Some years ago, I had heard that at least a few luthiers would confide that the raw price difference between RW and other "typical" tone woods such as mahog, ovangkol, or sapele is hardly worth noting. Barring the truly rare woods, the
price difference between like guitars and their woods is due more to perception of value, model differentiation (since a rw guitar is priced higher it must be better), and "cache" (since we all know a guit that sports "that" wood obviously is "better") ...and this mindset over many yeeeeeaaarrrs reinforced these perceptions, or perhaps more accurately, these wood "stereotypes."
Today's RW prices?? Who knows ...I don't run in those circles. But whatever the difference in RW supply today vs yesteryear, I
still hear the very same perceptions between this wood and that. May I respectfully suggest one actually
listens to the guitar, weigh it's tone against one's own tastes and preferences, and only then choose accordingly? ...irrespective of wood species, let alone model designation.
How many folks have stated very clearly their preference of a 100/200 over the 300 or 400 model? Kudos to these folks! Same should apply with wood choice. The particular species
along with its body size and build parameters will determine the guitar's overall voice; too much weight is assigned to just wood species, IMHO. And marketing has only reinforced this bias. Let your own ears and gut make your ultimate tonal decision.
BTW, to bk,
You said that were the prices the same you'd choose the Taylor. So the preference is clear, right? Only you can decide whether your preference justifies the difference in cost. But to weigh the diff on the basis of RW vs, richlight, vs whatever misses the point entirely, in my mind. It's an instrument: choose based on the voice and playablitlity first. After owning any guitar for even a short amount of time, the difference in cost will be forgotten, but the tone you had really wanted but failed to choose will remain in your head ...and likely nag at you until you satisfy your true tonal itch. Again, all IMHO
Edward