Taylor 314-CE, pros and cons?

[Mokaccino]

Hi all, probably my first post here. I've been offered a Taylor 314 CE, it's used but in near perfect shape. Now, I've never played with a Taylor before, what should I expect? What are the pros and cons of that specific model?

 

Any inputs will be greatly appreciated, thx.

 

Eric

 

PS: I am in Canada, the seller wants 1400$ OBO. It looks like a fair price to me. Feel free to throw in your .02

[Sandman31774]

you shouldn't buy it...tell owner to mail it to me for free ha ha...i personally love the 314ce and hope to one day own one....the ones i've played had great action and very good tone. i'm not sure about canadian prices but $1400 (usa) used seems kinda high but he may have originally paid a lot more for it new in canada than usa.

[Krash]

 

Hi all, probably my first post here.

 

 

Um - no, not quite. We don't get many trolls here, so they tend to stand out. You're welcome in this forum as long as you conduct yourself in a respectful manner. Can't help you with the Taylor.

[Mokaccino]

 

Um - no, not quite. We don't get many trolls here, so they tend to stand out. You're welcome in this forum as long as you conduct yourself in a respectful manner. Can't help you with the Taylor.

 

 

Can't help me with the Taylor... So you came here to warn me, right?

 

You may think I'm a troll, that's fine, I'm not.

 

Anyway, I will take your advice and go from there, thx.

[kwakatak]

Well, here's the price for a new one:

 

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Taylor-314CE-Grand-Auditorium-Cutaway-AcousticElectric-Guitar?sku=514973

 

Note that the "discount" is 26% off the MSRP. Taylor enforces a minimum advertised price which is generally 30% off, but I've heard of retailers going as low as 40% off. Now, a used instrument is going to go for about 50% even if it's in "mint" condition, so unless he's quoting you in Canadian $$$ (I understand that the conversion is kinda lopsided lately) then I'd just look at a new one.

[Krash]

Not to warn you - just to welcome you back and hope we can all get along better this time around.

[Mokaccino]

 

Well, here's the price for a new one: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Taylor-314CE-Grand-Auditorium-Cutaway-AcousticElectric-Guitar?sku=514973 Note that the "discount" is 26% off the MSRP. Taylor enforces a minimum advertised price which is generally 30% off, but I've heard of retailers going as low as 40% off. Now, a used instrument is going to go for about 50% even if it's in "mint" condition, so unless he's quoting you in Canadian $$$ (I understand that the conversion is kinda lopsided lately) then I'd just look at a new one.

 

 

Thx. Yeah usually used instruments should go 50% (I kinda go that way when buying used gear), you are right about that. I would have to find out how much in CAN funds the guitar is worth brand new. Well thx for the advice anyway.

[kwakatak]

Thx. Yeah usually used instruments should go 50% (I kinda go that way when buying used gear), you are right about that. I would have to find out how much in CAN funds the guitar is worth brand new. Well thx for the advice anyway.

 

You're welcome and good luck. BTW - looooove the avatar!

[Mokaccino]

You're welcome and good luck. BTW - looooove the avatar!

 

Oh thx!! This guy is so stupid! It's only an avatar, in no way I am a fan of his work. I just thought that police picture was kinda cool!

[Freeman Keller]

OK, here are my thoughts (and the caveats). My wife gave me a 314 (no C or E) for a birthday a few years ago. It was virtually new (still had the warrany card) and I want to guess that she paid about 750 US for it. List price from Taylors site on a 314CEis $2238, 40 percent off is $1350. If those are US dollars that price is way too high (don't know what the exchange is).

 

If it has the early ES make sure it has been upgraded by the original owner under warranty.

 

The 314 is a great do-everything guitar. It will fingerpick and strum very nicely, but I sure wouldn't take it to a bluegrass jam. The 1-3/4 neck feels much more modern than my Martins, action is low (in three years I've never tweeked it). Most people that play it comment about how easy it plays. It has the stereotypical Taylor sound and the modern industrial appearance that you associate with Bob's guitars.

 

I play it for my wonderful wife as much as I can and probably will never part with it. But it is not a guitar I would have chosen.......

[whit townsend]

It's required of a praise and worship band to have at least one 314e.

I think it's in The Message somewhere.

[Freeman Keller]

 

It's required of a praise and worship band to have at least one 314e. I think it's in The Message somewhere.

 

 

ROFLMAO

[Mokaccino]

 

OK, here are my thoughts (and the caveats). My wife gave me a 314 (no C or E) for a birthday a few years ago. It was virtually new (still had the warrany card) and I want to guess that she paid about 750 US for it. List price from Taylors site on a 314CEis $2238, 40 percent off is $1350. If those are US dollars that price is way too high (don't know what the exchange is). If it has the early ES make sure it has been upgraded by the original owner under warranty. The 314 is a great do-everything guitar. It will fingerpick and strum very nicely, but I sure wouldn't take it to a bluegrass jam. The 1-3/4 neck feels much more modern than my Martins, action is low (in three years I've never tweeked it). Most people that play it comment about how easy it plays. It has the stereotypical Taylor sound and the modern industrial appearance that you associate with Bob's guitars. I play it for my wonderful wife as much as I can and probably will never part with it. But it is not a guitar I would have chosen.......

 

 

Great comment, thx. First, you have a wonderful wife to make you a gift like this... And second, I don't fingerpick really, I'm more of a strummer, so I guess it would just be fine. The seller assured me it was all original and that there was no problem with the instrument. I might just give it a spin to see how I feel with it and if it sounds good to me. It's a great deal of money for a used acoustic. I have a 20 year old Takamine (EAN10c) that I love, this guitar sounds so good plugged or unplugged, I will never part with it. Last year I picked up a jumbo Alvarez cutaway acoustic for real cheap, not a bad instrument but the pick up is {censored}ty in my opinion. Maybe I could look elsewhere to get a Taylor, I'm not so sure about that price anymore.

[Freeman Keller]

For perspective, at the AGF classifieds there is a 2006 314CE for $850 plus 50 to ship, a 2004 414CE (same guitar in ovankol) for 800, and a 2000 314CE limited (sound like lots of bling) for 950. All US dollars. For a tiny bit more you can buy a brand new one and get the warranty.

 

And yes, I do have a wonderful wife. She spent a long time listening to what I said as I played various smaller guitar, knew that I liked a frieds 914 (but couldn't afford that) and I think she did a wonderful job of picking out this guitar. I'm just sort of a Martin guy and that does not reflect a bit on this particular git.

[Mokaccino]

 

For perspective, at the AGF classifieds there is a 2006 314CE for $850 plus 50 to ship, a 2004 414CE (same guitar in ovankol) for 800, and a 2000 314CE limited (sound like lots of bling) for 950. All US dollars. For a tiny bit more you can buy a brand new one and get the warranty. And yes, I do have a wonderful wife. She spent a long time listening to what I said as I played various smaller guitar, knew that I liked a frieds 914 (but couldn't afford that) and I think she did a wonderful job of picking out this guitar. I'm just sort of a Martin guy and that does not reflect a bit on this particular git.

 

 

Thx for your comments, I appreciate it. I'll give that Taylor a spin and go check out in stores about the prices/warranty of a new one. I never really thought about getting another high-end acoustic since I got my wonderful Takamine 20 years ago, so that's why I might look "confused".

[hempomatic]

At today's exchange rate, 1400 Canadian is 1,327.40 American. Great guitar, NOT a great deal. I had a mint 314CE I sold (reluctantly) that I sold for 1100 to help finance another guitar. It is a very good guitar, but probaly not the best choice if you are primarilly a strummer, and if you play hard. It can be a bit thin sounding. It is a guitar that does everything well, but doesn't stand out at any one thing. It has a wonderful neck, and is very comfortable to play. Have you considered Larrivee? For the same price you can get a nice Larry L body, which is even more versatile than the Taylor. The Larry has a bit more bottom end than the Taylor and will play louder without overdriving the top. Just my 2 cents.

 

ken

[Mokaccino]

 

At today's exchange rate, 1400 Canadian is 1,327.40 American. Great guitar, NOT a great deal. I had a mint 314CE I sold (reluctantly) that I sold for 1100 to help finance another guitar. It is a very good guitar, but probaly not the best choice if you are primarilly a strummer, and if you play hard. It can be a bit thin sounding. It is a guitar that does everything well, but doesn't stand out at any one thing. It has a wonderful neck, and is very comfortable to play. Have you considered Larrivee? For the same price you can get a nice Larry L body, which is even more versatile than the Taylor. The Larry has a bit more bottom end than the Taylor and will play louder without overdriving the top. Just my 2 cents. ken

 

 

I tried a Larrivee once, my jaws dropped on the floor... I really liked it but the price tag was a bit hefty. Anyway, the (Taylor) seller is asking too much, I made my homeworks and I'll wait a bit, maybe for a Larrivee. Thx for the great comments.

[hempomatic]

You can get an L03 or a D03 for under a grand with electronics, so you shouldn't have to wait TOO long. Both great guitars, maybe the best value out there on solid wood guitars. Other than slightly different body shape and size, the L body has a standard 1 3/4 nut, the D is 1 11/16. Check out Guitar Adoptions, best prices on Larrivee I've seen, and they have a great rep for customer service.

 

ken

[spruce goose]

 

Anyway, the (Taylor) seller is asking too much, I made my homeworks and I'll wait a bit

 

Yup.

[kwakatak]

Funny you should mention the EAN10C. I did an A/B comparison between one of those and a 414CE and preferred the Tak. That cedar top and dread tone was just schweet!

 

Since I was just looking for something with better playability (but not necessarily better tone or a pickup/cutaway) than my own old Takamine F-360 I decided that maybe I would be better off by putting some money into my Tak. I ended up spending about $170 all told (setup/repairs, new tuners and a JLD Birdge Doctor) and feel like I made a wise choice.

 

I guess what I'm saying is that the 314CE is not necessarily a step up. I'd also echo the sentiment that the Larrivee L-03 is one hell of a fine instrument and IMO much more guitar than the 314CE for several hundred $$$ less.

[Mokaccino]

 

Funny you should mention the EAN10C. I did an A/B comparison between one of those and a 414CE and preferred the Tak. That cedar top and dread tone was just schweet! Since I was just looking for something with better playability (but not necessarily better tone or a pickup/cutaway) than my own old Takamine F-360 I decided that maybe I would be better off by putting some money into my Tak. I ended up spending about $170 all told (setup/repairs, new tuners and a JLD Birdge Doctor) and feel like I made a wise choice. I guess what I'm saying is that the 314CE is not necessarily a step up. I'd also echo the sentiment that the Larrivee L-03 is one hell of a fine instrument and IMO much more guitar than the 314CE for several hundred $$$ less.

 

 

You have no idea on how much I love my Tak, the minute I got it in my hands I knew it was mine. I never had any complaints by soundmen, I'd say I always got complimented about my acoustic tone. It's a keeper. I love the finish and the looks of it (no pickguard and matte finish). I never got the chance to try a newer EAN10c to check if they were as great as mine. Really, I'm lucky to have such a wonderful instrument to play with. I guess looking for a second high-end acoustic is a luxury since I'm fully satisfied with my Tak. I guess I'm looking for another tone, or I should say "I'm looking to add another tone". Thx for your comment about the Taylor.