My Lemon Grove 1978 Taylor 855 is on its last legs

[piper]

Originally Posted by Poetmonk

They can rebuild her,they have the technology.

And for considerably less than six million dollars, one hopes.

Stay tuned

Mike

[Jimthemoor1]

Neil Young has 2 1978 Taylor 855's. He just changed the pickups from the old FRAP pickup to Trance Amulet pickups. I have a 1978 Taylor 855. (same as Neil's) I got it a month ago and can't keep my hand off of it. I also have a 2010 855ce. There has been some work done on the 1978 and it needs the frets leveled past the 12th fret. It buzzes at the 14th fret. The saddle is about as low as it can be. It plays and sounds great the way it is! I'm thinking a neck reset, where I can have low action and a tall saddle is in it's future. (as soon as I can afford it)

[mcduffnw]

Originally Posted by Jimthemoor1

Neil Young has 2 1978 Taylor 855's. He just changed the pickups from the old FRAP pickup to Trance Amulet pickups. I have a 1978 Taylor 855. (same as Neil's) I got it a month ago and can't keep my hand off of it. I also have a 2010 855ce. There has been some work done on the 1978 and it needs the frets leveled past the 12th fret. It buzzes at the 14th fret. The saddle is about as low as it can be. It plays and sounds great the way it is! I'm thinking a neck reset, where I can have low action and a tall saddle is in it's future. (as soon as I can afford it)

Um...Jimthemoor1

You do realize this thread was last actively being commented on 12 years ago before your comments today...yes?


duff
Be A Player...Not A Polisher

[Brianl55]

I have a Lemon Grove 710 (1980) that needed a neck reset and I had fret leveling done at the same time. All done impeccably by Rob Brown at Axis guitars in Oakland. Not a cheap repair but much less than any kind of equivalent replacement. The guitar plays better than when 1st purchased used 30 years ago at Gryphon in Palo Alto. Sort of like a family member needing an operation-there was no deliberation needed.

[619TF]

Originally Posted by mcduffnw

Um...Jimthemoor1

You do realize this thread was last actively being commented on 12 years ago before your comments today...yes?


duff
Be A Player...Not A Polisher

It looks like Jimthemoor1 is really excited about his new old guitar as he's revived several old threads about the 855. Maybe his new screen name should be jimdrfrankensteinthemoor1. Hahahahaha

[Shadowfox]

Well, you won't get a better guitar for $600.

[Bridgepin]

Originally Posted by 1ply

My Lemon Grove 1978 Taylor 855 is on its last legs. I took it to my luthier. She told me that it needs a neck reset and fret work. The bridge is becoming separated from the soundboard. There is a small crack between the sound hole and the fretboard which needs to be repaired. The repairs will cost about $600. Oh well, the rest of it is in relatively good shape.
I have released the tension on the strings in order to avoid further damage while I think about what to do next.
It had a wonderful sound. Several luthiers told me that the lemon grove Taylor guitars have a special sound because they are old but that they are not as well made as modern Taylors and that all 12-strings will need major repairs someday because of the increased tension on the strings.

I guess the moral of the story is always make sure you are the original owner and that you register it.

Let me ask you this, do you think you could replace that guitar with the same quality and sound that the Taylor has for 600.00 I'm going to say no.

Brake down that 600.00 over the new life that your guitar will have and it equates to peanuts.

To me a 855 Taylor 12 string is one hellva guitar...well worth the repair cost

[Bridgepin]

Originally Posted by mcduffnw

Um...Jimthemoor1

You do realize this thread was last actively being commented on 12 years ago before your comments today...yes?


duff
Be A Player...Not A Polisher

Wow I just saw that. LOL

[Tico]

Originally Posted by 1ply

... I guess the moral of the story is always make sure you are the original owner and that you register it.

FWIW I think the law in some states, including California, is that you do not have to register a purchase with the manufacturer for the warranty to be valid.

[Denny B]

Originally Posted by 619TF

It looks like Jimthemoor1 is really excited about his new old guitar as he's revived several old threads about the 855. Maybe his new screen name should be jimdrfrankensteinthemoor1. Hahahahaha

Someone should give Jim a friendly heads up to check the dates on threads if he's expecting an answer from the original poster...

[mcduffnw]

Originally Posted by Denny B

Someone should give Jim a friendly heads up to check the dates on threads if he's expecting an answer from the original poster...

He is no doubt SUPER excited...easy fanboi, easy {;-)...but well he should be.

A Lemon Grove 855, either 6 or 12 string can be a wonderful magical thing!

And YES Jim...your 855 is WELL worth whatever money you need to put into it to bring it up to snuff.

Congrats on the guitar...when and if you can...post some pictures!

And spend the money to get the work done if you are able to!!!

duff
Be A Player...Not A Polisher

[619TF]

Originally Posted by Tico

FWIW I think the law in some states, including California, is that you do not have to register a purchase with the manufacturer for the warranty to be valid.

Except the Taylor warranty is specific to the original owner. So if you don't register it with them you'd better save your receipt and proof it wasn't sold to anyone before you for, well, FOREVER.

[DesertTwang]

Originally Posted by 1ply

My Lemon Grove 1978 Taylor 855 is on its last legs. I took it to my luthier. She told me that it needs a neck reset and fret work. The bridge is becoming separated from the soundboard. There is a small crack between the sound hole and the fretboard which needs to be repaired. The repairs will cost about $600. e story is always make sure you are the original owner and that you register it.

After 40 years? I wouldn't consider this "on its last legs," but "maintenance to be expected."

[zombywoof]

I would not blink at spending $600 on the amount of work you have indicated the guitar needs.

[Athens]

Originally Posted by Jimthemoor1

Neil Young has 2 1978 Taylor 855's.............

He also has/had on old 815 with the quasi mustache bridge. I played one that was up for sale. Great guitar but too big for my tastes.