Martin VS Taylor | High End Comparison

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Published 2016-08-01
In this video I am comparing a Martin D-42 to a Taylor 716 (LTD).

Both are spruce tops and rosewood back and sides guitars. The Taylor is Madagascar Rosewood, and the Martin Indian Rosewood. They both have the distinctive Martin and Taylor sound for which they are loved.

The Martin is a dreadnought, and produces a massive bass response balanced with articulate high.
The Taylor is a 16 model, which is a Grand Symphony. It results in deep basses, meaty midrange and overall thick trebles.

He or she who can name all the songs played first gets a big ass cookie!

All Comments (21)
  • @monomgop2515
    Martin: Comment Taylor: Comment Can’t afford: Like
  • @klaas5282
    1. Incubus - Drive 2. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Slow Cheetah 3. Dream Theather - A Change Of Seasons 4. Tommy Emmanuel - Angelina 5. Fleetwood Mac - Never Going Back Again
  • @angusdevine7045
    56 year old guy here,a slow process but learning the guitar, under no illusions of my capabilities, but blow me its the best thing I've ever done!I can honestly say it's in my thoughts every day,which is no bad thing.Your videos along with others,give me that push when I'm struggling, Thanks!
  • @NauticElk
    Ive watched many taylor/martin comparison videos and it always comes down to this. You want a mellow, warm sounding guitar thats subtle and feels good, get the martin. If you want a guitar that has a very opened up sound with a lot of highs, something that has a cutting sound for picking rather than strumming, get the taylor. So the answer is simple, get both because both guitars are good at their own things, masters of their own craft.
  • @mendoza2489
    The Martin reminds me of a wise old man who has hundreds of stories to tell and the Taylor reminds me of a young man in his 20’s, eager to take on the world.
  • @Reno_Slim
    Whenever I've played them both in stores, the Taylors often made me sound good but the Martins exposed me for the fruad I am.
  • @adamk9700
    They both sound amazing. That Taylor is nice and bright and the Martin is so smooth and rich. I’ve owned both brands and love both
  • @TheGorillafoot
    I will say I have played a Taylor for a few years because that is the guitar that worked with me, but I recently played a Martin and have not forgot about that guitar. Not to replace my Taylor, but that deeper tone that Martin had (at least that guitar did) was a pretty cool change. No better, just different. Good to have options.
  • They both sound equally awesome. Martin has that deeper, woodie tone whereas the Taylor has more of that sparkle and jangle up high with a more sculpted bass sound. Both are stellar. One need not argue Taylor vs Martin; one need buy both.
  • @jeremyharlow9886
    Both sound great. Taylor’s generally have a brighter/ cleaner evenly projected sound while Martin’s have a deeper mellow tone with a focus on mid tones. Love both. I had a 1995 Taylor GA/MC (300 ever made) that had such a rich sound. Should have kept it.
  • @kevincasals2008
    I came to this after 5 years and having tears it's like found my lost treasure,the tunes are simply beautiful thanks for making it.
  • @hienrauu
    To me, Martin sounds more balanced, a bit towards bass, and Taylor towards Treble. I prefer more bass, warmer to me.
  • @Matthew-ez4ze
    Last year my dad asked me if I wanted a stored guitar that he had purchased in 1977 with the intention of learning to play. I opened the case to the beautiful sight and smell of a mint 1976 Martin snuggled in red velour that hadn't seen the light of day in over 40 years. No other guitar I own sounds as beautiful.
  • @billvilla7799
    A revisit to this video Paul. I love when you do this kind of side by side comparison. Both of these guitars have very distinct sounds...wish I had the money to own one of each!
  • @DarrynDavis
    I am far from an expert, but I like the sharper tone from the Taylor. They both sound fantastic, but they definitely have a different sound. This was great for me to hear. A definite learning experience. Both are amazing! The player ain't too bad as well.
  • @Is..4110
    Listening to a Taylor for me is like attending an open air concert. Listening to a Martin is like laying out in the woods with Gordon Lightfoot going in your headphones... Oh, and neither one is bad at all...
  • @willscott5841
    Well for starters, the difference in body shapes plays a huge part in the tones. I’ve played both high end and lower end Taylor’s and Martin’s. Taylor’s always sound brighter and more brassy in my opinion. Martins have a smoother tone and just sound so full overall. Like almond milk VS whole milk. I don’t hate Taylor’s as they do have a place, but overall, Martin is where it’s at on a much larger scale of applications
  • @TalonShreds
    You started playing Drive at the beginning and I was so happy. One of my friends is a major incubus fan and told me to learn that song, so I did, the first incubus sing I learned. Great work!