Well let's talk about this a little more, I used to own a Martin D-15M and was extremely happy with it for two solid years. Then one day out of the blue the guitar started buzzing. So I took it to my Sam Ash dealer where I bought the guitar and had them look at it. I do trust there one tech/Luthier at this Sam Ash because he was a very good in his work. Sadly he has moved on. Back to the story, my guitar had to be re fretted. The one manager that i know pretty well told me the same thing happened to his as well. The guitar was repaired. The guitar had to be brought back two more times because it never sounded the same again. I got disgusted with this and used it as part of a trade in on my D-28. I loved that guitar very much, it was warm and always sounded just right. Also I had a personal connection with that guitar, my wife bought me that guitar to cheer me up. I had to make a decision in the Hospital about having my elder Mom go through needed surgery that possibly could kill her during the procedure or having her leg amputated. I chose the amputation and was really for three weeks depressed due to feeling who am I to make this decision for my mom. I remember so well telling my wife that I am not god nor do I have the right to make such a call for my mom. Please note mom had Dementia and I was forced into making the call that morning for her.
So here I am missing that all Mahogany guitar that I loved so well. So I told my wife I want another all Mahogany guitar again and went shopping. I played the Martin D-15M again and it sounded warm and peaceful. It was very comfortable to play (mainly due to playing that model for 2 solid years). I then seen the Taylor 320 and decided to give it a test drive. The 320 had a warm sound like the Martin but not as warm. I also noticed is was louder than the D-15M and could be pushed higher in volume if I wanted to where the Martin D-15M could not. I also noticed that I could really go in some heavy strumming with the Taylor 320 while achieving nice clear and concise chords and tones. The Martin D-15M would always die out at a point and just have all the tones just blend into one sound.
Both guitars sounded great flat picking, but the one difference I noticed was more bass response in the Taylor 320 over the Martin D-15M. Then I played the two guitars with the same Songs and both myself and the Sam Ash guy commented on the difference on the sound and like the Taylor as better.
Last factor was the build, The Taylor 320 was built well and looked like it was a quality build. The Martin D-15M is more a one piece build back and top together with no purfing at all. The Taylor has Solid Ebony for the Fret board and bridge and the Martin has East Indian Rose Wood. Taylor has 1.75 nut and the Martin an 11 1/16 nut. I took the build factor into play here because I was already a little gun shy of what had happened before with my last Martin D-15M having to be re-fretted. After almost 2 hours of going back and fourth among the two guitars the Taylor was the right choice for me.
This is one guitar purchase that I am completely satisfied with and know I bought the right one. The Martin is a nice guitar, but is out done by the Taylor 320 IMHO.
Lastly the Taylor 320 as I had written about played extremely well on stage and at the weekly Saturday night Jam that I attend. I brought the D-15M with me a few times but when leaving the house oppted to bring my Martin D-17M which I knew could be heard and could hold it's own in the jam.
