Unofficial Taylor Guitar Forum - UTGF
Taylor Acoustic & Electric Guitars => Taylor Acoustic & Electric Guitars => Topic started by: Igniten on January 29, 2012, 01:56:44 PM
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topic may sound somewhat strange, but I have a relatively new 814ce. Bougt in september 2011. And I am extremely pleased with this. 90% of my playing is fingerpicking. The reason I choosed the 814, was sound in addition to the cosmetic.
But lately I've begun to wonder whether I actually should have gone for the 714ce instead.
I have not tried a 714 before, and will have to travel some distance if I want to try one.
Is there big difference on these two in sound when it comes to fingerpicking?
Is a 714 considered a step down compared to the 814?
I`m completey in the dark here. Hopefully someone copuld find the time to replay.
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The 714 is not a step down in my opinion; it just has different aesthetics. Prior to 2012, the 714ce came standard with a cedar top. The new 2012s come with an engelmann spruce top, which carries the properties of both sitka spruce and cedar. The common wisdom is that cedar is the top wood of choice for fingerstyle, while sitka spruce can adeptly handle more vigorous strumming. I own sitka, engelmann, cedar and redwood top woods, and I think that they all go well with my strumming/picking style. If your 814 is giving you what you want, I'd say keep it. If you're looking to add to your arsenal, try a 514 or a GA5 for more diversity (cedar top with mahogany back and sides). Enjoy the journey!
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I agree that the 714ce is not a step down. It's just a different tone. I suggest trying an older one with a cedar top if possible, as well as a new one with an engelmann top. Quality and playability will be the same on all three. It's just a matter of how you like the guitar to sound.
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Why do you think that the 814 isn't right for you?
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Dont get me wrong. After getting bone saddle and finally settling on string type (Daddario EJ 16). I realy love This guitar. It's just that for fingerpicking i have read that cedar is The prefeard wood. So i thought maybe i should check here before i contacted my dealer.
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You will only satisfy your curiosity by playing the 714. Too bad it's such a long trip. Make sure that you take your 814 with you, and I would also suggest asking the shop to put the same string on the 714 so you can eliminate that variable and really get a good sense of the difference between the way they sound. My guess is that they play nealy the same. But what do I know? I've never A-B'd the 814 to the 714. I did compare the 414 LTD and drove home with the 814, however...
Good luck with your decision.
Jim
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hi Igniten,
the main differences between your 814ce & 714ce are mostly aesthetic -
the 09-11 814ce has a sitka top wth CV bracing, single ring abalone rosette,
800 series fretmarkers & maple binding (body, fretboard & headstock)
the 07-11 714ce has a cedar top with Standard II bracing, 3 ring abalone rosette,
small MOP dot fretmarkers & rosewood fretboard & body binding (BWB purfling)
also, the grade of rosewood used on the 700 series tends to be
lighter in color, often with a wider grain pattern than the 800s -
the 700s appointments have a more understated look than the 800s & they are
slightly less $, but i do not feel the 700s are a step 'down' & i feel that any guitar
needs to be taken on its own merits (tone, playability, aesthetics & craftsmanship)
i've found that, in general, cedar/rosewood GAs tend to be more responsive (to me) when
played fingerstyle or a relatively light 'attack', in that the volume, warmth & dynamics
are more 'lush' (rich) compared to a sitka top, although i feel that the CV bracing also
brings out more of the warmth in the mids & shimmer in the trebles on the 09/later 814s
these are the only video clips i could find & although they're not a substitute
for actually playing the guitar, i think that they try to represent the differences
714ce (at 5:20)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tc05WG0XEK8 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tc05WG0XEK8)
814ce - i believe he is a member here also
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KD500OrpKc4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KD500OrpKc4)
depending on the amount of resonance or midrange 'air' that you desire,
i would suggest looking at a 714ce & a 514ce if you are able to locate them -
i agree with Jim wholeheartedly, as there is no substitute for playing both guitars first-hand &
when it comes to tone, please do not base what you read as anything more than suggestions,
but rather what you hear & how you feel when you are playing various guitars, as you may find
that the best one for you may not be the particular guitar you thought it would be & it could
be one that you hadn't considered before (perhaps different woods, body shape or builder)
in the meantime, i hope continue to enjoy your 814ce :)
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One of the reasons I bought a GC-5 was because when I tried the GC-7, it seemed muddy to me. I apprciated the clarity and punch of the -5. So keep that in mind when you try out a 714.
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I think the addition of CV bracing on the 814 is a significant step-up in terms of tonality. Rosewood is scooped in the midrange, and the 814's CV bracing compensates for that beautifully. But I want to reiterate what someone already said: you'll never know for sure until you haul your 814 to a Taylor dealer and A/B it against a 714. That's the only way to know for sure.
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i played both the 2011 714ce and 814ce.
they sound very different imo.
714ce - more balanced overall sound and sounded much warmer than the 814ce. i preferred it to the sound of the 814ce.
the numbering system can lead one to falsely percieve that a higher number series is "better" but that isn't really the case. in fact, my local dealer sells the 614ce for more than the 714ce.
i wanted the appointments of a 9 series, so in my thread, i have my story and pics of a 914ce w/ a cedar top.
if you like your 814ce, i wouldn't worry too much about getting rid of it, unless you try the 714ce and fall in love w/ it. then you can cross that road.
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Make the trip and try the 714. It's the only way you will know which guitar is for you.
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Try out the 714ce before you make up your mind and put any plan into motion ... just because on paper it says "cedar is for fingerpickers" doesn't mean it applies to every fingerpicker ... use what you read as a guideline, a generalization, a starting point. But then see/hear/play for yourself. I've been helped by much advice and research but I've also been burned by not "proving" out the information from first hand assessment/experience ... lessons learned and still learning ... :)
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I will definitely make the trip to check out this guitar. Have been I touch with my dealer. Witch I have to say, has given me a very good deal on my “old” 814. They contacted the Taylor factory. Seems they had two 2011 714 w/cedar in stock left. They ordered one in for me to try out. Then I will be able to test the cedar up against the 714 with Engelman.
Did see through those reviews that were linked in a previous post, and found them very useful. Kind of agree regarding the 814, that it really shines when being strummed.
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Seems they had two 2011 714 w/cedar in stock left. They ordered one in for me to try out. Then I will be able to test the cedar up against the 714 with Engelman.
You are very fortunate that they will do this for you with no obligation. Good deal.
Did see through those reviews that were linked in a previous post, and found them very useful. Kind of agree regarding the 814, that it really shines when being strummed.
814's are good for strumming but I find my 814 is excellent for finger style as well ... it does many things well and not just adequate IMO ... I like the 714's, especially the latest manifestations (Engelmann/Rosewood with the dark burst) ... Cedar is fine but it doesn't hit the sweet spot with me ... after much trial and error, I have finally decided I am still a spruce top acoustic guy ... the Englemann on the new 714's bring some characterisitcs to the table that are very appealing IMO ...
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I got to thinking about this a little more and it sounds to me a little like buyer's remorse. If you are happy with the 814, then what would be the benefit of going out of yuor way to try the 714? The price gap isn't that much (list, only about $200), and by all accounts they sound very similar, if not the same. With that in mind, the only difference I could imagine is that perhaps you may feel like you spent a little too much to get the additional "bling" on the 814. They both have the same neck, so playing should be comparable. There may be some difference in the tone due to the difference in bracing. I played both in GC a few days ago while checking out an amp, and to my ears the difference was minimal.
With the price of gas these days, unless you're driving a Prius it might cost you in gas 1/2 the difference in the price between the 714 and 814 just to drive there to try them and satisfy your curiosity. Then again, confirmation that you bought the right guitar could be worth the trip. Or you may go home with the 714, whcih may also be worth it.
Personally I would stick with the 814. It's a great guitar. But don't take my word for it... I have an 814 8)
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I got to thinking about this a little more and it sounds to me a little like buyer's remorse. If you are happy with the 814, then what would be the benefit of going out of yuor way to try the 714? The price gap isn't that much (list, only about $200), and by all accounts they sound very similar, if not the same. With that in mind, the only difference I could imagine is that perhaps you may feel like you spent a little too much to get the additional "bling" on the 814. They both have the same neck, so playing should be comparable. There may be some difference in the tone due to the difference in bracing. I played both in GC a few days ago while checking out an amp, and to my ears the difference was minimal.
With the price of gas these days, unless you're driving a Prius it might cost you in gas 1/2 the difference in the price between the 714 and 814 just to drive there to try them and satisfy your curiosity. Then again, confirmation that you bought the right guitar could be worth the trip. Or you may go home with the 714, whcih may also be worth it.
Personally I would stick with the 814. It's a great guitar. But don't take my word for it... I have an 814 8)
What he said...
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Only remorse i have, is not trying The 714 when i got purchased The 814.
The bling factor is what always loved with The 814.
As fore The 200$, they are gone anyway.