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-   -   Taylor vs Martin vs Gibson dreadnought sound comparison (https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=167373)

RussL30 10-28-2009 04:57 PM

Taylor vs Martin vs Gibson dreadnought sound comparison
 
This is a recording I did a while back when I still had my Taylor 710ce. I compared my three dreadnoughts and recorded it on a cheap USB mic. This isn't really an apples to apples comparison as all three dreads have different woods and bracing, but I thought it would be fun to see if you could tell the different sound qualities from these three different brands. I think one will a lot more obvious than the other two. If this has any interest, I'll reveal the results after a few days.

Here are the specs and the strings they had on at the time. (not necessarily listed in order of the recording)

2007 Taylor 710ce
Engelman/EIR
Elixir PB Mediums

1973 Martin D18 (straight braced)
Sitka/Mahogany
Martin Marquis Mediums

1996 Gibson Gospel (scalloped bracing)
Sitka/solid Mahogany sides-Laminated arch back
John Pearse PB mediums


Here is the link: http://www.soundclick.com/bands/defa...?bandID=957782

It is song number 1 on the list, titled "Martin Taylor Gibson comparison" The playing isn't great, I just did some simple flatpicking runs that are typical of being played on a dread.

Ranger1964 10-28-2009 05:32 PM

My guess is Martin, Gibby, Taylor.

66strummer 10-28-2009 05:44 PM

Direct link to your demo song...... http://soundclick.com/share?songid=8279436


OK. To my ears the third guitar has the most low end (typical of Martin I suppose), followed by the first. Plus the second guitar seems a little more "chimey", if that's a word :D (Taylor like) to my ears. I'm not that up on the Gibson signature sound admittedly, but I'll guess.......

1/ Gibson
2/ Taylor
3/ Martin

Thanks for the comparison BTW. If the 3rd guitar is the Gibson,at least I'll know that Gibson dreads have some seriously nice low end to them ;). In any event the third guitar is my fav in this demo.

RussL30 10-28-2009 06:03 PM

Thanks for the direct link, Ryan. I wasn't sure if I could do that. Two responses, and already two very different gusses. I always find it interesting how people hear different things in these comparisons.

66strummer 10-28-2009 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RussL30 (Post 2003464)
Thanks for the direct link, Ryan. I wasn't sure if I could do that. Two responses, and already two very different gusses. I always find it interesting how people hear different things in these comparisons.


I do these comparison things all the time as people are curious what certain guitars sound like (ones that they cant play firsthand). I compared (posted) a Martin D-35 to a Stanford PSD-28 dread awhile back to show the similarities and differences. I've actually had to bite the bullet and buy based on reviews a couple times (lack of nearby retailers). The guitars I was able to hear online (recorded) before I bought turned out to be the ones worth buying ;), in my own experience anyways.

DrDavid 10-28-2009 06:56 PM

My reaction was the same as Ryan's:

1. Gibson
2. Taylor
3. Martin

But I wouldn't be altogether surprised if Gibson/Taylor were reversed.

Frank Roberts 10-28-2009 10:24 PM

Well, I shouldn't let Ryan and David sway me, even though they're probably right. I'll go with my initial gut reaction:
1-Taylor
2-Gibson
3-Martin

I'm ready to eat crow. So let us know, Russ.

Frank

P.S. My first listen last night was on my laptop. Not the best speakers. Today I listened again on the desktop. Much better. Shall I wimp out and change my guess? Naw, I'll just take my medicine on the first guess.

wgmiller 10-28-2009 10:41 PM

My opinion:

1) Gibson
2) Taylor
3) Martin

Will

66strummer 10-28-2009 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank Roberts (Post 2003711)
Well, I shouldn't let Ryan and David sway me, even though they're probably right. I'll go with my initial gut reaction:
1-Taylor
2-Gibson
3-Martin

I'm ready to eat crow. So let us know, Russ.

Frank

:D Sorry for thinking out loud, Frank.........

rmyAddison 10-29-2009 07:26 AM

Way too many variables with strings, woods etc. but I seem to agree with the majority....

Gibson
Taylor
Martin

mellowman 10-29-2009 09:33 AM

I would guess:

1. Gibson
2. Taylor
3. Martin

Duncan121 10-29-2009 06:52 PM

yup
 
Put me in the Taylor / Gibby / Martin crowd...or am I alone in that crowd...:)

66strummer 10-29-2009 07:03 PM

Well, if the D-18 isn't third I'll chock it up to being a D-18 ;). They're noted for being a little brighter than their EIR counterparts, right? :D

RussL30 10-29-2009 07:08 PM

The straight braced D18 is probably the brightest and most balanced Martin dread I've played, but it still has that Martin growl.

These guesses are getting very interesting. I'll leave this up for one more night, just in case anyone else wants to take a stab at it, and I'll reveal the results tomorrow afternoon.

ewalling 10-29-2009 09:31 PM

I've no idea which is which, but the third guitar definitely sounded the best to me.


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