Guitar Help

[trickblue]

My daughter has always wanted a Baby Taylor and a guy at school wants to sell her one because he said he needs the money. I asked her to get some specific pictures and he gave her these. He's selling most of his collection, so I assume this one is #7. I have no idea how many he is selling or what the real reason is for getting rid of them.

I contacted Taylor and they said that the serial number does indeed check out as a Baby Taylor.

The guy wants $75. Since I know very little about guitars I was wondering if that's a fair price and what it is actually worth?

It's obviously been played and when I looked at the pictures, the only issue I saw besides a little wear, is the bridge at the B string. Any of you guitar guys see any other issues?

http://[IMG]http://img.***BLOCKED***/albums/v628/cowboyszone/Taylor/IMG_5851_zpsaqmrfdzl.jpg[/IMG] http://img.***BLOCKED***/albums/v628/cowboyszone/Taylor/IMG_5851_zpsaqmrfdzl.jpg

http://img.***BLOCKED***/albums/v628/cowboyszone/Taylor/IMG_5859_zps4nkait0z.jpg

http://img.***BLOCKED***/albums/v628/cowboyszone/Taylor/IMG_5856_zpsk0jsege2.jpg

http://img.***BLOCKED***/albums/v628/cowboyszone/Taylor/IMG_5854_zpsjsoaquom.jpg

http://img.***BLOCKED***/albums/v628/cowboyszone/Taylor/IMG_5860_zpsyr9emhl5.jpg

 

[YosemiteSam]

Okay a couple of things.

I do not have nor have I ever even played a Tayor Baby guitar. On the other hand, I own and ABSOLUTELY love my Taylor Big Baby. (the Baby Tayor is a 3/4 size guitar, (kids guitar) the Big Baby is a 16/17th's sized guitar, ie almost full size travel guitar)

That said, Taylor Big Baby's have much much better reviews that Baby Taylors do. (Taylor Big Baby's have better sound and playability than many much higher priced guitars) Many complain about the construction quality of the Baby Taylor. That generally isn't the case with Big Baby Taylors though while they have a spruce top, the sides and back is laminate

Looking at the picture, that guitar is well worn and seems to still be intact. That's a good sign I would think. I would want to first play and feel the guitar out. If it feels like it's in good condition and the fretboard feels okay (and straight) and it stays in tune. I would say it's probably worth $75. If you're thinking about just buying a new Taylor Baby, I would say get the Big Baby instead. As long as you take care of it, you will have it for years and it's sound is amazing. Bang for the buck, I've never seen a any guitar (electric or acoustic) come even remotely close to it at $375. ($375 if you call Sweetwater and ask your sales guy for a deal)

EDIT:

Just saw the bridge and bridge question. At $75, buy a new one. It will cost you more than that to fix it. ie, more than it's worth to fix.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

@trickblue

The wear on the fret boards bothers me.
The price is cheap. Less than half of a completed sold on eBay.

Still... I don't think I have seen frets wear like that.

 

[skinsscalper]

A). The guitar has obviously been used, but that's not a deal breaker by any stretch. I don't see anything unusual about the "fret wear" There's obviously wear on the "fret board" but it's tough to see wear on the actual frets themselves (the actual steel bands spanning the fret board.

B). I agree with others who suggest that you play the guitar to see of there any "dead frets" (fingered and strummed with a buzz or don't ring out) compared to other frets. The strings need to be changed. Once they are they will sound much better than their current state ( I highly suggest Elixir Nanowebs. Get the extra light set that have a .11 high E string in the set).

C). There is nothing wrong with the bridge at the B string. I have 3 acoustic guitars. All three of them (a Takamine, Epiphone, and Alvarez) have that recess at the B string on the bridge.


D). If the guitar checks out with no dead frets $75.00 is a great deal for a beginner guitar. I understand the suggestions from others to buy a brand new guitar for your daughter. I couldn't possibly disagree more (from my personal experience). I've got probably 2.5K sitting in my music room from my kids' "interest" in playing music. A full drum kit among them. Along with a $650.00 Paul Allender PRS Custom SE guitar (a total of ONE song was attempted to learn on. She didn't even bother to learn the whole song). Amps, modelers, you name it. Spend the $75.00 and find out if her interest is worth the "new guitar" investment.

Good Luck.

 

[YosemiteSam]

@skinsscalper I didn't say buy your kid a PRS hah. I said buy a new Taylor Big Baby. ($375) Besides, a Taylor Big Baby is an awesome guitar on it's own and worth way more than it sells for new.

I took it to work one day and several players at work that own Taylor 214 and 314 models were disgusted when I told them I only paid $455 for my Taylor after they played it. (Mine has the electronics in it, so it's about $80 more)

 

[skinsscalper]

@skinsscalper I didn't say buy your kid a PRS hah. I said buy a new Taylor Big Baby. ($375) Besides, a Taylor Big Baby is an awesome guitar on it's own and worth way more than it sells for new.

I took it to work one day and several players at work that own Taylor 214 and 314 models were disgusted when I told them I only paid $455 for my Taylor after they played it. (Mine has the electronics in it, so it's about $80 more)

Don't get me wrong, bro. I understand appreciate the mindset. And, yes, the Big Baby Taylor will make people question the 1K plus that they spent on their own guitars. Great guitar as long as it's set up correctly. Acoustic guitars are the only guitars that I refuse to buy without playing.


I went into a Guitar Center one day (insert fail joke here) and spent about 2 hours in their acoustic room. Played everything from high end Gibson acoustics to beginner level axes (really had my heart set on a Gibson Hummingbird). That particular store must not have had a high priority on selling their high end guitars because the majority of them were set up by, presumably, pre-schoolers. The guitar that played and sounded the best out of the entire room? A Takamine G series acoustic (with the pickup, EQ, and built in tuner). Talked them down on the price (originally $400.00 down to $350.00 if I bought 5 packs of strings *which I needed anyway*) and walked out the door. Saved myself about 1K and LOVE that guitar to this day.

Acoustic are a funny breed. They run from 1-2K clunkers to sub $500.00 gems. One of the best playing acoustics I have ever played in my life was an Austin acoustic. REALLY cheap guitar from the 70's. So cheap, in fact that the fret "inlays" weren't inlays at all. They were PAINTED on. LOL. Played it at a backyard jam at a buddy's barbecue. This guy (probably in his 50's) showed up with this beat looking POS and played a few songs. I asked if he minded if I played it. He said "Sure, just don't fall in love" I thought he was kidding because this guitar looked BEAT! Within three chords I was, indeed, in love. That guitar sang like no other acoustic I had played before or since. I offered him $500.00 on the spot. He said "You'll have to do better than that, kid. I've got a standing 1K offer for it that I still won't bite on. Best $125.00 I've ever spent". Ugh!

As far as buying a "new" guitar for your kids, I still say (unless there's another semi-serious player in the family) "Make em earn it". If they show a true interest and dedication, open up the wallet.

BTW that PRS was basically a sig model built off the Custom SE platform. I was so impressed with my daughter's when I bought it that I ordered one the next day for myself (not the Paul Allender sig model. I ordered the Custom SE 24 in trans grey). If you run across one for around $350-400, jump on it. It's one of the "cheapest" electric guitars I own and it's HEAVY in the regular rotation. I have 2 custom Jacksons, a really nice So-Cal Charvel, custom Carvin V. That guitar hangs with everyone of those guitars that I've payed well over 1K each for (except the Charvel. I think I paid $750.00 for that). Great axe if you run across one.

 

[YosemiteSam]

My guitar collection hit a big reset. I restarted back around 2008. I started playing back in 1989, but around 1998 I stopped playing and well. Some of my guitars went poof, but that's when I learned trust nobody with your most valued possessions.

Anyhow, I bought a few guitars when I started back, but mostly cheap ones. Though I must say. I bought a sparkle green 1997 Japanes made Ibanez RG270. That was a really nice quality gutiar and I bought it used for $170. I ended up selling it to my buddy who is a far better guitarist than I for $200 after I replaced the pickups with some nice DiMarzio pickups. He has bought several guitars since and he still says he likes that one best.

Anyhow, I sold off the cheaper ones i had, and restarted my collection. I currently have a 2010 Ibanez RG2550E Prestige, 2014 Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster, 2016 Gibson Les Paul Standard, and of course the Taylor Big Baby.

I have to say, for heavy metal (I mean real metal, not G&R and such) and straight playability. The Ibanez reigns supreme. It's smoother to play than any guitar I've ever played. For blues, (my other musical love) the Fender is where it's at, and finally for groove music. (Godsmack, Black Sabbath, Corrosion of Conformity) it's all about the Les Paul.

I'm extremely happy with the variety of my axes. They each hold a a spot in my musical loves. The only other guitar I want doesn't fit a type of music that I don't already have a guitar for and that's the Jackson RR1. I just want one because DAMN they're sexy! I just wish they still made them in the Eerie Dess Swirl. If I could get a mint condition one in that paint job, I would already own it. Alas, they don't offer that paint job anymore.

 

[trickblue]

I appreciate all of the responses... Taylor felt it was a good deal if condition was good...

I'm still not sure what to do. She does have a nice Washburn DK20CET Dreadnought we got for $150...

 

[skinsscalper]

My guitar collection hit a big reset. I restarted back around 2008. I started playing back in 1989, but around 1998 I stopped playing and well. Some of my guitars went poof, but that's when I learned trust nobody with your most valued possessions.

Anyhow, I bought a few guitars when I started back, but mostly cheap ones. Though I must say. I bought a sparkle green 1997 Japanes made Ibanez RG270. That was a really nice quality gutiar and I bought it used for $170. I ended up selling it to my buddy who is a far better guitarist than I for $200 after I replaced the pickups with some nice DiMarzio pickups. He has bought several guitars since and he still says he likes that one best.

Anyhow, I sold off the cheaper ones i had, and restarted my collection. I currently have a 2010 Ibanez RG2550E Prestige, 2014 Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster, 2016 Gibson Les Paul Standard, and of course the Taylor Big Baby.

I have to say, for heavy metal (I mean real metal, not G&R and such) and straight playability. The Ibanez reigns supreme. It's smoother to play than any guitar I've ever played. For blues, (my other musical love) the Fender is where it's at, and finally for groove music. (Godsmack, Black Sabbath, Corrosion of Conformity) it's all about the Les Paul.

I'm extremely happy with the variety of my axes. They each hold a a spot in my musical loves. The only other guitar I want doesn't fit a type of music that I don't already have a guitar for and that's the Jackson RR1. I just want one because DAMN they're sexy! I just wish they still made them in the Eerie Dess Swirl. If I could get a mint condition one in that paint job, I would already own it. Alas, they don't offer that paint job anymore.

I bought my son a Jackson Dinky in that same Eerie Dess Swirl paint job. Absolutely beautiful guitar IRL. I've been eyeing an RR1 that is black with neon green bevels. Fricking WOOD inducing guitar.

I used to have an Ibanez RG760 painted a really cool greenish blue paint job with the original Wizard neck. Great shredder guitar. Sold it to fund my first Jackson purchase and never looked back. The Jackson neck profile just fit in my hands so much better. High end Ibbys are no joke, though. That Prestige line is legit. I love the look of Les Pauls but for some reason I just don't jive with them. I still have an Epi Zakk Wylde sig that I pulled the ****** EMG HZ pickups out of and upgraded to a JB/Jazz combo, had my tech set it up for me and it plays really nice.................if I'm sitting down. The minute I strap that thing up and stand, it's just a different ball game for me.

I had a buddy that got into some financial trouble and he "left" his 93 LP Standard (and an 85ish Explorer) with me for a few hundred bucks (with the promise to never sell either). I had those guitars for well over three years and just never jived with the LP. The Explorer? Whole different story! I didn't see or hear from the guy for over three years and he just showed up at my door one day out of the blue and "bought" his guitars back. The only reason I even bought the Epi ZW sig was because I saw it on ebay on a 24 hour "cheating husband clearance sale". Sniped it with 3 seconds left for $250.00 bucks. It's my "guest guitar" for the most part but I'll bust it out every once in a while to see if I can find a way to fall in love with it. I was "feeling it" at one point for about 2 weeks. Then I picked up the Jackson again and it was over. LOL.

I still need to get my hands on a legit Tele and Strat, though. First world problems.

 

[skinsscalper]

I appreciate all of the responses... Taylor felt it was a good deal if condition was good...

I'm still not sure what to do. She does have a nice Washburn DK20CET Dreadnought we got for $150...

Love the Dreadnought platform. Huge sound out of things. Love that big body. Nice sit and strum guitar. Throw some Elixirs on that bad boy and it will sound amazing!

 

[YosemiteSam]

I appreciate all of the responses... Taylor felt it was a good deal if condition was good...

I'm still not sure what to do. She does have a nice Washburn DK20CET Dreadnought we got for $150...

Sounds like a heck of a deal. You want the baby Taylor because she is still small? (young) If she can play the Washburn, that sounds good enough until you're sure she is going to play long term and then you can invest the $6k required for a real guitar.

 

[trickblue]

Sounds like a heck of a deal. You want the baby Taylor because she is still small? (young) If she can play the Washburn, that sounds good enough until you're sure she is going to play long term and then you can invest the $6k required for a real guitar.

She's a Senior in HS, but she is tiny. I think the fascination with the Baby Taylor had more to do with Taylor Swift back when she was younger... lol

 

[ifixoldhouses]

My Aunt gave me a baby taylor the other day, cost about $400 new I think, it has good sound.

 

[nobody]

My guitar collection hit a big reset. I restarted back around 2008. I started playing back in 1989, but around 1998 I stopped playing and well. Some of my guitars went poof, but that's when I learned trust nobody with your most valued possessions.

Anyhow, I bought a few guitars when I started back, but mostly cheap ones. Though I must say. I bought a sparkle green 1997 Japanes made Ibanez RG270. That was a really nice quality gutiar and I bought it used for $170. I ended up selling it to my buddy who is a far better guitarist than I for $200 after I replaced the pickups with some nice DiMarzio pickups. He has bought several guitars since and he still says he likes that one best.

Anyhow, I sold off the cheaper ones i had, and restarted my collection. I currently have a 2010 Ibanez RG2550E Prestige, 2014 Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster, 2016 Gibson Les Paul Standard, and of course the Taylor Big Baby.

I have to say, for heavy metal (I mean real metal, not G&R and such) and straight playability. The Ibanez reigns supreme. It's smoother to play than any guitar I've ever played. For blues, (my other musical love) the Fender is where it's at, and finally for groove music. (Godsmack, Black Sabbath, Corrosion of Conformity) it's all about the Les Paul.

I'm extremely happy with the variety of my axes. They each hold a a spot in my musical loves. The only other guitar I want doesn't fit a type of music that I don't already have a guitar for and that's the Jackson RR1. I just want one because DAMN they're sexy! I just wish they still made them in the Eerie Dess Swirl. If I could get a mint condition one in that paint job, I would already own it. Alas, they don't offer that paint job anymore.

Man, that thing looks sweeeeet!

 

[Echo9]

My guitar collection hit a big reset. I restarted back around 2008. I started playing back in 1989, but around 1998 I stopped playing and well. Some of my guitars went poof, but that's when I learned trust nobody with your most valued possessions.

Anyhow, I bought a few guitars when I started back, but mostly cheap ones. Though I must say. I bought a sparkle green 1997 Japanes made Ibanez RG270. That was a really nice quality gutiar and I bought it used for $170. I ended up selling it to my buddy who is a far better guitarist than I for $200 after I replaced the pickups with some nice DiMarzio pickups. He has bought several guitars since and he still says he likes that one best.

Anyhow, I sold off the cheaper ones i had, and restarted my collection. I currently have a 2010 Ibanez RG2550E Prestige, 2014 Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster, 2016 Gibson Les Paul Standard, and of course the Taylor Big Baby.

I have to say, for heavy metal (I mean real metal, not G&R and such) and straight playability. The Ibanez reigns supreme. It's smoother to play than any guitar I've ever played. For blues, (my other musical love) the Fender is where it's at, and finally for groove music. (Godsmack, Black Sabbath, Corrosion of Conformity) it's all about the Les Paul.

I'm extremely happy with the variety of my axes. They each hold a a spot in my musical loves. The only other guitar I want doesn't fit a type of music that I don't already have a guitar for and that's the Jackson RR1. I just want one because DAMN they're sexy! I just wish they still made them in the Eerie Dess Swirl. If I could get a mint condition one in that paint job, I would already own it. Alas, they don't offer that paint job anymore.

Just a humble recommendation if you feel like shopping again.