Taylor D-420R: OPINIONS ? **
Teflon Don
I am looking at buying a new Taylor D-420R or some such name (I know
it's a 420R), selling new for $850 with HSCase. Has white binding around
body and neck.
What are your opinions on this guitar???
The sides and back are solid, but rather than rosewood (as the 'R' in
the model name suggests) i heard it uses some sort of similar wood that
is nevertheless NOT rosewood.
I found it to feel very solid but not be quite as "magical" as even the
less expensive Martin DM (laminated sides and back). This model, at
least, seems to lack the spongy sound character of the Martin.
On the other hand, the Taylor IS solid all the way around, which will
cost you a lot more on a Martin. However, am I getting too hung up on
solid vs. laminated (not top, of course) ?
So I guess I'm asking to hear what you Taylor devotees have to say about
the track record of their guitars, how well they age/break in, etc. Sell
me !
thanks,
don
George Schuler
The old adage..."if it sounds good to you..." probably applies here. I
have a Taylor 420 w/maple back and sides that I just love BUT I also have an
old beat up Yamaha..laminated everything..that sounds incredible..both to my
ears (or to both of my ears). FWIW.
George
Teflon Don wrote in message <34FB6B...@mindspring.com>...
>I am looking at buying a new Taylor D-420R or some such name (I know
>it's a 420R), ......[rest deleted]
Tom Chow
actually, i am the proud owner of a 420-R, which *is* rosewood from
what i've been told. and to be honest, this guitar is finer than most
510, 610, and 810's and Martin dm's, d-1's, and d-18's that ive played.
maybe i just got a gem of a 420-R, but it's incredibly balanced: good
enough for fingerstyle, but with enough punch and power to be a flatpick
guitar. IMHO it can match pretty much any guitar under 2000 that i've
played. i've talked to other dealers and owners of 420-R's, and they
are fine instruments by any means.
850 is a good price.. :) i paid a little less, but ended up paying
a bit over 900 for the Taylor made HS case since i though the plastic
case wasn't anything special. BUT.. if you like the Martin DM, buy
it. don't buy a guitar that you don't like.. i never liked a DM, but
if you find a gem, go and pick it up. ;) as a certain RMMGAer would
say: "Go for the tone".
--thom
Fmplautus
Don:
You write...
"So I guess I'm asking to hear what you Taylor devotees have to say about
the track record of their guitars, how well they age/break in, etc. Sell
me !"
Sorry, go sell yourself. Don't be cheap, it'll cost you more in the end.
Just get yourself a solid wood Martin if that's what sounds and plays the best
for you.
The Taylors are great guitars that stand on their own terms. They deserved to
be bought for the way they play music, not because of some building
specification.
Same goes for the Martins.
Dave Baker
> actually, i am the proud owner of a 420-R, <
Congratulations! If you enjoy playing it and like the
way it sounds, you'll play more! When Taylor introduced
the 400 series, I purchased a 410. Then they were Honduran
Mahogany back and sides and came with the Taylor case.
I felt the $850 I spent on the guitar was a steal. Have fun
and enjoy!
Dave B.