I just got the China Martin copy and it sounds, plays and looks great. I had over 170 high end Martins, Gibsons, Gretsch and though they all sound great, they don't sound much if any better than the inexpensive China Martin copy. Mine doesn't have any of the Martin logo's on it and that makes it fine to me. If you hate China guitars, then you better make sure your 'brand name' guitars aren't actually made in China. Most are unless you want to spend five thousand + on a name so you feel good and need to impress..
Spot on brother! People don't understand that all the big trusted companies they held so high with the "Made In USA" logo are now "Made In China" with the same standards! Look at what Guild has done! I recently purchased a Guild D-240E from Musician's Friend for $399 brand new. Its a freaking BOOMER, bass line is soooo deep just like the old Martins! In fact, I have a 1974 Martin D35 and it don't sound any better than the China made Guild D-240E. I don't know what all these big name companies that charge $3K - $10K for guitars are gonna do when people start to figure out they can get a $5,000 guitar for $500 as long as its made in China!
@@jtarman70 I know this post is late, but just read your reply. What gets me is the fact almost everything we buy comes from China. People go to Walmart and buy hundreds of dollars of stuff every month and then complain about Guitars. It's just crazy to me. lol . Thanks!
Well the Guild is likely a couple of decades old or more, age definitely adds depth of sound. The real question is, will the copy last long enough to get there?
Every one of the Chinese Martin knock offs I've had on my repair bench needed a careful fret dressing and the action taken down at the saddle and some nut work. Once done, they were phenomenal for the money. I just bought a 000-42 12 fret slothead for my shop to hang on the wall next to my 1937 Martin 0-17
I will have to agree! A friend went and bought a Chinese Martin, and like you said, it played damn good. I’m definitely not a copy guy, but with that being said, A lot of major guitar brands are made in China, Eastman for instance, has their guitars made in China, which are phenomenal guitars, that are made of solid wood. Starting around 800.00 Don’t get me wrong I’m not defending what they are doing but they are doing things very well than what they did before
@@zman7242Eastman is completely different compared to other instruments made in china. Eastman has real luthiers, it’s not just an assembly line of mass produced instruments like squier guitars made in china. It doesn’t matter where the luthier is from if they’re good…. This is why Dana bourgeois teamed up with Eastman because they make legit instruments. Eastman is a quality company, I don’t appreciate your last remark
ive got a chinese copy and its really good..sounds great, fret action is very good for an acoustic.. and the inlay of abalone and mother of pearl is incredible...made in china is not so bad anymore.
Through my headphones, for me the Guild has a much more pleasing tone and I could listen to it for hours... However, for $300.00 that Martin replica sounds amazing.
The Guild has a better lower tone that carries much longer then they copy not to mention how much better-looking it is just visibly.... it may be expensive but unfortunately that's what it cost if you want better
I'm on board with you my friend! With the headphones, the Guild schools the Chinese copy. I will say the Chinese guitar sounds better than the Martin guitars with the HPL back and sides (plastic nonsense). I played two of their HPL guitars with spruce tops at their PA factory and they sounded awful. Couldn't believe they put their name to it. I own Martin 000-15M (love it!), 000-18 (like it), and custom shop 000-28 build with all my wish lists (bear claw Sitka, KOA B&S , custom inlay work and flame maple binding) Love it, love it!, but the inexpensive 000-16 Streetmaster at $1,800 sounds better in my hands than all the rest of the 11 guitars I played at martin, including my Martin and Alvarez guitars at home.. Some in the $8000 range. $$ does not equal the tone you're in search often...
In 1971 after my guitar lesson I had the money to buy a Martin D28 for $650. My teacher had me sit, blindfolded me and picked 2 guitars. Having played both for 20-30 minutes he had me pick which sounded and played better. It wasn’t the Martin but an Ibanez D28 copy. I still think it sounds great. Even my friend who has an old Martin thinks so. I do regret not buying the Martin back then due to how much they have increased in value. Mine not so but looks and sounds better with time.
Definitely Guild sounds better woody tone. What you mentioned about the Chinese Martin copy is also very good with regard to price point where the difference is whopping 3k, that's a lot of money. Still you can buy another all solid guitar from another reputed brand as I need many guitars tuned ready for different tuning modes. For me , I need almost 4 acoustic guitars as I wanna play different songs which are in different tuning modes and managing only with one guitar , it really sucks my timing to change the timings for different songs.
I've got a Martin D-28 and I'm as far from a snob as they come. I wanted a Martin that was actually made in their Nazareth Pennsylvania shop. And one that's also made out of quality materials with a professional build quality. I'm sure you can find other guitars out there that sound close to the same. I had DX-1 Martin I paid $500 for. And it sounds almost as good as my D-28. But it was made in their Mexico plant and also made from HPL. In short, buying something you've always wanted and God blesses them with the money to finally afford one doesn't make them a snob. It just means they bought what they wanted. It took about 7 to 8 years before I was able to buy one. But it's what I wanted so I got it. Don't be so quick to judge someone unless you want to be judge in the same way.
@jennyomalley7634 Not a real Martin Guitar. You can buy cheaper ones made in Mexico or higher end models made in Nazareth, Pennsylvania. Where they've been making guitars since 1839. Before that they were made in New York from 1833-1839.
@@danielallen7384 From Germany originally , but that's not the point , I've bought and sold Martins , now I have bought " Copies" made with the same spec's solid wood and finished too high quality . You really think a American can make better than a Chinese man ? Your paying for the name only , if your buying for investment/ resale , fine , If your wanting a guitar for playing then why pay 10 times more.
Snobs? Of course, If I had the money I will buy the Guild. It's got nothing to do with snob. So, whoerever drives a Ferrari is a snob just because you can't buy it? That copy sounds very very well, but not as the Guild
When you let each guitar hold a cord in sustain mode, the difference in quality become apparent. You Tube and desk top speakers make it hard to receive a good sound check yet I can say with confidence, the copy sounded good but the flagship was amazing. The Guild D55 is worth the price.
I know this is an old post, but i wanted to say if you really want a high end acoustic electric check out the Merida line. They are high end with a low to mid range price. I have a Merida Poison 42" Jumbo. Spruce top, African rosewood back and sides (all solid wood) Ebony Fretboard and Bridge, bone nut and saddle, beautiful inlay work etc... mine is their top of line and it was made in China! I think mine was around 1200. but i would compare it to any other high end guitar. It also has a pickup, Mic etc.. Great tone acoustically and electrified...... They have less expensive models too. I think from around 500-1200. Check out reviews. BTW, they also are very beautiful guitars.
Thanks 👍 Justin that was an awesome comparison I love Guild guitars but I have to admit that Chinese Martin D-45 would make a great truck or front porch guitar...all around beater.👍🎶🎸✝️🙏
I purchased this all solid wood copy of a D-100 spending around $1100.00 and I was so amazed by the quality and build. First off do not by the cheap laminated copies, spend the money for a all solid wood copies because these guitars are ones that they put more time and effort into also they are all real Spruce tops, real solid one piece Mahogany necks, real solid Rosewood back and sides, better tuners and a will come with a real bone nut and saddle also real Abalone inlays. I did the setup myself and the intonation and action is spot on. I also for reference own a real Martin HD-28 Deluxe VTS Custom Top as for tone comparison to the D-100 copy and I am sad to say it is not as good as that HD-28 but I only paid $1100.00 not $4400.00 also I will never have a chance in my life to own a real Martin D-100 or even see one up close. There was only 50 of the real D-100 ever made and now they are selling tor $140,000.00 plus and that is out of my reach totally. But I now have a copy that is like the real deal and i could not be happier. When people catch on these will go up in value because they are very desirable guitars.
I was more interested in what you were playing- some of those open chords had huge feel man, loved it! And the sound, the copy definitely doesn't sing as nice. Do they both have the same strings? I'd be interested to hear the same open string played on each one to see how long each note sustains...? Great vid brother, thank you!
I have a few copies, both chibson 335 guitars are absolutely awesome and I've gigged with them a lot and other players compliment me on the sound of both...but I worked on every one of these copies and learned a lot. When you get them they're not really playable if you're a guitarist so I take every part off and replace them the way I want to. Number one, the most expensive played the worst. This was in 2014 ,and I got lucky and bought from a great seller named Jane, she backed up everything she said. Now the Customs are seizing the copies with Fender and Gibson etc...logos. I will not sell any of these copies because of the work I have done to them and they actually have great bones...2 way truss rods and beautiful finishes but you still have to be careful about the seller you buy from IF you decide to buy a Chinese copy, make sure you are able to contact the seller and get some pictures of YOUR guitar before they ship it. Anyway, aliexpress monitors the transaction and it's for real.
Be careful of sellers on ebay who call them 'unbranded' and when they arrive have Gibson logo. I wanted a Starshine brand Byrdland copy but two sellers sent me the one's branded with Gibson logo. Both guitars are amazing as good copies, but although i play them in my studio i would never sell them without getting a signature from the buyer that he understood they weren't Gibson's. Actually i will never sell them. I finally got a Starshine version and they have different shaped headstocks with their own great looking logo.
Its Really about the player. Ive heard some pretty killer Homeless Guitar player in Alleys in Nashville making coins with a no name Brand Guitar , and they were F**kn Great !! But The D had a Warmer Sound.
I’ve taken the plunge and ordered a Chinese. Copy in Koa, but I paid the extra money and had it custom built with All solid Koa top, back, and sides, along with a 12-fret neck with slotted head. By having a custom build, I am hoping the extra care will be taken to do everything correctly,and avoid the assembly line thing. I believe that will make a big difference,but I’ll e doing a box opening video and review on CZcams. For some reason there haven’t been any recent videos of these guitars, but I have got to think they have worked out the kinks in their production methods by now and have gained the experience to build good guitars. I can’t afford a solid wood Martin, but I can afford to have one made in China with all the extra bling that I like. I guess we’ll see… like I said, I’ll do an updated video.
You cannot compare these two guitars against each other and the reason why is because the Guild is an acoustic guitar whereas the copy is a electro acoustic guitar. The bridge saddle on the guild has direct contact with the soundboard underneath, unlike the copy which has the bridge saddle sitting on the pickup on top of the soundboard and is why the sound is more matalic sounding unlike the Guild which has the sound transferred through the wood of the soundboard and sounding warm and sweet. I have this issue with an electro acoustic and I am thinking of removing the pickup from underneath the bridge saddle and see if a new bigger saddle placed in direct contact with the soundboard will give my guitar the warm sweet sound it is lacking? Take the pickup out of the bridge and see if it really has any sound quality in the wood?
In all fairness, this copy at that price was probably made with laminate back and sides,which would definitely account for the sound being brighter. To make a good comparison would require a Martin D45 and the Chinese copy in ALL SOLID WOOD. My ONLY concern is how many people have made statements about intonation issues.
Maybe ya should have done a little more research & been more specific when ordering the D45 replica ( they build precisely to order ) it you contact the correct supplier & spent a tad more.. Thats the worst pickguard ive ever seen on a chinese martin.. even so.. you already know the answer to your question.. Hell No.. 👍
@@upcycleelectra8311 now you tell me! Yeah, I just looked up “abilone guitar” on eBay, and thought it might be good enough to sell off one of my better guitars. I’m learning from my mistakes! Yeah, anything I can do about the pickguard now?
@@justinbishopmusic you need to have a look around on google.. some will even send you video footage of your guitar being built to your own specs & send a video of the finish guitar For aproval before they ship. I Would take a hairdryer with a defuser to the pickguard heat it up & peal it off .. some nice one out there
@@justinbishopmusic Try Aliexpress or DHgate (Forget Alibaba) some are hand made full solid AAAA+ woods front back & sides guitar builders..others are cheaper Laminated mass produced factory knock offs so shop around mate
I bought one of the Chibson Dreadnoughts and it is a decent guitar to play meaning you can set it up to play very very nicely but, just as your demo audibly demonstrates, any guitar that is built NEARLY as the OEM make/model and can be setup with nice action AND intonates…….is pleasant to listen to, they are in fact guitars. BUT…….the GUILD does have a richer tone and it’s (the one your playing) balance is more in the lower and higher freq thus about 2/3 of the audible spectrum. The CHARTIN D45 has a sweet spot in the mid-freq however thins a lot on the high notes and non wound strings, the bracing isn’t voiced during assy therefore it’s not surprising that the lows are a tad thinner than the GUILD. Point being, the Chinese knock off is mostly of laminated substrate and thick polyurethane hard finish which is why they glow and are so ornate if your into the abalone. The knockoff has about 40% of the audible range occupied well thought the mid bands. For me there is a clearly MORE FULFILLING sound from the GUILD. I have a 72 D35 Martin that will be audibly better than either in that is more balanced across the 15-15K hz while it is a D and not HD, it like your GUILD does shine a little less brightly in a small band, the D35 has a mid/high absence where your GUILD sounded only slightly small in the mids 4800-8000hz. Anyway, both your GUILD and my D35 are more evenly balanced across the audible range than the cheaper guitar. Is it worth 3000bucks to capture more of the audible band with more presence acoustically? Many of us, including that GUILD owner think it is. We know that there’s a guy tapping the back and front measuring tone and carving braces ever so slightly to get broader uniformity. FINALLY, with the beauty of miking and sound processing through amplification, today, we can make any decent guitar sound amazing. The real test is raw, naked ear, acoustic play, actually live and being there, not thru your recorded tracks or my sound system, right out the hole from 15 ft away. You know darn good and well that GUILD sounds much better and fulfilling than that dead, undersaddle pickup, plastic nut and saddle Martin knock-off unplugged and live, In-the-living-room.
Guild guitar was spectacularly awsome. The China guitar not bad either but you might have to tweak it a bit. I don't know if I would ever pay $3000 for the Guild, but it's probably worth the price. I never spend that much on a guitar, but if I ever do it's going to be Gibson southern Jumbo for me.
The D55 has a fuller sound but is it worth the extra? I don't think so. You pays yer money and takes your choice. My usual guitar is a Gibson MK-35 which I reckon was always intended for me. I totally LOVE it.
@@justinbishopmusic a new goal for you to work towards, overcoming fret buzz on a lesser guitar. You are already a great player, so you need something to work on, LOL! As for the finish flaw, I say, who cares. I buy blem guitars all the time because I can get them for half the price of a new one and the only reason people don't want them is because of one small blemish which sometimes is so small they have to show you where its at.
Believe it or not the Guild might be under priced. I'm not sure a Martin in that price range would be equal. I have a guitar similar to the copy which also has very nice tone but not such great action. It's pert near impossible to get it all for $350-
I have played them both and walked away, not seeing or hearing or feeling much difference. I used the knockoff on the stage because if it got stolen or banged up, it did not matter as much.
The guild has a smoothness that you'd rather hear on a record. I remember when taylor guitars came out and they were bright and ringy compared to martin's warm. If you played them next to each other, you'd think the martin was weak. But too much bite and projection eventually wears out my ears.
Hi Justin, I will understand if you can't, but would you mind saying what store you bought the Martin replica from? There are a lot of Chinese suppliers of these and I understand the quality is questionable at best for most of them. Unless a quality supplier was identified, a person might as well just be throwing his money away. But perhaps you got one that was plagued with issues and just rebuilt it? Great playing by the way.
Look up "Starshine" guitars on ebay. I didn't know it at the time, but they can customize the guitar...for example, if I had known, I would have asked for this to be unbranded so as not to infringe on the Martin trademark, and I would have liked a different pickguard. It costs a little more and a little longer wait, but the construction and tone are great for the price. It has low action and plays very well. I think Zuwei is another name for the company.
I agree for the most part, but knowing Zakk, there is no telling if thats what you were really listening too, I've seen the same vid and I don't buy it.
Guild is much warmer , richer with more sustain i guess if you have the money andcan affordityes you will buy the guildall day its an investment and a pleasure to play and listen to.
@@tonystone8584 wait does laminate last longer? I hear all the craze over solid wood, but I’ve also heard that the old laminate Gibsons are better. I’m so confused.
@@justinbishopmusic It's not the biggest thing to a player. I have owned every high end guitar ever made at one time or another and yes they usually sound better than a cheap guitar! However, if you are too close minded to admit some copies are actually great guitars, then all these reviews do not matter. Go buy your high end expensive boxes and have fun. Just don't scratch them because that hurts the price. Just hang them up on the wall and invite your other snobby friends to come see what ya got!
Guild booms and has more depth. Not really a fair comparison. For $3500, I'm guessing the Guild is all solid wood whereas the Chartin has laminate back and sides. It does look nice and sounds okay. I just ordered a Chinese D-45 yesterday.
@@justinbishopmusic .... that Guild sounds with authority :) There's really no comparison soundwise in the demo .... but I play a $100 beater mostly even tho I have several Gibsons .... soundwise there's no comparison but there's a lot of freedom in a plywood knock around guitar, you don't need a case and nobody wants to try it ... or steal it! Thanks for the reply!
Definitely tell thru my headphones the D-55 has a hauntingly more fuller sound. Bell like highs and just more overall depth. Is worth 10 times the Chartin?. That is relative to the level and skill of player but man listening thru headphones is no competition that D55 is a tone monster!!!!
@@jtarman70 maybe so on Placebo of my mind faking me to think it has to sound better but I as i re-listen e I still think the Guild has way more fuller sound. Appreciate your perspective and thanks for sharing!.
@@christopherwilliams7222 I agree that the Guild does sound better, just not $3,000 better....at least to me. I hear the same thing you do with the Guild, it does have the extra something in it, maybe I would call it a more calibrated sound quality, everything is perfectly in harmony when it rings.
There is zero question that the Guild sounds incredibly better! I think a better comparison would be a Guild made in China vs the Martin. And by the way, the switch up was obvious!! It was very noticeable
I have a chartin d45 copy laminate rosewood b and s but solid top, as this one in the video probably is as well at the price he payed for it. The solid wood d45 copy runs $500 to $700, so really it's not a fair challenge. I played mine against 2 of my epi masterbuilts and the chartin took them easily in volume. The tone was warmed but the highs just wasn't balanced like on the masterbuilts. Killed my washburn w150sw and w250sw in volume too, both all solid wood one hog and one rosewood. Against my solid all mahogany s and b and mahogany solid top Chinese built real guild the guild was richer, more balanced, warmer, and closer in volume but the chartin was still louder. With my all solid rosewood and mahogany guild d150ce and d140ce the volumes were more comparable, about the same. The guilds can't be beat for fullness and playing chords but the chartin was brighter and more balanced picking and finger picking and it does sound more like a Martin. Lastly against my all solid gibson j150xtra all solid it really had no chance, that's my oldest guitar of 16 years with time to age and that guitar is full, well balanced, plays chords well, fingerpicks well, and picks well. All that said, I was so impressed with my chartin I bought a parlor all solid guitar from the same company that made the chartin. This was their own brand but it's copied from a Martin parlor attached to body at 12th fret. Amazingly it's volume for a small guitar can keep up with all my guitars except the d140, d150, j150xtra, and the chartin. Its warmer and more balanced than the chartin as well. I like that one so much I finally found a home for my Fishman aura $350 pickup I've been holding for a few years. So... Again I don't believe this is a fair comparison, the $700 all solid chartin would have been closer. This guild also looks well kept but a few years old so we'll aged too. Don't get me wrong I love guilds, I have 4 all solid guilds, and have gifted guilds to friends and family. They are the best name brand guitars for the money. However these chartins can hold their own.
they both sounds very Close but the Price Doesn't equal the sound Quality in my opinion I will go for the Copy it is much cheaper but sound still 95% close to the Expensive one
Cool video, you are a good player and your recording setup works very well. Kudos, hey do a real Gibson Hummingbird vs my CHIBSON Hummingbird Regal (yeah right). I’ll loan it for you to make the video. You buy the real Gibson HB, I’ll kick in the knock off. I mean if one’s as good as the other, we will be contributing equally right? And you make all the profits.
While looking at the guitars as you played, it was hands down Guild, but when i scrolled down to see comments and when you started playing a boogie i was sure it was the Guild until rolling back up to find it was the copy! No, not 3k difference unless you are a pro and want to be seen with the Guild. Yes, the Guild sounds better but not so much better. I have a feeling if i bought the Guild, i would be afraid to play it much anyway. Strings and a few upgrades would bring the sound closer too. Maybe change the bridge on the copy and the nut. I bet it would be closer anyway. Guild's are some of the best out there and they do make cheaper versions, so there's that too. Not 3k difference either way. Sorry.
I bought the copy kinda hoping I could sell the Guild, but I just can't let go. I was very surprised, though, after I recorded the video. There are some differences, but you're right...definitely not $3,000 worth. I'm glad I bought it used for half that much!
The Guild has more tonal quality than the Copy. I am hard of hearing (I wear hearing aides from Army Mortar exposure), and yet I can hear the difference...
If you are rich or crasy enouph to pay 3000$ for an acoustic, then go for it but for us normal folks, the replica will be good enouph. Also just to let you guys know, you can have these chineese builders built you a replica like this one but with better specs, for not alot more. For example, with all solid wood..
I hear a serious difference between the two. I would hate to bank on a $350 Chinese made guitar for legacy type longevity which you would get with the Guild or a real Martin.
They sound similar,a huge selling point for me is low action,& the lower action on the Guild would lean me towards that one.I don't have room in my budget to spend an extra 3 grand for lower action,however.
Hey man, you can lower the action in pretty much any guitar. First check the neck to see if it’s warped, bending away from strings. If it is, tighten the truss rod. Next, check the saddle height. You can take it out and file it down from the bottom. You want about 2mm string height at 12th fret. Professional shops can do all this for $100-$150. I’ve actually got the Martin copy lower than the Guild for playing fingerstyle. I’ve got the Guild higher for bluegrass. And you can get a good used one for $1500 or so.
@@justinbishopmusic Hi,thanks for the feedback,I was just commenting generally.I play a variety of styles.I'm not in the market,I have six guitars that I'm quite happy with.
There is definitely a huge difference, if it’s worth it is subjective. I got to play a real Martin once it it was amazing! Made me sound like a better guitar player, and I play a Alvarez so I don’t play cheap guitars but $4000 is too much for me. If I had the money I would definitely buy a nice guitar like a Martin
My first “real” guitar was an Alvarez. Still love it. It definitely boosts confidence when you can play well and get a good sound, especially starting out. Alvarez made a huge difference for me. A neighborhood friend gave it to me and changed my life.
@@justinbishopmusic and if you could have stepped up to a Yairi you would have been in heaven. I own a 1991 Yairi Alvarez DY90. I've made many $3,000-$5000 Martins and Taylors kneel at my feet with that guitar! When my son and I think we've found another acoustic we want, we use the DY90 as a measuring stick. We have put many Martins back on the shelf after doing side by side comparisons in the store, the Yairi is just that good! And they should be seeing as how Kazou basically took Martin designs and made them even better than Martin could!
@@jtarman70 what’s your favorite pickup? I’m trying to figure out should I upgrade the no name in the Guild to an LR Baggs anthem or buy a cutaway with one already in it. I’m contemplating Orangewood who has a new all solid wood with ebony fretboard called the Cleo Live.
The Guild is deeper with a more pronounced bottom end, which is surprising, since one can guarantee that the real Martin would have more bottom end than a D55. The Chartin is bright and back to back with the real Martin, the difference would be more pronounced. Still, the Chartin sounds pretty good and certainly not objectively worse...playability, roadworthiness, how the instrument ages, investment value all factor in to deciding whether it’s worth the extra coin. Personally, I’d rather take the stage with a real 300 dollar Cort than a fake Martin...there’s karma. I have a fake Rolex that keeps time pretty well. It’s 25 dollars v 4 grand for the real McCoy...
I don't understand comparing two different brands and one a knock off a real martin wouldn't sound like a guild..... so this doesn't tell me anything truly sorry not being rude but isn't that obvious thats why I own a guild and not a gibson or Martin it has a warm deep tone Martin's are more treble to me away... different body and inner skeleton copy or not
Playing at your best, you are limited by the capabilities of the guitars tone. You will never be able to sound as good on that Martin copy as you’ll always sound on that Guild. So if you want your playing effort to shine, then yes the difference in price is worth it. Remember, you put a lot of time into learning to play. Make it count!
Supporting counterfeiting is the same as. You can save a lot of money buying stolen goods, too, it still doesn’t make it right. Buy an Epiphone, Fender, or Seagull If you don’t want to spend a lot. There are lots of legit, legal, affordable guitars on the market these days.
Le daría al Chimartin un 8/10. Es una muy buena guitarra. Echa un vistazo a las guitarras Starshine en eBay o Amazon si estás interesado. Los venden con logos de Starshine en lugar de Martin ahora.
The Martin copy sounds very thin compared to the Guild. Not very musically pleasing honestly, the copy's overtones are harsh. I would not gig with the Martin copy. A better compariton would be the copy vs a real Martin. For the record I own a D55 and a real Martin. Your playing is great though.
Honestly, if you took these two guitars on stage could any of the audience members really tell the difference or even have the knowledge to know that there is a difference? I personally don't think so! Unless you are a guitar player or in the music and sound industry you will never notice such things unless a guitar is just so bad that it cannot be hidden from the listeners! I've played guitar for 34 years. I own expensive and inexpensive guitars and love all of them. The ones I have, expensive or not, sound good and play good. In all my 34 years of playing, if a person walked on stage with either of these guitars I probably would not notice much difference in them unless they were played side by side and someone was specifically telling me the price difference in the two guitars! I do think in this vid the Guild sounds a bit better and a bit fuller or warmer. But maybe $500 better, but not $3,000 better. What this tells us is that modern day technology is able to produce an almost equivalent sound quality and craftsmanship for thousands of dollars less than hand made guitars or boutique guitars. I'm a player, so I really don't care who made it as long as it sounds good and is of good build quality. All that said, its just my personal opinion and I understand that no one else has to agree with me, ha ha!
The hand made has a distinctive sound although a small difference, but enough to signal perfection. $3,000 might just be the price of perfection if that's what you want.
Thanks for that great review. I used to discourage purchasing these Martin knock offs but now Martin has moved it's manufacturing to Mexico for the cheap labor. Guild another great American guitar was purchased by fender and are now made in Korea. We have to remember that is $4.00 a day labor like China. So if you have luthier skills or know someone who does why not roll the dice on one of these knock offs. Otherwise I'd buy a big Epiphone also made in China but, they have American Quality control. At the same price point...My apologies Justin I failed to mention what a great clean player you are.
I didn’t watch I just listened to see if I could hear the difference. I could. The expensive guitar resonated the low strings a lot better and head a better tone. The cheap one still sound amazing though I wish my first guitar had been this and not a fender 1200sx lol
eBay. Look for Starshine guitars. You can get them without the Martin logo. You just have to ask. I didn’t know what logo it would have when I ordered it.
Guild guitar가 단단한 소리가 납니다, 기타 스트링은 같은걸로 비교하시는지요, 마틴 카피기타는 밝은 소리가 나고 선생님 말처럼 3000 달라의 차이는 느껴지지않은 좋은 느낌입니다, 만약 같은 줄을썼다고하면 차이점은 분명히있습니다만 그냥 같은줄이 아닌 랜덤상태에서 비교연주하는거라면 느낌상 별차이 없다고 느껴저서요,
I just got the China Martin copy and it sounds, plays and looks great. I had over 170 high end Martins, Gibsons, Gretsch and though they all sound great, they don't sound much if any better than the inexpensive China Martin copy. Mine doesn't have any of the Martin logo's on it and that makes it fine to me. If you hate China guitars, then you better make sure your 'brand name' guitars aren't actually made in China. Most are unless you want to spend five thousand + on a name so you feel good and need to impress..
DL Mullins 170? How the... Would you mind if you give your most hated guitar to me? I don't have a guitar, I just borrow guitar from my friends. 😞
Spot on buddy .. Nailed it ☝
Spot on brother! People don't understand that all the big trusted companies they held so high with the "Made In USA" logo are now "Made In China" with the same standards! Look at what Guild has done! I recently purchased a Guild D-240E from Musician's Friend for $399 brand new. Its a freaking BOOMER, bass line is soooo deep just like the old Martins! In fact, I have a 1974 Martin D35 and it don't sound any better than the China made Guild D-240E. I don't know what all these big name companies that charge $3K - $10K for guitars are gonna do when people start to figure out they can get a $5,000 guitar for $500 as long as its made in China!
@@jtarman70 I know this post is late, but just read your reply. What gets me is the fact almost everything we buy comes from China. People go to Walmart and buy hundreds of dollars of stuff every month and then complain about Guitars. It's just crazy to me. lol . Thanks!
@@dlmullins9054 Hello brother. I'm back. May I know which website you purchased it from? Is it the "Byron" Chinese Martin?
I’m not sure it’s a $3,000 difference, but I hear a lot of rich overtones on that Guild. It seems boomier with more sparkle.
You nailed it exactly' Wanna be Martin sounds flat
@@ibmaxwell4192 I agree. Normally I root for the low priced underdog, but this one had too much treble.
Well the Guild is likely a couple of decades old or more, age definitely adds depth of sound. The real question is, will the copy last long enough to get there?
Every one of the Chinese Martin knock offs I've had on my repair bench needed a careful fret dressing and the action taken down at the saddle and some nut work. Once done, they were phenomenal for the money. I just bought a 000-42 12 fret slothead for my shop to hang on the wall next to my 1937 Martin 0-17
I will have to agree! A friend went and bought a Chinese Martin, and like you said, it played damn good. I’m definitely not a copy guy, but with that being said, A lot of major guitar brands are made in China, Eastman for instance, has their guitars made in China, which are phenomenal guitars, that are made of solid wood. Starting around 800.00 Don’t get me wrong I’m not defending what they are doing but they are doing things very well than what they did before
@@zman7242Eastman is completely different compared to other instruments made in china. Eastman has real luthiers, it’s not just an assembly line of mass produced instruments like squier guitars made in china. It doesn’t matter where the luthier is from if they’re good…. This is why Dana bourgeois teamed up with Eastman because they make legit instruments. Eastman is a quality company, I don’t appreciate your last remark
We're can I get one of those Chinese Martin guitars ?
ive got a chinese copy and its really good..sounds great, fret action is very good for an acoustic.. and the inlay of abalone and mother of pearl is incredible...made in china is not so bad anymore.
Do you mind sharing where you got the copy from? There are so many copies out there, so your recommendation would be helpful. Thanks.
@@vikasmehta5183 Me Too !!
Through my headphones, for me the Guild has a much more pleasing tone and I could listen to it for hours... However, for $300.00 that Martin replica sounds amazing.
The Guild has a better lower tone that carries much longer then they copy not to mention how much better-looking it is just visibly.... it may be expensive but unfortunately that's what it cost if you want better
And GUILD is an Outstanding Guitar !!
With quality headphones, you can really hear how much better the Guild sounds. Hey, you typically always get what you pay for.
I'm on board with you my friend! With the headphones, the Guild schools the Chinese copy. I will say the Chinese guitar sounds better than the Martin guitars with the HPL back and sides (plastic nonsense). I played two of their HPL guitars with spruce tops at their PA factory and they sounded awful. Couldn't believe they put their name to it. I own Martin 000-15M (love it!), 000-18 (like it), and custom shop 000-28 build with all my wish lists (bear claw Sitka, KOA B&S , custom inlay work and flame maple binding) Love it, love it!, but the inexpensive 000-16 Streetmaster at $1,800 sounds better in my hands than all the rest of the 11 guitars I played at martin, including my Martin and Alvarez guitars at home.. Some in the $8000 range. $$ does not equal the tone you're in search often...
In 1971 after my guitar lesson I had the money to buy a Martin D28 for $650. My teacher had me sit, blindfolded me and picked 2 guitars. Having played both for 20-30 minutes he had me pick which sounded and played better. It wasn’t the Martin but an Ibanez D28 copy. I still think it sounds great. Even my friend who has an old Martin thinks so. I do regret not buying the Martin back then due to how much they have increased in value. Mine not so but looks and sounds better with time.
Great story! I think every instrument has it's own unique voice. Looks like you found a gem!
@@justinbishopmusic *Sir if you don't mind may I know what audio recorder you used for this particular video?*
@@freemancarl I used the Focusrite 2i2 and the condenser mic that came in a pack with it, recording into garage band.
@@justinbishopmusic *It's sounds really good. Balanced, clean & clear.*
*Thanks for the info. I appreciate it.*
🙂
Definitely Guild sounds better woody tone. What you mentioned about the Chinese Martin copy is also very good with regard to price point where the difference is whopping 3k, that's a lot of money. Still you can buy another all solid guitar from another reputed brand as I need many guitars tuned ready for different tuning modes. For me , I need almost 4 acoustic guitars as I wanna play different songs which are in different tuning modes and managing only with one guitar , it really sucks my timing to change the timings for different songs.
That marchin sound superb for the price
A really great comparative review - really helpful, thank you
I'll take the copy. $3000 is for the guitar snobs to brag about. It's the player and you made them both sound great.
Sheeple sneer at " made in China " they don't know that most of the stuff they buy is made there.
I've got a Martin D-28 and I'm as far from a snob as they come. I wanted a Martin that was actually made in their Nazareth Pennsylvania shop. And one that's also made out of quality materials with a professional build quality. I'm sure you can find other guitars out there that sound close to the same. I had DX-1 Martin I paid $500 for. And it sounds almost as good as my D-28. But it was made in their Mexico plant and also made from HPL. In short, buying something you've always wanted and God blesses them with the money to finally afford one doesn't make them a snob. It just means they bought what they wanted. It took about 7 to 8 years before I was able to buy one. But it's what I wanted so I got it. Don't be so quick to judge someone unless you want to be judge in the same way.
@jennyomalley7634 Not a real Martin Guitar. You can buy cheaper ones made in Mexico or higher end models made in Nazareth, Pennsylvania. Where they've been making guitars since 1839. Before that they were made in New York from 1833-1839.
@@danielallen7384 From Germany originally , but that's not the point , I've bought and sold Martins , now I have bought " Copies" made with the same spec's solid wood and finished too high quality . You really think a American can make better than a Chinese man ? Your paying for the name only , if your buying for investment/ resale , fine , If your wanting a guitar for playing then why pay 10 times more.
Snobs? Of course, If I had the money I will buy the Guild.
It's got nothing to do with snob.
So, whoerever drives a Ferrari is a snob just because you can't buy it?
That copy sounds very very well, but not as the Guild
When you let each guitar hold a cord in sustain mode, the difference in quality become apparent. You Tube and desk top speakers make it hard to receive a good sound check yet I can say with confidence, the copy sounded good but the flagship was amazing. The Guild D55 is worth the price.
I know this is an old post, but i wanted to say if you really want a high end acoustic electric check out the Merida line. They are high end with a low to mid range price. I have a Merida Poison 42" Jumbo. Spruce top, African rosewood back and sides (all solid wood) Ebony Fretboard and Bridge, bone nut and saddle, beautiful inlay work etc... mine is their top of line and it was made in China! I think mine was around 1200. but i would compare it to any other high end guitar. It also has a pickup, Mic etc.. Great tone acoustically and electrified...... They have less expensive models too. I think from around 500-1200. Check out reviews. BTW, they also are very beautiful guitars.
Second vote for Merida Extrema guitars. Great players that are beautiful to look at.
Thanks 👍 Justin that was an awesome comparison I love Guild guitars but I have to admit that Chinese Martin D-45 would make a great truck or front porch guitar...all around beater.👍🎶🎸✝️🙏
Thanks! Yes, I bought the Chinese Martin with the excuse that I needed a "campfire guitar," at least that's what I kept telling myself!
I purchased this all solid wood copy of a D-100 spending around $1100.00 and I was so amazed by the quality and build. First off do not by the cheap laminated copies, spend the money for a all solid wood copies because these guitars are ones that they put more time and effort into also they are all real Spruce tops, real solid one piece Mahogany necks, real solid Rosewood back and sides, better tuners and a will come with a real bone nut and saddle also real Abalone inlays. I did the setup myself and the intonation and action is spot on. I also for reference own a real Martin HD-28 Deluxe VTS Custom Top as for tone comparison to the D-100 copy and I am sad to say it is not as good as that HD-28 but I only paid $1100.00 not $4400.00 also I will never have a chance in my life to own a real Martin D-100 or even see one up close. There was only 50 of the real D-100 ever made and now they are selling tor $140,000.00 plus and that is out of my reach totally. But I now have a copy that is like the real deal and i could not be happier. When people catch on these will go up in value because they are very desirable guitars.
I prefer the Chinese Martin Copy. Much brighter and clearer but still balanced bottom end and good sustain.
original is softer and gentle like clam sound and copy is like hurry sunshine
I was more interested in what you were playing- some of those open chords had huge feel man, loved it! And the sound, the copy definitely doesn't sing as nice. Do they both have the same strings?
I'd be interested to hear the same open string played on each one to see how long each note sustains...?
Great vid brother, thank you!
I have a few copies, both chibson 335 guitars are absolutely awesome and I've gigged with them a lot and other players compliment me on the sound of both...but I worked on every one of these copies and learned a lot. When you get them they're not really playable if you're a guitarist so I take every part off and replace them the way I want to.
Number one, the most expensive played the worst. This was in 2014 ,and I got lucky and bought from a great seller named Jane, she backed up everything she said. Now the Customs are seizing the copies with Fender and Gibson etc...logos. I will not sell any of these copies because of the work I have done to them and they actually have great bones...2 way truss rods and beautiful finishes but you still have to be careful about the seller you buy from IF you decide to buy a Chinese copy, make sure you are able to contact the seller and get some pictures of YOUR guitar before they ship it. Anyway, aliexpress monitors the transaction and it's for real.
Be careful of sellers on ebay who call them 'unbranded' and when they arrive have Gibson logo. I wanted a Starshine brand Byrdland copy but two sellers sent me the one's branded with Gibson logo. Both guitars are amazing as good copies, but although i play them in my studio i would never sell them without getting a signature from the buyer that he understood they weren't Gibson's. Actually i will never sell them. I finally got a Starshine version and they have different shaped headstocks with their own great looking logo.
Its Really about the player. Ive heard some pretty killer Homeless Guitar player in Alleys in Nashville making coins with a no name Brand Guitar , and they were F**kn Great !! But The D had a Warmer Sound.
I’ve taken the plunge and ordered a Chinese. Copy in Koa, but I paid the extra money and had it custom built with All solid Koa top, back, and sides, along with a 12-fret neck with slotted head. By having a custom build, I am hoping the extra care will be taken to do everything correctly,and avoid the assembly line thing. I believe that will make a big difference,but I’ll e doing a box opening video and review on CZcams. For some reason there haven’t been any recent videos of these guitars, but I have got to think they have worked out the kinks in their production methods by now and have gained the experience to build good guitars. I can’t afford a solid wood Martin, but I can afford to have one made in China with all the extra bling that I like. I guess we’ll see… like I said, I’ll do an updated video.
Looking forward to seeing how it turns out!
You cannot compare these two guitars against each other and the reason why is because the Guild is an acoustic guitar whereas the copy is a electro acoustic guitar.
The bridge saddle on the guild has direct contact with the soundboard underneath, unlike the copy which has the bridge saddle sitting on the pickup on top of the soundboard and is why the sound is more matalic sounding unlike the Guild which has the sound transferred through the wood of the soundboard and sounding warm and sweet.
I have this issue with an electro acoustic and I am thinking of removing the pickup from underneath the bridge saddle and see if a new bigger saddle placed in direct contact with the soundboard will give my guitar the warm sweet sound it is lacking?
Take the pickup out of the bridge and see if it really has any sound quality in the wood?
In all fairness, this copy at that price was probably made with laminate back and sides,which would definitely account for the sound being brighter. To make a good comparison would require a Martin D45 and the Chinese copy in ALL SOLID WOOD. My ONLY concern is how many people have made statements about intonation issues.
I think the more important question is, can you feel the difference?
Yes, absolutely, and I find that on the Guild, difficult passages are easier to play.
Maybe ya should have done a little more research & been more specific when ordering the D45 replica ( they build precisely to order ) it you contact the correct supplier & spent a tad more..
Thats the worst pickguard ive ever seen on a chinese martin.. even so.. you already know the answer to your question.. Hell No.. 👍
@@upcycleelectra8311 now you tell me! Yeah, I just looked up “abilone guitar” on eBay, and thought it might be good enough to sell off one of my better guitars. I’m learning from my mistakes! Yeah, anything I can do about the pickguard now?
@@justinbishopmusic you need to have a look around on google.. some will even send you video footage of your guitar being built to your own specs & send a video of the finish guitar
For aproval before they ship.
I Would take a hairdryer with a defuser to the pickguard heat it up & peal it off .. some nice one out there
@@justinbishopmusic Try Aliexpress or DHgate (Forget Alibaba) some are hand made full solid AAAA+ woods front back & sides guitar builders..others are cheaper Laminated mass produced factory knock offs so shop around mate
I bought one of the Chibson Dreadnoughts and it is a decent guitar to play meaning you can set it up to play very very nicely but, just as your demo audibly demonstrates, any guitar that is built NEARLY as the OEM make/model and can be setup with nice action AND intonates…….is pleasant to listen to, they are in fact guitars. BUT…….the GUILD does have a richer tone and it’s (the one your playing) balance is more in the lower and higher freq thus about 2/3 of the audible spectrum. The CHARTIN D45 has a sweet spot in the mid-freq however thins a lot on the high notes and non wound strings, the bracing isn’t voiced during assy therefore it’s not surprising that the lows are a tad thinner than the GUILD. Point being, the Chinese knock off is mostly of laminated substrate and thick polyurethane hard finish which is why they glow and are so ornate if your into the abalone. The knockoff has about 40% of the audible range occupied well thought the mid bands. For me there is a clearly MORE FULFILLING sound from the GUILD. I have a 72 D35 Martin that will be audibly better than either in that is more balanced across the 15-15K hz while it is a D and not HD, it like your GUILD does shine a little less brightly in a small band, the D35 has a mid/high absence where your GUILD sounded only slightly small in the mids 4800-8000hz. Anyway, both your GUILD and my D35 are more evenly balanced across the audible range than the cheaper guitar. Is it worth 3000bucks to capture more of the audible band with more presence acoustically? Many of us, including that GUILD owner think it is. We know that there’s a guy tapping the back and front measuring tone and carving braces ever so slightly to get broader uniformity. FINALLY, with the beauty of miking and sound processing through amplification, today, we can make any decent guitar sound amazing. The real test is raw, naked ear, acoustic play, actually live and being there, not thru your recorded tracks or my sound system, right out the hole from 15 ft away. You know darn good and well that GUILD sounds much better and fulfilling than that dead, undersaddle pickup, plastic nut and saddle Martin knock-off unplugged and live, In-the-living-room.
The guild gets it man
Until you get to play the Grand Olde Opry that copy is good enough for playing alone in your apartment. Invest your money instead
Guild guitar was spectacularly awsome.
The China guitar not bad either but you might have to tweak it a bit. I don't know if I would ever pay $3000 for the Guild, but it's probably worth the price. I never spend that much on a guitar, but if I ever do it's going to be Gibson southern Jumbo for me.
martin copy wins!
The D55 has a fuller sound but is it worth the extra? I don't think so. You pays yer money and takes your choice. My usual guitar is a Gibson MK-35 which I reckon was always intended for me. I totally LOVE it.
Love the Guild. Hands down worth the price! The copy though, has a right on its own. I know
Coz I own one myself!
well to be fair- it's not JUST about sound- it's about playability, feel, and durablility as well
This is true. They both play about the same, though it’s easier to get the copy to buzz and there are more flaws in the finish.
@@justinbishopmusic a new goal for you to work towards, overcoming fret buzz on a lesser guitar. You are already a great player, so you need something to work on, LOL! As for the finish flaw, I say, who cares. I buy blem guitars all the time because I can get them for half the price of a new one and the only reason people don't want them is because of one small blemish which sometimes is so small they have to show you where its at.
Believe it or not the Guild might be under priced. I'm not sure a Martin in that price range would be equal. I have a guitar similar to the copy which also has very nice tone but not such great action. It's pert near impossible to get it all for $350-
I have played them both and walked away, not seeing or hearing or feeling much difference. I used the knockoff on the stage because if it got stolen or banged up, it did not matter as much.
The guild has a smoothness that you'd rather hear on a record. I remember when taylor guitars came out and they were bright and ringy compared to martin's warm. If you played them next to each other, you'd think the martin was weak. But too much bite and projection eventually wears out my ears.
Taylors sound like toys compared to a real d series Martin.
Hi Justin, I will understand if you can't, but would you mind saying what store you bought the Martin replica from? There are a lot of Chinese suppliers of these and I understand the quality is questionable at best for most of them. Unless a quality supplier was identified, a person might as well just be throwing his money away. But perhaps you got one that was plagued with issues and just rebuilt it? Great playing by the way.
Look up "Starshine" guitars on ebay. I didn't know it at the time, but they can customize the guitar...for example, if I had known, I would have asked for this to be unbranded so as not to infringe on the Martin trademark, and I would have liked a different pickguard. It costs a little more and a little longer wait, but the construction and tone are great for the price. It has low action and plays very well. I think Zuwei is another name for the company.
I can take a $10,000 guitar and make it sound like a $300 guitar . 😂🎸✨
There's a video of zakk wylde playing a tiny hello kitty acoustic. Sounds amazing. It's the player not so much the instrument.
I agree for the most part, but knowing Zakk, there is no telling if thats what you were really listening too, I've seen the same vid and I don't buy it.
The Guild D55 has a much richer and pleasing sound.
Really? I'd say it sounded a bit better overall but no way it sounded $3,000 better, maybe $500 at most.
Teve alteração na gravação entre os dois (echo, rms, compressão) então não ficou transparente. Deu pra perceber pela analise no soundforge.
Guild is much warmer , richer with more sustain i guess if you have the money andcan affordityes you will buy the guildall day its an investment and a pleasure to play and listen to.
Let’s compare them in 2 years. 5 years, 100 hundred years.
Yeah, the laminate on the copy might not hold up as well!
@@justinbishopmusic you are misguided to say the least.
@@tonystone8584 wait does laminate last longer? I hear all the craze over solid wood, but I’ve also heard that the old laminate Gibsons are better. I’m so confused.
Copy Martin👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼😎😎😎
@@justinbishopmusic It's not the biggest thing to a player. I have owned every high end guitar ever made at one time or another and yes they usually sound better than a cheap guitar! However, if you are too close minded to admit some copies are actually great guitars, then all these reviews do not matter. Go buy your high end expensive boxes and have fun. Just don't scratch them because that hurts the price. Just hang them up on the wall and invite your other snobby friends to come see what ya got!
Guild booms and has more depth. Not really a fair comparison. For $3500, I'm guessing the Guild is all solid wood whereas the Chartin has laminate back and sides. It does look nice and sounds okay. I just ordered a Chinese D-45 yesterday.
lots of difference! Are they the same gauge strings and string height? The fake sounds really thin compared to the guild .... thanks for the demo!
Same strings. I’m able to get the action a little lower on the Guild with no buzz.
@@justinbishopmusic .... that Guild sounds with authority :) There's really no comparison soundwise in the demo .... but I play a $100 beater mostly even tho I have several Gibsons .... soundwise there's no comparison but there's a lot of freedom in a plywood knock around guitar, you don't need a case and nobody wants to try it ... or steal it! Thanks for the reply!
Definitely tell thru my headphones the D-55 has a hauntingly more fuller sound. Bell like highs and just more overall depth. Is worth 10 times the Chartin?. That is relative to the level and skill of player but man listening thru headphones is no competition that D55 is a tone monster!!!!
It does sound a little better overall, but most of it is just in your mind. Your mind is telling you that the expensive guitar HAS to sound better!
@@jtarman70 maybe so on
Placebo of my mind faking me to think it has to sound better but I as i re-listen e
I still think the Guild has way more fuller sound. Appreciate your perspective and thanks for sharing!.
@@christopherwilliams7222 I agree that the Guild does sound better, just not $3,000 better....at least to me. I hear the same thing you do with the Guild, it does have the extra something in it, maybe I would call it a more calibrated sound quality, everything is perfectly in harmony when it rings.
There is zero question that the Guild sounds incredibly better! I think a better comparison would be a Guild made in China vs the Martin. And by the way, the switch up was obvious!! It was very noticeable
I have a chartin d45 copy laminate rosewood b and s but solid top, as this one in the video probably is as well at the price he payed for it. The solid wood d45 copy runs $500 to $700, so really it's not a fair challenge. I played mine against 2 of my epi masterbuilts and the chartin took them easily in volume. The tone was warmed but the highs just wasn't balanced like on the masterbuilts. Killed my washburn w150sw and w250sw in volume too, both all solid wood one hog and one rosewood. Against my solid all mahogany s and b and mahogany solid top Chinese built real guild the guild was richer, more balanced, warmer, and closer in volume but the chartin was still louder. With my all solid rosewood and mahogany guild d150ce and d140ce the volumes were more comparable, about the same. The guilds can't be beat for fullness and playing chords but the chartin was brighter and more balanced picking and finger picking and it does sound more like a Martin. Lastly against my all solid gibson j150xtra all solid it really had no chance, that's my oldest guitar of 16 years with time to age and that guitar is full, well balanced, plays chords well, fingerpicks well, and picks well.
All that said, I was so impressed with my chartin I bought a parlor all solid guitar from the same company that made the chartin. This was their own brand but it's copied from a Martin parlor attached to body at 12th fret. Amazingly it's volume for a small guitar can keep up with all my guitars except the d140, d150, j150xtra, and the chartin. Its warmer and more balanced than the chartin as well. I like that one so much I finally found a home for my Fishman aura $350 pickup I've been holding for a few years. So...
Again I don't believe this is a fair comparison, the $700 all solid chartin would have been closer. This guild also looks well kept but a few years old so we'll aged too. Don't get me wrong I love guilds, I have 4 all solid guilds, and have gifted guilds to friends and family. They are the best name brand guitars for the money. However these chartins can hold their own.
Guild D55!!!
Both equally projects volume wise, guild is warmer tone & martin copy is brighter, BUT the question is, worth 3k more? No.
they both sounds very Close but the Price Doesn't equal the sound Quality in my opinion I will go for the Copy it is much cheaper but sound still 95% close to the Expensive one
Cool video, you are a good player and your recording setup works very well. Kudos, hey do a real Gibson Hummingbird vs my CHIBSON Hummingbird Regal (yeah right). I’ll loan it for you to make the video. You buy the real Gibson HB, I’ll kick in the knock off. I mean if one’s as good as the other, we will be contributing equally right? And you make all the profits.
While looking at the guitars as you played, it was hands down Guild, but when i scrolled down to see comments and when you started playing a boogie i was sure it was the Guild until rolling back up to find it was the copy! No, not 3k difference unless you are a pro and want to be seen with the Guild. Yes, the Guild sounds better but not so much better. I have a feeling if i bought the Guild, i would be afraid to play it much anyway. Strings and a few upgrades would bring the sound closer too. Maybe change the bridge on the copy and the nut. I bet it would be closer anyway. Guild's are some of the best out there and they do make cheaper versions, so there's that too. Not 3k difference either way. Sorry.
I bought the copy kinda hoping I could sell the Guild, but I just can't let go. I was very surprised, though, after I recorded the video. There are some differences, but you're right...definitely not $3,000 worth. I'm glad I bought it used for half that much!
@@justinbishopmusic True, and i have always been a big Guild fan and still am. Great review! Honest and fair.
The Guild has more tonal quality than the Copy. I am hard of hearing (I wear hearing aides from Army Mortar exposure), and yet I can hear the difference...
If you are rich or crasy enouph to pay 3000$ for an acoustic, then go for it but for us normal folks, the replica will be good enouph.
Also just to let you guys know, you can have these chineese builders built you a replica like this one but with better specs, for not alot more. For example, with all solid wood..
The Guild has a nicer lower tone. I would settle for the Martin Copy and just tweak the sound with a simple EQ pedal and save the 3K.
I hear a serious difference between the two. I would hate to bank on a $350 Chinese made guitar for legacy type longevity which you would get with the Guild or a real Martin.
Don't compare it to D55 this guitar is a dream among expensive ones. I've heard clearly the difference here.
They sound similar,a huge selling point for me is low action,& the lower action on the Guild would lean me towards that one.I don't have room in my budget to spend an extra 3 grand for lower action,however.
Hey man, you can lower the action in pretty much any guitar. First check the neck to see if it’s warped, bending away from strings. If it is, tighten the truss rod. Next, check the saddle height. You can take it out and file it down from the bottom. You want about 2mm string height at 12th fret. Professional shops can do all this for $100-$150. I’ve actually got the Martin copy lower than the Guild for playing fingerstyle. I’ve got the Guild higher for bluegrass. And you can get a good used one for $1500 or so.
What style do you play?
@@justinbishopmusic Hi,thanks for the feedback,I was just commenting generally.I play a variety of styles.I'm not in the market,I have six guitars that I'm quite happy with.
I choose the resonator
There’s nothing quite like a good resonator.
Where can I buy the Chinese Martin? The Guild was a little too bright for me.
eBay. Look up abalone acoustic guitar. Several options from China
Both sound great, but a little different and that is it!!!
There is definitely a huge difference, if it’s worth it is subjective. I got to play a real Martin once it it was amazing! Made me sound like a better guitar player, and I play a Alvarez so I don’t play cheap guitars but $4000 is too much for me. If I had the money I would definitely buy a nice guitar like a Martin
My first “real” guitar was an Alvarez. Still love it. It definitely boosts confidence when you can play well and get a good sound, especially starting out. Alvarez made a huge difference for me. A neighborhood friend gave it to me and changed my life.
@@justinbishopmusic and if you could have stepped up to a Yairi you would have been in heaven. I own a 1991 Yairi Alvarez DY90. I've made many $3,000-$5000 Martins and Taylors kneel at my feet with that guitar! When my son and I think we've found another acoustic we want, we use the DY90 as a measuring stick. We have put many Martins back on the shelf after doing side by side comparisons in the store, the Yairi is just that good! And they should be seeing as how Kazou basically took Martin designs and made them even better than Martin could!
@@jtarman70 what’s your favorite pickup? I’m trying to figure out should I upgrade the no name in the Guild to an LR Baggs anthem or buy a cutaway with one already in it. I’m contemplating Orangewood who has a new all solid wood with ebony fretboard called the Cleo Live.
@@justinbishopmusic I'd just buy the Orangewood ,that way you have "another guitar" lol
@@jtarman70 sounds like a good excuse to me! I can tell my wife, “but this one’s Different!”
The chord strumming on the Guild is much more grand sounding than the Martin copy. The copy has that cheap twangy sound a lot of cheap acoustics have.
More of a resonant sustain especially in the mid-range on the Guild.
Both sound great in their own ways.
The Guild is deeper with a more pronounced bottom end, which is surprising, since one can guarantee that the real Martin would have more bottom end than a D55. The Chartin is bright and back to back with the real Martin, the difference would be more pronounced. Still, the Chartin sounds pretty good and certainly not objectively worse...playability, roadworthiness, how the instrument ages, investment value all factor in to deciding whether it’s worth the extra coin. Personally, I’d rather take the stage with a real 300 dollar Cort than a fake Martin...there’s karma. I have a fake Rolex that keeps time pretty well. It’s 25 dollars v 4 grand for the real McCoy...
I don't understand comparing two different brands and one a knock off a real martin wouldn't sound like a guild..... so this doesn't tell me anything truly sorry not being rude but isn't that obvious thats why I own a guild and not a gibson or Martin it has a warm deep tone Martin's are more treble to me away... different body and inner skeleton copy or not
Playing at your best, you are limited by the capabilities of the guitars tone. You will never be able to sound as good on that Martin copy as you’ll always sound on that Guild. So if you want your playing effort to shine, then yes the difference in price is worth it. Remember, you put a lot of time into learning to play. Make it count!
I’ll take the copy one.
G55 sounds more woody and little louder.
Supporting counterfeiting is the same as. You can save a lot of money buying stolen goods, too, it still doesn’t make it right. Buy an Epiphone, Fender, or Seagull If you don’t want to spend a lot. There are lots of legit, legal, affordable guitars on the market these days.
I don’t hear 3000 difference matter fact, I think the copy projects louder
I hate to say it but the chartin sounds little better .
Love this vídeo. Thank you👌🙏😎
the guild is so good ...cotton sugar // the copy is a guitar
The Martin copy is nice but right off the bat. The Guild sounds like it has a deeper richer tone.
Guild is the best. Ive always got coments like hou do you get the intonation so good. (Gibson players)
hola me gusta el sonido mas de la guild. pero no se que puntuacion le pondrias tu al chimartin en sonido y comodida ala hora de tocar justin?
Le daría al Chimartin un 8/10. Es una muy buena guitarra. Echa un vistazo a las guitarras Starshine en eBay o Amazon si estás interesado. Los venden con logos de Starshine en lugar de Martin ahora.
gracias justin no pensaba que estas imitaciones tuvieran esa calidad de sonido
Die Guild d 55 klingt eindeutig besser als die Martin Kopie!! Das hört man sofort!!Ein Test mit einer Martin d 45 hätte mich mehr interessiert!
The Martin copy sounds very thin compared to the Guild.
Not very musically pleasing honestly, the copy's overtones are harsh.
I would not gig with the Martin copy.
A better compariton would be the copy vs a real Martin.
For the record I own a D55 and a real Martin.
Your playing is great though.
Guild is smoother
not bad sound for Martin Copy 😄, but Guild better. 😄
Guild is a warmer tone, more low end.
Honestly, if you took these two guitars on stage could any of the audience members really tell the difference or even have the knowledge to know that there is a difference? I personally don't think so! Unless you are a guitar player or in the music and sound industry you will never notice such things unless a guitar is just so bad that it cannot be hidden from the listeners! I've played guitar for 34 years. I own expensive and inexpensive guitars and love all of them. The ones I have, expensive or not, sound good and play good. In all my 34 years of playing, if a person walked on stage with either of these guitars I probably would not notice much difference in them unless they were played side by side and someone was specifically telling me the price difference in the two guitars! I do think in this vid the Guild sounds a bit better and a bit fuller or warmer. But maybe $500 better, but not $3,000 better. What this tells us is that modern day technology is able to produce an almost equivalent sound quality and craftsmanship for thousands of dollars less than hand made guitars or boutique guitars. I'm a player, so I really don't care who made it as long as it sounds good and is of good build quality. All that said, its just my personal opinion and I understand that no one else has to agree with me, ha ha!
The hand made has a distinctive sound although a small difference, but enough to signal perfection. $3,000 might just be the price of perfection if that's what you want.
Thanks for that great review. I used to discourage purchasing these Martin knock offs but now Martin has moved it's manufacturing to Mexico for the cheap labor. Guild another great American guitar was purchased by fender and are now made in Korea. We have to remember that is $4.00 a day labor like China. So if you have luthier skills or know someone who does why not roll the dice on one of these knock offs. Otherwise I'd buy a big Epiphone also made in China but, they have American Quality control. At the same price point...My apologies Justin I failed to mention what a great clean player you are.
The Martin copy is too bright imo , when playing some minor chords sounds good but the brighter chords sound too much on it
cheap sounds more... harsh. Expensive sounds warmer and clearer.
Copy by five lengths...no contest.
Where can i get one of those chinese martin guitars ?
Look up Starshine Guitars on eBay.
I didn’t watch I just listened to see if I could hear the difference. I could. The expensive guitar resonated the low strings a lot better and head a better tone. The cheap one still sound amazing though I wish my first guitar had been this and not a fender 1200sx lol
there is no kid working in McDonalds that can afford a 3 thousand dollar guitar and would be thrilled with a Chinese copy
I'll take them both. I'm not stranger to Chinese knocks. I'll play them all nite.
The guild sounds $500 better, not $3000.
I found myself liking the sound of the Chinese one better.
Does one turn off once urinated on?
What site did you find the Chinese fake Martin?
eBay. Look for Starshine guitars. You can get them without the Martin logo. You just have to ask. I didn’t know what logo it would have when I ordered it.
After playing the Chinese copy, you’ll want to play it again an hour later
the guild is infinitely richer sounding, the fake martin looks nice but sounds thin and cheap
The Guild ,far and away the better sound.
Copy any time
Guild guitar가 단단한 소리가 납니다, 기타 스트링은 같은걸로 비교하시는지요,
마틴 카피기타는 밝은 소리가 나고 선생님 말처럼 3000 달라의 차이는 느껴지지않은
좋은 느낌입니다, 만약 같은 줄을썼다고하면 차이점은 분명히있습니다만
그냥 같은줄이 아닌 랜덤상태에서 비교연주하는거라면 느낌상 별차이 없다고 느껴저서요,