NGD- Taylor 516 Custom

[KenL]

I was looking around for an all-mahogany guitar, and kept hearing rave reviews about the Taylor 52x series guitars, all mahogany with a gloss finish. I then stumbled across an interesting mystery Taylor at Gryphon Stringed Instruments at a really good price. They were guessing that it was mislabeled, as the label said "516," but since it had a mahogany top it should have read "526." I did a bit of research, but didn't figure it out; but I did learn that it was different from any of the 52x Taylors on the internet. I posted about it here on the AGF, and got some help from static111, who was told by Taylor that it was a custom order 516 with a mahogany top. That explained it, mostly.

So I looked into it further, and I think these are additional custom order features: tortoise body and neck binding, custom fret markers, and an abalone rosette. It is a handsome thing, I think, and I like it.

I was worried about the neck being too slender, as I had it in my head that all Taylor necks were skinny. I was wrong about that. This feels good, definitely a D-shape, with a 1 3/4" nut. I've played this thing for several hours with no complaints from my aging hands.

So, after avoiding Taylor guitars for many years, I now find myself with two: this one and a Mini bass in koa, which is a cool little thing. Who would've thunk it?



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[RP]

That is a beauty, and I'd bet it sounds amazing. I consider guitars like your 516 and my 524 and all of the 32X series for that matter to be Taylor's "Myth Breakers." Many congrats...

[Mark Stone]

Beautiful Taylor!! Congratulations!

[KenL]

Thanks, RP, and your feedback on my first post was really helpful in figuring this mystery out.

[Glennwillow]

That's really a pretty guitar, Ken!

Very nice! Congratulations!

- Glenn

[KenL]

Thanks, guys! I think I have some ebony tuner buttons around here somewhere that will fit these Taylor-branded tuners. Think I'll throw them on and see how they look.

[marty bradbury]

That's a beauty for sure! Enjoy!

[edward993]

The GS models are awesome ...big tone and big love there. And not many around, which is a pity since many who don't care for Taylors have never tried a GS. Enjoy!

Edward

[TBman]

Congrats! Nice looking guitar, enjoy it!

[KenL]

This guitar has zero fret wear and not a scratch anywhere, including the pickguard. I don't think it's been played hardly at all.

And we bicker sometimes about whether or not a guitar will go "dormant." I'm of the opinion that they do, and this guitar proves my point.

When I got it on Thursday, it wasn't at all loud, and the tone was subdued. It sounded good, but seemed to lack "energy," if that makes any sense. I wasn't worried, though, figured it had just gone to sleep. So I just kept playing, with a pick mostly. On Friday I sat down with it and played "Key to the Highway," hard, for an hour straight. And all the sudden it woke up and started rumbling, with a big volume increase, especially in the low end. I could feel it reverberating against my chest and in my left hand.

Pretty cool to hear/feel, when it happens.

Also, it is one of the rare Taylors without a "e" in the designation. I'll be able to put a K&K in it. Happy about that!

[KevinH]

That's a beauty. I'm a big fan of Taylors all mahogany guitars.

[BradleyS]

Your new Taylor is certainly a looker. I think Taylor makes wonderful mahogany guitars. Congrats.

[The Growler]

Beautiful. Congratulations

[jricc]

Congrats on a nice mahogany Taylor Ken!

[ScottSD]

That's a really nice guitar; what a find! I'm still in the honeymoon phase with a new to me 522e. Killed two birds with one stone 1st 12 fret and mahogany top. Enjoy!