Mon Jan 11, 2010 1:27 pm
Never owned a Martin, but buoght a Guild way back when, cause it was as close I could get to the Martin sound and was affordable.
Bought a 1997 Taylor in 2007. It took a while to buy in to the Taylor brand, cause I was so use to the fuller, darker tones of the Guild.
I like the way Taylor played and I liked the 1 3/4 neck of the Taylor vs. the 1 11/16 necks of Guild/Martin, and most other guitars .
While not stubby, my phalanges are not the slimes or longest on the planet so the 1 3/4 neck better suit my hand much better.
I managed to buy a Taylor; however when I played the 514 which has a cedar top and mahogany side and back. The Cedar top is beautiful and really has some soft mellow tones, balanced by the mahogany, (although rosewood side and back would be better.)
I am happy with the Taylor sound, though I still experiment with strings regularly to tone her down a bit.
Just my preference.
Regarding Martin however I think an older model would be a worthwhile investment.
While at Guitar Center (Houston, Texas) a chap was there looking to buy a amp he was plugging in different guitars, but since he played a Martin, he plugged in an older model they had on display, and it blew me away.
Not sure of the amp or the guitar, I had to get home before my wife missed me, but the high end, older Martin sound is hard to beat.
I hate the headstock shape though.