Opinions? ...you asked for it
1. The GO bodies ...I don't care for them. I
wanted to like them when they first came out, really wanted to take one home. So I tried every x18 model and found them all bass heavy and, overall, lacking tonal definition. Maybe better for a finger stylist perhaps. Not "bad" guitars, per se, but not good enough for me to part with dough. Some love them; I can't.
2. The new 800s: Traditional (if there is such a thing) spruce/rw tone ...nice. But IMHO not enough of a difference (oooh, I may get flamed for this one) from a good 314. So if you love yours, I would
not look at 800s.
3. The 600s: Taylor's new maple is worth trying. You may like this, particularly in a GS body.
4. Contrast to compliment your beloved 314? Go for a completely different body size, wood species, and build.
- Body: go GC if you want "intimate" and friendly; GS if you want bigger and bolder.
- avoid Sitka as you've got a good one. Go engelmann, euro spruce, cedar, or mahogany, (never tried lutz so can't comment on that) for top wood: each of
which offer markedly a different timber and dynamics. And back/sides: lots to choose there but the top offers the primary sonic signature.
- If the former doesn't offer enough tonal difference for you, try to find Taylors with difference bracings, from Standard to CV to AP, as well as adirondack as
a bracing wood. Big timbral differences here!
Happy hunting! Take your time, discern objectively, soak in the differences, and enjoy the quest
Edward