GS8

[Shark Sandwich]

Hello everyone! I am new in the guitar market since I have only had one guitar my whole life.  Yairi DY 50. I have decided that I would like to upgrade and have been looking around for about 2 weeks now.  My dad has a Taylor GA3 which I like alot but its not bassy enough for my liking.  As I have researched I found the GS series very appealing because it has great bass tones along with all of the rest of the spectrum.  I have been looking to play specifically a GS8 because I think that wood combo is more of what Im looking for but all I have found is one GS5. I love the GS5 but want to try out the 8 as well.  My question is why is the GS series so hard to find? I have never played a sweeter bolder guitar than the GS5 and am having a hard time understanding why they dont fly off the shelves.   Does anyone here have any suggestions as to whether I should buy new or used and if used some good sites to recommend?  Thanks in advance.

[shaberd]

hello,
you might look for 816ce, 516ce, etc instead of just GSx, at least for trying them out. the cutaway versions seem to have much more demand and therefore availability.
as far as wood combinations, you may also want to look at the GS4 (416ce) as the ovengkal is often considered close in sound to rosewood.
for used, this forum and acousticGuitarForum both have for sale options. many of the sponsors for these sites also sell these models at very competitive prices (many below guitarcenter or other online retailers).
For taylor guitars, you may also want to look at dreads: DNx or x10ce models, as they would also have more base.

David

[jjrpilot-admin]

Hi Shark Sandwich!  Glad to have you here!  I couldn't recommend the GS8 enough!  The sitka spruce top and East Indian Rosewood combination is one of the all time best combos you can go with.  I've found the Sitka/rosewood combo to be a very versatile combo sound-wise.

The GS5 is a wonderful guitar, but if possible try a GS8!

PS: the GS8's built from 2010 (I think that was the year) feature CV bracing which really brings some extra punch to the sound as well.

[Doug W]

hello,
you might look for 816ce, 516ce, etc instead of just GSx, at least for trying them out. the cutaway versions seem to have much more demand and therefore availability.
as far as wood combinations, you may also want to look at the GS4 (416ce) as the ovengkal is often considered close in sound to rosewood.
for used, this forum and acousticGuitarForum both have for sale options. many of the sponsors for these sites also sell these models at very competitive prices (many below guitarcenter or other online retailers).
For taylor guitars, you may also want to look at dreads: DNx or x10ce models, as they would also have more base.

David

Does Taylor make a GS4?  I thought the GS series started with the GS5.  Or were you pointing him specifically to the 416 as an alternate option?

[Satsuki]

Check the Taylor web site for the different models.

[michaelw]

hello,
you might look for 816ce, 516ce, etc instead of just GSx, at least for trying them out. the cutaway versions seem to have much more demand and therefore availability.
as far as wood combinations, you may also want to look at the GS4 (416ce) as the ovengkal is often considered close in sound to rosewood.
for used, this forum and acousticGuitarForum both have for sale options. many of the sponsors for these sites also sell these models at very competitive prices (many below guitarcenter or other online retailers).
For taylor guitars, you may also want to look at dreads: DNx or x10ce models, as they would also have more base.

David

Does Taylor make a GS4?  I thought the GS series started with the GS5.  Or were you pointing him specifically to the 416 as an alternate option?

there was a 07 GS4eLTD tasmanian blackwood, but there hasn't been
a 'standard' model GS4 (ovangkol) or GS3 (sapele) offered, as of yet -
$ wise, there would be very little difference between a 416ce, no ES & a GS4 or
a 316ce, no ES & GS3, with the  tonal difference due the cutaway being about nil, imho

there is also the Fall 11 416ceLTD rosewood with CV bracing, but the $ is virtually identical to a GS8 -
if a cutaway & electronics are not a necessity, i'd go with the GS8 (09 - later CV) &
if one was looking to save a good bit more, i'd try out a 416ce & 316ce to see if the
tone was more desirable &, if so, go with the 'modify-a-model' & delete the electronics

the upcharge for gold tuners & ab dot bridge pins is about nil, if a little 'bling' is desired

ymmv

[egkor]

@Shark,

You might want to check out forum sponsors (for example, Guitar Rodeo, LA Guitar). Often times their pricing for new is close to other's used pricing.  Then there is Craigslist and Ebay, and the forums Classified areas. Also Guitar Center used.

Good luck,
-Gary K

[shaberd]

Does Taylor make a GS4?  I thought the GS series started with the GS5.  Or were you pointing him specifically to the 416 as an alternate option?

I'm not sure offhand if the have a GS4. My main point is to look at the x16 models as they are going to be more available. The original post didn't indicate that he specifically did not want a cutaway, so I was not sure as to that objective.

[dougboy1970]

I've had a GS8 for a couple of years now and you're right, it does pack a nice low end wallup.  From my understanding, when the GS series was initially introduced  they were very hot sellers and since have tapered off a bit.

One reason a person might not choose the GS is because they're a little less amenable to finger picking.  I've used it quite a bit for finger picking, but the I've heard (and this may or may not be true) that the top is cut slightly thicker and is harder to generate sound from finger picking alone.  Also, the recommended medium strings can be a little difficult to pluck, especially for those of us using our natural finger nails.  Having said that, some gigs I've finger picked have sounded AMAZING and blow all of these arguments out of the water.  I've actually thought to myself, what's everybody talking about, this guitar finger picks like it's nobody's business.  But other times I have felt I wasn't getting the best tone.  So many variables effecting all of this, so who knows really?

As far as strumming goes, it's amazing for that, or for flat-picking.  The bass-i-ness lends itself to some country or bluegrass applications, while it still retains the clarity of a Taylor.  I've played with some old-time Martin and Gibson country players who really liked the tone, and said so...which means a lot because these guys were serious professionals back in the day...what they don't know is that I had to eq out some of my bass just to play with them...the bass can be that boomy sometimes...

IMHO, the GS8 is a great guitar...I couldn't recommend it more.  But suffering with a bit of GAS, I'm still thinking about getting a 614ce or GA6 for when playing in band situations (less bass and more cut through) and for a little easier finger picking than the GS8.

[Shark Sandwich]

Hey thanks everone for the suggestions! What is everyones opinion on the cutaways? It just seems to me that if you take that much out of a guitar you have to be losing something right?

[DennisG]

Hey thanks everone for the suggestions! What is everyones opinion on the cutaways? It just seems to me that if you take that much out of a guitar you have to be losing something right?

When Bob Taylor asserted that it's virtually impossible to distinguish between a cut-away and a non-cut-away, I have to admit that I was a little curious -- until I did a blind A/B test.  Maybe someone else can hear a qualitative difference between the two guitars, but I couldn't.

[Edward]

I owned a GS8 ...yes, a bold, punchy guitar.  But ultimately not for me as I preferred my GA7E.  The spruce/rw combo in a GS body is a potent one, to be sure, but there is a definite mid-scooped timbre to it that I felt left the overall tone lacking.  That and a zingy top end left me cold and reaching for the much warmer, sweeter tone of a GA7 (or for that matter a good GS5).  All IMHO, mind you, which is to say you owe it to yourself to try the different series out before committing as you may find that you suprise yourself with what you end up preferring in the end.

Edward

[DennisG]

I owned a GS8 ...yes, a bold, punchy guitar.  But ultimately not for me as I preferred my GA7E.  The spruce/rw combo in a GS body is a potent one, to be sure, but there is a definite mid-scooped timbre to it that I felt left the overall tone lacking.  That and a zingy top end left me cold and reaching for the much warmer, sweeter tone of a GA7 (or for that matter a good GS5).  All IMHO, mind you, which is to say you owe it to yourself to try the different series out before committing as you may find that you suprise yourself with what you end up preferring in the end.

Edward

Just out of curiosity, have you tried a GS-8 with CV bracing?

[Edward]

I owned a GS8 ...yes, a bold, punchy guitar.  But ultimately not for me as I preferred my GA7E.  The spruce/rw combo in a GS body is a potent one, to be sure, but there is a definite mid-scooped timbre to it that I felt left the overall tone lacking.  That and a zingy top end left me cold and reaching for the much warmer, sweeter tone of a GA7 (or for that matter a good GS5).  All IMHO, mind you, which is to say you owe it to yourself to try the different series out before committing as you may find that you suprise yourself with what you end up preferring in the end.

Edward

Just out of curiosity, have you tried a GS-8 with CV bracing?

Hi Dennis,

 Mine was a 2009, IIRC.  So that means no??

Edward

[michaelw]

CV bracing was phased in on the 800, 900, koa & PS series in 09 -
i'm not absolutely certain if any of the late 08s (12.15 to 19) or early
09s (01.05 to 09) may  or may not  have had CV, but if the build date
was 01.12, or after, it is a pretty safe bet that your GS8 had CV bracing