Taylor Vs. Martin: Comparison and Best Alternative
Taylor and Martin — both of them are among the most popular acoustic guitar brands out there. These two brands need no introduction to guitar enthusiasts across the world, as classic acoustic sound, playability, and sturdy build are hallmarks of the guitars of both brands.
Martin, the acoustic world’s elder statesman, has been around since 1833. After almost two centuries in the business, Martin continues to be the gold standard when it comes to acoustic guitars. On the other hand, Taylor guitars tend to be more modern in comparison to other guitar brands. Acoustic and electric guitars from Taylor are modern workhorses. They come with high-quality tonewood and elements that are ready for stage, studio, or practice.
So, which of the two brands — Martin and Taylor — is best for you? You can’t go wrong with any of these top-class guitar manufacturers. However, the two legendary guitar brands have quite a lot of differences between them.
Taylor Vs. Martin: A Concise Overview
You will get guitars of excellent quality and tone from both Taylor and Martin. You may already have some preconceived ideas about both brands, but you might be surprised to know what lies beneath the surface once you get a bit further.
| Area of Distinction | Taylor | Martin |
| Build Quality | Excellent quality. A perfect blend of classic and modern styles. | Excellent quality. Amazing recreations of iconic pre-war Martin models |
| Sound and tone | Achieve a balance between modern and vintage. Some Taylor guitars provide a bit brighter sound | Rich, classic, full-bodied acoustic guitar tone. |
| Playability | Many Taylor guitars include modern features (neck shapes, armrests) designed to make playing easier. | Martin’s necks are smooth and simple to play due to its high-quality fingerboard wood selection. |
| Shape and Size | A wide range of shapes and sizes. Many models have just a single cutaway for easier access to the higher frets. | Best recognized for dreadnought-style guitars. Martin just introduced contemporary offset-shaped guitars. |
| Pickups and Electronics | Taylor ES-2 system is featured by most models | Many models lack pickup-related onboard electronics. Martin guitars with pickups typically have a Fishman system. |
| Price | $400-$9,999 | $400-$10,499 |
Strengths of Their Guitars
It could be difficult to draw direct comparisons between Taylor and Martin guitars. The more contemporary and modern sound and appearance of Taylor guitars are a result of the latest onboard electronics, features, cutaways, and armrests. Whether you’re jamming in the studio, performing on stage, or carrying it on the road, a Taylor guitar will get the job done.
Classic style and design are what makes Martin guitars famous. For generations, they were the go-to choice for guitarists. One of the strengths of Martin guitars’ is their incredible playability and impeccable tone. Also, many of their models feature stunning accessories.
Where Do The Guitars Stand Out?
Take stock of your intended uses for your guitar before you get into the comparison between Taylor and Martin guitars. Will you be playing your instrument in a studio setting? Are you planning to connect it to a PA soundboard or a recording console? Is there any plan at all to connect your guitar to anything?
Before you purchase an acoustic guitar from Taylor or Martin, make sure you think about the answers to all these questions. It will help you narrow down your options for the ideal guitar if you consider the guitar’s build, bracing, and onboard electronics.
Let’s dive more into the comparison of different aspects between the guitars manufactured by Taylor and Martin, and see which one appeals to you more considering everything.
Similar Differences?
The Taylor 800 and the Martin D28 series are the flagship lines of both brands, therefore, we’ll start by comparing them.
With solid Sitka spruce tops and Indian Rosewood backs and sides, both of these guitar models showcase a similar tonewood profile. Both are built with exceptional quality and attention to detail and feature fantastic sound.
On the other hand, there are noticeable distinctions between these guitar manufacturers if you look into them more closely. While the 800 series from Taylor is very contemporary in design, with cutaways and conventional onboard electronics, there are over ninety years of Martin’s D28 series under its belt. Even now, Martin continues the same practice that they began with in 1931 by releasing the first D28 model.
We’ll go right in and compare and contrast some of the features of Taylor and Martin guitars.
A Brief History of Taylor and Martin
Neither of these illustrious guitar manufacturers has deviated significantly from their initial recipe for success.
Taylor was founded by Bob Taylor in 1974. In terms of both age and method of construction, Taylor guitars are considered more contemporary. Taylor Guitars is “renowned for blending innovative manufacturing techniques with a master craftsman’s attention to detail.” The incredible attention to detail in Taylor’s fit and finish across all of their acoustics makes this ring true.
Notable musicians who have used Taylor guitars include a long list of well-known recording artists, including Jewel, Jason Mraz, John Petrucci, and Shawn Mendes. Of course, we also have Taylor Swift, the other Taylor who plays a guitar by Taylor.
Meanwhile, the C.F. Martin & Company, commonly known as Martin, was established in 1883. When it comes to making guitars, Martin is up there with the oldest names in the business.
“Pre-War” is a common way to describe older Martin guitars. Even though there have been numerous wars since 1883, Martin guitars marked as “Pre-War” were manufactured before WWII.
How are Pre-War Martin guitars different from other models? The majority of the participants attribute the change in tonewood construction and scalloped bracing to wartime shortages.
If you want to know about prominent artists who play Martin guitars, it might be more effective to inquire about those who don’t or haven’t yet. Notable Martin players include Elvis Pressley, Sturgill Simpson, Paul Simon, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Paul McCartney, and Bob Dylan.
To this day, acoustic guitars made by Martin and Taylor rank high in popularity, and rightfully so. You can trust that a Martin or Taylor guitar, with its exceptional quality control and superb natural acoustic tone, will be an instrument of flawless craftsmanship.
Let’s Talk Tones and Sounds
No matter which brand you choose, a Taylor or Martin guitar will provide you with a high-quality instrument that sounds like a classic old-school acoustic.
Compared to Martin guitars, which aim for a more classic sound and style, Taylor guitars feature modern upgrades and a more forward-thinking tone. You can get that timeless acoustic guitar sound from either a Taylor or a Martin since they both use tried and tested tonewood combinations.
You will love the rich tone, superb projection, and upper mid-tones that slice through the noise in Taylor and Martin guitar models that have a Sitka spruce and rosewood blend.
If you treat these guitars well, their tone will only improve with age.
That being said, not every Martin guitar is designed to replicate the classic acoustic sound. At the same time, you won’t get a more modern tone from all Taylor guitar models.
What About The Build Quality?
Taylor and Martin are both known for their high-quality, expertly crafted instruments. The acoustic guitars made by these two brands are among the finest on the market. While there’s no denying the illustrious reputation of both Taylor and Martin as guitar manufacturers, the two brands’ acoustic models differ significantly in construction.
We’d like to focus on the bracing that is typical of Taylor and Martin guitars. Bracing is an often-overlooked aspect of an acoustic guitar that has a major influence on the sound.
The bracing pattern often seen on Taylor guitars is V-class. Taylor guitars’ tops are both sturdy and flexible thanks to their V shape. Since the strings are parallel to the inside bracing, it provides better sustain.
You can get more volume and projection out of your Taylor guitar thanks to its flexible sides. The top of the guitar may be both rigid and flexible thanks to this design, which improves intonation, sustain, and overall tone.
On the other hand, variegated bracing, scalloped forward-shifted bracing, and X-shaped bracing are common on Martin guitars. For acoustic guitars, X-shaped bracing has long been considered the gold standard. Its stability allows for a well-balanced loudness and tone.
Enhanced low-end tones are typically brought to the forefront more prominently with forward-shifted X-bracing, while scalloped bracing helps achieve additional low-end response and loudness. Even though scalloped bracing is common on the coveted Pre-War Martin models, some players prefer acoustic guitars without it.
So, which style of bracing is superior? Which guitar should you go for? There’s no hard and fast rule here. Both the Taylor and the Martin guitars are amazingly crafted, so you can choose any of them with confidence.
Shape and Dimensions
In contrast to Martin’s iconic dreadnought shape, Taylor guitars come in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and finishes.
One example of the several body designs produced by Taylor is the small GT Acoustic Guitar. Other examples are the Grand Concert, Grand Auditorium, Grand Pacific, Grand Symphony, and Grand Orchestra. Also, Taylor can build amazing dreadnoughts.
At the same time, Martin doesn’t limit itself to just one body type. Little Martin and Junior, Concert, Grand Concert, Auditorium, Grand Performance, Jumbo, and Grand Auditorium are more compact body style options from Martin.
A common misunderstanding is that Taylor guitars are more contemporary and that Martin guitars are mostly dreadnoughts. If you surf through their catalog, you’ll see that they have a wide variety of guitars in all sizes and styles.
Electronics and Pickups
The Expression System 2 (ES2) design of Taylor guitars offers a unique perspective on the onboard electronics. Behind the guitar’s saddle sits the ES2 system, which is a piezo-style pickup. A greater variety of acoustic tones and better controls for shaping those tones are yours with the ES2 system’s cutting-edge pickup designs.
Martin’s vintage recreations may lack onboard electronics. However, they do offer a variety of guitars with modern pickup systems that provide excellent plugged-in acoustic tones. The pickup systems used by Martin guitars are made by Fishman and usually have controls for modification within the soundhole.
With the introduction of new technologies like the Fishman Aura VT Blend pickup, Martin has begun to upgrade its Modern Deluxe series with studio-quality mic tones that are reminiscent of their vintage acoustics.
Playability
Guitars from Martin and Taylor are very playable, so you shouldn’t have any trouble picking one up. Handcrafted, meticulously constructed, and time-tested, these acoustic guitars are known for their exceptional quality, tone, and playability.
Taylor Vs. Martin: Which One Is Simpler to Play?
Taylor guitars may be slightly simpler to play, depending on your hand size and playing style.
In comparison to Martin guitars, Taylor guitars have a more compact neck radius. Barre chords are easier to play with a smaller neck radius, which is also more accommodating to smaller hands. While the flatter profile of most Martin guitar necks makes them ideal for playing lead lines, riffs, and solos with a fast response.
Additionally, Taylor’s necks are well-known for the increased adjustability they provide thanks to their bolt-on design. Taylor guitars are known for their precision-designed necks, which allow for lower action, improved intonation, and more stability.
Are these additions designed to make Taylor guitars more user-friendly? Yes, it could be that. In the end, though, it’s all down to personal preference, playing style, and degree of expertise.
The necks and fretboards of guitars made by Martin and Taylor are of the highest quality, made from premium tonewood. Again, before you choose the one that’s best for you, I suggest playing around with a few different models.
Process of Manufacturing
The headquarters of both Martin and Taylor are located in the USA. Their main factories, which produce their premium instruments, are located in the United States as well.
Under Bob Taylor’s direction, Taylor meticulously crafts each instrument with an emphasis on playability and adaptability. Taylor’s main manufacturing factory is located in El Cajon, California. The Tecate factory in Mexico is where Taylor makes its more affordable models, such as the 200 series and the Baby Taylor.
In Nazareth, Pennsylvania, Martin Guitars continue to be hand-crafted, continuing the tradition of their renowned Pre-War models. Due to material shortages during WWII, Martin had to modify some of its components and manufacturing techniques. However, they later brought back many of these characteristics, such as scalloped bracing.
Several Martin instruments are made at their second factory in Navajoa, Mexico. These include the Mini Martin, Backpacker Series, Road Series, Dreadnought Junior, PA5, and Martin X Series.
All of the guitars in the Taylor and Martin lines are crafted from premium tonewoods that not only look fantastic but also sound fantastic and can withstand the wear and tear of touring for years. This longevity is evidence of the care that went into the manufacturing process of these top-tier guitar brands.
Price Range of Taylor and Martin
Let’s be honest; guitars by Martin and Taylor don’t come cheap. However, that in no way implies that they do not provide entry-level guitars at reasonable prices.
Some of the features, which are found in models priced around $3,000–$5,000 and higher, might be missing from these more affordable options. However, they retain the playability, onboard electronics, and premium tonewoods that have established Taylor and Martin as acoustic guitar industry giants for many years.
Best Alternative to Taylor and Martin
In case, Taylor and Martin’s guitars seem too expensive for you, or if you want to try out something new and have the experience of playing a guitar from a different brand, the best alternative you can go for is a guitar from Zager Guitar.
If you’re in the market for a new guitar, you’ve probably heard of Zager Guitar. In comparison to other high-end brands like Taylor, Martin, or even Gibson, Zager is less expensive and features prices in a more affordable range.
Zager’s EZ Play handmade bespoke guitars have earned them praise from many well-known musicians and a place in the top 5% of acoustic guitar brands. Zager acoustic guitars are the brand’s bread and butter, with many series available at various price points. The ZAD900 is their best-selling model, with the 80, 50, and 20 series offering somewhat varied tones due to the woods used for the soundboard, back, sides, neck, and headstock.
Zager’s reputation for resonance and projection is further enhanced by its use of premium solid tonewoods, such as rosewood for backsides and cedar for tops. Furthermore, every Zager acoustic model also comes available in an acoustic-electric hybrid that can be connected to top-tier Fishman electronics-powered amplifiers or PA systems.
The use of excellent tonewood and expert craftsmanship ensures that Zager guitars will last and sound great for a long time. These guitars are simple and comfortable to play for novices, thanks to features such as the EZ-Play technology. Whether you prefer blues, rock, or country, the variety of tones produced by these guitars makes them suited for practically every genre.
Final Words
We have looked at what distinguishes two of the most iconic brands in the guitar industry — Taylor and Martin — with an emphasis on the features that set them apart. These two brands are among the most popular in the acoustic guitar industry because they provide exceptional solid wood options that produce unique sounds.
Taylor guitars are expertly crafted to be both historic and technologically innovative, with models typically featuring more modern features like improved playability and sophisticated electronics. If you’re looking for a guitar that combines the best features of an acoustic and electric, Taylor has you covered with their vast lineup.
On the other hand, it would appear that Martin mostly adheres to tradition. After all, why fix what isn’t broken? Their product line includes a variety of guitars that capture both classic sound and contemporary aesthetics.
So, ultimately, it comes down to you, and your choices and preferences. Based on what kind of features you want from your guitar and the kind of looks and sound you want your guitar to have, you can go for either of these legendary brands without any hesitation, as both of these brands come with one of the most excellently crafted and high-quality guitars that you can find on the market.
However, if you don’t want to go for any of these brands, but rather, want to go for an alternative that will provide you with amazing sound and features in a better and more affordable price range, you can go for Zager Guitar, which is a remarkable brand in its own right. Zager presents an excellent choice for both new and experienced players looking for a high-quality and long-lasting acoustic guitar, so if you are looking for something different than the market giants, Zager Guitar can be a top-notch option for you.
