Do I need a Taylor in order to play in Church?

[christhee68]

I’ve been playing in the church band for about 4 years now, and for the past three I’ve been playing an Alvarez acoustic electric (AD60CK to be precise).

I’m mostly in the background and turned down in the mix (especially when I play my Tele) but this summer I’m going to be playing at church with a duo or trio. I’ll be the only guitar and we’ll have piano with two female singers.

Now that my guitar will be heard in the mix (I’m also running sound) should I upgrade? I’ve been GASing for a Taylor for a while now (314ce).

I know, I know—I don’t really NEED it; but I figure my wife may be more receptive to the “I’m only buying it because I need it for church” line.

Besides, I can tell her I consulted all my guitar-playing friends on the interwebz and they said I need to get one.

[Pigweed]

Heh Heh just don't fly United with it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YGc4zOqozo
seriously - they are beautiful instruments. Bringing beauty to praise is a good motive.

[Nub]

I think a great sounding AND playing acoustic guitar is a necessity if you're leading worship in church, but it doesn't have to be a Taylor... unless you're gassing for one! Lots of guitars at that price point that sound as good or better.

[985plowboy]

No, you don't NEED one, but do you WANT one? As long as it wouldn't hurt you financially, go for it! I bought a used Taylor 310 and I love it. I put in an L.R. Baggs element active and it's awesome.

[T Prior]

Originally Posted by christhee68

I know, I know—I don’t really NEED it; but I figure my wife may be more receptive to the “I’m only buying it because I need it for church” line.

Uh..oh..watch out for lightening...

[praisebass]

No, you need a Martin.

Seriously though, in context of playing for worship, 'bring your best lamb'. There is nothing wrong with using what you have. However, a better instrument encourages you to play more and better and worship service is important. The kind of service deserves a high quality instrument. I believe there is very good Biblical precedent for playing high quality instruments. See 2 Chron 29 for example. Also, when you are playing for people in a worship service context, it's appropriate to present yourself well. That said, a Japanese Alverez classical is my go-to guitar for playing for the kids in the nursery.

[goldtopper]

You need a Taylor if you can't afford a Martin!

[Jack FFR1846]

When I need an acoustic in church, I hit the pedal on my fx that says "acoustic". Or play my Ovation.

Don't tell your wife you "need" it for church. You really don't. Be careful about just saying that you like it or she'll ask if you need it. (been through this.....stay with me). To be honest and yet allow your wife to see your point, you can say "I think this Taylor would sound beautiful in church.....what do you think?"

[Two Steps]

Seriously though, ALL I SEE are Taylor's in worship. Branch out a bit and rock another sexy looking and sounding guitar I am proud to say I play a big body Martin dread, and it sounds great. Yea, doesn't exactly cut like the midrangey T, but I look sexy none the less. Plus, our WL plays his 800 series all the time, so when we acoustic in tandem, we get great separation and full tone. Food for thought. Might as well buy a Duesy as well since that's what's cool right now

All this is a satire so please no one yell at me!

Also...

Originally Posted by Jack FFR1846

Don't tell your wife you "need" it for church. You really don't. Be careful about just saying that you like it or she'll ask if you need it. (been through this.....stay with me). To be honest and yet allow your wife to see your point, you can say "I think this Taylor would sound beautiful in church.....what do you think?"

How do you think I was able to get my Shure se425's! I NEEDED them for church! Even though my ear candy's were just fine.



Sent from my iPhone using TDPRI

[christhee68]

Originally Posted by Jack FFR1846

To be honest and yet allow your wife to see your point, you can say "I think this Taylor would sound beautiful in church.....what do you think?"

That's the ticket right there.

Plus, she's an accountant, and I make a little money on the side playing weddings. I could also appeal to her financial side by saying "Not only would it sound beautiful in church, but we could write it off as a business expense on our taxes."

[SixShooter]

The 314 is a great guitar for church. I bought a 214 last year (put a K & K in it) and got lots of comments in the improvement in sound over what I was playing. It really encouraged me to play more acoustic. If you can afford the 314 I recommend it.

[christhee68]

Originally Posted by SixShooter

The 314 is a great guitar for church. I bought a 214 last year (put a K & K in it) and got lots of comments in the improvement in sound over what I was playing. It really encouraged me to play more acoustic. If you can afford the 314 I recommend it.

What got me started on this kick was seeing a 214ce in a pawn shop. I brought up the subject to her a couple of weeks ago. She said "Is the one in the pawn shop a good one?"

I told her it was an entry-level model.

She said, "Why don't you just hold out and get a nice one." Since then she's kind of gone cold on the idea. In the meantime I've been scouring the interwebz for a used 314ce.

[javabirds]

Originally Posted by christhee68

What got me started on this kick was seeing a 214ce in a pawn shop. I brought up the subject to her a couple of weeks ago. She said "Is the one in the pawn shop a good one?"

I told her it was an entry-level model.

She said, "Why don't you just hold out and get a nice one." Since then she's kind of gone cold on the idea. In the meantime I've been scouring the interwebz for a used 314ce.

I'd say you should really hold out and save up or layaway something nice like she suggested! Tons of places do layaway at no extra cost and tons of places will still deal and get you a few hundred off of the lowest listed price when you buy new. Also you can return it if it doesn't work for you. It is hard to know just how it will sit in the mix until you play it in your particular setting so it's nice to know you can take it back if it sounds pants.

FWIW For the money Larrivee makes some great acoustics. But so does Gibson!

[jbmando]

AMS has 8-pay

[SixShooter]

Originally Posted by christhee68

What got me started on this kick was seeing a 214ce in a pawn shop. I brought up the subject to her a couple of weeks ago. She said "Is the one in the pawn shop a good one?"

I told her it was an entry-level model.

She said, "Why don't you just hold out and get a nice one." Since then she's kind of gone cold on the idea. In the meantime I've been scouring the interwebz for a used 314ce.

I think the 214 sounds just as good as the 314. It certainly isn't an entry level guitar. If you haven 't already, sit down and and play it next to any other guitar under $1,000 and I think you will find it really shines.

[christhee68]

Originally Posted by SixShooter

I think the 214 sounds just as good as the 314. It certainly isn't an entry level guitar. If you haven 't already, sit down and and play it next to any other guitar under $1,000 and I think you will find it really shines.

I didn't mean it was an entry level guitar, I meant it was an entry level Taylor.

Yeah, the 214 is great. I played it next to a 314 but I really liked the 314 better. The 214 neck didn't agree with me like the 314 did. The 314 has a wider neck, is solid wood throughout (the 214 is laminated back and sides) and the 314 has the full ES system, whereas the 214 is a simplified version called ES-T.

Like I said, the 214 is great, but I like the 314 better. I've seen a lot of used ones online for around $1,000.

[T Prior]

Originally Posted by christhee68

What got me started on this kick was seeing a 214ce in a pawn shop. I brought up the subject to her a couple of weeks ago. She said "Is the one in the pawn shop a good one?"

I told her it was an entry-level model.

The 114CE and the 214CE are not entry level guitars, they are lower price point guitars. Entry level guitars do not sell for $850 new ( 114ce) they sell for under $400 new...


The Taylor 114/214 series are excellent players and excellent sounding, the reason they have a lower price point is that they are not made in the US. I have had a 114CE and a 214CE, both were excellent players and had great sound, acoustic or plugged in.

Are they the same as the 300 series or higher ? No, but they are not supposed to be...different types of wood and construction, but they do play great...

Never be afraid to grab one of the 114/214 series guitars if the price is right and condition is right. Don't hold out, buy it play it..re-sell it...upgrade as you go...

Go over to Guitar Center, if it is in your area..play every guitar in the $1500 to $2000 range, then play every guitar in the $1000 to $1500 range, then every guitar in the $500 to $1000 range..not the under $300 range...3 different groups..don't mix them yet...

start at the top range and work your way down, not from the bottom up....try not to get wrapped up in cosmetic appearance...

You will be amazed...

The two Taylors, 114/214 regardless of the model# and price , will be leading the pack when you are done...you also may find that the 300 Taylors will own the room for value..I'm not talking about a $1500 Taylor compared to a $3000 Gibson...but for me the $3000 guitars don't do much for me ...

Also be aware that most of the guitars in the rooms are strung with heavier strings thant you may use and they may be dead...

PS, an entry level guitar is a Breedlove C250..around $500 new ..amazing guitar for the money...but it is less guitar than a 114/214 overall...

You may want to consider searching the Guitar Center Used website...if you find an Instrument, ask a million questions, have it sent, if you don't like it you have 30 days full recourse.

And finally, if you find a Used Taylor, 300 series and above, pre 2003, it will have the dual Fishman blend system on it, Don't let others tell you the Expression system is a must...that's an old wives tale, they are both excellent systems... whats important is the Instrument...

[christhee68]

Originally Posted by T Prior

The 114CE and the 214CE are not entry level guitars, they are lower price point guitars. Entry level guitars do not sell for $850 new ( 114ce) they sell for under $400 new...

Like I said, I meant the 214 was an entry-level Taylor, not an entry level guitar.

I know what entry level guitar are; I have one.

That's a good tip about the guitar center used deals. I like the idea of being able to take it back if I don't like it.

The re-sell and upgrade plan sounds cool too; Taylors seem to hold their value pretty well in the used market.

[bigmuff113]

You need a Taylor and a Marshall.

[74 Deluxe]

I play an Alvarez RD20 S12, 12 string in church with a SD Woody in the soundhole thru my pedalboard into the PA. I also run our sound, so how big I wanna be in the mix is up to me. All that being said, how the sound of an acoustic is being reproduced makes a big difference. I also have a ratty old 70 Kay Hummingbird, with a tree trunk of a neck and a Chinese preamp and peizo I installed, and she sounds FINE but I tweak the EQ a bit... I believe just about any flat top mic'ed or peizo, can sound good if you play well and the sound guy is up to the challenge of reproducing what you play. Remember its in your fingers...