Low End Taylors...revisited

[MahlerGrooves]

I am brand new to posting on this site, but I have read almost every thread on the low-end taylor and martin question and have a few new things to mention and ask about.

I have not been playing guitar very long, yet I have progressed past the point of my $100 Ibanez and set out to purchase a new instrument. After having read all the info on this and other sites, I went to GC and started playing and listening.

I am a trained classical bassist, so I consider myself pretty skilled and qualified to judge the sound of a string instrument. I must have played and listened to about 60 guitars and finally decided on a Taylor 110.

Now I know some of you are skeptical and downright hating of the low-end guitars offered by high-end companies, but after LISTENING to the instruments in my price range (under 500), I found that the Taylor offered the best punch in the bass, articulation accross the range and clarity of tonal center throughout the entire spectrum of the instrument.

I realize it is not a 500, 700 or even 300 series, but it did, in comparison, feel similar in regards to playability.

I know many people will buy a Taylor or Martin because of the prized names just as that BMW symbol sells a lot of 325ci's, but I play an instrument that is 130 years old and has no attributable maker, so I do not care about brand. I am also not saying that these instruments are great accross the board and always the best for every person.

I just know that my particular Taylor 110 had the closest thing to the tone that I wanted (sometimes I have unreal expectations about the bass range, as I unfairly compare everything to my gorgeous upright) for little over $400.

Will anyone please evaluate this argument and tell me why, if someone truely enjoys the tone and feel of an instrument, they should AVOID it simply because it is a low end Taylor? I understand not buying one just for that reason, but avoiding one for that reason seems equally foolish.

[filmdude100cms]

well see most of us bashing the low end martin and taylors have a few things in mind.
1.weve been playing awhile, were at the point where if we spend an extra $300 or so to get a muuuuch better instrument its worth it cause well get use, and fill a need
2.theres much better out there for $500 than a taylor 110... BUT not sold at GC, micheal kelly makes great stuff, you can get a great larivee for $650, you can get a seagul for $400 and up, a nice alvarez for $450 and up. a breedlove atlas series wich some people dislike but i like them, is like $450... so theres a lot better in the area of that price than a 110.

now im not knocking your 110. considering your just begining you have a much better instrument than many of us do now, and most of us had when we were still just learning. but in defense of us who dislike the lower end models there are reasons.

[montiac]

shit, i just bought my alvarez mf80c a week or so ago, and i think it feels just as nice as the thousand dollar taylors i played at sam ash. i only payed 525 for mine 'cuz the guitar shop was going out of business, but i'd put it up against some of the mid-range taylors. but i've also been drinking so id on't know if my post made sense. :-/

[MWR]

I don't think there is any argument if you play the instrument, compare it to others, and find you like it the best.

The only point I'll make is this: At the price point of the 110 you should be getting a guitar with all solid woods. To my knowledge Martin, Takamine, Alvarez, Seagull, Breedlove and many other big companies make guitars with completely solid constuction for around the same price. Is that going to affect the tone that much? I can't really answer that question but in general a solid wood instrument will open up a lot more over time and get richer the more you play it. I think in general Taylor's prices are too high but people still buy them because all they have ever heard of is Martin/Taylor and lets face it, Taylor's are lot sexier than Martins.

[montiac]

and lets face it, Taylor's are lot sexier than Martins.

shit, i'll 2nd that motion. Taylors are gorgeous

[CWMCALL]

Will anyone please evaluate this argument and tell me why, if someone truely enjoys the tone and feel of an instrument, they should AVOID it simply because it is a low end Taylor? I understand not buying one just for that reason, but avoiding one for that reason seems equally foolish.

If the 110 has the sound and feel that you want, and you think it is worth the money than you should buy...who cares what anyone else has to say about it?

[mattinbeloit]

well see most of us bashing the low end martin and taylors have a few things in mind.
1.weve been playing awhile, were at the point where if we spend an extra $300 or so to get a muuuuch better instrument its worth it cause well get use, and fill a need
2.theres much better out there for $500 than a taylor 110... BUT not sold at GC, micheal kelly makes great stuff, you can get a great larivee for $650, you can get a seagul for $400 and up, a nice alvarez for $450 and up. a breedlove atlas series wich some people dislike but i like them, is like $450... so theres a lot better in the area of that price than a 110.

now im not knocking your 110. considering your just begining you have a much better instrument than many of us do now, and most of us had when we were still just learning. but in defense of us who dislike the lower end models there are reasons.

Ya bud, i would go with that Breedlove atlas, my friend has one and its great. Plus its solid wood as compared to laminated on the 110. Plus Breedloves are just downright beautiful and sexy, and one of the few instruments that have better bass than Taylors. Go for the breedlove, damn good guitar, and you will respect the good bass sound too.

[MahlerGrooves]

Thanks for all the great feedback. I know I really should not care what anyone thinks of my own instrument, but I am always interested in what skilled musicians say about a specific instrument.

All your thoughts and suggestions are well appreciated, and when it is time for me to get my next baby, I will keep all that info in mind.

Thanks again!

[czech]

wow, stuttgart. that's cool as hell.
we got a lot of people in Germany on this site lately.

I suggest getting an Alvarez. I wish I could afford a taylor, but in a ll honesty, i couldnt play one as well as it should be played, so i'll wait.,

[MahlerGrooves]

wow, stuttgart. that's cool as hell.
we got a lot of people in Germany on this site lately.

I suggest getting an Alvarez. I wish I could afford a taylor, but in a ll honesty, i couldnt play one as well as it should be played, so i'll wait.,

I'm not from Germany, actually. I am a New York music student on an exchange over in Stuttgart...God bless the Fulbright fellowships!

I can't play my 110 as well as it deserves...yet! My dream baby is a 315ce since I need to invest a cool $100,000 on an upright bass after I find an orchestra job.

[czech]

wow, stuttgart. that's cool as hell.
we got a lot of people in Germany on this site lately.

I suggest getting an Alvarez. I wish I could afford a taylor, but in a ll honesty, i couldnt play one as well as it should be played, so i'll wait.,

I'm not from Germany, actually. I am a New York music student on an exchange over in Stuttgart...God bless the Fulbright fellowships!

I can't play my 110 as well as it deserves...yet! My dream baby is a 315ce since I need to invest a cool $100,000 on an upright bass after I find an orchestra job.

Ya, the train ride into Stuttgart is beautiful. I'm jealous.

I bought an Alvarez AD60SC for about $339 online. I love it. i wouldnt trade it for anything. next guitar will probably be a low end taylor if i get better.

[mbgreen]

I don't think there is any argument if you play the instrument, compare it to others, and find you like it the best.

The only point I'll make is this: At the price point of the 110 you should be getting a guitar with all solid woods. To my knowledge Martin, Takamine, Alvarez, Seagull, Breedlove and many other big companies make guitars with completely solid constuction for around the same price. Is that going to affect the tone that much? I can't really answer that question but in general a solid wood instrument will open up a lot more over time and get richer the more you play it. I think in general Taylor's prices are too high but people still buy them because all they have ever heard of is Martin/Taylor and lets face it, Taylor's are lot sexier than Martins.

Damn right they're sexier. Cause Martins have balls, and taylors have ovaries.

I agree, other than the above reference. I vocally bash low end taylors, but I've always said it's because they're overpriced. They aren't shit guitars...I just think they're shit guitars for that kind of money. If you're happy with it, great, you're playing it after all. But I'm of the opinion that you can get something better for the same amount of cash.

[thejoe]

do you play that double bass for anything currently?
if youre into jazz fusion you should check out medeski martin and wood: Bill Martin plays an upright quite often and theyre simply amazing

[hcole]

If you like the 110 then great. I too tend to be of the opinion that Taylors are overpriced. I'm also of the opinion that you can get a better guitar for the money.

[MahlerGrooves]

I play the double bass every day! I am a classical performance major at Manhattan School of Music, and hope to make orchestral double-bass my profession.

As for Taylors being overpriced, I agree, but I got mine (plus free installation of a Fishman Natural I that my brother gifted) for 429, so I don't think I did too poorly.