Martins/Taylors?

StuffnJunk
StuffnJunk Posts: 897
in Musicians and Gearheads
Can anyone recommend a Martin or Taylor acoustic electric thats on the cheaper end of the price range? Asking for a friend who wants to buy one for her husband. I know you have to go in and play guitars yourself and see what you like, but just wanted to see if there are more popular ones that aren't too expensive.
"I'll tell you what: If all I had was Pearl Jam, and I didn't have another band in the world, I would not be worried. Because in there is the essence of making great music. You don't have to use it all at once, but it's there." - Neil Young
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Comments

  • mfc2006
    mfc2006 HTOWN Posts: 37,491
    I know that I've seen that Guitar Center usually puts one Martin on sale during holidays....and it's a good price. One of these days, I'll take the plunge.

    What's their budget? I see Martin A/E's starting at $409 & Taylor A/E's starting at $429. (both of these are for their smaller models & the price goes up about $100-150 for a full size)
    I LOVE MUSIC.
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  • dudeman
    dudeman Posts: 3,160
    X Series Martin's come in a few different models. Price should be between $450.00 and $700.00 depending on features. The ones with a "1" in the model number have solid spruce tops. That's worth paying extra money for, IMO. I have a DCX1E that sounds better with every passing year.

    If hope can grow from dirt like me, it can be done. - EV
  • StuffnJunk
    StuffnJunk Posts: 897
    She said she wants me to find "the cheapest, best one".
    "I'll tell you what: If all I had was Pearl Jam, and I didn't have another band in the world, I would not be worried. Because in there is the essence of making great music. You don't have to use it all at once, but it's there." - Neil Young
  • mccreadyisgod
    mccreadyisgod Bumfuq, MT Posts: 6,395
    The Little Martins are killer guitars for the money. LX1 or LX1E (the "E" stands for "electronics"). The Martin X-series guitars are great, and as dudeman mentioned already, the X-series models with solid tops are an incredible value. If I was in the market for a guitar meeting these criteria, I would be looking VERY hard at the Martin GPX1AE.

    I tend to like the lower-end Martins a LOT more than the lower-end Taylors. I wouldn't personally buy any Taylor below the 3-series. The closest Taylor that I could see myself buying would be the GS Mini, so maybe look at that one.

    If she was willing to look outside of Martin and Taylor, I'd have more recommendations. Honestly, there are better guitars for the money at the cheap end of the spectrum. I'd rather have a Seagull/Art & Lutherie/Simon & Patrick (Godin brands) acoustic than some of the cheap Martin or Taylor stuff. I assume that the husband has a particular desire for Martin or Taylor, though.
    ...and if you don't like it, you can suck on an egg.
  • StuffnJunk
    StuffnJunk Posts: 897
    Well I know he has said he would love to some day get a really good acoustic, like a Martin or a Taylor. If you have other suggestions, fire away.
    "I'll tell you what: If all I had was Pearl Jam, and I didn't have another band in the world, I would not be worried. Because in there is the essence of making great music. You don't have to use it all at once, but it's there." - Neil Young
  • mccreadyisgod
    mccreadyisgod Bumfuq, MT Posts: 6,395
    Bang for buck, Seagull and Takemine are my two picks. Just rock-solid in the ~$500 category. My previous recommendations still stand.
    ...and if you don't like it, you can suck on an egg.
  • fireman148
    fireman148 Posts: 55
    Seagull all the way. They are amazing guitars and an incredible value. You can get a solid wood guitar, built in North America, for half what a comparable Martin or Taylor would cost.
  • mfc2006
    mfc2006 HTOWN Posts: 37,491
    fireman148 said:

    Seagull all the way. They are amazing guitars and an incredible value. You can get a solid wood guitar, built in North America, for half what a comparable Martin or Taylor would cost.

    Seagull's are great; my wife has one & I wish I could play it, but it's a left handed guitar.

    I also have a Takemine A/E & love it. It's taken quite a beating through the years, but has held up nicely.
    I LOVE MUSIC.
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    www.cluthe.com
  • dudeman
    dudeman Posts: 3,160
    edited April 2017
    Martin DC5PA is on sale at elderly.com for $475.00.

    Excellent guitar for the money.
    Post edited by dudeman on
    If hope can grow from dirt like me, it can be done. - EV
  • All Those Yesterdays
    All Those Yesterdays Posts: 2,723
    I second the Godin model guitars if that's the price range. If you have more of a budget you can usually find a year or two old, yet new just hasn't sold, US made Guild for 25 to 30% off on ebay. Still full warranty etc.
    E. Lansing-98 Columbus-00,03,10 Detroit-00,03 (1&2),06, 14 Cleveland-03,06,10 Toledo-04, Grand Rapids-04,06 London-05, Toronto-05, Indianapolis 10, East Troy (1&2) 11, Chicago 13, Detroit 14

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  • mcgruff10
    mcgruff10 New Jersey Posts: 29,116
    dudeman said:

    X Series Martin's come in a few different models. Price should be between $450.00 and $700.00 depending on features. The ones with a "1" in the model number have solid spruce tops. That's worth paying extra money for, IMO. I have a DCX1E that sounds better with every passing year.

    I have the exact same martin and absolutely love it.
    I'll ride the wave where it takes me......
  • dudeman
    dudeman Posts: 3,160
    I had been buying a new, cheap acoustic every couple years until I realized that I should get a "real" guitar. After playing as many different makes and models as I could get my hands on, the Martin stood out as a great guitar and a great deal. Even considering the fact that it's a low end Martin model, I haven't regretted it once.
    If hope can grow from dirt like me, it can be done. - EV
  • mace1229
    mace1229 Posts: 9,829
    Can anyone recommend a Martin or Taylor....
    I'd go with Ricky or Swift.
  • dudeman
    dudeman Posts: 3,160
    Nice!
    If hope can grow from dirt like me, it can be done. - EV
  • rattzey
    rattzey Posts: 877
    I have had a Art & Lutherie for over 10 years anf I love it. I also think that for the lower cost models I would go with a Martin.
    Walkin on a slippery sidewalk listening to P.J
  • mcgruff10
    mcgruff10 New Jersey Posts: 29,116
    anybody own the martin lxk2? feedback?
    https://www.martinguitar.com/guitars/little-martin/lxk2-little-martin/
    I'll ride the wave where it takes me......
  • lexicondevil
    lexicondevil Posts: 2,246
    I would tell your friend to have her husband pick out his own guitar. Buying an instrument is a really personal thing and just because one person likes a certain guitar doesn't mean it is going to click with another. Last time I bought a guitar I went in thinking that one model would be perfect, according to the reviews I read. When I went into the store I realized that it was okay, but for $150 more I could get a guitar that I loved. I was lucky that my wife was buying the guitar as a gift for me and she pushed me to get the more expensive one. Now, I finally own a Gretsch!
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  • CM189191
    CM189191 Posts: 6,927
    lexicondevil said:

    I would tell your friend to have her husband pick out his own guitar. Buying an instrument is a really personal thing and just because one person likes a certain guitar doesn't mean it is going to click with another. Last time I bought a guitar I went in thinking that one model would be perfect, according to the reviews I read. When I went into the store I realized that it was okay, but for $150 more I could get a guitar that I loved. I was lucky that my wife was buying the guitar as a gift for me and she pushed me to get the more expensive one. Now, I finally own a Gretsch!

    Can not stress this sentiment enough, really.
    Every instrument I own has found it's own way into my life, not the other way around
    Patience is the most important aspect of finding the right instrument
  • rgambs
    rgambs Posts: 13,576
    I haven't particularly liked any Taylor or Martin guitars I've played, I've had much better affinity for Takamines and higher end Fenders. Alvarez makes a hell of a guitar as well.
    Not that Taylor and Martin don't make good guitars, but you are paying a higher price for the name, not the craftsmanship.
    Monkey Driven, Call this Living?
  • mcgruff10
    mcgruff10 New Jersey Posts: 29,116
    lexicondevil said:

    I would tell your friend to have her husband pick out his own guitar. Buying an instrument is a really personal thing and just because one person likes a certain guitar doesn't mean it is going to click with another. Last time I bought a guitar I went in thinking that one model would be perfect, according to the reviews I read. When I went into the store I realized that it was okay, but for $150 more I could get a guitar that I loved. I was lucky that my wife was buying the guitar as a gift for me and she pushed me to get the more expensive one. Now, I finally own a Gretsch!

    this 100%
    I'll ride the wave where it takes me......

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