Internet Ads and "Specs"?

[krugjr]

the more I shop online, the more confused I get.....1: can't tell a 2014 from a 2015 anymore by "build date", listings are all over the place on this one lately   2: major Taylor store lists a 2015 418e as having a "satin" finish, even after asking them to verify it.....Taylor site lists 2015s as having gloss finish   3: articles on Taylor web site and W&S mag state ALL 52X FEs as having CV bracing, stores list the 528 FEs as having CV bracing, but even the guys at Taylor's service and repair dept don't believe the 528 FE has CV bracing.....??

[Earl]

If it's on the interweb, it must be true.......    

Even Taylor does not get it right on their own web site in many cases, if you watch threads around here for very long.  Seems like the best way to tell the 2014 from the 2015 is whether it has the wood pickguard instead of plastic.  Or maybe not.

[Frettingflyer]

I have noticed this, as well as stopping into authorized Taylor dealers as far apart as TX and NH and finding Sapele B/S listed as "all mahogany". At least the store in NH appreciated me catching what seemed to be an honest mistake, but someone in TX probably thinks they got an all mahogany guitar at a great price.
Things do change, and it is hard to keep track, but the wood used for the back and sides? Come on.
Sorry, sore point with me. Dealers they should know better.

[krugjr]

...flyer......yeah, that's kinda my point too...just when I think technology and information are coming together (and they certainly are) we still have to be careful with each purchase and ask all the right questions...small price to pay for ending up with a wonderful guitar....I'm just a Taylor lover but I know some of these stores handle hundreds of guitars and all the "major" brands, so things do happen.....and some of the stores get additional custom features exclusively for them (WW CV for an example).......I prefer working with a store that will put their hands on a guitar for me, check it out, even play it and give me their thoughts......or when timfitz helps me out...now that's awesome!

[michaelw]

the year is easy enough to figure out (digits 2 & 7) -
XYMMDDYXXX

if there are any ?s regarding specs, Chris at Taylor is the one you need to talk to

[krugjr]

and that's what I mean, Michael.....I've been checking out the 418s and their serial numbers.....dealers say they are all 2015s even when they are built in Oct or Nov of 2014, clearly in the ser #.....the 7 yrs I've been around Taylor there seemed to be a system of identifying a Taylor...it's a 2011, it's a 2009, it's a 2013, etc.....now it's like cars and trucks, start building them in the fall and market them as next year's models....no big deal really, just seems like something has changed in the production procedure .....so 5 yrs from now someone sells their guitar as a 2015 Taylor 418e when ser # shows built in Nov 2014...and I know it doesn't mean much cuz there ain't no "blue book" on guitars (at least I don't think so).....I was just wondering if this is a "change" from the way it has been done in Taylor's past?

[michaelw]

there were some current spec 600s made in late 14, as there
were probably some 14 spec 800s made at the end of 13 -
the specs are usually identifiable, such as the 14 400s vs the current 400s, which were pretty much the
same as the 14 400SLTDs, minus the MOP headstock inlay, ab dot fretmarkers/bridge pins & gold tuners
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/414ceSLTD14

speaking of the 418e, i was under the impression that the X18 had bracing specific
to that body shape, but this shows forward shifted with relief rout (standard II)
http://www.taylorguitars.com/guitars/acoustic/418e

i wouldn't be surprised to see this specs corrected, as i doubt the 418 has standard II bracing