Started Auditioning Some Taylors

[Attila]

This last weekend, I got a chance to start auditioning some acoustics. I'm starting with Taylors, as I really like the feel of their necks.

 

I spent my time with a 414CE, 614CE, and an 814CE. Honestly, my two favorites were the 414 and the 614.

 

The 414 had back and sides, made from some wood callled, Ovangkol (or something like that). I'm not sure if that's some sort of budget wood, but it sounded really good -- a very rich, full sound.

 

Anyway, I'm sure I'll be doing much more auditioning in the days to come

 

 

-Attila

[Freeman Keller]

Taylor and some others use it as a less expensive replacement for rosewood, with many of the same characteristics. From the Taylor site

 

Guibourtia ehie

Ovangkol is an attractive hardwood indigenous to tropical West Africa. Usually, its coloration runs from yellow-brown to a mottled olive-brown to dark brown, and it features stripes that run from gray to almost black. When it has significant purple coloration, however, ovangkol's variegation and grain pattern closely resemble East Indian rosewood. It also shares some tonal characteristics with rosewood, but boasts the livelier "sparkle" found in such medium-density hardwoods as mahogany, walnut, and koa.

 

The 814 is rosewood and should have had a similar sound to the 414, while the 614 is maple, and should have sounded "different". Putting finish and features aside, what did you think of the sound?

[Attila]

You know, I really liked the tone of all three, but definitely preferred the 414 and the 614 to the 814.

 

-Attila

[studyscoot]

Maybe it was a bad 814. That is one of the most popular taylor models and generally one of the most-sought taylors.

[Freeman Keller]

 

Originally posted by studyscoot Maybe it was a bad 814. That is one of the most popular taylor models and generally one of the most-sought taylors.

 

 

Well, I would be surprised if Taylor made a "bad" 814 - it is one of their high end guitars and the QC is pretty darn good. IMHO the 414 is a "budget" version of the 814 - a less expensive tone wood with the characteristics of IRW, satin finish instead of gloss, no fancy pearl - but should sound very similar. I think the maple of the 614 should be a very different sound (not necessarily better or worse, but different). All of the guitars should be strung with Elixers, which would rule out strings. The chance to A/B/C these is a rare comparison (which I haven't had) and I find Attila's comments interesting.

 

I own a little 314 that was present from my wonderful wife. As much as I love the guitar (and her) it would not have been my first choice - obviously I'm keeping it tho. I have played an 814 (but not side by side with my 314) and thought is was a wonderful fingerstyle guitar.