Unofficial Taylor Guitar Forum - UTGF
Taylor Acoustic & Electric Guitars => Taylor Acoustic & Electric Guitars => Topic started by: toms on October 26, 2014, 03:15:13 PM
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Looking for advice on the purchase of a 2014 814N ce.
I own an 914 CE and love it. However, I have always been interested in classical guitar pieces. Also, people my age always ask me to play Classical Gas by Mason Williams. So I learned it on the 914 CE but I would like to play it as he does on a nylon classical (noodle guitar as I call them). The 814N CE has the same dimentions as the 914 CE so the transition would be nearly seamless. I would not have to deal with the beafy neck and mile high action of all "Noodle Guitars". So I went to the local guitar store here in NJ and played one they had. Beautiful instrument, nice tone and very easy to play. Then as a comparison I picked up a Yamaha junk classical as a comparison. I hate to admit it but the Yamaha was light years ahead of the Taylor in terms of volume. There was no comparison. Is this normal? Is there something I am missing here? I was going to buy the Taylor sight unseen from Sweetwater but now have second thoughts.
Has anyone played one of these? I cant't believe Taylor would manufacture such a (relatively) dead sounding guitar.
I checked out the one live review I could find on youtube and it sounded great. Maybe their design focus was on a guitar to be used amplified rather than without amplification. Any advice would be appreciated. :'( :-\
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Hey toms! Here's my take on your dilemma. A lot of classical guitars come with cedar tops, which are very light and responsive, and could account for the volume that the Yamaha was throwing, if indeed its top was cedar. Of course, the 814's top is spruce, and not knowing if the new 814n's have the new thinner finish of the other 2014 8 series steel string guitars, I wonder if its just the fact that the top is a little tougher to get going than cedar. Also, not having a second 814n to compare to, it's possible that this particular model just didn't have "it." It's happened before, but thankfully with Taylor, those are few and far between.
At any rate, I wouldn't be too hasty to dismiss the 8 series for a nylon guitar, but if I had my druthers and it was volume I wanted, I would shoot for the 5 series with a cedar top, if indeed Taylor offers it in a nylon version. My 514ce cedar top steel string can really throw some volume finger style...
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previous owner of two Taylor nylon series instruments 7 and 8 series(and some true classical nylon).
the Taylor nylon strings unplugged are not loud-its just the truth. The build, quality, great neck feel, action, its all there. Plug it in, it can blend to how you want it to sound and be as loud as you like. Played unplugged, what you heard is pretty standard for the Taylor nylon guitars.
If you want a nice, projective, acoustic nylon classical, I suggest something from the Cordoba line. They have many models and price ranges. The build quality is top shelf typically and they play and sound very nice.
The Kenny Hill line that is an import, is a great nylon guitar as well. I think the model I'm thinking of is called the Player. Do some internet reviews and you will quickly find it.
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=kenny+hill+import+classical+guitar&FORM=VIRE4#view=detail&mid=8EB91457D14B468871AA8EB91457D14B468871AA
here's a bunch of reviews for you
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Kenny+Hill+Guitar+Reviews&Form=VQFRVP
With your price range of the 8N series, you should be able to get into one of the US made Hills(used), he has a lot of models so you will need to research and price check. One big thing I've always liked about Hill guitars is they have an adjustable truss rod-some of the Cordoba do also I think-and both companies use to offer a less wide neck(similar to the Taylor) for people crossing over from steel string and not wanting the full 2" wide nut width. You will have to research all that out, but I feel quite sure you would love either brand.
enjoy the hunt
d