Blindfold Challenge (Gibson vs Martin vs Taylor vs Guild vs Yamaha vs Eastman) 

Why so rushed? This could have been much much better if you let the guy expound on his thoughts until he was ready to move on. It should have been double or triple the current length. Are you guys restricted in some way?

Thanks to everyone for watching - this was definitely a fun experiment! I know, I know . . . it would have been far more interesting if I'd offered some guesses, but truth is, I'm just not well-versed enough with the maker's archetypal sounds to match a given maker to a given sound. My guesses would have been laughably terrible and an embarrassment to all involved; still, perhaps we'll revisit the idea with some actual guesses - I'm old and married, and so no stranger to humiliation. Better yet, a narrower "pepsi challenge" between particular pairs of guitars (rather than the onslaught of so many at once). All that said, the blindfold was interesting because I don't think any player can escape the subconscious influence of knowing who made the guitar, and the power of suggestion/expectation in shaping your ear's interpretation of the sound. I'm sure we'll be doing this again and refining the process moving forward . . . Thanks again!

Picked up that Martin and in his head definitely said "oh, there you are old friend."

The Yamaha LL6 steal the show imho

the Yamaha surprised me but must admit the Martin stole the show for my ears

Surprisingly, the Yamaha here has laminate B&S and sells for $539. And it held its own among these expensive solid bodies. I just wish they would have used a Yamaha LL or solid A series.

Most impressed by the Martin and the Guild. Surprised that the Taylor didn't sound better by comparison, and happy that the Yamaha sounded so good! (Yamaha FG180 was my first guitar). Thanks for the fun video, guys. Quinton makes any guitar sound good!

D-55 is a canon, literally mopped the floor with the rest.

The Martin, Eastman, Guild, and Gibson grabbed my ears.

Beautiful guitars, I would be glad to own any one of them. The Yamaha was the biggest surprise of all. Thanks guys!

Like the sound of the yamaha the most. Taylors tend to make other guitars sound dead when you play both in a room, but it's a shame, because the taylor sound, to me, is fatiguing. Objectively, I'd have heard the gibson as a gibson, the martin as a martin, the guild as a gibson, the yamaha as a martin, and the taylor as a taylor. I might've been confused by the guild, though. The gibson and the taylor have unmistakable sound - fundamental and dark for the gibson, and floodlight bright for the taylor.

I was listening with an airpod tidying my room without looking at the screen and I figured the Guild D-55 right and I’m now happy :)

Great multi instrument test. For me, the Guild knocked it out of the park. The Taylor sounded like a cheap $400. guitar. The Martin sound nice, and so did the Eastman.

I liked the sound of the Gulid the best ! I like the low end tone , but still sounded good on the more treble stuff ! Martin was next . I was surprised at how well the Yamaha sounded !

listening back to the eastman after all the others, the midrange emphasis sounds best to me, very j45-like kind of character. That guitar is definitely a bargain

The D-28, D-55, and J-45 - no surprises here. Of course no mention was made of what they were each strung with - coated? non-coated? - mediums?, lights? etc.

Why was it so rushed?

Great comparison. IMHO the Martin HD-28 sounded the most compatible with what I like to hear from a guitar. But, then again we're listening to it recorded by a microphone and then played through my earbuds, so I'll have to try out all of them and make my final choice.

The Martin sounded lovely 😍

Fifty shades of grey..guitar edition.

Wow. That HD-28 sounds terrific.

Its all very subjective obviously, but the D-55 is easily the best guitar I have ever had the pleasure to play.

The Guild and the Gibson were my favorites, they should have used a Taylor without the cutaway for a more equally matched comparison. If you know about acoustic guitars feeling that cutaway right away would be a giveaway that it's a Taylor because Taylor is known for its modern approach and a cutaway is part of that experience. I have a Taylor and love it/them but I definitely love Guild and Gibson acoustics. Out of the big name companies, those are my favorite 3 Guild, Gibson and Taylor but there are so many great smaller companies that make amazing guitars. Santa Cruz is a great example.

Guess I'm the odd man out but I really liked the sound of the Taylor. I also think they're some of the most comfortable acoustics to play. Why didn't the guy get more than 10 seconds to play each? You could tell he was trying to figure out what he could play to accentuate each guitar's sound and feel but the guy in the right is apparently late to a fire or something.

Great blindfold test! You could tell the guitarist was a real player his chords where fantastic! ☆☆☆☆☆

my favorite Guild D-55

I usually never respond or make comments on RU-vid video.. I making exception because this video has been most educating and informative video. I just happen to be shopping for a new 6 string acoustic guitar to play at church. I have 12 string martin but I'm looking for 6 string acoustic. YOUR VIDEO HAS HELP ME MAKE MY DECISION WHICH ONE I WILL BUY. Thanks again for taking time to make this video.

That Guild had my ears very happy.

oh man... I was really hoping for the guessing game..

Love the sound of the HD28 and the Guild D-55

Yeah, I knew it was going to be fun to have Quinton blindfolded!! You're welcome guys🤘😁

Loved the Guild...always thought my Guild sounded better than just about anything else I have played...Guild guitars seem to not get the attention they deserve...glad to hear this one sounding great here, & seeing in the comments that many agree!

You can hear a Martin sound from miles away. Very unique

I’ve been playing Yamaha acoustic guitars forever. I have an LL16 ARE and I’d put it up against any guitar that costs twice as much. The only things I’ve changed on my guitar are the tuners, which I swapped out for a set of Grover’s; the pick guard, which I swapped out for a Hummingbird style pick guard; I sanded down the bridge and adjusted action a little and obviously changed the strings, which are the D’Addario custom light gauge. The guitar is absolutely amazing sounding and so easy to play. I’d love to have a hummingbird one day, but for now, my Yamaha does the job quite well. All these guitars sound great in their own way, I guess it comes down to personal preference.

I think an 810e DLX would've been a better representative for Taylor versus the GA bodied 814. All non-cutaway dreads against a GA body will make a difference, I believe. Reshoot it with an 810e DLX!!

that last one the Guild D-55 sounds nice. good amout of low end. bright and spanky

All amazing guitars but the Yamaha Is the overall winner for sound and price!

Number one goes to the Martin. It simply blew the others away especially the Taylor. My second choice goes to Guild.

"I just bashed your elbow." "That's fine, I got to of em." Lol

It would depend on what style I'm playing as to which one I would choose. It is hard to beat the warm woody sound of a Martin for bluegrass. The brighter clean sounding guitars shine with finger style picking. Of course everyone has their own opinion. I'd have either of those music boxes.

That Yamaha held its own for being only $500

Well well, I got 2 out of 6. Would have thought I could spot the Martin but alas. This is a very nice format, gets you/us to focus on the sound instead of negligibilities.

Surprised more people didn't like the Eastman. I thought it sounded right up there with the Martin and Guild. I think going first was a disadvantage as far as public perception maybe. Taylor and Yammy sounded thinest but actually, like he said, they all sounded really good because he is a great guitarist.

Best sound (beautifully balanced and musical) is the Martin to my ears, best value (by far), Yamaha - good enough for pro gigging at a very reasonable price

Bring Back the blind test, that was fun!!

That Guild covered all the bases from highs to mids to Low end. The HD 28 came a close second and then that 814, even though it was a little thinner tonewise, it really looked like he had a easier time playing it and lets face it, it was smoother than all the rest.

that guild man...come to papa

This video convinced me to buy a D-55. Now I’m loving it more than my J-45, Bird, D-18GE, and D-41. I wish I would have known how great Guilds are earlier in my guitar journey.

In this test HD 28 for sure. Then Guild/Gibson. Taylor sounded as zeo mojo/soul as they usually does. Fun and great review :-)

Most full and balanced to me anyway was surprisingly the Guild! Lovely sounding axe! Too bad they left out the MSRP on all the guitars?

I pick the guild all the way and the Yamaha as my second pick...!!!

Just like most here..Martin, Guild, Gibson. ...I agree the LL16 would be more comparable, and as I play a Taylor that actually is just as fat of the low end as these, was shocked, but the Taylor here sounded terrible to the rest. Interesting compare....

I’ve played my Taylor exclusively for years now. I’d have to say that Martin sounded the best though.

That Guild is sooo tasty. Came and stole the thunder. Best one for me. I mean they're all amazing

The yamaha Ll 6 you used had laminated back and sides. You should have used the all solid Yamah LL16!!

Fascinating. Having owned Martin, Gibson, Guild, Yamaha and Taylor acoustic guitars over my lifetime (plus an Eastman mandolin), the blindfold man's opinion on each aligns with my experience. But they all sounded great, and probably played great, and any one of them would be good choice. I agree that the video should given the tester enough time to play single notes, chords, and different styles to form a more informed opinion.

Great Test, brilliant playing. For me it's Guild and Gibson, it's the bass tones i love, followed by classy overall Martin. Taylor and Yamaha is not really my genre, Eastman is good but too mellow. Did you use the same new strings for all guitars?

All I can say is I have several Taylor guitars and I love and play them all regularly in the studio and at gigs. As with all guitars I have my favorite one or two and can easily adjust the volume and color of the sound through my PA system. I see a lot of pros playing them on stage and in studio. Nothing against Martin, I have a couple & love them too.

Fantastic video! Thanks for posting. 👍

Awesome review. HD28 all the way for me.

Very usefull blind comparison. Thank You!

Paul is so impatient always lol

Very cool. All sound great. Considering the Eastman is 1/3 to 1/2 the price of the others, I think it did a great job of holding its own.

I think I like the Guild the best.

Love it, compares the Yamaha to the Taylor...

You can smell a Martin. Martin owners know what I’m talkin about haha!

Although he didn't name the brands, he was right on the money with the brand characteristics: Martin: low end, balanced big voice. Gibson: good bass with bright highs, Taylor: bright mids, Yamaha same etc

Guild is so underrated. Im not sure why when they say top 3 guitars they only mention Martin, Taylor and Gibson. They should definitely put Guild in the mix.

The last time I purchased an acoustic, I ended up in the high-end guitar room blindfolded trying out multiple suggestions from my buddy. I've always been careful to own acoustics I love the sound/feel of, but aren't too similar to each other. It can be quite surprising what sound/feel you like best once all the beautiful inlays, binding, grain patterns, and other visual esthetics are eliminated from your [unbiased] choice. Haha. I encourage all musicians to try a similar approach next time you're in the market for an instrument. I was very surprised by my final pick.. It was a used Taylor Limited edition short-scale 514ce. For my playing style (usually very percussive) I usually sounds best with Rosewood-type back/sides so there's a lot of bass, good clarity, and the more projection and sustain the better! The "short-scale" isn't noticeably shorter.. If I remember correctly, the overall length of the ebony fretboard is 1/16th of an inch shorter than standard. However, that tiny difference allows the tension on the strings to be relaxed juuust enough to get a little more bass out of the mahogany back/sides.. essentially giving the balance, overtones, and reverberations a more Rosewood characteristic. Also, I think it's very important to note the guitar was USED when I purchased it. It was 10 or 11yrs old. A decade can make a world of difference when it comes to the sounds and playability! In fact, I usually end up seeking out older used acoustics because of the difference.. even though I'd rather get new because of the financing so I don't have to pinch my pennies and save up for what seems like forever! Haha. I've had discussions with many other guitarists over the years (I'm 34, been playing since 2002) when they're wanting to buy an acoustic because of beautifully crafted artwork in the fingerboard or the way a 3-pc back can be visually stunning, etc.. and granted, maybe you'll gain some inspiration that will contribute into your musicianship.. but for me, I have to make sure I prioritize sound and feel/playability #1! Happy strumming everyone!

The Martin, the (first) Gibson, and the Guild in that order. All great, all very different. I think there is a 'Martin' a 'Gibson' and ' Guild ' sound. As for Taylor - I just don't get it. A lot of money for no bass or lower midrange. If you own one, it is not too late to put down the Koolaid, sell it and buy something that sounds better. No doubt there are some Taylors that sound okay, but the odds are not in your favor.

the low end of the yamaha is impressive and surely less expensive than the gibson... My top is: 1 gibson , 2 guild, 3 yamaha, 4 martin, 5 eastman 6, taylor.

To be fair to Taylor, probably should have used a 10 size rather than the 14, which is a smaller body than all the other guitars in this test. So of course if won't have the bottom end.

Martin, Guild, Gibson

Normally I would say: Martin, yes but that Guild did have a nice growl.

HD 28 All day , Every day !!

Update: recently played a Taylor koa kce 224 and was actually very impressed. Actually a better neck and playability than a Martin D18 I used to own, with a lot of warmth. A very worthy guitar indeed.

Would have liked to hear the LL16 in the mix.

He could tell the sound and neck of the Gibson, also he was familiar with the Martin feel and balance, I think the Guild had him thinking, the other guitars don't compare.

Best comparison video EVER! I would love to see more of these.

Really interesting way to change it up. I'm a Gibson fan, but I'd take the Guild and the Martin any day.

That D28 steals my heart.

A bit unfair using the LL6 Yamaha, I have s LL16 ARE which is all solid wood and has more low end

Wow - his ears nailed it!

The Martin Gibson and guild were all really great sounding

IMO this is the most honest review of a Taylor I've ever seen in my life. Even an 814, basically Taylor's most ridiculously priced flag ship, Quinton assumed to be an inferior grade/quality/priced guitar to everything else he played other than the Yamaha. As other said he walked it back pretty quickly because they're making these videos to sell product not tell the truth; but that moment said a thousand words. Expecting a guitar salesman to tell the truth without a blindfold is the same as expecting a used car salesman to tell you the truth about a lemon.

Apples vs oranges, why not test dreadnaught size from each, the Taylor was a different class body. Also, try them plugged in. I agree with the other comments. was this a race? see how quickly we not be fair? I have every brand except the Eastman, and i like them all based in what i am playing. I can also tell them apart by their necks feel. The only bad guitar is the one not played.

Very fun video thanks for making it. It would have been interesting to throw in a cheap guitar in there for the hell of it.

They're all good. Just different in ways. I own an Eastman E 20 OM and it is the best guitar I've ever played .... and I've been lucky to have some great high-end stuff.

He seemed to like the Gibson sound but was very knowledgeable about his style and sound with the Martin straight away. Very good video, maybe that should be the way to pick guitars. Then looks and brand.

Super helpful this video and the comparison it offers! Just recognized again how much of a Martin guy I am - HD-28 for me very clearly. Was astonished about the substantial difference to the V-braced Taylor sound in comparison; but it confirmed my own impression when playing one myself; has its advantages, but not my tone direction.

Considering sound vs price Yamaha.

Dude could play a guitar blindfolded... this is how you film a RU-vid comparison video; concise, little talking, lots of playing.

For me, sound wise, the Yamaha, Gibson and Martin, but not necessarily in that order as they all are great guitars. !

guild

best test I have ever seen

Bellissimo video, ho avuto modo di provare la Yamaha ll6 are e devo dire che è davvero sorprendente

I like the Martin, but the guild was impressive

The Martin was impeccable. Was the Taylor set up w/ lighter strings?

Rather crazy to blindfold the good tester and then not having him guessing. Keep it rollin' guys ^ U are followed

I really enjoyed this comparison. I would like to see it done again with other guitars. Perhaps 6-$500.00 guitars. Then 6- $1,000.00 etc. Thanks for posting this.