Are Taylor Guitars Worth It and as Good as Martin?
I can only speak from personal experience. In 1995, I was shopping for an acoustic guitar, with a specific focus on getting a Martin D-28. I even considered buying a used one, but couldn't find any.
Living in a large metropolitan area, I visited numerous shops, but none had a new Martin D-28 that played well right out of the box. Every single guitar needed some shop time to fix issues in order to make it playable. A 2500 USD guitar should play perfectly from the start, but none did.
There were no used D-28s anywhere, so I decided to visit the last shop on my list. Located in a basement beneath another boutique, it was a lively spot full of acoustic instruments. Despite the low expectations, I found a Taylor 710, which sounded just as beautiful and played great. The factory setup was near perfect, except for the bridge, a common issue I always address with acoustic guitars due to their improper intonation.
Back then, buying a Taylor 710 saved me 700 dollars compared to a new Martin. Fast forward to today, 26 years later, and the price of a new Taylor 710 rivals the Martin D-28, both costing just south of 3000 USD.
My Current Guitars
Between my wife and I, we own several Taylors. Here are the details:
Mini
A great guitar that has served us well over the years.
514 CE with Fishman Pickup
This older model is far superior to the junk that the current Expression System II highlights. With a Fishman pickup, the sound is outstanding.
714 CE with Expression II
A good guitar, though the sound quality is not on par with the old 514 CE.
814 CE
The top-of-the-line model, and a great guitar. However, I prefer a new Martin D-35 re-imagined, as its tone is superior.
Leo Kottke Signature Model 12 String
Bought in 1994, this 12-string guitar is a favorite of mine due to its perfect action. Despite being designed for medium to heavy gauge strings and lower tuning, it sounds awesome plugged in with an LR Baggs pickup. The action is perfect for my light gauge strings, and it remains a cherished piece of my guitar collection.
Clint Black
Clint Black is the only country artist I can think of who plays Taylor guitars. For the rest, it's all Martin's or Gibson acoustic guitars.
In conclusion, while Taylor guitars are excellent and have come a long way, the Martin D-28 remains the gold standard in acoustic guitar quality.
Given my experience and the preferences of many dedicated players, I highly recommend considering a Taylor 710 for its affordability and playability, but always keep an eye on the Martin D-28 for unparalleled sound quality and a classic prestige.