Here We Go Again! June 14th UPDATE

[Strumming Fool]

So I'll try to keep this short:

1. I got a promotion and raise earlier this year, and decided to celebrate with an 8th Taylor GA.
2. I considered a cedar/cocobolo BTO, but nice-looking cocobolo is no longer available.
3. I considered a Cindy-style 914 with a cedar top mod, but they have been discontinued in preparation for the new 900s where options would be scarce.
4. I considered a Bourgeois OM, but couldn't bring myself to do it since the Taylor GA really handles all my playing needs.

So I'm building my own version of a 914 with the original modern signature Taylor 714 sound (pre-CV bracing, pre-AP bracing):

Edge-burst finished cedar top
AA EIR back and sides
Standard II Adirondack bracing
Bone nut and saddle
Gotoh antique gold tuners with black buttons
Ebony binding with red purfling line
Paua rosette and top trim with red purfling line
Paua Gothic Vine inlay on fret board
Paua Taylor logo on a rosewood peghead overlay with matching gloss-finished TRC

Yeah, I know, shameless bling everywhere!

JUNE 2nd UPDATE Taylor has graciously agreed to build my custom GA with Standard II Adirondack bracing, so we're back on track! I've revised the specs above as they currently stand. I've removed the ES1, because I've had such a great experience with the LR Baggs Lyric system (installed on my two oldest guitars in my signature below), even in a band setting. I'll have one of these installed after I receive the guitar. I like the non-invasive installation that requires no drill holes. Back to waiting mode....

JUNE 14th UPDATE  The saga continues...Taylor was getting ready to begin the build when they took a closer look at my spec sheet. My FLGS was cringing when they told me that Taylor couldn't do the red trim bordering the paua top purfling - they said it wouldn't look good. I didn't blow a gasket - I do trust their aesthetic judgment, and allowed them to do the standard white/black/white border. (The ebony binding will still have the red purfling border.) However, I did ask them to look for some EIR with character and provided some photo examples if what I meant. Joe Bina's involved at this point, and he has never let me down before. Looking forward to the result in early August!

[TaylorGirl]

What better way to celebrate a promotion! Sounds beautiful, will be patiently waiting to see the finished product. Since you passed 7 (one for each day of the week), your next milestone is 30 (one for each day of the month). You're on your way!

[Strumming Fool]

Since you passed 7 (one for each day of the week), your next milestone is 30 (one for each day of the month). You're on your way!

Just thinking about it makes me exhausted! I'll do my best, but I think I'm running out of wood choices....thanks for the vote of confidence though!

[krugjr]

SF.......ahhhh, the decision has been made.....cedar on a 900! hmmmm good!

[Edward]

1st: big congrats on the promo!  Not common in these days of cutbacks and stagnation (this guys knows that fer sure!), so a hearty congrats to you on that!!

2nd: Mondo congrats on going cedar!  Woohooo, a cedar/rw 900 ...this I can't wait for

Edward

[guitarsrsoawesome]

That's gonna be one nasty guitar!   Can't wait for the pics and the sound clips

[TaylorGirl]

I love cedar too, BTW.

[Strumming Fool]

1st: big congrats on the promo!  Not common in these days of cutbacks and stagnation (this guys knows that fer sure!), so a hearty congrats to you on that!!

2nd: Mondo congrats on going cedar!  Woohooo, a cedar/rw 900 ...this I can't wait for

Edward

Thanks Edward- I'm grabbing it while I can - who knows what tomorrow will bring. And yes, I've always loved the Taylor cedar rosewood GAs from way back when...sort of like dark chocolate!

[Strumming Fool]

SF.......ahhhh, the decision has been made.....cedar on a 900! hmmmm good!

Yeah, since Taylor currently doesn't offer a cedar top on its 914, I had to do my own version in a BTO - should be fun and worth the wait.

[jjrpilot-admin]

Congrats Strumming!  I sent  you a PM...so I don't hijack your thread.   

[zeebow]

congrats! one of my fav sounding guitars was the 2011 714, butting needed extra bling so I bought the Cindy 914 with cedar. I think the bracing on the 900 series attenuated the sound, I seem to remember the 714 orojecting more.

can't wait to see it!!

[Strumming Fool]

congrats! one of my fav sounding guitars was the 2011 714, butting needed extra bling so I bought the Cindy 914 with cedar. I think the bracing on the 900 series attenuated the sound, I seem to remember the 714 orojecting more.

can't wait to see it!!

Thanks for the encouraging words...you've just backed my theory and my bracing choice for this BTO. I have a '97 cedar-topped GA that's an absolute cannon, so I'm hoping for similar results. I owned a GC7 (cedar rosewood - standard bracing) for a while - I thought its sound was full, warm and beautiful, but the GC body couldn't handle all my strumming needs. I think that the GA size should make the difference. Thanks again!

[zeebow]

no problem! a taylor rep at a road show also confirmed my thoughts too.

a tip (I know it's forky) - I always use a rag to handle the tuners and the buckles on the case, they still look brand new, even after 4 years

I hear the plating is super thin on the gold

[Strumming Fool]

I always use a rag to handle the tuners and the buckles on the case, they still look brand new, even after 4 years

I hear the plating is super thin on the gold

Yes, I have antique gold Gotohs on 4 of my current Taylors. I use either the black buttons or wooden replacement buttons from LMI.

Thanks!

[Edward]

Hey SF,

My #1 got-to live acoustic for yeeeaaars was my GA7e ...stinkin' great guitar!  While I had sold it (only because a certain RT was in my future ), I still miss it so!  Oddly, I still get "visitation rights" now and again, lol ...it really does remind me how good these guits are!  How Taylor does cedar, particularly cedar/rw, really does make a difference.  Yours will, no doubt, sound stellar!

FWIW, I've also had 510 in antique gold now on several guits for many years and no fancy treatment: I tune and go; and they all get played a bunch.  Only occasionally will I wipe the tuner buttons down with a microfiber cloth ...and this only occasionally.  The 510s still look as good as new these many years old.  I can't say enough good things about em.

Edward