Taylor neck gap

Epsilon

I'm aware that Taylor uses a bolt on construction and small gaps are often filled with putty.

I just took delivery of a used Taylor (pics below) and the gap really does seem outside of normal parameters. I've not owned a Taylor before so I wondered if anyone could tell me if it's par for the course. Looks like a sloppy neck reset to me.


http://imgur.com/a/LfWyo41

Epsilon

Update: had a look at the base of the neck and the Taylor sticker had been broken through to access the bolt, confirming that the neck has been off (and seemingly not reattached very neatly). Pickup doesn't work either, so time to open a return request. Gutted!

ICBM

That's been absolutely buggered by someone who doesn't know what they're doing.

Return with extreme prejudice.

danishbacon

What a bodge

Strat_a_tat_tat

Never seen a gap on a Taylor.   That looks like someone who doesn't know what they're doing has had a go!

RaymondLin

Taylor are like PRS, they are VERY well made, I have never seen one less than perfect.

Epsilon

Thanks all. The seller has offered £250 compensation for this. What do you think? I understand that re-doing a neck reset on a Taylor isn't all that difficult, although since this one has already been bodged might be a bit trickier.

ICBM

Epsilon said:

Thanks all. The seller has offered £250 compensation for this. What do you think? I understand that re-doing a neck reset on a Taylor isn't all that difficult, although since this one has already been bodged might be a bit trickier.

Given the state of that I wouldn't accept anything other than a full refund.

It needs to go back to Taylor, or at least a very good luthier, to be properly repaired and put back to stock, including replacing the label.

artiebear

Ouch, the Taylor neck is about the easiest to reset ( if you know what you are doing )n but also the easiest to bugger up if you are a DIY luthier without much idea what you are doing. Such a shame. Hope the return goes ok.

danishbacon

For reference, what a pro reset should look like.

Epsilon

I guess I'm wondering if a pro reset will get it back in good shape, or if there is likely to be permanent damage. 

danishbacon

Epsilon said:

I guess I'm wondering if a pro reset will get it back in good shape, or if there is likely to be permanent damage. 

Well a pro reset by a competent luthier can run more than what the seller is offering you as a refund. Judging by the photos I wouldn't doubt if it needed shimming under the fretboard. There are also finish issues to consider. Depends on how much you paid for it and whether it's something that would bother you to own. A good neck re-set on an older guitar is seen as a positive. A bad one, not so much.

Revolting1

danishbacon said:

Epsilon said:

I guess I'm wondering if a pro reset will get it back in good shape, or if there is likely to be permanent damage. 

Well a pro reset by a competent luthier can run more than what the seller is offering you as a refund. Judging by the photos I wouldn't doubt if it needed shimming under the fretboard. There are also finish issues to consider. Depends on how much you paid for it and whether it's something that would bother you to own. A good neck re-set on an older guitar is seen as a positive. A bad one, not so much.

      Unless it was a staggeringly cheap purchase I would certainly return it.

Epsilon

Given that I can't get anything out of the pickup either I think it's probably not worth risking it. What a shame, as it's otherwise a very nice sounding and playing guitar.

ICBM

Epsilon said:

Given that I can't get anything out of the pickup either I think it's probably not worth risking it. What a shame, as it's otherwise a very nice sounding and playing guitar.

The good news is that Taylors are very consistent on both counts, and getting another one as good that hasn't been ruined shouldn't be too difficult.