Taylor Walnut (W)-Series Guitars

[timfitz63]

I've been scrubbing the interweb for relevant information on the discontinued Walnut-Series Taylors (i.e., the W-** guitars) -- not the 2011 Spring Limiteds that were also done in Walnut, and confined (I believe) to 6-string models (W12, W14, and W16).  I'm interested in sampling a 12-string Taylor in Walnut, so I'm curious what's even out there...?

As near as I can tell the W-Series was still regular production up until the early- or mid-2000's...?  I can't seem to pin down exactly what years the series ran -- or for that matter, exactly what models were part of the series.  Again, I can pull down some spotty information off the interweb, but it's incomplete at best -- and least of all, Taylor's web site is of no help; it's woefully inadequate when it comes to historical information on their products...

Anyway, based on what I've inferred, there appears to have been a Grand Auditorium 12-string (W54), and Jumbo 12-strings (W55 & W65); not sure whether there were any Grand Symphony 12-strings (i.e., W56 & W66) in the series, as it may have been discontinued before the introduction of the GS body in 2006.

Any insight and wisdom is appreciated!

[Strumming Fool]

The most popular guitars in this series were the W-14 (cedar or spruce over walnut) and the W-65 (all -walnut). I used own the latter. I purchased it new in 1999. It was beautiful, but it didn't fit my 12-string taste in sound, so I sold it. I knew less about guitars and woods back then. I probably should have held onto it, and allowed it to open up, as the hardwood tops do take longer to do so. The cedar-topped W-14 was also a favorite for its distinctive sound. I love that combo, which I have in the form of my '97 Cujo 14. The series was discontinued before the GS was introduced due to the lack of a consistent supply of walnut.

I like the tone of walnut - immediate and loud like maple, but with more bass, more depth and more sparkle. Hope this helps.

[timfitz63]

The most popular guitars in this series were the W-14 (cedar or spruce over walnut) and the W-65 (all -walnut). I used own the latter. I purchased it new in 1999. It was beautiful, but it didn't fit my 12-string taste in sound, so I sold it. I knew less about guitars and woods back then. I probably should have held onto it, and allowed it to open up, as the hardwood tops do take longer to do so. The cedar-topped W-14 was also a favorite for its distinctive sound. I love that combo, which I have in the form of my '97 Cujo 14. The series was discontinued before the GS was introduced due to the lack of a consistent supply of walnut.

I like the tone of walnut - immediate and loud like maple, but with more bass, more depth and more sparkle. Hope this helps.

Thanks for the information, "SF!"  I suspected that was the case (no GS bodies in the W-Series).  But I wasn't aware that a Cedar top was available on the W-Series.

I've got one of the 2011 W14ce Spring Limited guitars and really like it.  It's Sitka over Walnut, which seems to be my preference.  My brother has one of the BR-VIII guitars (Cedar/Walnut GS); it's nice, but seems too 'warm' to me.

I've recently tried an all-Walnut Custom GO 6-string and an all-Walnut Martin GP-14 12-string; sometime in the past few years, I'd tried an all-Walnut Custom GA.  Of the three, I liked the Custom GA best; the Custom GO and Marin both sounded a bit 'hollow' to me -- in a similar way to the K28e's I've sampled.

Have never run across one of the Taylor Jumbo 12-strings in Walnut (W55 or W66); I suspect my reaction to the W66 might be similar to that of the Custom GO or K28e's I've tried, but I'll keep an open mind if I encounter one.  Still, I think a Spruce-topped W54 or W55 would hold the most appeal for me...

[ericjungemann]

I had the W65.  A beautiful guitar.  But not the best 12 string sound.  Nothing compared to the shimmer of my K65.

[Earl]

I like the tone of walnut - immediate and loud like maple, but with more bass, more depth and more sparkle. Hope this helps. 

Based on that comment (and I concur based on my somewhat limited experience) walnut sounds very much like koa.  The only reason to use walnut would be if you had a good supply at a far lower cost than koa.  Otherwise, I'd choose koa every time.  Black walnut is one of my favorites for woodworking projects - it works well and smells wonderful while doing it.

[steelerboy329]

I've always wanted to play a W65.  I really wish Taylor would bring back the walnut series.

[Strumming Fool]

I like the tone of walnut - immediate and loud like maple, but with more bass, more depth and more sparkle. Hope this helps. 

Based on that comment (and I concur based on my somewhat limited experience) walnut sounds very much like koa.  The only reason to use walnut would be if you had a good supply at a far lower cost than koa.  Otherwise, I'd choose koa every time.  Black walnut is one of my favorites for woodworking projects - it works well and smells wonderful while doing it.

Actually I find that walnut has a bit more focus and its bass response is stronger and more punchy than koa. The black walnut in my Cujo14 was described by Bob Taylor as "rosewood on steroids ".

My W-65 (all Claro walnut 12 string jumbo) was nice, but I also preferred the sound of the K-65 as far as 12 strings go...

[timfitz63]

I like the tone of walnut - immediate and loud like maple, but with more bass, more depth and more sparkle. Hope this helps. 

Based on that comment (and I concur based on my somewhat limited experience) walnut sounds very much like koa.  The only reason to use walnut would be if you had a good supply at a far lower cost than koa.  Otherwise, I'd choose koa every time.  Black walnut is one of my favorites for woodworking projects - it works well and smells wonderful while doing it.

Actually I find that walnut has a bit more focus and its bass response is stronger and more punchy than koa. The black walnut in my Cujo14 was described by Bob Taylor as "rosewood on steroids ".

My W-65 (all Claro walnut 12 string jumbo) was nice, but I also preferred the sound of the K-65 as far as 12 strings go...

Interesting.  Well, if I have the opportunity to A/B similarly-constructed Walnut and Koa guitars I'll try to pay closer attention to those things.  I didn't directly compare the all-Walnut Custom GO and the K28e, although I played both of them in the same room.  My recollection is they sounded similar, but not identical; but the GO seems to interject so much bass that it's difficult to discern whether it's the wood or the body talking...  Unfortunately, I didn't have the opportunity to A/B the Custom GA I played against a K24; and since my W14ce has a Spruce top, it doesn't provide a good A/B comparison to my K24ce...

[Huw1952]

I managed to source a 1998 W10 from Holland a while back - sounds amazing!! here it is:-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDl8p9CPq70

[timfitz63]

I managed to source a 1998 W10 from Holland a while back - sounds amazing!! here it is:-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDl8p9CPq70

Very nice!  I'd forgotten they had Dreadnoughts in the series; but I don't think Taylor did any 12-string Dreads (W50 or W60), did they...?

[Strumming Fool]

Not as I recall.

[Andromeda]

I've always wanted to play a W65.  I really wish Taylor would bring back the walnut series.

I owned a W65 and it looked and played beautifully and it also sounded fantastic!

[tnfiddler]

I know I'm reviving a VERY old post, but I have a 2002 W10ce that I absolutely love!  I'm looking at purchasing a 1998 W10, as well.  I've been trying to do a little research on them and the information  is very scarce.  What I'm most intrigued about is the fact that some W-models of the same year have abalone purfling on the top and some have just regular black purfling. These were very rare guitars.  I talked to Taylor a year or so ago and 2002 was the first year they kept paper counts of each model and they made 26 w10ce models and 10 W10 models.  On that limited number of guitars, why do you think there was a difference in the purfling? I guess I'm going to have to call Taylor again tomorrow and ask them.

[StrummingMadMan]

The only help I can offer is no real help. My LGS has a custom GA all walnut, but it’s a 6 string.

[zeebow]

I know I'm reviving a VERY old post, but I have a 2002 W10ce that I absolutely love!  I'm looking at purchasing a 1998 W10, as well.  I've been trying to do a little research on them and the information  is very scarce.  What I'm most intrigued about is the fact that some W-models of the same year have abalone purfling on the top and some have just regular black purfling. These were very rare guitars.  I talked to Taylor a year or so ago and 2002 was the first year they kept paper counts of each model and they made 26 w10ce models and 10 W10 models.  On that limited number of guitars, why do you think there was a difference in the purfling? I guess I'm going to have to call Taylor again tomorrow and ask them.

report back i’ve hardly run across walnut guitars