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Guitar Discussions -> Got a new Taylor, have questions
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Got a new Taylor, have questions - Horace Caulk - 13:18 18-11-05
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Anyone who has been following my saga knows that I sold a customized
Fender Tele on Ebay, and was using the funds to buy an acoustic. I
origionally asked the question about an acoustic guitar for 400-500
buck. I went to my local GC, and played a few and really liked the
Taylor. I was going to add some more money to the budget and get a
Taylor 214 Grand Auditorium, then I came accross a used, but like new
Taylor 314 which I picked up for $775. It also came with a tune, a
planet waves humidifier.
The guitar looks and plays like it hasn't been touched. In fact it
was probably played less than a lot of guitars at my local GC. The
case doesn't have a scratch on it. It even still has the warranty
card that hasn't been sent in. The strings are like new, they are
elixers. I believe mediums.
My thing is that this is my first acoustic guitar I have owned, and
the strings are a bit heavy, as compared to my strat. I am thinking
of putting lights on. I know most of you like heavier strings on an
acoustic, but I think I might like something that doesn't take as much
work at least for the first few months untill my forearm and hand gets
stronger. I can't even bend the strings that are on ther right now.
I tend to be pretty heavy with the strumming hand, and use a heavy
pick.
The tone is excellent, and the action is similar to the ones I tried
at my local GC. The action is a little highish for my tastes though.
I would like it a small amount lower. Is this something a mere mortal
can do, or do I need to take it to a tech? Since the bridge is fixed,
it seems like it is not as simple as taking an allen wrench and
lowering the saddles like on an electric.
I think I might have been better off getting the version of this
guitar with the electronics for resale purposes, but that would have
been way out of my budget. If an acoustic/electric were a priority I
could have found something around the same price, but I wanted to put
all of the money into the guitar and not the electrics. I don't
really see myself needing to amplify the guitar anytime soon. I will
be using it mostly at home for my own enjoyment.
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Re: Got a new Taylor, have questions - Clutch - 20:53 18-11-05
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"Horace Caulk" <Horace@aol.com> wrote in message
news:7v5sn1l5nsboqu1g4ai6u2s528kdk21d39@4ax.com...
> Anyone who has been following my saga knows that I sold a customized
> Fender Tele on Ebay, and was using the funds to buy an acoustic. I
> origionally asked the question about an acoustic guitar for 400-500
> buck. I went to my local GC, and played a few and really liked the
> Taylor. I was going to add some more money to the budget and get a
> Taylor 214 Grand Auditorium, then I came accross a used, but like new
> Taylor 314 which I picked up for $775. It also came with a tune, a
> planet waves humidifier.
>
> The guitar looks and plays like it hasn't been touched. In fact it
> was probably played less than a lot of guitars at my local GC. The
> case doesn't have a scratch on it. It even still has the warranty
> card that hasn't been sent in. The strings are like new, they are
> elixers. I believe mediums.
>
> My thing is that this is my first acoustic guitar I have owned, and
> the strings are a bit heavy, as compared to my strat. I am thinking
> of putting lights on. I know most of you like heavier strings on an
> acoustic, but I think I might like something that doesn't take as much
> work at least for the first few months untill my forearm and hand gets
> stronger. I can't even bend the strings that are on ther right now.
> I tend to be pretty heavy with the strumming hand, and use a heavy
> pick.
>
> The tone is excellent, and the action is similar to the ones I tried
> at my local GC. The action is a little highish for my tastes though.
> I would like it a small amount lower. Is this something a mere mortal
> can do, or do I need to take it to a tech? Since the bridge is fixed,
> it seems like it is not as simple as taking an allen wrench and
> lowering the saddles like on an electric.
>
> I think I might have been better off getting the version of this
> guitar with the electronics for resale purposes, but that would have
> been way out of my budget. If an acoustic/electric were a priority I
> could have found something around the same price, but I wanted to put
> all of the money into the guitar and not the electrics. I don't
> really see myself needing to amplify the guitar anytime soon. I will
> be using it mostly at home for my own enjoyment.
Congrats on the guitar.
The character of the gutiar will change as you lower the string gauge. You
can also tune down for a bit to get used the them. I don't do a lot of
bending with 12's on my acoustic... then again I've never really worked out
it.
To my ears, Taylors are so bright to begin with that they really suffer with
lighter strings.. But check it out see what works for you.
To lower the action you'll need to shave the saddle... My advice? Take it to
a pro.
And most of the time, I'd rather add electronics to a nice acoustic than
base my buying on a model with them installed from the factory.
Cheers
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Re: Got a new Taylor, have questions - Stevie - 17:58 19-11-05
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> My thing is that this is my first acoustic guitar I have owned, and
> the strings are a bit heavy, as compared to my strat. I am thinking
> of putting lights on. I know most of you like heavier strings on an
> acoustic, but I think I might like something that doesn't take as much
> work at least for the first few months untill my forearm and hand gets
> stronger. I can't even bend the strings that are on ther right now.
> I tend to be pretty heavy with the strumming hand, and use a heavy
> pick.
Some ideas before someone sands down your bridge insert:
First check the forward bow of the neck. Simultaneously, push the low E
down at the 1st and last fret and look at the space between the bottom of
the string and the top of the 7th fret. You should have a little-bitty gap
there about the thickness of a business card. More than that and you need
your neck adjusted. If you are hesitant, have someone who has done this
show you how... don't just start cranking :)
Also... try the same gauge in a "Silk and Steel" type which is made by many
manufacturers - I found the wound strings to be more "elastic".
Here's a trick: Between the nut and 1st fret, push down on the string area
that is very close to the nut to create a bend there. Many times the string
comes through the slot and has a humpy curve rather than a sharp change of
direction. This can lower the action on the lower frets significantly.
Lastly.... high action can be a symptom of high humidity. The top swells
and lifts the strings up. 50-60% humidity is what I shoot for.
Steve
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