Help with Taylor 410E acoustic

[blackba]

I am GASing for a new acoustic. My co-worker has a 1993 410E for sale. No cutway, hs LR bags pickup. Its been refinished on the top by Taylor. Really nice guitar, I hope to get to try it out more soon.

How much is the 410E worth, hard to tell on ebay?

I have a Martin DC-1E that I really like, I am hoping to start using one of the acoustics with my band.

Just curious what the overall thought is on the 410 taylors....

 

[fek]

I had a 414RCE for a while and absolutely loved it. It sounded like heavens breath. F'ing divorce forced the sale. I think about that thing all the time. I did like the cutaway and I prefer the 14 body style however.

 

[blackba]

I had a 414RCE for a while and absolutely loved it. It sounded like heavens breath. F'ing divorce forced the sale. I think about that thing all the time. I did like the cutaway and I prefer the 14 body style however.

What is the difference between the 414 and the 410?

 

[iplayloudly]

I had a 414RCE for a while and absolutely loved it. It sounded like heavens breath. F'ing divorce forced the sale. I think about that thing all the time. I did like the cutaway and I prefer the 14 body style however.

What is the difference between the 414 and the 410?

The body is shaped a little different...

414:

410:

 

[UltraGary]

Am I the only one questioning a 410's top was 'refinished by Taylor'?

I'm suspicious......

 

[blackba]

Am I the only one questioning a 410's top was 'refinished by Taylor'?

I'm suspicious......

The owner got the guitar cheap was there was a top blemish. He is a wood worker and was just going to refinish it himself. He contacted Taylor on what finish they used and they convinced him to send it in. The refinished the top for him and sent it back. The owner has a good reputation at work, so I assume this is accurate. I just want to find a fair price. Do you have additional concerns that I should consider before purchasing this guitar?

I am going to play the 410 on Thursday and compare it to my Martin.

 

[fek]

the 414 is called a Grand Auditorium shape and the 410 is Dreadnought.

 

[blackba]

Here are some pictures.

 

[blackba]

I got to play the Taylor 410. I have it for the weekend. The guitar has elixier strings, I think 13-56 gauge. The strings are pretty old. Overall the guitar plays well, its alot more bassy than my martin DC-1E. It sounds fuller, where my Martin DC-1E sounds thinner and bright. My DC-1E has fairly old strings that are Martin Phosphor bronze light 12-54. I am going to restring it with Martin SP Bronze 80/20 light 12-54. The seller had some strings for the Taylor, they are D'Addario Phosphor Bronze 13-56 Medium. So I figure both with a fresh set of strings will be a better comparison. I am not sure how much the sonic difference the type/brand/gauge makes. For being dreadnoughts these guitars really sounded nothing alike surprisingly.

Plugging them in was cool, the LR bags with the Para drive DI from LR Bags sounded great. The fuller sound came through the amp when the Taylor was plugged in. The taylor has no volume knobs on it and you have to get to the battery through the sound hole. Thus for stage, I think the ease of my Martin's Fishman pickup would be more flexible. The Martin sounded good too plugged in, it was more familar.

So far I am pretty impressed with the Taylor. I like that it sounds alot different than my Martin. The Taylor plays well, I didn't really feel any issues there.

 

[ctoddrun]

I went through a ton of strings searching for the right one when I first got my Taylor.

You'll be able to tell the difference between makers, so you might want to throw both sets of the new strings on that Taylor and forget about comparing it to the Martin.

Martins and Taylors are inherently different sounding. You are trying to find out if you like what the Taylor brings.

 

[blackba]

Finally got both guitars restrung. Both sound a ton better with new strings.

I tried both acoustically last night. The Taylor sounded bassy, almost muddy. The guitar just didn't resonate like I expect, it almost sounded choked off. The sound was familiar to me though. The neck was thicker and slightly wider than my Martin. When you combine that with the thicker strings on the Taylor, I just found it harder to play.

The Martin had better dynamics, string definition and was brighter. I could have used a little more bass and body to the sound. I found it much easier to me to play, probably its because I have owned it since 2000.

Before I bought my Martin in 2000, I played a bunch of guitars from alot of manufacturers. I was actually very close to getting a Taylor (don't remember the model now). What I am looking for in this 2nd guitar is an upgrade from my DC-1E, but also a different sound. Before this 410E became available I was going to get a Martin DC-16GTE or DC-28E when I go the coin together and could find a used one. Maybe that is the way I should go....

 

[JTyson]

Wierd, I have a 414 that has the same body shape (no cutaway) as your 410. Had it for a long time, no problems at all

 

[blackba]

Wierd, I have a 414 that has the same body shape (no cutaway) as your 410. Had it for a long time, no problems at all

What do you mean no problems at all?

The Owner of the Taylor like his better when I tried them out at his house, it could just be what I am used to. The neck difference is what kind of go me, it was like going from a thick Les Paul neck on the Taylor to a thin 60's Les Paul neck on the Martin....

 

[JTyson]

Well, I have had it in all kinds of less than desirable conditions, camping, beach, etc. for years, and there have been times when I thought the moisture exposure of night air might get to it, but it has been fine. A lot of acoustics dont like humid climates, it is big trouble for them. I always try to take the best care I can when were out in those situations, but have had some friends who had trouble with theirs in the same setting. never had to adjust the neck, never had to do anything really, its been a very solid guitar. It does have a healthy neck, but thats probably why its held up as good as it has. I have some high-end Larrivee's, so my Taylor is what I take out into the world