Taylor 714CE vrs. Martin OMC 16RE Premium

[brianf]

For 2 years now I have yet to get myself an acoustic guitar. Always thought the Martin 000-28 would be the one but after playing one a few months back the lack of a cut away seemed to be an issue. On board electronics also became something I think I would like although I'm not sure if this guitar would ever be gigged. (lyles???)

The shop where I buy most of my gear keeps steering me towards the Taylors if the cutaway and electronic are that important to me.

To all of you acoustic experts What To Do????

lyles if you see this post (I tried to call Tues night) Brent will lend me both guitars for a couple of nights and I would like for you to come over and play them as well if you can.

My initial thoughts were, if I owned only 1 acoustic (haven't we all said that about guitars before) I would want it to be a Martin, but now I'm lost since I've played the Taylor 714CE.

Any thoughts pro or con would sure be appreciated guys and gals.

Oh also; pros and cons of the cedar vrs. Spruce top on the Taylor.

Thanks

brianf

[hank]

brianf: If YOU like it, buy it.

hank's a Martin guy for specific uses. There are a few Taylors that I'd like, but most don't work in a bluegrass setting.

Cedar? Never in a million years. They are notorious for dying in several years. The cedar tops fatigue. My opinion and experience.

[brianf]

brianf: If YOU like it, buy it.

Cedar? Never in a million years. They are notorious for dying in several years. The cedar tops fatigue. My opinion and experience.


Woah; Thanks for the heads up Hank.


Hank; The guitar will be mostly strummed in the begining but I intend to learn to finger pick. I think a smaller body would be prefered as I will play this guitar probably 75% of the time sitting.


Any other sugestions sir???

Again many thanks.

brianf

[hank]

Well, you asked! Seriously, most finger-stylers like the wider, 1 3/4" neck width at the nut. I believe Taylor has a classical-styled steel string that's 1 13/16" wide at the nut. Check them out.

[Dwell]

If you like the sound of a Martin, you'll never be happy with a Taylor.

But you would be happy with this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=2385&item=3736441661&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

Note: I'm not a shill, that auction's ended. But that Bourgeois model would be your ultimate. It's essentially an OM-28 with a cutaway. And it's worlds better than what Taylor and Martin are putting out these days. You can find them used for $1800-2500 most of the time.

Stick a Baggs Dual Source in there and use a Baggs Para DI and you'll kill every factory-pickup guitar on the planet.