Changing strings and cleaning the fretboard

[coldshot]

On any guitars I set up I clean and oil the fret board with either linseed oil or sometimes just dunlop guitar cleaner, it depends on how much grime in present. Dr Ducks fretboard oil get used as well here.
If you do oil the fretboard just a few drops is all you need.
Most of the time I don't use a steel wool just a cloth and a a little elbow grease.

[roadbiker]

Jim,
I don't remember where you purchased your 814ce, but I doubt that any dealer would have undisplayed Taylor inventory still in the box in the "back room".

I bought it at a locally owned and operated shop in the Atlanta area called Ken Stanton Music. They are actually a pretty big operation with six stores in the area. It's a good, reputable business and I'm pretty sure that thay have a decent inventory of Taylor (and other) guitars, especially in the biggest lstore, which is where I bought mine. Also, if they don't have one that you want in one store, they'll get it from another if they have it there. Very good service and pricing.

Jim

And I guess my point was that there is a very good chance that they had multiples of the 814ce you bought, whether in the back room at that large store, or at one of other stores, that could have been newer, less used, prettier, sounded better, etc., etc. (all within the confines of YOUR subjective view of course), and it would have been wise to ask to see others. BOTTOM LINE for you and for this transaction though, is that you are happy with your purchase and you love your guitar, and to that I say, well done! 

I stopped in at the the shop a couple of weeks ago to say hello and see what new guitars they had in there. While I was there I asked if they keep an inventory in the back room. I was told that they do keep an inventory of the lower end models, but not of the high end guitars. They have four or five locations and at any time may have three or four 814's or higher, therefore not all of the stores may have one on display. That means you basically buy what you play. I was much happier with my guitar after I cleaned it knowing that whatever grime is on it now came from me and not "who knows?".  Gladly, the 814's don't hang around for too long, limiting the number of people playing it.

Jim

[cjd-player]

I stopped in at the the shop a couple of weeks ago to say hello and see what new guitars they had in there.  ... 
Jim

That's a very dangerous habit, Jim. 

Has the potential to become quite expensive. 

[not darth]

I've not had my Taylor long enough to require steel wool, but when changing strings I've just used a wadded up DRY paper towel to scrub the fingerboard.  It actually has a bit of an abrasive quality that will take away fine grime without any worry of damage to the wood/inlay.  As long as it's done quite often I don't think I'll ever get a buildup of grime that would require more aggressive treatment. 
I guess we'll see!

-K

[Satsuki]

I use 0000 steel wool and a wipe on and off of boiled linseed oil. I use a Fishman Rare Earth Blend Pickup that I take off when I change the strings.