514 fltd vis 814ce

[michaelw]

No way I would trade a euro/spruce over quilted mahogany 514 for a lesser guitar and the new 814 is a lesser guitar based on the specs.  This is based on your examples aging a good tone etc. One thing I have learned the hard way is once you get to a certain point in the guitar lines all you are doing is swapping for a slightly different tone.

I tried an 2014 814ce and the tone was pleasing but I found the whole package to be slightly lacking compared to Taylor's that have in the past had a lower cost of entry.

i think i'm more in dennis' camp, in terms of favoring the new 800s &
certain particular examples of the current 810e, 814ce & 816ce

on paper, the 800 series seems to have more changes in specs, from andy powers, &
overall, than the 500LTD euro spruce/flamed mahogany compared to the standard 500 series -
the bracing (top, back & sides), wood thicknessing, finish & adhesives

the adi CV bracing & euro spruce was also used on the fall
12 quilted sapele & spring 13 african ebony LTD models -
the 600 series leaf inlay "inspired" avian boxwood inlays & the segmented
wood rosette were touches from andy powers, but the adi CV "guts" have been
around since 08, with the fall cocobolo & koa, 09 fall coco & maple, & fall
11 coco LTDs, which was a bracing pattern adapted from the R Taylor series 2 &
these models had more touches from larry breedlove, who was selected to be
involved with RT design, along with ed granero & tim luranc, josh carter,
keith greenwood & eric larsen (final assembly, finish, body & neck departments)

i haven't been able sample as many examples of the 13 fall 500s as the current
800 series (2 810s, 3 814, 2 816, 1 818), but to my ear, spruce/hog models in
general, tend to be more consistent across the board than spruce/rosewood 800s -
seeing that features from the 800 design are already trickling down (to 600 protos) &
will likely make their way to the 900/koa/PS & the 700/500/400/300s, i think that
the "new" team at Taylor feels that the R&D that went into the 800s is the direction
that the other series are headed (AP bracing, 3.5 finish, HP package option on 500/up)

i've played more of the 14 800s that i liked the tone of than not &
collectively from the # of examples, i've like the 14 800s more than
the 09-13 CV, 04-08  standard II & 97-03 mostly pre standard II -
it seems that Taylor's goal is pursue the 20% that feel the tone is not
quite on-par with the playability & consistency & starting with the 800s,
which has been there from the beginning & has the most history, which is
something that was also done back as early as 07, as the wood binding &
CV bracing were added to the 800s first, followed by the 900, koa & PSs

mahogany is probably one of the more underrated woods, in that it does not have
the "mystique" of rosewood & in most cases it is the less expensive of the two,
in terms of a finished guitar series (500, 700/800/900, 18 or 28/35/40/41/42/45) -
however, mahogany seems to be more a benchmark, in terms of tone when a
new body shape, bracing pattern, fret or scale configuration is being considered,
as it seems to be the most "predictable", as well as consistent & repeatable -
if/when AP bracing & 3.5 finish makes it to the 500 series, i'll be looking at a 518
with a rectified wide compression grain sitka top & HP package with adi bracing

congrats on the 514eFLTD
it sounds like it is a better match for you than the adi/coco GS was, in more
ways than one & i like the top grain & the figuring of the headstock overlay

the 514eFLTD sam ash shows is pretty nice
http://www.ebay.com/itm/161254377849

if i were looking for a GS, however, i'd get cracking on this one
http://www.ebay.com/itm/181451717501

[dgaemc2]

Congratulations Rollei on your new 812 12 fret!! 
The GC is the only Taylor body shape guitar that I don't own....nor do I own a 12 fret, but will probably try both out some day! 
Btw....I think you made a very good decision to trade in your 8 string baritone and something else? rather than parting with your 514e FLTD!
I would also like to add that your new 812 12 fret should work fantastic at church...after all you will be plugged into the PA system!
I do agree with other folks that the 2013 514/516 are special and are very limited indeed.
That said, I don't think that my new 2014 816ce is in any way an inferior guitar to my 2013 516e FLTD!
My new 2014 816ce is an AWESOME guitar without question!!
In fact, it is impossible for me to decide which of these two guitars are my favorite because both offer awesome sounds just different.
However, as mentioned previously, the 2013 514e/516e FLTD's are truly special guitars and very limited!  OTOH, Taylor will be making many thousands of the new 800 series.
I can say one thing for certain.....I WILL NEVER SELL MY 2013 516e FLTD!!  Not just because it is rare and looks beautiful, but because it truly sounds awesome!! 
Just my opinions....

[wooglins]

No way I would trade a euro/spruce over quilted mahogany 514 for a lesser guitar and the new 814 is a lesser guitar based on the specs.  This is based on your examples aging a good tone etc. One thing I have learned the hard way is once you get to a certain point in the guitar lines all you are doing is swapping for a slightly different tone.

I tried an 2014 814ce and the tone was pleasing but I found the whole package to be slightly lacking compared to Taylor's that have in the past had a lower cost of entry.

I have a different impression of the 814.  Today I spent two hours in Dusty Strings playing every high end Martin and Collings in the shop.  I didn't think any of them were up to the tone of the new 814 I played.  It has a rich, lush, punchier bottom end and the clear sparkle on the high end that Taylor is known for.  My older 814 isn't in the same league as the new ones.  But, who knows ... maybe I played an especially good one and you played a particularly mediocre one.  Or you just don't dig the new 814 as much as I do.

I found the tone of the new 814 very nice.  It was slightly improved over previous generations of 81x's.  That being said the appointments stuck me as somewhat cheap compared to what the Sam or less money can get in the Taylor line.   Wait for the 2014 Fall Ltd's will be through the roof.

[rolleiguy54]

Thanks for all the input. I love the new 812 and have played it a lot the last few days.

My 514 will not be forgotten.

[wooglins]

Thanks for all the input. I love the new 812 and have played it a lot the last few days.

My 514 will not be forgotten.

The 12 fret 812's are remarkable (both pre 2014 and post).  Congratulations.  Now we need some pictures of that beauty.