Played a Martin HD-28V...
Rhyno
Posts: 304
...and fell in love with it!
What an incredible guitar. I played it and it just felt perfect. I've played D-28's and plain HD-28's and the HD-28V felt a lot better. Is this because there's that much difference in the guitars or is it that the setup on the one I tried just happened to be well suited to me by chance?
What an incredible guitar. I played it and it just felt perfect. I've played D-28's and plain HD-28's and the HD-28V felt a lot better. Is this because there's that much difference in the guitars or is it that the setup on the one I tried just happened to be well suited to me by chance?
Cheers!
Rhyno
11/30/1991 ~ 3/25/92 ~ 8/28/92 ~ 6/30/98 ~ 10/8/2000 ~ 6/18/2003 ~ 6/21/2003 ~ 6/26/2006 ~ 6/27/2006 ~ 7/7/2006 ~ 8/5/2007 ~ 6/24/2008 ~ ALPINE VALLEY in '09 ;-)
Rhyno
11/30/1991 ~ 3/25/92 ~ 8/28/92 ~ 6/30/98 ~ 10/8/2000 ~ 6/18/2003 ~ 6/21/2003 ~ 6/26/2006 ~ 6/27/2006 ~ 7/7/2006 ~ 8/5/2007 ~ 6/24/2008 ~ ALPINE VALLEY in '09 ;-)
Post edited by Unknown User on
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Comments
I think the V's neck feels a little different (I know the bracing has been moved forward to pre-war spec).
Martins have always seem to sound a bit too dark and bottom heavy (they just don't seem to cut through).
IMO Taylor is still better all around playing/sounding guitar.
Taylor seems to be a more consistent guitar (which is why so many Pro's have switched from Martin to Taylor).
Do this . . . play an 8-series Dreadnought Taylor, and then the HD28V (both are similar in size and shape).
I guarantee you'll hear/feel the difference - and the cost is relatively the same.
There are Martin People and Taylor people - each seem prefer their respective guitar.
But in the end the majority seem to switch to Taylor after playing and performing with both.
Cheers . . .
- Ian C.T. vom Saal
<b><font color="red">CONTACT ME HERE</font>: www.myspace.com/ianvomsaal</b>
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Rhyno
11/30/1991 ~ 3/25/92 ~ 8/28/92 ~ 6/30/98 ~ 10/8/2000 ~ 6/18/2003 ~ 6/21/2003 ~ 6/26/2006 ~ 6/27/2006 ~ 7/7/2006 ~ 8/5/2007 ~ 6/24/2008 ~ ALPINE VALLEY in '09 ;-)
I used to own a HD-28V, but traded it in to get a Taylor 814ce. It all depends on what you think you are going to be doing with the guitar.
The Martin sounds better than the Taylor when they are both played unplugged. It's got a rich tone and a booming sound.
The Martin however can not be plugged into an amp, unless you buy one of those pickups that you stick in the soundhole... and those tend to sound kind of shitty. The Taylor has an amazing pickup system built in, and sounds unreal when amplified!
The only thing I didn't like about the Martin was the v-shaped neck. My hands eventually got used to it, but it was still quite annoying to me. The Taylor is one of the easiest guitars to play, and every strings rings out in a very balanced way.
Therefore, between the two that I mentioned, the Martin would suit you if you just are going to play unplugged at home, or record in the studio with a good set of mics on it. It comes off really warm when miked properly! Whereas the Taylor would be a better choice if you are going to be playing live... but it also sounds good in the studio because it is so versatile. You can mic it, run it thru an amp and mic that, or run it directly into the soundboard. You can also do all three and then take a mix of the combination which I've done before and creates a cool sound.
Both great guitars, just make sure to play it before you buy it because no two guitars sound the same.. and some sound better than others!
Thanks for the input!
Rhyno
11/30/1991 ~ 3/25/92 ~ 8/28/92 ~ 6/30/98 ~ 10/8/2000 ~ 6/18/2003 ~ 6/21/2003 ~ 6/26/2006 ~ 6/27/2006 ~ 7/7/2006 ~ 8/5/2007 ~ 6/24/2008 ~ ALPINE VALLEY in '09 ;-)
I prefer Taylors over Martins (comparable guitars). Both make incredible guitars and you'd be silly to simply single out a brand but from what I've found is the 7 and 8 series Taylors are simply amazing.
Rhyno
11/30/1991 ~ 3/25/92 ~ 8/28/92 ~ 6/30/98 ~ 10/8/2000 ~ 6/18/2003 ~ 6/21/2003 ~ 6/26/2006 ~ 6/27/2006 ~ 7/7/2006 ~ 8/5/2007 ~ 6/24/2008 ~ ALPINE VALLEY in '09 ;-)
Rhyno
11/30/1991 ~ 3/25/92 ~ 8/28/92 ~ 6/30/98 ~ 10/8/2000 ~ 6/18/2003 ~ 6/21/2003 ~ 6/26/2006 ~ 6/27/2006 ~ 7/7/2006 ~ 8/5/2007 ~ 6/24/2008 ~ ALPINE VALLEY in '09 ;-)
Yeah, it's tough!
When you have two companies who make such amazing guitars it's hard to pick "the one".
The main difference is that the body of the guitar is bigger and shaped a little different on the VS. It extends out to the 12th fret, whereas the 28V goes up to 14 before the body starts. There are some other minor differences as well...
Yeah, one day I like one. The next, I like the other. What's a guy to do...
Rhyno
11/30/1991 ~ 3/25/92 ~ 8/28/92 ~ 6/30/98 ~ 10/8/2000 ~ 6/18/2003 ~ 6/21/2003 ~ 6/26/2006 ~ 6/27/2006 ~ 7/7/2006 ~ 8/5/2007 ~ 6/24/2008 ~ ALPINE VALLEY in '09 ;-)
Thanks for the insight. What does this do to the sound? Deeper, warmer?
Rhyno
11/30/1991 ~ 3/25/92 ~ 8/28/92 ~ 6/30/98 ~ 10/8/2000 ~ 6/18/2003 ~ 6/21/2003 ~ 6/26/2006 ~ 6/27/2006 ~ 7/7/2006 ~ 8/5/2007 ~ 6/24/2008 ~ ALPINE VALLEY in '09 ;-)
- Ian
<b><font color="red">CONTACT ME HERE</font>: www.myspace.com/ianvomsaal</b>
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i have one martin - a hd28vr
i've got my 810 for sell after 10 years.
for me, just playing around the house, the martin is the way to go.
i love taylors, but the martin is the sound i hear in my head
This is how I feel too. However, after listening to a few Taylor's, I think they have a nice sound as well. And they're a bit prettier (if that's what you're into). I've also heard that Taylor's are built better than Martin's. Is this true nowaday's?
I haven't had a chance to play a Taylor 810. So, I am going to go check it out at a local shop today. Then, play the HD-28V again. I'd save some cash by going the Taylor route too, but I want to be sure I get a guitar that I'll love and have for years.
Rhyno
11/30/1991 ~ 3/25/92 ~ 8/28/92 ~ 6/30/98 ~ 10/8/2000 ~ 6/18/2003 ~ 6/21/2003 ~ 6/26/2006 ~ 6/27/2006 ~ 7/7/2006 ~ 8/5/2007 ~ 6/24/2008 ~ ALPINE VALLEY in '09 ;-)
at one time it may have been true...i don't think so anymore
taylors may have been more consistent at one point. but bob taylor actually helped martin set up their CNC machines when they switched.
play as many of the same models as you can...two of the same guitars may sound way different.
You're sort of right. I went to my local fancy-lad shop on Tuesday (I live in Scottsdale ("Beverly Hill far East")) and I sat and played guitars for hours. I played Martins and Taylors (and some Gibsons) from the many years and I have to say the difference from year to year going down the "quality" scale is incredible. From what I saw is that "sub-great" (cause let's be honest neither one makes a bad guitar) guitars def. go to Martin and Co. Mid range, no question Taylor. 7 and 800 series is IMO leaps and bounds better. High end gets dicey. I cannot say! I have high end Martins that I love and I have high end Taylors I love...both bringing two different things to the table.
Both made my spine melt. My god they are awesome!!!
<b><font color="red">CONTACT ME HERE</font>: www.myspace.com/ianvomsaal</b>
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