Approaching 50 and decided it was 'Taylor' time

[Buffadog]

Great to find everyone here! So here I am, creeping my way through my 49th year and realising the Yamaha I've always had sitting in the corner of the room on my many travels over the years, by and sea and air, has gotten to be 29 years old itself; sure sounds nice after all that time but looks like it has travelled all that way with me, almost as many dents and scratches as me!

So it's Taylor time; walked into a store 'knowing' I wanted a 314ce, then I played a 414ce, then a 514ce, then a.....; you get the idea, so here I am several months later, still taylor less and torn between a 916ce or a 918e (chance of a 918e FE too) but was also keen on the 814ce, then they brought out a new one! So advice people, should I go for a 918e, 916ce or a 816ce (old model) or should I just get them all!

You know at 20 years old with no budget this was a much easier choice to make!   

[Jersey tuning]

Welcome to the forum.  It was exactly as I was approaching my 50th birthday some time back that I decided it was time to replace my nearly 30 year old (at that time) Yamaki Deluxe Folk guitar.  Too bad I didn't know about Taylor back then, because I had to wait another 8 years to get my first Taylor.  You sound like you'll be luckier than I was........

[Earl]

Hey Buff, go for it.  Life is short.

One of the best sayings I have ever heard, and really took this to heart many years ago:   "When will you ever be 45 again?"  The number has slid upwards from 25 to now 50 in my case (currently age 54).

[TaylorGirl]

Welcome....you've come to the right place. We will make darn well sure you pick up a nice Taylor or two or three or........

[BathTimeStrummer]

I just played around with a 2014 816ce and I really had a hard time putting it back on the wall at GC. They had a new 914ce in there too, but with a Sitka top, seems like you're just paying for more inlay. I love the new 800 series. If I could justify to the Mrs., I would already own one! As far as the GO body style (x18), I'm 6'0" and I got worn out this weekend playing my GS for many hours. I can only imagine that the GO would be even tougher on my shoulder. If it's a sound you love or you're a bigger guy, then don't let me scare you, just my $0.02.

Also, having just played my new 316ce with a group for the first time, I have a new appreciation for the ES2. Group settings seem to bring out the worst in the ES (mind you--not horrible, just mildly annoying). From what I've heard, the ES2 does a much better job of ignoring ambient noise.

All that said, if you handed me XXXX, I'd probably still buy the 2014 814ce and walk away happy. It's got all the new Andy Powers science in it and is the top selling acoustic guitar model in the over XXXX category.

[timfitz63]

Welcome!  Regarding your Taylor guitar dilemma:  Just pick out the prettiest one; you're going to end up with them all eventually... 

[Strumming Fool]

Welcome Buffadog-

You've looked at a good number of instruments. I guess I would first want to know which size I like best? After all, you can get most of the series you mentioned in 14, 16 or 18. It appears that you've settled on the rosewood sound, so now you just have to figure out which size suits you best. Once you've got that down, the choice between different levels of bling will be much easier.

Have fun in your quest, young man!

[stepchildusmc]

tough call. i personally don't care for all of the bling on the 900 series guitars.
i haven't had the opportunity to try the new 800 series guitars yet. i'm planning on going for a couple day trip next week and hopefully i'll find a shop that has a few. as SF pointed out, the important thing would be to figure out which bodystyle you'll be more comfortable playing for  hours at a time. i love the big sound of the GO guitars but can only play them for 15 minutes or so. i've settled for the GS as my favorite body size, a little of both worlds... good, strong strummer while individual notes are still crystalline. my GA's tend to break down a bit under aggressive strumming( i'm still working on finesse and how to hold back to get the best out of each one) for me.

[Buffadog]

Welcome....you've come to the right place. We will make darn well sure you pick up a nice Taylor or two or three or........

I think you're right about that, I'm already planning a music room for them all to sit in!

[Buffadog]

tough call. i personally don't care for all of the bling on the 900 series guitars.
i haven't had the opportunity to try the new 800 series guitars yet. i'm planning on going for a couple day trip next week and hopefully i'll find a shop that has a few. as SF pointed out, the important thing would be to figure out which bodystyle you'll be more comfortable playing for  hours at a time. i love the big sound of the GO guitars but can only play them for 15 minutes or so. i've settled for the GS as my favorite body size, a little of both worlds... good, strong strummer while individual notes are still crystalline. my GA's tend to break down a bit under aggressive strumming( i'm still working on finesse and how to hold back to get the best out of each one) for me.

I managed to ply a 918e and 618e in a store for an hour or so and thought they were okay and that the GO shape was good for me; but my shoulder/neck did ache a while later that day, guess it's a decision as to would I adapt and get used to it or not, I'm quite a soft player and was impressed at how much I could get out of the GO with little effort, but as others have said I'm probably going to end up with one of each anyway!

I understand the comment about the bling on the 900's but have to say that sonically they are in a different league, if you play an 800 back-to-back with a 900 (even a new 800) it's really quite amazing how deep and complex the sound is from the 900, it's beautiful, but I understand that the price tag ain't so attractive!

[mgap]

tough call. i personally don't care for all of the bling on the 900 series guitars.
i haven't had the opportunity to try the new 800 series guitars yet. i'm planning on going for a couple day trip next week and hopefully i'll find a shop that has a few. as SF pointed out, the important thing would be to figure out which bodystyle you'll be more comfortable playing for  hours at a time. i love the big sound of the GO guitars but can only play them for 15 minutes or so. i've settled for the GS as my favorite body size, a little of both worlds... good, strong strummer while individual notes are still crystalline. my GA's tend to break down a bit under aggressive strumming( i'm still working on finesse and how to hold back to get the best out of each one) for me.

I managed to ply a 918e and 618e in a store for an hour or so and thought they were okay and that the GO shape was good for me; but my shoulder/neck did ache a while later that day, guess it's a decision as to would I adapt and get used to it or not, I'm quite a soft player and was impressed at how much I could get out of the GO with little effort, but as others have said I'm probably going to end up with one of each anyway!

I understand the comment about the bling on the 900's but have to say that sonically they are in a different league, if you play an 800 back-to-back with a 900 (even a new 800) it's really quite amazing how deep and complex the sound is from the 900, it's beautiful, but I understand that the price tag ain't so attractive!

It was the neck and shoulder problem you experienced why I gave up the dreadnought and GS body size and have gone with the Grand Auditorium (GA) size.  I can play for hours with no problem now.  If you do plan on getting multiple guitars then it is not such issue, but now days I consider the comfort of the guitar over many other aspects in my guitar purchases.  I do believe if you have neck and shoulder problems after playing in the music store, that one is not the size you should start out with.  In any case enjoy the hunt. 

[Buffadog]

Thank you for the feedback and advice mgap, I think I need to lock myself away I a store sound room for a few days!

[mgap]

Thank you for the feedback and advice mgap, I think I need to lock myself away I a store sound room for a few days!

That could be fun

[Earl]

I have always believed that the acoustic guitar rooms at Elderly, Buffalo Brothers, Gryphon, Dusty Strings, "insert your favorite here" WERE heaven on Earth.

[Guitar Cowboy]

Welcome to the forum Buffadog. Your story is very familiar sounding. I just hit the Fifty mark and last year at 49  and a half, I decided to buy myself a new guitar . My 30+ year old Yamaha served me well but it was time to treat myself to something new. I went shopping for  a Martin,  but quickly fell in love with everything Taylor.  I was initially determined  to keep it under $XXXX so I originally  was looking at the 300 and 400 series , but the one day at GC  I pulled an 814 off the wall. It took a few visits to  convince myself  that I could consider spending $XXXX on a guitar. I rationalized that I had waited 30 years to buy myself a new guitar , so I concentrated on the 800 series. I spent a few hours playing an 814 and an 816  and finally decided on the 816( old model). I couldn't be happier with it.

So have fun shopping for your Taylor. Congratulations in advance!!! When I brought the 816 home, I thought this was the only guitar I'll ever need. But now, I'm pretty sure  I'll be buying another one sometime soon...

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