For the Record and For Anyone Who Cares.

[ducktrapper]

When not pulling legs, I have always said and will repeat that apart from a baby and a big baby, I have never played a Taylor guitar that I didn't like. In fact, a few years ago a 714ce made a loud bid to come home with me.  I pondered selling children into slavery and other tawdry and possibly illegal things to raise the dough but in the end, the fact that I own a 1975 L09 brought me reluctantly to my senses. 
This being the Larrivée Forum, however, I will continue to defend Larrivées against all and sundry who can't back up their jive. Bring it on suckahs! 

[russski1]

Went shopping for a new acoustic - GAS and all that.   Began in the Taylor world....  Came real close to a 514CE - sounded pretty sweet.   However, I ended up with my very nice Larrivee LV-03E.  Except for the Ping Tuners, it's a really nice instrument....

At this point, Iam a Larrivee man!

[Tony Burns]

Im their now as well - have GAS pains but realize i have too many guitars already- what I have will have to satisfy me for a while - moneys tight and the Van needs gass - guess guitars goes to the end of the line ( hopefully not forever) Im not really a Taylor person either (thou i respect them)  the 714ce is a super instrument - with a very nice sound - wouldnt be a bad addition to anyones collection-   Peace

By the way i also like Larrivees alot ( own a OMv60 ) But i pretty much love all guitars of quality !

[kwakatak]

The GS models come pretty close to giving me GAS - especially the cedar topped varieties - but in the end I come to my senses because they seem to be way too similar to the Larrivee L body at twice the price. If Larrivee made a cedar-topped L I wouldn't even give the GS a second look.

[el guitana]

When I was after a great acoustic, I traded a very nice classical (of course, at a loss) for a used Taylor 414. That would have been the "IT" guitar, but I strongly regretted making the trade and went back and traded the Taylor back for my (botique level) classical before the store's return period was over. It was a few months later that I found my Larrivée, and that became my "IT".

The 414 was a great sounding and playing guitar.

[Malachi Irl]

Back in the late seventies, I sold an early '70's Martin D-18 so I could buy a new Taylor 810 (this was during their Lemon Grove era).
My dreadnought days are over. A shoulder thing.

The Taylor X14 model is extremely versatile.

[drathbun]

I re-started my guitar career by looking for a Taylor. I played a bunch of them. They all just played and sounded superior to any Martin or Gibson I tried. Then I A/B'd a Taylor with a Larrivee. I had never heard of Larrivee, and I never turned back. Now whenever I pick up a Taylor... some are really nice to look at and feel great... they just don't have the ooomph of Larrivee (it is a technical term).

I've owned three Larrivees so far... just the one now - the keeper; my L05.

[Denis]

I've played many Taylors as well and yes, they are definitely nice guitars.  The R Taylor line is especially nice though.  They only a few hundred of these each year I think and they are superb...but very pricey!!!

[Gregg E]

Denis is right about the R Taylors.  I played one of the new 'Style 2' spruce/rosewood models at Elderly. (Style 2 is slightly smaller body and short scale.) In my 40 years of playing this was one of the easiest to play and most gorgeous sounding guitars I have ever picked up. (Better be for 6 grand!) I also have a 10 year old 514ce (received new as a gift no less!) that has opened up nicely and gives me very nice bass response along with the Taylor shimmer. Like we all say, it's just a matter of what sounds good to you.

Gregg

[Sweb]

I have been looking at the Taylor 354CE. Anyone had the opportunity to try this 12 string? I've played the 355CE and for the $$ it's a good performer. Take the size down a notch and you have the 354CE but I've yet to see one at any "authorized" dealer. Might call the local GC and see if they can bring one in for me.