Question about buying a guitar

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mlb1399
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Question about buying a guitar

Unread post by mlb1399 » Thu Feb 09, 2006 2:54 pm

No this isn't a which one should I buy question. I was wondering a couple of things:

a) why do they even show suggested retail price? No one ever uses it. I know it's supposed to make you feel like your getting a deal but most knowledgeable guitar players know better.

b) will the dealers go below the lowest price listed on the internet or will they only match?

I have never done a whole lot of bartering on price I just usually ask for picks, strings, humidifiers, etc.

The guitars I am looking at are:
Taylor 414ce- lowest price I have seen is $1849
Martin D35- lowest price I have seen is $2049

Any idea on how much lower they will go?

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Unread post by Kahn » Thu Feb 09, 2006 3:01 pm

If you are deadest on those 2, get the Martin. Paying close to 2 grand for a Taylor with Satin finished back and sides and mediocre electronics is a rip. The D35 is fucking sweet if you can dish out the cash. As always, check out other brands as well *cough* Larrivee *cough*

a) its a suggestion based on material costs and labor, but is often for what you assumed (feel like getting a deal)

b) you can most certainly bargain with guitar dealers. Its just like buying a car, don't settle and definantley dont invest so m uch money if you dont feel that you have gotten the best price. Try to go for a hard case too if it is not included, they can often run $100-$200.

Hope I could help you :)

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Unread post by czech » Thu Feb 09, 2006 3:01 pm

i dont know, but that D-35 almost made me jizm when i played it. i didnt like hte HD version, didn't like hte v neck, but dammit, that plain D-35 is the nicest guitar i have ever laid my hands on.

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Unread post by mlb1399 » Thu Feb 09, 2006 3:06 pm

Kahn wrote:If you are deadest on those 2, get the Martin. Paying close to 2 grand for a Taylor with Satin finished back and sides and mediocre electronics is a rip. The D35 is fucking sweet if you can dish out the cash. As always, check out other brands as well *cough* Larrivee *cough*

a) its a suggestion based on material costs and labor, but is often for what you assumed (feel like getting a deal)

b) you can most certainly bargain with guitar dealers. Its just like buying a car, don't settle and definantley dont invest so m uch money if you dont feel that you have gotten the best price. Try to go for a hard case too if it is not included, they can often run $100-$200.

Hope I could help you :)
I played a lot of guitars including Breedlove, Larivee and Gibson but these are the two that I liked the feel, sound and playability(if that's a word).

I thought the expression system was one of the best systems you could get???

Yeah, I should have added that in my original post.
czech wrote:i dont know, but that D-35 almost made me jizm when i played it. i didnt like hte HD version, didn't like hte v neck, but dammit, that plain D-35 is the nicest guitar i have ever laid my hands on.
I completely agree. Everyone always raves about the herringbone but I was not impressed.
Last edited by mlb1399 on Thu Feb 09, 2006 3:10 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Unread post by Kahn » Thu Feb 09, 2006 3:09 pm

mlb1399 wrote:I thought the expression system was one of the best systems you could get???
I really dont lilke the ES. Some people have great experiences with it, others hate the ES and get it replaced with other electronics.
Personally I hate everything Taylor guitars stand for. I feel lthey are overpriced guitars that sell because of the word on the headstock. The 414ce is a good guitar, but NOT for $1800. I would pay half of that and think it was reasonable. I just don't like the monopolization of guitars

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Unread post by mlb1399 » Thu Feb 09, 2006 3:13 pm

Kahn wrote:
mlb1399 wrote:I thought the expression system was one of the best systems you could get???
I really dont lilke the ES. Some people have great experiences with it, others hate the ES and get it replaced with other electronics.
Personally I hate everything Taylor guitars stand for. I feel lthey are overpriced guitars that sell because of the word on the headstock. The 414ce is a good guitar, but NOT for $1800. I would pay half of that and think it was reasonable. I just don't like the monopolization of guitars
I have always been a fan of martin and it is what I currently own. But that 414ce sounded so good and played so smooth compared to other similar priced guitars. I'm just wondering if you are coming from a biased pov or if you honestly feel that is a rip off? Not trying to start an argument just get a 100% honest opinion.

I understand I have to go with what I want and like and if I had to make the decision that day I would have opted for the Taylor. That is why I usually make 3-4 trips into a guitar place before I buy.

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Unread post by Kahn » Thu Feb 09, 2006 3:17 pm

mlb1399 wrote:
Kahn wrote:
mlb1399 wrote:I thought the expression system was one of the best systems you could get???
I really dont lilke the ES. Some people have great experiences with it, others hate the ES and get it replaced with other electronics.
Personally I hate everything Taylor guitars stand for. I feel lthey are overpriced guitars that sell because of the word on the headstock. The 414ce is a good guitar, but NOT for $1800. I would pay half of that and think it was reasonable. I just don't like the monopolization of guitars
I have always been a fan of martin and it is what I currently own. But that 414ce sounded so good and played so smooth compared to other similar priced guitars. I'm just wondering if you are coming from a biased pov or if you honestly feel that is a rip off? Not trying to start an argument just get a 100% honest opinion.

I understand I have to go with what I want and like and if I had to make the decision that day I would have opted for the Taylor. That is why I usually make 3-4 trips into a guitar place before I buy.
Not trying to argue either. :) At the end of the day, it is your money and your investment. My honest opinion is that the Taylor guitar at its price is an awful deal. I would never dish out that much money for that guitar. Thats not to say the guitar isn't a good guitar. I just think for the price, you could get a MUCH better guitar, like the Martin for example.

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Martin D-35

Unread post by sfmartins » Thu Feb 09, 2006 3:18 pm

I am from Portugal and I was able to buy a Martin D-35 in USA.

On the begining of 2005 the price at the Nazareth Music Store was $1,649.00. It has probably increased a bit, but not till $2000.

I've got mine at 8th street, a store in Philadelphia. The price was near $1,700.00. The guys there are great!
Of course Philadelphia is close to Nazareth...

Anyway, I thought this might give you an idea.

By the way, the d-35 is just perfect. The bass is really strong. I love it!

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Unread post by mlb1399 » Thu Feb 09, 2006 3:21 pm

sfmartins wrote:I am from Portugal and I was able to buy a Martin D-35 in USA.

On the begining of 2005 the price at the Nazareth Music Store was $1,649.00. It has probably increased a bit, but not till $2000.

I've got mine at 8th street, a store in Philadelphia. The price was near $1,700.00.
Was it new or used?


I think part of the problem with playing Martin's in the store is those god awful martin strings. I am not a fan of them and prefer elixir nano's which Taylor's have. I need to make sure that isn't factoring into playability.

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Unread post by ssc550 » Thu Feb 09, 2006 3:23 pm

Kahn wrote:
mlb1399 wrote:I thought the expression system was one of the best systems you could get???
I really dont lilke the ES. Some people have great experiences with it, others hate the ES and get it replaced with other electronics.
Personally I hate everything Taylor guitars stand for. I feel lthey are overpriced guitars that sell because of the word on the headstock. The 414ce is a good guitar, but NOT for $1800. I would pay half of that and think it was reasonable. I just don't like the monopolization of guitars
dave plays mostly taylors and seems to like them
I personally love taylors but agree that the ES gets more praise than it deserves. I know alot of people who don't like taylors very much because they are way overpriced. I just sold my 410ce and got next to shit nothing for it, so my next purchase is going to be non-taylor.

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Taylor - Martin

Unread post by sfmartins » Thu Feb 09, 2006 3:32 pm

mlb1399 wrote:
sfmartins wrote:I am from Portugal and I was able to buy a Martin D-35 in USA.

On the begining of 2005 the price at the Nazareth Music Store was $1,649.00. It has probably increased a bit, but not till $2000.

I've got mine at 8th street, a store in Philadelphia. The price was near $1,700.00.
Was it new or used?


I think part of the problem with playing Martin's in the store is those god awful martin strings. I am not a fan of them and prefer elixir nano's which Taylor's have. I need to make sure that isn't factoring into playability.
New.

For me, the main difference between Martin and Taylor is the brilliance. Taylor is better to cut through the band. Martin's 000 or OM are also good. Martin dreadnoughts are better for acoustic shows like L@LC or storytellers. This is my opinion...

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Re: Taylor - Martin

Unread post by Trippin Hillbilly » Thu Feb 09, 2006 3:59 pm

sfmartins wrote:
mlb1399 wrote:
sfmartins wrote:I am from Portugal and I was able to buy a Martin D-35 in USA.

On the begining of 2005 the price at the Nazareth Music Store was $1,649.00. It has probably increased a bit, but not till $2000.

I've got mine at 8th street, a store in Philadelphia. The price was near $1,700.00.
Was it new or used?


I think part of the problem with playing Martin's in the store is those god awful martin strings. I am not a fan of them and prefer elixir nano's which Taylor's have. I need to make sure that isn't factoring into playability.
New.

For me, the main difference between Martin and Taylor is the brilliance. Taylor is better to cut through the band. Martin's 000 or OM are also good. Martin dreadnoughts are better for acoustic shows like L@LC or storytellers. This is my opinion...
Hey, I was born in Porto!

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Re: Taylor - Martin

Unread post by czech » Thu Feb 09, 2006 4:02 pm

Trippin Hillbilly wrote:
sfmartins wrote:
mlb1399 wrote:
sfmartins wrote:I am from Portugal and I was able to buy a Martin D-35 in USA.

On the begining of 2005 the price at the Nazareth Music Store was $1,649.00. It has probably increased a bit, but not till $2000.

I've got mine at 8th street, a store in Philadelphia. The price was near $1,700.00.
Was it new or used?


I think part of the problem with playing Martin's in the store is those god awful martin strings. I am not a fan of them and prefer elixir nano's which Taylor's have. I need to make sure that isn't factoring into playability.
New.

For me, the main difference between Martin and Taylor is the brilliance. Taylor is better to cut through the band. Martin's 000 or OM are also good. Martin dreadnoughts are better for acoustic shows like L@LC or storytellers. This is my opinion...
Hey, I was born in Porto!
Hey, I ate an awesome sandwich in porto!
bread, steak, sausage, bacon, more other meats, bread, an egg dropped ontop, covered ion gravy! oh man you guys know how to cook.

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Re: Taylor - Martin

Unread post by Trippin Hillbilly » Thu Feb 09, 2006 4:28 pm

czech wrote:
Trippin Hillbilly wrote:
sfmartins wrote:
mlb1399 wrote:
sfmartins wrote:I am from Portugal and I was able to buy a Martin D-35 in USA.

On the begining of 2005 the price at the Nazareth Music Store was $1,649.00. It has probably increased a bit, but not till $2000.

I've got mine at 8th street, a store in Philadelphia. The price was near $1,700.00.
Was it new or used?


I think part of the problem with playing Martin's in the store is those god awful martin strings. I am not a fan of them and prefer elixir nano's which Taylor's have. I need to make sure that isn't factoring into playability.
New.

For me, the main difference between Martin and Taylor is the brilliance. Taylor is better to cut through the band. Martin's 000 or OM are also good. Martin dreadnoughts are better for acoustic shows like L@LC or storytellers. This is my opinion...
Hey, I was born in Porto!
Hey, I ate an awesome sandwich in porto!
bread, steak, sausage, bacon, more other meats, bread, an egg dropped ontop, covered ion gravy! oh man you guys know how to cook.
Damn,I haven't been back in so long but yes, I agree about the cooking. :lol:

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czech
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Re: Taylor - Martin

Unread post by czech » Thu Feb 09, 2006 4:36 pm

Trippin Hillbilly wrote:
czech wrote:
Trippin Hillbilly wrote:
sfmartins wrote:
mlb1399 wrote:
sfmartins wrote:I am from Portugal and I was able to buy a Martin D-35 in USA.

On the begining of 2005 the price at the Nazareth Music Store was $1,649.00. It has probably increased a bit, but not till $2000.

I've got mine at 8th street, a store in Philadelphia. The price was near $1,700.00.
Was it new or used?


I think part of the problem with playing Martin's in the store is those god awful martin strings. I am not a fan of them and prefer elixir nano's which Taylor's have. I need to make sure that isn't factoring into playability.
New.

For me, the main difference between Martin and Taylor is the brilliance. Taylor is better to cut through the band. Martin's 000 or OM are also good. Martin dreadnoughts are better for acoustic shows like L@LC or storytellers. This is my opinion...
Hey, I was born in Porto!
Hey, I ate an awesome sandwich in porto!
bread, steak, sausage, bacon, more other meats, bread, an egg dropped ontop, covered ion gravy! oh man you guys know how to cook.
Damn,I haven't been back in so long but yes, I agree about the cooking. :lol:
I liked the beer almost as much as the food ;)
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