#1
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I feel dirty, sort of.
Carbon Fiber.
Love the stuff. Love my X30, RainSong, and the Virtuo. But I was screwing around in Guitar Center a while back, and found a 2008 Taylor 816CE. It is the first non carbon guitar I've messed with that I really liked how it played and sounded. As a result, my guitar ranking list has shuffled the X30 and Virtuo down a notch. Ooof. I feel terrible about it too. My favorites to play are now as follows - #1 RainSong #2 816ce #3 X30 #4 Virtuo |
#2
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Ugh - gross.
I mean, I can see a wood guitar like a Martin or Collings... but a Taylor?!? You should be ashamed of yourself. You better hope Captain Jim is out on his boat...
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Call me Scott Cole Clark Angel 2 Thin Line | Emerald X7 Custom Woody | IRIS DF in sinker mahogany Methos1979: (Almost) Every guitar-related review I've written on AGF! Scott & Donna Music Last edited by Methos1979; 09-26-2022 at 06:53 AM. |
#3
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oh boy here we go again...
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Ray Gibson SJ200 Taylor Grand Symphony Taylor 514CE-NY Taylor 814CE Deluxe V-Class Guild F1512 Alvarez DY74 Snowflake ('78) |
#4
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#5
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#6
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While I would shift the order of DethWshBkr's list, he is certainly entitled to his own ridiculous opinion. And for the record, I have never found a Martin I wanted to take home.
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Some CF, some wood. |
#7
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What would you swap around, and why? For me, the X30 is third because it's just so difficult to play. I cannot get the action to my liking. I've tried different strings, replaced the nut and bridge both with lower ones, only to have it buzz. Measured, the strings are a good bit higher than any other one I have. The StagePro I put in, makes it sound good. I like the thumpy bass and the ability to EQ it now, as well as the microphone pickup. The Virtuo is 4th because acoustically, it sounds terrible. Even acoustically through a K&K Dual Channel preamp sounds only "decent". Playing it electric, different story. BUT, I wish Emerald sold a sound hole plug that would snap into place, and block the sound from the sound hole. Playability, I like it. The RainSong is just a treat. The lightest of the bunch (almost too light sometimes....), Jumbo sound. Playability is GREAT, except if I'm trying to doodle stuff past the 14th. Plugged in, it leaves a lot to be desired. I don't like the Fishman piezo, but it's acceptable. The Taylor....plays like the RainSong, but better up past the 14th with the cutaway. Pickup, I find the Taylor Expression system to be very satisfactory. The humidity thing is just a bunch of crap though. I don't like worrying about the humidity and having to acclimate it and TUNE IT NEARLY EVERY TIME!!!! But it sounds sweet and pleasing, whereas the RainSong has a more crystalline edge to the sound. Last edited by DethWshBkr; 09-25-2022 at 10:50 PM. |
#8
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DWB, I was just cracking a joke. We all like what we like. My guitar models are different from yours. I had a RainSong Shorty - liked it until I bought that first Emerald (a previous gen X7). The Emerald played better (even though I had a lowered bone saddle and a good set-up on the Shorty) and I prefer the sound. Sold the Shorty, mostly because the neck wasn't a great fit for me.
My Emeralds are: X7, X20, and X10. I have them set up for my preference, and each plays and sounds great. For playing enjoyment, that's the order I'd rank them. For acoustic sound, I'd move the X20 up to the top. Each is good plugged in. My newest Taylor is a 12 string, but like my other Taylors, it is the most comfortable neck and best acoustic action. For me, the Taylors are the best fit and feel on the neck. Just for comparison sake, I have a Taylor T5, which is close to the premise of the Virtuo... sounds like crap acoustically, but the T5 was never meant to be "an acoustic" guitar. I do like the idea of the Fishman Fluence pickups on that Virtuo; I have those on an Epi SG that I got before Emerald came out with the Virtuo. It's no secret that I like carbon fiber guitars, especially Emeralds. But I still have several Taylors that I have no intention of giving up. For my use, each of my guitars has a unique sound and purpose. Like a golfer picking the right club for their situation (I'm not a golfer, btw), each of my guitars could be "the top of the list" for a particular sound/use. As active as I've been on this carbon fiber forum, I've joked about "sinning" when I get another wood guitar or even take some time off from daily playing. Enjoy the playing, without the guilt. CF or wood, it's all good.
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Some CF, some wood. |
#9
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Ray Gibson SJ200 Taylor Grand Symphony Taylor 514CE-NY Taylor 814CE Deluxe V-Class Guild F1512 Alvarez DY74 Snowflake ('78) |
#10
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Out on the boat with a WOOD guitar? And freely admitted?!? Sacrilege! Blasphemy!! You're going to instigate a coup amongst those that look up to you as our leader of all things carbon fiber. And for the few that might not be regulars here or recognise humor, my original post (and this one) are meant to be funny. The CF sub-forum is a fun group of people. Usually. I'll add some emojis to help. |
#11
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And what is it with these Taylors lately? I did't much care for them in the past, then a 324 Builders Edition followed me home !! Enjoy your 816 DWB, ANY new guitar is a good thing !!
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John |
#12
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As for Taylor guitars, nearly every one I've ever played has sounded great and been a fine example of craftsmanship in the build and looks department. I just never could get along with their very thin necks as they tend to make my hand cramp up. At a trip to Northern Lights this past winter I played dozens of really high end guitars and one of my favorites was a Taylor 900-something that was just fantastic. And even though new, the price tag was in many cases less than half of what some of the others I played. |
#13
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Don't worry, DeathWish, it washes off easily...
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#14
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Martin HD-28 Sunburst/Trance M-VT Phantom Martin D-18/UltraTonic Adamas I 2087GT-8 Ovation Custom Legend LX Guild F-212XL STD Huss & Dalton TD-R Taylor 717e Taylor 618e Taylor 614ce Larrivee D-50M/HiFi Larrivee D-40R Blue Grass Special/HiFi Larrivee D-40R Sunburst Larrivee C-03R TE/Trance M-VT Phantom RainSong BI-DR1000N2 Emerald X20 Yamaha FGX5 Republic Duolian/Schatten NR-2 Last edited by SpruceTop; 09-26-2022 at 08:02 AM. |
#15
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Got to hand it to Taylor. They are doing a great job making wood guitars that come close to the sound of real carbon fiber.
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Emerald X30 Emerald X20 Nylon Emerald X7 Nylon Rainsong Smokey SMH Outdoor Guitalele Taylor 522e 12-fret ✝ Gitane DG-560 nylon ✝ Alhambra 3C CW Eastman AR910CE Recording King RM-991 tricone resonator Recording King RK-G25 6-string banjo Thomann Irish Bouzouki M1089 |