Imbuia or Rosewood 414

[allen414]

I've got a 414 rosewood summer strummer ordered, due to come in in September. I'm wondering if I should have gone with the Imbuia instead.

I really liked the even balanced tone my other rosewood 414 had, so I know I'll love it. But would I love the Imbuia more? Never seen the wood in person.

I know it's a no lose situation, but what do y'all think?

[Livingston]

To each his own, but I find it hard to go wrong with rosewood, especially if you like that full, dark sound. I personally have 2 rosewood guitars, and they are among my favorites.

I will admit that I was tempted to buy a 314CE last year that was a limited edition Imbuia. The wood was gorgeous and the sound was excellent - almost a slightly darker, throatier sound compared to rosewood. I do wish I would have grabbed that guitar in hind sight. Nonetheless, I'll bet you're gonna love your 414 rosewood and it will bring you a lot joy in the years to come.

Looking forward to hearing more about your new axe.

[acousticjunky]

Personally I love any tone wood form the rosewood familly its my favorite. if you perfer nice rich overtones nice long sustain and a bit more bassier sound I would go with the 414R which is a great deal by the way. Every 414R that I have seen has had some really good quality rosewood used. I am not familiar with Imbuia I would have to play one to make any serious judgement

Nick

[gjatkins]

I would always go rosewood for the tonal qualities. You can't miss with a rosewood taylor. The imbuia is nice and projects well, i personally have not seen great looking imbuia used on the past limiteds. I would consider getting an imbuia x15ce if it were being offered.

[allen414]

that's my dilemma, I know I like the rosewood, but the pictures of the Imbuia on the website are beautiful. And it sounds like the Imbuia owners here love their guitars.

You're right though, the rosewood has been high quality on the ltd's so far.

[rbachman]

My Imbuia is beautiful !!!!! Don't have any pics to show you unfortunately.

[gjatkins]

I have seen some really nice pics of Imbuia guitars that had nice flaming that looked similar to ovangkal. The three 4xx ltds I personally saw had imbuia that resembled pine ( dull brown and not much modeling).

I would however purchase imbuia if it sounded better than rosewood, but I have yet to hear it.

I would love to see pics of rbachman's guitar though.

I would also like to mention that the 410ltd sounded much better (subjective term) than the 414ltd. This is probably why Taylor chooses to use imbuia on their accounstic bass'. Certain tone woods lend themselves better to certain body shapes.

Rosewood just happens to sound great on x14's. I think Maple sounds great on x10's and I like mahogandy on x12's. But these are all subjective and that's what's great about the selection Taylor offers and the these limiteds.

Every guitar is unique regardless of shape and tonewood. You can limit construction variables to a degree but you can't limit the number of varied opinions and personal preferences.

I thnk you'll fall in love with your guitar and this will all be a mute issue

[KMHaynes]

I've heard an imbuia (410 from 2001/2?) and rosewood x10 (710) I think it was) A/B'd at my local dealer a year ago. Both had rich, deep sound, very similar. Rosewood was bit "darker" sounding; the imbuia was a little "punchier", little more direct presence (compared to the rosewood, but not near as punchy as maple).

The imbuia had just as much bottom-end as the rosewood, so I can't tell you why Taylor used it for the AB bass series as opposed to just using rosewood.

[PraiseHim]

I would really want to see what the Imbuia looked like before committing to a purchase. Sure it would probably sound great but I have seen some of the Imbuia that is rather drab. When I bought mine, two had come into my local dealer very close in serial #'s but a very big difference in appearance. As far as sound goes, mine is just wonderfully full and rich, a pleasure to play, projects well and what can I say, a fine Taylor guitar! (Take a peek below)
Just gotta say, I played a 310 no(c), no(e) today that really tripped my trigger Wow! man I was really impressed, as well as under a grand to boot! I hate the thoughts of TAS setting in already, its only been a month since I got my 414celtd! Oh boy whats a fella to do!!

Byron

[Broly]

Hey allen 414, give the Imbuia a try and I'll bet you'll like it. I just picked up a 410ce in Imbuia and it is gorgeous! Not at all like Ovankol but more like a rosewood/walnut hybrid. And as KMHaynes said the tone is similar to rosewood with plenty of base...just a little more punchier.

From what I understand, the rosewoods won't be in for another month or so, but the Imbuia's are out there now to try out.

I just love mine!

Broly

[James Willer]

Imbuia has some pretty good looks

this is my 414CE LTD. Make sure you check out the one belonging to PraiseHim.