Unofficial Taylor Guitar Forum - UTGF
Taylor Acoustic & Electric Guitars => Taylor Acoustic & Electric Guitars => Topic started by: BilbotheGuitarist on June 26, 2013, 03:05:14 PM
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What do you guys think about putting a cedar top on a 518e? What I'm looking for is a nice fingerstyle guitar with a somewhat stronger bass that doesn't overpower a set of relatively clear, sparkly mids. I'm less distinguishing about the highs. Do you guys think this combination would be good for that? I tend to like larger body styles, so the versatility of a GO seems to suit what I'm looking for. Thanks in advance :)
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Cedar and Mahogany on a GO sounds awesome to me. I would think that combo would fit that style of play perfectly.
And OBTW, welcome to the forum. Make yourself at home! :D
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Thanks for the input! That's great to hear.
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Sounds good to me, too. The new bracing on the GO's should give some good volume even with finger style.
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I think it's be great. I recently played the 416ce ltd (tasmanian blackwood and cedar) and was amazed at the warmth. Cedar and mahogany was available across the 5 series before, so I wonder if it'll find it's way onto the GO's? Right now it seems to be cedar on the 12's and 14's, spruce on the 16's and 18's.
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I had the question because I was browsing the Taylor website at this link: http://www.taylorguitars.com/guitars/acoustic/518e
, and if you scroll down a bit you should see something that says "Taylor 518e Options". One of the options is the aforementioned Western Red Cedar, so I was thinking I could just contact them and choose to have the guitar made with the options that they provide. Is this correct?
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if i'm not mistaken, it's called the modify-a-model type of order. wherein certain models will have different options on tops, finishes, short or standard scale necks etc. welcome to the forum and keep on playing! :)
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Ok, thanks!
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Cedar topped Taylors are my favorite. I have 2 GA's, one cedar over macassar and the other cedar over blackwood. The warmth and edge that is imparted to the sound are mesmerizing! I had a cedar over mahogany GS in short scale and mistakingly sold that.
Good luck!
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I think Taylor does a great job with Cedar tops. I own/have owned Cedar over Rosewood (GA), Mahogany (GS), and (my favorite) Walnut (GC, GA, GS). Cedar-topped Taylors never seem to get too muddy or squishy - just nice and warm with lots of overtones, but still a bit of sparkle. Taylor's "Modify-a-Model" program is now just referred to as "Standard Model Options". It's a great way to take a standard guitar model and makes some minor changes (top swaps, scale length, nut width, finish, tuners...etc.) at a reasonable cost. It is how I got my short scale 814c with a tobacco burst and no pickguard as well as my short scale 714ce with bone nut/saddle, clear pickguard, and Gotoh tuners. It's easier than going full BTO and less expensive for the same specs usually.
I would recommend playing both a GS and a GO. Cedar-topped GS's are wonderful for fingerstyle and do well with light gauge strings. It's a pretty big body and a full-sounding guitar with lots of bottom but no mid scoop - very tonally balanced high to low. I haven't tried a GO yet, but would like to.... although I suspect it might be too big for me. It's hard to go wrong with with a Mahogany/Cedar Taylor! Keep us posted on what you decide.
By the way, you don't contact Taylor directly to have a guitar built. You have to work with an authorized Taylor dealer to place your order.
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One of my. Breedlove's is cedar over walnut. You may want to consider that combination as well. Very warm sound and great clarity
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One of my favorite Taylor models is the GS5. Mahogany w/ Cedar top. Wow! Just love the warmth and overall tone. Will own one someday.
-Gary K
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Go for it! I love my cedar/hog 512ce. Yes, those options are there for you to modify a standard model. You are limited to the changes/options they offer for that series. Good luck and have fun.
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It will be an amazing guitar! If I would make one suggestion it would be to order it with Adirondack braces. The Adi will provide added punch and head room without sacrificing any response.
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Although I'm not a fan of the GO, I do like cedar tops on somewhat larger guitars. I've played some Lowden Os with that wood combo and they were truly sublime. My cedar/walnut GA is still my favorite guitar- amazing volume, bass, clarity and brilliance - it's got it all!
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It looks like Cedar is a top option for the 528.
http://www.taylorguitars.com/guitars/acoustic/528 (http://www.taylorguitars.com/guitars/acoustic/528)
Although I am unsure how accurate that is, seeing that there has not been a 12 String or short scale option announced for the Grand Orchestra.
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Another vote for YES!
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It looks like Cedar is a top option for the 528.
http://www.taylorguitars.com/guitars/acoustic/528 (http://www.taylorguitars.com/guitars/acoustic/528)
Although I am unsure how accurate that is, seeing that there has not been a 12 String or short scale option announced for the Grand Orchestra.
Cedar is not currently an option on the 528, unfortunately..
If you look carefully, it says Western Red Cedar, with a disclaimer about it not available on a GO body..
Correct about no no 12 String or Short scale options yet on GO shape either (both of those would interest me for sure!)
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Apparently, updating of the website is 'in-progress'.
When I viewed the specs when I posted earlier, the sample Cedar pic was a full square, not the 'half-rectangle' size it is now, with no mention of
'(except GO
shape)', which in that justification format, reduced the size of the Cedar square by half.
The short scale neck option also has the 'except GO shape' restriction, as does the Florentine cutaway, but the 12 String option remains as of this post.
It's too bad that the Florentine cutaway isn't an option on the GO, as the Venetian cutaway looks a little 'flat' to me.
http://www.thefretshop.com/product/acoustic-guitars/taylor-618ce-prototype-grand-orchestra-acousticelectric-guitar-with-case/ (http://www.thefretshop.com/product/acoustic-guitars/taylor-618ce-prototype-grand-orchestra-acousticelectric-guitar-with-case/)
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My 812ce has a western red cedar top which was a modification to the standard that I requested when I ordered it. I love the sound of it. It's a little fatter and warmer which I prefer, and I run it through an amp most of the time and get a really rich sound. I play with a pick 90% of the time. That adds brightness in and of itself, so I was looking for a little more warmth.