Unofficial Taylor Guitar Forum - UTGF
Taylor Acoustic & Electric Guitars => Taylor Acoustic & Electric Guitars => Topic started by: TaylorGirl on February 01, 2015, 11:47:22 AM
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I surely didn't expect to be posting this, but let me start by asking....have you ever had a guitar speak to you? Then you know how this goes.
Walked into Elderly to pick up a guitar and a mando (for a friend) that we had set-up work being done on. Thought I'd see how the 12-strings that they had in stock compared to my 150e. Played a few used and one new. One of the used ones was this GS5-12 (2008). Wow! The jangle and brightness was gone, with this cedar/mahogany GS. It has more than enough volume, wonderful bass response, great through the mids, and just enough on the high end to make a well balanced tone. My husband was my "audience" and "judge" during my try-outs. When I played this one, he was blown away. He said it sounded so articulate, but without the jingle (brassy) sound that he was hearing with the others. I have really gotten into fingerstyle on the 12 string, with the 150e (more than I had ever been able to do before). With this GS5-12, my fingerstyle seems easier and is definitely more clear and less twangy (don't you just love my technical terms). My husband said he could hear a definite improvement in my playing and can see me really playing more 12 string fingerstyle with this guitar. I'm excited for that.
The previous owner really babied this guitar, or didn't play it much. It is in mint condition. It was upgraded with Gotoh 510 tuners (black chrome) and a Taylor bone saddle. It even has an inlay TRC from Custom Inlay (it's a turtle...pretty cool). Elderly did a super job with the set-up, a nice low action for fingerstyle, yet perfect for strumming. Frets were dressed and the truss rod checked. I had no intention to walk out with a new (used) 12 string, but I couldn't pass on this one.
(http://i1345.photobucket.com/albums/p677/free2rv4fun/100_2755_zpsbqihaxex.jpg)
(http://i1345.photobucket.com/albums/p677/free2rv4fun/100_2751_zpsj9h8v0iw.jpg)
(http://i1345.photobucket.com/albums/p677/free2rv4fun/100_2741_zpsck3ylgcb.jpg)
(http://i1345.photobucket.com/albums/p677/free2rv4fun/100_2754_zps7wwxmryi.jpg)
(http://i1345.photobucket.com/albums/p677/free2rv4fun/100_2750_zpskqluxf0w.jpg)
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WOW!... Really nice. Yeah the previous owner must have really taken good care of it. I especially like that cedar top. Does this mean your gonna sell or trade your 150e since this one sounds and responds better.
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WOW!... Really nice. Yeah the previous owner must have really taken good care of it. I especially like that cedar top. Does this mean your gonna sell or trade your 150e since this one sounds and responds better.
Thanks so much.
Yes I am.
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Wow! Congratulations. I had the same "wow" experience with hog/cedar when I got my 514ce. Exactly like you say, it tames the sparkle a little, but adds so much depth a warmth. I could see how that would be really effective on a 12 string in taming all of those octave strings that, like you say, can get too twangy. Not to mention the Gotoh upgrades as well as the fact that at its age it's been broken in and opened up, all just for you! Enjoy, Taylorgirl!
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Just awesome! Great story. I would love to hear a roundtrip of this. My 12 string experience has only been the 150e. I thought it was great for the price. Will your 150e be for sale?
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Just awesome! Great story. I would love to hear a roundtrip of this. My 12 string experience has only been the 150e. I thought it was great for the price. Will your 150e be for sale?
Thanks, I appreciate it.
Yes, I'll either sell or trade in the 150e.
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Well done. I know exactly what you mean, you play something familiar and you've never sounded so good. It's irresistible. I've had to stop going to the store, just in case one starts shouting at me. :)
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Congrats! If you need to make some space, I would be happy to hold on to your Koa beauty for while......we wouldn't want it to feel neglected!
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aren't you glad you ran an errand for your friend?
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I surely didn't expect to be posting this, but let me start by asking....have you ever had a guitar speak to you? Then you know how this goes.
Walked into Elderly to pick up a guitar and a mando (for a friend) that we had set-up work being done on. Thought I'd see how the 12-strings that they had in stock compared to my 150e. Played a few used and one new. One of the used ones was this GS5-12 (2008). Wow! The jangle and brightness was gone, with this cedar/mahogany GS. It has more than enough volume, wonderful bass response, great through the mids, and just enough on the high end to make a well balanced tone. My husband was my "audience" and "judge" during my try-outs. When I played this one, he was blown away. He said it sounded so articulate, but without the jingle (brassy) sound that he was hearing with the others. I have really gotten into fingerstyle on the 12 string, with the 150e (more than I had ever been able to do before). With this GS5-12, my fingerstyle seems easier and is definitely more clear and less twangy (don't you just love my technical terms). My husband said he could hear a definite improvement in my playing and can see me really playing more 12 string fingerstyle with this guitar. I'm excited for that.
The previous owner really babied this guitar, or didn't play it much. It is in mint condition. It was upgraded with Gotoh 510 tuners (black chrome) and a Taylor bone saddle. It even has an inlay TRC from Custom Inlay (it's a turtle...pretty cool). Elderly did a super job with the set-up, a nice low action for fingerstyle, yet perfect for strumming. Frets were dressed and the truss rod checked. I had no intention to walk out with a new (used) 12 string, but I couldn't pass on this one.
That's so pretty in an old school, classic kind of way....
I think you somewhat fell for what your favored 512 fingerstyle tone applied to a 12 string did for this guitar. ;D
Excellent choice given you do focus on fingerstyle. I know how you feel, as good as the 150e is for what it is, when you realize you're gonna play 12 string more than you ever thought, your mind is open to "better" whatever that means.
Also, nice upgrades and it's 6 years old, so already starting to open up. Enjoy the heck out of it and congrats!!! 8)
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Another excellent example of Taylor's wonderful work with mahogany - I love the fact that it has a cedar top to tame those octave strings. The tuners and the TRC are very tasteful mods. Congrats - let those fingers fly, Susie!
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Thanks everyone! Such wonderful comments. Taylor sure does these cedar/mahogany guitars right. Yes, I'm loving the warmth of the 500 series and on a 12 string, it just hits it on the mark. I'm loving the 12 string fingerstyle even more now. The 150e paved my way. I just have to stop going to Elderly, this is getting expensive. But, sure is fun ;D! I tried to get my mando friend to help pay for it.....didn't work :'(. Yes, being 6 years old, it really speaks.
And Kristen, NO YOU CAN'T BABYSIT MY K24CE ::)! But, I still think you deserve one from your husband!!
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And Kristen, NO YOU CAN'T BABYSIT MY K24CE ::)! But, I still think you deserve one from your husband!!
Honestly, I am just looking out for the guitar. You wouldn't want the neighbors to think it was being neglected and call GPS (guitar protective services) on you.....
Working on breaking the husband..... But he is still winning! :P
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And Kristen, NO YOU CAN'T BABYSIT MY K24CE ::)! But, I still think you deserve one from your husband!!
Honestly, I am just looking out for the guitar. You wouldn't want the neighbors to think it was being neglected and call GPS (guitar protective services) on you.....
Working on breaking the husband..... But he is still winning! :P
GPS...had to laugh at that one! HA!
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Wow, all these 12-string Taylors changing hands lately! Congratulations, Susie! That's a nice Custom GS-12! You don't see many with a Cedar top, though; I've been told (though I'm admittedly skeptical about it) that Taylor is, for lack of a better term, disinclined to build 12-strings with a Cedar top because it's not as suitable as Spruce for dealing with the extra string tension.
I'm starting to think that I'm the only one on the forum who likes a 'jangly-sounding' 12-string; everybody else seems to want one that favors the 'warm' end. It's getting lonely out in Trebleland... ;) Still, I'd be curious to hear one with a Cedar top; about the closest I've tried is one with a 'Sinker' Redwood top.
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Yikes ...huge, massive score!!! And just how many, or dare I say how few, cedar 12 are there, let alone in GS body? Years ago I had looked and scoured the net for a Taylor cedar 12 ...hens teeth! I may as well had been searching for snipe! And you not only find one, but in the perfect body size for a 12er, IMHO. I love my RT12, to be sure, but you have something very special there! Enjoy it; cherish that cedar warmth! I am both jealous of as well as joyous for your finding this!! :D
Edward
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Very nice find Taylorgirl. I absolutely love cedar/mahogany tone. Sad to day I have never seen or played a 12er like yours, I am a little envious, in a good way. ;D Gs is a good size and will put out some serious volume and tone.
I have had a few encounters with some awesome 12 string guitars, a Martin, Takamine(Lawsuit model), and a fantastic Taylor 655. I enjoyed them all, but none get the love that they deserve.
Congratulations!
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Yikes ...huge, massive score!!! And just how many, or dare I say how few, cedar 12 are there, let alone in GS body? Years ago I had looked and scoured the net for a Taylor cedar 12 ...hens teeth! I may as well had been searching for snipe! And you not only find one, but in the perfect body size for a 12er, IMHO. I love my RT12, to be sure, but you have something very special there! Enjoy it; cherish that cedar warmth! I am both jealous of as well as joyous for your finding this!! :D
Edward
As Susie knows, I love helping others spend their money.
So....
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2011-Taylor-GS5-12-String-Mahogany-Body-Cedar-Top-Acoustic-Electric-Guitar-USED-/231378902441 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/2011-Taylor-GS5-12-String-Mahogany-Body-Cedar-Top-Acoustic-Electric-Guitar-USED-/231378902441)
8)
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Beautiful, congrats!
When I was first looking at nice guitars I wanted a 516, cedar/mahogany. You done good! ;D
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Awesome story! That Elderly place sure is dangerous..........
I had a Seagull cedar-topped 12 string for several years, bought because the cedar really tamed the "jangly" nature of the 12-er nicely and the dread body filled out the lower end nicely too. I only parted with it once I found my Taylor 354LTD. (It played like a six string for me. My wife handed it to me in mid-conversation in a store and I played the 12-er for about five minutes before even realizing it wasn't a six string. Wow!). I agree that the cedar top and GS body will be a special combination. Enjoy.
For fingerstyle on a 12 string, I do an unusual set up. I swap the wound and octave G string (third course). It doesn't really matter when strumming, but when fingerpicking, the index finger strokes upward on the G string. With most guitars and the standard 12-string setup I tend to hit only the wound string, missing the octave entirely, and it sounds like something is missing. I put the octave string closer to the ground, so my picking finger hits both again with my normal finger stroke.
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Thanks for the wonderful comments.
Talked to Taylor. They aren't doing cedar topped 12 strings at this time, not because of string tension or anything else, but because of availability of the quality cedar pieces (thickness, plyability, grain, etc) needed to be a 12 string top. They said the ones that have been made are special, because there aren't too many of them. They said the warmth in cedar/mahogany is especially sought after by fingerstyle players. No wonder I was drawn to the sound of this guitar. Also, tune it to standard pitch with light guage strings, just like all their 12's.
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I agree with you, Earl, it's almost like playing a 6 string, with the fullness and extra bell-tone of a 12 string. Weird.
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Wow. That's one stunning guitar. As I like the cedar/mahogany combination on Taylor guitars, betting I'd like that 12 string. Totally jealous you are so close to Elderly. Have only visited the store once in 1992.
You've also answered my unasked question of why there aren't more cedar topped Taylors these days.
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For fingerstyle on a 12 string, I do an unusual set up. I swap the wound and octave G string (third course). It doesn't really matter when strumming, but when fingerpicking, the index finger strokes upward on the G string. With most guitars and the standard 12-string setup I tend to hit only the wound string, missing the octave entirely, and it sounds like something is missing. I put the octave string closer to the ground, so my picking finger hits both again with my normal finger stroke.
I'm not a twelve string player but I've noticed when I've tried them in the store I had a similar problem. Like your solution! That is, if I ever get one. All the posts on here can sure create some 12er GAS! HA!
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Wow Susie, awesome find! I am sure you have really rounded your guitar collection out well. You are also giving me pause as I have been wondering about a 12 string and am also in the "target" audience for the 150e. I had tried a 150e and it didn't "sing" to me, but I didn't know any 12 string music. I have started learning Fingerstyle and am really motivated bt Leo Kottke's music. We saw him last year and my wife is supportive so, sorry to hijac your thread but do you wish you had skipped the 150e altogether or was it essential to your 12 string journey and thus worth it?
I have started learning some 12 string parts so I can do some good test drives later this year.
Again, congrats, I can't imagine how that cedar top must work great on the 12er.
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Congrats on your wonderful find Susie. Cedar/hog is just a wonderful combo for fingerstyle. I know the 12er must sound awesome.
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Wow Susie, awesome find! I am sure you have really rounded your guitar collection out well. You are also giving me pause as I have been wondering about a 12 string and am also in the "target" audience for the 150e. I had tried a 150e and it didn't "sing" to me, but I didn't know any 12 string music. I have started learning Fingerstyle and am really motivated bt Leo Kottke's music. We saw him last year and my wife is supportive so, sorry to hijac your thread but do you wish you had skipped the 150e altogether or was it essential to your 12 string journey and thus worth it?
I have started learning some 12 string parts so I can do some good test drives later this year.
Again, congrats, I can't imagine how that cedar top must work great on the 12er.
Susie and I both have had 150e 12 strings, so I'll comment on your question as well. (I think this is Susie's 3rd 12er). I've said it before, for the money and what it is, the 150e is one superb guitar from a playability and tone perspective. For someone who "thinks" they'll just dabble and play a 12 string every once in a while, for all the 12 strings I've played, I can unequivocally recommend it. Would you feel like you wanted something better tonewise? I think we both found we played our 12 strings more than we imagined (the 150e had something to do with that, ironically!) and eventually the better tone spoke to us for a Taylor solid wood 12er.
Here's the thing, if you're on the fence, start with a 150e. If you end up trading it up or selling it because you want something better, you won't have lost but maybe $100, assuming you buy it new. However, it occurs to me Susie may have one lovingly cared for that she'll sell you if she still has it. 8)
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Yes, I'll either sell or trade in the 150e.
Or trade....hmmm. Yep, I caught that. Maybe reading too much into it. But there is that Mini Koa thing kinda hanging out there, or..... 8)
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That is completely amazing. I've only seen two of those ever and one of them is owned by me... ;)
Mine has an interesting history. Below is the thread about it.
http://www.unofficialtaylorguitarforum.com/index.php?topic=4988
Nick
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Thanks for all the comments. Very nice. Nick, that is a very interesting story behind your GS5e-12. So, you know how sweet (or should I say warm) these sound ;). I don't think there are many out there. This is a keeper.
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Absolutely!!! I was looking for a 12 (had a 655ce) that was warm, chimey and growled when you wanted. This thing does it, as I'm sure you know... 8)
Nick
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do you wish you had skipped the 150e altogether or was it essential to your 12 string journey and thus worth it?
Responded in detail via PM.
Long answer short....yes, in my case the Taylor 150e was a valuable part of my 12 string journey. It was definitely worth it! They are super guitars and you can't beat the price.
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Thanks for all the wonderful comments. I appreciate every one of them.
This GS5-12 got its first workout this week playing with an awesome mandolin player. I play only fingerstyle when I play with him. I ALWAYS used to play just one of my 6 strings. Then, the 150e got me going with fingerstyle on a 12 string. Pulled out the GS5-12 and played several songs fingerstyle. I was extremely happy with the guitar and it sounded great. The mandolin player was impressed by the guitar. So, I think I found a 12 string that is a keeper for me. My husband loves it too.
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A little late to the party, but just gotta say that is a wonderful story - when a guitar speaks to you there really is no question about it - and a supportive and encouraging spouse makes all the difference.
You are one lucky lady, and we wish you continued happiness in your journey.
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A little late to the party, but just gotta say that is a wonderful story - when a guitar speaks to you there really is no question about it - and a supportive and encouraging spouse makes all the difference.
You are one lucky lady, and we wish you continued happiness in your journey.
Thank you so much, I appreciate it. Glad to see you back. Hope you can hang out here more often. We miss you.
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Thank you so much, I appreciate it. Glad to see you back. Hope you can hang out here more often. We miss you.
Thanks for the welcome back - life kinda got busy and upside down for a while, but as things get back to 'normal' we hope to check in more often now... heck, it'll probably end up as a regular Evernote ToDo reminder!
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What a wonderful guitar, oh I wish in the UK we could walk in to a store and find such beauties, I'd have a room full in no time.
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What a wonderful guitar, oh I wish in the UK we could walk in to a store and find such beauties, I'd have a room full in no time.
Nice comment....thank you very much. Yes, I love it. It made its debut today at the Assisted Living Facility when I played there.