Taylor Guitars Are Over Rated (imo)

[sunvalleylaw]

A prime factor in the 'Taylor sound' -- unplugged -- is that Taylor's tops are by design sliced thinner than most manufacturers' solid-tops. While this allows for freer vibration of the top, it also diminishes the strength (power) of the top's low frequency vibes as it enhances the mids and highs.

You and I have discussed this, but I guess this is why I prefer rosewood/spruce Martins. I like that throbbing, low end that almost vibrates you. : Nothing against Taylors or those who prefer them, just not my sound.

[Algonquin]

Appreciate the review Del... and please say hello to Linus and Lucy for me
(One of my YouTube favourites)

Welcome!
David

[oldguy]

Appreciate the review Del... and please say hello to Linus and Lucy for me
(One of my YouTube favourites)

Welcome!
David

That was the first one I watched! Loved it!

[wingsdad]

You and I have discussed this, but I guess this is why I prefer rosewood/spruce Martins. I like that throbbing, low end that almost vibrates you. : Nothing against Taylors or those who prefer them, just not my sound.

Same here, SVL. I've got nothing against Taylors. They are what they are, and they make a fine guitar for what they are. I've played on many of them...friends' guitars and trying them out in the stores, new and used. Personally, to my ears and the acoustic tones I desire, the 3 Tacoma's I've owned and the 2 Taks I still own all kicked their a$$, hands-down. The best butt-kicker of them all, by far, was a Tacoma JK28C-E4 Koa/Spruce cutaway Jumbo that I sold to Rocket several months ago. When I bought it, I'd A-B'd it against a used Taylor 914 model, a top-dawg.

It's those thin tops...they take the heart right out of a Rosewood back/sides.

It's so tricky to contain the low-freqs of a big-sounding acoustic when recording it, such that they don't overpower the presence of the critical mids and clarity of the highs. A Taylor's naturally mid/high-boosted (or bass-cut) tone makes it much easier.

[markb]

It's so tricky to contain the low-freqs of a big-sounding acoustic when recording it, such that they don't overpower the presence of the critical mids and clarity of the highs. A Taylor's naturally mid/high-boosted (or bass-cut) tone makes it much easier.

I think you've just nailed what Taylors are designed for, Wings. Fitting nicely into a mix without difficulty. Sadly this tends to make them a bit bland played in a solo context. I've only had to mix one Taylor with ES live but it sat in the mix nicely. At soundcheck it sounded thin and awful to me but once the bass and electric guitar joined in it all made sense.

[wingsdad]

I think you've just nailed what Taylors are designed for, Wings. Fitting nicely into a mix without difficulty. ...

BINGO Well said, mark. Geat example from experience.:

So, are Taylors overrated?

IMO, there's 2 answers:

1) As a studio and/or guitar, no, they're not overrated. The got well-known and widely used professionally fast. Sure, there's been a lot of clever, strategic placement with artists, endorsements-in-fact, selling the public.
But they're a dream to work with in those applications.

2) As a (amateur or pro) solo-style artist's guitar or as a hobbyist's 'player' alone...yes. Ironically, for all the reasons that make them a great studio guitar.