Taylor 310CE Dreadnought Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar (with Case)

Feature:
Simplicity is the name of the game kids. As another smart guitarist already mentioned, typically a more ornate and decorated guitar is going to lack in sound. Often times the inlays can actually muffle the sound and so can the finish. I find the satin back and sides finish allows the guitar to really vibrate and the glossy spruce top reels that sound back in calmly. So overall it's bright, but controlled. I always am one for tone above fancy-ness, and this guitar has loads of it. It does feature real wood back and sides, even though it's a cheaper mahogony, it's an African Mahogony, which def. has an exotic appeal and look to it. I like better than the American neck it comes with. I love the fact that it has a strap button the neck heel joint, a BIG plus. Expression system is great, although it sounds so much like the real guitar unlugged that I kind of wish it had more of that rubbery sound that a Fishman preamp might give. However, it sounds great still, just a little too bright for my liking at times. Nice pearl dot inlays, ebony fretboard, great guitar.

Quality:
Great looking cosmetically, although simple, it still has the look of an elegant and expensive guitar. I love the Elixir strings, in fact, they have won me over and I use them now exclusively on acoustics, despite their $16 price tag. It's worth it! Esp. on the Taylors. It's like PRS and Mesa/Boogie, they always sound good together and seem built for each other. Same with this combo.

Value:
I would give it a 10, but it does have slight shortcomings, which are no more than any guitar in this price range. I think they could sell this model for $1,000, but for how much popularity it has, it's gone up.

Desirability:
the sound is the sexiest part of this guitar. i had the privilege of trying it out with 2 other Taylor models of lesser and greater values respectively. My buddy handed me each one while I was playing and singing a song and it was so great because we could actually hear the difference in motion and in real-time. I really got a great feel of how each model would perform and needless to say, this one won the battle of the "I Want It" factor.

Sound:
I think the character of this guitar really spoke to me over others in the same price range. I've been really turned on to the quality, projection and clarity of Taylors over the past few years. I loved Martin's as a kid because they looked so perfect, sounded great and were made near my hometown in PA. However, being such a reputable brand, if not the most widely known and used, has allowed them to hike the prices up. Taylor is still offering great guitars for decent prices. I liked the 110 and 210 for the sound, but the 310 definitely beats it out. I was even ready to shell out for the ovangkol 410ce, but in comparison, the 310ce actually sounded better to me. I love the warmth that the mahogony brings. I do think the midrange could be slightly more present, but the guitar as a whole ranks up there with a D-28 for being a classic in what it does, which is project a crisp, clean sound in the purest form with real woods. It does do fingerpicking very well, but it also performs as a lead instrument and strummer.

Ease of Use:
Um, this one is pretty easy to figure out. If you play good, you'll sound good. If you suck, chances are, you're still going to suck, but this guitar will make you suck gracefully until you begin playing well. It's a great guitar right out of the box and I've made no adjustments yet.

Support:
no repairs have been needed or made, but they do provide a lot of literature and even a DVD on how to use the expression system as well as hydrating your guitar properly. I found everything provided useful and interesting, as well as incredibly relative.

Overall:
I hope to enjoy many years of use and maybe some abuse with this guitar!

Feature:
The expression pickup system works great. I was amazed at the level it picks up the accoustic sound with no distortion and amplifies it to sound just as it does without an amp but just louder.

Quality:
You won't find a better made accoustic in this price range.

Value:
Stated before the very best value in it's class.

Desirability:
Appearance is good for the price range but the painted on Taylor is the only cheap appearance on the guitar.

Sound:
I played this and a comporable Martin, The Taylor 310ce has a much smoother sound which sounds great when playing slow and even better when jamin strong. Hard playing has absolutly no reverberation.

Support:
I've had no direct support from Taylor but their in the box documentation on keeping the correct humidity and the importance of that along with their well organized web site lends me to feel any support you would receive would be friendly and helpful.

Overall:
I figure the 310ce is a lifetime keeper for me. I play for my own pleasure. The 310ce more than meets my expectations and I'm sure it will give more years of service than I will need. My son will love to play his dad's Taylor long after I am gone and I ain't going anywhere soon.