Help needed for a guitar purchase with 2-3k SGD budget

[erwinlee]

Hello everyone, I recently moved to Singapore and would like to ask your opinions on these 3 guitars.

Martin gpcpa4 rosewood vs taylor 314ce vs Taylor 414ce.

I did try all out except the 414ce (out of stock) in Sinamex and city music, and I cant really decide ! Both the Martin GPCPA4 rosewood and Taylor 314 ce sound awesome. The Martin one sounds deeper in tone while the Taylor one has more clarity.

However, the 2 taylor models I mentioned above has a life-time limited warranty compared to only 1 year warranty from the Martin guitar. I was wondering if this could be a significant issue ?

On the other hand, For the Martin gpcpa4, there's the rosewood, sapele version of it. I am wondering which would be the better one to go for ?

Sorry for the long post, as this will be my first time spending SGD 2k+++ on a guitar, was previously using a Fender CD60CE.

Let me know your opinions or if there's any other recommendation, let me know ! I am leaning towards to Martin and Taylor however. =)

 

[eljo89]

You could check out Lakewood for that sort of price range too! Taylors are generally safe but in my opinion you could probably get better value for money at 2-3k. You could head down to BGW guitars and try some of the stuff they have there too (http://www.bgwguitars.com/index.htm). He's got a huge range of acoustics at great prices.

 

[loldude333]

I second BGW Guitars, you might take a liking to the Furches there (though they're mainly cedar tops). The Huss & Daltons are pretty hard to beat at that price range too. I'm personally beginning to move away from the Martins and Taylors because their QC and wood quality (also sound quality) is really beginning to take a dive. Of course you'll always get pretty assured quality from them, but IMHO dealers like Brendon at BGW and Luther at LutherMusic (for Lakewoods) make it so, so much easier to try, trust and buy. Do go look around! You can try Ayers at Music Theme too.

 

[erwinlee]

Thanks for throwing out names of guitar retail shops that I can visit. I will research and try out guitars for a few more weeks before I come to a conclusion.

p/s: I'm also leaning towards a guitar that can be plugged in and also it must have a cutaway ideally.

 

[loldude333]

Most guitarists in SG with that kind of budget will want a plug-in, and almost all the guitars at that price range do come with a plug-in, usually a no-frills but excellent sounding LR Baggs Anthem or its derivatives. Have fun hunting, and do update when you find that dream piece!

 

[eljo89]

Hopefully you'll be able to pick one up soon!

 

[erwinlee]

Guys, apparently, BGW is no longer there. Its the new Swee Lee Boutique now. Just gave them a call just then LOL

 

[loldude333]

Brendon (owner of BGW) bought over Swee Lee a few years back, that's whys service standards and price competitiveness have been steadily improving. No surprise to see BGW being rebranded (as i suspect it is). Perhaps drop him an email or give him a call?

 

[eljo89]

Yeah you're right! Haha. Just googled Swee Lee Bukit Timah and something came up about their appointment-only boutique. Ohwell. Haha. Hopefully the service there still hasn't changed!

 

[loldude333]

Brendon is Brendon. I'm quite it hasn't. Last i went, there were free beers, Royce chocolates, sandwiches and drinks for all visitors. If the original BGW shop has been rebranded, its probably for marketing purposes. Swee Lee is a rather prominent regional player for musical equipment, so using the name will probably help sales for the other not-so-famous names (but excellent ones) carried there.

Just a shot in the dark; i'm no expert nor do i have concrete info!

 

[erwinlee]

After trying a few more, Im more or less leaning towards the Martin gpcpa4 rosewood. Love its tone and it sounded great when plugged in. Will get it once my salary comes in =D

 

[peter01]

After trying a few more, Im more or less leaning towards the Martin gpcpa4 rosewood. Love its tone and it sounded great when plugged in. Will get it once my salary comes in =D

If you're not in a rush, City Music usually holds a sale in the mid year(June) and year end(Nov-Dec). Prices are discounted by quite a bit.

Also, the amp used to try the plugged in tone does play a huge role as well. Personally, I think the Fishman F1 aura used on the Martin PA series is pretty good but imo, nothing beats the LR Baggs Anthem. I'm a huge fan of Martin and not too keen on Taylors these days. The ES system doesn't sound good at all and Taylors are grossly overpriced locally.

 

[erwinlee]

If you're not in a rush, City Music usually holds a sale in the mid year(June) and year end(Nov-Dec). Prices are discounted by quite a bit.

Also, the amp used to try the plugged in tone does play a huge role as well. Personally, I think the Fishman F1 aura used on the Martin PA series is pretty good but imo, nothing beats the LR Baggs Anthem. I'm a huge fan of Martin and not too keen on Taylors these days. The ES system doesn't sound good at all and Taylors are grossly overpriced locally.

I was suggested to try out the Martin 000-15M too, there were good reviews on it and there's always the possibility to install the LR Baggs Anthem. But Mahogany is just not for me personally, do not quite like the tone of it. But I would strongly recommend this option for those who loves the mahogany tone. And yes, Taylors are expensive (They do sound great however !) and their pickup is rather poor.

p/s: Im not sure if Citymusic does a mid year sale, can only google year end sales catalouge ? Just arrived in SG so I got no idea.

 

[peter01]

Yes, they've been doing the sale for many years now. You're right, the 000-15M is a good option. Comfortable to play as well. Taylors sound pretty good out of the box, yes. If you're comparing to the Martin in CM, you probably will get a better sounding Taylor since Sinamex keeps their guitars and strings in better shape but once you do a proper setup for the Martin, slap on a set of new strings, you'll get a winner. Martins do age better than Taylors as well. Just my personal observation after buying and selling several of both brands. I would still buy a Martin and especially at CM because of their competitive pricing but I will never buy a Taylor from Sinamex. I would rather take the risk and ship one in without trying.

I was suggested to try out the Martin 000-15M too, there were good reviews on it and there's always the possibility to install the LR Baggs Anthem. But Mahogany is just not for me personally, do not quite like the tone of it. But I would strongly recommend this option for those who loves the mahogany tone. And yes, Taylors are expensive (They do sound great however !) and their pickup is rather poor.

p/s: Im not sure if Citymusic does a mid year sale, can only google year end sales catalouge ? Just arrived in SG so I got no idea.

 

[loldude333]

The problem with Taylors is the rapidly declining QC. Since they made their name with their unique 'airy' tone, my hypothesis is that they can still sound like Taylors even if the wood is lower quality/thinner since the thinness actually contributes to the 'airiness'. Have friends who have had bad experiences with truss rods and frets. Add that to their unimpressive ES system and high prices locally, and i think you'll find better guitars out there for the price. HOWEVER, i must say that an unplugged Taylor still sounds unique enough for those who love its tone to purchase one. I am a (grudging) fan of mic-ed up Taylors.

Martins never really appealed to me TBH, because i like a more 'sparkly' tone (hence i still prefer Taylors). BUT, their traditionally deep and rich tone is definitely still up there. I think the Martin is a good choice. Have fun with it, and post NGD pics once you get it!

 

[seeyoudownthere]

Erwin...glad you're trying a few as that's the only way to know.
What strikes me from your posts is that nothing hits you to say "wow this is it" (unless you're hiding it!).
That's how I ended up with my Taylor but that was only because I searched high and low for about 2 years around Asia...even in Tokyo walking down that famous area and trying everything! I really wasn't impressed with any Martin at the time and the personal preference settled on the 512 (bought in HK!). It's not a small amount of change so take your sweet time. RE Taylors no idea if the newer ones are less quality but the humitidy here is the real problem which could explain trussrod/fret issues. I con't get on with dull tones hence the Taylor. Good luck in the search and honestly don't restrict it....even on your holiday travels go and try.

 

[erwinlee]

Decision not made yet. Will try out other not-so-famous brands first. =)