Grand Pacific Showdown...517 Vs 717

[TBman]

On the back of my Avalon, one side was raised a little and I was going to send it back and I even thought it was a second, but I contacted Avalon and they don't distribute seconds to vendors. Because the darn thing sounded so good and I didn't feel the back when I played (), I said the heck with it, its not going anywhere.

I have kept the guitar properly humidified and over the last year the bump has disappeared.

I can't tell if your issue is humidity related, but I think sometimes we over obsess over little things that don't really mean anything.

[rokdog49]

Originally Posted by Shades of Blue

Uh oh trouble in paradise....

I found this on my new 517. I though it was a scratch or crack along the binding but it almost seems raised. I can’t tell and I don’t want to return it, but I may send it to Taylor if their leadtimes are decent...

What do you guys see? You may have to zoom in.

Attachment 24836

My D18 has this binding issue, sort of. As you know the D18 binding is sadly, plastic. I don't really care because this guitar sounds and plays excellent and the Sitka top is exceptional. I figure I've got a lifetime warranty if it becomes a major issue.
If everything else is really great on the guitar as far as tone, playability etc., I probably wouldn't be doing anything about it. I might contact Taylor just to see what they have to say. Perhaps they will offer to rectify the situation.

[Groberts]

Originally Posted by Shades of Blue

Uh oh trouble in paradise....

I found this on my new 517. I though it was a scratch or crack along the binding but it almost seems raised. I can’t tell and I don’t want to return it, but I may send it to Taylor if their leadtimes are decent...

What do you guys see? You may have to zoom in.

Attachment 24836

I see it. It doesn't look quite flush or beveled. I would be confident Taylor will take care of it. I agree, its not quite right. Good luck.

[boneuphtoner]

Originally Posted by jklotz

I spent an hour with a 517e today. One obstacle for me was the medium gauge strings. Have you gone to something more "finger friendly" and not lost the tone?

Since a pro I know told me about Bluegrass gauge strings (medium bass strings light trebles) I’ve been a convert- you still get all the bass you want with easier fretting trebles. I’ve tried the Elixir and D’Addario EJ19s and I’m a huge fan!

[UncleJesse]

Congrats! I'll look for your D18 sale post. It may be very tempting for me.

[Shades of Blue]

Originally Posted by Groberts

I see it. It doesn't look quite flush or beveled. I would be confident Taylor will take care of it. I agree, its not quite right. Good luck.

It looks like a deep long scratch to me. The dealer is going to take care of me, so no worries. I have the option to replace or take it to a Taylor tech, so since I have one an hour away, I’m going to do that and just document the issue with Taylor so that I don’t get blamed down the road.

I’m loving this thing. It’s honestly just a killer guitar. I also met with a guy to sell the D18 this morning. He didn’t want it because of the neck, but when I heard him play it, I got cold feet anyways. So, for now I’m going to keep everything put and evaluate as I go.

So far, it’s 717 first, and the mahogany sisters are neck and neck.

[Rev Roy]

Glad you’re loving it, Blue!

[Shades of Blue]

Originally Posted by Rev Roy

Glad you’re loving it, Blue!

Been trying to message you but you aren’t accepting messages! What’s up?!

[Rev Roy]

Originally Posted by Shades of Blue

Been trying to message you but you aren’t accepting messages! What’s up?!

Took a break for a couple days. But I’m back

[Shades of Blue]

Put some smoked nickel tuners on the 717. I think they are subtlety different, but look great.

The 517 is opening up quickly. It is almost as loud as the 717 now and definitely is more barky. I am digging it. I was surprised how good the 517 is at DADGAD. I had planned to use the 717 for DADGAD but the 517 is really deep on the low E tuned down to D. I mean really nice! It’s a bit more punchy and immediate. But, the 717 kills it on the high strings in DADGAD. Just a bit fatter overall.

So, I think the 517 will be my standard tuned guitar. I think the 717 sounds deeper and more open, but the 517 is more punchy and present. Hmmm...sounds like Rosewood vs Mahogany to me! Lol

IMG_5406.jpg

IMG_5407.jpg

[Groberts]

Originally Posted by Shades of Blue

Put some smoked nickel tuners on the 717. I think they are subtlety different, but look great.

The 517 is opening up quickly. It is almost as loud as the 717 now and definitely is more barky. I am digging it. I was surprised how good the 517 is at DADGAD. I had planned to use the 717 for DADGAD but the 517 is really deep on the low E tuned down to D. I mean really nice! It’s a bit more punchy and immediate. But, the 717 kills it on the high strings in DADGAD. Just a bit fatter overall.

So, I think the 517 will be my standard tuned guitar. I think the 717 sounds deeper and more open, but the 517 is more punchy and present. Hmmm...sounds like Rosewood vs Mahogany to me! Lol

Attachment 24855

Attachment 24856

The Grand Pacifics are killer in Drop D! You came to the same conclusion I did about the 717 and 517. The 717 has more depth of weight of tone on the upper strings. (Over generalization)

[Shades of Blue]

Originally Posted by Groberts

The Grand Pacifics are killer in Drop D! You came to the same conclusion I did about the 717 and 517. The 717 has more depth of weight of tone on the upper strings. (Over generalization)

Aren’t they though? So big and expansive.

I’m loving the 517. It’s starting to loosen up and sound broader. It’s fantastic. The 717 is still number one, but these things just give me everything I want in every tuning and with/without a capo. But oh man do they sound amazing with capos!!!

I played the D18 this afternoon and was done in 10 minutes. I can’t deal with the thinner high strings anymore now that I’m used to the GPs. Just not a contest for my ears.

I’m off to meet another buyer for the D-18 this afternoon. And it isn’t to say I don’t like the D18. I just haven’t had that bond moment with it yet, and I’m already there with the 717 and 517.

The best part is that there is no “pitting”. They are so similar yet different that they give me exactly what I want to hear. They are perfect “for me.”

And with that, I’m going to refrain from more Grand Pacific threads. I’ve reached what I aimed to accomplish and I honestly feel like my tone search could be on hiatus for a while...

[jklotz]

Just back from the shop. I originally bought a 517e, but just returned it. Well, rather traded it back for the 717e. I'll post a NGD thread soon, but I'm loving it. I gotta put this thing down for a little while or I'm going to wear my fingers to the bone :-)

[Shades of Blue]

Originally Posted by jklotz

Just back from the shop. I originally bought a 517e, but just returned it. Well, rather traded it back for the 717e. I'll post a NGD thread soon, but I'm loving it. I gotta put this thing down for a little while or I'm going to wear my fingers to the bone :-)

Sweet! I think the 717 just has more range being Rosewood. The 517 is more immediate and punchy, which I prefer for bluegrass.

[Shades of Blue]

Kudos to my dealer and Taylor. They are willing to either replace the guitar, or fix the scratch. Taking it to a service center in Charlotte this weekend. Stay tuned...