Taylor 814ce vs...

[TeleKineses]

Had a chance to play the Taylor 814ce & 414ce side by side today. I liked both very much and maybe slightly lean towards the 814. Not concerned about the price difference. However, to you more experience acoustic players out there once you hit the $3200 mark is it worth it to save a little longer an get a Collings, Santa Cruz, ect or do you really hit the point of diminishing returns?

I don't play professionally, just at home and with fiends at this time. Church band has asked me to play some, but I can use my electric or an acoustic. Not going to get to gig much otherwise (2 small kiddos).

I don't like Dreads at all, preferring Taylor's Grand Auditorium or other companies Orchestra models.

Music: All kinds expect Jazz tending towards classic rock.

Let's see; other pertinent info: large build (not fat),medium hands, I prefer Ford trucks, Canadian whiskey, PS4 > XB1, brunettes, and I firmly hold to the truth that Texas is the best country in the world.

Spelling errors brought to you by iPhone.

 

[FMA]

The Taylor 814 is a fine, fine guitar. You can't go wrong.
But saving a little more for, say, a Collings seems like a good idea. The best acoustic I've ever played was a Collings dread. Just an amazing sounding acoustic. It sounded alive.
I think if you're interested in one, you should try to find one and play it before you commit. That may help you make up your mind. Being in Texas, you shouldn't have too much trouble finding a Collings dealer.

 

[dan1952]

My friend Frank says he doesn't trust a
guitar he can take apart with a crescent wrench...

 

[still_fiddlin]

You need to play them all! The 814ce is a terrific guitar. When I went looking over a year ago, if I'd had the money, it might have been a winner. There was one Martin GPCPA1 that was better, and there was another 814ce (plus some of other models/brands!) that was, "meh."

I played an Oregon made Breedlove that was also wonderful, but the width at the nut just a shave too wide for my comfort.

Once you get into all solid woods, there can be a fair amount of variation. I wouldn't buy anything for that kind of money without spending a (equally) fair amount of time getting to know it.

 

[TeleKineses]

Got to play a $6K Martin Eric Clapton model today. Liked the sound, hated the neck.

 

[telleutelleme]

Do play them all because something will grab you for sure. I have a 414 which was my daily player for many years. I then got an 814CE with the expression system and just love it. I think Rosewood vs. Ovangol is a big difference, the rest is appointments. The GA style is a good balance for finger picking and strumming chords. There are so many really good guitars in the 814CE price range.

 

[teleamp]

812? Or, a 12 fret 712...

 

[elmicko]

I love Taylor guitars, I have a '94 710 that is one of the finest acoustics that I've ever played. Having said that though, for the budget you mentioned I would look at a lot of guitars outside the Taylor family. Collings would be a great place to start, and there are some other smaller brands that are just amazing in that price range.

And I can agree with you on brunettes, but I'll have to vote for Tennessee whiskey.

 

[FMA]

I love Taylor guitars, I have a '94 710 that is one of the finest acoustics that I've ever played. Having said that though, for the budget you mentioned I would look at a lot of guitars outside the Taylor family. Collings would be a great place to start, and there are some other smaller brands that are just amazing in that price range.

And I can agree with you on brunettes, but I'll have to vote for Tennessee whiskey.

Tennessee whiskey? Kentucky, son.
And yes, there are loads of great options in your price range. Make some plans to visit some nice guitar stores. Not sure where you are in Texas, but Austin has a bunch of good shops that deal in your higher end guitars, Hill Country among them.

 

[McGlamRock]

I have a Taylor 314CE that is pretty good, the only regret I have is that I wish I had not purchased an acoustic/electric. Pickups seem to just be getting better and better, so if I had purchased a true acoustic guitar, I probably could've gotten something with better wood and the absence of built in electronics would have resulted in a lighter guitar (important for me now that I have neck problems).

Also you could switch out pickups without having 4 permanent holes in your guitar. I don't think Taylor has a non-electric GA cutaway so my point may be moot, but thought I'd share my little story of buyers remorse.

 

[imwjl]

Get what knocks you out. I like those Taylor models but I delayed the purchase gratification and got a Santa Cruz that knocked me out. It's not diminishing returns if you achieve the same - a guitar that stops GAS and you're just as in love with it years later.

It doesn't have to be a Santa Cruz but just has to have that special responsive nature and tone you can live with forever. That said, SCGC is a great place to start looking for those characteristics.

Have fun shopping.

 

[zombywoof]

You got to know yourself - what guitar works for you will more than likely not work for others.

I recently went out with a friend who wanted to check out a certain guitar. She plays with his fingers and has a very light touch and likes a thinner feeling neck. The guitar worked great for her. But it did not respond well to my more aggressive way of playing with my fingers. And I prefer a chunkier neck with a wider nut. So a great guitar for her but not such a great guitar for me.

I do not care for Taylors period. But I know some great players who just love them so I am not about to dismiss them. They just do not have the feel or sound that I want.

And you do gotta admit that Taylors certainly seem to be beloved by those who play in Worship Bands.

 

[TeleKineses]

Tennessee whiskey? Kentucky, son. And yes, there are loads of great options in your price range. Make some plans to visit some nice guitar stores. Not sure where you are in Texas, but Austin has a bunch of good shops that deal in your higher end guitars, Hill Country among them.

I'm 2 hrs south of Austin. Definitely will visit.

 

[telleutelleme]

Worth a trip to Houston as well. Great Southern Music, Fullers, Southpaw Music and Rockin Robbin are just a few good ones to visit. Play everything you can get your hands on and one of them won't let you leave without it. That kind of money, I'd allocate a few hundred for driving around looking.

 

[dragonfly66]

812? Or, a 12 fret 712...

712 12-fret!

 

[dragonfly66]

...However, to you more experience acoustic players out there once you hit the $3200 mark is it worth it to save a little longer an get a Collings, Santa Cruz, ect or do you really hit the point of diminishing returns?

...I don't like Dreads at all, preferring Taylor's Grand Auditorium or other companies Orchestra models.

If you have the time go play as many guitars are you can. I tried a Collings and hated the neck, it was a V. I have tried many Taylors that sounded meh, but loved the necks. So what you like might show up by playing different guitars with different neck, woods, nut sizes, etc.

I mainly like the concert bodies and OOO bodies because they fit me better, but the auditoriums are louder and I think a better all around choice if you are only getting one guitar. Right now my guitars are a mix of Taylors and Breedloves with one GA, two OOO and the rest concert bodies.

 

[t-ray]

For many years I was determined to buy a Martin, once I felt comfortable with the idea of spending the money needed to get the right instrument. I recently spent a lot of time at the guitar shop on several occasions playing Martin and Taylor GAs, among other brands. I was just totally impressed with the new Taylor 814 ce: sound, looks, feel, build quality all were noticeably superior to the Martins I was playing. It was kind of sad (in a bad country song king-of-way) playing the Taylor, looking over at the lonely Martin hanging on the wall. Took the Taylor home with me. No regrets whatsoever. It is possible it was just the guitars I had available to me at the time, though. I was able to play two different 814ce guitars in the shop, and one was ever-so-slightly better sounding and feeling to me.

 

[Vizcaster]

Taylor's 800 series is already more advanced than the 400 series in terms of the bracing pattern and the electronics, but it has also been updated this year (one difference is diagonal bracing in the back meant to bring out more bass, and they also use an entirely new pickup system). My 814ce is one of my all-time favorite guitars. Except for the next one, of course...

Check the Web for a "Find your fit" or "roadshow" event where Taylor comes to a local guitar shop with all the goodies to try out. The reps can explain what you're getting and make you more comfortable with your purchase. Seems like you've got step one figured out, though, in terms of the Grand Auditorium body shape.

 

[T Prior]

Taylor guy here as well, 414CE and a recent acquisition, 110 E ! Regarding the 800 series, of course they are awesome, but at that price, seeing I already own a Grand A 414CE,( primary AC axe) I would add a Martin D28 or D18 to my rack. I play regularly with a D28 cat and the natural volume and tone from that guitar always impresses me. If I were to pay the big bucks and acquire a high quality axe, it would be on of those, simply because I already own the 414ce.

The Martin dreads and Taylor guitars, make no mistake, very different instruments, in many ways should never be compared. An 800 series IS top of the market, if thats what your desire is, I don't feel you will gain anything by going to a Martin, Collins etc, other than the name. Also , never discount the quality of a comparable Martin, Collins etc...they are top notch as well.

Taylors have a distinctive bright tone, I lean towards them my dang self.

My 414CE is a 2002 with the Fishman system which I prefer. The 110E which I just picked up (dog cheap) is a 2012,yes near the bottom of the Taylor bucket but I am here to tell ya, it is a great player and I can't put it down! It could easily become my primary "duo" axe. The 1st Taylor I ever owned was a 114CE, loved it, 5 Taylors later I ended up with the 414CE. All used from GC's used list.

I string both Taylors with Ernie Ball Earthwoods, 11's , at just over $4 a set in bundle packs. I find them to be a good fit for the 414 , bright and very consistent. Yep you can buy more expensive strings that last twice as long but they are also more than twice the price ! I change strings probably once a month . I do not swap brands of strings , I have found , like many here , sticking with the brand you like for your axe and style, maintains your consistency and tone. Fresh strings , regularly, are as important to any brand of guitar as the guitar itself. I also don't let strings get into the dead zone, a 3 hr gig on any acoustic with dead strings is a long night.

get the 800 Taylor, don't look back !

 

[knopflerfan]

Would love to have a Santa Cruz, Collings, or Martin down the road. That being said, I love my 1990 Taylor 810.