1990's Taylor 910/914s, How Do They Compare To the Newer 910/914's?

[wisedennis]

 1990's Taylor 910/914's, How Do They Compare To the Newer 910/914's?

How do these older Taylor's compare with the newer ones for playability, tone, bass response, balance etc?

Thanks

Dennis

[cigarfan]

I got no experience with the 900s so I'll let those who do chime in but wanted to say welcome to the forum from one Dennis to another. Hope you find it a good place to hang out. 

[Strumming Fool]

The last time I played a few 900 series guitars, its was..well, the 90s! New, these instruments sounded fantastic. I cannot even imagine what they would sound like today - my two 90s-era Taylors are simply magical, and I believe they always were...sadly, I haven't had the chance to play any new ones, but if my last two BTOs (2010 & 2012) are a reference point, I'll bet the new 900s also sound wonderful.

[theguitarguru]

Hi, welcome to the forum!!

If you get a 2002 or older Taylor 914s, you will notice the gloss finish of sides/back cracking off already. Not a pretty sight... 

[Strumming Fool]

Hi, welcome to the forum!!

If you get a 2002 or older Taylor 914s, you will notice the gloss finish of sides/back cracking off already. Not a pretty sight... 

Why would the finish on a 914 be different than any other Taylor? I have three pre-2002 Taylors, and none of them have the problem you mention. How many pre-2002 914s did you examine with this problem? Just want to make sure we understand the basis of your claim.

Thanks...

[theguitarguru]

Why would the finish on a 914 be different than any other Taylor? I have three pre-2002 Taylors, and none of them have the problem you mention. How many pre-2002 914s did you examine with this problem? Just want to make sure we understand the basis of your claim.

Thanks...

The 914c I have is from 2000. The top is fine but the back/sides have one inch straight lines (like raining drops) horizontally. They are very evenly distributed all over the back and can't see them from 1.5 away.

Have a friend with a 1999 914ce, same thing. I have a 2003 k14ce, same thing. Although the 2000 w14ce I have doesn't have the lines, the gloss finish is more like mate (photography term). 

I do not know the reason, maybe few Taylors have this problem. I know michaelw on this forum has a 2000 914c also, so I will check with him

[andyi5]

Here's a recent comparison video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okjRQKrqGeE

[PTC Bernie]

I've been debating about whether to chime in or not.  I don't have a 9 series, but I do have a 95 612C and can tell you that it has a more balanced sound than recent 600 series that I've played. 

The newer guitars are"brighter", "more overtones", I've heard someone use the term "tinkly" to describe the sound of newer Taylors.  The Taylor's from the 90's seem to have a fuller sound.

Hope that helps.

[Strumming Fool]

Why would the finish on a 914 be different than any other Taylor? I have three pre-2002 Taylors, and none of them have the problem you mention. How many pre-2002 914s did you examine with this problem? Just want to make sure we understand the basis of your claim.

Thanks...

The 914c I have is from 2000. The top is fine but the back/sides have one inch straight lines (like raining drops) horizontally. They are very evenly distributed all over the back and can't see them from 1.5 away.

Have a friend with a 1999 914ce, same thing. I have a 2003 k14ce, same thing. Although the 2000 w14ce I have doesn't have the lines, the gloss finish is more like mate (photography term). 

I do not know the reason, maybe few Taylors have this problem. I know michaelw on this forum has a 2000 914c also, so I will check with him

Would love to see pics of what is "not a pretty sight".

Thanks...

[theguitarguru]

Would love to see pics of what is "not a pretty sight".

Uhmm... so you want to see the butt of my little girl?  I kind of regret for making such comments. You know? I like my old 914c, it's a beautiful guitar. How about showing the really beautiful side of her? I would do that.

[MDS08]

My 2010 910 is a wonderful guitar. Sounds and play amazing. I never played anything older Taylors. Mine has started to really open up over the past few months and a Tonerite has helped aswell. I know go ahead and blast me, but it does help. I have really bonded with it and it gets played about 2 hours a day.

[Strumming Fool]

Would love to see pics of what is "not a pretty sight".

Uhmm... so you want to see the butt of my little girl?  I kind of regret for making such comments. You know? I like my old 914c, it's a beautiful guitar. How about showing the really beautiful side of her? I would do that.

Thanks anyway; your regret is sufficient.

[Herb Hunter]

Why would the finish on a 914 be different than any other Taylor? I have three pre-2002 Taylors, and none of them have the problem you mention. How many pre-2002 914s did you examine with this problem? Just want to make sure we understand the basis of your claim.

Thanks...

The 914c I have is from 2000. The top is fine but the back/sides have one inch straight lines (like raining drops) horizontally. They are very evenly distributed all over the back and can't see them from 1.5 away.

Have a friend with a 1999 914ce, same thing. I have a 2003 k14ce, same thing. Although the 2000 w14ce I have doesn't have the lines, the gloss finish is more like mate (photography term). 

I do not know the reason, maybe few Taylors have this problem. I know michaelw on this forum has a 2000 914c also, so I will check with him

If you are the original owner, it is likely that Taylor's lifetime warranty will cover refinishing the affected guitars.


I have 1996 and 1997 Taylors whose finish remains like new and I've never observed what you describe on a Taylor of any vintage. I wonder if you could be persuaded to post a photograph of the blemishes you describe?

[theguitarguru]

If you are the original owner, it is likely that Taylor's lifetime warranty will cover refinishing the affected guitars.

Thanks for the info. I didn't know there was such warranty. Will keep the way it is. What if the guitar doesn't sound as it was before after the re-finish of back/sides? I know chances are very low of the sound getting affected but I'm happy right now. As long as the guitar sounds good, dents, scratches, blemishes are forgotten. I will share a picture of my 2000 914c with his younger brother 2010 914ce. Very happy brothers!

[michaelw]

The 914c I have is from 2000. The top is fine but the back/sides have one inch straight lines (like raining drops) horizontally. They are very evenly distributed all over the back and can't see them from 1.5 away.

Have a friend with a 1999 914ce, same thing. I have a 2003 k14ce, same thing. Although the 2000 w14ce I have doesn't have the lines, the gloss finish is more like mate (photography term). 

I do not know the reason, maybe few Taylors have this problem. I know michaelw on this forum has a 2000 914c also, so I will check with him

i didn't have a finish concern with the 00 914c i had, nor the 00 k14c -
the only things i've seen 'pop-up' was the ivoroid binding in the waist of a 00 w14ce (cedar) that began to separate
from the purfling & a finish check on a 714ceLTD with wood binding (again, between the binding & purfling)

the binding on the w14ce was not a concern to the person who currently owns the guitar & the 7 was taken care of under warranty -
i have seen some rosewood models to where it appeared the finish was sinking into the grain (vertical lines,
rather than horizontal), but this was on guitars that were likely exposed to extreme temperature & humdity