To Buy or Not To Buy: Used 814 Edition

[dkg1616]

Originally Posted by aeisen93

My 814ce (2005 model) is awesome, although now I prefer my Gibsons… I would say try the 814 with new strings. Also like others said, bring your 114 and compare them

I started with a 214…now have an 814 CE DLX which I bought about two years ago. Today my Gibson custom shop hummingbird came in and I am already concerned it’s going to clearly take over as the favorite lol!

[ribsareyummy]

Thanks for the insights, all. To be clear, the J-15 isn't going anywhere. I was more thinking the AD17 could go and I can put up the rest. Anyway, I'll ask the guy if he can slap some new strings on it. Would probably be better for him even if I don't end up getting it.

And whoever has it on consignment seems to be, in not a serious player at least an enthusiast, because he has other stuff in there, including a wild looking prototype Martin, along with a picture of him and other dudes receiving their prototypes at the Martin factory. Pretty wild.

[musicman1951]

Originally Posted by ssjk

If I were in your position I would buy a set of my favorite strings from the seller with the understanding that they would put them on the guitar or let me do it. Takes the strings out of the equation at a pretty low investment.

Then I’d A/B them in the shop.

And if I liked the new one I’d buy it. They are pretty rare beasts and it’s on your radar.

Worst case is you are out a few bucks and they have new strings on the guitar for free.

I totally agree. I'd start by asking if they'd put a new set of strings on it, and work my way up to offering to pay for the new strings. The answer is definitely worth the price of a set of strings.

[blakey]

New strings are always an improvement. But IMO a good guitar will still sound good with old strings on it.

[jricc]

Originally Posted by ribsareyummy

Okay, I'm basically just trying to talk this through. A shop near me has a consignment Taylor 814 (no C, no E - just the way I like it) from 2004 for what seems to be a good price. And by good price, I mean that if I were to sell a guitar or two, I could get it, whereas I would never even contemplate getting a new 814. I had been thinking about one of those Koa-topped 224's recently, though the thought of paying that much (new, anyway) for a laminate B/S guitar makes me want to run the other direction. The 814 would be just a couple hundred bucks more than that.

I've played it, it sounds good, plays great, but the strings are pretty well beyond their prime. In fact, a lower-end Breedlove at the same shop may have sounded better because it had fresh strings on it. So that is point #1, just how much would fresh strings improve the 814.

The other thing I've been thinking is that I've had several Taylors in the 300 and 400 series in and out over the years. My trusty 114 has stuck around all this time because when it gets down to it, to my ears, there just wasn't enough difference between the 114 and the 300/400s to keep the others around. I have not had a chance to A/B the 114 with this 814.

So I'm left with, should I take this chance to own the "flagship" Taylor? I've been playing 28 years, don't I deserve a high-end guitar?

Or, do I just not need the hassle of selling a guitar to fund this purchase, and my current guitars sound great to me, anyway.

I know this is all subjective, like I said, I'm just trying to talk it through and see about getting any input from my fellow enthusiasts.

Hey ribsareyummy. You said it sounded good, played great even with the crummy strings. This is easy for me to say, but I think you should go for it if you can swing it. Someone upthread mentioned bringing a guitar to trade towards it. That could make it a little easier.
Wish you luck in your decision.

[Dwight]

The voicing on Taylor guitars has changed a lot over the years, you might consider some later guitars too.

[mcduffnw]

Originally Posted by YamahaDave

Do it - you’ll not get the chance again - and you will regret it.

Yeppers...THIS^^^!!!

And, those 2004 to 2006 years 814's are really some of Taylors very best of all their years of the 814 model...IMO...for tone, playability, and looks.

If you like it...do everything you can to make it happen!!!


duff
Be A Player...Not A Polisher

[RP]

Originally Posted by Dwight

The voicing on Taylor guitars has changed a lot over the years, you might consider some later guitars too.

My vote would be for the Revoiced 814s produced around 2013-2014 just after AP's arrival at Taylor. I had one, and it was magical...

[j.blay]

I've liked every 800 series of Taylor I've played. I like Andy Power's first re-voiced models best. The J15 I played from Gibson is a fine guitar as well.

[Glennwillow]

If you like a guitar with rosewood back and sides, as I do, the Taylor 814 is a very nice guitar, especially with new strings on it. I would find this very tempting.

- Glenn

[Guitarplayer_PR]

Originally Posted by ribsareyummy

I've played it, it sounds good, plays great, but the strings are pretty well beyond their prime. In fact, a lower-end Breedlove at the same shop may have sounded better because it had fresh strings on it. So that is point #1, just how much would fresh strings improve the 814.

Were you planning to leave the old strings?

Improve? Nothing. A great guitar is a great guitar regardless of strings. Will it sound different? Of course!!! As soon as you get it, change the strings and do a setup. You'll be ready to go.

[6L6]

Buy it!

And remember... it's not like you're losing your money to do so. You will have a well known, highly respected guitar that you can always sell quickly if the need arises.

Some would call it "diversifying your assets".

[Guitars44me]

Originally Posted by L20A

If the shop is interested in selling the guitar they will let you restring it or even do it on their dime.
You really want to hear the guitar with good strings on it before you purchase it.

This ought to be doable…

I say go for it

Paul

[Bob Womack]

I use guitars in the studio. I had a 2001 Taylor 710ce for many years. Everyone says the 700 series is just like the 800 series but with lesser visual appointments. It isn't exactly true (different top woods), but the 810 and 814 are considered to be two of Taylor's premier guitars.

In 2018, I fell in love with another guitar and traded my 710ce for it. I immediately missed it and my wife let me know that it had been her favorite. So, I immediately started saving to replace it. in 2019 I found a new-old-stock 2004 710ce and snapped it up. It has become one of those fantastic guitars that is good for all sorts of chores in the studio.



You'll have to decide whether to go for it, but that was a great period and a great model for Taylor. The NT neck makes neck resets a breeze. By the way, my 710ce was just set up and didn't need a neck reset.

Bob

[Dave Abrahamson]

All of my Taylors are minus the '"C" and "E". Not a gig player and I don't venture up past the 12th fret much.
I'm a couch player.
GET IT or REGRET IT!!