Both are excellent and the first fruits of the transition of head luthier responsibilities from Bob Taylor to Andy Powers. I've never been much of a Taylor fan, but I really like the 800 and 600 series... It makes me excited to hear what his redesigns for the 500, 300 and eventually the entry level 100 and 200 series will sound like.
I went with the 618, and I am soooo happy I did. I got one with the stained front; A hard to find guitar, but it is amazing. People comment on the sound and looks all the time.
My 618e arrives Thursday after a 6-week wait, and this video confirms my choice. The tubby sound of the rosewood has never been a favorite of mine (except cocobolo, that sound is infectious). This re-braced maple gets the clarity that RW misses IMO. It's ok if some don't fancy the 600 series but to my ears my money went to the best choice. Climbing the walls until Mr FedEx shows up, lol.
I like the 618 better. Sounds warmer and the mids have amazing clarity. Love the sweetness of the tone and normally I don’t like maple as a tonewood. (Usually too boomy and not enough on the mids and highs) Taylor did a great job revoicing the 618e for the maple.
Wonder how that big bad Taylor sounds and feels compared with the cheapy alternates, like the Alvarez 80 Artist, or the Guild Westerly 240, or the Yamaha LL6? 4 or 5 times less money.
One other thought: this 618e he's playing seems to have a slight bit of loss in the richness and bass that I have NOT heard lost in every other 618e played in videos in the last 2 months. I thought it was just that particular guitar but then I saw what might be the case: this is the first First Edition 618e I've heard, and the difference is that the FE has Adirondack spruce bracing, where the standard 618e is Sitka just like the top. I'm thinking that this is one design where Adirondack spruce bracing isn't a plus, and now I'm thrilled that I didn't get to order the FE, Sweetwater was sold out on FE's by mid March. Anyway, this particular 618e he's playing is not the best I've heard. Again, all subjective, but I agree with another reviewer when they said 2% banjo, lol. That sound wasn't there in other videos.
I have the 818e. I tried the 618 when it hit the market. I was disappointed. Here they sound equally good. Maybe the 618 I tried was not baked. They should all be baked at this price point!
would be interesting to know, besides what you play, after having tested so many, is there a wish list of a few guitars you would like to own but do not.
I HAVE ALWAYS HATED THE THAT FIRST GUITAR THAT GETS PLAYED GETS ALL OF THE LOW END PARTS ...THESE TWO GUITARS SHOULD HAVE BEEN SWITCHED AROUND FOR SURE!!!
I would go with the 818 over the 618. But in my opinion, the Gibson SJ 200 overall tonality response is far superior to both Taylor models 618 and the 818.
are you only trying you sell guitar to the good old boy in Nashville ? as the new guitar play that are using Taylor make you look like a newby , with how old school you play and they can get so much more sound out any guitar then you ever do, so maybe it time for you to really play they guitar so that the young guitar will come and lsion to you just a thought go lison to Sungha Jung or sharah command
Yeah I still don't like Maple guitars, torrefied Spruce or not. Gibson, Martin, Taylor, doesn't matter....they don't get the bass response and the high end has a deluded tinny sound.
Never been a big fan of maple but the new 600 series is simply amazing! I love the look and sound of the 618!
For every question about acoustic guitars, the Acoustic Letter already has a video for it! Amazing!
I prefer the 618e, the torrefaction somehow makes the guitar sound so much warmer, and that brown sugar maple finish is beautiful :)
Both are excellent and the first fruits of the transition of head luthier responsibilities from Bob Taylor to Andy Powers. I've never been much of a Taylor fan, but I really like the 800 and 600 series... It makes me excited to hear what his redesigns for the 500, 300 and eventually the entry level 100 and 200 series will sound like.
Well done. Loved the way you switched back and forth with the same chords and finger picking. I bought a 818e and am waiting for FedEx to deliver it.
I really dig the new 6xx's and that's confirmed in this video. Still has the focus and fundamental note of the older 6xx's, but with more warmth.
The fullness of the 818 amazes me....
I went with the 618, and I am soooo happy I did. I got one with the stained front; A hard to find guitar, but it is amazing. People comment on the sound and looks all the time.
818 slightly warmer... 618 slightly snappier... both beautiful.
That kinda darker lick starting at 3:46 gave me chills 👍 wanna hear more of that!
I love my 818! I have owned both and I love the rich deeper tone of the 818... but my 618 was an awesome guitar as well but my 818 is amazing
gotta give it to the 6 overall.
love the combo of this body style... playability of a GS... with a killer bass.
The rosewood has some serious bass, maple seems to have more shrieking high ends. Personally, like the 8 series
6 series all the way!
My 618e arrives Thursday after a 6-week wait, and this video confirms my choice. The tubby sound of the rosewood has never been a favorite of mine (except cocobolo, that sound is infectious). This re-braced maple gets the clarity that RW misses IMO. It's ok if some don't fancy the 600 series but to my ears my money went to the best choice. Climbing the walls until Mr FedEx shows up, lol.
I've owned both. Love the lower end the 8 has but the 6 was great as well. Still have the 818e sold the 618e
I like the 618 better. Sounds warmer and the mids have amazing clarity.
Love the sweetness of the tone and normally I don’t like maple as a tonewood. (Usually too boomy and not enough on the mids and highs)
Taylor did a great job revoicing the 618e for the maple.
What about the 700 series? I would love to see some reviews on it.
Wonder how that big bad Taylor sounds and feels compared with the cheapy alternates, like the Alvarez 80 Artist, or the Guild Westerly 240, or the Yamaha LL6? 4 or 5 times less money.
Very close in sound but the 818 has a warmer tone and yes, I am bias I own an 818e and nothing in my opinion sounds as good as rosewood and spruce.
One other thought: this 618e he's playing seems to have a slight bit of loss in the richness and bass that I have NOT heard lost in every other 618e played in videos in the last 2 months. I thought it was just that particular guitar but then I saw what might be the case: this is the first First Edition 618e I've heard, and the difference is that the FE has Adirondack spruce bracing, where the standard 618e is Sitka just like the top. I'm thinking that this is one design where Adirondack spruce bracing isn't a plus, and now I'm thrilled that I didn't get to order the FE, Sweetwater was sold out on FE's by mid March. Anyway, this particular 618e he's playing is not the best I've heard. Again, all subjective, but I agree with another reviewer when they said 2% banjo, lol. That sound wasn't there in other videos.
I have the 818e. I tried the 618 when it hit the market. I was disappointed. Here they sound equally good. Maybe the 618 I tried was not baked. They should all be baked at this price point!
would be interesting to know, besides what you play, after having tested so many, is there a wish list of a few guitars you would like to own but do not.
That 818s base though!
I can't pick I want both I have 614 ce and 816 ce both bought new in 2015 I love them both they are two beautiful sounding guitars
what is the best guitar to play Aerial Boundries on? ( Michael Hedges style)
618 to my ear!
The 618 sounds better.
Yes. It edges it for me too...
How about 918e it’s ok right now?
618 for me
I HAVE ALWAYS HATED THE THAT FIRST GUITAR THAT GETS PLAYED GETS ALL OF THE LOW END PARTS ...THESE TWO GUITARS SHOULD HAVE BEEN SWITCHED AROUND FOR SURE!!!
618e!
The 618 wins but I imagine that most of it is that nice torrified top. The 818 will catch up in ten years.
The 818's sound signature is better in terms of bass and mid-range, which, in my humble opinion, fits the Grand Orchestra-size better.
Does it djent
SOO FUNNNNNY
I would go with the 818 over the 618. But in my opinion, the Gibson SJ 200 overall tonality response is far superior to both Taylor models 618 and the 818.
Omg instantly no doubt the 616 blew the 818 out of the gate wow 😂😂
618 has more mids....i like the 800 series better than all other taylor series even the 900's
818 is better..it got a deeper warmer sound
Jumbos need maple. Opposites attract.
618 sounds like the 818 with a cold
***** That's pretty good. :) My first thought was that the 618E is 98% guitar, 2% banjo.
8
I wish you would play different styles of music to show the full potential of the guitars you review.
Strangely enough I like the sound of the 818 better and I'm a maple guy
are you only trying you sell guitar to the good old boy in Nashville ? as the new guitar play that are using Taylor make you look like a newby , with how old school you play and they can get so much more sound out any guitar then you ever do, so maybe it time for you to really play they guitar so that the young guitar will come and lsion to you just a thought go lison to Sungha Jung or sharah command
Ray Martel As a grammar-nazi, I don't even know where to begin.
Baloo0254 Laughing so hard, my sombreno fell off and I dropped my taco!
I think this guy is trying to be a douche but I’m not sure because nothing he wrote makes any sense.
Yeah I still don't like Maple guitars, torrefied Spruce or not. Gibson, Martin, Taylor, doesn't matter....they don't get the bass response and the high end has a deluded tinny sound.
What an absurd comparison.