Unofficial Taylor Guitar Forum - UTGF
Taylor Acoustic & Electric Guitars => Taylor Acoustic & Electric Guitars => Topic started by: ggj on March 22, 2012, 02:41:38 PM
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I've been considering a mahogany Taylor ever since last year's limiteds came out. I'm focused on a GA-5 Cedar top, mahogany back and sides, with the ES system added and a tobacco burst top. I'd love to hear any input you have.
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I love ceedar, and dig what the 5 series brings to the table. A firend of mine has an old 514 that just sounds stellar. That said, I'd also look at a GS body (GS5/516) as these bring that extra thump that the mahogany could use. Either way, I love Taylor's cedar/mahog guitars!
Edward
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I have never played a 514 or GA-5 that I wouldn't be happy to own. The cedar/mahogany combination is very pleasing to the ear and remarkably consistent.
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I have a GC-5, and it's excellent. IMO Taylor does its best with this combination of mahogany and cedar.
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514s and GA-5s are among the most consistent of Taylor's offerings - I've never played one I didn't like. I ordered my 514 back in 2001 with an Engelmann top - I wanted a bit more headroom than the cedar offered (according to conventional wisdom), and I had owned and played more than a few sitka/mahogany guitars in the past. I wanted something a bit different, and have not been disppointed with my choice ever since. It's got a honey burst top instead of the tobacco burst you're looking for, but it is an all-around lovely instrument. You can't go wrong with either model!
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I think it is a good choice. I enjoy my rosewoods, but I always go to my 514ce and get great tone from it. I love the mid-range you pull from it. The GA is the perfect size for me, it just fells perfect in my hands.
I use to have a 510 I liked it as well but the shape and size of the 514(GA) is just better for me. Of course I would test run a few, but then that is a lot of fun as well.
On a scale of 1-10 I give the GA-5 a solid 9. I would not give up my 514ce period.
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I love a cedar / hog combination. I had a custom GS with cedar over hog and it was a fantastic sounding guitar. A friend wanted it bad and I sold it to him. I may buy it back again at some point! I recently bought a 2011 12-Fret GA LTD with cedar over macassar and the warmth and mid range overtones that cedar brings are there as was the case with the GS custom I had.
Cedar brings a wonderful aged-guitar type of warmth and is very responsive to a light touch. Mahogany brings out the detail and separation of notes and a preciseness to the balance, no overtones like with rosewood. If you are an aggressive loud strummer, I do not recommend cedar as you will over drive the top. If you are a finger picker and light to moderate strummer, then you will love it.
Good luck and be sure to keep the forum posted!
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I love the GS5e, but alas I tend to strum hard, so cedar may not be for me.
-Gary K
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I've been considering a mahogany Taylor ever since last year's limiteds came out. I'm focused on a GA-5 Cedar top, mahogany back and sides, with the ES system added and a tobacco burst top. I'd love to hear any input you have.
Cedar / Mahogany is an awesome combination but it really depends on how you intend to use the guitar. I agree with the folks above that you may want to consider the GS if you need some extra headroom.
Good luck with your decision.