Looking for opinions on 714 v 712

dcyrus · #1 01-21-2003, 04:00 PM

I am considering trading my 614ce for either a 712 or 714 (no electronics). I fingerpick and play solely for pleasure not the entertainment of anyone. Volume is not a big issue. I would like anyone who owns either to give opinions, I notice that the 712 has spruce front and the 714 red cedar. How does each sound compared to the other.

MJH · #2 01-21-2003, 04:06 PM

I prefer spruce over cedar, but you will get a lot of people disagree with me. Is there any way you can play both and make a decision based on sound and playability?

Mark

GaryNattrass · #3 01-22-2003, 05:50 AM

I don't know about the 712 but I LOVE MY 714 with brazillian rosewood back and side's.
Its a great warm fingerpicking and a loud strumming guitar and gives any MArtin a run for the money.
I also have a 412CE which is great for live and plugging into the board.

Midnight Shadow · #4 01-22-2003, 08:35 AM

I did the A/B test with them one after the other. Both were great. I liked the cedar on the 714 and it did seem to have a little more volume but like yourself volume was not a big issue for me. It also seemed to me the 714 had a little more bass.

I later found a 712ce with the cedar top and that was the one I bought.
Midnight Shadow

JimC · #5 01-22-2003, 11:59 AM

I have a 714 cedar and a 912 englemann....If I had to have one I would choose the714. IMHO, the sound is fuller, richer, warmer etc. I like the x12 and play it as much as the 714 but mostly because of the size of the guitar. It's esier to sit back, watch TV and finger pick the 912. If I'm really into it...the 714 gets the nod. I think I even prefer the neck of the 714 compared to the x12 but that's because of the size of my hand. The 714 seems to fit better. Don't get me wrong, the 912 is an awesome guitar, responds to a lighter touch and I'll always keep it but the 714 cedar really fills the room with sound....I don't think there is any tonal difference between a 712 and a 912 given the same tops....

BTW, I'm a living room picker also...I only use my Taylors for finger picking and I don't use finger picks.... and I never use flatpicks on them either.

dcyrus · #6 01-23-2003, 10:56 AM

What is the difference in the two necks? Is width different? I ask because I also have rather small hands. I have even considered special ordering the 1 11/16 neck.

LarryH in Texas · #7 01-23-2003, 12:53 PM

dcyrus,

Just to clarify, in case you missed the implication of what Midnight Shadow said.

You can get either the 712 or 714 with your choice of topwood (spruce or cedar) at no additional charge. This applies to many models in the gloss-finish series. Depending on the model, you may have a relatively hard time finding, for example, a 712 with cedar, but they are out there in the stores (or you can order one).

JimC · #8 01-23-2003, 04:10 PM

I would love to try an x14 with a 1 11/16" modified v neck. I do believe these are the necks on the x10LTDS. When I fingerpick my Martin, it is easier for me with the 1 11/16 v neck but I don't care for the tonal qualities of the HD28v for finger picking when compared to either my 912 or 714.

bradley dr20 · #9 01-23-2003, 04:28 PM

And don't forget that the 700 series spruce is Engelmann, not Sitka. The Engelmann is brighter and better for fingerpicking.