Guitars to stay away from

[James_214ce]

I just got my 214ce, and already I am gassing for a GS Mini - especially after seeing that french guy playing smoke on the water on one, but I gotta say that I may just be a victim of the hype - do I really need the mini? I am still not an accomplished guitarist - got the talent and have the mechanics of playing down, but I can only play songs I make up. The 214 is the first quality acoustic I have had - so should I wait on the mini?

[PointBlank]

Yeah its tuff sometimes. You could have a room full of the same model guitars and easily find the best and worst one.

That's wood, that's guitars.

[dhalbert]

Originally Posted by pjroberts

Ted @ LA Guitars is working on a video comparison, so that should be telling

Here it is (Eastman ETG1 and Taylor GS mini)

[Dave T]

That video would be "telling" if it identified which guitar was which. Not being familiar with either one I have no idea. Oh well, to little for me anyway.

And it's a small point but a bunch of you kept saying $70 was a cheap test drive, or similar comments. Actually the OP said the shipping one way was $70, so his test drive, if you call it that, was $140 and a bunch of hassle. Maybe that's cheap for you folks but I don't have $140 to throw away.

Dave

[CoolerKing]

Can't go wrong with the GS mini.

[dhalbert]

Originally Posted by Dave T

That video would be "telling" if it identified which guitar was which.

They are played in the order of the title (I think they always do that). You can also tell by the pickguard.

[Yanto]

Definitely the Eastman first, and the GS Mini second in the video.

Originally Posted by ec214_rolyaT

I just got my 214ce, and already I am gassing for a GS Mini - especially after seeing that french guy playing smoke on the water on one, but I gotta say that I may just be a victim of the hype - do I really need the mini? I am still not an accomplished guitarist - got the talent and have the mechanics of playing down, but I can only play songs I make up. The 214 is the first quality acoustic I have had - so should I wait on the mini?

If you already have a 214, I don't see any point in buying the Mini unless you need a smaller size guitar. If I didn't need the smaller size (I keep mine in a small closet at church), I'd take the 214 any day.

[Dave T]

Originally Posted by dhalbert

They are played in the order of the title (I think they always do that). You can also tell by the pickguard.

Having never seen an LA Guitar comparison I wouldn't know that. And as I said, I'm not familiar with these models so the pick guards meant nothing. Guess this is one of those times when if you're not an insider you're just out of luck!

Dave

[stepchildusmc]

once you get to strumming, the Mini kills the Eastman!

Originally Posted by Dave T

Having never seen an LA Guitar comparison I wouldn't know that. And as I said, I'm not familiar with these models so the pick guards meant nothing. Guess this is one of those times when if you're not an insider...

One says Eastman on the headstock...the other says Taylor. This is especially clear if you watch it on YouTube and go full screen. The videos are in HD. You can also tell by looking on their website.

Anyway, now you know, so it's a moot point.

[roylor4]

I'm a big Eastman fan but the comparison tells the tale. The small Eastman is horribly outclassed in every way. They can't all be home runs, I guess.

[James_214ce]

Originally Posted by GraceGuitars

If you already have a 214, I don't see any point in buying the Mini unless you need a smaller size guitar. If I didn't need the smaller size (I keep mine in a small closet at church), I'd take the 214 any day.

That is exactly the type of feedback I was fishing for with that post

Thanks, Jon!





~James

[rvf263]

Originally Posted by GraceGuitars

One says Eastman on the headstock...the other says Taylor. This is especially clear if you watch it on YouTube and go full screen. The videos are in HD. You can also tell by looking on their website.

Anyway, now you know, so it's a moot point.

Thanks for explaining this, Rocket Science always gets me too.......

Originally Posted by ec214_rolyaT

That is exactly the type of feedback I was fishing for with that post

Thanks, Jon!

No problem! Don't get me wrong, the Mini is a great little guitar, and if you have the budget, I wouldn't hesitate to get a Mini in addition to your 214, but I wouldn't get rid of the 214 just to get the Mini unless your primary guitar needs to be smaller.