Is the 314 the right guitar for me?

[GSMAN]

I looking for a guitar that can suite all different playing styles. I play 99% of the time WITHOUT a guitar pick and with my fingers. 50% of the songs I learn are finger-picked the other half are strummed with my fingers. I grew up playing a Dreadnought and Jumbo. This past year I got a GS Mini. I tried a few examples of GC, GA, DN, and GS. I think, the GA was my favorite because it was the most diverse. I compared 300/400 series and I don't think I could go wrong with wither but the 300 fit me aesthetically. I don't have much experience with any of the higher series but for the price I'm not willing to pay more than 2K. Also cutaway and electric is not really important for me. So does the 314 sound like a nice full size guitar that would work for me?

[JB12]

You mentioned that you compared the 300/400 series, does that mean you played them both or read reviews for each? 

Before you buy, I (and most on this forum) would suggest that you play both of them, if you can.  Although aesthetics are a huge deal, if the sound is not there, your heart won't be there either.

[Jason Paul]

I agree that you should actually play them both if you can.

I also like the look of the 314 better. I'm not a big fan of the ovangkol or the white binding on the 414. Also, I've like the 314 as much as, or more than almost every 414 I've played.

By the way, I have a 314ce and love it. I go into guitar stores all the time and usually end up having to get into the $2800+ range to find something I like significantly better than my 314ce.

I will say though, there is one 414ce I found at a local Guitar Center (of all places), that has a very nicely figured back and sounds almost like an 814ce. It's very nice. But, I don't like it so much more that I would sell my 314ce and pay the difference to get the 414ce.

Jason

[GSMAN]

You mentioned that you compared the 300/400 series, does that mean you played them both or read reviews for each? 

Before you buy, I (and most on this forum) would suggest that you play both of them, if you can.  Although aesthetics are a huge deal, if the sound is not there, your heart won't be there either.

I played many different guitars from the 300/400 series. It wasn't A/B comparison because most stores didn't have both 314 and 414 in stock so I drove to different stores. That being said because I preferred the look of 314 I would probably just go with that because the 414 sounded nice but not much different.

[dgaemc2]

Yes, Yes and Yes again OP!
Be it a 314, 414, etc.....
I find the GA body shape (x14) to be great at fingerstyle and strumming...as do many others.
However, only YOU can determine whether these would work well for you.  I am thinking Yes! 
Best of luck

[GSMAN]

What is the difference between GA3 and the new 314 (2013)?

[Louis]

Ha, I like the part where he says he always winds up in the 2,800 dollar range section. Ain't that the truth and don't we all.Im a big fan of Richie Sambora and he was playing his new single with a KOA I think and was a 6 string , I want one like that but 12 string which will be a good 4 to 6 grande,and gonna have fun passing that one by the war department.

[JB12]

What is the difference between GA3 and the new 314 (2013)?

I don't want to convey false information, but I am almost certain that there is no difference.

It is just a different labeling system.  Last year (and I'm not sure how long prior to that), if you wanted a 300 series guitar without a cutaway and electronics (ce), you'd buy a GA3 (grand auditorium - 300 series).  So, yeah... no difference, rather than what year the model was made. 

I don't think any internal differences have been made to the 300 series guitars over the past couple years (again, I'm not 100% about this though).

[PureTone]

What is the difference between GA3 and the new 314 (2013)?

The binding, fretmarkers and standard pickguard on the 314 are the main differences.

I would try out a 316, 516, 616 and 716, as well as a 518E and 618E.
A Grand Orchestra BTO no C, no E model could be spec'd within your budget, if you find that the GO body shape responds well to your playing style.

[InsideOut]

I always thought the Acoustic Series (GA, GC, DN...) guitars had a thinner top.  I have played a GC3 and a 312-CE and thought the GC3 had a better sound.  Of course, each guitar will sound different, or I could have been imagining the difference.  But I heard it on more than one visit to that store.  I don't know if the top on the current 314 is the same as the GA3.  Yes the appointments are different, but I guess there is a chance the build of the guitars is different as well.  That being said, I will be receiving a 2009 GA3-E by UPS closer to the end of the week.  I patiently waited a long time for this one to come up at a price I was willing to pay (about six months).  I am a believer in the Acoustic Series difference, and I hope Taylor continues to have that subtle difference in the new non-CE guitars. 

Full disclosure: I also LOVE the Expression System, so by many standards, my ears may be flawed.