Taylor nylon string guitars?
 

I just noticed Taylor no longer classifies their nylon string guitars sepparately, but includes them as members of the other, standard guitar series. The "new" nylons do look different, has there been any significant change to the way the Taylor nylons are built, or is all consmetic?

Not sure about the new model designations but most of the Taylor Nylons I've seen seem to be way over priced.

Yes. This year Taylor rolled the Nylons into the regular numbered series of guitars. They did, I think in the previous year or so before that included a separate--kind of an add-on--as a 200 series nylon string guitar that is very affordable. The construction is similar to previously introduced Nylons from Taylor. I own an NS32ce (Grand Concert-size, 12-frets clear of the body, Sapele b/s, spruce top) and the latest 214ce Nylon. The 214ce Nylon is a Grand Auditorium body, 14-frets clear of the body, rosewood laminate, with white binding, white fret marker dots. It is under $(USD)1,000. It sounds great, plays great, and a blast to play.

So all Taylor guitars are overpriced? Or should nylon strings be priced lower than their steel-string counterpart?

Taylor nylon string guitars are best when plugged in...otherwise fairly weak tone (IMO) acoustically...and thus perhaps the overpriced comment.

Hey Tennjed - I don't think there have been any structural changes to the nylon series. They rolled them up in the standard acoustic series numbering scheme. I don't think there have been any bracing changes or anything like that.

Are you interested in getting one?

10-4 on rolled into the "regular" numbering system...with the addition of "N" tag on the end

:guitar:

I don't agree about the weak tone but of course it's all very subjective. I would say thst unplugged it's a tight sound (although my low E is a monster) that would not appeal to everyone. Plugged in, it outshines every guitar I've owned and as someone who plays live. 2-3 times a week, that's exactly what I was looking for:)

I guess I don't agree either...
I have had my NS32ce for a few days now and play it next to my Martin 000c16sgtne. While it lacks a little bottom end volume in comparison, it is still has a great acoustic voice. The neck is a little bit easier to play...just a little bit thinner up the neck.
The build quality is equal to the Martin, at the least.
The 12 fret Taylor feels a little smaller in my hands than my other guitar. I'm very happy with it. They are not overpriced.

I have been for several years now. The only models I have had an opportunity to play have been the 200 series model and one 700 series model. The 700 was, quite frankly, one of the most unimpressive sounding nylon string guitars I have played. As far as the 200 series guitars go, it is a struggle laying out a grand for one. They are pretty, and they do not sound bad, but...................

Now that Martin is coming out with that 000c, it makes the purchase of a 200 series Taylor that much harder.

BTW, thanks for the response.

"I don't agree about the weak tone but of course it's all very subjective."

How is it subjective at all? A Taylor nylon string has about 1/2 to 3/4 the volume of even an inexpensive classical guitar.

Hmm..so low volume equals weak tone?

Not at all. I have heard concert classicals that were absolute CANNONS but tonally, they were not pleasant.

"Tone" is SO subjective, that said, put me in the camp that the Taylor Nylons are not that good, acoustically (I am speaking of the old NS series). I had a NS62 for a couple of years, and it was merely OK (my Parlor classical absolutely blew it away, tonally). I don't know about the new ones (are they braced differently than the old NS guitars?)

Another thing I'm curious about is the pickup being used in the new Taylor Nylons. My NS62 had a Fishman UST/Mic combo, the new ones have a Taylor system which I think is just an UST. Anyone have one of the new ones and how does it sound plugged in?

Jimmy

I'm assuming that's what the original poster was referring to, don't you think?

At any rate, the tone is no better than the volume in my opinion. Play a good Ramirez with that driving bass and then pick up a Taylor. There's simply no comparison. I view the Taylors as something along the lines of a bosa-nova guitar. They're good enough for South American dance music and some jazz, but I wouldn't play classical music on one. And there are much better choices to play South American dance music on for much less money too. Of course, if you just like the feel of the neck and you're satisified with the plugged-in sound, then it may serve you well. I've got a Taylor steel string, but the nylons aren't for me. I hear they may be coming out with a proper classical guitar before long though, and I'll certainly give those a try.

In fairness, Taylor was very upfront about the NS series NOT being classical guitars, they would not sound like them, etc.

That said, I was playing guitar with a friend the other day at the house (we were not plugged in, my Hippner has no pickup), he has a NS72 and I was playing my Hippner Torres, 10 minutes in, he made the comment that there was literally no comparison between the 2, the Hippner being a VERY good classical and the Taylor sounded just OK. The interesting thing is that once you get into the higher ranges of Taylor nylons, you can buy something like a Hippner.

Jimmy