Taylor 210-E comparison and questions

bshpmark · #1 10-02-2008, 03:16 PM

I just got my new (used but new to me) Taylor 210-E yesterday. I put some Elixer Nanoweb lights on it. I was quite surprised to find that this did not have an allen key truss rod adjustment. So I had to hunt down a 1/4 inch nutdriver. Oh well. Got it adjusted tho.

I am not an expert player whatsover. But, I decided to do just a couple of comparisons between the 210-E and my Martin D-16GT, Epiphone AJ-500ME, and my Alvarez AD80SSB (laminate back and sides). The 210-E is a 2006 model and is all solid spruce and mahogany.

All three of the other guitars have louder and deeper bass response. The Epiphone and Alvarex had longer sustain than the 210-E which had about the same as the Martin. The sustain on an open G string on the Epiphione and Alvarez was about 15 seconds as compared to 13 seconds for the Taylor and Martin.

All four guitars have nice low action and very easy to play. This is my first Taylor and I am quite pleased with it. Seems to have better highs and mids than the Martin.

I'm a beginniner so my comparisons are very limited.

I was wondering, are the black pins in this plastic? Has anyone else with a 210-E put different bridge pins in? If so, which ones and which size?

Also this has a pickup in it but no controls. I haven't played it through an amp and probably won't.

KYThumbpicker · #2 10-02-2008, 06:45 PM

I replaced the plastic ones on my 2005 214 with the classic ebony pins off of Taylor's website. https://www.taylorguitars.com/taylor...id=1009&page=1
I also added a Bob Colosi bone saddle. I highly recommend doing both. I saw a marked difference in sustain and volume, as well as a rounder, warmer tone. I kept the same strings on to have a more accurate observation of the changes. Doing both is a relatively cheap upgrade (less than $50) and 100% reversible! Have fun with your new guitar!

bshpmark · #3 10-02-2008, 07:22 PM

Thanks for the suggestions. I checked the Taylor site but it says that the ebony pins are for the 300 series and up. ??

KYThumbpicker · #4 10-02-2008, 10:55 PM

Quote:

I checked the Taylor site but it says that the ebony pins are for the 300 series and up. ??

They fit my guitar just fine.

bshpmark · #5 10-03-2008, 06:02 AM

Good. I will order me a set.

Regarding the saddle replacement, did you have to do anything to the saddle once you got the new one? Do you need to sand it down?

KYThumbpicker · #6 10-03-2008, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Regarding the saddle replacement, did you have to do anything to the saddle once you got the new one? Do you need to sand it down?

Yes, you will have to sand it down for a proper fit. However, Bob's saddles come with very detailed instructions. It really is an easy process, just don't get in a hurry. Here's his website: http://www.guitarsaddles.com/pricing.asp

bshpmark · #7 10-03-2008, 02:27 PM

Thanks, again. I am going to order one of the bone saddles from Bob on payday.