Taylor BTO or 2011 Fall Limited Cocobolo GA

[retiredat21]

Just found out that I could save a lot more by BTO than getting a taylor 914 with engelmann.. so this are my planned specs...

6 String Acoustic
Grand Auditorium
Venetian Cutaway
No Electronics
Ebony Bridge
Right Handed
1 3/4 Nut Width
Short Scale
Slim Carve Neck
AA Indian Rosewood Back and Sides
Premium Engelmann Spruce Top
Adirondack CV Bracing
Figured Koa Binding
3 piece mini wedge (Same as wood binding
Ebony Headstock Overlay
Ebony Trust Rod Cover
Mahogany Neck
(Undecided Purfling)
No Fretboard Inlay
Artist Peg Head Inlay
All gloss except Neck
Indian Rosewood Backstrap
Bone Saddle and Nut

So what do you think? My planned BTO or a 2011 Fall Limited Cocobolo GA? and any suggestions for the better purfling? im stuck between red, cream and white fiber... Thanks for the help!

[cjd-player]

There is no better choice.  Each will sound different, but one will not be better than the other.  Which you prefer will depend on the type of music you play and your style and technique.

Conventional wisdom would say that the Engelmann will be a bit warmer, and many prefer that for fingerstyle.  Sitka will be punchier and will likely project more.

Both will most likely sound fabulous on that guitar.

It's a choice between a strawberry milkshake and a chocolate milkshake.  No better or worse, just preference.

[rolleiguy54]

I would order Engelmann if only for resale. There seems to be a" mistique" to 914's with Engelmann.
Both would sound great just a little different from each other.

[michaelw]

if i had a choice between the 2 & was not able to play either one first,
i would go with the engelmann top, based on models i've owned & played,
to me, engelmann has a slightly 'smoother' & more 'played-in' response

however, if i were looking to add a guitar, it would be a GS -
i would forego the Cindy inlay, ab top, gotohs & bone nut/saddle
http://www.wildwoodguitars.com/products/1111170106.php?CategoryID=84&n=9

cedar seems to be 'gettin' the nod' around here as well -
search for zeebow's thread & Igniten is waiting on one, too

[Cindy]

Some of the previous versions of the 914ce's had engelmann tops until engelmann became more scarce. But like cjd-player stated, mostly how you play will be the deciding factor. Are you primarily a strummer? Do you want the most volume possible? Do you want slightly more brightness in tone? If so, then perhaps sitka might be better for your preferences. If you are a big fingerstyle player and love a warm sound with a little less volume overall, then perhaps you'd lean towards engelmann. That said...I had a 914ce modify-a-model with an engelmann top. When I put Elixir Phosphor Bronze strings on it, the volume level increased remarkably!!!

[Herb Hunter]

The quality of specific pieces of spruce matter to me more than the species. I'd rather have an excellent sitka top than an average Engelmann top. However, if I were choosing between two otherwise identical guitars that I couldn't first play, I'd choose the one with the Engelmann spruce top.


I have a stika/rosewood grand auditorium and an Engelmann/rosewood one (the rosewood is from two different continents though).

[Strumming Fool]

I'm a big engelmann fan, and I'm a strummer/picker. I have an engelmann top on my 2001 514 that won't quit no matter how hard it's hit. The older 914s with engelmann were very special guitars (even when new), so my vote would be for engelmann.

[Edward]

if i had a choice between the 2 & was not able to play either one first,
i would go with the engelmann top, based on models i've owned & played,
to me, engelmann has a slightly 'smoother' & more 'played-in' response

...http://www.wildwoodguitars.com/products/1111170106.php?CategoryID=84&n=9

cedar seems to be 'gettin' the nod' around here as well -
search for zeebow's thread & Igniten is waiting on one, too

This.

Engelmann for the reasons Michael stated ...it's a lovely wood tone that is smoother and less "brilliant" or "zingy" than spruce, and suits rw very well, IMHO.  That said, cedar is drop-dead luscious sounding.  And there is an excellent example of a 914 w/cedar here in the forum.  Seach it out ...more than looks amazing, I have no doubt its tone is gorgeous as I have owned cedar/rw and find it my personal fave.

Edward

[retiredat21]

*BUMP* Help please

[Gutch]

Dude, you've gotten some great advice here.  However, no one but YOU can make the final decision.  Take what you've gotten here, blend it with what you know that you want and need out of the guitar, and pull the trigger!    If you spend your life drowning in the process of deciding what to do, you end up accomplishing nothing. 

Trust yourself.  Do it.  Move on.

[BigSkyTaylorPlayer]

I vote the BTO, I'm leaning towards one later this year for a 12-string.  I did not realize how affordable the BTO's are - I figured they were just out of my price range.  While of course Taylor makes desirable guitars......and the ones off the wall are sweet as can be.......if you can get your very own BTO then IMHO go for it.

Of course I plan to keep my guitars so I know my 516 and BTO will be with me for life, if OTOH you think you might sell it later than maybe the LTD would be better value in the long run as sometimes customs can be tough to sell.