Taylor 814ce Brazilian may morph into a presentation model purchase.

[ZLX07]

I have a chance to purchase a new Taylor 814ce Brazilian from a local dealer having a great sale. I went in with the intent to look at a Martin OM-42. They are out of stock but did have an OM-28. I tried both and was impressed with the 814. I realize the woods in the 42 may be superior to those in the 28, but I can't see where it would sound 50% better than the 28. I am strictly a flat picking player and thinking my style might be better put to use on the Taylor. I'm sleeping on it and can't convince myself not to buy it, especially at the dramatically reduced price. It has a 3 piece back so I'm not sure that makes it any different than a two piece. I realize the opinions may be biased but would I be crazy to pass this up.

Guess my thing is I know I'd be paying for the woods and all the inlays and binding in a Martin. Is that superficial compared to the tone of a Brazilian bodied guitar?






$ per forum rules

[timfitz63]

If that's the price on a brand new (warranty intact) 814ce with Brazilian Rosewood, you'd better pounce on it.  That's a killer deal.  The two Martin models you mention are made with East Indian Rosewood; related to Brazilian, but not as desirable.  Tone should always trump cosmetics.  And Brazilian Rosewood is steadily fading from Taylor's offerings -- not to be replenished according to the company.

The three-piece back is mainly a way for manufacturers to make use of smaller wood pieces to assemble a full guitar back; it should have no discernible effect on tone.

[ZLX07]

Hi. Thanks. I appreciate your feedback. I see the prices were edited out of my post so I further edited it to be more inline with the rules. (sorry about that, should have been more discrete about that!).

I just think I can't go wrong. It is stratospheres above my abilities but gives me something to aspire to be worthy of owning.

[timfitz63]

I would just check the label to ensure it really is a Brazilian 814ce; the current 800's with the Brazilian Rosewood upgrade have a slightly different label (showing the model & serial numbers) that also says something like "CITES-Compliant Brazilian Rosewood" on it.

[zeebow]

Hi. Thanks. I appreciate your feedback. I see the prices were edited out of my post so I further edited it to be more inline with the rules. (sorry about that, should have been more discrete about that!).

I just think I can't go wrong. It is stratospheres above my abilities but gives me something to aspire to be worthy of owning.

don't worry about it

like tim said, the braz 800 series are specially marked, and you can call taylor and provide them with a serial number and they can further tell you
good luck!

[ZLX07]

Thanks for the heads up! It does have the special 'cites' label affixed.

[Strumming Fool]

Both the Martin OM and the Taylor Grand Auditorium  (14) adapt well to various playing styles, but for strumming, the 814 will have an edge on the PM. I think that the 814 would be your guitar of choice. I'd say go for it, Brazilian or not.

[ZLX07]

And now I am faced with a real dilemma. Once again going home to sleep on matters. The have a presentation model PS16CEBRAZILIAN as well that's just ridiculously beautiful. I'm a small body player but with the armrest it actually feels smaller than the 814 and the price on this one is reduced to a point where I may have to finance a little bit man oh man I am just thinking if I'm going to spend what I was going to spend on the 814 I might as well take the plunge. But again. Sleeping on it.

[timfitz63]

If it comes down to only one or the other with no other distinguishing merits (e.g., tone) to separate the guitars, buy the Brazilian 814.

I know the cosmetics can really sway each of us, and although you might not get quite as good a deal on a later purchase of a Presentation model, that line will still be around for the foreseeable future at Taylor.  Brazilian Rosewood is in it's 'swan song' as a guitar tonewood -- certainly at Taylor, by their own admission -- and perhaps not long on the menu of other guitar manufacturers either.  My personal take is that the CITES restrictions and documentation requirements have now made Brazilian Rosewood too burdensome for companies like Taylor (who insist on reputable sourcing of its woods) to offer at a competitive price.  Get it while you can get it at a semi-reasonable price; once the supply at Taylor evaporates, the only Brazilian Taylors will be those on the used market -- and the prices are likely to start climbing.

[Strumming Fool]

The PS16ce uses the same woods as the 814ce. As with the OM42 vs. OM28, the premium wood grading is only at an aesthetic level for the PS16ce  vs. the 814ce. So sound trumps aesthetics every time with larger production companies like Taylor and Martin. The 16 is larger than the 14 so it should theoretically have a bigger sound, although that has not always been my experience in A/B comparisons. Since I'm not a fan of armrests (or cutaways) for aesthetic reasons, I can't speak to the comparative comfort, but without the armrest, I find the 14 more comfortable and more balanced in tone than the 16.

In any case, it's just another opinion. The PS series is truly beautiful, but I'd say "let your ears do the choosing", and make sure you have someone play both for you so you can listen objectively and compare.

Hope this helps!

[ZLX07]

Having made it home and not purchased anything yet I'm asking myself do I really need the bling. Again, I went with the intention of buying a Martin OM-42 which was at the extreme end of my budget lol. Frankly, I can but the OM-28 I tried and the 814ce Brazilian for the price of the Presentation model. So that said, my interest in that one is waning - even as beautiful as it is. And you're right about the balanced sound of the 814. Even to my untrained ear I could kind of hear that.

I just want to make the right choice and I think it is going to be the 814ce Brazilian.

[ZLX07]

Okay. So I went back to the store. Tried both guitars back and forth several times. I was back and forth on which one to buy. I had the sales guy play both so I could hear how they projected (thanks for that tip!). My head and my wallet both kept saying 814. My ears kept saying Presentation model. When he flat picked it the only words I have are that it was unlike anything I've ever heard. Like it was on steroids. I'm not saying the 814 was unpleasant. It was beautiful and hence I bought it.

Yeah. I bought the 814. I'm home now and my ears are still saying Presentation. I know I can finance the difference if I decide to go back and exchange tomorrow. But I'm torn. I know it takes a little more to get the bigger top moving, but again I am strictly a flat picker. Not a finger strummer. I'm not unhappy with my decision. Just questioning it as that sound is still in my head. Again I'm gonna sleep on something.

I guess beyond that I wonder about the Laskin armrest. It's comfortable and makes it a guitar I can play for a guy who prefers smaller bodies. However, is it a feature that in time will date the guitar or is it the way if the future...

[Strumming Fool]

Is it a case of "the grass is always greener"? In other words, if you brought the 814 back and took the P16 home, would you be pining after the 814? Armrests have been around for a long time, so I don't think they're a passing fad. A lot of people like them - they just don't have value for me. You will have to exert more effort to get the 16 top moving, especially since the 16 comes with medium gauge strings vs. the lights that come standard on the 14. I have owned two GS guitars, and they ultimately tired me out, while I can play a 14 all day long. Just food for thought.

[ZLX07]

I don't think it's a grass is always greener thing. It was just a sonic temptation. Interesting points you make about the effort required for the GS models you've owned and the medium strings. Of course! They would have made a difference in tone. I didn't think of that. While I said I'd sleep on it, sleep may be a a ways off. I can't put this thing down at the moment.

[Strumming Fool]

Glad to hear that you're enjoying your 814. Play it in good health, and let's see some pics when you can put it down.  Congratulations!