Taylor V-Class K14CE A/B'd with X-brace 914CE & V-Class 914CE
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- Опубліковано 22 сер 2024
- Reviewed in Guitarist 430
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Song 1 :
2:26 V-Class 914CE
3:08 X-Braced 914CE
3:52 V-Class K14CE
Song 2 :
4:34 V-Class 914CE
4:59 X-Braced 914CE
5:26 V-Class K14CE
Song 3 :
5:52 V-Class 914CE
6:19 X-Braced 914CE
6:45 V-Class K14CE
I did a blind fold test, with reference headphones, then with reference monitors about an hour later, and the only one i could hear a noticable difference was the 914ce V braced guitar. It is brighter, has more defined articulation, has an even balance between volume and sustain. I did notice that the Koa ce V Brace was slightly darker sound and as for the the 914 ce x bracing, it had more bottom end but less articulation in comparision to the V braced. None are better or worse, they are all different, it depends what you are going to use them for. For me, and recording i would choose the 914 ce V brace. I don't play gigs any more, but i am sure i would enjoy the other two, and enjoy the bigger , bolder , deeper sound of the X braced 914. I have a CS martin that does that in spades, so the 914 ce V brace for recording is my verdict your honour.
hmm, in my experience,
take the V brace if you're going to play with a full band or recording studios(most of the frequencies heard in the X braced will be unheard or taken away by the sound guys)
Take the X brace if you're going to play fingerstyle solo guitar, bedroom guitar hero, in a band that features guitars or other stringed instruments so that all the frequencies can be heard an appreciated.
I just spent 2 hours comparing both side by side, and listening to both side by side with someone else playing. My impressions were how amazed I was the difference they sounded between each other, more than similarities, were just astounding to me. 2 really different guitars. Really. I could not decide if I wanted to keep the X or take the V for just a few more dollars that was offered to me as an option since I just bought the x last week. Unfortunately the finish on the V was stellar so I tried not to let that influence me and just the sound. The V was indeed more projective and louder of sound. The sustain was no different, maybe even less than they X. But I dont know how much the wood breathing on the x hanging around the store for months or a year vs the V just coming out of the box makes a difference????? The lows of the V were significantly deeper and fuller and resounding. The high end sparkle of the X wasnt quite there and there was my hesitation, and the reason I fell in love with the 414ce to begin with. In the end, I changed to finger picking and there was a huge difference. Im not a strong finger picker and the V helped me significantly. Both are beautful sounding and looking guitars, and I ended up with the V. I decided, and people walking thru had something to do with their comments, that the V just sounded like a more expensive guitar overall/in general. Just wish that sparkle.treble was there. Will it come with some aging and breathing to the wood and nitrocellulose or whatever they coat it in? Does anyone know? Or will it get darker? (I hope not). Im hoping I end up happy with my choice, but it's a top notch guitar for that price range. The X did have nanoweb 80/20's (new) on them and supposedly the V came with nanoweb phosphor-bronze, and I dont know if that makes any difference??? I was told that the 80/20s should sound less bright rather than more, so that kinda scared me. either way I think played electronically it wont make much difference. Acoustically it has to be played and see what style suits you. I hope some of my impressions help someone. But I can tell u I never thought of owning a Taylor, always thought I was more of a Martin guy, ...I have a high-end Blueridge Dreadnaught for years that I mostly play, but wanted a cut-away and something new, and this guitar just sang to me and its not even near the top of Taylor's line. And last year I lucked into a higher model 12 string Taylor T5 at a great price used that is a pretty amazing instrument so suddenly I guess Im a Taylor guy. I hate their solid electric guitars though for some reason.
Doc Dave 80/20 will make it more bright, I just tried 12 sets of strings fir my Taylor 814 CE DLX V Brace, and DAddario Nickel or Phosphor Bronze 13-52 Elixer HD are the best
The V-Class K14ce has the edge here. It presents the a more complete tonal range through the lows, mids and highs. Plus the fundamentals and overtones are more balanced resulting in a clean, crisp and warmer sound throughout. I think the V-Class bracing really works with the right wood combination and we can see that in the K14ce Builder edition.
I couldn’t agree more. The k14ce v class has the complete package. The 914 v class is not quite bright enough for my taste. The koa brings that “cut through” tone in for fingerpicking nicely with the v class.
@@nakana_212 I believe 914 is even brighter than k14. Overall they sound identical, really. On some parts the difference comes from subtile difference in the attack...if you listen closely on some parts 914 boomes more and on some parts k14 boomes more. Just a subtile difference in the attack, position of the hand etc things that cpme with normal playing can make a difference in sound.
Probably Koa will make the sound a bit more compact and indian rosewood will make the guitar a bit more loose. In this range it comes down to personal preference.
For instance, I love 914 on the second song whereas k14 sounds dull. On the third song they are to my ears completely identical.
On the first song I feel k14 has a bit more bass than 914 at the beginning but at the middle of the song they again sound identical.
914x braced wins hands down for me. Fullest expression of all notes. The other two v braced examples sound like they’ve been robbed of overtones.
I be very grateful to own either of these.
Man, I actually just like the X-Braced 914CE especially for those big open chords. The V-Class both have a sort of "flat tone" to my hear. Great video by the way :)
I have the same feeling x braced guitars are way better for me. The sound on the v-class is thin man i compared that to Furch guitars especially to those high-end Furchs and oh man these Furchs just rip apart the Taylor v classes
Very good representation of what to expect. I own the 914ce and It sounds just like it is represented here. Likely the best Taylor has ever produced.
they are in my opinion
Which bracing on yours?
Beautiful demo! I have both X braced & V Class guitar. V Class has clarity on notes that is unheard of in Acoustic Guitar - think of these like Buzz Feiten Tuning where each note is clear and chords have distinct sound. My ears prefer V class, but my heart loves X braced guitar. Cheers 👍
There is a sonic difference between X-brace and V-brace. As to which is better, that's personal preference. This is a very good comparison video.
They all sound great. I suspect the differences are so subtle that if you played each one separately on a different day. You would like each one as much as the other.
I hear more clarity and balance in the new bracing...x brace has that big “woof” everyone’s familiar with in the low mids...the one I have to cut every time, both on stage and in the studio. I’ll take the V class anyway. Thanks for the great video!
Mate, that was some beautiful playing. Really enjoyed the comparison.
@@jaymitchosky thank you! Glad you enjoyed 🎸🎸🎸😀
To my ears, the V-Class generally has a more balance sound without the boomy bass and the thin sounding highs of the Taylor X-Brace. The V-Class contains and rounds-off the edges of both spectrum on the lower and higher strings making it ideal for recording. Some may perceive this as a lack of character in a guitar or a sound that we are not so much used to in comparison to the Taylor X-brace. However, I like this higher headroom, longer sustain and more balance overall sound of the V-Class bracing pattern. Well done Taylor Guitars.
Hello Jerry
Nice demo, thanks.
I like the sound of the 914ce V brace for finger style. The 914ce x brace with a pick. I don't cake for the K14ce. It sounds a bit muddy. If I have to pick one, it would be thew 914ce v brace since I mostly play finger style. Thanks again for the demo!
V-Class 914CE for my money hands down. Gorgeous balance and projection. Only wish it came with the same fret board inlays as the K14CE.
I own a 916ce with X bracing and i gotta tell you, chords (and strumming in general) sound incredible.
Same here. Honestly prefer the X bracing. The V bracing sounds a bit shrill to my ears. Since Taylors seem to be on the bright side to start with, don't think the V bracing would be for me.
Wow. Outstanding demo! I can’t think of another comparison where the style of play made such a difference. To my ears, the focused bass response of the V class was vastly superior for fingerstyle while the “woofier” X bracing was the clear winner for plectrum playing. Definitely food for thought. I’d love to have a V class guitar someday for fingerstyle playing. Thanks again!
Very helpful demo. I would have preferred a bit of harder strumming to compare, but still very helpful. Listening on my Focal headphones, I thought the V braced guitars stood out in an obvious way; more sustain, clearer, more even notes and no unpleasant overtones, slightly brighter and more alive in a very positive way than the X braced 914. I was surprised that the Koa K14 had less "oomph" and volume, but I attribute that to Koa's need to open up - hopefully. I still preferred its clearer, even tone and the additional sustain. Thank you for doing the well-controlled A/B demo! Good mics too!
Very clear string definition on the new V-bracing, compared to X-bracing which is sounding very nasal and cloudy in the midrange. This showcase has ruined me forever, cant unhear this, wtf you might have sold me on this.
Every time I got to the music store and compare them, the v-brace guitars sound thin and lacking in sound dynamics in comparison to their counterparts.
To me, the most telling thing about this comparison is that the intonation was noticeably better on the V-braced guitar at 6:54 played cleanly compared to the same chord at 6:28 with a huge bend on it as compensation. I'm still trying to wrap my head around how the change in bracing let Taylor correct the instrument's intonation. Hopefully I can find some physicist to explain it to me.
V Class sounds too "thin" to my ears. X bracing seems to carry a better LF range.
Wow that x braced 914ce sounds so good.
I can appreciate the V-Class. Still love the X-Bracing as well. V-Class screams Taylor all over the place, as it just has that perfect sound feel. I guess not everybody will need or want perfect, as it takes away some of the vibe. It's like: Do you want a stellar tube preamp or a stellar transistor preamp built around the best components possible....Really is a stellar development in guitars, and I love your playing. It's easy enough to follow, just complex enough to show off anything the guitar has to offer and doesn't get boring. Though Andy Powers always talked about the high frets now sounding stellar as well..... :-)
Hearing this video (wearing Sony WH-1000XM3 headphones for reference) - I think this is one of the better UA-cam comparisons, due to great playing and great mic setup. This is the first video where the V-Class differentiates clearly, irrelevant of what is being played. Well done on the recording. I definitely prefer the clarity, separation, and dynamics of the new design. The low end on the V-Class 914ce is more articulate and present but not boomy and muddy. The k14ce is interesting in that it has some of the benefits of the V 914ce, but it has an emphasis in the low-mids. Not yet sure if I like that. I think I slightly prefer the highs in the k14ce. At the moment, the V-Class 914ce was overall my favorite.
Really...I don't think there are big differences between them. As a luthier I can tell that every guitars is different each other also from same model. Wonderful guitars...every choose is a right choose.
Two weeks ago I decided to buy my first Taylor product, and quickly knew that something in the 'Grand Auditorium' series would be right for me. Since then I've watched countless UA-cam videos, trying to ascertain which was what, and how much money was worth spending. 614ce ?...814 ?......914 ?? X-brace, or V-class ??? Maple, or rosewood ??
We all have different tastes in this world (that's why 3.5 billion men aren't all chasing the same woman). Watching your video tonight convinced me to probably spring the extra dough for a V-class. That's half the battle.
Now, let's see here......614 ? 714 ? 814 ? 914 ??? (oh, what the hell....I'm pretty sure we only live once....)
Anyway, THANK YOU, Jeremy......Thank you VERY MUCH......
He's on to something! Wow! Better yet, They're ON to something! (Andy Powers & Bob Taylor) Just listened thru some earphones without watching the video! My ears could hear each string independently as if each string was "tamed" to produce its sound within its range and staying there without stepping in or overlapping its neighboring string. Also noticed that the V brace sound was more "natural" in volume compared to the X brace. Impressive! Clarity of sound at its best! I'd like to be in front of these two instruments without the help of electronics to see if the listening/hearing experience is the same. This does not mean one is better than the other, just a different way of enjoying the guitar sound!
Howard Rosario Jesus Christ. Go practice the guitar instead rather than imagining you have some super human ears.
I agree. I'm no audio expert, but to me with the V class you can hear each string separately where on the X braced they blend together more.
V bracing has a brighter sound. Very nice. Although, I would take either guitar and be very happy.
This is a perfect video to show the difference. Thank you. I agree with what some have said. The X brace does seem to have a base that has a bit more punch and the Y can leave it sounding "Flat". However what I heard was a deeper, more full tone that showed how much "tighter" the x brace is. If you listen for that tightness you'll hear in the X brace. Like you hear a more metallic sound from the strings and it's very much lessened by the new Y. Again great video.
I hear a bit more punchier bass with the X bracing and smoother integration of the registers with the V bracing. I wouldn't call this a revolution in guitar construction as the examples of the two bracing systems here sound first class.
I have a 914ce with X bracing I much prefer over the new V class. X bracing has better lows and upper clarity and note separation. V class might be more resonant and verby but it’s missing something in terms of body and character.
I agree.....it's missing that whole encompassing sound that X bracing has given Taylor, and put them on the map. I have heard the V in person and on video, and it does sound much better in person (more volume), but on UA-cam, it's hard to tell the difference. Just sounds like another guitar. However the X brace carries that sound in person and on video. This is where I believe Bob Taylor is making a big mistake by completely changing all his guitars. Listen to a lot of the 70's music....you can get pretty close to that sound with an X brace. It just fills the room.
I much prefer the 914 with the X bracing. The 914 with V bracing is sort of moving towards the sound of a Maton EBG 808 but not as good, the treble is too sparkly and the bass lacks definition. The K914 has a slightly softer projection than the others but thats due to the Koa back and sides.
The mids are great on all but my pick is the 914CE with X bracing. more harmonic, richer and fuller.
I enjoyed your playing Jeremy. Thanks for the comparison. After listening through headphones 4x I would give a slight edge to the X-brace 914CE. What was your impression of the live comparison Jeremy?
Hi Williss - thanks for the kind words. My impression was that the V-Class guitars were voiced, EQ-wise, in a more balanced way across the low/mid/high range (less bass predominated than with the X-braced 914CE for example). Some may prefer that, others may prefer the bass push of the X-brace version. The separation and clarity of each string was a little better on the V-Class and the intonation on chords fretted higher up the board was absolutely superb. The sustain on the V-Class was pretty impressive too in the sense it was very harmonious and composed and rang long and sweetly after the initial pick attack. The X-braced version was no slouch in terms of sustain either though. So, the main differences would be, for me at least, improved intonation and general sonority when sounding chords and notes further up the fretboard, a very composed and harmonious sustain and a more balanced voice than the X-braced version. The latter point is perhaps a matter of taste, however, and to repeat, the X-braced 914CE is also beautiful sounding guitar that I enjoyed playing. I would say the properties of the V-Class version didn't seem 'just marketing hype' - there's a tangible set of qualities that it seems to impart, as above, that is perhaps even easier to perceive in the room. I can only urge you to try one next time your in a guitar store and explore a bit further in person.
Guitarist Awesome video and magnificent answer!
Guitar Taylor my dream came true I have the 614ce nylon, that happiness thank you for the tutorial and sharing .. musically..+1+1
Honestly....I prefer the X bracing from this demo... but...hard to compare unless I can get em both in my hands.
In this comparison I prefer the X-braced 914 too. But it's hard to say in a recording.
Ditto. Me three.
I also thought this was a marketing scheme but I have to say now, it is not. Does that mean that is very different from what Taylor has done in the past. No, not really. It is just a little more icing on the cake. I own the 914ce and it is an amazing guitar. Get one and play it for a while and see for yourself.
Well obviously you like more bass and a standard dreadnought sound over this newer V brace sound which whilst it has less bass and boom has more lower mids upper mids, mids and sparkle... now doubt it's an improvement. I would like to hear one with Brazilian back and sides or at least good Maddy rosewood and a primo Spruce top! Love the armrest for comfort.
a quick listen on my iPad, not ideal conditions etc: the v brace seems to have more clarity, there’s a muddiness (and hence warmth) to the xbrace, the koa seems somewhere between the two which you’d expect from the different wood. The differences they talk about though would suggest you’d notice more as a player, the perceived improvements in intonation, and as an audience in an acoustic setting, the projection. The sustain depends so much on what you’re playing. If you just play very loud with a pick, then the “improvements “ of v bracing probably won’t make a huge deal of difference. They all sound good, neither better, depends on the shade you are after.
I’ll take “X” any day over “V” ...sorry.
Though the “V” sounds good. I hear brighter tones out of the “X”.
So much more clarity and dynamic range with the new bracing structure I think. I'll wait until it gets implemented to the lower range models...if ever.
Folks that have been to the Taylor road show events claim Taylor reps are saying V bracing will trickle all the way down to the 300 series by end of 2018...!!!
That's very helpful... :-/
Of course your reply is essentially a nonsequitor, considering there is a -14 (Grand Auditorium body) for the entire range of the Taylor series. 114, 214, 314 etc etc...
For me the x has much more clarity …
I've played these new V brace guitars and the hype is real...however I think that when V bracing makes it down to the 300, 400, 500 series etc the sound difference will be more noticeable. BTW; The GA guitars will get this new bracing before the other shapes.
I smell major price increase when that happens
Through the identical mic with (I presume) identical EQ, I really, really like the V-class bracing, especially on the 914CE.
I'll soon be the proud owner of a 314CE, which has fewer fancy appointments and swaps out true rosewood for sapele but is otherwise the same top with the same bracing. I'm digging the sound immensely, and can attest it's not necessarily any less rich & beautiful on the slightly more affordable 300-series.
That said, I think any serious player/producer/recording engineer worth their salt can find ways to make any of these sounds really shine. The X-bracing doesn't quite have the clarity and sparkle, but depending on what you are doing with it, it may sit in the mix better when you're recording it with other instruments. Once you get into instruments of this class, it's not necessarily about "better," the way it is when you're comparing a vintage Martin with a student-budget Epiphone. It's about "different," and has a lot to do with taste and how you use it. I'm sure there are ways you can squeeze a little more resonance and sparkle out of the X-braced guitar between the strings and the speaker. I'm also sure you can squeeze a little more boldness and bottom end out of the V-braced model. So it really comes town to a personal choice, based on what you need for your music and what you know how to do with the sound each guitar gives you.
(The only REAL solution, of course, is that I have to own a few of each someday. Just don't tell my family! :P )
I can definitely hear more sustain in the bass of the V-class, as well as a more crisp, nuanced attack. But none can be called a preference. They're just diff't tones. Suit your purpose! ;)
Very well done. thank you. It's funny, I know both 914's are Rosewood guitars, but the V class vs X braced almost sounds like the typical difference between a Mahogany and Rosewood guitar. The V class sounded more fundamental like Mahogany, where the X braced sounded more lush like Rosewood. I need to play one in person.
Stop saying the X guitar has older strings. THAT'S how both braces sound. I have two Taylor Guitars, one with X and the other with V. This videos reflects what they really are.
The V bracing sounds a bit like a banjo to me. I will stick to X bracing for now.
You've probably never heard a banjo in your life
I have the x brace 914ce and I love it, I also have the 814ce dlx v brace,the 816ce, 614ce and baby taylors and 1980 martin d28 my favorite is the 614ce.
The Taylor sound is so good, if anything V bracing gives another flavor on classic designs. One can use both in different instances.
They are all pretty awesome, but having had the V in my hands they definitely have much better note separation and play really even and tight, pretty much kills the ancient X brace and you can be pretty sure Taylor knows this for sure since that’s all they’ll be building soon except for the low end stuff... will be a TON of cheap used X brace 914s around for sure...
Personally I prefer the X-braced guitar. Especially when it came to strumming and anything with a pick.
They all sound like guitars to me. I think the nuances (which I don’t doubt are there) are only distinguishable for the player. I appreciate Taylor’s pursuit of developing new ways of making guitars. Who knows where it will take us. Can you imagine if we still only had gut string parlor guitars?
The V-Class 914CE is the guitar I would choose of the three demonstrated here. What does this prove? 1) For anyone in the market to purchase one of these guitars, that sound preference is in the ears, hands, and ribcages of the player. 2) That even with a torrefied top, the V-Class K14CE Builder's Edition doesn't top the V-Class 914CE to my ears and finally ... 3) That an especially lively soundboard (top), no matter the tonewood or bracing trumps all. Additionally, no bracing, torrefaction or other methods will render a subdued soundboard lively. I've played identical models of guitars, with identical bracing, torrefaction and so forth and the guitar with the livelier soundboard was always more impressive and enjoyable to play. What's the best guitar to buy or what's the best guitar ever? The best guitar ever is the guitar that you don't want to put down or stop playing. It's all about the music you create and the instrument should help you express yourself to that end.
To my ears, V Bracing has always sounded like kicking on a tubescreamer before a Fender amp and X Bracing just sounds like the Fender amp clean. I like both, but single note playing excels with V Bracing for me
X-bracing sounds more balanced to me
v-class louder but thinner, x brace fuller and boomer. Whichever would make me happy
Tonewoods would make more difference than the bracings in this comparison unless they use the exact same wood, but egen then, every wood is slightly different...
Slight edge to the V914. Although the familiar sound and warmth of the X914 is so comfortable.
The v bracing 914 sounds more open, a bit more vibrant, and more in tune than the x bracing 914. The k14 sounds very similar to the 914s, just a bit more on the warm and compressed side because of the Koa. I owned a Martin hd28 for 20 years (also spruce and rosewood) and the x bracing 914 sounds fairly similar in tone.
To my ears the v-braced guitars sounded cleaner, like the 1st standing wave on each string was a larger part of the whole, with the higher harmonics dampened. However the low notes seemed muted in comparison to the x-brace. Overall I liked the 914 with v-bracing the most. There’s no right and wrong though. We distinguish instruments aurally from those harmonics (and from the attack - the front of the initial wave). A ‘perfect’ guitar would just sound like a sine wave!
I compared brand new models of an X-braced 414ce (rosewood) to a V-braced 4141ce (ovangkol) last week. Not only did the V-braced guitar sound fuller and have better sustain, it sounded better than the x-braced 814ce models I've played (of which I've never played one I didn't like a lot). This V-bracing is a real winner I think.
To my ears the X has a bassier fuller tone. Sustain is debatable but if i had to pick one i stay with the X bracing. I have a 214 and love how big it sounds
I'm hearing a distinctive difference, however very little, in all three. To me the X bracing has a more woody sound than the other two. The V-Class K14Ce to me sounds a little more balanced than V-Class 914CE. Both sound great and I would definitely choose the V bracing over the X bracing for its clarity.
in my opinion V is perfect for light playing and single note playing whereas X brings out more of the wooden character esp when strumming. This to me is most obvious when playing open chords with quite heavy strumming. Or in other words when you really make the boody wood resonate. I would love Taylor to offer X-Variants also of their current models. They have some in their line wich I'd love to hear with X. One of these is the recent 724. I think I would prefer X.
914ce V-class and k14ce (also v class) are almost identical on the third song...on the second song, the 914ce v class had a bit more sparkle.
914 x bracing for me personally falls behind...don't get me wrong, it's still an amazing guitar.
If I had to pick one, I would go with k14ce V bracing.
if the strings on the x bracing are older than the new bracing just that can make a big difference
The V Class sounds more direct and crisp. The X Brace sounds more rich with some natural reverb sounds to my ears. For me just based on this video I'd go for the X Bracing.
I have a colleague/friend at work who helped develop the tech to protect soldiers from IEDs in Iraq/Afghanistan. He recently told an audience about his entrepreneurial experience. He said when you pioneer new tech, no matter WHAT it is, you'll be the target of ridicule, contempt, and all kinds of vitriol. So true. Andy Powers asserts that his new bracing design takes nothing away from all the wonderful acoustic guitars out there that deliver great music & tone. Nobody has to give up the old for the new. As Heidi Grant Halvorson (Ph.D.) asserts, we not only fear change, we genuinely believe (often on an unconscious level) that if something has been done in a particular way for a long time then it must be the GOOD WAY to do it. It's not impossible to overcome an unconscious bias, but we need to realize its there. Change and innovation are not intrinsically bad. We just need to address this (often unconscious) assumption that what's been around longer looks, works, tastes, feels and sounds BETTER.
Reminds me of that same old refrain you hear when you want to try something different and others want to resist change. They say "You can't do that because we've always done it this way." As though the way they have "always done it" is the superior and only way. You will always have folks who are so deeply ensconced in that which is comfortable for them that they will never be comfortable with or open to innovation. Sad for them as they will never leave themselves open to experiencing that which might just possibly be very exciting. As for my experience...I've always been a Martin gal. Yesterday, out of curiosity, and out of necessity, I tried the new Taylor 814 DLX V-Class guitar. It came home with me and I can't put it down! I had to quit playing guitar a few years ago because my left wrist bones (carpals) had begun to fuse together due to injury and arthritis. Also, my fingers are riddled with painful arthritis. As a result of these problems I found it impossible to play my beloved Martin Custom Shop D-45. This is why I found it necessary to look for a guitar my left hand and wrist could handle. I never liked the Taylor sound, but I knew they had the best-playing action of any guitar I had ever played, so I decided that perhaps now was the time to revisit the Taylor line with its new V-Class bracing. Am SO glad I did! I still have great pain in the left hand/wrist when playing, and my endurance is limited, however, after more than 3 years I CAN play again, and I am thoroughly enjoying this great-playing and great-sounding Taylor. By the way, I A/B compared the Taylor with the Martin GPCPA top end model, and the Taylor blew it out of the water both sonically and in terms of comfort and playability. No contest! Before you doubters pass judgement on the new Taylor V-Class models go try them out in person. Although this video is a great demo, all the videos on UA-cam won't give you the true experience by which to pass ultimate judgement. Open your minds and ears to new possibilities. You won't regret it....other than the fact that you just might find yourself having to fork out some hard-earned moolah!
X bracing is a clear winner in my book. The V brace is just to cut costs. It’s not being introduced into the Taylor line of guitars because of “innovation”. It simply exists to cut cost. That’s all. And it takes away a lot of low end which Taylor guitars never had a whole lot of low end to begin with so this to me is a L.
By now i think the V Class bracing seems good but i don't think anybody should go throw their X braced guitars in the trash. i have heard X braced guitars do everything that Andy Powers claims of his V Class and do them well in fact i have one. Judging by this video and many others i prefer Taylor's V Class over their X braced guitars, the new bracing seems to work very well IMO.
I really wanted to hear your opinion, not just hear you play. As the expert journalist I was hoping for more in that regard. My opinion is the is more clarity from the V bracing, but I preferred the warmth from the X bracing.
Andy Pennington what maybe isn’t clear is that the demo originally accompanied a multi-page, in-depth review in the print edition of the magazine, hence we didn’t recapitulate all the evaluation points in the demo, here. But thanks for the feedback - for the record I thought the V-Class guitars offered a very sweet, balanced, almost ‘hi-fi’ tone, which will definitely inspire a lot of players, while X-bracing gave the more classic bass push you’d expect from a larger-bodied guitar. I actually personally preferred the X-bracing but that is a purely subjective choice based on personal taste and playing style. The V-Class guitars have some exceptional qualities and I recommend trying one.
For me, the x-braced version sounds better. It's warmer. The K14 with Koa sounds even darker anyway. They all sound good, but I'm doubtful with the increased sustain.
Good test. So here's the thing. When you walk out of the store after you purchased the new V bracing guitar will anyone ever notice the difference in sound when you play it for them? if it's bragging rights then ok but personally most guitars sound great if you know how to play them. Another point to consider. Myself as a finger style player and Taylor owner (2 Taylors) I find it somewhat difficult at times when there is too much sustain as the notes will ring out over the next note played and sometimes that's not what your after meaning having to readjust playing styles. Anyway it's things to consider. In my opinion the cost of V bracing doesn't justify the means.
For a an acoustic to sound amazing, you need to expose it to lots of bacco smoke, booze, sweat, tears, and wounds from emotional moments, Oh yea, tears, and saliva dribs, and small but story telling nicks and gauges, other relative stuff too.
Bandicoot and other various sundries.
The V has more "sizzle" and is more Lowden like.
Yes, i think v brace is have more midrange compared to traditional x brace
I like the V-class sound, but it's interesting that sometimes less sustain is better: otherwise the dissonance of an open string against a changing chord may hold a bit too long. This has been one of the things about guitar that other instruments can't get away with -- harmonies that work on guitar sometimes don't work on, say, piano. In any case, it's still the playing that counts most in the sound of any guitar (and this is nice playing indeed).
What do those guitarists that play the Gibson Les Paul do with all that dissonant sustain getting in the way? Those poor buggers!
I will say there was a change in difference from the first guitar than all the rest. However I couldn't tell much difference after that. So I really dont know. I will buy the guitar that fits my ear and my style over name any day. This goes for most guitarist. We hear what we want and also for feel and our style....I dont care if it has Sears on the tag, if it works it works.
If you’re used to playing Martins (like me) then the 914 x brace probably sounds better. I’ve bought the K14 though recently and I’m really struggling to come to terms with it. The Taylor is So much more comfortable to play and more beautiful to look at than either of my custom shop Martins (000 Bubinga / Adirondack or the D Rosewood and Sitka) but the tone is too bright / shrill at times. The V class is accentuating the brightness as well. I’ve even swapped out the strings to a nice warm set and still I’m not sure.
I have to give the slight nod to the new V brace. It is very articulate and detailed, if slightly sterile. That says a lot since I appreciate base. People are familiar with the X brace sound but over time I think the V sound will grow on them. If you plug in or mic it you can always turn the base UP 20% and you will essentially have the best of both worlds. I just did this at GC. The base is there but you have to invite it to the party (EQ.) It's harder to dial out too much base.
Suggestion to the fine folks at TAYLOR GUITAR, please work on a modified version that is a perfect blend of X and Y...but more Y. All your engineers had to do was increase base response ~10% (very easy to do) and it would have been strumming Nirvana. This research & development work should have already been- especially at this level of the game. Especially since you implemented this change across the entire line-up. That was a huge gamble. I would say you hit a double or triple. It could have been an out of the park home run. I suspect that your marketing team get hung up on the phrase "X Brace." I think most would agree that a better result would have been somewhere in the middle of the old X voicing (somewhat boomy) and Y (articulate.) Call it X/Y.
In the meantime, as an unplugged work around, I wonder if adding thicker strings or detuning all 1/2 step could add a little more base. Just have to watch out for intonation. Bottom line- we should not have to be your focus group and search for base tone on a $2,500+ guitar. Taylor- do your homework next time please. X=a bit too boomy. Y=a bit too sterile (unplugged.) We need an X/Y system. "X/Y and strummers will BUY!"
I am about to buy a 414CE-Rosewood guitar. I was going to look for an older X brace model. After watching this video, and playing them in GC, I think I will chose a Y version.
To the experienced strummers out there- do you suspect that over time, as the wood matures, the base could come out more? That is one other factor that we probably should not overlook- all the X brace models were older.
Great playing by the way! I would love to get that tab of the riff you played at 2:27.
Thank you for the video. Proves the v class is not worth the extra money upgrade for me.
Is it me or did the X-braced 914 sound better? It is interesting also that I could not hear a large difference between the 914 guitars and K14 guitar. to me the X-braced guitar had less muddy intonation and still had just as much bass and treble. The X-braced seemed to be much more accurate in hitting the notes.
The X-braced guitar to me sounded much better. I am missing something?
First question is strings.....same strings? Same age strings? If I assume they are then personally I prefer the x-braced 914 at the low end of the fret board...but once you get mid way up the fret board the V-class notes are soo much clearer imo. As for volume and sustain....Im not expert. It is interesting. But as others here...I was nervous it was a marketing scheme..thanks for the comp video
The whole idea of “comparing” instruments is redundant. X-brace, ladder braced, V-braced. Maple, mahogany, spruce, cedar, Brazilian rosewood. You like the sound, you get it. Don’t like the sound, well maybe you don’t buy that one. That said, to me these both sound like brand new guitars, out of the box, with overly jangling strings. V-bracing adds slight differences yes, but over all, in a mix, is any random listener going to say “this song would have been complete rubbish, if not for the V-class bracing”? And the “studio friendly finish”, now there is a marketing department reaching for straws ...
The 2018 sounds too tight. Probably from being fresh out of the factory. Compare again in 1 year and then in 5 will be very interesting.
Has anyone compared waveforms between the X bracing and the V class bracing ? It would let one know if there is a significant difference.
Joseph Rogers or just use your ears and realise any difference is basically negligible.
Joseph Rogers : blah blah blah
Doug Davis So...you're eleven years old?
In my opinion the 914CE V-Class sounds warmer and has a longer afterglow. I am considering changing my K24CE (KOA, X-Class) for the 914CE V-Class. Any suggestions/advice (Can't have both...)
As a builder, I can tell you that the "better" claim is so subjective that it is silly to even talk about it. Both these guitars sound beautiful. There are literally thousands of variable permutations that contribute to the overall sound of a guitar. To say that this comparison between two versions of the same model isolates the bracing pattern as the only difference is ridiculous.
What do you think would contribute to there being such a strong difference between the sounds then? Could it be explained entirely by other factors, or do you think that maybe the V-brace might actually sound different?
I just heard an 814ce x brace A/B’d against a 914 v brace. The 814 blew the 914 away. Better tone. Way more low end.
It's only innovation if nobody else has done it before Taylor.
Brian Cullen : Wow, you're brilliant. Thanks for your insight.
wow the V is so vivid, brightly full and alive. The X is good though sounds chocked when compared to the V.
I have owned 2 Somogyi guitars . I Like the V brace
IMO the V bracing mics up here with more definition and also greater richness. The X braced guitar sounds kinda cloudy in comparison. It’ll be interesting to hear how they sound & compare in person.
It sounded to me like the X bracing had more low end and less midrange than the V bracing. As if that slightly less midrange was shifted to the low end. Subtle but noticeable.
X sounds brighter and more balanced (that Taylor sound) whilst the V is boomey and perhaps more focused. The K sounds better than the 914 V but the 914 X has way more presence and balance than either.
914 X-Bracing (to my ear) sounds richer while K14 V-Br a bit ringy so far...
k14cE definitely the best
I prefer k24ce builder edition for fingerpicking.
I’ll rank this: 1st V914ce 2nd Builders 3rd X914ce.
Can someone explain to me how the hell bracing could affect intonation? :|
The body of a guitar acts as resonator that seeks to vibrate at the same frequency as the strings, whereas guitar bodies cannot vibrate at exactly the same frequency as the strings and so you end-up with a series of compromises between tone and behaviors to make it all work. One of the side-effects of this is intonation changes between each of the strings.
V-bracing intends to reduce unwanted deflection of the guitar top, to help even out what is known as hot spots. Resulting in a more accurate harmonics and notes that are closer to there intended scale.
I got V-class K14 and am happy with it, but X-Braced sounds better.
You should show how they compare on the scope.
Big difference. V bracing wins here hands down.
J i don't know what you heard but not much of a diff.
Try listening again with quality headphones and amp if possible. The V bracing is more open and resonant and bigger.
J - I was listening on Seinhenssier 500 PXC. I think that's a pretty good headphone.
Check out this video: ua-cam.com/video/mIMSZeMxJoQ/v-deo.html
It clearly measured the sustain and resonant.
I'm not sure - I'll head down to my guitar shop to try it out but from the vids that I've heard (with quality headphone), I didn't get much from it. Moreover, V brace is just a subset of the X brace. Look at it this way, X is made up of two Vs stuck together.
That's your best bet. Compare in a quiet room obviously.
I hear it too. More than subtle.