Paul E wrote
I'm not sure anyone is knocking the sound and build of Taylor's, they are good guitars.
OK, I'll come out and say it. They're crap! ?
I used to idolise Taylor guitars, always wanted one. I saved up until I had 10k and I was going to visit the States so I was set on buying my Taylor when I got there. This was about 10 years ago and, strangely, back then this is what you'd pay for a 214ce. So I walked into a massive guitar store in Phoenix, ready to walk out of there the proud new owner of a Taylor 214ce.
The salesman was very nice and handed me a number of comparable guitars to try out. In the end the Martin DCX1e just towered head and shoulders above the rest. In the end I walked out of there, the proud new owner of a Martin DCX1E and ever since I've been healed of my Taylor obsession. I know the true Taylor devotees will take me to task on this but to me the Taylors are thin and lifeless.
I'm a little out of touch with prices these days but I would expect that for that amount of money you should be able to get a Martin. The DCX1E (D=dreadnought, C=cutaway, X=made in Mexico, 1=bottom of the range, E=electronics) is as close you can get to bottom of the cheapest Martin and I would expect them to be somewhat under 10k. You might even get something better still.
Just one thing on the Martins, i understand that some of their guitars in the X range (made in Mexico) are no longer manufactured with solid backs (I'm not sure about the tops). They now use some synthetic material. I don't know much about it but I'm skeptical.
I'm not saying Martin is the be all and end all but I do think that if you're going to fork out that sort of money, I would certainly much rather get a Martin for my dosh than a Taylor.
Some other very good suggestions in the thread. I am not familiar with Breedlove but I've heard good things about it. I was quite impressed by Seagull as well and I still think that Takamine is some of the best value for money out there. Just bear in mind, some Taks are manufactured in Japan, they're great. Others are manufactured in China, they're not.
