I actually just got my 324ce 3 months ago and I am absolutely in love with it! While the 724 looks and sounds beautiful, my heart still goes to the 300 series. Great analysis as per usual!
You'll be glad you got the 324ce. The 724ce has very rich highs that the 324ce does not, but the highs can dominate the lows too. The 324ce is much more versatile.
I guess I'm a mahogany person. Love the looks and sound of the koa, but there's just something about mahogany... I have an all solid mahogany 1/4 size that, even with it's small size, out shines my full sizes. The warmth and mellowness of mahogany, I find soothing, calming. It seems to fit my style as a 'living room' folk singer/player... But, I want both !
Same to me... I love both sounding IRL, but somehow I love that darkness of 324ce. Mainly I want to play fingerstyle folk, epic etc. and everyone on the internet writes, that 724ce is the best pick for finderstyle and 324ce for strumming. Somehow I think in another dicrection... Vise versa.
Koa..Koa..Koa. After you did the video the day the 724ce Koa was introduced, I went to my guitar retailer that day and bought one and I haven't looked back. I can't put it down. It has a sound like no other guitar I've ever played. It has more low end than I anticipated which I heard in the last piece you played in your demo.
The day you dropped your 724CE Koa video announcing the release, I went out and got one. Loved it then, love it now. Such a unique sound. And everyone in Atlanta was sold out the last time I checked, which was about a week ago.
I really enjoy the way you guys do your comparison videos! I wish more people would follow your lead. I thought the Koa was bright and jangly and I prefer the mahogany on most songs played. I don't have 5 years to wait for the guitar to decide to sound good.
It's not like it takes 5 years to do anything. Martin Retro monels really took off the jangliness and the tone is deeper, more resonant already after a few weeks of hard playing. It's just a living development over time, slower than other softer woods. But, as is stated in the video Taylor put out about it, the very light finish should allow for quicker maturity.
I've been able to try both satin open pore finish and gloss finish Breedlove Jeff Bridges Concert guitars, the only difference being the finish. Both solid wood guitars/ Torrefied European spruce tops, African mahogany backs and sides, Olympia 12-53 strings. The non-signature arrived with the thinner finish and was very warm and open, simply amazing tone (given to my son in law in January for Christmas). The second ordered was definitely much glossier finished, and did not sound as warm and open as the unsigned verse. According to the current catalog, both are (now?) a semi-gloss finish. Fuel prices and availability permitting, I hope to tour the Breedlove factory in August (and Deschutes Brewing, and more)... My first solid wood guitar and best, is the auditorium-size Cole Clark RDBL. 🥰
Really like the Koa. Still mellow, can take that more aggressive play, but more sparkly up top. Beautiful guitars. Loving my 314ce...but maybe one day.
Excellent reviews. Being a Lefty, I have a lot less to choose from. I have a 214CE and want to add another GA model. I've found a 414CE and a 324CE. After watching your review, I'm going to go with the 324. It's very different and a little less expensive. The 714 is awesome looking, but there are no Lefty's to be found. Besides at 73, I don't know if I have 5 years for it to open up. I'm now a new subscriber. Thanks!
Great video! Just a few weeks back I was madly debating between the 324ce I had my eyes for a while and the new all koa 724ce. Ended up with the 724ce, but threw on Martin Retro monels to calm down the early jangliness. Now it's perfection...tone developing so nice and delicious!
@@Therapyxx What a reminder of last year's newness! Such a beautiful tone has developed now. I understand that continues. Really glad I got it, lovely guitar.
@@RFtinkerer i`m highly debating about same decision right now.... 324ce seemst to be more versatile :( and 724ce costs also 30% more. So, dono.... but I like both sounding and aiming for fingerstyle, compositions like interstellar, last of us etc + percussion. Do you maybe have an idea, what would be better for that?
@Therapy377 I don't even know what is better for anything! I do know that koa takes longer to develop, so there's that. I love the 724ce, I love my 517BE, 517BE sounded great immediately though while the koa took a little to warm up. Now I pick up one or the other all the time depending on mood. If I had a 324ce, it'd be going too. I can only advise playing a bunch of different guitars and buy the one that sounds great. Sorry I'm not a lot of help there lol.
I just went in to my local Guitar Center, just to try the 324ce Builders Edition against the 724ce they had in stock. The 724 was way way nicer to my ears from the first strum. I tried a couple more guitars, but kept coming back to the 724. It doesn’t look fancy, but boy does it sound great. I can’t believe I now have a 724ce at home!! I would add, they had two 324ce builders edition in stock. Both sounded and played differently. It was eye opening to play two identical (on paper) instruments. If the 724ce hadn’t been there, I would have taken one of them home!
Picked up my 324-ce earlier today and your video confirms my buying decision - I like the 724 too and a huge improvement over the 224ce, but something about the 324 all mahogany has my heart and soul - thanks for a great video demonstration
I think the mahogany sounded best. I'm after a koa guitar from Taylor that has some age to it. They used some amazing koa on some of the older models. Great video thanks
I'm a 714 guy (lutz) that is favorably stunned with this new 724 koa. I know there's no value in it - except pure entertainment. I'd love to hear you compare the lutz 714 with the new koa 724. I declare over the past few months my 2020 714 is just sounding fantastic. Thanks for all the great videos!
I'd have to try each one for myself.... but I'm thinking I'd choose the Koa. The looks are great and I love my Koa GT... but I'd really like to try the 722ce
@@berniefrimond6558 agree !!! Just looking at the comments, many people preferred 324CE. I'm glad I bought 324ce 😎 It has a good value over expensive Koa in terms of Sound, Looks and Price. Just being expensive doesn't mean that it's always better.
The new 324 ce is the mac. For the sound i love, it's the one. Yried the 50th anniv ltd and the builders as well as the sapelle back side with torrified top. As well as many other tay tays. The 324 ce all mahog. Im in love!❤
Love the Koa.. no competition (looks are just a bonus). Great punch and clarity and the only time it didn't excel was with the fingerpicking as it didn't handle that droning bass well. The 324ce had this sweet velvety bass that I loved and felt more balanced but the mids and highs felt entirely too muted... so for finger picking, I'm not going with either one of these (leaning towards a Martin 000 for this) but for strumming and singing along, koa without question. Interesting to listen to the hard woods on a Taylor design though, as I usually find Taylors too bright for my liking but the 724ce may be the answer I was looking for, at least when I'm strumming. I currently play a Larrivee LV-03 but I'm looking to add a few acoustics. Thanks for the review! One question, you recorded these mic'ed... would using the 324ce's onboard electronics address my complaint about it feeling entirely too muted?
I agree with Chris. The Koa 724ce has brighter tones, Slightly louder. Gorgeous finish. The 324ce had a muddy sound as compared to the 724. Still a nice finish guitar.
what do you usualy play, if you say that 324 better for fingerstyle? I've just read all web about those both guitars, and most of people say that for 724 is for pingerpicking and 324 is for rhythmic playstyle.
324. I own 5 Taylors from GS mini koa+ to 614ce all are great but the workhorse of the bunch is my satin black 324ce. Amazing guitar for the price and can really be used for most anything
I’ve owned many acoustic guitars through the years including Martin, Fender, Tacoma. I was in The Guitar Center and played a Taylor 324ce and I was blown away! In a recording booth with a high end mike it sounded great, then plugged it straight into a recording machine and it sounded just as great. I don’t think anything will sound better. Sorry Koa, but I might go give it a try.
Is there any post production? If not, it's insane how "compressed" the koa wood sounds. I mean this in a complimentary way. All the notes in a chord are clear and the same volume.
I have the 324CE with blackwood back & sides & love it. I have just ordered the 724CE. I already have a few Koa's 214K-dlx & a GS mini E-koa & a K24. I'm hoping it will be somewhat different to the others. What I'm hanging out for is a top end Taylor hog. Taylor don't seem to rate Mahogany as a premium guitar wood. I love it's tone. I probably play my 000-15M street master more than all my other guitars - It just has a special sound.
Thanks I love the all Mahogany but looks for the Koa just astonishing, how about the all Mahogany 327e would you be able to do a comparison on that thanks very much 😀
That koa looks sweet. But the mahogany actually SOUNDS sweet. Wish I could get a mahogany that looks like the koa lol. But this video has convinced me to stick with the 324. The sound is unmatched.
Both are beautiful………think I like the mahogany more though……..I think it’s the less treble sound or darker sound. Sounds a little smoother to my ear. I also like the looks of the mahogany though both are very sexy
I almost bought an all Koa guitar but I didn’t like the bright trebles of it, I prefer all Mahogany over Koa personally. Don’t get me wrong I think it’s beautiful and a great choice for some people but just not for me.
I think 324CE wins by Margin based on Price, Sound Quality and People's Preference. I think 724CE has more base and apart from that it sounds same as the counterpart. I'm glad I got 324CE just a month ago and its the best Decision 👌
Chris, great comparison but too close to call even with headphones. I've tried a 000 Martin all hog, and my voice just didn't do well with it. I'm more inclined to the 724ce but would need to sing with one first. Still love the unsigned Chris McKee signature Taylor 914ce.
Koa sounds like the Mahogany but slightly "more" of everything. Not enough in my case to justify the price difference for me given that I'm not swayed by the look. now compare the tasmanian blackwood back/side 324 to the Koa. :D
If I went by this demo, I would say the Koa straight up wins. It sounds like it has pretty good balance here and has some of the richest clearest highs I've heard from any guitar. However from personal experience, I would buy the mahogany model. The Koa's highs can easily overpower the lows depending how you play it. The 324ce generally has better individual string definition and better low and midrange (not too spiky for a mahogany top either) but overall has better balance making it much more versatile, although the highs simply do not compare.
In my opinion the 724 KOA has a better amplified with a warmer low end to midtone sound with a hint of brightness. More boxier sound. Both great guitars no doubt but my personal preference, KOA
how do keep a strait face playing some of these gutairs? at the end of one of those licks you had to be fighting a smile from just how wonderful they sound. great all solid wood accustic. puts a smaile on my face when strumming
Exactly, balanced is the word I would use to describe the 324CE, I would also say the lows have such an earthy base to them. The Koa 724CE is brighter and a bit louder and the lows may even mature over time. Both are completely amazing and there is no wrong choice but it's the 324CE for me.
I have and love my 324CE with Tasmanian Blackwood on sides/back and Mahogany top. I want the 724 K or 722 K, but I would have to have the inlay put on the 3rd fret. It looks unfinished not having it. Bad decision by Taylor.
Just that little more mysterious dark grow of the mahogany gives it the edge for me.... but don't tell my wife I am buying one Cuz I forgot to ask first!!!
Of the 2 the 324 not a fan of koa sound boards they look nice redwood and spruce my choice I think koa tops over rated although everyone's style and likes are different
I’ve really tried to like Koa but for me it’s all aesthetics… tonally it doesn’t do anything for me… lacks warmth and depth. Give me Blackwood any day over Koa
I actually just got my 324ce 3 months ago and I am absolutely in love with it! While the 724 looks and sounds beautiful, my heart still goes to the 300 series. Great analysis as per usual!
You'll be glad you got the 324ce. The 724ce has very rich highs that the 324ce does not, but the highs can dominate the lows too. The 324ce is much more versatile.
I guess I'm a mahogany person. Love the looks and sound of the koa, but there's just something about mahogany... I have an all solid mahogany 1/4 size that, even with it's small size, out shines my full sizes. The warmth and mellowness of mahogany, I find soothing, calming. It seems to fit my style as a 'living room' folk singer/player... But, I want both !
Same to me... I love both sounding IRL, but somehow I love that darkness of 324ce. Mainly I want to play fingerstyle folk, epic etc. and everyone on the internet writes, that 724ce is the best pick for finderstyle and 324ce for strumming. Somehow I think in another dicrection... Vise versa.
Koa..Koa..Koa. After you did the video the day the 724ce Koa was introduced, I went to my guitar retailer that day and bought one and I haven't looked back. I can't put it down. It has a sound like no other guitar I've ever played. It has more low end than I anticipated which I heard in the last piece you played in your demo.
The day you dropped your 724CE Koa video announcing the release, I went out and got one. Loved it then, love it now. Such a unique sound. And everyone in Atlanta was sold out the last time I checked, which was about a week ago.
I really enjoy the way you guys do your comparison videos! I wish more people would follow your lead.
I thought the Koa was bright and jangly and I prefer the mahogany on most songs played. I don't have 5 years to wait for the guitar to decide to sound good.
It's not like it takes 5 years to do anything. Martin Retro monels really took off the jangliness and the tone is deeper, more resonant already after a few weeks of hard playing. It's just a living development over time, slower than other softer woods. But, as is stated in the video Taylor put out about it, the very light finish should allow for quicker maturity.
I've been able to try both satin open pore finish and gloss finish Breedlove Jeff Bridges Concert guitars, the only difference being the finish. Both solid wood guitars/ Torrefied European spruce tops, African mahogany backs and sides, Olympia 12-53 strings. The non-signature arrived with the thinner finish and was very warm and open, simply amazing tone (given to my son in law in January for Christmas). The second ordered was definitely much glossier finished, and did not sound as warm and open as the unsigned verse. According to the current catalog, both are (now?) a semi-gloss finish. Fuel prices and availability permitting, I hope to tour the Breedlove factory in August (and Deschutes Brewing, and more)... My first solid wood guitar and best, is the auditorium-size Cole Clark RDBL. 🥰
Really like the Koa. Still mellow, can take that more aggressive play, but more sparkly up top. Beautiful guitars. Loving my 314ce...but maybe one day.
Excellent reviews. Being a Lefty, I have a lot less to choose from. I have a 214CE and want to add another GA model. I've found a 414CE and a 324CE. After watching your review, I'm going to go with the 324. It's very different and a little less expensive. The 714 is awesome looking, but there are no Lefty's to be found. Besides at 73, I don't know if I have 5 years for it to open up. I'm now a new subscriber. Thanks!
I’m a lefty too and am leaning to the 324
Great video! Just a few weeks back I was madly debating between the 324ce I had my eyes for a while and the new all koa 724ce. Ended up with the 724ce, but threw on Martin Retro monels to calm down the early jangliness. Now it's perfection...tone developing so nice and delicious!
are you regreting your decision right now? :D
@@Therapyxx What a reminder of last year's newness! Such a beautiful tone has developed now. I understand that continues. Really glad I got it, lovely guitar.
@@RFtinkerer i`m highly debating about same decision right now.... 324ce seemst to be more versatile :( and 724ce costs also 30% more. So, dono.... but I like both sounding and aiming for fingerstyle, compositions like interstellar, last of us etc + percussion. Do you maybe have an idea, what would be better for that?
@Therapy377 I don't even know what is better for anything! I do know that koa takes longer to develop, so there's that. I love the 724ce, I love my 517BE, 517BE sounded great immediately though while the koa took a little to warm up. Now I pick up one or the other all the time depending on mood. If I had a 324ce, it'd be going too. I can only advise playing a bunch of different guitars and buy the one that sounds great. Sorry I'm not a lot of help there lol.
I just went in to my local Guitar Center, just to try the 324ce Builders Edition against the 724ce they had in stock. The 724 was way way nicer to my ears from the first strum. I tried a couple more guitars, but kept coming back to the 724. It doesn’t look fancy, but boy does it sound great. I can’t believe I now have a 724ce at home!!
I would add, they had two 324ce builders edition in stock. Both sounded and played differently. It was eye opening to play two identical (on paper) instruments. If the 724ce hadn’t been there, I would have taken one of them home!
I’ve wanted a Koa so badly they are amazing in sound and overwhelming beauty. The 324 is awesome.
The 324ce with edge burst is the best looking guitar on the market, IMO
Picked up my 324-ce earlier today and your video confirms my buying decision - I like the 724 too and a huge improvement over the 224ce, but something about the 324 all mahogany has my heart and soul - thanks for a great video demonstration
I just bought my 324ce all mahogany. In excellent condition ❤❤ 🎉
I think the mahogany sounded best. I'm after a koa guitar from Taylor that has some age to it. They used some amazing koa on some of the older models.
Great video thanks
I'm a 714 guy (lutz) that is favorably stunned with this new 724 koa. I know there's no value in it - except pure entertainment. I'd love to hear you compare the lutz 714 with the new koa 724. I declare over the past few months my 2020 714 is just sounding fantastic. Thanks for all the great videos!
I also purchased a 2020 714 ce. Perhaps I'm delusional, so far it is the best guitar I've played. Another great guitar is the Martin CEO 7.
Alamo music, Thank you!.
@@Jeff-mn7cl this is fake, cause everyone won.
it was a scam, I reported and removed the comments.
I'd have to try each one for myself.... but I'm thinking I'd choose the Koa. The looks are great and I love my Koa GT... but I'd really like to try the 722ce
The 724ce koa sounds brighter. I prefer the 324ce
I agree - glad to hear others also choose a 3 over a 7
@@berniefrimond6558 agree !!! Just looking at the comments, many people preferred 324CE. I'm glad I bought 324ce 😎 It has a good value over expensive Koa in terms of Sound, Looks and Price. Just being expensive doesn't mean that it's always better.
They both sound beautiful! Which mic are you using for this demonstration, Chris?
The new 324 ce is the mac. For the sound i love, it's the one.
Yried the 50th anniv ltd and the builders as well as the sapelle back side with torrified top. As well as many other tay tays. The 324 ce all mahog. Im in love!❤
Great idea for a shoot out!
Love the Koa.. no competition (looks are just a bonus). Great punch and clarity and the only time it didn't excel was with the fingerpicking as it didn't handle that droning bass well. The 324ce had this sweet velvety bass that I loved and felt more balanced but the mids and highs felt entirely too muted... so for finger picking, I'm not going with either one of these (leaning towards a Martin 000 for this) but for strumming and singing along, koa without question. Interesting to listen to the hard woods on a Taylor design though, as I usually find Taylors too bright for my liking but the 724ce may be the answer I was looking for, at least when I'm strumming. I currently play a Larrivee LV-03 but I'm looking to add a few acoustics. Thanks for the review! One question, you recorded these mic'ed... would using the 324ce's onboard electronics address my complaint about it feeling entirely too muted?
I agree with Chris. The Koa 724ce has brighter tones, Slightly louder. Gorgeous finish. The 324ce had a muddy sound as compared to the 724. Still a nice finish guitar.
Great compare, def hear the difference .. love the 324ce especially now it’s all hog!
Love the warmth of the 324 Hog! I like it as a fingerstyle axe. Nothing like solid mahogany. Enough said. 😉
what do you usualy play, if you say that 324 better for fingerstyle? I've just read all web about those both guitars, and most of people say that for 724 is for pingerpicking and 324 is for rhythmic playstyle.
Just added the sweetest sounding guitar my ears have ever heard to my toolbox, the Taylor 724ce koa.
At the end of the day it about getting the emotion across so i choose the 324. Great demo !
Bought a 324ce. Love it!
324. I own 5 Taylors from GS mini koa+ to 614ce all are great but the workhorse of the bunch is my satin black 324ce. Amazing guitar for the price and can really be used for most anything
I’ve owned many acoustic guitars through the years including Martin, Fender, Tacoma. I was in The Guitar Center and played a Taylor 324ce and I was blown away! In a recording booth with a high end mike it sounded great, then plugged it straight into a recording machine and it sounded just as great. I don’t think anything will sound better. Sorry Koa, but I might go give it a try.
Is there any post production? If not, it's insane how "compressed" the koa wood sounds. I mean this in a complimentary way. All the notes in a chord are clear and the same volume.
Really such Beautiful Acoustic Playing !!!
😃♥️♥️♥️♥️🎵🎵🎸🙂
Lovely... but I think I'll have to be happy with my Koa GSMini :o)
I have the 324CE with blackwood back & sides & love it. I have just ordered the 724CE. I already have a few Koa's 214K-dlx & a GS mini E-koa & a K24. I'm hoping it will be somewhat different to the others. What I'm hanging out for is a top end Taylor hog. Taylor don't seem to rate Mahogany as a premium guitar wood. I love it's tone. I probably play my 000-15M street master more than all my other guitars - It just has a special sound.
Which is better? 724 or 324
@@seanarmao7385 Always subjective. I play the 324 more. I have too many Guitars... I'll have to stop buying them one day...
Thanks I love the all Mahogany but looks for the Koa just astonishing, how about the all Mahogany 327e would you be able to do a comparison on that thanks very much 😀
Nice sounds Chris. 🎸
That koa looks sweet. But the mahogany actually SOUNDS sweet. Wish I could get a mahogany that looks like the koa lol. But this video has convinced me to stick with the 324. The sound is unmatched.
Love the rustic look of koa but mahogany sounds better
Both are beautiful………think I like the mahogany more though……..I think it’s the less treble sound or darker sound. Sounds a little smoother to my ear. I also like the looks of the mahogany though both are very sexy
I almost bought an all Koa guitar but I didn’t like the bright trebles of it, I prefer all Mahogany over Koa personally. Don’t get me wrong I think it’s beautiful and a great choice for some people but just not for me.
I think 324CE wins by Margin based on Price, Sound Quality and People's Preference. I think 724CE has more base and apart from that it sounds same as the counterpart. I'm glad I got 324CE just a month ago and its the best Decision 👌
I'm curious the difference between the 724ce and the Builder's Edition.
Chris, great comparison but too close to call even with headphones. I've tried a 000 Martin all hog, and my voice just didn't do well with it. I'm more inclined to the 724ce but would need to sing with one first. Still love the unsigned Chris McKee signature Taylor 914ce.
Koa sounds like the Mahogany but slightly "more" of everything. Not enough in my case to justify the price difference for me given that I'm not swayed by the look.
now compare the tasmanian blackwood back/side 324 to the Koa. :D
@AlamoMusicCenter: Can you please do a Comparison between 324ce vs 614ce?
If I went by this demo, I would say the Koa straight up wins. It sounds like it has pretty good balance here and has some of the richest clearest highs I've heard from any guitar.
However from personal experience, I would buy the mahogany model. The Koa's highs can easily overpower the lows depending how you play it. The 324ce generally has better individual string definition and better low and midrange (not too spiky for a mahogany top either) but overall has better balance making it much more versatile, although the highs simply do not compare.
In my opinion the 724 KOA has a better amplified with a warmer low end to midtone sound with a hint of brightness. More boxier sound. Both great guitars no doubt but my personal preference, KOA
5:31 vs 6:02 👌
6:36 vs 7:34
8:26 vs 9:20
10:15 vs 11:00
11:45 vs 12:34
You nailed it...!
5:31 Vs 6:02
how do keep a strait face playing some of these gutairs? at the end of one of those licks you had to be fighting a smile from just how wonderful they sound. great all solid wood accustic. puts a smaile on my face when strumming
To me the 324ce sounds more balanced the Koa on the other guitar make the sound a bit more wild or something
Exactly, balanced is the word I would use to describe the 324CE, I would also say the lows have such an earthy base to them. The Koa 724CE is brighter and a bit louder and the lows may even mature over time. Both are completely amazing and there is no wrong choice but it's the 324CE for me.
Definitely love the looks of the KOA better. But I think I like the mahogany sound more. Sigh. I do not have 3000 to spend today on a new guitar.
I got mine on reverb, excellent condition for 1700 ..its worth the investment.
The koa is alive n vibrant
I can't hear a difference, they both sound great. Koa is my choice for good looks.
The 724ce is a more fresher sound. It’ll be the one for me
The Koa is awesome, the sound is a big jump from the Mahogany .
I have and love my 324CE with Tasmanian Blackwood on sides/back and Mahogany top. I want the 724 K or 722 K, but I would have to have the inlay put on the 3rd fret. It looks unfinished not having it. Bad decision by Taylor.
I like the Koa; however, I don't want to pay extra for a cutaway that I don't want or need.
anyone know the song he plays at 6:38?
The Mahogany guitar would look so much better if it wasn't stained.
Def the koa really Brite sound
Koa is so scarce it may be the better investment
There's not a lot of difference in the tone. Yes, some very slight variation. There is a difference in the CLARITY.
I’m glad to see that Mord from Game of Thrones is doing well
Just that little more mysterious dark grow of the mahogany gives it the edge for me.... but don't tell my wife I am buying one Cuz I forgot to ask first!!!
Of the 2 the 324 not a fan of koa sound boards they look nice redwood and spruce my choice I think koa tops over rated although everyone's style and likes are different
Koa
Would love the Koa guitar if it sounded like the hog. Too bad
KoA
Mahogany
I’ve really tried to like Koa but for me it’s all aesthetics… tonally it doesn’t do anything for me… lacks warmth and depth. Give me Blackwood any day over Koa