#1
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Taylor 414CE Grand Auditorium Comparisons
With my 60th birthday around the corner, my wife has offered to buy me a new acoustic/electric guitar. I currently own a Taylor 310CE and I'm looking to upgrade. I've just played a Taylor 414CE Grand Auditorium and love its overall sound but I'm looking to get the biggest bang for my wife's buck. My ceiling is $2,000 and I've been looking at Breedlove, Seagull, Larrivee, Guild, and Martin. Suggestions anyone?
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#2
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It really depends on the sound that you're looking for. Taylors have a much different sound than Martin, for example. To me, Taylors play great, but I don't like the sound. Opinions surely vary.
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2011 Gibson J-45 Standard |
#3
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I would say 414ce is your best bet...I have an 814ce and to be honest - would say the 414 plays and sounds just as good as the 814. So, if rosewood, inlays, and rosette is no big deal to you...get the 414.
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#4
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I - and many others - think the 414CE is a fine guitar. You might also consider the 814CE, which is really a stand-out guitar. But yes, it sounds like a Taylor, not a Martin.
JD
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Martin 00-21 (LA Guitar Sales Custom) Martin 00-15M (LA Guitar Sales Custom) Eastman E20p Rainsong S-OM1100N2 |
#5
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Guitar Upgrade Specifics
I should also mention even though I play out occasionally, I'm looking for an acoustic/electric that sounds best when NOT plugged in. I'm also mostly a strummer.
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#6
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There are lots of "great bang for the buck" guitars in the sub-two grand market. Frankly, you will find it hard to go wrong.
The Taylor 414ce is as fine a guitar as you will find, given your budget (and, again, speaking frankly, you could spend a grand more and not do any better). Taylor, Martin, Larrivee. Horses for courses. All good. (Don't worry about the built-in electronics of the Taylor affecting the sound. And don't depend on the advice of forum pundits (like me, I guess) to determine this. There are all kinds of Taylor 414s, with and without electronics, in stores. Play them and listen to them for yourself. My dollar says after doing so, your worries will evaporate. My guess is you will love the Taylor electronics and even though you may only plug in once in a great while, you will be very happy you went with the "package". .
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Paul -You could just as well be hung for a sheep as a goat. Last edited by epaul; 12-16-2010 at 11:38 AM. |
#7
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Play a Breedlove American series before you commit to anything.
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#8
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My advice is to play every guitar you can get your hands on, and let your hands and ears decide what you like best. I played a Taylor GC8 that sounded incredible the other day, but didn't have the money for it. Marsh
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McPherson Sable, Touring Composite Acoustics OX, Cargo Rainsong HS-OM1100N2, APSE |
#9
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The flip side, of course is that you've got medium strings that aren't as playable as lights. (Though round-core strings like DR Sunbeams can take care of most of that.) I went from a 414 to my current GS8 and never looked back. Good luck, and Happy 60th! Adam |
#10
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I'd take a look at some of the ltd's that Taylor puts out a few times a year. I've always thought for the future/wood upgrades they usually include on those things and the fact that they're not that much more expensive than the standard models makes them great bang-for-your-buck guitars.
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#11
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-- Scriptor For some very simple demos of original music: https://soundcloud.com/rick-langdon -- Play on!! |
#12
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I love my 414ce, but you may want to compare it to the new Martin GPCPA3.
It looks like a Taylor Grand Auditorium, but sounds like a Martin. |
#13
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http://www.guitarrodeo.com/taylor_de...0.20&series=LT |
#14
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+1 on the 414CE . A wise man that really respected told me to go to every guitar shop, and GC I could, I'm a traveling sales rep. He said one would smack me in the mouth and I'd know that was the one. That happened with the 414CE and I've been playing it for 5 years now, loving it. I plug in alot these days with a looper pedal trying to learn leads and fingerpick on the proch.
The LTD's intrigue me though as do those 12 fret slothead American series by Breedlove. Also love those Gibson SJ200 alot as my hero plays one like no one else. Check out this strumming: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2t9slqL_eSw |
#15
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Your sound preference is primary, of course, but a well-set-up 414ce is a great player's guitar. (Do I need to say "well-set-up" again? Spend the cash for that no matter what the salesperson says about not needing it!) One thing more: Your style of playing and whether or not you need to drive sound through a band (vs. solo or singer accompaniment) is very important, of course. The GA box may not be a good choice for a country flat-picker who needs to be heard over enthusiastic bass players and drummers -- dreadnaughts, including Martins, are always a good choice for that. Finally, once you have it in your hands, don't second guess your choice. Obsessing over choice of guitar and technical minutiae really gets in the way of enjoying a fine music experience.
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"I'm what's left of Bill Reid and this is how we start the show." (Friendly plagiarism from Hoyt Axton, who died 'way too soon) ====== Martin Steve Miller Pegasus #299/383 Taylor 14 body BTO ("The Junebug Special") 414ce National Rez O-14 1971 Tak 12 |