We are looking to purchase a Tut Taylor resophonic guitar from a friend.
Would like to know a value, but having a hard time finding any info online.
I cannot find any identifying information on the guitar; model# or year.
Just has a label on headstock saying “Tut Taylor “
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
I believe that "The Virginian" was a maple guitar, usually with a sunburst stain. "The Tenesseean" was mahogany, often with a brown stain. Someone here may have more certain information. I can't tell what wood you have on yours from the photo, although the top looks like spruce. It may or may not be and, if it is, then I don't know the model. You can take one of the screen hole covers out and look inside and there should be a model name and serial number so that you can date the guitar. All that being said, I don't think that information changes the value much. They are "mid-grade" guitars....some people really like them and some wouldn't want one. You can find them listed frequently around $2,0000 but, in my opinion and realistically, the value should be around $1200 to $1400, particularly if they want it to sell. As with any resonator guitar, part of the desirability and sound is in the setup. Some of the TT guitars had fretboards which were "out of whack" with regard to the spacing from the bridge to the frets. That makes tuning an issue. If the guitar sounds great to you, that's another story...but construction issues will affect value and the ability to resell down the road should you want to. I did own one and had to perform a complete setup on it. All of the internal components were trashed....the cone was bent, spider was twisted and the bridge was hacked. After an overhaul, it sounded decent, but I wouldn't pay more than mentioned above.
Edited by - docslyd on 07/20/2025 17:26:53
I agree it looks like a spruce top, perhaps a custom or a spruce top Virginian.
Have you played it? I’ve played a few, and the sound quality has varied dramatically. I played one at Elderly that sounded like rubbish (thin and weak) and then played one at a GC that sounded pretty darn great.
Generally the Virginian would command a couple hundred $ more than the Tennessean. And yes, I agree with docslyd’s assessment. $1200-1400, slightly more for a Virginian.
GC has an excellent condition Tennessean up for $1200 right now, for reference.
I think that's a Carolina (spruce top?). Guitar Center has another Tut Taylor that looks similar (though they say it's a Virginian) for $2K, but I doubt it will sell for that price. Dobros are hard to sell in general, from what I've seen. There is a much smaller pool of potential buyers.
I'm a fan of my Virginian (I paid about $1,200 a few years ago) but I did change out the cone, spider, and bridgeinserts (taking the last two from a guitar I was selling). I'm a fan of the traditional/R-body/soundwell sound, however, and everyone isn't.
quote:
Originally posted by gadobroGuitar Center has another Tut Taylor that looks similar (though they say it's a Virginian) for $2K, but I doubt it will sell for that price.
Here is that particular $2K Tut Taylor guitar. I'm pretty sure it's maple (not spruce) and that it is a Carolina (not Virginian). If I'm correct, and in that condition, it's probably at least $500 overpriced. I could be wrong.
Does anyone here know what cones were installed in these resos ?
quote:
Originally posted by JC Dobroquote:
Originally posted by gadobroGuitar Center has another Tut Taylor that looks similar (though they say it's a Virginian) for $2K, but I doubt it will sell for that price.
Here is that particular $2K Tut Taylor guitar. I'm pretty sure it's maple (not spruce) and that it is a Carolina (not Virginian). If I'm correct, and in that condition, it's probably at least $500 overpriced. I could be wrong.
I agree it looks like maple with natural finish. I think it would be a Virginian then. Most of the Virginians you see have some level of burst and/or flame.
There was also the Californian, I think, with walnut. The Tennesseans and Virginians are the ones I see most often.
quote:
Originally posted by resotomDoes anyone here know what cones were installed in these resos ?
I don't remember any marks on the cone I took out of mine.
We found a label, and found out it’s a 2001 Carolina.
Thanks for all the help!
quote:
Originally posted by gadobroquote:
Originally posted by JC Dobroquote:
Originally posted by gadobroGuitar Center has another Tut Taylor that looks similar (though they say it's a Virginian) for $2K, but I doubt it will sell for that price.
Here is that particular $2K Tut Taylor guitar. I'm pretty sure it's maple (not spruce) and that it is a Carolina (not Virginian). If I'm correct, and in that condition, it's probably at least $500 overpriced. I could be wrong.
I agree it looks like maple with natural finish. I think it would be a Virginian then. Most of the Virginians you see have some level of burst and/or flame.
There was also the Californian, I think, with walnut. The Tennesseans and Virginians are the ones I see most often.
As a postscript, I did play the $2K Tut Taylor Virginian at the Toledo GC (stopped in on my way to Elderly..). To my ears, it is one of the "good ones" - nice aggressive maple projection and classic soundwell tone - but I wouldn't pay more than $1600 in its condition.
Glad the OP sorted out specifics on the 2001 Carolina.
quote:
Originally posted by JC DobroAs a postscript, I did play the $2K Tut Taylor Virginian at the Toledo GC (stopped in on my way to Elderly..). To my ears, it is one of the "good ones" - nice aggressive maple projection and classic soundwell tone - but I wouldn't pay more than $1600 in its condition.
Glad the OP sorted out specifics on the 2001 Carolina.
Good to hear. I would bet that the asking price comes down in the next few months.
I think the Carolina is a nice looking guitar and probably would make someone very happy.
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