Ah I'm so torn!! Taylor 410ce vs DN4!!

[dylanj04]

So I've had the pleasure of playing a huge variety of Taylor guitars at Lauzon Music here in Ottawa and I've narrowed my choice down to either a Taylor 410ce or a DN4. I didnt care for the x14/x16 shapes so I'm set on a dread but I'm not sure if the electronics and cutaway are worth spending the extra $.

I do not own an acoustic amp but thats something I could save up for afterwards. The guy said they could probably install an LR Briggs in the DN4 if I wanted, but it wouldnt be a Taylor ES, so I'm not sure...

I'm so torn right now hahaha! It wouldnt be for a while anyways because Ive gotta save up, but those two are my choices.

What do you guys think??!!



please see rule #2

[egkor]

The aftermarket pickup system is LR Baggs ...

You should play both and see which one (if either) speaks to you.

You could not go wrong either way, but it is up to you and your preferences.

-Gary K

[pieterh]

I've had the latest ES upgrade installed in my 414 and on the whole I'm very pleased with it. If anything I still feel that the system would benefit from more of the body sensor in the mix to better balance out the magnetic- and mid-tone characteristics of the neck pup.

On the other hand I used it for two concerts with full band, choir and soloists last weekend going through my Radial preamp into a DiGiCo SD9, and at a name-giving yesterday where I used the balanced cable straight into a simple Alto mixer. The guitar was easy to trim in and sounded great everytime.

Of course if you don't want the cutaway then the DN4 is a great option, and you will have an excellent instrument which you can electrify at your leisure when you have a better idea of what you like:) You didn't say which LR Baggs they could "probably" install so it's not easy to do a comparison here. I've liked what I've heard of the M1 and M1a etc. One of the nice features of the ES is the relatively discreet controls - I would be reluctant to carve a hole in any guitar that didn't already have one. If it was my choice I would go for the DN4 with ES and no cutaway, maybe even the ES with no controls, and use a separate preamp or the mixer channel controls.

[Judson H]

Personally, if I were determined to get a dread, I'd get the DN4.

Dreads with cutaways ... they just don't look "right" ... my Martin DCPA-4 has one and I do not like it.  It came with the only Martin dreadnought I could afford that had a 1 3/4 inch nut, otherwise I'd have skipped it.

Getting the Taylor ES electronics built in has a lot of benefits if you don't mind having a couple of unobtrusive knobs on the outside.  But, if you're like me, you may find it appealing to preserve the integrity of the wood by avoiding drilling holes in it.

I bought my GA3-12 straight acoustic and had a Fishman Matrix installed ... no drilling whatsoever (Taylor even has the end pin hole electronics-ready!) ... the Fishman is all very securely (but, non-permanently) installed in there with velcro and double-sided tape. 

[pottski]

Personally, if I were determined to get a dread, I'd get the DN4.

Dreads with cutaways ... they just don't look "right" ... my Martin DCPA-4 has one and I do not like it.  It came with the only Martin dreadnought I could afford that had a 1 3/4 inch nut, otherwise I'd have skipped it.

Getting the Taylor ES electronics built in has a lot of benefits if you don't mind having a couple of unobtrusive knobs on the outside.  But, if you're like me, you may find it appealing to preserve the integrity of the wood by avoiding drilling holes in it.

I bought my GA3-12 straight acoustic and had a Fishman Matrix installed ... no drilling whatsoever (Taylor even has the end pin hole electronics-ready!) ... the Fishman is all very securely (but, non-permanently) installed in there with velcro and double-sided tape.

I'm with you Blackville. I can't stand dreds with cutaways. They just look silly to me. I don't think you can go wrong with a DN4 and you could even look around for a DN4e if you want the electronics. It really wouldn't be much more than the one without the electronics, and if you get one from someone like Guitar Rodeo or LA Guitar Sales, you might find that they can beat the best price of your local shop or any of the online stores. One of the best guitars I have ever played as just a straight 400 series dreadnought, so the DN4 gets my vote.

[dylanj04]

I don't think they look bad at all. I'm just debating if I actually need one since I don't usually play that high anyways. I'm sure I can get a pickguard installed for pretty cheap. Is the Taylor ES a better system is the LR Baggs?

[Martin]

Heck, if you want a dred, have the budget for a 410ce, and don't need to immediately plug in, I'd look at getting a DN5, DN6, DN7, or DN8, not unless you are totally stuck on getting Ovangkol.  If it were my $$, I'd get something like a DN7 or DN8 (leaning more towards the DN8).  Even if it's a little more, you'll get more bang for your buck getting one of the upper-level dreds.

Just my $.02.

[e8n]

You can also just get the DN series with electronics in them.  Much simpler and probably a bit cheaper.

-Dave

[Edward]

Well, the question of "is it worth it" really does boil down to your desires and intended use ...sorry.   

FWIW, if you ever think you may want to play in front of others in the future, even if just a remote part of your brains says maybe, I'd go 410ce over the DN.  Though other pickup systems are very good (and I like LR Baggs very much), the current ES is an excellent pro-level performer, and as a sidenote tends to afford you better resale in the possible event you go a different direction later on.   The cutaway is often make-or-break, with some folks disliking the look opting instead for the "purity" of an acosutic guitar, which is why Taylor created this entire model line; while other folks desire the cutaway for upper-fret access.  I am of the latter camp.  I am not at all put off by the looks of a cutaway, and definitely welcome the ability to fret higher with greater comfort.  But like I said, you have to decide on where you fall on the these two points.

Edward

[dylanj04]

I agree with you there Martin, I really didn't think of that. Is the difference between ovengkal and indian rosewood that different?

Also, I'm not put off by the looks of a cutaway and do welcome the higher fret access like mentioned in a previous post. I don't have an acoustic amp and I don't think I'd ever perform in front of people besides maybe playing with my father in law just for fun.

[Martin]

I agree with you there Martin, I really didn't think of that. Is the difference between ovengkal and indian rosewood that different?

Also, I'm not put off by the looks of a cutaway and do welcome the higher fret access like mentioned in a previous post. I don't have an acoustic amp and I don't think I'd ever perform in front of people besides maybe playing with my father in law just for fun.

I my opinion (I'm sure others will differ), I simply love what Taylor can do with the sitka/rosewood combo.  Yes, it is THAT different IMO.  I've never heard a 410 sound better than an 810...ever.  I'm also not sure that the DN4 will have a glossy back the way the DN8 will.  I'd rather pay for a better guitar without electronics. 

Once again, this is my opinion.  If the DN4 sounds better to you, then by all means, get it. 

[Cindy]

Rosewood traditionally has more bass and treble tonally, but with Taylor's CV bracing in the 8xx and 9xx series (and some of their limiteds), it enhances the midrange which tends to be less than the bass and treble.

On the other hand, ovangkol has about the same amount of bass and treble as rosewood, but its midrange is much more noticeable than a rosewood guitar. You should really listen to the differences to form your own opinion. I had a 914ce (rosewood and engelmann) but decided I liked my 414ce (ovangkol and sitka) much better. I also love the 3xx series. Even though the 3xx and 4xx don't cost as much as the 5xx series and above doesn't mean they aren't as good. On the contrary, there are many people who swear by the 3xx and 4xx (as well as the 1xx and 2xx series).

Please don't go by anyone else's opinion though. A guitar's tonal quality is subjective. Some will love one but not be inspired by the other...there is no right or wrong when it comes to sound. One will speak to you...please be sure to listen!

[dylanj04]

Rosewood traditionally has more bass and treble tonally, but with Taylor's CV bracing in the 8xx and 9xx series (and some of their limiteds), it enhances the midrange which tends to be less than the bass and treble.

On the other hand, ovangkol has about the same amount of bass and treble as rosewood, but its midrange is much more noticeable than a rosewood guitar. You should really listen to the differences to form your own opinion. I had a 914ce (rosewood and engelmann) but decided I liked my 414ce (ovangkol and sitka) much better. I also love the 3xx series. Even though the 3xx and 4xx don't cost as much as the 5xx series and above doesn't mean they aren't as good. On the contrary, there are many people who swear by the 3xx and 4xx (as well as the 1xx and 2xx series).

Please don't go by anyone else's opinion though. A guitar's tonal quality is subjective. Some will love one but not be inspired by the other...there is no right or wrong when it comes to sound. One will speak to you...please be sure to listen!

I agee with you there! I actually played (alongside the 410ce and the DN4) the 810ce and the 910ce and really couldnt hear the difference to my ears. The only thing I could find different were the appointments and to me that didnt seam like a good idea to spends that much more money, so I always went back to the 410ce and I think that might be where I'm gonna stay

[Martin]

I agee with you there! I actually played (alongside the 410ce and the DN4) the 810ce and the 910ce and really couldnt hear the difference to my ears. The only thing I could find different were the appointments and to me that didnt seam like a good idea to spends that much more money, so I always went back to the 410ce and I think that might be where I'm gonna stay

No sense in spending the extra cash if you can't hear the difference.  There are lots of custom builds these days featuring ovankgol, and some are quite beautiful.

[bo1142]

I would go with the DN4.  When, and if, you get an amp you can always add a pickup.