Acoustic help/Opinions

[solacematt]

So I'm looking to get a new acoustic/electric to replace my Ovation Celebrity that I've played for a good 5 years. Lately I started playing with another band on the side and realized that my acoustic may be ok for doing stripped down shows with my band, but in a situation where there's another guitar present, mine just gets burried.

So I'm between two guitars, a Gibson Songwriter, and a Taylor 814CE. They both feel and sound great. Thick and full sounding, fast necks. Just wondering what everyone else's opinion is on them, if any. And, though it isn't something I really care about, how they each would hold up value-wise seeing as how they're both close to 3k each.

[Taylor Player]

If your looking for a Gibson that really cuts through a mix, don't overlook the Advanced Jumbo Slope shoulder dread. It doesn't come with a pickup, but there are many after market options that are friendly on the budget and do a great (if not better) job than typical stock electronics. I have a K & K mini Western pickup in my AJ and played through my Genz Benz Shenendoah amp, it is a beast. Not to mention, they are a great looking guitar as well and almost always priced around $2000 at Guitar Centers. I love Taylors, but played a great 710 at the same time as the AJ when I was looking and the AJ blew the Taylor outta da water!

 

 

 

[G McBride]

I recently picked up the Songwriter Deluxe cutaway model used for $1600. Very nice guitar and plays really well. Sounds as good amped as it does acoustic. I have no experience with the Taylor but I have played my Gibson through my Marshall and my Fender and it sounded great through both amps.

 

Hope this helps.

[albertjohn]

The Songwriter is a really versatile guitar. As G McBride says, it sounds great plugged in as well as acoustically. Both of ours have the Fishman system with tuner, eq, notch filter and volume whereas the non cutaway versions (until recently at least) has the Baggs electrics with only a soundhole volume control. Arguably not a good choice if you play live with your band and may have to use one of the rubber feedback busters in the soundhole. There is alot of love on this forum for the Baggs system but all I can say is the Fishman works very well in live situations. Very flexible. I've used mine with a band and solo/duets.

 

But the general rule here is buy the one that sounds best acoustically. You can always change/add the electronics later. I don't know about the Taylor model but all the Taylors I have played have been great. The tone might be a little more refined than the SW as the latter is rosewood which gives a great growly complex sound.

 

Make sure you play them both and even better, have someone else play them while you listen. You'll get a totally different perspective on the sound. If you are going to sing with it you might want to test this aspect out as well. The voice/guitar combo can also vary with different guitars.

 

Happy hunting.

[bkharmony]

Not a fan of either. I've always considered the Gibson Songwriter/maker series nothing more than a weak attempt to lure Taylor/Breedlove players to Gibson. And though I'm not a Taylor fan, the 814 is probably a better guitar.

 

I'd pick up a J-45. Maybe a J-185. That's not what you asked, but that's my opinion.

[drathbun]

Not a fan of either. I've always considered the Gibson Songwriter/maker series nothing more than a weak attempt to lure Taylor/Breedlove players to Gibson. And though I'm not a Taylor fan' date=' the 814 is probably a better guitar.

 

I'd pick up a J-45. Maybe a J-185. That's not what you asked, but that's my opinion.[/quote']

 

I can't disagree more. However, all being said, all of this talk is just subjective. You HAVE to A/B the two guitars yourself and make the choice that grabs you. I never thought I'd play a guitar that sounded better than my Larrivee L05. I played Martins, Gibsons, Taylors, Breedlove, Santa Cruz and even a Bill Collings. Once I played the Songwriter Deluxe, it grabbed me instantly. I have yet to have that same feeling with any other acoustic. And, yes, I've played an 814 and J45's and J180's and J200's and D28's... etc etc. I actually traded my Larrivee L05 away for my Taylor GA3-12 as it sat unplayed.

 

Again, others will have other experiences. How does the saying go?? YMMV?

[G McBride]

Well said drathbun. I , like you, have played and owned a few other nice guitars in my 56 years. When I looked at my Songwriter, I just strummed a few cords and handed the guy his money. This is such a great guitar in my humble opinion that I just had to have it.

 

Play the Taylor first and then try a Songbird Deluxe Cutaway and see what you think. In the end it is your opinion that matters not ours. Good luck in your choices and your search.

[Murph]

I'm a J45 fan.

 

But it's just because I am, not really for any other reason other than tone, touch, and response, feel, stuff like that.

 

I just like mine.

 

Best of luck Solacematt.

 

Murph.

[Rambler]

Re the 2 your are looking at, I'd imagine the Gibson would have stronger mids, which is a plus in a rock/band context. J

[albertjohn]

Not a fan of either. I've always considered the Gibson Songwriter/maker series nothing more than a weak attempt to lure Taylor/Breedlove players to Gibson. And though I'm not a Taylor fan' date=' the 814 is probably a better guitar.

 

I'd pick up a J-45. Maybe a J-185. That's not what you asked, but that's my opinion.[/quote']

 

The Songwriter series and Songmaker series are not the same. The former is Bozeman built and the latter Canadian in the factory acquired with one of the Gibson brands. (Can't recall the name) Play them both - you'll know they're different.

 

Totally agree with Drathbun and G McBride. I was instantly taken by my SWD when I played it and chose it having A/B tested it, with my teacher, against a Hbird MC - close call mind. I won't try and describe the tone but it's a very "in your face" guitar with its growly nature and bling - not to everyone's taste.

 

Very happy indeed with the SWD and it suits my purposes and style very well indeed. Occasional band, duets, trios and solo plugged in a acoustic.

 

I've said this before but if I could never have another acoustic, I'd be very happy to only have the SWD until the day I can't play anymore.

 

Personally I'd be very happy with a J45 or J185 they are fabulous instruments, but each will have a very different sound and feel.

 

I think the best advice anyone can give you is to have fun trying them all and whichever one you do choose, enjoy it.

[solacematt]

Thanks for the help McBride and AlbertJohn, and everyone. I too did a few of the things you all mentioned such as try it out unplugged before plugging it into an amp, having a friend, and fellow co-worker play them both as well so I could hear how they sounded. Totally have to get a different player play them both to hear them as well though since my co-worker plays an acoustic like a, as he puts it, 'belligerent drunk' haha.

I work at a Guitar Center, so on my breaks I tend to venture into the acoustic room a lot to try out acoustics which is how I narrowed it down to these particular models.

Martins didn't do a thing for me, and I wasn't too fond of the Breedlove. They sound good, just didn't feel right in my hands. The cutaway is definatly one of the attractions I had as well. We have a new J45, as well as a '68 J45 but they're both full jumbo bodied guitars which is a bit of a turnoff for me since I have to sing and play. Still torn between these two models. I guess since I use altered tunings that's the the next thing I have to try on them both to see how they sound and hold up.

[Hall]

Late arrival

 

Forgive me Gibson. I have an 814. I prefer it for feel and tone when plugged. I prefer my Gibsons only with a great preamp or unplugged. Then, ah, nice. But, everybody is different. Especially, Murph. No?

 

 

Groper

[Murph]

Especially' date=' Murph. No?

[/quote']

 

 

"You talkin' to me?"

 

:D/