Guitar playing audiophiles, Martin or Taylor?

Having played guitar my for over 30yrs (since I was 6yrs) and sold guitars in my younger days (for some time) I have owned or played most makes and models vintage and otherwise. I have recently sold most of my guitars and currently have a great luthier building me two soon to be three guitars, so I guess you can see where I'm going. There are only two issuses. 1. What you want? Unfortunatley at your level it's even harder with what dimensions, tone woods etc to decide exactly on what you want and need but if you can get some help from an ubiased person that knows what they are doing it will help quite a bit. 2.Exactly how much are you willing to spend? I would strongly urge you see what TWL makes and what he can offer you for the money. Good acoustics are not cheap and customs are usually a bit more expensive than popular mass produced (mid priced) models but if you can find a good luthier and I do stress good luthier (and TWL sounds like he is) you should get a better instrument for the money.

Each guitar is different, even same make and model. Also the strings can make a world of difference. A string that sounds great on one guitar can sound awful on another. The age of the string also has an effect. If you're comparing guitars make sure to check the strings. If they're old and funky they can make a guitar sound nasty. So when speaking of guitars one can only speak in general terms. Judge the individual instrument rather than the brand or model.

I play a Martin D-16GT and enjoy it. It is one of the "lower priced" models but I don't think I got ripped off. If you do decide to go with a Martin you should be able to get a substantial discount - don't pay list!

Like everyone else has said, it is a personal preference. Play lots of guitars and choose what sounds best to you.

I have a Martin D25 Koa (1983) that got wrecked in a car accident back in 1996. I had an authorized Martin luthier piece it back togehter with a D45 neck and snowflakes on the fingerboard, volute etc. It sounds better than it did befor eth accident. I have played Taylors but the feel is not as supple as the Martin, though I like the brighter tone of the Taylor; it feels more like Gibson. Also I am fond of Seagull. I'll stick to the Martina and will probably make a D35 my next acoustic if and when I have the bux.

Golly, this makes me wonder about what a particular Linn/Honest Records artist uses:

What kind of guitar does Martin Taylor play?

;-)