Back in the late 60’s early 70’s, hippie days, I lived not far from a small custom guitar shop on College Ave near San Diego State University, the name of that shop was American Dream. American Dream was a forerunner to Taylor Guitars. I believe Bob Taylor along with Greg Deering of Deering Banjos and others worked there in their early musical instrument careers. It’s amazing the talent that came out of that shop. I use to stop in, browse, and dream of playing or building guitars. So pleased to see the Taylor line of American Dream Guitars, fitting salute to that tiny shop on the corner of College and Adams Ave.
I'm partial to Gibson in general, but that Taylor sounds so much more even and intonation seems better too. Some of it might have been that all the Taylor's volume was going out the main soundhole and half the Gibson volume was going out the side port, which could have affected Chris's playing. That's speculation, but I can relate since I know it would affect my playing. Or it could be the V-bracing, which really is kind of amazing.
I'm biased as a AD27e owner, but I think this comparison reinforces my choice. The Taylor just sounds fuller and more well balanced to me. Nice job on the video, and I'll be visiting your store for sure when we travel to Texas in March.
I would likely choose any high end Gibson over a high end Taylor because I am a sucker for classic tones, but to my ears (albeit through an average pair of computer speakers) the AD-17 sounds more like I would expect a Taylor to sound than the G45 sounds like a Gibson. You make the G45 sound good for sure, but to me it has more of a generic tone I could probably get out of less expensive options. I would also tend to trust Taylor quality control more on their less expensive models than Gibson. In this comparison I would go with the Taylor.
I thought you guys or maybe Casino said on a video recently with these new Gibsons that Martin also has something new in this price range coming out as well? I'd love to see what they have cooking up there.
I got a G45 in early October and love it! Then I started seeing videos on RU-vid shitting on it. I still love mine! I got a Masterbilt Texan a year ago and this is my second all wood guitar. Love both of them. When my G45 is out of the case, I constantly find myself wanting to pick it up and play. Great video- you guys have been very helpful to me!!
Coincidently I visited a new local guitar shop yesterday that had both of these guitars hanging on the wall and I was able to test each. I am historically a Taylor guy, and while I dont have anything against Gibson I like how their acoustics have always sounded but never liked how they felt. This Generation series feels different to me and I like how it feels. Both of these guitars sound and feel good. I would still go with the Taylor here simply due to Gibson's new hole on the side. The actual hole idea is fine, but not new, and that's what I cant get past because to me it seems so ordinary and copy cat and doesn't really relate to what I expect from a company like Gibson on a new model like this. IMO I feel this new series would sell more guitars if Gibson omitted the hole and gave extra attention to other areas.
@@Blkojo There is a difference between 'design' and 'invent'. I think its well enough documented that Gibson designed a concept sound port into a Gibson guitar in the early 60's that remained in their archives till 2021 at which time Gibson did trademark 'Player Port' to protect their branding of the cool new name they tagged to the new Generation model guitar and use of a sound port. That doesn't mean Gibson invented the sound port. Its no different than the sound hole on top of the sound board. There's not a single piece of Gibson marketing that states Gibson invented the sound port, but their savvy marketing does tout design, concept, innovation. Sound ports have been incorporated into acoustic guitars for several decades including preceding Gibson's own 1960's 'design'. I don't think Gibson should get credit for their 1960 variation of something that already existed that they parked in their archive for several decades while other guitar makers leveraged their own designed sound port in production for multiple decades and then Gibson comes out in 2021 and makes it look like they invented the port. That simply isn't the case. Let see if Gibson starts filing lawsuits now against every guitar maker that incorporates a sound port, it would be just like them to try that and lose just like they always do.
@@shaneroberts9466 I never said they "invented" it, merely that they designed it 58 years ago. You said they copied someone so who did they copy? And, if they did, why does it matter? Builders still copy Martin to this day. Well, better Martin than Taylor.
@@Blkojo I'll step in - Gibson copied many high-end builders who have been including side ports for the last ten years or so. Breedlove's Solo series also comes to mind. That being said, there's nothing wrong with that. I played the G-Writer just a few days ago and loved it - frankly, the first Gibson I ever played where I felt like I'd like to take it home (not that I've played that many). I've also played a few of the Taylor AD series - some were outstanding, while others were not.
Agree , thru headphones, the AD 17 has better clarity and note separation. Gibson has the thump though! I see a lot of you tube artists using the ADs . Price- quality- sound balance must be just right.
I have a 1930 Gibson L-0 that belonged to my grandfather. The side is busted, the top is warped, the frets have deep grooves and even the fret board has huge dips in it. It is almost impossible to play, but it still sounds amazing!
You can' t buy a Taylor with solid woods for the same price as the G 45. The 100 and 200 - series are all layerd material. And all the Taylor necks feels the same to me. A bit chunky and V - shaped. Are rhey all machine made??? I am a proud owner of the G 45 - despite the poor swedish crown, and that Gibson guitar has some of the best necks i' ve ever played. And so many has complained over the thinny sound. Maybe it' s the walnut, but all solid guitars will sound better in time. And at last thanks to Chris and Cooper for well done and intereresting reviews as aleays.
"I brake for Artesians!" (Olympia Brewing bumper sticker beloved of hydrogeologists), but I stop for faux tortoises crossing the road in Idaho and Montana. These tortoises survive anywhere and don't show their age either. Thanks, guys!
I bought the Gibson G45 and it sounds incredible, especially for the price. It's also fun to play and the sound port on the top of the guitar puts the sound in your face, enhances the sounds projection and the guitar is incredibly loud. Great job Gibson.
I just bought g45 and i regret it. Should have bought taylor instead. Worst craftsman ship for price point. Did u check inside the sound hole. Its messy work inside
This was a very helpful comparison video. I can hear a subtle chorusing effect on the Gibson, and I don't like it. I imagine the extra sound hole gives the guitar less focus. Also, I don't think I'd enjoy having the sound project directly at my face like that. I love my 2001 Gibson J-100, but I'm not happy Gibson put a hole in the side of their most affordable guitars. I wish it had been was optional.
Look at Driftwood's review of the Gibson where they cut it in half and see how it's made. Really bad job inside the Gibson! Taylor is immaculate inside and out.
Yeah my dad had a g45 on order. I dunno why because he has a bunch of guitars and I own a j45 standard. He could play it any time. However, he had 1 on order from the previous season. Went to pick it up and saw the new players hole and proceeded to get his money back....
How about a comparo with the Gibson, Taylor, and Martin in these price points, the Martin 15,16 and 17 series would compare well with this. What say you?. It would be interesting. I enjoyed the comparison here. Well done.
I’ve seen this Gibson advertised more on social media than any other guitar from Gibson! Did the sound hole on top make a difference? The AD17 has better mid and low end response therefore warmer.
Thank you for the comparison. I appreciate the content you guys put out. I would love to hear a comparison between the AD 17 and the FGX 3 considering their price points. Or if you played them both… what are some of the tonal differences to your ears? Thanks again.
No, not lower quality. The AD series are using woods that have more cosmetic character than they use on higher end models, but not lower quality in terms of structure or tone.
I played the Gibson G writer yesterday . It was the best sounding and playing guitar in the show room . Didnt expect this after reading such poor reviews . Sounded like an expensive Taylor for half the price . I normaly play Gibson J45 standard so this is a totally differant guitar than traditional Gibsons ,but very nice if you like Taylor sounding guitars
Do you have access to the 314ce LTD Last of Us edition? They started selling it here in Europe today and I‘d love to hear about the differences and details.
Гибсон конешно хорошая! Это целая философия! И Тэйлор тоже хороший! Дело в том что вы хотите сами, это 2 отличных инструмента. Главное уметь играть на них !
I love how the AD17 sounds! Gibson sounds good too, but If it was my money I would go for the Taylor, sounds great, looks better and Taylors are made amazingly.
I think the brash sound is a lot to do with the Walnut. I don't think that extra sound hole does much for the bass either haha I don't know for sure but just a thought.
I have the Gibson Deluxe J45 with rosewood back n sides, Sitka spruce top and an Lrbaggs anthem and its out of the earth. I d love to have one G45 too. Gibson till the end!
The Gibson sounds nothing like that in person. Very disappointed in the G series. Love high dollar Gibsons, not these. The AD-17 on the otherhand, though it doesn't quite live up to a 717, is a very nice guitar.
I prefer the Gibson. Has a clearer more sparkly sound to me. And it you're ripping off a solo, I imagine it would probably project better. I tried this guitar in the store and was quite impressed with the port. It gives the player more feedback as to what somebody listening in front of you would hear. I'm either going to buy the g-writer, or the g-200 EC. I like the cutaway for soloing.
The original G45 they discontinued a year ago was 1199.00 with fishman and a luxury Gibson hard case. Too much guitar for the money, oh and it is bound front and back. Sound of the original is better with a pick up and case.
AD17 is priced $1800. G45 around $1200. 50% difference puts them in different product categories, making this a nonsense comparison. The price-points just don't line up evenly but the newer Taylor 117e is really the direct competitor to the G45. Both stripped down appointments and lighter cases. I would say the J-45 Faded $2300 probably the nearest comparison to the AD17... Please compare products that are within a reasonable 5-15% price difference of one another, doing odd comparisons like this given the gap makes it feel agenda driven, but of course we know vendors like to incentive these sort of comparisons and it's suspicious this same G45 vs AD17 comparison keeps popping up on RU-vid. Don't think we're not on to you Taylor.
With the G45 being about $1200 and the AD17 being about $2000 the Taylor offers way less than the Gibson. A better comparison would be the J45 Studio Walnut vs the AD17. Taylor is bad with giving value. Even their $1000-$1500 guitars have layered backs and sides when most big companies give solid wood in that price range. I would never buy a Taylor.
Sorry, but the soundhole in the side is a deal-breaker for me. I wish they would stop making gimicky crap and concentrate on building a well-made instrument that is affordable!
I like the player port and is a reason I would consider this guitar. If you don't like it, just don't get the guitar. You literally have the entire rest of their line-up to pick from if you are not interested in having a player port.
If you are searching for a guitar with this body shape search for Sigma SJM SG45...way better value for the money imo. Don't pay that prices just because your instrument is made in the U.S.!
I think the Gibson is brighter because it's made of garbage and all you hear is strings. My daughter has a My Little Pony guitar that sounds the exact same.
Really man , over 1000$ and the best they can do is a basic finish with no binding no nothing..oh but it has a “Taylor and Gibson Logo” get out of here..😂 Love you guys but these basic guitars aint it, For 900 you can get an Epiphone Humming bird that sounds out of this world
The Gibson G45 is a piece of junk, badly finished and super expensive for what you are getting. Even cheap Ibanez guitars are better value for money. Shame on you Gibson.
The Gibson name is badly stencilled on the headstock , almost all of the bracing on the sound board doesn’t go all the way to the edges or kerfing , no binding on the guitar to protect the edges. Bad
Neither, thank you. The Taylor drowns in over tones (As Taylors tend to do.)The G-45 is is overpriced and sonically quite shy of my J-45. I do love short scale, more for the tone than the ease of play.