Taylor Guitars 710-CE Acoustic

Regarding the woods used, mine is no different than the others reviewed here. It was made in El Cajon, California. It's a dreadnought, no cutaway, 20 frets with marking dots. It came with Fishman electronics plus a microphone inside the body. I got the original case with it (and a belt).

The guitar had originally been purchased for 2700??? (I'm told). I bought it for 1000??? in a renowned guitar store in my town. The owner "needed the money quickly" and also the top was damaged: from the bridge to the bottom of the top, there was a burst, along what seems to be the junction of two parts. The shop keeper told me it did not affect the sound (and as far as I could tell, it didn't), the burst was only superficially, esthaetically odd. I can't figure out why it looks laminated: according to Taylor specs, it should be solid.

My first guitar was a Takamine beginner model (300???). I was unhappy with it overall, had become a better player, had the budget to spend and went for the shop to get a lifetime compagnon. The Taylor was definitely the best guitar present (and there were Fenders and Martins too) and I decided to buy it, getting 150??? discount for my old guitar.

I would describe the sound as bright and dense. Once properly strung, the guitar doesn't lose any pitch, ever. Also, the relation between fifths and octaves is remarkably consistent.

After a while, I started to discover a few oddities in the sound. The first string displayed some kind of twang soon after the action (when listening closely), but only unfretted up until third fret. The sixth string and to a lesser extent the 5th and 4th have a low sustain when fretted. I changed (d'Addario) strings regularly, varying thickness. It didn't really solve the issue. I queried the shopkeeper about it, and he did not agree but did his best meeting my complaints (see below).

Now why had I then been so convinced by this guitar? Well, I tried this guitar on an AER acoustic amplifier and the combination was really miraculous. And it still is! But it's the AER doing much of the miracle, it seems now. With the proper settings, the sound becomes full and rich, in any spectrum. All my fellow musicians envy my AER. Few of them envy my Taylor. They got Washburn Jumbos, or plain Stagg acoustics and they prefer them over mine, when not amped.

I found it telling that only a guitar freak in my circle of musicians could appreciate this Taylor, by the quality of the materials used, though I admit he loved the sheer sound of it too.

Except for the scratch, clearly the materials are top class.

The best thing about this guitar is its playability. With most acoustic guitars, my left hand muscles stiffen up after doing a few barred chord songs and I can barely keep the notes clean. I am not a good guitar player. This guitar gave me confidence with being so playable.

Since I've owned it, the guitar has withstood my sloppy action and lack of care. I play it A LOT and the finish looks as if it is unused. I've used it many times in gigs without a backup, but if you're intelligent, you do have a backup.

Unfortunately, I had some bad experiences with the battery. I used Alkaline batteries of different brands. They were used up as quickly as within a few weeks and yes once right before going on stage. This time the shopkeeper told me to buy Alkalines from a certain brand. Maybe this is true, but I think it shouldn't be.

To make matters worse, I simply cannot use the microphone inside. It gives feedback all over the place, so I have to turn the blending switch to pickup. It doesn't bother me, because the pickup gives all I need, but why is there this blending option in the first place?

The shopkeeper dealt with all my complaints about the sound in good fashion, replacing strings and battery, having it rebridged and fretted by a craftsman, for a very small charge. Is it out of guilt, or because I am a good customer of his, I don't know ... Many people have been complaining about the service in this shop lately. I can't. I've purchased other gear with the man, a classical Yamaha and the AER mentioned above: no complaints about those lifetime compagnons!

All of this says nothing about Taylor's CS.

I've been playing seriously for about 5 years now. I am a singer/songwriter before anything else, but my interest in guitars is growing every year. I now own a Yamaha SA503 TVL signature, but I remain foremost a classical fingerpicker or acoustic strummer. I also own a Yamaha classical.

Despite above comments, I would probably consider purchasing another Taylor when I lose this one, because I now believe the burst in the top is responsible for the flaws in the sound and I should have been more critical at acquisition. The fretted high, the unfretted low and all middle action outplay any guitar I ever tried in the shop or of fellows' instruments.

On the other hand, the flaws are bad enough to believe I haven't found my lifetime compagnon acoustic guitar yet. Maybe I'm just too critical. You may think I should look for a Yamaha acoustic. Guess what? I'm looking for one.

2000 710-CE with a Western Red Cedar Top, Indian Rosewood sides and back, abalone rosette and fretboard dots, ebony fretboard. Fishman Blender system. Back is not bookmatched, but similar. Gold Grover tuners.

This guitar doesn't sound like a Martin Dreadnought. It doesn't even really sound like a typical Taylor Dreadnought. The cedar top lends a whole different character to the guitar. I went shopping for a guitar with a pickup system for a wedding I was playing. A lot of fingerstyle and semi-classical pieces. I wanted clarity, with some brightness, and a big blended sound when chording. Of all the guitars I played (Taylor 400's 500's 600's 800s, and some Martin D-**s) this one fit the best. I did like the 612, and the maple back was beautiful on it, but the guitar didn't project like the 710 did.
The 810 with the Spruce top is a more classic sounding dread, but the 710 sounded better with my amp fingerstyle.
It sounds better with Elixers than with bronze strings, IMHO. The cedar top lends it a brassy sound already, and the bronze strings send those frequencies way over the top.
It is loud, projects very well. I've had occasions where I was off in the PA at church and still could be heard over the band. It punches through when flatpicking with other players.
The Fishman Blender system, I could do without. Its pretty much a one trick pony. I can dial in a nice sound, but with the pickup only. Even with a soundhole muffler, the mic just takes off.

Action is decent. Not incredible, it doesn't play as low as some guitars I've played, but decent. Perfectly bookmatched top. Excellent fit all way around. Great tuners. The nut doesn't grab.
Neck was setup well from the factory/shop where I bought it.
The threaded tailpiece/plug jack keeps coming loose. My arms are too
big to really get down in there and tighten it up properly, so it needs to go back to the shop.
After 8 years of heavily gigging, the top shows a lot of wear. I love
the look of the cedar top, but it is very soft wood. It might have 25 dings in it, some of them through the finish.

I live in Maryland (think humidity). The top is starting to draw more than I think it should. The action is still dead on, and the guitar does not seem to suffer for it, but can see definite variation in the plane of the top just behind and at the edges of the bridge.
I play it just about every day, and it sits out most of time. But, I have a hard time believing its dried out.
Its a workhorse. Totally reliable. Finish is not wearing at all. Neither is the fretboard nor fret wire.

N/A

I've been playing for 35 years. I play in rock bands, jazz bands, church bands, and some bluegrass. I paired it with a Roland Acoustic Chorus for fingerstyle, but prefer to go straight into the board for most other styles. Or unamplified, of course, for bluegrass. My favorite feature is the cedar top. Its also my least favorite. I hear a Spruce top cut through a mix, and I want that. Or how pretty a maple backed 610 sounds and I want that. But, then, I pick one up, and like mine better. I wish it had better electronics, don't care for the Fishman at all.

2000 710-CE with the Fishman Blender System. Indian Rosewood. Love the Fishman pick-up system.

I play all different styles.....styles include finger picking lead and all kinds of rhythms ... all music genres except classical. I play through Mackie P.A. system or Fender classical amp.....prefer the P.A. sound of course. Sounds excellent without amp....use Elixir strings for a bright sound. This dreadnought has a nice bass sound quality, which I like.

Great neck and the action is perfect for my taste. My 14 year old daughter likes it because she can make the power "B" chord. I bought it used and it had 2 tiny dings on the front, which I will get fixed.

I have played with a friend (about 2 years)that has 3 Taylors (live settings...indoor and out ... 2-3 times a week) and they have withstood the test. I played lead at that time. I have not played mine in concert setting yet.

I live in AZ you must have a humidifier.

Again, I have only had this a short time....my friend with the 3 Taylors has had a great relationship and interaction with the Taylor support staff.....so I am going with a 10....they are easy to contact and answered all of my questions when I did contact them.

I have been playing 30 years...professionally back in the 70s & 80s...mostly rock. I have been playing with Christian Groups for the past few years, Vineyard etc. They usually want me to play lead, but I prefer acoustic. I have a Gibson 335...52 Tele...Takamine EF341 and am going out tonight to buy another Taylor Used 810 CE LTD.

I have a 2000 710 CE with the cedar top, rosewood back and sides, abalone rosette and fretboard dots, ebony fretboard, Fishman blender pickup. This came with the plyboard heavy hardshell case.
It has everything I need and could want in quality, but is not too flashy or ornate to play as my everyday workhorse.
This was the final year Taylor included the abalone rosette and fretboard dots. I'll give it an 9 because while it's not as ornate as the 810's or 910's, it has the same woods and quality tuners without all the bling :-) which is exactly what I wanted.

Spring of 2000 I went in to Mars music planning on buying a Martin or Takamine and walked out with a brand I had never heard of...why?? because I listened ....and absolutely could not believe how huge and full and rich and warm and clean the sound of this specific guitar was in comparison to all other models....even the other taylors. All the guitars I picked up had a thinner overall sound; and I've come to find out that this is mostly due to the cedar top compared to spruce. Those of you who poo poo the cedar tops, simply don't have a clue how beautiful and crisp this guitar sounds with a new set of strings. This guitar will twang out a good bluegrass tune, or give you that mellow jazz sound you've always wanted to hear on an acoustic. plugged in is where this guitar just pulls away from all competition. I have now been playing guitar for about 15 years. I've owned this guitar for 5, and it still brings a smile to my face every time I play it. Only after I purchased this guitar, did I begin my education about tonewoods, sound, quality, and history. I now feel like I made an extremely uneducated purchase back in 2000, but I thank my good Lord for guidance, because I have never to this day heard a better sounding guitar. The Martin 000 came close, but I have never picked up an acoustic that made me question my purchase. This is incredible.........going to play now...

It's a taylor!! and while the gloss finish is a little shiny for me, (I would prefer a low gloss similar to the martin d15's) I love the shape of the pickguard and headstock. The craftsmanship is impeccable. the finish looks like you can see through the wood grain and I think you might even be able to make out one of those hidden pictures if you stare long enough :-)

I never have had to have a professional setup because the action was perfect from the factory. I've since replaced the saddle and made minor seasonal adjustments to the truss rod but otherwise this guitar is the same now as when it came from the factory.

I bought this guitar when I got married. I sold all my music equipment and purchased this one guitar. I have literally played this guitar every single day for 5 years. I've gigged with it, played it in the church band every Sunday. I even played it in my wedding 10,000 feet up in the Rocky Mtns. It has been through baggage claims, been chewed on by toddlers, knocked over by 4 year olds, had music stands dropped on it.
I have a bunch of "character" marks on the wood (cedar is very soft and will ding very easily) Overall it has held up wonderfully. It has never cracked. The pickguard has no signs of pealing up, The frets show minimal wear, which is surprising considering how much I play it. I have only replaced the saddle. This guitar has held up to everything I've thrown at it.

I haven't had to deal with them yet so I don't have any opinion yet.

I've been playing for 15 years. I've played in rock bands, church bands and home jams. This is an irreplacable item. It is so versatile. The sound is opening up and really starting to "whoosh"
I would like to hear what the new "revoiced" cedartop 710 sounds like. also I think the expression system would be a welcome addition. I'd like to see taylor include the expression system in the plain 710's or 810's instead of exclusively on the cutaway models. I guess if I needed to purchase another one I'd probably get a custom 810 ce with a cedar top since the new 710's have that ugly koa around the soundhole.

Taylor 710CE, with expression system, made in 2004. It has no fretboard binding (or if there is, it is the same color as the fretboard, a KOA rosette around the soundhole, and snowflakes for fretboard markers. It has a fairly thin neck, front to back. I bought it because I was after Dreadnaught cutaway with a pickup. I am not sure, but I think the Taylor pickup system is about the best there is. The pickup system does not sound like a miced guitar, which is what it SHOULD sound like, but NONE Of them do. Apparently, quality sounding pickups on acoustic guitar is an unsolved problem. I have to tweek the EQ a bit on the amp or mixer, turn the mids down and use the parametric or notch filter to reduce some of the treble. But all in all the pickup sounds pretty good.

Acoustically, it does not sound as good as my 30 year old Martin D35, but it sounds almost as good. It is not as loud, nor is the note seperation there. I do like playing it though. I really do like a cutaway. It sounds better with traditional strings, though the Nanowebs are easy to play and don't squeak when you move up and down the fretboard. But if you want maximum quality sound, get John Pearse or Martin Strings as they sound louder, fuller and brighter. The nanowebs sound a little toward the nylon string sound. They say that the Engleman Spruce top is geared toward finger picking and not so much strumming. I am a strummer, with a pick, and I find it does OK.

If you want perfect action, get two bone saddles from the guy on ebay, and follow his directions. You will probably need two because the first time you will probalby take it down too far. At least that is what I did. The bone saddles seem to help the tone a bit. Also tweak the truss rod til you get it right. Taylor gives you a tool for the truss rod, use it. The finish is polyurethane and not laquer, so I wonder about that. But it is flawless as is all the workmanship. The workmanship on Taylor guitars is amazing. I used to do some woodwork and I wonder how they do it.

I have played with it live and it works fine. The strap button is a bit big but that is because of the plug. It is fun to play, I practice with it a lot. Nice acoustic tone. Nice gold tuners that stay in tune and feel great when you crank them. All the hardware is first rate. Flawless construction seems to be Taylors strongpoint.

Taylor seems pretty good. They send you this magazine. Just don't expect microphone sound out of any acoustic pickup system, or if you do find one that sounds that good, let me know.

I sort of wish I had bought an 810CE as I miss the white fretboard binding like I have on my Martin D35. (its a sight picture you get used to) Also I think the KOA rosette doesn't quite look right, an 810 has abalone and I'd probably be better off with a Sitka top. But I grew up in a house with a lot of kids and I'm used to things never being perfect. It would look better with a black pickguard instead of red and the Engleman is sort of yellowish, not nice tan like Sitka. It is a nice guitar. Sort of leaves me wishing for more. Like Brazilian Rosewood, abalone inlay, diamond fretboard markers, young nubile .....

Brand new in Feb of 2004. Indian rosewood. It has the new Taylor expression system consisting of three interior pickups, two of which are attached to the wooden top internally. I A-B'd this system with everything else I could find, Taks, Martins, no comparison. The closest thing I have ever heard of played to a natural acoustic sound.

Wonderful full range which rivals my Martin D-45 yet is a lot more focused somehow. I can tune it down to drop-D and listent to the richness of the D chord endlessly. Again, plugged in, it retains a huge amount of his fullness and character.

Action varies. I'd say try to play as many as you can. Mine is perfect but I almost got another guitar (same model) but the action was a bit high and the sound not as focused. By the way, the one I didn't get was identical in all ways except that it had a three piece back instead of the normal 2 piece. The only think I don't like about this guitar is the look. The top is very light and the sound hole ornamentation is some odd yellow material. Also the rosewood is very red, almost like henna. But close your eyes and strum and you will fall deeply and madly in love.

So far so good.

I never thought I'd play any acoustic but my '70 Martin D-35, but I play out a lot and the plugged-in sound of this ax is miles ahead of anything else out there. It ain't cheap but, if you've ever sat down at a 9 foot Steinway or Yamaha piano, you know that great sound can be priceless.

Manufactured in March 2001 bought in August 2001. Engleman spruce top, indian rosewood back and sides (all solid of course), mahogany neck. Mine "accidentally" came with the lower end fishman electronics but the dealer I purchased from upgraded to the fishman blender as soon as I discovered the problem. Grover tuners. Wonderfully understated in its adornments ie. the simple koa rosette and the slightly different shade of rosewood binding. Smaller dot inlays give the guitar a more refined look. Ebony fingerboard and tailpiece. All in all the guitar is loaded with looks and features (providing you don't need lots of abalone to make it work for you)

Sometimes when I'm playing this guitar (especially when it's strung with Martin Phospor Bronze strings) I am so blown away with the richness of the sound that I feel compelled to stop and offer a little prayer of thanksgiving. I fingerpick and flatpick, and being a reformed metalhead van halen disiple from the eighties I tend to have a heavy hand with a pick. The 710 is able to handle a wide range of pick attack intensity without distorting (ala the cedar top guitars) and yet retains a very acceptable tone using fingertips and fingernails. It should also be noted that this model is more expressive in the lower mids than your typical drednaught. It doesn't really project the grumbly low end that say a big jumbo Guild or D45 Martin does. Come to think of it, this guitar has its own kind of unique sonic fingerprint and that in itself is somewhat attractive to me. Periodically I play through a Genz Benz shenandoah 85. Although I really do not care for amplified as opposed to miked acoustics, this seems to be a very good combination. Between guitar and amp there remains that acoustic integrity we search for (and its a whole lot easier to set up)

Probably my only area of complaint. But in all fairness I can be a litte bit overboard in this area. The action has been about 80% unbelievably good with about 20% unbelievably frustrating. I've worked extensivly with the truss rod adjustment and even had the bridge lowered at a taylor appoved shop but cannot seem to get the action acceptable with medium gauge strings without the low E and D strings buzzing in the second position. The figuring of the rosewood back, though not absolutly striking is certainly not bad, and bookmatched well but there is this swirlly haze thing going on back there that appears to be an oversanding of that area. Didn't notice it till I got it home. Now I can't help but notice it every time I pick it up. There is also a gap between the neck joint and the side (on the underside of the guitar) about 1/16 of an inch between the mahogany and the rosewood. All purely cosmetic but still not as tight as I would have liked it. Again, in all fairness I'm a little picky in my old age and these things for the most part are not in your face problems.

This guitar does stand up well in live playing but is limited in this role. I would use a cheaper model (if I played more acoustic guitar live) that wouldn't hurt so bad if someone decided they liked it better than me. All the hardware is of top quality in this price range and this is as reliable as any acoustic guitar can be.

Never had a reason to call on these good folks. And never had any occasion to need warrany work. So I couldn't really be of any help in this area. But Taylor does have a darned attractive website.

After 26 yrs of playing guitar and owning somewhere in the vicinity of 50 odd instruments I would have to say this one falls into the top 5. Like the famed 30;06 rifle load, it's probably not perfect for anything but will do at least a good job on almost everything. I'm more of a fingerpicker now than I was when I bought the 710 ce and when I'm in that mode I think a 510 might have been a better choice. But then again the 510 would not sound anywhere near as good when playing quick jazzy changes with a pick. Or scalular solos with a pick. I shopped for about 3 months before deciding on this model. For $400.00 more I could have had an 610 with a much brighter sound and some pretty killer maple. But overall she's a good girl (I named her Vera). NO COMPLAINTS. Could highly recommend without defiling my conscience in the least.

Made: 01-28-03, purchased 6/23/03.
Indian Rosewood Sides & Back. Spruce top. Expression System pickup (Magnetic) see here:
http://www.taylorguitars.com/global/pdfs/02_ExpressionSystem.pdf
Satin finish (smooth neck - very nice), Dreadnought body, Cutaway, Hardshell case, tress rod adjustment tool, free humidifier from Taylor (call & ask for it when you buy your new Taylor, there great about pleasing customer

I play Blues, Jazz, Folk - Finger style as well as flat pick. I like my guitar w/ bass and feel, and this sucker has it!

The action was perfect, Pickups (Expression System) sounds great, but had a tendancy to have a little bit of a high frequency noize which I've not been able to re-create after the first time I had that noize, so it could of been a loose cable or something. Now, there was missing a 1/8"->xlr combo-cable as they were back ordered on these cables at the Taylor factory. Where the neck meets the body of guitar inside guitar, there's a few bolts that hold it together, which is then covered w/ a paper that has the Taylor slogan. This was missing from the guitar I purchased (probably overlooked at the factory) - the rest of the guitar is perfect through, I can tell it was machine made and sanded, and so on - as there are no imperfections.

Guitar is so expensive I'm a bit weary of taking it to live performances, I'm sure I'll be alright as soon as I put a nick or scratch in it through, I'm tempted to just take it and purposely do that so that I won't be so worried about marking it :)

The hardware is very durable feeling. I chose the Spruce top because it was more bass responsive, and didn't absorbe the the bass as does the ceder. Which in my opinion is a great sound as well, if your ear prefers that warmer sound.

The finish on the 700 series is the smooth satin finish which I definately prefer over the sticky finish like on the 600 series Iv'e messed with. I also have a Gibson J45, which has that sticky finish I don't like the feel of on the neck especially. My hands sweat and this sometimes makes it hard to slide up and down neck quickly.

I called the company about the sticker missing, and they are sending out one to me in the mail. I also asked for the Humidifier which I have already gotten free of charge. And I also asked about a clear pick guard, as I feel this might better protect the wood surface, and allow for a nicer look, we'll see.

In response to my questions, Taylor was very good about going the extra mile to make me happy. I'd recommend this company.

I have been playing guitar strong for about 6 years.. I have in my collection (each guitar fits a different mood) - Gibson J45 acoustic 2000 model, Gibson Les Paul Classic RI 1960-made in 1999), American Fender Strat 1999 - Ash Body (no paint baby)

If my Taylor was lost or stolen, I'd get the same one with the insurance money (ehh, insurance ... hmmm sidenote - (hollars at wife) *hunny, we need insurance for my guitar!*

Recently I picked up a Taylor 410-CE acoustic guitar, having always wanted a higher end name brand acoustic so I could retire my dads 30 year old Ovation Applause thats just worn out. I liked the 410-CE, but it just wasn't enough guitar for me. Not that my skill surpassed the quality of the guitar, but I KNOW good sound, and I felt I could do better. Especially since this was THE guitar I'd probably keep for the rest of my life. The 710-CE I upgraded to from the 410-CE met all my needs. Originally I got my hands on a 2002 710-CE and it was a VERY nice DARK Indian Rosewood back and sides, and solid Spruce top. Mohogany Neck with Ebony Fretboard, and a Koa design around the sound hole. It used a Fishman Pickup/Microphone "Blender" setup, which sounded really good, but feeds-back quite easily. On reading a review here at Harmony Central where a player got the new 2003 model and was floored by the improvements, I called the shop where I got my 2002 model, and asked for a 2003.


At first I didn't like the guitar. It seemed to harsh and brittle and bright. I thought it was lacking in bass. So I drove home to get my 2002 model (with a fresh set of Elixer Polyweb) and sat down for 30 minutes with both guitars....

All I can say is WOW! What I mistook for brash, bright high end and lack of low end was in fact the new "Voicing" due to Taylors new bracing they have introduced in the 2003 model. The bass wasn't lacking, in fact it was exactly like the 2002 model that I was familiar with. It's just that the newer bracing made the guitar noticably louder, and having a fresh set of Elixer Bronze strings just made this guiar very bright. Once I had both guitars side by side I realized how much more musical and cleaner the 2003 model sounded, and the amaizing volume!! I could not believe they could take such a good acoustic, and make it SO much better. And I've not even gotten to the new Neve designed pickup yet!

The Taylor Expression pickup system not only looked less obtrusive, but sounded amaizing! Where the previous Fishman setup that I thought was so good as to convince me to buy an acoustic with a pickup rather then a straight acoustic, this Neve designed pickup SMOKED the Fishman! The Taylor Expression seems to have more air to it. It's very clean and actually SOUNDS like an acoustic. And the best thing...I sat RIGHT ON TOP of the amp, and ZERO feedback. I was floored yet again!

Factory setup was about average. I sensed some fret buzz on the lower regesters specifically on the A string, but it was obviously a humidity issue, and not a fit and finish issue. It was obvious that EVERY millimeter of this guitar had been touched by human hands, and that great care was taken in making this "just like all the other Taylors". Which in my mind ment damn near perfection. The frets were nicely polished, the finish was clear, clean, and shiny and looked VERY sharp to me...which is impressive as I prefer an "oiled" guitar to a "finished" guitar. The only thing that bothered me about this guitar, and it was just a fluke, was that there was a wood chip inside the guitar, and I panicked that it had been handled roughly in shipping and/or a brace had been broken. On inspection we found no flaws ON or IN this guitar...it must have been a simple wood chip that fell into the sound hole at the factory, and nobody had noticed.

While I've had the previously mentioned Taylor 410-CE for a month, only to upgrade to a 710-CE, and then to a 2003 model 710-CE after only another 10 days, I can't say I have LOTS of time with these guitars, but they have the fit and finish and quality of wood that looks and feels like it will stand the test of time. I grow faint at the thought of ever scratching this guitar, let alone any issues with durability. My only concern with it is that this is a new bracing format has only been in production for...maybe a year (I read that 2002 model Limited Edition Taylors had this new bracing), so you never know how this new bracing format is going to last on the long run. But with a lifetime warranty, and Taylor quality, I'm confident it will last a good while. Remember, I chose this guitar to be my guitar for LIFE.

I've not had to use Customer Support. I was going to call them to get updated information on the new bracing design and Expression Pickup, but I figured I'd just let my ears be the judge. I would recommend you give them a call if you have ANY questions, and judge them directly.

I've been playing on and off for about 12 years. More off then on unfortunatly. I managed a small guitar store by the time I was 19, and was a pretty well known guitar tech in the Chicagoland area. I was known for having a good ear and good taste in hardware, and especially helping people fine tune their "sound". Unfortunatly I never did find my "Holy Grail of Tone".

I currently have several Steve Vai and Joe Satriani Ibanez Guitars as well as a few Alvarez Dana Scoops. I don't tech anymore, except for myself, and I have yet to find an amp I like...

As stated earlier, this is absolutly THE acoustic guitar I'd keep for life. If I could have afforded more, I wouldn't hesitate to get a prettier and slightly different sounding 810-CE or maybe even better. But in my humble opinion, the 710-CE *IS* what an acoustic guitar should sound like.

While I was looking for a "simple" acoustic in that I wanted to pay for SOUND and not so much pay for looks, I would have apprecaited nicer fret dots. Simple Abalone would have made me VERY happy and added so much to this guitar. Beyond that, I've got MORE then what I bargened for...but I certainly paid for it too!

If the guitar was lost or stolen, I'd do my best to afford another one...but maybe a little better...or maybe pay for Taylor to add the Abalone fret dots I wish it had. LOL

My 710 CE is drednaught in shape with a sitka top. I know that a year after I bought it they changed to a cedar top to differentiate it more from the 800 series and now they use Engleman. Mine aso has the bolt on neck but not the new neck design where the fingerboard and neck remain a single unit near the soundhole. Indian Rosewood back and sides. One piece mahogany neck. Ebony board and bridge. Fishman installed pickup.

It sounds great played acoustically but when played out it's prone to feedback because it is so resonant. Suffice it to say this guitar is a guitar made to play around the house on the couch/songwriting that tips its hat to live amplified gigs but maybe isn't the best tool for that application. It has the boomy bottom that dreds are known for but doesn't saccrifice high end. The fishman blending pickup is a bit muddy and could be improved with some clarity.

When I bought this guitar the action was perfect. I replaced the bridge saddle with ivory and the sound got a bit brighter and louder. It was recommended that medium strings be used and they sounded great. After a few years the action became higher slightly and the guitar sounded more bass heavy. Replacing the strings with light gauge brought the tone back in balance and made the action perfect again with no loss of volume so my thinking is that the top played in for a few years and this made it a light gauge strings guitar. The finish on these is polyester and not nitrocellulose laquer. It's more durable but I wonder long term how it will be to buff or reapir and I bet it doesn't age as pretty. Some guitar snobs reject the concept of guitars dipped in plastic I know....

the guitar is as reliable as any box made out of thin wood can be expected to be. I've had it 5 years it's played great. I like the fact that a neck rest is easy with these if needed.

no opinion here

There's something very businesslike and no-nonsense about these guitars. Efficient tools for making music with all the technical merits but it has the soul of a mass produced guitar. Great sound and workmanship that no hand maker can match. Very practical guitar. One of those guitars that if you could only have one guitar you might want this to be the one because it has no flaws and can make music well. I might change the pickup if I play out more. Other than that it's a honey.