Unofficial Taylor Guitar Forum - UTGF
Taylor Acoustic & Electric Guitars => Taylor Acoustic & Electric Guitars => Topic started by: Christhee68 on August 19, 2016, 01:02:48 AM
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I had been breaking some strings lately on my 314ce and got to looking at my saddle, which I could tell was developing some grooves in it. I also noticed that the saddle seemed pretty low compared to a lot of Taylors I've seen. The break angle was pretty small and there wasn't much saddle above the bridge. So I took a few pics and sent them to Taylor to see what they could tell me.
Taylor replied that my saddle was too low and suggested I take it to my local Taylor dealer and have them check it out. I got there and the dealer confirmed that the saddle was way too low and we agreed on a new Taylor bone saddle to replace it.
I left the guitar over night and the shop called me the next morning to tell me it was done. I picked it up after work and man, what a difference. The saddle was much higher and the action was still low. It was so easy to play and sounded so great that I couldn't believe it. It was like a whole different guitar (and I really liked it before the repairs).
The guys in the shop said that all the employees had been playing it all day because they said it was one of the best playing, best sounding 314ce's they've ever had in there.
Anyway, great service from Taylor and from my local dealer.
Here's some before and after pics:
Before (saddle too low): :(
(http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j323/christhee68/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpszrp2i768.jpeg) (http://s1080.photobucket.com/user/christhee68/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpszrp2i768.jpeg.html)
(http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j323/christhee68/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsxyug6bam.jpeg) (http://s1080.photobucket.com/user/christhee68/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsxyug6bam.jpeg.html)
(http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j323/christhee68/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps2jy2ibzy.jpeg) (http://s1080.photobucket.com/user/christhee68/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps2jy2ibzy.jpeg.html)
After (saddle just right): 8)
(http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j323/christhee68/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps2l52q4pe.jpeg) (http://s1080.photobucket.com/user/christhee68/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps2l52q4pe.jpeg.html)
(http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j323/christhee68/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpswko7qet6.jpeg) (http://s1080.photobucket.com/user/christhee68/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpswko7qet6.jpeg.html)
(http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j323/christhee68/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpslzselob8.jpeg) (http://s1080.photobucket.com/user/christhee68/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpslzselob8.jpeg.html)
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Great story, nothing like a refreshed guitar. Enjoy your "new" Taylor!
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You must feel great to have your beloved guitar come home sounding better than ever - enjoy!
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And when I picked it up, I got to A/B mine with some other guitars in the shop:
Mine vs. 114ce--not even close
Mine vs. 214ce--not even close
Mine vs. 414ce--nice but I liked mine better
Mine vs. GS Mini--Are you kidding?
Mine vs. Martin Dread Jr.--seriously?
Mine vs. Martin GPCPA 4 shaded--similar feel but tone was lacking; probably because of the dead strings
Mine vs. Martin D16GT--not even close, but again probably because of dead strings
Mine vs. 914ce--914ce was super nice and sounded wonderful, but didn't sound different enough to justify the cost (to me)
Mine vs 614ce--I really like the 614ce. This may be my new bucket list guitar
Mine vs 320e-- I really liked it a lot. Different than mine but probably because of the different shape. I would love to have one of these one day, but not something I "need."
Mine vs Martin D-18--All I can say is "WHOA!" The D-18 definitely looks, plays, and sounds like something I "need." Not enough to sell my 314ce, but probably still at the top of the bucket list.
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I love hearing stories like this. Both for the stellar service that Taylor consistently brings to market, but also to reinforce Bob's absolute game-changing innovation that is the NT system. What would have relegated other guitars to "a fix" in order to correct a guitar's natural propensity to change over the years, with Taylor's NT the guitar is restored truly to its original, optimal geometry in literally just minutes.
Congrats on the almost-NGD!! :D
Edward
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I got to take it to "work" yesterday (weekly resort gig) and it really played and sounded great. I may put just a tiny bit more relief in the neck since it sounded like it may have had the tiniest little string buzz at times when plugged into the PA. Unplugged I couldn't hear it but plugged in I could--barley/almost.
Anyway here's a pic of us getting ready to get down to business:
(http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j323/christhee68/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpszuswpa5o.jpeg)
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Christee68, I knew there was something I liked about you -- my baby is also a 314ce!!! It's amazing what a little TLC will do to a guitar. One of my others is a Zager (ZAD50CE) -- which I bought used. It's about 11 years old so the wood seems to be well "opened." After a few months I took it to my teacher's luthier for a set up. WHAT A DIFFERENCE. He worked on it about 90 minutes. When I have the $$ the Taylor will go to him for a look see as well.
Jim