V bracing on Taylor acoustics guitars and strumming
- Thread starter Wayne27
- Start date
GuitarStv
Sock Market Trader
Most Taylors are smaller bodied guitars (smaller than a typical dread), and generally I think that smaller bodied guitars tend not to work as well for heavy strumming. The bigger bodied grand symphony that they make is awesome for heavy handed players . . . or at least that was my impression checking one out.
solspirit
Ultimate Post Liker
What models do you own?
PFDarkside
of the Forum
My lord would I love a Grand Orchestra.
currently an 814, ns72, and 410, but ive had a few others and played a ton of em over the years. great instruments but at some point you give the guitar more, and it has nothing more to give. if you arent heavy handed, you never hit that ceiling.
solspirit
Ultimate Post Liker
Check out the Grand Auditorium or better yet, the Grand Pacific.
PFDarkside
of the Forum
It’s the 618ce, I love it.
GuitarStv
Sock Market Trader
I like the GA body shape that Taylor makes (it's the Taylor I bought), but because of the smaller size of the body I wouldn't recommend it to a heavy strummer. When I get excited it kinda craps out where it just can't give any more before my strumming hand runs out of juice Works great for fingerpicking to medium strumming though.
Chris Pile
Well-known member
I think V bracing is just another marketing scheme from Andy Powers. I have had many Taylors on my bench through the decades - off the rack stuff, and custom order stuff. Only one or two off the rack guitars did anything for me. The most memorable was a 12 fretter with ebony back and sides that had a very special tone. The custom orders are super nice looking, and sounding. They all required some fret work to meet the demands of the owners.
For the bulk of the guitar playing populace, they are fine (but so were Ovations for many years). If I wanted one - I'd have it. So yeah, I think they are an over rated brand.
For the bulk of the guitar playing populace, they are fine (but so were Ovations for many years). If I wanted one - I'd have it. So yeah, I think they are an over rated brand.
Demanic
PenultimateTone Member
Glad that I saw this post. I was considering one, but I like to get heavy handed.
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treyhaislip
Well-known member
I tend to think of Martin D18s & D28s along with Gibson AJs and J45s for good strummers (with the Hummingbird getting a nod as well) and Taylors as better for finger style but that is just my take on them. To my ears, and it is a massive generalization, Martins tend to sound warmer and Taylors tend to sound brighter.
I just ordered a Taylor 714CE with a Cedar top. The early 2000's had Cedar tops and I let one too many pass by without buying them. I will be curious to see how the V bracing on the newer one sounds compared to the old ones.
To me, the 700 series are Taylors best sounding line–can handle strumming and finger picking extremely well. But I am not a heavy handed strummer so that series probably is not what you would think is a perfect fit.
I just ordered a Taylor 714CE with a Cedar top. The early 2000's had Cedar tops and I let one too many pass by without buying them. I will be curious to see how the V bracing on the newer one sounds compared to the old ones.
To me, the 700 series are Taylors best sounding line–can handle strumming and finger picking extremely well. But I am not a heavy handed strummer so that series probably is not what you would think is a perfect fit.
treyhaislip
Well-known member
Its funny, I always thought of the Taylors 600s as bright and amazing articulation–but Taylor describes the modern version as "our maple guitars have been revoiced and paired with specially seasoned spruce to produce a richer, warmer sound."
So maybe I'm not the best source. lol That being said, I still typically think of a Maple back and side acoustic as being on the bright end.
I still think you should check out some Taylors, to my ears they tend to be brighter, but would also recommend Takamine as they have some great sounding acoustics that probably won't break the bank.
Demanic
PenultimateTone Member
Not worried so much about the bank atm. Given the current inflation curve, I'd rather spend now than wait another 20 years.
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Gtrjunior
New member
I’ll add that my Taylor at least, is very balanced. Meaning that all of the strings ring out the same volume-wise.
Gtrjunior
New member
I’ll add Breedlove to the list as well. A buddy just bought one for around $200 and it’s a great looking, sounding and playing guitar at that price. At any price, for that matter.
In my experience you really have to find one you bond with no matter the playing style and brand. If you have to buy blind, Taylor is a safe bet. They have great consistency from one to the other. Other brands, not as much. For a big box strummer I have to admit that I like my Gibson SJ-200 the most.
