Taylor 110e - too hard to play? Buzz fret - Possible adjustment?

[TMachado]

Hi,

I've been playing for the last 6 months and I was fortunate to get a Taylor 110e, despite the fact I'm clearly an amateur.

Even so, I had a classic guitar Yamaha C40, and played a few times on an acousting Epiphone Pro 1 (a xxxx€ guitar).

My Taylor, is, in comparison, really hard to play properly with rythm musics. I have to do a lot of pressure on strings to avoid fret buzz (particularly on the thinner strings, doing A or D chords), and when I switch between those chords with some speed and intensity there is buzz even if I have the fingers perfectly located.

I've read some useful info about adjusting to higher or lower action, thing is, if I have a higher action it will mitigate fret buzz, but it will need even more pressure, if I lower it I'l have even more fret.

Anyway, I'll be heading for the store for professional adjustment, but perhaps can I have your opinions please?




$, per forum rules

[zeebow]

kinda hard to answer without seeing it, taylors are known for their playability and low action. low action means you don’t have to press down hard, so my guess is the neck can be compensated or they can lower the action with a truss rod adjustment

[Marco Polo]

Hi TMachado,

What year 110e?  Perhaps a simple neck reset is in order?  Do you know how to check?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GKlxpntOq4

and

http://www.frets.com/FretsPages/Musician/Guitar/Setup/NeckAngle/neckangle.html

If the neck angle is correct, truss rod is next...bridge height...nut... (all 'setup' items)

[cc7]

While some of the above may be true, it could also be that you just need to get used to playing steel strings.
Nylon string guitars, such as your C-40, are pretty forgiving for your fingering and hand; especially with the width of the nut on that particular guitar.
With a narrower neck and steel strings, your fingering, technique, (and pain tolerance) have to adjust.
If you can slowly make a chord that sounds right somewhat comfortably, then it may be your technique when changing chords.
Best of luck.

[TMachado]

Sorry for the delay guys notifications emails went to SPAM!

It's a 2018 guitar actually.

I know that my technique is much to blame (and undoubtedly is much harder to play in my old C40) but even so I'm pretty sure that this Taylor is not well adjusted for my action. Some chords transitions slower than ever create fret buzz.

I'll go to the store and try to understand what the problem is.

[Soof]

Hey TM, I also bought a new 110e in 2017 and, although the action was decent it still was too high for my playing style.
SO I had a guitar tech do a good set up.  Plays just fine now.  IMO any new guitar could stand a set up for optimal playing.
So this may be your situation. I'd suggest taking it to a GOOD guitar tech and let him look it over.
Stay with it 'cause it's a really good guitar !

[beachbum205]

I'd suggest taking it to a GOOD guitar tech and let him look it over.
Stay with it 'cause it's a really good guitar !

Ditto that! This is very good advice.

[TMachado]

Hey TM, I also bought a new 110e in 2017 and, although the action was decent it still was too high for my playing style.
SO I had a guitar tech do a good set up.  Plays just fine now.  IMO any new guitar could stand a set up for optimal playing.
So this may be your situation. I'd suggest taking it to a GOOD guitar tech and let him look it over.
Stay with it 'cause it's a really good guitar !

Thank you for you good advice! I'm will do this this week.

Out of curiosity. What kind of adjustments did they do to you?

[HAPPYDAN]

Get a good set up. The beauty of the Taylor product is - - - - like Coca Cola. They're all good, just depends on what you want.