Question About The Top of My Taylor.

[MarkTwang]

Hey everyone,
Recently acquired a Taylor 110 after playing a friends for a while. It's a 2008 mode with a rosewood fingerboard. Now, I'm hoping some of you could enlighten me as to the top wood? It seems a bit darker than the models I see online. Is it still a sitka spruce top? Did they do something differently than the others? Or is it an entirely different wood. Thanks for your time! -MarkTwang

Here's an example-
Mine


Musicians Friend/Guitar Center

[IanHenry]

Hi Mark,
     don't forget that timber darkens as it ages, and also photographs (particularly on line) can portray colours inaccurately. There are so many variables, camera settings, don't forget most modern cameras have different colour settings, even your computer monitor has colour setting that can be changed. I wouldn't worry about it.

Regards,
        Ian.
PS nice guitar anyway!

[oatordeal]

agree on that. you can even see on the BTO spreadsheet that they have an aged toner option for guitar tops. see DMSM model (dave matthews sign model) to see a sitka spruce with aged toner for the effect.

[fretted]

It's definitely Sitka and it's a beauty. I don't own a 110, but usually play one when I'm in a Guitar Center and am constantly amazed at the quality of their feel and sound. If it were decreed by some power that be that I could only have one guitar in my life and it was a Taylor 110, I would still feel I was a lucky man.

[JB12]

Yes, it's sitka spruce.  As mentioned, it'll darken with age.

However, that is one nice piece of sitka you have there.  Very beautiful.  I'm sure it sounds just as great.

[MarkTwang]

Thanks for the replies guys! It IS a beautiful guitar, you should hear the sound. I don't think it's age though, I'm no expert, but the guitar is only 4.5 years old. Or do you guys mean the wood ages before it goes on the guitar? I guess some pieces of spruce are darker than others? Thanks again, fellas!

[Scriptor]

Looks like a nice one ... I have a 114ce and its top is darker with wider grain than some ... it sounds very nice ... I've thought about selling it a couple of times to finance something else, but playing it for 5 minutes always changes my mind ... in fact, I am fooling with open Gm tuning on it right now and its a joy ...

My 414ce LTD, Sitka/Walnut also has a darker top ... in fact the color is very different than most (has almost a light coffee tone to it) ... my 814ce is more blonde but also Sitka ... I'm one that likes the way the top woods change with age ... I see it as character and personality ...

Enjoy and Play On!

[andyi5]

The wood can darken quite quickly, as evidenced by folks who've tried removing pickguards after the first year or two and found that there's already a suntan there. However, the colour variation on brand new models is also quite varied, and I've seen brand new Taylors with both pale and darker tops like yours, as well as wide grain, narrow grain, various amounts of bearclaw etc. The top on yours is very nice, rich in colour and a lot of silking, I'd be very pleased with it.

[joerogrz]

Thanks for the replies guys! It IS a beautiful guitar, you should hear the sound. I don't think it's age though, I'm no expert, but the guitar is only 4.5 years old. Or do you guys mean the wood ages before it goes on the guitar? I guess some pieces of spruce are darker than others? Thanks again, fellas!

It ages after the guitar is built. My 110 is just over 2 years old and the top is starting to get a bit darker. The light has a lot to do with it. Nice looking 110 either way! I hope it serves you well!

[MarkTwang]

Thanks for the response Joe - it's been tons of enjoyment already!

[IanHenry]

Mark as already mentioned, the top can darken very quickly, and it starts from the minute that it's cut/planed/sanded. Also remember that timber is a natural material and consequently no two pieces are identical.
As the timber on your guitar ages, not only will the colour change, but also the sound will develop. This, of course will not apply to the back and sides because with them being laminated on the 110, they will remain the same.
From my days playing classical guitar (a long time ago), the accepted rule was that aging of the back and sides  of a guitar, made no difference to the tone, it was only the top that made any difference, and this did not apply to Cedar topped instruments, only Spruce.
Yours is a fine looking guitar, and I'm sure this will be reflected in it's tone, enjoy it!

Regards,
        Ian.

[ctkarslake]

As mentioned above, age is one factor.  The other is how much the guitar's been subjected to UV light, sunlight.  That will age the top wood much faster than an older guitar that's been in it's case for years.  Personally, I love the aged look and much prefer it over a pale top.

[mauisunset]

That's a sitka top that has lived most of its life in Brazil.  Note the soft, but oh so nice, bronzing.