Is the Taylor 314ce a lifetime guitar?

[JBCROTTY]

Is the guitar a high quality instrument you could keep for a lifetime - yes.

Are you forced to keep it for a long time just because of its price point? Of course not.

I don’t understand this concept of a lifetime guitar - it’s a guitar, not a spouse. Why put that kind of pressure or expectation on yourself in selecting a guitar? Pick a guitar you like but if you decide to move on, why sweat it? The used market at that price point is robust - relax and enjoy the search and don’t worry if your tastes change or you decide to move on.

[Pura Vida]

Some people don't understand the concept of a lifetime spouse either, but I digress....

[1neeto]

Just recently I got myself a 2004 Taylor 214, and while it’s too soon to call it a lifetime guitar, I don’t see myself parting with it anytime soon. Hell, I still have my very first acoustic which is a Fender. Sounds like a plastic bucket with strings, but plays great, and it has that sentimental value.

[lt20dbl]

It's not always about the price you pay. In 1993, I ordered a brand new Taylor 712. All solid wood, gloss finsh, rosewood, spruce, ebony. Very nicely crafted. It was pretty guitar, with a pretty sound but just not terribly dynamic. Even back then, it retailed for $1900 but for me, it was a failed experiment as a small guitar for my needs. After four years, I sold it and much later replaced it with a Martin 000-15S. all mahogany, solid wood, zero bling. $650, brand new. I liked that one a little better but eventually gave it away and bought a Tacoma PR-12.
A misnamed "Parlor" model of dreadnaught depth, 000 top area , all solid wood, rosewood and spruce. $750 out the door, brand new. a monster of a guitar and blew the other two away and I played it a lot for about twelve years but eventually gave it away to my nephew. Now I am old, have five guitars, all expensive. I like them all yet they are all different. The more you learn, the further perfection recedes. It's really more about liking what you have, in the end. Learn what for you, is good enough.

[Cool555]

I think the Taylor 314 is a lifetime guitar or good enough as a lifetime guitar for many of us. Even if you decide to sell it in the future, it’s alright, I believe you’ll be doing it for good reasons.

I consider 2 of my guitars lifetime guitars. They are my Yamaha FS5 Red Label (MIJ) guitar and my Faith Venus Blood Moon Burst. Each of them costs less than a new Taylor 314 and IMHO just as good. The links (NGD) to both these guitars are below:

https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=547877

https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=528485

If you are someone on a tighter budget (not keen to spend too much) and looking for a good guitar, check them out. Whatever you decide, enjoy your journey (search) for your new guitar!

[Late Bloomer]

Mine while not the ‘one’ is a keeper. It does so much well and that makes it a valuable tool. It has been through a lot and appears ready to take on more. If the Taylor sound is right for you then you can’t go wrong with a 314.

[stringjunky]

If a guitar presses all your buttons, that's all that matters.

[$ongWriter]

Me thinks it's the 400 line. Most Taylors are all the guitar anyone really "needs"....but...many times we "want" things....

[llew]

Originally Posted by JBCROTTY

Is the guitar a high quality instrument you could keep for a lifetime - yes.

Are you forced to keep it for a long time just because of its price point? Of course not.

I don’t understand this concept of a lifetime guitar - it’s a guitar, not a spouse. Why put that kind of pressure or expectation on yourself in selecting a guitar? Pick a guitar you like but if you decide to move on, why sweat it? The used market at that price point is robust - relax and enjoy the search and don’t worry if your tastes change or you decide to move on.

^^^Agreed!^^^

[Guitarplayer_PR]

Originally Posted by Lamenramen

Hi I really have two questions:
1. In the Taylor lineup, which series do most people consider hits the sweet spot, i.e, has the highest sound quality : price: ratio? Is it the 300 series because that is where all solid wood starts? What I mean is, what series would I have to get such that any anything higher and it’s really all about fancy inlays and bindings but not about “objective” improvements in sound.
2. I am a firm believer in buying once and getting it right rather than buying and upgrading over and over again (famous last words I know). What is the lowest series that people consider to be a lifetime guitar? Again my research indicates anything 300 series (and above)
Thank you!

Any guitar can be a lifetime guitar if you really care. Having said that, a 314ce can be a great candidate for such a distinction.

[Guitarplayer_PR]

Originally Posted by $ongWriter

Me thinks it's the 400 line. Most Taylors are all the guitar anyone really "needs"....but...many times we "want" things....

Luckily, I'm on that road with my 414.

[vindibona1]

Originally Posted by Guitarplayer_PR

Luckily, I'm on that road with my 414.

A 414 is a serious jump up from the 300 series. There are a number of guitars in the 400 series that, since the advent of the V-class bracing, I prefer over the 800's.

[Guitarplayer_PR]

Originally Posted by vindibona1

A 414 is a serious jump up from the 300 series. There are a number of guitars in the 400 series that, since the advent of the V-class bracing, I prefer over the 800's.

Mine has the Scalloped X Bracing. I'd love to have the V-Class Bracing, although I don't prefer one bracing over the other, since it's apples and oranges for me.

[troystory92]

The 314 is Taylor's intro to an all solid wood guitar.
It is a professional instrument that I think any guitar player can appreciate.

With that said, I am reminded of my experience and almost purchase of a 314. I was starting to get more gigs and needed an upgrade from my Breedlove Passport.

I definitely wanted a Taylor and ended up being stuck between a 214ce Dlx and a 314ce.

The 214ce dlx had a brighter sound while the 314ce sounded woody. Layered wood vs sapele I guess. I liked the idea of owning an all solid wood guitar but also knew the guitar I was buying would be exposed to long hours in a car and sun during gigs at the beach so layered back and sides weren't a turn off for me.

Just to get another idea, even though it was out of my price range, I tried a 414ce-r. Holy smokes, this guitar blew both of them out of the water.

I decided on the 214 dlx and that I would eventually come back to Taylors 400 series. That seemed more of the guitar for me.


That's just my opinion, if the 314ce checks your boxes and makes you play more. Keep it for life!

[DenverSteve]

Any guitar can be a lifetime guitar. Every guitar can be sold, traded or given away. So, it will only be a lifetime guitar - IF you keep it for a lifetime. I've owned several 3** guitars and own none now. One would never be a lifetime guitar for me.