Buying Advice: 814ce vs J-45

[Jim Owen]

I pick up my J 50 more than any other guitar at my house. If I only had one acoustic, it would be a J 45 or a 000 18.

[LJOHNS]

I voted J-45. Would be my choice over your other options. If you had a HD-28 on the list I would say both.

[SpruceTop]

Any of the guitars in your poll will work for any kind of music in the rock, pop, and folk veins. Given my druthers, I'd go for the Taylor 814ce as it's ready for anything and will accommodate your electric guitar style of playing all over the neck.

[Humbuster]

Originally Posted by Jim Owen

I pick up my J 50 more than any other guitar at my house. If I only had one acoustic, it would be a J 45 or a 000 18.

Interesting.
I recently sold a wonderful 000-18 and purchased a new J45 (KOA).
Loved the Martin and it was a great guitar, however always preferred Gibsons, elected to return to the brand. Getting close to my seventh decade and trying to limit material possessions, the J45 is my last and only remaining acoustic. Heck..even the wife likes it!

[zoopeda]

Originally Posted by Aahzz

I've been seriously underwhelmed by the V-braced Taylors.

This seems to be almost universal consensus around here. Anyone know how Taylor sales have been over these past couple years?

[TedBPhx]

The Taylor will feel and play the most like an electric. That’s one of the reasons I love mine.

[radioregime]

Originally Posted by Humbuster

Interesting.
I recently sold a wonderful 000-18 and purchased a new J45 (KOA).
Loved the Martin and it was a great guitar, however always preferred Gibsons, elected to return to the brand. Getting close to my seventh decade and trying to limit material possessions, the J45 is my last and only remaining acoustic. Heck..even the wife likes it!

Wow how does the j45 koa sound? that pretty awesome! Did you find that in a shop or order and trust that you would get great wood and quality?

[Humbuster]

It sounds "bright" but with nice bottom end (not boomy at all).

Sold a few electrics along with my 000-18 and was looking for a KOA bodied guitar as my one and only final acoustic.

I tried one of the new Martin Super D KOA guitars. It was fantastic and sounded large along with very nice articulation. However, being a small guy and not realizing the Super D is a BIG dreadnaught (shoulda done my homework on reading the description as I though it was a regular Martin D shape). If it was not so big, I may have gone for it. Highly recommended if you can handle the size.

Next up was a Martin 000 custom shop KOA. Fantastic fit and finish, however sounded a bit subdued to me. Really wanted to like it as I like the 000 body size of my 000-18

Finally, the J45 came out (have always loved Gibson acoustics) and I fell in lust. Fit and finish were spectacular and very comfortable. A perfect choice for my final guitar and will be left to my oldest son (youngest gets my Tele) in my will.

[aeisen93]

I have owned my 814ce since 2006. I love it for strumming. It’s loud and powerful. I do not really like the tone of new V Class Taylor’s. They don’t have that signature bright Taylor sound. I also love the tone of a 50s J-45. I’m referring to the new guitar (not actually made in the 1950s). It sounds completely different than the Taylor. If I were to choose, I really can’t because my 814 is great but I really want a J45 too lol

[aeisen93]

Originally Posted by zoopeda

This seems to be almost universal consensus around here. Anyone know how Taylor sales have been over these past couple years?

I really do not like V class Taylor’s. The 2005 era is the best