If you’re in the market for a new acoustic guitar, I have no doubt that you’ve at least considered purchasing either a Martin or a Taylor. These are the two acoustic juggernauts in the space, the two brands guitarists gravitate to when they’re in search of a reputable, high-quality brand and musical instrument that will serve them well for their entire lives.

But what are the differences between the two? Are they negligible or significant? Let’s find out.

HERITAGE

• The heritage or history of your guitar manufacturer is an important part of the purchasing decision. Nobody wants to give the two-month-old brand a shot and discover that, unsurprisingly, it’s not as great as advertised on social media.

MARTIN

• Martin Guitars began back in 1833 and the company claims to have had Civil War soldiers strumming their guitars around campfires. Yeah, Civil War soldiers. Since then, several famous artists have made the decision to go with Martin—Elvis, Ed Sheeran, John Mayer, Neil Young and Bob Dylan just to name a few.

• It’s been family-owned since its inception and the production of the very first guitar by Christian Frederick Martin, the company’s namesake and founder. Six generations of the Martin family have been at the helm of the company since then and have upheld strong family values and a commitment to environmental sustainability and the responsible production of their instruments.

• The founder, Christian Frederick Martin, invented X-bracing through design experimentation, a technique still widely used today. Years later, a family member produced the Dreadnought, a widely known and loved body style.

TAYLOR

• Taylor has been around for a lot less time than Martin. The company was founded in 1974 by Bob Taylor and Kurt Listug. The two met while working at a California guitar shop and decided to become partners when then-owner Sam Radding announced he’d be selling the shop.

• Today, Taylor is known for having supremely playable guitars and a seamless incorporation of old-school traditions and new, high-tech tools.

PRICE

These two brands manufacture premium guitars and the price is going to reflect that.

MARTIN

• You can find Little Martin guitars for a little over $500 CAD. The LX1RE and LXK2 are both on the more affordable side for Martin. On the other, pricier side, you can easily find guitars from them that are over the $5,000 CAD mark and even nearing $10,000 CAD. These guitars are built from the finest materials they can offer and often have a rich history. Their D-18 Authentic 1937 Spruce/Mahogany acoustic is a prime example and retails for a little over $8,000 CAD. Don’t worry though, you can find a really great high-quality guitar in the middle range of these two price points if it fits your budget. Anything around $1,000 CAD is a beautiful guitar and you’re getting a lot for your money.

TAYLOR

• Similar to Martin, you can find guitars that come in at a bit over $500 CAD and guitars that will cost you about the same as a used Honda.

• While Martin calls their smaller-sized guitars Little Martins, Taylor refers to theirs as Baby Taylors. Their BT2 Baby and BT1 Walnut models both retail for slightly over $500 CAD. What do you get with a bit (ok, a lot) more money? Well, you could go with the PS14ce Honduran Rosewood model, an instrument that will cost you over $12,000 CAD. Is it worth it? Well, that’s up to you.

• Of course, just like Martin, there are several options in the middle range. Taylor’s guitars that come in around the $1,000 price point are also great option and get you a lot of guitar for your money, just like with Martin. Their Grand Auditorium Guitars are a no-brainer if you’re shopping in that range. You can choose from the 114e Grand Auditorium or the 214ce Grand Auditorium.

SOUND

• Ok, if you’re debating between getting a Martin or a Taylor, you want to know exactly what they sound like, you want to know what kind of tone you can expect from these top-of-the-line acoustic instruments.

MARTIN

• Both companies offer several instruments with several body shapes and different woods, so the tone can vary a lot. However, that said, since Martin has been around for so long and has been used by some of the most famous and influential musicians of the last century, they’ve come to be known as the classic acoustic guitar sound. Listen to any acoustic record from the latter decades of the 20th century and you’ll most certainly hear a Martin. After all, Taylor was only founded in 1974!

TAYLOR

• Taylor’s rise to the top of the acoustic guitar world hasn’t taken long at all and they’re known for a modern and crisp tone that a lot of younger, newer players tend to like. They’re usually a bit more rich in the upper mids and are enjoyed by artists like Taylor Swift and Mateus Asato.

CONCLUSION

• Ultimately, choosing between these two brands comes down to preference. Are you a fan of the classic, full-bodied sound of Martin’s Dreadnought or do you like a brighter and crisper tone that’s characteristic of a Taylor? Do you prefer an instrument that’s been produced since 1833 or one that has only been around since 1974? Do you care about how long a manufacturer has been around for?

• Whichever you choose, I can assure you that you’ll be purchasing a high-quality instrument that’s beloved by musicians at the pinnacle of their field. Just make sure to visit your local music store to play instruments at your price point from both brands before making a decision. It’s the only way you can make a proper, informed decision.

• After you’ve played both and given some thought to tone and body style, you’ll know which you prefer and which you absolutely need to have sitting on your guitar stand at home.