Taylor Guitars 310-CE L30

This Taylor is a 2004 310-CE L30 Limited Edition 30th Anniversary dreadnaught. It came complete with the Taylor Expression system and hardshell case, which is a very plush lined hardcase of good quality. List price according to the Taylor pricelist was $2098, but I picked it up without a scratch for $1350, which was an absolute steal. God Bless Ebay! The guitar is African mahogany for the back and sides and Sitka spruce for the top. The guitar has leaf pattern inlays in myrtlewood on the ebony fretboard, 30th Anniversary script peghead inlay of maple, and an interlocking koa soundhole rosette. This is the year they shortened the register slightly, to 24-7/8 inches from the Taylor standard 25-1/2 inches. Wood grain is beautiful and finish is what you expect from Taylor.

I didn't even plug it in for the first day, as it sounds fantastic on it's own. Sound is full with a mid-tonal section I didn't expect. Chords and individually picked notes ring distinct and true, and resonates regardless of playing style. I tend to vary my playing style, fingerpick as well as strum, along with some staccato picking. All resonated well with good clarity. Plugged in, the expression system was fantastic. I played through a Fender Twin. Clear as a bell, and without hum that I've experienced in some piezo pickup systems. I am impressed with the ability to compensate for acoustics utilizing the simplistic system. Well engineered is all I can say.

Guitar action was slightly high, and I lowered it. Frets we level and crowned correctly from the factory, so no buzz, which is nice. You don't have to be a luthier to get this thing playing the way you expect. Action is smooth all the way down the neck, and the guitar is well balanced. The cutaway helps when trying to hit those higher frets, and the guitar body width is comfortable for standing or sitting during play. Tuning pegs are tight and smooth. Expression system is unubtrusive and aesthetically pleasing. No flaws that I have picked up on, and that is with a year of playing this beauty.

I use this as my primary electric acoustic, as I am comfortable with it on stage. I have large hands, but even I enjoy the reduced register, as it seems to aid in playability and smoothness to some degree. Finish is holding up well. Strap buttons are locked in tight. Expression system has been flawless. I still like to have a backup guitar when gigging, and at times I switch between the Taylor vs. Martin. but I think this guitar could hold up on it's own without a backup...as it has for me to this point.

Haven't had an issue, but I've been told by others who have Taylors that the service is very good.

I've been playing guitar for 15 years. I play everything from Hatebreed and Tiger Army to Paul Simon, James Taylor, and The Smiths. I own a Gretsch Setzer 6120, Ibanez S-Classic, Gibson Les Paul Classic, Martin D-28, Ibanez JEM777, and Epiphone Les Paul. I wish I would have stumbled onto the Taylors sooner, as I was a Martin bigot until I picked up a 510 at a buddies house. The 310-CE purchase was on a whim, and I'm still happy I took the plunge. If I could improve on anything, it would probably only be the rosette. I like mother of pearl or abalone. But, hey, I don't play the rosette. If this was lost or stolen or broken in a fit of rage, I think I'd cry like a schoolgirl with a skinned knee.

This is a 2004 310 CE Limited Edition 30th aniversery that retails for over $2100 It has all the standard appointments of a 310 CE. In addition, it has the myrtlewood inlays on the fretboard and headstock, and a Koa inlay rosette. Also, it has a Expression System, and the body is made of African Mahogany wood.

The sound of this guitar is great. Sounds like a Taylor with a Mahogany body and spruce top. Great for strumming and fingerpicking. The Expression System sounded great when I first purchased the guitar a month ago. After 3 weeks the ES started to overdrive and distort. It sounds great unplugged, but not too good plugged in. I rate this unplugged at(10), but unplugged it is a (1).

As with all the Taylor guitars the guitar is built very well. No problems, no faults. The selection of woods are great. Only thing I do not like is the Rossette (made of Koa wood). Call me old school, but I like abalone or pearl, even the "28 style" inlay is better than wood on wood.

The guitar will last with no problems. Because it has no neck binding refretting will be easy, and the neck adjustment should be no problem to fix with the NT neck design. Finish seems solid. Could be used for a back up during small gigs.

Because the ES did not work properly, I called the Taylor customer support left message x2 to see what is up with the distortion but got no reply. Hence, I took the guitar back to the dealer and they were most helpful in taking it in for repair. Warranty is 90 days.

I have many Taylor guitars, and purchased this one because of the ES system, and the crisp loud sound of the 310. I like the sound of Taylor guitars and the feel of the neck. Plus, they use better materials than the CF Martin company. The repair on the ES will be completed in about 1 week. I am optimistic that it will sound as good as the day I purchased it. If it continues to give me problems, I will get it fixed and sell it on ebay. Caution to all who plan to purchase a Taylor with the ES: make shure you can get the ES repaired/replaced. I understand that it may take over 3 replacements to get a ES that works well.