100 vs 200 series sound difference?

[lmacmil]

I've read that most laminate guitars use mahogany or sapele for the middle and inner layer, regardless of what's on the outside.  Is that true for the Taylor 100 and 200 series also?  If so, does the outer rosewood veneer of the 200 series really affect the tone that much?  Do they sound much different?  I have played a 214 but not a 114.  FWIW, love the 314 but can't justify (to my better half) the cost.  Those of you who are married probably understand that. 

[e8n]

I don't hear a ton of difference between similar 100 and 200 series guitars.  There is a significant difference in a 314 however.  It is their best value guitar that they have in my opinion. 

-Dave

[michaelw]

the solid top Taylors use a poplar middle layer -
the DDX & 214ceBLK are the only models i've seen, thus far, that
have a matching inner veneer (maple), along with a maple neck

the 100/200 went to a sapele neck in 09 & NuBone nut & saddle this year -
varnish is used on the all of the models, with the 200 series finish being listed
simply as gloss for the top & satin for the back, sides & neck (214ceBLK is all gloss)

varnish seems to have fewer steps, but i'm not sure if the end result is a
thinner, more resonant finish than that of a gloss top or full gloss 200 series

i would venture to guess that the variance in guitars is probably responsible for most
of the perceived tonal difference (primarily the top), although the maple neck on the
DDX/214ceBLK & the NuBone nut & saddle on the current series may have some effect

the 03-06 100/200s had a mahogany neck with ebony fretboard & bridge
(the 200s having solid sapele back & sides, all satin finish), the 100s had
a different design to the back arch (closer to the BT & BBT models) &
in 07-08, many of the 100/200 series had a rosewood fretboard & bridge
so it can depend on the exact year/model guitar that is being considered -
the 314 (discontinued in 07) had african 'mahogany' (khaya) back & sides from
04-06, with an unbound fretboard, & the later 06s had Standard II bracing

 

[andyi5]

I don't hear a ton of difference between similar 100 and 200 series guitars.  There is a significant difference in a 314 however.  It is their best value guitar that they have in my opinion. 

-Dave

I spent some time in the store a week ago with a 114, 214 and GA3 and GA8 and agree that there's a real jump in quality and tone from the 3 series up. I also found the 114/214 differences to be more cosmetic, but there's a very different sound and feel on the solid woods.

A 3 series was definitely out of my budget as well, but then I got really lucky a couple of days ago and saw an ad for a mint condition GC3. If you don't need cutaway and/or electrics one of these acoustic 3 series may be a great option for you - my GC3 is just fantastic and the price was cheaper than a new 214ce locally.

[lmacmil]

A 3 series was definitely out of my budget as well, but then I got really lucky a couple of days ago and saw an ad for a mint condition GC3. If you don't need cutaway and/or electrics one of these acoustic 3 series may be a great option for you - my GC3 is just fantastic and the price was cheaper than a new 214ce locally.

Thanks.  I've got an OM-size guitar and dreadnoughts, so if/when I get another one, I really want the GA size.  That's about the perfect size for me.

[egkor]

Call Guitar Rodeo, and/or LA Guitar (just 2 of several examples) to see what a new 314ce would cost, you might be surprised.

-Gary K

edit:  Or even a DN3 (non-cutaway dread), a lot of solid-wood guitar goodness at minimum cost.

[RGtheMusicGuy]

There isn't too much of a sound difference, but there is a bit there.  Correct me if I'm wrong, but if I remember back when I helped my student buy his acoustic the 200 though comes with a better case, it's more of a rigid soft case where the 100 comes with just a gig bag.  Personally I think one of the best deals out there is the 210e (non cutaway), (which is less than the cutaway 210.  That being said I agree with what everyone else has said there is a significant jump from the 200 to the 300 series though, however for the price it's hard to beat a 210.



edited for price

[e8n]

The only downside to the 100/200 series is the smaller neck (unless you are looking for that).  The cases and appointments are a bit different as well.

-Dave

[Tayzalor]

When I got my 214ce last year I played both. To me, they sounded a bit different. I actually liked the sound of the 114 a bit more - a little fuller, brighter- but got a great deal on a used 214ce. But I still think about the 114ce now and then.

[Jason Paul]

I just got my first "real" acoustic about a month ago - a 314ce.

When shopping, I tried the 114ce, 214ce, and 314ce. I really couldn't tell very much difference between the 114ce and the 214ce in tone. From their site, it seems the differences are the laminate wood, cosmetic appointments, finish, and the bag. RGtheMusicGuy above is correct that the 214ce comes with a hard bag, while the 114ce comes with a gig bag.

Funny thing though, like Tayzalor above, for some reason I actually seemed to like the 114ce better than the 214ce. Since buying the 314ce I've been to a couple of different music stores and played a few of each, and I always seem to like the 114ce a little better than the 214ce, and I can't put my finger on the reason why.

All that said though, there was a very noticeable difference between either of them and the 314ce. Yes, it cost about 50% more than the 214ce, but I figured it was worth the additional cost; Solid wood which can open up over time, ES, lifetime warranty, made in the US, hard case, and whatever else.

Since then I've played all of the other x14ce models, and found I didn't like them noticeably better than my 314ce until I got to the 714ce. I liked it better than mine, but not really a LOT better. However, the 814ce was VERY nice in every respect. It's nice to know that I'd have to spend $x,xxx more in order to get something I really like better than my 314ce. So, I agree that it's a great value in their solid wood line. I remember reading a quote from Bob Taylor saying the 300 series offers 90% of the quality of the 900 series at 1/3 the price, or something like that.

Jason