9:16 Taylor PS14ce (expensive) fingerstyle 10:41 Taylor 114e (cheap) fingerstyle 12:06 Taylor PS14ce (expensive) strumming 13:06 Taylor 114e (cheap) strumming I use these timestamps to compare the guitars side by side, hope this helps someone.
@@MaxShpil Not calling you out, but based on the video, theres no way its deeper, nor easier to play. There would be an uproar if a guitar of that price sounded worse
For my amateur musician opinion, the more expensive have a really really better sound and "punch". No doubt. But it isn't 10x better than the ship one. One more: this ship one costs like $ 1,400.00 here in brazil. My acoustic 15 years old Eagle (about $200) have a great sound and i don't change it for this. Because the difference in the sound is so tiny for the great gap in price
This video makes me feel proud of my cheap... I mean affordable Taylor. I went to the store meaning to buy a Martin but went home with a Taylor. Their entry level ones are more bang for the buck than Martin's version.
LOL. Just the opposite for me. I've twice went to buy a Taylor, but bought a Takamine, then a Martin instead. By real guitar standards, they were both what is being called "affordable". (I thought it was a lot of money. All relative.) I like the Taylor sound, but prefer the warmth of the Martin. So awesome to have different options available.
I totally agree. I bought a Baby Martin and it had bad fret buzz. My luthier said he could fix it but it would be a recurring problem with the ridge lite fingerboard. So I took it back and bought a Taylor GS mini mahogany. I've had it since November and I love it.
My 2006 Taylor 110 El Cajon has served me beautifully the last decade, and has even impressed my guitar tech to the point he’s insisted I do all in my power to keep her going.
I'd never knock a person for what they choose for a guitar, what they're willing to pay is their business and not mine. For myself, I've been fortunate enough to own some pretty nice instruments through the years and they do continue to inspire me and make me happy. 20+ years ago I shelled out big money for a one-off custom Gibson, all these years later I still smile every time I open the case. What I paid back then seems small considering all the years of enjoyment I've squeezed out of that guitar.
I agree. Taylor guitars are fantastic from their cheapest to their pricey ones. Really comes down to what you like to look at as well. I know there are subtle differences in wood and sometimes even big diffs, but I think for the most part it's relative, especially when plugging in. It's the same exact pickup.
It's always a pleasure to hear Cooper play. It seems any guitar sounds like a premium guitar when he's playing it. Well done a thanks for another good video!
Wow! The presentation Taylor exudes quality in both sound and appearance as you would expect but the 114 does not let you down in any way and has it's own more direct and immediate sound which I liked a lot!
Beautiful playing on both! Surprising warmth on the 114, but oh my the PS is sublime with sophistication and nuance. The 114 has some of the plinky sound of a lower priced guitar but still a truly solid choice for the beginner or intermediate guitarist. There is an amazing guitar between these price points, 814ce, my personal favorite Taylor.
I liked the brighter and louder cheaper one for some reason. I really wanted to love the expensive one but after hearing both of them over and over, I found myself really liking the cheaper one more. It seems that you played slightly better on the expensive one. I found that interesting and I wonder why that happened. Was it more comfortable? Or was it more inspiring? Either way, you're an wonderfully talented guitarist dude.
I honestly think a lot of that is just down to RU-vid sound compression. If you play a 100/200/300 vs a 800/900 side by side you’ll be blown away by the different presence they have.
@@facelessandnameless I agree. But is it 9 grand better? I'm thinking for a lot less, like Cooper said, you can get pretty close to the PS14CE that has a lot less artwork. Maybe, around 7 grand less.
For my amateur musician opinion, the more expensive have a really really better sound and "punch". No doubt. But it isn't 10x better than the ship one. One more: this ship one costs like $ 1,400.00 here in brazil. My acoustic 15 years old Eagle (about $200) have a great sound and i don't change it for this. Because the difference in the sound is so tiny for the great gap in price.
The more expensive one sounds more “glittery” it has more of a pyaz to it, but otherwise they both sound great. I picked up a 114e in a guitar store and played a few other more expensive Taylor’s and they all sounded just as good as the 114e. While it doesn’t look “showy” it certainly makes up for it with the amazing sounds you get out of it.
Great job Cooper! I bought the 414 Sinker Redwood.It was a limited edition and I love it. The tone in this PS is a much higher quality than mine. Spruce is louder than Redwood. But the PS has a beautiful tone with subtle clarity and nuances.
Agreed. I just bought a 414ce and absolutely love it! Paid $2,500 (when I was expecting to buy something in the $1,500 range)but I don’t regret it for a minute. That being said, I don’t think I’ll be buying another guitar for quite awhile. LOL
@@treymerrill6993 I recently bought a 714ce Sinker Redwood. Great guitar but cost me more than I wanted to pay for it as there aren't many out there on the market.
from working in FA and string up at Taylor so far I can say from the 300s to the 900s they all play great and feel amazing, tone can vary guitar to guitar but we set them all up exactly the same so they all feel great. def love the 800s the most though, just an insider tip 800s get pick of the litter on fretboards and they all look really good
I honestly can tell a difference. I have the 114e and I love it a lot. Seems like a more tangy high pitch noise than the expensive ones having a more mellow
Need to listen with headphones as the PS sinker redwood has a lot more to say if you can hear it. Chris sold me on Sinker Redwood years ago, a 914ce. Way to much glitz but the tone is incredible. Taylor also uses better grade wood in the higher end guitars. Yes I have high & low priced guitars but all good to great sounding. Especially the Chris McKee signature model. Thanks Cooper
I agree. I have an 0-18 Martin which is my most expensive guitar. To me it is worth every penny, it sounds & plays amazing! I also have an all mahogany Orangewood guitar... is it as good as the Martin? Hell no, but for what it cost it plays and sounds ok. The difference and reason for owning it is, I'm not afraid to leave the house with the Orangewood!
I have five Taylors, a Baby, 514ce, 810 Brazilian, 956ce, and a PS14CE (Brazilian). I previously owned a 655, a 955 and a 914CE. Just like my sons, they are very different but I love them all. Taylor’s design and construction is such that you have a great guitar whether it be a 100 series or a PS model. They all have their own sound and personality and they are very different. My PS14 is clearly the best sounding and looking guitar I have had, but the 914 was very, very close in sound. Is the the sound and look worth the extra thousands? That’s an individual question.
Wonderful playing. It makes both guitars shine, but especially that PS14ce. It sounds incredible! I've been playing a 110ce and GS Mini koa for many years and recently was fortunate enough to be able to afford a beautiful all-walnut 424ce. I always slightly preferred the 400 series over the 300 series but they're all wonderful.
This very good comparison video brought up some very valid points. Once you reach a certain price point you really are paying largely for pretty frills. Quite often it's an apples and oranges situation where guitars sound different but not better in any real way.. I bought a 314ce after trying a bunch of Taylors right up to the 800 series and I couldn't be happier about it. Try out several guitars and buy the one that sounds good to you. You likely won't have to break the bank.
I used to play only martin guitars and I really never fell in love with them except a 1980 Martin D-28 which I have now and I've had several high end Martin's Three D28s and three D35s and a D45 ,my two friends came to church and had Taylor guitars and they sounded so much better than my Martin's and I bought these martins brand new the binding came off three of the Martin's and they were killers on my hands to play ,So I played my friends Taylor guitars and I was hooked,I bought these Taylor guitars brand new and now I have a 2015 614ce, 2015 816ce, 2018 814ce DLX v brace ,2015 914ce, 2019 614ce builders edition 2019 k-24 ce koa and a Baby Taylor and I would not take nothing for these guitars I absolutely am a Taylor guy and I've had Gibson's , Guilds, Gretch,and just about every brand you can name I absolutely do love Taylor sound and the way they play ,Not in long ago I went checking guitars out and I played a lot of Martin guitars I was really amazed at how martin guitars went down hill I did find a Martin D-28 1980 it's the only martin guitar I ever fell in love with but still don't compare to my Taylor's ,A lot of people like different guitars and sounds but for me if it ain't no Taylor I don't want it ,My wife throws a fit because I have so much money in these guitars and when I bring a new one home oh lordy what language she uses lol, she don't know it yet but I'm getting a new 912 ce and I also will have a Grande pacific all three of them I want every Taylor guitar they make, I had a Taylor 418 ce and a guy talked me outta it and I sold it I'm still crying over that guitar man what a sound that thing had ,If anyone is looking for a guitar I'm I absolutely recommend Taylor Guitars
Nice video. I always appreciate comparisons like this. I bought a Taylor 112 CE recently and have been VERY pleased with it. While I was looking around for a new guitar, I played a 814 Taylor side by side with a 114. I am an intermediate level guitarist, and I'm not sure I could tell much difference. Certainly NOT several thousand dollars' worth of difference. Maybe the 814 was a little more "full" or "rich"-maybe? They both have that clean, Bell-like chime, which is a Taylor signature, and a terrific sound. However, I would venture to guess that if you are performing live with an acoustic guitar, virtually no one in the audience will be able to tell the difference. The top end Taylors are great, but so are the low end Taylors. The major differences are visual-there is more adornment on the top end Taylors. Conclusion: If you are buying a $3000+ Taylor guitar, you are buying an art piece, in addition to a musical instrument, as Cooper suggests..
Nice to hear some love for the 314, which is what I have but seems to get overlooked in comparison to the higher-level series. For my taste, it's gorgeous but there's too much bling on it. I'd be afraid to play it.
Great job Cooper. Very good assessment of the Taylor line and explanation of the market for the 914 series. I have A k14ce Builders Edition and an 816ce Builders edition among my 7 Taylor’s. As far as the 914 up I could never justify owning one for my skill level, but if I had unlimited funds I would definitely own one. I wouldn’t play any better, but it would seem to me that I was much more skilled. I would also own a Martin D45 or. D42. Bragging rights more than anything else.
Very very similar sound wise. As others have stated, whether buying a higher end or lower end taylor its so much guitar for the money. The only difference I heard was the PS was a little deeper sounding and a little more robust but both have a huge amazing sound. So awesome the guitars that come from Taylor. Proud of owner of: -2015 Gs Mini Koa- Also Fossilized Mammoth Ivory parts. -2020 Gs Mini Koa Plus -Taylor A12e- Fossilized Mammoth Ivory( Bridge pins, saddle, and nut -2013 Taylor 214ce Fall Ltd all gloss with gotoh 510 tuners (predecessor to the DLX series/ essentially the DLX before the DLX existed. -2007 710ce with 914ce ebony gold tuners equipped -2014 Taylor 816ce Brazilian Rosewood -2003 Taylor 110-GB-E (My sweet love affair) -1997 Taylor 810ce Fishman prefix electronics
I think is not only the guitars expensive vs. cheap who makes the difference. Also is the player and Cooper is a master on a guitar! Thank you for the video!
Absolutely different ball game between these two! I also think there was a moment there where you were surprised. You owned the 114e and it could not keep up with you, but the PS14ce made you take notice...made you think "search" for more. The sound, from my end, was as a far apart as a tin penny is to a brass gong. Keeping in mind that I liked BOTH guitars and wouldn't turn my nose up at either, without regard to price.
Great video Cooper. Nice playing! I own a Taylor 414rcer, 618e ( x-brace ) and a 114e. I am not a fan of those who say " I have this, I have that. I just happen to own these three Taylors. The 618e is a very nice guitar and I love it. The 414cer is nice but I'm not in love with it. The 114e is a go-to for me. I feel it is the best acoustic for under $1k. Great, great guitar. The presentation Taylors are geourgeous but 10k?...I have no qualms about taking the 114 anywhere. The Presentation is a museum piece showcasing fine craftsmenship and beauty for sure. For me? 114 all the way
I was only listening the first time and never noticed a difference. I understand that I'm not a guitarist but I think it's testament to Taylor that I had to watch again to hear the difference.
The 114 is a really nice guitar for the money. As someone else comments, it is hard to pay $9200 more for all the bling. Yes, the PS 14 sounds amazing.... but, I think the perfect one is like Cooper says, somewhere in the 300 series. Thanks again for the demo.
An excellent presentation Cooper 👍 I'd say this was akin to a Chevy vs Ferrari comparison. Gotta love the looks of the PS14ce (who wouldn't love having a Ferrari) but for me, well, I'm a Chevy guy and the sound out of the 114ce is really quite nice. Actually, I do own a 5 yr old 110e which I bought new for $500 and I have to say is one fine guitar. I think Taylors are unbeatable in their playability and sound at every price point. But it's nice to have one Ferrari in the garage 👍👍👍.
Good Demo ! There is an obvious difference based on wood composition alone . The solid wood gets you some clarity and richness and the redwood adds some additional warmth which will increase over time. Having been to the CA factory I can say they have close to perfected workmanship consistency and playability up and down their line. Can't say i really like the V class bracing , but many do. The PS series seems to be a year by year choice of wood combinations. The PS series is a stay at home guitar that you're going to have to be satisfied with for a long, long time. Agree with reviewer below - would like to see the AD27E ,or other Mahogany topped ,vs. the PS compared.
I own a Taylor 210e for more than 10 years now. This is my first acoustic guitar I bought and played it an uncountered number of hours and it still sounds incredibly good. The guitar is aging very well and sounds better than when I bought it. This was a guitar that cost over 1000$ (which is still expensive for an acoustic guitar) and I played it and compared it to some of my other guitars that cost twice its price and more. It sounds as incredible as them to be honest. This is the cheapest guitar in my collection but the one I cherish the most. If I had to keep just one acoustic guitar, it is this one.
The difference really became apparent when strummed with a pick. The PS has a lot more harmonic spread and range where the 114 was much more focussed and a bit strident- of course they are going to sound different, just my observation. I've got a 416 CE Spring Limited but am thinking about a 114 for taking out to play in pubs etc- don't want the 416 to get trashed.
I just bought a 362ce-8 String Baritone Taylor, it was less than 3K. I'm an accomplished, professional musician, so I know what I'm talking There is a big difference between the high-end and under the 1500.00 range, playability is where I draw the line. All Taylors sound great, the higher-priced guitars sound incredible and are easier to play. I play live and record, a hot mike or acoustic amp show clearly who's sound is richer. My new fiddle as reference above sounds so amazing and the baritone has me creating sounds and craving to play in a whole new way. We have one life, get the best you can't afford, and put a smile on your face forever.
Hi Cooper, Great demo!! The Presentation is gorgeous and sounds crsip. I have a 114e and love it. I bought it at a Taylor Road Show on Long Island and got a fantastic deal. I totally agree with you on who expensive guitar is made for. I really enjoy watching you and Chris review and demo for Alamo. You are a great guitarist, I am a novice, older and it is taking a while to learn. I can do some play alongs with basic easy chords so far. Watching you is an inspiration, keep up the good work. By the way, Great beginning and hilarious ending to the video, really cracked me up! Thanks, Brad Maier Babylon, NY
I was blessed to receive a used 614CE with the flamed maple, from my dad for a birthday years ago. My wife called it "the blonde" and to this day, it's my personal favorite. Sounds like it would be hard to go wrong with any Taylor.
Mark, the very first Taylor I ever played was in the Guitar Center Acoustic room. It was the 614CE, Curly Maple top. Gorgeous guitar, and that SOUND??!!! 😍😛❤️ I also picked up a Martin, and a Gibson. MORE expensive, but the sound was DEAD in comparison.....Thus began my love affair for Taylor. 😁
You definitely get more depth to the tones on the expensive one but honestly the "cheap" one sounds really good too. I got to play a whole selection of acoustics at my local GC and kept going back to the 214ce over PRS, Martin, Fender, Yamaha, and many others. I did play the more expensive Taylors up to about $3,600 and again, I went back to the 214ce. just felt like it fit me and played well. Great video!
you are right they both sound good, but not at all true. the expensive one is brighter only...the 114e has more balanced in dynamic range. There's a driftwood guitars video that address why this will happen with laminate guitars. Actually laminate back and side acoustic guitars can produce a better dynamic range. It's ridiculous a guitar company is charging $10k for guitars. I'm a professional, classically trained musician that can buy one, but I play an Alvarez Masterworks laminate B & S guitar before they made they made them solid. Don't lie to yourself.
One thing he didnt mention is the nut width. The 114 is smaller. I have a 214 and i like the smaller nut. Plays and sounds better than all my other guitars. And i have a d-18 martin and a few other high enders.
Guitars and amps are made so good now, I find with good strings and paying someone that really knows how to set up a guitar. It's really hard to tell the difference from high-end guitar to a lower budget guitar in the $700 range,especially once it's on a good amp with a bit of effects.
Love you guys...sorry I don't live in San Antonio any longer. Both Taylor's sound great as you demonstrated. So there is no need to spend the extra $9200...but if you have that kind of money this would be money well spent! Just read HK Guitar's comments....you'll never regret it. Cooper and I can still dream...but that's alright too!
I have a special issue 812CE with a Brazilian Rosewood back and sides, Sitka top. I love it. Sounds wonderful. Probably 10 years old (maybe 8). Really nice. The 114e sounds really good. The PS14ce is beautiful.
I am a pure beginner! Since finding your channel I’ve been especially interested in the differences in the Taylor and the Martin guitars. I have just finished my second month with Lauren Bateman’s seven step beginner course. Cooper your playing is phenomenal! I can tell the difference between the two guitars in this video. Actually I can tell a difference in Lauren’s guitars (Crafter and Taylor) compared to mine (Ibanez) many of her students are playing Taylor’s. It was my understanding that the Ibanez was a Japanese guitar…except I found out mine was made in china…darn! Thanks for this great video-maybe Santa will bring me a new guitar for Christmas…who knows?
I love this kind of video. Visually the difference is crazy....the expensive guitar is just amazing....like a Ferrari compared to a ford. But the difference I heard was minimal....would I argue the more expensive guitar sounded nicer, yes...but I closed my eyes and it's not that much nicer....certainly nowhere near nicer in the terms of dollars so unless you have endless cash to blow, get the entry model.
Great video! There absolutely is a difference in tone and sound. How couldn’t there be is it $10,000 worth? Wood difference is BIG. Solid wood. Versus . Solid wood top laminate back and sides. It’s a beautiful Beautiful guitar.
I’m looking to remake my guitar collection and the 114 would be a good place for me but I’m also would like to hear how a 200 would sound. $1500 isn’t too bad as I am a intermediate player. Great performance 👍👍
Taylor's best value is in the 100 and 200 series lineup and the GS Mini series. Closing my eyes, the tone of the 114e is winning out here in every clip. I suspect that has everything to do with the traditional X bracing vs the (considered inferior by MANY) V Class bracing on the high-end Presentation series. Even if you say "well that's subjective" I think we can make X-bracing superior an objective truth just by looking at the decades and decades of Gold and Platinum acoustic guitar recordings on every hit with X bracing defining to the ears of every listener what a great acoustic guitar is suppose to sound like. V Class has its own sound, I do like it alright, it's more subtle and kind of reminds me of the Ladder bracing sound of Harmony guitars. Truthfully, it was at least in part a design change to facilitate marketing objectives and distinguish Taylor's from the pack of other options.
I don't think there is anything more exciting in Life than the desire, pursuit and final purchase of a Guitar! I don't recall a time when I didn't love them. I remember when I was about 7yrs, trying to befriend a Kid I didn't really like but her Dad had a Guitar & I just wanted to go in her House to see it. Weird, I now but true. I am in profound appreciation and awe of Luthiers who craft these magical Instruments. Personally (& a bit judgmentally), I think the $10k Guitar is a bit ridiculous unless it IS being viewed with Craftsmanship appreciation and not JUST because it is expensive. And its a bit sad to think a Guitar would be put behind glass and not often played? No matter the type or cost of a Guitar, I feel they should be treated with respect. and NOTHING demonstrates more respect than a Guitarist like Cooper whose years of discipline & dedication can bring out the BEAUTY in ANY Guitar! wow. Humbled.
Very nice playing, Cooper. You could probably make a broomstick strung with bailing wire sound good. The one thing you can count on with Taylors is that they are consistant. The tone, playability and build quality across their line of guitars is very good. Tone is subjective, and there are variations acording to the tone wood and the price, but I've found that their least expensive guitars sound and play well above their price point.
i wish youtube's compression algorithm was a bit less of an issue. A few years ago I had the chance to borrow a PS114ce for a while and the difference in how it projects versus the 114ce was immense... Still i think it's hard to warrant a purchase if you're not a concert musician, etc though. It's still my dream guitar though 100%
I know that you don't review used guitars but I believe that you did an acoustic review that included a Yamaha or 2. I sure do wish you could, would do one that included an original FG 300 red label Yamaha from the early 70s! I believe that a number of others would love to see that as well!
I have a 214CE cost me 1200 euro ( 1.202,58 dollars ) at the time I very happy with it . the thing with buying expensive guitars is that you should consider if it fits you level of playing versus the cost and what to do with it . Do you perform before an audience who are willing to pay for listening to you ,so meaning are you a professional player? To be honest I don't hear so much difference between both guitars only that the cheap one sounds more direct to me and I like it ! I believe that a expensive instrument witch is made by hand and one has chosen the best elements for building it will last longer in the sense of not deforming over the years ( neck, top blade maybe? ) . But hey for the difference in price you still can buy 9 new ones :-) But thank for showing and let us hear u both instruments ! BTW the last guy should be send to jail ! Smashing a perfectly good guitar as John Hiatt would say!
Difference to me is night and day. The 114e sounds similar to any other guitar in its price range, ie my cheap Takamine sounds no different to this guitar. The PS14ce has amazing lows and highs and has a very engaging sound to it, I could play this 24/7 and love every moment of it.
Just bought the 114. It sounds like every guitar in the price range you’re right. I do say it feels nicer than a lot in the range. I love mine for the price!
For this video, I tried to convince myself to like the PS Taylor's sound more. But I still find that the 114e Taylor sounds more to my liking. However, I wonder how it will be if the comparison was made with a mahagony affordable Taylor instead of spruce top model.
Love the guitar reviews and comparisons you guys do. I'm late to the party, but for me, the 114e sounds slightly better than the PS14. To my ear, the 114e has more clarity and balance, if slightly less resonance and sparkle. That said, I wouldn't buy the 114e because I won't buy anything with a nut width less than 1.75". I'm not a big Taylor fan anyway. My observation is that the name appeals to less discriminate players who can afford them. Just my opinion.
If we weren't doing an A/B and just listening to one or the other, I'd think I was hearing some very nice tunes and think it was a real treat just to get a little concert. Good music comes from the fiddler more so than the fiddle. Thanks for the comparison.
Those 2 guitars sound worlds apart , more lush complexity , overtones sustaining no buzziness in the PS. Yup 100 and 200 series are still really great guitars for how much you get at that price point let alone the Taylor lifetime warranty to the original purchaser.
I bought my son a GS Mini a few years back, he went into piano instead, I also bought myself a 314ce back in 2014 and the poor thing has only been out of the case a handful of times. I keep telling myself, one day. I have picked up the GS Mini lately though, I have this problem of working through lunch because I get bored, I started bringing the Mini to work with me and taking it out to fill my lunch time. I honestly cant remember what the 314ce sounds like, but if its better then the GS Mini, holy cow I made a good choice! Seems like the 114 has more mids than the PS, PS sounds more frilly. I dunno, maybe its my ears.
Taylor makes great guitars I was spoiled I started my journey with a Taylor gs7 but now I have 2 Taylor’s 300 series 314ce and 310m 25 anniversary can’t overlook 300 series amazing studio and stage guitars and you can play them without being over cautious. Of course the presentation guitar is beautiful.
