Taylor Guitars 420R LTD

97' Rosewood back and sides w/ spruce top. White bindings and pinless bridge.
I had a Fishman Stereo Blender pick-up professionally installed because I couldn't get the sound I wanted from the original pick-up...that is the only flaw.

Great low end with clear cutting mid and high frequencies. I play regularly at my church and a few gigs on special occassions. Numerous times, I've had people come to me afterwards and tell me that this guitar is the best sounding acoustic they've ever heard...thanks to the Blender System, Elixer strings, and a good sound tech!

The action is great...can play it for hours. I also have a 312-CE that's small and comfortble, but I love wrapping my arms around the dreadnought for that big sound. It's not eye candy, but the sound makes up for it.

I bought it in 2001. Never a problem.

I spoke with Taylor concerning the installation of the Blender. They were very helpful.

I bought this from a guy who needed some $. His loss, my gain. This guitar is irreplaceable.

Solid soruce top, solid Indian rosewood sides and back.
No pin bridge.
Hard shell case.

Well, what can I say that hasn't already been said?
When I went out to buy a good acoustic guitar in 1998, with a $ 1.500 budget, I tried Larrivee, Martin, Lowden and Taylor.
The Taylors I tried sounded so much better then the other ones with a similar price.
I liked this one especially for it's great basses, but still it has a balanced sound.

Lovely low action and a very playable neck.
I'm not a very good guitar player, but this guitar seems to make it so much easier. The satin finish took some getting used to, but it gives this guitar it's unique look.

Never had any problems.

If this guitar were stolen or lost I most definitely would buy a Taylor again. The price/quality ratio is the best I've ever come across with acoustic guitars.

satin finish, rosewood back and sides, PIN-LESS bridge, black binding. nice and solid.

this guitar has more balls than a sack of marbles. it has wonderful bass tones without sacrificing the delicate intricacies of the higher strings.

narrow-ish neck. satin finish seems to mar a bit easier than other guitars i own. it has a bit of weight to it. action is very good.

built to outlast its player. this guitar will long outlive me. did not come with a strap button (other than the one on the "heel" end). easily remedied.

bought it in the mid 90's. i registered it and STILL get Taylor newsletters TO THIS DAY. cool.

best acoustic i've ever owned. when i bought it i had NO INTENTION of spending "that" much ($900) on an acoustic guitar. went into my local music store to buy a "cheapie". the guy who worked there said i should hold this baby in my hands,....said it was an "unusual" offering from a company that had a reputation for making wonderful acoustic guitars. i didn't know a Taylor guitar from an Oompa Loompa at that point. i strummed a few chords and picked a few strings. WITHIN SECONDS i KNEW that i had BONDED with this instrument. knocked out and bowled over i was (he Yoda'd). i realized that if i DID NOT purchase that guitar IMMEDIATELY that somebody else WOULD and I would regret it forever. well,...i DID buy it...and i have YET to play an acoustic guitar that has the warmth, resonance and FULL-BODIED tone of my lovely 420 rosewood. it is my pride and joy. i would not sell it for any amount of money. i love my 420.

A 1997 model with white bindings purchased almost new in 1998. I wasn't even looking to buy a new guitar as I was passing through St. George, UT , stopped to get a bite to eat and saw a sign for a guitar shop. Since I had some extra time I thought I would see what they had in stock. I walked into what I thought was the store only to be informed that it had moved across the street. The man also warned me to be careful, that I was going to walk out with a new guitar, to which I replied, thank you, but I'm not going to buy one today. Thirty minutes later I walked out with this one. (Bought, not stolen!)

Obviously it was the sound that hooked me. Since the ear perceives different tones depending on whether you are playing the guitar or sitting in front of someone who is playing it, most guitars sound better when someone else is playing. I wasn't able to hear someone else playing but the tone sounded great in my hands. While not as mellow as Martin products, it was the richness of the bass strings that really showed the quality of the design. The "punch" that is added to a strum almost makes you feel like you are playing with a bass/drums accompaniment. You can really rock out or play beautiful open arpeggios all with the same instrument. I have never heard another guitar with this range at this price.

While the satin finish took some getting use to and belies the superior quality of the instrument, I like it now because it is unique. I agree that the guitar dings easily, especially the spruce top which as aged to a rich golden color and sounds a lot mellower than when new, which I like. Action is outstanding after adjustinf the string height.

I don't play outside the house, but other than previously noted, nothing has broken or worn off in the last 6 years.

While I haven't shopped for an acoustic in a while, I have been playing continuosly for 27 (yikes) years and have only found guitars with matching tone in the $2000+ range. The clean bass response in a revelation.It almost sounds amplified, but doesn't overpower the upper strings. Most guitars with strong bass tones have a corresponding weak or dull upper upper tone and vice versa. The treble, a little bright when new, is now and rich sharp. A guitar with great presence and projection.

I bought this guitar in February of 1998. I went to Elderly Instruments to buy a Larrivee (which are very nice guitars) and was playing them all when a clerk strummed a chord on the Taylor at the other end of the room. My head jerked up and I immediately went down to take a look at it and was fascinated by the pinless bridge. The clerk was trying sell to it to a mom for her teenage son, so he got to carry it off to a practice room along with a Martin. When he came back and put the Taylor on the wall and told his mother he wanted the Martin I ran down and picked it up. I played it until the clerk came back into the room and I just handed him my credit card. Everyone else has already covered the features.

Sound? Breathtaking. I have walked up behind jam circles at festivals and started playing, and people turn around to look. It is so rich, sometimes it sounds like a 12 string.

Elderly Instruments does a final setup on all their high end instruments. I've never even had to adjust the truss rod. I play hard with a medium Fender pick and use bluegrass (medium) gauge strings. You can strum hard enough to make the strings rattle, but there are no buzzes up to that point. Fit is flawless. The satin finish and appointments are definitely understated, but that's fine with me. They don't make a guitar sound one bit better. In the six years I have owned it, the top has acquired a color that almost looks like cedar rather than spruce.

I don't play professionaly. But I have no qualms about taking it as my only guitar to a week long festival. You do have to mount a strap button for the neck. Big deal!

The only thing I've ever done is look up the history of the model on the Taylor website. The pinless bridge was used to keep costs down. I've never had a reason to contact the factory.

I've been playing guitar for 38 years.
I have two other guitars, a mandolin, banjos, ukuleles, cavaquinho, bass guitar, etc.
The model is discontinued. If it were stolen. I'd cry my heart out. I might buy another Taylor, but this guitar could never be replaced.
I love the sound. I appreciate the understated finish.

I bought it back in 1998 but it is a 1997 model. Have played it for the last 3 and half years and it has done the trick. The back and sides are solid rosewood which sound great on this model. The bridge is the string through style which is fine for changing strings. The neck is comfortable and very playbale. The finish is the satin finish which looks great. It gives the guitar a more down to earth coffee shop confortable look.

The sound suits the style of music which I play (flat pick and finger picking). I looked at mahogohny guitars but really wanted a rosewood because I love the sound. I was about to buy a regular 410 until I saw they had this at the shop and decided to spend the extra $150; well worth it. I love the bass responce that the rosewood and the dreadnought body combined give it, it works really well with my voice. Sounds great played hard or played soft. I played it against some Martins, Guilds, Lavariee, and higher end Ibanez and Yamahas and it sounded so much better. The Martins didn't even hold a candle to it in sound or playbalilty. Looked for a year for a guitar with this sound and playability and finally found it.

The action is great of course; it is a Taylor, what can you expect. The finish is also good. I love the way is looks but when it is bumped it dings easily. Have to be carefull not to scratch it or ding it. I usually use meduim strings that sound fabulous. Against the suggestions from the guys at Taylor I have been using light strings lately and they don't sound as good. Sometimes get a little buzz when using a capo because I either play too hard or the strings are too light. (probably a mixture of both)

This guitar has never let me down. I don't think that I could ever sell it. I have used it in small venues and playing to the public in open spaces and it still sounds great. Solid construction and impecalbe sound and action. It'll last for a long time.

It is a lifetime warranty. Never had a problem with it yet.

I've been playing guitar for about seven years. This guitar is my baby. I also have a Fender 12 string, a Strat, a Jackson, RP7 and other assorted electric gear. I needed a good acoustic that would last me for a long time and searched for a year and found this one that I could afford even though I was only a senior in high school. If this guitar was stolen I would definelty buy it back but since Taylor doesn't make this model anymore, I'd buy a Taylor (maybe a 414 or a 514 or a 710). I love the sound and great action. Couldn't ask for a better guitar under $1,000; or even $1,500. I wish it had a pickup but soon will be fixing that problem by installing a Fishman Matrix pickup. If you ever see one of these used, pick it up. I'm sure you'll be pleased with it. It's too bad Taylor doesn't make this model anymore because the rosewood sounds great on it. I love it.

Made in 1996, all solid wood, as are all Taylors, spruce top, rosewood back and sides, mahogony neck with ebony finger board and string through bridge (no pegs), black body and neck binding, turtleshell pickguard, abolony dot markers, and a plane rossette.

When i went out guitar shoping for a new acoustic I tried out alot, Martins, larrivees, guilds, and Taylors, in the price range I could afford only the larrivee and the Taylor became a choice, both sounded better than any guild or martin untill you got in the $2000 range, the reason I picked the Taylor was the neck, while both guitars sounded great, not alike mind you, they both had their own sound, the Taylor had the better neck, more comfortable, ie. faster. this is one great sounding guitar!

action was just about perfect as I got it, had to file the nut a little as I have to do on 90% of the guitars i purchass, but other than that it was great, finish is flawless, fit is tight as a drum!

Have only had for a few days, but I know thers with taylors that they have had for years and taken them everywhere with no problems!

A great company to deal with, and they answer the phone!!!!...hear that fender????

I have been playing off and on for 30 years, use to have a hummingbird years ago, never thought I would find a guitar that inspider me like that ole gibson did. Since starting to really play again I had a cheap yamaha, then an older guild, then a cheaper martin, then finally decided to find myself a guitar to last me the rest of my life and hopefully my childrens as well, and so far thid Taylor seems to be the one, if I lost it I would get another tomorrow!

This is a 1997 Taylor 420 dreadnaught size with solid rosewood back/sides with a sitka spruce top,white binding on neck/body .It is a limited edition about 350 made in 1996 and 640 made in 1997 with the 96s and some 97s with black binding.It has an ebony bridge with string thru the bridge rather than pins which I really like.It has top of the line Grover tuners It included a Taylor hardshell case and has an original owners lifetime warranty.

I compared this guitar to similarly priced Martins D-15,D1-R,DM and the taylor blew them away .It was closer to the most expensive Martins than any low end ones.The tone is clear with full bass,clear mids,and silky highs.It sounds equally clear when loud or soft and it can get loud if you play hard.It has great sustain almost the best Ive ever heard..the sound just blooms.I was as good or better than some of the more expensive Taylors.The tone is great fir flat or finger picking.It has the most balanced tone that matches the bedt any other guitars Ive played.

This guitar has a lovely satin finish though I must say Im abit worried about its durability especially for dent/dings cause Im a clumsy clutz at times.I will be buying a guitar sleeve /cover for it for casual use at home.The neck action is superb.I have small hands and a fused joint on my left thumb so size/shape of neck are very important to me.This guitar is just right.It has a flat radius and very quick frets.Very good for chords or finger picking.Finsih is flawless,was perfectly setup,frets perfect,the wood is beautifully bookmatched and it smell wonderful like chocalate.

As Ive said I am concerned for the durabilty of the finish to dent/dings/scratching.I dont gig so its not going to take road abuse but with good care it should be ok for that.I feel that it is construction is very solid so even if the cosmectics dont hold up the guitar is very solid and will continue to play great.

Life time warranty..Ive already spoken to Taylor and received geat support.

This is one of the best acoustics I have ever played>It is a very special guitar.I know Taylor quality is very consistant but as with any guitar qualty/tone/mojo varies from guitar to guitar in the same model.I was very lucky to be able to buy this guitar.I cant believe it sat in the store for almost 10 months.I think it was waiting just for when I could buy it.The only feature lacking is a strap peg for the neck end and I will have my Taylor tech put one on.As you can tell I love this guitar it is exactly what I needed/wanted and am very happy.