Unofficial Taylor Guitar Forum - UTGF

Taylor Acoustic & Electric Guitars => Taylor Acoustic & Electric Guitars => Topic started by: TaylorGirl on November 13, 2014, 06:28:00 PM

Title: NGD - I'm In Love With Taylor Koa
Post by: TaylorGirl on November 13, 2014, 06:28:00 PM
Here is my NGD post, 2 days late, because I’m having a hard time prying my hands off this guitar and I can’t stop staring at its beauty.

About the Guitar
This is a K24ce Wildwood Custom Build. As upgrades, it has Adirondack CV Bracing and AA Koa top, back and sides. I fell in love with this guitar the minute I saw it. I love what Mother Nature did with these woods, with the sapwood, striping, curliness (and even quilting of sorts), and colors. These features run both horizontally and vertically, making it a stunning example of Taylor Art. The pictures don't do it justice. But, I did my best.

Sound
The sound out of this guitar is amazing. It has a well-balanced tone, from the bass through the trebles. I’m mostly a finger style player and this thing just sings, with its nice clear note separation. Then, if I want it to really “bark”, it’s very responsive and loud. My husband says “that thing really booms”. He can’t stop commenting on how good it sounds. I think the Adirondack bracing really adds to the sound of this guitar.

Wildwood Guitars

This was my first guitar purchase from Wildwood Guitars (Louisville, CO). I called them several times and ended up speaking with Steve, Troy, Bruce, and Lance. They were all very helpful, knowledgeable, and professional. I paid the extra shipping cost to get 2 Day Air, and the guitar made it from the store to my home in Michigan in less than 24 hours! What a nice surprise. I'd definitely recommend Wildwood Guitars.

Now, for the pictures:
(http://i1345.photobucket.com/albums/p677/free2rv4fun/Taylor%20K24ce/IMG_20141113_095855432_zpsb7bfc277.jpg)
(http://i1345.photobucket.com/albums/p677/free2rv4fun/Taylor%20K24ce/IMG_20141113_100029365_zps8e2d570f.jpg)
(http://i1345.photobucket.com/albums/p677/free2rv4fun/Taylor%20K24ce/IMG_20141113_095745996_zps861d0130.jpg)
(http://i1345.photobucket.com/albums/p677/free2rv4fun/Taylor%20K24ce/IMG_20141113_095817276_HDR_zps476d674d.jpg)
(http://i1345.photobucket.com/albums/p677/free2rv4fun/Taylor%20K24ce/IMG_20141113_095717845_zpsa3a2f9b3.jpg)
(http://i1345.photobucket.com/albums/p677/free2rv4fun/Taylor%20K24ce/IMG_20141113_100133612_zps49cbed7a.jpg)
Title: Re: NGD - I'm In Love With Taylor Koa
Post by: Astrum on November 13, 2014, 06:32:24 PM
It's beautiful! Congrats!
Title: Re: NGD - I'm In Love With Taylor Koa
Post by: packy on November 13, 2014, 06:42:15 PM
WOW!  What a beauty!
Title: Re: NGD - I'm In Love With Taylor Koa
Post by: scusu on November 13, 2014, 07:04:31 PM
Magnifico!
Title: Re: NGD - I'm In Love With Taylor Koa
Post by: sstaylor58 on November 13, 2014, 07:21:34 PM
Beautiful, enjoy!
Title: Re: NGD - I'm In Love With Taylor Koa
Post by: timfitz63 on November 13, 2014, 07:58:16 PM
That's just about the nicest K24ce I've ever seen!  My plain-ol' K24ce looks like an ugly duckling by comparison...!  Congratulations, Susie!
Title: Re: NGD - I'm In Love With Taylor Koa
Post by: mgap on November 13, 2014, 09:08:15 PM
Very nice K24 TaylorGirl.  It sure is a pretty guitar, and will bet that is awesome to play.  The folks at Wildwood are great to work with as I have had found out last year.  I have worked with both Bruce and Lance and found them to be great to work with.  Did you get a T shirt? 
I think Wildwood has done several Adirondack CV bracing BTOs in the last few years.  Mine is a 514ce with Adirondack CV bracing and Adirondack top it is called a 514ce WW CV.  I put them in as one of my Favorite Local Guitar Store, local? well...about 1 and a half hours from me, but Louisville is right next door to my home town of Boulder.
Title: Re: NGD - I'm In Love With Taylor Koa
Post by: TaylorGirl on November 13, 2014, 09:11:45 PM
Yup, I got a T-shirt, which I will proudly wear!
Title: Re: NGD - I'm In Love With Taylor Koa
Post by: Guitar Cowboy on November 13, 2014, 09:23:57 PM
WOW!!! Quite possibly one of the most beautiful guitars I have ever seen.  I understand  completely how you couldn't take your eyes/ears  off it. The top - WOW; the back- WOW... but the sides,  too  ... OMG .  A K24 or K26 has been on my list since I became a Taylor fanatic just over a year ago. This confirms it . I need to find a place to play try one of these and start saving up . The upcharge on the AA  Koa top has to be a tough pill to swallow at first( on an already pricey guitar), but I imagine you forget about that about 2 seconds after you open the case. CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Title: Re: NGD - I'm In Love With Taylor Koa
Post by: shorty on November 13, 2014, 09:28:06 PM
Congrats TaylorGirl!!! that guitar is absolutely fantastic!! the Koa along with the sapwood really make it unique! maybe later add a new trussrod cover...perhaps featuring a nice Maple leaf!!! I hope you enjoy your new guitar. As your husband said... you deserve it and I agree! :)
Title: Re: NGD - I'm In Love With Taylor Koa
Post by: nopicknick on November 13, 2014, 09:54:18 PM
Really beautiful guitar to cherish for years to come......good for you!
Title: Re: NGD - I'm In Love With Taylor Koa
Post by: Guitarsan on November 14, 2014, 12:00:22 AM
Gorgeous, I know you're thrilled. Had seen other photos of it online, but the side photos are new and look as good as the rest of the guitar! I'm glad you love the tone too, you do sort of hold your breath laying out that kind of money until you get your hands on it when buying online, I know. Enjoy! (And welcome to the koa club, officially)  ::)
Title: Re: NGD - I'm In Love With Taylor Koa
Post by: Guitarsan on November 14, 2014, 12:02:57 AM
WOW!!! Quite possibly one of the most beautiful guitars I have ever seen.  I understand  completely how you couldn't take your eyes/ears  off it. The top - WOW; the back- WOW... but the sides,  too  ... OMG .  A K24 or K26 has been on my list since I became a Taylor fanatic just over a year ago. This confirms it . I need to find a place to play try one of these and start saving up . The upcharge on the AA  Koa top has to be a tough pill to swallow at first( on an already pricey guitar), but I imagine you forget about that about 2 seconds after you open the case. CONGRATULATIONS!!!

The upcharge for the top is not that much on a percentage basis, once you're up in that range it's easy to go for it, if you can get a nice one like this. That's what pushed me over the cliff to buy mine, actually.
Title: Re: NGD - I'm In Love With Taylor Koa
Post by: Byrdsman on November 14, 2014, 06:45:24 AM
Absolutely stunning!
Title: Re: NGD - I'm In Love With Taylor Koa
Post by: TaylorGirl on November 14, 2014, 06:55:56 AM
Actually, I got this for less than the standard K24ce. Can't talk prices, but give WW a call on their others and you'll see what I mean.
Title: Re: NGD - I'm In Love With Taylor Koa
Post by: BobSol on November 14, 2014, 07:55:55 AM
Quite simply stunning. Seems a shame to put strings on it and spoil the view of the fretboard inlay. Enjoy.
Title: Re: NGD - I'm In Love With Taylor Koa
Post by: Guitar Cowboy on November 14, 2014, 10:17:43 AM
Actually, I got this for less than the standard K24ce. Can't talk prices, but give WW a call on their others and you'll see what I mean.
Interesting. I will do that. I meant to ask what you meant in your first NGD post when you said "Wildwood Custom Build". Does having the AA top and Adirondak CV bracing automatically make it "custom".. I suppose so. So did you order a custom build  through Wildwood or did they order some customs without having buyers and that allowed you to select from their specialty items .
Also, since it was online, you did not get to play before you bought ... scary... but I assume you know enough about Koa sound from playing various other ones that you felt comfortable.

One thing I don't understand about being a Taylor "collector" ( and I so want to be one ) , how do you not reach for this guitar every single  time. How do you say "naw , I'm just gonna play my ,414 instead. " I know, different woods /shapes = different sounds... but still.    ... off to the WW website. Congratulations Again!!!

Title: Re: NGD - I'm In Love With Taylor Koa
Post by: guitarsrsoawesome on November 14, 2014, 10:52:14 AM
They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Well, my eyes are beholding some beauty!

Awesome!
Title: Re: NGD - I'm In Love With Taylor Koa
Post by: Geez on November 14, 2014, 12:13:56 PM
I've dealt with Bruce on a couple purchases from WW. I will likely not buy another guitar from anyone else.  Great folks and what a gorgeous K24 you got there. I LOVE mine as well.
Title: Re: NGD - I'm In Love With Taylor Koa
Post by: TaylorGirl on November 14, 2014, 03:52:56 PM
Actually, I got this for less than the standard K24ce. Can't talk prices, but give WW a call on their others and you'll see what I mean.
Does having the AA top and Adirondak CV bracing automatically make it "custom".. I suppose so. So did you order a custom build  through Wildwood or did they order some customs without having buyers and that allowed you to select from their specialty items .
Also, since it was online, you did not get to play before you bought ... scary... but I assume you know enough about Koa sound from playing various other ones that you felt comfortable.

One thing I don't understand about being a Taylor "collector" ( and I so want to be one ) , how do you not reach for this guitar every single  time. How do you say "naw , I'm just gonna play my ,414 instead.
Yes, the AA top, back and sides and the Adirondack bracing made it a custom Wildwood build.
I didn't specifically order it, Wildwood did w/o having buyers. I selected from their Wildwood CV guitars.
I played both K24ce's and K26ce's before purchasing on-line and consistently loved what I was hearing.
I play in many different scenerios. Depending on where I'm playing, with whom I'm playing and what I'm playing (music) is how I select which guitar I grab.
Title: Re: NGD - I'm In Love With Taylor Koa
Post by: quake17 on November 14, 2014, 05:34:37 PM
Beautiful K24! Koa is awesome!
Title: Re: NGD - I'm In Love With Taylor Koa
Post by: raa2173 on November 14, 2014, 05:53:16 PM
Congrats on a great looking guitar! Gotta love Koa's...
Title: Re: NGD - I'm In Love With Taylor Koa
Post by: Strumming Fool on November 14, 2014, 07:37:47 PM
Congratulations Susie- what a beautiful guitar! I love the character of the one you chose. And guess what? My K24e arrived today by surprise! I'll not highjack this post, but I will say that the sound of these K24s is amazing - they explode the old adage about hardwood tops being muted at first and not to buy a koa topped guitar without playing it first. I share in your joy and will be posting my own NGD thread with pics shortly.

Enjoy!
Title: Re: NGD - I'm In Love With Taylor Koa
Post by: jjrpilot-admin on November 14, 2014, 11:33:39 PM
Congrats on the new Koa!!!!  :D
Title: Re: NGD - I'm In Love With Taylor Koa
Post by: TaylorMate on November 15, 2014, 12:31:46 AM
What a brilliant gem, Susie! You are a very lucky (Taylor)girl :)
Title: Re: NGD - I'm In Love With Taylor Koa
Post by: ronmcc4 on November 15, 2014, 01:22:04 AM
Just now saw this - that's is just gorgeous!
Title: Re: NGD - I'm In Love With Taylor Koa
Post by: Byrdsman on November 15, 2014, 05:22:58 PM
I can't get those pics out of my mind. I've gotta find me a lefty Koa!  :)
Title: Re: NGD - I'm In Love With Taylor Koa
Post by: Captain Jim on November 15, 2014, 05:48:09 PM
That is a beautiful guitar - may be the prettiest koa I've ever seen!  Congrats!

Jim
Title: Re: NGD - I'm In Love With Taylor Koa
Post by: TaylorGirl on November 15, 2014, 06:37:06 PM
Thanks for the comments so far. I just love this new Taylor Koa. Still can't believe it's mine.  :o
Title: Re: NGD - I'm In Love With Taylor Koa
Post by: Cindy on November 15, 2014, 07:22:13 PM
Wow, Susie! I had to pick my jaw up from the floor! :) It's absolutely gorgeous! Does it sound as beautiful as it looks?
Title: Re: NGD - I'm In Love With Taylor Koa
Post by: TaylorGirl on November 15, 2014, 07:50:56 PM
Wow, Susie! I had to pick my jaw up from the floor! :) It's absolutely gorgeous! Does it sound as beautiful as it looks?
Yes it does!
Title: Re: NGD - I'm In Love With Taylor Koa
Post by: BigSkyTaylorPlayer on November 16, 2014, 11:15:26 AM
Nice!  I love Koa as well, enjoy your new axe!
Title: Re: NGD - I'm In Love With Taylor Koa
Post by: TaylorGirl on November 18, 2014, 06:00:23 PM
Nice!  I love Koa as well, enjoy your new axe!
You have a K66 don't you (I think it's your avatar)?