Again as the name implies, these are intended for the more advanced performing artist and if you are willing to spend a little extra coin, these are definitely worth a look. As I mentioned, the top is like a speaker and the relief cut around it is like the flexible part of the speaker around the perimeter. Any price, ratings, availability and save money information displayed on Amazon Site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. color: #EEEEEE;
So it’s a balancing act between loudness and structural integrity. In general, Taylor 314ce and Martin GPCPA4 have been designed quite similarly to each other, to a degree. This latest edition features our acclaimed V-Class bracing, a revolutionary innovation in acoustic sound that responds with … vertical-align: top;
You’ll find the flagship guitars here as well. padding: 4px;
Check out the best Taylor has to offer here. table#t129 thead tr {
That greatly depends on what music you like and how you play. BUT, the sapele Martin was sold, so it was a rosewood Martin GP (priced at $1399, linked in the first thread, which I liked a little less than the sapele), an OM ($1199) and the Taylor 314ce ($1649). - Grand Auditorium
They start All of these Mexican guitars are well suited for playing with a pick and finger style. Apparently, you are now looking for a great and dependable acoustic-electric guitar. You should be aware that the type of bracing contributes just as much if not more, to the tone of an acoustic instrument not the tonewoods themselves. However, there are indeed some subtle differences in the details. If you like 10’s on the other hand, you can get away with some scalloping and a relief cut for a louder guitar which will then be nice for light finger style playing. }
Not even the smallest microscopic scratch.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'guitaraffinity_com-leader-1','ezslot_5',109,'0','0'])); That’s really the only reason I’d ever recommend one of these type of laminated guitars. However, some people may find it to be too bright. Taylor guitars boast a wide range of aesthetic and functional appointments, including binding, rosette, fretboard inlays, electronics, and scale length. These are all mahogany working musicians guitars. This balancing act is very important to understand because you don’t want the string tension to lift and cantilever the bridge forward. 2013 Taylor 314ce 2015 Martin D-18 1982 Martin HD-28 2004 Fender Telecaster 2010 Martin X-Series Mid 80's Sigma DM-3. The more accurately you can describe that picture to the custom shop, the better they can build you the right guitar. After that I knew that the “dreadnought” had the sound I was looking for. If you don’t like a bright guitar and prefer a warmer one, Martin GPCPA4 can be your choice.
There is after all about 90 little pieces that makes up that puzzle. Electronics in both Taylor and Martin are designated by an E. So a 314CE tells us that it is electrified, a Grand Auditorium body style, of the 300 series with a cutaway (C) and a six string soft wood top (1). Website: https://musicvilla.com I'm a big taylor fan in general. You’d be hard pressed to find a better quality instrument at this price point. What's making me consider the Martin Road Series is the all solid wood (sitka spruce top, sapele back and sides) vs. … It is packed with the Fishman F1 Analog preamp. I've owned a Martin D-15 Spruce & Rosewood but found it to have a little too much bass for what I was looking for but it was a great guitar. Taylor 314ce is much significantly brighter and crisper compared to Martin GPCPA4. background: -ms-linear-gradient(top, #660000 0%,#8F0000 100%);
NOTE : Product prices, availability, ratings and save money information are accurate as of the date/time indicated on post time (as seen right bellow the tittle) and are subject to change. The X series uses HPL (high pressure laminate) back and sides as well as a stratabond neck with a richlite bridge and fretboard. }
easy to figure out as we move from low to high in price. The difference is the expression system vs. the undersaddle pickup. In addition to scalloping and relief cuts, Martin and Taylor both offer forward shifted bracing which also results in a louder instrument. 500’s feature mahogany back and sides with some nicer touches. To find the right one for you – it helps to know how the line up evolves up the price ladder and what you get for your money. border-top: medium none;border-bottom: 1px solid #CCCCCC;border-left: 1px solid #CCCCCC;
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Taylor 314ce sounds bright and crisp. The ES system won hands down. Which one is right for you? Dreadnought is simply a type of bracing system that is employed in an acoustic. This is to me that point where you really begin to see a difference in quality and tone. I can tell you that after gigging for several years with this guitar (like every weekend) it does not have even the slightest hint of buckle rash. No. table#t129 tfoot tr {
The neck is Mahogany, and the fingerboard is Ebony. Martin VS Taylor – The Sound. Each model has lots of users and fans. Customers like Martin D-15M noticeably more Martin D-15M, the pricier option, tends to get more favorable reviews than Taylor 214ce [4.7 vs 4.5 ]. The stuff is just like countertop material with a thin veneer of wood on top and often you’ll see it with no bracing because it just doesn’t require it. The 300 series from Taylor and the Martin’s Road series, is a great place to start if you already have some skills and are looking for your first acoustic. The scalloped bracing weakens the structure of the top allowing it to move more air. The 300 series are a pretty good bang for the buck. }
Compare a 12-fret guitar against a traditional 14-fret model and experience the difference in how they feel for your fretting hand. Performance }
Rosewood is great in combination with vocals because it has a midrange dip. One thing you should be aware of is that the HPL back and sides available from Martin is durable as heck! That is just a generalization of what I have found every time I pick up a Martin or a Taylor. The body is also rosewood and the top is certainly sitka spruce. At this point we are stepping into the territory of investment grade instruments. Please don’t get anxious! background: -webkit-linear-gradient(top, #660000 0%,#8F0000 100%);
I’ve never played one that I didn’t like, with the exception of some of the bolt on stuff which is really intended for the first time buyer. font-size: 1.0em;
Much like other Taylor and Martin guitars, Taylor 314ce and Martin GPCPA4 also have very different tonal characteristics. That’s why you see it even on their lower priced guitars. When you work a puzzle it has a complete picture printed on the box. It is also relatively louder compared to Martin GPCPA4. Nevertheless, considering that Taylor and Martin guitars almost always have differing characteristics, either Taylor314ce or Martin GPCPA4 can be more suitable for your taste. Martin doesn’t make it so easy. Across the board I’ve found the Taylor’s to be more open, airy, and brighter than most similarly priced Martin’s. line-height: 1.2;
Think of them like a puzzle. Both popular companies have been producing various guitar models well loved by many musicians for some time. This used to be an exclusive feature found only on high priced guitars. Both guitars are great, even the lower dollar ones coming from Mexico, which I am very impressed with by the way. Martin originally came up with this design but many guitar manufacturers use it today, including Taylor. color: #EEEEEE;
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CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS IN THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON SERVICES LLC. Standard guitars vary in price from around 3-12K. You’ll be pleasantly surprised. Taylor 314ce is much significantly brighter and crisper compared to Martin GPCPA4. There’s so much going on in an acoustic because of the sheer number of parts that need to be fitted together, that they rarely sound exactly the same even if they are the same exact make and model. background: -moz-linear-gradient(top, #660000 0%, #8F0000 100%);
(Read also : Taylor 314ce Vs 814ce) Performance Due to the similar woods used, Taylor 814ce and Martin D28 may have a degree of similarity in the tonal colors. I have the opportunity to purchase either a Taylor 214ce or a Martin Road Series for the exact same price. Both with laminated back and sides, solid tops, and ebony bridge and fretboards.
Maple tonewoods are found on 600 series guitars and make a good choice for recording.
On the other hand, the so-called Grand Performance body of Martin GPCPA4 also has decent playability, but not as great as Taylor 314ce. Martin vs Taylor: Who Makes the Better Guitar? Both of these two guitars are available in a similar price range, and both are also made by well-known manufacturers. It is particularly important to keep a loud acoustic well humidified because a loud guitar is also a weak guitar. I went into a corner, grabbed all 3 and started playing one off of the others. The 000C-1E has been apparently discontinued, but it would be probably priced the same as the DC-1E which lists at $1569. You need to humidify them or the bridge will lift. Most other guitar companies, including Martin have been charging premium prices for ebony in recent years. Both Martin and Taylor offer a variety of body shapes and combinations of wood that result in a whole range of different tones so we’ll have to speak pretty generally. border-width: 0px;
It projects and defines every note fully and accurately, and the mids and highs have excellent presence. Caution! This was one of the earliest versions and still made in Nazareth PA. Taylor 314ce has been equipped with the Expression System pickup. That is mainly because of my personal preference for the cedar/mahogany combo of tone woods, and a glossy finish and ebony fretboard. Have a look : Taylor 314ce Vs 814ce. Body Shape A Taylor original, the Grand Auditorium helped establish the Taylor acoustic sound. I wouldn’t jump right into a USA made Taylor or Martin without first of all being a serious player – and even then you really should make an informed decision. - Solid Sitka Spruce Top
The Jr. and Road are all wood guitars. Taylor 114ce vs 214ce vs 314ce May 8, 2018 by Marko Taylor, or Taylor Guitars, is one of the world-class leaders in the guitar manufacturing industry – it’s not a coincidence that we’re so interested in pitting their finest models against each other, … background: none repeat scroll 0 0 #FDFDFD;
Guitar makers achieve this with scalloped bracing and relief cuts. So I searched high and low for the best guitar in that price range and finally settled on a Martin DX1K. Along with the Venetian cutaway, the Taylor 314CE also has a unique V class bracing. text-align: center;border-bottom: 1px solid #CCCCCC;border-left: 1px solid #CCCCCC;
The unique bracing helps to regulate the flexibility of the guitar top. Of course you can still get your own built to order guitar from Taylor as well. Acoustic guitars are generally very delicate and require care. Martin doesn’t have one flagship – they’ve been around too long. background: linear-gradient(to bottom, #660000 0%,#8F0000 100%);
If you’re doing your own research on purchasing an acoustic guitar, it’ll be no surprise to come across two of the biggest and most iconic brands: Martin and Taylor, two of the most iconic brands in acoustic guitars known worldwide. There’s a ton of famous guitars in this series. }
After that there’s the Martin custom shop which is definitely one of best custom shops in the world. padding: 4px;
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To cut to the chase, I personally think the Taylor 514ce-N is the absolute "sweet spot" of all the hybrid e nylons in the Taylor and Martin lineup (yes, even better than the more expensive models). The Taylor is bright and chime-like across the mids and highs, with very active harmonics, acoustically and plugged in. Martin GPCPA4 is warmer and has more comparatively more bass. background: linear-gradient(to bottom, #660000 0%,#8F0000 100%);
First off I will say that both Taylor and Martin are very competitively priced but Martin has always been just a tad more expensive. The Taylor 314ce is certainly not an entry-level guitar and it requires a good amount of investment - both time, and money. font-size: 1.2em;
with the 100 series and go all the way up to the 900 series. Even the most durable acoustic is nothing like a Strat. That’s how they function. background: -webkit-gradient(linear, left top, left bottom, color-stop(0%,#660000), color-stop(100%,#8F0000));
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The reason for this is simply to get an objective perspective of the tone. The fact is Martin and Taylor both make great guitars. }table#t129 tbody tr td#n2 {
So choosing an acoustic is very much dependent on the string gauge and tuning you prefer to use. I own a Martin D18A, had an HD 35 and I've owned 2 914CEs (presently have one). The GS Mini is a neat little travel guitar though not as small as Martin’s backpacker. background: #660000;
I also primarily play with a pick. background: none repeat scroll 0 0 #FFFFFF;
Should that dissuade you? So does Martin but they also offer free factory tours as well, and it’s a great way to become acquainted with the guitars and how they’re made. Go to awesomeness ranking Go to consumer score ranking Taylor 214ce is more popular Taylor 314ce is $1600.10 more expensive than the average guitar ($398.90). background: -o-linear-gradient(top, #660000 0%,#8F0000 100%);
I'd consider the 314CE the better guitar, since it is solid wood, and the Martin has laminated sides and back (and I play Martins). table#t129 thead tr th.t129 {
It’s the same with a guitar. table#t129 {
Taylor 314ce, with the Grand Auditorium body, is slightly more compact and slimmer, resulting with much higher playability. You get the most variety in the standard series. The dreadnought is generally a loud, big body guitar with lots of bass.
It is closely associated with the famous big body pear shaped guitars we all know. So if you are looking for real ebony on a lower priced guitar have a look at Taylor.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'guitaraffinity_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_6',110,'0','0'])); Taylor has acquired the rights to nearly 80% of the worlds ebony, positioning themselves securely for the future growth of their company. Anything that affects string tension you should be well aware of before you make a decision. Taylor 314ce … It’s literally an encyclopedia of guitars that just goes on and on. 300 series mahogany or sapele (similar to mahogany) which has a midrange boost and is good for blues. Guitar Affinity's Top 5 Guitars of the Month: Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. background: #660000;
Taylor's factory setup is generally light strings with low action and impeccable fit and finish. Both are spruce tops and rosewood back and sides guitars. Martin factory setup for dreads is generally medium strings with "bluegrass" action and though finish is good, they aren't generally as "plastically" feeling as a Taylor. Taylor appoints these guitars very well with ebony bridges and fretboards. So, which is the one? Taylor 314ce is coming with a solid Sitka spruce top and solid Sapele back and sides. These are some of the best values in acoustics topping out at under a grand. Taylor often does road shows at local music stores across the country and I highly recommend you get out to one before you drop upwards of two grand on a guitar. Taylor and Martin are two of the top acoustic guitar builders, period. text-align: left;
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Check out the best Martin has to offer here. RE: Martin 000C-1E vs Taylor 314CE. Honestly the bolt on’s are not the best, but could be a good fit for someone who doesn’t know if they’ll be playing in a year or so. Actually my favourite Taylor models are 314ce and 414ce with sapele/mahogany back & sides, they are not so expensive, sound very balanced and are as easy to play as any high end Taylor. Looking at new vs. used prices, I see that there are any number of used 314ce guitars in the same price range as a new 2016 214ce, and of course, used 214ce's are cheaper still. Martin and Taylor both offer a great selection of tonewood combinations, and they even have custom shops if you want to design a completely new guitar from the ground up. margin: 20px 0;
On the other hand, Martin GPCPA4 comes featuring a solid Sitka spruce top, solid East Indian Rosewood back and sides, and a black Richlite fingerboard. }
The GPCPA3 is a very similar guitar to the OMC-1E. Our popular Grand Auditorium 314ce is an acoustic workhorse that performs equally well in the practice room, recording studio, and on stage. If you're just looking for a guitar to play on weekends, this probably isn't the one. I've played them at Guitar Center and it is a very good guitar and I think a bit less expensive than the Taylor 314ce. You finally get an all wood guitar. ? It’s not the best Martin by a long shot. Guitarists of any physicality can play Taylor 314ce with ease and comfort. Compare prices on new and used Taylor 314ce Grand Auditorium Acoustic-Electric Guitars. width: 15%;
For example to get rosewood back and sides you need to look at the 400, 700, 800, & 900 series guitars. These are flat top guitars we are talking about here and the top where the strings are anchored vibrates like a speaker and bounces the sound off the back out the sound hole. Knowing what gauge strings you like and at what action is key to getting the right instrument for you. border-style: outset;
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Proper care and maintenance is really important on an acoustic. Of course it I'm primarily an electric player and any Taylor guitar would represent a huge step up from my current acoustic. - Solid Sapele Back/Sides
There is a large price difference between the two, but in my opinion the 314ce was noticeably better for my style of playing and my needs. }
Break down of the numbering system from Taylor: First is the series (100-900) This describes the tonewoods (back and sides) and various other appointments. There’s other series as well. I’ve only just scratched the surface here and when it comes to acoustics there’s just so much to talk about but I hope this gives you some idea of how these two world class builders fair. how do gibsons compare to taylors and martins (and some other good high-end brands ?) I put a bone nut and bridge on it and a soundhole pickup which I wired to the strap pin. background: -ms-linear-gradient(top, #660000 0%,#8F0000 100%);
Decision It is the construction, not the materials that matters most. This relief cut also allows the top to move more freely thus making the guitar louder. border-width: 0px;
simple and I like that. text-transform: none;
But we’re talking about 140 years of history difference here. Electronics in both Taylor and Martin are designated by an E. So a 314CE tells us that it is electrified, a Grand Auditorium body style, of the 300 series with a cutaway (C) and a six string soft wood top (1). Pretty You’ll definitely notice a difference in tone when you step up to the PA series from Martin. A good way to find the right guitar for you is to bring a fellow guitarist with you to the store who can play various models for you as pick and choose. But you need adequate bracing on the top to resist string tension. Most people want a happy medium between the two. The dreadnought body (0) is good for flatpicking, the nylon (N) for fingerpicking, and the grand concert (2) shape is good for both. I'm primarily an electric player but have been considering a Taylor acoustic. Taylor guitars are pretty table#t129 tbody tr td#n1 {
Hands down, the 314ce had a fuller, more balanced tone compared to the 214ce. goes without saying that the guitars coming from Mexico on both these