cofton
Strummer
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My main instrument is: Takamine EF261SAN
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Post by cofton on Mar 6, 2014 22:17:02 GMT
Picked up a nice Turner guitar last week (Grand Auditorium), have to say I am gobsmacked with the quality and sound of these guitars. I haven't tried any new ones but the one I have is around 8 years old and absolutely beautiful in every way, Grover machine heads, B-Band pre amp, solid spruce top, Rosewood back and sides (stunning colour and grain),nice shaped saddle, pegs uniquely positioned, fingerboard inlays positioned differently (not in middle of fingerboard but the top) neat binding.....great sound and really low action...in fact it's the only acoustic guitar I've ever purchased where I've actually had to higher the action lol ....and I like low action. It's the 74CE model, I believe they are now around £500 new but now have Turner Gold /Ebony machine heads and Fishman pre amps...I must try a new one when I can find a local dealer. These are well worth checking out guys if this one is anything to go by.
Anyone else have any experience with these ? I am so impressed with this guitar I wanted to post here, I'll post some pics soon.
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Post by fatfingerjohn on Mar 6, 2014 23:01:14 GMT
I'm a big Turner fan. I first came across them when I was trying to find a cheaper back-up 6 string to my Taylor with 45mm nut width and same string spacing and neck profile and the Turner is almost a direct copy. Anyway, it is hard to tell them apart in many ways, they are even series numbered in a similar way. I first bought a 45 ce Jumbo with ovancol back and sides, taking a chance on ebay as it was only £120; paid £40 to have it set up and still play it regularly. I have it tuned permanently to open D. Its quite loud and I have put extra light strings on which gives it a great sound. Because I have another 'home' base and didn't want to carry the guitars around I bought another (new this time). It is a 64ce Maple and plays beautifully; got it from Zebra music in Derbyshire. Finally, I had been ogling a Koa Taylor but was about £2500 away from forking out £3000! and came across a 7 year old, unused! Koa Turner which I bought direct from Terry Pack, who used to make the Turner series. Terry has now sold the business to Dave Ryan who is based in Doncaster.
They are great guitars and I would highly recommend them. The build is excellent and so is the tone. You can see the current range at
www.turnerguitars.com/products.aspx
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Mar 6, 2014 23:04:26 GMT
Congrats on that cofton - looking forward to seeing your pics.  I have only personally encountered one Turner guitar - it too was a GA but had an unusually stripey b/s wood - ?zebrano? It was being played (acoustically) in the pub session I used to help host, and it certainly held up well as a rhythm instrument against all the racket from fiddlers, whistlers and goatwhackers. When its owner played a couple of solo fingerstyle pieces it sounded very good indeed, pretty full sound and projected well. Hope you enjoy getting to know your new acquisition - let us know how you get on. Keith |
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cofton
Strummer
Posts: 17
My main instrument is: Takamine EF261SAN
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Post by cofton on Mar 6, 2014 23:20:51 GMT
Thanks for your comments guys, I really am blown away by this guitar, plus the fact it was a bargain (i'd have gladly paid more but the seller was happy so all okay). The next time I'm in the market for a new guitar Turner is where I will go...sooo impressed, just hope their new ones of today are as good. The bit I've read suggests they are a good company, the marketing seems genuine and honest. I just wished more dealers stocked them but so far my research suggests that there are limited dealers with stock.
Can anyone suggest a good shim material to higher the action? I swapped the bone bridge for another bridge I had knocking around (not bone) and the action is near to what I need but to be honest I do prefer a bone bridge (maybe it's my imagination that it sounds better) but I don't know what to use to pack the original bone bridge. Heard all sorts of stories from paper to carbon fibre...anyone with any experience of what is best?
Cheers in advance
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Mar 6, 2014 23:52:38 GMT
Before changing anything saddle-wise it might be as well to check the neck relief - if this needs altering in any way there will be a consequent change in action height, which may affect what/how much you need to do with the saddle.
I use thin hardwood shims to raise saddle height. Cut to length/width they can be just dropped in the base of the saddle slot and the saddle replaced if you want to raise the saddle height evenly across all strings. If you want to raise e.g. the bass side more, then superglue the wooden shim to the saddle and sand accordingly, removing more from the treble side.
If you're really stuck for a temporary quick fix then a bit from the smooth section of an old credit card or similar might pass muster for a while pending something better.
Or, why not have a bash at making a new saddle from a blank, using the existing one as a partial template?
Keith
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Post by fatfingerjohn on Mar 7, 2014 10:24:04 GMT
I'll leave it to Keith and others to give you expert advice on saddles etc where I'm a novice.
I agree that there are not a lot of Turner stockists around and those that are rarely carry a full range, tending to go for the low to middle cost ones. When I was specifically looking for a particular high end guitar (which ended up with me getting the Koa one) I contacted Dave to ask if he knew where I could see one. He was very helpful and said he would supply one to a nearby dealer on a totally 'don't like don't buy' basis.
He has narrowed the range down a bit I believe but as a small company they still just can't stock everything at lots of dealers. It may be worth contacting him and I'll send you his email on a pm to you. He will also supply you a pdf price list if you ask (I found generally if you take about 25% off this that's nearer the dealer price).
There is a dealer list on his website.
And, if you're anywhere near the east mids you'd be welcome to call in and try the Koa one.
Regards
John |
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cofton
Strummer
Posts: 17
My main instrument is: Takamine EF261SAN
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Post by cofton on Mar 8, 2014 20:13:36 GMT
Thank you both.
I've read all sorts of solutions for packing the saddle/bridge, as I haven't wood shims I will use a temporary measure, one I've read was the tablet/medication blister packs and cut a strip of it to dimensions of bridge and use that ....mmm...might try it as it's quick and simple (haven't got old credit card lol).
Oh and by the way Keith, 'Something Around The Corner' is beautiful! A really stunning composition, not many tunes send a tingle up the back of my neck and that did it for me....Great playing and for me a somehow emotional melody. Well done my friend you should be very proud of that one....so good I'm going back to YouTube to listen again :-)
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cofton
Strummer
Posts: 17
My main instrument is: Takamine EF261SAN
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Post by cofton on Mar 8, 2014 20:21:11 GMT
Keith, get your stuff on Amazon in the MP3 section! Very impressed, will be purchasing your album :-)
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Mar 8, 2014 23:45:01 GMT
Thanks! Feel free to name a vvv low price - most people seem to pay a very round number!  Keith |
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cofton
Strummer
Posts: 17
My main instrument is: Takamine EF261SAN
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Post by cofton on Mar 8, 2014 23:50:33 GMT
Done. Loving it while reading, very relaxing
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Mar 9, 2014 0:07:39 GMT
Thank you kindly!  Keith |
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Jo whoever he is.
