Info on 307's and Big Baby Taylors

sympleman · #1 01-19-2010, 11:32 AM

I am a complete newb at guitars, and I am learning how to play. I am now playing on a borrowed Washburn Millenium Acoustic/Elec. I am looking to buy a Taylor 307/Big Baby, as it is the only Taylor in my price range. In looking around, I have seen some listed as a 307 model, some 307GB, some just Big Baby Taylor on the inside label. Some have a small plate with screws on the head, while some do not. I heard some are made in the USA, while some are not. Please school me in the ways of Taylor Big Baby's. Thank you.

Mike

Herb Hunter · #2 01-19-2010, 04:56 PM

Welcome to the Forum!

I own a Big Baby but I've never seen one with a screwed in plate nor heard of a 307. I presume that by, head, you mean the headstock?

Originally, the Big Baby model was made in the US but a few years ago production was moved 40 miles away just across the border in Mexico.

Mike_A · #3 01-19-2010, 06:17 PM

I read of the 307 somewhere, i think its the older number designation for the big baby or the big baby bundle but it is not commonly used term here. we just call it big baby. i dont know about the small plate and screws but you may be referring to the two visible screws on the upper fretboard that connects the neck assembly to the guitar body (together with the two bolts into the heel).

like Herb said, these are now made in Mexico. so if you're buying used, you may encounter the older made in US models.

personally, i'd save up for a series 1 model like a 110 to get the full size guitar, or buy used with your budget. but that said, you cant go wrong with the big baby.

you can get more info by doing a search or going to the taylor website:

www.taylorguitars.com

Herb Hunter · #4 01-19-2010, 06:41 PM

I think it is a good idea to by a Big Baby now and save up for a 300 series or better Taylor for the future. The Big Baby would still be useful as a second guitar for travel. That is what I bought mine for as I didn't want to travel with my expensive guitars but I find myself playing the Big Baby around the house much more than I ever anticipated.

jsmarshall · #5 01-19-2010, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herb Hunter

Welcome to the Forum!

I own a Big Baby but I've never seen one with a screwed in plate nor heard of a 307.

It's half of a 614.

No, it's the Taylor Big Baby. Usually you will see it as Taylor Big Baby 307-GB (gig bag).

Here are some reviews:

Big Baby

Go4aRyd · #6 01-19-2010, 08:21 PM

My 2007 big baby is labeled BBT, which I think is consistent with the more recent builds.

The 307 and 307-GB are an older label style. I do not know if the change happened when the fab location moved south or not.

InsideOut · #7 01-19-2010, 11:22 PM

Mine has one of the 307 labels. Great guitars. I bought mine about ten years ago. It has held up quite well.

sympleman · #8 01-20-2010, 08:26 PM

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http://s126.photobucket.com/albums/p105/sympleman/?action=view&current=BjlOPZwWkKGrHqEH-C0Es80BymBrBLUKdPn.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p105/sympleman/BjlOPZwWkKGrHqEH-C0Es80BymBrBLUKdPn.jpg

these are the two heads i have seen. the one with the plate with the screws is the bbt and the ones without looks like the older 307-gb, I just wasn't sure what it was for and hich is better. thanks for the replies.

mike

Mike_A · #9 01-20-2010, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sympleman

http://s126.photobucket.com/albums/p105/sympleman/?action=view&current=img_2062.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p105/sympleman/img_2062.jpg

http://s126.photobucket.com/albums/p105/sympleman/?action=view&current=BjlOPZwWkKGrHqEH-C0Es80BymBrBLUKdPn.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p105/sympleman/BjlOPZwWkKGrHqEH-C0Es80BymBrBLUKdPn.jpg

these are the two heads i have seen. the one with the plate with the screws is the bbt and the ones without looks like the older 307-gb, I just wasn't sure what it was for and hich is better. thanks for the replies.

mike

of course! its the truss rod cover. if you remove it, you will find underneath a 1/4 nut for the truss rod so you can adjust the neck relief.

the one without the "plate" could have the truss rod nut underneath the soundhole/neck area...im not so sure though

Herb Hunter · #10 01-21-2010, 06:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sympleman

these are the two heads i have seen. the one with the plate with the screws is the bbt and the ones without looks like the older 307-gb, I just wasn't sure what it was for and hich is better. thanks for the replies.

mike

I should have realized that you were referring to the truss rod cover but when I read the word, plate, I inexplicably envisioned a rectangular metal plate. The first generation Big Baby, the one I have which is model 306 GB, had the truss rod adjustment nut at the other end so one had to reach into the sound hole to adjust it. The newer versions have the nut more conveniently located on the headboard like all other Taylors. I presume that the change from the 306 designation to 307 reflects that location change.

sympleman · #11 01-21-2010, 07:02 AM

Thank you. That answers some questions. Are there any other differences between the older and newer ones? I'm looking at couple of used ones this week.

Herb Hunter · #12 01-21-2010, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sympleman

Thank you. That answers some questions. Are there any other differences between the older and newer ones? I'm looking at couple of used ones this week.

Though I haven't been paying much attention, the only differences I've noticed are the change of the truss rod adjustment nut location and the addition of a pick guard. My guitar, bought shortly after the Big Baby came on the market, does not have a pick guard. For a brief time, the Big Baby might have been available with a hard shell case rather than the gig bag but my memory is a bit hazy about that.