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Audiofanzine FR
Published on 11/08/08 at 01:20
(Originally written by jetlag/translated from Audiofanzine FR)
Hello everybody. I'm surprised to be the first to write a review about this Taylor 114CE! What a responsibility! As usual, this is only my personal opinion. It's my first impression and I will update it in a few months.
It's a Taylor 114 CE (venetian grand auditorium with cutaway) made in Mexico. It has 20 frets, a sitka top and laminated sapele back and sides. Mahogany neck, Indian rosewood fingerboard and bridge. Chrome machine heads. Natural and satin finish.
Great Taylor ES-T preamp with three controls (vol/low/high). Provided with an elegant and well-made gig bag. I think it will get dirty really fast since it's light beige.
The packaging is good and contains lots of protection for the guitar. For the price, I do regret the lack of a hard case, even a low-budget one couldn't cost more then the included soft gig bag!
The guitar is very light and the top shows tiny wood imperfections which enhance the woody character without detracting from the overall aesthetics. The finish is perfect. I observed every inch of the guitar without finding the smallest imperfection.
The action and overtones of the guitar were perfectly adjusted.
So it's a serious product in the low-budget price range!
I give it 8/10 because it has no hard case.
UTILIZATION
- Is the neck comfortable? Yes but I have many guitars so I can easily adapt myself to different necks. This one is rather slim and pleasant. The fret work is good and the hand slides without a problem.
- Is the access to the upper frets easy? The cutaway makes it easy but it's still an electro-acoustic guitar, meaning you'll play more ballads than wild distortion solos, so it's not really that important.
- Is the instrument ergonomic (body shape, weight...)?
Yes the overall ergonomics are good. The guitar is very light and the neck is pleasant but I haven't played it standing. The body shaping is comfortable and it honors the Taylor legend...
SOUNDS
- Do they fit your music style?
Pop, rock, power ballads, finger picking, folk... Yes, I bought it for that reason. I can't actually say that it's a blues guitar (perhaps later in the review update...)
- Which amp(s) or effect(s) do you use it with?
I plug it directly into the desk with a slight reverb effect! It sounds great!
- What kind of sounds do you get and which settings do you use ("crystal-clear", "fat", ...)?
Now we are getting serious: The powerful preamp provides a clear sound with well-balanced mids and a slightly weak low-end which you might need to boost with the knobs. The highs are ok.
The preamp has an impressive power compared to other guitars. It really makes a difference.
- Which sounds do you prefer / hate? Generally the guitar gives me the sound I expected for my music but I'm not sure if that would be the case for blues.
OVERALL OPINION
- How long have you been using it?
One week, that is about 5-6 actual playing hours!
- Which feature do you like the most / the least?
+++ Preamp sound / --- no hard case
- Did you try any other models before buying it?
I tested over 10 guitars in this price range from Yamaha, Takamine, Ibanez, Breedlove and Seagull.
- How would you rate its value for money?
The difference between this guitar and slightly cheaper ones is INCREDIBLE! I can imagine the sound of the high-class 600 Series!
It's without a doubt the main advantage of this guitar.
- Based on your experience, would you buy this product again?
At the present time, yes!
Hello everybody. I'm surprised to be the first to write a review about this Taylor 114CE! What a responsibility! As usual, this is only my personal opinion. It's my first impression and I will update it in a few months.
It's a Taylor 114 CE (venetian grand auditorium with cutaway) made in Mexico. It has 20 frets, a sitka top and laminated sapele back and sides. Mahogany neck, Indian rosewood fingerboard and bridge. Chrome machine heads. Natural and satin finish.
Great Taylor ES-T preamp with three controls (vol/low/high). Provided with an elegant and well-made gig bag. I think it will get dirty really fast since it's light beige.
The packaging is good and contains lots of protection for the guitar. For the price, I do regret the lack of a hard case, even a low-budget one couldn't cost more then the included soft gig bag!
The guitar is very light and the top shows tiny wood imperfections which enhance the woody character without detracting from the overall aesthetics. The finish is perfect. I observed every inch of the guitar without finding the smallest imperfection.
The action and overtones of the guitar were perfectly adjusted.
So it's a serious product in the low-budget price range!
I give it 8/10 because it has no hard case.
UTILIZATION
- Is the neck comfortable? Yes but I have many guitars so I can easily adapt myself to different necks. This one is rather slim and pleasant. The fret work is good and the hand slides without a problem.
- Is the access to the upper frets easy? The cutaway makes it easy but it's still an electro-acoustic guitar, meaning you'll play more ballads than wild distortion solos, so it's not really that important.
- Is the instrument ergonomic (body shape, weight...)?
Yes the overall ergonomics are good. The guitar is very light and the neck is pleasant but I haven't played it standing. The body shaping is comfortable and it honors the Taylor legend...
SOUNDS
- Do they fit your music style?
Pop, rock, power ballads, finger picking, folk... Yes, I bought it for that reason. I can't actually say that it's a blues guitar (perhaps later in the review update...)
- Which amp(s) or effect(s) do you use it with?
I plug it directly into the desk with a slight reverb effect! It sounds great!
- What kind of sounds do you get and which settings do you use ("crystal-clear", "fat", ...)?
Now we are getting serious: The powerful preamp provides a clear sound with well-balanced mids and a slightly weak low-end which you might need to boost with the knobs. The highs are ok.
The preamp has an impressive power compared to other guitars. It really makes a difference.
- Which sounds do you prefer / hate? Generally the guitar gives me the sound I expected for my music but I'm not sure if that would be the case for blues.
OVERALL OPINION
- How long have you been using it?
One week, that is about 5-6 actual playing hours!
- Which feature do you like the most / the least?
+++ Preamp sound / --- no hard case
- Did you try any other models before buying it?
I tested over 10 guitars in this price range from Yamaha, Takamine, Ibanez, Breedlove and Seagull.
- How would you rate its value for money?
The difference between this guitar and slightly cheaper ones is INCREDIBLE! I can imagine the sound of the high-class 600 Series!
It's without a doubt the main advantage of this guitar.
- Based on your experience, would you buy this product again?
At the present time, yes!