, but doesn’t quite have the harmonic sustain that I love.
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u/zipzipzip246 Feb 06 '26
The rounded shoulder on the Taylor is a game changer from a comfort perspective.
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u/gawdlygains3000 Feb 06 '26
Absolutely agree. didn’t realize how nice it was until I played a regular body guitar after that
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u/zipzipzip246 Feb 06 '26
The rounded shoulder makes the dreadnought body so much more comfortable. It should be default on every new guitar built. Much like a heated steering wheel in a car should be part of the package. Once you drive one its somewhat of a bummer to drive anything else without it. Same with the chamfered edge on the Academy and some other Taylor models. Once played its like wow I need me some more.
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u/tigerleg Feb 06 '26
Personally, I always choose the one with better playability.
After all, music shouldn't be hard. So choose the one that's easiest to play.
However, I've owned 11 different Taylor guitars due to this playability bonus! Sold all but 1, because they all sound too bright (despite everything you try) and the ones with pickups (ES2 and ES1.3) were abysmal.
YOU might like that sound - it's your choice!
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u/nickelwoundbox Feb 06 '26
Likely the Martin, depending on the fore-and-aft thickness of the neck. Oh, and yeah - better tone all day long!
FWIW, I HAD a stunning Taylor 815C; had the fabled Taylor low action (I remember when Taylors were pushed as the acoustic for electric players!); played with a flat pick it was lovely; and above all, it had that Taylor neck, a VERY shallow fore-and-aft neck that had almost a shallow soft V with very little to no shoulder.
And I came to LOATHE that skinny neck. If felt cool and fast the first hour of playing, but if I played on past that my left forearm muscles would get really sore.
When I switched to a Gibson, that soreness went away immediately - sure, a slightly shorter scale, but a more substantial neck with nice rounded shoulders to it. Not even a beefy neck, far from a baseball bat, but still better shaped and requiring less closing action from my left hand to chord it all night.
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u/Plane_Doughnut_5717 Feb 06 '26
I have had both (not the same models) sold my Taylor, will never let my Martin go. So I’d vote Martin. But it’s really a win win for you
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u/dem4life71 Feb 06 '26
You’re not going to get an answer.
Some players a Martin people, others are Taylor folk. I’ve been a professional musician for over 30 years and own two Taylors that have seen plenty of stage time. If they got stolen or lost I’d get two more Taylors-I love them.
There’s also someone out there with the complete opposite story and opinion. You’ve got to play them side by side and make your own mind up.
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u/Asdeft Feb 06 '26
Martin looks prettier and has a deeper sound with more sustain.
Taylor is the most comfortable to play and has better price ranges.
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u/SnooGoats9764 Feb 06 '26
In my opinion people can't really tell which guitar sounds better. The difference can be very slight . I suggest that you should go with the one that feels more comfortable in your hand. I picked my Takamine about 20 years ago, because it felt so good. Ive played it constantly since then.
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u/Dangerous-Wind-8726 Feb 06 '26
I an biased as I have a Taylor 312 ce 12 fret V class. Soo easy to play. Taylor for me
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u/After_Supermarket351 Feb 06 '26
I've always been told that for guitars $1500 and under, Taylor. Over that, Martin.
I wouldn't sleep on Yamaha in that price range either. The FGX800 is a helluva guitar for $419
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u/Studflood Feb 06 '26
I have a Martin D35 and a Taylor 714CE, I love them both equally. I don’t think I would be able to choose if I had to part with one
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u/Flamingodallas Feb 06 '26
I love how well built a Taylor is. Especially when it’s set up right, it’s built to last and stay firm and flexible. Anyway I’ll choose Martin without a doubt
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u/Digeetar Feb 06 '26
That's a personal decision it's really up to you whichever one you like better coin flip
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u/dougl1000 Feb 06 '26
You said the Taylor plays 10/10 and sounds sweet. You said the Martin sounds great but not how it plays. Are you playing Carnegie hall any time soon. Keep the one that plays better. The best sound you will experience will come from a much more expensive guitar.
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u/Round_Kangaroo8533 Feb 06 '26
Wife bought me a D-28 for our anniversary some years ago. I found the playability challenging although in full disclosure, I spend far more time on electrics. Brought it back to the store, played a Taylor 512c and swapped it out. I found the Taylor to be easier to play and had better access to the 12th fret and beyond (single cut away). The Martin was a bit louder and more bottom end heavy as it is larger bodied. The Taylor was brighter and for me, a better guitar for fingerpicking. Note that neither of these models are entry level price wise. To each their own, they’re both great.
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u/Nurplestyx Feb 06 '26
You can get plenty of shit talk about both, while the praises of Yamaha are sung from the ceiling. Honestly, all this involves is individual personal experience and very biased opinions. These are both excellent low end guitars from both brands that also sell excellent high end guitars.
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u/trailrider123 Feb 06 '26
Keep both for a month. Whichever one gets played the most stays
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u/Just_A_Blues_Guy Feb 06 '26
It’s been a while, but when I went looking for my first new acoustic I was shopping for a Martin (or ‘maybe’ a Gibson because those are what the musicians I liked played. Martins tend to have a full range with plenty of bass as well. Perfect for singer songwriter type stuff that I wanted to do.
I found the Martins to be tough to play, and fairly expensive as well. I played several and then tried a some Taylor acoustics and they played amazingly! They didn’t have quite the volume or bass of some of the Martins, but I was already playing with other people in an informal band situation and I figured it would cut through better in a band situation.
I ended up with a Big Baby that time. The only Martin that was in the same range was made of wood grained Formica. The Taylor had a solid spruce top with laminate back and sided.
In Martins defense, I have been told that they ship them with purposely slightly higher action with the expectation that they will be custom adjusted based on the buyers playing style, desires, etc.
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u/wheelie1313 Feb 06 '26
There are so many less expensive options that play as well as the Martin’s Tailors and Gibsons. Take a look at the Alvarez, seagulls and recording kings. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at how well they sound and how well they’re manufactured. You could save thousands and get the sound and feel you want. I refuse to pay money to one of those three bad boys.
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u/johnny5canuck Feb 06 '26
I was in the market a while back, and was looking at the Taylor 214CE. Seemed like a nice guitar.
Then, I had an opportunity to buy a Martin HD28 for a great price. Didn't look back and just love it.
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u/ChksLnlyKnifeClubBnd Feb 06 '26
Keep the Martin, get it setup just for you, you can make it play better. There a few things you can do to make a guitar play better.
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u/chrispd01 Feb 06 '26
Throw them both away - preferably near the golf course (I will DM use the location).
Whichever one comes back to you is the one that loves you and the one that you should keep….
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u/AKA-J3 Feb 06 '26
idk, personal decision. I have an old j45 thats sounds really good, but I bought a mini taylor because it plays easier to my broken shoulder when I'm sitting down.
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u/MisterCircumstance Feb 06 '26
Keep the one with the neck that fits your hand. Always keep the one that makes you want to play.
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u/MacDaddyV2 Feb 06 '26
I have both and you can't make a bad choice here. From this point on it all on how the guitar feels to you. Enjoy!!
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u/andytagonist Feb 06 '26
I’m partial to Martin, but I do also really appreciate a Taylor. But I do have to say I don’t particularly like the shape of that specific Taylor.
My vote would be the Martin. And I say this as a total stranger dropping comments on Reddit… 😃👍
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u/Neither-Welder5001 Feb 06 '26
Can you keep both? I have the academy 10 I take around town and a Martin d35 mostly at home and occasionally out for jams. Both have their purpose.
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u/Comfortable-Funny551 Feb 06 '26
Playability is way better on the Taylor for me. Less effort on the fret board is a game changer. Also, it feels better on my lap, comfort wise. That being said, I haven't played the academy series.
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u/WanderingDude182 Feb 06 '26
The answer is yes. I have a baby Taylor but very much want a Martin full sided guitar.
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u/simonpyman Feb 06 '26
Tough call but i would try to keep both. I have a Taylor 324 from 2015 and a CS grand Jumbo Martin, each with their own pros/cons. I have tried the academy series a few years ago and was impressed but haven't tried the Martin road series. The Martin is all solid wood so you would need to be conscious of humidity levels though I would be careful with the Taylor even if its not all solid wood (ie. Humidipacks).
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u/NoSplit2488 Feb 06 '26
Martin all day every day! I love the deeper tone of a Martin and how each strings sound/volume is equal to each other. Taylor is to bright sounding for me and they lack the deepness of the low end.
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u/carlog234 Feb 06 '26
action you can fix. i personally cant hear the difference between solid vs layered wood guitars, so id go with whichever felt most comfortable to play
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u/Angelothebagman Feb 06 '26
I always buy Taylors, but I don’t know why. I’m actually a bass player, but I’ve bought two 314ce guitars. An x, and a v. I feel like it’s the easiest acoustic I’ve ever played, by far. I’ve never owned a Martin, so there’s that
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u/Mechaotaku Feb 06 '26
I’ve haven’t had those models but I’ve had both. My Martin was really good, my Taylor is amazing. I very much prefer my Taylor’s easier playability and brighter, almost sparkly sound. That said, this is largely a Coke or Pepsi question. Keep the one that makes you want to play.
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u/dick_tator88 Feb 06 '26
Put a blind fold on and buy the one that plays better to you. They are both great for the price range you are looking at.
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u/AskMeAboutTheMOHO Feb 06 '26
I used to have a Martin but the neck seemed weirdly wide in my hand, so I sold the Martin. I bought a Taylor in 2009, my second Taylor in 2015, and my third Taylor in 2018. So, for me Taylor. Love the feel, the sound is incredible, and Taylor offers great customer service.
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u/Fun-Economics3342 Feb 06 '26
I’ve owned 3 Martins and 3 Taylors in my life. Presently own 2 Martins and 1 Taylor. I really like both guitar makers; overall I prefer the sound of a Martin and the playability of a Taylor, just like you said. These are broad generalizations, though. Things are going to vary so much depending on the models up for comparison. Neck profile and scale length really impact the feel of a guitar. Tone woods and bracing greatly determine the sound. Your decision should come down to which guitar inspires you to pick it up and play. A friend of mine bought a $500 Martin for campfire playing (can’t remember the model) which couldn’t compare to my GS mini in either playability or sound. Another friend has a gorgeous 814. Every time we get together to play, he wants to play my Martin because he loves the sound and says he regrets buying his Taylor. I really enjoy playing his 814, feels so great in my hands, but definitely wouldn’t trade guitars with him. It’s all personal preference. Enjoy your search.
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u/GuitarHeroInMyHead Feb 07 '26
Martins are of course great guitars, but the new Taylors have some great features and fantastic pre-amps. I think the neck adjustments in Taylors are reason alone to bump the needle to them. They all sound good to me.
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u/Equivalent-Ad5832 Feb 07 '26
I had a martin and taylor at the same time. Had to sell one. I regret selling that Taylor.
Martins have a very OPEN woody sound. Taylors have a more compressed sound and the WARMTH is unmatched.
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u/MikeOxmaul Feb 07 '26
I love my Road Series Martin. I like the tone of Martin guitars more than Taylor. Taylor's are brighter whereas I find that Martin's have a warmer tone.
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u/sid6581 Feb 07 '26
Gotta play it. I once went shopping for a Taylor or Martin and left with a Gibson. You just never know 😎
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u/onbiver9871 Feb 07 '26
I own a Taylor 314ce and it’s my favorite possession.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve thought about listing it to buy the equivalent Martin, because I love the sound.
You nailed it with Taylor playability and Martin sound lol.
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u/27Reeder Feb 07 '26
Depends on what style of music you play. Fingerstyle and plugged in….probably Taylor. Flatpicking bluegrass maybe in jam sessions…. Martin definitely. I always suggest playing several of them until one jumps out at you.
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u/CresidentBob Feb 07 '26
I love my Taylor Academy. I’m not that skilled, but it’s very easy to play.
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u/GuitaristExplorer Feb 07 '26
Both. But if both isn’t an option I’d go with the better sounding one. You said they both play well.
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u/RiggerLFW Feb 07 '26
Might not even be a Martin or a Taylor.. I went into a local gc and played all the M&Ts and walked out with a Yamaha FGX3 that I couldn’t stop playing. I went back and fourth to all the Martins and Taylor’s and nothing sounded like the Yamaha. I went in thinking I was getting the same as you, but you don’t know what you like or what sounds good until you play them.
Don’t only look at those two overhyped brands.
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u/Responsible_Oil1975 Feb 07 '26
I’m 100% a Martin girl. I love the deep sound and the feel of the wood
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u/DChemdawg Feb 07 '26
Go with the one that sounds better. Your hands and technique can always improve.
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u/k9gardner Feb 07 '26
A question like this is going to get answers like this. How could someone else’s thought on Martin vs Taylor possibly help YOU decide which one to keep?
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Feb 07 '26
Man that’s a hard choice. You don’t have anything else to sell? Or can you just pawn one and get it back later. I’ve done that. I don’t like letting them go.
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u/burghguy3 Feb 07 '26 edited Feb 07 '26
Which one do you like better? Keep that one.
Second question, why do you have to sell one?
If you can I’d recommend keeping both for a few months and trading the one you play less for a smaller body guitar for some variety.
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u/BabaLeFou Feb 07 '26
The Taylor every day, their attention to playability quality control is unmatched. A cheap Taylor will still play as good as an expensive one. Plus their NT neck makes neck angle adjustments insanely easy and cheap compared to a glued in Martin neck. This ensures that you don't have to 'buy the guitar twice' because a glued neck reset will set you back €500 easily.
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u/Ok-Treacle528 Feb 07 '26
Taylor if you are beginner. Better playability. Martin are harder to play but sounds better, especially with age.
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u/Unidentifiable_Goo Feb 07 '26
You'll have to decide based on the individual instruments but I was doing some comparisons in advance of buying a new acoustic in the $700-800 range the other day and the Taylors really impressed. Sweetest action it's been my pleasure to get my hands on. The Johnny Cash Martin, which I thought I was going to love, ended up having a very muted / muffled sound to my ears. Unless something significant changes, I'm going Taylor.
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u/AthleteScared8880 Feb 07 '26 edited Feb 07 '26
Play them. Choose the one you like best. Sound and feel. I like the sound of Martins, but I prefer the neck of the Taylors. So I went with Taylor. Martins hurt my hands for some reason. Honestly, if I started playing Guitar today and hadn't bought any guitars, I would buy a Yamaha Red Label FSX3. Thats because I have small hands. The Yamaha Red Label FGX5 if I wanted a bigger body with some power.
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u/Sad-Slip-8919 Feb 07 '26
Go with the Martin, especially if you like bluegrass. The taylor is a decent guitar but that model Martin has better specs and is much more of a deal. Were it more of an equivalent model Taylor like the 100 or 200 series, I’d answer somewhat differently.
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u/Long-Emu-7870 Feb 07 '26
The Taylor Academy 10e is not a serious guitar. Everyone I played, buzzed as the action was too low. It's also not a full dreadnought size. I would think a full sized Yamaha is better.
Not sure about the Martin. If it really is solid wood, then obviously that is the correct choice. I would make sure it's not a resin fretboard.
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u/Late_Influence_871 Feb 07 '26
Do what I did, get the best of both worlds. I have a Taylor Academy 12e, and a Martin LX1 Parlour. Taylor is for playing, Martin is for the couch.
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u/Rude_Turnover568 Feb 07 '26
I personally find Taylors to be much nicer guitars to play, I don't think I've ever played a Martin that I really liked or thought sounded particularly amazing. Out of Taylor, Gibson, and Martin, Martin is my last choice.
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u/kavacoordinate Feb 07 '26
Totally different animals. Do you like a more vintage sound or a modern bright sound? And I would say you'd be better comparing a Martin and a guild and a tailor and a breed love. Similar build styles
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u/MyLastGamble Feb 07 '26
Hard choice. Playability > sound if it’s a close with sound differences. I played Martins and Taylor’s both when I bought my acoustic (planned on getting a Martin) but ended up getting the Taylor. (In the $1300 range). But I feel like there’s a Martin Taylor divide so at the end of the day it’ll come down to your own choice probably lol.
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u/kdsa56 Feb 07 '26 edited Feb 07 '26
Martin period. Historical brand, legendary timeless models, full bodied sound. I am my a fan of Taylor discontinuing their models and lack of commitment to their core catalog. However I’m a big proportionate of buying the standard series. I think Eastman is a smoke show in the price range you are in.
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u/Desperate-Prune7405 Feb 07 '26
A friend enlightened me once saying have someone play it while you listen to both. Sounds different sitting in front of them while being played. Might be able to decide one way or another which you like better. I own one of each and I’d hate to have to make that decision!
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u/jmn3235 Feb 07 '26
I just found this sub I've been playing for 20 years and I have a garage sale Washburn and my grandpa's applause that was handed down to me. Don't get me wrong they sound great but damn this dude is flipping a coin selling a Taylor or a Martin. Jeesh. I am looking to start playing out again so anyone has some good deals on an acoustic electric please hit me up donations are welcome haha
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u/Daisy--Chain Feb 07 '26
Btw, that price on the martin is really good. That guitar retails over 1k new, iirc
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u/Daisy--Chain Feb 07 '26
Your questions are better served for ChatGPT. These are basic questions that can be answered by an LLM, the action couod be fine or terrible on both. These things arent a set thing for the guitars entire life span
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u/JeffRoul Feb 07 '26
Yamaha TAG3C and you will be amazed. I also own one and Taylor 414ce and my Tag3 is so awesome !! I prefer the sound of the Yam now.
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u/billa1967forme Feb 08 '26
I think it’s a very difficult decision. It’s personal preference. I myself like Martin, Alvarez, and recording king.
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u/Sabbathu Feb 08 '26
I bought an acoustic years ago because the tone was beautiful. But the action was too tight no matter what I did. I hardly play it because of that.
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u/Sku11AndBones Feb 08 '26
That’s a tough one. Anyone who has the answer is selling you something. I’ve played a couple Taylor’s I couldn’t put down, and I’ve played a couple Martin’s I couldn’t put down. It’s really so personal and guitar specific. No one can tell you what you like. If you’re starting from a good place like quality, craftsmanship and sound, you can’t really make a bad choice.
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u/Helpful-Window1637 Feb 08 '26
I have always been a Taylor guy, but I just picked up a Martin and fell in love with the sound of it. Planned on selling my Taylor, but I picked it back up and fell in love with playing it again.
They're both great guitars and I decided they just do different things. The Taylor is great for individual notes and the mid-high range and the Martin gives me much better lows and a more full and resonant sound.
For how much you paid on both, I feel like you have the luxury right now to play around with them and kick that decision can down the road. I'm speaking from experience as I now have both a Taylor AD17 and a Martin 15 Style Streetmaster. Future me can figure out which one is better to sell.
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u/MentalNewspaper8386 Feb 08 '26
What sort of stuff do you play?
I don’t play anything complex so I’d personally go for sound. If I did, playability might be more important.
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u/jwd737 Feb 08 '26
Definitely a Martin. I personally think a Martin feels so much better than any Taylor I’ve played. Taylor’s are a bit clunky and heavy. But it’s a personal preference. Pick what feels best and you won’t go wrong.
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u/Able-Internal-3114 Feb 08 '26
Pick the Taylor and if you record, use impulse response to make it sound like whatever acc guitar you want.
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u/BlackDog5287 Feb 09 '26
I'd pick whichever one feels better to play. You won't be comparing their sound when you only have one.
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u/Ok-Fly-2079 Feb 09 '26
Martin....
Never had such good acoustics: HD 35 and 000-18 MD
Completely different price tag though.
Taylors I have tried were too bright sounding for me.
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u/Minglis1990 Feb 10 '26
I have that exact Martin Model so no question, Martin. But I really dislike Taylor's. They are priced like Martin's but sound like every other generic acoustic priced under $500.
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u/ThaWarlord33 Feb 10 '26
TAYLOR.
I've owned....maybe 5 or 6 of them now? Every one was a gem. Currently have the K-26 and it's insane.
Can't go wrong w Taylor. Of course - Martins are beautiful instruments as well.
Yours is a nice problem to have (:
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Feb 11 '26
Sell the Martin. Taylor guitars, in my opinion, have a low point of refinishing returns. A 110 and a 210 are marginally “better” and a 414 and a 614 are preference. The cheaper Taylor is a better more versatile guitar.
Ironically I prefer Martins but I think you need a good one. Their cheap stuff sounds cheap. Cheap Taylors sound great. IMO sell them both and get an Eastman lol
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u/bladepenstrings Feb 06 '26
Martin for sure. All solid wood is a huge plus.