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Old 11-09-2013, 01:30 PM
Mr K20koa Mr K20koa is offline
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The number 1 in my Taylor K-10's serial number
Posted by Keith on March 17, 2011 at 10:56am in Taylor Owners
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.In my Taylor serial number there is a "1" just before the last 2 digits (number of guitar made that day) which is supposed to indicate "500 series or higher". Does anybody know what the 500 series is or what might be "higher"? The meaning of the rest of the numbers is clear to me. The body sides and back are made of Hawaiian Koa wood in the K-10 (see my picture on this site). It was made in 1998.



http://www.acousticguitarcommunity.c...my-taylor-k10s

Hi, Keith. Taylor's main product line (acoustic-electrics with cutaways) are arranged in series from 100 - 900. The first digit of a model number indicates the series and the last two indicate the body style (10=dreadnought, 12=grand concert, 14=grand auditorium, 16=grand symphony, etc.). So, a model 514ce would be a 500-series guitar (mahogany body, cedar top, with a cutaway and electronics). The series are numbered beginning with the low end 100 series (laminate sapele, made in Mexico) to the top-of-the-line 900 series (solid rosewood body, spruce top, lots of abalone). The 100 and 200 series are laminate bodies made in Mexico, and the 300 and 400 series are the low end of the El Cajon-made solid wood models. The high end starts with the 500 series, and the 600, 700, 800, and 900 series are "higher".

It gets a little confusing with models outside the main product line, but the koa models would probably all carry the "500 series or higher" designation. The acoustic series still uses a "series designation" of sorts, although the model numbers are different. A GA3 would be equivalent to the 314, for example, and a GA5 would be equivalent to a 514. Basically, though, the "500 series or higher" designation simply means it's a high-end model.


The only problem with the designation "500 series or higher" is that one immediately wants to know "How much higher?". I love the guitar and it has a rich warm tone. One day tho I may need to know what it's worth and this piece of the puzzle may contribute to that process.

Reply by Terry Waugh on March 17, 2011 at 8:58pm
Your K10 ( Koa Dreadnaught) is higher than a 500 series which is usually mahogany back and sides with Englemann Spruce top for the 510 and red cedar top for the 514. The model series numbers start at 300 for their least expensive solid wood guitars and then go up in increments of 100. 400 is ovankol, 500 mahogany, 600 walnut 700 800 and 900 are all some type of rosewood. Your K model is probably around a 700 series level.

Last edited by Mr K20koa; 11-09-2013 at 01:36 PM. Reason: more data
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