Perception. Martin vs Taylor.

[Mr. Paul]

The Martins that most intrigue me are their reproductions of 30s models. They do a great job with those.

Taylor doesn't have anything like that, but I see and hear lots of great music made with Taylor guitars that sound fabulous. I have great admiration for their business model and wood supply management.

Perception ... The V class marketing thing pretty much erased whatever interest I may have had in owning a Taylor.

[NotveryGood]

Originally Posted by rokdog49

And at the end of it all, another example of how threads about brands always seem to end up going sideways. We went from an innocent OP about two guitar brands and their approach to marketing their product and image to which guitar brand is better and a whole bunch of other stuff.
Just a Sunday morning observation.

Absolutely correct. Almost wish Id never started it !

[Scotso]

Well...it is my perception that Taylor makes a lot of changes to their bracing pattern every few years. Why do they do that more than Martin/Gibson/Larrivee? Does it suggest they are searching for the right formula? It seems as though Andy is on innovation overdrive. Why?

I guess I will wait until they settle on the final next design.

[rokdog49]

Originally Posted by NotveryGood

Absolutely correct. Almost wish Id never started it !

Yes, it can get a little weird at times. Don’t let it bother you.

It’s just guitars and your allowed to have an opinion no matter what anybody else tries to read into it.

[Herb Hunter]

Originally Posted by Scotso

Well...it is my perception that Taylor makes a lot of changes to their bracing pattern every few years. Why do they do that more than Martin/Gibson/Larrivee? Does it suggest they are searching for the right formula? It seems as though Andy is on innovation overdrive. Why?

I guess I will wait until they settle on the final next design.

Maybe Taylor isn’t content to rest on its laurels. There is always room for improvement.

A few years ago, C.F. Martin lamented that he was constrained from innovating by his most loyal customers who would object to the introduction of any advancements.

[leew3]

page 5, time for more popcorn....

[brandall10]

Originally Posted by Herb Hunter

Maybe Taylor isn’t content to rest on its laurels. There is always room for improvement.

A few years ago, C.F. Martin lamented that he was constrained from innovating by his most loyal customers who would object to the introduction of any advancements.

Yet they have been quite a bit over the past couple years, 1st w/ the Modern Deluxe series, then most recently w/ the SC-13e.

They don't implement wholesale changes though.

[Scotso]

Originally Posted by Herb Hunter

Maybe Taylor isn’t content to rest on its laurels. There is always room for improvement.

A few years ago, C.F. Martin lamented that he was constrained from innovating by his most loyal customers who would object to the introduction of any advancements.

When they settle on a bracing pattern for more than a week and you are sure that they have finally found something that is worth resting on their laurels, wake me up. Until that time, I do not want to buy a guitar where they think they have something better in 2/3 yrs.

[FOG01]

Originally Posted by Coop47

Okay, since we're talking perception, eye of the beholder stuff, I'll admit that way deep down I think of a Taylor as a more feminine guitar, akin to a Luna. I can't really explain why, I just can't ever see myself owning one even if I found one that I really loved. I know it's stupid headstock bias, but I can't get past it.



There, I said it. Fire away.

HOW DARE YOU! (Kidding) Those curves on my GA do remind of... well, never mind lest I be censored! My .02 is the marketing styles are closer than many will admit. Someone mentioned Ms. Ponzio's presentations. They can sound as over the top as any Taylor ad. Neither offend me, I consider the source; a guitar mfg trying to sell guitars. Thank goodness we can all enjoy this weighty issue is what I say!

One last. For the Furch guy. I've owned Taylor's and Martins but never seen a Furch. They sound/look good on videos but there are easier options here in middle America.

[Mark Stone]

Originally Posted by NotveryGood

Absolutely correct. Almost wish Id never started it !

Naw, don't worry about it. Sometimes we need to just hash things out a bit. As long as it doesn't get personal, it's good. One thing: threads like this show how passionate guitarists are about their instruments and chosen makers.

[fuman]

Re: The original post: "Satan is Real"? A "420" Guitar? The Ed Sheeran Jr dreads? The fun prodding of Gibson with the CEO series? Stratabond necks? The new 413CE? I could go on.

I'm glad Chris has had some fun over the years, and none of this detracts from the outstanding guitars Martin has been making this century. But there's a little "Crazy Eddie" vibe to some of this stuff.

[Bob Womack]

Five pages of Ford vs. Chevy.

Bob

[Herb Hunter]

Originally Posted by Scotso

When they settle on a bracing pattern for more than a week and you are sure that they have finally found something that is worth resting on their laurels, wake me up. Until that time, I do not want to buy a guitar where they think they have something better in 2/3 yrs.

Might there be a certain absence of logic in the above? Do you refuse to buy cars, computers and smartphones because the manufacturers continue to improve them rather than make the same model year in and year out?

I am very glad I bought a Taylor 814c twenty-four years ago as its tone is most satisfying. I would never sell it even though I laud the improvements Taylor has made since 1996. I’m glad Taylor is committed to ever advancing the art and science of guitar construction.

[madison]

In 1971, I purchased a Martin D-28 brand new (sadly just missing the Brazilian era). It developed a curl in the pickguard and I hadn't played it in years, but recently had it refurbished and am now playing it again. I've also acquired two Taylors--a 712 and a GS Mini Rosewood; and two more Martins--an 00-28 and a DJr. I like them all. In a practice session, I'll keep my interest up by switching from one to another.

Nevertheless, I'm not wed to either Martin or Taylor. I'm now negotiating for a Collings 0028 14-Fret. Depending on how much I like the Collings, my Martins and Taylors may see a lot less use.

[vindibona1]

I just caught this thread 5 days late so didn't read more than the first page of replies.

Both Taylor and Martin are trying to reach a broad segment of the guitar population, and IMO each have a "sweet spot" where they their "flagship" models and have the most perceived playing value. Particularly in Taylor's case, the cheaper models tend to be a bit overpriced and their super-pricey models have to compete with custom/boutique brands and models. Once you get into the $4k range they start competing with Bourgeois, Santa Cruz, etc. In the lower range people see great value in Yamaha, Blueridge, Eastman, etc where Taylor and Martin depend on brand name to get the extra dollars for comparable level guitars. JMO