Redwood tops...a bit thinner?

[ScottyMac]

I've noticed that my 814 redwood top is a bit thinner than my 710 engleman. Has anyone else noticed a thickness difference?

The thing really vibrates. I can feel it resonate even when I'm just talking near the guitar.

[J.R. Rogers]

I don't think they're thinner. Might just be an illusion. Do you some small calipers that you can measure it with?

I know what you mean about the vibrations. Those tops are just SUPER resonant.

JR

[ScottyMac]

I know what you mean about the vibrations. Those tops are just SUPER resonant.
I plucked a string tonight and counted to 15 and it was still going...and the count wasn't fast either. I do have a set of calipers...good idea.

I've got to get a pic posted of this thing. The lines per inch on that redwood is incredible. The tree must have been ancient.

[tbondo]

I did the non-scientific compare (grabbing the top between thumb and forefinger at the soundhole), and my redwood felt the same as my cedar, the englemann on the 510 felt thinnest, and the PS14 felt pretty much the same as the redwood and cedar......

[jeffrey]

I don't have calipers but I compared mine to my K14C (stacked up a few guitar pics hehe:)), it was so close it was indistinguishable in that test.

[SonShine]

Don't have much to compare mine to...:)
But, mine was supposed to be a bit thicker anyway since it was supposed to go onto a dread.

I agree about the resonance, though :D

[Mike G]

Redwood owners...

Now that you've had some time with your new guitars. Are you still floored by redwood? Does it have the same warmth as cedar...for real? Would you describe the tone as darker or brighter? Is it as articulate?

JR... Very interested to see how much of a right hand attack it can handle on a GA now that you've had the time to give it a serious test. More than a 514 cedar I presume...but compared englemann???

This wood has me very intrigued.

You are very fortunate men. (insert jealous face here)

Best,

[ScottyMac]

Hey Mike,

Well, I've had mine a month now, and still loving it. I really need to take it to a guitar store and compare to other models to give a fair comparison to cedar, etc. But yes, it is warm. I'm not sure it is as warm as my 714 cedar top was, but the guitar really hasn't opened up yet.

The sustain is what is most noticeable at first. The tops really move and vibrate. As for right hand attack, I'm not convinced that any light guage string guitar is great for a heavy right hand. I still prefer my medium guaged dread for that.

When I pick up the 814, my inclinations are to finger pick and get more contemplative. But it does sound great in light strumming. It's a pretty sound, as compared with the 'meaty' sound of the 710. The low notes really are strong on the redwood, but I would not characterize it as bassy.

I know you've been sort of searching for the ultimate guitar for worship. While I am not a dreadnought fan, I still think it's the best in a worship leading situation because of it's power and the ability to dig in. But an x14 would work well also, especially in the more contemplative material.

Rambling on here, but I hope that helps. Why don't you just come on out for a visit and we'll jam for hours. Bring your 714. You know you want to see the west.:)

[Mike G]

Thanks Scott for that fine review. You are right about my quest for a tonewood combo in a GA that will allow me the best of both worlds....that is responsive enough for fingerstyle yet able to handle an aggressive strum. I was hoping that a redwood/mahogany would be the ticket.

I think you are right in that a dread is necessary for the hard driving worship songs. However, my sitka top 714 does an admirable job and is probably as good as it is going to get for strumming in a GA. I just love the GA cause it fits me like a glove.

I've alway thought that the 510 is a great versatile guitar for worship, or any application for that matter that demands a strong attack and some light fingerstyle in the same set. Perhaps I just need to accept the fact that I can't hammer a GA no matter what the tonewood combination...and buy a dread or a jumbo.

Back to redwood.... It does look like a wonderful tonewood. Perhaps that trip out west is in order. Jamming for hours sounds awesome. Your place sounds like a great sanctuary.

[jeffrey]

I kinda disagree about x14's not being able to take a beating. I put medium's on my K14C the day I bought it and never looked back. You can beat the crapola outta that guitar and it just likes it. :D

I will say though, the redwood top on my 810 has a very different tone than the cedar top on my K14. It's got a little more snap, and a good bit more punch (but that could be the guitar itself more than the top).

[Mike G]

Jeffrey:

Thanks for your input. I really liked your MP3 sound sample. Very nice tone.

Mediums on your K14?? Won't that cause problems down the road? I know it can handle mediums but for a sustained period of time???

[ScottyMac]

I would concur that a x14 would be fine for hard strumming if you put mediums on it. However, I was under the assumption that x14 bracing was not made for mediums, and over time could cause structural problems with the guitar.

It would be a cool thing to have mediums on the x14 if it were okay by Taylor. I wonder about warranty, etc.

My son has a 314 that is a wonderful worship leading instrument. The action is set higher (not his choice) and hence, the light guage strings don't rattle so much when strummed hard. It has wonderful bottom end. It clearly lacks the nuances of tone that are present in the 814 redwood, but I've come to believe that those nuances are difficult to communicate in a setting that requires amplification such as a church.

[SonShine]

I just used my new TS 810 to lead worship in an intimate setting (it was for our fellowship group that meets in a house - probably about 25-30 people). It was the first appearance in "public" for it and I thought it sounded perfect for that setting. I have no doubt that it would sound great for a larger environment as well. Again, I don't have much to compare with, but I got a dread because I wanted a louder guitar that I could strum hard if I wanted and would be a good worship-leading/playing guitar.

My 2 cents...

[ScottyMac]

Man, I'd love to hear that dread of yours. Congrats on first public appearance. I have yet to take mine 'public'. Several at church keep asking about it. Since it doesn't have a pickup in it, it might be a while.

[jeffrey]

I asked Bob while at TS and he said the only thing I may have to worry about with the K14 and mediums is adjusting the truss rod.

[SonShine]

Well, Scott - just let me know the next time you're in AZ and we'll try and get together and jam :)