Up to Date Thoughts on the new 600 Series: 614ce vs. 616ce

[wooglins]

Well, after a little more research, it appears there was an older version of the 614ce, with ivoroid binding on the neck, gold-tone tuners and a lighter color of maple. Since discontinued. The new one is somewhat more plain, and has a back and sides referred to as "brown sugar" maple. The price appears to be the same. The new one claims to have improved bracing which enhances the tone. I'm so confused, I'll just stick to what I have until I get lucky at Guitar Center when they actually have one I can try out. Thanks anyway.

I would not want the previous edition of the 6 series unless it was at a really good price.

[Frettingflyer]

 A new hobby - flying lessons - has kept me occupied.
Hi Dan, you will find quite a few pilots, active and not around here. Glad you found your way into the sky!
As for the 600's, there was a really big change between the old and new, with some here preferring the old and some the new. I haven't played a 612 but the new 614 wasn't my cup of tea. It is a fantastic looking guitar, but sound wise wasn't what I was looking for.

[HAPPYDAN]

"The instrumentation should complement and support the vocals, not compete. The lay person rarely remembers a complex instrument solo, but can usually recall with some accuracy the words and melody." Wish I could remember the name of that music teacher in Nashville who said that. Anyway, I would still like to hear from any folk singers that have tried out the old or new 614. And to Frettingflyer: Are you a member of the Flying Musicians Association? They sound like an interesting group, and I'd like to join someday.

[DennisG]

I would still like to hear from any folk singers that have tried out the old or new 614.

My first Taylor was a 2005 614, and I have to say that I was not hugely enchanted by the sound.  I've also played (fairly extensively) both the new 612 and 614.  The 612 was a little meek, but the new 614 was awesome.  I could be totally happy if that were my one and only gigging guitar.

[HAPPYDAN]

I would still like to hear from any folk singers that have tried out the old or new 614.

My first Taylor was a 2005 614, and I have to say that I was not hugely enchanted by the sound.  I've also played (fairly extensively) both the new 612 and 614.  The 612 was a little meek, but the new 614 was awesome.  I could be totally happy if that were my one and only gigging guitar.

I couldn't find any utube reviews of the new one, but I'm glad to hear you prefer it over the old one. The Holden Village Mini is weak on bass, but has just the right amount of treble when plucked with just fingers. Strummed with a pick, it can get pretty brassy, altho I did change out the mediums to lights for an easier feel. With a capo, it starts to sound like a Uke . Have you tried a capo, and how did it sound?

[Frettingflyer]

Frettingflyer: Are you a member of the Flying Musicians Association?
Dan-I was completely unaware of them! I am checking out the website and most likely will join/donate. I got my private license in high school and went on to a career doing one of my passions. I also played in the band and orchestra in school, and it sure will be nice to help kids this way.
Thank you for alerting me to this!

[timfitz63]

... Anyway, I would still like to hear from any folk singers that have tried out the old or new 614...

I'm one of those "other pilots" Dave mentioned.  So congratulations on your new-found hobby!  As you progress, just keep in mind a bit of wisdom with which I was imparted early in my aviation career:  the three most useless things in aviation are (1) altitude above you; (2) runway behind you; and (3) fuel that's still in the pump.  If you remember little else, those three truisms might someday keep you out of trouble!

Regarding your question about the new vs. old 614:  I'm not nearly as good a vocalist as I am a pilot; or guitar player for that matter.  But I do know what tone I like.  Opinions about the re-voiced 600 Series abound on this forum; some of us like the new bracing, whereas some (like me) prefer the old bracing.  Both sides offer compelling arguments and neither side is really wrong.  But it ultimately comes down to which do you prefer...?  Which fits with your needs as a vocalist?

Taylor's marketing line on the old 600 Series was that it was "bright and focused" allowing it's tone to "cut through the mix."  This was typical of most Maple-bodied guitars using traditional bracing.  The new 600 Series seems to have a different aim in the Taylor line-up:  to make a Maple guitar with a tone/aesthetics that is more appealing to the mainstream guitar buyer.  As such, the traditional brightness has been 'tamed' in favor of more bass response.  I started using the term "Rosehogany" to describe the tone of the new 600 Series:  less like traditional Maple, more like a mixture of Rosewood and Mahogany.  As such that new tonal focus would probably lend itself better to general vocal accompaniment than the older 600 Series guitars, but you'd have make the final call by seeing which 614 (new or old) compliments your voice better.

[HAPPYDAN]

"I'm one of those "other pilots" Dave mentioned."

Sage advice on all counts. There's a place in Chicago that actually has one of each, called Chicago Music Exchange, I think. I  would love to get in there and try both. There are also some of the older ones for sale on Ebay, but I bought an Epiphone ES-339 mail order once, which I simply do not like, even after a professional set up. So no more buy without try.

[michaelw]

not to throw another wrench into the works,
but this one may  be worth considering, imho -
it's not a grand auditorium or a grand symphony, but ...
https://reverb.com/item/2771116-taylor-proto-custom-618e-adirondack-163