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Taylor Acoustic & Electric Guitars => Taylor Acoustic & Electric Guitars => Topic started by: Scriptor on January 31, 2012, 02:46:08 PM

Title: New 700 Series
Post by: Scriptor on January 31, 2012, 02:46:08 PM
Got a chance to play a new 714ce at a shop today ... I really like the changes including the look ... the tone with the Englemann is more to my liking as a fingerstylist ... still has a spruce punch but with more depth and just a smidgen of "velvet" ... I cannot take any new pets home right now so all I could do was enjoy the test drive ...

If you have a chance to try one of these, don't hesitate ...
Title: Re: New 700 Series
Post by: ataylor on January 31, 2012, 03:04:33 PM
I'm a fan of the new 700 series. It's pretty darn close to what I'd build myself if I did a BTO. It's probably good for my wallet that they don't come in non-cutaway, non-ES versions.
Title: Re: New 700 Series
Post by: ataylor on January 31, 2012, 03:06:50 PM
As an afterthought, I think the perfect model for the 700 series appointments would be the 12-fret GC.
Title: Re: New 700 Series
Post by: Igniten on January 31, 2012, 03:21:04 PM
How is it compared to The previous 700 series with cedar?
I am mainly a fingerstylist my self. Have been told The new 700 series have a kind of vintage sound.
Title: Re: New 700 Series
Post by: Scriptor on January 31, 2012, 03:32:25 PM
How is it compared to The previous 700 series with cedar?

Personally, I like it better ...

Quote
I am mainly a fingerstylist my self. Have been told The new 700 series have a kind of vintage sound.

I would agree.
Title: Re: New 700 Series
Post by: Igniten on February 07, 2012, 02:05:57 PM
Anyone else who has tried or have got an opinion about The new 700 series?
Gonna try both The new 714 and The "old" one with cedar on monday.

Personally i'm not a big fan of burst, but i think The new series look great. But so does The natural with cedar.

What about Engelman wood, is This mainly for strumming?
Title: Re: New 700 Series
Post by: Scriptor on February 07, 2012, 03:14:26 PM
What about Engelman wood, is This mainly for strumming?

No; Engelmann makes a great top for fingerstyle as well ... to my ears, it tends to be warmer than Sitka ...
Title: Re: New 700 Series
Post by: darylcrisp on February 07, 2012, 07:40:40 PM
Anyone else who has tried or have got an opinion about The new 700 series?
Gonna try both The new 714 and The "old" one with cedar on monday.

Personally i'm not a big fan of burst, but i think The new series look great. But so does The natural with cedar.

What about Engelman wood, is This mainly for strumming?

just about any Englemann topped guitar i've played, i like.
wife owns a Martin OM that is Englemann/EIR and its just the cats meow. Handles fingerstyle and pick play easily-it brings more to the plate than the regular Martin sitka/EIR.

i really like how those 700 series look. nice to hear they have a superb voice.

d
Title: Re: New 700 Series
Post by: Redwood Tree on February 07, 2012, 08:48:57 PM
I Love the 2012 Vintage burst!!  When can we request that burst on the 800.900 ?wish it was NOW

  I think the new 700 fret inlays are just soooooooo stunning! Very vintage looking with a current look. Nice job Taylor!
 The new 700s evoke a true early american guitar look , And I'll be watching these   ;)
Title: Re: New 700 Series
Post by: michaelw on February 07, 2012, 09:06:51 PM
Anyone else who has tried or have got an opinion about The new 700 series?
Gonna try both The new 714 and The "old" one with cedar on monday.

Personally i'm not a big fan of burst, but i think The new series look great. But so does The natural with cedar.

What about Engelman wood, is This mainly for strumming?
hi Igniten,

i've played the 06 714ceLTD (engelmann/rosewood), same bracing pattern as the 2012 (Standard II) & to me
it was more mellow & warmer overall than Standard II 814s i've played, but it has less 'snap' than the CV 814  -
for strumming, i prefer the CV 814 sitka, but for fingerstyle the engelmann top just has a 'smoothness' to it

to my ear, engelmann slots in-between sitka & cedar, leaning more toward cedar for fingerstyle &
sitka when strummed, but i guess i'm somewhat of an 'odd-bird' because i prefer a combo of
engelmann/maple over mahogany, rosewood, cocobolo or walnut in the GA size (pre-Standard II)

a bone nut & saddle on a CV 814  would be a great all-arounder & i think the tone would be quite close to a 914,
possibly with slight more mid-bass - an engelman top CV 814 would be a nice to try, if it were an option, imho

i compared the 06 714ceLTD to a SCCSM (cedar/rosewood GA) & to me, the cedar/rosewood had a good bit more
depth & warmth, especially under a light to medium attack (fingerstyle) & it would also take a rather aggressive strum -
i dig in more on the bass strings & ease up on a bit on the B & e, closer to the fretboard extension than the bridge

the cedar will take more strumming than it's given credit for, imho, but if i played
mostly fingerstyle i would give the nod to cedar, if i was looking at a standard model

have fun playing em :D
Title: Re: New 700 Series
Post by: Igniten on February 08, 2012, 07:09:09 AM
The one thing i kind of dislike with The  new 700 series is The cosmetic around The soundhole. The old one looks better i think

Dont know whats it called in english.  I'm from Norway so please Take my poor english in consideration.
Title: Re: New 700 Series
Post by: michaelw on February 08, 2012, 12:43:07 PM
i was used to the abalone soundhole rosette too (07-11 design), with this 3 ring rosette (no ab) was used from 77-92
(http://inlinethumb22.webshots.com/41941/2664470570081788860S600x600Q85.jpg)(http://inlinethumb57.webshots.com/25848/2292386540081788860S600x600Q85.jpg)
93-00 had a different 3 ring design abalone rosette & in 01 thru 06, the 700s had an interlocking koa rosette -
some of figured wood rosettes i've seen lately appear to be 'straight-cut',
similiar to pieces of abalone on a rosette inlay, in which the 'flame' radiates
outward from the soundhole, which is more aesthetically more consistent,
especially when paired with figured wood binding (koa is really nice, imho)

the ivoroid gives the 700s more of a vintage look, along with the heritage diamond fretmarkers & blank 3rd fret -
tone-wise, i think it would have been really cool if adi CV bracing was used, to give them a little more 'vintage' ;)
Title: Re: New 700 Series
Post by: Roseadi on February 08, 2012, 01:04:55 PM
Ignite, I agree. I like the Abalone better than the three ring, but my overall preference is the Koa rosette:

(http://i318.photobucket.com/albums/mm422/Roseadi/Venetian2.jpg)

Of course this is just subjective and tone trumps all IMO, but after reading Scriptor's comments after playing the new 700 series, I'm excited to hear them!
Title: Re: New 700 Series
Post by: michaelw on February 08, 2012, 05:15:28 PM
stopped by the local GC today & happened to see a 2012 714ce cedar top -
i didn't go in specifically looking for one, as i was there to take care of something else, but
i ended up finding something else & it's just not quite ready to follow me home yet (the 'other' one)

vintage burst cedar top 3 ring ivoroid rosette
(http://inlinethumb63.webshots.com/49662/2707041030081788860S600x600Q85.jpg)
heritage diamond ivoroid fretmarkers
(http://inlinethumb57.webshots.com/48952/2461918540081788860S600x600Q85.jpg)
ivoroid bound rosewood headstock (crappy cell phone pic makes it look white)
(http://inlinethumb41.webshots.com/48232/2179284220081788860S600x600Q85.jpg)
satin burst finish headstock
(http://inlinethumb25.webshots.com/43992/2384357700081788860S600x600Q85.jpg)
satin burst finish mahogany neck (i like the contrast of the chrome tuners)
(http://inlinethumb25.webshots.com/48792/2768728960081788860S600x600Q85.jpg)
the low-end response on this one is just HUGE :o
it just growls & it's unlike any other cedar/rosewood GA i've played :D

the grain in the ivoroid binding is subtle, compared to the previous 900 &
walnut series & the coloration is more pleasing also (much 'softer') -
as a whole, the 2012 714ce cedar sounds, plays & looks great, imho  8)
Title: Re: New 700 Series
Post by: Doug T on February 08, 2012, 06:09:50 PM
That's not a cedar top. It's engelman spruce.
Title: Re: New 700 Series
Post by: michaelw on February 08, 2012, 06:29:19 PM
That's not a cedar top. It's engelman spruce.
hi doug,
actually, it is cedar top, rather than engelmann, on that particular guitar (it was a 'top-swap') -
it was noted on the tag also & if i'd brought something better than my cell phone to snap a pic
(i didn't go in to look for any specific guitar, i actually didn't plan on looking at all), i'd have taken a
close-up of the lightest part of the burst ... it smelled like cedar (sweet), with the tone to match, imho :)

congrats on the future DN7e :D
i'm glad that 6 & 7 DNs were added to the
acoustic non-cutaway line this year ... very cool  8)
Title: Re: New 700 Series
Post by: Doug T on February 08, 2012, 09:33:02 PM
Wow! That's unusual for such a new model.  I do know that my DN-7e will have an engelman top. I will post pics when it arrives.  Hopefully just a couple weeks more.
Title: Re: New 700 Series
Post by: michaelw on February 09, 2012, 09:01:52 PM
Wow! That's unusual for such a new model.  I do know that my DN-7e will have an engelman top. I will post pics when it arrives.  Hopefully just a couple weeks more.
i guess that perhaps some of the first run of 700 series had a mix
of engelmann & cedar tops - found a cedar top 716ce over here
http://www.myfavoriteguitars.com/product.php?productid=16719&cat=0&page=1 (http://www.myfavoriteguitars.com/product.php?productid=16719&cat=0&page=1)

looking forward to the pics of your DN7e &
i hope the next 2 weeks are 'short ones' :)
Title: Re: New 700 Series
Post by: jrporter on February 10, 2012, 04:36:09 PM
I'll play the devil's advocate and ask if there's really enough of a difference between the 7 and 8-series guitars to justify having a totally separate series...
Title: Re: New 700 Series
Post by: Scriptor on February 10, 2012, 04:52:36 PM
I'll play the devil's advocate and ask if there's really enough of a difference between the 7 and 8-series guitars to justify having a totally separate series...

As they are right now, IMO, yes ... different bracing, different appointments, different look, Englemann rather than Sitka ... to me, the new 2012 models offer more of a contrast to the 800 series than they did before ..
Title: Re: New 700 Series
Post by: Roseadi on February 10, 2012, 05:20:33 PM
... to me, the new 2012 models offer more of a contrast to the 800 series than they did before ..

Wow Scriptor, that's saying something. I always found a BIG difference in the 7's (with cedar) and the 8's. And that was before the CV bracing change in the 8's!

Looks like I've got to get out and try the new models this week end.
Title: Re: New 700 Series
Post by: jrporter on February 11, 2012, 03:45:22 PM
I'm a fan of the new 700 series. It's pretty darn close to what I'd build myself if I did a BTO. It's probably good for my wallet that they don't come in non-cutaway, non-ES versions.

That's a bummer....
Title: Re: New 700 Series
Post by: michaelw on February 11, 2012, 05:27:28 PM
I'll play the devil's advocate and ask if there's really enough of a difference between the 7 and 8-series guitars to justify having a totally separate series...

As they are right now, IMO, yes ... different bracing, different appointments, different look, Englemann rather than Sitka ... to me, the new 2012 models offer more of a contrast to the 800 series than they did before ..
i agree that there's is a discernable difference between the 7 & 8s &
has been tonally since 09 with the 7s being engelmann or cedar with
Standard II bracing & 8s sitka with CV, & in 07-08 with both models
having different tops/grades of rosewood & Standard II bracing

from examples that i've played & heard, to me there is a difference in the wood
grades used & they seemed to be matched to make the tonal characteristics distinct.
which was also present in the pre-Standard II models & more accentuated with CV

are different series necessary ???
in the acoustic non-cutaway series prior to CV in 09, imho, perhaps not, but
it was more in-line & consistent with the 700/800 CE acoustic electric series,
which has had a very recognizable difference in aesthetics from beginning

a 9 series, with ab top & fretboard extension, rosewood binding, Gotohs & bone nut/saddle would
seem  to be next logical progression, but perhaps more players would opt to 'modify-a-model' &
add the Gotohs & bone nut/saddle & although wood upgrades (aa or premium), adi CV & adi or
redwood tops would be nice options to have, i think that BTO serves these needs & others very well

imho, it would be nice to be able to order a BTO jumbo to the same specs as a standard model
at the same $ points & the 500/900 series in an acoustic non-cutaway, no e configuration as well,
for the same $ as the 500/900 series, minus cutaway & e charges (a la legacy models), rather
than having the $ exceed the cost of an acoustic electric (CE) model for an acoustic no c, no e ...
however, this would add a potential 50 more models to cover it & i doubt that would be realistic :-\
Title: Re: New 700 Series
Post by: jrporter on February 12, 2012, 09:55:01 AM
I'll play the devil's advocate and ask if there's really enough of a difference between the 7 and 8-series guitars to justify having a totally separate series...

As they are right now, IMO, yes ... different bracing, different appointments, different look, Englemann rather than Sitka ... to me, the new 2012 models offer more of a contrast to the 800 series than they did before ..

Didn't realize that these changes had taken place for 2012. My frame of reference has been the non-cutaway/non-pickup models, and I just wish that Taylor would A) Lower the price on the 5-8 series models and B) Make these more readily available....
Title: Re: New 700 Series
Post by: Gutch on February 12, 2012, 05:36:33 PM
The new 700 series 12 fret nylon is just sick...  I'm actually GASing pretty hard for that one... 
Title: Re: New 700 Series
Post by: Igniten on February 13, 2012, 08:14:03 AM
Well, i took The trip to test both The old one with cedar and The new with engelman.

Ended up with The new one with Engelman. What can i say. I just spoke to me. A bit more clarity than The cedar, and definetley not so bright as my 814.

Title: Re: New 700 Series
Post by: michaelw on February 13, 2012, 12:58:12 PM
Well, i took The trip to test both The old one with cedar and The new with engelman.

Ended up with The new one with Engelman. What can i say. I just spoke to me. A bit more clarity than The cedar, and definetley not so bright as my 814.
sweet :D

congrats on the 2012 714ce engelmann, Igniten :)
very 8)

play on ;D
Title: Re: New 700 Series
Post by: ataylor on February 13, 2012, 01:18:39 PM
Well, i took The trip to test both The old one with cedar and The new with engelman.

Ended up with The new one with Engelman. What can i say. I just spoke to me. A bit more clarity than The cedar, and definetley not so bright as my 814.

Nice! Now it's time for a NGD post with photos... :)
Title: Re: New 700 Series
Post by: Igniten on February 13, 2012, 05:55:48 PM
Did not take a chance on transporting it on The plane.
Hopefully it should arrive tomorrow.  Will be posting pics first chance i get.


Title: Re: New 700 Series
Post by: D35 Dread on February 17, 2012, 02:15:38 PM
Hi all. I am considering one of the new 714ce models. I was really impressed by the low end and visually the guitar is a knock out. Here is a pic I took in the local guitar shop last night:

(http://i1056.photobucket.com/albums/t363/dougphillips72/714.jpg)

PS Apologies for the blurry picture.