Gloss vs satin tops on 2xx series

[DMBfan41]

Anyone got insight or assumptions into Taylor's philosophy behind bouncing around with satin vs gloss tops on the 2xx series?  My research tells me they issued the 2xx in 2008 with gloss as a nod to the anniversary.  However, I have a 2007 with a gloss and 2009 with a satin top.  Google has led me to links of other 2007 models with a satin and other 2009-10 models in gloss.  What gives?

[michaelw]

hi Chad,
the 07/08s had a gloss top, mahogany neck with rosewood board & bridge
the 09s had a satin top, sapele neck with ebony fretboard & bridge
the 10s were available as G (gloss top) model with hardbag
in 11, the all gloss black DDX was added & this year, the 214ce-BLK replaced the DDX &
the 214ce-SB (gloss sunburst top, rosewood inner veneer, satin b & s) was added -
also, the nut & saddle are now NuBone, as are the 100/baby/big baby & GS Mini

the 07 200 series i had seemed to have more grain paste filler,
as all the surfaces were as s-m-o-o-t-h as a 300/400 series &
to me, the 09/later models have an 'open-pore' feel to them,
very similar to the 03-06 200s (although the tops remain smooth)
 
the reason for going from gloss to satin back to gloss
... i got nuthin' (dunno)

congrats on the 07 214e & the GS Mini & the promotion

[DMBfan41]

hi Chad,
the 07/08s had a gloss top, mahogany neck with rosewood board & bridge
the 09s had a satin top, sapele neck with ebony fretboard & bridge
the 10s were available as G (gloss top) model with hardbag
in 11, the all gloss black DDX was added & this year, the 214ce-BLK replaced the DDX &
the 214ce-SB (gloss sunburst top, rosewood inner veneer, satin b & s) was added -
also, the nut & saddle are now NuBone, as are the 100/baby/big baby & GS Mini

the 07 200 series i had seemed to have more grain paste filler,
as all the surfaces were as s-m-o-o-t-h as a 300/400 series &
to me, the 09/later models have an 'open-pore' feel to them,
very similar to the 03-06 200s (although the tops remain smooth)
 
the reason for going from gloss to satin back to gloss
... i got nuthin' (dunno) :

congrats on the 07 214e & the GS Mini & the promotion

You never cease to amaze me Michael.  Put a quarter in you and out comes a vast knowledge-base Taylor factoids!  Much thanks for sharing this info.  You do great work here.  Keep it up!

And thanks for the kudos!

[Edward]

Yeah, you ain't kidding, Chad!  How the heck does he have all this stuff at his fingertips?!!
(hmmm, I wonder if it's really Herb Hunter blogging under a pseudonym ).

As othertimes, Michael, I'm impressed!  ...oh, and thanks! 

Edward

[michaelw]

hey guys

i appreciate it & i'm glad that i can 'be of service'
imho, a quarter seem to be a bit high (really high, actually)
i've seen better information out there for much less

i'm pretty sure i'm still me ... just a sec (looks in mirror)

yep ... same ol' me, same name. no need for me to be somebody else -
on that note, i think i found a better (well, more accurate) pic

well ... the dr. is in. more fever & 'less' nessman

thanks for hanging out - have a good one
 

[Taylor339]

hi Chad,
the 07/08s had a gloss top, mahogany neck with rosewood board & bridge
the 09s had a satin top, sapele neck with ebony fretboard & bridge
in 11, the all gloss black DDX was added & this year, the 214ce-BLK replaced the DDX &
the 214ce-SB (gloss sunburst top, rosewood inner veneer, satin b & s) was added -
also, the nut & saddle are now NuBone, as are the 100/baby/big baby & GS Mini

the 07 200 series i had seemed to have more grain paste filler,
as all the surfaces were as s-m-o-o-t-h as a 300/400 series &
to me, the 09/later models have an 'open-pore' feel to them,
very similar to the 03-06 200s (although the tops remain smooth)
 
the reason for going from gloss to satin back to gloss
... i got nuthin' (dunno)

congrats on the 07 214e & the GS Mini & the promotion

My 08 210e most definately had a satin top which is contradictory to what is stated above.  The serial number is 20081110266.  I just traded it on the Mini.

[michaelw]

hi T339,
i forgot to add the disclaimer -
specifications subject to change without notice ...

the early 2008 200s (the models i've had) were made in El Cajon &
by the build date, yours was made near the end 08, which is likely tecate,
i'm unsure when the exact transition date was, but there was also
country of origin information on the heel block label on the 08 as well

there were also 3 iterations of cases made prior to the change to the hardbag,
with the black flat top cases, 5 chrome latches (DN models too) & unpadded handles
being the last set to go & there were some early year models that received the
case rather than the bag, which i've also seen at the local store i frequent

i guess that since you've traded for the Mini, there's no need for a X10 case
http://www.unofficialtaylorguitarforum.com/index.php?topic=825
a thread's been started to put all the Mini pics in one place & i know
you've already posted pics of yours (thanks for sharing them ),
but please feel free to place to link to them here also, if you'd like
http://www.unofficialtaylorguitarforum.com/index.php?topic=1048.0

thanks