out of warranty factory refinish cost?

[tommieboy]

I sold my late 90s Taylor 555 12 to a friend of mine a few years ago and he is now downsizing this guitar collection. The 555 has developed issues with the delamination of the finish in a few areas of the back and sides; each area of delamination is about 3 square inches in area. However, the mahogany is some of the nicest that I have ever seen on a Taylor 555, so it seems worth saving. So my question is, will Taylor refinish an out-of-warranty guitar, and at what cost?  I believe this guitar predates the UV finish, so I am not sure what it really is. Also, has anyone seen exactly how Taylor strips the existing finish from the guitar?

TIA

Tommy

[Edward]

Hey Tommy,

Excellent question that, indeed, only the factory can respond to since they are the only ones who know when they changed the finish, and of what composition.  Yours is a late 90s so "could be" this or that, but we'd only be guessing.  Give the repair center a call with your serial number and they can give you the lowdown.  Which, btw, I'd be interested in hearing ...as a mere point of curiosity.

And fwiw, there are several folks who have reported that Taylor had done a stellar job of "refreshing" their old/worn guitars.  Good luck on this as the 555 is a fabulous guitar.

Edward

[tommieboy]

I just sent a query to Taylor and will let you know what their response is.

Tommy

[tommieboy]

The Taylor factory rep did reply. The good news is that Taylor can refinish the back and sides. The "ball-park" figure is $800 + shipping/insurance costs.  I was given an estimate of $800 to $900 from a local luthier (good reputation) for the same scope of work. Now that my friend knows that the 555 can be "factory" refinished, he wants to keep the guitar. It turns out the delamination was the only reason he was considering parting with this guitar. We are both OK with the quote from Taylor. Sure, out-of-warranty repairs can be expensive, but it's nice to have options in salvaging an older guitar.

Tommy

[Edward]

Cool report ...thanks for doing that, sir!

Having a guitar as an "old friend" always gives us pause when considering letting it go.  If the 555 means something to him, I am glad he decided to keep it!

Edward

[tommieboy]

.....the 555 is a fabulous guitar.


I still have my backup 1997 555 in my collection. It's in great shape and the only 12-string left in my collection. I never gassed for another 12-string after those two late 90s 555s showed up at my doorstep.

Tommy

[Guitars44me]

I seem to remember Taylor went to UV poly in 1995, so it may need a UV booth.

Hard to beat Taylor Repair in El Cajon Ca.

Happy picking

Paul

[ScottSD]

I'm blessed to live minutes from Taylor's El Cajon factory and I've been thrilled with their work (what little work my guitars have needed).   Just make sure you're OK with a lengthy turn around because ever since COVID, they've been swamped.  I dropped a guitar off for some extensive neck work during the first week of April.  Not expecting it back until July...

Scott

[tommieboy]

I seem to remember Taylor went to UV poly in 1995, so it may need a UV booth.

Hard to beat Taylor Repair in El Cajon Ca.

Happy picking

Paul

Maybe that is why we have seen many of these guitars from this time period with delamination issues. New technology/finish teething pains. Makes sense.

Tommy

[tommieboy]

I'm blessed to live minutes from Taylor's El Cajon factory and I've been thrilled with their work (what little work my guitars have needed).   Just make sure you're OK with a lengthy turn around because ever since COVID, they've been swamped.  I dropped a guitar off for some extensive neck work during the first week of April.  Not expecting it back until July...

Scott

Even locally the waiting list/turnaround time can be quite lengthy.

Tommy

[Earl]

Probably do another query to clarify - is it UV-cured poly or not?  Taylor should be able to tell you based on the serial number / build date.  If it is, then only the factory or certain Gold level repair shops can do refinish work.  They have to have the UV curing booth.  That would likely exclude your local luthier, no matter how good they are.  It's worth confirming.....

[tommieboy]

Probably do another query to clarify - is it UV-cured poly or not?  Taylor should be able to tell you based on the serial number / build date.  If it is, then only the factory or certain Gold level repair shops can do refinish work.  They have to have the UV curing booth.  That would likely exclude your local luthier, no matter how good they are.  It's worth confirming.....

In my case, it doesn't really matter. The local luthier has access to a local automotive paint/repair shop that has painting and UV curing facilities. 

Tommy