Interesting discussion.
 

So I have several good friends who are Taylor guys. One of them has 4. So we were standing around talking about how Taylor has come to dominate the acoustic market saleswise recently. I have had several Taylor's but I always seem to come back to Martin. My thought has always been that younger players like Taylor's and old geezers like me like Martin's. But in our discussion I discovered one guy who older than me likes Taylor's and another friend who is way younger likes Martins. So now I'm really confused LOL Thoughts?

Hopefully I can help clear this up. I'm 49 and I like both. I hope that helps.

You're welcome.

I'm an oldie (54) who loves Taylor. Does that help?

I'm 25 and love Taylors. Ever since I first played one about 10 years ago.

Now I have played many Martins and loved them, but, if I'm not mistaken, they have different neck shapes they use. (Could totally be wrong)

But the feel and play ability has varied for Martins I've played where for Taylors, it is really consistent.


With all of that said, I think Martin really stays true to the history of guitar making. (Mostly dreadnoughts) And they have a long,rich history as a company.

Taylor popped on the scene in the 80s, I think. They make dreads but their signature body style is their own Grand Auditorium. Also, they designed the NT neck and pop out guitars like nobody's business.

In conclusion, I think Taylor is kind of like the new "cool kid" where Martin has been the "cool kid" for awhile. Some people like what's new just because it's new. Others like what they're used to. Just because something is old does not mean it's bad. Different strokes for different folks.

No mystery, your initial premise was wrong. That's all. ;)

The whole thing is pretty simple - and has nothing to do with age. If you know tone, history, and workmanship, and you truly love America, then you will love Martin.

Else.....

Yep....... 67 year old youngster here, two Taylors no Martins. :guitar:

You know in 1998 I'd barely even heard of Taylor and was looking forward to acquiring a lifetime Martin guitar. In 1999 a national artist came into my studio with a Taylor 900 series and I was blown away with the guitar, specifically the fantastic intonation and the voicing. I've had Taylors ever since. I've been playing for forty-seven years and I'm 60.

Bob

Uh oh. If / Else logic fail...

Personally, I'd be surprised to find any significant trend of brand preference with age or any the above.

I am 42, this year.

My sig line says it all, really...but I AM on the hunt for a D-18, so I guess I swing both ways????????

Musically, that is.

De gustibus non est disputandum.

I used to love Camaro's, then drifted to Mustangs, etc. Maybe really all boils down to personal preference, based on a multitude of factors, as you can imagine!

I've owned both, but ultimately am a "Taylor Guy" who began my love of Taylor's at age 25 (I'm 50 now). I've been to four Taylor "Road Shows" and each time most of the people in attendance are 45 and older - by far.

I'm 32, and have had a love/hate relationship with Taylor and Martin, but for different reasons. Taylor generally has the feel, look, and options I prefer, but Martin has the sound. However, since Martin introduced the Performing Artist neck and 1.75" nut width on more models, I find Martin has become my go to.

Have them trade guitars.:D

I'm 65...and as you see by my signature...I like them both for different reasons. (And Gibsons). Not to derail this discussion, but my understanding was that sometime in the 80's or 90's Bob and Kurt made the super smart decision to market heavily to the worship community, which really jump started the Taylor business.

Why would anyone's preference in guitars be age-related?

why be confused? it is all subjective and has nothing to do with age. i know people, young and not so young, who have a wide variety of guitars, and, like me, have no brand loyalty. a good guitar is a good guitar.

play music!

I like them both, if I had to choose just one it would be a Taylor.....or maybe the Martin, nope its the Taylor....though the Martin is a real nice guitar,

see what you done

Well, that's obvious. You're right in the middle.

I used to own a Taylor but when I recently turned 64, it was confiscated and I was handed a Martin instead. When I began to protest, I was told rulz is rulz...

Age does come into play in the Martin/Taylor debate.
Playing style and music choice also factors in.

People that play traditional Folk and Bluegrass tend to gravitate to Martin because of it's rich history connected to this music.
People that prefer Taylor guitars generally are not affected by this cult pressure.

I once overheard a discussion between two guitar players.
One liked the consistency of Taylor.
The other liked the idea of picking the Martin that sang to them.

I find most Taylor guitars seem to be setup better from the factory than most Martin's. That is going to be a great appeal to new players, everyone really.

I will say I see this less and less, seems Martin has upped their game a bit.

I like both, but I tend closer to the Martin side of things.

age 52

I guess it makes sense that younger prefer Taylor. Your standard Martin is a classic dread, whereas your standard Taylor is their signature Grand Auditorium shape, which arguably looks/feels a lot more elegant and modern. Taylor is well ahead of innovation curve with stuff like TaylorSense which may not mean a lot to an old timer, but for a millennial like me who grew up in the age of tech gadgets - that's awesome.

Most of the Road Shows have people in attendance that are 45 and older regardless of brand.

Every Store i go into that stocks Taylor's, every guitar has cutaways and electronics, a deal killer for me. I have two small body Martin's that are perfect for my style of playing (fingerstyle). My tastes might change down the road but i doubt it. YMMV.

Tom

Well, I'm 66 and have been playing for over 50 years. I've never owned a Martin or a Taylor, and I'll probably never buy a new guitar.

Hope that helps...

I like Martins, but I own Taylors. Why? Easy! Taylor has fewer letters and syllables and is easier to say.


Wait...


Well, it must be that all the good players prefer Taylors. No, that's not right, either.

Maybe it's because after a lot of fine tuning my ears, hands, eyes, and pocketbook, I found that I really like playing my particular Taylors. Yeah, I know: weird!

cotten

I'm 58, with seven Taylor's (four for sale but not actively listed - yet). I started off imprinted on Martin's and at one time had four, but they are all gone now.

In some ways, I slightly prefer the Martin tone, but their standard necks kill my left hand. Taylor necks feel wonderful, and their crisper "modern" tone has grown on me.

I think the Taylor bling is attractive to newer players. Taylor does make some beautiful guitars, with pretty bling, for reasonable prices.

I’m guilty, bought four Taylor’s, in part because of their beauty and bling. Now I have no Taylor’s and a D18.

No judgement here, just my experience and opinion.

Perhaps you're looking for a generalization where there is none.