re: Question for Taylor/Martin guitar guys

I must have spent 2 hours playing almost every guitar in the room at Guitar Center at Elmwood. I kind of went in wanting the Taylor 712ce, but the closest thing they had was an 814. Very similar though, and I would have felt comfortable ordering the 712 based on the difference between the 800 series and the 500 & lower series they had there. I wasn't really familiar with Martin's lineup as far as relative quality other than looking at the price tags. Taylor has a better website for comparisons between models.

After playing everything and narrowing it down to one particular Martin and the 814 Taylor, I kept switching back and forth between those two forever. I would have been happy with either, but the Taylor sounded a bit too twangy. I started digging the Martin sound, though I will say that there were two copies of the same model there, but they sounded a bit different due to different strings. Likewise, there was a bit of difference in the wood stain. I almost went with the Taylor because I liked the abalone inlays and rosette. However, I liked the wood a little better on the Martin. Really a tossup on the neck feel.

Ended up getting the Martin GPC-MMVE for around $2,400 (and it came with a nice hard case). Sitka spruce top, East Indian Rosewood back and sides, Mahogany neck, ebony fingerboard and bridge.







Thanks for all of the replies and info.