ash71
Sore Fingers
Posts: 2
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Post by ash71 on Oct 23, 2020 18:40:44 GMT
Hi everyone.
I’m Ash, I’ve was playing guitar in bands in the 90’s then life got in the way. A year ago I decided to pick it back up and get back into playing with m acoustic duo. I have now decided to upgrade and have narrowed it down to either a Gibson J45 studio or a Taylor 314ce standard? Any input or help would be appreciated.
I’m a lefty btw which has proved difficult in finding love guitars to try out.
cheers Ash
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Post by Cams on Oct 23, 2020 22:17:11 GMT
A Taylor 314ce was in contention to be my first decent guitar. It lost by a hair to a Lakewood M14. The Taylor and the J45 are very different instruments. If you play more fingerstyle, I'd suggest the Taylor over the J45. If you're more of a strummer, I'd give the J45 the edge. YMMV of course.
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Oct 23, 2020 22:35:01 GMT
Hi Ash, and welcome to the Forum.
As for your dilemma, none of us can know what you want to hear from your guitar so it really is down to your personal preference.
What is the other instrument in your acoustic duo? If it's another guitar, different sounding guitars can be a good combination.
In what way have you narrowed a huge choice down to two specific instruments? Reviews, the opinions of others, hearing them being played, playing them yourself?
Have you played both your choices side by side? If so, buy the one that you can't walk away without.
Good luck - and let us know how you get on.
Keith
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Post by grayn on Oct 24, 2020 5:57:43 GMT
+1 on what Keith said. If you intend to be playing through amps or PA mostly, I would say that Taylors have better pickups than Gibsons. IMO though, the Gibson just looks a lot cooler.
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ash71
Sore Fingers
Posts: 2
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Post by ash71 on Oct 24, 2020 6:53:23 GMT
Thanks Guys, answers to responses;
We mainly do covers of folk, lighter rock and pop - Fleetwood mac being a good example. I am not a lead guitarist it is mainly rhythm and travis picking type stuff with some finger notes etc. I currently own a APX Yamaha which has served me well but it’s not got the depth and presence I would like, also the action is very high and leaves me broken finger tips! The Gibson has great depth and rich warmth in the lower ends especially on the chords but the Taylor as a great all round balance and less buzzing if you change position and don’t hit perfectly clean. Agree the Gibson looks cooler. I wanted to try the later Yahamha but the store guitar specialist recommended Taylor. They also have a Faith but I felt it lacked in depth although a very nice build, being a lefty I am a littler short of choice of in store stock.. At the moment the Taylor is looking favourite as I will be doing a lot of gigigng with a female vocalist so the electronics are a big factor and the balanced tones would probably sit better behind the vocals.
Or I might change my mind.... Arghhhhhh
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Post by RodB on Oct 24, 2020 8:02:23 GMT
+1 on Keith’s comments.
What you say about the J45 you tried implies a set-up requirement rather than an inherent problem.
Also, having Yamaha already - why not try the one that caught your eye - the salesperson might well have a different preference to you.
Good luck with your search.
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Post by fatfingerjohn on Oct 24, 2020 8:28:50 GMT
Hi, Sorry can't help you on the specific comparison you ask about. But 12 years ago I bought my first 'proper' i.e. expensive (for me!) acoustic which was a Taylor 310ce. I knew very little about guitar shapes, woods, etc but really liked the slightly wider nut on my mate's Taylor and the neck profile which really helped my fingerstyle (which was 90% of what I did). 12 years on I have no regrets about this. However, being somewhat more experienced now,(and helped a lot through going to this Forum's Halifax weekends and trying numerous other guitars) my Taylor has been replaced as my 'goto' guitar for fingerstyle with my amazing hand built guitar by Francis (Milsom) which is much richer in tone, and has better sustain and balance across the whole fretboard. Francis made my Lacewood guitar with the same neck profile and measurements as my Taylor which I find perfect for me. I still prefer my Taylor (just) for strumming styles as it is a little 'softer' and mellower. (I know strings etc will make a difference as well but I use the same on both now). So a thumbs up for the Taylor 310ce as a great all-rounder, particularly for my gentle strumming style. (PS I rarely play plugged in). I'm just lucky to have both (and a few more ). FFJ
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Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2020 19:01:36 GMT
If you haven't tried them and you get the chance try out the Yamaha LL16 (all solid with rosewood b&s) and the Yamaha FGX5 (all solid mahogany b&s).
They are a bit different from your named guitars but both of them are very nice and might suit your purposes better than your current choices.
The LL16 doesn't have a pick-up but it's considerably better priced that either of your choices so if you like it then buying a high end pick up and having it professionally installed will probably still leave you in pocket.
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Post by grayn on Oct 25, 2020 9:50:33 GMT
I noticed you said you had high action on the apx. That could be easily resolved by a good tech. I've had a few Apx and Cpx guitars over the years and all had superb, low action. The higher end CPX guitars are worth a look, with a lot more depth and tone than the APX.
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Post by dreadnought28 on Oct 26, 2020 3:41:46 GMT
With 20 years experience of a Gibson J50 and a decade of Taylor guitars, I would recommend the 314CE for your needs. Good sound, well set up and consistently good quality control, you do see bargains on the used market.
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