new 800 series

[michaelw]

COOL, I think I'll use that same philosophy for my old iMac - the last model made on Steve Jobs' watch!  Thanks - it'll save me a bunch of money. 

Actually, of course, changes to a guitar are just that…changes.  Just because a new model sounds different than the previous model, doesn't make it better.  Depending on the listener/player, it could just as easily be inferior in sound to the previous model.

if it still functions as designed & serves it's intended purpose, why not ?

there are companies that have made changes that have stuck
http://www.elderly.com/new_instruments/items/D18.htm
some haven't
http://www.martinguitar.com/component/search/?searchword=d-28p&searchphrase=all&Itemid=148
while others have discontinued them completely

[Shannon McGlathery]

I'd like to try the new 814ce, but I'd only consider buying an 814e version with the standard "modify a model" options. Hope Taylor offers that, so if I fall in love with it, I may finally have a rosewood keeper.

There will be an 814e and 814.

[Strumming Fool]

Thanks Shannon!

I'll check them out...

[michaelw]

What gave me pause when I read the website page on the new changes and watched the videos was the thinner finish. Over time the finish on all my Taylors thins out as the solvent gases out and one can see the washboard effect as the soft part of the grain shrinks in. Having a thinner finish no doubt gives a head start on the guitar opening up, but at the expense of getting a new dent or mark on the finish every time I pick it up.

the UV cured polyester finish Taylor has been using for the last 19 years has more solids & considerably less
solvent than other finish methods & once the guitar has been through the UV process, the finish is cured -
what you're seeing is likely because the guitar, or guitars, have been in a low humidity environment

The new Expression 2 pickup gives me pause as well because it looks like the saddle is resting on the pickup insert that gets wedged into the underside of the saddle. Seems like there's gonna be some transmission loss of energy there. I applaud Taylor for trying to improve it's pickup system cause I have the newest system and hate it. It seems like the  new string gauges are a way to even out the piezo response from the new system, perhaps. If I never use the pickup I hope I'll get just a good a sound with my customary custom light Elixars.

I also miss the abalone rosette and the rosewood pickguard doesn't appeal to me. I guess I'm an old dyed in the wool stick in the mud, but I'm giving this one a frowney face.  That is until I actually pick one up and play it and it changes my mind.

the 800s have an abalone rosette, with rosewood purfling inner & outer ring & a maple bound soundhole
http://www.taylorguitars.com/guitars/acoustic/810e

it's nice to be able to  keep an open mind ... that's the spirit

[jrporter]

I'd like to try the new 814ce, but I'd only consider buying an 814e version with the standard "modify a model" options. Hope Taylor offers that, so if I fall in love with it, I may finally have a rosewood keeper.

There will be an 814e and 814.

Shannon: Do you anticipate that there will a good number of 814s (no cutaway or ES2) in stores or will that configuration be more of a special order???

[Shannon McGlathery]

Shannon: Do you anticipate that there will a good number of 814s (no cutaway or ES2) in stores or will that configuration be more of a special order???

Honestly, I'm not sure. That's more of a sales department question.

Let me check...

[Strumming Fool]

I'm going to try and check out the new 800s at my local store tomorrow. Not being a fan of rosewood guitars in general, this should be an interesting test-drive. If I'm blown away, I may have to adjust my thinking about whether to include a rosewood GA in my stable in the future...more to follow.

[michaelw]

here's an 814 from from 2013
http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-TAY-814-LIST?SRC=D0301DT0HAMS0000&utm_source=shopping&utm_medium=feed&
& another, er, oh ... looks like it's the same one
http://www.zzounds.com/item--TAY814

the original - if interested, i would contact Taylor CSR with the serial # to see if the warranty may  still be transferable
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Taylor-XXRS-guitar-and-case-near-PERFECT-never-gigged-/251433814066?pt=Guitar&hash=item3a8a9f8832

[dgaemc2]

I truly love my new 2014 816ce acoustically, and plugged in!
Awesome guitar in my book!
Definitely give the new 2014 800 series a play if you get the chance....

[michaelw]

I truly love my new 2014 816ce acoustically, and plugged in!
Awesome guitar in my book!
Definitely give the new 2014 800 series a play if you get the chance....

congrats
i believe you're the first one here to pull the trigger on one -
just wondering if it is a First Edition, but either way ...
very cool

[dgaemc2]

Thanks michaelw!
Yes, my 816ce is a FE and it looks and sounds awesome!
My advice is to definitely give the new 816 a test drive when auditioning the new 800 series!

[michaelw]

Thanks michaelw!
Yes, my 816ce is a FE and it looks and sounds awesome!
My advice is to definitely give the new 816 a test drive when auditioning the new 800 series!

nice

i was wondering if the basic differences between the FE & the "standard" 2014 816ce are
the additional headstock inlay, gold tuners rather than nickel, the numbered soundhole label,
case plaque & the strap, book & COA sent under separate cover after the guitar is registered ?

respectively, the 818e FE has adirondack bracing & numbered label, while the rest of the appointments
are standard 13, with no additional headstock inlay, faux tortoise pickguard, gloss 6.0 mil finish & ES1

[GoManGo]

Saw and played a new First Edition 814ce. Love the tone improvements and the thinner finish was very very nice. The new 800 Series standard maple fretboard binding makes me pause. I like the understated look of some of the protoypes. I'm planning to wait for the BTO options to open up.

GoManGo

[Strumming Fool]

I played the new 814ce as well today. As someone who is normally less than impressed with rosewood guitars, I have to say that this one is a winner. Wonderful depth and increased volume. The brilliance is still there - it's just fatter. As far as balance, rosewood's characteristic midrange scoop was not evidenced in this specimen. A fine guitar that has given the 814ce a quantum leap in tone and looks. The subtle streak in the ebony fret board actually worked well with the inlays. Very classy...not a fan of pick guards in general, and the satin finish on the rosewood guard did not appeal to me. Anyway, for 814ce fans, it's just gotten a lot better.

More to think about as I plan a BTO for later this year ... with that bracing, I might be persuaded to build with rosewood this time, although I still have my heart set on ebony. Maybe that bracing with ebony (if available) is the thing to do....

[MR XXXXX]

Thanks michaelw!
Yes, my 816ce is a FE and it looks and sounds awesome!
My advice is to definitely give the new 816 a test drive when auditioning the new 800 series!

nice

i was wondering if the basic differences between the FE & the "standard" 2014 816ce are
the additional headstock inlay, gold tuners rather than nickel, the numbered soundhole label,
case plaque & the strap, book & COA sent under separate cover after the guitar is registered ?

respectively, the 818e FE has adirondack bracing & numbered label, while the rest of the appointments
are standard 13, with no additional headstock inlay, faux tortoise pickguard, gloss 6.0 mil finish & ES1

Sorry to argue with you again fine sir....

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/818eES2FE?device=c&network=g&matchtype=&gclid=CIPLy97VwrwCFaE7OgodiToAeg

The 2013 818e First Edition seems to be a First Edition of the Grand Orchestra shapes, while this new 2014 First Edition 818e is a First Edition of the new 800 series, with all the new appointments.  So new thinner finish, new inlay, new rosewood lining on top and around rosette, and the streaky ebony....   I am assuming the same bracing as the other 818e???  Rather confusing as their are both currently in stores/online.

But it looks as though all 5 body shapes will have an 800 First Edition release.