At wits end: small body Taylor with no electronics or cutaway. - Page 3

LakewoodM32Fan · #31 10-30-2020, 02:55 PM

For the OP, I'm not sure what Ted's return policy is on customs, but I can tell you I have had four recent great dealings with Ted at L.A. Guitar Sales for both Taylor and Martin. Solid discount and knowledgeable, friendly proprietor!

Email or call him and tell him what you're looking for and what you're worried about in terms of being able to return if you're unsatisfied. He'll give you a straight answer.

PhilNBend · #32 10-30-2020, 05:12 PM

Don't give up on Taylor until after you've tried this. Call Taylor's main office and ask to speak to someone in Customer Relations. Tell them your story and what you are looking for. They will likely have an inventory of every unsold new Taylor guitar at each of their dealers.

I did this with one of Taylor's main competitors, though I went in person after making an appointment to play some of their guitars at their showroom (doubt anyone is still doing this with COVID). Anyway, I definitely got the impression that the brand's customer relations person was very interested in talking directly to end users and not just their dealers.

Judging by the model numbers that you have sold/traded, it seems that you have owned some of their more expensive models. So if Taylor doesn't talk to you or just refers you to your local dealer, I'd drop them and look at other brands that may be as suited to your need.

Good luck.

BluesKing777 · #33 10-30-2020, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JenniO

Hey friends,

I’ve been searching for almost 2 years and I’ve found it absolutely impossible to find a Taylor with no cutaway or electronics. I’ve come really close twice to doing a BTO but the dealer I would go through does not accept returns on BTOs (or they say). So if I build a guitar and hate it, I’d be stuck with it or have to resale it and take a huge loss.

I’ve even started looking at Gibson 00s and Martin -0s , because of my inability to find a stripped down Taylor.

My preference for Taylor is the neck. I have small gal hands and the Taylor neck fits great. I’ve played older Gibson’s and Martin’s and their necks were pretty thick. Especially Gibsons.

Additionally I think Taylor makes the absolute worst pick up in the guitar arena (maybe that’s an overstatement). But I don’t see why someone would cut into a guitar that can last a lifetime or 6 and put in it electronics that will be outdated in 2 years and obsolete within 10 years. It just makes no sense.

I also don’t play up the neck enough for a cutaway so I’d prefer not to have it

Anyone have suggestions? Should I just give up and go martin or Gibson?

A little Taylor without a pickup will probably turn up eventually but meanwhile, I would get a nice little Martin 0-18. You don’t mention budget but brand new they seem to be $2 - 2 1/2....but I would double that and get that 1957 0-18 on Reverb.com that is worrying me!

You may never look back!

BluesKing777.

Rudy4 · #34 10-30-2020, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JenniO

Hey friends,

I’ve been searching for almost 2 years and I’ve found it absolutely impossible to find a Taylor with no cutaway or electronics. I’ve come really close twice to doing a BTO but the dealer I would go through does not accept returns on BTOs (or they say). So if I build a guitar and hate it, I’d be stuck with it or have to resale it and take a huge loss.

I’ve even started looking at Gibson 00s and Martin -0s , because of my inability to find a stripped down Taylor.

My preference for Taylor is the neck. I have small gal hands and the Taylor neck fits great. I’ve played older Gibson’s and Martin’s and their necks were pretty thick. Especially Gibsons.

Additionally I think Taylor makes the absolute worst pick up in the guitar arena (maybe that’s an overstatement). But I don’t see why someone would cut into a guitar that can last a lifetime or 6 and put in it electronics that will be outdated in 2 years and obsolete within 10 years. It just makes no sense.

I also don’t play up the neck enough for a cutaway so I’d prefer not to have it

Anyone have suggestions? Should I just give up and go martin or Gibson?

Have you tried a Taylor Academy 12?

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/det...emy-12-natural

You've got a 316e, which should be a fine guitar. The Academy 12 can be bought without pickup so it might be an option, but a step down for you. It is a GC body size, though.

It must be the dealer, as our local dealer has half a wall of Taylors that are non-cutaway without a pickup.

I had absolutely no problem finding my 322 (non ce) and added a K&K Pure Mini. I'm not a fan for Taylor's electronics either.

canyongargon · #35 10-30-2020, 09:22 PM

Folkway in Ontario CA has a 312, custom ordered with no electronics and no cutaway. I believe they will ship to the USA. https://folkwaymusic.com/instrumentDetail?id=3985

I believe you can get a 314 from Sweetwater with no electronics or cutaway as well.

Willie_D · #36 10-30-2020, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canyongargon

Folkway in Ontario CA has a 312, custom ordered with no electronics and no cutaway. I believe they will ship to the USA. https://folkwaymusic.com/instrumentDetail?id=3985

I believe you can get a 314 from Sweetwater with no electronics or cutaway as well.

Nice! That's a pretty one.

hoosfoos · #37 10-31-2020, 07:42 AM

RussL30 · #38 10-31-2020, 07:58 AM

Used, I would look for the Taylor pure acoustic models like the GC3-GC8.

The XXX 30th anniversary models are great sounding and beautiful guitars. I have a XXXKE, but for some reason mine has a cutaway and electronics. Most of them don’t, I think mine was special ordered with both.

If you go Gibson, the LG2 American Eagle has a smaller neck that I find very comfortable. I use to own one and highly recommend that model Gibson. Great, comfortable guitars.

blue4now · #39 10-31-2020, 08:10 AM

Very tough to find indeed. I also like Taylor GC’s with no cutaway. I have a 412e which I love. Don’t think I have ever seen a non e version for sale. Good luck

cheer tunes · #40 10-31-2020, 11:25 AM

I had a 514 no cut, no pup, cedar top, hog back and sides. Very fun little guitar. Look for one of those.

drumstrummer · #41 10-31-2020, 11:35 AM

I've played a 322 that matched your description and it was very nice indeed. A quick search and it looks like Taylor does make some barebones guitars in that model.

ljguitar · #42 10-31-2020, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JenniO

…I’ve come really close twice to doing a BTO but the dealer I would go through does not accept returns on BTOs (or they say). So if I build a guitar and hate it, I’d be stuck with it or have to resale it and take a huge loss.

Hi J-O

I have a friend who liked my Taylor 714CE (the era when it was Rosewood Cedar) but wanted a different pickup and had one built to order. Compared to mine it sounded less-than-stunning.

He's had it now for 20 years, and it hasn't improved much.

I'm a play-before-pay unless I'm commissioning a solo build, and would never order a custom manufactured instrument. So I think you are right to hold out to try some.

There is Guitar Gallery in Nashville which is a reseller (and commissions builds as well) and Dream Guitars who resells a lot of better-than-average instruments. Not sure what you'll face trying to audition instruments in these locked-down times.

And there are Taylor dealers who have deeper inventories than others. Wildwood Guitars in Boulder, CO often has multiple versions of specific models.

Certainly Collings would be one I'd look at, as well as Furch, or SantaCruz etc.

Hope you find the guitar-o-your-dreams!

Shadowfox · #43 10-31-2020, 10:18 PM

I would actually point you towards Furch.

They sound like what my ear always wanted a Taylor to sound like, but even better.

Every Furch can be had with a 43mm nut, and while they don't have a version of the 12 series, they do have killer OM's!

Here is a quick find: https://reverb.com/item/34841837-fur...cr-db-43mm-nut

sbschippers · #44 10-31-2020, 10:49 PM

Sent PM Re: Taylor 312

sbschippers · #45 10-31-2020, 10:51 PM

I have a 312 that could use a new home. Near new condition.