Members Minh Duc Do Posted January 13, 2008 Members Posted January 13, 2008 I'm looking for a first acoustic guitar at around $1800. I spent hours in research and can not decide for myself. Could you recommend me a good one?Does Tak offers more quality for the same price than Taylor or other makes?I've read good reviews on Taylor 410CE vs 414CE. Which one is better? I live in Switzerland where the electricity power is 220v while the USA is 110vCan I bring a guitar from the USA and plug it to an amplifier made for 220v ?Thank you for your help
Members totamus Posted January 13, 2008 Members Posted January 13, 2008 The voltage is not a concern as the guitar doesn't use the mains. The signal level processing is done internally via a 9v battery and output through a standard guitar cord. Takamines do not hold their value nearly as well as a Taylor here in the USA, I suspect it is the same in Switzerland. The two guitars have completely different sound, in my opinion. A Takamine has a deeper sound and is much closer to a Martin than to a Taylor. Taylors also have bolt on necks as opposed to the set necks of Takamine and Martin. This gives the Taylor an easy to adjust neck angle and makes the Takamine/Martin more traditional. This is a subject that everyone will have an opinion on, but if you want a deep sounding guitar, get a Martin or Takamine. If you want a very crisp/bright sound with less bass, get the Taylor. I would rather get a Martin than they Takamine, by the way. The hold value better and are the original - Takamines are good, but they don't command the respect that a Martin does.
Members OldGuitarPlayer Posted January 13, 2008 Members Posted January 13, 2008 The voltage is not a concern as the guitar doesn't use the mains. The signal level processing is done internally via a 9v battery and output through a standard guitar cord. Takamines do not hold their value nearly as well as a Taylor here in the USA, I suspect it is the same in Switzerland. The two guitars have completely different sound, in my opinion. A Takamine has a deeper sound and is much closer to a Martin than to a Taylor. Taylors also have bolt on necks as opposed to the set necks of Takamine and Martin. This gives the Taylor an easy to adjust neck angle and makes the Takamine/Martin more traditional. This is a subject that everyone will have an opinion on, but if you want a deep sounding guitar, get a Martin or Takamine. If you want a very crisp/bright sound with less bass, get the Taylor. I would rather get a Martin than they Takamine, by the way. The hold value better and are the original - Takamines are good, but they don't command the respect that a Martin does. +1 ....that pretty well sums it up.
Members Guitslinger Posted January 14, 2008 Members Posted January 14, 2008 I'm looking for a first acoustic guitar at around $1800. I spent hours in research and can not decide for myself. Could you recommend me a good one?Does Tak offers more quality for the same price than Taylor or other makes?I've read good reviews on Taylor 410CE vs 414CE. Which one is better? I live in Switzerland where the electricity power is 220v while the USA is 110vCan I bring a guitar from the USA and plug it to an amplifier made for 220v ?Thank you for your help For $1800 you can pick up a new Takamine TF360SBG, which will probably be my next purchase. If you have yet to hear the Cool Tube preamp Takamine is putting in its higher end models, check it out, the sound is amazing. The TF360SBG is one of the bluegrass models with an 1-3/4" nut width, and a large neck profile. I recently purchased a new TAN16C model with the kewltube for $1250 that is a great all-round guitar. It has a solid spruce top, solid rosewood back, mahogany neck, and a gloss finish. For the money the Japanese-made Taks are a much better value than what Martin or Taylor offers for the same money, and they come with a lifetime warranty. Takamine's high end lines made in Japan: The Nashville line comprises their best production models, but at a cost that exceeds $2000. The Nashvilles have the best woods and workmanship, and are pulled off the production line to receive some hands on work by Takamine's best luthiers. You have trouble finding a production model that exceeds the bling factor the Nashville models offer. The bluegrass models can be had for less $2000, and some of them for less than $1500. The bluegrassers are designed for vintage bluegrass tone, with tons of low end and volume. The Supernatural series are probably closer to the sound of a Taylor than the other lines described, but have a more balanced tone, which means a little more low end. The TAN16C is a Supernatural model. The supernaturals all sell for under $1800.
Members guitarist21 Posted January 14, 2008 Members Posted January 14, 2008 Thank you for your help No problem! Hope this helped! Ellen
Members C70man Posted January 14, 2008 Members Posted January 14, 2008 I'm looking for a first acoustic guitar at around $1800. I spent hours in research and can not decide for myself. Could you recommend me a good one?Does Tak offers more quality for the same price than Taylor or other makes?I've read good reviews on Taylor 410CE vs 414CE. Which one is better? I live in Switzerland where the electricity power is 220v while the USA is 110vCan I bring a guitar from the USA and plug it to an amplifier made for 220v ?Thank you for your help For an amplified guitar, I would still choose the electronics onboard a Martin for that kind of money. But why not save a little and purchase without electronics and add your own? It also will give you more choices for the most important decision....the best "acoustic" you can afford.
Members guitarjedi33 Posted January 14, 2008 Members Posted January 14, 2008 i have a takamine santa fe that i wouldn't take any amount for... it is perfect imho...
Members Kap'n Posted January 14, 2008 Members Posted January 14, 2008 At $1800, I'm not looking at Tak or Taylor. +1. At $1,800 you're looking at a serious guitar. If you're shopping used, you can even pick up some of the luthier-built instruments. If you're limiting yourself to those two brands, you're doing yourself a major disservice.
Members Scott Fonseca Posted January 14, 2008 Members Posted January 14, 2008 Kind of echoing what has been said, don't limit yourself to certain brands, you may be able to find yourself a gem from some other brand! Just try out as many as you can! Good luck!
Members Cozmo Posted January 14, 2008 Members Posted January 14, 2008 Agreed. At that price range you don't have to limit yourself to those brands, as you're now in a league that includes Martin, Guild, and Gibson, if you want a brand that will hold its value. For example, here's a listing of Guilds on Musicians Friend between $1000 and $1500: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/navigation?N=100001+13&Ntk=All&Ntt=Guild&Nty=1
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