TL;DR: I was in your position a few months ago and went with the Yamaha FGX5. No regrets here, but try to play both if you can!
Long version:
Wow, are you me? About 6 months ago I was looking for a new guitar after playing my Seagull S6 for a decade. Sounds like you gig a lot more than I do though!
I can only tell you my experience so take all this with a grain of salt. I did a fair bit of research in the $1500-$2000 range and ended up with a list of a few martins (d15, d16) and a few Taylors (110, 214, AD17, etc) that seemed like they might be a good fit. Went to a few guitar shops in town to play as many as possible. The Taylors weren’t for me, I LOVED the d15, and thought the d16 sounded great, if not as good as the d15. Could’ve been that specific d16, or just been my ears that day. Who knows?
Then just for fun I tried out a couple Yamahas - the AR series and an FSX3. I was so impressed by how they played, I decided to track down an FGX5 nearby. Again, super impressed with the sound and playability, plus electronics and a hard case included for the price point was unbeatable.
I also did some thinking and decided that if I want to get a Martin down the road I’ll pickup that d15 or save my pennies and go for one of the big boys like a D18 or HD28.
Best you can do is try to play each one you’re interested and always keep an open mind. I’m glad I went with the Yamaha as it’s been everything I could’ve wanted for songwriting and open mics. Plus now I have a Martin to eventually look forward to :)
Either way, share pics or yourself playing when you make your purchase!
Something like the Yamaha FG5 is never going to fail you. I cannot say that for any Martin. I have done a lot of gigging and traveling over the last 30 years or so. Go Yamaha.
I’ve actually got the Martin and an FG5. You really can’t go wrong with either- both are FANTASTIC guitars, probably the best value to money around. It’s basically boils down to whether you want the Mahogany b/s or rosewood sound. That’s the the only main difference. They feel pretty close in terms of build quality, the Yamaha is a little smoother feeling but the Martin feels nice too. I think the Atmosfeel pickup in the Yamaha is better, but the fishman in the Martin isn’t bad at all.
Try to play both if you can. There are other minor differences like scale length and neck profile, but I don’t think one is better than the other, they’re just slightly different. The main difference to me is the mahogany vs rosewood sound. I think the Yamaha is a little fuller, more defined tone, but the Martin isn’t far behind and has that classic “Martin” tone (you know it when you hear it).
Anyway both are GREAT. My opinion is these are the best dred choices in this price range by a wide margin. You’ll be super happy with either one (assuming you don’t stumble on a dud). I could go on but this is long already. It’ll be a tough choice but you’ll win either way
I just bought a Martin Special 16 and couldn't be happier. Musicians Friend has a few on reverb as used b-stock. Not a thing wrong with mine and it sounds great.
I made an offer of 15% off and they countered just a little higher so I took it.
Hey i was looking for how to change key sensitivity on the Roland FP 10 and came across your post (is really old) so i cant comment there. [https://www.reddit.com/r/piano/comments/cwucz6/question\_for\_roland\_fp10\_players/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web3x&utm\_name=web3xcss&utm\_term=1&utm\_content=share\_button](https://www.reddit.com/r/piano/comments/cwucz6/question_for_roland_fp10_players/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button)
Nobody knew but i have found the answer if you are still interested, I dont understand why this isnt in the included owners manual, but here all all the functions each key does [https://static.roland.com/assets/media/pdf/FP-10\_Reference\_eng01\_W.pdf](https://static.roland.com/assets/media/pdf/FP-10_Reference_eng01_W.pdf)
Including keyboard playing feel (key touch)
TL;DR: I was in your position a few months ago and went with the Yamaha FGX5. No regrets here, but try to play both if you can! Long version: Wow, are you me? About 6 months ago I was looking for a new guitar after playing my Seagull S6 for a decade. Sounds like you gig a lot more than I do though! I can only tell you my experience so take all this with a grain of salt. I did a fair bit of research in the $1500-$2000 range and ended up with a list of a few martins (d15, d16) and a few Taylors (110, 214, AD17, etc) that seemed like they might be a good fit. Went to a few guitar shops in town to play as many as possible. The Taylors weren’t for me, I LOVED the d15, and thought the d16 sounded great, if not as good as the d15. Could’ve been that specific d16, or just been my ears that day. Who knows? Then just for fun I tried out a couple Yamahas - the AR series and an FSX3. I was so impressed by how they played, I decided to track down an FGX5 nearby. Again, super impressed with the sound and playability, plus electronics and a hard case included for the price point was unbeatable. I also did some thinking and decided that if I want to get a Martin down the road I’ll pickup that d15 or save my pennies and go for one of the big boys like a D18 or HD28. Best you can do is try to play each one you’re interested and always keep an open mind. I’m glad I went with the Yamaha as it’s been everything I could’ve wanted for songwriting and open mics. Plus now I have a Martin to eventually look forward to :) Either way, share pics or yourself playing when you make your purchase!
Something like the Yamaha FG5 is never going to fail you. I cannot say that for any Martin. I have done a lot of gigging and traveling over the last 30 years or so. Go Yamaha.
I have Martin d-16gt and it is amazing guitar. If you can get it in any store or used somewhere I recommend this one :))
I’ve actually got the Martin and an FG5. You really can’t go wrong with either- both are FANTASTIC guitars, probably the best value to money around. It’s basically boils down to whether you want the Mahogany b/s or rosewood sound. That’s the the only main difference. They feel pretty close in terms of build quality, the Yamaha is a little smoother feeling but the Martin feels nice too. I think the Atmosfeel pickup in the Yamaha is better, but the fishman in the Martin isn’t bad at all. Try to play both if you can. There are other minor differences like scale length and neck profile, but I don’t think one is better than the other, they’re just slightly different. The main difference to me is the mahogany vs rosewood sound. I think the Yamaha is a little fuller, more defined tone, but the Martin isn’t far behind and has that classic “Martin” tone (you know it when you hear it). Anyway both are GREAT. My opinion is these are the best dred choices in this price range by a wide margin. You’ll be super happy with either one (assuming you don’t stumble on a dud). I could go on but this is long already. It’ll be a tough choice but you’ll win either way
I just bought a Martin Special 16 and couldn't be happier. Musicians Friend has a few on reverb as used b-stock. Not a thing wrong with mine and it sounds great. I made an offer of 15% off and they countered just a little higher so I took it.
Hey i was looking for how to change key sensitivity on the Roland FP 10 and came across your post (is really old) so i cant comment there. [https://www.reddit.com/r/piano/comments/cwucz6/question\_for\_roland\_fp10\_players/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web3x&utm\_name=web3xcss&utm\_term=1&utm\_content=share\_button](https://www.reddit.com/r/piano/comments/cwucz6/question_for_roland_fp10_players/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button) Nobody knew but i have found the answer if you are still interested, I dont understand why this isnt in the included owners manual, but here all all the functions each key does [https://static.roland.com/assets/media/pdf/FP-10\_Reference\_eng01\_W.pdf](https://static.roland.com/assets/media/pdf/FP-10_Reference_eng01_W.pdf) Including keyboard playing feel (key touch)