Author Topic: Older Taylors - neck stability?  (Read 1889 times)

bbarkow

  • New Member
  • *
  • Posts: 46
Older Taylors - neck stability?
« on: July 31, 2015, 01:07:17 AM »
I've been looking around the used market, and have found several 710s from the late '80s and early '90s that seem like great values for played-in guitars. I've listened to quite a few clips, and I think one of these would be a great fit for me. I'm not overly concerned with pristine cosmetics, I'm looking for a daily player and performance guitar.

My concern is how likely one of these guitars is to need a neck reset in the future, since there obviously wouldn't be a warranty. I did a search here on the forum and didn't come up with much.

Thanks!

Strumming Fool

  • Veteran Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 12412
  • Christi simus non nostri
Re: Older Taylors - neck stability?
« Reply #1 on: July 31, 2015, 07:18:21 AM »
Even older Taylors have a bolt-on neck, so a reset  (if needed at all) isn't major surgery as with dovetail neck joins. My two 90s Taylors have both had neck resets at Taylor in recent years. Both necks felt great both before and after the resets. Just my personal experience. ...I wouldn't hesitate to buy an older Taylor.  In fact, my '95 Taylor was purchased second hand in 2012; even without the warranty, the neck reset was nowhere near as costly as dovetail reset jobs.
« Last Edit: July 31, 2015, 01:42:14 PM by Strumming Fool »
My Taylor Grand Auditoriums:

1997 Cujo14 - old growth cedar/black walnut
2014 K24e - master grade koa
2018 Custom GA - bear claw sitka spruce/mahogany
2019 614 - torrified sitka spruce/flamed maple
2020 714 - lutz spruce/rosewood

bbarkow

  • New Member
  • *
  • Posts: 46
Re: Older Taylors - neck stability?
« Reply #2 on: July 31, 2015, 02:04:52 PM »
Great news. Thank you!

MikeB

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 220
Re: Older Taylors - neck stability?
« Reply #3 on: August 03, 2015, 09:06:49 PM »
Yup, that's the fantastic thing about Taylors - easy neck resets.  15-20 minute job for a qualified tech (he has to have the right shims in stock).

DupleMeter

  • New Member
  • *
  • Posts: 21
  • Not all who wander are lost
    • My Site
Re: Older Taylors - neck stability?
« Reply #4 on: August 03, 2015, 10:52:27 PM »
The reality is that eventually all guitars need a neck reset. That said, Taylor neck resets are really not a huge job. They're nothing like an old Martin or Gibson where you have to deal with a dovetail joint and dubious initial setting in the first place (which is more than common with dovetails). If you found a guitar you like, I wouldn't let that be a deal breaker.
The Taylors:
   1995 Taylor 812ce
   1996 Taylor 510c
   1997 Taylor 810-WMB
   1997 Taylor 422-R
   1998 Taylor 912c
   2003 Baby Taylor
2 mandolins, 3 basses, a couple dulcimers & 2 trumpets

Nicky Midss

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 60
  • celebrate we will...
Re: Older Taylors - neck stability?
« Reply #5 on: August 04, 2015, 12:09:42 AM »
i had a 1993 712, and it was one of the better taylors I've owned in terms of playability. the original owner really took care of it, and it played like a dream.
-Nick

1998 914c - Engelmann/Rosewood