#16
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I was at the Taylor Roadshow at my dealer and had the chance to play the new V-braced guitars. And we compared them to the current X-braced Taylors. I am not a Taylor guy when it comes to 6-strings and don't own one. But I love their 12-strings and just got my custom order 856c this January.
From the V-braced Taylors there was one that really stood out for me, the Builder's Edition K14ce (Koa/ Sitka). But would I sell my X-braced guitar? Or if I would own Taylor 6-strings, would I replace them with the V series? No, they are different alright, but don't make the others obsolete. The comparison with the car vs horse-buggy or smart phone vs cell phone is not a good one. The V series will not take over the guitar world, but it's a great addition and I could see myself purchasing one of these BE K14ce. It's the first 6-string Taylor guitar I would like to own. I am looking forward to checking out the first Taylor 12 string with V-bracing, I am sure they will come.
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George 1930 National Style O 1931 National Triolian 1933 Gibson L-1 2007 Martin 000-18 SB Authentic 2013 Gibson 1935 Advanced Jumbo Limited Edition 2013 Gibson 1934 Original Jumbo Limited Edition 2021 Martin D-28 CAA 1937 2022 Martin 000-28 CAA Many Strat's, Tele's, ES 335's and a Gretsch Duo Jet |
#17
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Can't say if the V-Class will do that or not ... 10 years from now will all new guitars be using it? Too early to tell. Lots of opinions though huh? It was a tough decision ... the K14ce is sweet, love the look, same dough. I prefer the bottom and top of Rosewood/spruce vs. the mids of Koa. AND, with the V-Class the 914ce is un-scooped ... at least the data let me conclude, and it is playing out that way (pun intended). Is this what you heard when you played them? The finish all over the K14 is the silent satin which is good for mic'd recording but I picked up somewhere not so much for wear and tear and maintenance of "normal" playing and performance. A beauty though. What was your impression? Never played one, only heard recordings, and it does sound nice. Now the 614ce and 814ce are here and I bet very nice. BTW, can't wait to see how the 12 string banter goes down? That's a lot of waves!
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================================== Taylor 2018 914ce V-Class Fender 2016 Custom Shop Artisan Rosewood Telecaster Fender 2001 '62 AVRI Sunburst Stratocaster Ovation 1992 Walnut Elite Limited Gibson 1976 Wine Les Paul Custom Penco 1974 D-45 Lawsuit Guitar Fender 1964 Pre-CBS Sunburst Stratocaster Last edited by ClayDots; 04-06-2018 at 02:14 AM. |
#18
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In these debates there seem to be two polarised opinions about Taylor motives, broadly stated thus:
A: Taylor want to improve their guitars. B: Taylor want to make money. But they aren't mutually exclusive. Is the purpose of a merchant to make a profit for himself, or to supply the goods we need? Well, both, of course. If he doesn't supply the goods, he can't make a profit. If he doesn't make a profit, he can't survive, so he can't supply the goods. I don't see why we have to take sides. Taylor make some very fine guitars, and they tell us when and why they make different ones, hoping to make a profit. That's all right and proper, isn't it? [Of course it would be different if their claims about V-bracing were demonstrably false: the sooner a snake oil merchant is found out, the better. But most people who play and listen to the new guitars seem able to hear a difference. I've heard the change in volume and sustain myself. Whether the difference is significant for any one individual is another matter - but that's the same for any guitar comparison.]
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#19
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Remember back when PC's were just coming out? Every other month a better one came out. Your old computer still did everything you bought it for and it was fine.
But nobody wanted to buy your old computer. |
#20
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Nobody really wants to buy your old computer in 2018, either.
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#21
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V-series and I always came back to the K14ce. I really liked the way it sounded, felt and played. Actually the Taylor rep (pretty good player) felt the same way, he told me he already ordered a K14ce for himself. I am foremost a fingerpicker when I play acoustics, I play with bare fingers and I just loved the way this guitar responded. Again, hard to explain but I really liked that K14. I didn't care much for that satin "silent" (great marketing name ) finish. I like the shiny finish. In general we guitar players are quite conservative and I doubt Martin/ Gibson/ Collings etc will go away from the X bracing. But it would turn the guitar world around if they would add V-bracing to their catalog. I asked the Taylor rep about the 12-strings getting V-bracing, he didn't say but his smile said a lot. I'm looking forward to check out a Koa/Sitka 12-string
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George 1930 National Style O 1931 National Triolian 1933 Gibson L-1 2007 Martin 000-18 SB Authentic 2013 Gibson 1935 Advanced Jumbo Limited Edition 2013 Gibson 1934 Original Jumbo Limited Edition 2021 Martin D-28 CAA 1937 2022 Martin 000-28 CAA Many Strat's, Tele's, ES 335's and a Gretsch Duo Jet |
#22
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Putting aside sales and profitability, I am guessing another factor for Taylor is the ease of their factory workers to assemble guitars in a more precise, accurate and consistent manner that results in a better and more consistent product. When throwing rocks at a piano, increasing the odds of the rocks striking the right chord.
Speaking for myself, I am sticking to guitars made by trained luthiers, not assembly line workers. I want the rocks to always hit the right chord. Last edited by MartyGraw; 04-06-2018 at 09:50 AM. |
#23
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In all seriousness, I'm very happy that you enjoy your new guitar. Your opinion has no bearing on how much I enjoy mine, however.
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Why would you be reading a signature when there's so much V-Brace stuff to talk about? |
#24
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It seems that somebody in 2012 had already thought about V bracing
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#25
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I also have no doubt they truly believe they have improved their product and perhaps they have, though to what extent I am admittedly not qualified to answer. There are so many other variables that can affect how a guitar sounds, I'm a little skeptical, but it's a healthy skepticism. I've said before I think the NT neck is/was a bigger deal, because it can be clearly demonstrated exactly what it improves. Taylor only exists by selling NEW guitars. Everything else, warranties, customer service, conservation efforts, only continue as long as the company can turn a profit. Yes, even good (guitar) people have to make money and I don't begrudge them for it. Resale is a consideration when buying, I know. For me, when I first started it was a greater concern in case I decided to quit and wanted to recoup some of my investment. Once I got past that point, I was sucked in far more about buying a guitar that I was excited about. Resale is a minor concern but doesn't excite me. A 914ce braced either way does and sadly, I agree with you. They will not be dumped price wise. One last thing, just poking fun mind you. People emote in binary, good or bad. It's good and bad, or a mix of both. Good, bad, or a mix... Isn't that 3? Last edited by FOG01; 04-06-2018 at 09:52 AM. Reason: spelling, etc. |
#26
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Full disclosure, it's all new to me, relatively speaking. I don't begrudge Martin's marketing methods anymore than I do Taylor's. They are both trying to sell guitars. If it sounds good, it is good. And I love the sounds even I can make with a guitar. |
#27
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The Taylor design stops just below the sound hole whereas the diagram pulled the frame to beyond the sound hole at the fretboard. What has been missed and perhaps Taylor should have shared was Andy has been working on this for four years with very large amounts of building and testing of different designs to come to the final product. Taylor design Notice the numbered markings, these reference details from the patent which are details explanations, not just a simple redline image. The link for this is at https://patents.google.com/patent/US...-LISTUG%2c+INC. Sketch from forum
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2019 Taylor Summer Ltd. GA Redwood/ Ovangkol Last edited by wooglins; 04-06-2018 at 10:44 AM. |
#28
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utility patent lockup
"But it would turn the guitar world around if they would add V-bracing to their catalog"
who is doing the first copy in their shop? Does taylor have a worldwide lock because of the utility patent? nobody can use this ? they have a powerhouse atty company who did the patent, read it some time. "But it would turn the guitar world around if they would add V-bracing to their catalog"
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Been doin this, way too long..... |
#29
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#30
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You can replace ANY other guitar maker in your A. B. and still true. Has to be.
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================================== Taylor 2018 914ce V-Class Fender 2016 Custom Shop Artisan Rosewood Telecaster Fender 2001 '62 AVRI Sunburst Stratocaster Ovation 1992 Walnut Elite Limited Gibson 1976 Wine Les Paul Custom Penco 1974 D-45 Lawsuit Guitar Fender 1964 Pre-CBS Sunburst Stratocaster |