My new 2003 314 LTD

[cc407]

New to this forum...this week had a happy day for me (unfortunate day perhaps to the previous owner who had to put it on consignment)
but I got this full gloss 2003 Taylor 314 Ltd with Koa back & sides.
Fair price and a beautiful sound! Previous experience with Koa made me have doubts as they have sounded brittle to me.
This one seems to have mellowed over 12 years into a wonderful rich tone. This won out over some impressive OM's.


I owned a 355 many years ago....hands can't stand the 12 string strain.
Took a 414 in trade some years ago but it went quickly the same way. Also had a GS Mini that I gave to another musician.
This one is a keeper.

[TaylorGirl]

Very nice find! There are some impressive used Taylor's out in the market....it's a nice score when you get one. I did the same with my GS5-12 cedar/mahogany. Your Ltd is a looker too! Congratulations!

[GuitarDogs62]

That is a really good looking guitar. Good luck and I wish you many happy years of playing it.

[cc407]

Nicer lighting

[Earl]

Koa sometimes has the reputation of being a bit "brittle" tonally.  In reality it takes some time to open up, much like walnut.  If you look at the Taylor tone chart, it starts out bright and fills in the low end with age and play time, ie:  opens up.  Nice guitar....

[Strumming Fool]

That's a keeper - congrats!

[George]

Good looking guitar. Congratulations, and I hope it gives you great pleasure.   Where you specifically looking for a Taylor Koa or did you just stumble across that one?

[cc407]

Good looking guitar. Congratulations, and I hope it gives you great pleasure.   Where you specifically looking for a Taylor Koa or did you just stumble across that one?

Stumbled across it. I was seeking an OM rosewood type. I played some nice examples.
Frankly I was not too impressed with most other koa guitars I had tried over the years.
Since I knew the local shop had this one, I tried it to keep open minded.
This one has apparently opened up and mellowed wonderfully over 12 years with
the previous owner, and has a real warm yet sparkling tone.
I already had a lot of respect for Taylors, with their Ovangkol being my favorite Taylor sound,
and with the tone of this koa model it was not hard switch from the OM path.

[Strumming Fool]

This one has apparently opened up and mellowed wonderfully over 12 years with
the previous owner, and has a real warm yet sparkling tone.

Couldn't agree more - my 1995 GA KS (acquired used in 2012) is a stunning example of how good an older koa-backed guitar can sound. This guitar makes a 1940s D-18 sound wimpy by comparison! Enjoy your new baby!

[Trillian]

Very nice! It's pretty wood, that's for darned sure!

[mavr]

Nicer lighting

Oh, back side is like Martin D35 

[Stringband Eric]

Nice looking guitar.  There is something about koa that has less figuring that has touched my heart.  Most likely due to the fact that some of the guitars I most regret getting rid of were koa.

Definite keeper.  Congrats.

[cc407]

There is something about koa that has less figuring that has touched my heart...

Thanks All,,,it IS a keeper....& N.B. Eric I'm the same way about woods that are not so figured. While I love highly figured guitar woods, I like the idea of using leftover "not-so-hot" woods that still have the signature sound qualities. This 314 never would have come about without leftovers...as witnessed by the 3-piece back!