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Location: Texas | Taylors:
OVERPRICED, NO SOUL, NO CHARACTER, VANILLA, TOO PERFECT, NO INSPIRATION, TOO DULL, HATE THE NECKS, HATE THE ELECTRONICS, THE NEW PREAMP WITH THE EXPRESSION SYSTEM SUCKS, (THIS EVEN ACCORDING TO THE TAYLOR USERS GROUP ON WHICH THERE WAS SUCH A HEATED DISCUSSION ON THEIR BOARD THAT THEY HAD TO SHUT IT DOWN!), GUITARS FOR SISSYS, OVERPRICED, TOO GAUDY, OVERPRICED, A GLASS OF 1% MILK, A VANILLA SHAKE WITH VANILLA POWDER, ETC.THEY ARE NICE BUT NONE HAS EVER TOUCH MY SOUL AND HAS MADE ME HAVE THE URGE TO GET ONE IS ANOTHER GENERAL OPINION.
SERGE
www.sergiolara.com :cool: |
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Location: SoCal | I think that sums it up pretty well. |
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Location: SoCal | they do some nice detail work...haven't seen one except on film but the "Liberty Tree" work on the fretboard and top was nice.
there's a couple of Koa John Denver Taylors on eBay...again, appears nice example of inlaid work.
for me, if I was spending that amount on a wood box, would get a Martin D-45 Koa...but I won't.
got three very nice wood boxes now...probably two too many. |
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Location: Australia | I don't see why it's a requirement to trash Taylor's in order to be an Ovation true believer. |
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| What's a Taylor? |
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Location: Upper Left USA | Someone who runs a tape measure up your leg, nudges it over and sends you a bill. |
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Location: SoCal | I have read the posts - IMHO, this forum has been straight forward with their opinions, pro and con - unlike other forums.
Personally, if I was buying that expensive of a wood box, there are others that I would buy. I have a couple of Ovations & Adamas that I won't ever sell - as I won't sell my Martin. Unlike what I have seen on other forums, a number of members of the OFC have other guitars also. Ask Dave (standingovation) about his new acquisition.
Comments on this site are similar to several Taylor owners that I know who bought new and later sold.
If anyone said something that is wrong, let's discuss. What's been said? Workmanship is high, quality of material is high, price is high - if someone likes a Taylor, fine.
Personally, I haven't found one that gets me excited enough to pay the price. |
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Location: Texas | I am just the messenger.
Serge
www.sergiolara.com :rolleyes: :cool: :eek: |
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| Tony well said!
I had a luthier friend some years ago who was a bit of a Martin collector/dealer ( Russ Gleaves) I think he lives in Nashville now? He had a real nice 1950's Martin (several) It did sound real nice but maybe I am tone deaf or something? He sold this thing 15 years ago for somewhere around $5,000 count-em dollars. Now I guess if these old Acoustic guitars are worth that then it may be worth buying one, if you know you can sell it for a good return a few years down the road?
It really was nice but the sound was sure not worth 5 grand ! or $10,000.00 or $20,000.00! It was the name and the collectors market place that drives the prices on these guitars and not the sound!
I feel the same as some of you about the Taylors and most of the traditional acoustic guitars they are nice but If I have the choice I will buy an affordable wood body guitar there are plenty of quality guitars out there that do not fetch these kinds of prices. And the sound difference between some of these is nil! Granted there are junkers lurking that look nice and sound like complete crap, but I tried a Carvin that had a cedar top priced at $395.00 it sounded real good to me?
Unless they were all lined up and strummed by someone else while I stood in front of them It would be hard for me to tell the difference between MOST of the acoustic's I have tried before this Adamas Ovation! I could pick this guitar out the first time someone strummed it!
Just my 2 pence.
Randy |
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Location: Texas | And now another message from a great guitarist friend of mine, a former Taylor owner:
....I will add: they are cookie-cutter guitars.
Pick a model and they are all identical
No character, no uniqueness.....
Serge
www.sergiolara.com ;) |
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Location: Fayetteville, NC | Some time back like 2 to 3 years ago I was looking to upgrade and get myself another guitar or two. I played alot. I came across the maple back Taylors. they played and sounded OK and i almost considered getting one until i saw the Price!! I closed my eyes and played them again. Came back aweek later and played them yet again and it struck me that I could not justify paying that for the guitar. I then tried some guilds and liked the jumbos but once again I just could not seem to get the cashflow going. Then I Saw The Light. I played some Ovations and remembered how much I had loved my GC 12 that I had played for 6 years. I decided to go ahed and take the plunge and I'm really happy I did. There are some Great all wood guitars out there, But Taylors are just really overpriced. and in my opinion do lack some real Soul that other guitars have. Especially Ovations. |
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Location: puerto vallarta, mexico | they didn't make guitars in the past because wood was the perfect sound material for the entire guitar. they did it because there wasn't the array of modern materials to choose from ant the equipment to analyze the sound.
most old guitars were rather straight forward and not the furniture quality pieces made from exotic woods like today. if a 50's martin fetched 5k its because there werent that many produced and you could buy a new car for a grand in the 50s. i have never even seen a 50's martin. they were special becaust the 50's is when the guitar "happened". now it's "my quilted bubinga is quiltier than yours". considering the number of guitars being sold and the comparitive number of musicians out there i suspect the future (if we get there) will be full of closet guitars made from wood. the people who make the music will continue to look for a more perfect sound. i think the future will see the working musician continue to look for a durable guitar that sounds and looks good. |
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Location: NC | Taylor..............who? I personally don't care for them. I have to say after trying several brands the Ovation kicks butt! The electronics are wonderful and price is reasonable. I see an Adamas in my future! No one tell the wife.....shhhhhhhhh. |
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Location: south east Michigan | Due to these discussions and because I had some time to kill, I spent about half an hour with the most expensive Taylor on the wall. A Taylor 30th slothead all dressed up in abalone. Tagged at $5395.
The action was horrible but that is fixable. The neck is a little wide but that is a personal thing. I sounded very bright (jump). Sometimes it sounded like there are more than six strings. It did not have much bass (thump). Fit and finish looked fantasic. The top, back and sides felt alive.
They also have an Ovation 30th. It is tagged at $2495. Just as much abalone, same grade of fit and finish, plus...some thump to go with the jump. Plus better electronics, plus durability, plus, plus, plus.
Without getting into Martins and Gibsons, I will stick with what I said before. If there was no such thing as Ovation, I would probably have a Taylor. I'm just happy that there is an Ovation. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | This is a big jump, but ... IF Ovation, Taylor and Martin all cost the SAME, what would you think about them? Ovation is the best guitar for the money in my opinion. But imagine for example a Legend and D-35 were the same price? What would you think then? |
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Location: Upper Left USA | I would take any of the multi-hole guitars! |
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Location: SoCal | re: But imagine for example a Legend and D-35 were the same price?
D-35 for resale value |
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Location: Las Cruces, NM | Tony
I already have a perfect Martin D-41 copy in my Jap Yamaki that is 30 years old, and plays better than any Martin I've seen. I would certainly choose the Ovation cause I can't take my Yamaki out and risk losing it. If I had a beautiful Ovation for a reasonable price I would have great plugged in sound, a nice guitar for jamming at home, an a battleship piece of resistance to destruction. I also would have the piece of mind that comes with knowing that if it were stolen or destroyed I could e-mail Al, the Ovation consigliare (I'd call him the Godfather, but God might punish me), and replace it with an equally good or better guitar for something less than my home mortgage, as they are still being made and improved every year.
Bailey |
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Location: SoCal | Bailey...I agree. The D-35 would have to stay in a case or on the wall, kept as an investment, not an instrument.
I have a D-25K2 but it doesn't go out of the house. As to Martin copy, I have a great Martin copy of the 12-string D-18 - a 1981 Takamine, plays better than the D-18 I had. Now a sweet Larrivee. Worried that anytime I play one of them, a single ding or scratch could cost me money. They don't get much play...haven't seen many wood boxes used for performances in decent shape. Some call it character, I call it damage. |
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Location: puerto vallarta, mexico | you have a yamaki bailey? i bought one on ebay (12 string in need of repair) but the seller stiffed me and i never got it and they never would reply to my emails. go figure--- it was only like a $66 deal. i have heard they were great guitars. |
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Location: Las Cruces, NM | Russ
My Yamaki and my Ovation Viper are kind of linked together. Bill, ex Marine and survivor of the Korean bug out on the Army side (eastern Korea), ended up with the inventory of a failed music store partnership in Escondido, CA in the late 70's. In that inventory was some Ovation solid bodies, my Viper was one also some Breadwinners and Balladeers, ALSO, 4 or 5 Yamakis, one of which is mine and one I bought for my son, which he still plays and it sounds great. Bill gave one to his wandering son, a great guitar player who played in our band, but who was not well grounded. He and a friend, also a great guitar player, decided to try their luck on the road with the new Yamaki and some great talent. two or three months later they reappearred in Poway, sans guitars, which they had sold for food, ready to play bluegrass and eat mama's groceries. Yamaki had to cease business about that time because Yamaha said their name was too much like Yamaha, and Martin said they were too damn good a copy. Mine still sounds great and my son's also. All rare wood and great quality.
Bailey |
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Location: puerto vallarta, mexico | bailey, the one i paid for had a cracked headstock and i was going to make a slide 12 out of it stringing it like nashville tuning. all pairs of the high octave strings. sounds cool. |
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Location: NC | I'll keep my "O". I love the look, feel, and finish. The multi-hole guitars are the sexiest thing around IMHO! I have a Walden acoustic and it is fine but does not compare to my "O". Matter of opinion. |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | If someone wants a machine produced wood guitar that's cheap and still manages to have some soul, get a Seagull. |
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Location: SoCal | Interesting thread. Bill beat me to the punch with his Seagull suggestion. Inexpensive and a great sound. And soul. I've got a buddy who bought one as a beginning guitar. But it's a great beginning, intermediate, and advanced guitar. And it's a third the cost of an entry Taylor.
And Dave, regarding your question, if all guitars cost the same.. it's not a cut and dried answer. It comes back to purpose of the guitar. If it's just to play around the house, I might go with a Santa Cruz, or a Larivee, or some other all wood box. But if it's to play out and about, the answer would probably be different. Buying a guitar almost never is a result of just one factor. It's many factors and they are a result of need and desire. For example, I've never liked Martin necks. But Ovation gloss necks appeal to me greatly. Just one factor. |
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Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | Ditto CWK2, I'd get a Seagull before a taylor. That Taylor marketing is dynamite though. |
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Location: Massachusetts | I still want a Taylor. I would buy used but they are still outrageously priced used.
New for their low end 314ce you can buy an Ovation Custom Legend for the same price and have a better feeling, looking and sounding guitar hands down.
Unfortuenetly, with Taylor you have to spend more money then the entry 3 series to get any guitar with midrange or any bass.
Oh, and to get any guitar with glossy sides you have to spend over $2k. Satin guitars are crap..my Ovation s771 is satin and never again, it dings just looking at it. Gloss all the way baby. That rules out Larrivees cause most of them are satin.
But Taylors, great build quality, customer service and reputation but they are absolutely overpriced. |
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Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | I've played Taylors and they are great guitars but I agree with those who say that they are overpriced. I wouldn't want to bring a $2,500 guitar to a bar for a gig. I would be suicidal if a scratched or dinged it, which I can't avoid with a gig guitar. Even the Martins that I have are not the real high end models. They sound and play great but don't have the real fancy bindings, inlays, etc. I also am really not a fan of the Taylor expression system. If a flay lands on the top of the guitar, a loud thump comes through the amp. I appluad the new approach, but it's not for me. Back to the drawing baord there, Bobby. |
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Location: Carle Place, NY | Taylors are expensive, but not overpriced if you stick with a 400 series all acoustic model. The 410's and 414's with no cutaways or electronics have an acoustic sound that is better than most of Taylor's higher end guitars. Used on eBay these guitars sell for $700 to $900, new they go for $1100 to $1200. Ovations are still better values and better guitars for plugging in, but the acoustic tone of the full bodied 400 series all-acoustic Taylors is great. My suggestion for those interested is to play a 410 (or a 414 for fingerstylists), with no cutaway or electronics which detract from the acoustic tone, and see if the Taylor flavor is to your liking. |
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Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma | Given the difference in price between a new Martin D-45 ($5,000+) and a top shelf Taylor I'd have to take the Martin... I'd take the Martin D-18 over any similar priced Taylor... Martin is the Mercedes of the wooden guitar world and Taylors tend to be the newer upcoming BMW... Although both are "rather" mass produced unlike Olsens or other luthier made guitars....
To me Ovations are the perfect moderate priced guitars with great sound, durability and playability... For example I'd rather not drive a car (especially around Tulsa) that's worth $150,000 when I can drive one that costs a 1/5th of the price and get the same thrill... To alot of people the NAME is STATUS...
Mercedes,BMW=Martin,Taylor... Although each has lower priced entry models to build consumer loyalty... If I'm going to have an unlimited amount of money to spend on guitars I'd like to have a nice cross section of many different brands and types... Even Eric Clapton doesn't just play one brand or type of guitar... That would be like drinking just one type of wine... Each one has it's own allure...
Gerald |
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Location: Scotland | You know, we should really avoid this kind of discission, it serves no useful purpose. I personally dislike Taylor guitars, and I can offer numerous reasons from a practical, personal & professional standpoint why I would never spend my hard-earned cash on one. I would also never buy a current Martin, Guild, Gibson or several other big names. Are they bad guitars?..... No, they just do not suit my purpose or reach my standards. Equally, I can tell you exactly why I choose to play Ovations.
As a group we should avoid unqualified criticism of other brands, otherwise we are guilty of the reactionary narrow-minded pissant attitudes of the likes of the Acoustic Guitar Magazine message board. |
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Location: Midland, MI | Originally posted by Paul Templeman:
As a group we should avoid unqualified criticism of other brands, otherwise we are guilty of the reactionary narrow-minded pissant attitudes of the likes of the Acoustic Guitar Magazine board.
Well, yeah, Paul, but this is *us* we're talking about. When *we* do it, it's ok. Right?
:D
(It's a joke people, take a deep breath...) |
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Location: puerto vallarta, mexico | Originally posted by cwk2:
If someone wants a machine produced wood guitar that's cheap and still manages to have some soul, get a Seagull.
yeah, a guy who comes down here every winter has a seagull and it does the job pretty well. made in canada, right? the nissan pickup truck of guitars. |
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Location: Las Cruces, NM | Paul T
We are not knocking Taylors or any other brand as "pissants", and I will agree that you have nailed the magazines editors and columnists quite well, and I'm sure you have seen them at the various gatherings of cognescenti. We, the great unwashed, are just commenting on the fact that, regardless of the reaction of the media farts, we don't have mental orgasms when faced with a guitar with the designation D-45. I, personally, do get rather teary eyed when confronted with a CAT D-12 in the hands of a heavy equipment operator as he bulldozes a certain magazine office building.
Bailey |
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Location: south east Michigan | mmmmmmmm Cat D-12 |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | The funny thing in all of this is that yesterday lunch break I had to go to GC (3 miles from my office) to pick up new strings for a guitar I sold, and I figured what the hell let's try the Taylors. I actually thought they sounded pretty damn good. Not sure if I would ever buy one, but I certainly did come away with a good impression of them. Btw - nice to see that GC had a large selection of LX guitars. They also had 3 left handed (non-LX) Ovations, all mid depth bowls. That was pretty interesting. |
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Location: Columbus, OH | Here's an informed opinion.
I own two Martins, a 1980 HD28 and a 90's D41. I also own a Taylor 714BCE (Brazillian back and sides with 2 piece back) and the 300 series 12 string jumbo cutaway. I also have a custom Legend and just bought and sold an Adamas.
Without question the best sounding guitar acoustically is the HD28. There's no comparison. The D41 had some custom scalloping done to take out some of the boomy bottom and it's a different kind of nice. The HD28 played like a bear for awhile until I had the neck adjusted (not a complete reset, but a "neck slip"). Now it plays much better but it still take a little more effort to play than the others. But it's worth it.
The Taylor 714 has a cedar top. It plays beautifully and is beautiful to look at. At first it didn't do a lot for me acoustically but plugged in with the Fishman Blender system it was really wonderful. Over time the guitar has gotten much better acoustically and it really does sound really good now. I did a trade deal for the guitar that was too good to pass up. It's beautifully crafted by machines but the end result is great.
The Taylor 12 string is another story. I had a Guild JF65-12 that was awesome to look at, great to listen to, but impossible to play. I bought the Taylor to replace it because the Taylor is extremely easy to play. Taylor really has that down. Acoustically it's mediocre at best. I think a Jumbo should have more thump, but frankly for plugging in it's probably best that it doesn't have that thump. Now plugged in, this guitar shines. And since I play the 12 plugged in, this works for me.
Ovation Custom Legend. Beautiful to look at. A joy to play. Love the details like the carved bridge. Plugged in it sounds very good. Acoustically? Sounds like shite. And it's a deep bowl. But I didn't buy it to play acoustically, so it works for its intended purpose.
Adamas. Ok, so I didn't bond with it immediately like I thought I would. Plugged in, it really didn't sound much different from my Custom Legend. But acoustically, it was very nice. The original post said Taylors are "too perfect?" To me the Adamas is too perfect in that each note seems to ring clear with the same volume. Pretty creepy but I like it. But since the guitar didn't give me anything plugged in over what I already had, and it didn't come close to the sound of the Martin acoustically, I didn't keep it.
With all that being said, I haven't liked most of the Taylors I've played. Some exceptions have been the maple/spruce 614ce and a recent dread size 30th anniversary. There are gems out there, but you have to play them to find the right one. |
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Location: Columbus, OH | I forgot to add something....
My Ovation is now my backup at acoustic gigs. The #1 is an Alvarez maple/solid spruce jumbo. Why? It plays beautifully and came used with a K&K triple transducer system coupled with the onboard piezo (on board tuner too). With the K&K system mixed with the piezo, the sound is great. |
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Location: Omaha | Corvairfan wrote:
"Gloss all the way baby. That rules out Larrivees cause most of them are satin."
Actually, there are quite a few gloss 05 series Larrivees that LIST for @ $2K, but can be had for much less, and the woods, build and sound are incredible. They're a much better value than Taylors, plus they're just better guitars, in my humble dogmatic opinion!!
:D |
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Location: Columbus, OH | I had a beautifully crafted Larrive OM10. Looked great. Sounded great. BUT, I couldn't get used to the neck shape. |
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Location: Monroe, Ohio (Cincinnati) | I have two Seagulls.
I bought them because they had a good acoustic sound, better than anything close in price.
Paid Under $ 300 for each without pickups.
1- 12 String used in excellent condition with case from ebay (Seymour Duncan Acoustic Tube pickup).
1-6 string Blem from a local music store.
My six string has been my main P&W guitar for over 2 years(Fishman Rare earth humbucker pickup). It has lots of scratches and dings in the cedar top, as well as, the beginnings of a Willie Nelson type hole.
It is a working guitar, and it looks like one, but it does the job as well as it did from day one.
I would never want to put a high $ anything through what the Seagull has been through.
It will now become my backup and my new 1861 Balladeer will become my main P&W guitar.
Paid $ 310 for it with hard case on ebay.
It has many advantages, mainly sound, amplified.
It is easy to pay a lot for a guitar, but it is an art, in my opinion, to find a modestly priced guitar that really sounds good and performs it's job well.
In my opinion, high $ Martins, Taylors, Gibsons, etc. are for collectors and personal gratification playing. And that's ok if it is what you buy it for.
Another form of different flavors. |
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Location: Monroe, Ohio (Cincinnati) | This topic reminds me of a story.
I have an acquaintance who's wife purchased a new Martin guitar for him for Christmas a number of years ago, maybe 8 or 9. I don't remember the Model, but they said they paid almost $3,000 and it was acoustic only with no pickup or preamp.
He got it out and let me try it on a visit the year he got it. It was very nice, but he could only play about 1/2 of 2 or 3 songs.
He still has it, but I believe he can still only play about 1/2 of 2 or 3 songs. He enjoys owning it and looking at it a lot. It is good for him.
With four kids keeping me busy, I don't get much chance to play around home. Most of my playing is when I can escape them for band practice or P&W.
I have what suits me, he has what suits him.
Everyone is happy. The way it should be. |
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Location: Midland, MI | When I was quite small, my great-grandfather was fond of saying:
It takes all kinds to make the world go 'round. And not one of them is missing.
Kind of sums up the preferences/opinions regarding guitars, eh? :) |
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Location: Las Cruces, NM | DavidE
I just noted your member number of 41, and some of the best discussions of various guitars I've seen. Where have you been the last three years? We need your input.
I have been playing for over 50 years and you show some of that sort of experience. (I haven't been playing very well, just bluegrass where introspection goes by the wayside for speed). In bluegrass thinking would leave you 6 bars behind before you even realized you were thinking.
Bailey
Bailey |
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Location: Columbus, OH | I've been at the Hamer Fan club. ;-) |
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Location: Midland, MI | Originally posted by DavidE:
I've been at the Hamer Fan club. ;-)
Making trouble over there, I see. :p
(just kidding) |
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Location: Fayetteville, NC | He was just helping Al stir it up a little! :D |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | Do they really need stirring? |
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Location: Midland, MI | Well, yeah, otherwise they burn on the bottom...uh, wait...
:p |
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Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | Sorry for the delay, been away on vaca for the past week.
A new friend of mine has a Taylor. I don't know the model, but it's a 25th Anniversary model in Brazillian wood. It's beautiful, and sounds amazing. I've never played a Taylor before, and this one sounded really sweet. He got it for $1300 new a few years ago, and it's his main guitar. He A/B'd others of the same model and they don't compare. Guess he got lucky, but I love the guitar. Don't know if it would suit my purposes, but it sounds beautiful, and I'd buy his if he sold it.
Another friend of mine has a Seagull, in the $500 range, with a LR Baggs pickup system in it, and it too sounds very impressive-Far beyond it's selling price, if you asked me.
Johnny |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | Stepping back.....
The upper end Taylors might be pretty good guitars. A Taylorite might even say that about Ovation.
Looking at the Taylor low level, satin finish machine produced spoo you might come to the opinion that it is all garbage. A Taylorite looking at a Celebicy might come to the same conclusion.
It's all ice cream.
It's just that our ice cream is better than their ice cream! |
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Location: puerto vallarta, mexico | yep, you csn get grand mariner custard, or meadow muffin ripple. depends on what you can afford and how good your taste buds are |
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Location: NJ | . . . better than their ice milk.
. . . . 1% ice milk. |
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Location: Scotland | I really, really hate to say this, but........
I was demo-ing at the North-East Guitar show yesterday. The stand next to us had a cheap bottom-of-the-range 10-series Dreadnought Taylor & a 2002 Ovation Collectors, both used. The build-quality & general vibe of the Taylor was sloppy and pretty crude but it played great and sounded fucking AMAZING. The '02 sounded apologetic by comparison. Now the '02 has a ply top and is killer plugged-in, but that's pretty much irrelevent to Joe Punter when he compares an expensive top-of-range limited-edition Ovation to a relatively cheap entry-level Taylor and just uses his ears.
Fortunately I was demoing on my Adamas, which killed both of them. |
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August 2003
Posts: 396
| A while ago I was at GC and there was a decent collection of 12 strings... A taylor 355, Martin dm, a cheap Fender, 2 1866 legends (both black), 2 6758's (both natural), and a cheap yamaha...
The Fender was a mess, the Yamaha was so out of tune I couldn't tell, the Martin sounded very good, the two 6758 sounded similiarly very good, both 1866s sounded similiarly unimpressive with an overall weak sound and not much jangle, and the Taylor sounded the best (slightly) with really good action and an overall quality look and feel. The problem with the Taylor was the price. It was 300 more than the Martin, but only slightly better in sound (I'll take the Martin and 300 dollars). Against the 6758 (both) the Taylor was slightly better acoustically, but the Taylor had no electronics and of course no Ovation vibe (I'll take the 6758 and about $350). I often play Taylors I like, sometimes quite a bit, but the price is always a little too high for what you get. I didn't buy any that day and I am still trying to figure out what I want for my first 12 string. Some respond Taylors have no soul? Players have soul, instruments are a tool for projecting that which is within the player. By the way, that $300 - $350 I would have saved buys a lot of Manhattens to aid in the process. |
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Posts: 15682
Location: SoCal | You didn't mention prices, but if I were you, I'd wait for an LX 12 string. Knock the socks off everything there. |
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August 2003
Posts: 396
| Paul, (If I recall, this was about 6-9 months ago) the Fender and the yamaha were about $300 each, the Martin had an $899 tag, the 1866s were $1049, the 6759s were $849, and the Taylor was $1199 (If I remember correctly). I've been awaiting the new lx 12 strings because I'm so happy with my elite lx. I was a bit disappointed when I saw the lx legend on the Elderly site at $1299 and the EliteT lx has look that, let's just say, isn't my cup of tea. I was hoping that there would be a lx balladeer version at a more inexpensive price. |
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June 2002
Posts: 1614
Location: Converse, Texas | I played a Taylor 12 string today at a m,usic store. I still like the Adamas SMT 12 string better -- especially given the price difference. :D |
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July 2004
Posts: 812
Location: Hicksville, NY | These days, my main guitars are my DM and my 1861 Balladeer. They may not be considered "high-end" Martins and Ovations, but they sound like a dream to me when I play them. :) For some unknown reason, however, I notice that certain songs/tunes would sound better with one guitar and not with the other. Is it because of the type of music? The strumming as opposed to finger picking? Whatever the reason might be, depending on the song I'm either playing, learning, or practicing, I just switch between the two guitars. :)
I've tried Taylors in the 2k range in the past, and I think they sound very good. The playability is also nice. However, for its price, I cannot picture owning one. IMHO, for the same (maybe even better) sound quality and craftsmanship at 2/3 the cost of a Taylor, I'll stay with my Balladeer and DM. I just think that it is not necessary for a guitar to fetch for such high prices to sound like a million bucks.
Just my two cents...
Peace! |
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Posts: 3005
Location: Las Cruces, NM | ignimbyte
every guitar is different, it don't matter what the inlay or decal on the headstock says, they all have their good and bad points. I am amazed when I plug my Viper and another electric in an amp how different they are. Through the many years I have been playing, every acoustic I have encountered has been different from every other, same with mandolins. Same with women, I especially was attracted to a redhead in Williamsburg Virginia with a George Washington pony tail, then there was a Mexican with raven tresses who forgot her upbringing, and that damn Swede with the real blonde hair "down dere", and the six foot athlete from San Diego who could sink a basket while engaging in a center court connection.
Seems I got off of the subject, guitars are good but women are better, but a lot more trouble.
Bailey |
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May 2004
Posts: 295
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | This weekend I was in a music store that had a couple of Lowdens, some Larrivees, four or five Martins, and one Taylor. After reading this thread last week, I decided I should finally try one of these Taylor guitars and see what all the fuss is about. Of course, there was only the one to try.
I can't remember the model, but it was an acoustic-electric cutaway; however, I didn't plug it in. The sound projected fairly well - better than some of the Martins I tried (including a $4,000 Martin jumbo) - but I still thought the tone was a bit "thin". I didn't like the action; it was way too high. I thought Taylors were renowned for their "playability", so I was surprised by the action.
As I've noted on other posts, when it comes to acoustics especially, I don't think you can buy based on brand name alone; you need to hear and play a guitar before deciding if it's good, bad, or somewhere in between. I wouldn't buy the one Taylor I tried, but I'm not going to conclude from that experience that there are no Taylors out there that I would like. There's another store further away that has a big selection of Taylors; next time I get a chance to visit that store maybe I'll try a few more. |
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October 2004
Posts: 256
Location: chicago | ill tell ya talors with the smaller bodies got a pretty damn good sound though no two sound the same.ive played quite a few of there 12 strings and they play like butter.but im still not givin up my elite! |
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January 2004
Posts: 123
Location: Massachusetts | As I said earlier I really wanted a Taylor bad. Missed out on getting last years limited rosewood for $1200 by an hour..that's ok.
I spent more time with them last Friday. Build quality is amazing. But the neck is wider than an ovation and flatter and thinner. So playing just an E to an A to an F or something like that in the first position cramped up my hands.
Plus the tone on the rosewood was so bright it really started annoying me. It's worse on mahogany.
I went home and played my s771 and it sounded muddier and plasticy but it didn't bug me after 15 minutes of playing. Even my old Yamaha felt and sounded sort of better than a Taylor and it is closer in width.
So I just bit the bullet on a used Custom Legend mid depth. If it's too dinged up its going back but at least it will look pretty and sound ok plugged in.
Still wish I could find an all wood guitar I like but Taylor, Tacoma, Taks, don't do it, Gibsons and Guild are rare and Martins for a solid cutaway is like $1500. |
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Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | You'll find one someday. Ever go check out the Music Emporium in Lexington? Great acoustic shop. |
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May 2003
Posts: 425
Location: SE Michigan | I have played a few Taylors and find them really good guitars, but I just cant bring myself to like them. I want to like them, it’s just the way I was raised. Its that silly bridge shape and headstock, its the cheesy ads in AG magazine that you have to stop and try to figure out. Its the fingerjoined neck and the tiny little wooden knobs. All right, I admit it, I am a guitar bigot! The neighborhood was so much nicer before Taylor moved in! Clean and pleasant songs, no gangster rap, Everyone played Martins or Gibsons except the real odd-balls who played Ovations (at least the Ovations kept to themselves and didnt try to pretend they were just as good as Martins and Gibsons). Let one Taylor in and soon more will follow! Then there will be Baby Taylors in the schools! Soon you see duos where a nice clean wholesome Martin is playing right along side a Taylor! Its against the natural order!
I just can’t see myself playing a Taylor, would I have to join the Church of Scientology? Would I have to drive a Honda and vote for Ralph Nader? Would I have to give up my Windows PCs and get a Macintosh? Taylors should have their own (separate but equal) neighborhoods and web forums. But they are really good guitars. |
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Posts: 15682
Location: SoCal | I'm not a Taylor fan, but I disagree with you on the advertising. I think it's brilliant. It's aimed directly at the everyday person who plays guitar. |
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November 2002
Posts: 1196
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana | Moody is right. Someone who does Taylors adds knows what they are doing. Taylor must also have a great artist relations dept. Their guitars are all over the place on TV, and in music videos. I can remember when Ovation was all over TV. Ahhhh, the good ole days. :confused: |
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June 2002
Posts: 863
Location: Central Florida | This is strictly a "FWIW" post, as i don't have any personal experience with Taylors (I think I played one once in a store and thought it was "okay," but that's about it). Anyway, I had some time to kill this morning so I popped in a video of Glen Campbell's two appearances on Larry King - Live. One was from 1994 and the other from '02.
For the first appearance, Glen brought along an Elite deep bowl cutaway, and for the latter show he played a small bodied cutaway Taylor. I know judging the sound of any guitar by what comes out of a pair of small TV speakers is spurious at best - plus the fact the Taylor was approx. a third smaller in size - but just based on what was audible the Elite won hands down. It sounded rich, full and big. The Taylor sounded tinny and thin.
Again, this is not the kind of criteria that one bases an across the board opinion on, but if you consider these two broadcasts a level playing field, then the Elite won the day handily.
Jeff |
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Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | Jeff, sounds like a solid and complete test to me. |
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December 2003
Posts: 13997
Location: Upper Left USA | I played a "67" Guild D50 for a long time. It set me up to enjoy thin acoustic necks and deep woodsy tones. Never had a tuning issue. It had "thump"! |
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January 2004
Posts: 627
Location: Cherry Hill, NJ | As an owner of a Taylor Glossy, and several Ovations, also other acoustics, I can honestly say that the Ovations biggest advantage is the neck action and ease of play. My 1619 CL plays like a stratocaster. Keep in mind that when Charlie Kaman designed the O, he was a jazz guitarist. The ease of fingering the neck on O's set them apart from other acoustics. Remember they're meant to be played above the 5th fret.
Tommy |
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October 2004
Posts: 1
Location: Surrey, England | I have a number of Taylors and an Ovation 771, in my opinion they are two well made and professional marques but suited to different styles and uses. All of the Taylors, especially the 355 are LOUD whereas the Ovation is not. However, the 771 is robust and weather-proof so far and goes places that I wouldn't trust the Taylors not to suffer damage from temp. and wet and dry conditions.
To 'beef up' the Ovation out of doors I use a battery amp and then it comes into its own and is a joy to play. I've just come back from a campfire sing song with 80 cub scouts, the weather here is wet and windy but the 771 just shines on through even with a slight covering of ash!
On another matter, slightly related, the 771 cost around £900 new in London, about what we would pay for a 2 or 3 series Taylor. I know we are robbed when it comes to imports but is the price of the two guitars comparable in the states? |
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May 2004
Posts: 295
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | Blueb0ar, I noticed this is your first post, so I just want to welcome you to the OFC. (I joined another guitar web forum recently, and my first posts were completely ignored (so much for contributing to THAT forum, as far as I'm concerned), so I just want to be sure you don't feel you've gotten the cold shoulder here at the OFC.
Sorry I can't answer your question about pricing. Can anyone out there help Blueb0ar with his query? |
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July 2004
Posts: 338
Location: Omaha | What I've noticed from looking at the ads in the british magazine "Guitar & Bass," anything from the USA is outrageously priced in England. BUt guitars made in Korea or China seem to be more reasonable, i.e., closer to the same price point as here in the USA. I don't know if it's because there's a different import tax for items from the USA than from China or S. Korea ("like our "most favored nations" status that gives a break)?
But that's been my observation...I sympathize with any guitarist in England who wants an American guitar; but I also notice that their are some GREAT builders (both individual luthiers and companies) building great guitars in England...many of which will never reach our shores!
Welcome to the OFC forum/bulletin board, blueb0ar! |
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May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | Taylors are prone to cracking, being made in a dry place:
Spotted on
http://www.edromanguitars.com/tech/carecleaning.htm
Note: If you own a Taylor Guitar, make absolutely certain you purchase humidifier. Of all the acoustic brands I have ever sold I have had more problems with Taylor Guitars finish cracking than all other guitars put together. Taylor's are made in El Cajon California, just a stones throw from the Mexican border. Ed Roman recommends purchasing acoustic guitars manufactured in more humid climates, like the Pacific Northwest. Not the greatest idea to buy an Acoustic guitar manufactured in the dry Arizona, New Mexico, inland southern California climate. |
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February 2004
Posts: 58
Location: Brighton,MI | I had read in the Taylor newsletter that they maintain there humidy levels at 50% at their facilities, because they don't know where a particular instrument will call home.This of course is the best compromise! Can't verify, just what I read. |
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January 2004
Posts: 627
Location: Cherry Hill, NJ | Although this has nothing to do with Taylors, On a recent trip to the UK, I checked out a few guitar shops in London. A great selection of guitars, but US made guitars were priced very high, compared to US. I guess it has something to do with import tarriffs. Didn't George Harrison say something about the "Taxman" on Revolver.
Tommy M. |
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Taylor veredict