frontpage Posted by jk6812 | Staff • 2d ago
Mar 30, 2025 4:26 AM
Item 1 of 5
Item 1 of 5
frontpage Posted by jk6812 | Staff • 2d ago
Mar 30, 2025 4:26 AM
Taylor 317e Grand Pacific Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar w/ Hardshell Case
+ Free Shipping$1,649
$2,199
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Because the manufacturing process is so good, you can purchase a Taylor of less cost, like this one, (300 series) and as long as you choose the tonewoods you want, you are essentially getting the same sounding guitar as much more expensive models. A 400 is likely going to give the best bang for the buck, although there is a 300 with mahogany sides/back.
Sitka is a great tonewood for a top. As for back and sides, it's all about opinions, but you can expect this to be on the brighter side than it's cousin Mahogany. That's not my preference as I prefer mahogany with more mids and lows. Sapele has become almost a substitute for mahogany according to some because it has some similar characteristics, just brighter sound. That said, it's a 3 series so you cannot expect a top tonewood like rosewood, but this should still be quite good. Lastly consider the body shape. Taylors come in a few shapes with dreadnought being a larger, louder instrument than something like a grand auditorium, but will not give you the playability in the upper register like a GA or GC will. If you frequent the upper third of the fret board, this is not the droid you're looking for. Still, if it suits you, wonderful instrument.
It was really cool to see how much care they put into the manufacturing of their guitars.
I had never played a guitar at that time, but had wanted to for about 40 years. I got a Taylor (114ce) for Christmas and I've played it all but 4 days since receiving it.
Even my 114 sounds great, well, when my instructor played it for a bit... I get a little less terrible each day!
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Needing a more compact logo suitable for the guitars' headstock, the founders decided to change the name to Taylor as it sounded more American than Listug. Kurt Listug said, "Bob was the real guitar-maker."[8] Listug became the partnership's businessman while Taylor handled design and production. In 1976, the company began to sell their guitars through retailers. In 1981, facing financial difficulties, Taylor Guitars took out a bank loan to purchase equipment.[9][10]
As of 2012, Taylor Guitars had more than 700 employees in two factories in El Cajon, California and in Tecate, Mexico, where the company makes their lower-priced models and guitar cases. In early 2011, the company opened a Taylor distribution warehouse in the Netherlands to serve the European market.[3] In January 2014, the U.S. State Department honored Taylor Guitars with an Award for Corporate Excellence (ACE)[11] citing Taylor's commitment to responsible practices in obtaining ebony for its instruments, which notably included purchasing their own sustainable ebony mill and increasing its usable timber from 10% to 100%.
Yep. The true amazing thing about Taylors are the manufacturing process. They have it down to a science. You buy a model of guitar 3 years ago and you buy the same model today and they're essentially identical. Mind you, some of the reasons why brings up criticisms in my mind as a purchaser, but regardless they make some amazing guitars and do so consistently.
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Because the manufacturing process is so good, you can purchase a Taylor of less cost, like this one, (300 series) and as long as you choose the tonewoods you want, you are essentially getting the same sounding guitar as much more expensive models. A 400 is likely going to give the best bang for the buck, although there is a 300 with mahogany sides/back.
Sitka is a great tonewood for a top. As for back and sides, it's all about opinions, but you can expect this to be on the brighter side than it's cousin Mahogany. That's not my preference as I prefer mahogany with more mids and lows. Sapele has become almost a substitute for mahogany according to some because it has some similar characteristics, just brighter sound. That said, it's a 3 series so you cannot expect a top tonewood like rosewood, but this should still be quite good. Lastly consider the body shape. Taylors come in a few shapes with dreadnought being a larger, louder instrument than something like a grand auditorium, but will not give you the playability in the upper register like a GA or GC will. If you frequent the upper third of the fret board, this is not the droid you're looking for. Still, if it suits you, wonderful instrument.
It was really cool to see how much care they put into the manufacturing of their guitars.
I had never played a guitar at that time, but had wanted to for about 40 years. I got a Taylor (114ce) for Christmas and I've played it all but 4 days since receiving it.
Even my 114 sounds great, well, when my instructor played it for a bit... I get a little less terrible each day!
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This.
Yeah. Plus the fact that the woods get better with age. I just swapped out my 93 510 with mahogany for the 810 with rosewood and the 510 had a better tone on the low end due to its age. That said I switched from a Dred to a GA so it had to be done and I'm sure the guitar will get better with age.
As a side note, comparable American made all solid, spruce top and mahogany (or equivalent) guitars are all in this price range within a few hundred bucks (Martin, Larrivee, Gibson, etc) , and seasoned imports like Yamaha and Alvarez with the same all solid wood combo (sometimes with electronics) are about $300-500 less. Upstart reliable imports like orange wood are about half this price.
Each company has its own voice and strengths and cons, so to each his own.
So this may be a super deal for the Taylor fan who wants v-bracing and a notch above the all solid discontinued Taylor American dream series, but for those entering the all solid market , there will likely be a few cheaper option well worth it, like the Yamaha LL-series or the larrivee simple 6.
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However. When it comes to getting the most for your money, you're going to find Eastman and Yamaha at the top of every bang for your buck list. Epiphone inspired by Gibson line is amazing as well. Even though this is a good price, you're still paying for the Taylor name.
Comparable... Eastman e6ss-tc. Yamaha FG5. Mahogany and not sapele. Even Recording king rd-318. At this price point, you have a LOT of really good options.
Just food for thought... Or, muddying the waters, however you see it 😂