Let's talk GCs

[timfitz63]

I think the only thing I would add to all the good advice you've already had is to definitely play a GC-sized body before buying it if your intent is to strum it.  Being a strumming player myself, my experience is the response of GC-sized guitars to strumming varies quite a bit; some I would never use for strumming because they just sounded crummy until finger-picked, while others seem to hold up very well to even moderate strumming.

... Finally, Taylor is going to be applying V-bracing to the Grand Concerts in 2019.  Before I'd purchase any GC, I'd wait for those to arrive to see what the effect of the bracing will be...

This point from Dennis is very good; the V-Class Grand Concerts may generally handle strumming better than the older X-braced guitars.  No telling until we all get a chance to play them after they're released.

The counterpoint to this is:  you'll likely be able to score a better deal on the pre-V-Class GC guitars after the new ones are released...

[joshi]

How do you like the GCs for flatpicking?

[timfitz63]

How do you like the GCs for flatpicking?

I don't use that style of play, but I would say that all GC's will work for fingerstyle -- and by extension, flatpicking -- since that's really what they were designed for; but only some will work well when strummed.  Something about the latter style often seems to overpower (for lack of a better term) the guitar, and makes it sound (to my ears) like it's stepping all over itself sonically.

[joshi]

OK, I figured it would work for flatpicking. I'm a little surprised by the advice to wait for the v-braced. I've played a few of those in the x14 models, including a direct comparison of 814x and 814v. Based on that and listening online to comparisons, what I hear is that the v's lose both bass and treble in favor of a more flattened sound up and down as well as a more uniform and refined sound across the fretboard.  My concern with v's would be the loss of bass, particularly in a GC body.  Bass is one of the key reasons I'm intrigued by a 12-fretter.

[DennisG]

OK, I figured it would work for flatpicking. I'm a little surprised by the advice to wait for the v-braced. I've played a few of those in the x14 models, including a direct comparison of 814x and 814v. Based on that and listening online to comparisons, what I hear is that the v's lose both bass and treble in favor of a more flattened sound up and down as well as a more uniform and refined sound across the fretboard.  My concern with v's would be the loss of bass, particularly in a GC body.  Bass is one of the key reasons I'm intrigued by a 12-fretter.

I've owned both X- and V-braced guitars, and your observation that X-braced guitars have a fuller bass and treble doesn't at all mirror my experience.  The only way you'll know is to wait for the V-braced models to appear, then do a comparison, as Tim suggested.  Even then, though, they are two different guitars, and may exhibit sonic differences, regardless of the bracing.  But if you come across an X-braced guitar that floats your boat, go ahead and pull the trigger ... if you don't mind mixed metaphors.

[joshi]

Has anyone heard any specifics on when the v-braced GCs are coming out in 2019, or if there are going to be any builder's editions?

[Earl]

At this point I doubt we'll hear anything official until after the winter NAMM show, probably in February.   That is also about the time that the winter issue of Wood & Steel comes out.

[DenverSteve]

You stated, "I played an 812ce 12-fret recently and was really impressed."  That should say it all.

For me the GC's are too "intimate" as I play a wide variety of music while performing and prefer a guitar with more breath.  I also need a little more space.  Therefore, my preference, after playing Taylor's for 20 years, is the Grand Auditorium size.  As each wood combination from the 300's to the 900's is different, I would repeat the suggestion above to play as many as possible and choose one the screams to you. Happy hunting.

[joshi]

I'm ready to hear Taylor's 2019 plans for the GCs.  X-braced GCs have started disappearing...

[salpine]

Although they haven't yet been emphasized on their website or at NAMM (compared to the new Grand Pacific series), V-braced GCs are now mentioned on Taylor's website (e.g., 812 series), and are shown on various vendors' websites (e.g., Musician's Friend, search GCs for V-Class).

[joshi]

Thanks for pointing that out. Interesting that they show a V 812ce but not a V 912.

[mgap]

Thanks for pointing that out. Interesting that they show a V 812ce but not a V 912.

They don't seem to have the full of X12 rolled out yet. 
I am seeing that the 312ce 12th fret and 322e,
In the 500 series the- 512ce, 522ce, 522e 12th fret, 522ce
800 Series- 812ce 12th fret, 812ce DLX and 812ce 12th fret DLX
So they are hitting the lower price point with the 300 series.  The mid-price point with the 500 series.  The higher price point with the 800 series.
I am sure all the other series will follow suit throughout the year just like the rollout of the X14 body style.   

[joshi]

Anyone heard any further news about the x12 v-braced and when they'll be available in stores?   I haven't had time to pay attention to the goings-on at NAMM.

[joshi]

Notice now that both the Guitar Center and Musician's Friend sites list the 812ce's with v-bracing shipping on 3/22. Both list Gotoh tuners but on Taylors site it says the standard tuners are regular Taylor slot-head. I wonder which is right?  I mean, they do offer Gotoh's for a $175 upcharge on the regular price, but usually it seems like these companies just sell the "default" model.

[jpmist]

Both list Gotoh tuners but on Taylors site it says the standard tuners are regular Taylor slot-head. I wonder which is right?

I was confused by that as well, but noticed that the 14 frets were paddle heads, so they'd likely have the Gotoh option. I dunno how well Gotoh's slothead tuners rate versus Taylors but I'm not a fan of the tuners on my 322.

The $175 upcharge is fair I guess, but I note you can buy your own set for far less than half that and install them in 20 minute. The 510s I have on mine are fantastic.