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#16
09-23-2020, 01:52 PM
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Well, I took the guitar to licensed Taylor tech Third Coast, who spoke to Taylor. The response:
Did hear back from Taylor yesterday after some email exchanges. They don't usually cover fret wear, but they said they would be willing to cover a fret redressing on your guitar as a customer accommodation. Taylor says the fret wire they use is exactly the same as it has always been and if you are playing it, the frets will wear like tires on a car. Every factory says the same thing, fret wear is just not covered by anyone I know of even in the first 3 months. ----- So, at least they'll cover it? I still find it odd that the wear is so much worse on this guitar in 1.5 months than on guitars that I've had for years.
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Taylor 814 (2004) Gibson J-15 (2019) Taylor AD17 (2021) 
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#17
09-23-2020, 01:58 PM
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Quote:
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#18
09-23-2020, 02:17 PM
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Quote:
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Walker Clark Fork (Adi/Honduran Rosewood) Edmonds OM-28RS - Sunburst (Adi/Old Growth Honduran)
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#19
09-23-2020, 02:24 PM
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 I have seen this phenomena before. The above photo was from a dulcimer that actually had new stainless steel frets on it. The strings in question were never fretted, they were drone strings, and there was no obvious sound of any fret buzz. It looks very similar to your B string issue. My theory (and it is just a theory) is that this is not normal fret wear, which is where the fret wears at the point where the string is fretted. But it is caused by something else - I have just not worked out definitively what that is!!!! It can't be 'normal' fret wear because on that dulcimer those drone strings are never fretted. I hope you get it sorted. I would talk to your tech about the fact that this may not be 'normal' fret wear.
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I'm learning to flatpick and fingerpick guitar to accompany songs. I've played and studied traditional noter/drone mountain dulcimer for many years. And I used to play dobro in a bluegrass band.
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#20
09-23-2020, 02:42 PM
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Wow.
I have had and played -- a lot- a 1978 Yamaha FG365s guitar that has less fret wear than that. Heck, the wood on the fretboard is scalloped under the strings from all the playing I've done in 41 years but not that level of fret wear.
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Yamaha FG365s (1978) Martin 000-28 Taylor 814ce Taylor 458e Taylor GS Mini-e Koa Washburn Timeless Series Celtic Mandolin  Boss DR-01S Rhythm Partner Boss RC-30 Loop Station Fishman Loudbox Mini Shubb capos Bunch of boutique picks (cheap GAS cure)
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#21
11-21-2022, 08:47 PM
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So, what happened with this? How are the frets now?
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"The real risk is not changing. I have to feel that I'm after something. If I make money, fine. But I'd rather be striving. It's the striving, man, it's that I want." - John Coltrane
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#22
11-21-2022, 10:39 PM
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The aftermath of this story: Taylor covered the fret dressing and the guitar came back to me looking new. I played it for a couple of months after that and it looked to me like they were starting to deform again. I ended up trading it in at a Guitar Center. I eventually got an AD17, it does not seem to have the same issues, though I have not played it as much as I had that AD27.
__________________
Taylor 814 (2004) Gibson J-15 (2019) Taylor AD17 (2021)
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#23
11-22-2022, 09:03 AM
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This is another benefit of owning at least 5+ guitars and playing in rotation. Sounds like you have some guitar shopping to do.
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#24
11-22-2022, 09:58 AM
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Quote:
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Ray Gibson SJ200 Taylor Grand Symphony Taylor 514CE-NY Taylor 814CE Deluxe V-Class Guild F1512 Alvarez DY74 Snowflake ('78)
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#25
11-22-2022, 09:59 AM
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I own 2 Taylor guitars that I bought new in the last 3 to 4 years - a 214ce and a GS Mini, both of which seem to experience fret wear much faster than my non-Taylor guitars. I have a Martin D-16 that I have owned for about 20 years that I have played the heck out of with only a small amount of wear on the B and high E. Before that I had a Yamaha for 15 years or so as my main acoustic and it had very little wear as well. I also have a couple of electrics that I have played quite a bit, same story, not enough wear to worry about. I even have a 50 year old Harmony Stella that I recently inherited - I don't play it much, but it has zero fret wear and it was a low cost student guitar when it was built in the 1960's. I can't imagine that I do anything differently with my Taylors to cause the frets to wear faster - I use Elixir PBs on all my acoustics, use a capo a similar amount, etc. I think I play with a fairly light touch too. I can only conclude that they use softer fret wire for some reason, maybe it has to do with their manufacturing process?.
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#26
11-22-2022, 10:18 AM
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I know folks are reporting greater wear on Taylors vs their other acoustics, and so the variable genuinely seems like the guitar's frets. But Taylor does not, afaik and have read and listened, manufacture their own wire. Nor does Martin, Yamaha, Cort, et.al. It's as if the world uses Dunlop wire for the regular nickel.
So, clearly, what is the variable at play here? Player? How "guitar a" is played vs guit b, or c? How about setup? String height at the nut plays a big role in how hard one plays; this along with saddle height changes the dynamic of how one attacks the strings and board. I don't have the absolute answer, nor does anyone have a definitive response except that we all have our own experiences, so every one of own anecdotes color the narrative. Until someone says with absolute authority that Taylor uses their own proprietary wire, I can only say this "phenomenon" is likely due to a variety of variables having to do with guitar setups, individuals' differing playing styles, and owner perception, all of which vary wildly and none of which is absolutely quantifiable. So how's that for a "definite maybe" as the real answer  Edward
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#27
11-22-2022, 10:37 AM
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I have a Taylor GS that developed a couple waves in the fretboard, it went back to the factory for a fix that necessitated a full refret. I went back with gold EVO frets. I'd highly recommend them.
Scott
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#28
11-22-2022, 05:23 PM
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Quote:
OT here, but my 08 DN has seen lots of playing, been through two level/crowns, and so I decided on a refret: Jescar Evo wire which I just got back last week. Wow! I already have been a devotee of SS frets on electrics, but this is my first on an acoustic. All benefits with zero drawbacks! Wow ...why the heck did I wait this long? Edward
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#30
11-22-2022, 06:16 PM
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If this was a "fret wire" problem, why does the wear only show up on the B string? I don't see any path to pinning the problem on the wire.
I make and play a variety of fretted instruments and switched to EVO several years back. I won't use anything else. A lot of players could get a lifetime of service from EVO frets and never need to change them.
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