The Great Debate

[FrankHudson]

Speaking now of acoustic guitars: I own a Martin. Why? I like how it sounds, the price was affordable when I bought it, enough so that I tolerate it's narrower nut, and I do sort of like the company's long tradition.

That's not a knock against other makers or choices. Just how it worked out for me.

[DCCougar]

Originally Posted by Slothead56

Martin, Gibson or Taylor...?

My choice: Guild.

[cdkrugjr]

Haven't found a Gibson that I felt that strongly about;

Martins have quite a bit of variation. I feel like I need to play them all.

Love Taylor's sound, sometimes, but can't fall in love with their neck profiles, which always feel crowded to me.

In that $2,500 price range, there are a whole bunch of nice guitars by all kinds of builders.

[llew]

I own both Martin and Gibson. Not a big fan of Taylor's voicing. Nothing wrong with it just a little too modern sounding for me I guess. I'm a vintage voicing fan. Everyone is different. Be an awfully boring place if we all like the same thing.

[rmp]

well.... I have never owned a Martin. I'm sure I'd love one if I found one I felt comfortable playing (their necks and me don't get along well)..

Gibson, yes, an SJ200 that I just love, fantastic guitar.

Taylor, I have three, and one more previously -owned. Latest score is a 814CE DLX V class.. that guitar rocks...

So I guess that tells ya where my allegiance lies.

[bufflehead]

I love the Martin headstock. Simple, lightweight, distinctive.

[jcpharm]

i think they make good names for boys - not so much girls - although Taylor Swift may disagree.

[rmp]

Originally Posted by jcpharm

i think they make good names for boys - not so much girls - although Taylor Swift may disagree.

or doggies!! If I ever get another pup, I will either name it Gibson, or... Hendrix..

[Erithon]

Martin. The history of the company really speaks to me. Thankfully I also happen to prefer the "Martin sound" over the brighter timber of Taylor. (Though I really value Taylor's sustainability approach.) And I never could get on board with Gibson's aesthetics.

[hairpuller]

I've owned a lot of guitars.
As of today, my 3 favorite of all time are my current Pre*War 000 and Martin 12 fret 000-18 GE, and the Martin 000-18 GE that I sadly sold.

I guess the fact that 2/3 are Martins makes it pretty obvious which of the big 3 I prefer. Tone, look, and the history is hard to argue with.

scott

[Paleolith54]

Originally Posted by beatcomber

My answer will be knowingly superficial, so please do not take it too seriously.

I dislike Taylors because I dislike the way they look.

I love Martins because of the company's long heritage and the continuity of always being a family-owned business. In short, the name "Martin" is synonymous with "flat-top acoustic guitar."

I like Gibsons almost as much as Martins, but really only the less adorned models like the J-45 and LG2; I like simplicity. The lack of continuity in the company's ownership has affected my impression of the brand, it seems very "corporate" and less, um, craftspeople-like, but nevertheless their current acoustic guitar division has been making some fine instruments.

I agree with this, and don't see it as superficial at all. We like what we like, if the reasons please us they're good ones.

[L20A]

For me, it's Martin, Guild and Taylor.
Never been a fan of Gibson.

Love the rich full sound of a Martin.
Love the balanced sound of a Guild.
Love the feel, looks and playability of a Taylor.

[EllenGtrGrl]

1. I like the way Martins sound, but I don't like their necks at all - I can't stand the thin MLO necks most Martins have. Nor do I like the V-profile necks the more vintage oriented Martins have, that seem to be the only alternative to the thin necks most Martins come with.

2. I like Gibson slope shoulder dreads, but not if they have the ubiquitous Gibson slim taper necks.

3. It looks like many players find Taylors blah, but all of the Taylors I've had, have done me right. The necks while not baseball bats, have been reasonably chunky for me. Also, they look good to me, and I don't find them at all, too bright. Hence, the reason why I have 2 Taylors (a 150e, and an AD27).

I also like Eastmans - they have great necks, and sound good to me to boot (just different from Martins, Taylors, and Gibsons). Oh, and it didn't put me into the poorhouse to get my OM Eastman (unlike some other guitars).

[Rockysdad]

I've been playing since '72, I've played each of the brands in question.
I currently own 6 acoustic guitars, none of them, are the brands in question.

[Kitkatjoe]

Originally Posted by Slothead56

Martin, Gibson or Taylor and why?

Mc Donald’s Wendy’s or Burger King food for thought and why?