Taylor Limited Edition Acoustic Guitar – #121 of 500 – Dreadnought body, Fully Restored to near Mint Condition at the Taylor Factory, in September 2024
This beautiful Taylor guitar was built in September 1999 and gifted to me by my late wife when it was new in July 2000. It is number 121 of only 500 made, making it a true collector’s piece.
I've owned it for over 25 years but since I retired, it has mostly sat untouched in my studio closet. My playing preferences have shifted as I've gotten older (yes it happens!) now I mostly play solo gigs, usually sitting down. I favor the smaller Grand Auditorium body shape since it's easier to hold in my lap. I also primarily play nylon-string guitars due to experiencing several carpal tunnel episodes in my left hand. Also, this guitar originally came without electronics so I had to use a mic or one of those sound-hole pick ups which didn't do the sound of the guitar justice. My current plan is to replace this with a 812ce or 814ce Taylor nylon string which would be a guitar that I play, regularly and would replace my current go-to axe Which is a 2001 Taylor NS72ce.

But I digress....................This guitar is a unique piece for either a player or a collector, but I don't play it. Over the years it has acquired some minor “player's rash”, but then I noticed what appeared to be, a small crack developing on the lower bout. Given my history with the instrument, I wanted to give this guitar the respect and care it deserved, even if it wasn't going to continue under my ownership. (Do we really own these or are we just caretakers?) So I took it to the Taylor factory in El Cajon, CA in September 2024 for a full professional restoration. I asked them to “make it like new,” and had them install the latest Taylor Expression System 2 (ES2) electronics. The result? Stunning craftsmanship and flawless performance just like a brand-new off the shelf (mint?) instrument from Taylor. I have the following original documentation, including:
1. Original (Guitar Center) sales receipt from 7/2000
2. Rare factory brochure from 1999 that came with the guitar
3. Paperwork documenting the 2024 Taylor factory restoration
As far as the condition goes...................!
While many listings here throw around the word “mint,” I use it very carefully here. Honestly as near to perfect as it is, it just doesn't fit the Reverb definition of Mint: "Mint condition items are completely blemish-free and have not been modified in any way. Per the definition, these items are like-new, as if they were fresh from the factory, mint, workshop, etc. In most cases, Mint condition items should include any original accessories and packaging". However this guitar really is in, like-new condition (mint?) with virtually no signs of wear and no playing time since its restoration by Taylor in 9/2024. Except for the factory-installed Taylor Expression 2 electronics, it is completely unmodified. I own several other Taylors and love the brand, but since I've retired, I've become much more of a player than a collector, and I just don't play it. This is a very special guitar that deserves to be played and enjoyed, not just tucked away in my closet. If you're looking for a rare and collectable yet very playable authentic American made Taylor guitar, with the latest factory installed electronics, and real Taylor factory restoration credentials, this is it! I'm not the greatest photographer, but I have tried to show the special and Original (1999) Factory Features that include the following details:
Solid Sitka Spruce Top (Dreadnought body)
Unique Quilted Maple Back and Sides
Taylor Pearl 25th Anniversary Inlay done in
18K Gold ( XXV Numerals )
14 Fret Mahogany Neck
Ebony Bridge
Original Taylor Factory fit hard-shell travel case