Got to play the nice stuff yesterday...

[Christhee68]

I took my 314ce into my local dealer to have a little work done on it, and after explaining what I need to have done, the guy says "Let me take this in the back and take a look. While you're waiting check this out" --and hands me a 914ce. Then he says, "While you're at it, check this one out, too" and hands me a 614ce.

Then he sends me off into the acoustic room with both while he checks out my guitar and helps other customers.

My brief observation--The bling on the 914ce was just unreal. So super-nice and upscale. I never really cared much for an arm rest before, but after playing this for a few minutes, I could tell the arm rest felt really comfortable.

The 614ce was WOW! to me. I liked the tone better than the 914ce, but I couldn't really say why, and the beautiful understated appointments were just perfect. It was nice, but not too nice. If I was going to buy one, the 614ce would be it.

I know there are a lot better reviews by those more knowledgeable than I, but those are my brief layman's observations. And I have to say, after playing those two back and forth for about 30 minutes, I still kept reaching for the 320e they had sitting out. There's something about that one that I really like, too.  Regardless, I've got my great 314ce to keep me company, and I can't really complain about that.

[TaylorGirl]

My brief observation--The bling on the 914ce was just unreal. So super-nice and upscale. I never really cared much for an arm rest before, but after playing this for a few minutes, I could tell the arm rest felt really comfortable.

My observations too. I had never played a guitar with the beveled arm rest, wow....comfy. I couldn't get over the volume and bass with the rosewood.

[crgoddard]

I had the same reaction to the 914ce. I visited a dealer out of town this past week who had a nice selection, the 914ce being one of them. After playing for a few minutes I understand now the appeal of the arm rest. Really comfortable and the depth of the bass was surprising to me (in a good sense). Very smooth and visually appealing.

[Strumming Fool]

My brief observation--The bling on the 914ce was just unreal. So super-nice and upscale. I never really cared much for an arm rest before, but after playing this for a few minutes, I could tell the arm rest felt really comfortable.

My observations too. I had never played a guitar with the beveled arm rest, wow....comfy. I couldn't get over the volume and bass with the rosewood.

That's what I like about my cedar/rosewood BTO GA - the volume and the bass response!

[Edward]

Glad you got to try the "good stuff" ...it satisfies much the "I wonder if," and at times even satisfy the GAS guitarists often get when seeing/reading the "nicer" guits.  That said, it's always enormously satisfying to confirm that what you have at home is all you want and need!  Perhaps like many, I go to the RoadShows or visit various "high end" rooms to see what awesome guitars have emerged, but after playing them, I have a deep satisfaction for what waits for me at home ...priceless!

On the armrest, I love it; very comfortable, as if allowing the body to melt into yours.  But I'd personally never pay new prices for it; depreciated price perhaps, but new, it's more cost-than-value for this guy.

Edward

[Craig]

I've had my hands on the good stuff too.
I tried a couple of the new 914ce's at local shops. They are absolutely beautiful to look at but very bright sounding, almost as if they had 80/20's on.
I think I'll wait till someone gets a 916ce in 

Craig

[Edward]

...I tried a couple of the new 914ce's at local shops. They are absolutely beautiful to look at but very bright sounding, almost as if they had 80/20's on.
I think I'll wait till someone gets a 916ce in 
Craig

My thoughts, as well.  Apart from its obvious aesthetics, the 916 is a lovely-sounding guitar, and definitely worth waiting for over its GA brother, IMHO

Edward

[Strumming Fool]

...I tried a couple of the new 914ce's at local shops. They are absolutely beautiful to look at but very bright sounding, almost as if they had 80/20's on.
I think I'll wait till someone gets a 916ce in 
Craig

My thoughts, as well.  Apart from its obvious aesthetics, the 916 is a lovely-sounding guitar, and definitely worth waiting for over its GA brother, IMHO

Edward

That's why I like cedar over rosewood on a GA. It tends to warm up an otherwise bright tone on the treble strings and compensate for the midrange scoop.

[Edward]

We are kindred guitarists, friend!  My fave combo is cedar/RW for the exact reason: middy presence and warmth over midrange scoop! 

Edward

[TaylorGirl]

Has Taylor ever offered cedar on the 900 series?

[Strumming Fool]

Only as an option, I believe....

[TaylorGirl]

Only as an option, I believe....

I see on the other series that those options for tops are listed. But, I don't see the option for a cedar top offered in the 900 series.

So, with the rosewood, a cedar top softens the brightness that you get with the spruce top.....do you lose some of the bass response of the rosewood?

[Strumming Fool]

The cedar top option used uto be available for all 500 series and up guitars. That option seems to have disappeared from all the series that now feature the new ultra thin finish. Before I ordered my cedar rosewood BTO,  I was thinking of ordering an 814 or a 914 with a cedar top, but that option was no longer available.

[TaylorGirl]

The cedar top option used uto be available for all 500 series and up guitars. That option seems to have disappeared from all the series that now feature the new ultra thin finish. Before I ordered my cedar rosewood BTO,  I was thinking of ordering an 814 or a 914 with a cedar top, but that option was no longer available.

Yup, I called Taylor and they confirmed this. The new finish and the bracing are the reasons the cedar isn't available on the 914. At least that's what they told me.

[Guitarsan]

The cedar top option used uto be available for all 500 series and up guitars. That option seems to have disappeared from all the series that now feature the new ultra thin finish. Before I ordered my cedar rosewood BTO,  I was thinking of ordering an 814 or a 914 with a cedar top, but that option was no longer available.

Yup, I called Taylor and they confirmed this. The new finish and the bracing are the reasons the cedar isn't available on the 914. At least that's what they told me.

Willcutt has some nice custom Cedar/Cocobolo GAs....   

http://willcuttguitars.com/CatalogueRetrieve.aspx?ProductID=9028585&A=SearchResult&SearchID=9320988&ObjectID=9028585&ObjectType=27