Guitar playing audiophiles, Martin or Taylor?

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?

;-)

Gags aside this is a good example for the smaller manufacturers as Martin used to play his own model Yamaha when they were paying him bucket-loads of cash to do so but has since moved to a small luthier Mike Vanden in the late 90's and with Mike designed the Vanden Martin Taylor Artistry and an acoustic model which I believe is called the Gypsy.