Best way to buy a Taylor?
In my opinion the biggest problem with buying Taylor is that they are so consistent in quality that it makes it hard to distinguish between them. Most likely you will end up pondering several potential purchases. The one thing I'm sure of is when you pick up THE one you will know. I still frequent stores and I play everything and I'm still yet to find anything that feels better than my GA. Which is saving me a lot of money. I agree with the thought that says support your local stores. They need the business and they should be happy to get in a specific model for you. I like the idea of the deposit to show you are a serious buyer but really, it's not unreasonable to want to play the guitar you have in mind before you lay down your cash.
-
neverfoundthetime
- Posts: 48
- Joined: Sat Aug 01, 2009 2:14 pm
- Status: Offline
I'm enjoying all this guitar talk and its making me salivate.... and I just heard from a TGer today who has bought himself a dream of a guitar and I hope he tells us the tale and posts a video real soon as I'm dying to here this beaut!
Is there are reason you've decided specifically on a Taylor, Jay? I have a Taylor and I love it. And as you know, there are a lot of hard-core Taylor fans on our site, for very good reason: Taylor makes a great guitar and a lot of people love the distinctive Taylor sound. That said, that sound is NOT for everyone. I also own a Martin and I love it equally as well, but for different reasons. If you've played Taylors and decided that their sound is what's calling to you, great. But if you haven't, I'd urge you to try guitars from other makers: Martin, Gibson, Santa Cruz, Collins, Takamine, etc. You might end up playing a Taylor and loving it better than any of the other guitars. In which case you'll know that you made the right decision for you. But you might end up playing something else and feeling more drawn to a different guitar. I'd say, be as open-minded as possible. I've known a couple of people who planned on getting a Taylor and then bought a different make of guitar because the Taylor sound or look just wasn't right for them. Of course, I've also known plenty of the opposite- people who thought they'd be buying a Martin or other make, and then played a Taylor and fell head-over-heels.
Suzi
Suzi
Thanks to all for the comments. Here are a few of my own:
1) Supporting the local guitar store is definitely important for me. The store a mile or so from my house does not carry Taylors or Martins, but I know of one maybe twenty miles away that does. I purchased a Seagull from my local store a year or so ago, and while I am happy with it, I still have this fantasy of owning a high end Taylor some day.
2) Having said that, a nice Martin would be fine as well, if a direct comparison of the two led me in that direction. I like the idea of a side by side, bliinded comparison.
3) I, too, have heard stories of people enteriing a store intending to buy a Martin or Taylor, and walking out with a Larrivee for example. With my current mindset, it would be hard to imagine that happening in my case, but I will try to be as open minded as possible.
4) What I am looking for is a great, relatively high-end all around guitar. Body shapes, wood types, while important for most people, are not as important to me as I don't have the ear to really discern the subtle changes that go along with these different types of guitars. To be fair, I haven't spent any time playing or truly listening to a well made guitar, so perhaps I would be able to detect the subtleties if I put some effort into it. The obvious quesion, then, is why do I need a new guitar, and I guess the answer to that question is "I don't." Nevertheless, it would scratch an itch I've had for a while, and the end of tax season brought about an unexpected return of cash that should be going into my kids' college accounts.
I wil conduct the due dilligence required of this endeavour, and will take Dennis' advice and spend some time lurking about the Taylor forums. Thanks again for everyone's thoughts.
1) Supporting the local guitar store is definitely important for me. The store a mile or so from my house does not carry Taylors or Martins, but I know of one maybe twenty miles away that does. I purchased a Seagull from my local store a year or so ago, and while I am happy with it, I still have this fantasy of owning a high end Taylor some day.
2) Having said that, a nice Martin would be fine as well, if a direct comparison of the two led me in that direction. I like the idea of a side by side, bliinded comparison.
3) I, too, have heard stories of people enteriing a store intending to buy a Martin or Taylor, and walking out with a Larrivee for example. With my current mindset, it would be hard to imagine that happening in my case, but I will try to be as open minded as possible.
4) What I am looking for is a great, relatively high-end all around guitar. Body shapes, wood types, while important for most people, are not as important to me as I don't have the ear to really discern the subtle changes that go along with these different types of guitars. To be fair, I haven't spent any time playing or truly listening to a well made guitar, so perhaps I would be able to detect the subtleties if I put some effort into it. The obvious quesion, then, is why do I need a new guitar, and I guess the answer to that question is "I don't." Nevertheless, it would scratch an itch I've had for a while, and the end of tax season brought about an unexpected return of cash that should be going into my kids' college accounts.
I wil conduct the due dilligence required of this endeavour, and will take Dennis' advice and spend some time lurking about the Taylor forums. Thanks again for everyone's thoughts.
jayswett wrote:
In all seriousness with this I also walked into the best acoustic guitar shop in NZ and was dead set on buying a Martin, then the dudes sold me on an Alhambra! got ya folks you thought I was gonna say Cole Clarke... However, next time I went into buy a Martin (which was at the forefront of my mind) I bought my Cole Fat lady and have no regretsThanks to all for the comments. Here are a few of my own:
1) Supporting the local guitar store is definitely important for me. The store a mile or so from my house does not carry Taylors or Martins, but I know of one maybe twenty miles away that does. I purchased a Seagull from my local store a year or so ago, and while I am happy with it, I still have this fantasy of owning a high end Taylor some day.
2) Having said that, a nice Martin would be fine as well, if a direct comparison of the two led me in that direction. I like the idea of a side by side, bliinded comparison.
3) I, too, have heard stories of people enteriing a store intending to buy a Martin or Taylor, and walking out with a Larrivee for example. With my current mindset, it would be hard to imagine that happening in my case, but I will try to be as open minded as possible.
4) What I am looking for is a great, relatively high-end all around guitar. Body shapes, wood types, while important for most people, are not as important to me as I don't have the ear to really discern the subtle changes that go along with these different types of guitars. To be fair, I haven't spent any time playing or truly listening to a well made guitar, so perhaps I would be able to detect the subtleties if I put some effort into it. The obvious quesion, then, is why do I need a new guitar, and I guess the answer to that question is "I don't." Nevertheless, it would scratch an itch I've had for a while, and the end of tax season brought about an unexpected return of cash that should be going into my kids' college accounts.
I wil conduct the due dilligence required of this endeavour, and will take Dennis' advice and spend some time lurking about the Taylor forums. Thanks again for everyone's thoughts.
Jay, as others have said, take your time and play as many guitars as you can. I will say, if you try one of the Santa Cruz guitars, they are excellent, BUT prepare yourself for 'sticker-shock'! They ain't cheap!!! 
Typically, they are in the $6k - $60k price range.
I own and have owned several Taylor guitars. The workmanship is excellent and consistent. But even with the same models, there are subtle differences in the 'feel' and sound. Last year I was in a guitar store and I had a chance to play three new Model 814ce's. I was amazed at the difference between each. That is pretty much true with all guitar makers. Take the time to find the one you want.
You might also want to check the internet to see if there are any guitar shows coming to your region. Those usually have lots of choices and occasionally a "diamond in the rough".
Bill
Typically, they are in the $6k - $60k price range. I own and have owned several Taylor guitars. The workmanship is excellent and consistent. But even with the same models, there are subtle differences in the 'feel' and sound. Last year I was in a guitar store and I had a chance to play three new Model 814ce's. I was amazed at the difference between each. That is pretty much true with all guitar makers. Take the time to find the one you want.
You might also want to check the internet to see if there are any guitar shows coming to your region. Those usually have lots of choices and occasionally a "diamond in the rough".
Bill
Jay, Check out the Music Emporium in Lexington, MA. They are about 60 miles from you. They have lots of Taylors, Martin, Santa Cruz, and Collings.
http://www.themusicemporium.com/
http://www.themusicemporium.com/
Chasplaya wrote:
That being said, I will admit to the existence of good guitars that are not Taylors...
That's because they are good. And I'm not American, perish the thought!You Americans are infatuated with freaking Taylor's. OK ducking my head here bring it back on team lol.
That being said, I will admit to the existence of good guitars that are not Taylors...