Help Pleasee :)) Taylor 310 Cosmetic Wear??

[scottyraddy]

Hi Guys,

I'm new to this forum and would like to say a big hello!! and thank you!!! in advance for any help you may be able to provide me with.

Soooo ive kinda been playing guitar on and off now for a number of years and have made the decision to upgrade to a more reputable guitar.

I was shopping around for a Taylor 1 or 2 series and came across a 310 with some cosmetic wear, for a pretty good price i think..

Now the seller has told me that the guitar plays fantastic and that any marks are as a result of performing, which is fine i guess?? and he also states that the guitar has matured wonderfully as a result.

Now personally, im not overly familiar with buying used guitars, especially with cosmetic wear, but im lead to believe the 310 series is quite a step up to the 110 or 210's.

I absolutely love the the 210e i think the finish looks simply stunning, but im guessin its not all about looks huh 

Anywho, I would absolutely love your feedback here guys, with any experience and/or tips you may be able to provide as a result, on any of the previous models or the 310 in question.

So its a Taylor 310 (2001 model)

Here are the pics

http://imageshack.com/a/img9/302/6tf5.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img36/6409/0e9q.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img21/4972/qea9.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img841/5853/wtd8.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img13/3339/c0e8.jpg

also the seller stated ' The lacquer to the edges is a little worn - purely cosmetic, and no doubt could be touched up with a lacquer pen and a bit of tlc if desired. There is a shallow indentation (or possibly finger wear mark?) under the 2nd string towards the top of the fret board. This has no effect of playing performance but mentioned just incase this doesn't show up in picture '

Also, when i asked he said 'There havn't been any repairs or breaks / cracks to the guitar. Everything looks to be original to the guitar. As described, it has been used on stage and so has signs of used with some surface indentations and the edge wear noted. That said, it remains a fantastic proffesional standard guitar with lovely tone and superb sustain'

so what do you think guys?? Honest opinion? 

Should i keep away or could this be a wonderful new venture for me and my guitar playing 

[azslacker]

If the price was right, I'd not worry much about the looks, I'd be more concerned about fret wear. A fret job could wipe out any savings. Looking at the pictures, it sure has it's share of little dings. Even zooming in, I can't see the condition of the frets.

[scottyraddy]

H there azslacker, thank you for your reply!!

https://imageshack.com/i/n6ipz8j

Another Pic,

The gentleman selling also did say 'The guitar has just had a professional fret dressing and has it's original Grover tuners which work perfectly'

I managed to get the seller down to £XXX...  good deal??



edited for $

[michaelw]

the 04-06 210s were all solid wood, sapele & sitka spruce, with 1 11/16" nut width
all satin finish, unbranded chrome 14:1 ping sourced tuners & plastic bridge pins -
the 310 added a gloss finish top, neck binding, 1 3/4" nut
Grovers, plain ebony bridge pins & smoother overall finish

from the pics, the blemishes appear to be cosmetic -
if the guitar sounds and plays well with no sharp fret ends or top bellying
has good intonation, correct neck angle, relief & saddle height, i'd give it a whirl

good to see you here, scott & enjoy the place

[mikeguywest]

Looks pretty decent to me. The frets look good, at least from the photos. The other blemishes look to be typical conditional wear and tear but not necessarily harmful to the guitar. My biggest concern with buying used guitars is if they've been properly RH controlled. It doesn't look like there are any drying cracks or swelling, but that's just from the photos. Given the age and the fact that this is a well used stage guitar I'd say it's in pretty good condition. Is the guy local? I'm wondering if there is some way you guys can work out return conditions if when it's in your hands you see real problems that didn't show up in the photos.

[scottyraddy]

Thankyou Michaelw for your info, i will try and digest what you said ha.. and im very happy to be here, thank you

Good News Guy, as for the returns policy, the guy had it on ebay, offering a 14 days returns policy. So im guessing he was willing to offer that at the time. however as he is not local, he said he will be driving within roughly 35 miles of where i live this friday, so he said if i like i can meet him for collection, to save me driving all the way up to him (roughly 90 miles away).

He did not get his asking price when advertising, so i sent a cheeky offer (as you do  ) and like 3 days later he replied and said fine. He said he needed the cash for an upgrade himself.

I think the guy is pretty genuine..

Someone mentioned something about the nut and bridge looking like they may have been changed, i wouldnt know anything about that, do you guys feel this could be a possibility? would this be a bad thing?? really flexing my guitar knowledge now 

and Thank you very much guys, i appreciate all your help 

[Blueshwk]

I have a 310CE and the nut and saddle look aged like yours and although I haven't had it long, I am sure it has the originals on it.  Congratulations on what looks like a nice Taylor. I myself like to have a guitar with some road wear.
You will be more concerned with playing and less concerned with pampering!  And after, all a little wear certainly doesn't effect the sound!!
Welcome to the forum!

[mgap]

Welcome to the forum Scottyraddy.  The 310 is a good jump up in quality wood from the 100-200 series.  So if the price is right, I say get this one.  Enjoy!

[Jersey tuning]

Welcome.  Go for it -- no tone rite needed.

[scottyraddy]

Hi Guys,

Thank you very much for all your help and advice. its very much appreciated and very warming imho to see such help being provided so thank you

as is the way with life, a previous cheeky offer has now also been accepted. A taylor 210 in absolute mint condition for a little under the price of the 310.. but y'know what guys, i think im gonna stick to my guns with this one.

I thank you all once again, and will keep you posted on how i get on

Meaning i think im gonna opt for the 310 thanks to all your advice

[ctkarslake]

I'd definitely go for the 310 over the 210, esp. if the price is not that much more.  Good luck!

[cpmusic]

The seller is right: guitars that are played will look like it after a while. Some people worry more about looks than others, but no guitar that's played regularly will escape wear.

The time to worry is when you find obvious structural problems, like a sunken top, a bad neck angle, buzzes and rattles, etc. I'd also stay away from a guitar that reeks of cigarette smoke. 

The bottom line is that if you like this 310 and the price is good, don't worry about the looks.

[MikeB]

There's a huge tonal difference between a (new, laminated) 210 and a 310.  But its all in what YOU like.

[scottyraddy]

Hi Guys 

So i just thought i would keep u updated with my latest purchase 

I obtained my 310 today and i must admit, its a very beautiful guitar.. i feel it has certainly been broken in so to speak but i feel thats a good thing, and the sustain is truly wonderful.

I feel it will take a little gettin use to with regards to the size of the neck, as its a little bigger than my previous, but nothin a lil hard work and practice cannot put right.

But overall yes, im not sure what it is exactly but it just seems to be so airy, if thats the word. a delight to play and i feel its the start of something wonderful.

My fingers have taken a hit today, as i have not played for a good month or so, but i feel playing and practicing will certainly become a regular occurrence now she is just there ready to pick up at my will 

A big thank you to you all for for helping me with my decision, and i hope to have many years of paying with my Taylor.. she is just a real thing of beauty. and even now, she is sitting there like, im ready when u are. good times 

Thank you guys.

I hope you are all well out there and i wish you all the very best for festive season

Thanks again and i feel i will be knockin around here a little more often 

Much Love

[Mick0145]

Welcome to the forum Scottyraddy. I also am a new member and have benefited greatly from browsing here. Such a great pool of knowledge!

Congrats on your new old guitar - just make sure you keep the RH around 45 - 50% either with a humidipak in the case or a room humidifier - assuming you do not live in a humid climate.

All the best.