Added: 2 years ago
From: guitar2adam
Views: 30,093
Sort by time | Sort by thread (beta)

Link to this comment:

Share to:

All Comments (169)

Sign In or Sign Up now to post a comment!
  • Hey Adam, I luv ur playing style. I have a question tho, i am a fingerpicker and my parents wont spend more than $800 on a guitar so im currently playing a shtty below $200 yamaha

    So, in about a year they will buy me a guitar around the price range of $800

    Would you recommend a GS mini for a finger picker or should i buy a 114 grand auditorium?

  • @HERPDUURP I'd recommend getting the 114 GA. It's good to have a decent full size guitar. The GS8 is also great, but its mostly useful as a travel guitar. It is smaller than a normal guitar, so if I were you I wouldn't want that to be my primary instrument, unless you plan on traveling a lot or need a smaller guitar for other reasons.

  • @guitar2adam Thank you i heard many good comments of the 114

    also, one more question is indian rosewood laminate create that much different sound or is sapele laminate good enough? trying to choose between 214 and 114 if they dont make such huge difference i will stick to 114

  • @HERPDUURP I haven't played these guitars in a while, but there probably is a small difference. The best thing is to try playing both guitars if possible. If not, the Taylor website has great resources about all their guitar models.

  • Thanks for putting probably the best and most detailed video of this guitar on the net.

    I'm looking at one now and really wanted to see a good quality demo by someone technically far better than I to hear what it can really do. ;)

    In the store, the two things that blew me away about it were the near perfect factory setup, and that super strong projecting base.

    Thanks again.

  • @VolkswagenNut1969 Your welcome! You can't go wrong with Taylors. I wish they'd endorse me...I'd gladly make videos like this for all their guitars ;)

  • Adaaaaam :3 could you strum what he strums

    youtube.com/watch?v=yzm7z41b3e­Q

    would looooooove to hear what that awesome guitar of yours is compared to gibsons :D

  • ADAM ! Whats the song/chords at the 3:50 mark ~4 min o_o? they're pretty familiar ! i see peopel around youtube playing them D: but non replied ;[

  • @lalalamanification The first two are G and Cadd9. Then I play a D at then end.

  • @guitar2adam thanks :3

  • Comment removed

  • @andreasingz I would suggest starting with a Baby Taylor. great beginner guitar. sounds good and is durable.

  • How would you compare the Grand Symphony vs the Grand Concert guitar bodies? In terms of fingerstyle, which would you personally recommend. Also, what kind of neck profile does the GS8e have? Is it a V-neck?

  • @Imagine1350 i suggest you go to the taylor guitars website. they answer every question you could ever think of about their guitars. The GS is much bigger body than the GC. I've only played the GC briefly, but I know it is often recommended as having the best dynamic range for fingerstyle playing. I personally like the GS because I tune down to low tunings and like having an increased bass response. Not sure the exact neck profile but I think it might be somewhere between C and soft V shape

  • did that case come with the guitar?!

  • @bsskates333 yeah

  • @guitar2adam wow that's amazing. I watched some of your videos also, your guitar work is absolutely amazing! good job!

  • I've never understood what the significant of the letter and numbers of each guitar (D710 for example) does it have to do with the shape and length or do they just want to confuse me. please someone answer back.

  • @sucramdude go to the taylor website and have a look around and you'll figure it out. the letters at the beginning indicated the body shape as well as the last two digits of the number. For example GS = grand symphony, GA = grand auditorium, etc. With the last two digits, 16 = grand symphony and 14 = grand auditorium. The number in the hundreds place specifies the type of wood. As a general rule but, the higher the number, the better the tonewood. D710 is a dreadnought, if I'm not mistaken.

  • @guitar2adam thank you very much for the help

  • u swaer like if u were hendrix but u r a dum

  • Nice axe.

  • If you add ES to the guitar you can't put a guitar strap on it ??

  • @CnBlueblue you can put a strap on any taylor guitar with ES

  • @guitar2adam But when you show the bottom of the guitar it does not have a strap button so im wondering how do you put the strap?

  • Ah man I wish I had that guitar.. mine sounds great too but still.. xD

  • the playing starts at 2:56

  • So what do you recommend for strictly fingerstyle playing? What type of wood and shape? Dreadnought, auditorium, or grand concert? I have a hard time telling the difference between the last two. Also, what do you think about the Taylor 12 fret specialty guitars? I was looking into those too.

  • @Imagine1350 i have only played grand symphony and grand auditorium. both are great for fingerstyle. rosewood is considered to be one of the best tone woods for back/sides. i would go to the taylor website because they have a lot of great resources there. in the end, its only you're opinion that matters. somebody else might love a certain guitar, and you might dislike it. best advice is to play them in a guitar store and then make your decision

  • @guitar2adam Hi adam, how does this guitar compare size wise to a OOO or an OM? ive been told it is bigger, and the neck is wider too? thank you for any info

  • 2050 dollar?!?! That's so cheap. In Sweden you have to pay about 3000 dollars for this guitar. :/

  • @bohmaniac Swedish guitars cost alot in the USA :/

    GS8 is such a high quality guitar. i'd say its still worth $3000

  • they all say um alot, its an american thing in scotland we say eh just as much:)

  • Nice guitar. I like your Glare video

  • Dying to try one.

  • How much did that cost?

  • @JoshhLyons $2,050

  • @guitar2adam FUCK ME!

  • @JoshhLyons i know man. i saved up for years

  • @guitar2adam Well, to be honest man, as you say you don't need TV or an XBOX to keep you amused so it's really not that bad. I mean, how many TV's and XBOX's with a TV licence and buying games etc. could you get for 2grand? None. So really it's a fair deal plus you are awesome on guitar so you probably deserve it! Keep on 'rockin'!

  • @guitar2adam Nice going dude. That's a lot of dosh. I have a Maton 325 on the way and that's as far as I could go...this time. Just imo but if I leant torwards fingerpicking I would probably go with a cedar top, but that's just me. It will definitely sweeten up as the years go by...enjoy playing it in :)

  • @guitar2adam hi there :) i was wondering , how to play your sort of finger picking ? :O i only know how to play basic finger picking because i only know how to play well with a pick -.- ... is there any tips of playing like your kind of finger picking ?

  • @nightubble I posted a lesson on how to play fingerstyle with percussive slapping. just search guitar2adam tutorial tuesday fingerstyle thumb slap or something like that and you should be able to find it

  • @JoshhLyons Just FYI, picked a used GS8 up on ebay for $1250.....excellent condition. I am very happy with it.

  • WOW! Your guitar sounds AMAZING! I'm also gonna buy a new guitar, I think it's gonna be an Ibanez but I'm not sure yet.

  • for picking, taylor is better, for strumming, martin is better

  • @crazycool1128 haha i think a generalization like that is entirely a matter of opinion....considering the hundreds of taylor and martin models that exist.strumming vs. picking quality is based on frequency/volume response which is the result of 1) body shape, 2) bracing, and 3) wood

  • @crazycool1128 WTF!! That's a ridiculous statement. The GS is bigger than a GA and obviously bigger than a dreadnaught. The volume and bass from these Taylors is outstanding so are excellent for rthym strumming as well as picking. Go to the official Taylor website and watch videos of Bob Taylor talking to other players about this series. Martins are over rated and over priced. FYI, my high end Bluridge BR180 great tonal qualities wich can rival a Martin and cost considerably less.

  • @crazycool1128 Seagull makes really nice guitars, excell with both strumming and fingerstyle. nice wide neck for picking and lots of depth for a strong strum

  • Hi Adam,

    I use Elixir strings (11' - custom light) on my taylor 214e

    and Elixir strings (12' - light) on my taylor GS5. is it okay ?

    Sven

  • @023Sven hi sven. i'm guessing when you bought your GS5 it had medium strings, which means it was set up specifically for that string gauge. changing string gauge might result in intonation being slightly off, if your guitar was set up for medium gauge. but its probably hardly noticeable.

    honestly its just a personal preference of how you like the strings to feel and sound.

  • Thanks, you really helped me with choosing guitars. I was shaky between a couple different guitars, Martins? or Taylors? or something else? Well i didn't know, but we decided that we should start with a good, used Taylor. :) In case I ever want to go bigger, I could use half of my money to really invest in something big.

    Wow, thanks again..I really like your way of strumming.

  • yuor reli cute lol nice video

  • i want to learn to play the guitar soooooooo much!

  • A cat may have nine lives

    A man may have too many wives

    You might own too many cars

    You can't own too many guitars!

  • you must be hard to satisfy , i mean how many guitars do you need kid?

  • @vanny409 when you major in classical guitar performance, compose fingerstyle acoustic instrumental music, and play electric guitar in a band you tend to accumulate guitars. its my study, my hobby, and my passion. i don't need xboxes or tvs. just guitars.

  • @vanny409

    I've been playing for like 2 months, somehow ive accumulated 4 already.

  • dude you are awsome at playing the guitar!

  • awesome job..nice demo...nice playing!!!

  • Brazillian Rosewood<3

  • @RT101894 indian rosewood actually. i'm not worthy of brazilian yet :)

  • @guitar2adam yes, i know. just saying that i love brazillian. and you could have also chosen a cedar top, instead of spruce. the cedar one is nice, warm, and it's even bass e er

  • @RT101894 i think the GS7 has a cedar top. but I prefer spruce in an acoustic guitar. if i wan't a lot of warmth i can just play my classical guitar ;)

  • What's the difference between a gs8e and an 816ce? Is it just because the GS8 has no cutaway? Which I prefer.

  • @Telecasterpunk yeah i think its just the cutaway...and the gs doesn't have a pickguard

  • @guitar2adam Thanks man. I'm gunna try to get my hands on these asap. Great playing too.

  • hey adam is there any good acoustic guitars for 100-200 $

  • @adamphillips44 hey. that's kinda like asking if there are any good sunglasses for $5...

    cheaper guitars are made out of cheaper materials which mean they don't sound as good and are less durable. I would suggest that you at least buy a guitar from a reputable manufacturer. i'd check out yamahas. they have some guitars in that range I think and they are decent

  • mmm oh so mm

  • how much did that cost you??

  • @jjjjj92 ~$2,000

  • @guitar2adam wow thats a good price :D

  • That is one sweet guitar!!

  • sound great ;) :)

  • Try Martin SP mediums and see what you think...

  • that really opened up with the pick...really demands to be flat picked...you need 2 guitars...start saving up for a GS-7!

  • Thanks for the very informative video. I've already decided to buy the GS8. I'm just debating on whether to buy the GS8 or the GS8e. I would like to know if the Expression System package in any way affects the normal tone of the guitar? I would like to have the optioh of plugging in and recording using the ES instead of using a mic. I am interrested in your thoughts on whether to go with the Expression System of not. Thanks Adam!

    Jay

  • @jaybearden hey jay. i think the ES is a great pick-up, its relatively non-invasive compared to other pick-ups and I don't think its presence alters the tone of the unplugged guitar. Now playing through any pickup to an amp will always change the tone. so if you're just recording and not planning on doing live gigs etc, mic-ing the guitar I think will reproduce the most accurate sound. But the ES is great, and you will get a terrific sound from it too.

  • Comment removed

  • no, I mean did you use pickup (taylor expression system) or microphone? Thanks

  • Hi there, did you record it thru mic or using plug?

  • i used a samson h4 zoom audio recorder

  • ur amazing

  • dude that sounds beautiful! Buy me one! :D plz xD

  • if im going to buy a guitar.....

    would i buy an expensive acoustic or cheap electric guitar...???

    ur opinion pleaz...

  • well, that depends on

    1) how serious you are about playing. doesn't make sense to buy an expensive guitar if you're not going to play that often and take care of it

    2) what style of music you like. obviously the guitars have different functions.

    sorry i can't help much on this one. it's kinda like asking if you should buy a car or a truck...i can't really make a suggestion because I don't know anything about you

  • umm

  • ya ya i know

  • thanks a lot ;) Just bought one of this...

  • What size do you call medium size strings in inches? In my country there aren´t midium, light or anything like that, just measures. Thanks.

  • in inches, the string size from 1st-6th string is:

    .013, .017, .026, .035, .045, .056

  • Like um... pretty nice guitar umm i like it ummm wow man

  • Good demo! I have a GS8es as well and you are so right about the mediums sounding 10 times better. You lose much of the great bass response the GS8 provides with lights and I've found that they sink in the nut too far because of their thinner guage and actually start to buzz...anyhow, great demo! Thanks!

  • Nice Demo of a great guitar.

    You say Umm quite a bit, and your demos would improve if you omit the "umms".

  • you play very well..What kind of mic did you use to record this on your pc..? What do you think about martin guitars? ( i meant taylor X martin)

  • i used a Zoom H4 audio recorder. really handy, it saves to an SD card and then I just load it on my computer. I think Martins are great quality and sound. But they tend to be a bit more pricey.

  • Is that a music store or his own home???

  • haha its my studio. i accumulated quite a few low-end guitars. the GS8 is my first high-quality guitar

  • This guitar sounds just perfect to my ears.

  • nice guitar i have a DN3 taylor i like mahogany more than rosewood just me but great guitar

  • My god, Spock and Peter Townsend had a baby! Nice playing. Live long and prosper!

  • haha, thanks!

  • @guitar2adam and thanks for calling it finger picking dont like dooshes that call it fingerstyle

  • lol why not

  • Taylor is taking over the world !! hey check out Ben Lacy on my you -tube post under STAXK Guitars playing a JAMES BROWN Medley.

  • Hi Adam!

    First - I like your compositions! very nice..

    I am considering purchase of GS8 or GS7. I played GS8 only and it is amazing. But the GS7 (cedar/rosewood) should be just a bit louder what could fit better to my fingerstyle. So maybe you cold help me! Have you tried GS7?? What is your openion in comparison with GS8?

    My style is similar to yours. Please help! :-)

  • Are your nails acrylic?

  • 100% natural

  • Do you have to preorder yours with the pickup or do they also make those seperately, the website says that it's optional but they don't say how you can get the 'e' version.

  • i ordered mine from a a store called Cream City Music. and they happened to have an acoustic-electric GS8 in stock

  • pretty cool

  • can you do a review of your yamaha f310 ?

  • I am touched by your enthusiasm over the GS8. If you are putting it through a pre amp in your video, what settings are you using? Are you scooping the mids? Thanks.

  • hi. in this video I am unplugged, so you're pretty much hearing the natural eq of the guitar

  • beautiful guitar. just got a mitchell guitar

  • thanks alot for a great video. really solid playing!

  • Very nice vid! I am in the process of selling my Martin D2R and I AM buying a GS8 in the next few days. It will be spruce top w/indian rosewood back and sides, straight accoustic. I play in DADGAD tuning and this guitar lends itself to this style wonderfully. Cheers.

  • you are great at playing guitars.... best ive ever heard

  • Just nabbed a GS8 off Ebay!!! This video really sold me on the 8. Almost bought a GS6 maple, but wanted an acoustic with the most power and bass! The maple being higher on the treble side would'nt suit my deep voice for singing! I like the way the Cedar tops sound but heard they don't age as well as spruce tops. Can't wait to WOW the crowd with this big boomy guitar!!!!

  • nice! i was looking on ebay for months before I finally settled on my GS8. i'm sure you're gonna love it!

  • what about gs6 or gs5 ? what do you think aboyt their sound?

  • i did try out the gs5...

    but I think indian rosewood is about as good as it gets for back and sides as far as tone, balance, and volume, especially for fingerpicking which is the style I use most. and spruce top sounds very clear and crisp, whereas cedar sounds more mellow.

    you should go to the taylor website, that have a lot of great information about the qualities of guitar tonewoods

  • I already have a spruce top & indian rosewood Larrivee (d-09) and i m not very happy thats why i look for ather woods and shapes

  • I am not a Taylor fan, but, that sonds very nice, Balanced nice mids and etc. I think the GS shape is the way forward. I heard too many bad sounding Taylors, but perhaps they are changing???

  • i'm curious what models of taylors you've heard that sounded bad. I've played quite a few Taylor's (though I only own one), and all the 300-900 levels are great in my opinion. i think newer models are probably better though

  • Hi, the Taylors which have put me off are generally the lower spec models 110CE, 214CE, 314CE. A number of friends have bought these models on reputation I guess and frankly Guitars costing 2 and 3 times less have sounded superior. But hey its all personal preferences, and sound is personal thing. But I still think your Grand Symphony sounds beautiful. Like I said I think Taylor are onto something with the GS Body Guitars. Lovely playing also. Cheers

  • I really want to get this guitar. Any ideas how I can raise money for it?

    Your song is very good. You did a good presentation. Just one word of advice. PLEASE stop the "ummmm." You're a bright guy who has a lot to offer. If you can get rid of the "Ummmmm" you will be on top of the world.

  • thanks. yeah, i still am a bit nervous sometimes making youtube vids, and that's where the "umms" come from.

    as for getting money, I just had to save up for a really long time. i sacrificed buying a lot of other stuff I wanted

  • Thanks a lot Adam , very informative video well presented with clarity , talent and intelligence

  • I can't wait for the new 12 Fret Chamber Guitar! (NOT the 35th anniverary with KOA...It HAS to be Rosewood and Spruce!)

  • I have had my GS8 w/ES for about one year. Excellent guitar. Strumming or finger picking. Very balanced and precise. It does need to be broken in a little to get the neck comfortable..The sound has improved even more over the last year. I got a great deal for about 1750 with case...close-out at Guitar Center Cincinnati. Love the ES system! Elixir strings MUST be used if you want the best sound! (Taylor sold me on Elixir for all my guitars!..Never going back!)

  • Glare is incredible! Could you post a lesson video? That would be awesome :) Thanks in advance.

  • I just got a GS8 also. Thanks for the video. It helped make a solid decision. Your talent is an inspiration.

  • what a cocksucker

  • i know you said it cost 2099 but where did you get it from? what site or store?

  • Cream City Music.

    I saw it on ebay first, and then called the store and discussed the guitar with them, and then ordered it by phone. i was pretty uncomfortable ordering a guitar i hadn't played before, but it worked out in the end

  • 3:19

  • i really like your style. im into finger picking too. Ive been considering this guitar, and cause of this video, i just added it to my list of wanted gear, But if your a 12 year old like me you probably wont get it for a few years.

  • Good demo... Can you do a vid comparing the GS8 to the 414ce you have? I have a 414ce and would like to hear the sound of both guitars side by side. Cheers and well done.

  • the 414ce isn't mine, it's actually a friend's. (I borrowed it for 6 months while he was out of the country). The 414 is great, the GS8 is amazing. Mostly, it has a richer bass, and it is has a greater projection of volume. It's really responsive to harmonics, taps, slaps, and other percussive elements.

  • @guitar2adam Thank you so very much for posting this video, with such a good sound quality. :)

    I just have a question about how the Expression System responds to the overall percussion. I mean, if you were to play the Mario 64 tune through an amp or P.A., would all the percussion be captured (side taps and top) or just the soundboard ones?

    I really hope you can help me on this one. Thanks! :)

  • @joaopeneda it picks up taps on the side and top too. its really a great pickup :)

  • @guitar2adam Thank you so much! :)

    It's quite hard for me to get my hands on a Taylor guitar where I live (Portugal) and I've been trying to get as much information as I possibly can on YT and other sources.

    I'm planning to buy a 414ce and a 816ce later on, but I just wanted to be sure that the ES does the job as far as "guitar percussion" goes, since I need it for my line of work.

    I can't thank you enough! :)

    All the best and keep on the good tunes!

  • You did an excellent job with this Video. Your GS8 sounds great. I'm a Martin guy but last year I finally fell in love with the GS8. It's the only Taylor I've ever bonded with. BTW, you've got some large musical talent. Please keep at it!!!

  • thanks for the review!! great guitar!!!

  • Holy smokes you scored a fine acoustic! I went to a showroom in my city and played rosewood acoustics cause they have rich projective tone. I was looking at a Gibson Songwriter Deluxe, a sweet Guild, Larrivee L03R and a Taylor GS. The Taylor played amazing hard to describe even action all the way up just the right fret size and the intonation was spot on. Alvarez, Godin and Garrison make good value axes too.

    GS8 are Awesome!

  • how much was that to have the expression system with it total?

  • 2099

  • Boy am I jealous, but I could only afford a 110 CE, well it's my first Taylor (first own guitar too).

    What a full sound does that GS8 have! Great demo!

  • hi adam,

    very well done at 2:55, your fingerpicking - a fantastic job.

    i've got a Taylor GS5 last month, with a huge bass, which sounds very clear in the middle and in the higher notes. oh, i love it more than my Martin DM. what do you think are the best strings for my Martin DM? maybe Elixir?

    bye and many thanks in advance

  • thanks sven. Elixir strings are my favorite, regardless of the guitar. They sound amazing, and they last for a long time (the coated ones). of course they're more expensive too.

  • Hi Adam

    Thanks for taking time to make a demo video on this guitar. Reviews like yours really help alot. I am a big fan of Taylor guitars and the G8 is at the top of my list. I think it has one of the best acoustic sounds I have heard.

    cheers

  • I love this guitar, enjoy yours my friend!

  • how much for this guitar man?

    and where you get it?

  • $2099. i got it from Cream City Music

  • I got this guitar! It's fabulous! Great choice!

  • thanks a lot i will try it out one day. i looked all over the internet and i hear great reviews. but your video helped me see the quality of instrument it is. i cant wait to try it :)

  • if thats a hard shell case your better off switching it for a polyurethane one, hard shell cases damage instruments, thats a nice Taylor!

  • "They see me rollin'...they hatin'"

  • Congratulations..you're clearly happy with your new baby! If you thinking about soundhole humidifiers, look into the Oasis brand: no worries about dripping from a sponge / Dampit. You can get one on Ebay or various internet sites for less than $20.

  • Nice guitar Adam!!! I like it very much. I wish I could buy a new guitar too in the future. I like the tone a lot. Keep the originals coming. I wish you success in your musical journey.

    All the best from Romania

    Alex

  • The GS8 is a beautiful guitar. Usually you have to go to Takamine for that sound and quality, (j/t) Be sure to fit your case with humidity control packs. At the high-end, most guitars will come very well set up. They also come with long-life, coated strings so when you get it as the initial buyer (a year after it left the factory) it sounds decent. Don't feel obliged to use the factory original strings. Most of use just the uncoated phosphor-bronze variety and change them often (<30-hours).

  • Also, realize your guitar is "green" .... the more you play it the next weeks and months, the more increible it will sound as it "opens up" .... The solid-spruce/solid-rosewood combination is my favorite for most occasions. They will be a bit "boomy" on the bass side, but you can control that plugged in. *My* latest is a solid-cedar/solid-mahogany that I am having a LOT of fun with fingerstyle at the moment. You can never have too many instruments, LOL.

  • One last thing .... Think about fitting bone or fossil bridge pins later on. Depending on the individual instrument, they can increase volume, sustain, and clarity to various degrees. That is about the ONLY upgrade option you ought to consider on your GS8. (Which day of the week is my day to borrow it again?)

  • thanks. i'll consider that. right now my pockets are running pretty thin tho haha

    and come on over to IU any time, and I'll let you play it for a minute or two ;)

  • yeah I love the bass. a lot of my stuff imitates a full band: rhythm, melody, bass, percussion. and yeah I will probably invest in a hygrometer soon. I have a humidifier in my "studio" that I use in the winter

  • The best place to buy a hygrometer is the pet store. They use them for reptile terrariums, for instance, and they're cheaper there.

  • For a cheap case humidifier, you can drill holes in a plastic travel soap dish and put in a damp sponge. Put it in your case compartment and you're all set.

  • nice! you're a genius! good way to save $75 bucks

  • Btw towards the end of the video i heard you say your guitar has medium gauge strings on them. Is there really all that much of a benefit from medium gauge strings? Or is it just for the bass?

  • Recently I've been using light gauge strings, just because I use natural nails and light gauge wears them down the least. But I think medium gauge has more attack, and I think brings out the bass more. Plus guitars are set up with a particular gauge of string. So if you change the gauge you might have to get the guitar set up again with truss rod adjustments, etc.