CV (BT's last) vs Advanced Bracing (AP's first with Taylor)

[wooglins]

Opinions about CV bracing vs Advanced bracing.   I have had both and prefer CV bracing over advanced bracing.  I love the new Taylor models that Andy is designing but am not convinced that the new bracing is better than Bob's last bracing pattern.

A good example is the 514ce I just got which has CV bracing and just has far more power and range than a similarly appointed 814 or 614.   I know it is a difficult comparison because the back woods are different, but in reality a rosewood backed 814 should have greater depth and more bass response than a Sitka/Sapele combination.  I did a side by side at the LGS with my new 514ce and there was not a Taylor that came close of the new models.  I tried about seven models.

My theory is that CV bracing was and is the pinnacle of Bob's career as far as bracing is concerning and Andy is just getting started.  The future looks bright, but his design has not surpassed Bob's yet.

[Prizen]

When Taylor describe " forward shifted with relief rout" on their site, which bracing is this referring to? Andy's or Bob's earlier pattern?

[Strumming Fool]

Bob's earlier bracing before CV was introduced.

[Prizen]

Bob's earlier bracing before CV was introduced.

Thanks. I just did some more research. It appears that the CV bracing is available only on the 900 series and up? That's pretty poor availability ?

[wooglins]

Bob's earlier bracing before CV was introduced.

Thanks. I just did some more research. It appears that the CV bracing is available only on the 900 series and up? That's pretty poor availability ?

It has also been available on bto and quite a few ltd edition models.  My experience has been that it works very well when done with Adirondack brace material.

[Gutch]

I recently picked up a new/used 810e with the latest (Andy's) bracing.  When compared to my 2011 916ce with Adi CV bracing, I find the older pattern is a bit brighter but also some stronger midrange overtones.  The 810 seems more balanced with stronger fundamental presence and more controlled overtones.  I've described its voice as more "sophisticated" -- I like it.  As for forward shifted/relief rout, my main gigging guitar, 2014 416ce, has that pattern.  A bit brighter than the 916ce, it has more zing in the upper register and definitely more "bark" to the voice.  It seems the loudest of the three to my ear.

All three patterns are definitely recognizably different from each other, but they also each have qualities that sound very good to my ear.  Variety is the spice of life!!!

[wooglins]

I recently picked up a new/used 810e with the latest (Andy's) bracing.  When compared to my 2011 916ce with Adi CV bracing, I find the older pattern is a bit brighter but also some stronger midrange overtones.  The 810 seems more balanced with stronger fundamental presence and more controlled overtones.  I've described its voice as more "sophisticated" -- I like it.  As for forward shifted/relief rout, my main gigging guitar, 2014 416ce, has that pattern.  A bit brighter than the 916ce, it has more zing in the upper register and definitely more "bark" to the voice.  It seems the loudest of the three to my ear.

All three patterns are definitely recognizably different from each other, but they also each have qualities that sound very good to my ear.  Variety is the spice of life!!!

This is a great comparison and fits with some descriptions of new models sounding all very similar despite different wood combinations.

[AVTaylor83]

I definitely like the CV bracing better than the AP on the 800 series. The new bracing is way too mellow for my taste.

However, I'm pretty impressed with the new 614. It still has the sparkle of maple, but with the depth of rosewood. I'd really like to compare the new 614 with a CV braced 814. To me it sounds closer to the old 800's than the Revoiced 800 series.

[wooglins]

I definitely like the CV bracing better than the AP on the 800 series. The new bracing is way too mellow for my taste.

However, I'm pretty impressed with the new 614. It still has the sparkle of maple, but with the depth of rosewood. I'd really like to compare the new 614 with a CV braced 814. To me it sounds closer to the old 800's than the Revoiced 800 series.

I love the new 6 series they have made maple body guitars far more versatile..

[Gutch]

The thing that I found with the new 810 with the AP bracing is that it needed to be played in a while before it blossomed and showed its true character.  This is different than my experience with other Taylor designs.  It really came to life after a couple weeks of solid play, and now sounds great.

[Strumming Fool]

It has also been available on bto and quite a few ltd edition models.  My experience has been that it works very well when done with Adirondack brace material.

I have Adi CV bracing on my 2011 BTO (sinker redwood/ovangkol), but I have Sitka CV bracing on my 2012 BTO Engelmann/quilted maple). Both sound great, each in their own way. My latest BTO  has Adi standard forward shifted bracing, which also sounds phenomenal. I've played a couple of 800s with the AP bracing, and they also sound quite nice, but not as "Taylorish" to my ear.

[wooglins]

The thing that I found with the new 810 with the AP bracing is that it needed to be played in a while before it blossomed and showed its true character.  This is different than my experience with other Taylor designs.  It really came to life after a couple weeks of solid play, and now sounds great.

I could see that, the example I had did sound slightly better after a few hours, but was not what I was looking for considering it was a Dread.  I visited LGS again today and none of the 8 or 6 series Taylors came close to the tone of the 2015 Adi CV braced 514ce-QS.   Proves nothing other than this example sounds good.   I really like the tone of the 6 series and the 8 series sounds great but does not seem to sound much different than its predecessor.