New Taylor 110e (wait no... an AD17e)

[themissal]

Hey all,

I ordered a new 110E from Sweetwater, which should arrive just in time for a gig this weekend. I bought it to just have something simple to use for my pub gigs; I got tired of using my nicer guitars (J45 and  000-28 currently), and worrying when friends from the crowd come up and play them. I don's mind being hospitable, but that has limits!

Normally I plug my guitar into a fire eye red eye DI (it has a boost which I like) and then into a PA system.

1) Any issues I should worry about with the 110e through the fire eye, or should I go just direct and lose the boost?
2) Have you done anything to your 110e's in terms of mods? I tend to like more mellow and  dark as opposed to bright.

Thanks again..

[cc7]

Is that ESB or ES2? My 100 series (114ce-N) is the ESB and it works well with other systems I use.
Not a fan of ES2, from those I have sampled, so not familiar with performing on it.

[themissal]

It has the ES2 pickup system...

We'll see how it sounds. I am not expecting it to sound like my J45-TV with its K&K; If it has a nice easy workable plugged in sound that'll do just fine.

I have read the the taylor ebony pins will sound nice, and is an inexpensive addition.

Anyways, thanks for weighing in.

[sstaylor58]

I think ebony pins do help mellow the sound. I’ve found the ES2 to be easy to work with, hopefully you will like it too. Good luck!

[themissal]

Thanks…

[beachbum205]

I have owned several of these over the years, and truth be told, I wish I had one now.

This is a great guitar that "punches way above its weight class" IMHO. I always used Elixir PB Mediums on mine, because I really like a bright, crystal clear tone. You might try something else if you want a darker sound. A thicker pick will also help with that.

I used to run it into an Fender Acoustasonic amp and it always sounded great. If you are going directly into the board, I think a DI might be advisable.

Best of luck with it. Let us know how things go.

[themissal]

Well it came today…

Beautiful truly.

The action was high though, and I changed the saddle to bone, shaved it down, and corrected the truss. I also put ebony pins in, and have bee, playing with thick picks.

It has a crisp clean tone, but not metallic like some reviews I have read. My guitars of a different brand sound darker and more rich, but that’s ok. It also sounds nice enough plugged in….

 Her are pictures from Sweetwater…

[TaylorGirl]

Looks great, you're going to have fun with that one. Congrats!

[themissal]

Well I am checking back to report that I made a change.

I brought the 110e with me to a retailer, and traded it for an AD17. While I could have returned it to Sweetwater, it wouldnt have been right since I changed the saddle, and then someone would get my used gear thinking they bought new. The dealer I went to did a decent  job on the trade, and while the 110e is a model I would have been happy with for the purpose, I did not expect to be wowed by that AD17. And so here I am...

Taylor 2 for 2 on two lower-priced  models.... I'd  recommend them  both. The dealer told me that they can't keep the 100e's in stock... they fly off the shelf.

[mgap]

I think you will enjoy the AD17.  I have played a couple of them in stores and thought highly of them. 

[Earl]

I have played the GP (x17) a few times in stores and was favorably impressed, but I am not buying any more guitars (really!).  My 114ce lives with friends in Alaska for trips that I might take there, and was my camp guitar for week-long guitar camps the last three times that I attended those.  114 isn't as nice as my higher series x14's were, but for the price I can afford to leave it up there with friends and not risk a guitar on the airlines.  My Plan B was a Seagull S6 to leave there.

You done good with an AD17.     Personally I might have reinstalled the original saddle and pins and returned it to Sweetwater, but you did the scrupulously honorable thing -- never a bad choice.  You being happy with the trade deal is all that really matters.

[themissal]

Thanks gents.

A week later, and I really enjoy the contrast in tone of this AD17e with my Gibson J-45. I actually will gig with it tomorrow night.  Enjoy your day...

[TaylorGirl]

Congrats Sal!
I give you a lot of respect for not sending the 110e back to Sweetwater.  Enjoy!

[themissal]

Thank you Taylorgirl,

By the way I gigged with the AD17e last night. It was a great success... Noisy rooftop bar. My guitar sounded great and was a great compliment to my partner's Martin D41 /Baggs Element VTC.

I never realized how easy some of my prior gigs could have been with a properly set up easy instrument with low action.