NGD Taylor 517e Builder's Edition

[beachbum205]

I traded a nice Martin D-35 for this one, and so far, so good. I would describe this guitar as very articulate. Every note up and down the neck rings out clearly with warmth and clarity and excellent sustain.

I like the rounded edges on the top- very comfortable, but I'm still getting used to the rounded edges on the bottom. I find the guitar tends to slide a little on my leg. Not a huge issue, but something to adapt to.

All in all, I'm very happy with this guitar and look forward to playing it a lot. Here's some pics:

[TaylorGirl]

Congrats....looks great. Enjoy getting to know your new Taylor!

[Strumming Fool]

Congrats on a real turnaround from your D 35. 517s are real players.  Enjoy!

[Acoustic Corky]

Congratulations. Enjoy your 517.

[Dave60]

Nice...very nice.Good choice.  I think this could be me 2nd Taylor just got a AD27 not being a previous Taylor owner I found I really like these models. Like you said about the size/shape a little adjustment to that but the size has helped with some neck, shoulder issues I'm 67. I played dreads and jumbo's up to the Taylor. What is your opinion strumming the 517? I play a lot of Carter style how do you think the 517 works for that. The AD27 handles it real nice. Also your opinion on the Micarta saddle?  I replaced the AD27 (no pickup) with bone and the high improved dramatically. The bass and mids were already strong. How is the high end with Micarta.  Congratulations love your new one.

[RyanR]

I've been real happy with my Taylor 517.  I like it with a pick but also with fingerpicking.  For example, I've playing Doc Watson's deep river blues on it and it seems like the right guitar for that.  I sometimes play the Carter Family's Wildwood Flower.  I use a pick and it works works for that too.It has an old time sound.  I like it. 

I will admit this is my first Mahogany guitar so some of this may just be me getting used to that fundamental, mid-range tone that Mahogany brings.  I did A/B this (in my house) with a 717 and the difference was notable.  The 717 was louder and had more going on with the sound, more overtones.  It was a nice guitar too but I was drawn to this.  The 717 sounded VERY different from my old Martin D28.  More modern, more balanced.  Don't get me wrong the D28 is a nice guitar too.  They are just different.

[beachbum205]

As usual, thanks for the interesting and encouraging replies.

As far as the Micarta saddle goes- for me, generally the main difference I have noticed from changing saddle material has been increased sustain. This guitar's sustain already goes into next week, so I'm not sure how much of a difference a bone saddle would make, but it would be interesting to see.

And while the 517 shines when playing individual notes, chords also seem to ring out clearly as well. I think of this guitar as an all-around workhorse- very good in any style of play.

[GP517]

This is the experience I had with my 517. I loved the sound with the micarta saddle, but have bone on all my other acoustics. So I decided just for the heck of it, to buy a MacNichol bone compensated saddle and give it a try. Without changing the strings, I pulled the micarta out and put the bone saddle in. My initial response was that I really missed the dry, old-timey sound I was getting from micarta, so much so that I quickly put the micarta back in, and loved the tone. About a week later, after thinking that my first assessment of the bone saddle had been hasty, I again pulled the micarta out and put the bone in. This time I definitely heard a bump up in bass and volume, with some additional clarity. After playing the bone for about a week, my ear acclimated and I really enjoyed what I was hearing. That's been about 2 years ago, and the bone saddle just sounds really good in the 517. I keep the micarta saddle in the case though, just to keep my options open. I think the 517 sounds good with either saddle.

[Ohio Tom]

Congrats on your new guitar.
I can't wait to try a GP out.
Similar to a Dred, but more balanced as I understand. Might be the best of both?

How does that smaller front bout fit in your lap? Does it set OK?



I wore out  my Micarta saddles in 3yrs. B-string eats into them and lowers action to the point of fret buzz.

Went to Bone for longer life.
Tone is very similar.
Maybe slightly less highs. Like comparing new strings to week old strings.
Very slight.


I never plug mine into an amp so I don't care what affects it may have on the pickups.