Taylor 522 12 fret v High end OOO/OM's - Help!

[Jersey tuning]

Sometimes all purpose is a plus, sometimes not. One can pay an all purpose guitar that one might rate (out of 10) an 8.8 fingerstyle and 9.0 strummer, or one might play a model which is a 10.0 fingerstyle but a 6.2 strummer, or visa versa.  Which one is more desirable? Very personal!

[fretted]

I got my 522 12 fret back in February. It immediately became my favorite steel string guitar and keeps sounding more delicious everyday. I counted up the guitars I've had over the years and this is number 61 with reps from all the high end big boys and a few boutique builders. This Taylor 522 12 fret is one I'm definitely keeping. Of course it depends on how you play I guess. I play mostly finger style with bare fingers and a thumb pick and I find the tone to be rich, sweet and balanced when it's is played in this way. and is possesses  a lovely sustain. It has the best treble I've ever heard on any of my guitars, past or present - thick and creamy. The bass is not explosive and booming, but I want it that way. Some folks like the thunder and this is probably not the guitar for them. I savor lyrical articulation and if you are like me, this is one scrumptious bauble.

[Jersey tuning]

I got my 522 12 fret back in February. It immediately became my favorite steel string guitar and keeps sounding more delicious everyday. I counted up the guitars I've had over the years and this is number 61 with reps from all the high end big boys and a few boutique builders. This Taylor 522 12 fret is one I'm definitely keeping. Of course it depends on how you play I guess. I play mostly finger style with bare fingers and a thumb pick and I find the tone to be rich, sweet and balanced when it's is played in this way. and is possesses  a lovely sustain. It has the best treble I've ever heard on any of my guitars, past or present - thick and creamy. The bass is not explosive and booming, but I want it that way. Some folks like the thunder and this is probably not the guitar for them. I savor lyrical articulation and if you are like me, this is one scrumptious bauble.

The only difference in our playing styles is that I don't use a thumb pick--I probably should, because I find my Taylor GC 12 fret slightly lacking in bass, especially when compared with my Vintage Martin and my Froggy. 

[Strumming Fool]

Sometimes all purpose is a plus, sometimes not. One can pay an all purpose guitar that one might rate (out of 10) an 8.8 fingerstyle and 9.0 strummer, or one might play a model which is a 10.0 fingerstyle but a 6.2 strummer, or visa versa.  Which one is more desirable? Very personal!

After re-reading oldcountrysinger's original post, regarding his playing style, I would reiterate that a great OM like Santa Cruz or Bourgeois would fit the bill. Since he currently plays a Guild D25 that he happens to enjoy except for its size, perhaps my perennial favorite, the Taylor grand auditorium could also be a solution - same overall dimensions as that Guild, but with its narrower waist, it is more comfortable to play and more balanced in its tone. Just a thought...

[Jersey tuning]

Sometimes all purpose is a plus, sometimes not. One can pay an all purpose guitar that one might rate (out of 10) an 8.8 fingerstyle and 9.0 strummer, or one might play a model which is a 10.0 fingerstyle but a 6.2 strummer, or visa versa.  Which one is more desirable? Very personal!

After re-readinging oldcountrysinger's original post, regarding his playing style, I would reiterate that a great OM like Santa Cruz or Bourgeois would fit the bill. Since he currently plays a Guild D25 that he happens to enjoy except for its size, perhaps my perennial favorite, the Taylor grand auditorium could also be a solution - same overall dimensions as that Guild, but with its narrower waist, it is more comfortable to play and more balanced in its tone. Just a thought...

Yes, I agree this thread has undergone the "standard deviation".  Based on his light strumming style your analysis is right on.

[John]

Thanks mgap, I'll definitely make sure I could get along with the 12 fret configuration before buying one.

And not all 12-frets are created equal.  I just feel more (but not egregiously so) constricted fretting on my left hand on my Taylor than on my Froggy, even though both have approximately the same scale length.  And I have heard that the high E string on Taylors is closer to the edge of the fretboard than on many other manufacturer's guitars, leading to an occasional slip off while bending strings or fretting on the E.  Don't get me wrong, I love my Taylor GC 12-fret.......

[83SanDimas]

Need to ask you about the OM-42.  I own two and have not had the sticky neck experience.  Was it a new guitar?  Owning Taylors and Martin OM-42s objectively I think they both have great necks.  The Martins feel wider and flatter and are very comfortable. The OM-42 is a light guitar and very resonant.  It sounds different than a 21 or 28.  Very lively.  That said the 42 is not a 12 fret.  I would have to look at the specs (bracing etc) but a 000 12 fret has a smaller body feel if you get the slope shoulder looking 12 fret.  The 14 fret and 000 bodies look the same but have different bracing and sometimes different nut width and neck profile.

Have you tried a Jeff Tweedy?  They are very nice.

[Strumming Fool]

  The 14 fret and 000 bodies look the same but have different bracing and sometimes different nut width and neck profile.

The Martin OM has a standard scale while the Martin 000 has a shorter scale, which to some can feel more comfortable due to the lower string tension. OOOs are nice as long as you can avoid that V neck (as featured on the 000-28EC). I still prefer the Santa Cruz and Bourgeois OMs overall.

[mgap]

In the Martins I like the 0000 (M) size.  they feature a low profile neck and feel very comfortable.  It has a 16" bout but with a 4 1/8" depth it is very nice.  It is a little less in cost than a OM-28.  I have owned a couple of them now and unfortunately I have also sold them to buy another Taylor, but as far a Martins go it is a nice one.

[fretted]

In the Martins I like the 0000 (M) size.  they feature a low profile neck and feel very comfortable.  It has a 16" bout but with a 4 1/8" depth it is very nice.  It is a little less in cost than a OM-28.  I have owned a couple of them now and unfortunately I have also sold them to buy another Taylor, but as far a Martins go it is a nice one.

I like those Martin 0000's as well. The wider top and thinner body seems to really work well. If it was not for the 1 11/16" nut width, I'd probably own one right now. That model with 1 3/4" would be the bomb!

[mgap]

In the Martins I like the 0000 (M) size.  they feature a low profile neck and feel very comfortable.  It has a 16" bout but with a 4 1/8" depth it is very nice.  It is a little less in cost than a OM-28.  I have owned a couple of them now and unfortunately I have also sold them to buy another Taylor, but as far a Martins go it is a nice one.

I like those Martin 0000's as well. The wider top and thinner body seems to really work well. If it was not for the 1 11/16" nut width, I'd probably own one right now. That model with 1 3/4" would be the bomb!

Well, I can't argue that point.  I agree.  It is ok for the GS mini, on the other hand I got use to that neck right away every time I picked it up.  I will get another M-36 someday.

[Strumming Fool]

In the Martins I like the 0000 (M) size.  they feature a low profile neck and feel very comfortable.  It has a 16" bout but with a 4 1/8" depth it is very nice.  It is a little less in cost than a OM-28.  I have owned a couple of them now and unfortunately I have also sold them to buy another Taylor, but as far a Martins go it is a nice one.

I like those Martin 0000's as well. The wider top and thinner body seems to really work well. If it was not for the 1 11/16" nut width, I'd probably own one right now. That model with 1 3/4" would be the bomb!

Well, I can't argue that point.  I agree.  It is ok for the GS mini, on the other hand I got use to that neck right away every time I picked it up.  I will get another M-36 someday.

I owned a custom M-38 years ago (They used to be called Ms before they became 0000s). It was a sweet guitar (which is saying a lot since I'm generally not a rosewood fan), but I had to have the top replaced twice due to it separating at the seam. I sold it before it could split again. I find Taylor's GA to be a more refined version of that model.

[fretted]

I owned a custom M-38 years ago (They used to be called Ms before they became 0000s). It was a sweet guitar (which is saying a lot since I'm generally not a rosewood fan), but I had to have the top replaced twice due to it separating at the seam. I sold it before it could split again. I find Taylor's GA to be a more refined version of that model.

I had a Martin 000-16 cut-away back in the 80's . . . when they had oval sound holes. The top split at the seam despite my humidified room. Martin fixed it, but not well. They didn't clean the joint before gluing and clamping so there was a permanent ugly, dark glue line. I realize this is another thread diversion, but I had to comment on the seam thing. I have to say it was a great sounding guitar though.

[Guzzijeff]

I finally got to play a 522 12 fret, I loved the sound, (a little more expansive than the 14 fret model I tried), the way it balanced perfectly in all playing positions, and its appearance. Unfortunately the fretboard at the neck was just too wide for me, and I don't think I'd be able to get used to it - a real shame - if the neck had been like the one on a Martin oo-15 I tried a few days ago I'd have walked out of the shop with a brand new bundle under my arm.
A disappointment, but at least it shows the value of trying before you buy.
Thanks for all the advice you guys offered.

The Taylor 522 comes standard with a 1 3/4" nut,.. but can be ordered with a 1 11/16" nut for a $100 USD upcharge... So don't give up yet!

[Gary-N-LA]

I have a suggestion for you.  Jon Garon of My Favorite Guitar in Florida orders custom 000-18GE Martins with the modified low oval - and they're only 2-1/8" at the 12th fret, 2-3/16 at the bridge.  Narrow all the way up, the way you seem to like it.  I think he has one more:

http://www.myfavoriteguitars.com/product.php?productid=17612&cat=13&page=1

I have no connection to the store.  But it seems like this is as close to an 000-18GE as you can get but with the modern neck profile.