Longtime reader, first time poster....
I started teaching myself guitar in high school by taking praise and worship chords charts after service on Sunday mornings. My first guitar was an entry level, solid wood, Fender acoustic. Decent enough for what it was, especially with Martin SP strings. While I was in college, I'd see the lead guitar players for different chapel worship teams all playing Taylors. I don't know why, but I grew to hate Taylors primarily because I viewed those guys as the cool, pretty-boy, type that I've always been prejudiced against (pride is a killer, eh?). As a graduation gift, my parents bought me a new guitar. I didn't try out a lot of guitar because I "knew" I wanted that Martin low tone and chose a Martin DCPA3. It's a nice guitar with a beautiful unplugged tone. I knew getting the Martin was not the best decision because the neck felt big compared to my Fender acoustic and slightly uncomfortable at the time but I convinced myself that I'd get accustomed to it. I'm not certain I ever have - bar chords or even capo'd chords up the neck burn my hand after awhile. And to be honest, I really don't like the Fishman Aura pickup - too complicated. At the time, I deliberately chose NOT to get a Taylor because I didn't want to be associated with pretty-boys. I've had the Martin for 10 years or so and
I wish I would've gotten a different guitar, especially when I got a Strat and started playing it regularly.
So, I recently started leading music at my church and my wife and I had a deal - if I ever led music full time, I could get a new guitar
Best. Wife. Ever. I started looking at Taylors on Reverb and ultimately chose to get a used 714ce (2016 model, with the Western Sunburst). And I couldn't be happier. It feels much more comfortable to hold - it's lighter since it's a GA body, the neck feels just a fuzz smaller so playing chords up the neck is easier and almost Strat level feeling. The tone is far more even and clean and clear. It does have a little less bass but it's a good trade off. Even though it's a GA body, I feel like it still has a fair amount of head room (is that thing for acoustic bodies?) and that I can push my strumming pretty hard without breakup. Soft playing (strumming or picking) is lovely. Paired with an LR Baggs Venue is "chef's kiss."
Here's the point - I let my personal (and wrong) feelings about the "type" of Taylor player influence me to get a guitar that wasn't the right fit. Don't do that. If you do, be willing to buy a new guitar, even it's a Taylor or a Martin (or a Seagull or a Guild, or a....).
