u/LazyWave63

I have been looking for a 14CE series, preferably a 414CE the last few weeks. I have bought a couple of Martin's from Empire Music so I looked to see what they have available.

They have a Trade in promo going right now and I have a Les Paul Modern that I don't like even though it's a beautiful guitar.

I am stuck between this guitar, a new but heavily discounted 2023 Custom Select 714CE (original price $4499) that I would get 23% discount on top of the already discounted price, OR..

A 2026 414CE standard. They both would be $2700 but the 414CE would only be discounted 15%.

My brain is saying 714CE but I have to wonder why it has gone un-sold for 3 years...

The options if allowed...

https://empiremusic.com/collections/super-summer-closeouts-overstock-specials/products/taylor-empire-select-714ce-rosewood-aa-lutz-spruce-ebony-binding-13126?_pos=6&_fid=e799df77b&_ss=c

https://empiremusic.com/collections/taylor/products/taylor-next-generation-414ce-86042?_pos=3&_fid=d373c4ae4&_ss=c

I have no idea if he will even play it but it was a fun build and it’s perfect size for him. I was surprised how good it sounds hooked up to a Boss headphone amp that I m giving him also.

The last pic is size comparison to my first build.

My 2 Strats, custom shop Super Strat and Gilmour Tribute that I built with mostly correct pieces except for the Warmoth neck.

I finished up the build this weekend. I’ll say they CS Fat 59, CS 69 and Senior Duncan SSL definitely has a different voicing. I did string it with NYXL 9-42. The pick guard and pickups came with Gilmour Signature GHS Boomers 10-48. I’m not sure if that would make a big tone difference or not.

I have people commenting on what I should change about the guitar pic I posted which in the text, I stated that was NOT my guitar.

I got my pick guard today and did a mockup.

Details
MIM black Fender body
Warmoth Roasted maple with Fender logo Vintage Tuners
StratCat Acrylic pick guard with
“Gilmour “ micro switch and correct Green number knobs

Bridge is Fender Patent pending Vintage tremolo

Neck pickup
Custom shop Fat 50

Middle PU
Custom Shop 69

Bridge PU
Custom Shop Seymour Duncan SSL-1C-DG Reverse Wound/Reverse Polarity

Custom 4” Trem Bar

I am building a Gilmour Strat. The last piece of the puzzle is being delivered today, an acrylic pick guard with all the correct pickups, 4” trem bar, green letter knobs etc.

Here is my dilemma. I bought a Warmoth roasted maple neck and it’s much darker than it looked in the pic. Now I’m not sure to use it or not.

Thoughts? The pic with roasted maple is from YouTuber Landon Bailey and the other one is a Custom shop replica from Sweetwater. My neck is about as dark or darker than this one. I found a vintage tinted neck with a neck profile I like on EBay but can’t decide if I should get it

This was my first build, a Solo Tele kit. One thing I would not do again is have the veneer, It is just too thin. You can see light spot on the left side. The veneer lifted despite being very careful.

I was able to save it but was a bit dye shy on the part so it ended lighter. Overall I am happy and would welcome constructive criticism on the fretwork. That was the most stressful and enjoyable part for me. I know it could be better but they are very smooth.

I am doing a Solo Spalted Maple Telecaster with a paper thin veneer. After applying a thin coat of sanding sealer I noticed the area I marked in the first pic bubbling in places.

In a panic I grabbed my heat gun and stole some parchment paper from the wife’s baking cabinet.

I heated the bubble areas up with the heat gun to hopefully activate the glue and used the parchment to apply pressure rubbing back and forth across the bubbles.

It seemed to work but I am leaving it alone for a few days. The 2nd pic is last night after cleaning with Naptha showing what I hope it to look like when finished.

This is my first Tele after saying I didn’t like them. Then I went to see Jason Isbell and that all changed. I was going to get the Jason Tele but I don’t like a 7.25 radius, but that’s the look I wanted.

I was ready to pull the trigger on Tele Ultra Luxe but at the last minute I went on Guitar Center used and saw this Ultra in Plano, TX. I called them and was told it was just traded and was basically like new. They weren’t kidding, it was some pick marks on the pick guard but that’s it.

It looks and sounds amazing especially after a new set of NYXL 9-42 strings and a good cleaning.