Looking for alternatives..

[lcastro30]

Hi all, I'm new to this forum and I love hearing everyone's points of view on different guitars and what mainly works for them! Right now I'm currently working with a 2017 Taylor 214ce dlx with the ES2 pickup. I gig about every week and need a guitar that has a nice pick up as well. The 214ce dlx in my opinion is an AMAZING guitar for that price point, but for the fact that it's laminate wood, I would like to here your opinions on good alternative guitars for that price point. Please note that I do need electronics on the guitar but I would love to hear what you guys know! Thank you

[Earl49]

Personally if it sounds good to you acoustically AND plugged in, then I would not get too hung up on laminate versus solid body woods. It still has a solid top, which is the important component. The 214-DLX gets lots of love here.

The next step up the food chain is the 314ce or maybe a 414ce with all solid woods, but would have to be a used example to match the same price point. And those would have a 1-3/4" nut width instead of 1-11/16" if that matters to you.

And welcome.

[ChalkLitIScream]

If you're just focused on the plugged in sound, there isn't a huge difference between solid and laminate.
Keep in mind Taylor probably makes laminates that sound better than some solid woods..

The Yamaha AC3R or AC3M gets my vote for an all solid with good electronics

[lcastro30]

Thanks for all of the replies guys! I will admit that I am comfortable with the 214ce dlx and what it produces, but I just often question if it's that lifelong guitar I hoped it would be.

[Earl49]

You may well - and probably will - end up with nicer guitars at some point. But there is a lot to be said for a more "expendable" gigging guitar that will suffer the bumps to mic stands and all the other things that happen to gigging instruments. Virtually all of the dings and dents my guitars have acquired over the years have been on gigs and at jam sessions. My 414ce is my gigging guitar 90% of the time.

I own a couple of pristine koa Taylor's, and they only get played at home.

[Br1ck]

Just realize that most people you play for don't care. Your Taylor seems a good gigging instrument to me. Now if your audiences come to sit quietly to listen and be dazzled by your awesomeness, that is another matter.

[kcnbys]

Your 214ce dlx is not only a rock solid gigging guitar, but is, without question, a "lifetime" caliber guitar. Don't get hung up on the whole laminate issue. The Taylor 100 & 200 series guitars are fantastic, and many comment that they prefer them over the more expensive (all solid) models. If your primary use is gigging, I'm not sure there is an alternative that is any better for that purpose, at that price point. Those deluxe 200's are awfully nice!

[joeyb]

I love the 214dx. I A/B'd that and the the 314ce for a long time. I thought it sounded and played great. Also liked the full gloss (which 314 doesn't have). I almost went for the 214...

... picked the 314 after the sales guy noticed my growing attachment to one in particular and offered to take $200 off if I bought it that day. Done deal.

I think I'd have been happy with the sound of either. I'd go with the 214 and not obsess on all wood. Obsess on sound and "attachment" to the particular guitar you're trying out.

Good luck

[Song]

Very little in the universe is solid.
All wood is naturally laminated.

[lcastro30]

Agreed! I just wanted to see you guys’ take on solid vs. laminate. Usually there’s such a big fuss about it that it caused me to not appreciate the true beauty of the one that I already have. Thanks for the take!!!

[mrjop1975]

Personally, I would not get too hung up on the laminated vs. non laminated especially if it has a pick up. If you really have your heart into something with solid wood, check out the Godin family of guitars, specifically Seagulls as well as Art & Lutherie. As well, check out the Masterbilt series of Epiphones. Just a couple thoughts to help you on your way.