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audiokid 19 February 2016

I owned the Taylor 314CE for years and passed it off to my daughter. I need a new Taylor or something comparable to be able to earn some extra income. I don't really want the electronics. I'd much rather have nothing inside the box.
That being said, I have been considering the 414CE for some time because I've read its a choice studio acoustic. I also read the Taylor GC8 is really nice too. The slotted peg system in intriguing.

I'm still undecided.

Or, what do you recommend for acoustic guitars?

Comments

Tony Carpenter Wed, 04/12/2017 - 13:41

audiokid, post: 449489, member: 1 wrote: That would have put a big smile on me too!

Hearing that makes me look forward to age! Is your 2002 Taylor 414 ce ltd neck similar to the necks today? I love the neck on them.

I believe so, I in all honesty have not picked up a 6 string Taylor since I bought mine. An aquaintance has a 100 series 12 string neck on that is amazing.

Tony Carpenter Wed, 04/12/2017 - 13:43

Hi Chris, closest guitar shop is in Glasgow or Edinburgh for REAL guitars. I'll look next time I'm in Glasgow. Guitar guitar carry Taylor, and they have a dedicated higher end guitar room. They must have smelt my wallet last time I was there, pointed me to it almost right away lol. Or maybe just because I've got white hair and play guitar.

audiokid Fri, 04/14/2017 - 22:38

This is cool:
https://www.taylorg…

The Taylor Guitars Mobile App
The ultimate toolkit for your guitar and players like you.

https://www.taylorg…

Description
TaylorSense is a smart battery box equipped with sensing technology that monitors your Taylor guitar’s humidity, temperature, battery life, and impact incidents. The battery box replaces an existing battery box on Taylor guitars featuring any of the following onboard pickups with a 9V battery: Expression System® 1 or 2, ES-T, or ES-N. In addition to tracking the guitar’s condition, TaylorSense sends alerts when the guitar needs care via Bluetooth between the smart battery box and the free Taylor Guitars App for iOS (currently available in Apple’s App Store for iPhone and iPod Touch only). The timely alerts include links to easy-to-follow videos created by Taylor’s expert Customer Service team that show you how to solve problems when they arise. Hardware/software requirements include a Wi-Fi or cellular-connected iPhone 5 or later, iPod 6th generation or later, running iOS 8 or later. Installing the battery box is easy thanks to simple instructions, or you can have an authorized Taylor service technician do it. Not sure whether you have a compatible Taylor pickup in your guitar? Consult this PDF. For more on TaylorSense and the Taylor Guitars App, visit our TaylorSense page. Model #84800.

What is the Taylor Guitars App?
The free Taylor Guitars App is a groundbreaking guitar resource that outfits you with a mobile suite of killer tools to help you play, record and care for your guitar wherever you go. The app starts by putting an easy-to-use guitar tuner and a powerful multitrack recorder right in your hands. It also gives you access to a wealth of guitar care videos, support and solutions to common problems. It even provides dashboard control for an optional add-on feature for your guitar called TaylorSense, which uses sensors to monitor the humidity, temperature and battery life of your guitar along with any potentially damaging physical impacts it suffers, and sends you alert messages when it needs care.
https://www.taylorg…

Learn more about TaylorSense

DonnyThompson Sat, 04/15/2017 - 00:44

I haven't played either model in years - but I'm curious... how are Martin D28's and Gibson Hummingbirds these days?
Have they maintained the quality and tone that they were known for over their many years of production? Are they worth the prices they command?
Or, have they become overpriced, based on their classic names(s) and lineage, (like Les Pauls have?)

Just curious... :)

audiokid Sat, 04/15/2017 - 07:25

DonnyThompson, post: 449545, member: 46114 wrote: I haven't played either model in years - but I'm curious... how are Martin D28's and Gibson Hummingbirds these days?
Have they maintained the quality and tone that they were known for over their many years of production? Are they worth the prices they command?
Or, have they become overpriced, based on their classic names(s) and lineage, (like Les Pauls have?)

Just curious... :)

Really nice too but I prefer the Taylor neck. The neck is where it all matters for me, tone after.

I've never been into dreadnought's for recording simply because I prefer the Grand Auditorium tone and style, but I most CERTAINLY wouldn't say no if you put a new D28 in front of me. The upper end Martin's are really nice . However... I'm thinking I need a few gobo's on hand, and to learn a lot more about recording and dealing with acoustic guitars with bigger boom bass which is more of the the Dreadnaught sound.

I plan to get a dreadnaught when that budget allows but it will likely be a Morgan Dreadnaught like the one I was thinking about buying close to the beginning of this thread. It was beautiful and much preferred to a Martin D28 or Gibson.

Gibson acoustics are a completely different feel, not for me. Every new Gibson acoustic I played felt hindering. I picked them up, held them for 5 seconds and moved on.
Morgan Dreadnaughts are definitely worth trying.

DogsoverLava Fri, 04/28/2017 - 09:37

I drove into Langley from Vancouver yesterday to play their Taylors -- and had a chance to compare their 814 to a 614 -----was shocked at what I found.
Their 814 was uninspiring -- not responsive at all -- fairly flat dynamically. The top did not resonate or move like the one's I played (including the one that you had sent to PG) in Vancouver. It was strung with thicker strings and had an okay bass response but was missing everything in low middle of the spectrum as well as the highs. There was no "song" in it's voice at all.

The 614 I played was "strummy" and jangly -- like a good old Yamaha. Inexplicably it just didn't come close to the 714 or 814 playing experiences I had in Vancouver and it was priced almost the same as a 714. Didn't expect that at all. From everything I've experienced so far with these guitars, (including your feedback Chris) I'm still weighing heavily to the individual qualities of specific instruments when it comes to finding the magic. It makes me want to hear the 714 you did buy Chris because it may just be a fantastic guitar even beyond it's model designation.

Though with everything you've recently posted about hydration and setup I wonder how many off-the-wall gems have been overlooked because they just were not optimized for play. For high end stuff you gotta think there might be a case to be made for a more curatory approach to guitars.

Still got my eyes open for a 9 series with that contouring --- still wanna see/play that.

audiokid Fri, 04/28/2017 - 10:14

DogsoverLava, post: 449853, member: 48175 wrote: Though with everything you've recently posted about hydration and setup I wonder how many off-the-wall gems have been overlooked because they just were not optimized for play. For high end stuff you gotta think there might be a case to be made for a more curatory approach to guitars.

Indeed!

Whats interesting, I've read dozens of threads on how consistent Taylor's are and I don't find this to be accurate at all. They are all over the map in consistency to me. So I share what you are experiencing too.

I think the mass of acoustic guitars in stores are all below their hydration spec. Mine was at least 20% drier to what it should have been. I'm surprised it wasn't all buzzy. I'm still debating a 914ce because this 714ce isn't perfect either. Its reached its perfect humility, all measurements are on spec now and I hear slight fret buzz that appear needing attention from a luthier. Damn... finding an acoustics I like has always been a challenge of trade offs. I just love the sound of mine but I'm not completely satisfied with the neck.

DogsoverLava, post: 449853, member: 48175 wrote: Still got my eyes open for a 9 series with that contouring --- still wanna see/play that.

I'm told they are special order and there isn't one 914ce in any of the Canadian L&M stores. Unfortunately, because they can't get me a 914ce to compare, I'm now at the end of my return policy deadline to keep or return this 714ce.
So, I'm taking it back today and the quest continues to find something else. After this journey, I definitely have learned a ton of info and know what I am looking for, that's for sure.
Sadly, its been a bit stressful going through all this because I have a serious project coming where I need to find something soon.

audiokid Fri, 04/28/2017 - 10:23

audiokid, post: 449856, member: 1 wrote: Interesting to hear your comments on the 614ce now! hmm :cool:

https://www.taylorg… They are maple back and sides and torrefaction. I think I need to hear one of these now! The 614ce has new bracing as the 814ce and 914ce.

Our maple/spruce Grand Auditorium has always been a versatile performer, and this edition boasts an array of tone-enhancing refinements that transform maple’s tone profile into a richer, warmer and more complex voice. As a result, players can expect an even more dynamic and expressive musical tool. Design nuances include a maple-specific back bracing profile and a special seasoning process for the spruce top called torrefaction, a method of roasting the wood to produce an aged tonal character with greater acoustic resonance and responsiveness. Other touches include the use of protein glues to optimize the tonal transfer between key wood components and an ultra-thin, 3.5-mil gloss finish to minimize dampening. A new, hand-rubbed “Brown Sugar” stain on the back and sides gives maple’s striking figure a beautiful violin-hued appearance without adding extra thickness to the finish. Featured appointments include ivoroid Wings fretboard inlays, an inlaid ebony backstrap, ebony binding with ivoroid purfling, an ebony/ivoroid rosette, and a striped ebony pickguard, along with Taylor’s Expression System® 2 acoustic electronics. The guitar comes with a deluxe hardshell case.

 

 

DogsoverLava Fri, 04/28/2017 - 10:48

audiokid, post: 449858, member: 1 wrote: I should have that 614ce sent up here lol!!! Maybe its perfect for me. Did it have a nice mid tone to it? How was the action?

I didn't really like it but my time with it was short (there were other guys in the room and one kid wouldn't put the banjo down he was playing on). It played well and had a relatively balanced but strummy kind of jangle tone so I'd say that it was very mid voiced but lacking bottom end and general responsiveness (some of the tone owing to what looked like copper bronze strings). It was more of a strummer as a guitar for sure. Wasn't particularly inspired for leads but the top looked good.

Davedog Tue, 05/23/2017 - 17:44

Beautiful!

I own a 2000 414CE. I bought it new. I had saved a bunch of money at the time and I wanted a 'forever' acoustic....one I could record with as well as play live. At the time there was a nice shop that carried a lot of very good to extreme high-end acoustics. No, not the GitterCenter....This place set them up right and had a nice room with its own heating and cooling where they kept all the big-time stuff.

I went there specifically looking to buy a Martin. I knew they had an early 50's D18 that I wanted to play as well as a late 60's D41. They also had a 30's 000-21NY which was outside of my rather healthy budget.

I played 24 or 25 guitars that day. Martins, Taylors, Gibsons, USA built Epiphones, All of them had their quirks and special thing....I played Taylors through the 814 level. I almost pulled the pin on a beautiful 614CE with the most beautiful flamed maple back and sides I've ever seen.

My friend who worked there was kinda frustrated with me at this point. I had been there for hours trying to decide. I asked him if there were any others he'd recommend. He said no, but they had just gotten a delivery and things were still unpacked on the dock. "Any guitars in it?" He said yeah there was one Taylor....He unboxed it in front of me. It was the 414CE ...they had it on backorder. It came out of a hot case and was in tune still. The balance of the highs and lows was nothing like any of the other 24 or 25 guitars I had played. It even had the cheap electronics in it so pricewise it was less than most of the others. I have recorded many many many tracks with this guitar. It records perfectly even to this day it sounds like it did out of the box. It's a little quieter than a lot of acoustics and I found myself having to really whack it to get any projection from it. It's only drawback. I fixed that by buying a 1971 Gibson J50 which is a damn loud guitar acoustically.

I love my Taylor. It will never leave me.

Last year I bought another acoustic for live shows. Its a Korean instrument with a solid top. 000-21 style. I can beat it senseless. AND It sounds great.

Most of my acoustic instruments are specific in their purpose. A Square neck dobro, round neck dobro, 12 string, a PAPOOSE! you should hear that thing!! An octave mando, gut string....everything to its purpose...Except the Taylor.

audiokid Mon, 05/29/2017 - 10:01

(updated edit )
Wow... the 914ce is amazing. The build cannot be seen through any pictures. Seeing it in person exclaims total quality. No bling factor at all. It just looks beautiful, full of passion. Its the best of both the 714ce and the 814ce.

The tone on this is warmer and fuller in comparison to all the other Taylor series I have played so far, and that is most of the series.
The top end is what's most impressive to me as its more open and full sounding. I've never heard top E strings sound this rich. The overall tone has a natural reverberation that resonates throughout all the strings better to the other series as well.
I think this has to do with how the beveled armrest keeps your "arm" from resting, muffling on the sound board. Its really ingenious how they designed the bevel. I would have never imagined you could build an acoustic like this. The armrest is absolutely suburb and very very comfortable.

The mids sound beautifully balanced but its not a 714ce . I do like the mid (rock and roll) focus of the 714ce better, but the 714ce can't compare to what the 914ce offers beyond that. I would want both 714ce and 914ce in an ideal world. But, I am 99% loving the 914ce mids as this is truly the better all round class acoustic that meets all styles. It is exactly as described in other reviews.

The bass.... well.... in comparison to the 814ce, I was worried it would sound similar to the 814ce because they both have the advanced bracing and similar build. However, much to my surprise, the 914ce sounds to have an "overall" broader mid balance and with a rich resonance that I never heard with the 814ce and/or all the other series. Actually, this is hands down, the best acoustic I have ever played in 40 years.
The bass resonates an overall clear and punchy warmth throughout the entire spectrum without bloom boom. Its beautifully voiced.

The big wow to the 914ce so far... I never expected it to sound as open and to be this inspiring to play.

I love not feeling a pick guard on my baby finger as well. I always hate the feeling of my baby finger touching the points of a pick guard. That will not be missed!

The feel of it, how it sits, dangles with a strap around your body is very comfortable.

The neck is fast and a perfect width for me.
The [[url=http://[/URL]="http://g-gotoh.com/…"]Gotoh 510[/]="http://g-gotoh.com/…"]Gotoh 510[/] 1:21 tuners and intonation is stellar.

Its all Taylor at its best. Outstanding.
It just arrived so time will tell as I am simply in awe right now. I'll report back after a few weeks again.

Cheers!

DogsoverLava Mon, 05/29/2017 - 10:46

audiokid, post: 450591, member: 1 wrote: (updated edit )

Wow... the 914ce is amazing. The build cannot be seen through any pictures. Seeing it in person exclaims total quality. No bling factor at all. It just looks beautiful, full of passion. Its the best of both the 714ce and the 814ce.

The tone on this is warmer and fuller in comparison to all the other Taylor series I have played so far, and that is most of the series.
The top end is what's most impressive to me as its more open and full sounding. I've never heard top E strings sound this rich. The overall tone has a natural reverberation that resonates throughout all the strings better to the other series as well.
I think this has to do with how the beveled armrest keeps your "arm" from resting, muffling on the sound board. Its really ingenious how they designed the bevel. I would have never imagined you could build an acoustic like this. The armrest is absolutely suburb and very very comfortable.

The mids sound beautifully balanced but its not a 714ce either. The mids are perfect for this but I must say I do like the mid (rock and roll) focus of the 714ce better, but the 714ce can't even compare to what the 914ce offers either. I would want both 714ce and 914ce in an ideal world. But, I am 99% loving the 914ce mids as this is truly the better all round class acoustic that meets all styles. It is exactly as described in other reviews.

The bass.... well.... in comparison to the 814ce, I was worried it would sound similar to the 814ce because they both have the advanced bracing and similar build. However, much to my surprise, the 914ce sounds to have an "overall" broader mid balance and with a rich resonance that I never heard with the 814ce and/or all the other series. Actually, this is hands down, the best acoustic I have ever played in 40 years.
The bass resonates an overall clear and punchy warmth throughout the entire spectrum without bloom boom. Its beautifully voiced.

The big wow to the 914ce so far... I never expected it to sound as open and to be this inspiring to play.

I love not feeling a pick guard on my baby finger as well. I always hate the feeling of my baby finger touching the points of a pick guard. That will not be missed!

The feel of it, how it sits, dangles with a strap around your body is very comfortable.

The neck is electric, the 510 tuners and intonation is stellar.

Its all Taylor at its best. Outstanding.
It just arrived so time will tell as I am simply in awe right now. I'll report back after a few weeks again.

Cheers!

Chris will this be an either/or decision or are you doubling down?

audiokid Mon, 05/29/2017 - 11:04

sorry for a few edits above. I want to describe what I am experiencing "right now" so its truthful, spontaneous and not an overly seasoned opinion. I've edited the 914ce review a few times now , carefully trying to avoid the infamous "support of purchase" hype.

DogsoverLava, post: 450597, member: 48175 wrote: Chris will this be an either/or decision or are you doubling down?

This acoustic is incredible, no two ways about it. If I ever get enough extra money to indulge in a second Taylor, I would buy the 714ce for up front rocking acoustic stuff. The 714ce mids are stellar however it lacks in the top and bottom end and "that" elastically snap feel 800 and 900 series have which I suspect could be in part to how the "Advanced Bracing" transfers a "less stiff feel" into the bridge to neck, including a more "vibrant resonance throughout the body that just feels good. :love:
As you have experienced, Rob... it's a feel hard to describe. You simply have to play the Advanced Bracing builds to know what that feels like.

The 914ce is the best of all worlds and the feel of it is absolutely stellar.
The 914ce is the Master guitarists first choice for sure.

I've measured the specs, checked the neck to bridge alignment which the bridge is slightly low from low humidity. It is @37% now so it will only improve as I get it up to the 47% Taylor humidity spec.
The 714ce I had was at 26% when I got it, and as I got it up to 47% humidity, the performance substantially improved.
The neck on this 914ce is already excellent so I know it will only improve as I increase the humidity another 10%.

I'm lucky on this purchase... I was worried because I never had a chance to play this before I bought it. It came from Quebec and I had to pay before it shipped. It was a crap shoot indeed but after drilling the guys at the shop where I got this from, for weeks ... I felt they knew their guitars and took the chance.

Gerald Musique Inc.
1-866-752-5912
www.geraldmusique.com

Its a good one. :)

This isn't going back.

audiokid Tue, 05/30/2017 - 20:19

I've tried to take a pic of it and it won't translate. I've looked all over the web for pictures that do justice and nothing translates. I think its because of the angle and how the light can't focus on it. The bevel is ebony that eventually becomes the trim around the body. Its simply beautiful.

Ill try to get a few and upload after this post. stand by...

audiokid Tue, 05/30/2017 - 20:40

Its at the most perfect angle that you really don't feel your arm on the corner of the guitar. And your arm doesn't touch the sound board at all. You can hear a definite audible volume and tone change when your arm rests on the top. Try it with any one of your guitars.
Strum with your arm lifted off and then normal. After I did this with the 714ce, I knew the bevel wasn't just a visual / comfort thing. It actually increased clarity and volume.

audiokid Tue, 05/30/2017 - 20:46

its silk smooth as well. I have total confidence that the design would never open up. The way they cut the edge off the top and rosewood side, to fit this ebony into it is really solid. I suspect its not easy to do but it looks like it fits so well, and is polished with absolute precision that you cannot feel any connection between the side and top. It truly is a work of art. I just sit and look at this for hours now. The guitar is fun just looking at it.

DogsoverLava Tue, 05/30/2017 - 23:49

wow - thanks Chris. I loved the audio commentary - you are Canadian brother.... no doubt about it! I didn't realize the ebony wrapped all way round like that. Pretty sweet and you could still hear the reverence and awe in your voice - that speaks volumes about the instrument in your hands. And you are good with the no pick guard? It looks killer without it. Why burden the top with that I guess eh? All my Classicals have no pick guard but I never gave it any thought when it came to my acoustics (all with pick guards). Enjoy bringing that baby to life. What are you going to string it with? Any preferences?

audiokid Thu, 06/01/2017 - 13:23

audiokid, post: 450655, member: 1 wrote: Ive never uploaded a video from this old iphone so bad example or not... here is a video of the Taylor 914ce armrest [GALLERY=media, 456]A look at the Taylor 914ce armrest by audiokid posted May 30, 2017 at 9:33 PM[/GALLERY]

To correct myself in my video, I said the top was cut about a 1/4 inch but its more like a whole inch.

It appears they cut about an inch off the top and side where your strum arm sits, then bevel fit a piece of ebony in there. When you look at the guitar from the front in person... you are actually seeing an inch of a black ebony bevel with beautiful binding/ perfling, however when taking a picture of it ... it translates to a shadow, thus giving the top an out of proportionate look.

audiokid Thu, 06/01/2017 - 13:28

DogsoverLava, post: 450656, member: 48175 wrote: What are you going to string it with? Any preferences?

The guitar was in the store for over a year and I believe had the original strings on it! I changed them with Elixir Nanoweb HD Light and it sounds much better. The mids improved which makes me very happy.

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