Played a handful of Taylors at a shop yesterday

[ataylor]

I was out and about running some errands yesterday and swung by a nice shop in the area. They have a nice selection and range of Taylors and I took a few minutes to see what they had and play a little bit.

First thing I noticed was a mahogany-topped GS Mini in stock and hanging up. I made a beeline for it and gave it a try. I really liked the warm tone and for that body size, I think the mahogany would be my choice over a spruce-topped model. It almost made me forget about the slightly cramped 23ish" scale length and 1-11/16" nut width.

They had a spruce GS Mini in stock too, and I tried that next just to confirm my suspicion that I'd rather have the mahogany. I was right. The spruce model does have a little bit more projection and volume, though both guitars were deceptively full-sounding for their size.

Next thing I noticed was a drop-dead gorgeous 716ce. I've been excited about the new 700 series since Taylor leaked it before NAMM, and the guitar looked even better in person than the high-quality photos I've seen at various shop websites. I played it a little bit, mostly just to get a closer look at the appointments since I don't like cutaway guitars. It sounded nice, but I'm not really looking for the big sound of a GS right now.

I played a 12-fret in rosewood, which kept it at the top of my guitar crush list. It has the signature Taylor tone, but with a surprising warmth and depth. And I think it just might be the most versatile guitar Taylor makes right now. It's probably more a matter of when than if I'll get one -- without a cutaway of course.

[cigarfan]

Sounds like a pleasant experience at the music store. Wish I had a place a little closer to me so I could visit more often. Then again, my collection would probably be larger. I have to find the secret to doing a session like that and walk away without something. I know ... maybe I'll take my wife!

[mgap]

Next thing I noticed was a drop-dead gorgeous 716ce. I've been excited about the new 700 series since Taylor leaked it before NAMM, and the guitar looked even better in person than the high-quality photos I've seen at various shop websites. I played it a little bit, mostly just to get a closer look at the appointments since I don't like cutaway guitars. It sounded nice, but I'm not really looking for the big sound of a GS right now.

For me the only thing I don't care for on the 700 series(sunburst models) is the white binding.  Not sure why because I really like the maple binding on my 814ce, it stands out and compliments real nice.  I have a Martin M-36 and it has the white binding also, and for me the binding on the neck sticks out like a sore thumb, but there are a lot of folks that like it.  The sound  is great no matter what the finish appointments are.

[Captain Jim]

Sounds like a great way to spend some time.  I've never been one to go into a music store unless I'm looking to buy something... don't always get what I went in for... and I do enjoy looking around... but, I always seem to come out with something.  (That's how the GSmini followed me home. 

[Greenheart]

Sounds like a great local store, could you share the name of the business?

[ataylor]

For me the only thing I don't care for on the 700 series(sunburst models) is the white binding.  Not sure why because I really like the maple binding on my 814ce, it stands out and compliments real nice.  I have a Martin M-36 and it has the white binding also, and for me the binding on the neck sticks out like a sore thumb, but there are a lot of folks that like it.  The sound  is great no matter what the finish appointments are.

The nice thing about the ivoroid binding is that it has a creamy look to it as opposed to the white plastic binding some Taylors have and have had in the past.

Sounds like a great local store, could you share the name of the business?

A-Sharp Music in Renton, WA (south of Seattle). I'd love to buy a guitar there in the future. That GS Mini was pretty nice...