Author Topic: Taylor necks (Read 3196 times)

ctkarslake · « **on:** April 23, 2013, 10:00:14 AM »

Since Taylor's necks are 3pc mahogany and my one "NT" neck on my CG3 is just gorgeous, I was wondering, is there some sort of grading of necks prior to installation? OR, are they basically all made the to the same specs (wood quality and finish) and any one can be used on any series guitar (except the 600 series of course, or a slotted headstock guitar)? In other words, could the neck on my GC3 have been put on a GC8 if it was the next in line to be used?

tedtan · « **Reply #1 on:** April 23, 2013, 12:40:19 PM »

I'm not aware of a grading system like they use for rosewood backs & sides, but there are different neck profiles/carves. The standard carve differs from the slim carve, which differs from the T5 neck carve, etc. So in addition to the different woods, there are also different profiles.

ctkarslake · « **Reply #2 on:** April 23, 2013, 02:49:05 PM »

I should have made myself more clear. I'm only thinking about acoustics made these days, with NT necks. I'm not aware of different carved profiles from one series to the next. I guess it may be possible with BTO, but what goes on with the standard models from 100 to 900 series? Anyone? I just like the idea that the neck on my GC3 may have made it onto a GS7 say...

tedtan · « **Reply #3 on:** April 23, 2013, 02:57:25 PM »

To my knowledge, the standard, production line acoustics get the same necks (barring wood differences like the maple neck on the 6xx series), so your neck might have ended up on another series. The T5 and slim carve necks are available on any model, but are BTO options, not standard on the acoustics.

Note that, grading wood is about aesthetics, and mahogany is pretty consistent from piece to piece, so I doubt there are different grades unless it's a particularly figured piece of mahogany needed to match a presentation series' or BTO's back and sides. And, unlike figured sapele, figured mahogany is not all that common, so I suspect that even this is pretty rare.

Nomad · « **Reply #4 on:** April 23, 2013, 02:58:21 PM »

Quote from: ctkarslake on April 23, 2013, 10:00:14 AM

In other words, could the neck on my GC3 have been put on a GC8 if it was the next in line to be used?

Yes.

Edward · « **Reply #5 on:** April 23, 2013, 04:50:54 PM »

Well judging from what is not said on any literature I've seen in years, in concert with having taken the factory tour, I have seen no evidence that necks are either "graded" or otherwise differentiated according to their material, grain, or whatever criteria. If it meets their scrutiny (be it mahog or maple), then it become a neck, for any guitar, whatever the scale length or carve. The only difference was in the R-Taylors where there is no headjoint whatsoever. But that's a manufacturing difference, not a distinction based on wood.

Edward

Herb Hunter · « **Reply #6 on:** April 23, 2013, 04:53:37 PM »

My hunch, and it is only that, is the necks with more consistent color are selected for the more expensive guitars.

S MS Picker · « **Reply #7 on:** April 23, 2013, 05:57:37 PM »

Not sure about interchangeable necks, but each neck has a corresponding serial number. When it's written there? Your guess is as good as mine.
Steve

Redwood Tree · « **Reply #8 on:** April 25, 2013, 08:07:07 PM »

Yes... I'm not aware of a taylor grading system . But after owing upward of 40 of them, I can tell you that,, yes the 900s get the darkest and most best Mahogany they seem to prize the figuired mahogany only avaiable through request or BTO.
But yes the 300s get what ever and 8s,9s, and up get the best. and you pay for this too.

PureTone · « **Reply #9 on:** April 27, 2013, 05:15:10 PM »

The Mahogany used to more closely match the back and sides, with the 300 and 500 Series having dark colored neck.
Over the past 10 years, it seems that a good number of the 400 and 800 Series have been receiving some rather light colored necks.

Pre NT necks required the Mahogany to be cut a certain way, whereas the NT neck allows standard 2x4 lumber to be used.

andyi5 · « **Reply #10 on:** April 28, 2013, 04:51:03 PM »

The neck on my GC3 is gorgeous too, every bit as nice as those I've seen on the 5xx - 8xx series. I'd say exactly the same for the sitka top as well.

Edward · « **Reply #11 on:** April 28, 2013, 05:56:40 PM »

Quote from: PureTone on April 27, 2013, 05:15:10 PM

...Pre NT necks required the Mahogany to be cut a certain way, whereas the NT neck allows standard 2x4 lumber to be used.

Hmmm, I have not noticed personally whether by "certain way" you mean to say they cut the necks differently in terms of grain, or??? Certainly, before the finger joint days each neck had to be cut differently because of the headstock angle requiring much more wood to be cut away (read, "wasted"). But with the advent of the headstock joint (regardless of finger or scarfjoint), Taylor was then able to get I believe it was 3 necks to one chunk of neck stock than the former 2 necks (and I don't think you really meant "2x4" as that would certainly not be enough material to yield multiple necks from the same peice of stock ...though I don't recall exactly what the size of the chunk was). But this is a different subject, altogether. Since the NT came out, I don't recall there being anything stated by Bob et.al. about the whether the necks were cut any differently, other than the required use of CNC milling to achieve the tolerances required for the NT system to work. BTW, I could be fuzzy on some of this so anyone feel free to correct me with real info

Edward

Edward · « **Reply #12 on:** April 28, 2013, 06:01:04 PM »

Quote from: andyi5 on April 28, 2013, 04:51:03 PM

The neck on my GC3 is gorgeous too, every bit as nice as those I've seen on the 5xx - 8xx series. I'd say exactly the same for the sitka top as well.

That seems to be my anecdotal experience, as well ...over many years, over various models up and down their product line. "Maybe" (just maybe?) they set aside some standout pieces for 900s/PS models, but I honestly can see any evidence of Taylor using or holding out on certain mahog for specific models. And again, I did not see nor hear anything with regard to such when on the factory tour.

Edward

PureTone · « **Reply #13 on:** April 28, 2013, 08:00:41 PM »

Quote from: Edward on April 28, 2013, 05:56:40 PM

Hmmm, I have not noticed personally whether by "certain way" you mean to say they cut the necks differently in terms of grain, or??? Certainly, before the finger joint days each neck had to be cut differently because of the headstock angle requiring much more wood to be cut away (read, "wasted"). But with the advent of the headstock joint (regardless of finger or scarfjoint), Taylor was then able to get I believe it was 3 necks to one chunk of neck stock than the former 2 necks (and I don't think you really meant "2x4" as that would certainly not be enough material to yield multiple necks from the same peice of stock ...though I don't recall exactly what the size of the chunk was). But this is a different subject, altogether. Since the NT came out, I don't recall there being anything stated by Bob et.al. about the whether the necks were cut any differently, other than the required use of CNC milling to achieve the tolerances required for the NT system to work. BTW, I could be fuzzy on some of this so anyone feel free to correct me with real info

Edward

I actually meant 4x4 and it has to do with the grain orientation when the lumber is cut. If I recall correctly, it was in the Taylor NT video and I believe that 3 necks can be made out of one 4"x4"x4' piece of Mahogany.

The pre NT Mahogany neck had headstock wings, so technically it was still a 3 piece neck, but if the grain orientation was not correct when the lumber was cut, that wood was rendered all but useless for a neck.

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