1997 Taylor 615c...Anybody Play One???

[southpaw1959]

Tryin' to find any info on these. Maple sides and backs, sitka tops. These were discontinued. Comments on youtube seem to run towards too treble-y....new maples(like 614ce) are better. Can anyone confirm or dispute this???
Thanks in advance!
Mark

710ce left-handed

[Earl]

I bought the last 615ce just over a year ago, as NOS made in 2010.  I was at a local Find Your Fit event, and I was quite surprised to see it there on display, and so was the Taylor rep that day.  I had my wife bring my #1 wood guitar (koa and spruce GS, nicely aged) for direct comparison.  We both liked it.  It is punchy, but the big body also fills out the low end nicely.  Some might consider it "trebly" if is driven softly, but I find that if you push it just a bit, it comes alive with plenty of tone and volume.  I both fingerpick and strum.  I have a fairly heavy fingerpicking technique and strum somewhat aggressively with a heavy pick.

Yes it is listed for sale in my signature.  I succumbed to an impulse buy mostly because a)  I was never going to see a new one again and b) had always wanted a jumbo.  It does not get nearly as much play as I expected, so it probably needs to move on.

[southpaw1959]

Thanks, Earl! What's your go to guitar then, the Martin?
Anyone out there played the '90's version of the 615?

[Earl]

My go-to guitars (in order) are:  koa GS, Rainsong, 414, 424.  The others get played infrequently --  maybe every third month, or if I have some specific need or want (baritone, 12 string).   Sometimes if the strings are getting aged, I will use a particular guitar for a week or so to practice my various alternate tuning songs.  I hate to break new strings going through 5-6 different tunings repeatedly.

I know it is sacrilege to admit here, but I have way too many guitars these days.  If I can get a fair non-giveaway price, I would gladly sell at least five of them, including the Martin.  The Rainsong and the 424 will be part of my estate, ie:  the last ones to ever go.

It should be mentioned that some folks prefer the legacy maple tone, and many prefer the newly revamped 600 series tone.  But those new models do not include jumbo bodies, unless you count the GO / 618 model.  Jumbos (x15) were discontinued in 2010, and probably won't ever be resurrected.

[dyoung]

A little late to this party, I have a 1990 Taylor 615 and it is a great guitar.  It is very clear and provides a well balanced sound.  My other guitar is an Martin HD28 which is heavy on the Bass and low on the treble.  I think it really comes down to what you are playing.  The Martin is a much louder instrument and is a little muddier on the sound.  If I want to have a could crisp well defined clear sound I hit up the guitar cannon.