D41 vs 814ceDLX

[musicman1951]

I would pick the D-41, a fine guitar.

[kakashi]

Originally Posted by mikealpine

I feel that if you have to ask, you're not ready to buy yet.

Originally Posted by rokdog49

Please don't let anyone pick your guitar for you.

+1 on both of these statements. play them both and you will know which one is for you.

[Stonehauler]

This ia very much an ear/comfort thing. Both are great guitars. I own an 814ce DLX and I love it, but I will note that is lacks just a little bit compared to a J-45 (this was the main competition for the 814ce dlx for me) I also own a sigma DM1-ST

The dreadnaught will give you a better bass response compared to the Grand Auditorium IMO, but the 814 is smaller and will be easier to handle if you want to sit down and noodle around. (not that much smaller though). If you like bling, both have plenty of it. Both are also spruce/rosewood, so I would really put it down to size/shape/sound and the overall feel/sound to you.

Go play them both (ideally, in a non-tuned room) and also have someone play them for you so you can listen. This is what I did when I was considering the K-24 and I decided that Koa..while really nice...wasn't what I was looking for.

Good luck. Either guitar will be spectacular, but ultimately, It's up to you to decide which is right for your ears.

[PJ Rich]

The consistency of Taylor manufacturing process is amazing and the quality control of their process produces a great instrument. I have an 814ce Deluxe with the V-class bracing.

A few interesting things about Taylor include the non-black ebony finger board. Really beautiful and changing the industry about all ebony needing to be jet-black.

The scratch plate/pick guard is rosewood and not plastic. Why don't other companies do that in stead of plastic?

I like the Gotoh 510 tuners; they are just very easy to use and work great.

Finally, I bought something called Taylor Sense that is a temperature/humidity monitoring device that you install in the plug-in system. Gives you real time data to make sure your ~$4K+ instrument is cared for.

I also use Santa Cruz strings that give the Taylor more bass end and the sound is great. Nothing against Martin, but I wanted to provide a Taylor vote!

[aeisen93]

I've owned my 814ce since 2006. My favorite guitar... I played a used D-45 once and it sounded terrible (at least to me). But really, I don't know which guitar you should choose. I'd have to hear them both side by side. Guitars of the same model, say two 814's can sound very different from each other.

[sinistral]

Given that this thread is almost three years old, hopefully the OP long since made a decision one way or the other!

[Shadowfox]

I'd throw a darkhorse in and say look at a Furch Red Series over the Taylor. It will be cheaper and better made.

Heartbreaker has a few: https://heartbreakerguitars.com/coll...osewood-101118

[Marty C]

Originally Posted by PJ Rich

The consistency of Taylor manufacturing process is amazing and the quality control of their process produces a great instrument. I have an 814ce Deluxe with the V-class bracing.

A few interesting things about Taylor include the non-black ebony finger board. Really beautiful and changing the industry about all ebony needing to be jet-black.

The scratch plate/pick guard is rosewood and not plastic. Why don't other companies do that in stead of plastic?

I like the Gotoh 510 tuners; they are just very easy to use and work great.

Finally, I bought something called Taylor Sense that is a temperature/humidity monitoring device that you install in the plug-in system. Gives you real time data to make sure your ~$4K+ instrument is cared for.

I also use Santa Cruz strings that give the Taylor more bass end and the sound is great. Nothing against Martin, but I wanted to provide a Taylor vote!

PJ Rich,
Which Santa Cruz strings are you using? Also, what guage?

[roadbiker]

Originally Posted by sinistral

Given that this thread is almost three years old, hopefully the OP long since made a decision one way or the other!

@RockGuy475... Which one did you get???

[TedBPhx]

Two years ago I had the chance to play both. Similarly priced. I came home with the 814ce Dlx V. No regrets. I already have a D35. Much prefer the playability and tone on the Taylor. Better note separation, less mud in the bass.

[Rockguy475]

Originally Posted by roadbiker

@RockGuy475... Which one did you get???

Neither now. At one time I had brought them both home to try and returned them both. I just do not feel as comfortable with a 1 3/4 nut and 2 3/16 string spacing. Ended up just returning them both for a refund and waited. I did just buy this one though https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=642470

To me its perfect.

[Rockguy475]

Originally Posted by sinistral

Given that this thread is almost three years old, hopefully the OP long since made a decision one way or the other!

Yes I have no idea how this thread got going again but to make a long story short I gave both of them a solid try but ended up bringing them both back before the return period was over.

[Guitar Doggy]

I love the sound of the D-41 and their higher end brother (42 and 45). Would think the Taylor is a totally different animal with respect to sound.

[jkilgour2000]

Originally Posted by Bridgepin

Without question the Martin D-41

Yes, agreed!!