I put my headphones on and closed my eyes. Whenever I heard the sound that I like I opened my eyes and it just happens to be the Martin! I love that old sound...
It’s like kissing a woman 👩 feel her lips, breathe in her scent feel her body, if that’s what is good to you then there you have it, that’s the one for you. The Martin has a true wood loved and crafted sound and always will have.
I recently bought a 000-15sm. It is simply a privilege just to take it out of the case every day and play it. I have collected a few really nice guitars over the years, including Martin and Taylor, but this little gem is my current favorite.
Looking for an acoustic, I tried ALL body shapes, settled on a 15 style one. Then tried these two as final contenders. Played them both a lot, but finally bought the Martin. The vid is great, but people, you have to hear these by yourself. The complexity of the Martin is subtle but present. Also, volume wise, well, just strum it harder and do it right. Sounds obvious, but part of the greatness of this guitar is that it responds to your every nuance. It is an incredibly great instrument
They are both amazing and I love the distinct woody sound each of them holds. I know that Martin’s traditional tone wins in most comparisons, but for me the Taylor is the clear winner. It may just be the gloss finish, but it carries a rich clarity and deeper bass. Often it’s just personal taste. You cannot go wrong either way. And the Taylor is gorgeous. Love the design.
You don't buy a 12 fret mahogany guitar for brightness, you buy and play it fingerstyle blues, jazz even will a deep melow tone hence the Martin wins by a mile while the Taylor sounds like a decent spruce top dreadnought.
I agree w/ this, but at the same time the Taylor sounds exactly like a Taylor. The bright treble but I thought this had a little more bass than normal that was a nice mix. I actually just bought the 000-15 and love it, but was surprised that I liked this version of a Taylor.
I got a good deal on the 712e 12 fret on reverb and it should be here tmrw. Played one at guitar center about 3 years ago and fell in love with everything but price. I kept looking and got a used one under 2k. Played many brands since the first Taylor and nothing came close to the Taylor.
Went into it expecting to prefer the Martin and walked away with quite the opposite. The Taylor had the brightness I expected, but a degree of warmth I did not expect. The Martin sounded like a much smaller guitar (physically) to me.
For the first time I have the opinion that Taylor wins! I've been waiting for this comparison hoping you'd do it Tony. Didn't expect the outcome. I've made a few acoustic guitars and have used Martin style construction techniques. My next build is a 12 fret all hog. I'll be doing some Taylor research before I get started!
I too was surprised at first at how good the Taylor sounded. At first it seemed to just have more depth and presence than the Martin. But as the comparison continued, the Martin tone sounded clearer, cleaner and more focused while the Taylor started to sound more muddy and uneven, and perhaps even boomy or overdriven. Plus the stark white binding and red shades kind of gives the Taylor a somewhat toy like appearance. I'd take the Martin home over the Taylor.
Had a 000-15SM and a Taylor GA4 and traded them both for a Martin D28. Never regretted the trade but I really miss my 000-15SM. The perfect coutch guitar.
really outstanding comparison - I LOVE to see the apple to apple contrast, by far the best comparison vids on youtube. Great playing and production value/editing makes a huge difference too.
The Martin sounds so good, but honestly the thing that really gets me is how they feel. And I always find the Taylor’s feel so nice and smooth to play. The neck is usually heavier and feels more refined in comparison, generally. Idk if that’s just me
For a mahogany 12 fret, I'd choose the Martin everyday of the week. IMO, If you want a sparkly jangle, don't get an all mahogany guitar. For the price of the 522, you can find a spruce top from many other high end brands that out shine this one. Both are good guitars. You just need to know what you want. Great review.
***** I agree that appointment-for-appointment, and spec-for-spec, Taylors are overpriced. As another example, compare the Taylor 300s to the Martin Road Series.
I'm glad I watched this. The only one that I liked the Taylor better for was the last strumming riff. Other than that, the Martin did it for me. Nice, fat treble strings that makes me feel it's better for blues
These are both great guitars! The Martin sounds a bit more classic and like something you'd play for an old rag time style band. But I liked the bass response in the taylor much more.
@@evomike5708 I thought the same, wondering if it have something to do how they transfer through the recording. Because I do trust tonys judgement:) but the taylor sound balanced, sweet and have nice clear base compared to the martin.
The Taylor actually sounded both fuller and clearer to me. Didn't expect that, and I'm a Taylor guy all the way. Does the Martin have a more extended low end that the mic just can't pick up?
I love my Taylor 522e, I want to marry it and have perfect small Taylor babies with it. This guitar is absolutely perfect for someone who is a bit smaller, like me. I have smaller hands and a smaller body and it fits me like a glove. Having a guitar that is better fitted for your own size makes a HUGE difference.
interesting that so many prefer the sound of the Taylor. I think this is a pop music sensibility where people like their guitars super bright to be heard above all the other noise in a band. Or something like that. To me the Taylor is like the sound when I open the silverware drawer, pretty harsh. yes it is well crafted, expensive etc but I have played many and they all have this sound. the tone of the Martin 00015 is much more complex and balanced. I would agree that perhaps this is not obvious on a yt video sound quality. For finger style there is no comparison in the tone. a 00015s will always be a superb studio guitar for this reason. they are chosen for that type of playing by so many well known fingerstyle players despite being relatively inexpensive.
+atg I totally agree! I like something that's as far from 90's pop as possible. I like something more classic, while a little edgy, bluesy, bluegrassy. I'm a new player, before I might have chosen the other one, but as I grow in music, I recognize that the 000-15sm is superior!!
+atg I agree the Martin is better for sure. Better sound better aesthetic too. This scenario reminds me of the Pepsi/Coke taste challenge. People always choose Pepsi after one sip, simply because theirs more sugar in it, so it hits the taste buds more. If you were going to drink a whole can, Coke wins every time. Same with these guitars. This bright tinny sound of the Taylor sometimes sounds better with one strum or two. But get on stage and plug in or mic up, and its a different story!
+Tim Wilson Well, not exactly the same as Coke v. Pepsi (I'm more of a Pepsi guy, simply because it has more flavor that Coke tries to make up for in fizz, but that's a different argument for a different day.) I'm no expert, but from what I've seen, most people's guitar preference depends on their playing style. People who often play in a group setting or in a band seem to lean towards Taylor, while soloists choose Martin. But on top of that, there is definitely some bias. I'm a Martin guy myself, but too many times I give the edge to the Martin simply because of the fact that it's a Martin. And I play with guys that do the same towards Taylor. Personally, I think Taylor's guitars are too gimmicky, but that's just me. Point is, minus the rambling, that they're both great guitars, but I don't have a trained enough ear to hear the "metallic" sound of the Taylor.
I feel this is far to easy a thing to say "Taylor is Pop" " sounds like bright" "Taylor all sound the same". I don't own either guitar now but have owned both brands and dumped both very harshly for a Lowden because quite frankly both bow to Lowden however Martin is sailing on a name made in the past and the guitar demo here shows an empty sounding Martin whereas the Taylor at least has some life in it. It's so easy to say all Taylors "have this sound" when in fact it's far from the truth, it's not even possible for the different wood combinations to sound the same, it really just sounds ignorance and biased and nobody should be swayed by that, go check the guitars out yourself before taking the advice from anyone who leans too heavily to one Brand.
I agree when I first heard Martin mahogany guitars I did not like them that much, but now I think they sound great. Have tried one, but many of them have a very narrow 2 1/8 neck at 12th do not like that so much.
If, like me, you are late to this video and searching all mahogany guitars, let me save you a step. The Martin costs $1600 and the Taylor costs $3000 in Feburary 2021.
@@maraviyoso8473 I'm not a sound guy. I'm a guitarist. I plug my Martin in and play. It works. No fixes. No feedback. No mess. It just works. Unlike the Taylors.
I was leaning towards the taylor at first but the overtones were just not as sharp and focused as the martin. The ooo does have a weird sound to it when played with a flatpick but still gets the win in my book. Thx for this great comparison!
I've had a 522 for a year and love it, but just bought a 000-15. I'm sitting here playing them now and I think my Taylor will remain my favorite. I expected a big difference in brightness, but I don't think it's very much. I like the shorter scale on my Taylor, but that is probably because I'm used to it. The Martin however was about $700 cheaper and will let me give the Taylor a rest. I tried some Eastmans and Larrivees, they are nice guitars, but the sound, IMHO, just doesn't cut it.
A day after getting my 000-15sm, I took it back, paid some more money and went with an 000-18. The 000-15sm sounded fine, but I prefer the shorter scale on the 18, closer to my 522 and Rainsong Parlor. The jury is still out on the sound of the 000-18. I play mostly fingerstyle.
Unfair Comparison friends! that Taylor is 1000$ more than the Marty! If the Martin had an ebony board and bridge and a gloss finish it would out shine that Taylor!
These guitars sounded more similar than i expected. Both were warm and woody. The Taylor had slightly more sustain, while the Martin was a but more direct. I surmise the saddle differences (Tusq in the Taylor and Bone in the Martin) may account for these slight differences. Love them both.
Haven't played either but preferred the sound of the Taylor. I suspect though, that I'd prefer the neck on the Martin. I always gravitate towards a beefier neck for my style of playing. In the market for a smaller bodied guitar...
The Martin sounded tad more sweeter on the trebs and more woody and the Taylor had more base and sounded pretty good. The Taylor had greater separation and the Martin sounded a little less separated which comes off with a weaker or quieter voice.
Interesting comparison. As an owner (and fan) of both brands (1951 Martin D-28, 2011 Taylor GS7), I think I'm a pretty impartial observer. The Martin didn't sound bad, but it suffered in this head-to-head comparison with the Taylor. The bass just isn't there, and the overall sound is thin and dry compared to the fuller, warmer, wetter sound of the Taylor. But is this really a fair comparison? The Taylor costs nearly $1000 more (although some of that price difference is due to its ES2 electronics, whereas the Martin has none). Still, if I were looking for a small-bodied 12-fret mahogany finger-picking guitar, I'd save up a little longer and get the Taylor.
I prefer the Martin. Of course I'm terribly biased as I own a 000-15sm and love it! But I really do think the Martin sounds better in this comparison. Quite a bit less expensive too!
Just read a lot of the comments on this review and it seems like most people prefer the Taylor. As usual for Taylor, this one sounds too "bright" for me whereas the Martin is much warmer, which is the kind of sound I prefer. I guess most people prefer the shimmer of the Taylor sound but is just sounds a bit to jangly for my taste. As usual, different strokes for different folks.
I'd take the Martin based on the warmer tone, but the Taylor did shine for those who prefer jangle. I'd like to hear the 00-17M vs. a comparable Taylor. I consider the 15 series to be more of a high-end entry level guitar, maximum value for your $$, but with the 17 having a bit more Martin magic.
Based on tone, both guitars are excellent. I prefer the smaller body and shorter scale of the Taylor... Taylor instruments are generally "preferred" by my hands for playability... Taylor makes the most consistent instruments in the world, no worry about picking the best one... long term, Taylors neck join system + superior fretwork and precision placement + V-class bracing... all make Taylor an easy choice for me (except I'll get the 322CE, cost is WAY less and I prefer satin finish).
Maybe you should compare Taylor 322e with Martin 00015-sm; they are at same level. Could you compare Taylor 322e and 522e? I do want a mahogany guitar, but I didn't find a store which has both 322e and 522e.
They sounded damn near the same , Taylor being slightly brighter , Martin a little deeper . I prefer the sound of the Martin because I play blues and this guitar sounds perfect for that . Also for personal preference I like plain looking guitars , don’t like the way Taylor’s look . Another factor I just looked up is that the Taylor cost $3000 new and the Martin cost $1599 new .
It’s really fascinating how people can have such differing opinions. I prefer the sound of the Martin. I feel it has more soul and more character, much like playing a record or something. The sound of the Martin tells a story and the Taylor simply plays the notes.
I DON'T KNOW BUT WHEN I CLOSED MY EYES I FOUND IT HARD TO DETERMIN WHEN DAVID CHANGD GUITARS. I have a Taylor 512ce 12-fret and love it but the Martin is nice as well.
The Martin sounded brighter because it has two more frets. This paces the sound hole farther from the mic so less bass is captured in the recording (the mic is pointed at the same fret on each guitar). Actually in person you would notice that the lower placement of the sound hole on the Martin makes it sound more full than in this recording.
To me the Taylor has more highs and mids. The Martin has more bass. The Taylor has more string separation but the Martin is really smooth and balanced. Hard to say, I'd probably go with the Martin, but I've already got a nice bright Taylor.
The bass on the Taylor is too boomy/distorted, especially during the 'Freight Train' bit (2:52-3:03), which is a problem I also experience with my Taylor JKSM model. The Elixir strings might have something to do with that. In fact, one might get a more accurate idea of the sound of the 2 guitars if the same brand/model/gauge of strings were used on both models.
get what sounds best to your ears... I had a tacoma that was great but the finish came apart. I currently play a Taylor 410ce LOVE IT...I also owned a 314ce that sounded good. I went to guitar center open minded specifically to purchase or lay away a martin hd28...the two I played I would not trade my Taylor for.. I have seen the variable between taylor guitars of the same model be smaller than that of martin.. I have heard some nice Martins but have also heard a dud for every good one. just my 2 cents
I am a Martin guy, but I liked the Taylor better in this video. However, it isn't a fair comparison because the Taylor cost twice as much as Martin. They really aren't in the same class.
The Martin sounds a little brighter and more balanced as a result. The Taylor sounds warmer to me. I like the fact that the Taylor already comes with a pickup system in it (I'm lazy). But assuming they feel and play the same, the Martin is probably the one and I'll have to have a pickup installed .... or, in addition, buy a Takamine for gigging : )
black wood sounds a lot like a beefed up rosewood. its so dark and bright at the same time. but martin still sounds better to my ears, sounds so soft, woody and more balanced.
Normally I don't use hyperbolic language but really the Taylor just doesn't come close. The Martin's low tones, sustain, and articulate voice make the Taylor sound like it's under water.
Has to be the Martin for me on this (Taylor owner) for finger style but then thought overall it sounded a bit muffled when strummed. Wasn't blown away by either considering price point
Big surprise reading comments (not)... evenly split between Martin & Taylor. I have been playing both for a couple of weeks, set on getting a 12-fret all mahogany instrument... amplifies & records better than spruce for the quasi-Americana music I play. The one I have settled on is the Taylor 322ce... the cutaway + the Taylor ES2 pickup make this a much more versatile instrument.... I prefer this simple 300 series trim... and the playability of Taylor is the best there is, period.
Well im a martin fan and with myself owning a martin 17sm i was really rooting for the 15sm to come out on top, but i thought the Taylor easily dominated and was really surprised how good it sounds
What is about Taylor's really bright sound no matter what model are wood used always sounds the same with very minor tonal changes. Just to bright for me in the Mahogany models.
Strings make a huge difference. The scale length would change it a bit, the bridge is pretty far away from the sound hole on the Taylor, which I thought would give it more low end. Could be hand placement... dunno. I have a 000-17 with the new Monel strings it's really warm and smooth, with Elixir's it's bright and loud. I like both strings just for the difference I get. Tried Earth Wound EB's and they just sucked. I love these reviews, but wish he would state if there's a difference in strings, I just assume the strings are the same brand and gauge.
@@liberty5565 agree on all you wrote! I own a GS mini mahogany, elixir strings was shimmering all without sense. I immediately swapped it with Thomastik Infeld Plectrum and tone, timbre became mellow and defined
I’m pretty sure the Taylor costs more so not sure of this comparison. I love my Martin 00015SM which is great for fingerpicking. I tend to agree that most people buy a mahogany guitar for the mellow sound and not the brightness associated with Taylor guitars. I wouldn’t turn down either guitar if giving them away.
i was wandering why do you seem to strum harder when playing the martin than when your playing the Taylor ? both seem beautiful guitars and your playing is great
I think the best sounding acoustic guitar is a balanced combination of wood sound and string sound. However, the best sounding guitar is still the one we prefer...
To me the Taylor has more bass and projection and clarity, but also had more high end string "click" when flat picked, typical of Taylors. I have a Taylor 712 12 Fret, and love it for noodling, but find that it's not a great singer/songwriter strumming guitar because it acceentuates frequencies in the same range as my vocal. If I were just going to noodle, I'd get the Taylor. If I were going to play and sing, I'd consider the Martin.
Tough call on this comparison. They Both sound Really Nice. Maybe just my Ears but I hear more of a Brightness in the Martin but more of a Nice Bass Low end on the Taylor. Just really depends on you the Player and what you into. I'd be happy with either.
I got the Taylor based in part on this video. My Taylor 522e didn't sound like this one. In fact, it had the classic Taylor brightness. I sold it as I was not looking for that brightness at all. I don't know what the deal is in this video because it's obviously a 522e but it seems to be an anomaly to the usual Taylor sound. I got a Furch D MM blue instead, great guitar
Not to mention Martin is much less expensive . A Mexican made lament Taylor 200 series costs as much as an American made solid wood Martin both guitars sound great but the Martin is a better value
First of all I have to say I am a Martin fan. I have never really found Taylor guitars to appeal to me, I don't care for that bright jangly sound that Taylor guitars seem to have. In this demo both guitars sounded good it was close I think until you aggressively strummed the Taylor then I heard that bright jangly tone again I don't think this a natural sound the Martin seems to my ears to have a more balanced tone.
Ariel Cardona The Martin has better over all balance and clarity. Thats just my take on the sound. And I have good monitors hooked up. Different strokes for different folks.
Better clarity on the Martin is due to the longer scale. The Taylor has a short scale. So on the matter of clarity, it's not an apples to apples comparison. Another difference here is body shape. One is a 14-fret shape, the other a 12-fret shape. It would have been more revealing to compare either the 12-fret versions or the 14-fret versions of each.
Sound very much alike to me. Martin maybe a slight bit more bass, a little less chime or ringyness. Both sound great. Taylor’s prettier in my opinion, Martin looks a little more old school vintage like. I guess I’ll take one and will probably always wish I’d had gotten the other😂
Old comment, but I can't help myself. Colter Wall is great, but that's a John Fahey song from 1964... about 31 years before Colter Wall was born. It's called Last Steam Engine Train
To me, the Taylor sounded more full, the Martin kind of thin. However, this isn't a completely issue-free review. The Taylor will likely have Elixirs, right? And the Martin, cheap Martin uncoated strings? Also, the Taylor, at least in this part of the world, is about €800-€900 more in price. I am thinking long and hard about the Martin, but I wouldn't pay €2,300 for the Taylor. I'll just have to wait until I have the 000.15SM in my hands before I decide whether to keep it or not.
The Taylor sounds more crisp and noble to me and the Martin sounds more "rural". Guess that's the thousand bucks difference. I own this Martin model and it's my dream guitar.
Not every one hears the same nuances. The way the sound board vibrates is mainly what matters to me in my Martins. If you've got bad ears it don't matter what guitar you play.
@@ArielCardona The 15 series Martins are modeled after depression era guitars, so construction, while of excellent quality, is very basic. No binding or anything like that. That saves a lot of manufacturing costs.
It's too bad bad you don't give your opinion on which one you like better. It's tough for someone like me to even hear much difference. I bet the Taylor cost a lot more because it's finish is much better but I don't know anything.
We must have similar music history because I’ve played/picked all those same songs on guitar and mandolin! But back to the point... Taylor looked better but the Martin sounded better.
And that's typically what those brands go for IMO. If you want a sunny spring time sound go w/ a Taylor. You want a bass heavy whiskey growl go w/ a Martin.
well, the taylor did not have the sound I usually associate with mahogany guitars. I tried them both at GC (and all the other guitars they had available, spent 2 whole days in the process BTW) and ended up getting the 000-15M (NOT the SM). I do not want to suggest that the taylor doesn`t sound like mahogany, because it does. It`s just not what I would want as a mahogany guitar. It doesn`t bring out the characteristics of mahogany that well. ITS A FINE GUITAR, don`t get me wrong on that. The sound this taylor has reminds me of other tone woods (not mahog), and if I were looking for that sound there would be much better ones to buy,
Crashoverall the reason people don`t buy as much all mahogany guitars as the other tonewood combinations is that they do not like the sound of an all mahog. the comments in this section just prove that.
The more I've watched this video through my computer with studio monitors and my TV, I agree. The Taylor sounds like... well... a Taylor. The Martin actually sounds like an all-mahogany guitar.
ill take them both but as for my taste i would probably gravitate to the Martin after a good set up. The taylor first because they play so nice however after set up I always prefer Martin dynamics. Seems to be the right amount of natural compression yet very expressive.
The Taylor sounds better, much more complex and colorful....you also get much better woods, cosmetics and the advantage of a bolt-on neck sweetly playing neck. Anyone that has ever played a Taylor knows what I mean. The Martin is plain and muddy sounding IMO.
To my ear - some licks better for Taylor - some for Martin. Overall - the fight goes hands down to Martin who took about 75% of each duel. The Martin is also half the price of the Taylor - and that is a factor for many.
The Taylor have a modern sound and not the mahogny tone I like.Martin have this great woody sound and classic mahogny tone and I love my Martin 000 - 15M👍🏻
I put my headphones on and closed my eyes. Whenever I heard the sound that I like I opened my eyes and it just happens to be the Martin! I love that old sound...
It’s like kissing a woman 👩 feel her lips, breathe in her scent feel her body, if that’s what is good to you then there you have it, that’s the one for you. The Martin has a true wood loved and crafted sound and always will have.
I recently bought a 000-15sm. It is simply a privilege just to take it out of the case every day and play it. I have collected a few really nice guitars over the years, including Martin and Taylor, but this little gem is my current favorite.
The Martin's got that typical "woody" tone we all like when it comes to that brand.
Certainly a must have to my ears.
YES
Looking for an acoustic, I tried ALL body shapes, settled on a 15 style one. Then tried these two as final contenders. Played them both a lot, but finally bought the Martin. The vid is great, but people, you have to hear these by yourself. The complexity of the Martin is subtle but present. Also, volume wise, well, just strum it harder and do it right. Sounds obvious, but part of the greatness of this guitar is that it responds to your every nuance. It is an incredibly great instrument
The separation in the Martin is superb, while the Taylor was rather muddy and confused across the frequency range, but especially from the mids down.
They are both amazing and I love the distinct woody sound each of them holds. I know that Martin’s traditional tone wins in most comparisons, but for me the Taylor is the clear winner. It may just be the gloss finish, but it carries a rich clarity and deeper bass. Often it’s just personal taste. You cannot go wrong either way.
And the Taylor is gorgeous. Love the design.
You don't buy a 12 fret mahogany guitar for brightness, you buy and play it fingerstyle blues, jazz even will a deep melow tone hence the Martin wins by a mile while the Taylor sounds like a decent spruce top dreadnought.
I agree w/ this, but at the same time the Taylor sounds exactly like a Taylor. The bright treble but I thought this had a little more bass than normal that was a nice mix. I actually just bought the 000-15 and love it, but was surprised that I liked this version of a Taylor.
I got a good deal on the 712e 12 fret on reverb and it should be here tmrw. Played one at guitar center about 3 years ago and fell in love with everything but price. I kept looking and got a used one under 2k. Played many brands since the first Taylor and nothing came close to the Taylor.
it's amazing how different these sound (in person anyway)..... yet both are great in their own ways
Went into it expecting to prefer the Martin and walked away with quite the opposite. The Taylor had the brightness I expected, but a degree of warmth I did not expect. The Martin sounded like a much smaller guitar (physically) to me.
For the first time I have the opinion that Taylor wins! I've been waiting for this comparison hoping you'd do it Tony. Didn't expect the outcome. I've made a few acoustic guitars and have used Martin style construction techniques. My next build is a 12 fret all hog. I'll be doing some Taylor research before I get started!
The Taylor got me on this one. I'm usually a Martin guy, but that 522 will haunt my dreams.
As an owner of the 000-15sm my only gripe is how quiet it is. But it's such a lovely quite, like a lingering resonance you sing someone to sleep with.
Hang on. Strum it big and it starts opening up. I’m also a big fan of monels on that guitar
I too was surprised at first at how good the Taylor sounded. At first it seemed to just have more depth and presence than the Martin. But as the comparison continued, the Martin tone sounded clearer, cleaner and more focused while the Taylor started to sound more muddy and uneven, and perhaps even boomy or overdriven. Plus the stark white binding and red shades kind of gives the Taylor a somewhat toy like appearance. I'd take the Martin home over the Taylor.
I am lucky enough to have both, great guitars. You need too hear them in person, the Taylor sounds an plays fantastic, so does the Martin
Had a 000-15SM and a Taylor GA4 and traded them both for a Martin D28.
Never regretted the trade but I really miss my 000-15SM.
The perfect coutch guitar.
really outstanding comparison - I LOVE to see the apple to apple contrast, by far the best comparison vids on youtube. Great playing and production value/editing makes a huge difference too.
The Martin sounds so good, but honestly the thing that really gets me is how they feel. And I always find the Taylor’s feel so nice and smooth to play. The neck is usually heavier and feels more refined in comparison, generally. Idk if that’s just me
For a mahogany 12 fret, I'd choose the Martin everyday of the week. IMO, If you want a sparkly jangle, don't get an all mahogany guitar. For the price of the 522, you can find a spruce top from many other high end brands that out shine this one.
Both are good guitars. You just need to know what you want. Great review.
***** I agree that appointment-for-appointment, and spec-for-spec, Taylors are overpriced. As another example, compare the Taylor 300s to the Martin Road Series.
I love Martin and own a D28 but on this direct comparison with the Taylor ..the Taylor sounds brighter to my ear
Taylor will always sound brighter than Martin, or Martin will always sound bassier than Taylor. Either way, they are what they are.
I'm glad I watched this. The only one that I liked the Taylor better for was the last strumming riff. Other than that, the Martin did it for me. Nice, fat treble strings that makes me feel it's better for blues
These are both great guitars! The Martin sounds a bit more classic and like something you'd play for an old rag time style band. But I liked the bass response in the taylor much more.
I don't understand how he says the Martin has more low end? It's not even close imo. The Taylor has a much more full and healthy sound
@@evomike5708 I thought the same, wondering if it have something to do how they transfer through the recording. Because I do trust tonys judgement:) but the taylor sound balanced, sweet and have nice clear base compared to the martin.
The Taylor actually sounded both fuller and clearer to me. Didn't expect that, and I'm a Taylor guy all the way. Does the Martin have a more extended low end that the mic just can't pick up?
The real question was did they have the same strings?!
in this case it doesn't matter much. They don't have the same scale length, so they'll sound quite different. The Martin will be stiffer
I love my Taylor 522e, I want to marry it and have perfect small Taylor babies with it.
This guitar is absolutely perfect for someone who is a bit smaller, like me. I have smaller hands and a smaller body and it fits me like a glove. Having a guitar that is better fitted for your own size makes a HUGE difference.
interesting that so many prefer the sound of the Taylor. I think this is a pop music sensibility where people like their guitars super bright to be heard above all the other noise in a band. Or something like that. To me the Taylor is like the sound when I open the silverware drawer, pretty harsh. yes it is well crafted, expensive etc but I have played many and they all have this sound. the tone of the Martin 00015 is much more complex and balanced. I would agree that perhaps this is not obvious on a yt video sound quality. For finger style there is no comparison in the tone. a 00015s will always be a superb studio guitar for this reason. they are chosen for that type of playing by so many well known fingerstyle players despite being relatively inexpensive.
+atg I totally agree! I like something that's as far from 90's pop as possible. I like something more classic, while a little edgy, bluesy, bluegrassy. I'm a new player, before I might have chosen the other one, but as I grow in music, I recognize that the 000-15sm is superior!!
+atg I agree the Martin is better for sure. Better sound better aesthetic too. This scenario reminds me of the Pepsi/Coke taste challenge. People always choose Pepsi after one sip, simply because theirs more sugar in it, so it hits the taste buds more. If you were going to drink a whole can, Coke wins every time. Same with these guitars. This bright tinny sound of the Taylor sometimes sounds better with one strum or two. But get on stage and plug in or mic up, and its a different story!
+Tim Wilson Well, not exactly the same as Coke v. Pepsi (I'm more of a Pepsi guy, simply because it has more flavor that Coke tries to make up for in fizz, but that's a different argument for a different day.) I'm no expert, but from what I've seen, most people's guitar preference depends on their playing style. People who often play in a group setting or in a band seem to lean towards Taylor, while soloists choose Martin. But on top of that, there is definitely some bias. I'm a Martin guy myself, but too many times I give the edge to the Martin simply because of the fact that it's a Martin. And I play with guys that do the same towards Taylor. Personally, I think Taylor's guitars are too gimmicky, but that's just me. Point is, minus the rambling, that they're both great guitars, but I don't have a trained enough ear to hear the "metallic" sound of the Taylor.
I feel this is far to easy a thing to say "Taylor is Pop" " sounds like bright" "Taylor all sound the same". I don't own either guitar now but have owned both brands and dumped both very harshly for a Lowden because quite frankly both bow to Lowden however Martin is sailing on a name made in the past and the guitar demo here shows an empty sounding Martin whereas the Taylor at least has some life in it. It's so easy to say all Taylors "have this sound" when in fact it's far from the truth, it's not even possible for the different wood combinations to sound the same, it really just sounds ignorance and biased and nobody should be swayed by that, go check the guitars out yourself before taking the advice from anyone who leans too heavily to one Brand.
I agree when I first heard Martin mahogany guitars I did not like them that much, but now I think they sound great. Have tried one, but many of them have a very narrow 2 1/8 neck at 12th do not like that so much.
If, like me, you are late to this video and searching all mahogany guitars, let me save you a step. The Martin costs $1600 and the Taylor costs $3000 in Feburary 2021.
Martin is way better than the overpriced Taylor crap anyway. Taylor can't make a pickup that doesn't get aweful feedback.
@@charles3200 You probably suck as a sound guy. My Taylor guitars don't do that because at least I can set up the sound quite nice
@@maraviyoso8473 I'm not a sound guy. I'm a guitarist. I plug my Martin in and play. It works. No fixes. No feedback. No mess. It just works. Unlike the Taylors.
I was leaning towards the taylor at first but the overtones were just not as sharp and focused as the martin.
The ooo does have a weird sound to it when played with a flatpick but still gets the win in my book.
Thx for this great comparison!
I'll take the Taylor !! The Martin sounds a little thin to me not as warm to my ear. Both are fine guitars
I've had a 522 for a year and love it, but just bought a 000-15. I'm sitting here playing them now and I think my Taylor will remain my favorite. I expected a big difference in brightness, but I don't think it's very much. I like the shorter scale on my Taylor, but that is probably because I'm used to it. The Martin however was about $700 cheaper and will let me give the Taylor a rest. I tried some Eastmans and Larrivees, they are nice guitars, but the sound, IMHO, just doesn't cut it.
A day after getting my 000-15sm, I took it back, paid some more money and went with an 000-18. The 000-15sm sounded fine, but I prefer the shorter scale on the 18, closer to my 522 and Rainsong Parlor. The jury is still out on the sound of the 000-18. I play mostly fingerstyle.
Unfair Comparison friends! that Taylor is 1000$ more than the Marty! If the Martin had an ebony board and bridge and a gloss finish it would out shine that Taylor!
These guitars sounded more similar than i expected. Both were warm and woody. The Taylor had slightly more sustain, while the Martin was a but more direct. I surmise the saddle differences (Tusq in the Taylor and Bone in the Martin) may account for these slight differences. Love them both.
Haven't played either but preferred the sound of the Taylor. I suspect though, that I'd prefer the neck on the Martin. I always gravitate towards a beefier neck for my style of playing. In the market for a smaller bodied guitar...
The Martin sounded tad more sweeter on the trebs and more woody and the Taylor had more base and sounded pretty good. The Taylor had greater separation and the Martin sounded a little less separated which comes off with a weaker or quieter voice.
Interesting comparison. As an owner (and fan) of both brands (1951 Martin D-28, 2011 Taylor GS7), I think I'm a pretty impartial observer. The Martin didn't sound bad, but it suffered in this head-to-head comparison with the Taylor. The bass just isn't there, and the overall sound is thin and dry compared to the fuller, warmer, wetter sound of the Taylor. But is this really a fair comparison? The Taylor costs nearly $1000 more (although some of that price difference is due to its ES2 electronics, whereas the Martin has none). Still, if I were looking for a small-bodied 12-fret mahogany finger-picking guitar, I'd save up a little longer and get the Taylor.
i have to agree
I prefer the Martin. Of course I'm terribly biased as I own a 000-15sm and love it! But I really do think the Martin sounds better in this comparison. Quite a bit less expensive too!
Just read a lot of the comments on this review and it seems like most people prefer the Taylor. As usual for Taylor, this one sounds too "bright" for me whereas the Martin is much warmer, which is the kind of sound I prefer. I guess most people prefer the shimmer of the Taylor sound but is just sounds a bit to jangly for my taste. As usual, different strokes for different folks.
Once you play the 000 you can feel the warmth and depth of tone
I'd take the Martin based on the warmer tone, but the Taylor did shine for those who prefer jangle. I'd like to hear the 00-17M vs. a comparable Taylor. I consider the 15 series to be more of a high-end entry level guitar, maximum value for your $$, but with the 17 having a bit more Martin magic.
Based on tone, both guitars are excellent. I prefer the smaller body and shorter scale of the Taylor... Taylor instruments are generally "preferred" by my hands for playability... Taylor makes the most consistent instruments in the world, no worry about picking the best one... long term, Taylors neck join system + superior fretwork and precision placement + V-class bracing... all make Taylor an easy choice for me (except I'll get the 322CE, cost is WAY less and I prefer satin finish).
Maybe you should compare Taylor 322e with Martin 00015-sm; they are at same level. Could you compare Taylor 322e and 522e? I do want a mahogany guitar, but I didn't find a store which has both 322e and 522e.
322e (I won the cutaway version) has Tasmanian Blackwood b&s, so a 522 is more like the OOO-15
They sounded damn near the same , Taylor being slightly brighter , Martin a little deeper . I prefer the sound of the Martin because I play blues and this guitar sounds perfect for that . Also for personal preference I like plain looking guitars , don’t like the way Taylor’s look . Another factor I just looked up is that the Taylor cost $3000 new and the Martin cost $1599 new .
It’s really fascinating how people can have such differing opinions. I prefer the sound of the Martin. I feel it has more soul and more character, much like playing a record or something. The sound of the Martin tells a story and the Taylor simply plays the notes.
Excellent review. The way all comparisons should be done.
I DON'T KNOW BUT WHEN I CLOSED MY EYES I FOUND IT HARD TO DETERMIN WHEN DAVID CHANGD GUITARS. I have a Taylor 512ce 12-fret and love it but the Martin is nice as well.
there're so different... for a recent pop song or jazz I would take the Taylor
and for a folk indie or blues I would take the Martin
They're (they are) not There're!
Reggie, right, I made a mistake, you deserve a silver star ;)
This is a tie I think they both sound pretty dang good I'll take both
The Martin sounded brighter because it has two more frets. This paces the sound hole farther from the mic so less bass is captured in the recording (the mic is pointed at the same fret on each guitar). Actually in person you would notice that the lower placement of the sound hole on the Martin makes it sound more full than in this recording.
To me the Taylor has more highs and mids. The Martin has more bass. The Taylor has more string separation but the Martin is really smooth and balanced. Hard to say, I'd probably go with the Martin, but I've already got a nice bright Taylor.
The bass on the Taylor is too boomy/distorted, especially during the 'Freight Train' bit (2:52-3:03), which is a problem I also experience with my Taylor JKSM model. The Elixir strings might have something to do with that. In fact, one might get a more accurate idea of the sound of the 2 guitars if the same brand/model/gauge of strings were used on both models.
Hard one to put into words, but the Martin sounds Analogue and the Taylor sounds Digital. Really like the Martin.
Cheage those words. They mean nothing
@@maraviyoso8473 You mean nothing.
I love your analogy!
get what sounds best to your ears... I had a tacoma that was great but the finish came apart. I currently play a Taylor 410ce LOVE IT...I also owned a 314ce that sounded good. I went to guitar center open minded specifically to purchase or lay away a martin hd28...the two I played I would not trade my Taylor for.. I have seen the variable between taylor guitars of the same model be smaller than that of martin.. I have heard some nice Martins but have also heard a dud for every good one. just my 2 cents
I am a Martin guy, but I liked the Taylor better in this video. However, it isn't a fair comparison because the Taylor cost twice as much as Martin. They really aren't in the same class.
I own both, love both of them, fingerstyle awesomeness.
Which one is your favorite??
The Martin sounds a little brighter and more balanced as a result. The Taylor sounds warmer to me. I like the fact that the Taylor already comes with a pickup system in it (I'm lazy). But assuming they feel and play the same, the Martin is probably the one and I'll have to have a pickup installed .... or, in addition, buy a Takamine for gigging : )
black wood sounds a lot like a beefed up rosewood. its so dark and bright at the same time. but martin still sounds better to my ears, sounds so soft, woody and more balanced.
Almost identical in tone.I'd take the Martin because it costs less and because it's a Martin.Looks cooler too.
Normally I don't use hyperbolic language but really the Taylor just doesn't come close. The Martin's low tones, sustain, and articulate voice make the Taylor sound like it's under water.
I got to go with martin on this one! Just can't believe the thick fat bass that that little guitar puts out
Everyone copies Taylor doesn’t mean they’re bad it just means Taylor is ahead for a reason
To me the Martin sounds the best but,I am partial to the blues which I think this would be perfect for. I am going to purchase one after seeing this .
Has to be the Martin for me on this (Taylor owner) for finger style but then thought overall it sounded a bit muffled when strummed. Wasn't blown away by either considering price point
Haven’t watched it yet and I haven’t ever heard the Taylor one but I already know the Martin is way better
Big surprise reading comments (not)... evenly split between Martin & Taylor. I have been playing both for a couple of weeks, set on getting a 12-fret all mahogany instrument... amplifies & records better than spruce for the quasi-Americana music I play. The one I have settled on is the Taylor 322ce... the cutaway + the Taylor ES2 pickup make this a much more versatile instrument.... I prefer this simple 300 series trim... and the playability of Taylor is the best there is, period.
I actually played both of these in a shop back to back and the taylor won hands down, so much so i bought one lol
Well im a martin fan and with myself owning a martin 17sm i was really rooting for the 15sm to come out on top, but i thought the Taylor easily dominated and was really surprised how good it sounds
same, huge martin fan but the taylor sounded far better
What is about Taylor's really bright sound no matter what model are wood used always sounds the same with very minor tonal changes. Just to bright for me in the Mahogany models.
Strings make a huge difference. The scale length would change it a bit, the bridge is pretty far away from the sound hole on the Taylor, which I thought would give it more low end. Could be hand placement... dunno.
I have a 000-17 with the new Monel strings it's really warm and smooth, with Elixir's it's bright and loud. I like both strings just for the difference I get. Tried Earth Wound EB's and they just sucked.
I love these reviews, but wish he would state if there's a difference in strings, I just assume the strings are the same brand and gauge.
@@liberty5565 agree on all you wrote! I own a GS mini mahogany, elixir strings was shimmering all without sense. I immediately swapped it with Thomastik Infeld Plectrum and tone, timbre became mellow and defined
I’m pretty sure the Taylor costs more so not sure of this comparison. I love my Martin 00015SM which is great for fingerpicking. I tend to agree that most people buy a mahogany guitar for the mellow sound and not the brightness associated with Taylor guitars. I wouldn’t turn down either guitar if giving them away.
i was wandering why do you seem to strum harder when playing the martin than when your playing the Taylor ? both seem beautiful guitars and your playing is great
I think the best sounding acoustic guitar is a balanced combination of wood sound and string sound. However, the best sounding guitar is still the one we prefer...
Marin has a more classic sound to it and stays more true to what mahogany sounds like. To me all Taylor’s sound the same. But that’s just me.
Yes. It's you.
To me the Taylor has more bass and projection and clarity, but also had more high end string "click" when flat picked, typical of Taylors. I have a Taylor 712 12 Fret, and love it for noodling, but find that it's not a great singer/songwriter strumming guitar because it acceentuates frequencies in the same range as my vocal. If I were just going to noodle, I'd get the Taylor. If I were going to play and sing, I'd consider the Martin.
Tough call on this comparison. They Both sound Really Nice. Maybe just my Ears but I hear more of a Brightness in the Martin but more of a Nice Bass Low end on the Taylor. Just really depends on you the Player and what you into. I'd be happy with either.
I hear the opposite
I got the Taylor based in part on this video. My Taylor 522e didn't sound like this one. In fact, it had the classic Taylor brightness. I sold it as I was not looking for that brightness at all. I don't know what the deal is in this video because it's obviously a 522e but it seems to be an anomaly to the usual Taylor sound. I got a Furch D MM blue instead, great guitar
Not to mention Martin is much less expensive . A Mexican made lament Taylor 200 series costs as much as an American made solid wood Martin both guitars sound great but the Martin is a better value
No question!
Martin 000-15SM beautiful 👍🏻
Taylor is clearly better IMO, much more open and clear sounding. I'm not a fanboy of either brand, but do love and respect both
Martin 000-15SM ♥️
martin always been so classic sound,hmmm but i like taylor for it's balance tone..both are good guitar,nice review for comparing these guitars
I’ll take either. Prefer the warmth of that Martin though
First of all I have to say I am a Martin fan. I have never really found Taylor guitars to appeal to me, I don't care for that bright jangly sound that Taylor guitars seem to have. In this demo both guitars sounded good it was close I think until you aggressively strummed the Taylor then I heard that bright jangly tone again I don't think this a natural sound the Martin seems to my ears to have a more balanced tone.
Martin sounds over all better. Taylor muddled. More clarity on the Martin. And Taylors are to adorned.
Do you have different ears from all the rest? I LOVE Martins, but THIS Martin does not sound that clear
Ariel Cardona The Martin has better over all balance and clarity. Thats just my take on the sound. And I have good monitors hooked up. Different strokes for different folks.
I feel exactly opposite of what you said.
Better clarity on the Martin is due to the longer scale. The Taylor has a short scale. So on the matter of clarity, it's not an apples to apples comparison.
Another difference here is body shape. One is a 14-fret shape, the other a 12-fret shape. It would have been more revealing to compare either the 12-fret versions or the 14-fret versions of each.
taylor sound more full
Taylor seemed to respond a bit better to strumming while the Martin dominated in the fingerpicking. It’s a no lose situation with either guitar.
Sound very much alike to me. Martin maybe a slight bit more bass, a little less chime or ringyness. Both sound great. Taylor’s prettier in my opinion, Martin looks a little more old school vintage like. I guess I’ll take one and will probably always wish I’d had gotten the other😂
3:43 What's that damn tune! It's stuck in my head and I know I heard it a thousand times but can't remember the name
Maybe listen to some Colter Wall..
Old comment, but I can't help myself. Colter Wall is great, but that's a John Fahey song from 1964... about 31 years before Colter Wall was born. It's called Last Steam Engine Train
To me, the Taylor sounded more full, the Martin kind of thin. However, this isn't a completely issue-free review. The Taylor will likely have Elixirs, right? And the Martin, cheap Martin uncoated strings? Also, the Taylor, at least in this part of the world, is about €800-€900 more in price. I am thinking long and hard about the Martin, but I wouldn't pay €2,300 for the Taylor. I'll just have to wait until I have the 000.15SM in my hands before I decide whether to keep it or not.
The Taylor sounds more crisp and noble to me and the Martin sounds more "rural". Guess that's the thousand bucks difference. I own this Martin model and it's my dream guitar.
Not every one hears the same nuances. The way the sound board vibrates is mainly what matters to me in my Martins. If you've got bad ears it don't matter what guitar you play.
That Taylor costs twice as much as the Martin.
Because of the electronics for the most part
@@ArielCardona
The 15 series Martins are modeled after depression era guitars, so construction, while of excellent quality, is very basic.
No binding or anything like that.
That saves a lot of manufacturing costs.
It's too bad bad you don't give your opinion on which one you like better. It's tough for someone like me to even hear much difference. I bet the Taylor cost a lot more because it's finish is much better but I don't know anything.
We must have similar music history because I’ve played/picked all those same songs on guitar and mandolin! But back to the point... Taylor looked better but the Martin sounded better.
The Martin for me. It’s a cleaner, more open sound.
Not to mention a big difference in price the Martin is much less expensive .
I'd take either one.
I'm torn between the two, To me the Taylor sounded sweet and the Martin sounded woody. It's a down to what you like best.
And that's typically what those brands go for IMO. If you want a sunny spring time sound go w/ a Taylor. You want a bass heavy whiskey growl go w/ a Martin.
well, the taylor did not have the sound I usually associate with mahogany guitars. I tried them both at GC (and all the other guitars they had available, spent 2 whole days in the process BTW) and ended up getting the 000-15M (NOT the SM). I do not want to suggest that the taylor doesn`t sound like mahogany, because it does. It`s just not what I would want as a mahogany guitar. It doesn`t bring out the characteristics of mahogany that well. ITS A FINE GUITAR, don`t get me wrong on that.
The sound this taylor has reminds me of other tone woods (not mahog), and if I were looking for that sound there would be much better ones to buy,
Crashoverall the reason people don`t buy as much all mahogany guitars as the other tonewood combinations is that they do not like the sound of an all mahog.
the comments in this section just prove that.
The more I've watched this video through my computer with studio monitors and my TV, I agree. The Taylor sounds like... well... a Taylor. The Martin actually sounds like an all-mahogany guitar.
ill take them both but as for my taste i would probably gravitate to the Martin after a good set up. The taylor first because they play so nice however after set up I always prefer Martin dynamics. Seems to be the right amount of natural compression yet very expressive.
The Taylor sounds better, much more complex and colorful....you also get much better woods, cosmetics and the advantage of a bolt-on neck sweetly playing neck. Anyone that has ever played a Taylor knows what I mean. The Martin is plain and muddy sounding IMO.
To my ear - some licks better for Taylor - some for Martin. Overall - the fight goes hands down to Martin who took about 75% of each duel. The Martin is also half the price of the Taylor - and that is a factor for many.
The Taylor have a modern sound and not the mahogny tone I like.Martin have this great woody sound and classic mahogny tone and I love my Martin 000 - 15M👍🏻
Were they fitted with the same strings?