Getting a nice acoustic...

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Kiteboarder

Kiteboarder

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I usually play electrics but I'm looking into doing more acoustic playing so I'm looking to but a really nice acoustic. I've looked at a bunch of them and I'm thinking about the Taylor 214CE. It's Mexican and $999. The other option that I liked was the 314, but that goes up to about $1,600. I also like the Martin DC-6GTE-Premium and the Aura. Again, those are a good $1500-$1700.

I'm thinking of saving some money and going with the 214 Taylor. The downsides are that the back is laminate, (not real wood) and the electronics are nice, but rather simple. I do like the sound of it though.

What do you guys think?
 
Save for a US-made Taylor, imo.
That was what I did and I couldn't be happier
 
Thanks for the advice. I'm thinking the same thing from an investment point of view. The US made one will depreciate much less.

So, in that case. Between a $1,500 USA Taylor and the equivalent $1,500 Martin?
 
Songwriter Deluxe. You can get them around $1400 used. One of the best sounding in that price range, acoustic or plugged in. They get better with age!!
Picture093.jpg
 
Hey gbs. That songwriter deluxe is nice. There's a guy locally trying to sell me an L-4A for $1,400. But I think it's a bit much. I've seen the L-4A's for as low as $1,150.

Still, as much as I like Gibson electrics I'm inclined to say the acoustics are way more over-priced than the already overpriced Martins and Taylors. I would still love one though. But I don't want to get too picky.

I like this one a lot...

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/prod ... 511184#new

-D
 
I'm not a big Taylor fan ,really not :no: but,in any case,it depends what you wanna play:fingerstyle,flat-picking?Big chords strumming,Folk,gipsy jazz :lol: :LOL: ?,blues,bluegrass,ragtime etc. :confused: ?
 
I'm looking to play mostly with a pick, big chords and lead. Anywhere from soft and romantic to all out dynamic speed.
 
Kiteboarder":1x93zoh0 said:
I also want a cutaway, and pretty good electronics.
Click to expand...
Then,the Martin Dc16 looks indeed perfect but i don't know the new Martin's..
 
Kiteboarder":l9p18995 said:
Or this might be even better. The Aura system seems great to record direct.

http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i- ... RGTEA-LIST
Click to expand...

I borrowed a Yairi master build with Aura in the past and loved the Aura. I do a lot of acoustic gigs these days, and I started them with my T5, actually that forced me to learn how to make that soubd right which wasn't easy. I got a few exceptional acoustics like a 40 year old Gurian 3 and a Marchione Flamenco, but those need to be miked. So I pulled the trigger on a Martin 000 with Aura, just because I missed the Aura for DI stuff. And although it's not quite as sweet as the Gurian it really sounds amazing, plugged in or not.
 
degenaro":nvar8hkz said:
Kiteboarder":nvar8hkz said:
Or this might be even better. The Aura system seems great to record direct.

http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i- ... RGTEA-LIST
Click to expand...

I borrowed a Yairi master build with Aura in the past and loved the Aura. I do a lot of acoustic gigs these days, and I started them with my T5, actually that forced me to learn how to make that soubd right which wasn't easy. I got a few exceptional acoustics like a 40 year old Gurian 3 and a Marchione Flamenco, but those need to be miked. So I pulled the trigger on a Martin 000 with Aura, just because I missed the Aura for DI stuff. And although it's not quite as sweet as the Gurian it really sounds amazing, plugged in or not.
Click to expand...
That's nice to hear,i would love a Martin 000+Aura !My main acoustic is still the same since 1976,when i bought it new,and it's a Gurian J3 :rock: Love it!
 
Kiteboarder":2id3m2jh said:
Between a $1,500 USA Taylor and the equivalent $1,500 Martin?
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Personal preference, imo.
I prefer Taylors and Gibsons to Martins, but that is just me.
I'd go play as many as you can locally, then buy from wherever.
 
I'm interested in the Aura since I'm going to record lots with it, and will also play live. At the moment I've got a nice Shure condenser, but I don't even know how well it will work with the guitar for straight up miking. I'd rather have good electronics to get a good recorded sound plugged in.

Another thing is, I really like the idea of having an onboard tuner. When playing acoustically, it's kind of a hassle to have to look around for a tuner. Sometimes. Especially at impromptu parties.

On the other hand the 16GTE-Premium, seems to have a good condenser and piezos for $300 less than the Aura. That makes it appealing!
 
jonny toetags":1h48tuol said:
Kiteboarder":1h48tuol said:
Between a $1,500 USA Taylor and the equivalent $1,500 Martin?
Click to expand...
Personal preference, imo.
I prefer Taylors and Gibsons to Martins, but that is just me.
I'd go play as many as you can locally, then buy from wherever.
Click to expand...

I spent a good 3 hours playing and comparing guitars at my local GC the other day. My favorites where:

Martin 16GTE Premium $1,499 - USA
MartinXT1C Ellipse $899 - USA - Very nice, but top seems to fragile. I like satin backs, but prefer gloss fronts)

Taylor 214CE - $999 - MEX (Really liked the sound of this one. The 16GTE sounds somewhat better, but not $500 better)
Taylor 314 - $1700 ???

Gibson Songwriter Deluxe.

I obviously tried the $3000 Gibsons, Taylors and Martins. The sound is very close to the $1,700 ones. I think you simply pay more for better QC, bindings, Inlays, etc.etc. I wouldn't got that high.

-Danny
 
I have one more question...

The Taylor 214 is a GRAND AUDITORIUM shape, were the 210 is the same guitar but in a dreadnought shape.

I only tried the 214. Is there a lot of difference between the 2 guitars in terms of sound? Like... is the dread louder for example?
 
I tried a 414RCE and 410RCE and bought the 414. Taylor put out a limited edition of the 400 series with Rosewood back and sides a few years ago to pimp the ES system. I really like the tone of the Grand Auditorium over the Dread but that was just me. It was a while ago so I can't really remember the differences but it was obvious to me at the time that the 414 was going home with me.
 
I just learned the Taylor shaping/number system:

so

x10 - Dreadnought
x12 - Grand Concert
x14 - Grand Auditorium
x15 - Jumbo

I like the Jumbo and Grand Auditorium shapes the most in terms of looks. What should I expect as far as tone in between the different shapes?

-D
 
If you can find a Tacoma JK50ce, or JK28ce you chould check them out! I have a JK50ce with a LR baggs system and it is great! It smokes every Taylor I've compared it to!
 
Kiteboarder":8e88fe3b said:
I usually play electrics but I'm looking into doing more acoustic playing so I'm looking to but a really nice acoustic. I've looked at a bunch of them and I'm thinking about the Taylor 214CE. It's Mexican and $999. The other option that I liked was the 314, but that goes up to about $1,600. I also like the Martin DC-6GTE-Premium and the Aura. Again, those are a good $1500-$1700.

I'm thinking of saving some money and going with the 214 Taylor. The downsides are that the back is laminate, (not real wood) and the electronics are nice, but rather simple. I do like the sound of it though.

What do you guys think?
Click to expand...

Hate to say it- But I never liked Taylors. Well-built, but they felt like electrics to me. I like an acoustic that is hard to play, ringy and sustainy.

I also think acoustics shouldn't have built in pickups.

I'm a real Scrooge, I know.

I have a Martin HD-28 and I love it! Great guitar- A lifelong keeper and well worth it!

:) ;) :yes: :thumbsup: :confused: :rock:
 
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