Taylor 458er vs. 552ce

[donlyn]

Jmax,

Congrats. Not only did you get a great guitar, but you also got a great story to go with it!

Don't know what music you like to play, but the 458e-R can do a lot of different things well. Most of my music is from the 50s, 60s, and 70s, both instrumentals and with vocals. May I suggest trying "Walk Right In" by the Rooftop Singers? I also still get a kick out of playing "Stairway to Heaven" on it. The chorus part, especially the sequence after 'makes me wonder' sounds incredible. I fingerpick everything with my nails, using a flamenco 3 finger strum across 10 strings, including drones, for that part.

As an old school 12 string player, I tune down a half step to D#, mostly out of habit. But a 'G7th Newport 12 string capo with compensated string pad' can be quickly used to bring it up it to standard tuning, and without needing any re-tuning. Best 12 string capo on the market no matter how you tune your 12 string.

And if you are ever looking for a great 6 string, I would recommend trying either an 818e Taylor or an 816e, both sitka over rosewood. I have the 818e, but I also tried a used 816e model, and found it really sounded great. If I didn't already have the 818e, I probably would have bought it. Lasted less than 2 weeks at that music store before someone bought it. I believe these are both made in 416e-R and 418e-R models also. While it came with medium gauge, I string my 818e with Elixir PB HD Lights. Light bass with beefed up treble. Don't need medium bass strings with that big body.

Enjoy your new guitar,

Don
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