Taylor 100 vs. 300 vs. 600 Series Comparison - What Makes A Guitar Expensive?
Вставка
- Опубліковано 25 чер 2024
- Why does this guitar cost $3000 and that guitar only costs $99? Chris McKee with the breakdown.
Free Guitar Buyer's Guide → www.alamomusic.com/discover-m...
More info available here: store.alamomusic.com/brands/Ta...
🎼 Contact us: yourfriends@alamomusic.com
🎵 Call toll-free: (844)251-1922
🎶 Connect: @alamomusic
This was an extremely informative video. The actual play of the guitars wasn't very audible as others have mentioned, BUT, I think the intention came through very well. Because I learned several things about the higher end Taylor's that I didn't previously know (and I play a Big Baby right now). So it's very much appreciate! Thanks!
A wonderful, thoughtful explanation and comparison. Nice work!
Great video! Useful information that is much appreciated.
I just bought a new Taylor 110 e W . ( May 10/19 ) . BEST Sounding and Easy To Play Guitar I’ve Ever had in 25 Years. Thank You Alamo Music Center for the Great Videos
Ditto. I bought the same this week. I walked in with $2,500 planning to grab a new Martin D-18. After playing them (and many others) side by side (not looking at price), the 110e actually sounded better. In part it's because it does not have any gloss. It does have a solid spruce and fwd shifted X bracing (not the new V stuff) and it's got the craftsmanship of a Taylor. The playability and action are amazing. I only paid about $500 for it- w/full warranty from an authorized dealer!
Last year I fell in love with a 314ce at my local guitar store. I named her Gemma and have been playing her every day since.
Same here played a bunch of Gibsons Martins and other Taylor models. Lots of comments on the tone and excellect playability.
😀
Polako Polakovic hahahaha
I bought mine last month. Still in transition from my Yamaha FG830 though.
Wow - some negative Nellies out there.I really enjoyed this review. I understand this is not a professional production done in a sound studio. I get that you're simply being helpful and answering a question a lot of people ask and, hey - I really appreciated the video. You obviously know a lot about the guitars and did a good job of putting it out there in a way that an average guy who is considering moving from a $500 made in Indonesia guitar to a $2800 - $4000 made in America guitar can wrap their heads around.I have owned many guitars (Ovation, Washburn, Fender, Ibanez, Samick, Larivee and Taylor to name a few) and I really like Taylor guitars. I currently have the Taylor 310 ce and since I don't really gig anymore I probably wont move up the lines, but... ya never know - that 614ce Limited is pretty sweet! I do like that nice bass responsiveness. Oh, and while the mic was a tad quiet I could very easily hear the differences between these guitars.Thanks for the vid!
Great review and explanation of the differences and similarities. Thank you so much.
Hey Chris. Dude you did a phenomenal job, I thought, in delivering a good assessment of the way Taylor Guitars Series are determined! Just found you this morning and have subscribed to your channel. Thanks again for an informative video!
Thanks for making this, very useful. Much appreciated.
Excellent video explaining the differences very clearly. I'd decided on a 214 but after watching this, I think that the 314 is worth the extra money. Thanks.
Incredibly knowledgeable and useful information! Amazing Job!
Glad it was helpful!
I loved the review here and hope to maybe see a different brand type comparison soon. Thanks!
really well explained vid ,cheers
I love my 614CE, absolutely stunning plus the angel inlays everywhere! Sounds even better
Great educational overview. Thanks.
Thank you for a great review and comparison.
Excellent video, thanks for going into depth on the differences between the guitars, very helpful. Don't sweat the comments about recording quality. It's very difficult to distinguish between those guitars in an untreated room with one mic, especially considering most people are going to listen through their computer/phone which makes it essentially worthless. You might try another video with more intentional mic placement/recording and offer that in a link or something for people who have monitors/earphones that can translate the differences you would hear in person. Regardless, well done and thanks again.
Sounds Taylor 114 (7:00), Taylor 314 (11:26), Taylor 614 (17:45)
very informative video mate! thanks you very much.
Very useful clip. Thanks!
I have a DN3 that is awesome. I think the DN series was used to test the new bracing, relief route etc. that is now in much the current Taylor line.
I love the 1 3/4" nut. The neck is wider across the fingerboard but more narrow front to back than standard steel strings acoustics. It makes fingerpicking much easier and much more accurate. My playing skills have gone way up since I got my Taylor.
Had to come back and watch the old video. You guys have come a long way since this video.
Great explanation, Chris. This is a very useful video. I do think the guitars need to be mic'd better and I liked the suggestion to play them in turn so we can better hear the difference. Overall, you make some great videos. Thanks for keeping us so well informed.
Lot's of good info in there, very well presented.
It hilarious that the mic can pickup the police siren outside but fails to pickup the guitar positioned right next to it 🤣
Great job! Learned a tonne and ready to make a more informed Taylor purchase!
Love the big FENDER sign in the background!!
Very informative. Thanks.
Great job! I've owned and played several Taylors since 2008 and I've never been in a chain or independent store who understands Taylors like you do. They all know about Martins and electric guitars but all they know about Taylors are that they are great for finger picking and are set up great and ready to play from day one. I had to learn all this stuff in this video on my own playing Martins, Alvarez etc. I was never satisfied. Now I have 4 Taylors and a Martin(strictly for playing with my bluegrass buddies). Also, those commenting that they couldn't hear a difference-really?? Yes it needed to be louder but the difference was VERY obvious. So thanks for the vid...
I have been watching this guys from anything and everything guitar but just recently found this video when they were just about starting. Much has changed but essence same the same, same very informative content
Great vid! Thank you!
Interesting and informative!
Excellent video. Thank you.
thanks for that, i've just brought my first Taylor 114ce I love it the pick up is amazing. I'm in the uk and taylor are'nt that big over here
Thank you for making a helpful and informative video. I hadn't previously known about the nut width differences. That Taylor 614ce is a beautiful work of art and sounds truly superb. Now I know what I'll be working for untill I can cradle that 614 in my ever lovin' arms.
I am truly smitten with that 614ce with the armrest. We only received two because they were so limited and we have that one left. If you would like to purchase it and put it on layaway or anything, let me know and we can make it happen before it is gone forever. christopher.mckee@alamomusic.com - Chris.
Did you get one yet?
Did you get the 614ce in your arms?
@@owenjosiahmusic UPDATE: I'd completely forgotten making that comment, was it really 6 years ago!? Wow! A lot of musical water has passed under my bridge since then. My finances changed for the better soon after that comment and although I never did cradle that 614E I have, nevertheless, bought, owned and then sold, a large variety of high-end acoustic guitars that are the usual USA suspects, Gibson, Martin, Guild, Taylor, Dreadnoughts, 000's, OM's, Spruce, Cedar, Mahogany tops, various back & sides woods (though mainly Mahogany and Rosewood) I've also tried the Eastman guitars (the best build quality btw) And, in the end, there are two things I've learned. Firstly, The Beatles were absolutely right when they sang "The love you take is equal to the love you make". Secondly, paying a great deal of money for an acoustic guitar no way guarantees quality of build, sound or playability. There is a marketing tsunami of B/S & hype out there. Finally, after almost 50 years of playing and having paid tens of thousands of pounds, with all musical things considered, regardless of price, the most versatile, inspirational, playable and satisfying guitar I've ever owned (and still do) is . . . . . (drum roll) . . . is . . . . . . is . . . . . ('tish') . . . THE TAYLOR 110 (USA made. 2004. Bought second-hand for £325.) "WTF!!!!!!!" you may say, but yes, I've combinedly spent tens of thousands of pounds and countless hours of playing time to arrive at this unexpected conclusion and, for me at least, it's honestly and sincerely true.
Who knew, eh?!
Good luck on 'your' musical journey.
Wow I love playing guitar and write songs and play every day. I’m only starting out thanks for writing me back
Came by 3/15/19 great facilities, played some great guitars. Sorry I missed you. Thanks
My first nice guitar was a Taylor 110 I loved it and they still impress me to this day, even though I’ve since moved up to a 912 some 20 years later. I’m more into Martins these days but I still love that bright and articulate Taylor sound.
I just bought my first Taylor. 110e very happy, but im gonna need to try out one of the 300 series guitars. Thanks
good splainig Christopher...thanks!🐝
Thanks Chris. Very helpful. Still working on my first acoustic the Breedlove Discovery Dreadnought. Someday i will upgrade ❤ Hop to get down from Philadelphia to see you guys some day. Love & Respect!
Glad to help! Hope you can make it someday!
thanks ! Great video.
Nicely done, by I'd have preferred to have heard you use a pick on all 3 guitars. A pick makes a difference in the sound in my opinion. When I use my fingers on my Martin, it sounds quite different than when I use a pick, My oldest son who moved to Hawaii just purchased a Taylor guitar is why I'm listening to this review. Thanks for doing this for us.
I have a 614CE BE that I absolutely love! Great video, thank you
Great comparison video . Guitar audio was down a little but I enjoyed it just the same. What is the name of the blues song you use in the intro it's driving me crazy that I can't recall it.?
Thank you for the information on Taylor Guitars I would love own one sometime
The 100e is one of the best values going and it sounds great. Do a blind test and compare that to a D-18 and a few others. Make it completely blind- use same mics, etc. It is basic looking but it easily holds it's own.
Based on a population of one, I like Taylors. I always had a Martin D-18. It got a bit damaged, and I sold it. Then I bought a used Taylor Leo Kottke Signature Model. It was basically new and I think it cost about $1600. I don't think it's one of their fancier models but it has really grown on me. Best all around guitar I ever had in my life.
Nice overview. This kind of summary gives the simple overview that helps narrow down on a series. Often the makers give so much information you get lost in the details. Too bad about the levels on the demo. I like the suggestion that you could edit those out and replace them with video of a really top player and recording engineer, to show off the sound..
thank you so much i love your videos :)
Mic should have been placed in front of the middle of the fretboard. That is usually how I see acoustic guitar miked. Maybe sound would have been less muddy. But this video was very informative, thanks!
very nicely done bravo! my only suggestion would be to play each guitar model in succession at the beginning so we can hear and retain the difference in sound then go into detailed explanations, construction etc. of each, as it is now by the time you play each model I have forgotten the sound of previous model, my .02 worth.
We have started doing that in many of our most recent comparison videos. Thanks for the comment.
thank you! I'll see both Andy's and Bob at upcoming Tokyo Music Trade Show in November, cliff woolley in tokyo
Great guys. Two of the smartest men I've ever met. -Chris
they were here 2 years ago at last show which is more retail unlike NAMM shows.
Because of the spacing, I could hear absolutely no difference in the sound. It seems to me, the more expensive the guitar, the more beautiful it is. I don't perform live, so I want my guitar to sound good, the looks don't really concern me. I am more than happy with my 314ce
Hey,.....................great info. And I have been a player for 50yrs. Great presentation. THANKS.
wonderful sharing of the simple intricacies between the models. I have a 1998 514ce. Back then the only difference between the 514 and the 614 was the mother of pearl inlay decorations. Has that changed over time between the 514 and 614? thanks
those guitars look so beautiful. i have a 214 ce deluxe koa and it's great but those 614s look amazing
Appreciate the effort. Unfortunately we can't really hear very well.
recorded horrible!
use water and soap ...
Matt Peters het
Use a good earphone
I just returned from a music shop trying out a couple of Taylors. All the details aside, it seems as you are getting the most important parts - their secret sauce - in the low-end models. It was evident to me (a mechanic, carpenter, etc.) what you are not getting - which is the higher level of detail, finish, etc
For me - always on a budget (value shopper) it's clear that the 100 or 200 will be excellent guitars.
If I wanted to fall in Love with a guitar (as opposed to the sound of it), then I'd buy a higher end model - it's more of a piece of fine furniture.
It's a nice video, but your sound samples are too quiet to hear any difference, probably because the mic is facing the back of your hand when you're playing. Commonly, a mic is placed at the neck side of the guitar, facing the fretboard extension at an angle.
Informative video, thank you for posting it. Side question: is the host related to Andy McKee? I'm a huge fan of his music and there is a similarity in what the host plays and looks like, then later I noticed he shares the last name! If so say 'Hello' from a random fan on the internet! Thanks again for the video.
Excellent presentation Chris. Thanks.
My Martin is running on 5th year and fishman electronics with built in tuner works fine. I'm not claiming the tuner to be 100% accurate, but good enough to tune in a noisy environment. Some of the strings I will normally tune a little more to the sharp side even if the tuner tells me it's ok. Keep up your good work :-)
great review! excellent info given.... just plz, if you make another video like this, take time to check the sound quality of the mic location for the guitar.... could barely hear it, they all sounded muddy, which ruined the best part of this comparison.... the sound of the guitar itself. I myself couldnt tell much of a difference in tone due to the poor recording quality. that being said, thank you for your time and effort
when you were playing, with was the sound muffled. I could not see much difference in sound of the cheap one to the expensive one.
well done thank you!!
good explanation but the level of the mic is too low for guitar
what a great video thank you for sharing your information. I'm in the UK so can't visit store to buy but thanks
Maybe it's time to see the Alamo?
Gosto muito do som dos violões Taylor. Sendo possível gostaria de ver uma comparação do Taylor 314ce com o Taylor 814ce. Valeu!
Thanks again Chris!
I love my San Diego-built 110 (built in 06, when they were all SD-built). Have had my hands on many awesome Taylor’s, have a few dream rigs, but can say my 110 plays every bit like a Taylor should.
Wow! The 614 really grabs me. Both the looks and sound are really nice. Maybe it's the maple? I have a 314 myself but it has the original ES1 electronics, which has been fine. I really didn't like the 114. If I were shopping on the lower end, I'd buy a used 214. Great job! Thanks Chris.
The solid wood ones had more peak volume which was noticable on the bass. Other than that one is paying a huge premium for a nicer looking guitar with better "binned" wood (common practice among guitar makers)
I have a 214ce deluxe. Best guitar I’ve owned, the sound and build quality are of the highest order. Bought it second hand from eBay and payed about half the price for it and it was is in as new condition. People moan about price but there are other options.
Slashley gibbins paid 1100$ for mine yesterday, don’t regret it at all
Man, time well-spent right here. I'm getting ready to retire my 1985 Guild D50, and have been leaning toward something in the Taylor line to replace it. I'm sure that a 300-series Taylor guitar would be perfectly fine for what I do, but your video has made me consider treating myself to one of their 600 models (Hey....I'm pretty sure we only live once).
Anyway, thanks very much for your very clear and informative demonstration....
Answer: materials, labor, advertising, retail markup, the law of supply and demand. I just played a Taylor 710 and it was an excellent acoustic guitar.
me too.. 7 series just sung to me ,, wonderful.. but cant afford 3,000
fretkillrlives the one time that I played a buddy’s Taylor was so good. I’ll never forget the sound of playing it while having my head to the side of it. Angelic sound
find an old guild from Westerly RI They are cheap and sound great
Love my 814ce
Love my 814 CE.
great job!
Hey, thanks for the presentation. Do you know the guitar soundtrack is way down, can hardly hear anything. The vocals (talking) sound comes loud and clear. Check it out. Just saying. Thanks. 🙋🏻♂️
Very articulate speaker. Good job, Chris! I have a Taylor, Martin and Santa Cruz. Love them all!
What about a Breedlove? Any opinions on that? I just got one and the sound and sustain is beautiful, but I think the action is slightly high. I am going to see if the store will lower it.
That one halfway through sounds great.
The theory of diminishing return: at a certain price, the quality of the guitar compared to the price doesn't hold up anymore. A 3000 dollar guitar won't sound 1000 dollar better than a 2000 dollar guitar. But a 2000 dollar guitar will sound and feel better than an 1000 dollar guitar making the 1000 dollar a fair upgrade.
It depends on where the instrument was made and by whom. My Chinese-made, handcrafted $1000 guitar sounds, to me at least, far better than some of the guitars I auditioned in the $2-3K range. Luscious midrange, sweet, sweet highs, dynamic range from an enticing whisper to an angry shout (if you want it to), and sustain for days...But if I could have afforded a $4K+ guitar such as a Collings, Santa Cruz, Froggy Bottom, etc. I would have gone for one of those. Far, far finer than anything at two or three grand.
Taylors, by the way, lost out all the way around in my experience. If I remember correctly, the highest series I played was the four series. It couldn't compare to a handcrafted guitar, even one from China. It presented notes in tune but with absolutely no character, no individual voice to the instrument and little in the way of dynamics.
ha ha that isn't the definition of your theory.. you cant quantify that. law of diminishing returns is economics on profit return.... not opinion on sound/quality
I’m not exactly sure that’s correct. If you don’t want all of the fancy in-lays and bindings and mother of Pearl this and that, you can save some money.
Plus some people buy the higher models so they can say they have the higher model. A true test would be a blind test without knowing which model is played. Do you like the sound of guitar A B C? Then reveal the model. That’s how you find out which is best. At some point, the guitar is irrelevant- the player is 99 percent of the equation
@@bmann792 It's not the sound only. It's how it feels, plays, how much it weighs, the age and quality of the wood, quarter-sawn or not, resonance that you feel in your hands, ...
Yes, looks do matter as well.
hardly unique to guitars
Hey, what mic is that you’ve been using on almost all your videos?
What is compatible to "the Grand Auditorium"? ooo/om or oooo/m?
Plz ans. 🙏
I likethe 614`s sound, talk about the sustain that seems to hang there, . . . ?
Does anyone know if there is a big difference between the 2014,15 and 16 models of the 114CE? Thanks!
Very nice video, clearly the more expensive one is better. The recording was a bit dim, so it's hard to say for example how it might compare to another brand. It doesn't for example seem like it has the resonance I'm used to from my old Guild F50 (or even my old Washburn). Unfortunately none of the stores near me ever seem to have any high end Taylor guitars in stock to try, only the lower end (< 2k) Taylors. These seemed a bit flat to me. As far as Taylor build quality, I did once buy a "baby Taylor" hoping my daughter when she was younger might learn on it, because it was good for small hands and seemed easy to play. She didn't spend much time with it but it fell apart with almost no use at all. I was a bit disappointed in that.
The 100 and the 300 are close sounding, the 600 has some slight nuance in the mellowed overall, but there's a definite sameness going on all three, my ears and speakers, on a whole, that's not a bad thing, nice axes. Thanks!
Nice explanation of appointments. The recordings though are not giving us the true picture of how these guitars sound. There is more top end and clarity. But it's an example of how you can make them sound in a recording. Buyers should ignore that the back & sides are laminate on the 100 series. It has just become a stronger guitar and if you like the sound & playability, then go for one - if you don't have the budget for a shiny 300 series. What will affect the sound a little is that the 100 series has a bowled back and the bracing is positioned differently and the top is less resonant. For me, I also struggle with necks that are narrow.
I would love tabs to that lick you played on the 614 at the end of this review. So calming.
great vid,
It's great that you've described these side by side. Thanks.
Two things: 1. You mention that the pickguard on the 614 is wood and feels nicer than "plastic on a $3000 guitar." You (and all the other demos & reviews) should be clear that "Ivroid" is also plastic. It's not special in any way except that it's made to look like grained ivory. But it's plastic. It's something I've never understood; why a company like Taylor or Gibson makes a $3,000 instrument and decorates it with plastic inlays on the fingerboard & headstock. It's no harder (these days) to cut and inlay abalone, or real mother-of-pearl than it is plastic. Nobody's sitting at a bench with a fret saw cutting out each pearl inlay. They're cut with lasers, as is the cavity they're placed in. It's a witholding of quality materials to add false value to the higher series so they can charge more. Tone woods and figured woods also do not cost the builder any more, so again, false value.
And "Micarta" is is a brand name for composites of linen, canvas, paper, fiberglass, carbon fiber or other fabric in a thermosetting PLASTIC.
I don't ever want a plastic saddle, nut or inlays.
Just for the record Tusq is also plastic.
Dunebilly Dave POW!!! I learned more from your comment than this video! Lol Thanks, DD!
Do you have the tab in what you did fingerstyle at the end?
Love your information,
Sound wasn’t that great.
But thanks for the explanation of differences. 👍🏻
The best version of Taylor IMO is the 400 series fall or spring limited editions. Why? because you get a guitar with more aesthetic "options" that you would normally only get with the higher end series. Mine is a even a "special edition" limited 414 ce. Abalone rosette, "Engraved Victorian" fretboard inlays with matching peghead inlay (first-ever for a Taylor), Shaded Edge Burst finish, Gold hardware, Grained ivoroid binding. And solid rosewood back/sides and engleman spruce top. These options are usually appear on their 600 and up guitars. Plus is has the new V bracing that is phenomenal. So much so that I traded in a solid Koa K20 model that sells for 3400$ to buy this 414 at 2500$ and hands down the 414 sounded awesom over the K20. I believe these were made exclusively for Guitar Center, so they may be even more of a "limited" run.
Local shop played ten high end guitars for me, a Taylor 314ce blew them all away..maybe just a lucky instrument, but, as a pro brass instrument player I can distinguish tone well, this instrument had tremendously even tone production, better projection than ones costing thousands more. Wish I could actually play it...
I have 314 ce and it’s great.
Could you review one of the Top Of The Line Taylor’s And explain why they are so expensive and definitely worth the money ?
I bought a Taylor 110CE and could not get the neck to stabilize. The neck kept moving and going flat continually. I finally returned it after having tried several of them. When it worked it was awesome, however it was not what I would call quality.
What is the progression you play ?? It's very nice. Please do tell...
Great explanation on the incremental improvements, tone quality, and instrument cost. Very fair comparisons and comments. One small correction about the 114ce model number, 1 = Manufactured in Mexico, 1 = Six String, 4 = Grand Auditorium Body.
which microphone are you using?. Thanks