NGD: Taylor Next Gen 814ce

[Stratman68]

Guitar came today. It does play better than my Martin, sound pretty much the same with a slight edge to the Martin OM28e-at least I don't have to go by google searches now.
Have not plugged it in yet, that will be the final test for me. It is quite amazing how straight the neck is with really low action with no NO BUZZ at all. Excellent for my arthritis.......
Only issue I have is it's larger than I thought. Searches came up it was similar in size to my Martin OM28e. It's not. It's much closer to a dreadnought for sure.

Anyway all in all it is a beautiful, easy to play acoustic-electric and I am expecting the plugged in sound to be really nice even without a mic, although I do record acoustics with the onboard pickups and a Warm WA-87r2 or Shure SM57.

 

[Rick]

The 814CE I had was one of the best acoustics I’ve had, and I’ve regretted selling it. I think it’s the best size overall, with decent projection. They do sound killer amplified with the ES2 system. Congrats!

 

[David Houck]

Congrats!

 

[Ryan Pullin]

The 814CE I had was one of the best acoustics I’ve had, and I’ve regretted selling it. I think it’s the best size overall, with decent projection. They do sound killer amplified with the ES2 system. Congrats!

Correct me if I’m wrong @Stratman68 but I’m pretty sure this is the Next Gen which has the Claria system. They aren’t doing the ES2 on the Next Gens.

The claria is basically a piezo pickup so it kinda has that vibe for sure. I think it still sounds great on my Next Gen 324CE, but it’ll be different for sure.

 

[Stratman68]

Correct me if I’m wrong @Stratman68 but I’m pretty sure this is the Next Gen which has the Claria system. They aren’t doing the ES2 on the Next Gens.

The claria is basically a piezo pickup so it kinda has that vibe for sure. I think it still sounds great on my Next Gen 324CE, but it’ll be different for sure.

Yes sit is. I haven't plugged it in yet but played it a lot today. I am encouraged that you like the sound. Tomorrow I'll plug it in and post back-compared to my Martin OM28e with LR Baggs top system.

 

[Rick]

Correct me if I’m wrong @Stratman68 but I’m pretty sure this is the Next Gen which has the Claria system. They aren’t doing the ES2 on the Next Gens.

The claria is basically a piezo pickup so it kinda has that vibe for sure. I think it still sounds great on my Next Gen 324CE, but it’ll be different for sure.

As usual, I’m behind the times. I’ll be curious to hear what @Stratman68 thinks of the newer system!

 

[Stratman68]

Played the Taylor today thru my home recording stuff - Adams A7v's and then Mixer and ELX200 12P's+Yamaha DXR10's for that PA system type sound in my don't call it a Home studio.
The Taylor was easy to dial in a good sound without too much of a hassle. Especially for finger picking. In all fairness to the Martin LR Baggs Anthem, the Taylor has 12-53's on it and , the Martin has 10-47's. The Taylor also is more like a dreadnought, so bigger sound than Martin OM28e model I have.
I would say the Taylor was pretty easy to dial in an OK sound for both strumming and finger-picking. IMHO they put the tone control and mid contour control TOO close to the strings but that's another story.
I have a Taylor mini GS Rosewood plus that I never play, don't like the neck at all but it has the ES2 system and the newer system is definitely better.
I will be putting 11-52's on the Taylor which will be nice.
I wouldn't say it's light years ahead of the ES2 or LR Baggs Anthem, but it certainly seemed easier to get a decent sound... I like it!
Plays really nice without any adjustments by me...................
For any acoustic players-If you have never tried the D'Addario Nickel Bronze for acoustic it's worth a shot. They last and feel and sound great, imho! They are NOT treated....Just made really well I guess.

 

[grandinq]

814ce is the holy grail of acoustics for me. Congratulations!

 

[Stratman68]

814ce is the holy grail of acoustics for me. Congratulations!

It's a great guitar, as is my Martin OM28e. A lot of my feeling\thinking whatever comes down to the fact that ALL of my acoustic guitar playing is done at home, no amps, PA's, just the room. Say what you will but for this 40+ years o playing acoustics, the Martins SOUND BETTER in the room, I mean it is an acoustic. M Not by leaps and bounds at all and I must admit Taylor is getting real close according to my 814ce
The Taylor, the new one I have plays better than my Martin for sure. Plugged in it has an edge also as I stated above.
Jeezzzz, I hope we don't have the windows-Mac wars of the Taylor and Martins. Mine are both $3K plus guitars so they better sound good!
I am very happy with the 814ce-a pleasure to play!
Best acoustic I ever played was the 1970 martin D-35 that I bought one week after landing back ion my hometown after a 11 month expedition thru the jungle.
I actually lost it in a pawn shop for $70. Too many drugs....

Have you ever played a Collings? I have been so curious about those but the price.....

 

[grandinq]

It's a great guitar, as is my Martin OM28e. A lot of my feeling\thinking whatever comes down to the fact that ALL of my acoustic guitar playing is done at home, no amps, PA's, just the room. Say what you will but for this 40+ years o playing acoustics, the Martins SOUND BETTER in the room, I mean it is an acoustic. M Not by leaps and bounds at all and I must admit Taylor is getting real close according to my 814ce
The Taylor, the new one I have plays better than my Martin for sure. Plugged in it has an edge also as I stated above.
Jeezzzz, I hope we don't have the windows-Mac wars of the Taylor and Martins. Mine are both $3K plus guitars so they better sound good!
I am very happy with the 814ce-a pleasure to play!
Best acoustic I ever played was the 1970 martin D-35 that I bought one week after landing back ion my hometown after a 11 month expedition thru the jungle.
I actually lost it in a pawn shop for $70. Too many drugs....

Have you ever played a Collings? I have been so curious about those but the price.....

Taylor, Martin, it’s all good. Like you said, if you are paying over $3k they should sound good!

I had never heard of Collings and looked them up. Wow. That’s a whole other level of price!

 

[BBN]

Taylor 814 (and all *14) models are a Grand Auditorium/Performance. The Martin equivalent is GPC models. Your OM28 is certainly smaller and thinner.
I have a Martin OMC28 and a Martin Custom Shop OMC. They are just amazing guitars.
I owned a Martin GPC28 and GPC35 (so same size as your Taylor)....and they just didn't do it for me. I liked the tone of the OMs better, so sold the other two.
I wish Martin still made a high end GPC body (other than the Inception...tried it, and it was meh).

Although they're harder to play (body size wise), Dreads are still king in my mind. I have a Martin HD28, Atkin D37 and Guild DV52...and I love them all.

I love the new Taylor neck design. I went to a store this weekend and tried a bunch of the Next Gen *14 models. They're all just too bright on the top end, and not in a pleasing way. I wish that wasn't the case, I'd love to have a guitar with that adjustable neck.
I may get one of the Trey Hensley models at some point, but really wish they'd add a cutaway to one of their Next Gen Dreads.

I love acoustic guitars - in case it wasn't apparent.

 

[Stratman68]

So, I have an issue already with the 814ce. As stated, came with 12-53's. D'Addario XS. So I wanted a lighter gauge (hand arthritis issues).
For all these years, on acoustics, I ALWAYS change ONE string at a time. Just got to be a habit and never had any issues with the neck or setup.
Well, the Taylor didn't like it so much.
So I guess I am going to have a crash course on setup on Next Gen Taylors. The neck was STRAIGHT and so low without any issues, amazing actually.....Kind of bummed but I am confident I can get it back to where it was.

 

[Ryan Pullin]

So, I have an issue already with the 814ce. As stated, came with 12-53's. D'Addario XS. So I wanted a lighter gauge (hand arthritis issues).
For all these years, on acoustics, I ALWAYS change ONE string at a time. Just got to be a habit and never had any issues with the neck or setup.
Well, the Taylor didn't like it so much.
So I guess I am going to have a crash course on setup on Next Gen Taylors. The neck was STRAIGHT and so low without any issues, amazing actually.....Kind of bummed but I am confident I can get it back to where it was.

Sounds like a truss rod adjustment?

 

[BBN]

So, I have an issue already with the 814ce. As stated, came with 12-53's. D'Addario XS. So I wanted a lighter gauge (hand arthritis issues).
For all these years, on acoustics, I ALWAYS change ONE string at a time. Just got to be a habit and never had any issues with the neck or setup.
Well, the Taylor didn't like it so much.
So I guess I am going to have a crash course on setup on Next Gen Taylors. The neck was STRAIGHT and so low without any issues, amazing actually.....Kind of bummed but I am confident I can get it back to where it was.

What is happening now? If you went to lower gauge strings, that means less tension. You're likely to get buzzing and as stated by Ryan, you need to adjust the truss rod.

I've taken 12s off a guitar and put 12s on of a different brand and got buzzing (because the different brand had different tension). Quick truss adjust and it was fine.

 

[Stratman68]

Thanks guys-I know about the truss rod of course. I am just hoping I can get it back where it was. It played amazingly and the strings were so low.
I am just afraid it will be MORE than a simple truss rod adjustment. Guess I should have put that in my post.
I will post back. And thanks for the advice and responses.................

Sounds like a truss rod adjustment?

I am sure it is part of it-Just hoping that's all it is.

 

[Stratman68]

OK well a little bit of truss rod adjustment and a turn on the new neck adjustment nut and it's back where it was. Amazing!
Super easy to get back to the way it was when I got it.
I am loving this guitar and after so many google searches about Martin vs Taylor which plays better-I now KNOW 1st hand that Taylors, well 814ce, is easier to play than my Martin OM28e.
Wasn't really looking to spend as much as I did but I am sure glad I did....................

 

[BBN]

Their new design definitely allows for some quick adjustments that will make a big difference.
Other than being easier to play - how is the tone compared to OM28? I'm sure the 814 is a bit louder, but how about the tone?
I'm going to guess that the Martin has a bit rounder top end (a little warmer), and the Taylor has more low end response?

 

[Stratman68]

Their new design definitely allows for some quick adjustments that will make a big difference.
Other than being easier to play - how is the tone compared to OM28? I'm sure the 814 is a bit louder, but how about the tone?
I'm going to guess that the Martin has a bit rounder top end (a little warmer), and the Taylor has more low end response?

Exactly what you guessed as far as the sound. I do prefer the Martin "in my living room" sound. But I have only had Martins all my life. TBH, If (or perhaps WHEN) Taylor makes a Next Gen Grand CONCERT (similar to my OM Martin size) I will jump on it. Nothing wrong with having 3 nice acoustics........
The 814ce is a well made guitar-no doubt!

 

[secondwindow]

Played the Taylor today thru my home recording stuff - Adams A7v's and then Mixer and ELX200 12P's+Yamaha DXR10's for that PA system type sound in my don't call it a Home studio.
The Taylor was easy to dial in a good sound without too much of a hassle. Especially for finger picking. In all fairness to the Martin LR Baggs Anthem, the Taylor has 12-53's on it and , the Martin has 10-47's. The Taylor also is more like a dreadnought, so bigger sound than Martin OM28e model I have.
I would say the Taylor was pretty easy to dial in an OK sound for both strumming and finger-picking. IMHO they put the tone control and mid contour control TOO close to the strings but that's another story.
I have a Taylor mini GS Rosewood plus that I never play, don't like the neck at all but it has the ES2 system and the newer system is definitely better.
I will be putting 11-52's on the Taylor which will be nice.
I wouldn't say it's light years ahead of the ES2 or LR Baggs Anthem, but it certainly seemed easier to get a decent sound... I like it!
Plays really nice without any adjustments by me...................
For any acoustic players-If you have never tried the D'Addario Nickel Bronze for acoustic it's worth a shot. They last and feel and sound great, imho! They are NOT treated....Just made really well I guess.

+1 on the D'Addario Nickel Bronze

 

[Brian Atkinson]

Congrats! About 15 years ago, I found a great deal on a slightly used 914CE, and to this day, I still believe buying it was one of the best gear decisions I've ever made.

Enjoy!