A Change of Mind About the 918

[Strumming Fool]

Herb-

That is one special-looking Taylor, and I'll bet that wood combo produces a stellar sound! Even though we're not talking about an NGD, I still must congratulate you on your recent choice to keep it!

God bless...

[Strumming Fool]

I love the smiley bridge pin formation, too. Have any idea why Taylor switched it?

The smiley bridge pin formation was switched in 1998 or 1999, I believe. Taylor's reasoning, as a I recall was:

1. easier to mass produce a straight line of bridge pin holes, and
2. no appreciable advantage (soundwise) of the smiley bridge pin formation

...but it does look cool! I'm glad that I have that feature on my '95 and '97 below:

[Herb Hunter]

I love the smiley bridge pin formation, too. Have any idea why Taylor switched it?

The smiley bridge pin formation was switched in 1998 or 1999, I believe. Taylor's reasoning, as a I recall was:

1. easier to mass produce a straight line of bridge pin holes, and
2. no appreciable advantage (soundwise) of the smiley bridge pin formation

...but it does look cool! I'm glad that I have that feature on my '95 and '97 below:

When Cindy asked my about the smiley bridge, I thought she was referring to the abalone inlay. It didn't occur to me that she was referring to the pin arrangement.


I love the wide rosette of your '95 guitar. I believe the last year for that rosette style was 1996.

[cigarfan]

Herb, what a beautiful specimen. I too love the curved bridge pin arrangement.

When I commissioned my build I specifically asked for the smiley bridge pin arrangement. It is actually better functionally as it reduces the tendency of the bridge to crack between holes because they are not on the same line as the grain.