Looking for an affordable alternative to the Taylor 314ce

gearaddict

My son is in love with the look of this guitar, especially in a tobacco sunburst (as in the TLOU2 sig: https://gear.playstation.com/Product/1519507-BDACoreIOMultilingualField) but the price is a bit much. I was thinking of maybe the Sigma OMTC-1STE-SB+: https://www.andertons.co.uk/sigma-sig-omtc-1ste-sb-tilia-w-fishman-isys-sig-omtc-1ste-sbplus

Not sure about the size though - the Taylor body is 20" x 16" but I can't find the sizing for the Sigma. I think it might be slightly smaller.

Any better suggestions? 

ICBM

Tanglewood, Turner and Crafter all do Taylor-like cutaway electro-acoustics, although they seem to be fairly rare in sunburst.

munckee

I have a guild Westerley, all solid, built in electronics, bone nut and saddle - I really like it.  Used price would be not far from the sigma

https://imgur.com/9tN1IvV

gearaddict

munckee said:

I have a guild Westerley, all solid, built in electronics, bone nut and saddle - I really like it.  Used price would be not far from the sigma

https://imgur.com/9tN1IvV

Nice - is that the OM-140ce?

munckee

gearaddict said:

munckee said:

I have a guild Westerley, all solid, built in electronics, bone nut and saddle - I really like it.  Used price would be not far from the sigma

https://imgur.com/9tN1IvV

Nice - is that the OM-140ce?

That’s the one. Came with a hard case too. 

Wazmeister

The singer in our band had one of these for his 50th; it really is very good, especially the electrics into a PA.

And Ive owned 916, 814, 614 CE, W65, RR3 Taylors - I was amazed at this little beauty.

https://www.andertons.co.uk/taylor-academy-series-12e-grand-concert-a12e?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=surfaces&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5dHh2eXK7AIVUO7tCh1WdwGdEAQYAiABEgJS4PD_BwE

jamjarman

A second hand 114ce or 214ce... possibly still not as affordable as you are looking for, and mostly in natural. 

gearaddict

I keep coming back to Sigma as a decent compromise between cost and quality. If I go much more expensive then I'm knocking on for Taylor money. Does anyone know the actual body sizes of the Sigma guitars? I can't find that anywhere. I've asked Sigma so we'll see if they respond...

There's also things like this: https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/182952228378

Which looks the part and is cheap, although not that cheap. But Cort is shit, right? I'd always grouped them with Stagg and similar brands - solid enough choices for students etc but nothing to write home about. I could be wrong though.

Cranky

munckee said:

gearaddict said:

munckee said:

I have a guild Westerley, all solid, built in electronics, bone nut and saddle - I really like it.  Used price would be not far from the sigma

https://imgur.com/9tN1IvV

Nice - is that the OM-140ce?

That’s the one. Came with a hard case too. 

I second the Guild.  Probably a warmer, more balanced strum compared to Taylor, also.

ICBM

Those Guilds are really nice. If I remember rightly Lloyd Cole replaced his pair of 600-series Taylors with them for touring after one of the Taylors got damaged by an airline.

thermionic

That must have caused a commotion.

Wazmeister

munckee said:

I have a guild Westerley, all solid, built in electronics, bone nut and saddle - I really like it.  Used price would be not far from the sigma

https://imgur.com/9tN1IvV

Id second the Guild...

I had to sell my beloved Atkins The Forty Three; played a friends Guild DS 240 and couldnt belive how good it was. So i bought one. Perfect set up out of the box, and perfectly in tune.

Great guitar - £449. Go figure.