Mike I
Gold Supporting Member
- Joined
- Jan 11, 2010
- Messages
- 2,493
- Reaction score
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I bought my first Taylor Acoustic, a 710, new in 1995. Loved it and still do. It has aged nicely and still can get a little chimmy, but has a really nice neck and plays so nice.
So last month I decided to buy a new 714CE. Been gassing for one for a long time, and wanted to try the new V class bracing, as Taylor promotes it like it's the perfect bracing for acoustics.
Was playing a beautiful 714, but must say I'm not a fan of the wooden pick guards. It sounded kind of muted and dull unless you really hit it hard. So the sales guy put new strings on it, which helped. I bought it. When I get home and play in my music room, again it just sounded muted. I kept looking in the sound hole to see if someone left a rag in it. My cheap Fender acoustic blew this thing away.
So two days later I take it back. Can't deal with it. I know this shop well and it's where I got the 710, and it's a mom and pop shop, so I don't want to just return it, so I start looking at the 814CE they had.
The 814 sounded like it should, and as I'm getting settled in and checking it out, they announce the store is closing soon and for at least a month due to Covid. Well it sounded better, so I paid 450 more and took the 814 home.
Get home, and continue checking out the 814, and I should have noticed in the store, but the action measured with my string height tool at the 12 fret was 8/64's. 1/8" if your prefer. My 710 sits at 6/64's which is perfect. The neck on the 814 was already flat, which means it'll need some saddle massaging when the shops open back up and I submit a warranty claim to Taylor. Not what I expect from a 3500 dollar guitar.
Then, two days after I bring the 814 home, I get an email from Taylor that If I buy a 300 series Taylor or better, you can get a Taylor GS mini for 99 bucks, Normally right around 500 bucks. I replied to that and said thanks, but I bought my 814 two days before the email, but it would have been nice to hit that deal.
Well a few days later I get a reply from Taylor that said, good news! Your request has been forwarded for review! I'm thinking ok, maybe there is a silver lining here to this mess. The a day later I get another email from Taylor. It said Yep! The 99 dollar Taylor offer is a great offer! But you don't qualify. Be safe. Hmm Ok. I really wasn't expecting to get the offer from the beginning, and even told of the 714 saga, but first they get my hopes up, then send a dear john letter.
So I think about that for a day or so, and them I write a letter to their customer service and outline the whole story, and state that I'm going to sell the 814, and that I just don't seem to be a match for their guitars any longer. The reply I got to that from their C/S Mgr. was, I won't make any excuses. Take care.
Hmmm. OK. I sold the 814 on Craigslist 2 days later, and I'm personally done with Taylor.
Not trying to bust their balls, and maybe I just got two bad Taylor's in a row. And maybe the C/S Rep and Mgr were having a bad week. Who knows.
But on the bright side, I took the Taylor funds, and bought a Dr. Z Z plus amp, and I've got my eye on a 1959 Gibson ES 125, and both together will be a direct replacement for the Taylor, cash wise.
I wish Taylor well in the future, it'll just be without me.
This is one of those things you just have to get off your chest.
Cheers!
So last month I decided to buy a new 714CE. Been gassing for one for a long time, and wanted to try the new V class bracing, as Taylor promotes it like it's the perfect bracing for acoustics.
Was playing a beautiful 714, but must say I'm not a fan of the wooden pick guards. It sounded kind of muted and dull unless you really hit it hard. So the sales guy put new strings on it, which helped. I bought it. When I get home and play in my music room, again it just sounded muted. I kept looking in the sound hole to see if someone left a rag in it. My cheap Fender acoustic blew this thing away.
So two days later I take it back. Can't deal with it. I know this shop well and it's where I got the 710, and it's a mom and pop shop, so I don't want to just return it, so I start looking at the 814CE they had.
The 814 sounded like it should, and as I'm getting settled in and checking it out, they announce the store is closing soon and for at least a month due to Covid. Well it sounded better, so I paid 450 more and took the 814 home.
Get home, and continue checking out the 814, and I should have noticed in the store, but the action measured with my string height tool at the 12 fret was 8/64's. 1/8" if your prefer. My 710 sits at 6/64's which is perfect. The neck on the 814 was already flat, which means it'll need some saddle massaging when the shops open back up and I submit a warranty claim to Taylor. Not what I expect from a 3500 dollar guitar.
Then, two days after I bring the 814 home, I get an email from Taylor that If I buy a 300 series Taylor or better, you can get a Taylor GS mini for 99 bucks, Normally right around 500 bucks. I replied to that and said thanks, but I bought my 814 two days before the email, but it would have been nice to hit that deal.
Well a few days later I get a reply from Taylor that said, good news! Your request has been forwarded for review! I'm thinking ok, maybe there is a silver lining here to this mess. The a day later I get another email from Taylor. It said Yep! The 99 dollar Taylor offer is a great offer! But you don't qualify. Be safe. Hmm Ok. I really wasn't expecting to get the offer from the beginning, and even told of the 714 saga, but first they get my hopes up, then send a dear john letter.
So I think about that for a day or so, and them I write a letter to their customer service and outline the whole story, and state that I'm going to sell the 814, and that I just don't seem to be a match for their guitars any longer. The reply I got to that from their C/S Mgr. was, I won't make any excuses. Take care.
Hmmm. OK. I sold the 814 on Craigslist 2 days later, and I'm personally done with Taylor.
Not trying to bust their balls, and maybe I just got two bad Taylor's in a row. And maybe the C/S Rep and Mgr were having a bad week. Who knows.
But on the bright side, I took the Taylor funds, and bought a Dr. Z Z plus amp, and I've got my eye on a 1959 Gibson ES 125, and both together will be a direct replacement for the Taylor, cash wise.
I wish Taylor well in the future, it'll just be without me.
This is one of those things you just have to get off your chest.
Cheers!