Taylor 314CE - fret wear, guitar case, ES1 and Elixir Strings- COMMENTS PLEASE

[wilson mcphert]

I have a Taylor 314CE that I purchased late 2014 which came with the Elixir Nano 80/20 12-53 strings. It had ES1 pick ups just before they started including the ES2 ones as standard.  A few issues have come up since I purchased it. 

The first is fret wear, particularly on the second fret of the B and E strings.  It occurred less than a year after purchasing and is bad enough to cause buzzing that was not previously there.  I'll take it to a guitar tech to get sanded down or re-fretted but  I am amazed that the fret wear was so rapid.  Anyone else have this issue?

The second issue is not the guitar but the recommended strings Elixir nanoweb .012.  These are quite expensive and I am finding that they deteriorate over weeks and the four wound strings at least all have darkened and lost their zing.  The same strings between the nut and tuning pegs are still the original colour.  I have found it to be worse since I have been playing outdoors busking in what is a humid climate, but I thought the coating was meant to protect it.  I wipe them after playing.  Do others have this same problem.  Are there alternative and preferably cheaper strings that would be as good and more suitable for this purpose.

The Taylor guitar case has to be the tightest fit of any guitar case I have ever had but I'm used to it now.  I am disappointed though that the material strip  that holds the lid up broke and now I have to be careful that the hinges on it are not damaged by the lid opening too widely.   

And finally, while reasonably happy with the amplified sound through a PA or my Roland AC-33, what is the improvement (if any) of subsequent Taylors being upgraded to the ES2.  Did I miss out on much. 

Other than these issues I love the guitar.  Nice action (I had it set up) and it has a nice balanced acoustic sound.

I would welcome any comments on these issues by forum members. 

Cheers from Mike in Australia

[xtremearmor]

The fret wear I've observed hasn't been as severe, but I've noticed it on the b and high e strings at the first fret on some used models I've owned.  I recall reading Bob Taylor saying they choose their fret wire as much for sound as durability, and frets were easily replaced anyway.  I also have had 1 case that was noticeably tighter than the rest.  It still worked, maybe even better in terms of protecting the guitar, but was a bit of a pain to get the guitar in and out.  Nobody's perfect was my thought on that.  Last, for the strings, try D'addario brand.  Sound great and yes on the less expensive.  They also have a coated string which lasted longer for me.  Good luck!

[HAPPYDAN]

The Elixir strings do tend to "corrode" or discolor, and the wound strings actually get "fuzzy". I haven't noticed that it affects tone much; maybe I just get used to it. The case? Yeah. Total agreement. I like to fasten the strap to the guitar so it won't accidentally detach in use. Can't do that with my 412e, the case is just too tight. I do have a set of D'Addario lights I plan to install at the next change. Your unusual fret wear is puzzling. My oldest Taylor is a 114ce about 5 years old, played daily. No problems yet. but I'm a very non-aggressive player.

[zeebow]

sorry, can't say any of mind have noticeable fret wear. i have 3, from 2010, 2011 and 2016.

i would call taylor and ask for a repair center, and see if they can replace it under warranty.

did you register your guitar? if not, do that first.

before you let the repair center start work, let them know you contacted taylor

[Frayed Knot]

I have a 10+ year old 410CE and it does have a moderate amount of fret wear but not enough to cause a problem.  One of these days I'll send back to the factory for one of their refresh packages.  This guitar is my workhorse with well over 1000 hours of playing time. 

RE strings, I switched to Martin Marquis phosphor bronze custom lights (11's) years ago and have never looked back.  They are slightly brighter than the elixirs & highly playable on the 410.  I change them every 3-4 months depending on use.  I only keep elixirs on my guitars that don't get much play time. 

RE the ES-2, I have posted on this elsewhere in forum, it is TOO bright (actually, harsh) for me.  I really love the sound of the ES-1 and it gets along well w the Martin strings.  I use a Bose L1mII which, I think, is too accurate for the ES-2.  I hope that Taylor does something to deal w the piezo harshness 'cause I won't buy an ES-2 until they fix that. 

BTW recent purchase was a 314CE Nylon. See my review on GC.  It will never replace a steel string for me, but anything that works w/o a pick on steel will work better on nylon.  Love the sapele sound and beauty. 

RE the case--my 314 case I predict will have this problem.  On closing, the detent strap invariably pooches out of the case instead of in which creates a recurrent pinching of the material.  To boot it's adjacent to a lock which adds pressure.  I try to be careful on closing but I'm sure it will break eventually & I'll have to re-engineer something.  TAYLOR-address this please. 

FK

[MikeB]

Now you made me look!  Yes, there's some pretty good fret wear on my 2012 310ce (bought new in 2013) on the first 3 frets from the B and E.  Not so severe that I need to get them replaced yet, though.
Srings?  Everyone has their preferences. I like coated strings becuase of less string squeak and longer lasting.  I didn't like the Elixers that came on my Taylor new, but figured they were probably a year old, so gave ELixer one more chance, but didn't like the osund when brand new either.  Tried D'Addario EXPs, nope.  Gone back to Martin Lifespans, even though the new ones (no longer coated/treated by Cleartone) are not quite as good as the old one - they are cheaper.  I change strings about every 6 weeks.

[Edward]

Welcome aboard Mike!

1. I have had a variety of Taylors for many years now, and do lots of playing (particularly on two), and while I see wear, it is nothing out of the ordinary when a guitar sees lots of play.  Frets are normal-wear items, not unlike tires, and fret longevity depends on "mileage" as well as how hard the car is driven.  Freeway miles vs aggressive driving will make a marked difference in tread life; such is the case with our frets.  You're a busker and you rely on this one guitar: lots of use focused on one guitar as opposed to spread over several guitars. And perhaps your playing style is more aggressive, as well ...as is mine.  So I have the normal divots in the first few frets, but also do lots of bends up the neck, which do not leave visual signs, but I can only assume there's wear.  That said, nothing that can't easily be addressed with a level and crown, which is, again, normal par for the course and can be done 2 or 3 times before frets are beyond their service life.  No need to refret.  Any good tech has done hundreds of level/crowns and they take minimal material off to leave you a good playing surface.  I'd recommend you take it to a shop that is Taylor approved, though (call the factory for a list), as they will have the proper shims to set the neck angle properly.

2. Elixir strings corroding is, as you've indicated, a function of humidity, but also a result of your body chemistry.  I had a friend who could not get through one week without corroding strings, yikes!  Conversely, my fingers and hands are kind to strings so it just is what it is.  If you get short life with elixirs, try another coated string and judge accordingly.  But if you think you're going to get more life from uncoated strings given your humidity (and presumably chemistry), I think you'll be disappointed.

3. Your 2014 is the latest ES system (version 1.3) prior to the ES2 and is. IMHO, their best-sounding ES1, and for my ears better than the ES2, but many others will disagree with me on the last point.  You will get lots of differing opinions on the ES2 v. ES1.3 so you'll have to judge that for yourself.

Hope that gives you a few things to think about ...enjoy!

Edward

[wilson mcphert]

Thank you all for your comments.  I will try some of the string suggestions and compare how they last.  Glad to know I don't need to change the frets but just get them levelled (thanks Edward). 

[drrohle]

My 114CE started that kind of fret wear after I switched to Martin Eric Clapton's.  At first I couldn't deal with the "fuzzy" looking Elixr's (they would only last about a month before looking like mold was growing on them). The 114 was a very "bright" sounding guitar so to tame that a little I settled on some coated Aurora's.  They balanced the chimeyness of the guitar and seem to have stopped the fret wear too.  After 9 months they still sound great and the coating still seems to be intact too.

[Christhee68]

This thread got me to check my 314ce--2013 model with same ES as yours.

I have the same fret wear as you mentioned; I never noticed it before, but apparently it hasn't caused me any problems.

The ES 1.3 works fine. I haven't tried the ES2 yet, so I don't really know what I'm missing.

I use Elixir PB HD Lights and they sound great and last a very long time.

The case is very tight, but I've gotten used to it.

[wilson mcphert]

An update. 

I have had the first six frets replaced, which got rid of the buzzing from fret wear.  Now it plays better than when I got it .  Very happy, but am seeing slight beginnings of fret wear again on second and third frets after a few months.  I must be a heavy handed player!

I had the strap on my Taylor case fixed so now it holds up the lid again.  Still tight though. 

My Elixirs seem to be lasting better now during winter.  It must have been the intense heat and humidity the guitar was subject to when I was busking during our Queensland summer, where the strings would have to be changed every week or so due to discolouration and losing brightness. 

Cheers from Mike in Australia

[Strumming Fool]

Glad to hear that your issues are being resolved. I would also place my vote for the ES1.3 system on your guitar. While the ES2 is a good system, I prefer the sound of the ES1.3.

Enjoy!

[john bange]

the brown Taylor case is a far more durable, just as tight fitting case.  I always get rid of the black one with the chrome latches.  I think they are cardboard covered with plastic.

[Old Poseur]

I have the brown case on both of my 2016 Taylors.  One of the latches broke this week and will need to be repaired by a local luggage store.  I think the latches and hinges on the Taylor cases are fairly cheap and not durable, so I'm looking into replacing at least one of them with a Hiscox case which is far more durable (and expensive) for when I take a guitar out of the house.