Does Anyone Else's NT Neck Look Like This?

[Jeremy]

I bought a GS Mini last night and didn't look it over well enough apparently. I brought it my local Taylor certified rep and his tech and they said it's okay and that's they way this particular one is shimmed, though I'm waiting to hear from Taylor themselves. The action is good, the neck seems stable, and it plays and sounds great but I just wanted to be sure that this wasn't problematic.

[ataylor]

I saw your post over on the AGF -- since it's a recent purchase, I'd see if you can trade it for one that has a straight NT joint or keep shopping around a bit.

That's just what I would do personally -- you may decide otherwise and other posters may have different opinions.

[jjrpilot-admin]

Looks like it's lifting....hmmm..............have you called the dealer where you got it from?

Taylor and by extention their dealers are great to work with.  I know that if it is a problem, they'll take care of you.

[Jeremy]

Thanks everyone.

I just got off the phone with Taylor's service department and they said it's okay. They said sometimes the NT neck joint isn't always a pretty fit, but the neck angle is good for this guitar. This was the best sounding of the all the GS Minis my dealer (and any guitar store in my area) has and didn't want to give it up without a fight. Sounds like I won't need to. 

[Roseadi]

Jeremy, Did you send a pic of this to the Taylor rep?

I've never seen a Taylor with this problem. They pride themselves on their fit and finish and are one of the best in the biz!

Taylor invested in their hi tech CNC machines to prevent this and a perfect fit, with easy adjustable neck, is the NT's claim to fame. If the neck angle is correct, I would suspect the top has sunk for some reason.

Your pic is not typical for sure.

[Edward]

Hi Jeremy,

I don't think that there is anything "wrong" with the guitar, per se,  It's just that given how that particular guitar "came out," the neck had to be shimmed up at the end to get the proper geometry for proper action.  That it plays as it should and sounds good is testament to that.

OK, that said, it is completely unacceptable to me.  That is an aesthetic boondoggle that is completely out of line with the price of a GSm, as well as the reputation for Taylor quality.  Sorry, but that this one guitar sounded better than the other GSms in the store says nothing to me, personally.  One may vary slightly from another, to be sure, but one GSm is not going to magically sound amazing putting all the others to shame.  It's a "simple guitar" ...nothing fancy or exotic about the GSm; just a solid, competant guitar at that price strata.  So would anyone here accept this neck join from any other manufacturer at this price??!!  No reason on the planet that a proper GSm shouldn't have good tone, good action, and good aesthetics.   Up to you, of course, but that is not what I'd be comfortable with paying 4bills for.  Hope that doesn't sound harsh to you.  But it is how I feel considering this is no cheapie hun-dollar import.  I'd personally seek a solution that is comensurate to the cost of the guitar.

Edward 

[Jeremy]

Jeremy, Did you send a pic of this to the Taylor rep?

I've never seen a Taylor with this problem. They pride themselves on their fit and finish and are one of the best in the biz!

Taylor invested in their hi tech CNC machines to prevent this and a perfect fit, with easy adjustable neck, is the NT's claim to fame. If the neck angle is correct, I would suspect the top has sunk for some reason.

Your pic is not typical for sure.

I sent a pic to Taylor, yes. Then they called me to talk about it.

[Jeremy]

Hi Jeremy,

I don't think that there is anything "wrong" with the guitar, per se,  It's just that given how that particular guitar "came out," the neck had to be shimmed up at the end to get the proper geometry for proper action.  That it plays as it should and sounds good is testament to that.

OK, that said, it is completely unacceptable to me.  That is an aesthetic boondoggle that is completely out of line with the price of a GSm, as well as the reputation for Taylor quality.  Sorry, but that this one guitar sounded better than the other GSms in the store says nothing to me, personally.  One may vary slightly from another, to be sure, but one GSm is not going to magically sound amazing putting all the others to shame.  It's a "simple guitar" ...nothing fancy or exotic about the GSm; just a solid, competant guitar at that price strata.  So would anyone here accept this neck join from any other manufacturer at this price??!!  No reason on the planet that a proper GSm shouldn't have good tone, good action, and good aesthetics.   Up to you, of course, but that is not what I'd be comfortable with paying 4bills for.  Hope that doesn't sound harsh to you.  But it is how I feel considering this is no cheapie hun-dollar import.  I'd personally seek a solution that is comensurate to the cost of the guitar.

Edward

Thanks. I appreciate your opinion but I think I'm going to deal with it because it truly is the best sounding GS Mini I've ever played. That is the only reason why I bought it (I haven't bought one until now because I was underwhelmed by all the others I've played) and why I'm putting up with the sloppy neck. I'll take the tone over the neck aesthetics. Taylor did offer to look at it if I wanted and I may take them up on it at some point; but for now I'll just enjoy the guitar.

I will say though that I've always had a high regard for Taylor's consistent fit and finish, and build quality, but that I was let down a bit by this.

[ataylor]

OK, that said, it is completely unacceptable to me.  That is an aesthetic boondoggle that is completely out of line with the price of a GSm, as well as the reputation for Taylor quality.

I tend to agree here -- if I thought it was going to bug me at all going forward I would want a replacement since it was just barely purchased.

[ataylor]

Taylor did offer to look at it if I wanted and I may take them up on it at some point; but for now I'll just enjoy the guitar.

I will say though that I've always had a high regard for Taylor's consistent fit and finish, and build quality, but that I was let down a bit by this.

Seriously -- now is the time to make it right. If you are let down by this -- as you should be -- you shouldn't have to settle. Don't enjoy the guitar "for now" -- pick a winner both tonally and aesthetically that you don't have to have any reservations about.

Get your money's worth. Get a guitar in perfect condition. I guarantee you'll find one that sounds as good or better, even if not at that particular dealer. You might even think about holding out for a mahogany model.

[dangrunloh]

Thanks. I appreciate your opinion but I think I'm going to deal with it because it truly is the best sounding GS Mini I've ever played. That is the only reason why I bought it (I haven't bought one until now because I was underwhelmed by all the others I've played) and why I'm putting up with the sloppy neck. I'll take the tone over the neck aesthetics. Taylor did offer to look at it if I wanted and I may take them up on it at some point; but for now I'll just enjoy the guitar.


Perhaps the "deviation" In this guitar is what gives it a unique sound you like.

I bought a 414 CE especially because of the sound it made when played in D minor and B minor, kind of ethereal and spooky. Later I learned about something called a wolf tone and have come to believe mine sort of has that effect (but mild) right near middle F/F#.   I may have actually bought the guitar for something that others would find a disqualification.  I still love it 4 months in and can't put it down. I don't want to change anything and risk changing that tone.

[sachi]

I'm going to side with Jeremy. If the shim doesn't bug him and he likes the sound, he's right to keep it. 

[Jeremy]

Perhaps the "deviation" In this guitar is what gives it a unique sound you like.

I've considered this as a possibility and another reason why I'm in no rush to have anything done about it. Part of me is afraid it might affect the tone. If it sounded like every other Mini I've played I'd have returned/exchanged it in a heartbeat.

I'm going to side with Jeremy. If the shim doesn't bug him and he likes the sound, he's right to keep it. 

The more I play it, the less and less it's bugging me. I was more concerned about structural issues than anything else.

[michaelw]

hi Jeremy,
congrats on the GS Mini
i'm glad that you were able to find one that 'spoke' to you

i've played several different examples of the Mini &, to me, there can be
audible tonal variances in them & i've heard & played a couple that had
a bit more depth & warmer, stronger midrange projection than the others

looking at the pic, to me it appears that the fretboard extension shim has a significant degree
of taper, which may  have been necessary to set the neck at the proper angle in relation to the
bridge height, while still maintaining standard saddle height for adequate string break angle -
that being said, there may  be another shim combination that will set the fretboard
extension lower into the fretboard pocket in the neck block & if this is done, the saddle
may  need to be lowered as well, in order to bring the action to within factory specs

i am interested to hear back if  you decide to talk to Taylor's repair department again
at a later to see what their recommendation is in order to lower the fretboard extension

from the outward appearance it is  an aesthetic concern, as you have mentioned that the
tone & playability of the guitar are to your liking (with good intonation & tuning stability )

i have complete faith in Taylor & their staff & i believe their stellar customer service will resolve this
concern with your guitar to your total & complete satisfaction in the future, should you deem it necessary

please let us know what happens & until next time ...
play on

[Jeremy]

Taylor did offer to look at it if I wanted and I may take them up on it at some point; but for now I'll just enjoy the guitar.

I will say though that I've always had a high regard for Taylor's consistent fit and finish, and build quality, but that I was let down a bit by this.

Seriously -- now is the time to make it right. If you are let down by this -- as you should be -- you shouldn't have to settle. Don't enjoy the guitar "for now" -- pick a winner both tonally and aesthetically that you don't have to have any reservations about.

Get your money's worth. Get a guitar in perfect condition. I guarantee you'll find one that sounds as good or better, even if not at that particular dealer. You might even think about holding out for a mahogany model.

I actually tried the hog model at the same dealer and didn't like it. No guitar store within reasonable driving distance has a better sounding Mini and I wouldn't buy one without playing it first.

I appreciate your advice, despite the neck issue I really do like this Mini. In fact when I took the guitar to the dealer today for a possible swap-out, he brought out every Mini he had in stock for me to play and compare and I liked only this one.