Taylor GA case problem

[Cindy]

When I purchased my NOS 414ce (2008 model), I got it for a terrific price. The guitar didn't have a mark on it. When the sales guy brought out the case, he assured me it was the original case that went with it. The case was scuffed which didn't bother me, and I knew there were problems with the lids of the new cases not aligning/closing properly. When I got home, I buffed the scuffed exterior and used a black permanent marker so it looks pretty good.

Just last week I realized this ISN'T the case that goes with this guitar. There is sooo much room around the upper bout that the headstock swivels and can touch either the left or the right inside of the case. And there is a cutout where I assume a Fishman system should sit. I took some pics, but the interior of the case was too dark to see the problems. I inserted one of my little dog's toys which easily slid down inside the cutout (much to the chagrin of my dog).



Do you think this is something that Taylor will fix? When I bought the guitar, it was the sales guy's last week working there so I know he isn't around anymore. There is a gap on both sides of the upper bout between the guitar and the case. The lower bout seems to fit fine. I don't know if it is a GA case or if it was meant for something else. Any ideas or suggestions?

[michaelw]

hi Cindy,

about the only thing i could think of is that the cases could  have gotten mixed up,
as the NS34/44ce used to have the Fishman Prefix Pro electronics with on-board eq -
i doubt that it is a leftover case from a 02-03 300/400 guitar (any NOlderS guitars there)

if the case has an archtop lid, it is correct for the 300/400 series & if it has a flat-top lid,
it was for a 07 214, as the 08 cases had a different handle than what is shown in your pic -
your 414 looks like it fits too well for it to be a jumbo case & the GS 400 series models
had ES, so there wouldn't be any need to have a cut-out for a pre-amp in that location

hope this helps & that you are able to get it worked out with your dealer
nice dog toy holder, though

[dkoloff]

I would give the dealer the chance to set it straight otherwise keep a sharp eye out for a sale on Ebay for a case.

[Cindy]

I've been tied up this week so I haven't been able to go back to the dealer yet. I decided to call Taylor to see where they'd suggest I start, and he told me two names to contact at the dealer. After describing the case, the Taylor rep said Taylor would work with the dealer to get this resolved and assured me the case would be swapped out for the correct one. Gotta love Taylor's customer service!

[Cindy]

My case problem was resolved without any problem at all! The sales manager could see the case wasn't a good fit at all and commented it was a dread case. He disappeared for a while then came back with two different options. One was the molded Taylor case made by SKB and the other a deluxe case for an 814ce. Of course I chose the deluxe case.

It seems Taylor addressed the previous deluxe case problem where the headstock would sit against one side of the case (not centered). This case fit perfectly. I can also tell it's different because of the location of the latches. I've had 3 deluxe cases (still have 2). The black cases have had 2 latches on the back sides while my deluxe cases have one latch on the back side and one on the bottom end (where you can stand the case up like in a shipping box). This deluxe case has the latches in the same places as my black cases. The inside of the case is also that typical pinkish color like my other deluxe cases, and the latches don't show any sign of corrosion (so it's definitely new).

After I got home, I got to wondering about the molded SKB/Taylor case. He referred to it as an orphan case because it didn't have a guitar to go with it. I called and asked if it would fit a GA, and if so would he consider selling it. He tried 2 GA's in it and quoted me a fair price. I made the trek back to Jersey and bought it. My GA fits but there is a little gap around one side of the lower bout. However, the guitar doesn't shift at all unlike the original case I had. I certainly won't mind padding it, but that other case definitely wasn't a good fit. Since this one is lighter in weight than the black and brown cases, it will come in handy when I need to take any of my GA's outside the house. Those black and brown cases are a bear to carry especially when you have tendonitis in both arms.

I also bought a variety of COOL picks so I'll have fun playing around with them. Quite a good day!

[sachi]

Glad the problem was solved so easily!!

To comment about the misaligned neck issue, I believe that happens only with a cutaway. For whatever reason, the lack of an upper bout on one side tends to tilt the neck a bit in the case. Is that what was fixed in the new cases?

[Cindy]

Glad the problem was solved so easily!!

To comment about the misaligned neck issue, I believe that happens only with a cutaway. For whatever reason, the lack of an upper bout on one side tends to tilt the neck a bit in the case. Is that what was fixed in the new cases?

Yes, that's what I was referring to. My 414ce fits perfectly centered, and there isn't any way I can even try to get the headstock to sit off-center. It's very snug.