• From: BELGIUM
  • Registered: 2007-01-27
  • Posts: 3,403

Topic: well of course the acoustic guitar

I read already a few topics about this acoustic guitar, and I repeat everybody's topic here, what is considered to be "on paper" the best acoustic guitar.
I wrote ON PAPER, knowing that a lot of answers will refer to the most comfortable feeling.

On purpose I didn't ask a question about the price. It's completely hypothetical, starting with the fact that you have the money (even if you don't).

2 categories: JAPAN & eastern made acoustics
                    US & Canada, Europe included   
ON PAPER: of course I know that sound and taste are different.
Is MARTIN better than Taylor, Collings .......
is YAMAHA the best "eastern" made guitar?

This is a BOOTLEGER question, no, for everyone. I based my topic on comments in specialised magazines, who did already the work.

[color=blue]- GITAARDOCPHIL SAIS: TO CONQUER DEAD, YOU HAVE TO DIE[/color]   AND [color=blue] we are born to die[/color]
- MY GUITAR PLAYS EVERY STYLE = BLUES, ROCK, METAL, so I NEED TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY IT.
[color=blue]Civilization began the first time an angry person cast a word instead of a rock.[/color]

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  • From: montreal, quebec
  • Registered: 2007-04-17
  • Posts: 327

Re: well of course the acoustic guitar

Having been shopping for an acoustic guitar, in fact the last acoustic I plan to buy in this lifetime. I have found that for me that Martin, can not be beat for sound. This is only my opinion but I find Martin sounds better Than Taylor. My comparisons were made on the higher end models

what a long strange trip it's been

3 Reply by Zurf (edited by Zurf 2007-07-30 13:47:49)

  • Zurf
  • Zurf
  • Blunt but well meaning moderator
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  • From: Virginia, USA
  • Registered: 2007-06-27
  • Posts: 7,522

Re: well of course the acoustic guitar

Martin. 
For Eastern brands, Takemine has some models that I like.  They are surely a good value.  I have two Yamaha guitars and like them.  At the low end perhaps Yamaha has an edge and at the higher end Takemine.  But once you get to higher end, you may as well go to Martin.  In the middle range ($400 to $1000 US) then it's a toss up.  There are a lot of good brands, Seagull, Taylor, Martin, Breedlove, Takemine, Yamaha, etc., and so forth. 

- Zurf

Granted B chord amnesty by King of the Mutants (Long live the king).
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  • From: BELGIUM
  • Registered: 2007-01-27
  • Posts: 3,403

Re: well of course the acoustic guitar

I am thinking almost the same, but I do own also (because I collect them too) more than 1 Martin.
Price/quality, one of my best guitars is the D-15, a mahagony, dark brown Martin, with a more soft, but incredible sound. My HD-28 blows without amp, everything away. But I also have a Gibson Montana Gold SJ-200, with an amazing sound, a Dove, more metallic sound, and Hummingbird.
It is, owning these guitars sometimes difficult to tell which one is the best. I don't know if I am right, but I NOTICED THAT SOME SONGS, sound better with my SJ-200, and others with my Martin D-45, or D-28. It is all a question of taste, but also the song is important.

[color=blue]- GITAARDOCPHIL SAIS: TO CONQUER DEAD, YOU HAVE TO DIE[/color]   AND [color=blue] we are born to die[/color]
- MY GUITAR PLAYS EVERY STYLE = BLUES, ROCK, METAL, so I NEED TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY IT.
[color=blue]Civilization began the first time an angry person cast a word instead of a rock.[/color]

gitaardocphil's Website

  • From: Pico Rivera, Calif. U.S.A.
  • Registered: 2006-10-26
  • Posts: 785

Re: well of course the acoustic guitar

gitaardocphil wrote:

I read already a few topics about this acoustic guitar, and I repeat everybody's topic here, what is considered to be "on paper" the best acoustic guitar.
I wrote ON PAPER, knowing that a lot of answers will refer to the most comfortable feeling.

On purpose I didn't ask a question about the price. It's completely hypothetical, starting with the fact that you have the money (even if you don't).

2 categories: JAPAN & eastern made acoustics
                    US & Canada, Europe included   
ON PAPER: of course I know that sound and taste are different.
Is MARTIN better than Taylor, Collings .......
is YAMAHA the best "eastern" made guitar?

This is a BOOTLEGER question, no, for everyone. I based my topic on comments in specialised magazines, who did already the work.

#1, Martin has history behind it and standardized the type of bracing system most copied and or derivative inacoustic guitar building. with that said. Do I think their the best no, are they in say the top five yes.

#2 I have owned a Yahama acoustic and it served my purpose at the time, I also currently own an Alvarez Yari. I have played Takamines and they are well made also. So as to which one is best I have no clear yes or no answer.

Bootlegger.

  • From: BELGIUM
  • Registered: 2007-01-27
  • Posts: 3,403

Re: well of course the acoustic guitar

Morning to you all. Boot , you're the "MAN" here on this subject.
I thought it wasn't Martin with the braced structure. I did mention Japanese guitars, but I can make a new topic, like what if, about electrics.
I still have my acoustic Yamaha, 30 years old this month and very good sounding, but things need to be repaired.

[color=blue]- GITAARDOCPHIL SAIS: TO CONQUER DEAD, YOU HAVE TO DIE[/color]   AND [color=blue] we are born to die[/color]
- MY GUITAR PLAYS EVERY STYLE = BLUES, ROCK, METAL, so I NEED TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY IT.
[color=blue]Civilization began the first time an angry person cast a word instead of a rock.[/color]

gitaardocphil's Website

  • From: Cincinnati, OH
  • Registered: 2007-07-16
  • Posts: 282

Re: well of course the acoustic guitar

Whenever I go to the guitar store & start playing their high end insturments--I always think I'm going to fall in love with a Martin or Taylor, but always wind up with a Laravee.  Canadian guitar's...beautiful insturments with an incredible voice.

  • tandm3
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  • From: Florida Panhandle
  • Registered: 2006-03-04
  • Posts: 421

Re: well of course the acoustic guitar

This is an easy one. On paper, Martin is the best. Martin is the standard by which all others are judged. D-28 to be sure.  In real life.. I can't stand Martin Necks. They feel like baseball bats to me. They're unwieldy and actually cause pain in my wrist and thumb, and I have large hands.  In real life...If you're looking for the holy grail.. check out Lowden, and Larivee before you get that pre-war D-45.  This may sound crazy, but have you tried an Ovation (neck faster than a strat and tone forever) or a Rainsong (no woods were harmed in the construction)?  If you wanna go Asian, I recommend Kazuo Yairi.  But.. I say this only because they fit me. They sound great to me.  What fits you? What sounds good to you? Or better,.. What sounds great to you in your hands?

Now available in 5G !
  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2007-02-08
  • Posts: 1,914

Re: well of course the acoustic guitar

This may be little off topic...but in my opinion Martins are not all they're made out to be. I know I'll get alot of conflict about this but it's my opinion only... I believe that Martins popularity comes from they're long standing in the music industry. I believe that you get accustomed to a sound of a guitar and after awhile it's that sound that others are judged by. With Martin being the oldest I believe it's more a case of a familiar sound than a superior one..If you get what I mean. I have several guitars (yes a Martin or 2 as well) and as far as which one sounds best, it all depends on the one I've been using most at the time. I can play on a Martin for 2 weeks and then pick up anouther and it just doesn't sound as good but then again if I've been playing a Tak,Morgan, S&P,Yairi or other and then pick up the Martin it doesn't sound as good as the one I've been playing... Just a thought... Peace!

[b][color=#FF0000]If your brain is part of the process, you're missing it. You should play like a drowning man, struggling to reach shore. If you can trap that feeling, then you have something.
[/color][/b]         [b]Peace of mind. That's my piece of mind...[/b]

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10 Reply by selso (edited by selso 2007-09-30 17:04:10)

  • selso
  • selso
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  • From: El Paso, TX
  • Registered: 2007-07-18
  • Posts: 994

Re: well of course the acoustic guitar

i agree with guitarpix, martin aint all its cracked up to be, though i know guitarist who wont play anything else. taylor is a good guitar but why so pricey? my takamine does me just right and for 500.00$( us) you cant beat that. it all depends on the sound and how comfrtable you are playing it. i get nervous playing really expensive guitars and everyone i know with a pricey guitar rarely plays them cuz they dont want to mess them up. my point being, why buy a guitar your to scared to play?

Everything is bad including me
But being bad is good policy
Reverend Horton Heat

11 Reply by MJH

  • MJH
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  • Registered: 2007-10-02
  • Posts: 5

Re: well of course the acoustic guitar

Having just joined this forum I am catching up on threads that are of interest to me.

I am an acoustic guy and love to talk about guitars.  Martins are great guitars and I am fortunate enough to own a 1967 O16 New Yorker, a great little guitar.

That being said, when I went out looking for a dread in December of 97, I tried D28's and HD28's.  The salesman then handed me a Taylor 710.  told me it was Brazilian rosewood with an Engelmann top.  At the time, that didn't mean a thing to me.  Now it does.  Anyway, I started playing this thing and absolutely could not put it down.  Needless to say, it went home with me.

Since then, I have bought and sold several Taylors.  I have loved them all, some just more than others.  So to me, Taylors are "my" best solid wood guitar.

As far as eastern guitars, I have played some Blueridges that I like and have heard good things about some Guilds, epiphones, and a new one called Sugar Creek, I believe.  Having not played sll of them, I couldn't make a very intelligent decision.

Mark