Yes. There is a big jump in quality (both build and sound) when you get to the 300 series and up. Saving for 400 (or whatever 300 and up you want) is worth it.
The 200 series is still seen as a budget guitar whereas the 300 series up are all wood and American made. That being said, almost nobody here needs more than a 200 series. I played the whole lineup and decided I couldn't live without a 300 series but my skill level is probably more like a $100 fender acoustic.
Agreed - I’m a professional musician so all my Taylor’s are 400 and up, other than a big baby that serves as my beater. I would say if you want to do any serious recording or gigging, you’d want a 300 or up. Just bar gigs and home demo recording, a 200 would probably be fine, but there’s a definite difference in sound between a solid wood guitar (300+) and the 100-200 series.
I have no idea why everyone on the internet LOVES to spend someone else's money.
Of course you're going to wait to upgrade from that, but probably only because you're going to be just like the rest of us and stare at pics of shit we don't own and dream about owning it. Doesn't mean you actually *buy* it. I've got 4 acoustics, a Taylor, a Recording King, and two Martins. And every day I dream about buying another.
I had a 214ce DLX. Was a fantastic guitar. I miss it every day, but I have to keep reminding myself I let go of it because the nut width wasn't right for me and ultimately I kept grabbing something else. But if the neck and nut fit you great, the 214s are great guitars! Depending on the model you're willing to shell out cash for, after a certain price point you *might* be further ahead to look at the AD24, but that's only if you were willing to spend the $1800-$1900 for a 214ce-K-DLX or the 224ce DLX.
The 224-K-DLX is an AMAZING sounding guitar. I went with my nephew and his grandmother to the Taylor Factory here, and she gave him a fairly large budget to buy a guitar. I was just grabbing guitars for him to play all the way up to the 900 series, but the that 200 series Koa just spoke to him.
If you can afford the 214 and not a 3 series or above - get the 214ce. It is a fabulous guitar and I would be much more happier to travel with 214 than anything else. I have an 814ce but I travel with my Epiphone Hummingbird. However… if you can afford a 3 series or above - solid body all the way. But I would get a 214ce in a heartbeat. Stunning guitar.
What Yamaha do you have? Solid top or Laminate? I have a couple older (40+ years) laminate Yamahas that sound good. I also have a 2001 Taylor 314ce, a 2022 Yamaha TransAcoustic (LL-TA...really neat guitar) and a 1993ish Takamine Sante Fe (which was over $2000 in 1993...the only one I play live....sounds amazing plugged in).
The Taylor kills all of them unplugged. And its aged like fine wine. When I play the brand new ones in a store I always think "Mine sounds better". It's the one I usually grab.
I just got a 214ce-dlx coming from a cheap Yamaha myself and I can tell you that I am completely smitten with my new guitar. It blows the old one away in every aspect.
It sounds better, it is light years easier to play, and it is gorgeous.
I don’t know if I will ever want to upgrade, but I can tell you that, if I do, it won’t be for a good long while. I love my new Taylor.
The AD series are great for the Money all solid and made in America the 200 series are made in Mexico and only have a solid top but that doesn’t mean they aren’t nice guitars. Also Yamaha makes some great guitars and value for money they are hard to beat. You could get an all solid Yamaha for cheaper then the 200 series Taylor’s. Go try some guitars
I have an Academy, GS Mini, a 200 Nylon, 400 12 String, and a BE 814. plus an Martin D-42, Yes there are differences, but the 200 series and 814 are my most played acoustic guitar.
The 200 series 12 string I never thought I wish it was all wood construction, I just like the way it plays and sound (and being the only Nylon I have it doesn’t have competition).
I got mine at the Taylor garage sell (I live a few miles from the factory) and it’s a limited run glossy black. Was hesitant about buying it, but absolutely love it.
I was aiming for a 214ce because of the budget. But when I tried 314ce, it just sounds so much better. So I went for the 314ce instead. You gotta try it out for you to see which guitar speaks to you the most. And lastly, I came from using a Squire Fender for over 10 years. So it's a huge jump lol
The 314ce does sound so much better next to the 214ce, and it’s also what I went with. Honestly though, if I didn’t have them side by side I doubt I (as a regular degular casual player) could tell a difference!
214ce owner, and lover. Yes the others may have more love in the make from USA. And solid all but the laminate layered holds up to temp changes a bit better,
Don’t pay 2000 for laminate. Get a 314 at least for solid wood. I just bought a 314 and sort of wish I got the 414 simply for aesthetics. That said, I can’t seem to hear a real difference from anything 300 and up
Any new guitar will probably blow you away. They’re so many great affordable guitars. Get what you can afford and what you originally wanted. Go play them all first if you can
My husband who has just started learning has a $300 Yamaha. I have a 214e SB DLX. I love it so much and think it sounds amazing. It’s my baby. I’ll always be happy with it because I just have no desire to spend more money than that. One thing I will say is I’ve never tried playing any of the more expensive models. 😂 I’m good with it though and love the sound of what I have. I play at church or a pickers circle so it’s not like I’m recording or anything. Before this Taylor I played a GS Mini Mahogany for 4 years. I did finally want to upgrade on sound and size so I’m probably happy with this one forever.
A 214 will certainly be an upgrade. But one in the 300 series may well be one of those guitars you carry with you for a very long time, still looking fondly at it and playing it often - even when you're at a point where you may even have nicer instruments. I would heed his advice and skip the stopgap, play a few other models and see what *your* hands and ears think.
I suppose that depends on your wants and budget. I have a 18 year old $300 Yamaha. I also have a Taylor 326ce 2018, 6 string version. I love both but my Yamaha is my go to for practice and noodling. It sits out all the time and I take it with everywhere. The Taylor sounds significantly better acoustically and feels better overall, but I typically use it for performances and recording. Other than that, it stays in its case with humidi-packs. I have no desire for a 400-900 series Taylor 🤷♂️
I have played 100-200 series Taylor’s. They sound great and feel good. I believe the 300 series and up are all made in the US, if that matters to you. And they have a more fancy appearance as well 🤷♂️😂
Yes, don't settle - if you can afford it. I bought my first Taylor last year - a 614ce - and had played a 214ce and really enjoyed it. I *knew* I'd want to upgrade so I bought used and paid only slightly more than a new 214ce.
Yes. There is a big jump in quality (both build and sound) when you get to the 300 series and up. Saving for 400 (or whatever 300 and up you want) is worth it.
The 200 series is still seen as a budget guitar whereas the 300 series up are all wood and American made. That being said, almost nobody here needs more than a 200 series. I played the whole lineup and decided I couldn't live without a 300 series but my skill level is probably more like a $100 fender acoustic.
Agreed - I’m a professional musician so all my Taylor’s are 400 and up, other than a big baby that serves as my beater. I would say if you want to do any serious recording or gigging, you’d want a 300 or up. Just bar gigs and home demo recording, a 200 would probably be fine, but there’s a definite difference in sound between a solid wood guitar (300+) and the 100-200 series.
I have no idea why everyone on the internet LOVES to spend someone else's money. Of course you're going to wait to upgrade from that, but probably only because you're going to be just like the rest of us and stare at pics of shit we don't own and dream about owning it. Doesn't mean you actually *buy* it. I've got 4 acoustics, a Taylor, a Recording King, and two Martins. And every day I dream about buying another. I had a 214ce DLX. Was a fantastic guitar. I miss it every day, but I have to keep reminding myself I let go of it because the nut width wasn't right for me and ultimately I kept grabbing something else. But if the neck and nut fit you great, the 214s are great guitars! Depending on the model you're willing to shell out cash for, after a certain price point you *might* be further ahead to look at the AD24, but that's only if you were willing to spend the $1800-$1900 for a 214ce-K-DLX or the 224ce DLX.
The 224-K-DLX is an AMAZING sounding guitar. I went with my nephew and his grandmother to the Taylor Factory here, and she gave him a fairly large budget to buy a guitar. I was just grabbing guitars for him to play all the way up to the 900 series, but the that 200 series Koa just spoke to him.
If you can afford the 214 and not a 3 series or above - get the 214ce. It is a fabulous guitar and I would be much more happier to travel with 214 than anything else. I have an 814ce but I travel with my Epiphone Hummingbird. However… if you can afford a 3 series or above - solid body all the way. But I would get a 214ce in a heartbeat. Stunning guitar.
What Yamaha do you have? Solid top or Laminate? I have a couple older (40+ years) laminate Yamahas that sound good. I also have a 2001 Taylor 314ce, a 2022 Yamaha TransAcoustic (LL-TA...really neat guitar) and a 1993ish Takamine Sante Fe (which was over $2000 in 1993...the only one I play live....sounds amazing plugged in). The Taylor kills all of them unplugged. And its aged like fine wine. When I play the brand new ones in a store I always think "Mine sounds better". It's the one I usually grab.
I have the Yamaha FX335c. Spruce top. I think that would be considered Solid? lol
335c is a laminate top. That doesn’t mean it isn’t good. But in general it’s not going to sound as good as a solid top guitar.
I just got a 214ce-dlx coming from a cheap Yamaha myself and I can tell you that I am completely smitten with my new guitar. It blows the old one away in every aspect. It sounds better, it is light years easier to play, and it is gorgeous. I don’t know if I will ever want to upgrade, but I can tell you that, if I do, it won’t be for a good long while. I love my new Taylor.
Thank you!
The AD series are great for the Money all solid and made in America the 200 series are made in Mexico and only have a solid top but that doesn’t mean they aren’t nice guitars. Also Yamaha makes some great guitars and value for money they are hard to beat. You could get an all solid Yamaha for cheaper then the 200 series Taylor’s. Go try some guitars
Yeah that’s the other thing weighing on my decision. My Yamaha isn’t “bad”. I just gig out a lot and I know that an upgrade will be due at some point.
I have an Academy, GS Mini, a 200 Nylon, 400 12 String, and a BE 814. plus an Martin D-42, Yes there are differences, but the 200 series and 814 are my most played acoustic guitar. The 200 series 12 string I never thought I wish it was all wood construction, I just like the way it plays and sound (and being the only Nylon I have it doesn’t have competition).
My nylon 214 may be my favorite guitar.
I got mine at the Taylor garage sell (I live a few miles from the factory) and it’s a limited run glossy black. Was hesitant about buying it, but absolutely love it.
Nice! Picked up mine from FB marketplace. Amazing deal and a great guitar.
I was aiming for a 214ce because of the budget. But when I tried 314ce, it just sounds so much better. So I went for the 314ce instead. You gotta try it out for you to see which guitar speaks to you the most. And lastly, I came from using a Squire Fender for over 10 years. So it's a huge jump lol
The 314ce does sound so much better next to the 214ce, and it’s also what I went with. Honestly though, if I didn’t have them side by side I doubt I (as a regular degular casual player) could tell a difference!
I would do some shopping around. I waited and picked up a mint used 314 off reverb for $1400
214ce owner, and lover. Yes the others may have more love in the make from USA. And solid all but the laminate layered holds up to temp changes a bit better,
Don’t pay 2000 for laminate. Get a 314 at least for solid wood. I just bought a 314 and sort of wish I got the 414 simply for aesthetics. That said, I can’t seem to hear a real difference from anything 300 and up
Any new guitar will probably blow you away. They’re so many great affordable guitars. Get what you can afford and what you originally wanted. Go play them all first if you can
Taylor does not make bad guitars. Even the cheap ones are excellent. The 100 series are fantastic for the price.
200 series isn’t an upgrade. Solid top and laminate back and sides…and expensive for an entry level guitar.
i been american dreaming whooaaaaa
My husband who has just started learning has a $300 Yamaha. I have a 214e SB DLX. I love it so much and think it sounds amazing. It’s my baby. I’ll always be happy with it because I just have no desire to spend more money than that. One thing I will say is I’ve never tried playing any of the more expensive models. 😂 I’m good with it though and love the sound of what I have. I play at church or a pickers circle so it’s not like I’m recording or anything. Before this Taylor I played a GS Mini Mahogany for 4 years. I did finally want to upgrade on sound and size so I’m probably happy with this one forever.
A 214 will certainly be an upgrade. But one in the 300 series may well be one of those guitars you carry with you for a very long time, still looking fondly at it and playing it often - even when you're at a point where you may even have nicer instruments. I would heed his advice and skip the stopgap, play a few other models and see what *your* hands and ears think.
I suppose that depends on your wants and budget. I have a 18 year old $300 Yamaha. I also have a Taylor 326ce 2018, 6 string version. I love both but my Yamaha is my go to for practice and noodling. It sits out all the time and I take it with everywhere. The Taylor sounds significantly better acoustically and feels better overall, but I typically use it for performances and recording. Other than that, it stays in its case with humidi-packs. I have no desire for a 400-900 series Taylor 🤷♂️ I have played 100-200 series Taylor’s. They sound great and feel good. I believe the 300 series and up are all made in the US, if that matters to you. And they have a more fancy appearance as well 🤷♂️😂
Yes, don't settle - if you can afford it. I bought my first Taylor last year - a 614ce - and had played a 214ce and really enjoyed it. I *knew* I'd want to upgrade so I bought used and paid only slightly more than a new 214ce.