1996 Taylor 512-NG (Nanci Griffith Signature Model - RARE only 100 made) Cherry Sunburst, Florentine
This is an incredible sounding and playing instrument from the golden years. I'm on the verge of keeping it and installing some ports, which would make it "mine" permanently, but before I do that, I thought I'd see if there was any interest. It's a bit of a "player's guitar" so I'll detail some of the issues that are reflected in the price.
Regarding condition, there are 6-7 finish only cracks in the top from being shipped from Elderly's to California in the dead of winter. Four were filled and buffed out at Taylor, 3 were not (and are smaller than the others) The top right corner of the headstock has a good sized chip out of it. There is an area of small finish checks on the back near the waist. There are some small chips out of the bridge where the strings enter on a few strings. Lastly, someone at some point played it with a pick and did some pretty extensive fine scratching around the soundhole.....I've taken LOTS of time getting the luster to return - it's not perfect, but it's much better. Other than that, nothing much you wouldn't expect from a 20 year old instrument that has been played regularly. From a couple feet away it looks great.
This belonged to fingerstyle recording artist Ken Verheecke for most of it's life, and he sold it and bought it back a couple of times. He recently had Taylor build an identical custom guitar, so he let it go again.
Structurally it's great and I've fine tuned the setup. There is literally no fret wear, and I've installed a new Colosi bone saddle which has been finely intonated. I've removed a Baggs I-beam active and the endpin is not replaced, so it's ready for your electronics. I also removed the pickguard (that wasn't original) This is as good as Taylors get - if it weren't for my two fine custom instruments, I'd be hanging on to it for dear life. I LOVE the way it sounds and plays. My main gigging guitar for almost a decade was an '89 512C florentine so this feels like home. This also comes with a brand new Taylor GC case (new style pink poodle) This instrument is extremely lightly built and very, very responsive....easily would keep up with many Goodalls and Webbers I've owned. COA will be included.
Engelmann top, Mahogany back and sides, 1 3/4 nut 2 3/16 saddle spacing - standard 25.5 scale.
Here's a video of the guitar in action:
