POLL : 2014 800 series

[dgaemc2]

I previously owned a 2010 814ce.  Nice guitar, but ultimately sold it because my 2012 914ce sounded better to me.  Still own my 914 and love it.

That said, I did buy the new 2014 816ce and have no regrets whatsoever acoustically or amplified.
I must say that the new ES2 system truly sounds more like my acoustic guitar amplified compared to the previous ES system.  Whether or not this is good or bad depends upon each individual.

[michaelw]

I previously owned a 2010 814ce.  Nice guitar, but ultimately sold it because my 2012 914ce sounded better to me.  Still own my 914 and love it.

That said, I did buy the new 2014 816ce and have no regrets whatsoever acoustically or amplified.
I must say that the new ES2 system truly sounds more like my acoustic guitar amplified compared to the previous ES system.  Whether or not this is good or bad depends upon each individual.

the CV braced, bone nut & saddled 914ces i've played seem to have a smoother, more even overall
response with a little less prominent midrange compression & more consistent than the CV 814ces ... nice

congrats on the new 816ce & it's nice to hear that there's a place in your tonal arsenal for both

[Strumming Fool]

Although I've always respected the 814 as a great, all-purpose guitar, I've never wanted to own one, because I'm not a big rosewood fan to begin with (having owned several across many brands over the years that all ultimately disappointed). I did really enjoy playing the new 814 a few weeks ago to the point that I was seriously considering purchasing one later this year. However, I'll still probably end up with my first love, the 914, probably with a cedar top. I certainly wouldn't mind if the 914 had the new AP bracing, while the other new features are not so important to me...might be a wait and see game as to next developments.

[MB]

Strumming Fool you surprised me with this! For some reason I had you solidly in the Mahogany camp. Did something change or did I misread the whole thing? BTW...I ordered a 528e which will be here on Monday...just in case you needed a little HOG fix....

[michaelw]

Although I've always respected the 814 as a great, all-purpose guitar, I've never wanted to own one, because I'm not a big rosewood fan to begin with (having owned several across many brands over the years that all ultimately disappointed). I did really enjoy playing the new 814 a few weeks ago to the point that I was seriously considering purchasing one later this year. However, I'll still probably end up with my first love, the 914, probably with a cedar top. I certainly wouldn't mind if the 914 had the new AP bracing, while the other new features are not so important to me...might be a wait and see game as to next developments.

a 914e, & 916e cocobolo with euro spruce top, adi AP bracing &
flamed koa binding would make for an interesting FLTD idea, i think

[Strumming Fool]

Strumming Fool you surprised me with this! For some reason I had you solidly in the Mahogany camp. Did something change or did I misread the whole thing? BTW...I ordered a 528e which will be here on Monday...just in case you needed a little HOG fix....

I am more of a hog person, but as my collection's growth begins to taper off in the next few years, I believe that I'd like to have one rosewood guitar in the stable, one that I hope to keep. Besides ebony, I really have everything else I want. Besides the 514 FLTD, the 1995 GAKS has a nice hog vibe, the 2011 BTO has got nice hog and rosewood qualities, and even the 2003 Pelican has some hog tones too. A little rosewood will help balance out the tonal spectrum.

[Strumming Fool]

a 914e, & 916e cocobolo with euro spruce top, adi AP bracing &
flamed koa binding would make for an interesting FLTD idea, i think

That would be nice as long as the specific cocobolo specimen I play has (besides no cutaway, of course) that wonderful piano-like sound. Some coco guitars have been quite impressive to the ear while others simply haven't floated my boat, although they're all pretty...I think that there's more of a reliable tone when it comes to different rosewood specimens, although some are better than others...like a good 714, the new 814, and of course, the sweet 914!

[DavidG]

I recently played the 810 and 812 at a Find your Fit event.  Although I hear that the 814/816 are the majority of the sales, the 810 and 812 really stood out.  Maybe it's because I have a 414 that I was not very impressed with the difference of the 814.  The clarity and range (clear kids/highs and booming bottom) of the 810 really impressed me.  I didn't plug it in, as I mostly just play unplugged.  Picked up the 812 (12 fret/slotted headstock) next and was also impressed with with how deep it sounded for a small body.  Both of those two are on my wish list now...

[Jersey tuning]

Got to play a 2012 814, 2012 816, and a 2014 FE 816 yesterday.  I like the balance of the 814 vs the 816 amongst the 2012's, and found the 2014 816 to be livelier and louder compared with the 2012 816. Found the 2014 816 to be too bright for my taste, but methinks with some breaking in this will become a great guitar.

[pjroberts]

I previously owned a 2012 814ce... also played a 2014 816ce at Gryphon two weeks and wasn't overly-impressed to want to buy one.   

Recently, I acquired a 2011 FLTD GA Cocobolo from a forum member, attracted mainly by its gorgeous aesthetics and promise of a phenomenal tone. I was floored at first strum!  To my ears, this guitar is sonically better than the 2014 816ce in all aspects.

Curious now how the AP bracing, thinner UV, and HD Lights would sound in a Cocobolo guitar..... 2014 Fall Limited?

A start will be to try the new HD strings on your 2011 GA. I do a similar mix and match of sting gauges on my 2013 GS and it really enables me to customize my tone more. Not sure what the recommended strings are on the 816, because they typically recommend medium on GS bodies (I assume still medium, unless they have a heavier HD?).

[mgap]

I previously owned a 2012 814ce... also played a 2014 816ce at Gryphon two weeks and wasn't overly-impressed to want to buy one.   

Recently, I acquired a 2011 FLTD GA Cocobolo from a forum member, attracted mainly by its gorgeous aesthetics and promise of a phenomenal tone. I was floored at first strum!  To my ears, this guitar is sonically better than the 2014 816ce in all aspects.

Curious now how the AP bracing, thinner UV, and HD Lights would sound in a Cocobolo guitar..... 2014 Fall Limited?

A start will be to try the new HD strings on your 2011 GA. I do a similar mix and match of sting gauges on my 2013 GS and it really enables me to customize my tone more. Not sure what the recommended strings are on the 816, because they typically recommend medium on GS bodies (I assume still medium, unless they have a heavier HD?).

They use Elixir Phosphor Bronze HD Medium according to the Taylor specs.

[MB]

Strumming Fool you surprised me with this! For some reason I had you solidly in the Mahogany camp. Did something change or did I misread the whole thing? BTW...I ordered a 528e which will be here on Monday...just in case you needed a little HOG fix....

I am more of a hog person, but as my collection's growth begins to taper off in the next few years, I believe that I'd like to have one rosewood guitar in the stable, one that I hope to keep. Besides ebony, I really have everything else I want. Besides the 514 FLTD, the 1995 GAKS has a nice hog vibe, the 2011 BTO has got nice hog and rosewood qualities, and even the 2003 Pelican has some hog tones too. A little rosewood will help balance out the tonal spectrum.

As far as rosewood goes, I love my 2012 814ce....it is my go to gigging guitar. It has recently opened up some more and really sounds awesome. Good luck in your rosewood search!

[Strumming Fool]

As far as rosewood goes, I love my 2012 814ce....it is my go to gigging guitar. It has recently opened up some more and really sounds awesome. Good luck in your rosewood search!

Thanks MB-

With all the rosewood guitars I've owned and played over the years, I've found Taylor's to be the most consistent in tonality...so optimistically, I'll find my (hopefully) last rosewood guitar there!

[TaylorMate]

I am just happy with my pre-14 guitars. Like we probably all were a little while ago...

[cigarfan]

It will be interesting to try a 2014 when I get the chance.