Martin LX1 vs Baby Taylor?

RunGuy17 · April 26th, 2008, 02:22 PM

I was wondering which you thought was the best buy for a 3/4 acoustic guitar. I can get the Martin LX1 for $250, and the Baby Taylor for $279. The Baby Taylor comes in either Mahogany, Maple, or Spruce top. I just want a beater guitar I can take on trips that is easy to play and durable. I mainly play a MIM Strat.

I've tried the LX1 and liked it, as well as the Baby Taylor, but wanted to hear your guys' experience first.

Are there any other small guitars that I should look at?

Thanks!
Dennis

biker joe · April 26th, 2008, 02:48 PM

I love my LX1. It sounds good (for a small laminate guitar), is easy to play because of its short scale, and can take a serious beating. Mine has gone on numerous camping trips. There have been times sitting by the campfire where people with full size guitars are weary about temp changes and rightly so as their guitars constantly go out of tune. Those same people are often very impressed with the sound of the little martin and that it is very stable on cold nights next to a fire. The thing is small enough that I have even checked mine inside its case and inside a larger duffle bag with clothing on a plane with little worries. It is a risk, but that is what I bought this guitar for and it has come out unscathed every time.
When I bought it, I tried out a few other similar guitars, and was not impressed by all the taylors I tried. I also noticed some of the little martins have some unwanted harmonic overtones due to the short scale and maybe a less than stellar nut. I had the store bring out a couple of them from the back to try out, you might want to see if you can try more than one.

KevinB · April 26th, 2008, 02:54 PM

I just bought a Yamaha JR1 as a "first guitar" for my nephew's 8 year old. While in the store I compared it to a Baby Taylor and a Martin LX1. I like both Taylor and Martin and have full size versions of each, but the tone of the little Yamaha, especially after I put a new set of D'Addarios on it, was very close indeed. There's nothing fancy about it whatsoever, but at $105 at GC I may well buy another for myself as a beater, take-along - but quite playable - guitar.

ROADMAN · April 26th, 2008, 10:29 PM

I've had 2 Babies...1st one was excellent..stayed in tune
carved back gave it lots of volume and a nice tone..
highly recommended...I haven't tried the LX1 but did own a
Martin Backpacker...horrible POS..

rhinocaster · April 26th, 2008, 10:32 PM

Not even close to my ear. The LX1 by a mile.

I also prefer the neck shape of the Martin.

blue metalflake · April 27th, 2008, 02:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhinocaster

Not even close to my ear. The LX1 by a mile.

+1 When alls said and done, a Martins a Martin.

FirstBassman · April 27th, 2008, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Not even close to my ear. The LX1 by a mile.

I also prefer the neck shape of the Martin.

Quote:

Originally Posted by blue metalflake

+1 When alls said and done, a Martins a Martin.

+2

See my other post in the "Under $400" thread.

studebaker hawk · April 27th, 2008, 03:16 PM

I played the Martin and Taylor side by side and preferred the Martin. I own the Yamaha though ($50 used).

imwjl · April 27th, 2008, 03:28 PM

I chose the Martin over the Taylor because they were both a compromise, but the Martin had a deeper more normal guitar-like tone. One year later: Our Little Martin has stood up to sun block, sweat, temp extremes, beach trips, birthday cake and a 6 year old with only some darkened spots on the finger board and fret wear.

I thought the Taylor had more treble sound and also a wood top. Now that we're a year into travel, picnics and kiddie birthday parties there's no way I'd want the all wood top but YMMV. I call it my plastic fantastic.

RunGuy17 · April 27th, 2008, 05:07 PM

imwjl,

The Martin I'm looking at is the LX1, which has a solid spruce top, with laminate sides and back. Do you think the spruce top won't be that durable? I plan to take it with me to camping trips, bike rides, etc., but I won't be banging it around. Still think it is a good buy? Was your Martin a solid top?

studebaker hawk,

How does the Martin LX1 stack up next to your Yamaha?

Thanks!
Dennis

imwjl · April 28th, 2008, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunGuy17

imwjl,

The Martin I'm looking at is the LX1, which has a solid spruce top, with laminate sides and back. Do you think the spruce top won't be that durable? I plan to take it with me to camping trips, bike rides, etc., but I won't be banging it around. Still think it is a good buy? Was your Martin a solid top?

studebaker hawk,

How does the Martin LX1 stack up next to your Yamaha?

Thanks!
Dennis

The LXM, LX1, a tiny Taylor I was sure had a wood top and a small Yamaha were all at GC when I was shopping and some others guys had same items in mind. We took turns playing them so we could all hear them from the sound hole side and have opinions. We were all pleasantly surprised by how guitar-like the synthetic Martin sounded.

The Yamaha model was much less ($150 or 125) and had good tone, but setup was not good. Nothing wrong with that considering the price.

What took me back toward the all synthetic LXM was the other Martin dealer in town talking about his LXM standing up to trips to the tropics, being shoved in airline storage, being dropped and my thinking about having little kids, picnics, trips to the beach etc.... I won't say don't get the wood. Just that people have complimented how nice it sounds and that there's no way I think a wood top can take what the plastic one can. The setup and action of the LX1 I tried was no better than the LXM and not anywhere in the league of my Martin 00-18 and HD-28 so I could not spend that difference. YMMV.

markinlondon · April 28th, 2008, 04:43 PM

I'd advise anyone after a 3/4 guitar for travel etc to have a look round for a used L'arivee Cherub parlour. They were 22" scale and made of fine timbers, no plywood or formica derivatives here but possibly with the odd cosmetic grain flaw. This was due to them being a way of using timber sets that didn't meet the grade for larger guitars. They also came in a variety of models depending on what timber L'arivee had to make them up.

biker joe · April 28th, 2008, 05:52 PM

To clarify, I guess that my little Martin is the LXM. It has the laminated top not the solid wood top. I still think it has decent tone, surprisingly good for a small, laminate guitar. IMHO much better than the taylor, and on a different planet compared to the backpacker guitar (a royal POS). I've tried the solid wood top ones in stores but I don't really think they sound any better than mine. I think if you really like the wood one, go for it but it will not be as durable as the LXM (close but not too far behind). Did I mention that mine has been checked inside a large duffle bag on a plane to Hawaii with no problems. When my 2 and 4 year old nephews are around, I just put the thing on the floor and let them beat on it too. It is nice to just not have to worry about it and empowering to not really care too much if it did break. Mine sees so much playing time that it probably needs some fretwork. Although, a new one might be cheaper than a fret job. I play mine almost more than I play my 1941 000-18- I'm just too scared that I'm going to hurt that thing.

RickG501 · April 28th, 2008, 06:59 PM

What is this POS, point of sale, Plank O Salmon, Pointy ol Stick, Plays Odd Stuff...

biker joe · April 28th, 2008, 09:06 PM

piece of snot...

April 26th, 2008, 02:22 PM	#1 (permalink)
RunGuy17 TDPRI Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Indiana Posts: 44	Martin LX1 vs Baby Taylor? I was wondering which you thought was the best buy for a 3/4 acoustic guitar. I can get the Martin LX1 for $250, and the Baby Taylor for $279. The Baby Taylor comes in either Mahogany, Maple, or Spruce top. I just want a beater guitar I can take on trips that is easy to play and durable. I mainly play a MIM Strat. I've tried the LX1 and liked it, as well as the Baby Taylor, but wanted to hear your guys' experience first. Are there any other small guitars that I should look at? Thanks! Dennis

April 26th, 2008, 10:32 PM	#5 (permalink)
rhinocaster Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Oregon Age: 44 Posts: 1,162	Not even close to my ear. The LX1 by a mile. I also prefer the neck shape of the Martin. __________________ Just because I "Don't" get it doesn't mean I "Won't" get it!

April 28th, 2008, 04:43 PM	#12 (permalink)
markinlondon Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Wellington, NZ Age: 48 Posts: 426	I'd advise anyone after a 3/4 guitar for travel etc to have a look round for a used L'arivee Cherub parlour. They were 22" scale and made of fine timbers, no plywood or formica derivatives here but possibly with the odd cosmetic grain flaw. This was due to them being a way of using timber sets that didn't meet the grade for larger guitars. They also came in a variety of models depending on what timber L'arivee had to make them up. __________________ Helping to invent english country dance guitar since 1981.

April 26th, 2008, 02:48 PM	#2 (permalink)
biker joe Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 295	I love my LX1. It sounds good (for a small laminate guitar), is easy to play because of its short scale, and can take a serious beating. Mine has gone on numerous camping trips. There have been times sitting by the campfire where people with full size guitars are weary about temp changes and rightly so as their guitars constantly go out of tune. Those same people are often very impressed with the sound of the little martin and that it is very stable on cold nights next to a fire. The thing is small enough that I have even checked mine inside its case and inside a larger duffle bag with clothing on a plane with little worries. It is a risk, but that is what I bought this guitar for and it has come out unscathed every time. When I bought it, I tried out a few other similar guitars, and was not impressed by all the taylors I tried. I also noticed some of the little martins have some unwanted harmonic overtones due to the short scale and maybe a less than stellar nut. I had the store bring out a couple of them from the back to try out, you might want to see if you can try more than one.

April 26th, 2008, 02:54 PM	#3 (permalink)
KevinB Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 516 3 Photos	I just bought a Yamaha JR1 as a "first guitar" for my nephew's 8 year old. While in the store I compared it to a Baby Taylor and a Martin LX1. I like both Taylor and Martin and have full size versions of each, but the tone of the little Yamaha, especially after I put a new set of D'Addarios on it, was very close indeed. There's nothing fancy about it whatsoever, but at $105 at GC I may well buy another for myself as a beater, take-along - but quite playable - guitar.

April 26th, 2008, 10:29 PM	#4 (permalink)
ROADMAN Tele-Holic Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: delta b.c. canada Age: 53 Posts: 884	I've had 2 Babies...1st one was excellent..stayed in tune carved back gave it lots of volume and a nice tone.. highly recommended...I haven't tried the LX1 but did own a Martin Backpacker...horrible POS..

April 27th, 2008, 03:16 PM	#8 (permalink)
studebaker hawk Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 160	I played the Martin and Taylor side by side and preferred the Martin. I own the Yamaha though ($50 used).

April 27th, 2008, 03:28 PM	#9 (permalink)
imwjl Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 1,126	I chose the Martin over the Taylor because they were both a compromise, but the Martin had a deeper more normal guitar-like tone. One year later: Our Little Martin has stood up to sun block, sweat, temp extremes, beach trips, birthday cake and a 6 year old with only some darkened spots on the finger board and fret wear. I thought the Taylor had more treble sound and also a wood top. Now that we're a year into travel, picnics and kiddie birthday parties there's no way I'd want the all wood top but YMMV. I call it my plastic fantastic.

April 27th, 2008, 05:07 PM	#10 (permalink)
RunGuy17 TDPRI Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Indiana Posts: 44	imwjl, The Martin I'm looking at is the LX1, which has a solid spruce top, with laminate sides and back. Do you think the spruce top won't be that durable? I plan to take it with me to camping trips, bike rides, etc., but I won't be banging it around. Still think it is a good buy? Was your Martin a solid top? studebaker hawk, How does the Martin LX1 stack up next to your Yamaha? Thanks! Dennis

April 28th, 2008, 05:52 PM	#13 (permalink)
biker joe Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 295	To clarify, I guess that my little Martin is the LXM. It has the laminated top not the solid wood top. I still think it has decent tone, surprisingly good for a small, laminate guitar. IMHO much better than the taylor, and on a different planet compared to the backpacker guitar (a royal POS). I've tried the solid wood top ones in stores but I don't really think they sound any better than mine. I think if you really like the wood one, go for it but it will not be as durable as the LXM (close but not too far behind). Did I mention that mine has been checked inside a large duffle bag on a plane to Hawaii with no problems. When my 2 and 4 year old nephews are around, I just put the thing on the floor and let them beat on it too. It is nice to just not have to worry about it and empowering to not really care too much if it did break. Mine sees so much playing time that it probably needs some fretwork. Although, a new one might be cheaper than a fret job. I play mine almost more than I play my 1941 000-18- I'm just too scared that I'm going to hurt that thing.

April 28th, 2008, 06:59 PM	#14 (permalink)
RickG501 Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Oklahoma City Age: 54 Posts: 757	What is this POS, point of sale, Plank O Salmon, Pointy ol Stick, Plays Odd Stuff...

April 28th, 2008, 09:06 PM	#15 (permalink)
biker joe Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 295	piece of snot...