What Uniqueness Do Each Manufacturers Have?

[#Cruncher]

I hope this thread becomes a helpful reference to those who don't have the opportunity to play guitars from these manufacturers.

What are the PROs and uniqueness, in general, of guitars manufactured by these three big boys?

1. Martin
2. Gibson
3. Taylor

Sorry, no disrespect intended for other manufacturers but just want to limit it to these three big factory manufacturers.

[Dru Edwards]

For Taylor, I think the NT neck is great. I see it as a pro, others as a con (those who prefer the dovetail neck joint).

I also think Taylors are great plugged in and super playable.

This should be an interesting thread.

[Kevin A]

Originally Posted by #Cruncher

What are the PROs and uniqueness, in general, of guitars manufactured by these three big boys?

1. Martin: Tradition
2. Gibson: Electrics
3. Taylor: Electric-Acoustics

[#Cruncher]

Martin: Tradition, cannon, bassy but still balanced, +1 in acoustic sound, their dreadnoughts rule, great strummers

Taylor: Neck, Expression system, +1 in acoustic electric sound (plugged in sound), Grand Symphony and Grand Auditorium rules, great for fingerstyle

Gibson: ... (this is why I started this thread) I just don't know much about them

[devellis]

Gibsons have their own sound that's hard to define. There's a certain rough (in a good way) twang -- perhaps it's an emphasis on mid-tones. Bass is strong but with less sustain and boom than a Martin. Trebles are less bright than a Taylor. Of course, none of this can give you any idea at all of what they actually sound like. I'm not even sure I've characterized the sound accurately. It's hard to dissect into its components. And, of course, different models of Gibson sound different from one another. But all (or most) seem to have that "twang" to some degree. I think it's what makes them work so well for blues, country, and some rock.

[Triggs]

Guild was left off the list.

[zabdart]

Originally Posted by #Cruncher

Martin: Tradition, cannon, bassy but still balanced, +1 in acoustic sound, their dreadnoughts rule, great strummers

Taylor: Neck, Expression system, +1 in acoustic electric sound (plugged in sound), Grand Symphony and Grand Auditorium rules, great for fingerstyle

Gibson: ... (this is why I started this thread) I just don't know much about them

Internally, Gibsons are noted for their widespread X-bracing, which crosses about 1 inch behind the soundhole. Your typical Martin X-brace (which just about everybody copies) is about 94 degrees, give or take a degree. Gibsons, on the other hand have a 102 degree X-brace on the round-shouldered dreadnoughts, 106 degrees on the jumbos and 98 degrees on the square-shouldered dreads. This accounts for their characteristic sound, but can also lead to problems with the top bellying behind the bridge, if you don't take care of them.

[lone eskimo]

These are generalities-and the lines will cross but:

Martin- Strong Bass, Clear Trebles- lends itself well to strong strumming and flatpicking- popular in Folk, Country, Self Accompanyment, and especially Bluegrass..

Gibson- Good punchy, Thumpy, mid-range strumming with typically less sustain than the others. Great for Blues, Rock, Folk, and Country.

Taylor- Excellent clarity-not too bassy with shimmering highs- Very good for fingerstyle as the mids and highs are pronounced. Good mid-level strummer but may compress with a heavy hand. Strong reputation for neck playability.

Enter at your own risk...

Mike

[HHP]

In the case of Martin and Gibson, one of the appeals is the connection you feel to all the other players who have used them going back to the 19th century.

Originally Posted by #Cruncher

I hope this thread becomes a helpful reference to those who don't have the opportunity to play guitars from these manufacturers.

What are the PROs and uniqueness, in general, of guitars manufactured by these three big boys?

1. Martin
2. Gibson
3. Taylor

Sorry, no disrespect intended for other manufacturers but just want to limit it to these three big factory manufacturers.

My ear rating: 1) Martin 2) Taylor 3) Gibson
My hand rating: 1) Taylor 2) Martin 3) Gibson
My eye rating: Same as ear

I've owned 5 Martins - D-35, D12-35, D-18, DM and an OMC-16E Koa.
I've own one Taylor - 310LE (Legends)
Never owned a Gibson. Nothing in their product line ever suited my ears, though I still hold out hope.

As I progressed my ear changed and I began looking for something else. My ratings above are current as I do go to GC periodically and peruse the selection they have. I will admit that there was one particular Gibson Dove that had a very nice sound to it. Whoever bought that one obviously agreed.

[Jeff M]

How they sound.

[SpruceTop]

Originally Posted by #Cruncher

Gibson: ... (this is why I started this thread) I just don't know much about them

Gibson's acoustics have a vibe to their midrange that evokes in me a semi-diesel rig cruising down the highway at 70 MPH on a bright sunshiny day. Listen to early Bob Dylan albums and you'll hear (and, hopefully, see ) what I mean! Check out "Highway 51 Blues" or "Gospel Plow" from his eponymous first album, Bob Dylan, and listen to his Gibson J-50 hum!

Regards,

SpruceTop

[BusterBFan]

Originally Posted by Triggs

Guild was left off the list.

No doubt...