The Best Guitar I've Ever Played

The story of how I came to acquire a Taylor 816ce Builder's Edition acoustic guitar. Check one out yourself:
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If you like what we're throwing down in this video, check out the MasterClass I made on how to solo on guitar with another musician. You won't regret it!
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Check out the patreon: / seandaniel
And the new Ryders album: bit.ly/WeRyde2
Then, get yourself some merch: shop.spreadshirt.com/seandaniel/
Hit me up on Twitter: / seandanielmusic
And Insta: / sean_daniel_music
Website: www.seandanielmusic.com
Check out the music:
🍀 Emeryld Ryders 2: bit.ly/WeRyde2
🍀 Emeryld Ryders 1
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Bandcamp: bit.ly/WeRydeBandcamp
😎 Sean Daniel
All Platforms: bit.ly/dragonflyalbum
Bandcamp: bit.ly/dragonflybandcamp
Soundcloud: bit.ly/SeanSoundcloud
⭐ Andrea and Sean
All Platforms: bit.ly/JuliannaSingle
bit.ly/ReminderAndrea
--------------------------
A little about me:
Sean Daniel is a man. A man of simple needs and desires. And the one desire, no, the one NEED, that stands above all is to spread the challenges, joy and intellectual stimulus of music to people of Earth and beyond.
Born on the mean streets of upper middle class suburban Chicago, Sean learned the ways of the world through the dizzying heights of success to the lonesome depths of failure and emerged with the promise of a better tomorrow reflecting in his eyes and fiery passion in his belly.
He plays and teaches guitar on his KZbin channel where he regularly releases original music and projects to the adulation of legions of fans, who often compare him to Chris Pratt and one time Ryan Reynolds. He’s currently in the market for a nice leather jacket.

[@bobp7618]

I have to agree. Currently have 5 Taylors. Absolutely love them all.

[@moisesperez4605]

I have three Taylor, guitars of my own, I got the 814 that I bought in 2020, the one has a Bibble on the side, I have a 314, and the 5 to 4. Great playing guitars. All by Taylor as well.

[@yensilluap]

I really enjoyed the sound of the violin and guitar together - really got my attention. I have a Martin HD 28 which I love - plays really well and has a great sound. I have a Taylor GS mini which plays really nice as well.

[@slingerace]

Congrats on 400k, Sean! I seem to recall you were at 58k when I started watching.

[@blackfender100]

Adriana Super sweet sounding vocals ! Great picking as always Sean.

[@cbaranovic]

Great guitar and nice performance

[@jshphysicistatyahoo]

Great review. Thanks for your honesty about Taylor buying you the guitar.

[@winstonian88]

There it is. It rings like a bell. The GS is my favourite body shape from Taylor.

[@michael_caz_nyc]

Sounds great. Thats how I feel about my Taylor 414ce-R. I played 17 guitars ( 5 brands ) and choose this guitar = Sound & playability was incredible. I'm not as high on the ES-2 system as you. oNe LoVe from NYC

[@Back2TheBike]

I'm an intermediate standard and for my retirement just treated myself to the 814ce. It sounds sweeter, stays in tune longer, and is far easier to play than my Yamaha FG401. Feels very special and I know any faults are mine, not the guitar. I also know I won't suffer any buyers regret, thinking I should have gone for something better. I ride a Ducati Monster 1200R, a bike which far surpasses my ability as a biker. The 814 is the same, inspires me to improve every time I pick it up. Happy strumming Sean from the UK.

[@jamesgaetz]

Hey from Calgary Canada. I just pulled the trigger on a Taylor Koa. Love it. NB. Play the specific guitar you are buying. Subtle differences even within models.

[@ratherbwalkn]

I'd watched a bunch of your videos before, but I had never really heard your music, there are so many musicians on" the tube " (before this video), And then I listened to the stuff you posted on this video, and IMHO that music I heard was really entertaining I really enjoy it, you have your own groove, the music is fresh and I really enjoyed listening to it. thanks a shit load, really good music, "did I say really enough" Good shit, man!!!!

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much for taking the time! Glad you liked it!

[@frankhunt2800]

It does sound good glad you found your favorite. My favorite is martin d28

[@Denchoification]

Congrats with 400K!!!

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much Dexter!

[@moisesperez4605]

Shawn, I’m a tailor guitar kind of guy, I have three Taylor guitars, my favorite is the 814CE, I bought that in 2020, I have a 5 to 4, and also at 314 as well. Love, my tailors, the playability is awesome,

[@christopherstanford5599]

Passionate beautiful vocals with excellent unassuming guitar accompaniment ♥️🌹🤗🤗🤗

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much!

[@TheKolen2434]

I LOVE the cut away sound port on both the 816ce and the 326ce. It's like playing in 5.1 Dolby surround sound..

[@newworldwellness7007]

Congrats on 400k subscribers!

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much!

[@ruso9660]

Love the song at the end. Adriana has "it", that special quality of voice that is now instantly recognisable.

[@seandaniel23]

She's pretty great :)

[@mediumjumbo7484]

@@seandaniel23 Yes. Pretty & Gr8 👁👁. Good at retrieving watches in the rain too 🤣🤣

[@TheWildWomenofYesteryear]

Love my taylor!!!

[@truthof7382]

Always went to guitar stores and played Taylor’s. Loved the way they felt, and played, like most people agree, they are so comfortable and easy to play, but the sound just wasn’t what I wanted in a guitar. I had the most typical reaction, too much treble, too bright etc. Then on one visit I tripped over a 416ce. Was blown away! Now I own (3) 16s (Grand Symphony) in different models, and looking for #4. If you are like me, try a 16 model in your favorite tone wood. Just be aware they come with and recommend medium gauge strings for the guitar because of the large top.

[@gmee123]

wow the fullness of the guitar sounds amazing. I'm gonna have to hit Sweetwater sound when they get more in stock and hear it in person :D

[@seandaniel23]

It's a good idea :)

[@douglay249]

You are the reason I own two GA3s. They are the only Taylor’s I own and consider myself mostly a Martin man but I do love the tone from those GA3s.

[@seandaniel23]

Such a great guitar.

[@jeffpuras7501]

I have 2 Taylors. A 110e, my daily driver and a 224 grand auditorium urban ash. I also had a D28 which I recently gave away to a good home. The neck on the Martin is just different enough I couldn’t adjust. I love my Taylors.

[@tiduschapman1774]

The 816 is a great guitar. Not gonna lie I personally still love your ga3. Love the sound. I have the 114e and it sounds beautiful. Great vid!!

[@stringedaz]

That guitar sounds really lively and balanced. I'm sure even a piece of firewood would sound good in your hands, though! Great vid as always.

[@seandaniel23]

Aw thanks!

[@NexusDL12]

I do like the GS shape. I played a Taylor GS Maple ( brown sugar) 12 string that blew me away. Best sounding 12 string I ever played. Wish I had bought it at the time.

[@isuwiq]

I just bought myself a Taylor 724ce and it is the best guitar I’ve played by far! Love a good Taylor

[@f3uibeghardt522]

I just had a similar experience. I bought a Gibson J-45, and it blew my Taylor 414ce out of the water both in sound and playability. Before that, I loved my Taylor and figured it was the pinnacle of what an acoustic guitar could be, but this J-45 is in an entirely different universe, and now when I go back to my Taylor it feels like I'm playing a 2x4 and sounds completely dead.

[@sdriza]

killing me.... best guitar I've played is my 414ce

[@bradsvare5585]

He must have gotten a dud 414 ce. Mine is Awesome.

[@entemen]

Guess you haven't played guitar very long. There is no such thing as a "pinnacle guitar." I love all in my own collection which includes Gibsons and Taylors and your claim Taylor is less playable than Gibson is dubious.

[@danielrenaud3985]

It's great how you make rhythm cool no loud distortion or lead stuff just for is rhythm guys

[@seandaniel23]

Tryin my best!

[@flash8051]

I'm sure I haven't played anywhere near as many as you have, but the best sounding (if not the best "playing" maybe) is my '53 Martin D-28. Talk about volume and sustain! Can't hold a candle to this beautiful Taylor cosmetically of course...it has it's share of well earned nicks and bumps over the last almost 70 years! 😄

[@mikewilson223]

Nothing like finding a guitar that feels and sounds sweeter than what you knew before

[@seandaniel23]

You know it Mike!

[@user-qt5eh9wb7g]

I had a Taylor that I loved, but after my Martin 000-18e, I sold it. Never heard or played a guitar that touched it. Including my buddy's D41. Although comparing a 000 to a dreadnought is Apples and oranges of course. Not a bluegrass guitar, but sounds incredibly warm and plays like butter.

[@mjolnircarlssen4211]

Taylors are my personal favorite instruments. Not just the instruments, but the company as a whole. Their Grand Pacific is my best personal fit, and I love their GS Mini.

[@seandaniel23]

Grand pacific is such a good one.

[@paulheartsongs]

I’ve played about 8 of the best guitars I ever played. 😅 They were all different sounds but all had beautiful resonance and dynamic response. I’d suggest not limiting your search to one brand.

[@cammyg7773]

Great video and it's always nice to hear Juliana

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks Cam! We've only played it 5,000 times at this point.

[@cammyg7773]

@@seandaniel23 it's still a banger

[@simonhaynes3145]

Loved the guitar, top end Taylor's are really hard to beat. Also loved the song, is that an original from you guys?

[@dlhdonn]

To your point, when my brother was going to buy a new guitar a number of years ago...it was between a Taylor cutaway and I think a Gibson Hummingbird or something similar. He didn't find too many differences and was leaning toward the non Taylor. The sales clerk had my brother sit in front while the clerk played each guitar so he could fully hear them. He immediately bought the Taylor.

[@seandaniel23]

The ultimate test :)

[@olcinfo2046]

Hello Sean, I own one of these guitars but don't play it as much as I would like, I find its hard pressing the strings down, it comes with twelves and I'm thinking of going with thirteens but don't want to lose any sound, do you find it hard to play or is it just me, I noticed in this video that your playing a lot of bar chords and make it look easy. Love the song and the music, beautiful.

[@jcburger733]

You can tell the difference and the 816ce sounds incredible. I guess when you are comparing guitars from the same builder, I would think spending more would get you a better sounding guitar. I do love the tone and there is a clear difference.

[@thefounding5879]

I have always avoided Taylor because I was ignorant. I set out to buy a Gibson J-185 late last summer and stumbled upon a Taylor 314ce with a Torrified Sitka top and Sapele back and sides………I Love it! It is my go-to acoustic guitar! I like it more than my Martin, PRS, and 1905 Washburn that has been in my family since 1925. I am trying to become worthy of my Taylor!

[@markpeavy4005]

before this video I thought this was the ultimate acoustic I had to have. The one downside you noted, trying to slide to a high fret position may be a deal breaker for me. One of the primary reasons I wanted a Taylor was the brighter sound and the cutaway for playing high notes. I may look at other Taylor options now. Thanks, Sensei!

[@seandaniel23]

Glad it was helpful! Yes, it's SUCH a great guitar, but def not a 'true' cutaway.

[@moisesperez4605]

I am going to give you a suggestion, get the Taylor, 814 builders edition, awesome Guitar, I already have the 814 CE, but the builders edition is a great guitar and it’s a cutaway. Grandela thorium.

[@kerryspitzer6037]

I totally agree about the cutaway. I'm keeping mine anyways.

[@dcarts5616]

I’ve been “playing” guitar since 11/2017. I just know chords, I make up my own stuff, I don’t know a single song really BUT, Taylor has always felt the best across all of their models to me I felt during my time testing guitars relentlessly at my local GC and Sam Ash dealers. My favorite overall guitar I owned was a 000-18, and my favorite sounding ANDA playing guitar was a Yamaha LS-26. I prefer the GA/S/000 body styles and less gimmicks when playing as well. I love these types of videos Sean. I guess you’re feeling a little better after COViD? Thank goodness!

[@pankajjoshi2032]

Awesome. I'm getting LS56 Custom II ARE.

[@dcarts5616]

@@pankajjoshi2032 I want an LS so bad! I’m excited for you.

[@stephensmith60]

I have a Taylor AD17 and it plays great, but it sounds like a mini. The best guitar I've ever played is my Orangewood Ecko (Live). A deeper sound and it plays so easily (smooth). I always go through the action and make sure it set to a 'Low-Med.' action. At the rear action and Nut, the strings are dead-on.

[@seandaniel23]

Very cool Stephen, I have an Orangewood Sage that I like a lot.

[@t3601f]

Dude give some props to the violinist!😎

[@seandaniel23]

He's legit the best on earth

[@scoggers1628]

The best guitar I've ever played? It's got to be a Furch Yellow GC-SR: grand auditorium with a cutaway, spruce and rosewood. It's wonderfully responsive to both delicate and heavy playing, has excellent sustain and such rich, rich tone. In some ways it's comparable to Taylor's I've played, especially in terms of playability. It's quite similar to the 714c in fact, but only about 60% of the price. I've owned my Furch for nearly a year and am still blown away by its tone each time I play it.

[@TheShaneGuy]

Thanks for making this video. Yo've helped me decide to not get a soyndport on my guitar. I can only afford one and I need the cutaway, and was wondering if the soundport cutaway was accessible like a standard CE model. I love the idea of the soundport and it looks and sounds great but i can't compromise on playability. Stunning guitar though.

[@billstralo7907]

I still love the sound of my D-42 and my old D-28, that said my last 2 guitars have been Taylor's. I tend to buy them to fill a sound.

[@JeffGalner]

Just recently sold my 816ce BE, and I agree, it's hands down the best guitar I've ever played. Only sold it because I found a custom GS - spruce over mahogany, black, and VERY blingy (essentially my dream guitar). Basically the 816, but glammed up! So now I have the best of both worlds - the best sounding/playing guitar, and one I have googly eyes for. Cheers, enjoy!

[@Peoplecallmejer]

It’s decent…

[@FatMattOutdoors]

Sounds amazing..... How often do you play St. Armands?

[@bws1billsimpson362]

Hey Sean, beautiful guitar. Do you like a cutaway or non-cutaway more, as far as looks, and sound? Thanks.

[@chrishelbling3879]

Wondering if, also, that 2nd sound hole is directing some sound waves to the strings, to enhance the sympathetic vibrations, or sustain the overtones, or boost their function?

[@joehuffman1847]

I had a 2016 Taylor 816ce that I owned for about 4 years. Not the builders edition. Paid around $3200 for it. Ultimately I sold it because I fell in love with a Taylor 324ce ($2200). There’s a definite sweet spot with Taylor guitars when balancing features and price. For me it’s the 3/4/5/6 series. Loved that 816, but that was a lot of dough and I lean more towards the way you previously thought, the higher you go…it’s just bells and whistles

[@seandaniel23]

I know a lot of people love the 324s. I need to check one out!

[@joehuffman1847]

@@seandaniel23 Blackwood back and sides, mahogany top…just a touch darker in tones than most Taylors. Love it. Oh, meant to add…the 816 I had sounded HUGE the bigger body shape is super fun. You feel it against you as you play. I can only imagine that the extra sound hole on your builder takes it to another level.

[@im58woody]

I always had the same thought process as you about any guitar priced over let’s say the $2,000 mark. I owned a Taylor 814ce about 12 years ago and like an idiot sold it. That 816 is pretty darn special for sure. I think if Taylor would just eliminate the so called cutaway they could lower the price because of the reduction in labor. I don’t like the look of it either. Your playing and Adrians’s vocals were something I would pay to sit and listen to if I had the opportunity. Well done.

[@greghart6489]

Sean you are getting better as ever.

[@columbiabuzz]

Hands down is an Olson, but mucho bucks and it may require a new homeowner's insurance policy or negotiations regarding first born children to get near one of these. 2nd is probably my Taylor 814 CE or a Moon (a Scottish builder) 'Dougie Maclean Signature'. My Martin D-35 and D-35-12 are pretty nice too. The D-41 is a little disappointing though but it's pretty. The Taylor got all my attention for a couple years much to the chagrin of the rest of the stable. Anyhoo, about 10 years ago I started tuning my top 6 steel string performers in different open tunings to save time; C, D, DADGAD, E and Std. Usually with string sets optimized for each. Usually leave the 12 detuned a half or whole tone for playability, hand cramps and neck stress; no truss rods in any of my Martins. I have had a couple neck resets over the years to optimize the Martins for me. But there all keepers for life.

[@Nicklas_Eriksson]

Where can I find this song!? I love it, need to have it!

[@rodgereyre6640]

I love watching people fight over Taylor vs Martin. I wanted to offer up the idea that it's okay to love them both. I do, anyway. I'm fortunate enough to have a Taylor K24ce Builders Edition and a Martin oo-28vs 12 fret. Couldn't be more different and I couldn't love them both more. If someone asked me to pick the better one I couldn't.

[@christopherstanford5599]

Bought an 812 DLX 12fret, similar praise for my guitar

[@seandaniel23]

ooo i've seen those! So cool!

[@LewisLarsen]

That guitar sounds so good! Got a 314ce so I'm not looking to upgrade.. well.. I wasn't..

[@seandaniel23]

Haha, I hear ya! 314s are amazing! My main guitar forever was a Taylor GA3 which is kinda the same thing, love it.

[@moisesperez4605]

I’ve got a 314 as well, great guitar.

[@christopherstanford5599]

I have carefully drilled 1-1/2" soundports into the upper part of lower bought of 4 of my guitars to provide a better unamplified player sound. Several KZbin videos on how to do this "surgery" without damaging guitar finish.

[@seandaniel23]

I will 100% NEVER attempt this

[@Astro_touches_children]

@@seandaniel23 exactly what I was thinking.

[@chrispark11]

Such a great guitar! Why don’t you use it in your videos since this one?

[@joelzdepski9884]

The thing about Taylor's is what you don't see in any one guitar but is present in every guitar across the line. The neck setting system is just so repeatable and efficient. So if you are a traveling artist and your guitar gets damaged, you can go to Guitar Center and walk out with a replacement and it will play the same, and sound quite close. You could sift through a boutique luthier's guitars and maybe find one that you like better, but if something goes sideways you can't replace it. I would love to know how many times Leo Kottke has had to get an emergency replacement on the road. He is hard on his equipment, but anywhere in the US he can get a replacement that plays the same and sounds enough the same in probably 4 hours.

[@seandaniel23]

So true. they all play great across the board.

[@iranewton8416]

I have a Taylor GS , maple back/sides, Love the comfort sizing, You more than earned the guitar… Wasn’t free.

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much Ira!

[@raymorgan4657]

So much of it boils down to personal preference. Taylor makes some great guitars and that is certainly one of them. But of all the guitars that I've tried that I can't afford to buy, there's always been something, like a tinny component in the sound, or maybe a bit too much brightness? in Taylors that kept me away. But again, that's just personal preference that I prefer a warmer woody sound I guess.

[@ricardosotosan2279]

I've played this guitar before and it sounds excellent. It's also a shorter scale length if I remember correctly. My only issue with the builder's edition is the ugly bridge design, as opposed to Taylor's traditional design which is beautiful, but that's just aesthetic preference. Nevertheless, it's a great guitar.

[@KevinORourke25]

Ok, here's the opposing view on the Taylor 816e. I had one and I really liked it. I had no intention of selling, ever. One day in my local guitar shop I picked up a Yamaha AC3M DLX. I just could not believe that I was liking the sound better than my Taylor 816ce. I went back the next day, sat with the Yamaha for about an hour and I walked out with it and sold my Taylor 816ce. Taylor 816CE=$4000.00 Yamaha AC3M Dlx I believe was $900.00. It's not that I'm saying the Taylor 816ce isn't a fabulous guitar because it is. To my ear (I admit that it's an old ear) the Yamaha was a better sounding instrument.

[@seandaniel23]

You're definitely right that sometimes a particular guitar will just seem like 'the one'. Glad you found it!

[@duilawyr]

Kevin; David Crosby tells a very similar story with Takemini(sp?)

[@resting27]

Hey weird request here. I just bought one and I’m loving it but I’m wondering if it’s possible if they cut the nut slightly wrong. Any chance you could send me a pic looking straight at the nut and first fret to show spacing between strings and from left and right edges?

[@markstaggs7342]

I own Ten high end guitars and seven are Taylors, 1980 Martin D-28 in mint condition with original case and key and a new Gibson J-45 sixties model and I love everyone of my guitars but Taylor are my favorite.Ive owned twelve different Martin guitars including a D-45 and this 1980 is the best sounding Martin I've ever heard but I got a 2015 614ce that most people think sounds better than the Martin, Gibson has the Martin beat I think also,But when I go to my 914ce and K-24 ce and my 814ceDLX and my816ce then it's hard to choose from these guitars,I love the 614ce so much I bought a 2019 614ce builders edition WHB.I just never had except my 1980 Martin guitar been a Martin guy,Taylor hands down my favorite guitars then Gibsons and Guilds my second choice and don't really think theres a better Martin guitar than my 1980 but it still rates third.Also have a Baby Taylor and a Epiphone Dove that really surprised me how easy and good sounding for a much inexpensive guitar than my others.😮I bought my 816ce brand new in 2015 mine don't have the sound port the only guitar i didn't buy brand new is my 1980 Martin D-28.

[@samrafferty0803]

How have Hallmark not hired you yet?? 🤷🏻‍♀️ Congrats on 400k!

[@Reginaldesq]

Sean, did you do a setup on it or have you been playing it with standard setup? Or, maybe they did a setup for you?

[@MultiDreamer1979]

I bought my first Taylor yesterday and I can’t stop playing it is the best I’ve ever had..the always told me that Taylor guitars where the best..the only thing is the price after tax it came down to 2000 dollars for a guitar.

[@Zach-ls1if]

Hi Sean. I have a question for you. Is the f note on the 8th fret of the a string flat on your 816? I love Taylor guitars, and recently bought am 816 ce builders edition, but it has a “dead spot” on that not and on adjacent notes. Also this occurs on the f note on the 13th fret of the low e string. I contacted Taylor snd they sent me to one of their luthiers, who agreed with me that the guitar had a dead spot, and that there’s no real way to fix that. So I just returned the guitars to guitar center, snd a new one will arrive at my house in a few days. I’m hoping this isn’t an issue with the model as a whole but was just te specific guitar I bought. So I’m curious if you or anyone else with the 816 ce builders edition has any similar issues. Thanks

[@jazzsounds8159]

The Santa Cruz Firefly is killer, check one out.

[@theguitarschoolproject3785]

Best is subjective but I think you should try a McPherson 4.5. Great Taylor you got there btw.

[@karlcountry2363]

Haha isn’t that McPherson like 10,000.00?

[@asskicker917]

Im suprised.. I never really cared for expensive taylors but that one sounds pretty freakin' good

[@AlonzoWhite]

I loved the performances Sean, but give up my cut-out . . . . I don't think so!!!!! LOL!!!

[@scouser2230]

Have you had the chance to compare Taylor’s equivalently priced and similar tone wood guitars to Martin’s, and if so what is your conclusion?

[@JerryDechant]

For $4k, it better be a great guitar. I have a Taylor guitar and I love the sounds it produces. It is a 114e which is closer to the entry level guitars they offer than that 4k one, but even so, it sounds and plays wonderfully. So, I guess you could say I'm a Taylor fan boy because if anyone asks, I'll direct them to check out Taylor guitars over any other mass produced guitars.

[@seandaniel23]

The 114s are so good!

[@marvinmurray8499]

I have a Taylor 114ce. And love it. I see more and more guys on here playing Taylor’s all the time. If I could afford a more expensive model I would definitely get one. Taylor forever 👍

[@ralphboudreau3903]

I own 5 taylor guitars and i do like them a lot but i have never been able to reconcile the price difference with the sound difference. My latest purchase is a koa model which i enjoy the sound of and i sampled the american dream at the same time which turned me off completely . i could not believe that this was a taylor. but anyway this is my opinion .

[@elsarex8555]

What about the 224ce koa deluxe grand auditorium a/e guitar. It's in my budget, like you've mentioned. Thank you.

[@seandaniel23]

I'll have to try and get one!

[@soundscape26]

I think you are only missing a solid demo reel to land that Hallmark role. 😅 Congrats on the 400k!

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much! Demo reel coming soon ;)

[@danluther1741]

Haven't seen one of your vids in a month or so... Missed you man! But... HOW many K for that guitar??? Uh... HELL NAW!! 😂 I'll stick with my $300 Ibanez which I Love!!! PS... You strumming with the violin player was awesome! I've always wanted to do that!!

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much Dan! More vids with the violin coming soon!

[@flash8051]

Many people are perfectly happy driving their Kia too...others prefer their Lexus or Audi etc. We all have different priorities and budgets. Main thing is to love what ya got! 😃

[@ProfessorJM1]

Gorgeous sounding, I HATE Venetian cutaway look, though, but a no-cutaway model would be my sh**. Just a quirk that’s all my fault but ya know. Just bought a Epiphone J45 wine red (white batwing pickquard) the newest 1964 reissue with a Fishman…normally $800 but negotiated down to $550ish. I’m used to playing cheap, tight, high-action, heavy-stringed guitars, making my own saddles and adding incremental appointments to get more volume, so Being able to play a guitar that, with 53-12 string gauge, with a 24.75 scale is nice for me. Your Taylor sounds better, don’t get me wrong…like a dred volume with the articulation of a small double or triple O. But, if you can find one, highly recommend the Epi j45…save a couple thousand $ and comparable sound and appointments. Bless.

[@haleluke7572]

Wats ur tuning on ur guitar (1st one pls)? Thnx!😉🙏🏽

[@mikesniadecki5500]

Sean, I recently had the opportunity to play this and a BE 324. And tbh I enjoyed playing the 324 more. Now, I’ll have to admit the 816 did sound better, but the 324 spoke to me! I didn’t want to give her back.

[@jgibel]

Any of the Martin’s come close that you may have played when you did the tour?

[@seandaniel23]

I'll try and talk about this on the next QA.

[@andylundberg5097]

How about you do a comparison with the Martin which you thought was your dream guitar at the time

[@seandaniel23]

I thought about that but it's kinda unfair. The D-35 is just so DIFFERENT. Maybe I still will though

[@MaTTheWish]

@@seandaniel23 that would be cool. Maybe don't approach it as a shootout, maybe approach it as two of the top American companies and highlight their differences. So people can choose which one is right for them and their application.

[@lqueso]

I have played a lot of high end guitars and I have to say my Martin D-28 has met and exceeded my expectations. I have also built a few guitars and toured the Martin , Gibson and Collins factories and still come back to the Martin. The Taylors always seem to have a compressed sound which I am not a fan of. By the way, what happened to your Martin D-35?

[@seandaniel23]

You'll be seeing the D35 later this week. Love that guitar. Just a different sound/feel but it's amazing.

[@bradsvare5585]

I was just watching a you tube demo of the Taylor 414 CE, and it sounded way better. It was an Alamo Music review demo.

[@randallmarks6365]

A week or so ago I was in Musicians Workshop, an Asheville music shop that has room dedicated to Taylor acoustics and I spent some time going around the room and played some of the more expensive Taylors. Admittedly the G816 was not one of them. I didn't see any more expensive than $2500. However, each of them seemed to fall short of the Larrivee I own and love. Like your G83 it cost me about $1200 and when I compared it to an older Taylor being sold for $2500 the Larrivee sounded and felt as good if not better. I encourage you to try one. I am not trying to change your mind about your Taylor although I know there are other guitar makers out there, way out of my price range and aside from Larrivee, that seem to have something that Taylor does not in their design.

[@seandaniel23]

I've heard amazing things about Larrivee, but somehow have never played one!

[@randallmarks6365]

@@seandaniel23 Their factory is Oxnard now so the next time you're in LA check them out.

[@sapelopelo]

I owned only 1 acoustic, so i cant talk much about that. But my number one is my good old ES 335 memphis

[@scottkidwellmusic9175]

That is a pretty sweet Taylor. I haven't really approached the higher-end acoustic guitars. Maybe someday ... Thanks, Sean 🙏

[@seandaniel23]

Someday!

[@sicko_the_ew]

That sustain! (When you forget to muffle and it just rings and rings and rings). I think it's also a nice bit of extra high end in the "mix". The porthole is smaller than the "A-tuned hole" in the top. (I read somewhere that the hole in the top is tuned to favour low A). Small hole, higher resonant frequency. (I have my doubts about the directionality of the sound mattering, and suspect the good sound you're getting from it is mainly down to the top. Apparently a stiff but light top is what's wanted, and is hard to achieve. Sound goes around corners, you know? :D As for that cutaway, I think you might be able to make it work for you just by devising the appropriate technique, and then baking it into your muscle memory? I'm guessing that what you'd need is a more "violin-like" technique (maybe ask Pasha for ideas on how to achieve that efficiently). The strings down there offer the least resistance (except when bending and vibrato-ing, I suppose), so you don't need any thumb behind fingers to help with straight fretting, so it's just a matter of changing the alignment of your hand to "go round the corner" there. Consider that a Spanish guitar teacher of the wrong kind would beat you with a leaded rod for allowing your thumb to "peek over" (and that at times the right way to fret notes higher up really is the "Spanish" way - with the thumb behind the neck), and already there are many rings for guitarists, and none to rule them all, and then it's clear that all you have to do is invent your own technique or find out how others use the cutaway ... And then I go try reach down there with the dreadnought copy, and see that it wouldn't help to have a cutaway like that after all. The thumb gets caught "against the stops", and it's going to be a matter of stretching a bit, no matter what the top does there. So then I might not be as perfectly right as I usually am. Might even be the terrible thing that rhymes with Wong. Please don't tell anyone. They'll come and tear me down if they sense weakness, and it's a long, long, long way to fall from this level. ;-)

[@Bailynagy]

I’ve only been playing off and on for 10 years. Five years ago I had a 316 CE all my friends said The Guitar sounded amazing. I had to let it go three years ago, a regret that lingers more than any human love I’ve had to let go. Taylor has since discontinued that model… I will find love again someday. Who said you can’t buy love? US$4000.

[@frankdion2174]

Which acoustic strings do you use? What's on the Taylor? Thx

[@seandaniel23]

The Taylor has Elixir .12 phosphor bronze but I switch back and forth between those and Bog Street coated strings.

[@anthonyifasi8026]

Check out some Gibson Acoustics. Completely different sound from Taylor and Martin. Great feel, necks, and sounds.

[@seandaniel23]

I actually tried a G45 last month and really, really like it!

[@anthonyifasi8026]

@@seandaniel23 try a j185, or a hummingbird. You'll be hooked.

[@bobrobertsonmusic]

I've owned a Taylor 816 CE for many years and it still remains my favorite (among the many I still own/play and have had over the years) for many of the reasons you mentioned in the video. The downside you mentioned doesn't exist on the older 816 CE's which are true cutaways with the same electronics. And, as an aside, your videos are a real treat (and often a hoot) without pretense that usually has great adaptable practical techniques. Keep doing what you're doing, it's appreciated.

[@markmuch1295]

My Taylor 810 is 24 years old and is the best I've played, but I would like to try an 816 for comparison.

[@Gordonsmusic911]

I've played several Taylor's. I don't think they are better than any other higher end guitars. Think CF Martin.

[@kudgeond755]

It sounds terrific, turns you on and fits well with your music. It even sounds good using the pickup, which usually sucks in most acoustic guitars. Jeremy Sheppard (Guitar Hunter) uploaded a vid yesterday where he compares a variety of pickup systems to their mic'd sound and I thought Taylor's Expression system was the only one that sounded natural. My equivalent to your older Taylor is a Dowina Chardonnay GA (Dolomite spruce & walnut), which I bought used for under $900. Dowina is a small Slovakian company that makes terrific guitars at reasonable prices. Imo the best sounding guitar Jeremy used in his video was a Furch Red Series GA that I'm glad I never played because I might have to have it and it cost at least three times what I paid for the Dowina. I thought it sounded like my guitar only better and since Furch is a neighboring Czech company I found it interesting that they shared the kind of sound I was looking for in a Grand Auditorium body. It's different than your Taylor and to my ears and for my purposes it's sweeter.

[@seandaniel23]

Sounds like you got yourself a winner!

[@kudgeond755]

@@seandaniel23 A guy named A.G.Ober uses one to record the kind of songs I'd like to be able to play decently someday: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bWq7goeQZ5yAnpY