Unofficial Taylor Guitar Forum - UTGF

Taylor Acoustic & Electric Guitars => Taylor Acoustic & Electric Guitars => Topic started by: bbarkow on July 31, 2015, 01:07:17 AM

Title: Older Taylors - neck stability?
Post by: bbarkow on July 31, 2015, 01:07:17 AM
I've been looking around the used market, and have found several 710s from the late '80s and early '90s that seem like great values for played-in guitars. I've listened to quite a few clips, and I think one of these would be a great fit for me. I'm not overly concerned with pristine cosmetics, I'm looking for a daily player and performance guitar.

My concern is how likely one of these guitars is to need a neck reset in the future, since there obviously wouldn't be a warranty. I did a search here on the forum and didn't come up with much.

Thanks!
Title: Re: Older Taylors - neck stability?
Post by: Strumming Fool on July 31, 2015, 07:18:21 AM
Even older Taylors have a bolt-on neck, so a reset  (if needed at all) isn't major surgery as with dovetail neck joins. My two 90s Taylors have both had neck resets at Taylor in recent years. Both necks felt great both before and after the resets. Just my personal experience. ...I wouldn't hesitate to buy an older Taylor.  In fact, my '95 Taylor was purchased second hand in 2012; even without the warranty, the neck reset was nowhere near as costly as dovetail reset jobs.
Title: Re: Older Taylors - neck stability?
Post by: bbarkow on July 31, 2015, 02:04:52 PM
Great news. Thank you!
Title: Re: Older Taylors - neck stability?
Post by: MikeB on August 03, 2015, 09:06:49 PM
Yup, that's the fantastic thing about Taylors - easy neck resets.  15-20 minute job for a qualified tech (he has to have the right shims in stock).
Title: Re: Older Taylors - neck stability?
Post by: DupleMeter on August 03, 2015, 10:52:27 PM
The reality is that eventually all guitars need a neck reset. That said, Taylor neck resets are really not a huge job. They're nothing like an old Martin or Gibson where you have to deal with a dovetail joint and dubious initial setting in the first place (which is more than common with dovetails). If you found a guitar you like, I wouldn't let that be a deal breaker.
Title: Re: Older Taylors - neck stability?
Post by: Nicky Midss on August 04, 2015, 12:09:42 AM
i had a 1993 712, and it was one of the better taylors I've owned in terms of playability. the original owner really took care of it, and it played like a dream.