Guitar playing audiophiles, Martin or Taylor?

Nice additions @stuartk! Another is Dave Edmunds & Nick Lowe, both playing J-200’s in the pic on the front of the sleeve of the 7" bonus disc (Dave Edmunds & Nick Lowe Sing The Everly Brothers) that came with the first pressing of the Rockpile album.

Nick is also playing one (the black Everly Brothers version, with pick guards both above and below the guitar’s sound hole) on the back cover of his Pure Pop For Now People album (US pressing). The UK version (entitled Jesus Of Cool) has a different back cover pic. The front cover has different pics too, with Nick in alternate attire, and playing different guitars and basses.

@bdp24 

I knew there had to be more! ;o)

I currently have 5 acoustic guitars, and have had owned many over the past 40 years. Agree with all comments regarding it being personal taste, and also that the variations between guitars of the same model can often be on the same scale as differences between different models / brands.

@coffee_nudge nailed it regarding lower-priced Martins.

Play a bunch of different guitars to see which ones "feel" right (how the fretboard and neck feel, and how comfortable your playing arm is draped over the guitar). And if you are just beginning and can’t yet play very well, bring someone who plays along with you so you can hear how the different guitars sound.

I personally prefer Martin over Taylor in the higher price points, but agree with many that the Taylor can be better value at the non-stratospheric end of the price spectrum. And definitely do not get a Martin just because everyone else has one.

My current favorites in my collection are my Lowden (hand-made in Ireland) and my Martin (mass produced in Nazareth)...

Neil Young is the current owner of Hank Williams' 1941 Martin D-28.

@bdp24

As you’re no doubt aware, Neil played a D45 live around the time of Harvest.

I recall an interview with Ry Cooder in which he described his D45 as a "piece of junk-- only good for playing slide".

For the record, I’ve owned two Martins and liked them both a lot. I might still play a Martin if they offered more models with the neck carve/nut width I prefer.