In praise of Sapele - Page 2

Jarguitar · #16 02-03-2003, 09:55 AM

That 314ce of yours has as much attention to detail, care for quality, and incredible workmanship as any guitar in the Taylor line. It, with your able assistance, will make great music. My first Taylor was a 314, and I'll never forget the feeling that came over me after my first strum! I have now climbed all the way up the Taylor ladder to the 414, just to get a different, NOT BETTER, sound.

Play on!

samchar · #17 02-03-2003, 10:13 AM

My BabyM, I thought was laminate sapele side/back and solid sapele top. However, I checked the Taylor site and found out the top was actually Tropical American Mohogany. Sapele is beautiful and, I think, sounds very good. In fact, my BabyM is so great, even given the obvious bass and depth tone limitations of the guitar's size, that if Taylor made a full size "M", I'd probably have to pick one up.

I know people have talked about wanting a Big Baby M before on this forum, but what I'd like to see is a 310M or 314M....or some kind of less expensive 310 limited. Solid sapele sides and back and solid mohogany top. All solid mohogany with an ES on board.....mmmm, butter. And, I like the idea of all satin finish all the way around. It would be similar in scope to Martin's D-15, which is a fine sounding guitar (one of my favorite Martins). It would be a subtle choice, probably mellowing the signature Taylor shimmer. I think it could become a favorite, tonewise, as the 15 series has become within the Martin line.

On another note, I think this thread could easily be expanded to "In praise of Sapele and Ovangkol". 300 and 400 series are both on equal footing in the Taylor food chain. They are the "unfinished" sub-500-series lot. But, for my money, Ovangkol has the most rich and interesting affect on tone within the Taylor family....particularly the fact that it adds more bass "oomph" to the signature Taylor shimmer.

luthier · #18 02-03-2003, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by samchar
In fact, my BabyM is so great, even given the obvious bass and depth tone limitations of the guitar's size, that if Taylor made a full size "M", I'd probably have to pick one up.

I know people have talked about wanting a Big Baby M before on this forum, but what I'd like to see is a 310M or 314M....or some kind of less expensive 310 limited. Solid sapele sides and back and solid mohogany top.

Taylor did one of these as a limited ed. a couple years back. Fall of 2000 or 2001, I forget which.

Sapele b&s with Honduras mahogany top. Very nice sounding guitars. The mahogany top was a good deal warmer sounding than the standard 310.

Frank

1934 Martin D-28
1941 Martin D-18
1946 Gibson J-45
1996 Martin OOO-28 GE
1992 Collings D2H
1986 Santa Cruz H
1989 Olson Jumbo
1998 Bourgeois Slope D
1994 Goodall Grand Concert
1996 Taylor 514c

JamBermuda · #19 02-03-2003, 10:40 AM

Hey luthier....welcome aboard!!

I got questions, man...lotsa questions....building "Batista Guitars"
Model 00000000000001.

If you don't mind answering a few, send me a mail at

[email protected]

thanks

jclif1995 · #20 02-03-2003, 11:14 AM

in my opinion, the NS32ce is the best sounding nylon Taylor makes. i also love the looks of this guitar.

gjatkins · #21 02-03-2003, 01:54 PM

I wouldn't trade mine for the world.

DD Bluz · #22 02-04-2003, 08:22 PM

OK...maybe I'm wrong about no posts about 300's. Don't you just love these guitars?? I recorded the other day with my 312ce and it was abosulutely awesome in the mix.

DD

Voyager · #23 02-04-2003, 09:21 PM

Steve314, your 314ce looks real classy - really like the look of the ebony tuners and the figured wood on the headstock.

Adam · #24 02-04-2003, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by franchelB

Where in Arkansas are you? I'm in Ft.Smith; and I'd be interested in forming an Arkie/surrounding areas' jam session.

Hey I'm near Springfield, MO... only about an hour away!

Red · #25 02-05-2003, 10:36 AM

I love the warm bassy tone of my 1996 410 which I believe used the Sapele wood for back and sides. Unfortunately, I hardly play either of my Taylors anymore now that I've become addicted to electric guitar.

I decided for sure last night that I'm going to sell my 410 and keep my 814 as my only acoustic. I just bought a PRS singlecut so I my Taylors are going to see even less love from me. It's interesting how our interests change.

What would be a good price for 1996 410 that is in good shape? It has the pinless bridge which I wish my 814 had. That was a great design! Please e-mail me with low and high price. Heck, e-mail me if your interested in it. Just don't say, "uuuuhhh, it's worth $400 and I'd like to buy it." I'm not that desperate!