string recommendation for my taylor 314ce (sounds to thin)

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JackJack

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Okay so, this particular model is recommended to be set up with lights (12's) but that sounded to thin for my tastes. So I went up a gauge and still it's way thin and the strings are real slinky, again not something that I go for. I know that D'addario makes 14's, would these help any (ie anything of significance). Or am I going against myself with the Phosphor Bronze. I usually buy D'addario 13's PB 'cause I like the way they sound on my cheapy Silvertone. I play this one so often that I don't do anything with the taylor except record and even then it's more of a second lead to make the part stand out a bit more. So, If anyone could give me a little help I'd be much abliged.
 
That's the Taylor sound.

Get a D-28. Goodbye thin-sounding guitar!

I've only heard one Taylor that knocked me out. It belonged to a guy I went to school with, a curly maple jumbo. #11 out of the original shop, built by Bob Taylor himself.
 
Ya, you need a D28 or Martin-esqe guitar. I had a Taylor 710. Excellent guitar. But it was a "thin" sounding gutiar too. Not thin in a bad way, but its more of a lead guitar with a tight sound that cuts through more-so than fills up the tonal specrum.

I got a Martin and use 12's to tame the boom, but even now it is still a ton more bottom end than the Taylor had. 13's and the thing can play with a mild manner drummer no problem.

Also, most acoustics will state to not use anything over a certain gauge (medium in most cases) because you stress the top of the guitar too much where the top cracks and/or may rip the bridge off. That doesn't mean you can't use them, it just means don't be suprised. ...and good luck doing anything but strumming on something over 13's. :D
 
Outlaws said:
Ya, you need a D28 or Martin-esqe guitar. I had a Taylor 710. Excellent guitar. But it was a "thin" sounding gutiar too. Not thin in a bad way, but its more of a lead guitar with a tight sound that cuts through more-so than fills up the tonal specrum.

I got a Martin and use 12's to tame the boom, but even now it is still a ton more bottom end than the Taylor had. 13's and the thing can play with a mild manner drummer no problem.

Also, most acoustics will state to not use anything over a certain gauge (medium in most cases) because you stress the top of the guitar too much where the top cracks and/or may rip the bridge off. That doesn't mean you can't use them, it just means don't be suprised. ...and good luck doing anything but strumming on something over 13's. :D
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yeah, that's kinda the tone my Silvertone has. only $100 and I play a heck of a lot more than my Taylor. the thing is i just don't play the thing, I feel like I'm neglecting it. I would sell it but it was a gift.

Oh, man i used to play 13's on my Fender Musicmaster. 'coarse that's electric. Can't you take most of the tension out by adjusting the truss rod, or at some point does it just not matter anymore.
 
I don't think most Taylors sound "thin."

You bought a grand auditorium. It is not going to sound like a dreadnaught.

Are you recording direct using the onboard electronics? If so, stop, and go invest in some good mics.

If you are recording with mics, which ones?

Proper mic placement is one of the best eq and tone adjusters you have.

I'm not a dreadnaught fan, but for strumming and lead lines they excell--although a bit harder to record.
 
I would be REALLY carefull about puting anything heavier than 12s on a solid top. It can deffinately handle it for a while, but if you keep it at tension all the time, you will probably get sone belly issues with the top and prolly some bridge lift too. Check the Taylor website or users group to see if it recomended to go above 12.

You can always try 13s to see if they solve the thin sounding issue, and go back down if it doesnt.

As for Taylors sucking? Played some dogs..... played some gems toooooooooo! Same with modern Martins!
 
Phosphor Bronze strings tend to be on the bright side anyway. If you like D'addario strings, check out their Flat Tops, Gypsy Jazz. or Silk and Steel offerings. Those tend to be darker and mellower in sound.
 
I have a Taylor 910, a Tayor 714, and a Martin D12-28. I have comparied both my Taylor's to Martin D28's and D35 for hours at the time of purchase. I have never thought that the sound thin. I think they are much more balanced than Martin's and play a hell of a lot better.

Strings can make a big difference. I will only us DR 12's either Rare Phosphor Bronze or DR 12's Coated Phosphor Bronze. The best strings on the market. I use DR on my Strat, Tele, and bases too. www.drstrings.com. I get all my strings at www.juststings.com

Dan
 
Have you tried DR strings?

http://www.drstrings.com/

might be worth trying a set of 12s of the sunbeams. They're phosphor bronze, but they seem to give a fuller sound than other sets I've tried.

I have a cheap guitar that normally sounds thin that sounds better with those. Different animal from the Taylor, to be sure, but I think it's worth trying those if you haven't yet.
 
griffd said:
I have a Taylor 910, a Tayor 714, and a Martin D12-28. I have comparied both my Taylor's to Martin D28's and D35 for hours at the time of purchase. I have never thought that the sound thin. I think they are much more balanced than Martin's and play a hell of a lot better.

Strings can make a big difference. I will only us DR 12's either Rare Phosphor Bronze or DR 12's Coated Phosphor Bronze. The best strings on the market. I use DR on my Strat, Tele, and bases too. www.drstrings.com. I get all my strings at www.juststings.com

Dan
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You can't compare a 910 to a D28 or D35 for playability. All Taylors are a tighter more focus sound where-as Martin D-series are all about the boom. Plus, Taylor goes for a super low action better suited towards soloing and finger picking where Martin is a strumming guitar. Its apples and oranges.

If you play better on a Taylor and like it, then you more than likely won't like a Martin as much. But no Taylor can compete with a Martin for boom. There are still physics involved and they are not built to do it.

Taylors are not "thin", but to someone who likes a Martin sound, that focused sound could be concieved as "thin".
 
antichef said:
Have you tried DR strings?

http://www.drstrings.com/

might be worth trying a set of 12s of the sunbeams. They're phosphor bronze, but they seem to give a fuller sound than other sets I've tried.

I have a cheap guitar that normally sounds thin that sounds better with those. Different animal from the Taylor, to be sure, but I think it's worth trying those if you haven't yet.
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How do they compare to Elixirs?
 
Big Kenny said:
How do they compare to Elixirs?
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dunno - previously I used Martin strings and several other brands I can't remember (might have tried Elixirs once, but I'm not sure), but once I tried the DRs, there was no going back. I'm currently using them on a 1972 Martin D-28, a counterfeit Gibson J-50 (which doesn't tell you much, but it actually sounds pretty decent), and the lower end Samick dreadnought that I mentioned above. The DRs noticeably improved the sound of all three. I don't have a Taylor, but I'm still confident recommending the strings to you.
 
Outlaws said:
You can't compare a 910 to a D28 or D35 for playability. All Taylors are a tighter more focus sound where-as Martin D-series are all about the boom. Plus, Taylor goes for a super low action better suited towards soloing and finger picking where Martin is a strumming guitar. Its apples and oranges.

If you play better on a Taylor and like it, then you more than likely won't like a Martin as much. But no Taylor can compete with a Martin for boom. There are still physics involved and they are not built to do it.

Taylors are not "thin", but to someone who likes a Martin sound, that focused sound could be concieved as "thin".
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Also, Martins aren't setup from the factory. They purposefully leave the action a bit high so you can have your own setup done. That's why they aren't as "playable" as some other guitars.

Light can explain that a whole lot better than I can. It's really just refined marketing IMHO. They set the guitars up a little faster than the other guys' and some folks think they're getting something special.
 
c7sus said:
That's the Taylor sound.

Get a D-28. Goodbye thin-sounding guitar!

I've only heard one Taylor that knocked me out. It belonged to a guy I went to school with, a curly maple jumbo. #11 out of the original shop, built by Bob Taylor himself.
Click to expand...

Or try out my all Koa Taylor 420. Compared to most Taylors I've played the Koa really opens up the low end. I've always thought Taylor's were kind of thin sounding too but I got this 420 for a great price and it's incredible.
 
A couple things.

It was a typo. I buy from www.juststrings.com

Regarding Outlaws comments "You can't compare a 910 to a D28 or D35 for playability. All Taylors are a tighter more focus sound where-as Martin D-series are all about the boom. Plus, Taylor goes for a super low action better suited towards soloing and finger picking where Martin is a strumming guitar. Its apples and oranges.

If you play better on a Taylor and like it, then you more than likely won't like a Martin as much. But no Taylor can compete with a Martin for boom. There are still physics involved and they are not built to do it.

Taylors are not "thin", but to someone who likes a Martin sound, that focused sound could be concieved as "thin"."

I cannot disagree. Well said.
 
antichef said:
dunno - previously I used Martin strings and several other brands I can't remember (might have tried Elixirs once, but I'm not sure), but once I tried the DRs, there was no going back. I'm currently using them on a 1972 Martin D-28, a counterfeit Gibson J-50 (which doesn't tell you much, but it actually sounds pretty decent), and the lower end Samick dreadnought that I mentioned above. The DRs noticeably improved the sound of all three. I don't have a Taylor, but I'm still confident recommending the strings to you.
Click to expand...

I have a '72 D28 as well, nice piece! Mine is loaded with a fishman rare earth, I really like the sound and the volume I can get out of with little feedback worrries
 
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