- Learn a little about the history of each company
- Discover the differences between Taylor and Martin guitars
- Find the best choice for your personal playing style and which company might be best to go with
As two of the most famous manufacturers of acoustic guitars in the world, Martin and Taylor have built peerless reputations in the industry.
They have a lot of similarities, but there are some key differences in how they craft their instruments.
In this piece, we will examine both companies, how they design their guitars, and the differences between them so you can decide which is best for you.
What Are the Differences Between Taylor and Martin Guitars?
They’re both world-renowned brands that make guitars with superior quality, so what’s the difference between Taylor and Martin guitars?
While they’re similar in the care and craftsmanship that goes into making them, the two companies have some significant differences. Let’s take a look at what those are.
Company Histories
Martin
As the oldest surviving guitar manufacturer in the world, C.F. Martin and Company was established in 1833 in New York City ( and is now located in Nazareth, Pennsylvania.)
The modern guitar as we know it was a relatively new instrument in the early 19th century and Martin can be credited as one of the companies that helped to innovate it.
They’ve made other acoustic instruments like mandolins and ukuleles throughout their history.
They also tried making electric guitars, but they quickly pivoted from that idea as they didn’t sell very well.
Taylor
Taylor Guitars is a much newer company, founded in 1974 on the other side of the United States in El Cajon, California.
They quickly became one of the largest acoustic guitar manufacturers in the United States.
They also pioneered new and innovative ways to their manufacturing process, proving that the modern era of guitar craft was here for good.
And unlike Martin’s failed attempt at moving into the electric guitar market, Taylor’s electrics caught on. They make a variety of semi-hollow, hollow-body, and solid-body electric guitars.
Bracing Systems
Every acoustic guitar design uses some sort of bracing system.
Bracing systems consist of wooden struts arranged inside the top and back of the guitar along the length of the body. Most often, they’re made from wood – usually spruce.
Martin’s X-bracing
The X-brace is one of the most important inventions in the history of guitar craft and another way Martin changed the game.
The X pattern isn’t Martin’s only bracing system (they also invented A and Hybrid bracing), but it is by far their most revolutionary. It’s found in most of their instruments.
First developed in the 1850s, it replaced the traditional fan-bracing European guitar makers used. Guitars in the mid-19th century used gut strings, and the fan-bracing style was ideal for these.
But as guitarists started to call for louder instruments, the X-bracing pattern was a much better complement to the high-tension steel strings required to make that happen.
It gets its name from the large “X” formed by the two large cross braces below the soundhole on the back of the guitar top.
Near this main brace are six-tone bars. Two are on either side of the main brace, and two larger ones are below it. Near the neck joint is a Top Plate, or popsicle brace, that provides structural support.
Taylor’s V-bracing
Dubbed by Taylor as a “new sonic engine” for acoustic guitar, V-bracing changes the way the top of the guitar vibrates.
This bracing adds volume and sustain to the notes while keeping them more in tune.
X-bracing was the most common design style for more than a century.
V-bracing is another way that Taylor helped push the manufacturing practices of building acoustic guitars.
Many of their most popular models feature it, like the 614ce, 912ce, and 324ce.
Differences in Sound
Both Martin and Taylor guitars have a glowing reputation for their great sounds.
And while body shape, build materials, and the player all contribute to how a guitar sounds, there are some fundamental overall differences in the sound quality of the guitars from these two companies.
Martin guitars are known for their rich, traditional style of sound – especially their dreadnaught models.
Taylor guitars are a great mix of modern and classic. But both offer a fine combination of tone and build quality, so it ultimately comes down to what type of acoustic you’re looking for and what style best suits your sound.
At the end of the day, you really can’t go wrong with either company. They both put fine attention to detail and care in crafting their instruments – even the lower-end models.
Shapes, Sizes, and Electronics
Both offer a variety of acoustic guitar body shapes. Martin are best known as pioneers of the dreadnaught style, like their famous D series.
Taylor is known by many players for their smaller, more modern body styles. Both have a wide selection of models, so no matter what size you prefer, either company will have great options.
When it comes to electronics, a lot of Martins don’t come with any onboard pickups.
This isn’t as common as it used to be, but especially some of their high-end models stick to the original inspiration behind the design of the acoustic guitar.
You can always buy an aftermarket magnetic pickup and use that if you need to plug it in.
They sound good, they’re not that expensive, and you can always remove it when it’s time to record.
Manufacturing Process
Both companies make their guitars in the USA, with certain lower-end models made in Mexico.
They’re pretty equal across pricing structures, too, with most of them within the $400 to $10,000 range.
In 2011 Taylor teamed up with tonewood supplier Madinter to buyout Crelicam, a sawmill in Cameroon.
This was part of a dedicated effort to change how the guitar industry sourced rare tonewoods like ebony and mahogany.
FAQ
Are Taylor guitars easier to play than Martins?
It depends on player preference, how well it’s set up, and string type and gauge.
With the right factors in place, neither should be easier or more difficult to play than the other, as should any guitar.
Both companies use high-quality selections of tonewoods for their necks and fretboards, so it’s all about finding one that best suits you.
Why are Martin guitars so hard to play?
Martin makes high-quality instruments. If a guitar is difficult to play, it’s almost always due to issues with the setup.
This includes action, string height, neck relief, and even how well the nut and bridge are cut.
Regardless of how well-made a guitar is, normally coming straight from the factory line, it’ll require a personalized setup because every guitar player and genre requires different things from the instrument.
Is Taylor or Martin more expensive?
Both make such quality instruments that most of their product offerings are pricey – but they’re worth every penny.
There are certainly more affordable lines, but most of each company’s well-known models are in the thousands.
Generally, Taylor guitars have a more affordable entry point tough.
Summary
Ultimately, choosing between Taylor and Martin guitars is a good position to be in.
Both companies make fine instruments, and their histories are as storied as they get in the music business. And you’re making the right decision going with either one.
*If you’re also interested in how Taylor compares to the iconic Gibson guitars, be sure to check out our article on the subject here!
