Members Glenn F Posted July 13, 2015 Members Share Posted July 13, 2015 I played the D-18 just because I've never played one before. I was seriously impressed, but it is wayyyy out of my price range now. Re: Taylor: Just thinking (obsessing, lol) out loud a bit here. I was impressed, although I didn't play it through the 'e.' I am in the market for a whole-hog git, and this one has made my short-list. The appointments are somewhat better than a Martin D-15, which basically has none. It has binding, the Martin none; I prefer binding. It has an ebony fretboard, the Martin either rosewood or morado. I prefer ebony. The nut width is the usual Taylor 44.5 mm; the D-15... 43, or 42.8, or whatever it is. I prefer the Martin neck profile and nut-width. The modified low-oval is my favourite acoustic neck profile, hands down, although the Taylor is comfortable enough. So, I am in a bit of a quandary. No, 'both,' is not an option. Then again, I have to ask myself whether I want another dread. I have two: A D-28 and an Eastman E10D. Covers the EIR and Hog bases quite well. There are the 322 and 324 models, basically at the same price. I have to do a bit of considerin'. Anyways, for anyone thinking about a whole hog git, the Taylor should definitely be on your list to try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Freeman Keller Posted July 13, 2015 Members Share Posted July 13, 2015 I like mahogany guitars but I'm not crazy about dreads - have you tried a smaller body? I had played an 00 sized Santa Cruz a few years ago and was so impressed with it that I had to make my own. Probably my favorite guitar for finger style blues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Glenn F Posted July 13, 2015 Author Members Share Posted July 13, 2015 The smaller model that I'd be able to get for the same price as the dread is the 322, which, from what I've read, is equivalent to a 00. I find them a bit too small for me, though. They only had the 326 with electronics, which I don't want. Anyways, I've ordered a non 'e' 320 from another shop (the local shop didn't have one). I got a reasonable price, about €225 less than what I'd pay for a D-15M. They cost €1490 here, now. About a year ago, they were around €1,100. Insane. I was surprised by the tone on the 320. It had some of that compression you read about with hog gits, and the bass was probably the best I've heard on a Taylor (not that my experience with their guitars is extensive). It had a really nice sweetness to its sound. Also, it is all satin finish. I really don't like the look of hog in high-gloss, the Guild D-125, for example. So, that is another plus in my book. The other thing it won't have is the patented Martin aroma therapy when you open the case. I wonder why other brands don't smell so nice? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DeepEnd Posted July 13, 2015 Members Share Posted July 13, 2015 The last mahogany (well, actually sapelle) topped guitar I played was a Breedlove D/MMe (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/breedlove-passport-d-mme-acoustic-electric-guitar/583498). Solid top, laminated back and sides, rosewood fretboard and bridge. $400 with factory electronics and a gig bag. Haven't played the Taylor but it sounds like a sweet guitar. Congratulations and Happy (Pending) New Guitar Day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Glenn F Posted July 13, 2015 Author Members Share Posted July 13, 2015 Thanks! All of the reviews I've read about the 32x series have been excellent. I am surprised it hasn't gained more attention yet, but I think it will. There is still not a lot of reports of people's experience with these guitars. A bit ironic that I sold my Taylor 310 and my Martin D-15 to get my D-28, and having rued the decision to sell my D-15, will now get a Taylor hog 320! Anyways, I intend to play her for a few days before I decide to keep her. Who knows, I may end up with a Martin after all. I am notoriously fickle when I go through this process. I had originally ordered a Martin DRS-1, which is the low-end sapele dread with the stratabond neck and richlite bridge and fretboard made in Mexico. I canceled it about an hour after ordering it, lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil O'Keefe Posted July 15, 2015 Share Posted July 15, 2015 I have a 90s era Taylor 510, and it's been a great guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Glenn F Posted July 16, 2015 Author Members Share Posted July 16, 2015 I normally don't care for the Taylor sound. I had a 310 I bought in 2001, it was my first all-solid wood guitar. I initially loved it, but after a while I didn't. It didn't record very well. I don't particularly miss it. Regarding mass-produced instruments, I lean more heavily toward Martin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members panhandler Posted July 16, 2015 Members Share Posted July 16, 2015 Try a Martin 000-15sm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Glenn F Posted July 16, 2015 Author Members Share Posted July 16, 2015 I was going to. A couple of the demos I heard on Youtube sounded quite boxy. The Taylor 320 works for me, though. It was also €225 cheaper than the Martin, which have skyrocketed in price on this side of the pond. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Grant Harding Posted July 17, 2015 Members Share Posted July 17, 2015 I'd suggest trying a Yamaha LL16M AIR if you can. http://usa.yamaha.com/products/musical-instruments/guitars-basses/ac-guitars/l/ll16m_are/?mode=model Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Glenn F Posted July 18, 2015 Author Members Share Posted July 18, 2015 Thanks for the suggestion, but I am set for Spruce-topped guitars. I've had the 320 since Tuesday. I sanded down the saddle about .5 mm, and put light strings on 1-3, which is now like a 'Bluegrass' set (med-light). I don't really find a full medium set very comfy. This configuration works just fine for me. My relationship with my old D-15 was weird. Sometimes it sounded absolutely beautiful, others like it had a blanket stuffed in it. It did record very well, surprisingly so, imo. It ended up being the only guitar that I've regretted selling. The guy I sold it to is very happy with it, so I am pleased about that, although I gave him a super price on it. The 320 has a sound that is both similar and dissimilar to the D-15. It has that hog richness, and with the medium strings on the bottom, it has some real 'OOOMPH.' It does have a bit of the Taylor 'shimmer,' but that is balanced out by the fundamental tones of the hog, and the rich bass. I am truly pleased with it. BTW, I did have a Martin 000-15SM on order at Thomann, but it was out of stock. The ETA had been August 3, but it arrived early. I had canceled the order before it arrived after choosing the Taylor. When I pre-ordered it, it was €1,490. It is NOW €1,590! While I love the idea of the 12 fret slothead, the price was just too much, even if the vids I watched weren't representative of its real sound. When I watched a video of a comparison between the D-15M and the 320, I preferred the Martin. In person, I have to say that I prefer the Taylor. Now I just have to stop myself from gassing for a 324 or 326. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members panhandler Posted July 18, 2015 Members Share Posted July 18, 2015 Try shopping used. Get a bargain! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Glenn F Posted July 19, 2015 Author Members Share Posted July 19, 2015 Hard to find what I am looking for in my general vicinity, and I won't buy 2nd hand sight unseen or unplayed. Certainly, I've never seen a 000-15SM on eBay classifieds (I won't do auctions). I am happy with the Taylor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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