Taylor 710ce

I purchased my Tayolor 710ce from Guitar Center for $1899. It is a 2001 model and I purchased it in 2002. I also shopped stores against each other. I think I could have gotten the guitar for about a hundred less, but every salesman deserves to make some money.

I was looking for a rosewood guitar and had narrowed down to a Martin, Gibson or Taylor. I visited the manufactures web pages and accepted Taylor's invitation to request a video on their new neck technology. I called Taylor's offices and talked to a human! Then, I received the tape in the mail so quickly that I had to take notice of Taylor's customer service quality.
I choose against the Martin because they did not have a cut away guitar without imitation wood. The Gibson did not have the sleek precision of the Taylors. Finally, I choose the 710ce over the 810 ce because of the simplicity of design.

I would like a little more bass response from the guitar, but I understand Taylor redesigned the bracing in 2003 to bring more bass out of the body.

Top Notch. I find myself eyeing the lines and contours of the guitar and wondering how Taylor makes such a smooth guitar.

The Taylor 710ce is the finest guitar for the price. The simplicity of decorations allows me to play without drawing unmeritted expectations from listeners who judge the ability of the player by the rhinestones on the neck.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

After playing an Ovation Balladeer acoustic electric for over a year, I was searching for a significant upgrade. I looked at Martins, Gibsons, and Taylors as my top three choices, opting for Taylor as the most quality and sound and playability for the money. Price for the 710CE: $2200., at Guitar Center. (List price: $3295, but we all know that no one pays that price.) I originally was looking in the lower, less expensive, 200 or 300 series-- but once I saw and played the 710, I couldn't go back down... I opted for the 710 rather than the 714 because I prefer the sound of spruce top over cedar--just my preference--and to me it sounded richer and more resonant.

First and foremost, the sound! Rosewood sides and back and spruce top with Elixir strings yields a rich, beautiful ringing sound- a 1,000 percent improvement over anything I owned before.
The action was a little high, but after downloading the specs and instructions from Taylor, and using a good feeler gauge, I tightened the truss rod about 1/2 turn, and it brought the guitar back to specs and in great playable condition. It is now a beauty to play, and a beauty to look at, and a pleasure to enjoy. (Moral: Don't start sanding the bridge unless you have the neck rod adjusted properly. For once, I did it right! Fixing the action in the wrong way may add to your problems.)
The new Expression pickup system is awesome, and has virtually no feedback problems, even at high volume. The electrified sound captures the richness of the acoustic guitar, even enhances it at times. Other musicians have complimented me on the sound at clubs and jamborees.

While not a serious problem, I think it could be a little "flashier" in the inlays on the neck and around the soundhole. Not as much as the 810, but just not quite so plain... I would have preferred a black top, or sunburst, as well, but I settled for the natural color. (I wish I could play it backwards, because the high gloss rosewood back is beautiful!)

Construction and quality appear to be top rate--If I had seen any problems, for that price, I would have kept looking. While I've only had the guitar about 6 weeks, no flaws have shown up. And the neck was easily adjustable, thanks to the wrench provided with the guitar.

The major competitors for me were the Gibson SongWriter and Songbird. However, the Gibson lacked any pickup controls on the guitar, making it impossible to do fine tuning on the electric amplification without going to the amplifier itself. I also like the Dreadnaught body shape, though at first I was looking for the more traditional auditorium style with narrower waist. I'm happy with the sound and looks and playability of the 710! It's a serious hobby for me, and having a guitar I love to play has made my retirement so much more enjoyable.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com