614ce or GA6?

[dougboy1970]

I once owned a 614ce that I sold in the early 2000's (I know, I know, bad move.)

I've been considering getting another one of these maple beauties, but now that I have a GS8 I've realized that a cutaway is really not necessary for me. 

Could I buy the cheaper, lesser adorned GA6 and get basically the same sounding guitar as the 614ce?

I mean, they're both the grand auditorium shape, the only difference in the body is the cutaway, right?

Love to hear your responses.

____________________

2008 Taylor GS8
2012 Taylor GS Mini Mahagony
Fishman Soloamp
LR Baggs Para D.I.

[jjrpilot-admin]

I mean, they're both the grand auditorium shape, the only difference in the body is the cutaway, right?

Love to hear your responses.

You are correct sir!  Both are the same model except for the cutaway!  When I first started playing the guitar, I loved the cutaway look.  Now, I'm the exact opposite...I love the NON cutaway look, and most likely will never get another cutaway again.

[michaelw]

I once owned a 614ce that I sold in the early 2000's (I know, I know, bad move.)

I've been considering getting another one of these maple beauties, but now that I have a GS8 I've realized that a cutaway is really not necessary for me. 

Could I buy the cheaper, lesser adorned GA6 and get basically the same sounding guitar as the 614ce?

I mean, they're both the grand auditorium shape, the only difference in the body is the cutaway, right?

Love to hear your responses.

____________________

2008 Taylor GS8
2012 Taylor GS Mini Mahagony
Fishman Soloamp
LR Baggs Para D.I.

hi doug,
depending on which model 614ce you had, there are some differences between it & the current model -
98-early 00 had a pre NT mahogany neck & pre-Standard II 'classic' bracing pattern (non-forward shifted),
rather than the hard rock maple NT neck & Standard II bracing (forward-shifted with relief rout)

other differences are 3 ring abalone rosette 98-00, Grover tuners 98-early 03
fishman onboard blender 98-00, fishman stereo blender 01-02 & the 2AA ES in 03

another option that you could consider is a BTO GA, which would allow the choice of
a different top (engelmann perhaps), CV bracing, mahogany neck & provided some
restraint is used on the options list, the price could  be very close to a standard GA6 -
it really depends on how 'close' you would like the new guitar to be to 'the old one', imho

in terms of the 2012 models, other than the cutaway & electronics on the 614ce, the other
main differences are mostly aesthetic - rosette, fretmarkers, headstock overlay & binding

the area Taylor rep is going to be visiting the local music store that i frequent tomorrow &
i have a few questions that i need to verify with him, in terms of the differences between
the acoustic electric (previously CE) & acoustic (non-cutaway) models, so it should be fun

[dougboy1970]

thanks michael w! ...i think my 614ce was around a 2001 and I remember recording with that fishman system in it and the studio guy was like, "woah, that sounds perfect."  it was a great guitar...

I think I can definitely go with the GA6 because I'm not concerned about adornments, just sound, so I can go as simple as possible. 

Do you think an Englemann or Adirondack spruce top would make a huge difference, what would that be?

Have fun talking to the rep!  I love Taylor Road Shows!

[Herb Hunter]

The acoustic-electric series guitars (300 - 900 series) have back and sides whose thickness does not vary as a function of wood species. The acoustic series have back and sides whose thickness varies, slightly, depending on the type of wood used. I don't know which species of wood on the acoustic series ends up being different from the acoustic-electric series but the harder woods would be slightly thinner than the softer woods.

[Strumming Fool]

The acoustic maple series is pretty much on par with the acoustic electric maple series. Both have plastic bindings although the ivoroid on the acoustic series is a bit of an upgrade in my opinion. Both have an abalone rosette, and as Michael said, the major aesthetic difference would be in the fretboard inlays, which, again in my opinion, is not so major. The acoustic will feature a glossed rosewood headstock overlay, while the acoustic electric will have a bound (white plastic) glossed ebony headstock overlay. For my money, I'd go with the GA6, and I would go with an engelmann top to give it a bit more warmth and maturity. I might also consider the Expression system if you would ever have the desire to plug in. If you're a heavy strummer, stick with a sitka top (standard) or go with an Adirondack top. Have fun in your quest!

[dougboy1970]

thanks guys!  Just the information I needed!

[tnfiddler]

LOVE MY NEW 614ce!!!  It has quickly shunned the 810 to the case and I play it and my T5 daily!!  I love my 810 but the 614ce just blows it away as far as tone goes and looks-wise, there is no comparison!!  I have played it a LOT the last two weeks since I bought it and I may be imagining things but it seems as if it has really opened up since I first bought it.  Songs played in E now just sound as if they have a lot more bite now than when I first played it.  The E chord itself really just jumps out now!!!  I can only imagine how it will grow as the wood ages!!!  Get a 614ce and don't look back!!

[Iplay2]

For my money....I would go with an engelmann top to give it a bit more warmth and maturity.

I agree 100% with this.  My 614ce has an engelmann top, and it does give it a little more warmth than a standard 614ce.  I was surprised at the difference.

[michaelw]

The acoustic-electric series guitars (300 - 900 series) have back and sides whose thickness does not vary as a function of wood species. The acoustic series have back and sides whose thickness varies, slightly, depending on the type of wood used. I don't know which species of wood on the acoustic series ends up being different from the acoustic-electric series but the harder woods would be slightly thinner than the softer woods.

actually, the thicknessing is consistent with the wood species,
on the acoustic non-cutaway series & the acoustic electric series -
it was gradually phased-in, possibly  around the time when the X16 series
came out , but there was no 'set-date', unlike the ES updates or CV bracing

thanks michael w! ...i think my 614ce was around a 2001 and I remember recording with that fishman system in it and the studio guy was like, "woah, that sounds perfect."  it was a great guitar...

I think I can definitely go with the GA6 because I'm not concerned about adornments, just sound, so I can go as simple as possible. 

Do you think an Englemann or Adirondack spruce top would make a huge difference, what would that be?

Have fun talking to the rep!  I love Taylor Road Shows!

to me, the engelmann top on my 03 614ceL2 gives a little bit more depth & warmth overall &
it kind of 'smooths out the edges', which i have heard on some extremely tight-grain sitka tops -
i have found the tonal difference to be very consistent, to my ear, on several engelmann/maple GA
models & if you went with a BTO GA, you could spec an engelmann top with adi CV bracing, which
i believe could  give you the best of both world's, in terms of a warmer, more 'mature' (played-in)
tone & a bit more 'sweetness' & 'headroom' when you feel the need to 'put the spurs to 'er'