Taylor 114ce vs 214ce

OK, I have some gear for sale on Craigslist. If all goes well I should end up with $700, probably a little less. Should I get a 114 or save up and go for a 214 ? The third option would be a different acoustic/electric. What should I get if not the Taylor ? I've heard many good things about Breedloves. Could I get a 214 for around $600-$700 used ? Any advice would be appreciated.

There are alot of good guitars out there. Take your time, do your research, and play as many as possible. I've played 4 or 5 of the 114s and 214s. Sometimes I prefered one or the other. I think its gonna depend on the individual guitar. Try and go to a store that has 2 or 3 of each. I think you'll know when you have "the one" in your hands regardless of what brand.

^^^ excellent advice!

114ce vs 214ce
The 114ce and the 214ce use different woods and will sound different. The 114 uses sapele (mahogany-like) and the 214 uses rosewood. The 214 has a solid sitka spruce top and the 114 does not. If you are investing in an acoustic guitar at the very least it should have a solid top.

LOOKING FOR A GUITAR
You should try a BUNCH of different guitars. You should do this so you can find something that feels good to play and that sounds good to you. It is true you will know the guitar is right for you when you play it and hear it. Try a bunch of different manufacturers (not just Taylor and Breedlove). You'll find different kinds of necks, different fret sizes, different top and body woods. All of my acoustics are Taylors and US Breedloves. So I don't think you can go wrong with either company, however in your price range there are plenty to choose from. I have found Alvarez to make some especially nice cheap guitars with solid tops.

CHEAP TAYLORS
Why get a used Taylor when you can get a new one :mrgreen: You can get around 40% off MSRP at many online retailers (guitarrodeo.com, elderly.com, there are others) You'll have to email or call for their real price. They are not allowed to advertise the price you actually pay.

The 114 has a solid top

Well, I found some good acoustics with solid tops. I never realy though of it, but Yamaha makes some very nice acoustics. You can get a Yamaha with all solid woods for a very good price. I need to get down to GC or Sam Ash and try out some acoustics. I've played a Taylor in Sam Ash before. I don't remember what model it was, but it was a MIM Taylor. The price was good for only $600, but I'd like an acoustic/electric. One question though. Am I better off to get an acousic/electric or just get an acoustic and add a pickup ? I never realy thought of that before, but I'm not sure wich one would be better.

It's all aesthetic. The 114 has laminated sides and back. The 214 has laminated sides and back. 114 is mahogany and the 214 is rosewood (laminated). Both have solid tops that will generate 85% of the tone.

You won't hear the added warmth from solid rosewood in a 214 but a a 214 ( or the 114) are beautiful sounding guitars.

I just sold an older 214 and a newer 210E.

I would buy the 114 if I were you. I would even consider a Big Baby. Solid tops. Laminated back and sides. Beautiful balanced tone. Taylor necks (nice). You can spend $449 on a 15/16 scale Big Baby or $800 on a 214 and you're still getting a solid top with sides and back that are not solid.

I have a Big Baby on a stand in our parlor next to our grand piano. I leave it out on a stand. I play and noodle song ideas on that guitar constantly.

$800 is very expensive for a laminated guitar. I bought my 210E used from Guitar Center. I used their used gear finder on the web site and I watched 210's for a week and saw mine advertised in Iowa for $450. Called the manger and bought it. UPS to my house was $18. If I hated it I could return it to GC locally. No risk. Great way to shop used.

My Big Baby cost $299 used. I also have a new GS Mini. If you can spend $800 then you should look for a solid wood guitar. The 114 is a very nice guitar. Big Babies really nice.

Have fun.

Look at the bear claw figuring on my Big Baby. I wouldn't rule out a Big Baby at all. I love them....

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k106/johnlg-2006/BigBabyA.jpg

Nice size.

I had a big baby and a gs mini. Both very nice guitars. Ended up returning the big baby and kept the gs mini. Couldn't stand looking at the two screws on the big baby fretboard, yes they are painted black to blend with the rosewood fingerboard, but they are still there. No bracing where the back and sides meet. The gs mini has none of these "problems" and it sounds better.

Bracing where the back & sides meet? Do you mean ribbon that goes around the top and back and edges onto the sides? Babys and Big Babies and 100's and 200's all have ribbon. It's not traditional cedar ribbon......it's a solid strip that is about 1/8" x 1/2" glued all the way around. It's rock solid. I used to take a Baby Taylor to Colorado skiing. They're bulletproof guitars.

The only other bracing is top bracing and every acoustic has top bracing.