Taylor and Martin are two big names in the guitar market. All guitarists know these two brands are among the very best choices available for money, and there are many that have aligned themselves with a specific side, either Taylor or Martin. Now, for the best six-string acoustic-electric guitar, it is very easy to get confused in choosing between Taylor 814ce and Martin D28. Both are famous guitars standing with shiny reviews. So, how do Taylor 814ce and Martin D28 compare to each other? Which is the guitar that you should choose?
Design
Even by seeing these two guitars alone, you can already tell that these two guitars are very different from each other. Taylor 814ce comes with a somewhat more compact and sleeker design due to the grand auditorium body shape. The slimmer design makes Taylor 814ce relatively easier to play. In addition, there is a single cutaway that enhances both the style and playability by making the frets easier to access. That is a Venetian cutaway, featuring soft, round lines with a sloping peak. A rosewood pickguard increases the elegance even more. The body is made of rosewood, whereas the top is sitka spruce. The whole guitar has a gloss finish, and the neck is bolt-on. From the looks alone, you can tell that Taylor 814ce is a premium, luxurious guitar.
On the other hand, Martin D28 is quite considerably bigger due to having a dreadnought body shape. The playability is good, but not as great as Taylor 814ce. There is a black pickguard that allows you to play hard without damaging the top. The guitar also has a gloss finish, and it has a dovetail fitted neck. The body is also rosewood and the top is certainly sitka spruce. (Read also : Taylor 314ce Vs 814ce)
Performance
Due to the similar woods used, Taylor 814ce and Martin D28 may have a degree of similarity in the tonal colors. However, just like the case with nearly all Taylor and Martin guitars, Taylor 814ce and Martin D28 also have the same distinctions: Taylor 814ce is brighter with great treble, whereas Martin D28 is warmer and more bass-oriented.
Due to the smaller size, the volume levels of Taylor 814ce is also lower, making it a nice choice if you don’t want to get all noisy in your home. It has highly articulate mids and highs. Each note is projected in a precise accuracy. The lows are clear. The sound is almost piano-like. On the other hand, Martin D28 is significantly louder, which is great if you want to play at high volume levels. It has a strong attack followed by a quick decay, with not much note separation. The massive bass response is balanced with accurate mids and highs. It is suitable for the bluegrass style, with lots of rhythms but not much of separation.
Taylor 814ce Vs Martin D28
| Taylor 814ce | Martin D28 | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Taylor Guitars | Martin |
| Key features | cf-type-acoustic-electric-guitar, cf-vendor-taylor, Guitar Clearance, reverbsync-shipping-profile:Standard Ground Shipping Over 39.99, reverbsync:off | solid East Indian Rosewood is used for the back and sides The guitar is capped with a solid piece of select Sitka Spruce for bright, clean highs |
| Price | ||
| Customer Ratings* | 4.2 out of 5 stars | 3.9 out of 5 stars |
| Best Deal* | Save Money Please click here | Save Money Please click here |
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Decision
For a bright guitar sound with clear and articulate notes, Taylor 814ce should be the way to go. It also has great playability and stylish look. However, for more warmth and rhythm, Martin D28 should be your choice.