A Taylor Fixed.

[Tonar8352]

I made some big changes to this big guitar and now it is finally right.  First we replace the factory frets to 6100's and change the Tusq saddle and bridge to bone.  Then we set it up with massive heavy strings for a 12 with the primaries being 13,17,26,35,45,56 and the secondary strings being 13,17,14,18,27,35, and it is tuned down a whole step.  If you look closely at the picture of the saddle you can see where Glade (the set up master) hand cut the saddle so the intonation is miles better than stock. In the past this guitar always sounded like it was on a bad chorus pedal and now it rings clear and true. Finally this thing is a player; and the 6100's feel so good compared to the factory frets. I suggest you Taylor lover’s switch to a bone nut and saddle and your Taylor will take on a new personality.

 

[MedianMusic1]

Wow! How long did it take to fix? Any sound bytes?

 

[reluctant-builder]

Beautiful. I'm amazed Taylors don't come with bone nuts and saddles, considering the prices they fetch.

I just bought a Heritage H-535 and the nut on it was absolutely pathetic. I negotiated with the seller to knock down the price by the amount it would cost to have the nut replaced with bone. He agreed and I just got it back from my guy, today. It's amazing. Such a difference.

 

[Cagey]

I expected a thread featuring a Taylor that had been run over by a truck or something. Didn't know you were improving one. I don't think I'll do the 6100 frets on mine, as much as I'd like to, but I do believe I'll take your advice on the bone nut/bridge change. I need a new nut anyway. The G string is too low on this one. Then, acoustic bridges always need replacing. So, I'll do the bone thing and see how that works out. Aren't you supposed to wear a respirator when you work on bone? My lung is in rough enough shape without inhaling bone dust.

 

[tfarny]

That is an amazing piece of work on that saddle in particular. Knowing you, I'm sure the rest of it is absolute perfection too. Interesting string and tuning choice!

 

[erogenousjones17]

I expected a thread featuring a Taylor that had been run over by a truck or something. Didn't know you were improving one. I don't think I'll do the 6100 frets on mine, as much as I'd like to, but I do believe I'll take your advice on the bone nut/bridge change. I need a new nut anyway. The G string is too low on this one. Then, acoustic bridges always need replacing. So, I'll do the bone thing and see how that works out. Aren't you supposed to wear a respirator when you work on bone? My lung is in rough enough shape without inhaling bone dust.

Bone dust is probably only dangerous in large quantities; I doubt the amount generated from one nut/saddle job (sounds dirty) could do much harm. But then again, I'm no expert, so you may find otherwise. The stuff does smell weird though. :tard:

Also, did you say lung? As in singular? Cagey, you so hardcore.  :laughing7:

 

[Cagey]

I'm certainly no doctor, so I don't know. Seems like I'd heard somewhere that bone dust was über-nasty. Should probably just look it up.

And yeah, It's lung, singular, sort of. I had a bout with pneumonia a few years ago that I largely ignored until it very nearly killed me, so they had to do a lobectomy on my right lung, which involved a thoracotomy and a tracheotomy. Now my torso looks like somebody started an autopsy on me with a chainsaw, but decided to stab me to death instead. It's not pretty, is what I'm sayin' <grin>

But, they did a good job. I'm more or less ok now. I don't need to carry oxygen, and can usually negotiate stairs as long as I don't have to work too hard at it and the arthritis isn't trying to make me take a chainsaw after myself.

 

[dNA]

heavy strings and dropped down a whole step must sound incredible. I'd love to hear some clips if you get a chance to record any