Got a new guitar -- a Big Baby

Subject: Got a new guitar -- a Big Baby
From: MichaelAnthony
Date: 19 Mar 02 - 12:57 AM

Been planning on getting a versatile guitar, doing research, etc. Couldn't wait anymore and got a used Taylor Big Baby locally for $250.

I like it. Put some lighter strings on it so it was a bit easier on the fingers.

Next, it'll be a Larrivee, or a Thompson, or a full-sized Taylor, or maybe I should get a Martin so I won't get scorned by local biased folks.

I can recommend the Big Baby to anyone who needs to keep a guitar at a friend's house, etc, or who, like me, needs a new guitar to tie them over while they continue their search.

My other guitar is a Blueridge. Not bad, but need something additional right now.

Subject: RE: Got a new guitar -- a Big Baby
From: GUEST,I gotta Martin d-25
Date: 19 Mar 02 - 07:32 PM

I got a martin d-25 for my birthday. I, of course was a little leary because of the lack of participation in selection; but it seems to deliver a very warm sound. I'm currently looking to soundhole mic it.(can't drill the wood yet...)[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Got a new guitar -- a Big Baby
From: 53
Date: 19 Mar 02 - 07:41 PM

My wife and I both have Big Babys and we love them. They are great guitars for the money, and may I make a suggestion, lower the strings by making a simple truss rod adjustment, it makes a world of difference to the way it plays. You'll love this little guitar.

Subject: RE: Got a new guitar -- a Big Baby
From: kendall
Date: 19 Mar 02 - 07:48 PM

You had better know what you are doing when you mess with the truss rod.

Subject: RE: Got a new guitar -- a Big Baby
From: 53
Date: 19 Mar 02 - 07:56 PM

The truss rod adjustments are very simple with the Big Baby because Taylor has it's own special tool to do the adjustment. I was able to do mine and I'm no guitar repairman.

Subject: RE: Got a new guitar -- a Big Baby
From: kendall
Date: 19 Mar 02 - 11:34 PM

I wouldn't trade my Taylor 810 for a farm Downeast with a hog on it! I've played some new Taylors, and wasn't impressed. What the hell are they doing to them? Some of them sound as bad as Martins! LOL

Subject: RE: Got a new guitar -- a Big Baby
From: Anahootz
Date: 19 Mar 02 - 11:55 PM

heh...as bad as a martin...

That's cause both companies are tryin like hell to sound like collings.

Subject: RE: Got a new guitar -- a Big Baby
From: Charcloth
Date: 20 Mar 02 - 09:35 PM

I've been impressed with the Big Babys, solid top the one I saw had great action & great sound. I thought for the money it was the best guitar in it's field.

Subject: RE: Got a new guitar -- a Big Baby
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Mar 02 - 10:01 PM

Congratulations, MichaelAnthony! Glad you were finally able to get one! It sure is good to see you around here some more, too!

luvyakat

Subject: RE: Got a new guitar -- a Big Baby
From: 53
Date: 21 Mar 02 - 11:04 AM

Collings must be a good guitar to sound better than a Taylor and a Martin. Anyway I've never heard of a Collings.

Subject: RE: Got a new guitar -- a Big Baby
From: bflat
Date: 21 Mar 02 - 03:09 PM

As an owner of a Taylor, Larrivee and Yamaha, all of which I like and play, I want to tout the Cort guitar which I recently discovered. They have the features and quality of the higher priced guitars plus a very nice sound for a fraction of the cost. I'll probably get around to buying one soon. Nice guitars for the money.

Ellen

Subject: RE: Got a new guitar -- a Big Baby
From: Anahootz
Date: 21 Mar 02 - 04:25 PM

Enlighten yourself. These guitars are the best thing I have played, and I own a martin D-28, THE STANDARD that all bluegrass guitars are judged by. They probably suck for folk music, but for volume, tone and growl, you can't beat a Collings.

Subject: RE: Got a new guitar -- a Big Baby
From: 53
Date: 21 Mar 02 - 09:02 PM

Man those ar some nice guitar, but they are to rich for my money. Maybe I'll just continue to look at Martins and get me one of those later.

Subject: RE: Got a new guitar -- a Big Baby
From: Bill D
Date: 21 Mar 02 - 09:22 PM

gee...all these new guitars ...and no one is trying inflatable guitars?

"I'll huff, and I'll puff, and I'll BLOW your guitar up"

Subject: RE: Got a new guitar -- a Big Baby
From: MichaelAnthony
Date: 22 Mar 02 - 08:35 AM

Yes, I wish I had the truss rod tool. Is a specialized Taylor tool or something I could get at a hardware store, do you think?

Subject: RE: Got a new guitar -- a Big Baby
From: Watersong
Date: 22 Mar 02 - 12:27 PM

Me two! A local dealer was unfortunately going out of business and I bought two Larrivee's / an OM-9 and a D-03R / at way reduced prices. There are SO many superb quality, sounding & playing axes out there now. These Larrivee's were about 1/2 the price of same grade Santa Cruz, Collings, etc. Being Canadian "luthier" made they benefit from the large $$ exchange discount and are a match for any professional grade acoustics, Martins & Gibsons included ( I know, I have a 1966 Gibson J-50 and a 1970 Martin D-35 ... both of which I bought new). These are fine spruce top / rosewood back & sided instruments with big warm vintage sound. If you are in the market it is well worth your time to check out the Larrivees. Good Luck to all. (and let me know if you are looking for an excellent Gibson J-50 ...same one played by Gillian Welch ... it's $1900 with hard case , no cracks or big dings, normal surface checking and play wear, very soft action with spot-on intonation.) [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Got a new guitar -- a Big Baby
From: 53
Date: 22 Mar 02 - 02:29 PM

It is a tool that comes with all the Big Babys from the factory. I would contact Taylor and they would probably send you one since you have one of their guitars. It would be worth a try.

Subject: RE: Got a new guitar -- a Big Baby
From: Marion
Date: 24 Mar 02 - 10:24 PM

Kendall, I've got a new Taylor, and it sounds good. Feels and looks good too. Only problem is, it smells funny.

Marion

Subject: RE: Got a new guitar -- a Big Baby
From: GUEST,EricSymonds
Date: 25 Mar 02 - 06:39 PM

Really Great Value, the Big Baby. Had one for six months and it plays and sounds super best guitar I,ve owned since I sold a great blond Levin Goliath in 1967. Doesn't time fly!!!

Subject: RE: Got a new guitar -- a Big Baby
From: 53
Date: 25 Mar 02 - 08:07 PM

Marion, WE have 2 big babys and neither one of them have a funny smell to them. Glendas Big Baby has a birthday coming tomorrow.

Subject: RE: Got a new guitar -- a Big Baby
From: Marion
Date: 27 Mar 02 - 02:18 AM

Hi 53. It's actually the guitar case that smells funny - it's the new case that Taylor provides with the 314, and has a strong chemical smell of glue or synthetic fibre. But it rubs off on the guitar, so the first ten minutes that the guitar is out of the case it smells funny too. That's the one thing I miss about my old guitar - it smelled like fresh cedar! Marion

Subject: RE: Got a new guitar -- a Big Baby
From: 53
Date: 27 Mar 02 - 09:14 PM

Marion, we have gigbags for our Big Babies and the bags do not smell. Maybe you should contact Taylor and they'll probly send you a new case. The pickgard on my guitar was rolling up and they sent me a new one. No charge.

Subject: RE: Got a new guitar -- a Big Baby
From: Marion
Date: 27 Mar 02 - 09:26 PM

Thanks 53, but I suspect it's the newness of the case that's actually causing the smell - fresh glue, or freshly synthesized plush. Anyway, the smell has much diminished from when it was brand new three months ago.

Marion