original build thread here:
http://www.unofficialtaylorguitarforum.com/index.php?topic=7678.0what an amazing journey, thx to all of those who helped guide me on this journey. i've been filling out BTO forms since 2011, with the dream that one day i would do it. i played my sisters 412e-r ltd, and instantly fell in love w/ the tone of a GC sitka/eir - and the smaller body made it so much more comfortable (i'm only 5'7")
funny how things happen - i had a deal pretty much done on a 812ce 12 fret brazillian i found on reverb - but the deal fell through. (ahem guitarsan). i played around w/ some BTO options just to see if it was w/in a ballpark price i was willing to pay.
here are the things i refused to give up and made an absolute requirement:
- 12 fret GC
- gotoh 510s tuners
- no electronics
- engraved twist inlay (koa/boxwood - i fell in love ever since i saw the 2011 koa limited)
- organic aesthetic - no abalone (except the taylor logo MOP, besides i have a blinged up 914ce)
- a single ring rosette w/ bound soundhole - i just love the look
i have always dreamed of doing a sinker redwood top - but it's no longer available through taylor
i'm a huge rosewood fan - but didn't want to build another cedar/eir combo like my 914ce, b/c there is definetly a headroom problem. i like a warm tone but also enjoy the zing of the trebles.
i went w/ sitka b/c i know the 12 fret adds some mids, to offset the mid range scoop of rosewood.
after the wood combo was picked - worked on the appointments. i got great advice to use koa binding (i was trying to be cheap and pick a cheaper option) but after seeing examples, that locked my decision there. so i picked koa rosette and binding to compliment the engraved twist inlay. i really wanted to start embracing striped ebony but was afraid it would take away from my inlay (and it cost more anyway)
i was pretty picky w/ the back and sides. i specified wide, dark grains that were asymmetric. i wanted purple tones. this forced me into AA rosewood (they didn't have any A rosewood for BTO on hand anyway) i picked the rosewood headplate to compliment the back and sides.
i had my heart set on chrome gotohs, but as pointed out in my initial thread - it wouldn't look good....so i improvised and did gold gotoh w/ black button - to make sure the emphasis was on the guitar, not the tuners too much
i ordered through my and strumming fools' FLGS (fav local guitar shop) - not sure if i'm allowed to mention names here. they did an amazing job and gave me recommendations on slight changes to my original BTO request. they setup allowing me to pick my tonewood (i only requested the back) during a taylor guitar factory tour. the rep at taylor said they encourage it and love when customers do this.
my advice for anyone doing a BTO - make sure you go to a shop that has experience in BTO...it makes a HUGE difference.
that's the background. here is my complete spec in order of the BTO form.
6 string GC 12 fret venetian cutaway
no electronics
1.75" nut width
short scale
standard carve
standard peghead
rosewood aa back and sides
sitka spruce top
2 piece no wedge back
mahogany neck - stained to match back/sides
12 fret bracing, adirondack
rosewood headstock overlay
match back and sides truss rod cover - gloss
no armrest
no backstrap
figured koa binding
figured koa peghead
standard purfling (i almost picked red, but already have it on my 914ce)
figured koa single ring rosette with bound soundhole
no abalone
engraved twist inlay (koa/boxwood)
no fretboard scroll
no peghead inlay
no bridge inlay
gloss top
gloss back and sides
satin neck
gloss peghead
no backstrip finish
taylor mother of pearl logo
natural color
gotoh 510 gold w/ black buttons
elixir light pb strings
ebony bridge and pins
no pick guard
bone nut/saddle
strap pin
end pin
and finally....the pics - b/c it didn't happen w/o pics.
these were taken by my FLGS (i still dont have the guitar in hand yet - so i have no idea how it sounds!)
