Can you order Taylor's without satin finish?

[therage!]

I was checking out some Taylor guitars yesterday and some with a price over $1,600 have a satin finish. How much more does a nice lacquer finish cost? Spending that money on something that looks and feels cheap bothers me. I guess the alternative would be Larrivee unless you can special order a three series Taylor without satin finish.

 

[Track Rat]

I'd say yes as my GA-XXV is gloss finished.

 

[Hard2Hear]

I think the question is actually if you can order a 300 os 400 series Taylor with a gloss finish. The answer is actually yes, but with the custom shop options you are into 500 series range money, so it makes no sense. Also, each year Taylor has "Limited" series of guitars, where the 300 and 400 series limiteds are usually gloss models.

The 300 and 400 series guitars are the budget models of the Taylor line, hence the satin finishes and sparse appointments. If you want full gloss and nicer trim, you should be looking at the higher series Taylor guitars.

By the way, over $1600 is too high for a 300 series guitar. It pays to shop around at some of the bigger Taylor dealers who are willing to deal.

H2H

 

[therage!]

By the way, over $1600 is too high for a 300 series guitar. It pays to shop around at some of the bigger Taylor dealers who are willing to deal.
H2H

That $1600 is at guitar center. I have seen some -3 series models quite a bit cheaper there but my local GC sucks bad for selection.

After what you guys are saying I'm not interested in Taylor's. I just can't spend that kind of money for a satin finish instrument. IMO Taylor is overpriced. I've got a friend who spent $1200 on a beautiful Larrivee. The Taylor's sound good to me but they look cheap.

 

[Outlaws]

That $1600 is at guitar center. I have seen some -3 series models quite a bit cheaper there but my local GC sucks bad for selection.

After what you guys are saying I'm not interested in Taylor's. I just can't spend that kind of money for a satin finish instrument. IMO Taylor is overpriced. I've got a friend who spent $1200 on a beautiful Larrivee. The Taylor's sound good to me but they look cheap.

Thats becasue Taylors have $500 pickup systems in them.

You can get no-electric versions of the 800 or 900 series for 1000-1500 used. I used to have a 800 that I got for $775 used. It was in nice shape too.

 

[Cheeky Monkey]

Go here: http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/index.php

The link is to the "Acoustic Guitar Forum" (formerly the Taylor Guitar Forum). Check the gear for sale section. Like has been said, you can find a 300 or 400 series limited edition in gloss finish. New, gloss is 500 series and above. Buying a used 300 or 400 limited series through an AGF is the best thing you can do. Most members there are reasonable and trusted -- it has that reputation. Apart from visual appointments, a 300 series will play as well as a higher end Taylor. I personally love Taylor guitars. I own an 814c.

Good luck!