Talk me into/Talk me out of a Taylor 314ce

[rabbuhl]

Talk you out of it. Yes, get a Martin GPC at Guitar Center. It is a bit cheaper at $1049.99. My personal preference is for Martin guitars over Taylor. I've got a Taylor 214CE, Martin OMC-15ME, and a Martin DJR-10e.

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Martin/...00000335261.gc

[JimmyJeff1]

Mountain Mama, private message sent

[Br1ck]

There is a lot to be said for buying a good guitar from the get go. Only you know if you are the type to see things through, but I guess you are if you're taking on motherhood! Used is one way to go if you have someone, a friend or a pro, who can help you evaluate condition. Then again, I played a Martin SC 13e that turned me around to the sound a good laminate guitar could have. It played very easy too.

But I'm not anti Taylor enough to try to steer you away if that's what you like.

[FOG01]

Originally Posted by Mountain_mama

Thanks! ItÂ’s nice to hear that itÂ’s a solid choice from someone who has experience! I agree, I donÂ’t think I need the electronics or the cutaway (even though it looks pretty nice &#128521. I will have to check into the GA3, I only wish I could get my hands on one to get a feel for it. Any advice for buying off of reverb?

I don't have a lot of experience on reverb and there's so much info on this thread (most of it really good) I don't think I could add anything that's not already here.

If there is one thing I'd emphasize it would be to learn about humidity and acoustic guitars. If you do pull the trigger, you will need to know how to care for it, especially if it's a really nice guitar like a 314ce. Its not hard to do but most people have no idea. Checking out Bob Taylor (the Taylor on the headstock) on YouTube for a quick lesson on humidity is a good place to start.

[EZYPIKINS]

I have the Martin GPCPA1 as well as other Martins, and Gibson's.

Every time I go to play a Taylor. I can't seem to buy because they don't compare to what I have at home.

That said, setting appt with Private Reserve to play a 12 fret 612ce today.

Have been wanting a slotted headstock guitar for a while now.

[andyenobs]

A good size guitar and Taylor workmanship is faultless. Easy to adjust the set up and plenty of informative videos on "how to" on there website. I have three Taylors - 2 Grand Concerts and 1 Grand Theatre - but for actual tone my Gibson J-50 is best of all and cost nearly half as much. However tone is how the individual hears it themselves and is a very personal opinion. I wish you luck with your search.
Regards
Andy

[jaytee32]

Don’t do it. Get one of the American Dream Taylors.

[jeanray1113]

Taylor is known for good quality control. It’s always possible that an identical model, but not the one you played, won’t sound as good to your ears, but probably not very likely. Sweetwater runs a reputable brick and mortar and online business. Their sales reps are knowledgeable and super helpful. If you should receive a guitar you didn’t like, you could return it, albeit the return shipping would be on you. I do think there is something to be said for buying the guitar you fell in love with. You sound pretty serious about playing. If your financial situation will tolerate it, my personal vote is to go for it. Sweetwater also offers 0% interest payments plans. I know I’ll probably catch a lot of flack for suggesting that you consider buying on credit, but these plans can make a purchase both affordable and fiscally responsible. I wish you the best and look forward to seeing you on the AGF.

[birdsong]

Whew. Another fine ping pong match......

[MJScott]

to the op.... any decision made?

[jeanray1113]

We’re waiting to hear what you decided! Don’t keep us in suspense!

[thestubbyone]

Originally Posted by nickcorey28

I've been following this thread for a day or so.

I own a 314ce that I bought from Sweetwater. I never played it before it was delivered to me, obviously. Prior to that, I fell in love with a different 314ce in a Guitar Center store, and like you, and I did not buy it at that time.

The 314ce I do have is a fine guitar. It sadly just does not "speak" to me as the one in the store did, so I barely ever take it out of its case.

I also own a $200 Yamaha, no electronics, no cutaway, nothing. It was my first guitar. I pick it up every single day and play the crap out of it. I never knew it spoke to me until I was a more seasoned player, but it does. It does just as much as the 314ce in-store did.

What I'm trying to say is. If you don't/didn't but that EXACT guitar in the store, I wouldn't buy the one off Reverb or anywhere else that you do not physically hold and play the thing as you did in the store.

My honest two cents is go for a Yamaha OR just a guitar you find that speaks to you in person and gives you that feeling in your chest. I cannot say with a straight face that I really think my $2000 Taylor gives me any more joy and satisfaction than the sub-$200 Yamaha does and I hadn't even known it until after I was playing for more than a year and really understood playing and guitars themselves.

my experience is similar. the first taylor I bought from GC. lI played the one in the room for an hour and it sounded great. When I decided to buy, they had a new one, unboxed in storage that I got. Took it home, did not sound the same to me as the one on display. So I goes back to GC with the guitar and go into the sound room to play the one I fell in love with. Sure enough it sounded different. I returned the boxed one and purchased the demo one on the wall. From that point on, I only buy guitars that I have played when I can.