AD27e Action Too Low

[TheWeez]

I have a friend who recently picked up a very nice AD27e off of Reverb. The action is so low, many frets buzz, mostly from 5 - 9 on every string. The truss rod is completely loose to the point I can unscrew it by hand. I figure taking some tension off might allow the neck to bow a bit, but that's not an option. Will this require a neck reset? If so, any idea how much that should cost? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[Edward]

If the Truss Rod is loose to the point where you can turn it with your fingers, then take the guit to an authorized Taylor tech.  Period.  If there is a reverse bow, have them correct it.  If the TR is broken have them fix/replace it.  But first, the tech will take a straight edge and check it.  May be a simple fix, may be more.  Call the factory for an authorized tech in your zipcode. 

Edward

[TheWeez]

Kind of what I figured. I appreciate the advice.

[jpmist]

I concur with Edward, but can't help but offer a small ray of hope that it might be that the guitar has dried out considerably since it's winter.

A very simple experiment might be to leave the guitar in a steamed up bathroom for an hour or two and see if the action improves.

Larrivee has a very detailed webpage on diagnosing humidity issues -  https://www.larrivee.com/pdfs/Larrivee%20Care%20Maintenance.pdf

[Earl]

A very simple experiment might be to leave the guitar in a steamed up bathroom for an hour or two and see if the action improves.

DANGER WILL ROBINSON!!  I have put an empty opened case in the closed bathroom after a shower to let it absorb moisture and pre-charge a dried out case.  But the guitar itself might be overly shocked by doing that.  It takes days to reabsorb moisture into the wood, not an hour or two.  (The case padding and liner is a major reservoir of moisture.  If the case is thoroughly dry then it will take the moisture first then the guitar gets whatever is left over.  Wood absorbs moisture slower than fur and padding).  Just being cautious here...  You can read the Taylor discussion of dry guitars here:  https://www.taylorguitars.com/support/maintenance/symptoms-dry-guitar

A qualified tech may tighten the truss rod to get some tension on it for now, but will want to rehydrate the guitar for 2-3 weeks before making any final adjustments.  They  can also judge whether the top has sunk by doing the straightedge test across, looking for a gap of about 3/16" or less on both edges.