Taylor 214CE-G Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Here's a fine made-in-Mexico acoustic-electric that not only has the looks; but plays just as well. It was brought in for cleaning and polishing, fretboard reconditioning; as well as a setup. The guitar was nestled in a sturdy plush foam-lined "Taylor Quality Guitars" gig bag that could best be described as a semi-hardshell case. 

Curious about its specs, I did some research online and found lots of useful information on Taylor Guitars and Reverb. Strangely enough, there's no information on the kind of wood used for the bridge. I'll hazard a guess that it's some species of rosewood or ebony. Well then, let's take a look at some of the more pertinent characteristics of the Taylor 214CE-G.

Body
Shape: Grand Auditorium with Venetian Cutaway
Length: 20"
Width: 16"
Depth: 4-5/8"
Top: Solid Sitka Spruce (Natural Gloss Finish)
Back/Sides: Layered Indian Rosewood (Satin Finish)
Bracing: Forward Shifted Pattern
Soundhole Decoration: Three-Ring Rosette
Pickguard: Faux Tortoiseshell
Binding: Black/White/Black(Top), White (Back and Heel Cap)

Neck
Material: Tropical Mahogany (Satin Finish)
Width: 1-11/16"
Joints: Neck/Headstock - Scarf Joint, Neck/Body - NT Neck Joint
Heel Length: 3-1/2"

Fretboard
Material: West African Crelicam Ebony
Nut: Nubone
Scale Length: 25-1/2"
Radius: 15"
No. of Frets: 20
Inlays: 4mm Dot Italian Acrylic

Headstock
Peghead Overlay: Layered Indian Rosewood
Tuners: Die-Cast Chrome
Truss Rod Cover: Rosewood

Bridge
Material: Solid Wood
Black Bridge Pins
Micarta Saddle

Electronics
Taylor Expression System® Preamp
9V Battery Box/Endpin Jack Combo

 

 

Fender Classic Series '70s Jazz Bass

According to The Guitar Dater Project, this three-color sunburst Jazz Bass was made at Fender's Ensenada Plant in "2012 or 2013." Based on my own observations as well as information sourced from Buffalo Music and Reverb; let's take a look at a few specifications.

Body
Alder
Three-color sunburst

Neck
Maple
Skunk stripe
1970s “C” profile
“Bullet” truss rod system.

Fretboard
Bound rosewood
7.25” radius
20 vintage-style frets
Pearloid block inlays
Side dot markers
Binding extends over the fret ends (fret nibs).

Electronics
Vintage-style Alnico Jazz Bass single-coil pickups (neck/bridge)
Neck Volume/Bridge Volume/Master Tone
CTS 250K pots (audio taper/solid shaft)
0.05uF tone capacitor
Shielded control cavity (conductive shielding paint)

Hardware
Chrome
Vintage-style four-saddle bridge
Four-bolt neck plate
"Fender" stamped open-gear tuning machines
Jazz Bass knobs with set screws
Three-ply B/W/B pickguard

MIM Fender Standard Stratocaster Overhaul

Life is full of surprises indeed. I'd worked on this black Made-in-Mexico Strat way back in 2010, and seeing it again was kind of bittersweet --- it was good to meet an old friend; but painful to see how years of abuse and neglect had taken their toll. The frets were still had lots of years in them but the lone string tree needed de-rusting. It was shocking to see that both strap buttons were missing. In their place were deep, over-sized holes. Makes you kind of wonder why anyone would have done that, and for what reason.

For this overhaul, the hardware, body, neck and fretboard were cleaned with naphtha and given a good polish. Besides this, all the rusty screws and springs, no-longer-adjustable string saddles; and worn-out electronics were replaced. The gaping strap button holes were filled with wood dowels, re-drilled; and new strap buttons fitted. The final phase was re-stringing and setup. I sincerely hope that this guitar will be well cared for from this moment on.

2002 Fender Standard Stratocaster | Part 1

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

Initial Evaluation

This sunburst Fender Standard Stratocaster (MIM) has most certainly been used, abused, and played to death. According to the Guitar Dater Project website, the guitar "was made at the Ensenada Plant (Fender), Mexico in the Year(s): 2001 - 2002." Looking at the neck pocket stamp (Mar 13 2002), GDP's info is right on the money. Restoration work on this baby is not going to be easy, that's for sure. Stay tuned for updates. And now, some pics for you :) 

Front view

Rear view

Missing trem cavity cover and ground wire.

A full refret is in order here.

Pickguard off.

"MAR 13 2002"

One corner of the neck pu cover is worn through.

Finish is cracked and has peeled off in places.

Rather gnarly rewiring job.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4