Guitar playing audiophiles, Martin or Taylor?

Neil Young is the current owner of Hank Williams' 1941 Martin D-28.

@bdp24

As you’re no doubt aware, Neil played a D45 live around the time of Harvest.

I recall an interview with Ry Cooder in which he described his D45 as a "piece of junk-- only good for playing slide".

For the record, I’ve owned two Martins and liked them both a lot. I might still play a Martin if they offered more models with the neck carve/nut width I prefer. 

Yes, guitars ARE very personal. My go-to brand (except for a 12 string) is Martin ... fuller, warmer, and more pleasing tonally to me than Taylor. I have a D-18v, a D-28, and an HD-28vs slothead. These are amazing guitars and have different characteristics from each other. For a 12 string, I have an older Guild JF-30-12 (double truss rod) made in Westerly, Rhode Island ... when I hit the first chord on it in the music store, the skies opened up and the angelic chorus from Heaven began to sing. I bought it in a heartbeat.

@rlb61 

I can relate to your enjoyment of hi-end acoustics. I have a Boucher BG52GM, which I prefer to Martins as it is still warm but clearer in the bass without emasculating the bass like so many guitar makers do who describe their instruments as "balanced". 

The OP's wife will be shopping at a much less exalted price point. The question will be whether she can find an inexpensive guitar that she finds comfortable and sounds good to her. 

@sscot1961 

So, did your wife find a guitar?????????

I own a Taylor 810. I played twelve 810’s before I bought the one I own, every one was slightly different, but only one spoke to me.
Nobody should pick out a guitar for another player, they should only do this themselves, unless they are a rank beginner.

Before I went with Taylor, I played several Larivees, Martin’s and Gibbo’s…

just noticed, the OP is from 2004… by now the OP’s wife must have played quite a few guitars…lol.