I have both. The Taylor is a little brighter sounding but the Martin travels better, especially to and from the tropics where humidity changes are large. The Taylor loses a lot of tone between dry and wet climates. That has been my experience anyways. Love Singapore by the way.
For starters, I'd ask my fellow reviewers what they are listening to this video through ? Is it earbuds, a laptop speaker, a cellphone speaker, etc.? The accuracy of the sound system that you are listening to this video through can make for a major difference in what you are hearing. Secondly, how much experience do you have in listening to guitars ? That can make a huge difference in opinions, too. Now for the review. I heard what I would expect to hear. I'm listening through full sized, two way speakers with 8" woofers. The Martin, being having a back, sides, bridge and fretboard made of composite material sounds like composite material. It has a flat response, with little coloration on any frequencies. Its a very unresonant sound. It's advantage is that there is no boominess on certain frequencies. The Taylor, in contrast, sounds like a wood guitar. It has the sound of resonance. There is a bit of a nasal quality to the sound. Some frequencies are a bit more boomy than others, and there is a general warmth to the sound, and a texture to the sound. In short, the Taylor sounds organic, and the Martin sounds clinical. These two guitars may be good for different applications. If you're recording with other instruments, and you want the guitar to add little coloration or boominess to the overall sound, the Martin would add without getting the way of other instruments. In contrast, if you're playing a solo gig with just a guitar, the organic sound of the Taylor, complete with its boominess on certain frequencies, slight nasal sound, and overall warmth, would make for audio textures that would have character. If recording just the taylor by itself, this character, would give it an advantage over the clinical sound of the little Martin. There's my two cents..... well with inflation there's my ten cents.
As long as you listen to both guitars through the same speakers, you should still be able to compare how they sound relative to one another. I think real wood on guitars of this size adds a crispness and clarity that is nice, but it’s also tinny and jarring. I think the Martin sounded warmer and more like a full size dreadnought. Playability - what feels more comfortable to play should matter more than sound, or at least carry as much weight. One can always use lighter or heavier gauge strings, picks, or change nut/saddle material to hone in on the sound quality one wants to get out of either of these guitars.
@@The_Mister Agreed. I'm a complete novice, but as much as some folks chalk preferences up to materials (which absolutely plays a role), etc., I think it comes down more to whether you want bright or warm, and the Martin generally comes out on top to my ear in that regard, although it may not really evolve as much as a guitar with more wood might as it ages.
Hey! I've really enjoyed your reviews. I can tell that you really enjoy playing the guitar and play it well and with alot of feeling. For my 2 cents; and I've listened to several comparisons of these two guitars, it's the Taylor all the way. I think the difference that I hear is that it's all made of wood. The HPL and Stratabond has no air in it and sounds muddied compared to the Baby's lightness and clear note articulation. Even the chords sound out each note with more clarity on the Baby. I own and love two beautiful (wooden) Martins but the Baby wins this one! Cheers and thanks for your reviews!
the taylor really resonates and adds a whimsical essence but I can see how some people find that tangy/tingy and like the forth coming ness of a martin
I guess it depends on what sound you are looking for. To me all the Taylor guitars seem to have a brassy sort of sharp metallic sound. The Martin guitars seem to have a more mellow warm tone to them. I have played many models of both and I always prefer the Martin guitars.
I just made my choice of the Taylor based on this review. I think the action on the Martin might be better for me but the sound of the Taylor just really hit my heart.
Thanks for the excellent comparison, I'm subscribing to your channel as a result. I'm going with the Martin. I have the Taylor Mini and a 214, so this will be my first Martin.
Had the Baby Taylor looking at other reviews and thought it'd be great. Now prefer the Little Martin LX1, much more robust feeling and the bass woody response is a win.
I am a play for fun guy that has just started playing I love both guitars however the Martin makes me play better I don't know what it is but it fits me better I prefer the neck and everything just feels better to me.
@@rickcar94 the difference could simply be that the BT has light elixirs and the LX1 has medium martin strings. If you swapped the strings the taylor would probably sound better
One thing to take into consideration is the scale. Martin used med because the short scale makes the strings feel slinky because it requires less string tension to get into tune. Personally went with the LM because it fit my daughter better(actually compared to the gs mini which I believe is a bigger scale. They didn’t have any BT in stock when i was looking) but i feel like both are quality guitars that just suite different peoples taste and playing styles. Not really a better or worse thing
I bought another lil Martin to replace my other lil Martin that met an early demise in moving. I love the little guitar and this one has electronics. The one thing you should do is take them in for a setup as in lowering the action, they’re set high from the factor to play bluegrass. Factory brochure even states action is set high.
Nice review! Thanks for the comparison. By the looks of it.. I think you liked the Martin better. I have both.. Martin has better bass.. the Taylor is more clear and more bright. The Martin feels more substantial (I have the LXM.. so no electronics), but both feel like quality instruments.
Calvin Nieh I just bought the Koa baby Taylor and I’m thinking I’m gonna exchange it for the Martin. What exactly is the baby Martin with the pick up called ? LX1e maybe
Hi from Ontario Canada :) I'm about to buy one of the 3 Little Martin's tomorrow and I saw your old video. You're really good man! Just saying thanks for the demo's :)
This is the 3rd review of the Martin, and that Martin sounds smoother, more full, and less tiny. That size guitar is bright already, and a solid top is too much, unless it was mahogany, I'll bet.
I already have a Martin dreadnought concert series 2012, and I'm thinking one of these for my second acoustic, I've been playing for 11 years and I think the Martin would sound better but I'm leaning to the Taylor cause I want something that very different from my girl, both are beautiful, thanks for the vid
I've been watching your video over & over during this covid19 lockdown period and i cant wait to try them out in a store. Not sure which one to go with. I'll just decide after trying both. Do i need to upgrade right off the bat?
vonme3 same I really can’t decide. I’ve been practicing with a terrible traveler acoustic guitar for about 3 years and I just never got a new acoustic. I’m sort of leaning towards the Martin
Vicente Miranda probably because it looks cleaner, and is less intrusive to the guitar body. Having controls in the hole also allows you to get the pickup replaced with relative ease, and if you want a different (or better) pickup (like the LR baggs anthem), you won’t be stuck with a useless control panel on your guitar
You didn’t know what any of the materials used to build the Martin was. Not much of a review if you can’t even know that. Also you had the Taylor out of tune!
I have both. The Taylor is a little brighter sounding but the Martin travels better, especially to and from the tropics where humidity changes are large. The Taylor loses a lot of tone between dry and wet climates. That has been my experience anyways. Love Singapore by the way.
Thanks for that info ! That make a great difference for a travel guitar !
For starters, I'd ask my fellow reviewers what they are listening to this video through ? Is it earbuds, a laptop speaker, a cellphone speaker, etc.? The accuracy of the sound system that you are listening to this video through can make for a major difference in what you are hearing. Secondly, how much experience do you have in listening to guitars ? That can make a huge difference in opinions, too. Now for the review. I heard what I would expect to hear. I'm listening through full sized, two way speakers with 8" woofers. The Martin, being having a back, sides, bridge and fretboard made of composite material sounds like composite material. It has a flat response, with little coloration on any frequencies. Its a very unresonant sound. It's advantage is that there is no boominess on certain frequencies. The Taylor, in contrast, sounds like a wood guitar. It has the sound of resonance. There is a bit of a nasal quality to the sound. Some frequencies are a bit more boomy than others, and there is a general warmth to the sound, and a texture to the sound. In short, the Taylor sounds organic, and the Martin sounds clinical. These two guitars may be good for different applications. If you're recording with other instruments, and you want the guitar to add little coloration or boominess to the overall sound, the Martin would add without getting the way of other instruments. In contrast, if you're playing a solo gig with just a guitar, the organic sound of the Taylor, complete with its boominess on certain frequencies, slight nasal sound, and overall warmth, would make for audio textures that would have character. If recording just the taylor by itself, this character, would give it an advantage over the clinical sound of the little Martin. There's my two cents..... well with inflation there's my ten cents.
I totally agree with your analysis. I find the sound of the martin very flat.
As long as you listen to both guitars through the same speakers, you should still be able to compare how they sound relative to one another. I think real wood on guitars of this size adds a crispness and clarity that is nice, but it’s also tinny and jarring. I think the Martin sounded warmer and more like a full size dreadnought. Playability - what feels more comfortable to play should matter more than sound, or at least carry as much weight. One can always use lighter or heavier gauge strings, picks, or change nut/saddle material to hone in on the sound quality one wants to get out of either of these guitars.
@@The_Mister Agreed. I'm a complete novice, but as much as some folks chalk preferences up to materials (which absolutely plays a role), etc., I think it comes down more to whether you want bright or warm, and the Martin generally comes out on top to my ear in that regard, although it may not really evolve as much as a guitar with more wood might as it ages.
I agree to some extent but you can get the Martin used for like $250 so it's still a pretty good buy.
I just ordered a martin LX1 so of course I like that one better
Hey! I've really enjoyed your reviews. I can tell that you really enjoy playing the guitar and play it well and with alot of feeling. For my 2 cents; and I've listened to several comparisons of these two guitars, it's the Taylor all the way. I think the difference that I hear is that it's all made of wood. The HPL and Stratabond has no air in it and sounds muddied compared to the Baby's lightness and clear note articulation. Even the chords sound out each note with more clarity on the Baby. I own and love two beautiful (wooden) Martins but the Baby wins this one! Cheers and thanks for your reviews!
the taylor really resonates and adds a whimsical essence but I can see how some people find that tangy/tingy and like the forth coming ness of a martin
I just added the Taylor to my 5 year old Martin and love them each for different reasons. Like kids.
So happy with my little martin which I bought 3 years ago..
What model do you have?
Great comparison of the two guitars. I bought the Martin because I liked the base sound better, and I am delighted with my purchase! Thanks!
Nice review! I have the LX1 tough as nails....
I guess it depends on what sound you are looking for. To me all the Taylor guitars seem to have a brassy sort of sharp metallic sound. The Martin guitars seem to have a more mellow warm tone to them. I have played many models of both and I always prefer the Martin guitars.
Me too .
I just made my choice of the Taylor based on this review. I think the action on the Martin might be better for me but the sound of the Taylor just really hit my heart.
go with your heart
Keep in mind you can easily change the action on either of them with about 15 minutes and some sandpaper.
@Me Tuu yes
Thanks for the excellent comparison, I'm subscribing to your channel as a result. I'm going with the Martin. I have the Taylor Mini and a 214, so this will be my first Martin.
Good comparison - thanks. For me, the Martin has the better tone.
Had the Baby Taylor looking at other reviews and thought it'd be great. Now prefer the Little Martin LX1, much more robust feeling and the bass woody response is a win.
Agree
I am a play for fun guy that has just started playing I love both guitars however the Martin makes me play better I don't know what it is but it fits me better I prefer the neck and everything just feels better to me.
I would chose the Martin based on your video. I'd have to play them side by side before purchasing one.
The tailor seems to articulate better. It’s also brighter as usual.
I don't like brightness in a guitar, I'd take the Martin any day over the Taylor :)
@@rickcar94 the difference could simply be that the BT has light elixirs and the LX1 has medium martin strings. If you swapped the strings the taylor would probably sound better
One thing to take into consideration is the scale. Martin used med because the short scale makes the strings feel slinky because it requires less string tension to get into tune. Personally went with the LM because it fit my daughter better(actually compared to the gs mini which I believe is a bigger scale. They didn’t have any BT in stock when i was looking) but i feel like both are quality guitars that just suite different peoples taste and playing styles. Not really a better or worse thing
Great review & demo! I like the Taylor personally.
The Taylor sounds tinny to me. I'm going with the Martin.
I bought another lil Martin to replace my other lil Martin that met an early demise in moving. I love the little guitar and this one has electronics. The one thing you should do is take them in for a setup as in lowering the action, they’re set high from the factor to play bluegrass. Factory brochure even states action is set high.
Isn't high action good for strumming?
They’re both great
Nice review! Thanks for the comparison. By the looks of it.. I think you liked the Martin better. I have both.. Martin has better bass.. the Taylor is more clear and more bright. The Martin feels more substantial (I have the LXM.. so no electronics), but both feel like quality instruments.
Calvin Nieh I just bought the Koa baby Taylor and I’m thinking I’m gonna exchange it for the Martin. What exactly is the baby Martin with the pick up called ? LX1e maybe
Yes lx1e. It’ll be $100 more for the e tho
Hi from Ontario Canada :) I'm about to buy one of the 3 Little Martin's tomorrow and I saw your old video. You're really good man! Just saying thanks for the demo's :)
That’s nice and I’m happy for
U
Please like my videos ...subscribe and also share it with your friends .
That will help them
This is the 3rd review of the Martin, and that Martin sounds smoother, more full, and less tiny. That size guitar is bright already, and a solid top is too much, unless it was mahogany, I'll bet.
the Martin, has a fuller sound to my ears. where did you get the bone bridge? Was it precut for the little Martin?
Taylor is my choice. To each his own.
Thanks so much !
welcome buddy
I already have a Martin dreadnought concert series 2012, and I'm thinking one of these for my second acoustic, I've been playing for 11 years and I think the Martin would sound better but I'm leaning to the Taylor cause I want something that very different from my girl, both are beautiful, thanks for the vid
Great then get a taylor
Definitely Martin! 🥰
What was your opinion. Martin sounded a little more tinny than the Taylor.
Just the opposite, Martin fuller sound
Good job, thank you
Martin always sounds like the mountains
What was the song you were playing? It made me quite emotional.
The first song I mean
Or both actually lol
both sounded dull. just not for me. I did enjoy the shoot out thank you
I've been watching your video over & over during this covid19 lockdown period and i cant wait to try them out in a store. Not sure which one to go with. I'll just decide after trying both. Do i need to upgrade right off the bat?
Vicente Miranda Did you end up getting either one? I’m having same debate, but can’t try one out anywhere.
vonme3 same I really can’t decide. I’ve been practicing with a terrible traveler acoustic guitar for about 3 years and I just never got a new acoustic. I’m sort of leaning towards the Martin
Vicente Miranda well which one did you buy ?
Hi thanks for comparing these! Did you use any specific microphone for this, or is this just recorded with your phone? Thanks!
i used a Audio Technica condenser mic
i want a D28 spec Martin in that size for 99 dollars.
Amazing guitar technique.
CON NI CHI WA/~
I have Baby Taylor BT2e, very nice small guitar. Sound it's beautiful and powerful. I like best!
It’s a lovely couch guitar and small enough to bring for travels .. I too love it
@@TheGuitarSpaSingapore
Yes, it's lovely guitar!
Of course for travels. But we are able to use when we play on stage live and CZcams(^^)d
Wow very nice but it so expensive for me..i wishi have like any of that🙏
Love the martin
What's the Made In for both guitars? Are they different if we buy in Singapore?
both are made in mexico
The sheeran is the worst sounding little martin imo. Not sure why.
Another thing, do you know why martin changed the pickup controls from outside to inside the hole? Which controls do you prefer?
Vicente Miranda probably because it looks cleaner, and is less intrusive to the guitar body. Having controls in the hole also allows you to get the pickup replaced with relative ease, and if you want a different (or better) pickup (like the LR baggs anthem), you won’t be stuck with a useless control panel on your guitar
Hi! thanks for the review! i want to ask you how did you removed the rosette from the taylor guitar?
it’s still there if didn’t touch it
@@TheGuitarSpaSingapore oh sorry i thought you removed it
Martin ♥️
good choice
They sound so alike when u play...
Eunice Nah you need better head phones hahaha
Hey Jarvis, why does light strings dont fit with the little martin? 🤔
Cox it’s short scale and the way they angle the neck so it will buzz but you can still use it provided you adjust the neck but the tone will be tinny
Bro, I prefer the richer sounding Martin. Taylor sounds more plasticky. hahaha...
@Kyle Smith the BT is laminate sides and back as well
I'd go with the Martin Lx1. I don't want to look down and see screws on the fretboard.
Can you compare the actions of the Martin vs Taylor? Thank you. .
Martin has higher action.
the action is very low in the Taylor and not with the Martin
the Taylor model is focused on the trebles first
easily adjusted on either one with about 15 minutes and some sandpaper.
Martin hands down.
Both are very nice so I don't know, you pick. lol
Hey Jarvis did you leave the Martin lifespan strings on the LX1 or using something different?
I can’t remember
Do you know the diff between the LX1E and LX1RE im having trouble differentiating
Wood R= mean rosewood sides and back
Chia Wei HPL that looks like rosewood and I believe it also has a pick guard......
RE has the finger board
You didn’t know what any of the materials used to build the Martin was. Not much of a review if you can’t even know that. Also you had the Taylor out of tune!
Put a timestamp or somethin for when the playing starts
How do you do that
Make your own video
martin
They both look warped.
Fisheye lense