Taylor 410

[timfitz63]

Well, Rob, I don't know whether this will help, but I was up at Empire Music today.  While my brother was taking his lesson, I poked around in Empire's high-end room, and noted they had a 410 and a D18 in stock.  So I played them side by side.

Frankly, the tone of both guitars sounded similar to me to a degree, in that both woods promote midrange frequency response.  The 410 sounded fuller but warmer; the D18 seemed to have more focus [on the midrange] and clarity.  I think this would be the primary difference you'd find between two Dreadnoughts made of Ovangkol and Mahogany.

[rosborn]

Well, Rob, I don't know whether this will help, but I was up at Empire Music today.  While my brother was taking his lesson, I poked around in Empire's high-end room, and noted they had a 410 and a D18 in stock.  So I played them side by side.

Frankly, the tone of both guitars sounded similar to me to a degree, in that both woods promote midrange frequency response.  The 410 sounded fuller but warmer; the D18 seemed to have more focus [on the midrange] and clarity.  I think this would be the primary difference you'd find between two Dreadnoughts made of Ovangkol and Mahogany.

Tim,

You're awesome!  Thank you for being my eyes, ears and hands.  From what you've written, it does indeed sound like Ovangkol probably favors the Rosewood end of the tonal spectrum - from my experience Rosewood does tend to be warmer than Mahogany.

I have a friend who has an Alvarez MD70 (solid Sitka spruce over solid EIR back and sides).  We have compared our guitars and, much like your description, the two guitars sound similar to a degree, and like your experience, the MD70 sounds warmer and just a bit fuller.  I don't know, it sounds like the Ovangkol is very similar to a Rosewood dread.  I'm still going to consider getting that 410.

Thanks again!

Rob

[FDHog]

I have all three, but not dreds.
I have a 414ce Ovangkol, a 516ce Mahogany, and an 814ce Rosewood.
They all sound different. The Rosewood has a warmer sound than the Ovangkol, but since it's a new 814 with the new bracing, it has big bass.
The low E booms. I like them both.
They are just a little brighter than the 516 Mahogany, but my Mahogany is a GS.
Maybe I confused you more. LOL

[oogaboogachiefwalkingdeer]

Is your 18 one of the new style with forward shifted bracing?  I do not have a 410 but do have a 314ce and a new style d18. The 18 has much more volume and sustain. The 314ce is bright but not as balanced.  If I had a chance to do it over I would have passed on the 314 and got the d18.

[timfitz63]

Well, Rob, I don't know whether this will help, but I was up at Empire Music today.  While my brother was taking his lesson, I poked around in Empire's high-end room, and noted they had a 410 and a D18 in stock.  So I played them side by side.

Frankly, the tone of both guitars sounded similar to me to a degree, in that both woods promote midrange frequency response.  The 410 sounded fuller but warmer; the D18 seemed to have more focus [on the midrange] and clarity.  I think this would be the primary difference you'd find between two Dreadnoughts made of Ovangkol and Mahogany.

Tim,

You're awesome!  Thank you for being my eyes, ears and hands.  From what you've written, it does indeed sound like Ovangkol probably favors the Rosewood end of the tonal spectrum - from my experience Rosewood does tend to be warmer than Mahogany.

I have a friend who has an Alvarez MD70 (solid Sitka spruce over solid EIR back and sides).  We have compared our guitars and, much like your description, the two guitars sound similar to a degree, and like your experience, the MD70 sounds warmer and just a bit fuller.  I don't know, it sounds like the Ovangkol is very similar to a Rosewood dread.  I'm still going to consider getting that 410.

Thanks again!

Rob

No worries, Rob!  Yeah, I'd say Ovangkol and East Indian Rosewood are reasonably close sonic cousins.  If you're looking for 'budget' Rosewood, you'll probably be happy with Ovangkol.

[rosborn]

Is your 18 one of the new style with forward shifted bracing?  I do not have a 410 but do have a 314ce and a new style d18. The 18 has much more volume and sustain. The 314ce is bright but not as balanced.  If I had a chance to do it over I would have passed on the 314 and got the d18.

Yes, my D-18 is one of the new ones.  I was comparing the Taylor 310 and the D-18 when I was in the process of making the purchase.  I went with the D-18 for the same reasons you cited.

I would really like to give Taylor a chance though.

[Soaz]

I had a 410 for a brief period a couple of years ago.

I was a newbie, just learning. My 410 sounded awesome, everywhere I went, everyone that heard it wanted to play it. I let them, They seemed impressed.

I traded it for a 412 simply because I felt like I couldn't hold it, get comfortable.

I wish I had it now, bet I could get comfortable. Financial restraints dictate much in our lives.

Play one, see what you think, mine was bright but bassy, not a real word.

I didn't read other posts to this thread because I felt like I needed to give an honest opinion., uncolored.

Did Strummin, chime in yet he's an ovangol fan.

Rick

P.S I actually had a DN4, which was renamed a 410 after it was a 410 to begin with?

[rosborn]

Thank you, everyone, for your very helpful responses.  Based on these responses and those of others I have queried, who have owned both the Taylor 410 and Martin D-18, there isn't enough of a difference between the two guitars to justify me purchasing a 410, primarily because I was really hoping to get something sounding more like Rosewood to complement the Mahogany of my D-18.  So, I'm going to keep looking - probably for a used Taylor with Rosewood.

Thanks again!

[guitarsrsoawesome]

Thank you, everyone, for your very helpful responses.  Based on these responses and those of others I have queried, who have owned both the Taylor 410 and Martin D-18, there isn't enough of a difference between the two guitars to justify me purchasing a 410, primarily because I was really hoping to get something sounding more like Rosewood to complement the Mahogany of my D-18.  So, I'm going to keep looking - probably for a used Taylor with Rosewood.

Thanks again!

Maybe you can find a 410 LTD (Rosewood)...it would be satin finish and in the right price range.

[guitarsrsoawesome]

Thank you, everyone, for your very helpful responses.  Based on these responses and those of others I have queried, who have owned both the Taylor 410 and Martin D-18, there isn't enough of a difference between the two guitars to justify me purchasing a 410, primarily because I was really hoping to get something sounding more like Rosewood to complement the Mahogany of my D-18.  So, I'm going to keep looking - probably for a used Taylor with Rosewood.

Thanks again!

Maybe you can find a 410 LTD (Rosewood)...it would be satin finish and in the right price range.

Here's a used 2003 410ce rosewood on ebay for an amazing price...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Taylor-410CE-2003-Special-Order-Rosewood-w-Grover-Tuners-/151604278543?pt=Guitar&hash=item234c51b50f