Taylor Builder's Editions - Maple (614ce) VS Koa (K14ce)

[@billschuler8157]

BEST EDITING!! The seamless transition made it easy to compare the two. Hope this catches on!

[@blakemenzel6905]

Both sound fantastic. The Maple sounded much "warmer" with rolled off trebles. I know many love that warmer sound, but I prefer the way the Koa K14ce combines both good bass "punch" with "sparkle" in the trebles that you don't hear in the Maple version. Loved the tune he was playing to compare them.

[@joedzekevich2407]

I almost bought a K14ce, but I do not care for cut away guitars. Nothing wrong with them, just my taste. So, I went to the Martin Custom Shop and I had them make me a GP-18e all KOA (back, sides, top). Wow, did it come out nice. It sounds like a 15M series, just with more of a KOA sound. I had them put in a LR Baggs Anthem as well. I just mention it because you folks have custom guitars made from many manufacturers, and it may be a style you may want to consider for the future. I am very pleased with it.

[@oaktree1628]

I’ve got the 614ce with the previous Performance X -brace and I think mine sounds louder in the low end. But these are still nice guitars, but I prefer the Performance x - braced Taylor guitars. Glad they still make them in some custom shop models.

[@jaysimons5282]

I've got the BE614ce and I absolutely love it. Hands down the best sounding and most comfortable acoustic guitar I've ever played.

[@ronedee]

Koa sounds louder, and brilliant... but missing some lower mids. The Maple has an overall balanced tone, and a defined bass. I'll take the 614ce.

[@EdwinGuzmanRD]

Both great guitars. Koa had more defined sounds specially in the fingerpicking like traditional Taylor. Maple have a wonderful warm tone, more bass and sounds more balanced. Hard to choose.

[@phyonyeinchan1]

love you guys!

[@juandelacruz5247]

Maple here. It just felt a little weird that I’m hearing less mid from the Koa??? Sounds like V shape to me. Or am I identifying voice ranges erroneously?? Not really sure.

[@martinkleinman2522]

They're both really nice. At that price point, though, there are lots of dreamy alternatives.

[@jtelevenoyd1571]

I'm really pleasantly surprised at what they're doing with the maple ones.

[@warmonger9100]

Normally I prefer the Koa but I liked the maple better. Both are impressive guitars.

[@maxwellfan55]

My money's on the maple, but both great guitars. The Koa back is ridiculous, how can a piece of sound wood be so beautiful?

[@WryGrass100]

I would enjoy your comparison of build quality among the acoustic Taylor, Gibson and Martin guitars. Taylor seems to have taken a mighty leap in several areas; the last new Gibson J45 I owned was extremely well done, still with it's own tone. I don't have experience with Martin, but I'm sure they're holding their own.

[@oaktree1628]

I’ve got a 2017 Taylor 614ce, a 2017 Martin HD-35 and a 2018 Gibson J-45 Standard, and I can say that all 3 are extremely well build, well made guitars. However, the J-45 is very sensitive to humidity changes, while the other 2 are not. If I leave the J-45 out of its case for a week in a low humidity environment (10- 30% relative humidity) it starts to develop fret buzz when playing on the upper extreme frets. This is quickly resolved by returning it to its case with a humidifier, and after a week, everything is back to normal. My other 2 guitars have no such issues.

[@WryGrass100]

@@oaktree1628 That is kinda strange, isn't it. I wonder if raising the action a bit, or a heavier string set would fix that, For the way I play, I like the low action. And I like the generally more mellow tone of the Gibson. But all of that is just a matter of taste.

[@oaktree1628]

WryGrass100 - they were all purchased brand new a few months apart from one well regarded music store, and came already set up with low action and played perfectly upon receipt. I’m thinking that the slightly newer woods on 2018 J-45 might have been more hydrated than the other guitars, thus causing more pronounced warping of the top when left out of its case. Also, the shorter scale, and shorter radius of the J-45 might also be a factor. As for the Taylor 614 with its torrified Sitka spruce top, the torrification process dries out the top to begin with, which probably makes it less susceptible to warping in a low humidity environment and therefore a more stable guitar in varying humidities.

[@juliestewartvideos]

@@oaktree1628 great info. would you mind sharing your shop? we don't have one in my state and i really liked your breakdown (and agree) and would love to have some direction for my next big purchase if willing to share. thanks so much!

[@mrm4xim4m]

Maple is not as loud and is sweeter koa has more oumph and growl and bigger broader ‘sound spectrum’ but both fabulous guitars nice review some lovely chords there

[@norcalranger]

Wow, both sound great, but distinctly different!

[@camgregory1618]

Tabs for the song at 00:01 ?

[@daddycharlie4025]

Both are beautiful guitars...

[@robertbossart]

Got the K14CE BE and I like it very much. Have a Guild completley built with maple and Spruce top. For me the combination of Koa and a spruce top is sounding most complete, like the K14.

[@trollstjerne]

Nice demo! I think i perfer the sound of the maple but i really like the looks of koa..

[@coolbeans4399]

I'll have the maple one pleaseeee !!!!

[@xetexuk12]

The Koa to me sounds louder and more bassy, but not as sweet as the maple, both nice guitars though.

[@EthanKenna2010]

Woah. That K14ce sounds stunning.

[@peterabbey1539]

Whoa

[@Dajlec]

Woaah

[@EthanKenna2010]

@@Dajlec woah

[@rickcar94]

My man Quinton's at it again! He can make even a Taylor sound good :D

[@edfulginiti8798]

Maple to my tin ear...

[@adnap]

Sheryl Crow, much ?

[@hotlov72]

Cutaways are good for people that play up the neck but why Taylor makes so many of them? I prefer a full dreadnaught

[@matthewaston4893]

I agree. It's unfortunate that Taylor are producing so many cutaways, especially in the higher end models. In my opinion, the cutaway form is aesthetically displeasing. I also believe that the same goes for pick guards. Why not use clear pick guards so that the appearance of the woods can be fully appreciated?