Venetian Cut question.

[129Jayman]

Hi guys. I have a question about the Venetian Cut Taylors. I know that those with this cut contain pickups. I also know that this cutaway allows easier access to the upper end of the fret board. I really like the x14 guitars for the fret access and I think the shape is just plain cool. Lot like my Les Paul but in an acoustic.

The problem for me is that I don't have a need to plug in and in my few months of playing I have never had the need for getting to the frets on the high end. So when would I need to play on that end of the fret board?

Jay

[stepchildusmc]

try some classics like bon jovi's " wanted dead or alive" or GNR's " sweet child o mine" and ask that question again...

[DennisG]

You can get a Venetian cutaway without electronics.  An 814, for example, with that configuration would be designated as an 814c.

No one can know when or how often you'd ever need to go that high up on the fret board.  I rarely do, but it sure is nice to have on those few occasions when I need it.  Only you can determine if it's worth the extra cost.

[raa2173]

Hi guys. I have a question about the Venetian Cut Taylors. I know that those with this cut contain pickups. I also know that this cutaway allows easier access to the upper end of the fret board. I really like the x14 guitars for the fret access and I think the shape is just plain cool. Lot like my Les Paul but in an acoustic.

The problem for me is that I don't have a need to plug in and in my few months of playing I have never had the need for getting to the frets on the high end. So when would I need to play on that end of the fret board?

Jay

Hi Jay,

I can certainly relate to you. I don't use the upper frets that much but I really love the venetian cutaway design. To me, it gives the guitar a modern, yet timeless appeal. So in ordering my BTO guitar, and regardless of my playing style, I made sure that there would be a venetian cutaway. However, as I also don't plug the guitar, I didn't order my guitar with any electronics. That also translated to savings. Maybe in the future, they would come up with a less intrusive wireless electronics system that you could just stick in your guitar without making any routing or other modifications, who knows...

[Ciarre]

I think the look is great, like you, and I seldom use the upper frets as my thick fingers very rapidly run out of real estate up there. But am a big fan of having it if you need it, rather than wanting it and not having it. As mentioned, the c without the e versions would probably suit you. On the other hand, I almost never plug in but it sounds really nice when I do.

[DJFUZZYMCPICKLE]

Never thought I would too 12 yrs ago when I started to really take my playing (for me only at the time) much more seriously and get my first REAL guitar.  Agree with the consensus that both are being used more and more especially as I am even at 48 about to venture into my first so called playing live gigs this year with the right group of dudes.  Glad now that I bought a 614 CE as that first real guitar!

[BluesDisciple]

Hi guys. I have a question about the Venetian Cut Taylors. I know that those with this cut contain pickups. I also know that this cutaway allows easier access to the upper end of the fret board. I really like the x14 guitars for the fret access and I think the shape is just plain cool. Lot like my Les Paul but in an acoustic.

The problem for me is that I don't have a need to plug in and in my few months of playing I have never had the need for getting to the frets on the high end. So when would I need to play on that end of the fret board?

Jay

Simple answer is :  whenever you want.  A cutaway allows you to play more like you might on a LP.   The pickup allows you to record easier into a looper or digital recorder setup.  If you get it, you'll find a use.

BD

[CodeBlueEMT]

 IMO, electronics are worth it just for tuning purposes. Cutaways are cool. They don't really care where you play on the fretboard.  

[raa2173]

It is possible to order a standard model (not necessarily a custom guitar) without the electronics. It will only take a couple of weeks or months.

Although Taylor's ES system is cutting edge and one of the best in the business, I don't perform live, I just play for fun, so I have no need for electronics.

Personally, I also think of high-end guitars as collectable pieces. Solid wood guitars will only appreciate in value, especially since good wood is starting to get scarce. I remember Taylor's wood offerings 14 years ago were better than today because supply was obviously abundant back then (i.e., highly figured koas were standard on their K models, 900 and 700 series have Engelmann tops, Presentation series had Brazilian rosewood). But unless I use electronics on a regular basis, I will not order one with them since they become outdated by newer ones over time (I think of those Taylors with huge rectangular openings on the side for the Fishman electronics).

[129Jayman]

Thanks for the valuable input. I appreciate it very much.

Jay

[Cigar36]

My venetian

[Bernie]

(...)
The problem for me is that I don't have a need to plug in and in my few months of playing I have never had the need for getting to the frets on the high end. So when would I need to play on that end of the fret board?

- Hey mum, why do I have a spare wheel in my car... I never use it & in 6 months with the car, it only took space I could have spared for something else...
- Wait till you get a puncture son, and meanwhile get prepared to use it...
Or you can swop it for a GAx (probably named x14 now). But someday you may start playing with others & become a soloist, do stage work in a noisy pub or else, & you'll be ready for the guitar would be fit for it...
Don't see problems where there aren't...

[mgap]

My venetian

What I think you meant to say is Florentine

A Florentine cutaway comes to a sharp point, creating a horn-like shape. It is more complex and labor-intensive than the Venetian, but is available as an option on the 500 Series and up, including those with different neck widths, and left- or right-handed models.

[EGBDF_Paul]

Hi guys. I have a question about the Venetian Cut Taylors. I know that those with this cut contain pickups. I also know that this cutaway allows easier access to the upper end of the fret board. I really like the x14 guitars for the fret access and I think the shape is just plain cool. Lot like my Les Paul but in an acoustic.

The problem for me is that I don't have a need to plug in and in my few months of playing I have never had the need for getting to the frets on the high end. So when would I need to play on that end of the fret board?

Jay

Just one word Jay: headphones! My amp has a headphones jack and when I don't want to bother the neighbors I plug em in. This has the added benefit of allowing me to really, really hear my mistakes. True story. 

Give it time and you'll be all over the neck.  That will help the frets to wear evenly.   

Seriously, there's nothing wrong with "cool" either but IMHO you can't go wrong with having the electronics in your tool set. My first Taylor was an 810 without electronics and what I have learned is that playing unplugged is not the same as playing plugged.  You have to adjust accordingly and the only way to practice that is to plug it in.

Paul