Help Me Pick An Acoustic

[IndyWS6]

Greetings
I'm in the market for a quality mid-priced acoustic guitar and am having trouble deciding. I would like to spend $1,600 or less, but would go as high as $2,000 if it was worth the additional investment. This guitar will be used primarily for flat-picking and strumming (I don't finger-pick) and I will be gigging with it, so I need an acoustic/electric model. As a caveat, I have $1,500 on a gift certificate at Sweetwater, so whatever I get needs to be something they carry. I love Sweetwater, but they do have a somewhat limited selection of acoustics in that price range.

My first choice would be a Guild or Gibson, but I can't touch one at that price point. So, I'm looking at Taylor's and Martin's. If I go with a Taylor, it would be either the 314 or 414 series.

Taylor 312CE Grand Concert
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/312ce/

Taylor 314CE Grand Auditorium
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/314ce/

Taylor 316CE Grand Symphony
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/316ce/

Which body style (Grand Concert, Grand Auditorium or Grand Symphony)? If it helps, I love the sound and feel of a Gibson Jumbo or Super Jumbo. I'm leaning towards the GA or GS...

Is the 414 series a better choice and worth the price increase over the 314?


If I go with a Martin, I was looking at these:
Martin DC-16GTE
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/DC16GTE/

Martin DC-16OGTE
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/DC16OGTE/

The Martin's in that price range have the "richlite" fingerboard. Not sure I want to spend that kind of money and get richlite, but I'm open to opinions.

Sweetwater also has Godin, Takamine and Wechter guitars in that price range, but I'm skeptical that any of those (with the possible exception of the Takamine) would be a wise long-term investment.

Thoughts? Opinions? Sorry for the long post - I tend to do a lot research before plunking down cash. You should see me buy a car!

 

[AmpliFIRE]

I prefer the feel and tone of Martin's over Taylor's, but I do understand your hesitance with "richlite". It's either ebony or bust for me...

 

[fek]

I had a Taylor 414RCE (limited edition with rosewood back and sides) that was the best sounding and playing guitar I have ever owned. I bought it brand new and only noticed how bright it was after playing it for a couple years until it opened up a touch.

I say Taylor and to buy used.

 

[IndyWS6]

I had a Taylor 414RCE (limited edition with rosewood back and sides) that was the best sounding and playing guitar I have ever owned. I bought it brand new and only noticed how bright it was after playing it for a couple years until it opened up a touch.

I say Taylor and to buy used.

Thanks...

I can't buy used unless I go out of pocket for the expense. I need to use the gift certificate I have at Sweetwater...

 

[King Crimson]

Try and find used if you are able to. New model acoustic guitars these days are 95% subpar construction and quality - this is extremely obvious with Martin and Taylor.

 

[IndyWS6]

Try and find used if you are able to. New model acoustic guitars these days are 95% subpar construction and quality - this is extremely obvious with Martin and Taylor.

Thanks...

I can't buy used unless I go out of pocket for the expense. I need to use the $1,500 in gift certificate money I have at Sweetwater...

 

[craftm1]

Taylor 316CE Grand Symphony, the Grand Auditorium in nice as well but the Grand Symphony is a little warmer and projects better given the bracing. You won't regret either, the Martins are nice as well so it really comes down to your personal preferences.

 

[fishstick_kitty]

Taylors GS body style is my personal favorite. Similar to the GA size but slightly bigger. It doesn't really feel much bigger...but you get a ton of extra low end with that little bump in size. I've owned many taylors and my favorite was a GS5. Incredible sound.

Also...IMHO the 400 series is a better investment (compared to the 300 series) if there is a chance that you want to sell it some day. They both sell well, but the 400 series seems to be more desirable and hold up better value-wise.

 

[Tonelover]

Sell the gift certificate for $1,400, buy a used Taylor 414CE for $1,200 or less and have money left over. And if you have a Guitar Center nearby, chances are they have a range of Taylors and others there that you can actually play and try out!

 

[fek]

Taylors GS body style is my personal favorite. Similar to the GA size but slightly bigger. It doesn't really feel much bigger...but you get a ton of extra low end with that little bump in size. I've owned many taylors and my favorite was a GS5. Incredible sound.

I did play a GS5 in a store one day and I agree. Great tone. I will take a very hard look at a G series Taylor when I am in the market again.

 

[threadkiller]

I have a similiar martin. It plays fine but the tone sucks. You have to really beat the shit out of it to get any tone out of it. Otherwise it sounds muted and flat. It has the fishman aura electronics and it actually sounds better plugged in than acoustic.

 

[tweed]

I have a similiar martin. It plays fine but the tone sucks. You have to really beat the shit out of it to get any tone out of it. Otherwise it sounds muted and flat. It has the fishman aura electronics and it actually sounds better plugged in than acoustic.

You remember which model Martin you have? Was looking online yesterday at Martin's and noticed a GPCPA4 Sapele @ sweetwater for 1199 with 18months no interest. Seems like a great deal but I haven't played a Martin yet, so I have no idea if I would even like it.

Need to get to some stores and try more acoustic/electrics out. It's so damn hard to tell anything from the online demo's I've seen lately.