Im at a Loss re New Taylor Ltd 914CE Fall

[Bigderek]

Hi
Hoping i may get some good advice here, please bear with me i don't mean to waffle on and bore you to death. In Dec last year i went out and bought a Taylor 914ce ltd NAMM 2017 Fall model as I loved the look of it and hope that the spruce top and cocabola back and sides would make for a good combination. I played it and soon noticed that it was a little buzzy and tinnie sounding on some of the strings and all areas on the fret board. I mentioned this to my dealer who is 250 miles away he said to talk to Taylor Europe. I then went onto Taylor Europe in Amsterdam Im in the North UK. Ringing them Taylor EU were very helpful and asked me to take the guitar to a Silver registered Taylor dealer in York some 90 mile round trip, which I did where the guitar was worked on and I picked it up and went home played it for about a week but still some notes were buzzing and some even sound dull? When you pull off or slide into a note on the Top strings it makes the usual siding sound but when you hit the note  5th fret say its buzz or dull. So I rang the dealer at York took it back where he had it all day polished and levelled frets did some other adjustments, again when I collected it in the shop I was playing like  spider but not like being in your own domain, it felt somewhat better? Mmm each time its having the new nanoweb Elixir 12-53 strings fitted.(model 11052) So i go home play it for about 10 days and still I feel it just does not sound right sometimes if you give "Killer grip" the buzz is gone and sometimes if you place your finger tips with sniper grade accuracy on the fret it will not buzz. But as you start playing tunes its not right IMHO.

So I ring Taylor Europe and report it they couldn't have been more helpful they asked me to send it back to them I then buy a box pack the guitar and send it by air to Amsterdam for the Taylor workshop to sort ? Very happy about  that and keen for the results. 10 days later I receive the Taylor back with a  packing one that says service work done
1 levelled and dressed frets
2 smoothed the saddle and bridge pin holes
3 regaled possible moving parts on the power supply and pre amp
4 trusted adjustment
5 set to specs with new strings Elixir light gauge
6 cleaned and polished

also said please if i have anymore queries please let them know.

Excitedly i then sat down after the guitar acclimatised to room and played it for about 6 hours  of and on the feel was better but still the sound was dull ringing notes and again some buzz on some notes both on the thin bottom strings (which must be uncoated?) and on the top strings ? I thought well its me i give up. I left it and played my  other guitars then after a day I went back gave it another  6 8 hours! Again its almost right but when you trill hammer on pull off its terrible and just playing single notes in some areas its buzz  very annoying. I sent a email to Taylor and their response was that as far as they were concerned work was done and their Experts had played it and even the chap im dealing with had, all said it was perfect! Also stating that the work they had done was going the extra mile to cover all areas as they felt the guitar was not below spec. So again I think well it must be me. Ive played guitar over 50 years and although Im only a x band player now a  home player trust me I know something is not right  Taylor has offered me to send it back to Amsterdam so they can higher the action which may suit my playing style they say?  I then responded by saying if this instrument was a new car or motorcycle I would have rejected it.

Im not looking just to complain I looking for me to enjoy a top quality premium guitar? I payed £xx about $xx US for it and I really like it but its just not right somehow.
This got me to thinking and I wonder could it be the Elixir strings Ive never used them, I have seen on the web some players say they are dull on acoustic guitars. Could that be the cause ? I am awaiting a reply from Taylor as I also offered as a suggestion if they could swap this guitar for a like for like priced other model etc or maybe a new V braced model? with prices to above or below to be discussed. I don't know. I play with a pick do not finger style and i dig in sometimes, but like playing Blues, Rock and 60's stuff.



here is what it says about the guitar and what encouraged me to buy it.



Product Overview
Taylor are world renowned for their ability to craft beautiful guitars perfect for the working musician. With their effortless playability and stunning design, they are considered one of the very best acoustic manufacturers around.
The Taylor 914ce Cocobolo Fall LTD ED is a great example of what makes Taylors so special. With its stellar appearance and flawless playability it is a guitar that just wants to be played.
With a Sitka Spruce top on a simply stunning Cocobolo back and sides, this dense Mexican hardwood has a sweet, bright natural tone and is responsive and articulate. Very similar to Koa, it resonates a little deeper on the low end and has the most amazing aesthetics. With its rich tonal variation and lovely organic feel, it's the perfect partner for players who need a guitar that can compete right across the board. The Grand Auditorium body shape offers great projection and a comfortable playing position.
With a West African Ebony fingerboard, it offers a smooth and comfortable playing surface that is perfect for beginners and professionals alike. Loaded with Taylors revered Expression System 2, it utilises behind the saddle placement to offer a completely transparent tone capture, just what you want for a tonal juggernaut like this!
Housed in a deluxe Taylor hardcase, the Taylor 914ce Cocobolo Fall LTD ED is ready to hit the stage.

Any ideas what would you do ?

cheers

Derek



$, per forum rules

[Marco Polo]

Sorry to read of your issues. 

Some suggestions that I would do in the same situation:

• Although you've already had several sets of elixir strings on, perhaps try a different brand (as you suggested above).  Maybe some D'addario or GHS strings might help?  My ears like phosphor bronze better than 80/20s, especially on my cocobolo guitar.  YMMV.  GA guitars are setup for light gauge strings
• I *hope* braces aren't loose and vibrating under certain frequencies.  I would ensure that question is verified by the repair shop.
• If trustworthy luthier is in the area, a consult would be in order for another, non-Taylor specific, set of eyes/hands?  This was set my mind at ease...a true second/third independent opinion.

Good luck and please keep us informed.

[Craig]

45 miles from York? I know a good guy in Durham if that's any where near you?

Also maybe try a set of Mediums on it (I use John Pearse PB's) the extra tension might just get the action where you need it.

Craig

[Bigderek]

I was asked to update the post below I am still persevering with my Taylor 914ce ltd NAMM 2017 Fall model it has since been back to Taylor Amsterdam after they request dit back when it returned the action was as high as London bridge, so I spoke to a Taylor Rep i happened to meet at at a Dealers shop when he was showing the new V braced model Taylors. He was great and put me in touch with a local shop that would set the guitar up  also had the opportunity  to play the new Taylors. I fell for the builders edition K14 it sounded far  less tinnier than my guitar. But being determined and as my Guitar was only 3 months old i took the guitar to the shop he recommend where they charged me for a set up. Saying they would set it as they like it and if it buzzes when you get it back Tough! Mmmm i collected it back and the chap was not  at work who set it up. On returning to my den I played it and "Guess What" its terrible duff notes more on the lower end and the B and E strings. So much so when I play it it just annoyed me.

I tried the delayer where ei bought it from although he was 350 miles away thinking ill cut my losses and do a trade in maybe a Martin or a Lowden or possibly the Taylor new v braced Builders edition but he didn't want the guitar back! So hey Ho.

Taylor EU and or their rep have never contacted me to see if I was happy with the result, guess they feel Im just Mr Complainer but in truth Im not I just wanted the  guitar to sound out and not buzz or be tinnier! My pal says Taylors are renowned for being a thin tinnier sound but I thought that was just his ears, I dont know?

[zeebow]

I was asked to update the post below I am still persevering with my Taylor 914ce ltd NAMM 2017 Fall model it has since been back to Taylor Amsterdam after they request dit back when it returned the action was as high as London bridge, so I spoke to a Taylor Rep i happened to meet at at a Dealers shop when he was showing the new V braced model Taylors. He was great and put me in touch with a local shop that would set the guitar up  also had the opportunity  to play the new Taylors. I fell for the builders edition K14 it sounded far  less tinnier than my guitar. But being determined and as my Guitar was only 3 months old i took the guitar to the shop he recommend where they charged me for a set up. Saying they would set it as they like it and if it buzzes when you get it back Tough! Mmmm i collected it back and the chap was not  at work who set it up. On returning to my den I played it and "Guess What" its terrible duff notes more on the lower end and the B and E strings. So much so when I play it it just annoyed me.

I tried the delayer where ei bought it from although he was 350 miles away thinking ill cut my losses and do a trade in maybe a Martin or a Lowden or possibly the Taylor new v braced Builders edition but he didn't want the guitar back! So hey Ho.

Taylor EU and or their rep have never contacted me to see if I was happy with the result, guess they feel Im just Mr Complainer but in truth Im not I just wanted the  guitar to sound out and not buzz or be tinnier! My pal says Taylors are renowned for being a thin tinnier sound but I thought that was just his ears, I dont know?

i think you should contact them to let them know you still have issues. I bet from their perspective they resolved the issue.

also, when you got the guitar back, did you let it acclimate to your house? i keep my guitars unopened for at least 24 hours after they are shipped to me

[Soof]

I feel for you Big Derek.  You put a lot of time and effort, as well as emotional energy, into trying to get it fixed just right.

Curious, did you play it at the NAMM show?  Probably you played a demo.  I'm just guessing. I'm thinking that if you played a demo at the show and it played and sounded good, then and the one you eventually bought has the problem.

Try going to some shops in your area and play that same model for a comparison and see what they sound like.

Good luck!

[Bigderek]

Hi Soon
thanks for the advice No i didn't play it at NAMM i'm in the rainy UK lol I saw it at a dealers shop some 300 miles from my home, liked the look of it played dit ever so spidery in the shop. Then after i bought it i started lay it harder and more often then noticed this fret buzz tinnier sound that still there now even after all the EXPERTS at Taylor say its fine ? Well maybe for them but not for me. I have decided to take  aBIG HIT on it and its going as  trade in. I may be even being dafter than i thought i could be coz Im swapping it for the new Builders Edition... K14 ce Im dyslexic and the vine inlay will be a learning curve for my daft brain but Im hoping its not tinny sounding Who knows ? We will see when it arrives from US.

[Marco Polo]

So sorry the 914 cocobolo didn't work out for you.  Hopefully the K14 will move you in the right direction.

Strange that the dealer is not working with you...that's a shame

[Llama2018]

I know I’m late to this thread but felt I’d add my two cents (pence?).  I took delivery on a GA Rosewood/Sinker Redwood (V-brace) in Sept. and was also disappointed with the tone at first. It did open up some after the first week of a couple hours a day playing, tone/sustain okay but not great.  I had read that Sinker tops can be hit or miss, but figured Taylor would select a top notch soundboard for an upscale guitar.  I’ve never been a fan of coated strings so changed out the elixirs for my trusted go-to strings: Pearse PB lights.  The tone and sustain immediately opened up. The difference was remarkable. Ive been happy w elixirs on my T5z but generally don’t like coated string tone on acoustics. I did recently put DR Sunbeams PB light on a Larrivee D-19 and REALLY like the round core feel, tone and the sustain is incredible.  They’re said to have “long-life” before losing it all at once, but too early to tell.