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Author Topic: NGD X 2: 324e V-Class and 2017 114e  (Read 1370 times)

boneuphtoner

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NGD X 2: 324e V-Class and 2017 114e
« on: July 21, 2018, 09:17:30 AM »
Hey Guys - I'm one very happy camper!  Just picked up a new 324e V-class and a new-to-me 114e.

The new 324e V-class is just terrific.  I played one at one of the road shows in May that I don't think was the V-class because they only introduced one of the 800's and builders edition with that...plus it didn't have these new beautiful inlays.  What drew me to this one was the richness of the sound combined with the clarity.  My first Taylor was a 310....still have that one, and it has awesome clarity and is very loud and powerful...in a great way!  Not long after I got the 310 I wanted to find another guitar with a richer and sweeter tone...so I bought and sold a couple of rosewood guitars from a couple of different brands...although they did have a sweeter tone, they completely lost clarity, at least to my ear when strummed moderately and up.  This 324e has hit the sweet spot for me.  Dark, rich, and with clarity of tone!  I have not been able to do a back-to-back X-brace versus V-brace comparison, but I will tell you this - my V-class has a resonance to it that you can feel that wasn't there with the X-braced version.  I've read from some of you guys saying you could feel the resonance through the back and sides with some of the higher end Taylors - well this is the first guitar I've ever experienced that with!  Very cool!

While picking up the 324e, the salesman knew I had been looking for one of the more budget friendly Taylors that I could take on some trips (not flying, my backpacker is for that) where I didn't want to risk my premium Taylors but I wanted the signature Taylor playability.  And he recently got a trade in with a 2017 model 114e.   I got that one too.  This guitar is my first one I've ever owned from the Mexico factory, and it has to be loudest of the grand auditoriums I've ever played or owned.  Very impressive.  Fit and finish seems to be on par with my two 300 series Taylors. 
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oldwasichu

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Re: NGD X 2: 324e V-Class and 2017 114e
« Reply #1 on: July 21, 2018, 09:30:38 AM »
They are addictive, aren't they? Congrats and enjoy.
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TaylorGirl

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Re: NGD X 2: 324e V-Class and 2017 114e
« Reply #2 on: July 21, 2018, 10:03:44 AM »
What's better than a NGD?
A NGD x 2!

Congrats, it sounds like a real winner for you!
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Susie
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ClassicRock

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Re: NGD X 2: 324e V-Class and 2017 114e
« Reply #3 on: July 21, 2018, 11:51:45 AM »
Congrats! I love the many wood combinations on offer from Taylor. Who else does Mahogany over Tasmanian Blackwood? I had to go to the website to learn something about it. Turns out, TB is an acacia wood, same family as my Koa. Pretty cool. I am loving my V-Class Koa more everyday and as I go back to sample my old X-braced guitar, I’m learning new things about how ears adjust and just how different V-class bracing truely is. I think you’ve hit on a key term, clarity. Going back, X now sounds almost confused or even cacophonous. Still trying to figure this out but it is becoming more and more apparent just how different it is.

Enjoy!
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Edward

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Re: NGD X 2: 324e V-Class and 2017 114e
« Reply #4 on: July 21, 2018, 12:01:01 PM »
Congrats X2!  :)
I’ve always been impressed by Taylor’s 100/200 line.  The playability and overall QC are absolutely equal to the pinnacle of their line costing you know what, which is what make these “bargain” Taylors so amazing, and positively trounce all other makers in their price tier, imho.  I’ve owned them in the past and sold them only to acquire other gems, but I currently have a 200 that I dare not let go, it’s that good.  Enjoy them all!!  :)

Edward
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boneuphtoner

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Re: NGD X 2: 324e V-Class and 2017 114e
« Reply #5 on: July 21, 2018, 02:21:56 PM »
Quote from: ClassicRock on July 21, 2018, 11:51:45 AM
Congrats! I love the many wood combinations on offer from Taylor. Who else does Mahogany over Tasmanian Blackwood? I had to go to the website to learn something about it. Turns out, TB is an acacia wood, same family as my Koa. Pretty cool.

I know right?  I didn't know anything about this pairing at all until I tried it and fell in love with it.  Although Tasmanian blackwood is supposedly related to Koa, the best analogy I've heard about its tonal properties is that it is like mahogany on steroids.  Comments I've read from accomplished players who have tried it tend to report that it has a bit more oomph than an all hog guitar.  My results seem to agree with all of that.
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boneuphtoner

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Re: NGD X 2: 324e V-Class and 2017 114e
« Reply #6 on: July 21, 2018, 02:32:39 PM »
Quote from: Edward on July 21, 2018, 12:01:01 PM
Congrats X2!  :)
I’ve always been impressed by Taylor’s 100/200 line.  The playability and overall QC are absolutely equal to the pinnacle of their line costing you know what, which is what make these “bargain” Taylors so amazing, and positively trounce all other makers in their price tier, imho.  I’ve owned them in the past and sold them only to acquire other gems, but I currently have a 200 that I dare not let go, it’s that good.  Enjoy them all!!  :)

Edward

I couldn't agree more about the 100/200 series!  This is my first experience with them, and I'm very impressed.  And I actually kinda like the all-satin look as I don't have to fuss over fingerprints, etc.  But the bottom line is I got way more than I actually expected to get.  I expected the Taylor playability, the comfortable neck, etc.  But this guitar yields very little in tone to my 310, which I think is shocking.  I wasn't expecting that at all!  I'm curious to hear people that have sidelined a 114/214 with a 314...was there a huge difference in tone?   My 324e isn't a fair comparison as it is a much quieter, dark, rich, and smooth instrument. 

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ClassicRock

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Re: NGD X 2: 324e V-Class and 2017 114e
« Reply #7 on: July 21, 2018, 02:35:11 PM »
Janka Hardness tends to tell the “sounds like” story:

900 Honduran Mahogany
1160 Australian (Tasmanian) Blackwood
1170 Hawaiian Koa

This also explains why Koa as a topwood is at the limit of practicality (commonly used spruce topwood runs 390-510).
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Strumming Fool

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Re: NGD X 2: 324e V-Class and 2017 114e
« Reply #8 on: July 21, 2018, 03:48:55 PM »
Great double NGD - congrats!
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My Taylor Grand Auditoriums:

1997 Cujo14 - old growth cedar/black walnut
2014 K24e - master grade koa
2018 Custom GA - bear claw sitka spruce/mahogany
2019 614 - torrified sitka spruce/flamed maple
2020 714 - lutz spruce/rosewood

timfitz63

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Re: NGD X 2: 324e V-Class and 2017 114e
« Reply #9 on: July 22, 2018, 09:17:35 AM »
Congratulations!  Yeah, Taylor really hit on an interesting tonewood combination with Mahogany over Tasmanian Blackwood.  The 32x predecessors in Mahogany/Sapele left me cold with their tone; since Mahogany and Sapele are such close cousins, the tonal experience was somewhat "one-dimensional" to my ears.  But the Blackwood bodies really give the 32x guitars a tonal uniqueness that I've dubbed "darkly clear."  And V-Class would probably just be the cherry on top...  Enjoy!
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jpmist

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Re: NGD X 2: 324e V-Class and 2017 114e
« Reply #10 on: July 22, 2018, 11:54:19 AM »
Quote from: boneuphtoner on July 21, 2018, 09:17:30 AM
This 324e has hit the sweet spot for me.  Dark, rich, and with clarity of tone!  I have not been able to do a back-to-back X-brace versus V-brace comparison, but I will tell you this - my V-class has a resonance to it that you can feel that wasn't there with the X-braced version.  I've read from some of you guys saying you could feel the resonance through the back and sides with some of the higher end Taylors - well this is the first guitar I've ever experienced that with!  Very cool!

Great report, am a big fan of the 32X series with it's wonderful blend of mahogany on blackwood. I look forward to the 12-fret Grand Concerts

Congrats!

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sergeko

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Re: NGD X 2: 324e V-Class and 2017 114e
« Reply #11 on: July 23, 2018, 04:33:56 AM »
Congrats on your NGD x 2 !


I had a 114 for about a year until I traded it for a 314.
The 114 is louder but the 314 has, for me, a fuller sound and better sustain especially when playing after the 5th fret.
« Last Edit: July 23, 2018, 04:37:07 AM by sergeko »
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Christhee68

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Re: NGD X 2: 324e V-Class and 2017 114e
« Reply #12 on: July 23, 2018, 11:45:49 AM »
I see you said "NGDx2" but I only see a picture of one guitar. You know the rules...
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boneuphtoner

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Re: NGD X 2: 324e V-Class and 2017 114e
« Reply #13 on: July 24, 2018, 07:50:39 AM »
Quote from: Christhee68 on July 23, 2018, 11:45:49 AM
I see you said "NGDx2" but I only see a picture of one guitar. You know the rules...

Hey great idea!  I figured now is time for a family portrait: L-R: 114e, 324e, 310
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