Luthier Taylor Model 420 K Series 400 Model Year 1996 Origin USA Body Type Dreadnought Top Hawaiian Koa Back and Sides Hawaiian Koa Neck Honduras Mahogany Fingerboard Ebony Inlay Pearl Dots Finish Satin UV cured Amplification Fishman Acoustic Matrix Strings medium Case SKB Custom Hardshell Purchase Date Saturday, December 14, 1996
December 14, 1996 - After two months of searching from San Diego to LA, I just picked a 400 series Taylor from the sleepy beach community of Leucadia. The Taylor 420-K, which I took home, is a no-frills dreadnought with the unique distinction of featuring back, sides and top made from Acacia koa. I've tried several 422-Ks (just like the 420-K though with grand concert body) in previous weeks but wasn't quite ready to commit. After playing the two Koas side-by-side however, the dreadnought's full bodied sound, just as I had imagined it could be, struck the right note.
I was a bit apprehensive about the plastic SKB cases (standard case with all 400 series), after getting the solid wood Taylor cases for my GA-BE and 655. After looking at the SKB cases a bit more closely, my apprehensions seem unfounded. In fact, in some ways, I like the look of these much more. These are very reminiscent of the molded Ovation cases. I've always admired the Ovation cases and was very disappointed not to have one available for my Ovation Longneck. The grain and color is the standard SKB style (not quite as sleek as the grayish, less pebbled grain of the Ovations), though the Taylor logo is molded into the shell just as with the Ovation cases. We'll have to see how these SKB's hold up over the long haul however, I guess I can always order an upgraded case from Taylor later.
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