Changing Tastes Have Brought Me Here

[jwsamuel]

Hi everyone,

I started playing again a few years ago after not touching a guitar for more than 30 years. When I first started playing again, my preference was for Martin and Guild acoustics and Fender electrics. Now, I am finding that my taste in guitars -- in terms of sound and feel -- have been changing. Instead of Telecasters and Stratocasters, I am now enjoying a Les Paul and an Ibanez semi-hollow body. I've been playing Taylor acoustics in the stores for the past few weeks and find myself increasingly drawn to the X14 models. So far, I have played everything from a 114 to a 714 and have enjoyed them all.

I am currently selling off a lot of my guitars to get the funds to purchase a 514CE. My biggest decision now is if I want to hold off until I can afford the 514CE or get a 214 in the interim.

Anyone know of a good Taylor dealer in the Philadelphia/South Jersey/Central Jersey area, other than Guitar Center or Sam Ash? I am not adverse to buying from them but would like to support independent dealers if possible.

Anyway, that's me and my current situation.

Jim

[jjrpilot-admin]

Jim!  So glad to have you here!  Please make yourself at home!   

My personal opinion would be to continue to save up for the 514CE.....it's not that the 214 is a bad guitar by any means...but you're selling other guitars to get the 514CE...not the 214...so I'd hold off a little longer. 

[Go Navy]

Jim, I too have an Ibanez semi-hollow.  Love it. Welcome aboard!

[michaelw]

hi Jim,
good to see you here
WELCOME !thanks for sharing about your playing & guitar journey

i've enjoyed some guitars similar to what you've mentioned also -
some martins (98 SWD still here), a guild DV4e, a hwy 1 strat,
hwy 1 tx tele & ibanez hollow body (they've moved on) & an
epi SG G400 faded that is waiting for upgraded electronics ...
small world
 
i was wondering if you are considering a new or used 514ce or
new or used 214 (or 214e, 214ce), all solid woods or solid top

here are most of the differences in the models (that i'm aware of)

214

03
sitka top/solid sapele back & sides
mahogany 'hybrid' NT neck (flatter neck heel)
fingerjoint headstock
ebony board/bridge
Tusq saddle & nut (1 11/16")
black body binding
all satin finish
chrome 14:1 diecast tuners
ES-Blue or Fishman stereo blender (on e models)
black flat-top case with chrome latches & padded handle

04 - 06
full NT neck (standard 300/up neck heel)

07 - early 08
el cajon gloss top (ce models available)
rosewood laminate back & sides
mahogany neck
rosewood board/bridge
ES-T electronics
white body binding

08
unpadded case handle

later 08 - 09
tecate satin top

09
sapele neck
ebony board/bridge
scarfjoint headstock
3rd gen black case unpadded handle

10 - 11 (G) gloss top
some early 10s with case
hard bag

12
rosewood inner veneer with
some early 12's sapele (?)
NuBone nut/saddle

514

96 514c
chrome Grovers (14:1?)
pre NT mahogany neck
ebony board/bridge
Tusq saddle & nut (1 3/4")
Classic (pre-Standard II)
3 ring ab rosette
slotted diamond fretmarkers
faux 'tortoise' binding
Fishman Matrix UST active
pink poodle deluxe el cajon case
with smooth brown covering

97
gold Grovers (14:1?)
waflle textured case covering

98 - early 99 514ce
gold Grovers (18:1)
Fishman OnBoard blender
grain textured case covering

late 99 - 00
NT neck
fingerjoint headstock

01-02
interlocking koa rosette
rosewood binding
small MOP fretmarkes
Fishman Stereo blender
deluxe tecate case with black lining

03
2 AA ES
early Gold Grovers
mid/later gold Taylor tuners (18;1)

late 04 - 05
Standard II bracing
forward shifted w/relief rout
ver 1.1(?) 2 AA ES

06
deluxe case with red lining

07
3 ring ab rosette (GS style)
scarfjoint headstock
rosewood binding
9V ES, switchable body sensors

10 (except very earliest models)
9V ES, discrete pre-amp, 1 body sensor

12
deco diamond fretmarkers
faux 'tortoise' binding

or there was also a 414ceL3

03 414ceL3 Maranatha! LTD
cedar top/mahogany back & sides
pre Standard II bracing
full gloss body
black body binding
unbound fretboard
dove headstock/fretboard inlays
chrome Taylor tuners (possibly Grovers)
2 AA ES
black archtop case with chrome latches

sorry if this is info 'overload', but i hope this may help some,
as you may  be closer to that 514ce than you might  think

hope you enjoy the place &
please make yourself comfortable

[jwsamuel]

Thanks for the info. I was undecided between new or used on the 514CE, however I do want it to be like the current model I have played in the stores recently.

To complicate things more, I mentioned this to a friend and he asked if I'd be interested in his 716CE. I need to try that and see what I think.

Jim

[sachi]

I'm biased but I think Taylor hit a sweet spot with the 5 series. I tried the 7s as well but did not care that much for them.

[jwsamuel]

I'm biased but I think Taylor hit a sweet spot with the 5 series. I tried the 7s as well but did not care that much for them.

I think you may be right. I went to GC this evening and played a few different series of Taylors. The 514CE was my favorite by far. After that, I liked the 314 second best and the 114 and 214 after that.

Jim

[CodeBlueEMT]

 Hi Jim. Welcome aboard. I'm new myself.

 I order tons of stuff online from American Musical Supply out of Oakland, New Jersey. They have 3 and 5 month equal payment plans (and they talk funny). No interest charged, they draft your credit card each month. Bada Bing, Bada Bang. That's how I paid for my 314ce.

 It's a buyer's market right now. Use that to your advantage.

 CB

[acmeseed]

I think the 514ce will blow you away, it's one sweet guitar. I own one and also the 814ce, the 514 wins hands down for warm tone.

I have bought from American Musical Supply a couple of times and have had no problems, I did not even know they are in NJ, that's a plus!

[jwsamuel]

I have bought from American Musical Supply a couple of times and have had no problems, I did not even know they are in NJ, that's a plus!

I also did not know they were in NJ. That explains why my orders from them arrive in two days via UPS ground.

Jim

[bo1142]

Welcome to the Taylor fold!  I would save up for the 514.  I'm in the same situation with a 714 I fell in love with.  Good luck on your quest

[jwsamuel]

Well, I went ahead and ordered a 514CE. American Musical Supply has a 12-month payment plan for the 2012 514CE. It won't be in stock for a few weeks and they don't charge my credit card for the first payment until it is in stock. I am expecting to get it in a month or so. I can't wait.

Just to be sure, I went to GC again this afternoon and plays the 314CE, 414CE, 514CE, 714CE and 814CE. Once again, the 514CE was my favorite with the 314CE close behind.

Jim

[sachi]

Well done! Does your new one come with a cedar or spruce top?

[jwsamuel]

The 2012 514CE has a cedar top. Wood and structure are identical to the 2011 models. It has tortise binding on the body and neck, and diamond inlays on the fretboard.

Jim

[sachi]

The 2012 514CE has a cedar top.

Excellent! Let us all know how you like it when it arrives.