814ce...buy now or wait for the 2013 model?

[asahi]

i am nearly convinced that my next guitar will be a taylor 814ce. 
i am now pondering if i should wait until the 2013's roll out or just pick up the '12's?

i was thinking, what if the '13 's come out with something newer?

decisions, decisions, decisions....

[e8n]

Just buy it.  I don't think there will be enough innovation to justify waiting, but there might be a price increase.   Lots of nice stuff out there.

-Dave

[asahi]

i see you have the 714ce '11.  how do you like that one?

i was considering that year's model with the cedar top, too.

[e8n]

Great guitar.  I like it a lot.  Plays nice, sounds nice.  Overall its a keeper.

-Dave

[asahi]

i was informed that the 814ce has the cv routed bracing versus the standard bracing on my 414 ltd which makes for a tonal difference and i may have the older es system.
anyway, my 414ce is on its way to the taylor plant because the top was separating from the binding.

when it comes back i'll play it to see if the sound is what i am looking for.  then i'll see if i want to keep it or not.

[Black Beauty]

i was informed that the 814ce has the cv routed bracing versus the standard bracing on my 414 ltd which makes for a tonal difference and i may have the older es system.
anyway, my 414ce is on its way to the taylor plant because the top was separating from the binding.

when it comes back i'll play it to see if the sound is what i am looking for.  then i'll see if i want to keep it or not.

To be honest your 414ce LTD will probably sound better than a new 814ce because the top will have 'opened' a bit. Most CV braced guitars I've played don't sound better than older Forward Shifted guitars, although they potentially will as time goes by. Have a listen to this comparison between a '96 914ce and a 2011 914ce, for example:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okjRQKrqGeE

I think if you do want the CV bracing deal though, it's worth checking out Wildwood Guitars who have them for their 500 to 700 series. They currently have Adirondack CV bracing models in stock:

http://wildwoodguitars.com/acoustics/taylor/wildwood_cv.htm

In my opinion, if you don't mind me giving it, you should go for the 500 series (Mahogany) instead of another Rosewood guitar, just for variety.

[e8n]

i was informed that the 814ce has the cv routed bracing versus the standard bracing on my 414 ltd which makes for a tonal difference and i may have the older es system.
anyway, my 414ce is on its way to the taylor plant because the top was separating from the binding.

when it comes back i'll play it to see if the sound is what i am looking for.  then i'll see if i want to keep it or not.

To be honest your 414ce LTD will probably sound better than a new 814ce because the top will have 'opened' a bit. Most CV braced guitars I've played don't sound better than older Forward Shifted guitars, although they potentially will as time goes by. Have a listen to this comparison between a '96 914ce and a 2011 914ce, for example:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okjRQKrqGeE

I think if you do want the CV bracing deal though, it's worth checking out Wildwood Guitars who have them for their 500 to 700 series. They currently have Adirondack CV bracing models in stock:

http://wildwoodguitars.com/acoustics/taylor/wildwood_cv.htm

In my opinion, if you don't mind me giving it, you should go for the 500 series (Mahogany) instead of another Rosewood guitar, just for variety.

It's hard to watch anything on youtube and get much from it.  Unless you are comparing the two guitars you are specifically looking at there are too many variables to draw solid conclusions on.

-Dave

[e8n]

i was informed that the 814ce has the cv routed bracing versus the standard bracing on my 414 ltd which makes for a tonal difference and i may have the older es system.
anyway, my 414ce is on its way to the taylor plant because the top was separating from the binding.

when it comes back i'll play it to see if the sound is what i am looking for.  then i'll see if i want to keep it or not.

If you like the Rosewood tone you may want to compare your 414 to the 714 or even one of the 814LTDs for a bit of tonal variety. 

If you intend on moving the 414, what don't you like about the tone of it or is it just ES that you don't like (Taylor could put the new ES in there while they have your guitar).

-Dave

[cjd-player]

814's are consistent, but they don't all sound the same.  I would buy the one that sounds best to you and ignore the model year, unless the cosmetics are more important to you that the tone.

[awdxtc]

If you already have a GA why not consider something like a GS body shape?

[michaelw]

i am nearly convinced that my next guitar will be a taylor 814ce. 
i am now pondering if i should wait until the 2013's roll out or just pick up the '12's?

i was thinking, what if the '13 's come out with something newer?

decisions, decisions, decisions....

not to make things more confusing, but it is possible to order a 814ce with a cedar top,
if you like the tone of the cedar top (from the 11 714ce) & the aesthetics of the 814ce -
this 'SMO' (standard model option) guitar will also have the CV bracing & will also allow the selection of other
options (such as nut width, scale length, bone nut/saddle, tuner type, florentine (sharp) cutaway & top finish

whether or not the 12 814ce or 11 714ce is going to provide a more preferable
tone over your 09 414ceLTD-R is only something that you'll be able to answer

in regard to any changes in the 2013 line, personally i wouldn't count Taylor out on anything -
the last aesthetic changes to the 800 series were in 04 (fretmarkers, single ring ab rosette & in 07
(maple binding), with tonal (CV bracing in 09) & electronics (9V ES in 07, current ES in 10) changes
while the rest of the acoustic electric series has received a 'refresh' within the past year or so 

once your 414ce comes back, i would suggest comparing it to the 714ce & 814ce,
not necessarily to try to find a 'best' one, but to see how the tonal differences
contrast & complement each other & how they each respond to your playing style -
try not to be in a hurry & in due time i believe the 'right' guitar will 'choose you'



edited to correct model year

[asahi]

thanks all.
great ideas, comments, and advice.

my 414ce ltd-r is a late model production 12-01-2009.

i will see what it sounds like when it comes back.  unfortunately it was shipped recently and the taylor shop is closed for the whole week, so i sit and wait.

i considered replacing the old es with the new.  does anyone know the differences between the pre-2010 es system and the current one?

[Herb Hunter]

If I were in the market for a new guitar and had the requisite funds on hand, I would buy one now rather than wait for a later model. Wood availability being what it is, the odds are that that quality of wood available today is likely to be superior to that available in the future.  Furthermore, as wood supplies dwindle, their cost goes up and guitar prices either go up or are held in check by switching to less expensive types of wood, which may not be as desirable.

[michaelw]

thanks all.
great ideas, comments, and advice.

my 414ce ltd-r is a late model production 12-01-2009.

i will see what it sounds like when it comes back.  unfortunately it was shipped recently and the taylor shop is closed for the whole week, so i sit and wait.

i considered replacing the old es with the new.  does anyone know the differences between the pre-2010 es system and the current one?

the pre-10 9V ES system had 2 dynamic body sensors & 2 defeat switches at the pre-amp, accessible
through the soundhole, whereas the current version has a single body sensor & defeat switch
with a discrete pre-amp (additional filters & 're-voicing' allowed the 2nd sensor to be omitted)

also, the 'dummy-coil' has been relocated from the neck pocket to the
soundboard, on a plate located on the bass side above the soundhole

here's a pic of the current ES
07-09 9V ES (& some extremely early 10 models)
03-06 2AA ES

[Fire]

If I were you, I would hold out a few more months for the Fall Limiteds. They're just around the corner anyway. Historically, they bring excellent bang-for-your-buck.