Guitar playing audiophiles, Martin or Taylor?


My "other half" is exploring the stress releiving effects of playing acoustic guitar. She's a great woman! She actually convinced me to buy a pair of Rowland model 9 monos w bps, instead of a boat. Thats my girl! Anyway, shes been playing for 1.5 yrs. Its a toss up between Martin ???? Koa wood, Taylor 314ce, Takamini GS330s, and a Tocoma???sound hole on top!!! All these models can be had "used" for around 900.00 All replys welcome, thanks Scot
sscot1961
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.
I'm a Martin guy, but, like a bunch of others have mentioned above, DO NOT buy a guitar without letting your wife play it first. They all sound and play differently from each other, even same model/brand.

If you want something really inexpensive that plays very well (well, I thought so, anyway) look for a Garrison. Interesting design, which produces good results IMHO.

Once you have the guitar picked out...then you get to choose strings.

Regards!

I have 4 bass guitars, an old 80s vintage Fender 4 string, a Yamaha 5 string, and 2 Ibanez, the cheaper of the two is my favorite to play. Its not finished nearly as well as the more expensive Ibanez but oddly seems to play better. You would think the more costly better finished instrument would play better but it just doesnt.

@sscot1961

You got your answer right away from @mknowles16 !

Finding a comfortable neck shape and body style are really important and the only way to discover what’s comfortable for your wife is for her to play a bunch of different guitars. If the guitar isn’t comfortable for her to play, the name on the headstock will be poor consolation. My previous guitar was a Martin and it was great but take care that your like for Martins doesn’t get in the way of her finding the guitar that works best for her! And keep in mind that there are many good guitar tones, just like there are many good audio system sounds. 

 

 

I like the Gibson J-200, the choice of Emmylou Harris and The Everly Brothers.