Anyone own the same/similar guitars?

[steelerboy329]

Well I really like my 616ce and I really like the fact that it is green, but I also like the new koi blue.  I thought of doing a BTO maple/spruce blue koi (almost like a GS6e), but add CV Bracing and have the headstock done in ebony.  This will give me two guitars that are quite similar.  With that being said do any of you own guitars that are fairly similar?

[Steve]

Only my Strats...

[CodeBlueEMT]

 I would if I could afford to.

[michaelw]

Well I really like my 616ce and I really like the fact that it is green, but I also like the new koi blue.  I thought of doing a BTO maple/spruce blue koi (almost like a GS6e), but add CV Bracing and have the headstock done in ebony.  This will give me two guitars that are quite similar.  With that being said do any of you own guitars that are fairly similar?

hi steeler,
i have a trio of 614ce's that are somewhat similar in specs -
98 sitka/flamed maple, mahogany pre NT neck
02 sitka/quilted maple, maple NT neck
03 engelmann/quilted maple, maple NT neck

each has the 'classic' (pre-Standard II) bracing pattern, non-forward shifted & no relief rout
but the tone varies a good bit (to my ear) between them (depth, warmth, definiton, etc)

i've played a sitka/maple 09 Fall GSceLTD - MA with adi CV, bone nut &
saddle & to me, it was very responsive with very well-rounded mids

i was also able to play a 09 engelmann/maple sitka CV
GAce & it sounded like it was already 'played-in' a good bit -
with light gauge 80/20 NanoWebs the tone was quite favorable, compared
to the 03 614ceL2 engelmann with EXP19 PB 12-56s (very 'smooth' overall')

based on the 2 09 models,  i'd suggest considering an engelmann top & adi CV bracing

it will still sound like a spruce/maple GS, but i think the tonal 'nuances' could  be more
noticeable than one with a sitka top & sitka CV bracing - koi blue ... very nice choice

[randyc]

Interesting thread - perhaps this isn't in the spirit the OP intended but here goes ...

A jazz forum blind test of some of my instruments revealed that most listeners could not detect differences in the sound of the following pairs.  (These are all electric arch-top hollow body guitars with a single neck pickup, with solid maple backs/sides and carved spruce tops, except for the ES-330/Guild pair.  All pairs have similar accoustic tones.)

Gibson L-5CES vs Heritage Golden Eagle (Bartolini pickup)
Gibson L-4CES vs Heritage H-575
Gibson ES-330 vs Guild SF-III

The following pair are accoustic guitars and sound very similar IF tunes are bass and midrange oriented (e.g. bluegrass, appalachian, country style flat-picking on lower frets).  When higher notes are required, as in chord melodies, the Ovation is mellower while the Taylor is more "sparkly" if that is a word.

Taylor 912 and Ovation Custom Legend (note that this guitar is almost forty years old, well opened-up)

(Comparisons were made by direct recording except for the accoustic guitars which were recorded with a pair of PE-585 microphones.)

[Strumming Fool]

As you can see from my signature, I own 5 Taylor GAs. So the common element among these is the comfortable familiar feeling I have playing the Taylor GA- I've found nothing else I like as much. From there, the similarities end: old vs new, CV vs standard bracing, re-shaping/re-voicing vs original design, ES, NT vs non NT, and then the woods are all different, except for two with sitka spruce tops. But I can tell you that my next guitar will probably be a Taylor GA!

[SMan]

Having had a lot of guitars over many years I am now divesting myself of any "Similar" guitars because: 
A.) I need to downsize
B.) I want to build my own
C.)  It's just time

 

[ctkarslake]

I've had a '92 410 for twenty years and picked up a '97 420-R last summer.  Both are similar spec except for the back/side woods and you can really tell the difference between the mahogany b/s 410 and the rosewood b/s 420R.  Just as the Taylor site used to say: mahogany pushes the mids and the rosewood subdues the mids and pushes the highs and lows.  I'm constantly a/b-ing them to see how songs sound different on each one.

My 400 series duo almost grew to a trio last week when I purchased a '95 420 (flamed maple back/sides) on ebay and I was psyched to compare the three.  Unfortunately the seller put a silver dollar hole and major crack in the side of what was a MINT guitar while packing it up for me!  Argh!  Transaction cancelled .

[Iplay2]

As you can see from my signature, I own 5 Taylor GAs. So the common element among these is the comfortable familiar feeling I have playing the Taylor GA- I've found nothing else I like as much. From there, the similarities end: old vs new, CV vs standard bracing, re-shaping/re-voicing vs original design, ES, NT vs non NT, and then the woods are all different, except for two with sitka spruce tops. But I can tell you that my next guitar will probably be a Taylor GA!

How have I missed the 2011 BTO Sinker/Ovangkol in your signiture.  I am most interested in knowing everything about that...with pictures.

Sorry to steal the thread.

[Strumming Fool]

How have I missed the 2011 BTO Sinker/Ovangkol in your signiture.  I am most interested in knowing everything about that...with pictures.

Sorry to steal the thread.
[/quote]

Here are the specs:

GA - no cutaway
Adi CV bracing
Standard scale and standard neck carve
ES
Macassar ebony fretboard and bridge
Maple binding and rosette
Ovangkol headstock overlay bound in maple
Gotoh antique gold tuners with Macassar ebony buttons
Water buffalon horn bridge pins
sinker top/ovangkol back and sides - all natural gloss finish

It sounds deep and dark with some 12-string sparkle - lots of volume, depth and presence.

Here are the photos:

[randyc]

My word, that is a gorgeous instrument !

[Strumming Fool]

My word, that is a gorgeous instrument !

Thanks Randy-

I've custom ordered a few guitars (an all-figured sapele GS, a Santa Cruz all-koa H, and a Lowden cedar/Brazillian combo) over the years, and it has been a trial and error process until now. I feel good about my choices with this one, and I'm confident I'll keep it.  This guitar actually rivals my older Taylors in maturity and warmth of tone, so I look forward to the opening up process over the next several years.

[steelerboy329]

Hmmm...Then I guess an engelmann/maple with adi CV Bracing would be a winner.

[Strumming Fool]

Hmmm...Then I guess an engelmann/maple with adi CV Bracing would be a winner.

Actually, I'm not leaning to maple because the Pelican has maple-like properties with added warmth and complexity. I've owned maple guitars before, and with one exception, they bored me with their one-dimensional sound. I respect the role they play in one's arsenal, but they're not for me....

I'm thinking more of an Adi/Macassar and/or a cedar/rosewood (not sure of which species yet)...

[cigarfan]

Strummer, that sinker/ovangkol is a knockout. Wow!

To the OP, I take the opposite approach. I want to diversify as much as possible. Unique tone & sound, size & shape, wood, appointments ...