EVOL! Posted February 1, 2012 Share Posted February 1, 2012 I am posting this here because I have been a member of the Gibson board for a few years and figured there are a lot of cats here with much more extensive knowledge on acoustic guitars than I have or would be over in the Lounge. I have a 2007 Taylor 110 that has had and has some problems. It had a warped neck that I struggled for a year to adjust before taking to the authorized Taylor repair shop here in Chicago. After they struggled with it and could not the neck straight either, they escalated to Taylor who, without resistance, sent a replacement neck. How's that for customer service? This was spring of last year. Lately I have noticed that the action is getting uncomfortable so I checked the neck. It had too much relief so I tightened the truss rod. The neck is now straight, but the action at the twelfth fret is 3mm. Taylor specs are closer to 1.5mm. Behind the bridge is a slight bulge and this is what worries me and is my main reason for this post. - How much belly-ing is acceptable or expected with a guitar this young? - How do I measure this bulge? I was thinking with a level across it, parallel with the bridge, and measure the gap from the edge of the guitar to the level. - What might be my repair options? Filing down the bridge saddle? Bracing work? I am partially kicking myself for buying this guitar because it was a floor model and was probably subjected to some abuse. Should have asked for a new, boxed one. Outside of this action issue, I love the guitar. The size is super comfortable for a smaller person like me, the tone is nice and bright, and the neck w/ unbound ebony fretboard is exactly what I love. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markini Posted February 1, 2012 Share Posted February 1, 2012 I have a Taylor 110 also a 2010 model. Good guitar no problems with it, but it does like lighter strings, What size strings are on yours? I have seen "Belly Bumps" on 12 string guitars, I think its quite rare on a 6 string Taylor. I would suggest calling Taylor CS again and get their opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted February 1, 2012 Share Posted February 1, 2012 A certain amount of bellying up below the bridge is, of course, normal. I think it was Norman Blake who once said never trust a Martin without a belly. To measure yeah, just lay a straight edge behind the bridge and measure the distance between it and the binding on both sides. Add the two figures. They should total no more than maybe 1/2". If there is too much bellying and assuming your guitar does not have any bridge plate or bracing issues, I would just try humidfying it. Often this is all you need to do. If not, shaving the saddle is always an option. If that don't work you might be looking at something like installing a Bridge Doctor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted February 1, 2012 Share Posted February 1, 2012 Almost forgot. You don't want a perfectly straight neck. You do want a bit of relief. You should be able to see a slight dip in the neck when you sight down it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EVOL! Posted February 1, 2012 Author Share Posted February 1, 2012 I have a Taylor 110 also a 2010 model. Good guitar no problems with it, but it does like lighter strings, What size strings are on yours? I have seen "Belly Bumps" on 12 string guitars, I think its quite rare on a 6 string Taylor. I would suggest calling Taylor CS again and get their opinion. I use 12s on all my acoustics. One thing I am thinking as a possibility is that the neck's bolts need to be tightened since it is a new neck and the wood may have shrunk. Amazing that these beauties have bolt on necks. Maybe I am grasping at straws? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drathbun Posted February 1, 2012 Share Posted February 1, 2012 1. Are you keeping your guitar humidified properly. You mentioned the action was "getting uncomfortable". Why did it change? Usually a change like that has to do with environment. 2. How much saddle do you have above the bridge? Perhaps the high action has to do with saddle height? I would suggest you take it in for a good setup. Get a qualified guitar tech to put it into the best playing action (nut, saddle, relief) that the guitar will allow to your performance preferences. You don't need a Taylor person to do this. Any good guitar tech will do it for reasonable cost ($30 or so?). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sboiir Posted February 1, 2012 Share Posted February 1, 2012 You used the word "Lemon" sometimes that happens. 1st I would do what others are saying....Humidify it, then get a tech to do a set-up. After that, well.....it is what it is. Wish you luck,but don't give up yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EVOL! Posted March 23, 2012 Author Share Posted March 23, 2012 For those of you that care, I have an update. At the advice of a lot of people here I went the humidification route and bought a Planet Waves Humidipak system. It was designed with the assistance of Bob Taylor himself. After two weeks locked in the case with this my Taylor now plays like brand new. The tone is even richer. Lessen learned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spot Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 TAYLOR = LEMON... Sorry,... but that was just too good to resist! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EVOL! Posted March 23, 2012 Author Share Posted March 23, 2012 TAYLOR = LEMON... Sorry,... but that was just too good to resist! Looking at your avatar and thinking about Mr. Adams recent performances, not all of us can find or afford a Silvertone Buck Owens American; no matter how badly we want one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spot Posted March 24, 2012 Share Posted March 24, 2012 Looking at your avatar and thinking about Mr. Adams recent performances, not all of us can find or afford a Silvertone Buck Owens American; no matter how badly we want one. ..Yeah the Buck Owen's prices have gone through the roof thanks to Ryan Adams recent popularity EVOL. I would love one but I'm not going to pay the $2,000 asking price for a ladder braced guitar that you could pick up for $500 12 months ago!!! I did however just pick up a bargain in a '71 Harmony Sovereign H164 which is pretty much the same guitar (Same size w/ Birch B/Sides) and 1/5 of the price! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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