Unofficial Taylor Guitar Forum - UTGF
Taylor Acoustic & Electric Guitars => Taylor Acoustic & Electric Guitars => Topic started by: Tammany Tiger on May 09, 2012, 11:22:35 PM
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Oh, boy. My Mahogany 12 fret BTO arrived yesterday from Guitar Rodeo and it exceeds all of my expectations. It is warm, articulate and rich. The bridge position gives the guitar a surprising amount of bass and there is absolutely none of the boxiness that I have heard in a lot of Taylor GCs.
The finish is absolutely stunning although the subtlety of the edge burst is lost in these photos.
I will post a more detailed review later but wanted to get some pictures up tonight.
Many, many thanks to Jim Tordoff for steering me through this project. This is my third BTO from Guitar Rodeo and each time we do this I have more fun than the last. Jim is a complete joy to work with and is a tremendous representative of Taylor. He is responsible for my first trying all mahogany guitars and for that I am very grateful.
More later. For now, have fun sharing the photos.
(http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee153/tammany1693/MahaganyBTO1-1.jpg)
(http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee153/tammany1693/MahaganyBTO5-1.jpg)
(http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee153/tammany1693/MahaganyBTO3-1.jpg)
(http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee153/tammany1693/MahaganyBTO6.jpg)
(http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee153/tammany1693/MahaganyBTO10.jpg)
(http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee153/tammany1693/MahaganyBTO7.jpg)
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Here are the specs on this guitar:
Twelve fret BTO GC.
Mahogany top, back and sides.
Edgeburst finish all over.
Short scale.
Slot head tuning machines.
Ebony binding.
Ebony Rosette.
Ebony bound sound hole.
Ebony peghead overlay.
Ebony bridge pins.
Three piece back with Ebony mini-wedge.
Blank fretboard.
Bone saddle.
No electronics.
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loving that mini-wedge...
I'd love to hear a sound clip of that beauty... 8)
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Wow. Beautiful guitar! Mohogany and ebony really work well together....very nicely done.
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That guitar is a work of art.
Congrats!
-Gary K
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The wait is over. That's one beautiful guitar. Enjoy.
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That is a beautiful guitar. I've never been a huge fan of all mahogany guitars, but this one has me thinking that I may try it someday. What is the sound like? Any chance of getting a clip posted here?
I probably still have about five weeks before my BTO from Jim arrives, and I have to agree with your statements about how great he has been to work with. He made the process go very smoothly for me and provided some great advice while I was putting mine together as well.
Enjoy the new guitar.
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Many thanks for these nice comments. I would love to post some sound clips but unfortunately I just am not set up to record. That likely will be my next paroxysm of G(ear) Acquisition Syndrome.
Tonally, mahogany guitars have wonderful mids without a lot of overtones or muddiness. This guitar is typical of that sound. Surprisingly though it also has considerable bass because of the bridge location. I have also been thrilled that its tone is very full and well developed, especially for a Taylor GC. Many Taylor Grand Concerts have sounded muffled and boxy to me and I will confess to some anxiety about how this guitar would sound. Jim was very reassuring and the guitar has reaffirmed my confidence in his judgement. There is no boxiness at all.
I spent a wonderful couple of hours last night A/Bing the guitar with my principal player, a maple GA Limited that is the greatest gem I have ever found through Guitar Rodeo. The GA has the perfect Taylor sound to me. It's clear as a bell with loads of volume and a pretty rapid note decay, huge bass and considerable complexity (almost harp-like overtones). The Mahogany BTO is warmer and mellower with a slower decay. It's obviously quieter than the big voiced maple but it is a little more responsive to finger picking. Both guitars have a short scale but the strings on this 12 fret BTO are a little looser. Overall the BTO is more comfortable to hold and play. It has a very intimate feel and its timbre is a good match for my singing voice although the neighbors were complaining last night when I got started with that.
I bought this guitar to compliment the GA and in that respect it's perfect. They are totally different tonally and the GC was immediately comfortable in my lap and hands. I was looking for a couch guitar that complemented my singing voice and I have found exactly that combination.
Some years ago I foolishly sold an all mahogany 612ce Limited when I was trying to come up with cash to buy a vintage Gibson. I have always regretted letting that guitar get away and to a large extent this build was intended to recapture the combination of tone and playability that guitar had. I can honestly say that this BTO is much much better in every respect.
Visually, I could not be more pleased with the ebony on this guitar. I was hesitant to spend the money because it appears so similar to black plastic binding but if I had gone with the plastic I could not have gotten the mini wedge or (as I recall) the rosette and sound hole. The price was so attractive though that I was able to splurge on the ebony and I am now thrilled that I did. The guitar is understated and just plain elegant, at least in my judgment. And I am the only one who needs to be pleased!
Over the years Jim has developed a good understanding of my preferences in guitars and he steered me to this combination of size, design and materials. He really outdid himself this time and I am very grateful for his interest, talent and good cheer.
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Beautiful guitar!
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The guitar is understated and just plain elegant, at least in my judgment. And I am the only one who needs to be pleased!
Exactly! Out of curiosity, how would you describe "boxy." I've heard that term used a ton to describe guitars of all makes......would it be the same as it being just "dead?"
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That is one stunning guitar! I hope you have many years of enjoyment with it.
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Beautiful instrument!
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The guitar is understated and just plain elegant, at least in my judgment. And I am the only one who needs to be pleased!
Exactly! Out of curiosity, how would you describe "boxy." I've heard that term used a ton to describe guitars of all makes......would it be the same as it being just "dead?"
Thanks, Josh.
What I mean is a compressed, jangly sound, but there we go again trying to describe tone!
On some guitars it's almost as if there is a towel stuck inside the sound hole. In small doses, it's not necessarily a bad thing. That flat sound is, after all, the Gibson L-O and L-OO tone. I just want a fuller, more developed sound but in an easy to hold, intimate instrument.
Thanks to you all for these nice comments.
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Beautiful guitar!
Congrats.
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Really special! I hope you settle in to some really fine music together.
I have a Taylor short scale 12-fret and have found the bass thing you describe to be true as well. Kind of surprised me. My all-hog is a GS because I was looking for stronger bass.
Again, beautiful guitar. Have a blast with your new friend!
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The options you picked out were perfect . Beautiful guitar.
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Oh my, that's a lovely guitar!
On the 12-fret, I know exactly what you mean! I played one at a Road Show and since that time was sectretly plotting a way to get one ...the 12-fret Taylors have that way about them; just alluring! (which fortunately for me I was able to fulfill that itch when a certain RT-2 came across my path). And how you spec'd this guit is perfect: just so elegant. The hues are beautiful and the edgebursting is gorgeous. Kudos man ...enjoy!!
Edward
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Wow -- what a beautiful guitar. And it would seem the sounds are up to par with the looks. Congrats!
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What a stunning guitar! WOW!
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OK, I give up. Being rather new to these forums I haven't figured out all these acronyms yet. I saw "NGD" on the UMGF this morning and have been trying all day to figure it out with no luck. Then tonight I'm on this forum and "NGD" pops up again, so at least I know it's not pertaining to a particular manufacturer.
Can someone tell me what "NGD" means? I was thinking that BTO was Bachman Turner Overdrive, but then realized that it was Build To Order.
Thanks! Oh, and enjoy that beautiful guitar. I've never had a mahogany one, but that's next on my list.
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OK, I give up. Being rather new to these forums I haven't figured out all these acronyms yet. I saw "NGD" on the UMGF this morning and have been trying all day to figure it out with no luck. Then tonight I'm on this forum and "NGD" pops up again, so at least I know it's not pertaining to a particular manufacturer.
Can someone tell me what "NGD" means? I was thinking that BTO was Bachman Turner Overdrive, but then realized that it was Build To Order.
Thanks! Oh, and enjoy that beautiful guitar. I've never had a mahogany one, but that's next on my list.
New Guitar Day.
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OK, I give up.
Just another NGD thread on UTGF about a BTO GC from GR that temporaily eases GAS. Includes AB to M GA LTD and reference to old L09. Also discusses vintage L-O and L-OO tone. BTO has an NT neck but no CVR because it's a 12 fret. Slothead, so no 510's. No ES.
Etc.
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I've built a few BTO's with Ebony binding and rosettes (and bound soundholes!), and it's probably my favorite look...
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OK, I give up.
Just another NGD thread on UTGF about a BTO GC from GR that temporaily eases GAS. Includes AB to M GA LTD and reference to old L09. Also discusses vintage L-O and L-OO tone. BTO has an NT neck but no CVR because it's a 12 fret. Slothead, so no 510's. No ES.
Etc.
LOL!
...JK
;)
Edward
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Oh, and enjoy that beautiful guitar. I've never had a mahogany one, but that's next on my list.
Thanks very much. Hope that you are not offended by by post making fun of the way we speak in shorthand around here.
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Oh, and enjoy that beautiful guitar. I've never had a mahogany one, but that's next on my list.
Thanks very much. Hope that you are not offended by by post making fun of the way we speak in shorthand around here.
NP
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The wait is over. That's one beautiful guitar. Enjoy.
I have to agree!!