NGD - 2013 Taylor 618e First Edition

[cigarfan]

First off, a big thanks to Jim @ Guitar Rodeo for the sweet deal and fantastic service. The guitar arrived last night, perfect condition and right on time.

In my hands a 2013 Taylor 618e (Sitka/Maple Grand Orchestra) First Edition (#16 of 100). As is the case with most NGDs I am riding a few feet off the ground! But enough of that stuff. You want to know what this thing sounds like.

Big and strong. Unlike typical Maple guitar it has good bass but not woofy. Reminds me of the bass on my old Martin D-35 (I know, heresy). I have a Gibson J-45 TV Adi/Mahogany. This 618, with the new bracing, has a similar sonic flavor with a little more sustain. But most pleasing to me is the clarity and balance low to high. Every note bass, mid-range and treble is crystal. I can play anywhere on the neck and get great volume. Even with a capo on the 5th fret. Haven't checked intonation thoroughly yet but to my ear haven't found any weak spots. I am a fingerpicking/fingerstyle kinda guy with a fairly light attack. This guitar responds unlike any big bodied guitar I've ever played. And just for grins I strummed with everything I had and it doesn't break up ... not one bit. And it was LOUD! I imagine this would be an awesome flatpicker.

Although it is a big guitar, I find it's very comfortable. With the waist on the right leg most of the lower bout is out of the way to my right. Physically it doesn't feel too much different than my old GS (traded it in) except the vibrations in your chest. This thing rumbles. That said I do think an armrest would be an excellent addition on this guitar. I have included a comparison picture below of the new GO next to my 12-fret GA just to give a sense of the difference in size.

About the only thing that bugs me is the gloss neck. It's a personal thing. Can't say it's causing me playing issues ... I just prefer the satin feel on a neck.

I did have Jim swap out the Taylor tuners for a set of Gotoh Delta Series 510s (1:21) and wow! They are smooth as silk. Excellent tuners.

My reason to buy this one was two fold. I wanted to try Maple (for recording and amplified performance) and I wanted a "big" sounding guitar. Mission accomplished! Can't wait to hear how it sounds on a recording.

And the pics .....

[PureTone]

Congratulations !

Thank you sharing the pictures. The grain of the headstock overlay, the headstock inlay and the Gotoh tuners are the perfect final touches.

Enjoy !

[gdeleo]

Dennis, very nice!!  That 618 looks almost double the size of your GA.  It should sound like a canon when you play it..
Congrats for a very fine guitar and I hope it servers you well.

[quake17]

Cigarfan,

Congrats on your new 618e!

I just put one on layaway today and it is #15 and one number lower on the serial number of yours! We have twins!

I thought I was going for the 518e but the maple won me over.

[Cindy]

Congratulations on a beauty!

So I wonder which of the GO models will be the one most sought after...I think it might be this one!

[Giraku]

Congrats, cigarfan!!
Mine is #19 born on a day later than yours.
As you said, GO guitars are great for fingerstyle albeit their large size.
Looking forward to hearing your recording.

[jjrpilot-admin]

Cigarfan,

Congrats on your new 618e!

I just put one on layaway today and it is #15 and one number lower on the serial number of yours! We have twins!

I thought I was going for the 518e but the maple won me over.

That's awesome Quake!  Do keep us posted when you get it!!

[Nomad]

Very nice!

I think one of the best things Taylor has done recently is lose the amber stain on the 600 Series.

Are those Cooper Stands in the photos? How do you like them? My local dealer sells them, but I don't know a lot about them, and haven't really checked them out.

[cigarfan]

Congratulations !

Thank you sharing the pictures. The grain of the headstock overlay, the headstock inlay and the Gotoh tuners are the perfect final touches.

Enjoy !

Glad to share the pics. And the Gotoh tuners .... wow! If you haven't yet I would suggest giving them a try!

Dennis, very nice!!  That 618 looks almost double the size of your GA.  It should sound like a canon when you play it..
Congrats for a very fine guitar and I hope it servers you well.

Yeah Gary, that's no illusion. It is a big guitar. The sound is big too! Thanks for your well wishes.

Cigarfan,

Congrats on your new 618e!

I just put one on layaway today and it is #15 and one number lower on the serial number of yours! We have twins!

I thought I was going for the 518e but the maple won me over.

Twins! now that is cool. We can compare notes as they grow up and become teenagers.

Just curious, you say you chose the maple ... did you have a chance to play both before you chose? I was really after a big guitar in maple so I was really happy to hear it was going to be part of the initial GO release. Having read some other opinions of the 3 GOs, they seem to be leaning the way of the mahogany. Truly is a personal preference thing. Anyway, just curious.

Congrats on your new 618!   

Congratulations on a beauty!

So I wonder which of the GO models will be the one most sought after...I think it might be this one!

Thanks Cindy. I've begun to call her the "Blonde Bomber". Striking to look at ... astounding to hear her speak!

I am curious about the popularity thing as well. I haven't been able to play the other 2 yet but I definitely love this maple guitar.

Congrats, cigarfan!!
Mine is #19 born on a day later than yours.
As you said, GO guitars are great for fingerstyle albeit their large size.
Looking forward to hearing your recording.

Thanks Giraku! And thank you for your early comments. Certainly proved out for me!

Congrats on #19.!

I don't have a dedicated area (for music) at my place so I will have to get the recording stuff set up. No worries ... it will be soon. I am really curious how well it records.

Very nice!

I think one of the best things Taylor has done recently is lose the amber stain on the 600 Series.

Are those Cooper Stands in the photos? How do you like them? My local dealer sells them, but I don't know a lot about them, and haven't really checked them out.

Thanks Nomad!

Those are indeed Cooperstands. I like em'. Really handy for quick setup and take down. They also fit in a guitar case under the headstock so very easy to transport. Only drawback is guitars sitting in them are susceptible to falling over if you bump them. Like in high traffic areas or those pesky pet dangers (wagging tails, etc.). I use Hercules stands for those situations.

[mgap]

Beautiful 618.  I must give them a try.  The Gotoh's were a good choice. 

[Harpo]

Love it! And I really like Gotoh's too.

[Cindy]

Very nice!

I think one of the best things Taylor has done recently is lose the amber stain on the 600 Series.

Are those Cooper Stands in the photos? How do you like them? My local dealer sells them, but I don't know a lot about them, and haven't really checked them out.

The amber stain is still an option for an upcharge (as well as other colors). http://www.taylorguitars.com/guitars/acoustic/618e

And it looks like other types of maple will also be available for an upcharge.

[cigarfan]

Very nice!

I think one of the best things Taylor has done recently is lose the amber stain on the 600 Series.

Are those Cooper Stands in the photos? How do you like them? My local dealer sells them, but I don't know a lot about them, and haven't really checked them out.

The amber stain is still an option for an upcharge (as well as other colors). http://www.taylorguitars.com/guitars/acoustic/618e

And it looks like other types of maple will also be available for an upcharge.

By the looks of that, there is a charge no matter what top you get, even sitka!

[Nomad]

The amber stain is still an option for an upcharge (as well as other colors). http://www.taylorguitars.com/guitars/acoustic/618e

Yes, I meant losing it with regards to it being the "standard" color for a 600. I just think it's hideous.

[PureTone]

Very nice!

I think one of the best things Taylor has done recently is lose the amber stain on the 600 Series.

Are those Cooper Stands in the photos? How do you like them? My local dealer sells them, but I don't know a lot about them, and haven't really checked them out.

Taylor sources their portable stand from Cooper also.
https://www.taylorguitars.com/taylorware/Item.aspx?itemid=1278&categoryid=1004&page=1
Very light and compact.

The amber stain is still an option for an upcharge (as well as other colors). http://www.taylorguitars.com/guitars/acoustic/618e

And it looks like other types of maple will also be available for an upcharge.

Assuming that it is possible to place an order for a standard 618e now, there should be some options.
Last year, Taylor made the standard finish on the 600s natural with amber stain available for no upcharge.

There doesn't seem to be an option to delete the electronics.

By the looks of that, there is a charge no matter what top you get, even sitka!

The website is in the midst of updating.
Under 'View all 618e options', it shows Taylor gold or chrome tuners 'No Charge', then it shows an upcharge for Taylor gold tuners and Abalone dot bridge pins, which are standard features.
The Florentine cutaway is shown as an available option for the same upcharge as a model that already had a Venetian cutaway and
there is also a 12-string option, which is a bit premature.

So far, all the pictures I've seen of the 618e show a 'Premium' 3 piece back in natural finish.
With maple as highly figured as that, it doesn't seem to make sense to cover it up.

Sort of borrowing a page from Gibson's book.
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SJ5SANNH?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=PPC&utm_campaign=none&gclid=CN71j9-4lbUCFQsGnQodcW4AsA