New Taylor 914CE Cinday vs New Taylor GA Fall Ltd Cocobolo

[Strumming Fool]

   Unfortunately when you start adding up the way I would to like to order I walk (run) past the cost of the Fall Ltd & 914CE.
[/quote]

That's been my experience as well, Glen. I priced a non-cutaway 914 through the BTO program, and decided that if I were to spend that kind of money, I'd be better off coming up with my own design. I do love the 914 - I may have to live with the cutaway...we'll see.

[michaelw]

i was able to play a few yesterday afternoon & had a more
detailed response typed in, but google chrome 'ate it' 

actually, i'm getting used to the keyboard spacing on a new lap top & i was mentioning
to a friend in the music store about what i did & didn't like about certain web browsers &
well ... losing a post due to a misclick feels kind of like locking the keys in the car (it sucks)

i was able to compare a 12 814ce sitka/rosewood sitka CV, a 11 fall GAceLTD sitka/cocobolo
sitka CV, bone nut/saddle & Gotohs & 09 spring 714ceLTD sitka/madagsacar sitka CV -
elixir nanoweb 80/20 .012- .053s, i used an intellitouch pt2 tuner & a dunlop tortex 0.88mm pick

the first thing i noticed with the 814ce is that the E sounded 'flat' -
the string wasn't dead, it tuned up fine & it sounded comparable to the others
when plucked open, but when i strummed a G or E, the E sounded 'tubby'.
the mids were present, without being excessively 'scooped' or attenuated &
the trebles were bright, but still rather 'direct', rather than sparkly or 'lively'

the 09 714ceLTD was used merely as a point-of-reference, as i had played that
exact guitar before & i purchased a 09 spring 716ceLTD after comparing the two -
there was more definition overall & the 7 had a more 'focused' low end response
with more articulate mids & a bit more definition to the trebles ... a bit 'edgier'

the GAceLTD cocobolo had a 'sweetness' about it overall, with the low end being
quite resonant & slightly 'brighter than the other 2, the mids were more balanced &
seemed to be a bit 'warmer' & the trebles 'shimmered' in a good way (far from 'tinny')

i went back to 're-audition' them today, but i had a little more time to spend so i tried a 0.73mm
ultex pick as well, which livened up the E on the 814ce & took away some of the 'warmth' on the
GAceLTD cocobolo, but the kicker was i was able to add an 11 fall GAceLTD all koa to the mix

i checked out the koa LTD, which has a gloss finish mahogany neck & this particular model had
very pronounced figuring/flame to it (the neck), cocobolo top purfling, bone nut/saddle, Gotohs etc

tuned it up & played it using the 0.73mm ultex & it sounded richer & more articulated than any other all-koa GA i had
played before, but when i used the 0.88mm tortex pick, the mids were much stronger, warmer & more well-rounded

i compared the GA koa LTD to a 08 K26ce ( .013 - .056 nanoweb 80/20s, Standard II bracing, Tusq nut/saddle) &
while the standard K26ce sounded good, the warmth, projection & responsiveness of the GA was 'the winner', imho

depending on how the guitar is going to be played, if it was a light flatpick or
fingerstyle using very thin nails (natural/other) i would lean towards the 914ce,
because i believe the bone nut & saddle might provide a little 'more' when
paired with the higher aesthetic grade wood (stiffer, tighter, straighter grain)

if a heavier flatpick or bare fingers are going to be used, i would suggest
the GAceLTD cocobolo, as that guitar seemed to respond 'better', imho, to
the same style of playing used on the GAceLTD all-koa, while still being very
complementary & having a good amount of contrast with very similar 'qualities
that are enhanced & accentuated very much in the same way ... very 'detailed'

the craftsmanship on the cocobolo & the koa LTDs is definitely 'different' than the
abalone purfling & Cindy inlay of the 914ce, but i believe that it can be appreciated
just as much, as the inlay work is as intensive, while using another medium (wood)

again, i hope you that the guitar that chooses you is the
one that inspires you to want to pick it up & play it, Glen

looking forward to hearing which one is going to be keeping the koa LTD company

[Glen]

i was able to play a few yesterday afternoon & had a more
detailed response typed in, but google chrome 'ate it' 

actually, i'm getting used to the keyboard spacing on a new lap top & i was mentioning
to a friend in the music store about what i did & didn't like about certain web browsers &
well ... losing a post due to a misclick feels kind of like locking the keys in the car (it sucks)

i was able to compare a 12 814ce sitka/rosewood sitka CV, a 11 fall GAceLTD sitka/cocobolo
sitka CV, bone nut/saddle & Gotohs & 09 spring 714ceLTD sitka/madagsacar sitka CV -
elixir nanoweb 80/20 .012- .053s, i used an intellitouch pt2 tuner & a dunlop tortex 0.88mm pick

the first thing i noticed with the 814ce is that the E sounded 'flat' -
the string wasn't dead, it tuned up fine & it sounded comparable to the others
when plucked open, but when i strummed a G or E, the E sounded 'tubby'.
the mids were present, without being excessively 'scooped' or attenuated &
the trebles were bright, but still rather 'direct', rather than sparkly or 'lively'

the 09 714ceLTD was used merely as a point-of-reference, as i had played that
exact guitar before & i purchased a 09 spring 716ceLTD after comparing the two -
there was more definition overall & the 7 had a more 'focused' low end response
with more articulate mids & a bit more definition to the trebles ... a bit 'edgier'

the GAceLTD cocobolo had a 'sweetness' about it overall, with the low end being
quite resonant & slightly 'brighter than the other 2, the mids were more balanced &
seemed to be a bit 'warmer' & the trebles 'shimmered' in a good way (far from 'tinny')

i went back to 're-audition' them today, but i had a little more time to spend so i tried a 0.73mm
ultex pick as well, which livened up the E on the 814ce & took away some of the 'warmth' on the
GAceLTD cocobolo, but the kicker was i was able to add an 11 fall GAceLTD all koa to the mix

i checked out the koa LTD, which has a gloss finish mahogany neck & this particular model had
very pronounced figuring/flame to it (the neck), cocobolo top purfling, bone nut/saddle, Gotohs etc

tuned it up & played it using the 0.73mm ultex & it sounded richer & more articulated than any other all-koa GA i had
played before, but when i used the 0.88mm tortex pick, the mids were much stronger, warmer & more well-rounded

i compared the GA koa LTD to a 08 K26ce ( .013 - .056 nanoweb 80/20s, Standard II bracing, Tusq nut/saddle) &
while the standard K26ce sounded good, the warmth, projection & responsiveness of the GA was 'the winner', imho

depending on how the guitar is going to be played, if it was a light flatpick or
fingerstyle using very thin nails (natural/other) i would lean towards the 914ce,
because i believe the bone nut & saddle might provide a little 'more' when
paired with the higher aesthetic grade wood (stiffer, tighter, straighter grain)

if a heavier flatpick or bare fingers are going to be used, i would suggest
the GAceLTD cocobolo, as that guitar seemed to respond 'better', imho, to
the same style of playing used on the GAceLTD all-koa, while still being very
complementary & having a good amount of contrast with very similar 'qualities
that are enhanced & accentuated very much in the same way ... very 'detailed'

the craftsmanship on the cocobolo & the koa LTDs is definitely 'different' than the
abalone purfling & Cindy inlay of the 914ce, but i believe that it can be appreciated
just as much, as the inlay work is as intensive, while using another medium (wood)

again, i hope you that the guitar that chooses you is the
one that inspires you to want to pick it up & play it, Glen

looking forward to hearing which one is going to be keeping the koa LTD company

  You my friend, have a carreer in Acoustic Reviews.  Perhaps that is what you do for a living, if you don't, you are missing your calling.  Thank you so much. I too found the very same with my GA Fall Koa. Totally surprised by the warmth.  Yes, the 914CE and Fall Coco leave me in quite a quandry.  Visually, I think the Coco has understated yet meticulous craftsmanship.  Of course the 914CE is a bit more attention getting.  Yes, I do have a little heavier pick so maybe the Cocobolo would be a better choice.  What is interesting, I have always played conventional tone woods and conventional guitars. These new tone woods are really inspiring and that is exactly what I was looking for when I started my studio overhaul. Thanks again for taking time to write.  Very helpful and insightful.

[zeebow]

i was able to play a few yesterday afternoon & had a more
detailed response typed in, but google chrome 'ate it' 

actually, i'm getting used to the keyboard spacing on a new lap top & i was mentioning
to a friend in the music store about what i did & didn't like about certain web browsers &
well ... losing a post due to a misclick feels kind of like locking the keys in the car (it sucks)

i was able to compare a 12 814ce sitka/rosewood sitka CV, a 11 fall GAceLTD sitka/cocobolo
sitka CV, bone nut/saddle & Gotohs & 09 spring 714ceLTD sitka/madagsacar sitka CV -
elixir nanoweb 80/20 .012- .053s, i used an intellitouch pt2 tuner & a dunlop tortex 0.88mm pick

the first thing i noticed with the 814ce is that the E sounded 'flat' -
the string wasn't dead, it tuned up fine & it sounded comparable to the others
when plucked open, but when i strummed a G or E, the E sounded 'tubby'.
the mids were present, without being excessively 'scooped' or attenuated &
the trebles were bright, but still rather 'direct', rather than sparkly or 'lively'

the 09 714ceLTD was used merely as a point-of-reference, as i had played that
exact guitar before & i purchased a 09 spring 716ceLTD after comparing the two -
there was more definition overall & the 7 had a more 'focused' low end response
with more articulate mids & a bit more definition to the trebles ... a bit 'edgier'

the GAceLTD cocobolo had a 'sweetness' about it overall, with the low end being
quite resonant & slightly 'brighter than the other 2, the mids were more balanced &
seemed to be a bit 'warmer' & the trebles 'shimmered' in a good way (far from 'tinny')

i went back to 're-audition' them today, but i had a little more time to spend so i tried a 0.73mm
ultex pick as well, which livened up the E on the 814ce & took away some of the 'warmth' on the
GAceLTD cocobolo, but the kicker was i was able to add an 11 fall GAceLTD all koa to the mix

i checked out the koa LTD, which has a gloss finish mahogany neck & this particular model had
very pronounced figuring/flame to it (the neck), cocobolo top purfling, bone nut/saddle, Gotohs etc

tuned it up & played it using the 0.73mm ultex & it sounded richer & more articulated than any other all-koa GA i had
played before, but when i used the 0.88mm tortex pick, the mids were much stronger, warmer & more well-rounded

i compared the GA koa LTD to a 08 K26ce ( .013 - .056 nanoweb 80/20s, Standard II bracing, Tusq nut/saddle) &
while the standard K26ce sounded good, the warmth, projection & responsiveness of the GA was 'the winner', imho

depending on how the guitar is going to be played, if it was a light flatpick or
fingerstyle using very thin nails (natural/other) i would lean towards the 914ce,
because i believe the bone nut & saddle might provide a little 'more' when
paired with the higher aesthetic grade wood (stiffer, tighter, straighter grain)

if a heavier flatpick or bare fingers are going to be used, i would suggest
the GAceLTD cocobolo, as that guitar seemed to respond 'better', imho, to
the same style of playing used on the GAceLTD all-koa, while still being very
complementary & having a good amount of contrast with very similar 'qualities
that are enhanced & accentuated very much in the same way ... very 'detailed'

the craftsmanship on the cocobolo & the koa LTDs is definitely 'different' than the
abalone purfling & Cindy inlay of the 914ce, but i believe that it can be appreciated
just as much, as the inlay work is as intensive, while using another medium (wood)

again, i hope you that the guitar that chooses you is the
one that inspires you to want to pick it up & play it, Glen

looking forward to hearing which one is going to be keeping the koa LTD company

You make me wonder if my tastes are bad, b/c I didn't like the tone of the 2011 koa ltd or the coco ltd, but loved the sound of my 914ce cedar and the 714.

Am I just biased?

To me, koa sounded thin and coco sounded bland.

[michaelw]

You make me wonder if my tastes are bad, b/c I didn't like the tone of the 2011 koa ltd or the coco ltd, but loved the sound of my 914ce cedar and the 714.

Am I just biased?

To me, koa sounded thin and coco sounded bland.

i don't believe your tastes are 'bad' or that you're biased -
each of us like what we like & what's cool about it is that there are so many choices ...
sometimes, too many

the 2012 714ce cedar i played was an eye-opener & with
the CV bracing & bone nut/saddle on your 914 ce, along with
the aa-woods, i think it can bring out the finer 'details' as well

to me, the 2011 fall koa CV with bone nut & saddle, especially with the 0.88mm
pick, was a 'completely different animal' than the 08 k26ce Standard II Tusq 

compared to the coco models i've played (older sitka/coco) & owned, there
was a complexity that seemed to 'envelope' each note ... quite unique, imho

[Black Beauty]

if i were currently looking for a spruce/rosewood CE model, i'd consider this particular guitar
http://www.wildwoodguitars.com/products/1111190106.php?CategoryID=84&n=1
with adi CV on an engelmann top, i believe it would provide a good combination of depth, warmth &
snap, taking advantage of the resonance of rosewood, while maintaining excellent definition & clarity -
Gotoh tuner & bone nut/saddle upgrades could  be viable options, i imagine, along with
requesting that the pickguard be removed, seeing as the GA LTD & 914 do not have one

I recently purchased one of these. Have nothing to add but that the representative I dealt with (Bruce) was really good. The smoothness Engelmann gives is amazing and I prefer it to the 'harshness' of Sitka. With regards to the custom Wildwood 800 series, Bob also claims that a Sitka top with Adirondack bracing provides more 'boing' than an Adirondack top with Sitka bracing (whatever that means).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tF6JP1WV6Xw

[mgap]

if i were currently looking for a spruce/rosewood CE model, i'd consider this particular guitar
http://www.wildwoodguitars.com/products/1111190106.php?CategoryID=84&n=1
with adi CV on an engelmann top, i believe it would provide a good combination of depth, warmth &
snap, taking advantage of the resonance of rosewood, while maintaining excellent definition & clarity -
Gotoh tuner & bone nut/saddle upgrades could  be viable options, i imagine, along with
requesting that the pickguard be removed, seeing as the GA LTD & 914 do not have one

I recently purchased one of these. Have nothing to add but that the representative I dealt with (Bruce) was really good. The smoothness Engelmann gives is amazing and I prefer it to the 'harshness' of Sitka. With regards to the custom Wildwood 800 series, Bob also claims that a Sitka top with Adirondack bracing provides more 'boing' than an Adirondack top with Sitka bracing (whatever that means).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tF6JP1WV6Xw

I would never consider Sitka spruce "harsh"