Taylor 114ce vs Ovation Elite TX - The Best Stage Ready Acoustic Guitars 

There's just something about the sound of the Ovation that causes the music to move me in a way that the Taylor just doesn't even come close to. The Ovation has a wonderfully precise, chrystalline clarity and purity that I adore. The Taylor by comparison sounds slightly muddy, although does I think sound nice and rich on the strummed parts. The Ovation of course looks way, way cooler to me and the Koah wood Ovation behind you is one of the most beautiful guitars in the world! I would love to hear that one played - maybe to compare to a spruce topped Ovation at a similar price point.

I own Ovation‘s and Taylor‘s. Direct plugged in a PA the Ovation‘s are much better. Powerful an clear... Perfect for me.

No Doubt The Ovation still The Most Advance Acoustic Guitar In The World even after 50 years !

Ovation wins!! It's fantastic.

I own an Ovation Standard Balladeer, and I love it to bits, both due to sound and feel. Also, its tuning stability is just stellar. I frequently fly with it, and it always arrives at the destination perfectly in tune.

Ovation!!! Wooohooo!!! ♨️♨️♨️

I have a mixture of Ovations, 1 Viper, 1 Elite 12 String, 1 Celebrity Elite and 1 Kevin Cronin Signature - all different and unique but I prefer all of them any day to a Taylor. The sound is more defined and clear with good bass, and all sound superb through a PA ( especially the Viper as it’s a chambered solid body anyway). The Taylor has too much mid tone for me. Ovation wins. Excellent demonstration thank you for sharing.

I'm glad I bought an Ovation...

I ordered the Ovation yesterday. Should be in the mail today! Diggin these comments! Did not think it’d be compared to a Taylor when I ordered.

I have an Ovation LX Elite American made 15 yrs old. It holds up to my friends martin D28. He actually likes the Ovation sound better.

That Ovation sounds great, and visually, it’s a thing of beauty!

Thanks for the review. Can I ask what the second song is? The one at around 8:45 :)

As an Ovation guitar fanatic, both of these guitars sound great!

I have both Ovation and Taylor. It's just me, but with acoustic guitars, I prefer a more "woody" sound with more bass. Ovations sound best when they are plugged in.

Both sound really good but the Ovation wins.

Ovation has an edge in clarity, almost bell like highs. Ovation’s playability and in-pitch tuning is amazing. Taylor has a thicker mids and low ends. Both guitars are great. Played on their own, it would be hard to judge.

The Ovation's clarity and balance are impressive both acoustically and plugged in. The Taylor sounds nice too, but it sounds like some phase-shifting was hindering the plugged-in performance. At this price point, the Ovation not only sounds better, but seems to be a bargain! Thanks for posting these great videos AMC!

I like mine too.. ovation same model. It rocks!

I have an Ovation was thinking about another brand but thinking another guitar will be a Ovation

I love that tune. A perfect beautiful finger style song.

Nice playing, Dude. I like that you can mess with the tempo subtly for effect, too.

I feel the Ovation had the clearer sound and more ability to project the sound with ease. Perhaps better action as well.

Initially I thought the Taylor had a softer tone that the Ovation but right at 9:28 there was a tonal change with the Taylor giving it a sharper tone that I thought was similar to the ovation. Couldn't tell if it was just the pick or something electrically changed. Anyway both sound great. I have a 1975 1621 Balladeer that I bought new and a Taylor 814CE Love them both would never part with either one. Great video, love your picking style and progression selection to highlight both instruments strengths.

I bought the 1868tx and I love it. Sounds and feels amazing.

Good comparison video.

I own a Taylor, but on this vid I have to give the nod to the Ovation. Think I’ll give one a try.

The Ovation noticibly stands out!!!

It's no contest. Every guitar has its own voice and the appeal of any guitar to any particular listener is purely subjective. I like chocolate cake and I like strawberry cake. Both are cake, but definitely taste different. I appreciate any well crafted guitar with good projection and strong tone. Both of these guitars are wonderful in their own way. Personally, I would like an Ovation because I have never owned one and I like the plugged in sound. Not crazy about the unplugged tone, but they do sound special when plugged in and I appreciate that. I would take the Taylor as well as you can never have too many guitars!

The ring, sustain on the ovation guitars wins for me

Very good way to compare and pleasant to see !

Well, I’m a fan of Taylor guitars but I must say that the ovation just sounded more well rounded for a lack of a better way to put it.

yes both sound fantastic

I bought a 1978 Custom Balladeer from GC after hearing Kansas play Dust in The Wind using an Ovation. It impressed me that much. I used to play using two Roland amps with a Boss stereo chorus---pure heaven sound. I owned several Ovations. The only drawback I noticed was that the necks were too beefy and chunky. Right down the center of the neck. I wonder if they are made the same these days?? Now I'm curious enough to visit GC.

Ovation all the way.... I love those things!

Ovation sounds more balanced with nice bass and may be easier to play ?

That Ovation is killer.

ovation!

Ovation wins.

I have a Taylor 414 ce. I’ve had an Ovation before also. I think the Taylor has more body to it, and not so bright! Taylor!

nice review .... i used to have several Ovation models as custom legend - elite and custom elite - as i had once a mid range Tylor during 1991 till now - i only kept my custom legend that has a special taste . but even in this review the Tylor sounds more bass and muddy than the legendry bright acoustic tone of the Ovation great review for the top names of acoustic guitars

thanks for this video. Is there a kind of a "bees" sound especially in the bases with the ovation Line recording? Do you think it is due to the guitar or to recording settings? TIA.

Both of these are virtually indiscernible from a standpoint that for what was played is pleasing to listen to. That said, I think one will find that when plugged in the amp is going to make the difference.and both guitars are going to sound so much alike on the same PA or amp in the same room for it's acoustic size. I like the resistance to damage that the Ovation brings to the table. I don't abuse guitars, but you can't control your audience or those that contact the guitar unless they are forbidden to access. Noodled with many brand & models, the Ovation is what I prefer of the bunch, they're all fine instruments in their own right, so if Taylor, Martin, Fender, Gibson Ibanez or any other is your brand, you have a fine guitar just the same as an Ovation fanbase purchase. Ovation to me has the superior carved headstock, Taylor to me is same shape that you end up with a $ 30 Wal-Mart piece of wood, maybe that's why I prefer the Ovation. If tonal wood is what you're after for a body, you are getting ABS plastic with a fancy name for a reinforced ribbed construction for rigidity. So you're not getting wood like with other brands. It's probably cheaper in that regard for materials, but manufacturing equipment expensive to produce. But the tone & resonance is there, plastic or wood. An amp is generally made of pine plywood or, fiberboard, so it's not exactly anything exotic for tone wood. At best it's pine and made of plywood, with a vinyl plastic covering. So the speaker has no problem generating deep bass or any other mids & treble with that material & construction. Take a Bose speaker with their wave technology, it's probably the same ABS the Ovation is made from ?

Hi Chris, I wondered if those ovations are prone to getting scruffed from picks given that it doesn't have a guard on the face of the guitar. I did like the tone. When I played it, I worried that it would get scratched without a pick guard.

I own over 50 guitars. Major brands. I’ve played over 50 years and I’ve finally decided to own a Taylor. Crossing to the dark side but they are just darn good. I can’t avoid them any longer.

The key here is to notice the difference between the mic'd tone and the plugged tone. The difference on the Taylor is way bigger than with Ovation. Which means the colorization of the ES2 makes the guitar sound way different. With Ovation, that difference is much less and that can be even more reduced with the onboard EQ.

Surprisingly, I think the Ovation sounds much more open and airy. With the pickups, I might give the Taylor the edge, but it's slight. I'm thinking with some tweaking they'd be pretty equal in the pickup department. Not the result I expected.

The Ovation preamp is a tad better. The tone of both guitars is great. Better to go DI box > mic. If you need line, then Ovation. Better to play them in the shop, as they are pretty much in the same league and you may connect better with one or the other.

Ovation 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

Chris were the strings different or the same. The Ovation seemed a little buzz ie when driven. Set up or different strings could remedy that though. I liked the Taylor but the Ovation wasn't bad.

Ovation hands down for me.

Like the Taylor

Ovation: a boomier sound across the spectrum. Taylor: A distinctly warmer and more mellow sound if that is what you are after. I think a better comparison would be Ovation compared to other composite guitars. Practically speaking in playing out, I would play my Taylor or Martin for most of my set and the ovation specific tunes in my set. That would have more to do with tuning than my preference for its specific tonal qualities. Musicians buy acoustics for specific reasons and buy ovations for specific reasons. JMPO

How’s the fender newporter classic in your professional opinion? Is it worth 800?

Curiously, I own both brands. Different tones, different feels. Love them both, what can I say?

The ES2 seems to be a love it or hate it system. I think it’s more realistic than the Ovation under-saddle system. But I can imagine why that sound is difficult to work with in a loud live setting. The Ovation electronics still sound like rubber bands on plastic. But it’s easy to shape that sound to fit into a live mix. I wish your store was close to me. I’m in the market for a stage acoustic. I’d love to check these out in the company of knowledgeable people.

ovation definitely wins when plugged in, but with pure acoustic sound it's debatable.

Ovation👍👍👍

Taylor 114CE BEST SOUND

Maybe I’m crazy but I think the tailor has a fuller brighter tone but both sound amazing.

Ovation!

Both sound great. I think the Taylor was fractionally more natural.

Pretty sure you just sold me that ovation.

ovation sounds very balanced

The Taylor sounds great, but that Ovation?!?! MAN, OH MAN!!!!! ❤❤❤❤❤❤

My Ovation Elite sounds great.... had for over 10 years now. However....... Ovation guitar eliminates the bridge pin which I thought was a great modern update for faster string replacement .... until the wooden bridge which houses the strings became worn Truss rod access was also through a small hole in the back.... at least 8-10 inches in. I’ve see some people tear out the back trying to get to it. Loved that guitar but it’s days are numbered

I.........prefer.......Ovation🤪!

Ovation has much more sonic spectrum. Beautiful sounding.

Nice job! The clarity of the Ovation almost reminds me of a 6XX. The more my tastes develop and refine, the more I dislike rosewood and its cousins.

The "old" guy? Ovation was created just 8 years before Taylor.

Wonderful. Does anyone know what's the song he is playing ?

I have had 3 Taylor’s and I have the USA ovation TX. I sold all Taylor’s long ago the ovation is a way better stage guitar the pickup is just awesome (for what I do)

You are awesome! Ovation is the winner

The Taylor compared to the Ovation sounds muddled. This is no surprise for someone who understands guitars. The wood sounds great but is also ADSORBS sound. The Ovation back doesn't do that, it pushes out EVERY NOTE to you and the audience. Add to that the rounded shoulders feel unbelievable comfortable compared to standard body acoustics, this means you'll play it longer. I wish more guitarist would appreciate Ovation for their innovations. Some of the guitarist that did were John Lennon (had a Ovation model named for him) Paul McCartney with Wings, Al Dimeola, Glen Campbell and legions more.

I have the ovation and let tell you, it’s very very comfortable and easy to play with a great action which’s very rare in ovation, for the price it’s a bargain.

Funny and sad at the same time for ME. In the early seventies I bought my first Ovation (BEFORE they had electronics!) LOVED it, so in 1975 I bought 3 MORE (a 6-string GC Custom, a 12-string GC Custom, and the NYLON 1624 Country Artist). In 1980 I purchased a GORGEOUS Natural Custom Legend. I then had FIVE (5) Ovations that I loved... By 1984 I had FOUR (4) Ovations with SPLIT TOPS, in the SAME PLACE!!! (from the bridge to the bottom of the lower bout, STRAIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE on 3, STRAIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE, then turned right towards the treble side and lifted about 3 inches on the CUSTOM LEGEND!) The ONLY one that hasn't split is the NYLON one, which I still play TODAY. Sorry Ovation, ONE would be a "FREAK THING", TWO would be a "COINCIDENCE", but FOUR is way BEYOND acceptable... I had no choice but to take my business ELSEWHERE, and never looked back. Still love my NYLON, and on the 'bright side", believe it or not, the CUSTOM LEGEND with the "lifted top", STILL holds TUNE! LOLOLOLOL... GO FIGURE!

Bonjour a tous le son change a 9.13 minutes (prise de son de la TAYLOR qui aurait montré toute sa puissance,au lieux de cela le son est étouffé quelques secondes) 2 guitares bien différente? C est presque un test entre une électrique contre une guitare classique nylon!!lol Mais cela reste une belle vidéo et le monsieur joue vraiment super bien.

do the TX have the same super high action most ovations have

Despite it being the lowest end, cheapest Taylor you could buy, it still has a larger spectrum of frequencies than the Ovation. The Ovation has high end as it's only real advantage, at the cost of low end and fuller body.

Honestly surprised that the Taylor limped in behind the Ovation.

Annnnnnnnd........Ovation wins again!!!!

Ovation wins yes!

I bought an elite 2078 used from a pawn shop that appeared in great shape. It sounded fine and loved the neck. However when I hooked to my 3 different amps I was not at all impressed. I could not get past the treble being so in control. Ovations pickup was not that good. I picked up my 1980's Custom Legend which the electronics had quit on and Ovation did not have parts to fix. My friends helped and we cut the lyrachord and inserted a new preamp system that fit perfectly and sounds better now with less chance of feed back than it did factory and even looks like a factory modification. Telling all this because I am comparing the two. Playing to compare my Custom Legend, I could not take the 2978 back fast enough. It did not sound anything like this commercial sounded. It may be ok for someone but not me!

how much is the ovation

Ovation 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

Taylor all the wY

I'd go for the Taylor. The ovation is too bright and shrill.

Hello Are you brother with Andy McKee? Greetings.

Any relation to Andy???

Taylor has a warmer tone than the Ovation. Both great, but the Ovation doesn't seem as versatile as the Taylor, it's made for a specific kind of music and player and you can feel it in its sharp tone.

i want to know thr tabs for the song you were finger picking

The Taylor is very warm compared to the Ovation which is very crisp and very sharp and technically it probably covers all of the ranges better but it has absolutely no emotion at all. There's just no warmth at all with the ovation and to me it proves wood is good maybe but but maybe I'm just biased because I like the warmth of the Taylor and wood. However, if you want it to be crisp you know, I guess the Ovation could easily be argued to be the better sound. Don't get me wrong I really wanted it to be because I own that same guitar more like the one in the background than the one played but I really liked the warmth of the Taylor and it's funny because when you compare the tailor to the Martin I think the Martin blows both of them away. Knowing that I sit here owning the elite ovation from when Kaman owned it thought not the current company owners but I often hear the warmth of the Martin and wish that I had bought the Martin in fact if I found the Martin like the one that I compared to the Taylor above I would probably trade my ovation for it.

The Ovation just sounds cleaner and more lively.

I think ovation and the rest of the guitars really shouldn't be compared as they have their own unique features

Wow. A lot of Ovation fans on this thread, but I much prefer the sound of the Taylors

You do not mention the feel, like the neck size.

I really don’t like the plucky thinner sound of my ovation. I can hear the plastic and it sounds artificial to me...

En la linea ovation en acustica taylor

ovation sound more tasty

The ES2 system is honestly not that good. Idk why so many people like it. I don’t think it sounds that good, and it’s surprising it comes on high end models too.

Ovation. In comparison, the Taylor seemed dull and lacking in sustain.