Have you ever noticed that a tune you're playing sounds better on guitar "A" than guitar "B?" And THEN have you noticed that a few days later that same tune sounds better on guitar "B" than guitar "A?" Or is it just me???
The advice is "trust your ears" when selecting a new guitar--but can you? Really? I know, I know: "Everything is a compromise." But the implication is that if my appreciation for the tone/sound of my guitar(s) can change from day to day, then how can I trust my "appreciation" of a guitar's tone/sound when trying to select a new one in a store?
Hi Drock!
I play fingerstyle and had a chance to play a 514ce LTD with Granadillo at a local Taylor dealer last week. You're absolutely right, the tone jumps out at you and rings for days. I loved the tone, but the continued "ringing" crescendoed into growling overtones that just hung there while the melody moved on. And that's why I decided against purchasing it.
I really tried to talk myself into ignoring those overtones/continued ringings, but I compared it to three other high-end Taylor grand auditorium guitars. The 514ce LTD's bright ringing tone blew the other guitars away, including the coveted 814ce, but I just couldn't get past the continued ringing. It was like playing the piano with the sustain pedal pressed all the time.
"Tone" is an individual, subjective and elusive quality. Compromise is the best we can hope for in the pursuit of the "perfect" tone. The tone of the 514ce LTD will stand out in my memory as being the most bell "like" in my experience. Absolutely stunning. I just wish there were some way to dampen/throttle down the resultant overtones.
If you'll pardon me for quoting myself (twice), my recent guitar-purchasing experience shed some light on the above topic and I thought it would be useful to share.
The first quote questions one's ability to judge tone given that our capacity to judge it may be impacted by a number of factors. The second quote shares my experience soon after the first quote.
Before going to the guitar store I had read about and private messaged several people about their experience with the 514ce LTD with Granadillo and Cedar. My "research" informed me that the guitar has a beautiful, bell-like tone but that because of the characteristics of Granadillo (which is used to make marimbas and xylophones) the notes don't decay as quickly as other woods and the sustaining characteristic of this wood could tonally interfere with fast or "dense" arrangements.
The Granadillo was the first guitar I played at the store, and, as noted in the above quote, the tone just blew me away. But I could not get past the sustaining overtones.
None of the other guitars I played had enough tonal distinction to justify purchasing another guitar, and the dealer did not have any cedar-topped guitars or an 814ce 12 fret. So he called the Taylor factory that day and ordered them into his stock for me to try [WOW! Great Dealer!!]. He called to inform me they had arrived on Wednesday and I was back at his store on Thursday.
Sadly, neither the 512ce 12 fret, or 514ce spoke to me. I guess I don't appreciate mahogany. It's not bright enough for my ear and style of playing. And the 814ce 12 fret wasn't sonically distinct enough from my current guitar inventory to justify purchasing. So what did I do? I picked up the 514 Granadillo again and it just sang to me. [Interesting side note: Granadillo is referred to in Central America as "La madera que canta": The wood that sings."] But I still could not let the "overtones" issue go.
Then the Taylor-trained guitar tech and the store owner both said something that clicked: "When you play a new guitar you need to suspend your preconceptions." And the reason that clicked is because of the thread above, regarding factors that can affect your judgment of tone.
So, instead of fixating on the overtones I had read and heard about, I focused on the bell and chime-like tones and truly enjoyed the whole tonal experience. I bought the guitar and can honestly say that it is my absolute favorite. The others have their places, but this guitar is a standout.
There aren't many of these guitars available, so this isn't about promoting it. I'm simply offering advice to those who do a whole lot of research before they purchase a guitar: It's important to be informed but overthinking can interfere with one's aesthetic/musical judgment.
Offered for your consideration--
Cheers!
Bill