Author Topic: Where is best place to buy a BTO?  (Read 3199 times)

bbfarmer

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Where is best place to buy a BTO?
« on: May 01, 2016, 01:07:11 PM »
Hello you guys,
I'm new to this site, and this question has probably been answered, but I'll ask again.  I'm looking to build my own taylor guitar and I know which woods I'd like.  I wanted to know who you guys thinks has the best price/service for BTO.  Mainly, I wanted to use someone that can get specific as to what the wood could look like.  I really love the look and sound of sinker redwood, but there are several looks I like and don't like.  Is there someone who can see the wood, or help pick out the grain look I'm going for?  Does Taylor help with this?
Would love your help.

Thanks

SA

Strumming Fool

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Re: Where is best place to buy a BTO?
« Reply #1 on: May 02, 2016, 06:37:08 PM »
Welcome bb-

I have used only one shop for my BTO projects, so I can't tell that it's the best, because I have nothing to compare it with. However, Martin Music in Memphis TN has repeatedly done a great job for me through the three BTOs I now own, plus another one on the way.

If you'll contact Eric Martin, I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

Here's their website and contact info:

http://www.martinmusicguitar.com/

Phone: (901)729-2466 Email:emguitar@aol.com
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

timfitz63

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Re: Where is best place to buy a BTO?
« Reply #2 on: May 05, 2016, 06:21:19 PM »
Welcome, SA!

I've done BTO's with two Taylor dealers:  Empire Music in Pittsburgh, PA and Willcutt Guitars in Lexington, KY.  Both did good by me.
DN: 360e, 510ce, 510e-FLTD, 810ce-LTD (Braz RW), PS10ce
GA: 414ce, 614ce-LTD, 714ce-FLTD, BR-V, BTO (Makore, 'Wild Grain' RW, Blkwood), GAce-FLTD, K24ce, PS14ce (Coco, Braz RW, "Milagro"), W14ce-LTD
GC: 812ce-LTD TF, BTO TF ('Sinker'/Walnut, Engelmann/"Milagro"), LTG #400
GO: 718e-FLTD, BTO (Taz Myrtle)
GS: Custom 516e, BTO 12's (Taz Tiger Myrtle, 'Crazy' RW), 556ce, 656ce, K66ce, PS56ce ("Milagro")
GS Mini 2012 Spring LTD (Blackwood)
T3/B: Custom (Cu & Au Sparkle)
T5: C1, C5-12, S (Aztec Gold)

Six-String Samurai

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Re: Where is best place to buy a BTO?
« Reply #3 on: May 06, 2016, 09:32:37 AM »
Can you not order direct from taylor?
I am pretty sure they are playing that game now too.

jalbert

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Re: Where is best place to buy a BTO?
« Reply #4 on: May 06, 2016, 09:57:11 AM »
Unless something has drastically changed recently, Taylor does not sell new guitars direct to consumers. (They do sell demonstrators in their on-site store in El Cajon.)

Sinker redwood has on-again/off-again availability. You may be able to specify to your dealer what you prefer, but I'm not sure that extends to choosing which set of wood from a menu of available choices. (It'd be cool if they did!)

Meanwhile, here's a Sinker-topped Custom GS:

James

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jima9426

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Re: Where is best place to buy a BTO?
« Reply #5 on: May 29, 2016, 09:48:56 PM »
I wanted to know who you guys thinks has the best price/service for BTO. 

Look for a local dealer who does a lot of house custom models. In my hometown of Pittsburgh, that would be Empire Music. Their acoustic room displays no less than 6-8 house BTOs at any given time.

As for price, a dealer should price a BTO at XX% below the list (i.e. Taylor's custom estimate). At least that's what my two favorite shops routinely do, Empire Music and N'Stuff Music. The same goes for Martin custom models.

$
« Last Edit: June 26, 2016, 12:50:28 PM by UTGF-Team »
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2012 Martin OM-21
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Guitarsan

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Re: Where is best place to buy a BTO?
« Reply #6 on: May 30, 2016, 12:03:11 AM »
Can you not order direct from taylor?
I am pretty sure they are playing that game now too.

No. You must buy through a dealer.
"The guitar is the perfect drug because when you play it you're in no pain, and when you put it down, there's no hangover." Paul Reed Smith

2021 Taylor 914ce LTD Sinker Redwood/EIR
2016 Taylor GS Mini-e Flamed Koa

autovon

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Re: Where is best place to buy a BTO?
« Reply #7 on: June 21, 2016, 08:25:47 PM »
Try LA Guitar Sales. Ted is wonderful to work with.
- T5 Cocobolo (the most beautiful guitar I've ever seen... that I could afford:) **FOR SALE**
- BTO GS with cedar top, IRW b/s, and bloodwood trimmings (the most beautiful sounding guitar I've ever played)

Andromeda

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Re: Where is best place to buy a BTO?
« Reply #8 on: June 24, 2016, 05:55:16 AM »
I also highly recommend Ted @ LA Guitars Sales. Easy to chat with, very friendly and extremely knowledgable and has great prices!
2016 Taylor Custom Cedar-Rosewood GS
2015 Breedlove Discovery Dreadnaught
2012 Alvarez ABT60 Baritone


Namasté