The Acoustic Guitar Forum

Go Back   The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > General Acoustic Guitar Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 09-15-2020, 08:55 PM
Mking Mking is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Norfolk VA
Posts: 659
Default Dating an R Taylor Style 1

I have a Taylor Style 1 guitar. Looks like Cedar top and Indian Rosewood back and sides. The serial number on the inside label reads #205. Anyone know what the year of the guitar is and perhaps a dollar value? Thank you
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 09-15-2020, 09:03 PM
DukeX DukeX is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: SoCal
Posts: 3,460
Default

You should email Taylor regarding the date.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 09-15-2020, 09:05 PM
Earl49 Earl49 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Idaho
Posts: 10,982
Default

The clues I can give you are: R Taylor was the debut of the GS (Grand Symphony) body shape, and that shape made it into regular production in 2006 -- I have a 2006 koa/spruce GS-K. R Taylor as a brand only lasted about three years total, so I'm guessing 2005-2008 and your might be on the early side? Between the economic downturn around then, their premium cost, and competing directly with the new BTO program their days were numbered. Great guitars though, at least all four examples that I have played.

As for value, you'd have to search Reverb, especially for completed sales not just asking prices. I seem to recall around $3K typically, maybe a bit more. Maybe someone else can help you there.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 09-15-2020, 09:50 PM
birdsong's Avatar
birdsong birdsong is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 1,013
Default

I have an RT2, #170, from 2008. I believe 2008 was indeed the last year the RT's were built. Paul over in the Classifieds (guitars44me) can give you all the details if you want to know more. He is friends with one of the 6 luthiers on that crew. They are great guitars but as Earl notes, once the BTO program began it put the RT program out of business.

Last year, a few of these were in the Classifieds, running low to mid 3000's (asking so surely sold for a little less). As always, depends on wood combo, condition, and of course, the market forces. But I agree with Earl that ~$3000 isn't too far off.

I couldn't say which way, "off". Things are both ways with sales. Some folks getting higher prices, others having to make reductions to make a sale.

John
__________________
~~~~~Bird is the Word~~~~~

Martin D-41, Larrivee L-19; Gibson L-130; Taylor 614-ce-L30; R Taylor 2
H&D Custom OM; Bauman 000
Cervantes Crossover I; Kenny Hill 628S;
Rainsong Shorty SGA; CA GX Player, Cargo;
Alvarez AP70; Stella, 12-string; 2 Ukes; Gibson Mandola; Charango, couple electrics
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 09-15-2020, 11:43 PM
Quake17 Quake17 is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 1,067
Default

Congrats on your R. Taylor!

There should be a year above the serial number as well. They made around 200 per year from 2006 to 2011; maybe some in 2012? There is info about the guitar on the neck block as well. They probably made about 1,300 until they were mothballed. $3K is a good estimate unless they are more exotic woods.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 09-16-2020, 12:11 AM
Cool555 Cool555 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 2,224
Default

Interesting! I stumbled upon this video (below) and thought it is an impressive sounding guitar. It says R. Taylor Style 1. It has Maple b/s and a beautiful bear claw top too!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GbZ...&feature=share
__________________
Martin 00-15M (2019)
Yamaha FS5 Red Label (2019)
Faith Venus Blood Moon Burst (2018)
Taylor GS Mini Koa (2017)
Martin LX1 (2009)
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 09-16-2020, 05:43 PM
No. 534 No. 534 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Central Virginia
Posts: 193
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Quake17 View Post
Congrats on your R. Taylor!

There should be a year above the serial number as well. They made around 200 per year from 2006 to 2011; maybe some in 2012? There is info about the guitar on the neck block as well. They probably made about 1,300 until they were mothballed. $3K is a good estimate unless they are more exotic woods.
As Quake17 stated, the YEAR should appear on the inside label like this:

I have a price list from January 2009 and the base price of a Style 1 R. Taylor was $4,480. There was no upcharge for East Indian Rosewood or Western Red Cedar top, so unless you have some exotic binding, purfling, inlay or electronics add-ons, $4,480 would have been the price.
__________________

Bourgeois OMS Walnut/Redwood
Bourgeois 00 Pao Rosewood/Italian
Taylor K16ce Fall Limited Koa/Cedar
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 09-16-2020, 05:44 PM
TBman's Avatar
TBman TBman is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 35,828
Default

I'd rather date Taylor Swift, then R. Taylor.

Just sayin.....

__________________
Barry

Sad Moments {Marianne Vedral cover}:


My SoundCloud page

Some steel strings, some nylon.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 09-16-2020, 06:20 PM
Dwight Dwight is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Burlington, Vermont
Posts: 3,103
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by TBman View Post
I'd rather date Taylor Swift, then R. Taylor.

Just sayin.....

Aren't you afraid she'd write a song about you and expose all your secrets!

Here is a quick iphone video of my R. Taylor

Reply With Quote
Reply

  The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > General Acoustic Guitar Discussion

Thread Tools





All times are GMT -6. The time now is 01:57 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright ©2000 - 2022, The Acoustic Guitar Forum
vB Ad Management by =RedTyger=