Am I crazy? (Taylor 610)

Petty1818 · #1 06-28-2017, 08:11 PM

I will admit that I have a love/hate relationship with Taylor. I own a 310ltd edition with koa back and sides that I have gigged with for years but I often struggle with the bright and sometimes thin tone that it produces. I find a lot of Taylor guitars suffer from this, which is why I have been on the fence about purchasing another Taylor. Some of the 800's have really impressed me but I still hear that high end that can be harsh.

Anyway, when the new 600's came out, I rushed out to try them and they impressed me even more than the 800's, especially the 610. I kind of had things come up though in my life and forgot about them. Today I went into a large Taylor dealer and tried every guitar in the 700, 600 and 800 range. Many of them, including the 810, which I have been close to purchasing, sounded very nice but were still a bit thin/bright, especially on single notes.

I then picked up the 610 again and it has the tone I am looking for. Am I going crazy or does anyone else find that the 610 and the 600's in general, have a warmer/thicker tone with a much smoother top end than other Taylor guitars, especially the 800's? To me the 610 sounds close to a Martin and the neck just seems thicker to me than other Taylor guitars (in a good way). I know it's a maple guitar but it really sounds like it has more warmth and bass than the 800's with Rosewood.

ManyMartinMan · #2 06-28-2017, 08:18 PM

For me - absolutely not. I've never met a 600 series that I would consider warmer or thicker. However, that doesn't matter. The only thing is what YOU think. If you like it, buy it.

Petty1818 · #3 06-28-2017, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ManyMartinMan

For me - absolutely not. I've never met a 600 series that I would consider warmer or thicker. However, that doesn't matter. The only thing is what YOU think. If you like it, buy it.

It is interesting because I have always found Rosewood to be warm sounding but with the 800's, the high end is still dominating the tone. It's as if the bass has been turned up but so to has the high end. The 610 on the other hand seems to have a bass that fills the tone. I think it's the mid range that's helping to make the guitar sound a bit more full. Again, I am very picky about bright guitars so for me to say the 610 is warmer, is a bit shocking haha.

ifret · #4 06-29-2017, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Petty1818

To me the 610 sounds close to a Martin and the neck just seems thicker to me than other Taylor guitars (in a good way).

If you're looking for a Martin tone, maybe look at Martin's.

I haven't had that experience with the 600 series. Seems like rosewood or mahogany would be the direction to go, but if the 610 really appeals to you, go for it!

fazool · #5 06-29-2017, 05:54 AM

in my estimation, maple is the least warm of the common woods Mahogany gives a nice warm sound. If you love the brightness of the Taylor-sound (I do) then maple will appeal to you. If you are trying to avoid that Taylor-brightness then maple is going the wrong way, IMO.

rokdog49 · #6 06-29-2017, 06:16 AM

My buddy has two Taylor's. One is Maple, the other Rosewood.
Both are relatively bright. The 814 has matured and has some nice bottom to it. I don't care for either as strummers but for clean picking with or without a pick, they sound fantastic. I guess it's just personal preference.

CodyToonz · #7 06-29-2017, 06:19 AM

My GC6 is a great sounding guitar. When I play with a fiddler or 2 in an acoustic setting (no amplification) it blends well with the fiddles. Hmmm, maybe because most violins have maple backs and sides.

Cisraeler · #8 06-29-2017, 06:45 AM

As long as it sounds right to you, why not? I personally feel that the way a guitar maker voices the guitar is more important than the woods used.

Years ago, when I first tried a Taylor 614ce, I was intruiged by the chimy notes ringing out like a piano, with very little bass. Andy Powers has done some marvelous things in recent years with the revoiced 600 series.

Petty1818 · #9 06-29-2017, 06:53 AM

Just to clarify, you know I am referring to the new 600's, right? The older 600's could take your head off with the high end. I hate the Taylor high end, that's why I am surprised that I keep gravitating towards the 610.

DupleMeter · #10 06-29-2017, 07:01 AM

I have never liked any maple guitar I've played. I find them very brash. But I know people who play them and I like them in their hands. I did try the new 600s at a recent Taylor Road show. They were pushing them hard. They want to sell them because the wood is extremely sustainable. I wasn't able to get past the "maple" tone. They were gorgeous to look at, but no dimension to the tone, at least to my ears.

As to the brightness of Taylors...I agree, at least for anything made post 1998. The earlier Taylor were much different. My '95 812ce blows people away. I've had music directors I've worked with comment "that guitar is so balanced"...and they're all piano players who know little about guitar brands/sizes/woods/etc.

But everyone wants something different from their tone. So if you really like the 600s, you don't need anyone's approval. Nor should anyone's contrary opinion hold any weight...since this is your guitar and only you need to be happy with it.

ChrisE · #11 06-29-2017, 07:36 AM

Taylor re-did their 600 series maple guitars a couple of years back and made them sound fuller and richer. Different glues, different bracing, all sorts of things were done to make it warmer and fuller; in other words--less like maple and more like other more traditional woods.

I've played a few and they sounded great. I'm not sure of when the remodel took place, but I'm guessing 2015?

Petty1818 · #12 06-29-2017, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisE

Taylor re-did their 600 series maple guitars a couple of years back and made them sound fuller and richer. Different glues, different bracing, all sorts of things were done to make it warmer and fuller; in other words--less like maple and more like other more traditional woods.

I've played a few and they sounded great. I'm not sure of when the remodel took place, but I'm guessing 2015?

That's what I am hearing with the new 610. I remember even reading a review where the reviewer stated that if you closed your eyes, you would never guess that you were playing a maple guitar. I will have to try it more but just for comparison sake, I did an a/b between a newer D-18 and the 610 and I found the 610 to be warmer, fatter and with a smoother top end. Totally different woods and construction but I was surprised that a Taylor sounded warmer than a Martin.

DrGoldsmack · #13 06-29-2017, 08:02 AM

Hello Petty,
I just want to start this by saying that I am not a fan of Taylor. At least I was not until I tried the 600 series. I own the 614ce and have found it to be the only OM Taylor with the thick bass I enjoy. I have found that the revoiced maple booms like a piano, but maintains balance across the strings. I must say that I have played many guitars that are much warmer, however my Taylor has equal or more bass than many. I would go with what you enjoy playing the most. I have found that maple really reflects the players voice, but leaves very little room for mistakes.
Cheers and good hunting,
Jasper

Rudals · #14 06-29-2017, 08:04 AM

I have a 614ce and I am sick and tired of dealing with the poor (my opinion) pickup system. I strongly urge you to look at a Martin, Collings, or a Huss & Dalton, which is what I am doing.

Petty1818 · #15 06-29-2017, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rudals

I have a 614ce and I am sick and tired of dealing with the poor (my opinion) pickup system. I strongly urge you to look at a Martin, Collings, or a Huss & Dalton, which is what I am doing.

That is the one thing I hate about Taylor, the fact that it's very difficult to find a guitar without the ES2 installed. I like a guitar that I can add a pickup to later.