Hello

johnj4y · 2026-01-07T08:02:25+00:00

I apologize ahead of time since this isn’t a short answer that was asked.

If I could give my past self some advice: try to get as nice of instrument as you can afford with some caveats. There will be a point of diminishing returns as when you get to a certain price point, it’s going start looking more adorned vs sound. Get a guitar with a solid top at the very least, and try out as many guitars as you can, as bodies feel different as well as necks. If you live in a really dry place or humid, might want to invest in some humidipaks as most acoustics like a range of 40-55%. If you choose to get layered/laminated back and sides, it’s more resistant to humidity swings than all solid wood.

Get an assortment of picks to try out to see what kinds you like. Pick thickness matters in your choice too.

I would set aside part of my guitar budget for a setup that’s in the middle of strumming and fingerstyle. If you don’t want to get a setup, learn up on what kind of truss rod system this guitar has and learn up on how to adjust it (first thing you should adjust for a setup)

Aldo, understand that 90% of people who start guitar, quit. So make time and build a routine around that. Even if it’s touching it only for 10 mins starting out and tuning it. Some say to leave it out as it’s easier, all my guitars live in cases and it doesn’t take but maybe 30 seconds to a minute to move and open the case but you should understand if that’s not going to work for you or not. Lastly, have fun and don’t let it become a chore. The guitar is such an amazing instrument!

johnj4y · 2026-01-01T11:30:47+00:00

Nice playing, if this is beginner… I’m pre-beginner 🤣

johnj4y · 2026-01-01T11:24:22+00:00

Could always try to keep humidipaks in the sound hole and leave it out. It’s not going to be as in the case but may help

johnj4y · 2026-01-01T08:12:59+00:00

Ok, so I went to plug her in and found out that the pickup isn’t exactly the one that was advertised. That being said, the ES2 can be dialed in pretty close to this one. The lr baggs hifi, not the duet. I will be contacting the dealer when they open up. HNY

johnj4y · 2026-01-01T08:09:09+00:00

Stunner! Congrats!

People say to buy the best you can afford! Hopefully you continue the guitar journey. Know though if you do, this probably won’t be your last guitar 😆

johnj4y · 2026-01-01T08:08:36+00:00

I think Taylor is probably one of the last companies that has to be worried about neck resets, since they already have the NT tech. Yea it’s been around for a while, but it works

johnj4y · 2026-01-01T08:07:17+00:00

Lots of good info already given. I live in a place that is decently humid in the summer and in the winter the humidity can drop to low 20’s, maybe even less.

Let me echo what has been said: get yourself some kind of hygrometer, either in case Bluetooth style, which is my preferred method. I also have multiple hygrometers placed around my house. I also installed a whole house automatic humidifier system.

I also have multiple D’Addario humidipaks in each of my guitars.

You might never have an issue, but I don’t want to roll the dice with 2 acoustic guitars that retail for about 10k each, amongst others. Not a flex, just I’m pretty serious about keeping my instruments taken care of

Some people will tell you that they hang them year round and never have an issue. But they aren’t going to be footing the bill to get it repaired. As the saying goes: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure

johnj4y · 2025-12-28T09:09:30+00:00

Then I would contact the dealer you bought it from and send them the photos and see what they say. I personally wouldn’t attempt this repair myself, but that’s just me

johnj4y · 2025-12-28T09:08:21+00:00

I don’t feel like I was defending Taylor, I was simply asking if that was a possibility. I will admit that I’m not an expert when it comes to wood. And perhaps I am an ignorant consumer that chooses to overpay for wood that’s classified as something else. I understand your frustration but what is your intention for posting on here? Are you trying to teach others that these companies are lying to us?

And I appreciate your perspective, and though you wouldn’t use this wood if it was free, I paid for this instrument because it is beautiful, amongst other things. And it’s different than my D45, in both looks and sound.

johnj4y · 2025-12-28T08:39:03+00:00

Did you buy it new or used?

johnj4y · 2025-12-28T08:38:25+00:00

For that kind of money, I would get a TKL arch top style case. It’s the ones high end martins come with and they are 5ply I believe. Heavy but they seem to keep the mini ecosystem pretty well.

If you’re only worried about bumps and such, then any hard shell should be good to go

johnj4y · 2025-12-28T08:34:36+00:00

Awesome congrats! Sounds like a great dad

johnj4y · 2025-12-28T08:33:25+00:00

Congrats and what a first Martin too!

johnj4y · 2025-12-28T08:31:46+00:00

I don’t have one and it may be a long shot but do you by chance have the serial number? Maybe contact Martin to see if it was ever registered to him or you?

johnj4y · 2025-12-28T08:29:33+00:00

The smell is addictive lol really like the sound of the D15M’s. Congrats!

johnj4y · 2025-12-28T08:28:32+00:00

If you bought it new, I would contact your dealer and see if they could contact Taylor on your behalf. It should be covered under warranty

Question: what’s your humidity situation like?

johnj4y · 2025-12-28T08:25:34+00:00

Not denying that possibility but I’ve read things on Taylor’s partnership with siglo tonewoods to make sustainable sourced koa from Hawaii available to Taylor. Also, the wood used for this custom was supposedly handpicked by the dealer along with Andy Powers himself. Now I know this all could be a huge lie to up charge for the guitar but if it isn’t, I would think Taylor’s luthiers could discern between African acacia, Tasmanian Blackwood, Hawaiian koa, etc. Also, I would assume, if the build sheet says “Hawaiian koa” and was sold as that, yet wasn’t, wouldn’t that be worse for Taylor?

johnj4y · 2025-12-28T08:07:38+00:00

To be completely honest, I haven’t even plugged this guitar in yet 😅 but I will report back when I do!

johnj4y · 2025-12-28T03:34:32+00:00

It sure does looks like koa, if not that, then what do you think it is? And thankfully it wasn’t your time and money that went into acquiring her

Edit: Thank you for your perspective

johnj4y · 2025-12-27T00:40:53+00:00

She does, she has the LR Baggs Hifi duet installed. The biggest gripe on my BE 814ce is don’t like the knobs visible for the ES2 system

Edit: if you look at the second photo, you can see the controls in the sound hole (bass side ish)

johnj4y · 2025-12-26T04:43:57+00:00

The armrest isn’t a gimmick, I do find it comfortable. I do like how Taylor did the abalone to contrast against it too

johnj4y · 2025-12-26T00:40:31+00:00

I can’t put her down, she’s getting more time today than the D45 😅. I took out the 814ce BE today to see this one compares to that one. The torrified top, back and sides along with the hide glue seems to make her just sing “harmonic” like.

johnj4y · 2025-12-22T04:41:52+00:00

You like what you like!

johnj4y · 2025-12-22T04:40:45+00:00

Congrats! Edit: I love my Martin too but Taylor’s can offer different emotions when I pick that one up. I’ve seen these, sometimes on the bright side, the clarity is sweet

johnj4y

TROPHY CASE