Author Topic: Has anyone tried 2012 710ce or DN7?  (Read 5475 times)

Cloud9

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Has anyone tried 2012 710ce or DN7?
« on: July 04, 2012, 12:38:13 PM »
I'm shopping around for a dreadnought and am considering the 2 Taylors mentioned.  I can't seem to find either of these locally in order to try them out.  I'm interested in hearing opinions from anyone whose played one or both.  I've also considered the new 2012 Martin D-18, but none are available locally to try.

I was able to play a 2012 714ce and really liked it.  However, I am more interested in getting a dreadnought rather than another 14. 

If nothing else, I can order one of the Taylors from GC and have the option to return, but was hoping for input first.  I have no experience with any Taylor dreads.  For whatever reason, they don't seem to be as popular as the 14s and other Taylor models.

Thanks!
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cigarfan

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Re: Has anyone tried 2012 710ce or DN7?
« Reply #1 on: July 06, 2012, 08:53:41 AM »
I can't give you any feedback on the Taylors you reference but I can tell you the 2012 D-18 is an awesome guitar. I have a Gibson J-45 TV which is my one and only dread. That D-18 is making me think I might need another. Incredible guitar.
« Last Edit: July 13, 2012, 05:57:10 PM by cigarfan »
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Black Beauty

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Re: Has anyone tried 2012 710ce or DN7?
« Reply #2 on: July 06, 2012, 09:05:51 AM »
I'm shopping around for a dreadnought and am considering the 2 Taylors mentioned.  I can't seem to find either of these locally in order to try them out.  I'm interested in hearing opinions from anyone whose played one or both.  I've also considered the new 2012 Martin D-18, but none are available locally to try.

They're two completely different guitars. The Taylor will have an Engelmann top (mellow tone) whereas the Martin has a Sitka top (punchy tone). The Taylor is a Rosewood back and sides (sustainy) and the Martin is Mahogany back and sides (bouncy). What kind of sound are you wanting to go for?

Not sure how Martin's marketing department did it but all they've done is chucked on a high performance neck on their D-18V and labeled it a 2012 D-18 and all of a sudden it's the latest craze. I personally prefer the complex overtones of Rosewood over Mahogany and I love Engelmann tops for fingerpicking. If you want a smooth deep sound go for the Taylor, if you want bright sparkling highs with a bassy twang get the Martin. You can get the bright sparkling highs with the Taylor too if you switch the stock strings with Elixir PBs.

michaelw

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Re: Has anyone tried 2012 710ce or DN7?
« Reply #3 on: July 12, 2012, 12:06:20 PM »
hi cloud,
good to see you here :)
WELCOME !when it comes to comparing guitars (tone & playability) it is difficult, imho,
short of having a friend that may  share some similar preferences as yourself
(& even then, each of you may  interpret certain characteristics differently)
to try to describe the variances between 2 similar, or 2 dissimilar, guitars

spec-wise, it is relatively easy, as the information is there in 'black & white' & 'it is what it is' -
the 710ce has a cutway, ES, standard vintageburst finish, ivoroid inlays/rosette & chrome tuners
while the DN7 has no cutaway or electronics, abalone rosette, gloss rosewood headstock & gold tuners

i would venture to guess that, failing to find a spruce/rosewood DN/X10ce locally,
the closest, in terms of feel, might  possibly be a DN4/410ce ovangkol model -
the scale, nut width, neck profile, cutaway & electronics (if applicable) would be 'the same'

the 11 & 12 D18 have sitka spruce tops & mahogany back & sides (rather than engelmann & rosewood)
different bracing patterns, neck profile, nut width, fretboard & bridge material & tuners, so comparing those
2 models in & of themselves (just the D18s) would be quite different, imho, even before adding the DN7/710ce

trying to compare the tone of a guitar that you haven't played yet (or an example similar to it)
based on words from an internet forum could  potentially have some mixed results -
on specs only, the DN has a wider waist, a less rounded upper bout & it come from the factory set up
with medium strings, so one may  hear more depth in the bass & stronger projection in the mids

if you could let us know a little more about your playing style, guitars you've played, what you liked about them
(i am especially interested in your take on the 714ce), what you felt was lacking (as you're considering a DN,
rather than another 14, i take that to mean that you either own or have owned a grand auditorium model -
wood combination ???) & if you could share with us a little more about what you feel your 'ideal' guitar might
be (if you're looking for more bass or one that has more presence when strummed aggressively, perhaps)
that would give us 'a little more to go on', as some point of reference to see 'where you're at', so to speak

looking forward to hearing more from you soon -
please make yourself comfortable :D
« Last Edit: July 19, 2012, 01:56:22 AM by michaelw »
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cigarfan

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Re: Has anyone tried 2012 710ce or DN7?
« Reply #4 on: July 13, 2012, 06:03:15 PM »
I can't give you any feedback on the Taylors you reference but I can tell you the 2012 D-18 is an awesome guitar. I have a Gibson J-45 TV which is my one and only dread. That D-18 is making me think I might need another. Incredible guitar.

Cigarfan--I've been hearing that the new D-18s are good.  Do you like the sound/feel better than the pre-2012s?

Black Beauty--With regard to rosewood over Mahogany, I'm still deciding if I prefer one over the other or like both.

I guess the main thing I'm really just trying to find out is what people think about the sound of Taylor dreads overall and also the new 700 series dreads in particular.  Again, other than the 110s and 210s, there just doesn't seem to be any other Taylor dreads around here to try out.

Anyway, thanks for the input.

cloud9, I have only played one pre-2012 D-18 and that was over a year ago. This year I have played 3 of the 2012s. If my recollection of the older D-18 serves me, IMO the new version is better. I am truly thinking about getting one although it may have to wait until my build with Kolaya is paid off later this year.
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bandit59

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Re: Has anyone tried 2012 710ce or DN7?
« Reply #5 on: July 13, 2012, 11:59:49 PM »
Taylor dreads are brilliant. I bought a 410ce a few months ago &every time I play it I'm blown away by the sound it pumps out.A bone saddle & pins have enhanced it nicely & brought out a beautiful clear bass. Actions good even with the mediums.If you want a dreadnought you'll have no regrets.
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Edward

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Re: Has anyone tried 2012 710ce or DN7?
« Reply #6 on: July 16, 2012, 12:29:59 PM »
Hi there Cloud,

First off, welcome!

Secondly, my apologies: I believe I inadvertantly edited your last reply here.  Argh!!  Clumsy with the mouse this morning ...so sorry, friend.  Huge mea culpa on my end!!!

Quote
...or at least part of your last message:
I guess the main thing I'm really just trying to find out is what people think about the sound of Taylor dreads overall and also the new 700 series dreads in particular.  Again, other than the 110s and 210s, there just doesn't seem to be any other Taylor dreads around here to try out.

Anyway, thanks for the input.


Yup, the tough part you need to tackle first is which sound you're shooting for; you narrow your field this way and can then go from there.

Since you asked about dred opinions, I gotta say I have never wanted to own a Martin dred in decades of playing.  I like them well enough when others play them, some even sound great IMHO in others' hands, but for myself (an apparently to my hands and tastes), I find them generally boomy and too mid-scooped, or some even a bit thin in spots and lacking "something" in its voice.

Taylor dreds:  I've found them hit and miss, personally, and I've owned two (and tried a few others in shops but likewise don't see many T dreds hanging on walls).  Where the Martins boom and seem mids-deprived, the two dreds I've owned had lovely mids and highs but just didn't produce the lows that a dred body is purportedly designed to deliver.  I tried strings and saddle swaps and just couldn't get more of the bottom I wanted from what is supposed to be a "big" voice.  All the signature Taylor sparkle and clarity was there, but just missing low-end ooomph.

Third time's a charm?  I now have a dred I love!  It's a Custom-DN (I didn't spec it, but bought it that way) and this dred finally delivered what I was looking for.  Bottom end was big, yet focused and controlled, never boomy; mids are present and defined with lovely individual note separation, and highs that sparkle ...not so "taylor bright" as some Ts are often derided by folks, but a crisp top end that defines the "edges" of the notes beautifully.  OK, yeah, it's gorgeous looker, but so was my Ltd ...the tone has gotta be right on for me or said gear goes out the door.

One note on the new 700s: engelmann.  That's yet another factor, and a significant one in that changes the voice of T's newest dred.  I love englemann for it's less "zingy" top end and added mids over a sitka-topped Taylor D.  I own a GC with engel and love it (I love cedar tops which explains my preferences), but have yet to try the new 7s, so you'd do well to hunt down one of these for a test drive.

All that to say, I can't help ya :D
None of what I said can translate to helping you find your tone, and my descriptions serve as little more than loose generalizations.  And FWIW, I just just recently played a few dreds at a Road Show: again, one I liked, others I were lacking for my tastes.  So there you go.  You just have to keep pluggin away and trying as many as you can get your hands on.  It's a good search; enjoy it!

May I ask, though, have you played Martin and Taylor dreds side by side?  Aside from tone, the feel is markedly different.  That difference is one of the main reasons I never have owned Martys over the decades, and for the last few years have come to only own T acoustics.  The feel, alone, may help you determine which fits you better ...then go from there.  Hope that gives you a few things to think about.  And if not, forgive my rambling post ...that's what happens on a lazy morning with a 20oz java in my hands :)

Edward
« Last Edit: July 16, 2012, 12:37:49 PM by Edward »

Cloud9

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Re: Has anyone tried 2012 710ce or DN7?
« Reply #7 on: August 06, 2012, 09:09:41 AM »
Hey, thanks to everyone for the good input.  I'm still looking, but have made a little progress in my search.  I still haven't been able to test a T dread (specifically a 2012 710 or DN7).  I did find a 2012 D-18 to try and really liked it.  I don't have enough experience yet to call out the sound characteristics like many of you folks do, but in a nutshell, I did not find it too boomy--at all.  It sounded good to my ear and felt good.  Some folks in other forums have thought the sound of this guitar was more Taylor-like.  I haven't played it enough to say, but just know that it sounded good.  Giving this guitar serious consideration.

In answer to Edward, I have played different Taylor models side-by-side with Martin.  Just not a T dread against a M dread.  So, this comparison is lacking.

More on mahogany vs rosewood...When comparing Martin D-18 with D28 or HD-28, I've tended to gravitate toward the mahogany (D-18).  However, I really liked both the Taylor 714 and 814 (2012) with the rosewood back and sides (just not shopping for another 14).  So, I seem to like both RW and mahogany. 

It is likely that I will be able to try the D-18 again this week while on travel.  If it still speaks to me after another try, I may just dive in and get it without the chance to sample a T dreadnaught.

Thanks again.
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