INSIDE THE WORLD OF TAYLOR GUITARS / VOLUME 71 SPRING 2012 Spring Limiteds Koa 300s / Cocobolo 800s Premium GS Minis Baritone 416ce Builder’s Reserve Rare European Maple Art Deco Guitar + Amp Latin Guitar Grooves David Mayfield 2 www.taylorguitars.com 3 ing Wood&Steel for my reading plea- me to develop my own rather uncon- A few months ago, I took her into sure. This company truly cares about ventional left hand technique, which my local Taylor dealer for some repair me and my guitar, and for that I am truly works just right for me. I won’t ever be work. I was pleasantly surprised, as I Volume 71 Letters grateful. The only question on my mind as good as I’d hoped to be, but I love had actually forgotten about the lifetime now is, which Taylor to buy next! playing the Mini. So, thanks to Bob and warranty, which covered everything Spring 2012 Find us on Facebook. Subscribe on YouTube. Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/taylorguitars guitar store and chanced upon your Fionn Closs the entire Taylor team. Here’s one UK except a re-fretting. In addition, the GS Mini. I was so taken by the beauti- retiree who salutes you with gratitude. technician registered the guitar for me, ful sound and resonance that I could P.S. If this letter makes it into Wood&Steel Alan Sturgess which I apparently neglected to do in Features not put it down. I purchased one soon and my wife is reading, please buy me Gargrave, North Yorkshire, UK 1983! Then, this afternoon, I found my afterwards and play it all the time. I can the suede Taylor guitar strap. first issue of Wood&Steel in my mail- honestly say my acoustic chops have box — another unexpected pleasure. I On the Cover increased greatly due to the playability Downsizing now feel like a long-lost cousin who has of the guitar, along with that wonderful Smooth Operation Last year I finally purchased what I been welcomed back into the family! 18 The 2012 Spring Limiteds tone. I also installed the ES-Go pickup, I would like to thank your team for thought would be the guitar of guitars. I am now saving up for another Tay- Our seasonal serenade revives the which sounds terrific. I had always the great service and instrument quality. It was a 2010 416ce [walnut/spruce] lor to complement Guinnevere. Thanks senses with exotic koa and cocobolo, respected the reputation of the Taylor I called your PR office and asked if they Spring Limited. As expected, I was to the great info in Wood&Steel, I am an ovangkol baritone, and a trio of name but now am a proud part of the could locate a Blue Edgeburst T5-C1 not disappointed with its full but clear thinking either a 512ce or a mahogany premium-wood GS Minis. Taylor family. Many thanks for this won- within 100 miles of my house. They sound. Shortly after the purchase, I real- 12-Fret. Then again, I’m also lusting for derful guitar. immediately followed up with the stores ized there was a problem. I had been an all-mahogany GS Mini. Maybe I’ll Michael Cefola in my area that had acquired this guitar. experiencing some pain issues in my get that while I’m saving for the Grand Scarsdale, NY I called Accent Music in Wilmington, right shoulder and found that the bigger Concert. Going Deutsche Delaware, who did not have any, but size of the GS did not feel comfortable. Thank you for building wonderful Two days ago I received Wood&Steel, they came back with, “We can have I subconsciously began to avoid playing guitars and for your great service. Vol. 70 [Winter 2012], and it is written in Close Friends one for you in a week.” They then called it and instead would pick up the T5 or Dave Morse German. This really surprised me. Gen- I am Michel from Holland, a singer- Taylor and secured the exact guitar the Baby Taylor. I recently realized why, erally, I don’t need a German version, songwriter ever since I started playing and model year I wanted. Everything and thought a slightly smaller guitar and I’m sure most of us here don’t. But in 1973. I have played many guitars, but went smoothly until I opened the case. might do the trick. I visited my local Energy Boost it shows your relation with one of your 4-1/2 years ago, I fell in love with the Wow! I almost lost it. This is not only Taylor dealer, and lo and behold, they I wanted to share with you the posi- most important markets. And the deci- Taylor 315ce. I was looking for a new a beautiful work of art, but a smooth- had a 412ce-LTD in stock. It took only tive experience I had in a chance meet- sion to go that way is absolutely correct. guitar after losing my sister in Novem- playing, great-sounding guitar. I am five minutes to realize I had found the up with [Taylor district sales manager] Congratulations. Reading it will give me ber of 2006, my mother in February highly impressed. I have been playing perfect acoustic guitar for me. After Eric Sakimoto here in Longmont [Colo- hours of relaxation. of 2007, and her friend that March. It for 10-plus years and own over 15 gui- negotiating a trade on my 416ce, I rado]. This past Christmas I purchased Frank Kern made me understand that you have to tars, some very high-end. I would like brought her home and I am playing and a little Taylor Swift Baby Taylor for my 6 David Mayfield’s Americana Parade (XX-RS, XX-MC, DCSM) live your dreams when you’ve got the to thank Bob, all the craftsmen, and the smiling more than ever. Just about all 8-year-old daughter. My goal was to get The generously bearded newgrasser reflects on chance, because tomorrow everything rest of your team for making my new the reviews on guitars are about the her excited about playing music and his bluegrass past, humor-laced performances, can change. So I went to a big store year start off very well. sound or the bling. But you don’t read expose her to positive energy. We had and recording his Taylors with vintage gear. Guitar Sustain in Amersfoort, where they had about Philip Oneschuk much about the fit — how it feels when just finished up a guitar lesson when I just finished reading the latest issue 800 guitars in stock and many differ- you have it in your arms. I found that to we were approached by Eric. He had of Wood&Steel and want to thank Bob, ent brands. Once I started playing the be very important. I am so thankful that spotted her Taylor guitar and asked 12 Builder’s Reserve V: Euro Meets Deco Kurt and everyone at Taylor for actively Taylor I was lost, and there was no way Mixed Feelings you make several great shapes in each how she liked it. She was surprised Our latest small-batch guitar/amp release pairs European maple with European pursuing business practices that sup- back. When I retired, I vowed to do what wood combination. This 412ce-LTD has and excited that anyone took notice spruce and embraces a vintage Art Deco aesthetic. port the environment and promote envi- The 315ce became my closest I’d never done throughout my life: settle such beautiful sound in the highs, mids of her guitar! He showed her a super ronmental sustainability. When I’m play- friend. He talks to me, listens to my down and really learn to play guitar. At and the lows. For a fingerpicker who nice Taylor and asked her if she’d like Cover photo: (L-R) Cocobolo 814ce-LTD, GS Mini Maple ing my Taylor guitars it is nice to know heart, and helps me to express my sad- that time I had an acoustic dreadnought doesn’t wander from the designated to hold it, which she did and was just 14 Latin Guitar Grooves Wayne Johnson explains how to weave independent thumb and finger picking that I not only have a great-sounding ness and joy. Since then I’ve written and a 12-string. I made pleasing pro- music room in the house and plays for thrilled. Thanks to Eric and Taylor Swift, patterns together to create Latin rhythms with percussive effects. and great-playing guitar, but that I am many new songs with it. It was the best gress until — Ouch! — I sliced my left pure self-enjoyment, there couldn’t be you now have a lifelong customer! We also supporting a company with a con- choice I could ever make. Playing it palm when woodworking. Blood eve- a better size/wood combination. My met with her girlfriends after that, and 16 12 science. I applaud Taylor for setting an convinced other friends to buy a Taylor, rywhere. My local hospital delayed too shoulder loves it too. Thank you! all she talked about was the guitar and 16 The NAMM Show example and taking the lead in this area. too. Thank you for building such beauti- long before microsurgery; as a result, Gary Livesey how cool it was. She’s always playing We showcased a colorful lineup of guitars and artists at one of our industry’s Fred Leonard ful guitars. My Taylor will keep me com- my left hand index finger has virtually no Knoxville, TN her guitar now, and soon she will be top trade shows.