My Lemon Grove 1978 Taylor 855 is on its last legs

1ply · #1 02-27-2007, 10:32 PM

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.

joegator81 · #2 02-27-2007, 10:42 PM

sorry to hear that, but it seems guitars are like people, they break down from time to time and must go see a doctor to get their medicine. i hope you get it fixed. sounds like a great guitar.

oldgeezer · #3 02-27-2007, 11:12 PM

The good news is, everything wrong with your guitar is fixable. The bad news is, it'll cost you.The good news is it's a 29 year old guitar and probably sounds great!The bad news is, it's a 29 year old guitar. The good news is, it's a 29 year old TAYLOR.If I were you, I'd get it fixed and play the tar out of it for another 29 years.

Hotraman · #4 02-27-2007, 11:20 PM

Get the guitar fixed!
I own a 1973 BC Rich Braz Rosewood acoustic that needed major work. Spent the money, re attached the neck to make it easier to play. I know I may have devalued the guitar, but now I can play it and enjoy the sounds. Your Taylor is like a family member.. right? Well, sort of ( good thing my wife isn't reading this!)

Rick Shepherd · #5 02-27-2007, 11:29 PM

I have a 1979 855 which is still doing fine, but it does need a slight neck adjustment. Other than that, it has always been tuned to the standard, and I am the original owner. It also just happens to sound incredible! I purchased it without really knowing anything about Taylor Guitars, just looked to me like a well-made instrument and sounded good! BTW, does yours have a brass nut? Taylor used to use both a bone and brass nut side by side on the old twelves, which they thought was a good idea at the time, but later decided it wasn't a good idea. Mine has since been replaced with a bone nut by Taylor, because I took it in for a neck reset a few years ago and they changed it for nothing. They also added additional support to the top near the bridge which was nice. I hope you decide to have it fixed and continue to enjoy it!

webcat · #6 02-27-2007, 11:35 PM

You might try giving Taylor a call. Maybe they'll consider giving you a deal to nurse the 'ol girl back to health. I've heard stories where they have taken special interest in guitars from their early years. It's worth a shot, it can't hurt. Good Luck!

Michael

1ply · #7 02-27-2007, 11:42 PM

It has a double truss rod. I have never investigated their composition.

Rick Shepherd · #8 02-28-2007, 12:06 AM

I was referring to the nut, not the truss rod.

Poetmonk · #9 02-28-2007, 01:30 AM

I would give Taylor a call also. Nothing like having your guitar fixed by the people who made it. They can rebuild her,they have the technology.

woodchuck · #10 02-28-2007, 01:46 AM

I'd check with another luthier, for another opinion. Might be worth a call to Taylor for their advice also.

LOTF · #11 02-28-2007, 01:55 AM

Getting a second opinion and/or consulting Taylor are good ideas. If this confirms the first luthier's opinion, then you have to decide whether it's worth it to do the repairs. My own thought would be that it is. Lemon Groves have become somewhat of a collector's item and besides, $600 is a lot less than you're going to pay for a new or even recent used 855.

I spent several hundred dollars to recondition my 1970 D-18 a couple of years back and don't regret it one bit. I now have a very nicely aged (if not exactly vintage) Martin which plays and sounds just beautiful and which should last me for the rest of my life.

mjz · #12 02-28-2007, 04:48 AM

Like others have said, I think it's worth the investment to repair. If however you decide to sell and invest that cash into a newer one,

drop me an e-mail. I'd love to bring an 855 back to life and would offer you a fair price for her.

max

Brackett Instruments · #13 02-28-2007, 06:05 AM

There's not many 30 year old 12 strings made by anyone that doesn't need or has had some repairs.

SMan · #14 02-28-2007, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1ply

"all 12-strings will need major repairs someday because of the increased tension on the strings"

Not sure I agree that ALL will need MAJOR repairs but I hope you get it fixed. My Lemon Grove 550 shows absolutely no signs of problems at the bridge. I also have 5 other 12 strings ranging in age from 16 to 32 years and only one has required any work. (An old all plywood EKO that I installed a bridge doctor on)

Good luck on your 855. I bet it will sound and play great once again!

Big Eric · #15 02-28-2007, 07:15 AM

Actually, for the amount of work you're describing, it doesn't seem that expensive. If your luthier indicated a full refret, those are often more than half the cost you've indicated.

I'd also suggest asking Taylor what they would charge, and what the turnaround time would be.

And another vote for keeping the guitar and having the work done. Don't think you could find another great 12 string for $600.

BTW, isn't the 855 the model Neil Young played?