Taylor 314ce X Brace or Eastman Dread - Help

[jpbrooks]

I am looking to add a 25.5 scale with a 1 3/4 nut guitar to my collection. My main two guitars are short scale (j-45 standard and 000-28ec) and I would like the option of a longer scale. I play predominantly in church. My budget is $1000. I have the opportunity to buy a used but excellent condition 314ce pre-V bracing. I also have been thinking about an Eastman e10D or e20D if I can find a good deal or even an e6d-tc. I've never played an Eastman. Nowhere near me sells them.

The negatives for me for the Taylor are flat neck profile (my favorite neck is the Martin Mod-V, but I am pretty flexible) and less than optimal bass response and I have always felt that the Taylor tone lacks character (for lack of a better word).

Any opinions out there from people that have played both would be greatly appreciated.

[srbell]

I was in a similar situation a few years ago - should I get an 814ce DLX or an Eastman. I found the particular Eastman I was considering at a local guitar store and went to try it out. In my case, I was definitely undewhelmed by it. I REALLY wanted to like it as it would have saved me a bundle, but to my ears it just didn't sound alive. I ended up buying a used X-braced 814cd DLX but it still cost more than the Eastman I wanted. What's the point of my story? Well, many people have great luck with Eastmans, and I don't doubt that they make some fine instruments. In my area there was only one Eastman to be found, so that's the one I tried. Maybe had there been several examples to try I may have found one I liked. The point is you really need to try the particular guitar you're considering buying no matter which brand or model you think you may want. Your ears and hands will let you know when you've found the right instrument. Btw, my 814 is a cannon - it has all the low-end I could ever want. I suspect that has to do with it being X-braced, as I have tried some of the newer V-braced instruments and was not impressed with the bass. You may find that an x-braced 314 with the proper strings and setup gives you all you'd want. But then again, the Eastman may do the same. One big plus for the Taylor is the neck joint. If you ever need to adjust the neck angle it's a quick, inexpensive job. I like the 814 so much I've added a couple more Taylors to my collection since then.

[fenderball]

this won't help, but what the heck..
i have a 314ce (2002) and my acoustic trio bandmate has an Eastman dread he recently got...he's a really good player...and he said he LOVES it...i havent played it but he has used this guitar on at least eight of our gigs...sounds really good...i must say, i really like my taylor, mostly because of it's playability... sounds good, and i love the neck...so there you go, like i said, no help...
let us know what you decide!

[Bob from Brooklyn]

Aren't Eastmans all short scale?

[Treenewt]

Originally Posted by Bob from Brooklyn

Aren't Eastmans all short scale?

Their "OM's" are, but their dreads are full scale.

OP, I'd go Eastman bc I'm just not a Taylor guy. But the Taylor 314 is like THE worship guitar from a purely numbers standpoint. I've seen more of them than any other over the years at churches. It's a great stage guitar, plug and play. You'd have to add electronics to the Eastman. Again, for me, I'd go Eastman (or Larrivee) all day, but I'm not you. They're really two very different animals. It just depends what you like

[RoyBoy]

E10s and 20s are going to have a very big sound compared to the Taylor. They also have a quite full C shape neck. Up the neck can be a bit of a handful.

To play over a sound system, you don't need/want a lot of bass. From what you've said, I think you'll enjoy the fuller sound of an Eastman dread. Factor a pickup into your budget for playing in church.

[jdinco]

I've played a lot of Eastmans, really wanted to like them, but was never impressed. Martins are out of the question?

[Bob from Brooklyn]

If you can get that Taylor for $1K I'd say that's your answer.

[jpbrooks]

Thanks for the replies. I would definitely prefer a martin, but I have been VERY unimpressed with the road series and the 15 series doesn't have the 1 3/4 nut. I don't think there is another Martin that can be had for under $1000.

I think the resale value of the Taylor is probably better than the Eastman so that's the direction I'm leaning.

[martingitdave]

Hard to go wrong with an Eastman dread at a good price. The newer the better. Well made of late.

[sstaylor58]

I bought a used 314ce (year 2012) for $800 and it is a great guitar, so easy to play. Hope this helps…

[mawmow]

I would definitely vote for the used Taylor : I have witnessed the neck of my
four years old Eastman AC122ce to flattened dead straight and that could not
be corrected with the truss rod, so that I had to put a higher saddle on it to
avoid buzzing.

I bought two used Taylor’s « in need of neck reset » and adjusted those by myself
unbolting, shimming and rebolting, that’s it !

[Tycobb73]

Having owned both I'd definitely go Eastman. The 314 has to be, along with the oo15 and om21, among the most overrated guitars of all time.

[Guitarplayer_PR]

Originally Posted by jpbrooks

I am looking to add a 25.5 scale with a 1 3/4 nut guitar to my collection. My main two guitars are short scale (j-45 standard and 000-28ec) and I would like the option of a longer scale. I play predominantly in church. My budget is $1000. I have the opportunity to buy a used but excellent condition 314ce pre-V bracing. I also have been thinking about an Eastman e10D or e20D if I can find a good deal or even an e6d-tc. I've never played an Eastman. Nowhere near me sells them.

The negatives for me for the Taylor are flat neck profile (my favorite neck is the Martin Mod-V, but I am pretty flexible) and less than optimal bass response and I have always felt that the Taylor tone lacks character (for lack of a better word).

Any opinions out there from people that have played both would be greatly appreciated.

If you play mostly at church, you'd need a guitar which can cut through the mix nicely. And sometimes too much bass is not as desirable. Ask any sound tech. But it seems to me you're more predetermined to buy the Eastman, so I think you already made up your mind and looking for validation to buy it.

I've owned many Taylor (Dreads, GPs, GAs, GCs and Minis) models and, although I don't own any right now, Taylor is a proven commodity for an acoustic guitarist in church. I've never played or even seen an Eastman in person; but the reviews are good. That's all I can say for now.

[johbren]

I own both and I like my eastmans better. Absolutly hate the es2 on the taylor. Un plugged I like the eastmans better but they are grand auditorium size vs the small short scale taylor