Should I upgrade?

[Jannie]

On another thread I mentioned it looks like I may have to take back my 214, it's a good store, it won't be a problem. But should I (if they have it in stock) upgrade to a GA4? Is that a better built guitar (same body shape) or is it the same as the 214 but with better woods? I might look at a GC4 again but don't remember much about it.

Or in the same price range (sorry to say this on the Taylor forum but it's a question) am I better off with what looks like a comparable guitar in the Martin SWOMGT ?

[michaelw]

hi Jannie

the main difference between the two guitars are -
the current 214 has rosewood laminate back (with no bracing) & sides, unbound
sapele neck with 1 11/16" nut, 14:1 ratio tuners, a 'hard' gigbag & is made in tecate

the GA4 has solid ovangkol back & sides, a bound mahogany neck with 1 3/4" nut.
18:1 ratio Taylor branded tuners, a black hardshell case & is made in el cajon, ca

whether or not you should upgrade to a GA4 really is entirely up to you -
if you prefer the tone, playability (feel of the neck) & build quality of the GA4 enough
to where you feel that the increase in investment is worth the $, i'd consider it

the Martin SWOMGT is an entirely different guitar - i have a Martin SWD, which i like very much,
but the tone, playability (feel) & the way that it is built is quite a bit different than a Taylor

again, i would suggest letting the shop do what they can for your 214 to make it right,
then i would compare all 3 guitars & see which one you are most comfortable with -
the SWOMGT is closer in size to a GC series Taylor & if you are considering a Martin,
i would ask to see to if they happen to have a GPCPA4 in stock (sitka/sapele)

please feel free to PM me if you would like a more detailed description regarding the Martins

[DMBfan41]

I would try to get your 214 buzzing issue resolved first.  Most times, buzzing is a simple fix.  If you cannot resolve it, I'd go with the GA4.  The GA4 has solid wood back and sides.  Being a 214 owner, I'm biased when it comes to talking about keeping it.

Keep us updated!

[michaelw]

to me, sapele sounds very similar to mahogany, but with a touch of maples definition & 'sparkle',
the midrange is not quite as pronounced & there seems to be more immediacy or 'pop' overall

ovangkol takes the qualities from rosewood (depth & low end response) & mahogany (warm, open mids) without sounding
like either one, it is a relatively dense tonewood, not as 'resonant' as rosewood, but not quite as 'warm' as mahogany -
i have a 98 414 that i like very much, even moreso to the many 814s the 416ce that i compared to it

i was curious that, since you had an eSteve, if the shop happens to have a Fall 11 NS24e -
this model would have a cedar top & unless you have definitely decided on a steel string,
that might be worth trying out, at least in the store, to see if that might be to your liking

[Jannie]

Thanks but I'm definitely going steel string otherwise I'd stick with the Esteve, I cannot say too many things good about it.

[michaelw]

Thanks for the support everyone, this is reassuring, a friend who knows more about this and has performed with a Taylor for over a decade, called last night and offered to go with me to store on monday just to be supportive. As I've mentioned the store is super good about everything and I know they'll offer either way, to fix or replace or figure out an upgrade. I suppose I've just lost a bit of confidence in this particular guitar and I'll have to try and be logical as I walk through the process.

that's great, Jannie
i'm glad your friend will be able to go with you

please let us know how everything goes &
i hope it all works out the way you'd like it to
MERRY CHRISTMAS ! !

[Jannie]

I feel like I'm doubling up because some of this is in another thread which is okay with me if it falls by the wayside, thanks everyone for your help, the results are pretty wonderful. I tried many guitars with my friends help, the store couldn't have been more supportive, kind of wonderful actually since they were so busy.

I ended up absolutely lovine a GC3, with Sapele, this guitar out of everything I played with the exception of trying a 714ce and Martin 00-28VS again just because I was there and already love those guitars, but the GC3 just is a total fit for me and I much preferred the sound of the Sapele b/s on both GC's and GA's and I tried them all, over and over. Just everything about the GC3 feels/sounds/fits really good, what a sweet guitar.

[michaelw]

i'm glad everything worked out well for you, Jannie

the last line in your post sums it up quite well -
congrats on the new GC3

[Strumming Fool]

Good news Jannie-

That GC3 is a very nice instrument. I had the good fortune to play one a few years ago. Lots of rich sound came out of that little guitar! I hope that you have many happy years with your new baby!