Blindfold Challenge (Gibson vs Martin vs Taylor vs Guild vs Yamaha vs Eastman)
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- čas přidán 21. 10. 2018
- One of our CZcams subscribers suggested we do a blindfold challenge... so, here it is!! We picked similar Rosewood guitars from Gibson, Martin, Yamaha, Taylor, Guild, and Eastman. Which one do you think sounds the best???
Eastman E20D Sunburst: 0:40
Gibson J-45 Custom RW: 1:30
Taylor 814ce DLX (V-Class): 2:18
Martin HD-28 Standard: 3:08
Yamaha LL6 ARE: 3:54
Guild D-55: 4:43
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Thanks to everyone for watching - this was definitely a fun experiment! I know, I know . . . it would have been far more interesting if I'd offered some guesses, but truth is, I'm just not well-versed enough with the maker's archetypal sounds to match a given maker to a given sound. My guesses would have been laughably terrible and an embarrassment to all involved; still, perhaps we'll revisit the idea with some actual guesses - I'm old and married, and so no stranger to humiliation. Better yet, a narrower "pepsi challenge" between particular pairs of guitars (rather than the onslaught of so many at once).
All that said, the blindfold was interesting because I don't think any player can escape the subconscious influence of knowing who made the guitar, and the power of suggestion/expectation in shaping your ear's interpretation of the sound. I'm sure we'll be doing this again and refining the process moving forward . . . Thanks again!
Quinton seemed responsive to the shape of the guitars more than to their actual particular sound or tone...
Is the Eastman Adirondack-topped ?
An even more interesting test would compare identical shapes and tone woods guitars...(set up pretty much the same too ).
Still worth the money (ha!).
Thanks
Actually, I was most impressed with how you tuned the low E note on the Eastman. No fumbling around trying to find it and you turned it to just the right spot.
it would be fun to see a blind test of three Martins... a D-45, D-41, and a D-16... or 3 Taylors.. 114, 314 and a 914.. see if you can guess them..
Best part was hearing your playing, thank you. First great guitar I ever owned was an early 70's Martin D18. Bought it from a bluegrass player who needed funds for a Gibson mandolin.
So no surprise you felt at home on the Martin HD28.
If I saw correctly Quinton, you pegged the Martin as a "bluegrass" guitar so spot on and kudos to you good sir
Picked up that Martin and in his head definitely said "oh, there you are old friend."
touche !
MARTIN AND GUILD. GUILD MORE MIDDY. THAT GUILD WAS NICE. MARTIN WAS SMOKY GOOD. DAMN. I JUST GOT AN OLD SIGMA AND IM PRETTY HAPPY. HAPPIER IF IT WAS OLDER.
@Stan Williams The fault was yours.... You made your choice of guitars... and of women. Do not blame either for your shortcomings. (No pun intended). :-)
_hello Martin my old friend_
@@diggitydankenstein3624 I have a 1970 Japan Sigma DR-41e and a Martin custom D-41e. I'll keep both. :D
Why so rushed? This could have been much much better if you let the guy expound on his thoughts until he was ready to move on. It should have been double or triple the current length. Are you guys restricted in some way?
i was wondering the exact same thing,WTF is the problem? why didnt you do a full experimentation video,it would have been interesting to hear his thoughts on everything.sometimes their videos suck because they are just waaay toooo short.i dont get it?
Couldn't agree more.
It was like the dude on the right was nervous that the guy with the blindfold on would actually manage to identify what was what too accurately and didn't want to give him too much of a chance.
Trying to watching it actually stressed me out and I had to bail early.
N M I think you’re spot on, and I was at the end of the video and asking, and now...what?? Where’s the review? Where’s the talk through? I guess he’s too worried about looking like an Anderton’s video...
@@oaktree1628 disagree with what?
@@bigmike9527 You're right
The Yamaha LL6 steal the show imho
The Martin, Eastman, Guild, and Gibson grabbed my ears.
Surprisingly, the Yamaha here has laminate B&S and sells for $539. And it held its own among these expensive solid bodies. I just wish they would have used a Yamaha LL or solid A series.
Beautiful guitars, I would be glad to own any one of them. The Yamaha was the biggest surprise of all. Thanks guys!
Best comparison video EVER! I would love to see more of these.
the Yamaha surprised me but must admit the Martin stole the show for my ears
Guild has a spot as well. Nice guitars.
Definitely the Martin.
Anyone got one to spare?
If you play professionally Martin for about three grand versus Yamaha no comparison even Yamaha is stage ready wow I was shocked.....
Yep. The Yamaha sounded stellar
That Guild too…
Great blindfold test!
You could tell the guitarist was a real player his chords where fantastic!
☆☆☆☆☆
Fantastic video! Thanks for posting. 👍
Like the sound of the yamaha the most.
Taylors tend to make other guitars sound dead when you play both in a room, but it's a shame, because the taylor sound, to me, is fatiguing.
Objectively, I'd have heard the gibson as a gibson, the martin as a martin, the guild as a gibson, the yamaha as a martin, and the taylor as a taylor. I might've been confused by the guild, though. The gibson and the taylor have unmistakable sound - fundamental and dark for the gibson, and floodlight bright for the taylor.
Great comparison. IMHO the Martin HD-28 sounded the most compatible with what I like to hear from a guitar. But, then again we're listening to it recorded by a microphone and then played through my earbuds, so I'll have to try out all of them and make my final choice.
The Martin sounded lovely 😍
I was listening with an airpod tidying my room without looking at the screen and I figured the Guild D-55 right and I’m now happy :)
Great multi instrument test. For me, the Guild knocked it out of the park. The Taylor sounded like a cheap $400. guitar. The Martin sound nice, and so did the Eastman.
Very usefull blind comparison. Thank You!
Wow. That HD-28 sounds terrific.
He nailed it saying it was the best for bluegrass.
listening back to the eastman after all the others, the midrange emphasis sounds best to me, very j45-like kind of character. That guitar is definitely a bargain
Most impressed by the Martin and the Guild. Surprised that the Taylor didn't sound better by comparison, and happy that the Yamaha sounded so good! (Yamaha FG180 was my first guitar). Thanks for the fun video, guys. Quinton makes any guitar sound good!
Well, the Taylor is a smaller body and a cutaway... so, of course it will sound anemic after a couple of Dreadnoughts... not sure why they put the smaller body in the blindfold challenge... and why in the hell was the guy rushing him so quickly? That was annoying
But that was Yamaha LL6 ARE!!!
@@jeffbateman2339 No worries the Taylors are great guitars definitely up there with Guild and Martin
The Taylor sounded pretty bad. But again it was so rushed it just wasn’t a good environment to judge any of them.
The Guild is an absolute cannon, Martin most balanced, Taylor the brightest. I have all 3 of those models, love them all, but Martin is the best…..or the Guild….or Martin….Guild in double dropped D is haunting…
Love the sound of the HD28 and the Guild D-55
I liked the sound of the Gulid the best ! I like the low end tone , but still sounded good on the more treble stuff ! Martin was next . I was surprised at how well the Yamaha sounded !
The D-28, D-55, and J-45 - no surprises here. Of course no mention was made of what they were each strung with - coated? non-coated? - mediums?, lights? etc.
My Martin D-41 came with Medium SPs.
Fantastic review! 👍
Bring Back the blind test, that was fun!!
Agreed! And this time, make it ''blind'' for us, too. Have the player with his back facing us so we can't see which type of guitar he's playing. Then reveal at the end.
Its all very subjective obviously, but the D-55 is easily the best guitar I have ever had the pleasure to play.
Fifty shades of grey..guitar edition.
Ha! Softcore guitar porn.
They're all good. Just different in ways. I own an Eastman E 20 OM and it is the best guitar I've ever played .... and I've been lucky to have some great high-end stuff.
Well well, I got 2 out of 6. Would have thought I could spot the Martin but alas. This is a very nice format, gets you/us to focus on the sound instead of negligibilities.
Why was it so rushed?
Very cool. All sound great. Considering the Eastman is 1/3 to 1/2 the price of the others, I think it did a great job of holding its own.
This video convinced me to buy a D-55. Now I’m loving it more than my J-45, Bird, D-18GE, and D-41. I wish I would have known how great Guilds are earlier in my guitar journey.
Yeah, I knew it was going to be fun to have Quinton blindfolded!! You're welcome guys🤘😁
Outstanding!!!
It would depend on what style I'm playing as to which one I would choose. It is hard to beat the warm woody sound of a Martin for bluegrass. The brighter clean sounding guitars shine with finger style picking. Of course everyone has their own opinion. I'd have either of those music boxes.
That Yamaha held its own for being only $500
that last one the Guild D-55 sounds nice. good amout of low end. bright and spanky
There should be more videos like this. Great idea
Great video. It's more fun when they try to guess which one it is, but Quinton knew when he had the Martin.
Very fun video thanks for making it. It would have been interesting to throw in a cheap guitar in there for the hell of it.
In this test HD 28 for sure. Then Guild/Gibson. Taylor sounded as zeo mojo/soul as they usually does. Fun and great review :-)
best test I have ever seen
Guess I'm the odd man out but I really liked the sound of the Taylor. I also think they're some of the most comfortable acoustics to play. Why didn't the guy get more than 10 seconds to play each? You could tell he was trying to figure out what he could play to accentuate each guitar's sound and feel but the guy in the right is apparently late to a fire or something.
The guitar that surprised me the most was the Guild. I've never played a Guild before, but will be trying one out now! I liked all the guitars.
That Guild covered all the bases from highs to mids to Low end. The HD 28 came a close second and then that 814, even though it was a little thinner tonewise, it really looked like he had a easier time playing it and lets face it, it was smoother than all the rest.
I usually never respond or make comments on CZcams video.. I making exception because this video has been most educating and informative video. I just happen to be shopping for a new 6 string acoustic guitar to play at church. I have 12 string martin but I'm looking for 6 string acoustic. YOUR VIDEO HAS HELP ME MAKE MY DECISION WHICH ONE I WILL BUY.
Thanks again for taking time to make this video.
So what did you end up buying?
He seemed to like the Gibson sound but was very knowledgeable about his style and sound with the Martin straight away. Very good video, maybe that should be the way to pick guitars. Then looks and brand.
All I can say is I have several Taylor guitars and I love and play them all regularly in the studio and at gigs. As with all guitars I have my favorite one or two and can easily adjust the volume and color of the sound through my PA system. I see a lot of pros playing them on stage and in studio. Nothing against Martin, I have a couple & love them too.
That Guild had my ears very happy.
I agree 100%...very proud owner of a DV-52, bought brand new right outta the box!!! 18 years later, she's opened up and continues to get better with age although I can't say the same for the owner, LOL
Yep. Watch closely when he first hits the Guild strings: "this one's got the most!"
@@TheSpiralnotebook As did I when I picked mine up, even though it was out of tune from the factory and hadn't received Emirons usual "set up", I hit a full choke G and it spoke to me!!! I am YOURS and you are mine!!! It's been a wonderful relationship ever since!!! I'm glad I got mine before the company changed hands as I'm unsure if they're still made here in the USA 100% or if they're made elsewhere or a combination somewhere in between. As with a high end Martin..etc. It's an investment that typically will increase in value!!! JMO, play a Guild and you'll want one! NO REGRETS
@@TheBamaKid1962 I have 4 Guilds, 1966 to 2017. Gorgeous wonderful guitars. Like bells with teeth.
@@shelleyhunt2121 never heard it said that way, LOL, but what a great point...I was tickled to have one, but to have FOUR??! that would be an AWESOME jam session with three close friends!!!
Really interesting way to change it up. I'm a Gibson fan, but I'd take the Guild and the Martin any day.
Super helpful this video and the comparison it offers! Just recognized again how much of a Martin guy I am - HD-28 for me very clearly. Was astonished about the substantial difference to the V-braced Taylor sound in comparison; but it confirmed my own impression when playing one myself; has its advantages, but not my tone direction.
oh man... I was really hoping for the guessing game..
Great video!! Would have liked for him to give his opinion on the what is what.
Rather crazy to blindfold the good tester and then not having him guessing.
Keep it rollin' guys ^ U are followed
D-55 is a canon, literally mopped the floor with the rest.
I would like know if the yamaha LL16 is very different sound versus LL6 and other these guitar...
my favorite Guild D-55
The last time I purchased an acoustic, I ended up in the high-end guitar room blindfolded trying out multiple suggestions from my buddy. I've always been careful to own acoustics I love the sound/feel of, but aren't too similar to each other. It can be quite surprising what sound/feel you like best once all the beautiful inlays, binding, grain patterns, and other visual esthetics are eliminated from your [unbiased] choice. Haha. I encourage all musicians to try a similar approach next time you're in the market for an instrument.
I was very surprised by my final pick.. It was a used Taylor Limited edition short-scale 514ce. For my playing style (usually very percussive) I usually sounds best with Rosewood-type back/sides so there's a lot of bass, good clarity, and the more projection and sustain the better! The "short-scale" isn't noticeably shorter.. If I remember correctly, the overall length of the ebony fretboard is 1/16th of an inch shorter than standard. However, that tiny difference allows the tension on the strings to be relaxed juuust enough to get a little more bass out of the mahogany back/sides.. essentially giving the balance, overtones, and reverberations a more Rosewood characteristic. Also, I think it's very important to note the guitar was USED when I purchased it. It was 10 or 11yrs old. A decade can make a world of difference when it comes to the sounds and playability! In fact, I usually end up seeking out older used acoustics because of the difference.. even though I'd rather get new because of the financing so I don't have to pinch my pennies and save up for what seems like forever! Haha.
I've had discussions with many other guitarists over the years (I'm 34, been playing since 2002) when they're wanting to buy an acoustic because of beautifully crafted artwork in the fingerboard or the way a 3-pc back can be visually stunning, etc.. and granted, maybe you'll gain some inspiration that will contribute into your musicianship.. but for me, I have to make sure I prioritize sound and feel/playability #1! Happy strumming everyone!
I really enjoyed this comparison.
I would like to see it done again with other guitars. Perhaps 6-$500.00 guitars. Then 6- $1,000.00 etc.
Thanks for posting this.
Great Test, brilliant playing. For me it's Guild and Gibson, it's the bass tones i love, followed by classy overall Martin. Taylor and Yamaha is not really my genre, Eastman is good but too mellow.
Did you use the same new strings for all guitars?
Bellissimo video, ho avuto modo di provare la Yamaha ll6 are e devo dire che è davvero sorprendente
The Guild and the Gibson were my favorites, they should have used a Taylor without the cutaway for a more equally matched comparison. If you know about acoustic guitars feeling that cutaway right away would be a giveaway that it's a Taylor because Taylor is known for its modern approach and a cutaway is part of that experience. I have a Taylor and love it/them but I definitely love Guild and Gibson acoustics. Out of the big name companies, those are my favorite 3 Guild, Gibson and Taylor but there are so many great smaller companies that make amazing guitars. Santa Cruz is a great example.
Simon Ritchie Not a thin sound on the Taylor, just a smaller body. He knew that and should have mentioned it.
Needed a Larrivee in the mix, seriously under-rated guitars.
Paul you are a natural on camera. Should show Music Villa LOGO in the background. Wear your T-Shirt too
Most full and balanced to me anyway was surprisingly the Guild! Lovely sounding axe! Too bad they left out the MSRP on all the guitars?
Really liked this video more blindfold test.
Would have LOVED some guesses! No wrong answers.
That Guild is sooo tasty. Came and stole the thunder. Best one for me. I mean they're all amazing
Number one goes to the Martin. It simply blew the others away especially the Taylor. My second choice goes to Guild.
Loved the Guild...always thought my Guild sounded better than just about anything else I have played...Guild guitars seem to not get the attention they deserve...glad to hear this one sounding great here, & seeing in the comments that many agree!
You can hear a Martin sound from miles away. Very unique
I pick the guild all the way and the Yamaha as my second pick...!!!
I’ve played my Taylor exclusively for years now. I’d have to say that Martin sounded the best though.
Surprised I don’t see many comments on that Gibson cause I think it sounded amazing! I guess everyone is different and that’s why this stuff is so great :)
Fascinating. Having owned Martin, Gibson, Guild, Yamaha and Taylor acoustic guitars over my lifetime (plus an Eastman mandolin), the blindfold man's opinion on each aligns with my experience. But they all sounded great, and probably played great, and any one of them would be good choice. I agree that the video should given the tester enough time to play single notes, chords, and different styles to form a more informed opinion.
I haven’t played guitar in nearly 40 years, but I could still hear the Martin. Enjoyed the challenge. All in what you like to hear.
Anyone know if that part at 2:00 is a song??
All amazing guitars but the Yamaha Is the overall winner for sound and price!
$299.00 at Guitar Center
Ll6 laminate
Li16 all solid.
GOT THAT RIGHT...
I liked the Guild and the Eastman and the Martin, in that order. Surprised by the Guild.
Although he didn't name the brands, he was right on the money with the brand characteristics: Martin: low end, balanced big voice. Gibson: good bass with bright highs, Taylor: bright mids, Yamaha same etc
Update: recently played a Taylor koa kce 224 and was actually very impressed. Actually a better neck and playability than a Martin D18 I used to own, with a lot of warmth. A very worthy guitar indeed.
freaking cool review guys!! i played this with a piece of paper to write notes on but didn't look at the guitars on the screen... probably the toughest was that eastman, it sounded like a gibson right away i forgot it was in the running. i am not very good about classifying sounds and such. but man alive that martin sounded like a semi coming down the road. what a blue grass dream machine! and look at yammy up there with the big boys! and that guild def has it's own sound too. they all sounded great, again thanks for the review.
I think an 810e DLX would've been a better representative for Taylor versus the GA bodied 814. All non-cutaway dreads against a GA body will make a difference, I believe. Reshoot it with an 810e DLX!!
"I just bashed your elbow."
"That's fine, I got to of em."
Lol
Wow - his ears nailed it!
Surprised more people didn't like the Eastman. I thought it sounded right up there with the Martin and Guild. I think going first was a disadvantage as far as public perception maybe. Taylor and Yammy sounded thinest but actually, like he said, they all sounded really good because he is a great guitarist.
That D28 steals my heart.
Would like to see a PRS in there. Not historically proven (they’re relatively new) but man, they’re sneaky good.
Yamaha and Guild baby! 😁😁 Those two were the stars.
that guild man...come to papa
The Guild makes me think of a cross of the J-45 and D-28. I could go for any of the 3 but, since I already have an HD-28 probably would go for one of the other two.
You can smell a Martin. Martin owners know what I’m talkin about haha!
That beautiful rosewood aroma
Same as a Gibson
Yea the lemon scent, I really would preferred just the wood smell in my d18
WA Bream Angler definitely not.
Johnkoutsouros, Rule of thumb for Martins: Pick it up, play a big G chord and snort the sound hole.
Love that Eastman!
You should do more videos like this.
It would have been great to see the prices for the guitars shown. But maybe a little misleading cuz computer speakers can't really reflect live sound accurately enough to show the differences. Thanks for this vid.
Anybody knows that the LL6 Yamaha is the lower one? This is solid top but layer back en sides.
The higher one is the LL16 that it's completely solid, top, back and sides.
I've been going to guitar stores for a few months now trying to decide what to buy myself as a Christmas gift (will probably end up being either the Martin 000-28, or OM-28), and I gotta say the only Taylor I've liked is the Taylor Mini. Would be a nice guitar to bring to friends' houses, or to play down by the river, etc.
Taylors record quite well, but for everyday playing I just don't like them. It would be nice to have one as a plugged-in stage guitar, but I'm just not so motivated to buy one just for that.
The Martin Gibson and guild were all really great sounding
I’ve been playing Yamaha acoustic guitars forever. I have an LL16 ARE and I’d put it up against any guitar that costs twice as much. The only things I’ve changed on my guitar are the tuners, which I swapped out for a set of Grover’s; the pick guard, which I swapped out for a Hummingbird style pick guard; I sanded down the bridge and adjusted action a little and obviously changed the strings, which are the D’Addario custom light gauge. The guitar is absolutely amazing sounding and so easy to play. I’d love to have a hummingbird one day, but for now, my Yamaha does the job quite well. All these guitars sound great in their own way, I guess it comes down to personal preference.
Indie, I bought the cheapest Yamaha sunburst they make on Amazon....Nice Mohagany neck and spruce Top! Too bad they did not adjust or reduce height on that bridge AT ALL., but no problem..I love adjusting and playing with guitars (which is 1/2 reason I bought it) After grinding down almost 3/16" of the bridge height, it plays EXTREMELY well! Great fullness, bright enough....actually pretty articulate ...light as a feather....I can play it damn near like a Jazz Box with a Fischman Pickup! Really LOVE IT....Usually play electrics, so this full-fills my need for an acoustic.
They all sound good- just different
Why not use the LL16 Yamaha for the test? Isnt the 6 laminate sides?