Just got this guitar & love it… personally, I didn’t find it too bright or boomy (very tonally balanced IMO). you’re style is pretty aggressive which is perhaps better suited to a dread. 👍
I just bought one, partly based on this video, and I am really happy. I think you need some different strings for your playstyle. For me, this guitar has amazing warm tones, and crisp highs. I will try some different strings eventually, but I find the unique sound of all koa is incredible. And it looks like nothing else... Thanks for the video!
I've played it at the store and didn't find it chimney or thumps. If your micing it try a royer r10. Hands down the best mic for acoustic and micing an Amp. Sounds so clean and clear and gets rid of the thumping. Tried about 30 other mics before I found the royer.
I have owned & played a Taylor K14-C (3-piece all solid premium koa back & sides, solid western red cedar top) for the past 23 years. Koa can certainly sound "scooped". Koa really 'opens up' the more you play it. For greater initial volume & to flatten the curve, given your strumming technique, I would agree that you would probably enjoy the sound of a mahogany, or sapele, spruce-top guitar.
Nice Review!! I've had my 224ce-K for alittle over 2yrs now and can tell you it sounds waaaay better today then it did new! And I loved the sound/look of it brand new when I got it. Thing I would suggest if you haven't done so by now, is get rid of those plastic Bridge Pins and put in a set of Ebony that'll help with the tone over all. The more you play it the better that Koa becomes.
Beautiful guitar. I can see the blem, the light catches it top left, holding the guitar upright looking at it. Small area that’s not shiny. No biggie though. They all get banged up if your playing : )
Basically every time I’m recording acoustic guitar or any guitar for that matter the only issue we might run into is the player won’t hit the damn thing hard enough. This guy punches it and that’s just great!
@@makeawaytogod6365 Yeah I got mine in 2020 mine isn't the gloss finish on the koa like in the video (not sure if that makes a difference or not) but mine has opened up significantly over time and sounds warmer and brighter. I wouldn't say it was lacking before, but it sounds even better now. Hopefully I make it another 17 years so I can hear what OP is talking about
Per Taylor luthier “ the worst a Koa guitar will ever sound is the day it was made”, so play, play, play it. Heavy strum will just let it’s voice out quicker. I’ve got a 222ce- k DLX coming via ups. Can’t wait.
Not gonna lie, I paused the video right after the Bali song flair you put in there. If I could slow clap in a way that you could hear I would definitely do it. I see way too many unboxings with “safety knives” and keys and whatever else is laying around. Props to you for having some flair! Rock on!
Koa top guitars will mature and will give you a better expressive experience over time. I bought the Taylor 324ce Mahoney because of tone wood's natural compression. The mid range is more rounded and balanced. My Taylor 324ce sounds warmer in tone after 4yrs of owning than it did when I first bought it. Give it time for the tone wood to open up. Hope this helps. Cheers!
Koa is a very love it or hate it type of top wood.I feel like this review is spot on about how this guitar sounds. Personally I feel like the boomyness of the low end gives this character over the sea of spruce top guitars in the tailor lineup. But definitely if you want more midrange go for a spruce top. The way this guy plays the way he really digs into the strings I think he’d like a Martin d series for midrange.
Hi,enjoyed the review. What you are/may be looking for is a 90's 712 or a 90's Taylor with spruce top. 912 has an engelmann spruce and east Indian rosewood back and sides the mood are there and less boomy than l pop a or cocobola. Check out or the more ornate older Taylor's
i owned several guitars before and this is what i observed,.... some guitars are good for plucking but not much with strumming, so bright..... some guitars are good in strumming on the other hand but not with plucking...... some guitars sounds great depending on atring size, like if its dreadnaught, extra light string is good but heavy string will cause the sound muddy..... i think laminated is good for either plucking or strumming.
I bought mine and I love it so much. You need a spruce top for the style of playing that you do. I find mine sounds better doing finger style playing. I don’t really strum my guitar that hard lol. I also heard that the bass will open up more later. Keep on rockin brother 😇🤘🤘
Thank you!!! This guitar is growing on me for sure! I will likely look at a spruce top later on down the road. Admittedly the sexy factor of this guitar is what roped me in!
Had this guitar about a year and a half. However mine doesn't have the gloss finish yours does. Weird. Anywho, I agree with the assessment of having less of a full sound. I detect alot of highs in my ear. I currently playing with different string combos to best suit the guitar. To my surprise, have found that this guitar responds very well to different strings! Also, I've heard that koa wood matures over time and a rich fuller sound could result. Well see what time has to tell on that theory. Further, unplugged the forementioned on the tone applies, however, when plugged in to an amp the highs can be cut back and EQ manipulated to your liking. Thanks for the good video review.
I know this video is a million years old now lol but.. A, what’s the background music? B, I’ve just bought the same Taylor as I loved my GS mini Koa. It will take an age for its sound to open up. Thanks for the video 😊
Shoulda got a martin d16 e-02 mahogany. They are INCREDIBLE and same price point and all solid wood. It's a narrow dreadnaught. I couldn't believe the tone from it you'd think you were strumming a d18. Taylor's are beautiful but tone wise, I find them lacking over all. Astetically they are drop dead gorgeous just wish they weren't so nasally.
I actually kinda liked that "scooped" sound with chimey tops and fuzzy bottoms ("Chimey tops and fuzzy bottoms"; nice Alex). Gives the guitar a more hollow acoustic-ee sound. For me, mids = clipped and stuffy sounding. That's why I slightly prefer Taylor guitars - in general - over Martin guitars - in general 🤓
Nice review. I agree with your assessment of this guitar. I'm thinking to change out the very nice and warm Elixir Bronze strings for some DR Hi-Def steel, or nickel-plated or Something?
I've never heard the term "scooped" used to describe the sound of an instrument or anything else. Is this another way of saying that the midrange tones are reduced relative to the high and low notes? It sounded fine to me on your video, maybe a bit bright but not unmusical.
I agree with your review on the guitar but I have a little different point of view. I do One Man acoustic performances. I like that the guitar is a little void of mids. it leaves it open for the vocals to fill that void in the frequency spectrum so there is no competition for that range of frequencies. I didn't really notice it so much until I listened back to recordings of myself with no PA and as loud as the guitar is naturally, I was not fighting to hear the vocals so much. For what I do, I think it's the perfect guitar for me for this reason.
Excellent observation. And I was thinking exactly the same. I bet this guitar can really cut well through mix with different instruments and would blend really nicely in a band mix where there is piano and vocals. I wonder wether that is true.
Better to reduce something that is too much than trying to add something that wasn't there - in the area you wanted it. I certainly like the sound of the 517B with the torrefied top better: its sweeter, more detailed and balanced. However, that reviewer also didn't use his strumming hand to mimic an axe... meaning I think you strum very hard, as if you're used to playing with 3 other guitarists around a camp fire struggeling to be heard. Not all guitars are suited to a heavy touch.
Now that I actually own this model- except mine has a satin vs gloss finish-it just sounds better and better as it breaks in. Five months so far. No, it is not as even, or loud as a D28 for example. But what it does have is a tonal warmth that is hard to find, let alone at this price. And a way more playable neck than my old Martin or Guild. It is important to try more than one example- I tried two at Guitar Center. One sounded better and went home with me. Included case is phenomenal.
i have the 114 ce and love it but iam getting the 224ce koa deluxe i played one and i have to have it in my collection, i used to have the 314ce which was my first but then the 114ce took its place i found the 114ce so much better and half the money of the 114ce
Anyone that says he's strumming too hard didn't take the time to really watch the video. Half of what he plays starting 6:18 is gentle and goes back and forth between that and harder picking. AND you can totally tell when he ACTUALLY digs in. I think most of the dopes commenting just see HAND MOVE MUST BE PLAYING HARD. It amazes me how quick people are to talk smack just to pretend they know. Get off your keyboards and start playing an instrument....
I have this guitar and the Koa seems to have open up a little in the two years I have owned it. As time goes on the koa is supposed to change the tonal character and become more vibrant sounding. I installed ebony bridge pins, and I was thinking about getting a LR Baggs pickup, then I thought the ES2 built in system is good enough for occasional use.. I had a J-45 that I had to sell for medical bills, and I wish I still had that one, but I could see this becoming more like that guitar sounded, which was magnificent.
000-15 is my go to guitar, and I love it. I'm looking at this one for contrast. Playing one live, I thought it was bright but still a pretty rich or full sound. Liked it very much. Gonna check it out further.
Thanks so much for your intelligent, thorough review. One came up on Amazon warehouse that was a return for $886 this afternoon. I knew it wouldn’t last long so I did some quick research. I watched 2-3 more videos after yours and agreed with your opinion. If I was a finger picker, I would’ve bought it, but I’m not, I’m a strummer. So thanks as I would’ve ended up selling it.
I just bought the taylor 214ce-k and I like it how it sounds, more than de 224ce-k dlx. But as yours have low middle range, I found that mine has low bass range. What do you think about it? , I don’t now if to stay with the 214ce-k or replace it with yours.
Honestly, before I bought this one I did a bunch of research. One thing I saw in several places was how inconsistent koa can be and how it changes over time. I kept this guitar because for me anything that I wasn’t fond of wasn’t a deal breaker and, I always record I rarely play acoustic live. I also will mic and not use the electronics. That being said I can shape with eq and compression to more what I hear in my head. But if you’re more concerned about just off the guitar or in the room sound I’d get what makes you happy. I went to a GC and tried a bunch including this one and came back to this. For the price range I’m good with this sound. And it plays great !
I've bought a 214Ce today and it will arrive in approximately 2 weeks... Which program you recommend toearn professional tunes and to play first guitar like that???? I'm being playing a lot of years but without a system, just like visual apprentice but I had even being in musical groups thank God with how He gifted me... But now that I will have my first guitar with a superior quality sound, I want to learn how to read and write music and how to play more pro... God bless you! Nice review and playing...
I played this guitar today at Sam ash and went back & forth from the 224 to the 814ce V class, honestly, I did not hear a $2000 price difference, 814 did have a little more “mojo” but not that much. My issue is at this price point for a new 224ce K, $1800 vs a new 314, made in America $2000, why would u pick the 224?
I wonder if you considered the tone wood with your purchase, because isn't Koa similar to rosewood in frequency response? I might suggest a more midrangy mahogany tone wood. Or perhaps a Martin, as long as you avoid the plastic Martin's that are cheaper. Choose a Martin and try playing it, they have a much more midrange quality and are good for fingerpicking.
@@Anthony-ll4nh Martins fuller but dull sounding so good for strumming. Taylors quite bright so good for finger picking (very responsive) and also strumming (but be careful how you play). just my opinion, which I am entitled to.
My exwife has a 214CE which I totally loved to pieces. Unfortunately she (of course) took it with her when she moved, and I have to buy a new guitar for myself. My old Yamaha doesn't cut it after I got used to the 214. Thanks for a great review. I was considering the 224, but this made me realize I probably should go with the 214 - because I KNOW I love everything about it. I will try to go somewhere I can test both and compare, but I have to drive quite far to the nearest Taylor shop. I absolutely love the look of the 224 though!
After a crazy amount of research and testing out dozens of guitars, I bought this guitar. This guitar is just so responsive. For finger style, it’s hard to beat but you can get so many different tones just by changing pick gauges. That being said, if you’re looking for a stellar starter guitar that booms, get yourself a Yamaha FGX800. Retails for about $299 but plays like you spent over $1000. You will not regret it!
I recently picked up a Yamaha ll-ta and love it...Yamaha is usually under-rated...excellent quality guitars. I'm thinking about getting the 214ce dlx koa or Yamaha A5R for my next guitar. Looking for a nice cutaway, just have to decide which one now.
@@redalaska I half agree and half don't: - The top is solid, only bottom and sides are laminated, and I'd say that's a higher end laminate than you'd get with plywood. Martin even gives you non-wood materials in that price range. - Laminated sides and bottom are definitely better for someone who travels and / or gigs with their guitar - more robust. - He plays his guitar so hard, like a hammer on an anvil. Playing continuous max volume eliminates most tonalities the guitar could otherwise produce. - That is not to say it isn't scooped, but a lot of guitars are scooped intentionally for the benefit of singer-guitar-players. Rosewood is popular for a particularly sweet, scooped sound. There's a beautiful FAME Koa Deluxe guitar from Eastern Europe with builder's edition features for around $ 1100. And a ton of Ibanez and Peavy acoustic guitars that sound great at $500. But they don't have Taylor's 12 Year warranty, not to mention extreme price stability on eBay...
A colleague of mine brought his into the office - same model-and it sounded very, very different than yours. You either need to break it in, or get a better example of that model, or switch strings. Elixir maybe. His Koa Taylor sounded very warm, truly magical. As in made me want to get one. And while I respect Taylor's, usually their sound is not for me. I have had the privilege to previously own a vintage Martin D18, vintage Guild D40, and Pimental classical. I have held and played everything from a Collings to a D45, etc. So not easily impressed- and I was impressed with the Taylor I just played two days ago. My advice? Send yours back and get a different Taylor 224ce Koa, or keep it and hope that it breaks in. Great video. But you deserve a great acoustic.
Yeah, you are super aggressive for a c series Taylor. Dreadnought, or e series, is more appropriate for your style of play. All good. Just right tool for the right job. I have the 224c and haven't found the issues that you have with it at all. Balanced and full sounding. Even when I dig in, it's still super balanced. Though I have to admit that my digging in is probably not as a grressive as your normal strum.
The Like you I bought this guitar and I think it was because of the looks. after I got it home and played it a little bit it really sounds like crap plugged up it even sounds worse. But it is beautiful
‘Not really what I’m looking for, but I’ll keep it anyway’. What? Don’t like the scooped out mids, are you sure it’s a Taylor? Everyone seems to hear this differently!
Its not a bad guitar, he plays it like if he wants to break the strings, and this eliminates most of the tones. Also its new, it needs time to settle and open up its pores for it to be a beautiful sounding guitar. Its bright because most of the time people who review these high end guitars play the same D major, C major, and G major chords over and over. Im not trying to be rude at all and I’m sorry if it does but its the truth.
I know each individual guitar can sound somewhat different, but I've researched this guitar for quite some time now and have came to the conclusion that playing it like your trying to rip the strings off makes it sound pretty bad and does a disservice to a good guitar as well as viewers trying to figure out which to buy. I guess if you play like you hate your guitar this video was helpful. Great guy, and talented player...just playing to intense for me personally.
@@GearZombie Sorry, dude, but the gunfire is in very poor taste and does not belong in a guitar review! I seldom make negative comments, preferring to remain silent, but this time I stick by my guns, pun intended.
@@johnhanek167 you must have never seen a zombie movie. It goes with the zombie theme. And his channel is called zombie gear. I dont like zombie movies either but its not that serious 😂
@@GearZombie yea im not a good player or wordsmith. But why get a new guitar and immediately start strumming so hard? Especially with a guitar like this, its not a dreadnought. This one is more for fingerstyle. Know what you're reviewing.
So wait, you can’t play and you can’t use words, BUT I’m guessing you saw some other comment from someone saying to use a Koa for finger playing. You quickly looked for something to type back to prove your point and just stole that. You’re less qualified to tell me that I don’t know gear than you are using words. And, being that you can’t play you have zero idea what guitar does what (that takes experience) Despite no shortage of players using koa for any dynamic application (someone drooling on themselves professionally could know koa can be used in several applications) it’s also worth noting that koa is notoriously inconsistent yielding completely different results from guitar to guitar. I think I also mentioned that I kept that guitar. (And have used it for several recordings) cuz that’s what people that play do. Sooo maybe you should troll elsewhere and use some of your own advice and “Know” what you’re talking about.
@@GearZombie i can play but i'm not super good. But, I do know quiet something about guitars/gear. And English is my second language so it's not perfect. Who cares. It's not about the koa wood, it's about the build of the guitar.
Great video... I've been very tempted to buy one. I have a Taylor 210e sunburst right now and it sounds really great. But this Koa top is beautiful. I'm curious how the tone compares. I don't want a brighter guitar than the 210e because it's perfectly balanced in tone. I had high end Taylor at my house for about a month... the K22...all Koa and around $5k. I never played it because it sounded rather dull and lifeless unplugged... maybe because smaller body size. It was very beautiful though. But in terms of tone I would take the 210e any day of the week without hesitation unless playing live and I need a certain tone to cut through the mix where the K22 may fill. But for all purpose the 210 is way better. I see a lot of comments that Koa and other woods sound better over time. That is a myth and unproven. Any study of this with guitars hasn't been true/scientific based. They've done thorough studies of this with violins and proven this myth to be false... but guitarists hear this and blindly believe it. Here's a real study debunking this myth... www.snexplores.org/article/tests-challenge-whether-centuries-old-violins-really-are-best-ever
Just got this guitar & love it… personally, I didn’t find it too bright or boomy (very tonally balanced IMO). you’re style is pretty aggressive which is perhaps better suited to a dread. 👍
+1
Agree on his playing style. Not criticizing him but you can tell he doesn't play acoustic very oftern.
Even though the Big Baby Taylor is one of their cheapest guitars I still love that guitar the most of the Taylor's I've played!
Honestly for your play style you should try Martins. Even their road series would sound great
I just bought one, partly based on this video, and I am really happy. I think you need some different strings for your playstyle. For me, this guitar has amazing warm tones, and crisp highs. I will try some different strings eventually, but I find the unique sound of all koa is incredible. And it looks like nothing else... Thanks for the video!
Elixir custom lights are what I currently have strung
I've played it at the store and didn't find it chimney or thumps. If your micing it try a royer r10. Hands down the best mic for acoustic and micing an Amp. Sounds so clean and clear and gets rid of the thumping. Tried about 30 other mics before I found the royer.
Got mine back in Nov. 19 Love it looks great. Sometimes I just look at it and wish I were more worthy of it!
Yeah, I mean honestly, it really is more guitar than a shlub like me needs for sure!! But i'm glad it's in my stable of guitars for when I need it!
What is that song??? 6:26
314ce V class is the way to go. All solid wood and an incredible tone that’s very balanced.
I hovered over the buy button on the 314 one night! I'll likely spend some quality time looking at them at the Namm show this year.
Ya and there American made
Personally I like the 314ce with the X bracing better than V class.
@@GearZombie 83
I have owned & played a Taylor K14-C (3-piece all solid premium koa back & sides, solid western red cedar top) for the past 23 years. Koa can certainly sound "scooped". Koa really 'opens up' the more you play it. For greater initial volume & to flatten the curve, given your strumming technique, I would agree that you would probably enjoy the sound of a mahogany, or sapele, spruce-top guitar.
Nice Review!! I've had my 224ce-K for alittle over 2yrs now and can tell you it sounds waaaay better today then it did new! And I loved the sound/look of it brand new when I got it. Thing I would suggest if you haven't done so by now, is get rid of those plastic Bridge Pins and put in a set of Ebony that'll help with the tone over all. The more you play it the better that Koa becomes.
CS hey thanks for that tip. Mine should be delivered tomorrow. Absolutely can’t wait :) I’ll get ebony pins!
I'm ordering one today 😁 I'll do the same 👌👍
Beautiful guitar. I can see the blem, the light catches it top left, holding the guitar upright looking at it. Small area that’s not shiny. No biggie though. They all get banged up if your playing : )
Dynamics my guy. Dynamics. You do play a heavy hand. That’s part of your issue. Allow the instrument to speak.
Basically every time I’m recording acoustic guitar or any guitar for that matter the only issue we might run into is the player won’t hit the damn thing hard enough. This guy punches it and that’s just great!
Koa takes about 5 years to really open up, I have one that is 22 years old and it blows all my other acoustics away
i have this guitar and its about 5 years old. It just gets better with time. Fantastic sound.
@@makeawaytogod6365 Yeah I got mine in 2020 mine isn't the gloss finish on the koa like in the video (not sure if that makes a difference or not) but mine has opened up significantly over time and sounds warmer and brighter. I wouldn't say it was lacking before, but it sounds even better now. Hopefully I make it another 17 years so I can hear what OP is talking about
Per Taylor luthier “ the worst a Koa guitar will ever sound is the day it was made”, so play, play, play it. Heavy strum will just let it’s voice out quicker. I’ve got a 222ce- k DLX coming via ups. Can’t wait.
I have a Koa I hardly ever play but it's 20 years old. Do I need to be playing regularly to open it up?
Not gonna lie, I paused the video right after the Bali song flair you put in there. If I could slow clap in a way that you could hear I would definitely do it. I see way too many unboxings with “safety knives” and keys and whatever else is laying around. Props to you for having some flair! Rock on!
Koa top guitars will mature and will give you a better expressive experience over time.
I bought the Taylor 324ce Mahoney because of tone wood's natural compression. The mid range is more rounded and balanced. My Taylor 324ce sounds warmer in tone after 4yrs of owning than it did when I first bought it. Give it time for the tone wood to open up.
Hope this helps. Cheers!
This vid is 3 yrs old now. Have you found one since that checks all the boxes for you?
Koa is a very love it or hate it type of top wood.I feel like this review is spot on about how this guitar sounds. Personally I feel like the boomyness of the low end gives this character over the sea of spruce top guitars in the tailor lineup. But definitely if you want more midrange go for a spruce top. The way this guy plays the way he really digs into the strings I think he’d like a Martin d series for midrange.
Hi,enjoyed the review. What you are/may be looking for is a 90's 712 or a 90's Taylor with spruce top. 912 has an engelmann spruce and east Indian rosewood back and sides the mood are there and less boomy than l pop a or cocobola. Check out or the more ornate older Taylor's
i owned several guitars before and this is what i observed,.... some guitars are good for plucking but not much with strumming, so bright..... some guitars are good in strumming on the other hand but not with plucking...... some guitars sounds great depending on atring size, like if its dreadnaught, extra light string is good but heavy string will cause the sound muddy..... i think laminated is good for either plucking or strumming.
I bought mine and I love it so much. You need a spruce top for the style of playing that you do. I find mine sounds better doing finger style playing. I don’t really strum my guitar that hard lol. I also heard that the bass will open up more later. Keep on rockin brother 😇🤘🤘
Thank you!!! This guitar is growing on me for sure! I will likely look at a spruce top later on down the road. Admittedly the sexy factor of this guitar is what roped me in!
Yeah super hard strumming 😳
I love your review, that is why I bought the guitar itself even knowing the tone It offers. By the way, beautifull sounding little song there.
Had this guitar about a year and a half. However mine doesn't have the gloss finish yours does. Weird. Anywho, I agree with the assessment of having less of a full sound. I detect alot of highs in my ear. I currently playing with different string combos to best suit the guitar. To my surprise, have found that this guitar responds very well to different strings! Also, I've heard that koa wood matures over time and a rich fuller sound could result. Well see what time has to tell on that theory. Further, unplugged the forementioned on the tone applies, however, when plugged in to an amp the highs can be cut back and EQ manipulated to your liking. Thanks for the good video review.
I know this video is a million years old now lol but..
A, what’s the background music?
B, I’ve just bought the same Taylor as I loved my GS mini Koa. It will take an age for its sound to open up.
Thanks for the video 😊
I think I'M a million years old now!! That music was something I grabbed form the RUclips audio library.
Loved the song you were playing!
Shoulda got a martin d16 e-02 mahogany. They are INCREDIBLE and same price point and all solid wood. It's a narrow dreadnaught. I couldn't believe the tone from it you'd think you were strumming a d18. Taylor's are beautiful but tone wise, I find them lacking over all. Astetically they are drop dead gorgeous just wish they weren't so nasally.
Soo beautiful. Thinking about buying one
I actually kinda liked that "scooped" sound with chimey tops and fuzzy bottoms ("Chimey tops and fuzzy bottoms"; nice Alex). Gives the guitar a more hollow acoustic-ee sound. For me, mids = clipped and stuffy sounding. That's why I slightly prefer Taylor guitars - in general - over Martin guitars - in general 🤓
Nice review. I agree with your assessment of this guitar. I'm thinking to change out the very nice and warm Elixir Bronze strings for some DR Hi-Def steel, or nickel-plated or Something?
I've never heard the term "scooped" used to describe the sound of an instrument or anything else. Is this another way of saying that the midrange tones are reduced relative to the high and low notes? It sounded fine to me on your video, maybe a bit bright but not unmusical.
I agree with your review on the guitar but I have a little different point of view. I do One Man acoustic performances. I like that the guitar is a little void of mids. it leaves it open for the vocals to fill that void in the frequency spectrum so there is no competition for that range of frequencies. I didn't really notice it so much until I listened back to recordings of myself with no PA and as loud as the guitar is naturally, I was not fighting to hear the vocals so much. For what I do, I think it's the perfect guitar for me for this reason.
Excellent observation. And I was thinking exactly the same. I bet this guitar can really cut well through mix with different instruments and would blend really nicely in a band mix where there is piano and vocals. I wonder wether that is true.
Beautiful! Congrats man!!! Awesome work. The best to you man
Better to reduce something that is too much than trying to add something that wasn't there - in the area you wanted it.
I certainly like the sound of the 517B with the torrefied top better: its sweeter, more detailed and balanced.
However, that reviewer also didn't use his strumming hand to mimic an axe... meaning I think you strum very hard, as if you're used to playing with 3 other guitarists around a camp fire struggeling to be heard. Not all guitars are suited to a heavy touch.
Now that I actually own this model- except mine has a satin vs gloss finish-it just sounds better and better as it breaks in. Five months so far. No, it is not as even, or loud as a D28 for example. But what it does have is a tonal warmth that is hard to find, let alone at this price. And a way more playable neck than my old Martin or Guild.
It is important to try more than one example- I tried two at Guitar Center. One sounded better and went home with me.
Included case is phenomenal.
I love the knife trick's you do every time!
And beautiful guitar aswell
I need to learn some new ones my bag of tricks is getting light!
i have the 114 ce and love it but iam getting the 224ce koa deluxe i played one and i have to have it in my collection, i used to have the 314ce which was my first but then the 114ce took its place i found the 114ce so much better and half the money of the 114ce
Anyone that says he's strumming too hard didn't take the time to really watch the video. Half of what he plays starting 6:18 is gentle and goes back and forth between that and harder picking. AND you can totally tell when he ACTUALLY digs in. I think most of the dopes commenting just see HAND MOVE MUST BE PLAYING HARD. It amazes me how quick people are to talk smack just to pretend they know. Get off your keyboards and start playing an instrument....
My man, that guitar is better that the 214 ce dlx sunburnst?
I have this guitar and the Koa seems to have open up a little in the two years I have owned it. As time goes on the koa is supposed to change the tonal character and become more vibrant sounding. I installed ebony bridge pins, and I was thinking about getting a LR Baggs pickup, then I thought the ES2 built in system is good enough for occasional use.. I had a J-45 that I had to sell for medical bills, and I wish I still had that one, but I could see this becoming more like that guitar sounded, which was magnificent.
i want martin standard anytbing
It seems to me that you should be looking into the Martin 000-15m or sm. If you do, make a video about it. I’d be curious to know what you think.
000-15 is my go to guitar, and I love it. I'm looking at this one for contrast. Playing one live, I thought it was bright but still a pretty rich or full sound. Liked it very much. Gonna check it out further.
000-15 M one of the Best Martins ever!!!
I couldn't discern enuf diff between the 114e I own and any 200 series...so my 2nd Taylor was an all-wood 322. Never lookin back.
Thanks so much for your intelligent, thorough review. One came up on Amazon warehouse that was a return for $886 this afternoon. I knew it wouldn’t last long so I did some quick research. I watched 2-3 more videos after yours and agreed with your opinion. If I was a finger picker, I would’ve bought it, but I’m not, I’m a strummer. So thanks as I would’ve ended up selling it.
I just bought the taylor 214ce-k and I like it how it sounds, more than de 224ce-k dlx. But as yours have low middle range, I found that mine has low bass range. What do you think about it? , I don’t now if to stay with the 214ce-k or replace it with yours.
Honestly, before I bought this one I did a bunch of research. One thing I saw in several places was how inconsistent koa can be and how it changes over time. I kept this guitar because for me anything that I wasn’t fond of wasn’t a deal breaker and, I always record I rarely play acoustic live. I also will mic and not use the electronics. That being said I can shape with eq and compression to more what I hear in my head. But if you’re more concerned about just off the guitar or in the room sound I’d get what makes you happy. I went to a GC and tried a bunch including this one and came back to this. For the price range I’m good with this sound. And it plays great !
I've bought a 214Ce today and it will arrive in approximately 2 weeks...
Which program you recommend toearn professional tunes and to play first guitar like that????
I'm being playing a lot of years but without a system, just like visual apprentice but I had even being in musical groups thank God with how He gifted me...
But now that I will have my first guitar with a superior quality sound, I want to learn how to read and write music and how to play more pro...
God bless you!
Nice review and playing...
i can hear that it needs a little relief in the truss rod. a lot of metal on metal. does this come with an NT neck?
Hi there, great review... Do you have any tabs for the song?
I played this guitar today at Sam ash and went back & forth from the 224 to the 814ce V class, honestly, I did not hear a $2000 price difference, 814 did have a little more “mojo” but not that much. My issue is at this price point for a new 224ce K, $1800 vs a new 314, made in America $2000, why would u pick the 224?
I personally picked the 200 series due to the smaller nut size
Hello,
Can you tell me if the last song is in standard tunning?
Thank you.
AD12e have you checked it out yet, hard to find
What is better this guitar or taylor gs mini koa plus please help
I wonder if you considered the tone wood with your purchase, because isn't Koa similar to rosewood in frequency response? I might suggest a more midrangy mahogany tone wood. Or perhaps a Martin, as long as you avoid the plastic Martin's that are cheaper. Choose a Martin and try playing it, they have a much more midrange quality and are good for fingerpicking.
Are you sure about that?
@@grahamlake9728 I am sure of my own opinion. Yours may differ. If so, let's hear it.
@@Anthony-ll4nh Martins fuller but dull sounding so good for strumming. Taylors quite bright so good for finger picking (very responsive) and also strumming (but be careful how you play). just my opinion, which I am entitled to.
Whats the song name that you palyed when u were strumming it it sounded beautiful
Have you reviewed the Seagull entourage?
Hi, is it 1-11/16 nut width?
Keep in mind the more you play the Kona wood the better it sounds so don’t give up hope on it.
Scooped is good for supporting vocals- the voice sits in the middle.
My exwife has a 214CE which I totally loved to pieces. Unfortunately she (of course) took it with her when she moved, and I have to buy a new guitar for myself. My old Yamaha doesn't cut it after I got used to the 214. Thanks for a great review. I was considering the 224, but this made me realize I probably should go with the 214 - because I KNOW I love everything about it.
I will try to go somewhere I can test both and compare, but I have to drive quite far to the nearest Taylor shop. I absolutely love the look of the 224 though!
What were you playing? Love those chords.
After a crazy amount of research and testing out dozens of guitars, I bought this guitar. This guitar is just so responsive. For finger style, it’s hard to beat but you can get so many different tones just by changing pick gauges. That being said, if you’re looking for a stellar starter guitar that booms, get yourself a Yamaha FGX800. Retails for about $299 but plays like you spent over $1000. You will not regret it!
I recently picked up a Yamaha ll-ta and love it...Yamaha is usually under-rated...excellent quality guitars. I'm thinking about getting the 214ce dlx koa or Yamaha A5R for my next guitar. Looking for a nice cutaway, just have to decide which one now.
@@jameswilliford5478 can’t go wrong with either. I’ve been cut off from buying anymore guitars 😂
What’s the name of the song?
Thanks for the review, just saved me $1600!
Libertyshooter same bro
Amen saved me as well me no likey and I love Taylor’s
It’s sad that they’re charging $1600 for a plywood guitar.
@@redalaska I half agree and half don't:
- The top is solid, only bottom and sides are laminated, and I'd say that's a higher end laminate than you'd get with plywood. Martin even gives you non-wood materials in that price range.
- Laminated sides and bottom are definitely better for someone who travels and / or gigs with their guitar - more robust.
- He plays his guitar so hard, like a hammer on an anvil. Playing continuous max volume eliminates most tonalities the guitar could otherwise produce.
- That is not to say it isn't scooped, but a lot of guitars are scooped intentionally for the benefit of singer-guitar-players. Rosewood is popular for a particularly sweet, scooped sound.
There's a beautiful FAME Koa Deluxe guitar from Eastern Europe with builder's edition features for around $ 1100. And a ton of Ibanez and Peavy acoustic guitars that sound great at $500. But they don't have Taylor's 12 Year warranty, not to mention extreme price stability on eBay...
What would you recommend for the same price range?
Why didn't you try the onboard electronics?
Because he is not using this guitar for gigs he said. So just home recording projects probably?
I'm not sure what you mean by 'scoopy'. Still helpful.
Like scooped in a EQ sort of sense. Like the midrange has been pulled out. Lots of bottom lots of top not much mids.
@@GearZombie Ah. Thx.
Beautiful!
On another note koa takes a good 5 -7 years before it fully opens up and then man, night and day tone.
A colleague of mine brought his into the office - same model-and it sounded very, very different than yours. You either need to break it in, or get a better example of that model, or switch strings. Elixir maybe.
His Koa Taylor sounded very warm, truly magical. As in made me want to get one. And while I respect Taylor's, usually their sound is not for me. I have had the privilege to previously own a vintage Martin D18, vintage Guild D40, and Pimental classical. I have held and played everything from a Collings to a D45, etc. So not easily impressed- and I was impressed with the Taylor I just played two days ago. My advice? Send yours back and get a different Taylor 224ce Koa, or keep it and hope that it breaks in. Great video. But you deserve a great acoustic.
Como se llama la canción que toca
Yeah, you are super aggressive for a c series Taylor. Dreadnought, or e series, is more appropriate for your style of play. All good. Just right tool for the right job.
I have the 224c and haven't found the issues that you have with it at all. Balanced and full sounding. Even when I dig in, it's still super balanced. Though I have to admit that my digging in is probably not as a grressive as your normal strum.
The Like you I bought this guitar and I think it was because of the looks. after I got it home and played it a little bit it really sounds like crap plugged up it even sounds worse. But it is beautiful
Very Cool , I loved the playing . Thanx for the info ...Cheers .
Good content your very well spoken and engaging
IMO taylors make better for finger picking. martin wide bottoms really are hard to beat for strumming
Sounds like your extra super picky if your that picky you need to just buy a 4k acoustic and get it over with
With tax it’s just above 2k nonetheless I like it it’s the best guitar I’ve ever owned
‘Not really what I’m looking for, but I’ll keep it anyway’. What? Don’t like the scooped out mids, are you sure it’s a Taylor? Everyone seems to hear this differently!
Real nice
Its not a bad guitar, he plays it like if he wants to break the strings, and this eliminates most of the tones. Also its new, it needs time to settle and open up its pores for it to be a beautiful sounding guitar. Its bright because most of the time people who review these high end guitars play the same D major, C major, and G major chords over and over. Im not trying to be rude at all and I’m sorry if it does but its the truth.
Yep he doesn’t exactly have a delicate touch.
I know each individual guitar can sound somewhat different, but I've researched this guitar for quite some time now and have came to the conclusion that playing it like your trying to rip the strings off makes it sound pretty bad and does a disservice to a good guitar as well as viewers trying to figure out which to buy. I guess if you play like you hate your guitar this video was helpful. Great guy, and talented player...just playing to intense for me personally.
Anything above £ 1450 or $2000,you are just really paying for the bigger name on its own.It might look better aswell but thats it.
last n only video on this guitar
dont buy online kids
This Guitar sounds falls no where due to layered Koa...less clarity like a muffled voice
Huh?
Wanna sell it? Acoustic guitars are just that. Acoustic. I never buy them based on plugging in.
Nope! I like it and have used it on a few things. And I never plug them in ;) Thanks for the offer!
stop swingin that knife around
I live dangerously.
Knives like that are illegal this side of the pond,and correctly so.
L video. L playing
Very very poor taste in the opening sequence. Offensive! I won't even watch something that starts out that way. Two thumbs down!!
And yet you'll comment on it.
Why did you get offended of the the low grim voice or the fake bullets 😂
First time I ever triggered someone with an animation. Tough crowd!
@@GearZombie Sorry, dude, but the gunfire is in very poor taste and does not belong in a guitar review! I seldom make negative comments, preferring to remain silent, but this time I stick by my guns, pun intended.
@@johnhanek167 you must have never seen a zombie movie. It goes with the zombie theme. And his channel is called zombie gear. I dont like zombie movies either but its not that serious 😂
its not the guitar. You just cant play lol
Awe! You lol’d at your own joke! I will always be a far better player than you are a wordsmith.
How many chromosomes do you have to make a hate comment with no content I don’t see you playing better than him.
@@GearZombie yea im not a good player or wordsmith. But why get a new guitar and immediately start strumming so hard? Especially with a guitar like this, its not a dreadnought. This one is more for fingerstyle. Know what you're reviewing.
So wait, you can’t play and you can’t use words, BUT I’m guessing you saw some other comment from someone saying to use a Koa for finger playing. You quickly looked for something to type back to prove your point and just stole that. You’re less qualified to tell me that I don’t know gear than you are using words. And, being that you can’t play you have zero idea what guitar does what (that takes experience)
Despite no shortage of players using koa for any dynamic application (someone drooling on themselves professionally could know koa can be used in several applications) it’s also worth noting that koa is notoriously inconsistent yielding completely different results from guitar to guitar. I think I also mentioned that I kept that guitar. (And have used it for several recordings) cuz that’s what people that play do. Sooo maybe you should troll elsewhere and use some of your own advice and “Know” what you’re talking about.
@@GearZombie i can play but i'm not super good. But, I do know quiet something about guitars/gear. And English is my second language so it's not perfect. Who cares. It's not about the koa wood, it's about the build of the guitar.
This guitar sounds aweful and bland. I'll go for a cheapo.
Great video... I've been very tempted to buy one. I have a Taylor 210e sunburst right now and it sounds really great. But this Koa top is beautiful. I'm curious how the tone compares. I don't want a brighter guitar than the 210e because it's perfectly balanced in tone. I had high end Taylor at my house for about a month... the K22...all Koa and around $5k. I never played it because it sounded rather dull and lifeless unplugged... maybe because smaller body size. It was very beautiful though. But in terms of tone I would take the 210e any day of the week without hesitation unless playing live and I need a certain tone to cut through the mix where the K22 may fill. But for all purpose the 210 is way better. I see a lot of comments that Koa and other woods sound better over time. That is a myth and unproven. Any study of this with guitars hasn't been true/scientific based. They've done thorough studies of this with violins and proven this myth to be false... but guitarists hear this and blindly believe it. Here's a real study debunking this myth...
www.snexplores.org/article/tests-challenge-whether-centuries-old-violins-really-are-best-ever