Which is your preference?

 

The mellow sound of a Martin?

 

Or the bright sound of a Taylor?

i'm but a novice..because i can't tell much sound difference (some yes) but meh i have a bog standard cheap one to learn the basics on etc, when i think i know enough i'm upgrading, but nothing expensive, possibly a black yamaha electro acoustic

Yamaha seems to do a great job with everything they make. They sound especially good in open tunings. It gives the guitar a nice roar.

I like mellow, therefore i like Martin. :P