hopefully getting a new acoustic

[Jimithing2005]

as a graduation present my dad said he would consider getting me a new acoustic guitar, im going to get a Taylor, but i dont know what series, ive played the 714ce at a local music store and i fell in love with it, but i heard that the 514ce sounds and plays better, but i have yet to see or try one, anyone have any imput?

[Rob]

At that price, close your eyes, play 'em all, and figure out what's best for you. Then open your eyes and look at your new guitar.

[JHacker]

I just bought a Taylor 314ce Monday and it's unbelievable. Obviously the guitar you get is based on how much money he wants to spend but definately look at the 314 because it's unbelievable.

[unccrombie]

im not a fan of the 3/8 series. could get a nice martin d-35 too, i like that better than the taylor 714

[UltimateFrisbee]

I have a 514CE. I've played dozens of Taylors and it's still the best sounding guitar I've ever played in my life. Be sure to play one before buying anything. Try to play one with the blender system and one with the expression system. I went with the blender system. And if you play one and decide to go for a 514CE... consider ebay. I got mine at $500 less than guitar center's "lowest [they] could go".

[Rob]

Don't touch eBay guitars. It's too risky for a purchase of this type. With wood, each guitar has to be different, and you need to play the example you buy before you make the decision. I've played three of the same model Taylor in a store in the same day and found variations that would make one more desirable than others. Additionally, with an eBay purchase you don't get customer service or the warranty. Taylor's customer service is the best in the business, and it's worth paying even a few hundred more to have them backing you- it'll be worth it in the long run when it comes time for a neck reset (and every guitar needs it sooner or later).

[brewsky095]

I reccomend the Esteban that you see on TV. It is very versital in that it can also be used as a boat paddle, or firewood. I reccomend the latter.

Taylor's are great high end starter guitars. You will realize one day that there is a whole other world out there as far as acoustic tone, and that Taylor just might not cut it. Try as many as you can and just because it says "Taylor" on the headstock does not mean it is the best, and the same can be said about any guitar. Good luck.

[Rob]

Wow. You really don't like Taylor. That's okay- to each his or her own. Don't forget, however, that Taylors are about playability live, not studio sound.

[brewsky095]

So are you saying that Taylor does not sound good unless it is plugged in? It is unfortunate that I would have to compromise. There are many great guitars out there that can accomplish both tasks VERY well. Taylor makes a wonderful instrument. It has excellent attention to detail for a mass-produced instrument. Alot of people assume Taylor is the best because they are everywhere. I did that with my first guitar. I bought a guitar for the name and have regretted it ever since.

[Rob]

Acoustic sound is all personal preference. I happen to love the sound that comes from Taylors, as I feel it is far more balanced than their main competition, Martin, who produces boomy-bass guitars. In my hands, there is no more playable guitar than a Taylor, and many agree with that sentiment. They choose other guitars for studio recording, however, and that's fine. They are about playability first, which is unsurpassed in the market for the general public, and sound second.

When somebody is shopping for a guitar, I can't stand it when people go off and start telling the person to get what they have, or denounce a brand. That's not what guitar shopping is about- you must find your own niche as every hand, ear, and hand/ear combination is different. The best guitar in the world for you might sound and play like crap for me. When making a huge investment in a guitar, you close your eyes to the brand and go by your senses. The people who have bought to a headstock might get lucky, or they'll spend the next few years trying to convince themselves they got the best guitar out there, looking over their shoulder the entire time. It's irresponsible for us to sit here on a message board and attempt to sway somebody into our own investment- it is theirs, and theirs alone, and it needs to be best for them.

[brewsky095]

Acoustic sound is all personal preference. I happen to love the sound that comes from Taylors, as I feel it is far more balanced than their main competition, Martin, who produces boomy-bass guitars. In my hands, there is no more playable guitar than a Taylor, and many agree with that sentiment. They choose other guitars for studio recording, however, and that's fine. They are about playability first, which is unsurpassed in the market for the general public, and sound second.

When somebody is shopping for a guitar, I can't stand it when people go off and start telling the person to get what they have, or denounce a brand. That's not what guitar shopping is about- you must find your own niche as every hand, ear, and hand/ear combination is different. The best guitar in the world for you might sound and play like crap for me. When making a huge investment in a guitar, you close your eyes to the brand and go by your senses. The people who have bought to a headstock might get lucky, or they'll spend the next few years trying to convince themselves they got the best guitar out there, looking over their shoulder the entire time. It's irresponsible for us to sit here on a message board and attempt to sway somebody into our own investment- it is theirs, and theirs alone, and it needs to be best for them.

I disagree that Taylor makes their guitars with playability more of a priority than sound. Taylor has "revoiced" their line twice already. You can have any decent luthier set up any guitar to have excellent playability. What makes a Taylor so much more playable than any other guitar? I was basically saying the same things you are in your post, however I happend to be a little more direct about my feelings on Taylor guitars. Again I do not think they are bad instruments. I just know a few people who bought a Taylor only to move on to different acoustics because their Taylor was outshined. Your preference will change over time and that is undeniable. Get what you like at the moment because that will make you happy right now.

[JHacker]

I'm play a Taylor myself, and although I understand how it's not for everyone, I just personally don't see how a Martin feels better in your hands. Taylor's produce an amazing crisp clean sound that pops when you play it. Martin's have high bass response but they sound dead when you play them. I've played a $5000 Martin before, and I would take my Taylor 314ce over it any day. A Martin just doesn't have the pop that a Taylor does. Maybe some people don't like that, but I just can't see how.

[brewsky095]

I'm play a Taylor myself, and although I understand how it's not for everyone, I just personally don't see how a Martin feels better in your hands. Taylor's produce an amazing crisp clean sound that pops when you play it. Martin's have high bass response but they sound dead when you play them. I've played a $5000 Martin before, and I would take my Taylor 314ce over it any day. A Martin just doesn't have the pop that a Taylor does. Maybe some people don't like that, but I just can't see how.
I never once compared a Taylor to a Martin in my posts. Thats a worthless argument.

[conrad123]

Are there any Martin's that don't have that boomy-bass, but more of a balanced sound?

[Rob]

You can balance them out somewhat with strings and combinations of strings, but it has alot to do with their scalloping and bracing technique.

[JHacker]

It wasn't in reference to your post...if it was I would have quoted it. Don't tell me that's a worthless post. It's a Taylor vs Martin vs Gibson world for top of the line guitars and I appreciate you considering what I said rather than feeling insulted.

[unccrombie]

It wasn't in reference to your post...if it was I would have quoted it. Don't tell me that's a worthless post. It's a Taylor vs Martin vs Gibson world for top of the line guitars and I appreciate you considering what I said rather than feeling insulted.
he said the taylor vs martin argument was worthless. not your post. easy killer

[brewsky095]

Are there any Martin's that don't have that boomy-bass, but more of a balanced sound?
The 16 series is very balanced. It has less complex overtones, but is definatly balanced. Just make sure you do not limit your choices to Martin and Taylor.

[halloween21]

I have a martin mc 16 gte and that is one of my fav guitars. It does have a boomy sounds but projects and sounds great and in my opinion better than the taylor. I have played taylors and never really felt anything towards them. But my best guitar that I love to play is a yamaha. Its a cpx limited edition art deco. ABSOLUTELY AWESOME. Alvarez also makes a very nice guitar. Wat type of playing do you do. Fast riffs folk, it all depends.

[Arron82]

I know it may be hard to believe but there are indeed other guitars out there that Martin or Taylor can't even touch. For instance check out what Breedlove has to offer, just don't faint when you look at the price tag! Word of advice, if you begin to feel faint make sure you hang the guitar back up on the wall before you do, or you may end up buying a guitar wether you want it or not. Check out acousticmusicworks.com to see some real high-end acoustics.

[jk333]

in a taylor Vs martin battle, larrivee will win in a massacre below 1500 dollars against both. (actual price, not list)

that said they're all just mass-produced high end guitars... there are much better guitars available...

played the best sub 1500 taylor [or martin] i've ever played a few months ago, real nice 310 with no electronics. very balanced, real nice. was pleasantly surprised... i will say, martin's below 1800 have been disappointing to me... their classic [and more $$$] guitar models are anything but however.

[JHacker]

I know it may be hard to believe but there are indeed other guitars out there that Martin or Taylor can't even touch. For instance check out what Breedlove has to offer, just don't faint when you look at the price tag! Word of advice, if you begin to feel faint make sure you hang the guitar back up on the wall before you do, or you may end up buying a guitar wether you want it or not. Check out acousticmusicworks.com to see some real high-end acoustics.

I was acoustic shopping for about a year before I bought my Taylor 314ce and one of the guitars I played was a Breedlove. They are beautiful guitars, but sound-wise, it just didn't cut it for me. The price is great for the look of what you get, but the guitar had no pop to it and it just sounded dull to me. If you're all about a great appearance, however, go for it.

[Carbon Copy]

martin > taylor

[Rob]

taylor > martin

See? Doesn't say anything.

[JHacker]

Rob is right.


martin > taylor
= idiot

[jkissel]

With all the inequality and equal signs, I figured I'd just set out and make my own proof.

"Anytime a guitar thread comes into existance, the Taylor vs. Martin argument quickly follows."