#1
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Have You Played Martin M-36 and Taylor 818e?
If anyone has played either the Martin M-36 or the Taylor 818e, please comment and describe to me your thoughts on these instruments. I have yet to play the M-36 but I want a new steel string for acoustic solo fingerstyle work. I have a great Guild dreadnought and I'm not looking for a dreadnought. I want a great playing guitar for my performer live. The Taylor is gorgeous and it sounded fantastic.
I'm looking for thoughts here more about the M-36. If you convince me, I'll probably go visit Martin. The dealers don't normally carry the M-36 or at least I can't find one that I can get to that has one. I will not buy one sight-feel unseen. Thanks,
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David L. Whitehurst https://soundcloud.com/david-l-whitehurst Email signup for News: https://www.facebook.com/DavidLWhite...00265896690345 Taylor 818e Grand Orchestra Rosewood Back and Sides Taylor 214ce-n Grand Auditorium Nylon Guild DV-52 Dreadnought Steel String Yamaha CG172SF Flamenco/Classical Nylon Stratocaster Copy Squier P-Bass |
#2
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To me, the M 36 is one of the best all around guitars ever. I've played one for fifteen years. Mine is a 1980, and I don't see why they haven't been more popular. If you don't need a wider fingerboard, the M36 will finger pick with balance and clarity. Comfortable to play too.
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#3
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Have You Played Martin M-36 and Taylor 818e?
The 818 has a bigger soundboard and is deeper, not sure an m36 is a great comparison, a J40 might be closer. That said, the m36 would also likely be a lot more comfortable to play.
Ive never played an 818 but have played a few m36s. It's the perfect size but I couldn't get used to the 1 11/16 nut or the bright white bound fingerboard. I am considering a custom 0000 instead.
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Martin 0000-28V (Custom Adi/EIR) Martin 00X1AE We're not here for a long time... we're here for a good time. |
#4
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Quote:
Do you pickup or mic your guitar? I'm going to get a Fish-stick thing for my PA to start. David
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David L. Whitehurst https://soundcloud.com/david-l-whitehurst Email signup for News: https://www.facebook.com/DavidLWhite...00265896690345 Taylor 818e Grand Orchestra Rosewood Back and Sides Taylor 214ce-n Grand Auditorium Nylon Guild DV-52 Dreadnought Steel String Yamaha CG172SF Flamenco/Classical Nylon Stratocaster Copy Squier P-Bass |
#5
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I've played them both. The Martin M-36 that I played at my dealer sounded good with a decent balance and Martin tone but not anything spectacular. I had a new 2013 Taylor 818e First Edition, and I've played a couple of 2014 Taylor 818e axes including a First Edition. This guitar model, whether a 2013 or 2014, sounds balanced but everything is very dynamic and rich-sounding, and exhibits what I term, Exploding Tone Syndrome, which is the notes and chords explode off the guitar (I traded-in my 2012 Martin D-18 for the 2013 Taylor 528 First Edition I currently own). The Taylor Grand Orchestra model, regardless of its tonewood combination, has a distinct and rich tone that I feel will please most guitarists. If its bigger size isn't a problem, I highly recommend players give the Taylor Grand Orchestra an audition!
Regards, SpruceTop P.S. Why did I trade-in my 2013 Taylor 818e First Edition? I wanted a 2014 model with the new Expression System 2.
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Martin HD-28 Sunburst/Trance M-VT Phantom Martin D-18/UltraTonic Adamas I 2087GT-8 Ovation Custom Legend LX Guild F-212XL STD Huss & Dalton TD-R Taylor 717e Taylor 618e Taylor 614ce Larrivee D-50M/HiFi Larrivee D-40R Blue Grass Special/HiFi Larrivee D-40R Sunburst Larrivee C-03R TE/Trance M-VT Phantom RainSong BI-DR1000N2 Emerald X20 Yamaha FGX5 Republic Duolian/Schatten NR-2 |
#6
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David L. Whitehurst https://soundcloud.com/david-l-whitehurst Email signup for News: https://www.facebook.com/DavidLWhite...00265896690345 Taylor 818e Grand Orchestra Rosewood Back and Sides Taylor 214ce-n Grand Auditorium Nylon Guild DV-52 Dreadnought Steel String Yamaha CG172SF Flamenco/Classical Nylon Stratocaster Copy Squier P-Bass |
#7
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M36, j40, 818
The Taylor 818 is a bigger guitar than an M36.
I played an 818 in a store awhile back (just one time, as they are rare) and yes, as you said, it can "floor" you. BIG sound. Much bigger than my 714CE. I owned an M36 and really liked it. Perhaps the most tonally balanced guitar I have ever owned or played. What a great guitar, but as Jaraxle mentioned, my personal dislikes were the 1 11/16 nut and the bright white binding. The M36 body is smaller than an 818-- 20 inches long (vs 20 5/8) 16 wide (vs 16 3/4) 4 inches deep (vs 5). This last measurement is crucial in my assessment. An inch deeper body is likely to change things dramatically. Again, I think Jarlaxle has a good point: "The 818 has a bigger soundboard and is deeper, not sure an m36 is a great comparison, a J40 might be closer." My buddy has a J40 and it has a MUCH BIGGER tone and volume than did my M36. The M36 and J40 have the same body shape and dimensions except the body depth (4" vs 4 13/16) while the Taylor 818 is 3/16 deeper than the J40. So the 818 is likely to outgun the M36 simply on cubic inches, let alone other considerations. I say, check out a J40 to compare to the 818, if you can find one. |
#8
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I own a Taylor 818e......it's got a 16 3/4" lower bout and a 5" deep body.
If you want to compare a Martin with that size and power to a Taylor 818e, I think Harry's Guitar Shop in Raleigh still has a new (discontinued model) Martin J-35e (17" body) in stock. I've played that Martin at Harry's, and almost bought it. I bought an 818e at Harry's instead, but I would have been very happy with either one. Harry's isn't far from Fuquay. (you may have already been there!) http://harrysguitarshop.com/Martin-J...ic-Guitar.html (I don't work for Harry, I'm just a happy customer!)
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I've only heard two guys play jazz on a Les Paul....me, and some guy named "Les Paul" Last edited by 73171; 10-03-2014 at 01:37 PM. |
#9
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David L. Whitehurst https://soundcloud.com/david-l-whitehurst Email signup for News: https://www.facebook.com/DavidLWhite...00265896690345 Taylor 818e Grand Orchestra Rosewood Back and Sides Taylor 214ce-n Grand Auditorium Nylon Guild DV-52 Dreadnought Steel String Yamaha CG172SF Flamenco/Classical Nylon Stratocaster Copy Squier P-Bass |
#10
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FYI The Martin J-35e at Harry's also has a built in pickup. I didn't play it plugged in, but it's acoustic tone is really good. I bought the Taylor 818e instead because: 1) Even though it's a super jumbo, it's not as round as the Martin or a Gibson J200. It's easier to hold. 2) I like the tone. 3) I've owned Martins in the past and wanted something different. (I really wanted to buy BOTH of them!)
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I've only heard two guys play jazz on a Les Paul....me, and some guy named "Les Paul" |
#11
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I've been a Martin Man for the better part of the last 40 years and I've had countless high-end ones. I have, however, become really attracted to Taylors during the last couple of years. They're easy-playing and the tone is well-balanced but still resonant for all their body shapes. Frankly, I feel that everyone should always have at least one Martin on hand out of tradition and I feel compelled to buy one again ( HD-28E Retro) but a new Taylor 818e or K28e will be my next purchase.
Regards, SpruceTop
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Martin HD-28 Sunburst/Trance M-VT Phantom Martin D-18/UltraTonic Adamas I 2087GT-8 Ovation Custom Legend LX Guild F-212XL STD Huss & Dalton TD-R Taylor 717e Taylor 618e Taylor 614ce Larrivee D-50M/HiFi Larrivee D-40R Blue Grass Special/HiFi Larrivee D-40R Sunburst Larrivee C-03R TE/Trance M-VT Phantom RainSong BI-DR1000N2 Emerald X20 Yamaha FGX5 Republic Duolian/Schatten NR-2 |
#12
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yes!!!
Taylor's new big guitars sound HUGE!!...and Martin's OOOO size guitars are their best kept secret!!
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Collings, Martins, Gibsons, Taylor, Fenders, PRS's, a Takamine and MORGAN amps..love them all!!! |
#13
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I've had my J-40 for almost 25 years now. After its recent neck reset it has finally become the guitar it really should have been from the custom shop all those years ago. I think that the J-40 is a more balanced tonally for finger picking than Martin dreadnoughts because of the pinched waist, yet they hold their own nicely in bluegrass jams too. I have some limited experience with M-36's and they just sound "smaller". Not bad, just not as WOW compared to the J's. I think a direct comparison between an M-36 and a OOO-28EC (a good one, since they vary) would be quite interesting
I've only played the Taylor x18 or GO series a couple of times. My overall impression with either the 618 (maple) or 818 (rosewood) was "way too boomy" and more than a little biased toward the bass. I would opt for an 816 GS before an 818 GO, because of the better overall tone balance. To me the x16 or GS body is just right - more powerful acoustically than the GA size and easier to hold than the GO size. But everyone hears things a bit differently. |
#14
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I have a 718e First Edition with Adirondack bracing and to me it is deeper sounding than my HD28V with Adirondack top. Taylors expression systems have a great sound as well.
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Custom Martin D 35 Taylor GS Mini w/ES2 Koa GPC12PA4 Martin 12 string [/B]"What does it profit a man to gain (all the greatest guitars in) the world and lose his soul" Paraphrased |
#15
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I came very close to buying an M36 about 8 months ago - played it, liked it, went back to the store a week later with my credit card all shined up ready to buy but the narrow neck and slightly quieter sound confirmed that I liked my 2012 D18 better. If it had a 1&3/4 neck though I think I would have bought it. Nice guitar, good tone etc. but didn't quite do it.
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