2002 414 Makeover (Finally)

[TaylorGirl]

I really like what you have done with this, Susie. The upgrades not only look great, they provide new life, so to speak, to your longtime faithful companion.

Thanks, it sure did!

Quite a difference. Looks like a different guitar. Very nice job.

Thank you!

[Earl]

Piling on to say nicely done, Susie! I kinda miss my excellent 414ce from the same era, but it went to a good home and I'm not gigging with it any more.  I too have often wondered why they bothered with a second truss rod cover screw that did not go into any structure.  Why?   

[hoosfoos]

My husband did that task. Here's what he did.
1. He didn't have to change (fix) the upper screw of the TRC. So he attached the new TRC using that top screw.
2. He aligned the TRC and used that as the guide for the 2 new holes.
3. He used a 3/32" drill bit for the holes (which was the size of the original holes (we got new screws...3/8" length, #4 diameter)). (He did a test hole in a scrap piece of oak to ensure the drill bit was not too large for the screws we had.)
4. Using a toothpick as a depth gauge, he marked the toothpick for the depth of the hole....which was the length of the screw minus the thickness of the TRC. He marked the toothpick.
5. He found that he had to apply more pressure when drilling through the rosewood overlay, than when the drill got to the mahogany headstock wood.
6. He kept checking the depth of the screw hole (using the toothpick), until it was perfect.
7. Given the placement of the two new screw holes, he didn't need to remove/loosen any strings.

Thank you for the detailed step-by-step, very helpful!

[CoryB]

Nice upgrades. The guitar looks great.

Tell hubby to try this next time. Wrap a bit of tape around the drill bit at the maximum depth as a visual stop, and that way he won’t need to keep stopping to check it.

[TaylorGirl]

Nice upgrades. The guitar looks great.

Tell hubby to try this next time. Wrap a bit of tape around the drill bit at the maximum depth as a visual stop, and that way he won’t need to keep stopping to check it.

Thanks!

He's done that on projects before, but has had the tape move too. He wasn't going to take a chance with one of my Taylor's. He's actually quite the woodworker and builder of many buildings and house construction projects (with my help).  We make a great team and I trust him when it comes to my instruments. He's a keeper for sure. 

[TaylorGirl]

My husband did that task. Here's what he did.
1. He didn't have to change (fix) the upper screw of the TRC. So he attached the new TRC using that top screw.
2. He aligned the TRC and used that as the guide for the 2 new holes.
3. He used a 3/32" drill bit for the holes (which was the size of the original holes (we got new screws...3/8" length, #4 diameter)). (He did a test hole in a scrap piece of oak to ensure the drill bit was not too large for the screws we had.)
4. Using a toothpick as a depth gauge, he marked the toothpick for the depth of the hole....which was the length of the screw minus the thickness of the TRC. He marked the toothpick.
5. He found that he had to apply more pressure when drilling through the rosewood overlay, than when the drill got to the mahogany headstock wood.
6. He kept checking the depth of the screw hole (using the toothpick), until it was perfect.
7. Given the placement of the two new screw holes, he didn't need to remove/loosen any strings.

Thank you for the detailed step-by-step, very helpful!

No problem!

[TaylorGirl]

Piling on to say nicely done, Susie! I kinda miss my excellent 414ce from the same era, but it went to a good home and I'm not gigging with it any more.  I too have often wondered why they bothered with a second truss rod cover screw that did not go into any structure.  Why?   

Thanks Earl!
Yes, such a poor design...it baffles me why Taylor would do such a thing. It always bugged me, but now it's fixed!