2008 Taylor 914CE

[backwaterdogs]

Hi all,

still looking for that first highend guitar, have play a lot and decided id love an 814ce or a 914ce

my guitar center has a new 814 for 3k, and a used 914, also for same price. the 914 looks to have been played a lot.

now, i've found a 2008 914ce with the cindy inlays and am told it was bought as persons first guitar and essentially never played or played very little. am told it was alway kept in the case, but cant verify that...the pics I've seen seem to align with what I'm being told.

I got the price down to $2200. If the condition matches description, seems like a pretty good deal. I do have to drive 3.5 hrs though.

My questions are:
- is this price worth the risk/drive to check it out? I think so but curious
- what do i look for in terms of unobvious damage..i.e. if not stored in proper humidity, what do I look for?

thanks for any help!

[Dwight]

The price is good or at least ok. You have to look at the usual stuff that you would look at for any guitar. You'd almost be better off buying one from Reverb or eBay and paying with Paypal. The seller will ship it to you and you could inspect it at your leisure. Any problems and the seller gets it back. Taylor's are pretty consistent tone wise so that shouldn't be an issue. Best of luck!

[Scoobtay]

What is your playing style? There's a 2014 Re-voiced 812ce on Reverb right now for 2700.00, and it's being sold by a shop as New. If you're less of a strummer and more of a fingerstyle/flatpicking guy, I'd say the 500.00 premium might be worth it for one you wouldn't have to drive to, and which would PROBABLY be in better shape.

[vindibona1]

914's are great guitars. If you consider that a new 914 would cost you $5k, 60% of that would be $3k, $2200 would be in the bargain area. If you can verify that physically it's in the advertised condition a 3 or 4 hour drive might be worth it.

[cotten]

Originally Posted by backwaterdogs

...- is this price worth the risk/drive to check it out? I think so but curious

I try to read between the lines on questions like this. Obviously, not everyone would think it would be worth the risk/drive, but you do. Yours is the only opinion that really matters here. I'd say go for it! Now, because I'm me, I'd want to do "due diligence" to ascertain that it is indeed worth it, but it's at least worth following up. Here are some past discussions on what to look for when buying a used guitar - of course you can ask that again, too!

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...d.php?t=275990

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...d.php?t=303963

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...d.php?t=386864

cotten

[backwaterdogs]

Thank you all for the feedback and thanks for the links...I will dive into those now.

Honestly was expecting to hear how much of a screaming deal this is....well, I still may go.up for it. I missed a great deal on another guitar I wanted...a new Hampshire guild d 55

[Brucebubs]

That's New Hartford.

This D-18 Custom is around the same price, I think it would be a very nice guitar.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Martin-D-...19.m1438.l2649

[backwaterdogs]

Yep.. new harftord...don't know why I typed new Hampshire!!

I like the d18 and other Martin's but have been several different and just keep coming back to Taylor.

Based on the price of that d18 tho, seems like this 914 is a good deal

[robj144]

$2200 is a little too good of a deal for a "mint" 914ce. I would want to check it out and go over it carefully. Maybe you got lucky and that person doesn't know how to price guitars though.

[phunky]

I've played a few older 914's and would personally consider that a killer deal.

I can only speak for myself, but would have no problem making the drive, if an opportunity like that came up. I'd bring along my number one to A/B and plan on an extended audition. Also, be prepared to re-negotiate or walk away if there were any issues. Good luck.

[Bear Davis]

The asking price of 3k is fair according to Reverb.

If you got them down to 2200, and the guitar is mint condition, then you should proceed with confidence.

[fatt-dad]

I love my '98 914!

f-d

[DenverSteve]

If you have found a mint 914 Cindy for 2,200, you should be driving instead of typing because it won’t last.

[GTomcan]

Hi and Welcome to the AGF backwaterdogs
First off If you seek a 914 they are a cut above , they sound better every time.
I've had to many to talk about still have 3 900s.

If it's a 2008 it will have Ivorid bound body neck and headstock.

The 2008 914 can not have Cindy inlays. It was discontinued after 2000.
In 2003 it was offered on the Fall Ltd 914 L1 (EIR)
In 2004 it was offered on the Fall Ltd 914 L7 (Brazilian)
Cindy was reintroduced in 2012-2014 with rosewood bound body again. like the originals of the 90s , they also bound the head stock in rosewood , the 90s didn't have.

It must be a custom order 2008 if indeed it has the Cindy.
If it's the newer 900 inlay post 2000 , The price of 2,200 is a very fair price.

What to look for :
All 900s came without pick guards installed, look for pick rash below sound hole. If it wears a pickguard, chances are it had a fair amount of rash and was covered over by the install of guard to hide it.. Or Owner just wanted guard.,

Look for seam splits in lower center on front, It can be in the glue joint seam between woods or just in finish. It can be very faint.

ES pickup came in in 2003 , knobs have remained same up to now.
Head stocks were joined with a finger joint after mid 2000 and via scarf
joints later in 2006 .up to now.

Top wood , All 900s used Engelmann Spruce up till I think 2005 then Sitka was standard after that up to now.

Look at the abalone trim on top for splits in finish, where it was butted together. They all get splits depending how dry the guitar has gotten.

Bridge Lift: Most all Taylor can have a tiny gap at ends of bridge wings, not uncommon.

Worst case , Mold inside body .
Fret wear of course.

Yes If it's what you say it is, I would drive the distance with cash ready.

You'll love the 900

[backwaterdogs]

thanks for all the input!

Im taking the afternoon off heading up..will post pics as soon as I can.

hope it is as advertised!