Taylor 912ce vs. Martin 000-28e Modern Deluxe | A High End Battle for the Ages 

Both combined are still cheaper than a used car.. I’ll take both and ride a bike around town!!

Just played the Taylor 912CE side by side with the Martin OM28E Modern Deluxe and departed from the store with my new and incredible CF Martin OM28E beautiful 🤩 lady

I own both Martins and Taylors, so have no brand preference. Here the difference is purely tonal, acoustically the Martin is more “midsy” old-world, Taylor brighter on the bass and treble, both really beautiful, but very different. On the plugged in sound I have to say the Martin sounds much more natural. The ES2 system on Taylor needs quite a bit of EQ and electronics to make it sound good...

I have the OM-28 modern deluxe. It is an amazing guitar. I had been considering a Taylor but started researching the Martin after seeing your previous video on the modern deluxe. Thanks for the informative videos. Glad you joined patreon so we have a way to support the channel.

Through the mic both sound fantastic but the Taylor tone is better to my ears, a fantastic recording guitar. Now though the line input the Martin sounds a lot better. Taylor should let Fishman handle their electronics.

I go with the Martin, the sound is there the whole time, the sound of the Taylor it disappear it like it goes away at times

I own a Taylor and love it for its brightness and clarity though it has a beautiful bottom end but the Martin mic and pickup in this vid is just the best I’ve heard in a while IMO.

I own several Taylors ranging from the GS Mini, to the K25 Koa. They're amazing, and great to play. I own several Martins as well, - Djr 10e was my first which is still a lot of fun and I like ti better then the GS Mini for the Neck which is fuller sized. I have a Road Series which is crazy good. BUT I went nuts and bought the 00028e with Fishman Aura. There is simply no comparison. It is by far the best sound and technology. Mine still smells like as Cooper likes to say - Peaches, but the playability is outstanding. It was set up perfectly for me ( like low on the 3 treble strings at they nailed it). It sounds so crystal clear with a full sound at soft picking. It is simply georgeous to hold and play. I really like the smaller body but want the fuller sound. The 00028e is my guilty pleasure. I watch all your show too.

Loved them both, as you say, they excel in their differences! The Martin has that classic warmth and the Taylor the thinner chimney sound, almost like Fender/Gibson difference. I felt the Taylor was more forgiving of loose playing and it had those magic harmonics peeping through here and there, the Martin lives perfectly up to the warm balanced reputation so well earned. Great video!

The Martin is richer, more defined and more nuanced than the Taylor. They're both beautiful instruments, but given the choice, I'd select the 000-28e. Another stellar video from the best in the business!

I was a card carrying Taylor guy but then I got bit by the Martin bug I purchased a Martin 00015SM the sound was so rich and warm I traded my Taylor 324 I also traded my Mexican Taylor 12 string for a Mexican Martin 12 string again it’s richer and warmer . I’ll always love Taylor they make great guitars but my heart belongs to Martin .

Very fair comparison. I love the way the Martin sounds, full and warm, but felt the Taylor rang out clearer. Yet, full disclosure, I chose a Taylor over a Martin after a good hour of playing the two and listening to a shop employee play them both. To me, the Taylor had a jazzier sound, whatever that means. I would never, ever say a Martin sucks, absolutely respect the history of the brand and it’s dominance over the professional field, but I do notice quite a few online Martin players have no problem being dismissive, if not downright insulting, toward anything built in El Cajon, CA. Don’t see why. Different strokes, y’know.

Martin for sure: natural and warm sound. Love your playing by the way.

I have an 800$ Martin in the D10-E which I just recently acquired, and for the last 6 months, I've been playing on a 330$ Ibanez AC340 which is aged with Ibanez's "Thermo-Aging" process which involves baking the woods in a kiln to Heat out the oils, moisture, and remaining saps. So now that i have both guitars, and comparing the two, the Ibanez suddenly feels "Old and broken-in" which I love and can appreciate. It's sound is beautiful too, a little brighter than the Martin Road Series I just got. Both are dark woods, except the Ibanez uses a rosewood fretboard, and bridge, bone saddle and nut, and Mahogany wood for the top and sides, while the Martin uses Sapele, and a Richlite fretboard and bridge, with Tusq saddle and nut. The Martin sounds warmer, and feels comfortable. maybe because I am so new to acoustics and don't know any better, I will say that my two acoustics are comparable to each other in terms of sound, construction, playability, and only differ in the price difference. As a side note, when I bought my Ibanez, I only paid $200 for it AND with the hard shell Gator case. The guitar was untouched, in mint condition, and I had to drive 100 miles to pick it up. I'm very happy with my two beautiful acoustics, but a part of me wants a Street Master! =-)

The music around 12:00 was beautiful and well played! :) All of the music is great, that section stood out for me.

I can lip sync the intro 😂 love both guitars you can't go wrong with either Taylor or Martin, thanks Chris for doing such a great job 😘

Both are wonderful.... but for me it comes down to pure comfort while playing.... and that always makes me want a Taylor. I don't own one, but every time I have picked one up, they just melt into my body and are effortless to play. Cheers!

Always good to hear your breakdown on the differences between these guitars and the habits of the manufacturers. The Martin strikes me as a strumming instrument and the Taylor more of a picker. It's amazing what the difference between X and V bracing does to note articulation. This is just a guess, but I suspect the Martin would be more forgiving for a claw handed hack like me to play. The V braced Taylors I've played all seem to transmit the imperfections of technique due to the individual note clarity. They're scalpels. The blending and overtones of Martins (and X braced in general) sound great while strumming and in my opinion, disguise imperfections a little, at least to an untrained listener. I have a Taylor 324ce because I love the sound of it, but I'm starting to think I should have a Martin because I suspect it would be more suitable for the sort of thing I actually play.

I have Martin and Taylor and enjoy them both but that Martin was just fabulous.

Two great guitars ! In a way I find similar differences between my Taylor and my Martin. I own both a Taylor Doyle Dikes Signature Model and a Martin 000-28EC. I do not strum but just fingerpick. Taylor has a very brigth sound and beautiful appointments; it has a very "fast" neck which coupled with its short-scale and cutaway, makes it easier to play. However, my Martin has a very loud voice and a deeper bass range in the mix that I personally prefer. At the end of the day it depends on the sound you prefer and playing style and repertoire. If I was really forced to sell one of the two guitars, I would keep the Martin.

I'd be tickled pink to own either and I agee that it depends on the song but there are some of those samples where Martin is a clear winner on the line input to me.

My biggest issue with Martins is the neck; I find them uncomfortable to play. Taylors are far easier for me to play. But I do love that Martin sound.... Of these two, I ended up enjoying the Taylor mic'd sound more than the Martin's, but I far preferred the pickup sound on the Martin. I just don't like the ES-2; I have an 814CE that's a beautiful, playable guitar, but I can't find an amplified sound that I like out of it. I'm going to play some Martins again and see if we can't come to a mutual understanding...lol

I’m a Martin player, and for good reason. I’ll be picking up the 000-28 MD soon, it’s the schizzzz

I have a Martin 000 18e so I`m partial to the Martin, I love mine.

I think I prefer the Martin here. The Taylor sounds great but kinda thin in the midrange to me. I have a J45 and although I love the sound and playability it just goes out of tune way too easy/much. I’m thinking of trading it in for the 000-28 MD.

Taylor needs to drop the Es2 crap on these high end instruments. If that 912 had an Anthem pickup that thing would be killer

I dont hear the intonation improvement on v-bracing. Tests doesnt prove its improved sustain either, i think its mostly marketing.

for me Martin is a winner. 912 sounds bit boxy. In my opinion more fair would be to compare this Martin with (Tylor 914CE). For sound quality 912 should be compared with 0028.

I like the Taylor mic'd up and the Martin with line input.

Chris, you are simply the best at this. --- I have restored, rescued, fixed and setup acoustics for decades her in the SF bay area. The only Taylor I ever met that I personally wanted/still want, would be the mid 90's 810 a client here in California owns. Actually a fine guitar with a big Dreadnought sound. ----period

Chris, the comparison would have been tougher/ closer with a (almost) signature Chris McKee 914ce and the 000-28e Modern Deluxe. For me, it depends on what I'm singing. Sing alongs Martin rules acoustically. Finger style, open D or G, the Taylor rules. Well my favorite Taylor has become the 816ce Builders Edition as it doesn't disturb hearing aids when using a pick. Plugged in, both Martin and 816ce are my favorites. Thanks Chris.

To my ear, listening via a full range stereo system, the Martin sounds much better in every aspect. The Taylor sounds tinny in comparison. I perform with a Gibson H'Bird so I don't feel like I have a specific prejudice for/against Martin/Taylor. But based on the audio in this video, the Taylor just sounded bad to me...:( Whether that would be the case if I played them both in the showroom, I have no idea, which is why I have never purchased a without playing it first.

To me the Martin sounds more lower tones than the Taylor and when you switch to the Line input on the Martin most times no difference or very little, but on the Taylor when you switched to the Line Input you can really tell the difference and sort loose what the mic input sounds like, I preferred the Martin over all but both sound great.

To me the Martin is my choice,the Taylor are nice too ,just more brighter, I think martin is better for fingerstyle,hands down .both are great

That Martin is both gorgeous and sounding absolutely amazing! ♥️

I like the Martin better. Whenever I’ve done comparisons in music stores with each from the same price range, I always like Martin better. There’s a clarity and tone that’s more pleasing to my ears and always wins me over.

Nartin for the sound and taylor for the looks

That Taylor can sing! But the Martin sounds so down to earth. I would still rather have the Martin, but honestly both guitars sound great from the mic!

To my ears, the Martin has a more rounded sound. I guess I mean I hear more fullness and woodiness. Like Chris said, with the Taylor I hear the notes making up the chord while with the Martin I hear the chord. Both fine instruments but the Martin sounds more traditionally acoustic sounding while the Taylor sounds a bit more "new" sounding. I wonder how each will sound in 10 years... Great review Chris. I really liked the indication telling if we were hearing line input or microphone. Very helpful!

Chris the only 912ce's I could find were listed at atleast 5k or more, the Martin's are 4k(3,999)? Thats 1k more for what some bling??? lol. I may aswell get Boutique like Bourgeois for that price!...But in all seriousness, I love Taylor's and have had both X14 auditorium size and concert size(mine was 12-fret). ...But I settled on a 000-Martin Custom Shop w/vts addy/hog. I love the Martin and any Martin that has baked top is a winner! In my op. BUT Taylor's are great playing guitars, even though my Martin has been set up pretty much as well as any Taylor. I know mine plays just as good as my Taylor's.

Your extent of knowledge is awesome man. Your an acoustic guru! Lol. Great video man. Keep them coming!

Definitely thought the Taylor sounded the best and had the best range tone.I do really like Martin guitars but the Martin sounded more like bluegrass style sound. Either would keep most guitarists happy for a lifetime.

I have a 914ce Taylor and it is my best sounding guitar I own. I have a 000 Streetmaster that I love for that rugged, stripped down look and it is fun to play, best fingerpicking guitar going, sounds great. But of these two high end guitars, I liked the sound of the Taylor.

Thanks Chris. I have Taylors, Martins and Gibsons. I love Taylor but IMHO it's time for Taylor to upgrade their Expression System. That being said I added an aftermarket Fishman Matrix Infinity Mic Blend to my Martin MD and it truly sounds exceptional. It was an additional cost. I am a guitar collector so what would I grab in a fire? Hands down my 1981 Guild D-55 (a whole other subject and a dreadnought - a bit big for me these days) but my true love. Great video.

I've watched this video so many times that I can't count. I've played several versions of both as well. In the end, I chose the Martin for my own collection. I had my friend play both in the store without me watching and I came to the same conclusion as I did from this video. I prefer the warmer sound of the Martin. They are both great guitars and you can't go wrong with either one.

Very good review and tonal comparison, Chris! Very different sound from each, to my ears. I see why Martins appeal to some people, but I am so used to the Taylor sound, that I have to choose the Taylor.

I found also the Martin to be more old world. In addition, little tonal difference existed for the Martin whether mic'd or line input. The Taylor exhibited notable difference whether mic'd or line input, showing even tonality for line input, and uneven (specifically brighter) tonality and sustain for treble end. I can't say what would happen after Taylor aged. I know my new OM28e standard (not torrified model, predecessor to Modern Deluxe) had incredible sustain for the G string in comparison to other strings, and now has even sustain over all strings (4 years later).

Martin for strumming and Taylor for fingerpicking!

Martin seemed to have a cleaner sound than the Taylor. Agree with the person who said I like Martin for the tone and Taylor for the looks! I own both for their specific tones.

By far, the Martin sounded better to me. When not looking at my screen you went from the Martin to the Taylor and involuntarily I grimaced at the sound from the Taylor. All that being said, I am listening on an IPhone. If I had the guitars in my hand and hearing them directly, I might choose the Taylor. The playing and the feel probably matter more to me than the sound. The best guitar is my Martin DM Mahogany, because that’s the one I’m making music on. Thanks Chris.

Hey Chris, what are these songs that you always play? I would love to learn them..thanks man 👍🏻

Both are great, but chose to purchase a new Builder’s Edition 912CE. Having played both It just feels better to me right out of the box. No setup required. It’s going to be the one I reach for the most playing around the house. It’s a joy to play.

I think the Martin sounded more natural. Full, warm sound. I wish Martin would copy Taylor's chamfered body so it doesn't cut into your forearm.

I've been a Taylor fan since I was a kid (I'm 63 now). I have never been a fan of the "brightness" of the Taylors which was even more magnified with the use of the line input. So I would lean Martin on this one. I have heard a few Taylors in the past that I have liked as well. Hey Chris, what guitar was the opening RIF (Introduction to the video) played on?

Yup - brand preference. I've had numerous Taylor's - they all end up getting sold. Now I just have vintage Martins and Gibsons. I probably will never buy another Taylor. When I have had Taylor's I've thought "This sounds really nice" Then I pick up a Martin and lo and behold, the Taylor is listed on Reverb. I will admit that Taylor's are visually beautiful and the playability is great but as far as tone - they always leave me flat

I was sold on the Taylor until I heard the comparison, I was shocked.

what song is being played at 15:51? It's so beautiful, my eyes started watering, and I want to learn it :')

Your microphone seems to have a lot of mids dialed in. The highs are more pronounced with the pickup in both guitars. The Taylor has more low mids than the Martin which surprised me. Both guitars sound beautiful as you would expect with $4000 guitars. I prefer Taylor. The setup being good right out of the box being one reason. I would take either of these guitars! I’m listening through an iPad with AirPod pros.

I enjoyed the various renditions you did on both guitars and if I had to choose a winner I would vote for the Martin based on its beautiful tonal qualities. I agree with you that the Taylor tone is a cleaner tone but I just love the warm tone of the Martin.

The legendary sound of the Martin drives me home with the sound of the natural wood.

Excellent, as always

It's not a matter of which one wins, but a matter of preference. To me the Taylor is simply stunning in both looks and sound. I consider myself a Taylor Guitar Enthusiast, but the simplicity of the Martin really caught my attention. There is a beauty in that simplicity that really draws me. I would pick the 912 all day long, but i wouldn't mind playing the Martin for a few hours.

I heard the sound of the Martin and just knew which was which. It's like they defined what a steel-string is meant to sound like. It's interesting you said that the Martin sounds woody; I recall another retailer saying that the Taylor's sound was so pure and bright, you wouldn't think it was made of wood.

I love Martin’s low-end, but fore me it’s the Taylor. I love the articulate sound of V class.

Martin better for strumming, Taylor better for fingerpicking/single note playing. The Martin is disapointing in the higher notes (12min27), and the Taylor's line sound is really tiny and sour.

Drool. It's always fun listening to Chris. These guitars are two diamonds.

Thanks for the well done comparison. I have both Martin's & Taylors and enjoy both for their differences. I find myself playing the 18's & 28's more, they are very "alive",resonate and full sounding instruments.

Chris, you are a great player but with this comparison I'd like to compliment your playing in particular! Very good and very helpful to the comparison. I've played both guitars and IMHO the Martin sound was far superior to my ear...acoustically. No opinion on the electronics because there are too may variables. But, the Martin Standard series 000-28 sounded so much better than the new Modern Deluxe. Sure the Modern Deluxe has all the science to try to justify why it is improved. But, to my ear, the previous, simpler version sounded and played better, although I do like a maple or any wood binding so much better than an ivoroid binding. For me, simpler is many times just plain better. The set up is key to any Martin, it won't come to you easy to play, you need to fuss with it.

Perhaps I’m shallow, but I am disappointed that a 4K Martin has only dots on the fretboard. I do like the abalone cursive logo on that Martin, but the Taylor is more nicely appointed. I think they both sound great miked, but the line input of the Taylor was inferior to the line in on the Martin. I love my Taylor, but this convinced me that I need to swap out my ES2.

Taylor with the line input sounds very tingey. The mic input sounds much fuller.

Wouldn't the Martin 00 28 be a better comparison size wise or Taylor 914 ce?

Wow. Very surprised by this comparison…and I’m familiar with both having owned about 12 Taylor’s and 5 Martins. The Martin sounded better both on the Mic and Input like a typical Taylor sound profile…articulate and leaning slightly bright. While the Taylor seemed warmer (almost muddy) on the Mic, and downright trashy-metal on the input. The Fishman pup was heads above Taylor. The Martin just sounded better to my ears on both counts. The Taylor had a slightly mid-range honkyness to it as well…again very surprising.

The Martin sounds noticeably more balanced and natural to my ear via both mic and line.

Acoustically I preferred the Taylor. Plugged in the Martin sounded better and more natural, it was almost seamless when they switched inputs. I think Taylor need to improve the ES2 on their higher end guitars, it’s starting to lag the competition. In saying all of this, a high end Taylor is where my money will go at some point.

In an acoustic guitar I want the sound through the pickup to sound as much like the unamplified sound as possible. The Martin’s pickup did that well. The Taylor fell far short in that sense. So, as acoustic guitars, they both sounded very good to me. I would use the pickup that comes with the Martin. I’d rip it out of the Taylor. I would definitely not have a difficult time deciding which one to buy. The Martin, without a doubt.

The Martin won hands down. Not a huge fan of the v class bracing. I do own 2 Taylors, a xxx-mc which is a small bodied guitar. Sounds fantastic. Waiting for a Taylor 914ce L7 to arrive tmrw with Brazilian Rosewood. Looking forward to hearing what it sounds like. Great demo Chris. Dean 🇬🇧

Taylor uses a 3 piece neck, with a joint at the heel and at the headstock. They claim that it makes for a stronger neck but I’m pretty sure the real reason is, that it them saves money, rather than carving the neck out of one block of wood like Martin does, which adds to the tone.

What is the song played at the 11:41 mark during the demo? I'm sure I've heard it but I can't think of the name and it's killing me!

I like all the flat tops but , Martin just seems to always win its category . most guitars are just tinny metaly sounding . even Collings Santa Cruz and whatever model . Some Thompson's have good EQ . I had a Yairi that was full sounding . I just got a Martin recently . so many guitars just don't deliver .

You should do a review on zager guitars I've heard there amazing instruments!

Mic'd I prefer the Taylor, more chime/sustain and a little brighter without giving up much bottom to the Martin. Line input goes to the Martin; the Taylor sounded flat (on my headphones) without the fullness/bottom end of the Martin. There was a very distinct difference in tone in the Taylor mic'd vs line input. On the Martin the line input seem to bring in a bit more brightness but did not affect the overall tone. Likely the Line input issues with the Taylor could be tweaked out with EQ/etc. I'm assuming you had both guitars at midpoint for all the pickup system settings. ??? IMO. I've been a fan of the Taylor tone/articulation since I became interested in guitars so my nod goes to the Taylor. The Martin p/u system did (IMO) perform better, but I generally (almost always) play my acoustics unplugged so not as much of an issue to me as it might be to someone else. YMMV.

These are two gorgeous looking and sounding guitars, but being an owner of a Taylor K24ce BE, I have to go with the Taylor because my Taylor is by far the most comfortable guitar I have ever played, and I've owned Martins (D18 and D28,) Gibsons (had two SJ200's,) Guilds, Ovations (still have my 1987 Legend,) etc. since the 1960's. When you isolate any of these premium guitars, they will all sound great. But how comfortable are they to play? My next purchase will probably be this 816CE, probably another BE, and I think it will be my last as I just won't need another guitar... (yeah sure...) Beautiful playing Chris.

The Martin is a much more spatial and even sounding guitar to me. Not knocking the Taylor but it sounds less balanced to me. I prefer the lush sound of the Martin. To me it comes down to tone not looks. Bling doesn’t sound better. Of course there are those that will prefer the Taylor. I wouldn’t turn down either!

I am loaded with Taylors, I even have a real PRS acoustic I’ve had for 10 plus years, I want a Martin and a small body guitar!! Is the double 00 smaller than the triple 000?

I wish Martin would use a rosewood veneer on the headstock

Beautiful playing Chris. When listening to the Taylor I immediately thought that something was wrong when you switched to the input. Mic sounded very good. The Martin sound was more even between mic and input although I still preferred the mic. Overall my nod will be to the Martin. Bugs me that Martin doesn’t set up the guitars properly for playing at the factory. Can you share why? Makes no sense to me when then they know Taylor is set up right and that’s their competition. Thanks again.

Is that an older martin model? Martin has removed any mention of any titanium truss rod on their website for the modern deluxe models.

When you are doing such comparisons, are you using the same string on both guitars? I.e. same gauge in the same type?

Wow I thought it would be closer but to me the Taylor wins hands down. It has a richer sound then the Martin and when you play the two string harmonic riffs wow my jaw dropped. Of course that’s all subjective because Martin sells a lot of their guitars worldwide so obviously they’re a quality instrument. Definitely liked both guitars better through the microphone rather then plugged in.

Great review!! I'd love one between the Martin OM 28 and the Furch Vintage 3 OM. 👌

I am a Taylor guy between the comparison here. I have never had a high-end Martin though. However, my Custom X Series Martin cost me about $750 6 years back and I absolutely despised it. I stopped playing acoustic for years. In recent years I have purchased two Gibson acoustics (lg-2 and a songwriter) and splurged on Taylor Builder's Edition k14ce and they all feel way better than my Custom X Series. Not a fair comparison though.

Do you have one of these comparing the 914 and the OM-28MD? The OOO is a shorter scale length than the 914. The OM would be the same scale length so might be a good comparison to do as well. THanks for all the awesome content!

I have a Taylor 614CE and I agree impossible to choose. Both would be nice. Is the brightness of the Taylor due to the cutout?

Wow. After listening to them blindly through headphones I had them mixed up at first. I can't believe the difference between the two once you started your second diddy. Honetly, the sound of the Taylor is the sound I have in my head when I think of a high end guitar sound. both sound beautiful but I prefer the sound of the Taylor

Martin sounds beautiful, Taylor just nice to my ears anyway 👍

I actually think the Taylor sounds louder and brighter. Not by much. Taylor sounds better though slightly.

Both incredible guitars. Martin = more warm, round & woody. Taylor = more bright, airy and chimey. I play a Taylor 414ce-R (love it), but someday I'd love to own a Martin-too. oNe LoVe from NYC

My opinion of the Taylor is somewhat colored by the fact that I don't care for the overall tone of the V Class bracing. To my ear it emasculates the tone of the guitar. Taylor, to my ears, sounds like it has a bit more low end and the top end is sweet when played through the mic. Sounds GREAT thru mic, but it is way too tinny when played through line input. YUK! Don't care for the Taylor electronics. Would love to hear one with Baggs Anthem system. I think the low end in the Taylor is somewhat enhanced by the fact that the bridge is shifted downward to the middle of the lower bout since it is a 12-fret. I have the Taylor 812ce 12-fret with X bracing. It has rich low end and sweet top end.. So far it is my favorite small body guitar, however I am on the prowl for a 000-28 of some configuration. Gotta have that rich, sweet organic Martin tone! I will have the Baggs Anthem pickup system which is, in my opinion, the best, most natural sounding pickup for acoustic guitars. It's looking like that Martin will be a serious contender. Just curious...can one even get Taylors with X-bracing anymore? Great comparison video!

I love them both!

Both are great! I have always leaned Martin. My experience is alot of HE stereo equipment then working with and setting up digital recording studios. Late in life I realized I wanted to experience playing an instrument. At this time I can't play anything 😢 but I do have the ear and can differentiate the 2 instruments. I agree with what you said on the differences fullness in chord to playing individual notes. In the demo what I heard was Martin line output better represented it on line. The Taylor line output was much harsher than when on mic. Or better yet the Mart. Was fuller rep cords. The Tay was more into defining notes. Could be set up or different strokes..? Taste? For me the Taylor was a big change from the sound on mic to line.!