The Steel Guitar Forum

I was just wondering what everyone thought about Taylor guitars. I am thinking about buying a 414ce. I like them but I am trying to decide if it is worth the money. Thanks for any help.

I was on the road with George Hamilton IV this winter and he has a Taylor, smaller body model - don't know the model number, but it had a great sound and played and stayed in tune.

The guy I work for othertimes has a Taylor with a "jumbo" body and it has a great sound but it it's hard to fret and that's with Martin light gauge strings. That was the first Taylor that I had played and I wasn't impressed with how it felt but after playing other ones, it's got to be this particular guitar. Maybe if the strings were lowered it would fret better, but lowering the strings will affect the volume and tone.

ADDED: I notice a lot of the posts comparing the Taylors to Martins. I wouldn't go that far. But, I'm not a Martin fan either. My old "RG&G" Model Grammer will put them both to shame. <font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Jack Stoner on 07 June 2005 at 03:05 PM.]</p></FONT>

When I was shopping for my D28, every sales associate at various stores tried to get me interested in Taylors. There pitch was that they sounded like Martins and the prices were comparable. My response? If I want a guitar that sounds like a Martin, why wouldn't I buy a Martin.

I really like Martins as well. I have played a D-28 and they are hard to beat. However, I also like the Taylor Expression System. I am needing a guitar with electronics so I am leaning towards a Taylor.

I think Collings' beat Taylors.

Taylor have made a major push for the last twenty years, their sole aim being to compete with Martin. Competition is good for the customer, usually, and Martin have had to pull their socks up, figuratively speaking. One of the results of this has been Martin's unfortunate decision to market 'signature' guitars. Once upon a time, any artist playing a Martin had paid for it - whoever he was! Now the lines are less clearly drawn....

Having said that, I've played Martins ever since I could first afford my first one - an old 000-18 that I bought for 64 Pounds (UK) in London's West End in 1959 (that was an awful lot of money back then!) - and there's no power on earth that could make me switch to an asthetically less-pleasing instrument that probably won't hold its value.

BUT - I feel as though Collings have really made a difference! Their design is pure tradition (or Martin, if you like), and I've yet to play a bad one! I'm sorry to say that I've played quite a few indifferent Martins, and some Taylors that really don't work very well, but Collings are close to perfect, and their finish is incredible.

I have a few lovely Martins, but I've promised myself a Collings one day - probably their 12-fret '000' model with the slot-head. Exquisite!

RR

It's possible if you got an early Taylor that was handmade by Bob Taylor himself, it might be outstanding. They are since machine-made, and I think a very good job of that, but perhaps not as good as earlier.

I have a Jumbo Taylor 800 series. It plays great and has great sound. It plays a little harder than some other Taylors I have tried. I have mediums on it, but the action is really low. Definately sounds different than a Martin, but in a good way. I also have a Collings A style Mando. Sounds killer and the fit is top shelf. I wish I could afford the F style,but 7 grande is a little steep this picker. The tone is amazing. If your in the market for a mando check them out. Santa cruze (sp) Also makes sweet acoustics. Kind of pricey 3500 + . I guess I would say taylor makes some real nice guitars and the pricing might be a little more in reach and they are easy to play.

Seems like everyone is playing Taylors now, and I'm sure they're a great guitar, but...

I played in an acoustic duo for about a year in Kansas around 2003, they other guitarist had a beautiful Taylor. My own personal opinion is that if his is typical, it sounded fantastic for rhythm and fingerpicking, very sparkly tone, but when he'd flatpick a solo it was very thin-sounding. I was thinking about buying another steel-string acoustic around the time and did some reading on Taylors on the internet and have found that more than just myself also believe they are a little over-the-top in the brightness/treble area.

But... everyone has different taste in sound...etc....

Taylors and Takamines are lousy guitars acoustically, but seem to be favored with pickups. Personally I hate 'em, tinny machine made crap- I think a built guitar carries a little bit of the soul of the builder and they all have character. Get a Martin if you like that tone, or a Gibson for a warmer tone- but not a new one! Get an older one, pre-65 if you can get one.

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MSA Classic 12, Peavey Delta Blues, Proco Rat, Robert Randolph - Shubb bars

I don't understand Taylor guitars. They're beautiful, well-made guitars, with some of the prettiest woods I 've seen on ANYBODY'S guitars, but they seem to lack--what, SOUL??
A friend bought a rosewood 20th anniversary model, that sounds good fingerpicked, but when ya lean into it, it falls over. The electronics are good, which may be why so many hum-and-strum guys like 'em. The action is usually low, too.
The all-time best guitar I ever played? My old beat-half-to-death 1955 Martin D-28. The best new ax out there? Bill Collings D2H. A pre-war Martin clone. By the way, don't fault ANY guitar builder for using CNC machines for cutting parts. Fret slots are more accurately placed, tops line up better with the sides---and EVERYBODY'S doing it. Taylor, since day one! Martin, Gibson, even Collings has the automation thing happening. Having parts that fit ain't a bad thing...

I have six Taylors in my collection and like all of them, I would get rid of them if I didn't. Of course, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. They are like any other guitar, no two sound alike, and they are definitely not machine made "crap" as someone said. They are a beautiful, precision made instrument, and are very easy to play.

I have a 410, a 514CE (Fishman electronics), a 614C, an 810 (L.R. Baggs electronics), a new 815CE (Expression system), and a Baby Taylor. I can get about any kind of acoustic sound I want from this group.

I had a '72 Martin D28 in the mid '80's and never did like the sound, and it was a bear to play. Even though it wasn't very old, it already needed a neck reset. I had a Japanese Alvarez/Yairi at the time which played and sounded better, so I kept it and sold the Martin.

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Darvin Willhoite
Riva Ridge Recording


<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Darvin Willhoite on 07 June 2005 at 04:05 PM.]</p></FONT>

Most serious pickers I have worked with in recent years prefer the old Martins but are playing Taylors for the looks, pickups and electronics.
As a (occasionally) serious producer and engineer my preferences tend along those same lines.

I have a new Taylor 414ce and I love it. It doesn't sound anything like a Martin. It's much more bright. The smaller body helps avoid that boomy dreadnaught sound. It also has that new ES pickup system that was co-designed by Rupert Neve. It's the best acoustic pickup system I've ever heard, so natural, easy controls(bass, treble, volume) and it has a balanced out so you don't need to use a di box live.
If you like a bright, playable, versatile acoustic guitar, Taylor is your best bet. If you specifically want that Martin sound, then get a Martin!

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www.natelapointe.net

Collings CW (Collings Winfield).

Designed like the Clarence White D-28 that Tony Rice plays with the oversized soundhole.

Quality, rich tone, pricy but good investment.

My favorite.

Terry

The Taylor is an excellent guitar, and we sold a lot of them back in the 1980s when I worked at Danny's Guitars in Austin. Very well made and sound great, but they no longer have that indescribable "hand crafted" feel that some of the custom shops, predominantly Collings right now, have. That's my feeling, anyway.

The Collings factory is only a half mile from my house here in Cedar Valley. A Collings guitar or mando is practically a collector's item straight from the factory, as they do build some instruments that go right into collections.

My personal favorite guitars (that I own and play) are my '52 000-21, with a beautifully slim neck which needs a reset; and my '66 D-28, which had a recent neck reset after 39 years and is now a cannon. In the Hank Williams play I'm doing, I'm using my wife's 1970 D-35, which is a very, very sweet guitar. Great neck, recently reset, with a Fishman transducer.

Nothing compares to a great Martin, IMHO... though they will all require a $500 neck reset at some time in their lives. This is just what you have to accept with the brand, like the maintenance on a Jaguar automobile for example. And there are many great guitars out there also for those who don't want to deal with the hassles of Martin ownership.

This is a good time for lutherie right now, no doubt due to 1) technology, and 2) competition.

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Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,.I have played the Yairi,and It was instant love..I have owned 2 D-28's and loved them both..Gibson J-50,great sound..But due to circumstances that I did'nt take control of, they are all history..Now I have an early 50's Guild F-50 that has a real warm tone.Great for jazz chording..But 2 yrs ago I bought a Taylor BIG Baby.It was just what I was looking for..Had to lower the action just a tab..Very bright ringing tone,not as full and warm as the Martins (that I'm gonna replace soon).The nice thing with my Big Baby Taylor is that it's comfortable to play (because of it's smaller size)while sitting.Open chords jump out at me.Price was another factor.
But I also found the Elixir strings make a huge difference in tone..Pricey but worth it IMHO..Try em.
So my opinion,If you like a bright sound,,Taylor.If you want warm tone Martin..
Don't over look Ibenez either..underrated by many people..and Laveree(spell check). Any way it's bed time..P.J.
God be with you my friends..

Yeah, Elixirs are just the ticket if you don't want that wonderful brilliance and clarity you get from the first two weeks of phosphor bronze.

Elixir strings start at 7 tonally and slowly degrade so that they're perfect for a guitar that hangs on the wall alot.

OTOH, a set of phosphor bronze start at 9.5 tonally and more quickly degrade requiring more frequent changes.

I have a '96 Taylor 710 Ashbury that is a nice axe that both gigs and records well.
I love them Elixers, too!

I recently bought a Breedlove acoustic, and that is a nice axe, too.

The mother-in-law has a nice 60's Martin New Yorker that is a cool parlor guitar. Great sound and feel.

Pete B.

I'm not a big acoustic guitar expert, but I agree with Papa Joe, the Alvarez Yairi guitars are great sounding and playing, and lots of bang for the buck. They just seem to have a big round sound that I personally favor. He's also right about Ibanez, they're acoustics are great and highly overlooked and underrated. The other brand is Laravee, also good. Collings are wonderful. I like the looks of Taylors, but usually find the sound a bit lacking.

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E9 lessons
Mullen D-12/Webb amp/Profex II

Does anyone have or has anyone played the Martin DCK-1KE acoustic/electric? It's priced at $614 so I know it can't be as good as a D28. What about the Martin D 15 limited edition? I think it's around $700. I''ve heard a recording of one( Kentucky waltz )was the song, and the tone was great. But I was wondering if they were easy to play. I'm lookin for another acoustic with good tone and most of all easy to fret.
I've also heard good things about the Blueridge BR-160 for only $625. anyone played one of these?
Terry

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Mullen D10 /8x5 / session 500rd/ American Strat Highway 1 model
steelin for my Lord

I own a Larivee Do3, solid top, rosewood back and sides, satin finish. I walked into a local music store with $2ooo, and tried Martins and Taylors and every mid to high dollar guitar, and couldn't choose(kid in a candy store!)
The owner said try this, and brought me the Larivee. Head and shoulders above the others,$800 with case.
I do like the sound of the Taylors I have played, believe it or not, particularly the Big Baby, and they seem to be very high quality. JP

I probably have a different take here. I argue that any guitar, by any maker, can be exceptional. The issues to me are sound, playability, and resale value. The only way for me to figure out what I need is to play a lot of guitars and let my ears and fingers decide.

I was a diehard 'Martin-only' player for a long time (well, old slope shouldered Gibson dreadnaughts too), and was a Martin dealer when I was involved with my music store. But if we're talking new (not a pre-1970 vintage model), I argue that several other makers have caught up.

Martin, Gibson, Collings, Santa Cruz, Taylor, Larivee, Legend and others are making some very fine acoustic guitars now. I agree that Collings is a particularly fine, basically handmade instrument, with a price tag to match. But I've heard some very fine Taylors also.

What do I play now? An early number Gibson Sheryl Crow that I would stack up against any guitar I ever owned, including a '43 Martin 000-21, '52 Gibson J-50, a '59 Martin D-18 and several Collings D-2H's. I took the guitar on a trade and planned to immediately sell it - that is, until I set it up with mediums and played it. Wow.

The subject of value came up. I think that most new guitars lose value if you sell them immediately. But the really good ones, if kept in top condition, gradually appreciate as the price of new ones increases. If I keep a new acoustic 5 years, I usually don't lose money. But I prefer to find one that is 'slightly used', but still perfect. The key is to find one that really sounds great and I love.

I like the Nanoweb Elixir strings. They have a thinner coating than the Polyweb Elixirs, and sound much better, and also hold their tone a long time. In my opinion.

Jim Peters, how does the Taylor Big Baby play? Is it easy to fret higher up on the neck?

Terry

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Mullen D10 /8x5 / session 500rd/ American Strat Highway 1 model
steelin for my Lord

A friend of mine, whom I had done numerous recording projects for free gratis, for his children's ministry, had me check out all of his guitars one day. He had a 000-16, 2 D-28's, a D-35, one of the aluminum Martins, a Tayor 410 with Fishman electronics and a 25th Anniversary Taylor which Bob Taylor had given him personally.

He asked me which one I like the best.

The 410 was well-worn. The finish was water marked, it had some cracks that had been repaired and the wood was getting worn down around the sound-hole. I couldn't stop playing it. The action was terrific and it had one of the warmest, most inspiring tones of any guitar I've ever played. There was no doubt in my mind that it was the pick of the litter.

"Good," he told me, It's your's." I could hardly believe what I was hearing. He told me that he was tired of me making sure my boys played good instruments while I plodded along with junk and he wanted me to have whichever guitar worked the best for me.

I was humbled and blown away at the same time. I've had that 410 for about 3 years and I've written more songs on it than all the other guitars I've ever had. It's an incredible guitar.

I must say though, that the Martin DCR16GTE that I bought my son is a great guitar. The top split on it from the bridge down to the back when it was less than a year old. Martin put a new top on it free-of-charge and ever since he got it back, it is a phenomenal instrument.

I don't think I would ever buy a guitar from thew factory. They are too individual.

I don't have the n=money for a fancy custom axe, so it will probably always be a Martin or Taylor for me. Both great pieces of wood.

<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Webb Kline on 08 June 2005 at 10:22 PM.]</p></FONT>