Mid-range Martin or Taylor?

[Rodey]

I've been playing for about 2 years consistently now and I'm not doing any gigging, just playing for fun and to kill some time, but I'm playing a cheap Fender acoustic and I don't really like it anymore.

I'm looking to upgrade a bit and I'm looking at a mid-priced Martin or Taylor acoustic. Something from $400 - $700 or so. Anyone have any suggestions?

I'm not limited to these brands, so if you have any other suggestions, feel free.

Thanks

[Dave45]

Um, are you looking to buy new? The reason I ask is $400 - $700 will MAYBE get you a Taylor 110 or a el-cheapo Martin (new, with electronics)... Neither of which I would buy... You'd at least probably want to get a solid-wood guitar if you were planning on the taylor / martin plunge, right?

The Taylor 300s/400s will run you about 1200-1500ish, and the 500s-800s about 2000ish street... I haven't really gone guitar shopping in a year or so, but I do own two 400-series Taylors (ovankol and koa) and comparison shopped the Martins pretty good and found some similar prices. I'm currently trying to pay off the credit card and get my hands on a beautiful 816ce the shop just got in here, haha. Thank God McCain is taking time off his campaign to fix the economy, I need all the help I can get. Maybe it'll work out by Monday.

Point is, I would get a pretty nice, full-featured "other brand" guitar rather than a bargain basement Taylor or Martin in your price range...

So, as to the question of what to do with your 400-700... I'd look at Ovations (meeehhhh plastic body, but they do sound very good plugged in!), Yamahas, and especially Takamine... They do pretty good things - I was looking at getting a Takamine a while back as kind of a beater guitar, never did it, but it really is a very good instrument for 1/3 of the Taylor/Martin price.

Of course, I do love my Taylors :) I respect Martins a whole bunch but the brighter scooped tone of a Taylor just does my style more justice, and the ES sounds killer plugged in.

[Taylor/Martin]

For $999 you can get a Taylor GA3/DN3 depending on what you're looking for. My DN3 packs as much punch and sound as my Taylor 614ce and 714, so it even holds up with more expensive guitars. It's definitely my pick here. NEVER buy a mid-range Martin over a mid-range Taylor. The Taylors win every time.

Here's the GA3 & DN3 links:

http://taylorguitars.com/Guitars/Acoustic/GA/GA3/

http://taylorguitars.com/Guitars/Acoustic/DN/DN3/

[dmbigeyedphish]

If you're going for something mid-range, you could also get a larrivee.

I own a taylor 612c and a W65 and love them both. I say play what you like, and if you love it, don't go mid-range...save your money and get the exact model you want.

[Rodey]

Um, are you looking to buy new? The reason I ask is $400 - $700 will MAYBE get you a Taylor 110 or a el-cheapo Martin (new, with electronics)... Neither of which I would buy... You'd at least probably want to get a solid-wood guitar if you were planning on the taylor / martin plunge, right?

The Taylor 300s/400s will run you about 1200-1500ish, and the 500s-800s about 2000ish street... I haven't really gone guitar shopping in a year or so, but I do own two 400-series Taylors (ovankol and koa) and comparison shopped the Martins pretty good and found some similar prices. I'm currently trying to pay off the credit card and get my hands on a beautiful 816ce the shop just got in here, haha. Thank God McCain is taking time off his campaign to fix the economy, I need all the help I can get. Maybe it'll work out by Monday.

Point is, I would get a pretty nice, full-featured "other brand" guitar rather than a bargain basement Taylor or Martin in your price range...

So, as to the question of what to do with your 400-700... I'd look at Ovations (meeehhhh plastic body, but they do sound very good plugged in!), Yamahas, and especially Takamine... They do pretty good things - I was looking at getting a Takamine a while back as kind of a beater guitar, never did it, but it really is a very good instrument for 1/3 of the Taylor/Martin price.

Of course, I do love my Taylors :) I respect Martins a whole bunch but the brighter scooped tone of a Taylor just does my style more justice, and the ES sounds killer plugged in.

I'd probably go as high as $800 maybe, but I was looking on Musician's Friend and saw there were some Taylor's and Martin's in the $600-$800 range on there. They have the Martin DX1 for $499, but I assume that's a really low end Martin that's probably not great.

[DMBRyan10]

I'm currently banging around on a 214ce...avoid the 100s, as they don't have any bracing through the back of the guitar. I went with the Taylor over the Martin based on feel off the fretboard...the Martin I was looking at for about $1000 all had a really tough, tacky fretboard. Not what I was after.

I almost plunked down the extra $500 for the 314, but decided I was happy with what I have. Sounds fantastic plugged in, too.

[VanHorneDog]

The Martin DCX1E is an excellent guitar for $699. I know there are people on here who will say it is crap, or that it is a bad buy becuase its not all solid wood. I own it, it plays great and between me and my roomate who owns a 3 series taylor its our prefered gutiar. It have a very even sound with nice highs good midrange and a smooth low end.

If you get it set up by a Pro the thing will play like butter, plus its an acoustic electric which is nice if you do want to do gigging at some point.

Dont let others influence you too much, at least try it. It has a great sound.

Now a warning, there have been issues in quality with this guitar, mine had a neck problem. HOwever, i was told that martin knows about it and addressed the issue, plus since i took i to a Martin Dealer it cost like 25 bucks for a setup and new truss rod when i had some issues. But, Martin is really good about their products after you buy them.

There is a Non electric version for like $499.

[SatanZilla]

In that price range, I wouldn't get a Martin or Taylor. Those two brands have big name recognition so they can charge more for a lower end piece.

[Turfdoc]

I have a Seagull S6 (14 years old) that I still enjoy, and a Taylor 410 ce Fall Limited.

If I were buying a guitar in that price range, I would try to find a used guitar after playing all you can get your hands on.

If you havn't tried them, look at the Takamine line. I have played several of them lately, and have been really impressed. They have a wide price range as well, and the ones on the lower end really played good IMO.

Good luck and let us know what you get. Nothing like the search for a new guitar ! :evil

[PhishSticks40]

The Martin DCX1E is an excellent guitar for $699. I know there are people on here who will say it is crap, or that it is a bad buy becuase its not all solid wood. I own it, it plays great and between me and my roomate who owns a 3 series taylor its our prefered gutiar. It have a very even sound with nice highs good midrange and a smooth low end.

If you get it set up by a Pro the thing will play like butter, plus its an acoustic electric which is nice if you do want to do gigging at some point.

Dont let others influence you too much, at least try it. It has a great sound.

Now a warning, there have been issues in quality with this guitar, mine had a neck problem. HOwever, i was told that martin knows about it and addressed the issue, plus since i took i to a Martin Dealer it cost like 25 bucks for a setup and new truss rod when i had some issues. But, Martin is really good about their products after you buy them.

There is a Non electric version for like $499.

I have this guitar with pick-ups. I fucking adore it and have been playing for about two years....

Go for it man its a fantastic guitar.

[Rodey]

Do they make it full-body?

I have a cutaway right now, but for some reason would like a full-body.

[VanHorneDog]

Not in Acoustic Electric, they have a regualar one yes which is actually like 499 or 599 or something.

[PJDMB42]

Well I about to make an almost identical thread. I was looking at the taylor 114ce. Does anyone have any experience with it. I really need a new guitar and I have been stuck on taylor and martin i just dont know if i should go another route with a price range of 800 to 1000.

[VanHorneDog]

Ibanez and Takamine make some very nice guitars too. for 800-1000 bucks you can get a higher end one of theirs.

Dont forget to look at a Larivee or other Martin/Taylor quality instruments. even an entry level Larivee owns a lot of other guitars. well worth it.

[MGH4007]

i'd say either spend 1,000+ or spend no more than 350-400

[MGH4007]

i started playing maybe three or four of years back with a Cort, I bought this (http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Ibanez-PF5ECE-Performance-Series-AcousticElectric-Cutaway-Guitar?sku=512478)guitar two+ years ago and it's been my main acoustic since. I love it, the sound has only gotton better, there's some nice bumps and bruises as well as some pick wear...i love the character behind her. $350 at the time. My next acoustic will be a little more expensive, I just have no reason to buy one at all really. I would like to go straight acoustic though adding the pickups after the purchase for the next buy

[MGH4007]

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Martin-D28-Authentic-Acoustic-Guitar?sku=513360

found what you want....8,000$ discount too!

[VanHorneDog]

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Martin-D28-Authentic-Acoustic-Guitar?sku=513360

found what you want....8,000$ discount too!

ive got two.

[KitKatRaven41]

Well I about to make an almost identical thread. I was looking at the taylor 114ce. Does anyone have any experience with it. I really need a new guitar and I have been stuck on taylor and martin i just dont know if i should go another route with a price range of 800 to 1000.


i love my 114ce...great tone! Sounds beautiful. It was a good buy for me! Go for it:thumbsup

[mpquin]

i would seriously consider buying a used guitar for that price. You should be able to find a Taylor 3-series or a mid-range Martin. They are both great guitars and you should make your decision on the sound YOU want. Martins tend to have great low end bass and decent mids while the Taylors seem to be more balanced. As a proud Larrivee owner you may want to check them out IF you can find them.

If you are going new and want electronics, check out Takamine or Ovation (crappy if not plugged in). I also tried the Breedlove Atlas series and they are usually set up quite well and sound great unplugged and acoustically.

Words of wisdom from trying tons of different guitars....Whatever you get make sure you can play the guitar you are buying. I've been to Guitar Center countless time and tried three of the exact same model/make and they all have different sounds and feels.

Good Luck and have fun choosing your next "friend". It will soon be an addiction.

[VanHorneDog]

^^^ i now own 23 guitars... fucking Jim Carry.