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January 2002
Posts: 14127
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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March 2002
Posts: 873
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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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | . . . better than their ice milk.
. . . . 1% ice milk. |
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February 2002
Posts: 5750
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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Joined:
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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March 2002
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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May 2002
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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Joined:
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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Joined:
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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January 2002
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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March 2002
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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January 2002
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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Joined:
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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Joined:
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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Taylor veredict
