Any Taylor owners in SG with problems due to climate difference?

[guitarman78]

I am considering the option of getting a Taylor guitar, however I was told that due to difference in climate and the wood that Taylor uses, there is tendency for the neck to warp under Singapore weather conditions. And will have to keep it in a de-humidified air con room. Is this true?

 

[darkaug]

Doubt this is true. Other brands do use the same woods, like Rosewood, Mahogany, Spruce, etc. Don't see why only taylor will have problems

 

[guitarman78]

That's what I thought, but you never know until you read actual testimonies. Taylors use Sitka Spruce and Ovankol wood, which I'm not sure if other guitars uses the same supply of wood from the same region. I heard from friends that Taylors are suited more for drier climates like US or Australia. He actually owns a Taylor that ended up badly warped. Hopefully some Taylor owners will be willing to give some feedback.

 

[EugeneSmasher]

From what I've heard, the Taylor factory has a climate control system. I heard Taylors are hardier than Martins in Singapore's climate, but some Taylor acoustics do have issues with the bridge lifting. I think it's not just Taylor guitars, but any guitar made of all-solid woods should be dehumidified regularly, and kept protected in the case when not in use.

I personally don't own a Taylor, but a lot of people on G4C forums have Taylors and they aren't experiencing problems.

 

[guitarman78]

Ok, great. That's what I heard from another guitar tech expert too. He told me the product comes with lifetime warranty, so if it really warps, Sinemax will take care of it. Think I will buy it then. I'm actually getting a 2nd hand Taylor 414 for $2,300 SGD. It's only a year old and in mint condition. You think it's a good buy?

 

[Kyokkai]

Maestro guitars uses sitka spruce and mahogany too...they dont warp. I dun see y taylor will....

 

[EugeneSmasher]

It's not dependent solely on the type of wood, it also depends on the humidity level and climate of where the guitar is made. Maestros are probably made in a similar climate to what we have, so the wood does not need to do much re-adjusting. Whereas, Taylors are made in the USA which has a different climate. When the Taylors are shipped over here, the wood has to adjust to our climate and that's when the problems are likely to start. If there are any, in the first place.

I've heard of bridges lifting off on Baby Taylors, but the Baby Taylors have a much lighter bracing on the inside as compared to a full-size Taylor, thus allowing the top to warp a lot more and cause the bridge to separate from the top.

Got this info from bits and pieces all over, so hope it's correct. Maybe one of the pros could come and enlighten...

 

[squirrel]

I have stresslines on my 710's neck, wondering if that was caused by the climate. i take it out to sea a lot but leave it in the hardcase or in my cabin.

 

[Kyokkai]

It's not dependent solely on the type of wood, it also depends on the humidity level and climate of where the guitar is made. Maestros are probably made in a similar climate to what we have, so the wood does not need to do much re-adjusting. Whereas, Taylors are made in the USA which has a different climate. When the Taylors are shipped over here, the wood has to adjust to our climate and that's when the problems are likely to start. If there are any, in the first place.

I've heard of bridges lifting off on Baby Taylors, but the Baby Taylors have a much lighter bracing on the inside as compared to a full-size Taylor, thus allowing the top to warp a lot more and cause the bridge to separate from the top.

Got this info from bits and pieces all over, so hope it's correct. Maybe one of the pros could come and enlighten...

Yeah...maybe wad u said is true. But I dun understand. My uncle owns a baby taylor and he bought it about seven yrs ago, and it is still in perfect playable condition right now. Why can his guitar lasts so long? Pls tell me...

 

[van_halen]

made in dry climate won't last in humid climate? made in humid climate can last longer in humid climate? no such thing. if your guitar's wood is not properly dried in the first place before being used for manufacturing it will cause problems down the road. the key is using properly dried wood, not wood which absorbed alot of water. of course you have to care for your guitar properly and ensure that it does not absorb too much moisture.

 

[van_halen]

Yeah...maybe wad u said is true. But I dun understand. My uncle owns a baby taylor and he bought it about seven yrs ago, and it is still in perfect playable condition right now. Why can his guitar lasts so long? Pls tell me...

with lighter braced guitars, you use lighter gauge strings. don't slap on heavy gauges. and care for it like you would with any acoustic guitar, do not allow it to absorb too much moisture.

 

[loldude333]

I've got a friend who owns a 410ce that was made in 2004 (back when they still used Fishman electronics). no problems there, and besides the lifetime warranty pretty much covers all but the most severe of damage to the guitar.

 

[shioks76]

How long the guitar lasts, depends on how well u take care of it. My baby taylor had the bridge lift up
after less than a year. Also on your usage, THe more u use it or harder u press on the frets, the faster the frets will wear out.

 

[guitarman78]

i agree with you. As long as the guitar is properly dried and finished, we shouldn't have to worry about the wood absorbed. I bought the guitar... it sounds great and I love playing it. So I think I got my money's worth... it has lifetime guarantee anyway... and got support from Sinemax.. so if anything happens, should be fine.

 

[EugeneSmasher]

Good choice. Taylors are incredible instruments!

 

[loldude333]

Yeah. Altho i don't like the expression system pickup, i feel it doesn't reproduce that wonderful Taylor sound. They sound much better mic-ed up.