Newbie needs to know which Taylor: 410ce or 414ce?
Kevin Walsh
I'm looking for help. I am buying my first guitar (six sting) and I
cannot decide which one to buy. I have narrowed the choices down to the
aformentioned Taylor 410ce or the 414ce. I understand that its most
important to buy the one that feels the best and suits my style of
playing. The problem is: I have no style yet!! I am not completely new
to guitar playing (technically speaking). I have been a working bass
player for about 10 years. I envision being mostly a pick player, but
plan on becoming adept at fingerstyle too. My tastes range anywhere and
everywhere from BB King to the Beatles to the Bo'Deans to Beck (Hanson,
not Jeff, although he's great too). There is a 1/16 inch difference in
the width of the neck and as miniscule as that seems, it feels
significantly different, but not better or worse; just different.
Unfortunately, an hour or two playing each one in a loud music store has
not brought clarity to the situation. I personally think the Grand
Auditorium 414ce is marginally more attractive and comfortable to hold
than the dreadnought 410ce. The dreadnought seems to sound a little more
lively. The price difference is insignificant.
Please show me the way,
Kevin Walsh
Columbia, MD
Bob Dorgan
Both guitars have their advantages,and both sizes have their admirers,
so expect to get "definative" answers from both groups.
I own both sizes (not Taylors though), and use them for different
things.
Dreads are known and revered for their ability to stand up to agressive
picking. In general, they have a strong bass with clear highs.
Grand auditoriums are large enough to get a decent bass response, don't
break down under heavy attack and are reasonably responsive for
fingerstyle. You hit on the fact that they are more comfortable to
play (for most people).
All of these statements are gross generalizations.
But, if I had to chose one, I would chose the grand auditorium.
None of this really matters though- which do YOU like? When you decide
that, that's the right answer for you.
Bob Dorgan
Gloriann Berkel
Go for the 414CE. I have a 414KCE and play fingerstyle. This guitar is
wonderful. I think it can hold it's own in loudness but if you plug it
in, it really doesn't matter. The neck size on the 414 and the body size
is better suited for fingerstyle. But in the end, buy the one that feels
the best for you.
Happy New Year
Glori Berkel
Hojo2X
>I'm looking for help. I am buying my first >guitar (six sting) and I>cannot
decide which one to buy. >I have narrowed the choices >down to
the>aformentioned Taylor 410ce or the 414ce.
Smilin' Bob Dorgan replied:
>Both guitars have their advantages,and both sizes have their admirers,
>Dreads>have a strong bass with clear highs.
>Grand auditoriums are large enough to get a decent bass response, don't>break
down under heavy attack and are reasonably responsive for>fingerstyle. You hit
on the fact that they are more comfortable to>play (for most people).
> if I had to chose one, I would chose the grand auditorium.
Me too.
Bob continues:
>None of this really matters though- which do YOU like?
>All of these statements are gross generalizations.
Yes, but if they weren't, it wouldn't be a Bob Dorgan post, now would it? We'd
say: "Some scheming peckerwood is trying to pass himself as Dorgan, but we know
it can't really be Bob, since the information is both specific and helpful!"
Actually, Bob was about specific as it's possible to be without being in the
same room with both guitars and trying them out. So much really depends upon
the characteristics of those particular, individual guitars themselves.
Generalizations based on body styles are useful so far as they go, but that
isn't always all that far.
For what it's worth, I like the smaller Grand Auditorium size myself. Martin
makes the inspiration for them all, the Martin Triple O, and a number of other
manufacturers do a bang-up job, as well. In addition to trying the Martin
000-1 and the Martin OM-21, you should check out the Larrivee OM-03, too.
One thing I'd mention - as a general rule, it takes better right hand technique
to get a good tone out of a Grand Auditorium than it does a dreadnought.
Dreadnoughts are harder to mike, harder to record, have moe feedback problems
and are generally just much less tonally balanced than the Grand Auditoriums,
but they are user-friendly in that you can use a thin pick held at the ends of
your fingertips, and still get a good sound out of a dread. Grand Auditoriums
require a bit more digging in to get the tone out. This takes all of about
three days to get used to, but most folks make their purchase decisions in much
less time than that, so the dreadnought rules supreme so far as sales figures
go.
I hope that this is of some help.
Wade Hampton Miller
Buono, Robert
was the way to go for me. I
think that the 4xx series is nicer to look at but I felt that the mahogany
has a warmer sound and requires
only a light touch to get the tone and volume as opposed to the Ovankol
(sp??) in the 4 series.
As far as dred vs GA. The GA is more comfortable but the Dred booms. If I
were just starting out I think I
would go for the dred. IMHO it will be more forgiving to a new players
right hand. Why the ce?
Cutaways don't make much sense to me especially if you are a new
player....but they look really cool.
Good luck and have fun
PS I too played bass for around 8 years before picking up a guitar 13
years ago. You will never be the
same.
Bob Buono
*** Posted from RemarQ - http://www.remarq.com - Discussions Start Here (tm) ***
Michael Blanton
The 414 CE will give so much more versatility, you have a very assorted
range of styles that you already know and play on the bass or otherwise.
Your heart has already told you that the 414 is the one you really want, so
there is no question. If the feel is there, it is the one. I have a 655CE, a
totally different monster, but I had the same dilemma with choices, but I
went with my heart, it was right! good luck & happy new year!
Michael B.
Kevin Walsh wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I'm looking for help. I am buying my first guitar (six sting) and I
> cannot decide which one to buy. I have narrowed the choices down to the
rob
<mbbl...@mad.scientist.com> wrote:
Kevin,
I can't really compare the two, but I bought a 414kce last year and I
think the versatility is outstanding ... I do a very broad mix of
stuff and think the 414 holds up well in all styles. And yes, it's a
very comfortable to us and a handsome instrument.
rob
Kevin Walsh
It's true that nothing worthwhile is easily had. I put in many more hours,
subsequent to my original post, playing these and the other brands/models
suggested. There were so many factors to consider: comfort, playability,
evenness of tone, etc. When the day was done, I bought a 414ce. My hands,
eyes, and heart made the decision, since, at this point, my ears are
somewhat less mature. Don't misunderstand me; I think the instrument sounds
wonderful! But, I suppose, as my critical ear for acoustic guitar develops,
I may look back and say to myself "what the hell was I thinking when I
bought this" or possibly "what amazing instinct I had when I bought this
despite being so inexperienced." Only time will reveal the truth. For now,
I've got lots o' playing to do!!!
Thanks again!
Kevin Walsh
ken...@msn.com.au
All generalisations aside, if it's going to be your ONE guitar to learn on,
go with the 14 series. It's about the most versatile body size you can get
(a great all-rounder) and that little bot of extra comfort playing will go a
long way.
I own guitars of many shapes and sizes - if I had to stick with one it would
be a 14 series size. Or a Triple O Martin --- they're much the same thing as
far as versatility and comfort are concerned.
Good Luck
Ken