Taylor 714ce Modern vs. Vintage | Does 20 Years Make a Difference?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 มิ.ย. 2024
- Today Chris is taking a look at a couple of beautiful Taylors with a generation between them. The Taylor 714ce represents the Taylor build in body style, wood pairing, and appointments. Take a listen to how 20 years separates these two guitars, what Taylor has changed/improved over the years, and how Chris feels about these timeless instruments.
Demos start at 7:44
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Hi, just to say that 2002 old version sounds much sweeter and woody tone. Anyway, new one sound louder and broader but lacks mellowness and focus. That's what I feel. It's just like there are two beautiful ladies standing in front of you and you find one is simply beautiful and other one is beautiful with charm.
I think what you're hearing here is mainly the diff between cedar and spruce. Would be interesting to a/b a new Lutz with an old Englemann...In any case I LOVE my v-class 714ce. Perfect size, great even tone and an incomparable neck. I only wish its owner could play better...
Absolutely...it's a comparison between the tone woods - cedar versus spruce!
Picked up a 714ce v brace model 2 weeks ago from guitarguitar Glasgow. Having told myself that I was done buying high end acoustic guitars cos they all end up sold or traded , I swapped a new les Paul for the Taylor. No regrets. Its simply a fab guitar .A work of art ,it even makes me sound half decent! Btw it was 2nd hand and well broken in but in 1st class nick . Thanks for the demo and putting up with my drivel !
No matter what other topwood i like to try, spruce just suits my taste
I own a 2001 714CE LTD (limited edition). However, the only difference I see between mine and your 2002 714CE, is mine has a 3 piece back. Otherwise seems same. I and others notice it sounds so much better now than when I got it. I must say I can't wait to hear that new 714 in 20 years!
I prefer the older 90’s and early 2000’s Taylor, and the 714 with Western Red Cedar is one of my absolute favorites of all time… Great comparison video!
Agree 100%!
The new one is louder with more clarity. You can really hear the nuances of his playing. I think they are really putting out some great guitars at Taylor these days. I love my brand new 618e. It's my holy grail acoustic. I still play my D-28, but I get more inspiration out of the big Taylor maple jumbo.
methinks that a better and more closer comparison would be between an older and newer 814ce, since the 8 Series were always topped with Sitka Spruce
with that said in mind, ive been a bigger fan of the 7 Series and a 2002-vintage model 714ce was the one that made me love this series. i bought a new one in 2008 and i feel my 714ce has matured since then
watching and hearing this video reminded me of that exact moment when i first played and heard a 714ce... fell in love!
2002 had more of a soul. Chris seemed to play it more effortlessly. I liked the clear, chime articulation of the new 714. But if I had to choose which one I would play… 2002!
Thank you, Chris! You and Cooper just keep rockin' us with great stuff. I couldn't be happier for your success. My first guitar was a Taylor '95 dreadnought. Plenty of unique Taylor soul in that baby. Great to hear all of your distinctive comments.
Great comparison and great information. Some really nice touch sensitive playing too. Great stuff.
You can definitely hear the improvements Taylor has done over the years.
Damn, guitars from 2002 are considered vintage now.
I don't mind being considered "vintage" vine-ripened and maybe a bit fermented for a bit of intoxicating sweetness... There's no reason to equate "vintage" with "old"
Vintage sounds so much better. The newer one seems a little duller.
So are we.
My Dad's Taylor is still the best acoustic I've ever heard in my life, especially with SIT strings. Don't know the model, was roughly $1,000 when he bought it new in 1992-ish but it doesn't have a cutaway, tortoiseshell pickguard with dot inlays. It sounds so good! Gold standard for me
I have a 512 made in December 1991 which I bought new in January 1992 and a 555 made in July 1998 which I bought slightly used. The 512 came with a basic factory installed fishman pickup. I have played it a lot with a LR Baggs Para Acoustic box which has been great. Over they years, I have tried out quite a few newer Taylors, including ones with V bracing. While they have generally shown all the exemplars of Taylor- great necks, easy to play, clear sound, none of them are as rich sounding as my 30 and 23 year old guitars. I certainly can understand the idea that older instruments have some imperfections that make the sound more interesting, but I also do think that the aging process also does have positive effects on the wood over the years. The good thing to note is that neither of the older guitars has needed any significant repairs. I do think that the newer guitars do lack some of the character of the older ones.
Very interesting. Great idea! Thanks, Chris 🎶🎶🎶
I love ebony fret boards and vintage tint top finish , indian rosewood back and sides . Mother of perloid is cool too . No gold hardware . A hard shell case with humidifier .
Awesome stuff as always man. I have one main guitar and that is a 2004 714ce. What you didnt mention is that Taylor switched to forward shifted bracing around 2003 i think. That make a huge difference
Enjoyed the comparison of the two. To me the new one sound more evenly defined across the strings but could hear the age and play time the older Taylor has. When you played the blues on both is where the newer one really stood out on top to me. Both had their own victories.
Another great video. The cedar has warmer and more compressed sound. Between the 2, i think I like the newer version. The spruce and v class bracing makes a huge difference. Didnt see the used 714 on your website
I'll stick with my 2001 714Ce. Just the perfect articulation and balance across the strings. The only thing that I wish wasn't, the Cedar top stretched and bubbles out where the bridge pulls. Not a sheet of glass anymore. But she sings better than ever!
Just picked up a new 812ce 12-fret last week and the first thing that leapt out was how live it is. Much more responsive to my playing than I'm used to. My finger picking sounds uneven, and that's a good thing! It means I'm going to get so much more out of the instrument as I level up my fine motor skills. They say not to buy a guitar to inspire but only to accelerate, but in this case I think the consistency and dynamic capability of the V bracing is drawing me into a more intimate relationship. The vintage 714ce has that looser, less responsive sound like my old guitar (though much better!). The warmth is nice against the shimmering of the new 714ce, but it contains a lot of deadness to get there.
I’m so late to this party, but I have a 2005 714ce. Basically identical to the one in this video except that it has the expression system. I must be biased, but the newer one has such a harsh and almost caustic high end to it. Comparing them side by side makes the new one seem abrasive.
I completely agree with the undulating color and warmth that the more imperfect intonation creates on the older model. The notes weave in and out of each other and it really glues together the tone, IMO.
I really like this particular comparison. I've had a new 714ce for about 8 months now which I dearly love. I do think that this 20 year old model brings out some of the lower tones better or more richly than my new one. Which brings me to my odd ball thought. I've wondered why they never - at least that I've heard of - done a torrefied lutz top on one of these. If they did a limited edition of this guitar with that type of top I'd very seriously consider wrecklessly getting that second 714!
They both sound fantastic, i lean more towards the older braced ones but have played a few V-class that where Phenomenal. One of my favorite taylor’s is a 97’ Cedar/Brazilian guess it is know as 714 BRZ supposedly a limited run. it still blows me away when i play it. take care
Taylor guitar superb warm and powerful sound, and beautiful woodwork for a superb resonance ..Thank you for sharing, I have the 614ce NL maple, that happiness, a dream ....
Really fun video! Thanks Chris. To my ear, the 2002 guitar had a mellower, richer sound. Likely because it has improved over the years and the cedar top. I was going to ask how much you wanted for that twenty year old guitar until you commented about dead notes. Lol
I like the tone of the new one better
Great video!
I prefer the 02' sound with the Cedar top.
I too would like to hear the Engelmann or Sitka vs the new Lutz.
Great video! Thanks for sharing
The older one has opened up, and has a sweetness to it. The new one has more evenness, and way more power. I’d love to hear the newer one, after being played for 10-20 years, or so. I’m hoping to find out, I own one. 😉
so am i, i own one as well, i have a cedar top and had it about five years.
Enjoy your postings. Always influential.
2002 had a make warmer tone the new had much clearer articulation but surprisingly warm good bottom end, V bracing? Both lovely instruments! I suppose you pays your money and makes your choice!
Reminds me of some self-taught singers, where sometimes when they sing, they hit the notes above and below the note, and then those two notes blend into the sound of the note the singer is supposed to hit.
Bought the 714CE 2007 & I still prefer the softer mellow tone of my 714CE with the cedar top to the modern 714CE with spruce top but love the fancy/decorative inlays of the modern 714CE to my & 'dot' inlays.
After 60+ years of playing I would describe a guitar tone & playability in the simplest way without over analyzing or getting too technical. Most guitar virtuosos & artisans I've met do the same.
Over time I can almost visualize in my mind without even playing what sound a guitar will deliver merely by look & feel in my hand. And then I play it raw & un-amplified!
Given all things equal & it's made with a fair degree of quality & accuracy, for me an acoustic steel string must have a cedar top for a mellow sound & sustain. A classical can either have a cedar or spruce top with rosewood or mahogany back & sides...a choice I have depending on the music I opt to play!
Flamenco - spruce top & cyress for the back & sides for a bright, clear staccato sound important for Flamenco (picado)!
But most importantly, it's all about individual choice...like your woman! No one style (or woman) satisfies everyone or every mood! You must have variety...no need to elaborate!
Remember...just use your ears amigos!!!
That old cedar top Taylor sounds warmer but they both sound great.
Nice guitar. I like the bridge design on Taylor guitars.
Great vid! I have a 1995 GA-RS (814), 2014 514 and 2020 717e. All are great, but my 95’ 814 is something else and has to be heard to be appreciated. I hate to say it because GAS has struck once again but I have my 2020 717e up for sale.
Great comparison, but I think it would have been even more interesting if you had compared the 20 year old with a modern one with a torrified soundboard. Great videos, keep em' coming.
What might be interesting-compare the 2002 Taylor with a Yamaha Red label with the heat treatment pre-aging finish. I wonder how much of that quality they share?
Also, I liked the 2002 for the 1st ditty you played, and after that (due to environmental conditions) I had a harder time making the difference in my iPhone speaker.
I love them both ,I want both of them
To my ears the 2002 cedar one sounds rich and mellow. I’m glad because I own this one 😊. They are different enough for me to want both though
I have to say it is fun to have them both. You should go for it! Couple of guitar buddies both think the older one sounds better in person. They're different and honestly I can't tell which one sounds "better". But the newer bracing does provide better clarity of intonation, and while I like them both I do slightly prefer the new one.
Chris, loved your 714ce comparison & fan of Alamo videos! I'm curious if you've played the 714ce-V class w/cedar? I'm very lucky original owner of 1999 714ce cedar. It's the sweetest guitar I've ever heard & I've put a few up against it including couple custom mades, which have their own virtues. But the '99's clear, round full notes always win me over. None the less, a V-class w/cedar top might be the next creature in the menagerie if it retains the warmth of cedar but opens or seperates the sound as the V structure suggests. 714ce or 514ce V"s come in cedar although I think latter has mahogany B&S rather than RW, which may make a difference.
Anyway, always love to hear what u have to say. Thanks again!
i've been waiting on a new acoustic. waiting on all the high end guitars from covid to hit the market.found this for 1500
Love the vintage sound
cedar is too good to hear. so smooth
tough choice ! to me when you were playing with the pick the old one sounded better , the new one was better for fingerstyle . to me the 2002 sounds more mellow and i guess i like that , not that the 2021 sounds at all bad , it's an awesome guitar ! but if i had to chose one i'd go with the 2002 .
What's the best way to fix the uneven string pressure issue with under-saddle piezos?
I'm going to go see a 2000 714 tomorrow to possibly buy
Gotta say the older one sounded warmer and I think you performed better on that .It was like you were more at home with that guitar .The new one ok brighter which translated into sterile and going thru the motions of playing it . I bet in 20 years the new one will sound much better and maybe the older one needed some fret leveling but I didn't really hear dead notes as you described . Being the player has a advantage though .
I like the 2002 guitar a bit more , it’s sound is a bit warmer and soulful
No need to start it off by saying we’ll like today’s video, love most or all of them man 🤙
Always interesting!
I was amazed by the clarity of the newer guitar.So I understand the term compressed because that's what compression does in a pedal or as a plug in.Your explanation is great giving an understanding of the sound with respect to the new bracing.Would love to see a 20 year old 9 series comparison.Thanks for the explanation of the top wood choice for the 7 series as opposed to the 8.I am still unsure of the guitar I should choose ,I like a clear high end though not brittle sounding and rich rounded bass.I also prefer a spruce or cedar top not one of the darker top guitars e.g mahogany.Perhaps you can suggest options.Budget 7 series up.
Try a Taylor 816e Builders Edition with that 2nd sound hole. Lutz Spruce top, shorter scale, but very great sound.
If you search you’ll find he did a comparison of new vs 20 year old 900 series guitars not too long ago. That was an interesting video also.
Thanks will search for those
A couple thoughts....I have owned a newer Taylor....not anymore but did own a 616ce.....I do however still own two Taylor's from the 90s that I bought new....a 414ce and a 712...no c....no e....I think the biggest factors are the woods were better back then and when my 712 was made in 1996 Taylor were building a lot fewer guitars....the 712 feels like a vintage guitar....like a boutique guitar......
@Alamo Music Center Chris, thanks so much for doing this comparison. I have a 2003 714ce which I've owned since 04. It was my first Taylor and since then I've gotten a K26, 918 and 8 string Baritone. When I'm just noodling around at home, or trying to learn a new song, I always go for the 714 because of it's simplicity and playability. But, because I'm a heavy strummer, the 714 has frustrated me at times. It couldn't project how I wanted it, even plugged in. But that was more my lack of understanding on how the guitar should be played, not a fault of the guitar itself. Of course, when I bought it, I was ignorant of wood tones, etc. I was trying to get something similar to Phil Keaggy's Olson guitar since he is my favorite artist.
I've since learned how to play that particular guitar the way it was intended which makes it a much more rewarding experience. That being said, I just bought a PS14ce from you guys last week and am waiting for it in the mail. My suspicion is that will lead me to sell my 714 since it's the same body style but a massive upgrade. It's probably not fair to compare the two, but I imagine the PS14 will be like putting a turbo on the 714.
The two things that might stop me from selling the 714 are nostalgia and having a guitar I'm less worried about damaging. Plus, I'm not sure if I'd get enough $ for it to justify selling it. We'll see how I feel once the PS gets here.
Ciao and thanks for all your videos!
Sal
What did you think after getting your new one???
@@ronchappell216 The PS14 is the most amazing guitar I’ve ever played. Only thing that’s come close was an Olson.
New 714ce, best in this price range
Not an ideal comparison since the bracings are different.
All I can hear is the sound difference between the two types of bracing.
I would love to hear both of these mic'd up with the same microphone to eliminate the differences in the pickups. I like the new sound much better, but could it be the newer and better pickups?
@natelee78 - He is using the same mic for both. You can see it in the bottom of the frame during the middle section of the video.
I'll be keeping my 94 512e
Interesting comparison. I have both 1999 and 2019 714ce's. I prefer the older one, though the Fishman blender could use some maintenance. My biggest problem with the newer 714ce occurs when it's plugged in. The mic or pickup is TOO sensitive and picks up every little neck squeak, completely ruining the sound of a quieter performance, particularly with finger picking. Have any of you experienced this with the E2 systems, and if so, is there a remedy?
Hi guys
I got 2021 Taylor 714ce and 812ce-n. Thinking to by 12 strings. What you can recommend. Will Taylor be a good choice? Also, I am looking for a portable best amp for this guitars.
Thank you
I'm interested in buying a pre 1995 Taylor when they were still using Nitro. The newer poly one don't appeal to me as much compared to Martin and Gibson who still use Nitro. It helps built the personality of the guitar. I don't think Taylors have much personality even though they are beautiful and great to play.
I own 1997 814c the wood has been played and aged can't compare the sound...vintage gets that dark woody and smooth tone.. 😎
2002 is a little muddier and a little warmer. 2021 is more articulate and a little louder. Great comparison.
How much higher is the commission rate from Taylor as opposed to Gibson? 🎸
I think the fact that it’s Cedar has more of a difference in tone than the fact that it’s 20 years old. Cedar doesn’t change as much over time as spruce and already has that “played in” feel. I’m not saying it won’t change over time, but it won’t change much. My friend and I bought guitars from the same custom builder same back and sides but mine was 7 years old and made of spruce when he got his new cedar topped guitar. At the time, when his cedar was new, we thought his was better. Now my spruce top guitar is 21 years old and it’s better than his cedar. More volume, more treble, more clarity and separation.
The 414ce is still the best sounding to my ear
Does the vintage have the nt neck system
I've read that it started in 2001, so if that's correct it should
My 2003 314 sounds better than my 2019 317e but I plan to put the same strings on each one to see if that stays true.
Not usually a cedar fan, but the 2002 sounds alot better than the new guitar.
Thanks, Hunter. From another TGP fan, enjoying the redwood top/blackwood GA-sized Cole Clark, and the Academy 12/12e in rotation, too.
arent you the guy from pawn stars?
Fun, but comparing apples to oranges, isn’t it? The top is obviously the most sound-defining element, and cedar always sounds warmer, a bit more responsive, and radically different from spruce even when brand-new. So not quite sure why this comparison is dubbed vintage vs. modern. Nice sounding guitars and fine picking, though.
Agree, cedar v spruce. Cedar v cedar or spruce v spruce would even up the playing field vintage v new 🤔
So as Chris has pointed out like a fine wine many people will have different opinions of the same bottle/guitar in other vintages. All are good though.
This is one of my dream guitars as well as a natural gibson j15 that walnut is sweet
I'm still waiting on that video Chris said he wanted to make on tunings and why he thinks Eb is the best tuning in 👀 lol
The Western Red Cedar gives a much warmer tone than the Lutz and/or Englemann Spruce. The Spruce is brighter and somewhat louder. What about V-bracing + Western Red Cedar? I have a 2003 714CE with cedar top and love the sound and playability. It has the very first version of the Expression System (ES-1), with the 2 AA batteries. When it works it sounds great... when it works. That system has been problematic for as long as I've owned the guitar. I got it 2nd hand back in 2004 or 2005. Taylor does not support the ES-1 and I have been reluctant to pay them to upgrade it to the ES-2. They will not do it free and the shipping is $250-$300 because I am not the original owner. As much as I love their guitars, that it is a crappy customer service model. Honor your work, no matter how many owners it has been through.
Vintage has more mellow sound!!!!
Seriously Chris, people demand a tab of what you are playing.
I was just sipping my morning coffee thinking the same thing here 🤙
They have tabs on their Patreon.
The 2002 sounds better to the new one
Spruce top sounds better for me
Cedar verses spruce 2 diferent beast its like comparing a dodge hellcat to a standard dodge challengser this comparrison just is not right
New sounds better
The 20 year old sounds so much better. There is better tonal quality
lol comparing apples & oranges, why bother 🤣
Play new songs; definitely burned on the ones you continue. Now, the new model was much more pleasing than the older model to my ears. I like to believe the newer models are far superior because of the bracing. Still the difference in top woods do so have qualities that define tonal sounds. You did play the fresh guitar better than the older model. Lastly , please get off the same songs for what ever reason you think you should play them . The viewers ears deserve freshness. Thanks
I like that the same tunes are played because it makes for an easier comparison between older demos and current offerings.