Unofficial Taylor Guitar Forum - UTGF
Taylor Acoustic & Electric Guitars => Taylor Acoustic & Electric Guitars => Topic started by: nickw22 on February 24, 2013, 07:45:51 PM
-
I am wondering if someone that owns or previously a 414ce could tell me how they like it? Is it better sounding than a 314ce? or compared to the 500 series? The shop in my town that sells Taylor's does not have a 414ce in stock and it might be a little while before they come in. I am going to be purchasing a new Taylor (which will be my first one) or possibly used if I can find a good deal (any suggestions?). Anyways I read up about the 414ce and it said it is probably one of the most well rounded guitars (rythm, finger picking, etc.). I like to play rhythm and finger pick. After reading about the different tones that the different woods create the ovanjkol sounds like it would be good for almost any style. Any replies would be appreciated. Thanks!
-
I have a 414 and absolutely love it. I'm primarily a fingerstyle player, but when I want to strum, it's very impressive. Nice all-around guitar. The ovangkol is beautiful too!
-
At the last Road Show I attended, the Taylor Rep referred to Ovangkol as "the secret weapon", explaining that, tonally, it fits a niche between Rosewood and Mahogany. It's a great sounding wood that not too many manufacturers are using. With regards to a guitar made from one would sounding "better" than that made of another wood, he explained that it's not "better", it's just "different".
-
Right on. Thanks for the responses. Do you know if there is much difference between the cedar top Fall Ltd or the Spruce top? There is a cedar top one at the shop down the street but I really wanted to see how the spruce top was. I just don't know when they are going to get one in. I guess they are just waiting for their orders through the NAMM convention.
-
I have a GA4 and I love it. I like it better than the 314ce I played. It sounds smoother for lack of a better term with a bit more low end. Fantastic guitar.
-
Right on. Thanks for the responses. Do you know if there is much difference between the cedar top Fall Ltd or the Spruce top? There is a cedar top one at the shop down the street but I really wanted to see how the spruce top was.
Check out the cedar topped limited - it may not have ovangkol back and sides (can't remember a fall ltd with a cedar top and ovangkol back and sides), but it may be a great value for the money. To add to others' comments, I have never played a standard 414 (spruce top) that I didn't like. Ovangkol is a fantastic tonewood!
-
This is Taylor's image of how tonal woods compare. Ovangkol typically has a little more of the lows and highs, and its mid-range is accentuated. Sapele doesn't have quite the bass or treble, and the tone from low to high is more even (not accentuated in the mids like ovangkol). That said, I've heard some amazing sapele guitars. There are slight variances even between identical models where one might offer slightly more bass, treble, or mids than another. If you aren't able to play the guitar before purchasing it, you might want to ask the sales associate if he/she can pick out one that best matches your tonal preferences (more noticeable bass or treble, etc.).
(http://legacyweb.taylorguitars.com/guitars/features/woods/Tone/images/Tone-Graph.jpg)
-
Interesting that the only other wood with a similar bass response to Ovangkol is Rosewood.
I like Ovangkol a lot.
-
When you look at at the chart, it shows Ovangkol with great low end, hits the highs well, and pushes the mids stronger than rosewood. Looks like a Mahogany that goes lower and higher. If that makes any sense. ;D
-
Well I guess I'll be saving up for a 400 or 700 series now... Would the rosewood laminate be similar to rosewood or would the laminates all sound the same regardless of wood type?
-
Well I guess I'll be saving up for a 400 or 700 series now... Would the rosewood laminate be similar to rosewood or would the laminates all sound the same regardless of wood type?
the second choice...as a rule.
-
I tried a lot of guitars before deciding on my 814ce. The one that came closest, for my taste, was the 414ce. I think that is a truly remarkable and versatile guitar. In the end, I was swayed by the tobacco sunburst and that gorgeous curly maple binding... a feast for the eyes as well as the ears (and my wife encouraged me, with the understanding that this is going to be "another lifetime guitar"... her words, not mine 8)).
All that said, you should vote with your ears, eyes, fingers, and heart. The 414ce is a great guitar.
Good luck with your decision.
Captain Jim
-
Looking at the tone chart, I think my Sitka/Walnut 414ce LTD has already done the "dash dash dash" thing over to the left ... the bass response is really nice on that guitar ... 8)
-
I have a 2010 414ce, don't regret it. tight low end, warm mids and clear highs.
I hate that it has matte back and sides. but to be honest, it still looks great. sounds awesome that you won't pay too much attention.
it's a great bang for the buck, to me it sounded more well rounded than the 314ce, which sounded muddy in comparison
-
I went to tryout Taylor guitars about couple months ago with 2 other friends. One of them liked the 414ce better than the 814ce...
-
I have a 414ce and liked it because it didn't sound like mahogany like the Sapele 314 and it actually sounded better than the rosewood when paired up to my voice. You have to chose the guitar with your ears not your brain. You can't rely on some charts or other peoples descriptions. You simply have to play it, the way you play, and with the songs you like.
Drive if you must to find one. Close your eyes, forget everything you think you know and trust your ears.
I played a 312, 314, 814 and a 414 in that order. God's truth I picked up that 414 and played the first 3 notes of a C scale and said to myself, "this is it".
--dan
-
If you are able to try out one of the fall LTD's for the last couple of years, the 414ce's were made with the CV bracing. I recently bought a 2012 fall LTD after falling in love with it. Really llike the tasmanian blackwood and the cedar pairing. Warm, woody, great bass, very responsive some some lovely grit / character when you dig in.
If they bring out a 414ce in ovangkol with the CV bracing I expect I would prefer it to the 814ce with rosewood. IMHO, I prefer more mid presence than what rosewood brings and the ovangkol does that.
-
I have a 414ce and I love it. I used to have a GA4e and I wish I still had that one.
-
I am wondering if someone that owns or previously a 414ce could tell me how they like it? Anyways I read up about the 414ce and it said it is probably one of the most well rounded guitars (rythm, finger picking, etc.). I like to play rhythm and finger pick. After reading about the different tones that the different woods create the ovanjkol sounds like it would be good for almost any style. Any replies would be appreciated. Thanks!
I just want to respond to your original question. I own a sinker/ovangkol BTO GA, and I have played several 414s over the years. I think that ovangkol, when paired with a good spruce top, offers the most complete tonal palette - good bass, good mids, and good high end. I've also never test-driven a bad one. For those basic reasons, I believe that a 414 is a very safe bet for an all-around, all-season guitar.
-
If you are able to try out one of the fall LTD's for the last couple of years, the 414ce's were made with the CV bracing. I recently bought a 2012 fall LTD after falling in love with it. Really llike the tasmanian blackwood and the cedar pairing. Warm, woody, great bass, very responsive some some lovely grit / character when you dig in.
If they bring out a 414ce in ovangkol with the CV bracing I expect I would prefer it to the 814ce with rosewood. IMHO, I prefer more mid presence than what rosewood brings and the ovangkol does that.
Yes, I'm jealous...414ce Fall Ltd.
-
I have a 414ce of 2001 vintage. Even among other Taylors and other 414's, it spoke to me in the shop during a quick business trip. After playing it for just a few minutes I pulled out the credit card and placed it on hold. Not willing to trust it to the airlines, I finally retrieved it a few weeks later during the next car trip to that town. The first impression still held true. Over the years I have let many people play it at jams and guitar camps. Seasoned pro players have said things like, "After hearing that guitar, I should probably reconsider Taylors". One pro even seemed to prefer it over his signature model from another manufacturer, and only reluctantly gave it back later that evening. Another friend always pesters me about trading his very nice Martin HD-28 even up for my 414ce, but I won't fall for it. Every time I see him he asks if I am ready to trade. I just smile and shake my head.
The ovangkol wood on mine is fairly figured and roughly the color of honey stained oak (many similar ovangkol guitars are plainer). I call it "koa lite" or "poor man's koa" since it resembles a fairly plain grade of koa. I primarily fingerpick with natural nails, but also strum quite a bit with heavy picks and a fairly strong strum. Lately I have been using medium gauge strings to help with lowered Hawaiian Slack-Key tunings, and the tone is even louder and richer with the heavier strings driving the top just a bit harder. My 414 holds its own in almost any application, including bluegrass jams, and is one of my favorite all-around guitars with great tone and excellent playability. You won't go wrong with a 414.
-
I'm in complete agreement with others in this thread who say that you can't go wrong with a 414ce. I have never played one that I didn't like. It's worth mentioning, since you said you're a rhythm player, that the 410e or DN4e (whatever you want to call it) is an amazing guitar as well. In many cases I prefer it's sound to the GA. I'm just not a fan of the look or feel of dreads, which is why I have a GA. I think ovangkol is definitely under appreciated in the guitar word, as it's an amazing tone wood. Mine is topped with adirondack spruce and it is an outright cannon. I'd love to play Strumming Fool's sinker/ovangkol GA some time, as I'm sure it sounds amazing too.
-
I had a Taylor GA4 and I think ovangkol is one of the more underrated guitars out there. Mine was very even across the spectrum and LOUD. Great guitar.