Taylor Knockoff
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Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: Taylor Knockoff
For $500, get a used lower end Taylor, Martin, or upper end Washburn.
Then, if you can't do it yourself, pay a tech to do a perfect action job on it, so it plays like it's $1600 counterpart. I had a Martin DR (dreadnaught Rosewood) that played and sounded just about as good as my D-28, and that only cost around $650 used. The only difference was the DR has very nice laminated Rosewood back and sides, and the D-28 has solid rosewood. Your ear can hardly hear a difference when both guitars are setup equally well.
For $500, get a used lower end Taylor, Martin, or upper end Washburn.
Then, if you can't do it yourself, pay a tech to do a perfect action job on it, so it plays like it's $1600 counterpart. I had a Martin DR (dreadnaught Rosewood) that played and sounded just about as good as my D-28, and that only cost around $650 used. The only difference was the DR has very nice laminated Rosewood back and sides, and the D-28 has solid rosewood. Your ear can hardly hear a difference when both guitars are setup equally well.
Zerberus
Baron Von Shred
Re: Taylor Knockoff
Considering that a Taylor is in essence a Martin Knockoff, just aboiut any decent acoustic Guitar like said Used Taylors, Martins, Oscar Schmidt (I hate imports, but they aren´t half bad), Washburn....blablablah.
But Jonesey´s setup tip is good, it´s unbelievable what you can squeeze out of some lower end acoustics
Considering that a Taylor is in essence a Martin Knockoff, just aboiut any decent acoustic Guitar like said Used Taylors, Martins, Oscar Schmidt (I hate imports, but they aren´t half bad), Washburn....blablablah.
But Jonesey´s setup tip is good, it´s unbelievable what you can squeeze out of some lower end acoustics
RockNRoling
New member
Re: Taylor Knockoff
http://www.alvarezgtr.com/heartprodpgs/artistseriespgs/AJ60SC.html
http://www.alvarezgtr.com/heartprodpgs/professeriespgs/PD80SC.html
I would type more but this is the third time i have tried to respond to this message. whats up with this forum??
http://www.alvarezgtr.com/heartprodpgs/artistseriespgs/AJ60SC.html
http://www.alvarezgtr.com/heartprodpgs/professeriespgs/PD80SC.html
I would type more but this is the third time i have tried to respond to this message. whats up with this forum??
RockNRoling
New member
Re: Taylor Knockoff
Nothing is going to sound just like a taylor, if you want it to sound that good, better just keep on saving. The guitars listed above sound good, but the sound great with the System 600 pickups and preamps they come with! Sounds warmer than a fishman, built in tuner, input for internal condencer mic and volume knobs for each. I love the wood binding on the body, fretboard and headstock on the PD80SC. And the AJ60SC is just a HUGE guitar, very guild looking!
Nothing is going to sound just like a taylor, if you want it to sound that good, better just keep on saving. The guitars listed above sound good, but the sound great with the System 600 pickups and preamps they come with! Sounds warmer than a fishman, built in tuner, input for internal condencer mic and volume knobs for each. I love the wood binding on the body, fretboard and headstock on the PD80SC. And the AJ60SC is just a HUGE guitar, very guild looking!
RockNRoling
New member
Re: Taylor Knockoff
Be VERY careful when buying a used acoustic. Many times people are selling an acoustic because it just doesn't sound right or play as good as it use to. This may be because they don't know things are already damaged. I have seen warped tops that bubble up at the bridge (due to not being used and left in standard tuning) that makes the action get really high even when your neck is perfect. Small cracks in the wood almost invisible to the eye, and warped wood can make you pay a lot for a bad guitar.
Be VERY careful when buying a used acoustic. Many times people are selling an acoustic because it just doesn't sound right or play as good as it use to. This may be because they don't know things are already damaged. I have seen warped tops that bubble up at the bridge (due to not being used and left in standard tuning) that makes the action get really high even when your neck is perfect. Small cracks in the wood almost invisible to the eye, and warped wood can make you pay a lot for a bad guitar.
That90'sGuy
DyzaBoyzologist
Re: Taylor Knockoff
The only way you're going to get a Taylor sound is from a Taylor IMHO. However, there are brands out there that are in the same ballpark.
I disagree with the comment that Taylor rips off of Martin. Both are very unique sounding instruments. I clash with Martins because they have a darker tone to them, I love Taylors because they are brighter.
With that said, if you like Taylor brightness and want an amazing guitar, I recommend the Alvarez AJ60SC (as RockNRoling pointed out). That is one guitar that I played in the store and simply fell in love with. I may actually purchase one down the road and I'd like to think that I'm pretty picky when it comes to tone
The fullness, attack, response and overall tone just does something for me that I really haven't found in many other acoustics (a Gibson J-180 I played once had "it", but haven't heard one like it since). I've played expensive acoustics and to my ears, some of them aren't really superior to the cheaper lines, which is scary.
The only way you're going to get a Taylor sound is from a Taylor IMHO. However, there are brands out there that are in the same ballpark.
I disagree with the comment that Taylor rips off of Martin. Both are very unique sounding instruments. I clash with Martins because they have a darker tone to them, I love Taylors because they are brighter.
With that said, if you like Taylor brightness and want an amazing guitar, I recommend the Alvarez AJ60SC (as RockNRoling pointed out). That is one guitar that I played in the store and simply fell in love with. I may actually purchase one down the road and I'd like to think that I'm pretty picky when it comes to tone
The fullness, attack, response and overall tone just does something for me that I really haven't found in many other acoustics (a Gibson J-180 I played once had "it", but haven't heard one like it since). I've played expensive acoustics and to my ears, some of them aren't really superior to the cheaper lines, which is scary.
RockNRoling
New member
Re: Taylor Knockoff
Ebay, but again, you really can't get a close look for any defects. But honestly, I think even used Taylors are still gonna be around $1000. There is just too much demand for them.
Ebay, but again, you really can't get a close look for any defects. But honestly, I think even used Taylors are still gonna be around $1000. There is just too much demand for them.
Jeff_H
Dean Hardtail Fanologist
Re: Taylor Knockoff
Ok, ok, so I didn't help. Actually aside from the Taylors, the Takamine's and Washburns are actually really decent guitars, that sound pretty damn good. Believe it or not, the Dean acoustic's sound really nice, expecially the one's with Dao, Bubinga and there's one other unusual back and side wood, all with Spruce tops. If I hadn't fallen in love with this Taylor, I probably would have gone Dean.
I played quite a few of the Ovations today.....and just lost my desire for them.
Dean, Takamine, Washburn, Seagull.....all in your price range.
proxy said:Haha, thanks for your help
Ok, ok, so I didn't help. Actually aside from the Taylors, the Takamine's and Washburns are actually really decent guitars, that sound pretty damn good. Believe it or not, the Dean acoustic's sound really nice, expecially the one's with Dao, Bubinga and there's one other unusual back and side wood, all with Spruce tops. If I hadn't fallen in love with this Taylor, I probably would have gone Dean.
I played quite a few of the Ovations today.....and just lost my desire for them.
Dean, Takamine, Washburn, Seagull.....all in your price range.
Rstlessone
New member
Re: Taylor Knockoff
If you are after the Taylor tone, IMHO you'll have to buy a Taylor. The big makers all have a distinct sound, Taylors are brighter sounding than Martins.
Look into the lower end Taylors. They have a 100 series and 200 series guitars. The sound is in the Taylor class and the palyability is typical Taylor, They are not solid wood like the 300 series. The cost is lower as well. This may be a good alternative. Try them out though. Acoustics range in tone and sound from one to the other even the same model.
Hope this helps.
If you are after the Taylor tone, IMHO you'll have to buy a Taylor. The big makers all have a distinct sound, Taylors are brighter sounding than Martins.
Look into the lower end Taylors. They have a 100 series and 200 series guitars. The sound is in the Taylor class and the palyability is typical Taylor, They are not solid wood like the 300 series. The cost is lower as well. This may be a good alternative. Try them out though. Acoustics range in tone and sound from one to the other even the same model.
Hope this helps.
Bludave
New member
Re: Taylor Knockoff
Taylors are a lot different than Martins. Taylors have bolt on necks, Matins have a dove tail joint to mount the neck. Taylors incorporate the best tecnology has to offer to build a"computer" generated guitar. Martins for the most part are still made by hand. That being said Taylors are nice guitars, but they are made quite a bit differently than Martins. Both are a good score no question. I would look in to a Martin Shanendoah, or a Martin Sigma. These are Korean(Shannendoah) and Japanese (Sigma) made Martins. Both are very good guitars for the money. The Sigma would be my choice. All solid wood, plays and sound real nice.
Zerberus said:Considering that a Taylor is in essence a Martin Knockoff, just aboiut any decent acoustic Guitar like said Used Taylors, Martins, Oscar Schmidt (I hate imports, but they aren´t half bad), Washburn....blablablah.
But Jonesey´s setup tip is good, it´s unbelievable what you can squeeze out of some lower end acoustics
Taylors are a lot different than Martins. Taylors have bolt on necks, Matins have a dove tail joint to mount the neck. Taylors incorporate the best tecnology has to offer to build a"computer" generated guitar. Martins for the most part are still made by hand. That being said Taylors are nice guitars, but they are made quite a bit differently than Martins. Both are a good score no question. I would look in to a Martin Shanendoah, or a Martin Sigma. These are Korean(Shannendoah) and Japanese (Sigma) made Martins. Both are very good guitars for the money. The Sigma would be my choice. All solid wood, plays and sound real nice.
Pepi
New member
Re: Taylor Knockoff
Try a Carvin Cobalt. Nice acoustics.
http://www.carvin.com/products/cobalt.php
proxy said:
Try a Carvin Cobalt. Nice acoustics.
http://www.carvin.com/products/cobalt.php
matt99camero
New member
Re: Taylor Knockoff
I went to guitar center the other day and played just about every acoustic in the place. There is nothing like a Taylor. Martains are over rated and over priced in my book. I'd say save your money and get a Taylor. But both are better than my Ibanez, which is not a bad guitar at all for the money but nothing close to Taylors or Martains. You may have to wait longer but it will be that much sweeter when you do get one.
I went to guitar center the other day and played just about every acoustic in the place. There is nothing like a Taylor. Martains are over rated and over priced in my book. I'd say save your money and get a Taylor. But both are better than my Ibanez, which is not a bad guitar at all for the money but nothing close to Taylors or Martains. You may have to wait longer but it will be that much sweeter when you do get one.
Rstlessone
New member
Re: Taylor Knockoff
Just to help clarify, the Sigma's are now all built in Korea and are not the same as the ones that were built in Japan(ps-I own one from the early 80's.) The sound of the Sigma is similar to a Martin, they are also only solid tops, the sides are veneer.
Have you looked into the Larivee guitars, the sound is about halfway between a Martin and a Taylor. They come in various sizes with and without a cutaway. They are solid wood. They are usually priced well, (often come with cases) and have several series of models. Check out the 04 models or 02 and 01 if you can get them used. Remember though that an all wood acoustic doesn't travel well unprotected and is very prone to problems with humidity changes.
Good Hunting!!
PS - try out the 214 from Taylor, its a solid top but they sound great IMHO.
Just to help clarify, the Sigma's are now all built in Korea and are not the same as the ones that were built in Japan(ps-I own one from the early 80's.) The sound of the Sigma is similar to a Martin, they are also only solid tops, the sides are veneer.
Have you looked into the Larivee guitars, the sound is about halfway between a Martin and a Taylor. They come in various sizes with and without a cutaway. They are solid wood. They are usually priced well, (often come with cases) and have several series of models. Check out the 04 models or 02 and 01 if you can get them used. Remember though that an all wood acoustic doesn't travel well unprotected and is very prone to problems with humidity changes.
Good Hunting!!
PS - try out the 214 from Taylor, its a solid top but they sound great IMHO.
