Taylor 410/412/414? sound/tone differences? Other guitars in price range?

I hate to make one of those 'help me choose an acoustic" threads but... Leaving for college and am coming to the realization that I'll be broke for a long time after this and want to buy perhaps the last acoustic I'll need to for years. I play alot of worship music and brittish indie rock like the kooks or arctic monkeys.

Currently I own an Ovation Balladeer and it does ok but I'm ready for an upgrade. I've come to hate the rounded back (i have a large bowl).

Right now I only play rythm on acoustic so thats important as well.

I want to know the tonal variety between the four hundred series guitars and possibly the differences between the three hundred series.

The only other guitars in this price range seem to be the bottom end gibson special (black ugh) and martins. I havent found a martin I've liked except for the high end ones out of my price range.

Thanks in advance

I know a guy who has had a 410CE for a few years and it works out real well. He plays in church and and coffee house type places.

I suggest you buy something like a nice Yamaha. Something that sounds good but wont devistate you should it get crushed at party, or stolen from your dorm room. Maybe one of those $400 Blueridge, a Seagull S6, or a $399 Silver Creek from Musicians Friend.
I made the mistake of buying a high dollar bike to ride around campus, to and from class etc., it was stolen inside of 3 weeks. I learned the hard way. JMO

Nah, spend your cash now on a great guitar, your a long way from Oklahoma, so I wouldn't worry about it getting nicked unless you're not careful about it. When I lived in a dorm I kept about $4k in music gear in my shared room with a pot-luck room mate and never had a problem. You can get black-light id stickers to put on the back of all your valuables if you are worried.

I have a 414CE grand auditorium and my brother has the 314 or something dreadnaught. Both are single cutaways with identical electronics. Both are excellent guitars. Is the 414 worth the extra $800? Not unless you have to have a slightly fancier looking guitar.

It has a slightly different tone because of the body shape, but not a better tone. You'd probably be happy with any three or four series and it'd last you as long as you want.

Whe

thanks for your responses

getting stolen isnt a worry its being insured with my laptop, besides I'm looking to improve not downgrade.

Yea the 300 and 400 series are similar. I havent a-b'ed them but the binding on the neck (whatever you want to call it) really attracts me.

Well, I think you ought to step up to the Big Boys table then. Go for at least the 610ce. Either you run with the big dogs or stay on the porch.

Well, I think you ought to step up to the Big Boys table then. Go for at least the 610ce. Either you run with the big dogs or stay on the porch.

unless your going to donate to the cause that's impossible. My eighteen year old college student budget is already being stretched.

I've had 2 Taylors, the 310CE below and the K20 below that. I shopped hard for the 310CE and at one store, they had 6 of them in stock and this one was clearly the best of the bunch. A really good sounding low end guitar. Back in '98, I paid about $1k for it. The key here is to try and play a bunch of them because there are differences within the model type. The K20 is in a different league all together. Good luck on your quest!

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-7/71084/WKJIO-310_top.JPG


http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-11/71084/EAPAX-koafrnt.JPG

Anyone have any opinions on buying a used acoustic? I found a Taylor 414ce used at my local guitar center for 1300.

Anyone have any opinions on buying a used acoustic? I found a Taylor 414ce used at my local guitar center for 1300.

I always seek out used guitars, especially if I can play them before buying. You may want to have it looked over by a luthier. For Taylor money, think of it as buying a used car.

Not trying to create conflict, nor do I have affiliation, but this guitar is within your range and deserves consideration. The serial number of this Martin makes it a 2008, and if it were me I'd ask the seller if it has the "Commemaritive 175 yr stamp" inside the body. It probably does, and many of us view it as a collectable celebrating a guitar maker's 175th year! Also, darn near every dread you see is a copy of the D28.... Nothin like an American original:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Used-2008-Martin-D-28-D28-D-28-Acoustic-Guitar-and-case_W0QQitemZ170240132378QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item 170240132378&_trksid=p3286.m14.l1318

If not this particular one, I've had good luck with perfect or near perfect ebay sellers (others mabe not) & I see D28's in the mid teens often. Elderly can ship to your door new with warranty for $1710 (have it setup after delivery)

Have fun :)

PK

Sorry, but buying any acoustic you have not held in your sweaty little hands first is a crapshoot - I don't care what name is on the headstock.

I am not a Taylor fan so do not have a clue as to what are the benefits of this model over that. Not that they are not fine guitars but there are other makes that better fit my style of playing. You might take a look over at the Acoustic Guitar Forum - they have a separate forum devoted to Taylor guitars.

I can see no reason why you should not look at used acoustics. One thing to remember though is that it may take you a bit of picking to get an acoustic that has not been played for a couple of years to open up.

Best of luck to you Bro. - I do hope you find what you are looking for.

Sorry, but buying any acoustic you have not held in your sweaty little hands first is a crapshoot - I don't care what name is on the headstock.

I am not a Taylor fan so do not have a clue as to what are the benefits of this model over that. Not that they are not fine guitars but there are other makes that better fit my style of playing. You might take a look over at the Acoustic Guitar Forum - they have a separate forum devoted to Taylor guitars.

I can see no reason why you should not look at used acoustics. One thing to remember though is that it may take you a bit of picking to get an acoustic that has not been played for a couple of years to open up.

Best of luck to you Bro. - I do hope you find what you are looking for.


Counterpoints:

1) Elderly has a 48 hour free trial return period. If they send a dud send it back.
2) warranties from the maker apply only to original owner. The coupla extra coins, maybe not if you shop wisely, pay for lifetime warranty.

PK

Counterpoints:

1) Elderly has a 48 hour free trial return period. If they send a dud send it back.
2) warranties from the maker apply only to original owner. The coupla extra coins, maybe not if you shop wisely, pay for lifetime warranty.

PK

Not arguing that there are alot of guitars out there that sound good from day one. A while back I went out acoustic guitar hunting with a friend. He was hoping to score a new or recent Martin or Taylor. Went through a bunch of them and they all sounded and played pretty darn good. But there was one Taylor - maybe the sixth or seventh he tried that won him over. Had he jumped on the first one he would have gotten himself a good guitar. But by waiting and trying as many as he could find he got the one that spoke to him. He probably could not even have told you what it was but there was just something about that particular guitar.

Agreed, not arguing points, but exchanging thoughts.... used guitars have severa advantages and force the dilemna: bang for the buck vs nobody but me played her. Fact is, the better guitar builders build them to last a lifetime. Smart used shopping gives you a lifer, already opened up, sometimes for 50 cents on the dollar to new. I think there must be a sweet spot, old enough to have opened up mighty fine, yet new enough to not be beat to hell. Makes me wanna go buy another one :P

PK

In a drastic turn in events I may end up getting an oooc-16rgte aura. D-day is Friday I will post pictures