INSIDE THE WORLD OF TAYLOR GUITARS / VOLUME 72 summer 2012

Preserving Ebony’s Future A bold plan for sustainable sourcing

Builder’s Reserve VI Mustache Bridge Jumbo

More Than a Store Nurturing a Music Community

Open Mic Tips 2 www.taylorguitars.com 3

Letters Volume 72 Summer 2012 Find us on Facebook. Subscribe on YouTube. Follow us on Twitter: @taylorguitars Ever since he bought his Taylor NS34ce, few offered to buy it for way more than I are going to be friends for a very long find a local dealer with one in stock. he seems to want no part of us. We paid for it. The answer is no every time. time. I also want to give credit to one Zach [Arntz] brought one to Acous- haven’t seen the light of day in a long You could offer me a million bucks and I of your dealers. Butch at Bigham Music tifest last year, I played it and bought Features time. It’s awfully dark in these cases. would say no. The guitar is a part of me. in Dalton, Georgia is great. I’ve gotten it. You produce fine instruments, but I We’ve even heard him talk about buy- I’ve played it so much that I wore a hole all my Taylors from him, and I’ve always bet you sell more due to your support On the Cover ing a Taylor steel-string of some sort. through the top, which I had repaired been more than satisfied. I don’t know of the stores who carry your product. PLEASE don’t let him. We miss Andy. and a new, slightly bigger pickguard put of anywhere else I’d rather do business. I can’t say enough good things about 6 Your First Open Mic 12 The Future of Ebony If you haven’t, maybe you secretly want to. An open-mic survivor shares Could you possibly put out a recall on on. I was thinking of retiring it because it Thanks for making great guitars. Melodee Music and their involvement In our special report, Bob Taylor talks about tips that will lead to a smooth performance for you and your listeners. all Taylor nylon-string guitars? We’d has seen some rough times — it’s been Janet Pinette with the local community as well as Taylor’s ownership stake in a Cameroonian appreciate anything you could do to knocked over, dropped, smashed into local musicians. I am glad you feel the ebony mill, the challenges of ebony sourcing, help. with mic stands, and the headstock same way. and the framework being developed for ethical, Andy Christie even went through a window once. I Six-String Therapy Eric Knight sustainable business. bought another Jumbo 615 cutaway I was in Little Rock, Arkansas for but, sadly, had to sell it when things cancer treatment when I took a fall that After the Fire got tough. It has been 25 years since I resulted in an injury to my spine. Five Lots of Love Coffey Shop I had my old Taylor 550 [12-string walked into that shop, and I am so glad weeks in the hospital were followed by Love my Taylor 210ce. Love I just purchased a 2012 Spring mahogany Dreadnought] repaired a I did. That guitar is one of the reasons I two weeks in physical and occupational Wood&Steel. Love dreaming about Limited cocobolo 814ce and wanted year or so ago, and it occurred to me still play music for a living today. therapy as an in-patient. I had to learn my next Taylor guitar. Love the yet to tell you how fantastic Bob Coffey that I never thanked all the great folks Ken McCoy how to walk all over again. Yet I also unnamed koa SolidBody Standard on at Coffey Music is at keeping his Tay- there at Taylor for doing such an excel- realized that I needed to play some last issue’s back cover. Love the idea lor advocates happy. Bob and Zach lent job. music. Problem was, I was far away of Taylor having a contest and giving [Arntz] (your Taylor guy and Coffey’s The 550 was in my garage when Mongolian Mojo from home and my Taylor 314ce, and away a koa SolidBody to the person rep) let me try out everything, including it burned to the ground. The firemen I am a United States Peace Corps for the time being, a full-size guitar was who names the new models. My sug- a beautiful 914ce that Zach sent out had it sitting on top of a pile of debris Volunteer serving in Mongolia. When I out of the question. Enter the GS Mini. gestion: “The Mahalo Series.” to Coffey for my inspection. Ultimately in the driveway when I found it the next left the U.S. about a year ago to start Playable in a hospital bed and a wheel- Thanks and keep up the great work. I purchased the cocobolo Spring LTD. day. Fortunately, it was in a hardshell my 27 months of service, I struggled chair! Not to mention a great-sounding Joseph D Godec I also ordered a tobacco burst 814ce case and seemed salvageable. I think with leaving my coveted 300 Series instrument that I’m still playing now with a short-scale neck. the Yamaha 6-string I had next to it Taylor behind. I remedied this by going that I’m back home and in remission. Bob Coffey is as good as it gets must have protected it some, as the out and buying a Baby Taylor the week Thanks, Taylor, for being a big, or “Mini,” Beginning with the Best as a Taylor dealer, and over the years, Yamaha’s top had burned off. before I left. A year later the little guy if you will, part of my recovery. I can’t sleep tonight! Tomorrow, I have purchased many Taylors from At any rate, you all did a superb job is still going strong. It has weathered Ross DeAeth at 43 years young, I will buy my first him. It is this kind of extra effort that of repairing it, and I swear, it sounds harsh conditions, bumpy travel and guitar: a 2008 tobacco sunburst Taylor keeps our local Taylor dealers so con- and plays better than ever. Thank you extreme climates, and still sounds as 814ce. I read Bob’s book and have nected to the community and keeps all for your excellent craftsmanship and good as it did the day I bought it. Mon- Better Late Than Never watched over a dozen YouTube videos 8 Builder’s Reserve VI: Mustache Bridge Koa Jumbo people coming back in each week to for assisting me with the details of how golians absolutely love when I break I’ve been playing the guitar for close of the factory processes. Who doesn’t appreciate a good ’70s mustache? Our classic mustache see “what’s new” in the Taylor section. to ship it without incident. it out and play for them. I have taken to 47 years. I’ve had Martins, Yamahas, Tomorrow I am buying more than a bridge returns to celebrate the Jumbo 12-strings of Taylor’s early days. A special thanks to Zach, as well, for Roy Goodman to allowing my Mongolian friends and Washburns, even a Hohner. I still have Taylor guitar. I am providing myself with providing such top-notch customer Sunnyvale, CA co-workers to sign the guitar in the tra- an old Martin D-28 and a real old Guild future blank pages for memories yet service and sales advice. The new- ditional Mongolian script. Thank you so 12-string that sings with me. But I have to write. My friends asked me, “Why, 18 Spotlight: Ebony’s Artistry Preserving the supply of ebony requires that we use what the forest provides. est additions to my Taylor collection much for continuing to produce quality never had such a wonderful instrument at 43, are you thinking of starting to That means embracing its aesthetic diversity. Here’s a sample. inspire me to play better and longer Not for Sale guitars and giving me a beautiful, resil- as my new Taylor 414ce Limited. It has play guitar, and why would you spend than ever before. In July of 1987 I was looking for a ient instrument to remember my experi- the sweetest sound of any guitar I’ve so much money on your first guitar? 8 20 My best release of job stress is guitar, so I went to my favourite shop ence in Mongolia by. ever owned, and plenty of punch when In only seven years you’ll be 50!” I 20 More Than a Store placing one of your beautiful guitars in that sold acoustic instruments. I told Justin Guerra I need it. It also frets easier than any thought about this for a moment and What’s the secret to a good local guitar shop? A staff that knows their gear, my hands. The rest just happens. the owner, “I am walking out of here guitar I’ve ever had. said, “Well, I’ve always wanted to play knows their customers, and knows how to create a sense of community. David C. with a guitar today,” so he sent me to I guess it boils down to what a for- guitar. After researching Taylor Guitars, a practice room and started bringing Credit Report mer boss told me: “Son, you catch on their quality, their people, Bob’s vision, 26 Backstage Pass: Terry Wollman me guitars. I tried Martins, Larivees I’ve never contacted you before, quick after a while.” and having a firm belief in myself, why The versatile guitarist and veteran music director talks about layered Awesome in Austin and more. Then he brought me a Taylor but I felt like it was time to give credit I can’t compliment you enough. not start with the best? Besides, if arrangements, working with great session players, and recording with his 912ce. Thank you for the awesome Road Dreadnought. “Hmm, I like this!” Then where it’s due. I’ve been playing guitar Rest assured I will own a Taylor from I don’t buy a guitar, I’ll still be 50 in Show in Austin, Texas last night. JR he walked in with a maple Jumbo 615 for 22 years and have played many dif- now on. seven years. When I do turn 50, I’ll be and his partner [Corey Witt] (awesome with a three-piece back. I had never ferent brands. I lead praise and worship Charlie Fite playing a Taylor!” 28 What Are You Working On? guitar player) did a great job. I am a played a Jumbo before. I played one G at our church and found your guitars Memphis, TN Brian Kennicott A guitar neck is sanded, acoustic amp components take a stress test, and the beginner and plan to be a Taylor owner chord, and that was it, I had found my to be the most versatile and full sound- interior of a guitar case gets some “plush” treatment. in the next year. I learned a lot and guitar. ing of any guitars I have played. I own really appreciate the time they spent I have been a full-time musician my six Taylors now: a T5 Custom, 412ce, All About Acoustifest covering everything with the audience. whole life, and that guitar has been with 214ce, two Babys, and now a GS Just a quick note to tell you how Frank Varela me every step of the way. I still have Mini. I am always amazed at the sound much I appreciate your continuing sup- Departments the original case, which is held together and playability of your guitars, and just port of the clinics and Acoustifest put We’d like to mainly with duct tape. It has seen a mil- when I think I’ve seen it all, here comes on by Melodee Music. I can’t think of a hear from you 2 Letters 5 Editor’s Note 30 Events Case Closed lion miles of road. I have let some pretty the GS Mini and blows my mind. I am better way to showcase and promote We are Andy’s “other” guitars, and amazing guitarists play it over the years, a small-framed lady and love having a your instruments. I enjoyed Bob Taylor Send your e-mails to: 4 Kurt’s Corner 10 Ask Bob 31 Calendar we would like to register a complaint. including Craig Young, former lead small-bodied guitar that doesn’t sound speaking at Acoustifest a couple years [email protected] 5 BobSpeak 24 Soundings 32 TaylorWare Andy used to play us all the time, guitarist for Terri Clark. Everyone has small and is incredibly comfortable to ago. For several years I was interested making sure none of us was neglected. said they have never seen its equal. A hold. I believe my new GS Mini and I in trying a LKSM6, but could never

4 www.taylorguitars.com 5

Volume 72 Editor’s Note Summer 2012

Publisher / Taylor-Listug, Inc. Produced by the Taylor Guitars Marketing Department Outward Bound In early May I had the pleasure of joining more than 100 Taylor Vice President of Sales & Marketing / Brian Swerdfeger colleagues and friends at a luncheon to celebrate the 20-year Editor / Jim Kirlin anniversaries of two of our own: Chris Wellons, our Vice President Art Director / Cory Sheehan of Manufacturing, and Gerry Kowalski, our Training Specialist. Chris Graphic Designer / Rita Funk-Hoffman joined the company as a self-driven 19-year-old cabinet maker and has Graphic Designer / Angie Stamos-Guerra risen through the ranks to guide Taylor through several major cycles of Photographer / Tim Whitehouse production growth. Gerry came to the company as a luthier from Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, where he built lutes and baroque guitars in Contributors dramatic contrast to Taylor’s modern approach — preserving the historic David Hosler / Wayne Johnson / David Kaye / Kurt Listug / Shawn Persinger methods that were used in the 18th century. Gerry’s eye for detail at Shane Roeschlein / Bob Taylor / Glen Wolff / Chalise Zolezzi Taylor prompted Bob Taylor to enlist him to spearhead the development of our first formal training program, which has evolved over time into a Technical Advisors robust online teaching platform that plays a huge role in maintaining our Ed Granero / David Hosler / Gerry Kowalski / Andy Lund / Rob Magargal quality standards. Mike Mosley / Brian Swerdfeger / Bob Taylor / Chris Wellons / Glen Wolff During the lunch gathering, Bob shared remarks about each with the group, mixing personal memories and funny stories with glowing Contributing Photographers testimonials highlighting their important contributions to the company. He Rita Funk-Hoffman / David Kaye / Katrina Horstman related their accomplishments to his philosophy of company leadership, Circulation Printing / Distribution which he described in terms of spheres of responsibility. At the core, Kurt’s Corner Katrina Horstman Courier Graphics / CEREUS - Phoenix BobSpeak Bob explained, is an employee’s individual responsibility, which covers the specific parameters of his or her job description. Fulfilling those

©2012 Taylor Guitars. TAYLOR, TAYLOR (Stylized); TAYLOR GUITARS, TAYLOR QUALITY GUITARS and requirements, in his opinion, represents the bare minimum of the work Cutting the Clutter Design; BABY TAYLOR; BIG BABY; Peghead Design; Bridge Design; Pickguard Design; 100 SERIES; A Developing Story that someone should do. Next are the larger spheres that extend beyond Spring cleaning is a great thing keeping just the important, mature after it’s ordered. Huge improvement! 200 SERIES; 300 SERIES; 400 SERIES; 500 SERIES; 600 SERIES; 700 SERIES; 800 SERIES; The country of Cameroon is a long Getting there is hard, and being there Agency (EIA), the group that was one’s immediate job to address the greater needs within a department 900 SERIES; PRESENTATION SERIES; GALLERY; QUALITY TAYLOR GUITARS, GUITARS AND to do with your home. You get to sort plants, and starting over. We’ve been By removing buffer zones and having CASES and Design; WOOD&STEEL; ROBERT TAYLOR (Stylized); TAYLOR EXPRESSION SYSTEM; way off, not only in travel hours, but in is hard, as is working there. But once largely responsible for the successful and beyond. The growth and success of Taylor, Bob noted, has come through all the junk you’ve accumu- doing precisely that here at Taylor. Our the work flow from the day shift across EXPRESSION SYSTEM; TAYLORWARE; TAYLOR GUITARS K4; K4, TAYLOR K4; TAYLOR ES; DOYLE almost every other way we can mea- we land and get settled into our com- passing of the Lacey Act Amendment at the hands of people like Chris and Gerry, who have continuously lated and throw away things that were Process Improvement Project is one of the night shift, we’re now completing DYKES SIGNATURE MODEL; DYNAMIC BODY SENSOR; T5; T5 (Stylized); BALANCED BREAKOUT; sure, especially for those of us who pany house for the duration of our of 2008, which now governs legal log- expanded their spheres outward, embracing a greater leadership role by R. TAYLOR; R TAYLOR (Stylized); AMERICAN DREAM; TAYLOR SOLIDBODY; T3; GRAND SYMPHONY; stay, we get used to the pace and the ging imports into our country. Anne’s once useful but no longer serve a pur- the major initiatives we’re working on, guitars in production considerably WAVE COMPENSATED; GS; GS MINI; ES-GO; V-CABLE; and GA are registered trademarks of the com- live where everything is available to supporting and inspiring others, resulting in a broader positive impact. pose. It’s important to do this with a and perhaps the most important one. sooner than we used to. Add these pany. DOYLE DELUXE; GA MINI; YOUR TONE. AMPLIFIED; and FIND YOUR FIT; NYLON SERIES; us. As you probably know, we started reality, and we do the work necessary passion and expertise are helping us Listening to Bob speak reminded me of our ebony feature in this business as well, only sometimes you We’re finding that as we free up improvements together, and we’re now KOA SERIES; WALNUT SERIES; GRAND AUDITORIUM; GRAND CONCERT; SIGNATURE MODEL; a small company in Tecate, Mexico to plan for the future and improve the understand all the forest ramifications issue, and the leadership role that he and the company have embraced. people’s time from tasks that don’t GS SERIES; LIBERTY TREE; LEO KOTTKE SIGNATURE MODEL; DAN CRARY SIGNATURE MODEL; over 11 years ago, and it has grown two factories we own, which produce as well as the laws. She also will As a manufacturer, Taylor could simply keep its energies focused on its need to throw away old procedures able to give much faster service and DYNAMIC STRING SENSOR are trademarks of the company. Patents pending. Prices and specifications that once served a purpose but now add value, they can instead do work respond better to customer demand. subject to change without notice. into a vital part of our overall opera- ebony parts from the ebony trees we help craft laws that make sense for “core sphere” of complying with the environmental laws that govern the just make it harder to do good, clean that does add value, such as making As we’ve developed better report- tion. When I take people there for a are able to buy. the environment and the business of way we buy ebony and other woods. But as many of you have come to business. more guitars to meet the demand, fill- ing this year, we’ve also been a little tour, they always make a comment We make ebony blanks for guitar ebony processing, and in a way that appreciate, Bob has never settled for doing the bare minimum. As you’ll It’s normal for a company to add ing dealer orders more quickly, improv- surprised to see how high the demand 2012 Taylor Factory Tours & Vacation Dates like, “Wow, this is much nicer and fingerboards, bridges and headstock both environmentalists and businesses see in our report, his far-sighted vision has been shaped into a working processes and procedures as it grows ing our quality assurance, and giving for our guitars truly is, and how many A free, guided tour of the Taylor Guitars factory is given every Monday more developed than I imagined. I was veneers, and the same for violin parts, can embrace. She’s living full-time in plan that aims to transform the way ebony is harvested and processed and matures. Unfortunately, these can better, more responsive customer guitars we need to be making to meet through Friday at 1 p.m. (excluding holidays). No advance reservations are expecting something totally different!” cello parts and contra-bass parts. Cameroon as she works on improving in Cameroon. Although it’s early in the process, the results harbor add complexities and bureaucracy that service. We’re now cross-training our our dealers’ and your needs. As a necessary. Simply check-in at the reception desk in our Visitor Center, located When we first started in Mexico, We also make pool cue stick blanks, this business. the potential to radiate outward and benefit other instrument makers, we were warned about corruption, lack friction peg tuner blanks, bridge pin I hope you get a better sense of Cameroonian communities, the environment, and guitar owners for get in the way of getting the job done. people so they have a broader range result, we’ve increased guitar produc- in the lobby of our main building, before 1 p.m. We ask that large groups (more of infrastructure, and the possibility of blanks and piano key blanks. We try to where ebony comes from by reading generations to come. tion and added several Saturdays to than 10) call us in advance at (619) 258-1207. our production schedule in order to poor employee relations. We plowed utilize the ebony down to the smallest the in-depth article in this issue. I feel I doubt that Bob, Chris, Gerry or others here at Taylor envisioned While not physically demanding, the tour does include a fair amount of With the process improvements deliver guitars at the rate and in the ahead anyway, striving to do the same parts. strongly that if we can make it in Cam- the range of positive impact their work might eventually have when they walking. Due to the technical nature, the tour may not be suitable for small timeframe people want them. We’re good job we do here in the States. As The goal is to operate under a eroon, if we can build a wood busi- showed up for their first day of work. But for so many of us at Taylor, we’ve made so far, we’ve been able children. The tour lasts approximately one hour and 15 minutes and departs at our highest-ever number of employ- is turned out, there is corruption, lack transparent and legal structure. This is ness around ebony that people will be being part of a culture that supports that is what makes working here so from the main building at 1980 Gillespie Way in El Cajon, California. to increase our daily guitar produc- ees — over 700 people — and this is of infrastructure, and the possibility of easy until we get to articles in the law proud of, we can have ebony for many rewarding. Please take note of the weekday exceptions below. For more information, tion by nearly 20 percent. sure to continue growing. Our goal is poor employee relations there — just that contradict each other as to where generations. We are seeking the help Have a wonderful summer. to find that magic level where we pro- including directions to the factory, please visit taylorguitars.com/contact. like here in the U.S.! But in the end, the ebony can be harvested. We’ve and approval of all our environmental duce the right number of guitars and We look forward to seeing you! our business there is a beautiful, thriv- been invited by Cameroon’s forest friends as well as the bureaucracies — Jim Kirlin Occasionally the “fix” for this can add of skills and can work in more depart- the right mix of models so we can offer ing establishment, full of wonderful ministry to help edit the law to make that enforce the laws. I hope to be even more complexities and bureau- ments. With the process improve- near-immediate delivery to our dealers, employees who make Taylor products it clearer, and to prevent business or able to tell you better and better sto- cracy, and lead to more systems. This ments we’ve made so far, we’ve been which will enable you to get the guitar Holiday Closures very well. And even though it was a social conflicts from arising as we do ries of Africa as the months and years can absorb a lot of people’s time and able to increase our daily guitar pro- you want, when you want it. little harder to get some of the things our business. Meanwhile, we work roll by. I also hope that you’ll be able workload, and really not contribute duction by nearly 20 percent. Thank you for choosing Taylor, and July 2-6 November 22-23 we wanted to get in Mexico, everything with good hearts and minds toward to feel proud of how the ebony for much value in the end. We’ve removed an amazing amount have a great summer. (Company Vacation) (Thanksgiving Holiday) was available in the end. continuous improvement with the goal your guitar was obtained, whether you Sometimes you just need to step of time that had been added to the Cameroon? Well, it’s truly a devel- of a harmonious business that oper- choose a Taylor or even another brand. back and evaluate things anew. This processes of taking an order, schedul- ­­ — Kurt Listug, CEO Monday, September 3 Monday, December 24 oping country, and there isn’t much you ates within a well-written framework of will help you redesign your processes ing that order in production, making (Labor Day) through Friday, January 4 can get there. Tools, supplies and mate- laws. We and our partners from Spain, ­­ — Bob Taylor, President and procedures to fit your business the guitar, and finally shipping it. It (Company Vacation) rials are all nearly impossible to obtain. Madinter Trade, are quite proud of our These things have to be imported. If clean record. today and in the foreseeable future, used to take several weeks for a guitar October 15 Online and jettison all the old, unnecessary that was ordered to be scheduled in we want routers or saws or drill bits, One of our great assets is the (Taylor Guitars Anniversary) steps. I liken this to tearing out most production and then started. Now the it’s easiest to import them, and notice addition of Anne Middleton, formerly of your old, overgrown landscaping, guitar’s production is started the day that I didn’t say easy; I said “easiest.” from the Environmental Investigation Read this and other back issues of Wood&Steel at taylorguitars.com 7

Let’s get something out of the way right up front: If I — a relatively inexperienced guitarist with far more enthusiasm than talent — can pull off a satisfying open-mic performance, then you can too. Trust me, you don’t need the experience of Eric Clapton or the virtuosity of Tommy Emmanuel to deliver a performance an audience will appreciate. You just have to take care of business before you set foot on stage. With that in mind, here’s a seven-step guide that will help you prepare for the big night.

There’s almost nothing more daunting As I mentioned earlier, you might be and distracting than stepping up on nervous as you step on stage. Your stage for the first time, looking out at throat might be dry, your hands shaky, Choose your the audience, and seeing that everyone KNOW YOUR and you might feel as though dozens is engaged in private conversations, of eyeballs are evaluating your clothing, laughing riotously, or dropping your guitar and your hairdo. Forget all venue wisely. silverware. You’re probably going to that junk. Think about the fact that you 5 focus. 1 be scared witless the first time, which SONG COLD. can knock this song out of the park, and means it’s already going to be difficult enough for you to focus on the task at 4 that you’ve already proved it in your own living room countless times. As you step up hand. Now add 27 loud sources of interruption all around you, and it’s easy to see Here’s a simple definition of what it on the stage, right before you begin, think about how you start the song. And then… how your attention can become dislodged from your objective — which should be means to know a song cold. Someone just start it. delivering a good performance and nothing else. So before you decide to do an should be able to wake you up at 3:00 Yeah, I know. Your nightmare is that you’ll totally botch the beginning of the song, open-mic, attend a few of them as a member of the audience. Look for a venue a.m. on a cold Christmas morning, making you even more petrified, and that things will spiral out of control from there. where the music, not the pizza or bratwurst, is the focus. Keep searching until shove a guitar into your stiff-fingered I speak from experience, having recently become so emotionally dismantled by the you find a venue where the audience is attentive and supportive of the musicians, hands, and still be treated to a credible steam jet of a latte machine that I completely lost focus and botched the beginning of avoiding those places where the crowd is completely indifferent to the music or performance of the tune. That’s the “Autumn Leaves.” I remember thinking, I can go on butchering the song or I can just prone to forming an angry mob with pitchforks and torches. kind of familiarity with a song you’re start it all over. I chose the latter course, and the audience was fine with that. They after. In order to get to that place, you knew it was my first open-mic because I’d told them that. So they understood my need to have rehearsed a song a few nervousness and were rooting for me. Once I restarted the song, it went really well. Face it, just because a song is in dozen times so you’re not struggling some way important to you doesn’t to remember chords and lyrics when Audiences aren’t there to watch you necessarily mean it will capture and Choose an up- you’re up on stage. You should know a wrestle with your personal demons. hold your audience’s attention. What song so well that your body and brain They’ve planted their butts in the seats you want is to launch into your song go on auto-pilot. Maybe for your first don’t forget because they want to have a good and realize in the first few seconds that open-mic you should think in terms time — and a good time to them means the crowd likes what they’re hearing. tempo song. of an easy three-chord strummer hearing some tasty music. That’s why How will you know that? You’ll see 2 rather than that alternative version of the song choice is important. But smiles forming, toes tapping, and fingers drumming, which will almost never happen “Classical Gas” you’ve been watching 6to have fun. equally important is the audience’s if you choose an unfamiliar or depressing song. I gave this a lot of thought before on YouTube. perception that you’re having just as good a time as they are. Stand up when you my first open-mic and ultimately decided on a song called “Country Honk,” a rump- perform so that you can get your whole body into the song. Make eye contact. kicking acoustic version of the Rolling Stones’ “Honky Tonk Women.” It turned out Be responsive to the applause at the end of the song. In short, communicate your to be a good choice because the entire audience was singing the chorus with me, enthusiasm to the audience, even if you really feel like you’re on the verge of wetting which means they were totally engaged with the song and having a good time. your pants. And one more thing: If possible, have a friend capture your moment in Either that or they were politely trying to drown me out. the limelight on video so you can evaluate your performance later. Really, there’s no better way to make necessary adjustments to your style or song choice. Which leads me to my final point… Want to know how to make an audience restless? Waste their time by spending Do an even passable job at your first even as little as 30 seconds tuning your open-mic and you’ll likely be pumped up guitar. I’ve seen this happen several as you’re walking off the stage, the sound Tune times to performers who, out of sheer of applause ringing in your ears. Good. plan the nervousness or a real need to retune, Now go home and evaluate the video or felt compelled to fiddle with their tuning at least think about the things you did that pegs the moment they stepped up on were particularly effective and the ones next one. up off the stage. Most venues will have a quiet that could stand some tweaking. Did you 7 get the sense that the audience’s attention was drifting during your performance? place (often called a “green room”) where you can tune your guitar right Choose a better song. Did you stumble badly on the guitar interlude? Find a song before you go on, which will help you that’s easier to play. There’s no shame in that. After all, audiences are looking for avoid wasting the audience’s time. good songs, not necessarily difficult ones. Did you deliver a wooden performance? Practice in front of a mirror so that you can see and hear what an audience sees stage. and hears. Tap your foot while you play. Bob your head. Get into the song. And just 3 know that you’ll be even better next time. Oh, yes…there will be a next time, because performing at an open-mic in front Dennis Globus lives in Seattle, Washington. He played his first open-mic night of a live audience is as close as most of us will ever get to stardom, and it’s an with a brand-new Taylor 12-Fret he’d just purchased, and also owns an 814ce absolutely intoxicating experience. About the only thing you’re likely to regret is that and a GS Mini. you didn’t do it sooner. 9

hen Bob and Kurt first In the ensuing years, Taylor’s Our design team began by revisiting sides and peghead overlay (including amp cabinet. Traditional cabinet details began crafting guitars, seminal Jumbo 12-string 855 (the our original Jumbo shape, which the truss rod cover), all outlined with like dovetailed corner joints showcase W one of the body styles rosewood 12-string model played by features a full 17-inch body width crisp white binding. A Sitka spruce solid craftsmanship and elegant they inherited was the iconic Jumbo, Neil Young in the concert film Rust across the lower bout. Additional retro top bolsters koa’s shimmering tonal simplicity. whose lineage traced back to the Never Sleeps) evolved considerably, touches include early 800 Series response with the help of Adirondack When first built, our Jumbo archtop guitars of the 1930s. They both cosmetically and structurally, to appointments like our small diamond spruce bracing. With modern design 12-string delivered a fresh take on a applied their own interpretive design suit the changing needs and tastes of mother-of-pearl fretboard inlays, an features like our NT® neck and classic design. This Builder’s Reserve touches to the curvaceous shape, players. The mustache bridge would abalone triple-ring rosette, and of Expression System® electronics, this beauty does the same, and makes which would prove to be a good fit for give way to a more modern design, and course, the unmistakable bridge, which guitar artfully embodies the company’s looking back more fun than ever. As their 12-string models. The Jumbo’s other aesthetic refinements gradually features contrasting camel bone bridge progression from its homespun early with our other guitar/amp offerings, distinctive “mustache”-style bridge transformed the Jumbo 12 into a more pins with abalone dots. Gold Gotoh days to the latest performance- these will be sold together, and 30 was a carryover from Bob and Kurt’s contemporary — and distinctively Taylor — 510 tuners tastefully complete the enhancing innovations. pairs will be made. For full specifications pre-Taylor days at the American Dream acoustic package. throwback aesthetic. In keeping with this year’s theme and a list of dealers who carry them, guitar shop (it was designed by San This Builder’s Reserve offering From our wood reserves we of Builder’s Reserve acoustic amplifier visit taylorguitars.com. Diego artist David Randle), where the celebrates Taylor’s early days with a selected some of our finest sets of pairings, we’ve chosen sets of beautiful BridgE two had first met. tribute to the classic Jumbo 12-string. figured Hawaiian koa for the back, koa for a matching Expression System PasTto the

Our classic mustache bridge flashes back to the Jumbo 12-strings of Taylor’s early years

Builder’s Reserve VI

Guitar Amplifier Model: BR-VI Model/Type: BR-VI ES Acoustic Shape: 12-string Jumbo Power: 40 Watts Back/Sides: Hawaiian Koa Technology: Solid State Top: Sitka Spruce with Adirondack Speaker Size/Type: 8-inch Custom Spruce Bracing Poly Cone Woofer, 1-inch Textile Clockwise from top left: Hawaiian koa headstock overlay and truss rod cover with gold Gotoh 510 tuners; mother-of-pearl diamond inlays; the mustache bridge, featuring camel bone bridge pins with abalone dots; Headstock Overlay: Hawaiian Koa Dome Tweeter the amp cabinet’s dovetailed corner joint; back and sides of flamey koa Inlays: Mother-of-Pearl Small Diamonds Speaker Arrangement: Bi-Amp Binding: White Cabinet: Hawaiian Koa Tuners: Gold Gotoh 510 10 www.taylorguitars.com 11

David, I’d say that most cedar and back are most active at the same design issue? Is it a covered war- with the A string notched back. If you don’t know, but it sounds like a good spruce trees we get are of similar age. frequency or frequencies, they will ranty item? How can it be repaired? replace the saddle with bone, you option to make some day. The GS Mini All the trees are smaller nowadays, act in tandem to reinforce certain Paul Medis should have it shaped to match the is such a successful model — we make as the really big trees are essentially notes but leave others weak. shape of the one you remove because, over 100 of them a day just to try to Ask Bob gone. The trees we see now are about What is your take on this claim Paul, yes, it’s a design issue, but one as you say, the intonation is good just fill demand! So, sometimes it’s hard three feet in diameter, possibly four, given that you have models in the with no solution. Sometimes it happens as it is. to branch out into variations when the and tend to be 250 to 400 years old. Koa Series that have all-koa faces, as the plastic shrinks, and since 1997 I frequently play using alternate regular versions are on back order, but Spruce burls, grading basics and We used to get trees six feet in diam- sides and backs? we’ve solved some of those prob- 6-string tunings like DADGAD and because we like guitars, just like you eter, and those were 500 to 800 years Bonifacio Gulla (816ce) lems. But if the pickguard is glued too detuning the standard down a do, we always try different things, and I pickguard separation of age. Temecula, CA strongly to the top, if the top breathes half step to give that deeper, open think we’ll do that sometime. and the pickguard doesn’t, the top sound. The problem is that, quite Well, Ervin is a very good guitar maker can crack. So the design prefers the often, string rattle comes into play, I was in Washington’s Olympic Nation- Is there a double-cut T3 in the How does Taylor grade wood? and what he says is true, and especially survival of the top, and as a result the and even the first and second strings al Park recently and saw a burl in a future? The only reason I haven’t What’s the difference between “A” I just purchased my first Taylor, a true for his guitars. But we’ve made pickguard can be a bit sacrificial, as take on that twangy sound, almost Sitka spruce tree that was about five bought a T3 is because I prefer grade rosewood and “AA?” Do cer- 110e. I was told to use an acoustic guitars with perfectly even notes where it should be. There’s a peel-and-stick like a doubling effect. Is there a feet in diameter. There were many the double-cut style. They have the tain series use a certain grade of cable to plug it into an acoustic we haven’t chosen the top and back adhesive on the back, and sometimes particular model or maybe even a other spruce trees with similar burls sound I’m looking for, but I can’t get wood? Is the grading purely cosmet- amp. I normally play an electric woods as he describes. Bottom line, it gets loose. Call our Service depart- different scale length that lends itself nearby, and they were growing very comfortable with the single cutaway. ic or does it impact the sound? guitar and have a couple of good once a guitar is made, you either like ment and they’ll fix you up. It’s easy to better to the lower tunings without a close to the beach. I know that you Jay Koreny Minwoo Nahm electric cables (Planet Waves, Mon- it or don’t. I suspect that Ervin would replace. lot of the rattle or twang? I suppose folks at Taylor are all about tone- Bristow, VA ster, etc.). Does the cable make any not like a Taylor koa-topped guitar, I could use a medium-gauge string woods, and that Sitka spruce is one Minwoo, within the same species, difference? but does that mean the person who instead of light-gauge, but I really of the most important tonewoods Never say never, Jay, but we don’t have it’s generally more cosmetic than it Michael Bethke owns one and likes it shouldn’t like it? I don’t care for heavier-gauge strings. in guitar making, so I was curious if plans for that yet. It definitely would be is tonal. But not always. Sometimes always try to bring the discussion back What would you suggest? you have ever had a chance to cut cool. we find lightweight pieces that ring Michael, you already have the perfect to the guitar itself. I often get questions Larry Moody into one of these spruce burls to nicely, so it’s upgraded. Usually with cable. It’s the same as an electric gui- from people who love their guitar, and Mooreland, OK investigate what the grain pattern rosewood we’re looking for better tar cable. then someone comes along and says GS Mini and tonal properties are like? color and straighter grain patterns, and they shouldn’t like it, and then they ask Larry, first we might want to loosen Chuck Pautz I currently have a 314ce and want to those grain lines can add up to tonal me if they should like it, you know? your truss rod when you tune down. Seattle, WA step up a bit. I’m looking at buying improvements, but a lot of it is purely There are lots of guitars and lots of That doesn’t fix the lower tension, but a claro walnut W14. How does wal- the look. With spruce, we’re looking at I own a 6-string baritone, a Big Baby people and lots of opinions. I think koa- I’m pretty sure you’d get better results. Chuck, no I’ve never had the pleasure nut’s tone compare to rosewood or more than just the cosmetics. We also and a T5-C2, and all three are mag- topped guitars sound pretty darn good, Our baritone models have a longer fret of cutting into a spruce burl. I can tell cocobolo? take into account the grain structure nificent. I was wondering, though, as do the folks who buy them. scale. Imagine that instead of tuning a you, though, that it would be unusable Myron Phelps features that would make it sound bet- because I’m a huge blues guy, if half step lower, you simply added a fret for a guitar top, as all burls are. There is ter. It’s very difficult to teach a person you would ever consider making behind the first fret. Well, the baritone no grain orientation in a burl, and they Myron, I’d have to say it’s a softer, how to grade wood, even if they work a resonator guitar. I would love to has two extra frets, which means that have no structural integrity that would warmer tone than either rosewood or beside you for years. So, it’s really own a resonator with the Taylor I have two Taylor guitars: a 10-year- NS74ce you could put medium strings on it, and be sufficient to hold the string pressure. cocobolo. That’s the best way I can put almost impossible to explain it here in a stamp of quality on it. old 414 and a 614. I keep them both tune it to D, and it would be the exact it. It’s hard to talk about tone, really, but column, but those are a couple of the Joe Moore in the case with the humidity at tension as a normal neck, tuned to E. walnut is quite a bit softer than either of basics. about 45 percent. I don’t get to play That might be a guitar you’re interested those rosewood species and yields a Sorry, Joe, I don’t think we’ll be doing the 414 very often. Someone told in owning. You could tune it to D, put I’ve had a 414ce for a couple of nice, warm tone. that. That’s a whole new ball game, me that if you don’t play it very often a capo on the first fret, and have a years now and have noticed that the and if we ask ourselves to choose it will lose its bright sound. I really perfect Eb guitar. Put the capo on the white binding on the neck has begun I’ve really enjoyed the Sounds of between designing and tooling a reso- don’t notice much change. Do you second fret and have an E guitar, and to yellow, especially near the nut and Wood&Steel albums put out by Taylor nator guitar and the dozen other kinds think it makes any difference to have take the capo off and have a D guitar. on the bottom by the soundhole. Is I’ve checked out the information Guitars. Will there ever be a volume of guitars we don’t make right now, I the guitar sit for long periods with- It’s very versatile. You can also put this natural, or am I doing something about humidity and its effect on four? think the resonator will keep getting out playing it? heavier strings on it and tune it down to wrong in taking care of it? acoustic guitars. I have a 114ce, Michael Hanvey I played a 714 in the store the other day and bumped. I’m just being straight with Ernie Wint C or even B. Mitch Beck which came with a zippered gig bag. preferred it over the 814. One thing that’s you. Glendale, AZ Barrington, IL Does the bag work as well as a hard- Thank you, Michael. They really were shell case when enclosing the guitar good albums. But they were hard to making me hesitant to make the purchase, Ernie, I need to find this “Someone” Mitch, it’s natural for this to happen with a humidity-controlling device or produce, and at the time we had a per- though, is that I’ve heard that cedar tops guy and tell him to stop telling people I’ve had a GS Mini since I got my to the white binding or the finish that product? Should I consider getting a son working for us who surmounted all degrade over time (rather than open up). I read in an article by [luthier] all kinds of things that are wrong. I’m hands on the first one that came Got a is over the white binding. They both chipboard case or a hardshell case the obstacles. We probably won’t do Ervin Somogyi that because of the glad you asked me. Your guitar won’t to Carlson Music in Alexandria, start to yellow as a unit, each adding a to better control the changing humid- it again, unless the right person comes Is there any truth to this? dynamics of the guitar, tonewoods lose anything from not playing it. In My NS74 (2003) has its original sad- Minnesota. I play it every day. The question for little to the color. The fact that yours is ity levels the guitar encounters here along. Like you, I’ve enjoyed them and Chi Hsu for faces need to be different from fact, I have guitars in my own collection dle, which looks like a steel-string sound is already opening up nicely. Bob Taylor? a little uneven may be because of the in Ohio? crave another. tonewoods for backs if the instru- that barely get played, and they sound compensated Tusq saddle installed I’ve gotten very comfortable with oils in your hands or skin. Do you wear John Horvath ment is to have the best and most better than new. It’s true. Don’t worry backwards, so that the compensa- the short scale and will purchase a Chi, I’ll say there’s no truth at all to that, at least Shoot him an e-mail: shorts and rest your guitar on a bare even sound, and that they need to about it. Guitars don’t lose sound. tion (now on the A string) would mahogany-topped one as soon as I [email protected] leg? The reason I ask is that each of us John, I think a hardshell case does do that you will perceive. Maybe in the classical be of differing densities because seem to be negated. Is that right? If can. It will be handy to have them in has a unique chemistry in our skin, and a better job than the gig bag, but that My loving wife bought me a 414ce guitar world, but I don’t think I’ve seen the the resonant frequency of the back I change the saddle to bone, do you different tunings. Since I’m a finger- If you have a specific sometimes that will cause things like said, if you do use a humidifier or use for our 20-year anniversary and I just evidence even there. And considering the time needs to be higher than the reso- recommend any compensation, or a style player, I would be interested in this to happen. There’s nothing you’re Humidipaks, they will work well inside love it. I also have a 2011 Fall Lim- nant frequency of the face by at I own a Taylor 810 that I bought straight saddle? I’ve never had any a cedar-topped GS Mini as well. Any repair or service doing wrong, though. Just go with it. your bag. You may have to wet them, ited NS24ce and love the different that it would take, you might find yourself long least a tone. It further stated that if brand new in 1997. The guitar is intonation problems with the guitar chance of that happening? concern, please call We used to have an employee here or replace them a little more often, but sound of the nylon strings and cedar gone by then. Get the cedar; like any guitar, it there is too great or too small a gap excellent, but I recently noticed that as is. Steve K our Customer Service department at who had the “Reverse Midas Touch” the bag does make a big difference top. Is there a difference in the age will just sound better with age. separating the fundamental reso- the pickguard is starting to separate Damon Krukowski — just one touch of his hands on the over nothing at all. I’d guess that it’s 75 of the trees used for spruce or cedar nant frequencies of the top and the from the guitar (just a little at the Yes, Steve, it may happen as an LTD (800) 943-6782, strings and they were dead. Eventually percent as good as a hardshell case. tops, or does it just depend upon the back, then guitars have an uneven bottom rear corner). At an auction Damon, I can see how you might at some point. We just made a maple and we’ll take he was forbidden to touch a finished Just a guess, mind you, but that gives wood you acquire from the cutters? tone, i.e., the sound becomes an last summer, I saw an older 810 on think that the saddle is a backwards and a rosewood laminate LTD Mini, and care of you. guitar. I never saw anything like it you an idea. David Guder uneven mixture of loud and quiet which the pickguard was almost steel-string saddle, but it’s not. It’s they went over incredibly well. I can’t before or since! Newport Beach, CA notes. Likewise, if the face and the completely separated. Is this a made specifically for the nylon guitars, say when we might do it, because I 13

Taylor’s co-ownership of an ebony mill in Cameroon aims to establish a new model of sustainable business Ebony’s FinaL FRONTIER By Jim Kirlin

e in the guitar community business, and the framework currently by comparison, was stronger and far- a less consistent fret job. In terms of love our exotic tonewoods. being developed there has the potential ther reaching: It banned the trade of visual aesthetics, ebony’s dark color to positively affect both Cameroonian illegally logged wood. Even more impor- won’t show dirt or grime like a lighter Sourcing W We savor their beauty, revel Challenges in their tonal nuances, and draw inspira- communities and the stringed instru- tant, it shifted the burden of responsi- colored fingerboard such as maple. tion from the craftsmanship that gives ment industry. Like a healthy forest bility to wood buyers, compelling them The darker color also creates a crisp One of the common them a second life as an instrument. ecosystem that fosters a balance of to provide proof to cover the complete contrast with traditional, lighter-colored denominators among the But while our admiration for the finished different species of flora and fauna in chain of custody back to the harvesting inlay materials such as abalone and different exotic tonewoods product may run deep, the back story order to thrive, there is an interdepen- of the tree. mother-of-pearl. For all these reasons, used to make guitars is that details of a tree’s journey from the for- dent business ecosystem that links our It’s worth mentioning that compared ebony is an ideal wood for instrument many originate in tropical est to the factory are often less clear, fellow instrument makers, communities to other wood-consuming industries fingerboards. Other components it regions of the world, often especially the more removed we find in developing countries where woods like flooring companies and furniture is used for include guitar bridges, in developing countries. This ourselves from the source. We might are sourced, and customers. Our makers, the guitar industry consumes headstock overlays, bridge pins and can present steep obstacles have a sense of a wood’s native origin efforts require a mix of long-term plan- a thin fraction of wood. But guitar mak- appointments like binding and rosette when it comes to responsible (especially those with helpful geograph- ning, global collaboration, patience, ers do consume some of the exotic inlays. forest management. Such ic cues like Indian rosewood, Sitka and resilience against the inevitable species that are at risk based on inter- economically underdevel- spruce and Hawaiian koa), but there is obstacles that will arise. But the end national agreements such as CITES oped countries often lack the always more to the story. result will support sustainable forestry (the Convention on International Trade Native Origins proper infrastructure — and the political will — to man- Over the years, Taylor has made an and provide greater economic stability in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna Like woods such as oak, walnut or age their national resources. effort to share some of these stories, in to communities around the world. and Flora). rosewood, there are several species of Trees are often located in part to give you a deeper appreciation The good news is that with clear ebony that grow in different regions of remote forest regions that for the hard work that often goes into legislation and proper management, the world. Ebony grows predominantly make it difficult to enforce wood sourcing, especially in light of The Lacey Act and musical instrument makers, together in Africa and India, although it is also any existing harvesting important environmental issues such as Guitar Companies with communities where these woods found in places like Indonesia. There regulations, leaving the “back legality and sustainability. We’ve taken As we’ve noted in previous sourc- are sourced, have the ability to pre- was a time when Taylor sourced Indian door” open for illegal logging. you into the jungles of Central America ing stories, there was a time when Bob serve the species we love so that our ebony from Sri Lanka, but Bob Taylor And the immediacy of poverty with Bob Taylor to learn of the innova- Taylor didn’t have to go any farther than grandchildren and their grandchildren says it was the lesser of most of the can supersede long-term tive mahogany sourcing initiatives we’ve a local lumber yard to buy wood. Trees, will be able to enjoy their unique musi- ebonies. We have also used Macas- thinking about preserving an developed with forest communities in after all, were a renewable resource, cal qualities. sar or “striped” ebony, which comes area’s natural resources, par- Honduras. We’ve chronicled the guitar and the wood was readily available. from Indonesia, although for backs and ticularly when people need to industry’s collective efforts to promote But in recent decades the seemingly sides only. The best ebony species for feed their families. Corruption the sustainable sourcing of Sitka endless supply of certain wood species Why Ebony? instruments tend to be African strains is regularly a factor. Things spruce. Now the guitar industry finds has been outpaced by consumption. Compared to the attention we (a tree’s typical growth cycle is about often happen more slowly. itself at a critical juncture with another This depletion has in turn threatened often lavish on the attributes of other 80 years), and Taylor has sourced The available tools are often precious wood species: ebony. This is their surrounding forest ecosystem. exotic tonewoods, ebony is far less ebony from Cameroon for 30 years. primitive or in poor condition. the first of a series of reports from the As a result, the guitar industry, along glamorous. Used for the vast majority Until fairly recently, the African country “The reality is just differ- Central African country of Cameroon, with other industries that rely on wood of guitar fretboards, its role is funda- of Madagascar was another source ent,” Bob says. “In Camer- which has effectively become the last to make their products, bear a greater mental to the playing experience, yet of ebony (along with rosewood), but oon, something seemingly frontier for the legal sourcing of ebony. responsibility for knowing how their is often taken for granted because political turmoil following the overthrow simple like cutting a tree can As Bob Taylor first mentioned in wood was sourced, as well as the of its more supportive function. The of the government in 2009 led to a become very complicated. his column in our winter issue, Taylor impact of sourcing on the environment wood’s dark complexion also tends to spike in illegal harvesting within the One person might have a recently became the co-owner of an and local communities. fade into the background compared country’s national forests. As a result, chainsaw, another has the ebony mill in Cameroon, and the impli- The U.S. Lacey Act, a landmark to other more visually striking woods the export of ebony and rosewood was chain, and someone else has cations are far-reaching. This ownership piece of legislation originally passed in and appointments on a guitar. None- suspended entirely, making it illegal gas. And there might be a initiative is significant because it brings 1900 to protect wildlife and amended theless, ebony has long been one of to import it under the Lacey Act. That whole lot of conflict just to an instrument manufacturer closer to in 2008 to include plants and plant the most desirable of woods among effectively leaves Cameroon as the last get that saw through the tree. the source than ever before, which products, marked a watershed moment instrument makers for other reasons. area for legal sourcing. And that’s after you finally enables greater awareness and control in terms of business responsibility Its high density enables it to be finish- “You actually can get legal ebony determine if the tree can be of the supply chain. among importers of products made of sanded to a very smooth and durable out of Congo, including FSC-certified legally cut or not.” Proper management of the ebony natural materials, including wood. Even surface, which is comfortable on the ebony,” Bob Taylor says, “but there is supply is a vital issue because if we though some guitar makers had already fingers. The density also enables solid, very little of it and the price is many continue down our former path, the begun to embrace certain “green” ini- predictable seating of the frets. By times that of Cameroonian ebony.” ebony more than likely will go away as tiatives like wood certification through comparison, softer woods that are we know it. Taylor’s co-ownership pro- organizations like the Forest Steward- sometimes used for fretboards, such vides a unique opportunity to develop ship Council, those were voluntary and as rosewood, can “squish” slightly as a new paradigm for ethical, eco-friendly not necessarily Lacey-compliant. Lacey, the frets are seated, which can lead to continued next page 14 www.taylorguitars.com 15

But I feel it’s important that we in the split between the other dozen permit more people in Cameroon, allowing “This was news to everyone else,” he says. “We live in a different world, protocols), purchasing a mill gives developed, wealthy parts of the world holders.” them to get more value from their Bob says. “Not even the previous a world where we have to respect Taylor-Madinter a chance to introduce take special notice of the conditions in One might wonder how Crelicam resource. I have no reservations about owner of Crelicam knew. The cutters that environment. Decisions had to be measures of sustainability for the indus- these regions.” has been allocated so much of the the quality we can perform there. And don’t tell anybody that. I just started made, and Vidal and I have proudly try as a whole. About Cameroon Bob points to the historical track quota. the benefits to the clients are many, asking questions and went down that made them. Our ebony reflects the “If somebody had done in Mada- Cameroon is located on the western side of Central Africa just north record of resource exploitation. “It’s a question we wondered our- including less shipping weight and rabbit hole and they told me.” reality of the forest. This is what ebony gascar what we’re trying to do now in of the equator. The southwestern portion of the country borders the Gulf “What has happened in developing selves at renewal time, which occurs volume. One day in the next five years, Bob told the cutters on the spot looks like. Here’s the good news based Cameroon, maybe Madagascar would of Guinea, where the port city of Douala is located. Its border countries countries? Well, we go take their dia- annually,” says Bob. “It appears that we’ll be able to go to the Cameroonian that he would buy the déclassé ebony on what we learned: There’s 10 times still be supplying ebony,” Bob says. are Chad to the North, the Central Africa Republic to the East, Congo, monds and their coal and their oil and our solid business plan, our two legiti- government and say, ‘For every ebony from them and pay the same price as much usable ebony in Cameroon as “And if nobody does what we’re try- Gabon and Equatorial Guinea to the south, and Nigeria to the West. It’s their wood until there’s none left. Then mate locations, and our 75 employees tree that comes out of the forest, we as the black wood. They were taken we thought there was.” ing to do now, how long will ebony be been described as having all of Africa in one country for its cultural and we leave the people kind of impov- are unique among the country’s other turn it into this much economy here in aback. But no one will want it, they Given the complicated issues that available from Cameroon before the geological diversity, which boasts beaches, deserts, mountains, rainforests erished. Do you know a lot of places operators, who are hard to locate. The Yaoundé and in Bertuoa.’” said. surround the sourcing of ebony, one NGOs and the government and every- and savannas. Ebony harvesting occurs in the rainforest regions, which where exotic woods come from that commission respects that and granted “Well, now they will,” Bob told them. might wonder why an alternative wood body just has it up to here with wood are located in the southern and eastern part of the country. The overall are flourishing and in great shape and our permit renewals.” It was a decision he says he and Vidal isn’t used for fretboards. Ebony’s supe- being stolen off parts of the land it population is about 20 million people, and both French and English are are First World powers? If they are, Learning to Use What felt compelled to make to be respon- rior qualities aside, Bob says the sourc- shouldn’t be taken from?” the official languages. The country’s capital, Yaoundé, where one of the it’s a place like Brazil, in which case the Forest Provides sible stewards of the forest resources. ing issues would be similar elsewhere. Crelicam mills is located, has nearly 2 million residents. they say, ‘You can’t buy our rosewood A Plan for As Bob and Vidal discovered during “Now that we know this, we can’t And since it’s legal to source ebony continued next page anymore.’ But if the people don’t have Social Investment their early conversations with Crelicam un-know the realities here in Africa,” in Cameroon (when following proper any power or other means to support Owning Crelicam and directly employees, the challenges of the ebony themselves, they’ll trade their wood for overseeing the milling operation puts operation weren’t limited to the mill’s a bowl of rice.” Taylor-Madinter in a first-hand position shortcomings. The harvesting process to understand not only sourcing issues, was another major issue. but also Cameroon’s cultural and eco- The company contracts with about Cutting Permits nomic conditions. Bob and Vidal quickly 25 cutters who work in conjunction with In order to be in the wood business recognized that the employees were Crelicam’s ebony cutting permit. in Cameroon, you need a permit that underpaid, with their wages stretched “They go out into the forest, cut grants you access to a specific Forest even thinner due to the country’s high trees using our permit, and we buy it by Buying an Ebony Mill order to put ourselves in position to Management Unit (concession). Such unemployment rate and the number of the kilo from them,” Bob says. In November of 2010, Taylor make a sound purchase,” Bob elabo- concessions can be logged according people who relied on their support. As As Bob and Vidal talked to the cut- partnered with Madinter Trade, S.L., a rates. “We wanted to identify all the to certain regulations. For example, Bob and Vidal spoke with employees ters to better understand the nature of Spain-based international distributor challenges and potential shortfalls of there has to be a cutting plan, with a as the new owners, they laid out their their work and the challenges they face, of guitar parts and tonewoods used to doing business in Cameroon.” limit to the number of trees that can vision for what the mill would eventually a more complete picture of the harvest- make musical instruments, to explore Between their two trips, Bob and be cut. Under these specific permits, become and announced that every- ing process began to form. For starters, the possibility of purchasing the com- Vidal spent a lot of time meeting with ebony is strictly off limits. This is one’s wages would be doubled by the they learned that it was an enormous pany Crelicam, the largest ebony mill in Non-Governmental Organizations because in Cameroon, ebony is clas- end of this year. They developed an amount of work to deliver the wood. Africa. Located in the country of Camer- (NGOs) in Washington DC, London, sified as a “special species,” and a action plan for upgrading the working Because the ebony trees closest to the oon, the company employs 75 people in and eventually Cameroon. They learned special permit is required to harvest it. environment. They explained how the roads had been harvested, the cutters two mill locations, one in the country’s of Cameroon’s high unemployment rate One reason why it’s not regulated by wood processing skills they would had to go deeper into the rainforest, on capital, Yaoundé, and another about and discovered that those who did have concessions is that ebony trees tend learn would enable them to add value foot, to get to the trees. Unlike loggers 180 miles northeast in the city of Ber- jobs were often expected to take care to be widely dispersed. Crelicam has a and get more money out of the ebony in the jungles of Honduras who use toua. Crelicam supplies fingerboards of anywhere from 10 to 20 people on special permit for harvesting ebony, but they harvest. Currently, only raw ebony mules to remove mahogany from the and bridges to several distributors, their wages. They also saw the primitive no concessions. blanks are exported from Crelicam, dense forest, in Cameroon people carry who in turn sell to makers of guitars, working conditions at the mill. As their “The way they work it is, you can and the value-added work, whether it out. This has limited the harvesting violins and other instruments that fea- understanding of Cameroon’s economy either cut ebony or you can have a for guitars or violins, is done in other range to about eight kilometers (five ture fingerboards, and even pool cues. and the milling operation deepened, concession and not cut ebony, but you countries. miles) from a road. A cutter would get The company’s owner, a Spaniard, had their original ownership goals evolved. can’t have both,” Bob explains. “So, “Our Cameroonian employees need permission to cut from a village with a recently decided to sell the business “Our interest went beyond simply we’re effectively a man with no land. to do that work,” Bob says. “We’re concession and hire a group of people and retire after running it for 12 years. operating a business that only provided We have to get permission to cut ebony going to start drying and processing to haul the wood cut from a felled tree. Bob already had a good working clients with uninterrupted supplies of in places. They have community forests the wood so Cameroonians can share The cutters said another issue was relationship with Madinter’s managing legal ebony and fair prices,” Bob says. that are part of the country’s National in the processing of guitar and violin the wide discrepancy in value between director, Vidal de Teresa, as Madinter “Our focus grew to include the workers Domain, and we can go make a deal parts. Currently it’s not easy — we don’t highly desirable black ebony and the supplies Taylor with sapele (which also in the factory, the citizens of the com- with the chiefs to cut ebony there.” even have running water. We don’t more marbled wood (featuring light- comes from Cameroon) and ovangkol. munities where the ebony grows, the There are approximately 13 com- have electricity that you can count on, streaked variegation), also referred to as Madinter also had been an ebony client truck drivers who transport the wood, panies in all of Cameroon who have or a concrete floor that even looks like “déclassé” (lower class or grade) wood. of Crelicam. The partnership, Bob says, and the forest itself in terms of how we permits to cut ebony, and there are it’ll support a machine. But one day Crelicam previously only paid a fourth of was a natural fit. can sustain it and set it up for future currently no new permits being issued. there will be machines making parts for the black ebony price for the déclassé “Taylor has expertise in the pro- stability and harvest.” Every year a 14-person government our clients, right there in Cameroon, at wood (about 8 cents a pound) because cessing of ebony, while Madinter was For Bob and Vidal, their vision was commission decides on the permits the ebony source.” it was less desirable among their instru- already a large distributor of Crelicam grounded in a three-pronged goal: sup- and the individual quota allocations for To illustrate his point to the Creli- ment-making clients. At that rate, the ebony and had extensive experience plying ebony in a way that was legal, each. The total annual limit that permits cam employees during one of his early cutters said, it wasn’t worth all the labor as a supplier to the trade,” he says. ethical and sustainable. are issued for is 2000 tons of raw visits, Bob showed them video foot- to haul the déclassé wood out. “Together, we felt that we had all the “Today’s Lacey Act in the U.S. ebony log material. age of the ebony processing work that Bob asked them how they deter- necessary expertise to not only take and the forthcoming EU timber laws “When 2000 tons of it has been Taylor currently does at our factory in mined which trees were black and over Crelicam, but to improve the prod- address only legality,” Bob explains. cut, it’s officially over for the year,” Bob Tecate. which were déclassé. They said they uct.” “So, in essence, each one of us users says. “So, each of those 13 compa- “As a guitar manufacturer I am con- cut down an ebony tree and looked at Bob and Vidal visited the company of ebony, or any other species, could nies is issued a permit that tells them fident that this can happen in Africa,” the wood. If it was marbled, they simply Clockwise from top left: Bob with Crelicam partner Vidal de Teresa from Madinter Trade; Bob documents the in Cameroon in February 2011, and choose to be legal and not worry how many tons they get to cut. Our he says. “We can dry and process four left the tree and moved on. Bob asked milling process; Bob shows employees video footage of the ebony processing work that Taylor does in its Tecate again in July 2011. As prospective own- ourselves with the ethics, traditions or company has permits for 1,500 of the smooth, straight sides, delivering a how many trees on average they would factory.Opposite page: The interior of one of Crelicam’s ebony mills, located in Yaoundé, Cameroon ers, the two did extensive research. current state of society in the coun- 2000 tons. We’re the biggest and best much better product to guitar factories. have to cut to find a black one. They “We turned over every stone in tries from which our woods originate. operator there. The other 500 tons are Just this simple operation will employ said about 10. Bob was shocked. 16 www.taylorguitars.com 17

Using Déclassé Ebony One other point that inevitably then asking them if they want some It might surprise you to learn that comes up in discussions of ebony’s ivory. Different people had different Taylor has been buying and using cosmetic appearance is staining it reactions, but almost everybody said, Anne Middleton Joins the Team what’s considered déclassé ebony for black. Other guitar companies have ‘Yes, we’ll use that wood, no problem.’” In March, Taylor welcomed Anne Middleton to our Crelicam opera- decades. In fact, it accounts for roughly tried it. Following Bob’s visit, Gregory Paul, tions team in the role of Environmental and Community Relations 70 percent of the ebony we use for “I don’t have an issue with that — Vice-President of Business Develop- Manager. Based in Cameroon, Anne is responsible for Crelicam’s fretboards and bridges. The B-grade after all, we stain maple and mahogany,” ment for C. F. Martin & Co., emphasized traceability and transparency of ebony wood (including FSC certifica- designation might be based on color- notes Bob. “But it’s not easily done. Martin’s ongoing commitment to the tion), legality (including compliance with CITES, the U.S. Lacey Act, ation, wormholes, cracks or pores in For us, it would have to be a neck with legal and ethical sourcing of ebony. the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and the European Union’s the wood. Our ability to condition the no binding or inlays because the stain “There is no question that ebony is Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade [FLEGT] Action wood into a refined part resolves many would transfer to those materials.” very scarce,” says Paul. “Scarcity of any Plan), sustainability initiatives, building relationships with NGOs and of the physical irregularities. Our Tecate species creates a trading environment community leaders, domestic and international government relations, factory plays a vital role in this type of rife with abuse and illegality. Martin and anti-corruption measures. wood processing, not only for guitars Enlisting the Support of remains committed to sourcing materi- Before joining Taylor, Anne was a forest campaigner at the Envi- made there, but also for guitars that Other Guitar Companies als from companies who clearly demon- ronmental Investigation Agency (EIA) in Washington, DC, where she will be built in El Cajon. These steps As a new owner of Crelicam armed strate that they do the right things for worked with industry and government officials to develop tools and include properly drying the wood, and with a deeper understanding of the the resource and the people to whom resources for understanding and implementing the Lacey Act. She then planing, tapering, sanding and ebony situation in Cameroon, Bob it belongs, all within the confines of the also helped build and sustain the Forest Legality Alliance (www.for- A related issue that Bob thinks guitar This is far from the first time guitar later shaping the parts by hand and Taylor’s next step was to share his rule of law.” estlegality.org), of which Taylor is a leading member. Her educational companies need to consider is the way makers and customers have had to with sophisticated computer mills. findings with other guitar makers who One person suggested making the background includes a B.A. in Biology from Oberlin College and a they have allowed their purchasing deci- adapt to changes in the availability While some other guitar makers use were clients of the distributors to whom black ebony available for a premium Master of Environmental Science and Management from the Bren sions to be influenced by people who of tonewoods. Brazilian rosewood rosewood fretboards for their lower- Crelicam sold their ebony. He put upcharge, but Bob disagreed. School at the University of California, Santa Barbara. are removed from the realities of the and Adirondack spruce were once end models and reserve ebony for together a detailed presentation and “What will happen is people will Middleton says she’s thrilled to bring her environmental back- sourcing process. widely available. Aesthetic preferences their high-end guitars, we use ebony personally visited companies including just fight to spend extra money to get ground into the business world and play a role in fulfilling Taylor’s “Some companies have their market- change, too. for every guitar. One benefit of doing Martin, Fender, Guild, Collings, PRS, the black wood, and that will work its vision as an ebony supplier at Crelicam. ing and sales people, who aren’t fully “Twenty years ago if there was sap- this, beyond ebony’s performance Breedlove and others. He explained way all the way back to the forest, there “For the first time in the industry, Taylor has taken a giant step aware of the sourcing issues, telling wood in a guitar, a dealer would send superiority, is that it gives us a broader the realities of the ebony trade in will be a price difference between the toward supply chain transparency by owning the source,” she them what color their ebony needs to it back,” Bob points out. “Now the trees spectrum for internal grading; in other Cameroon and laid out the new vision two, and we’ll be right back where we says. “It’s a huge challenge for us, but knowing exactly where the be,” he elaborates. “And you know how are smaller so we use it, and we made words, we use it from the Baby Taylor for the company: to provide ebony started even though the numbers are wood comes from and knowing that we’re investing in Cameroon that happens? A customer — it could it a ‘thing.’ Some of our customers love to exotic Builder’s Reserve models. that was sourced legally, ethically and different.” and its people is as important to me as the quality of the guitar parts. be a teenager — will call the company to request a cocobolo guitar with sap- Though there may be some debate sustainably, and over time to provide Another person suggested that What happens at Crelicam has the potential to have a positive and and say, ‘Hi, I bought this guitar six wood in the middle.” among guitar enthusiasts about differ- them with a better processed product. as an ebony supplier, Taylor might be far-reaching impact.” months ago, and it’s really awesome. Ultimately, Bob doesn’t think having ences in quality between marbled and He explained Crelicam’s intent to use inclined to have two grading standards: With Anne based in Cameroon, we look forward to sharing her But I was with my friend the other day more variegation in some of the ebony black ebony, Bob insists the difference trees with coloration in them because one that set aside the black wood for regular reports on our progress at Crelicam in Wood&Steel and at and he looked at my fingerboard and will be a huge issue among customers. is just cosmetic. a lot of the black ones had been har- its own guitars, and the marbled ebony taylorguitars.com. said it shouldn’t have that color in it. Dark ebony isn’t going away altogether, “There’s no difference in tone, vested. Ultimately, he invited them to for everyone else. It was a fair question. And I thought I was buying a quality and companies including Taylor will density, the way it dries or anything like be valued partners who, together as a “I told everyone I was already their guitar, and now I found out you have a still grade so that the darker fretboards that,” Bob says. “Although, one irony is group, could bring enormous improve- great experiment,” Bob says, “because low-quality fretboard on there, and I’m are used for the higher-end models. that worms actually seem to ment to the forest and communities in I make guitars out of déclassé ebony “The United States Embassy Yaoundé is proud to calling to find out what you’re going to And consider that when you look at a prefer the blacker Cameroon. all the time and have been for years. do about it.’ fretboard on a guitar neck, you’re also wood.” “The 10 to 1 cutting ratio was illumi- When the guitars are finished they have provided assistance to Taylor Guitars and “There’s always a friend involved,” looking at elements like frets, strings nating to a lot of people,” Bob says. “It look great and no one thinks anything its Spanish partner [Madinter Trade] during their Bob laughs. “Why that opinion? Well, and inlays. Besides, some of the varie- was the equivalent of showing a picture of it. We’ll probably start to see a little it was born of the fact that for 100 or gation is truly beautiful. Anyone who’s of an elephant with his face bit more wood with coloration, but we purchase of two Cameroonian ebony-processing 200 years if there was a striped tree seen some of the Macassar ebony already buy and use this wood.” Build to Order guitar bodies we’ve chainsawed off factories. We were happy to advise Taylor on the and a black tree, we’d take the black and Besides, Bob says, consumer one. That same customer might also made in the past will certainly agree. acceptance of ebony variegation is business climate in Cameroon, introduce company talk to his dealer, who calls the sales We’ve also been setting aside ebony easier to achieve if it comes from rep at the guitar company and says, ‘I with exotic marbling features for special representatives to Cameroonian officials, and host the entire industry have a customer who’s really unhappy,’ custom and Build to Order guitars. together. a dinner at the Ambassador’s residence in honor and the sales person tells marketing, (See pages 18-19.) and marketing tells the purchasing As Bob reflects on the initiative in of Bob Taylor. At the dinner, Bob met government department, who doesn’t understand Cameroon and the role that such com- and non-governmental organization officials who the wood sourcing issue, and the pur- munities in developing countries play chasing department says, ‘The ebony in the ultimate success of companies could assist with Taylor’s efforts in Cameroon. We must be black.’ And this all might have who rely on their resources, he reiter- applaud Taylor Guitars’ efforts to improve employee started from a person who buys your ates the need for social responsibility in lowest grade guitar. business. working conditions at the factories, and its determi- “Those decisions are made through “I believe that the best way out of nation to institute less wasteful and more ecologi- this big chain of fear,” Bob adds. “We poverty is business,” he says. “People work through a chain of confidence. need meaningful jobs, where they have cally sustainable use of ebony. We believe by foster- We don’t bring fear up to the president; some say in their future. I don’t believe ing Cameroon-U.S. business initiatives, we not only we bring confidence down to the cus- these problems can be fixed with char- tomer. Part of my role in the ecosystem ity, but I do believe that these people improve income for American companies, but the of guitars is for me to understand the involved in getting our ebony cannot livelihoods of many Cameroonians as well.” sourcing issues and make a judgment help themselves. They desperately need that brings the most good for the most a partner, as in us, who cares about — U.S. Ambassador to Cameroon, Robert P. Jackson Top down: Bob captures another step in the ebony milling process; L-R: Crelicam employees Vincent Lumpungu people. A hundred years ago, I’d have their plight and will use the business to Above: A sampling of Yakawumbu and Jean Paul Ndzié Mvondo. Top right: Pre-processed and banded fretboard blanks been a totally different guy because it better their lives.” ebony’s variegation was a different world. But things have changed dramatically.” Embracing Ebony’s Artistry Although black ebony has long been the reigning aesthetic standard for fretboards in the guitar world, ebony trees actually exhibit a diverse palette of colors and character. Rich chocolate and caramel hues some- times mingle with creamy wisps that sweep along the length of a fretboard. Mottled patterns can range from subtle variegation to wildly exotic marbling. Sometimes the coloration is sparse and random, like the fretboard on the custom guitar shown here. Taylor’s commitment to eco-conscious ebony sourc- ing means that as we move forward, both as a guitar manufacturer and now an ebony supplier, we have an obligation to use what the forest provides. Black ebony won’t disappear, but over time you may start to see less of it. We plan to use it more selectively, most likely on guitars that have more inlay detail, like the 600 through Presentation Series. On some custom guitars, we may not want to add any inlays at all, as Mother Nature will have supplied the artistic touches. In the end, we under- stand that people’s aesthetic preferences are subjective. We also understand that, in the interest of preserving a sustainable supply of ebony, the trees get a say in the design process. 21

A few decades ago, Bob and Kurt built a foundation for their fledgling Johnston. “A customer came in and said, not trying to compete on price. In fact, Gryphon Stringed ‘I want to thank you guys for giving me we won’t compete on price. We want Instruments an opportunity to hang out with people to discuss guitars, how they sound, guitar enterprise in a grassroots way, sharing their passion for guitars other than the ones I work with.’ He what they’re made of, and how they Palo Alto, California didn’t mean that he didn’t like the people differ. I’m not saying we pretend that with prospective dealers one store at a time. As Taylor has grown over he worked with. But finding musicians price doesn’t matter, but anytime you with similar interests and abilities meant get into that discussion early, you’re on Just over 44 years ago, Frank he had a group he could relate to that the wrong foot.” the years, we’ve never forgotten the value of building relationships, or Ford and Richard Johnston founded was separate from where he worked. I In fact, he says, people often come Gryphon Stringed Instruments, named think people use a musical community in and want to talk about other things. the important role our dealers have played in helping to cultivate what after the mythical half lion, half eagle as a pressure release valve from where “Sometimes they use those reasons creature known for its watchful and they work…. Some are high-powered to justify the visit, when it’s much more loyal attributes. The store and its staff people who like to step out of that role, social than a fact-finding mission. You has grown into a vibrant extended Taylor community. Though Kurt no are recognized throughout the industry who like being able to talk about guitars. don’t have to justify it; you just have to for their extensive guitar knowledge A store like ours can be a place to get hang out and have a good time. All we longer has to hit the road in a Volvo crammed full of guitars, these days (Ford and Johnston have written articles away, a place where you can be some- ask is that you don’t scratch things.” and books, and Johnston is a frequent one else to a certain extent.” Johnston shared another anecdote appraiser on Antiques Roadshow on Johnston says his regulars come in that speaks to the incredible impact our sales and marketing team has been logging more miles than ever PBS). In the early days, the two would on Saturdays, like clockwork. Former music has on people. to present in-store Road Show and Find Your Fit events, and we love doing them. As Taylor’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing Brian Swerdfeger likes to say, “Taylor is a brand you can know,” and that philosophy is grounded in the events like the Road Show. When Swerdfeger was originally developing its presentation format, he says he was inspired by childhood memories of neighborhood gatherings around his grand- father’s outdoor grill, and the natural way that food brought people together. Swerdfeger would be reminded of this when he started playing guitar and was exposed to local music store culture in Southern Califor- nia, as people would get together to talk about guitars and share licks.

After another rewarding season of dealer visits and Road Show gigs, Richard Johnston Gryphon Stringed Instruments we thought we’d talk to a few of our dealers about the ways they’ve open the store for jam sessions, house customers who’ve moved away stop by “This customer’s family was ques- concerts and the like, attracting new when they’re back in town to visit rela- tioning why he was shopping for cultivated a sense of community through their stores. If there’s a com- friends along the way, many of whom tives, and they often bring their kids by another instrument, and he said, ‘You still hang out at the store today. Boast- to show them the shop. don’t understand, guitars are a world.’ mon thread, it may be that a good store understands that their success ing plenty of Bay Area “earthiness,” the “Frank and I don’t like to admit it, And when you see what kind of iconic store is deeply rooted in the community, but one time a young kid came in and instrument the guitar is, and how it’s has a top-notch service department, told us his grandparents had met in our connected to so much more than gui- comes not just from sales, but from engaging customers in meaningful and carries an amazing selection of store! Lots of couples have met here, tar music, and then you see young kids instruments. Over the years, Ford and and lots of small bands have come and put a guitar on, they just become dif- ways and nurturing a deeper appreciation for music. It can happen in Johnston have grown their music com- gone.” ferent — [it gives them an] identity. We munity through lessons and Saturday Johnston attributes the store’s cap- love to see kids go out the front door workshops. A recent e-mail announcing tivating vibe to music’s natural ability with a guitar, when it’s all they can so many different ways: a father and son who sign up for guitar lessons the store’s upcoming events offered a to make people feel good and connect do to keep their heels on the ground. sample of the eclectic array of instruc- with others. He adds that the shop is It’s just as satisfying selling to a kid together; an in-store clinic; a staff that makes customers feel at home. tional themes, from blues slide guitar to a place where harmony between staff as someone who has several musical fiddle techniques to Western yodeling. members is paramount, and that selling instruments.” The store is a place where people have isn’t the main focus. A store is just a store. But a store that connects with its customers is made strong musical bonds. “We have over a dozen instructors “One of the most telling compli- teaching lessons, creating customers a community. ments I had was years ago,” says who like to hang here,” he says. “We’re continued next page 22 www.taylorguitars.com 23

this and I can’t find it.’ And I’d think to ebration here in my community. It’s a mance to the jazz ensemble meet-up Appalachian myself, well, somebody’s looking for grassroots sort of thing. I look back Fazio’s Frets Spotlight or open jam session. Best of all, each Martin Melodee Bluegrass Shoppe it, which means it’s probably manufac- at the years of being in business, the and Friends Music event is free, whether it’s a standing- Music Music tured, so there’s probably a demand for amount of softball and little league and room-only clinic, like the recent event Catonsville, Maryland it. So, I’d find it and order two pieces — soccer and high school football teams Ellisville, Missouri Fort Collins, Colorado with bass virtuoso Victor Wooten, or Memphis, Tennessee Sterling and Leesburg, Virginia one for the person who requested it I’ve sponsored. It’s all the little things a recital performed by the store’s own and the other to hang on the wall.” that you can’t put your finger on in Nestled in the Northern Colorado music students (Students in the Spot- Word has it there’s not a band in Another store with deep roots in its Knode still follows a similar approach terms of whether it will ever make you mountain town of Fort Collins, Spotlight light). Memphis that doesn’t know Martin local community is Appalachian Blue- these days, and clearly his reputation money; you just do it because you want Music has become a local institution For the Curcis, it’s not just about Music. Eric Martin’s shop has a reputa- grass, a family business established for helping others has spread. to put back into the community. It’s and a center of community activity. bringing people into the store; it’s also tion for being the go-to place for guitar in 1960 and owned and run by Emory “It’s funny, I can’t tell you how like that old story of stone soup. When When owners Rob and Jen Curci relo- about giving back. Each year the store aficionados and working musicians Knode and his wife Charlene. many times people have come in and everybody gets together you throw cated to their current spot three years celebrates its important milestones looking for a guitar — and, in some “My pop ran a classic, old school said, ‘Everybody tells me you’re the something in the pot; you can’t always ago, they wanted to bring a sense with a charity raffle where, for a dol- cases, a bandmate. sort of store catering to band and guy to go see. I’ve got this problem....’ be taking something out.” of vibrancy and life to the storefront, lar or for three canned food items, “People will call us and say, ‘I’m orchestra rental programs with elemen- You have to listen and sometimes cull Knode’s sense of community even and what better way to do that, they people get a ticket for a chance to win looking for someone who can do this, tary schools,” Knode says. At the end through what they’re saying, because extends to include his competition. By thought, than with caffeine and music. music gear, including a Taylor guitar. or play that,’ ” shares Martin. “There are of the ’70s, with music trends changing they may not know what they want, but working together, he knows that his The store features a full coffee shop The raffle, which benefits the Larimer lots of people who’ve met their band- and his father thinking of retiring, Knode they’re throwing ideas at you, and it’s store’s reputation for great repairs and with tables and seating, which opens County Food Bank, has continued to mates just by being here.” fell in with some bluegrassers and up to the person in the store to listen service has enabled him to compete by into a showcase area that houses a full raise thousands of dollars, tons of food, While he won’t take credit for the loved both the purity of the music and and say, ‘Well this person is really ask- helping people. stage, a lighting system, and pro sound and in the process, rally the community formation of any bands, it’s apparent the spirit of the community. ing for this, in which case you go into “We’ve befriended other stores, and that’s big enough for brass ensembles around a worthy cause. Often called that Martin’s openness and “of service” “There was no façade,” he says. your magic bag of tricks, hand them some of them will say, ‘Go see Emory and jazz bands. The store’s cozy atmo- upon to donate to other events in the attitude are shared by his staff. The L-R: Chris Davis, Rob Mock, TM Hanna “You’d go to a bluegrass festival and something, and often they say, ‘Oh my at Appalachian Bluegrass; he’ll help you sphere and coffee shop storefront community, the store gives away about store itself is a place for musicians to Melodee Music see this band of amazing pickers on word, it’s exactly what I wanted.’ If you out.’ I mean, they’re the competition, make it a beacon for walk-in customers, $15,000 in merchandise each year to a stage, and then the next band would try to jam the square peg into the round and believe me, I’m a competitor, but by parents who’ve brought their kids in for variety of causes, including the Ameri- For Rob Mock, owner of Melodee reps from various manufacturers go on and I’d turn around and see the hole, all you’ll get is friction, and you’ll the same token, we’re allies because lessons, and lots of regulars. can Red Cross Northern Colorado Music, with stores in Sterling and (including Taylor) also attend. previous band sitting there behind me have returns and unhappy people.” we are selling the same thing. We are A glance at the store’s monthly Chapter, and in individual cases, works Leesburg, Virginia, in-store events were “I look at the event as a cross enjoying the show. It excited me so Knode prides himself on not only supporting music. We’re trying to bring event calendar reveals why Spotlight with customers having a hard time. an important consideration when they between a regular music festival and a much that I thought, in order to keep serving the musical needs of custom- people into the fold to play music.” has become a hangout for musicians “One of the benefits of really knowing moved into a new building in Sterling NAMM show because having it in March the business in the family and prevent ers, but also supporting the broader Besides, Knode says, the real com- and music fans. Six days a week they our clientele is that we can work with back in 1998. The store itself had means that a lot of the new stuff has me from having a real job, maybe I’ll needs that help the surrounding com- petition is elsewhere. host a live evening performance of customers who need the help and build originally been established in 1971, and just come out but a lot of people haven’t start going in the bluegrass direction. munity thrive. “It doesn’t come from the box some kind or another, from the local a lot of trust in the process,” Jen says. their new location saw the unveiling of seen it,” he says. “So that’s an added Around 1980 my pop pretty much “It’s not just the people who walk in stores or the Internet. It comes from Guitar Society meeting and perfor- their instruction and performance cen- draw.” retired and I took over the business one looking for a piece of gear; it’s the kid the motorcycle shop, the golf shop, the ter, located on the store’s bottom floor, Another unique event that Mock piece at a time.” who comes in here and needs to have tennis shop, the garden center. You’re which features private lesson studios added to the front end of the Acous- Knode says he rebuilt the business an ad taken out for the yearbook; it’s really competing for people’s time in James Gast and a 130-seat auditorium. Mock had tifest weekend starting last year was his by following a simple premise: listen- someone who’s got a good cause and this business, and whatever the other Fazio’s Frets and Friends taken pride in hosting Taylor workshops Custom Shop Cocktail Party, an evening ing to what customers want and then needs a donation for a silent auction; stores can do, whatever I can do to in the late ’90s, and he saw the in-store reception which this year featured pre- finding it. it’s a jam session if people want to get make that person want to spend their The store’s name says it all, points opportunities to the store, including venue as a way to create an even better sentations from Martin Guitar’s Cus- “People would come in and say, together and play music. I’ve always time making music is what will benefit out Fazio’s Frets and Friends manager artist performances, clinics and events experience for customers, not to men- tom Shop and Taylor’s Build to Order ‘Emory, I’ve looked everywhere for been a big part of the 4th of July cel- us in the long run.” James Gast. The Ellisville, Missouri like the Taylor Road Show, which the tion performers. experts. shop, which has been in business for store always brings to its customers for “Even when I tell an artist in advance “On this year’s invitation, for attire over 33 years, prides itself on knowing little or no cost. The shop also hosts a that we have a small auditorium in the we put, ‘Dress for the guitar you desire,’ many of its customers by name and weekly open-mic night at a local venue. basement, when they walk in for the first he shares. “We had beer and wine and creating a family-like environment. It’s often standing room only. time, the response is almost always, hors d’oeuvres. Everybody who buys a Eric Martin “Customers come by just to hang The store is also proud of its work Martin Music ‘Wow,’ ” he says. “I know everyone’s a ticket for Acoustifest automatically gets out,” shares Gast. “Our guys welcome with Six String Heroes, a locally-based professional and they always do a really invited, and then I invite my really good the chance to chat about guitars, organization that provides injured vet- good job, but I think you tend to give a customers, and especially at cocktail accessories and other gear. There’s no erans with music lessons. Through the network and hang out, reminiscent of little bit better performance when you’re parties, we encourage them to bring pressure to sell, just a chance to con- local VA hospital, a team of instructors the local corner store where people not in the corner of the acoustic guitar their spouses since it’s a higher-brow nect with likeminded people and possi- supplies guitars and lessons to the swapped stories and shared the news room with boxes around you. We’ve got kind of event. The people who come bly learn something new. It’s wonderful.” wounded warriors, donating their time from the neighborhood. a permanent sound system and lighting, appreciate that it’s a different flavor.” Attentive service is a hallmark of to teaching an eight-week course to “We’re a family-owned shop, and so we tried to make it as top notch as From events like these to Taylor’s the store. Customers who purchase a groups of about 20-30 students. After we share that sense with our custom- we could without breaking the bank.” Road Show and Find Your Fit, Mock guitar receive full service on it as long completing the course, the students get ers, as they’re part of that, too,” he It wasn’t long before Mock began loves that his customers have a chance as they own it. This includes inspec- to keep their guitars, which are paid for says. “We want them to feel welcome planning even bigger events around clin- to connect with people from Taylor in tions, set-up, cleanups and more, with with funds raised throughout the year here, just to come by any time.” ics. He’s been hosting his annual Acous- a personal way. Bob Taylor came and a minimal charge to cover the cost of with a donation box in the store. For The staff’s personal care extends tifest each spring for 13 years now, spoke one year. Taylor’s sales rep for the new strings and maintenance. the extended Fazio’s community, it’s a beyond the store’s main sales floor to covering an entire day and featuring four store, Zach Arntz, is known by many. Fazio’s also boasts a large student chance to give back, and for the vets, a the back, where guitars are serviced. performers (see page 30). Some guests “I sometimes joke about how many population, with an average of 600 to comforting outlet for expressing them- “I was talking to my luthier just the have driven from as far as New York to of my customers know Zach,” Mock 700 students visiting the store each selves through music. Graduates of the other day about an instrument that had attend. says. “He’s been out here at so many week for lessons. The instructors fol- program often spend time at the store been taken to another place in town “We have a lot of fun,” he says. “We events that instead of asking if Taylor’s low a prescribed lesson plan and offer and continue their musical journey. As [for repair]. He was saying, ‘I don’t get give out prizes after each clinic — T-shirts, sales rep is coming out, they’ll ask, ‘Is special lessons, including Fazio’s Rock of press time, the store was beginning why the repairman did this.’ And I said, hats and stuff — and when I pull out a Zach coming?’ It’s a very personal thing, Academy, an afterschool program for to plan its annual Veterans Day sale, ‘It’s because it wasn’t his own instru- person’s name, I know most of them, so which I think is great.” children which culminates in a live per- a community event slated for later this ment.’ He said, ‘You’re right, because it’s a pretty personal connection.” formance at a local venue. year that features local artists, raffles every time I repair something, I repair Last year, Mock added to the event What do you like about your local Emory and Charlene Knode Jen and Rob Curci Appalachian Bluegrass Shoppe A variety of other events brings and fun, all in support of their program. Spotlight Music it as if it was my own, as if I loved this by setting up a mini stage upstairs for Taylor dealer? Share your comments at a healthy assortment of fun learning instrument.’ That’s the difference.” product demos between sets. Sales taylorguitars.com/dealer-stories 24 www.taylorguitars.com

pairs Hall and his band with an invited with her 612ce. She ended up singing he explains. “We feature that guitar artist as they jam on each other’s songs the entire tune on her own, and both the heavily when we play ‘10,000 Reasons,’ and share stories and great food, usually crowd and the band loved it. Afterward, the title track from my latest album. If we from Hall’s house in upstate New York. singer Jennifer Nettles told the crowd, could go back and record it again I’d Soundings The show has featured a gamut of guest “My face hurts, like a wedding face, from definitely include an acoustic baritone.” artists, from legends like Todd Rundgren smiling the whole time.” At our press deadline, Redman was and Nick Lowe to the latest generation Springsteen’s talent has quickly been looking forward to tour dates in Brazil, of young standout musicians, who seem recognized by others in the industry. She the U.S., Singapore, Australia and then New World Voice to relish the chance to collaborate with was invited to be a part of the Tin Pan back to England. He says his extensive In April, singer-songwriter Jeff Lar- tars for writing new or re-working older the soul-singing legend. Among the South Songwriters Festival, a “writers in travels have highlighted the ways that son (GS8, 654, 612, GS Mini, among songs that may have gotten ‘stuck’ emerging acts who’ve hit it off musi- the round” series, making her the young- music bridges different cultures and others) served up a new album, The along the way.” cally with Hall is fellow R&B singer est participant ever. languages. World Over, giving fans of harmony- www.jefflarson-music.com Allen Stone (DN7e), who’s been www.alanaspringsteen.com “Often the songs seem to arrive rich acoustic pop a fresh helping of called a “pitch perfect powerhouse” by there before us,” he says. “Modern wor- shimmering tunes. Larson’s natural ear USA Today and seems to share some ship songs can travel through the glob- for melody, together with a voice that of Hall’s musical DNA. In fact, when al church really quickly these days. So, radiates golden warmth, lays a tuneful Two Artists, Hall decided to take LFDH on tour, Drama, Light and we’ll show up in Tokyo or Kiev and hear foundation that he skillfully builds upon, One Day, One Song he invited Stone to join him on several Tech Support that they’ve already taken the songs to incorporating layers of acoustic strum- The online series “Dubway Days” dates, along with neo-soul favorites Sha- Latin rockers Maná released their heart. I love that. To me it’s proof that ming and tight vocal harmonies to cre- explores the collaborative songwrit- ron Jones and the Dap Kings. We also latest album, Drama y Luz, last year, but we can live thousands of miles apart, ate a rich, laid-back vibe, the listening ing process in an intriguing way: by got in on the act, making Hall a custom it wasn’t until earlier this year that their have totally different cultures, and yet equivalent of a “safe harbor,” to borrow pairing two artists with the mission of black Dreadnought with his show’s logo tour stopped included in San Diego, still share a common heart.” an apt description from his liner notes. composing and recording a song in one on the front, which he’s been playing which came with an urgent request. www.mattredman.com Larson has always had a knack day. Each episode, the host and princi- on tour. Touring guitarist Fernando Vallin wanted for surrounding himself with comple- ple artist, singer-songwriter Ben Arthur Speaking of LFDH, in April we the newest version of Expression Sys- mentary musical elements, and on (615), hatches a songwriting idea with caught up with California boys The tem installed in his GS5e, and fast, as this record it all gels wonderfully. His a guest artist, and the two begin a co- Dirty Heads (T5-C2, SolidBody GS8, the band had several more tour dates in Jack and Zac well-chosen partners in vocal harmony writing session. The series spotlights the GS Mini), who were fresh from their front of them. You know it’s a party when legend- include Jeddrah Schmit, daughter nature of the creative process, intensi- own appearance on the show, where Once our Service department fin- ary whiskey distiller Jack Daniel’s and of Eagles bassist/singer Timothy B. fied by the pressure to write and record they put their signature rock/reggae/ ished the installation, Monica Martinez Grammy award-winning Taylor act the Schmit, and America co-founders on a tight deadline. Filmed in New York hip-hop stamp on the Hall & Oates clas- from our Human Resources department Zac Brown Band come together. Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell, City’s Dubway Studios, the series fea- sic “Rich Girl.” The band, best known for played the role of translator as the Both are known for their dedication with whom Larson has frequently col- tures regular appearances from Arthur’s their No. 1 hit “Lay Me Down” from their pickup-equipped guitar was delivered to to their craft, and as an extension of laborated. Jeffrey Foskett, the musical 615. Guest artists include John Wesley 2008 breakthrough record, Any Port in Vallin at the local venue where they were that theme, the two have partnered director for Brian Wilson’s band, also Harding, Tracy Bonham, Alex Wong and a Storm, was readying their new release, performing. The band’s Taylors were well for a unique promotional campaign in makes a guest appearance to lend sig- Grammy-nominated Latin film star Xime- Cabin by the Sea, when they stopped displayed during their acoustic set, per- conjunction with the band’s summer nature Beach Boys vocal arrangements na Sarinana. View the episodes online at by the studios of Los Angeles-based formed on a platform in the middle of the tour. A video production team from the to the album’s closing track. Other key www.dubwaydays.com BETA TV to shoot an interview and per- arena, as they played many of their hits ad agency for Jack Daniel’s is visiting contributors include guitarist and co- formance. You can access video footage for the passionate crowd, including “Se craftsmen around the nation to capture producer Hank Linderman, whose of the session from our Wood&Steel Me Olvido Ortra Vez” and more. how they do what they do, and Taylor tasteful electric work spices up the page at taylorguitars.com. Look for more www.mana.com.mx Guitars is among the companies they’ll acoustic glimmer; and multi-instrumen- Going His Own Way of these interviews and performances be spotlighting. talist Bob Brozman, a master of slide, In early May, Lindsey Buckingham with other artists in the future. In early May, the production crew resophonic and other exotic instrument opened his 2012 solo tour with a sold- visited the Taylor factory for a two-day Clockwise from top left: Lindsey Buckingham (photo by Daniel Knighton/Pixel textures, whose playing adds an assort- out show in Solana Beach, California, Wide World of Worship video shoot, during which they filmed Perfect Images); Dustin “Duddy B” Bushnell from the Dirty Heads with band- ment of world-roots flavors. just north of San Diego. This tour finds Brighton, UK-based worship leader a custom “Jack and Zac” guitar as it mates at BETA TV; Daryl Hall on tour with his customized LFDH guitar (photo by Of the several Taylors Larsen used Buckingham distilling his music into an Springsteen’s Upswing Matt Redman (Baritone 8-String) made its way through the factory. The Mark Maglio); Matt Redman; Alana Springsteen with her 612ce; (L-R): Jeff Larsen on the record, he says his Baritone intimate one-man-show, and he treated Music has always been close to looks forward to life on the road, which guitar, a modified 614ce-N, features with Gerry Beckley (photo by Henry Diltz); the “Jack & Zac” guitar 8-String helped spur the creative the crowd to a mix of material from his the heart of precocious preteen Alana is a good thing considering his tour a custom fretboard inlay of the Jack process. solo albums, including last year’s Seeds Springsteen. The talented 11-year old schedule. The British musician recently Daniel’s stylized script, featuring the “I used it on two of the tracks: ‘Your We Sow, and Fleetwood Mac tunes recently caught the attention of Kristian wrapped up a tour through Sweden, “Old No. 7” logo and black filigree that Way Back Home’ and ‘This Morning including “Bleed to Love Her,” “Come,” Bush, half of the multi-platinum-selling Norway, Denmark, Germany and Hol- has become synonymous with the Jack in Amsterdam,’” he says. “I had started “Never Going Back Again,” “Big Love,” duo Sugarland. Bush and Springsteen land, essentially waking up on the tour Daniel’s label. The crew also spoke both songs but had reached a dead- “I’m So Afraid,” and “Go Your Own Way.” met through mutual contacts while bus in a new country each day. Though with Bob Taylor about what craftsman- end. The Baritone inspired me from the Our artist relations rep Tim Godwin was Springsteen was in Nashville working on he’s known for his larger worship ship means to him. The interview and outset with the unique voice it brought in the house and said Buckingham’s songs. He invited her to co-write with events, Redman says he appreciates production footage will be posted on to the songwriting process. With both signature fingerpicking sounded great him and his brother Brandon, keyboard- the stripped-down impact of an acous- their co-branded site, www.jackandzac. songs it forced a new approach and as he swapped between his Rick Turner ist for Sugarland, earlier this year. Once tic guitar. com. helped me complete them by adding a and Taylor guitars, including his 814ce. out on tour, he invited the Virginia Beach “At one point each night we’ll play As Zac and his bandmates tour in bridge, a solo and a new overall vibe.” www.lindseybuckingham.com native to come to the band’s show three acoustic songs, back to back,” support of their new album, team Jack Larson says the Bari-8 also changed up and be his guest, although this quickly he says. I love the simplicity and space and Zac also will be advocating respon- his lead vocal approach. morphed into an opportunity to let her that provides. We’re basically play- sible alcohol consumption and helping “It locked me into a more resonant talent shine. ing modern-day hymns, so it’s a great concert goers with a designated driver tone on my lower end, which was a Hall Access Bush told Springsteen to learn moment to really hear people singing program. You can expect to see Zac good fit and natural to work in,” he We’re unabashed fans of the monthly “Baby Girl,” from the duo’s 2004 debut their hearts out.” playing his custom 614ce-N on stage, explains. “It’s always nice when an series Live from Daryl’s House, the album, Twice the Speed of Life, with the Redman says his Baritone 8-String along with his custom NS74ce. instrument inspires you, but in this award-winning webcast and syndicated expectation that she would be invited to has been a great addition on his tour. case the guitar became even more of television show produced by Daryl Hall sing on stage with them. She says she “It adds some low end to the acous- a songwriting partner. Now I use the (555, 614ce, 615ce, 914ce NS74ce, was nervous, since it was her first time tic vibe without losing that high percus- Baritone as one of my main turn-to gui- Custom) of Hall & Oates. Each episode performing with in-ear monitors and not sive tone that an acoustic guitar brings,” Backstage Pass 27

audiophile album. I wanted to make an ed that original part with the 912 when sions for other people in studios, you ber bringing it to him and just saying, easily. With the uke, I had to try differ- album that, regardless of the style or I got back home. And then I started lay- have to just tighten your belt and man “Does this work for you sonically?” ent things because the obvious didn’t the listener’s taste, even if you don’t ering. Because I have my own studio, up and try to bring it up to the level and he said, “It’s fantastic.” work; it was just too busy and took like the music, you’ll still like the way it I have the opportunity to do stream- of your peers, as do they. But when up too much space sonically. But it’s sounds. And every time you listen to it, of-consciousness in my recording and I go back to my studio and play with One of the tunes on your album, one of the things I enjoy about picking it reveals something more to you. I love arranging — just hitting “record” and the luxury — sometimes — of recording “Lanikai Lullabye,” incorporates a up different stringed instruments like albums like that — when I hear a familiar saying, “I wonder what a vihuela would myself stream-of-consciousness, not Taylor Baritone 8-string. the 8-string bari or the vihuelas or the tune by Steely Dan or James Taylor or sound like on this?” and just recording over-thinking, I learn a lot. I get some Yeah, I borrowed it because I had ukulele or the high-strings: to explore the Beatles and suddenly think, I never a couple of takes without judging it in surprising things that wouldn’t have read about it and was intrigued by it. I how the instrument can fit within the Making noticed there was an accordion in that any way. And with this piece it took me happened if I had been thinking about thought, I need to play this instrument; I context of the piece of music you’re bridge! on a little journey. I didn’t know where it it or trying too hard or feeling the pres- need to find a place on my album for it. doing. And to be open to treating it would end, whether I would do it with a sure to nail the take. As a writer, arranger and producer, full band or not. I put my Ramirez nylon when you’re recording your com- on it, added some strums and a high- Tell me about the personality of Arrangements positions with such accomplished string guitar. And it just has these lay- your 912ce and how it works for “The 912ce is versatile and respon- musicians, do you give them free- ers. I ended up playing it for Luis Conte you. sive — if I want to play it sweetly, it dom with their parts or do you and explained that I wrote it on the To me it’s a warm, human, crystal-clear write out charts? beach and that the storm was coming sparkly tone that sits really well in the almost has a nylon quality, or I can I do both. One of the reasons I use in and birds were diving into the water middle of a mix. When I’m painting really spank it and get some grit out these musicians is because they’re and the time just kept shifting because with different instruments in the actual amazing, but also because we’re of the way the waves were rolling in arranging, in performances, and even of it, but it still sounds like a great friends. We’ve recorded together and — there was a rhythm but there also the mixing, this is the color that’s in the acoustic guitar in a mix.” played together on many different wasn’t; it was very circular. And Luis middle, and it’s not too thick. The thing things over the years, so they have knew exactly what I meant because he that I love about the 912 is that it’s an understanding of where I’m going grew up on an island and had expe- already been EQ’d the way it would The song has instruments in dif- with a different approach than you with something, and I often know what rienced the ocean a lot. So we just need to be to sit in a track anyway. It ferent registers on it — a standard would normally take. I find it liberating. they’re brilliant at. They have amazing added a couple layers of percussion, doesn’t have a big bottom; it’s got an steel-string, the baritone-8, high- I can coax some things out of it that radar and intuition. I would be limiting and that was enough. There were still even and clear bottom, and whether strung guitar, and a uke in there, feel good and sound great that don’t myself if I tried to tell them everything plenty of layers, so it ebbs and flows I’m playing my music or playing on too. The way they blend together just sound like me strumming the guitar, to play and where to play it. My job and it’s more organic. There are all TV with any artist I’ve worked with, if is cool. and it creates some surprises for me. is to inspire them and tell them what these things that sort of swirl and shift I give it the XLR DI out from the [ES] Thank you. I originally wrote that on my It makes me get out of my head. So, I’m going for, what the song is about. internally, these polyrhythms and other preamp, every engineer just smiles. I 912 as a solo piece and then thought it I don’t always treat an instrument like So I lay down a foundation. I don’t things that came from not over-thinking played that guitar with David Cassidy would be interesting to develop it and someone might expect it to be treated over-arrange anything. I’m capable, anything, but just responding to the on TV years ago, and we started a see how I could bring those textures in. within the context of a track. Like with but I’m not interested. It doesn’t mean original solo guitar part. tune with wah-wah acoustic guitar, and For the most part everything seemed the uke, maybe I should fingerpick it. that I didn’t write out a bass part, but it just sat there in the mix really nicely. to find its place. I would play the track But you don’t fingerpick a ukulele. Well, I wouldn’t write out the whole thing. You’ve talked about the process of It’s versatile and responsive — if I want of the original guitar part and just see, why not? I’d write the meat and potatoes, the letting a song reveal itself. Writing to play it sweetly, it almost has a nylon range-wise, where it would work, and groove, the foundation of this idea I songs is a fascinating and some- quality when I want it to, or I can really the eclectic instruments fell in really www.terrywollman.com had when I was writing the tune, and times mystifying process. If you were spank it and play more aggressively Abraham would read it. But I would to try to break that process down for and get some grit out of it, but it still Terry Wollman talks about his new also leave the bridge or the chorus you, what does it amount to? sounds like a great acoustic guitar in open. Being a guitarist primarily, I It’s fascinating to me, too, because I a mix. And even by itself, if we thicken album’s multi-layered sound and how would orchestrate with a guitar, so I often stand back and marvel at it when up the bottom a little bit if I do a solo might have a high-string part, or double my peers do that, when I watch Luis piece, it’s still an even-tempered By Jim Kirlin his 912ce fits into the mix the Taylor part, or even use vihuelas pick up the perfect shaker and play instrument. There’s not a whole lot to Photo by Lena Ringstad and baritone guitars and more eclectic the perfect part and know when to not hide behind when you play acoustic instruments, electric guitars, some dis- play. It comes from years of experience; guitar, and that’s what I love about it. tortion, some volume swells. Basically I it’s also recording. I went to Berklee It’s certainly a humbling thing, but it’s f Terry Wollman’s musical résumé world. His first solo record, Bimini, Brazilian samba; from American R&B to on his trusty 1996 912ce, which gave looked at me and said, “I think it’s time.” built up this palette and then left space College of Music in Boston and had also thrilling. For me there’s nothing is any indication, he certainly plays earned him a Grammy nomination. cinematic soundscapes. us a good excuse to sit down with him And then he said we should write a for these amazing musicians to come great teachers. During that time I also like sitting down with my Taylor and a I well with others. Since moving to His follow-up, Say Yes, scored critical Thanks to his knack for arranging, for a chat. He talked about how his tune, so we sat down with two acoustic in. I knew what they would bring to the bought a TEAC four-track quarter-inch singer and just knocking it out. Los Angeles in 1981, the multi-instru- raves for its blend of eclectic guitar Wollman’s multi-layered pieces manage latest batch of songs came together, guitars on his back porch and wrote table, so I didn’t completely set it. But tape recorder, and I started recording mentalist, composer, arranger and pro- textures. Tracks from his latest album, to sound rich yet open, allowing ample the art of writing parts for great play- “Mandela” right there. they got to hear the tracks and see the and multi-tracking and layering things. When you recorded Buddha’s Ear, ducer has worked as a guitarist and/ Buddha’s Ear, have been riding high room for expressive nuances. And he ers, and what an indispensable tool his charts beforehand. So, by the time we That was one of my biggest teachers. did you incorporate the pickup at or music director for dozens of acts, on the smooth jazz charts since its gets plenty of those with the help of Taylor is. How would you describe the iden- did the session a week later, JR had The more “flight time” I had, the more I all or strictly record with micro- including Billy Preston, Al Jarreau, Joe release last year. The largely instrumen- a core ensemble of top-flight session tity of this record? already decided what snare he was found that tape doesn’t lie, and neither phones? Walsh, Joan Baez and Keb’ Mo’. He’s tal collection, inspired by Wollman’s players who also happen to be longtime Strong melodies, lots of layers of going to use on a tune. It gave every- does digital or whatever format you I did both. There’s a solo guitar piece, served as the music director for several travels, takes listeners on a relaxing friends. His main rhythm section is John You’re a busy guy. What was the rhythms and textures, lots of dynam- body the opportunity to make more of use. These days I use Digital Performer “The Blue Pearl,” where I combined late night TV talk shows, including The ride across exotic terrain, stirring silky “JR” Robinson on drums, Luis Conte impetus for you to make this ics. I created the sound in my studio, a personal investment themselves, to and analog preamps to keep the sound them. I took an XLR out from the [ES] Late Show and The Byron Allen Show. jazz melodicism together with worldly on percussion, Abraham Laboriel on record? building the tracks up with guitars bring their perspective. warm and natural, but I still hold to and then I miked it, and it’s recorded His guitar work has been featured on rhythmic flavors. Wollman’s sonic vistas bass, and Greg Manning on keyboards. I was with Keb’ Mo’ at his house and piano and some loops. And then the experience I had in my 20s: tape in stereo that way. It’s a single take, TV series like The Larry Sanders Show offer an intriguing weave of stringed Other friends who lent their talents to working on arrangements for his most I would bring in JR, Luis, Abraham Were there any songs that started doesn’t lie. When you’re rushing or not a double track. I wanted a wider (he was the guitarist in the house band) sounds — acoustic guitar with baritone the project include Keb’ Mo’, sax play- recent record [the Grammy-nominated and Greg. I also had all kinds of guest out one way and radically changed you’re dragging, or it feels tentative, image on it, and at the time I didn’t and Scrubs. He even played a guitarist electric; electric volume swells with ers Mindi Abair and Gerald Albright, The Reflection], and at one point he artists. Keb’ Mo’ played on the tune in the process of realizing them? you might [record] and think, wow that have a stereo microphone, so I was on Desperate Housewives. nylon-string acoustic and cello; baritone guitarist Robbie McIntosh, vocalists just turned to me and said, “When are we wrote together, but he also sang There’s one song called “Tulum,” which felt really good, but then you listen getting really great sound with a While Wollman’s versatile musical and high-strung guitar with ukulele; Melanie Taylor and Melissa Manchester, you going to do another Terry Wollman another tune that I wrote. I had string I had written with a Baby Taylor on back and think, it sounds insecure and [AKG] 414 and the Avalon 737 pre- chops have kept his phone ringing, steel-string and classical guitar with and cellist Tina Guo. album instead of working on everybody quartet on a couple tunes — I went to the beach in Tulum, Mexico with this tentative. And you’re like, really? Then amp. That’s how I got a wider image. he’s also found time to make his own Spanish vihuela. The musical flavors Wollman dropped by the Taylor fac- else’s stuff like mine?” I said I’d been Capitol Records to record strings in rainstorm rolling in. I wasn’t really sure you go do it again and over again and It worked out really great. I mastered artistic imprint in the contemporary jazz range from contemporary groove-jazz to tory in early April to get a light tune-up thinking a lot about it, and he just the big room. I wanted this to be an where the song was going, so I record- over again. When you are playing ses- with Bernie Grundman, and I remem- 29

Matt In this instance, Matt, one of Taylor’s lights are somewhat reminiscent of a resident electronics engineers, is run- scene from Close Encounters of the Thayer ning a comprehensive “burn-in” to verify Third Kind. WHAT ARE YOU that the amplifiers are working correctly. All 30 amps have been put through The nine amps he’s testing have been this series of tests, and Matt says that Electronics Engineer running for 48 hours straight, sending to date, none have failed. “If the amps Electronics Department a full power signal sweep from 20 Hz had any issues or any components to 20 kHz to gauge the full range of were installed wrong, they would have output. A “burn-in” of this type is a fairly ‘burned out’ in the first 24 hours,” he What he’s working on: typical test in the electronics world to explains. “The design of this amp is Testing acoustic detect components that may fail pre- built to last a long time in a variety of amp components maturely. Between this and a sound settings and circumstances.” test that will be performed once the Matt has been working for Taylor for amplifier is fully assembled, Matt can 10 months but is far from new to the When we reach out to Matt Thayer be assured that the amplifiers these world of electronics. His pursuit of elec- in our electronics department to find units get paired with will enjoy a long, trical engineering has always included out what’s on his plate, he says a burn- healthy life. It’s a process that not all a desire to work with audio equipment. in rack for our Expression System® amp manufacturers go through, but a What he likes most about his job, he By Chalise Zolezzi Amplifier. Come again? step that our electronics design team says, is being at the forefront of Taylor’s “Pop over and you’ll see what I feels is necessary. new products and designs, some of mean.” A metal chassis that sits against which we have to keep under wraps for The ES Amp is new to Taylor and Matt’s desk houses the amp compo- now. Suffice it to say, there’s plenty to Working On? currently available only in extremely lim- nents (minus their cabinets), giving keep him busy. ited quantities through our small-batch him a clear line of sight to assess each For now, Matt is nearing the end of Builder’s Reserve series. Designed amp’s performance. There are two his testing and documentation for these On any given day, the Taylor factory is flush with creative activity. In our recurring feature, we offer a closer for the Expression System electronics lights here: yellow, which is wired to amps. Once he’s finished, he’ll be look at the work our employees do. With this installment, a guitar neck is sanded and prepared for finish, that come with our acoustic/electric the tweeter amplifier, and green, wired taking on new amplifiers from Taylor’s acoustic amp components undergo “burn in” testing, and the interior of a guitar case is constructed. guitars, the 40-watt amp features solid to the woofer amplifier. As the signal engineers to put through the same vari- state technology, a bi-amp speaker sweep passes through the bi-amp, ety of tests. What might be next from arrangement, and a single volume knob, the yellow light blinks, signaling that the world of Taylor amplification? allowing a player to use the ES controls the tweeter amp is working, and then “There will be more to come,” is all on a Taylor guitar to easily shape their the green follows, affirming the woofer he’ll reveal, adding a sly smile. amplified tone. amp. No sound is emitted, and the

takes the neck of a 314ce and starts truss rod cover. For necks bound with finish department. He’ll manually check Yaretzi Keith with a pneumatic hand sander and Ivoroid, the binding, truss rod cover and each neck against the production In less than a year at Taylor, Yaretzi strengthen the design and to provide a silicon carbide 180-grit sandpaper, heel cap will be protected before they schedule for the day, and once satis- Meza Meza has become a skilled practitioner solid surface against which to glue the Greenwood working along the base of the heel to move on to the finish processes. He’ll fied, will return to inlaying fretboards, of Taylor’s innovation-centered mindset, additional material. She starts with the level any tooling marks left by the com- also mark the back of the fretboard which are spread across his work sta- “If you need it, make it.” Yaretzi works tail end of the case, the most detailed puter mill. He moves in small stretches, extension with a “K” to identify that his tion. It’s variety like this that Keith loves Production Operator in our Tecate, Mexico factory building part, where the guitar will sit. She takes Neck Production careful not to “over run” the portions hands have helped shape it. most about his job. Plus, as he shares, Case Department, guitar cases, a production process that a thick paint brush and dips it into a Neck Department already sanded and to maintain accu- Keith also needs to ensure the “all my friends are here.” Taylor first implemented back in 1989 crock pot of hide glue, which is heated racy in movement for a smooth profile. accurate delivery of the neck to the Tecate Factory in order to create a perfect fit for our on a low setting to its melting point. It’s important to avoid sanding the nar- proprietary body shapes. We produced She’ll brush the glue directly onto the What he’s working on: row edge at the base of the heel, which What she’s working on: cases at our El Cajon complex until wood lining and then apply the plush. Sanding a neck will later be inset into a pocket routed 2001, when the production was relo- Next, she’ll paint along each side and in the body, while leaving a clean sur- Building cases cated to our new Tecate factory. Cur- then attach long strips of specially face for finish where the wood shows. rently in Tecate, we make the hardshell designed, pre-cut padding wrapped He works his way up to the peghead, brown and black cases found on the in the plush. This will cushion the “You must have some good guitar sanding along the scalloped contours, 500 Series and up and most of our sides of the guitar and allow very little players here,” people often suggest and spots a small bit of excess Jet glue 300 and 400 Series cases (we’ll soon movement. Her measurements must during a tour of the Taylor factory. around the nut. He uses a razor blade be making them all there). Like every- be exact, as any uneven insertions or Indeed we do. One of them is Keith to remove it before he continues. After thing we produce, there’s an acute bumpy patches will be noticed. If she Greenwood, a 14-year Taylor veteran about five minutes he switches to the attention to detail, which makes these trims the plush too much, the wood will and amateur “rock god” who took first 320 grit, a fine-grit sandpaper. cases both durable and aesthetically show through. runner-up honors in Sam Ash’s national “I love woodworking,” Keith says as pleasing. Over the course of her shift, Yaretzi “Best in Shred” competition. (To check he sands. “There are so many differ- Yaretzi works in an area of the fac- will work on cases with different shapes out his guitar chops, look him up on ent woods and inlays in this process, tory that’s dedicated to all aspects of and sizes. She says she enjoys the YouTube.com.) Greenwood’s multi- company’s ultra-boutique guitar brand, you really have to pay attention or risk case making, including the application people at Taylor as well as the work faceted skills as a builder (he crafts R. Taylor. oversanding.” He steers clear of the of the outer tolex material, attachment environment, which she says she finds his own guitars outside Taylor) have These days Keith works in the neck fretboard, and in the span of a few of the lid hinges with grommets, and relaxing. enabled him to float across depart- department, and today he’ll be inlaying more minutes the neck has a pristine, cutting the “plush,” the velvet-like inside ments, work on special projects, and 40 to 50 fretboards, mostly those for ultra-smooth feel. Each fretboard will be lining that helps create a safe cocoon apply his expertise to current produc- the 500, 700 and T5 Series. These will covered with tape to protect the sur- for the guitar. Yaretzi’s focus today is to tion demands. He’s worked with the maintain our production reserves. At the face from any color and/or finish that line the case with plush for an 816ce. computer mills that carve necks; he’s moment, Greenwood is in the midst of will be applied. For necks with wood Just a step ahead of where Yaretzi bent sides and braced tops and backs; sanding out 16 to 20 necks. binding along the fretboard, Keith will will begin, poplar wood lining is added he was also chosen to work on the The Nashua, New Hampshire native also tape the binding as well as the to the shell of the case to further 30 www.taylorguitars.com 31

that it is better to keep the guitar tuned Dallas International Taylor Guitars to concert pitch at all times. For all the latest Taylor event listings, visit taylorguitars.com/events Guitar Festival University Because many of the stores in Dallas Market Hall Tokyo, Japan Japan carry a limited selection of gui- Calendar Events tars, we made sure to bring a broader Dallas, Texas Osaka, Japan April 20-22 April 23-27, 2012 selection. The unanimous standouts with every group were the Baritone The Taylor Road Show crew enjoyed Quarryville, PA Waterford, MI Bergenfield, NJ Acoustifest XIII customers, friends, and people who The frenzied guitar and gear April marked the first official Tay- 6- and 8-string models. Once they saw another great tour across North Thursday, July 26 3 p.m. - 8 p.m. Friday, August 10 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Saturday, August 18 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. Melodee Music love guitar,” Rob explains. “We are the bonanza also known as the Dallas lor Guitars University (TGU) event in Andy’s demonstration, they couldn’t America and Europe this past spring, Lifesong Music Motor City Guitar O. Dibella Music Sterling, Virginia ‘neighborhood guitar shop,’ where you’ll International Guitar Festival blends Japan. Though we normally host our wait to get their hands on them. The and we thank everyone who took the (717) 806-7664 (248) 673-1900 (201) 385-5800 always find that.” elements of the music industry’s dealer training events at our factory T5, the team reported, continues to be time to come spend an evening with March 23 & 25 In addition to providing amazing NAMM show and a giant musical complex in El Cajon, the successful a revelation, especially when people us. We’ve scheduled more than 50 Calgary, AB Oklahoma City, OK Fort Collins, CO Each year on an early spring week- entertainment and product insights, swap meet. Not only is the event open TGU gathering we held in Amster- see a first-hand demo of its electric- FIND Friday, July 27 3 p.m. - 9 p.m. Friday, August 10 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. Monday, August 20 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Find Your Fit sales events in the U.S. end in Sterling, Virginia, longtime Taylor the event generates money for a local to the public, with guitars constantly dam earlier this year proved to be a acoustic tonal range. Many dealer staff- for the second half of the summer, Guitarworks OKC Music and Sound Spotlight Music dealer Melodee Music orchestrates a chapter of Friends of Homeless Ani- being swapped and sold, but a steady springboard for exporting the program ers immediately inquired about carrying so if we make it your way, we hope (403) 216-8525 (405) 842-0303 (970) 377-8066 unique convergence of beautiful gui- mals, a shelter where Rob and his wife stream of clinics and live performances across the Pacific. Taylor’s VP of Sales them in their stores. you’ll visit yourYOUR local Taylor dealer for a tars, major enthusiasts, incredible live volunteer. compete for the attention of visitors in and Marketing, Brian Swerdfeger, Three out of the four days conclud- personal consultation with our factory Wheaton, MD Virginia Beach, VA Asheville, NC music, and non-stop guitar talk. Acous- various parts of the convention center. Export Sales Manager Andy Lund, and ed with an evening “banquet,” or cock- experts. They’ll be happy answer any SALES Saturday, July 28 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday, August 11 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Tuesday, August 21 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. tifest is the brainchild of store owner Taylor added to the mix by present- Marketing Manager Katrina Horstman tail hour, which provided a more relaxed questions you have about finding the EVENT Chuck Levin’s Washington Music Center Alpha Music Musician’s Workshop Rob Mock, and Taylor was again on Musikmesse ing its first-ever Road Show outside coordinated the entire week of training. environment for employees to socialize Taylor model FITthat’s right for you, and (301) 946-8808 (757) 486-2001 (828) 252-1249 hand for this year’s event, represented Frankfurt, Germany a store environment. As it turned out, Our distributor, Yamano Music, played with their sales counterparts and the offer some recommendations based on by a crew that included Zach Arntz and March 21-24 the start time coincided with an Eric a huge role in helping to arrange all of Taylor team, and of course play more your player profile. We’ll be back with Rocky View, AB Fraser, MI Westminster, CO Aaron Dablow from our Sales team, Johnson performance on another the events and work out all of the logis- guitars. The ongoing mix of strumming, more Road Shows this fall. Saturday, July 28 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday, August 11 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. Tuesday, August 21 11:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. along with Taylor’s resident Build to This was Taylor’s second year at stage. Taylor sales manager Aaron tics to make sure that everything went laughter and conversation reinforced a Guitarworks Huber & Breese Musician’s Superstore Order expert, Joe Bina. the Frankfurt Musikmesse since the Dablow and product specialist Corey off without a hitch. key point: Despite the cultural distinc- (403) 216-2750 (586) 294-3950 (303) 412-9060 The weekend kicked off with a opening of our European headquarters, Witt feared they’d be playing to empty “Over the course of one week, we tions, guitarists around the world share Friday evening cocktail reception, and the signs of brand growth were seats, but they drew a rapt crowd of were able to meet and train almost 100 a universal passion for instruments and Flowood, MS Staten Island, NY Red Deer, AB Catonsville, MD Amarillo, TX featuring a display of one-of-a-kind noticeable. Like last year, there were 55, most of whom had never been to attendees from about 50 different deal- music. Monday, July 9 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. Thursday, July 19 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday, July 30 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. Monday, August 13 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Tuesday, August 21 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. guitars and presentations from Taylor two sides to the exhibition area, one a Road Show before. The two covered ers across the Tokyo and Osaka areas,” The overall takeaway from the Taylor Lakeland Music Mandolin Brothers LTD. 53rd Street Music Appalachian Bluegrass Shoppe Tarpley Music and from Martin Guitar’s Custom Shop. acoustic (delineated by different body acoustic and electric guitars, including reports Katrina. experience, says Katrina, was over- (301) 992-0089 (718) 981-3226 (403) 346-4000 (410) 744-1144 (806) 352-5293 Jaw-dropping guitars lined the tables, shapes) and the other electric, show- the T5 and SolidBody, and after the The training was divided into four whelmingly positive. and many found new homes during the casing a colorful range of SolidBody, “petting zoo” ended up selling a pair one-day sessions of about 25-30 peo- “Everyone was really receptive and Memphis, TN Santa Monica, CA Edmonton, AB Trenton, NJ Columbia, SC next few days. It proved to be a perfect T3 and T5 models. Both sides were of T5s. Afterward Aaron got a ringing ple each day. Each session included a grateful that we came all the way from Tuesday, July 10 12 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 20 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 31 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesday, August 14 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. Wednesday, August 22 12 p.m. - 8 p.m. starter course for Sunday’s main event. busy, with a steady flow of people endorsement from the sound man. virtual factory tour via video; a presen- San Diego to talk about our guitars and Martin Music McCabe’s Guitar Shop Avenue Guitars Russo Music Center Sims Music, Inc. From 9 a.m. to almost 8 p.m., test-driving the SolidBody as well as “He told me that the Road Show tation on acoustic shapes and tone- help them become more familiar with (901) 729-2466 (310) 828-4497 (780) 448-4827 (609) 888-0620 (803) 772-3966 guitars were the stars. All day long the acoustics. For the first time the was a ‘textbook definition of how to woods; and coverage of other topics the Taylor brand,” she says. “It was also the crowd perused vendor booths, showcase also included an on-site Tay- put on a product demonstration’” ranging from Taylor history to humidity great to spend time with the associates Riverside, CT New York, NY Fort St. John, BC Manteca, CA Colorado Springs, CO sampled acoustics, and enjoyed four lorWare store, featuring a nice selection Aaron says. “He was blown away by control to common guitar myths. One from our Japanese distributor, Yamano Saturday, July 14 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Friday, July 20 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Thursday, August 2 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesday, August 14 12 p.m. - 7 p.m. Wednesday, August 22 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. full sets of acoustic music in the store’s of merchandise, including 2012 Taylor the whole thing.” pervasive myth in Japan is that keep- Music, and continue to grow our rela- Greenwich Music Rudy’s Music Stop (midtown) Systems by Trail Legend Music ProSound Music dedicated performance venue. Tay- Musikmesse T-shirts. Taylor also had an exhibition booth ing guitars de-tuned when displayed tionship with them. We are very thankful (203) 637-1119 (212) 391-1699 (250) 787-7591 (209) 239-2600 (719) 597-9962 lor enthusiast Marc Johnson and his Our guests included dealers, at the show, anchored by our regional in stores is better for the guitar. The to be partners with them in our quest to 17-year-old son Brett made the long members of the media, musicians, sales rep JR Robison and Trade Show training team addressed this topic and offer Taylor training to all of the guitar Airmont, NY Tustin, CA Shawnee, OK West Chester, PA Lubbock, TX drive from Pittsburgh just to be there. backline music technicians and end Manager David Kaye. Several of our encouraged others to spread the word stores throughout Japan.” Sunday, July 15 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday, July 21 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. Monday, August 6 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. Wednesday, August 15 3 p.m. - 8 p.m. Wednesday, August 22 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. “We’ve been coming since 2000,” Marc consumers (the final day is open to independent Dallas-area dealers also Alto Music Jim’s Music Center Music Unlimited West Chester Music Store Tarpley Music shared. “For me, I get to see how I wish the public). Musikmesse is always a manned booths, including Grapevine (845) 352-6717 (949) 552-4280 (405) 275-0473 (610) 436-8641 (806) 797-5833 I could play!” good environment to engage everyone, Guitar Works, Peghead Guitars, and Taylor favorites Sixwire rocked the elicit feedback, and put a collective Guitar Sanctuary. Murphy’s Music from Lewes, DE Potomac Falls, VA Muskogee, OK Jackson, CA Charleston, SC house with a high-energy acoustic face to the brand. Our European sales Irving, Texas also made the trip, as did Monday, July 16 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday, July 21 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. Tuesday, August 7 12 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 15 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. Thursday, August 23 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. set loaded with their signature vo- team met with many of our dealers and Houston’s Fuller’s Vintage Guitar, who B&B Music & Sound Melodee Music Square Deal Music Mother Lode Music Ye Olde Music Shop cal harmonies and catchy riffs. They introduced them to our wider team. By had the biggest booth there. Several (302) 645-0601 (703) 450-4667 (918) 681-1250 (209) 223-4323 (843) 747-0014 plugged a GC, GA and GS straight Saturday, always the busiest day, our custom models were sold to the pub- into the board, with amazing results, showcase was alive with guitar play- lic, including a cocobolo/Adirondack Lexington, MA New York, NY Chicago, IL Flemington, NJ San Angelo, TX and incorporated the Baritone into one ers of all levels and styles, and lots of spruce GS and a rosewood-top T5. Tuesday, July 17 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday, July 21 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesday, August 7 1 p.m. - 7 p.m. Thursday, August 16 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. Thursday, August 23 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. of their tunes. The interaction between conversation about our guitar design Among the showcase guitars sold to The Music Emporium Rudy’s Music Stop (SoHo) Chicago Music Exchange Dave Phillips Music Tarpley Music the crowd and artists is one of Acous- approach. our dealers were an all-mahogany GS (781) 860-0049 (212) 625-2557 (773) 525-7773 (908) 782-2824 (325) 655-7381 tifest’s highlights, offering an experi- Musikmesse also provides a great with an armrest and a rosewood/sinker ence one won’t find at a traditional opportunity to connect people from redwood 12-Fret. Brookfield, CT Westminster, MD Tulsa, OK Dublin, CA Grand Junction, CO concert or even most store-sponsored various Taylor departments — and con- Wednesday, July 18 12 p.m. - 7 p.m. Monday, July 23 2 p.m. - 8 p.m. Wednesday, August 8 12 p.m. - 8 p.m. Thursday, August 16 12 p.m. - 8 p.m. Friday, August 24 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. clinics. The band told great stories and tinents. Route 7 Music Coffey Music Guitar House of Tulsa Hertlein Guitars Back Porch Music answered questions from the crowd “It’s always cool to see so many (203) 775-6377 (410) 876-1045 (918) 835-6959 (925) 829-7167 (970) 243-9711 about playing techniques, songwriting countries represented within one team,” and the music industry. The exchanges says Taylor’s Dan Boreham, our U.K.- San Diego, CA Egg Harbor Twp., NJ Orland Park, IL San Jose, CA Wilmington, NC were lighthearted and informative, al- based marketing manager for Europe. Wednesday, July 18 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 24 3 p.m. - 8 p.m. Wednesday, August 8 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Friday, August 17 12 p.m. - 8 p.m. Friday, August 24 12 p.m. - 7 p.m. lowing the artists to comfortably share “It means a lot to spend time together Rick’s Guitar Shop Music Central Midlothian Music Guitar Showcase Music Loft of Wilmington Taylor’s Andy Lund (second their insights and connect in a more at the end of a long day, to share sto- (708) 403-3733 (408) 377-5864 (910) 799-9310 from left) leads a presentation (619) 276-4478 (609) 383-2900 personal way with the crowd. ries and have a laugh with people you on shapes and tonewoods to a Based on the vibe in the store, it don’t get to see that often. This was a Japanese dealer group Redondo Beach, CA Red Bank, NJ Stillwater, OK Petaluma, CA was clear that Rob and his staff have great show for us, thanks to the great Thursday, July 19 12 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 25 3 p.m. - 8 p.m. Thursday, August 9 12 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Saturday, August 18 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. developed much more than just a cool collective effort that made it happen.” Harbor Music Monmouth Music Daddy O’s Music Tall Toad Music in-store event. “It’s a community of (310) 406-3090 (732) 747-8888 (405) 624-0333 (707) 765-6807 33 ® shirts for the summer 2012 TaylorWare Taylor fan CLOTHING / GEAR / PARTS / GIFTS A) Ladies’ Nouveau T A 100% cotton jersey, pigment dyed for a slightly faded effect. “Nouveau” inlay elements from our Presentation Series form a Taylor headstock. (Charcoal #4110, Red #4120; S-XL, $22.00) B) Taylor Dri-Fit Polo F Dri-Fit fabric draws away sweat to keep you dry and comfortable. Embroidered Taylor logo on chest. Made by Nike. (Charcoal #2705; M-XL, $49.00; XXL, $51.00) C) Men’s Hibiscus T Heavyweight preshrunk 100% cotton. Green multi-tone Taylor B hibiscus design on front; small Taylor round logo on back. Standard fit. (White #1489; S-XL, $24.00; XXL-XXXL, $26.00) G D) Men’s Guitar Stamp T Lightweight, garment-washed 100% cotton jersey with a worn-in look and feel. Fashion fit. Distressed Taylor guitar stamp design on front. (Gray #1478; New C S-XL, $28.00; XXL, $30.00) E) Ladies’ Burnout Tank Garment-dyed, pre-shrunk 50/50 cotton/poly blend. “Burnout” fabric treatment is weathered, light- weight and sheer for a soft, vin- tage look and feel. Slim fit. (Kelly Green #4060; S-XL, $25.00) H F) Baseball T Cotton/poly blend for an ultra soft, worn-in feel. 3/4 raglan sleeve, with Taylor Guitars headstock banner print. (White/Sand #2295; S-XL, $28.00; XXL, $30.00) G) Men’s Logo T New D 100% pre-shrunk cotton. Standard fit. (Prairie Dust #1700; S-XL, $20.00; XXL-XXXL, $22.00) H) Men’s Vintage Peghead T 100% combed cotton. Fashion fit. I (Black #1480; S-XL, $24.00; XXL-XXXL, $26.00) I) Taylor Work Shirt Permanent press, stain-resistant poly/cotton blend. Two front pockets. Distressed screen print over left pocket and on back. (Charcoal #3070; M-XL, New E $34.00; XXL-XXXL, $36.00)

Patrick (Repair) kicks back in our new Men’s Hibiscus T while his colleague Chanthouan (Customer Service) models our Ladies’ Burnout Tank. 34 35

Ted from our IT department keeps his cool on the course with the help of our Dri-Fit Polo. See description on page 33.

A) Tattered Patch Cap Flex fit, two sizes. (Brown, S/M #00150, L/XL #00151, $25.00) B) Military Cap Enzyme-washed 100% cotton chino twill, Velcro closure, one size. (Black #00400, Olive #00401, $22.00) C) Driver Cap Classic style, wool blend, sweat band for added comfort. Taylor label on back. One size fits most. (Black #00125, $25.00) 7 D) ES-Go™ Pickup Exclusively for the GS Mini. (#84022, $98.00) New 6 8 E) Loaded Pickguards Swappable pickup/pickguard unit for your SolidBody. For a complete list of 1 ordering options, go to taylorguitars.com/taylorware. $195.00 hats (Single HG Humbucker: $148.00) 5 9 F) Travel Guitar Stand Sapele, lightweight (less than 16 ounces) and ultra- B D portable. Small enough to fit in the pocket of a Baby Taylor gig bag. Accommodates all 2 10 Taylor models. A accessories (#70198, $59.00) 3 4

great summer gift ideas E

1) Guitar Lessons by Bob Taylor. (Wiley Publishing, 7) Taylor Porcelain Cup. 11-ounce thermal cup, flexible 2011, 230 pages; #75060, $20.00) 2) TaylorWare Gift lid, Taylor peghead icon on one side, Taylor logo on the 1-800-494-9600 other. (#70008, $15.00) 8) Taylor Pub Glasses. Four dif- Card. Visit our website for more information. 3) Digital C Headstock Tuner. Clip-on chromatic tuner, back-lit LCD dis- ferent designs, in black and gold, put a unique stamp on play. (#80920, $29.00) 4) Taylor Picks. Marble or solid each 20-oz glass in this set of four. (#70011; $25.00) ® F color. Ten picks per pack by gauge. Thin, medium or heavy. 9) Taylor Plush Towel. Oversized 40 x 70” heavyweight Taylor Bar Stool. ($5.00) 5) Suede Guitar Strap. (pictured Black #62001, towel. 100% cotton. White body with Taylor hibiscus design Easy assembly. TaylorWare not shown, Honey #62000; Chocolate #62003, $48.00) in red, orange and gold. (#74000, $39.00) (#70200, $99.00) CLOTHING / GEAR / PARTS / GIFTS 6) Taylor Tumbler. Clear, high-quality acrylic, designed for 10) Men’s Wallet. Genuine leather with embossed Taylor Add an extra $5.00 shipping for cold and hot liquids. Holds 16 ounces. Screw-top lid with logo. Card slots, I.D. window and bill compartment. By Fossil. each Taylor Bar Stool ordered. straw. BPA free. Hand wash only. (#70015; $12.00) (Brown #71302, $40.00) Overnight delivery not available. Visit taylorguitars.com/taylorware to see the full line. Presorted A Publication of Taylor Guitars Standard U.S. Postage Volume 72 / Summer 2012 PAID Phoenix, AZ | | | Taylor Guitars 1980 Gillespie Way El Cajon, CA 92020-1096 taylorguitars.com Permit No. 5937

The paper we used is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. The FSC is a non-profit organization that supports environmentally friendly, socially responsible and economically viable management of the world’s forests.

Fiesta del Sol Few tonewoods can match the moody drama of cocobolo, a Mexican rosewood whose complexion is a bold vista of blazing hues. No two sets are alike, and on this cutaway Grand Concert, the flatsawn back and sides unleash a swirling feast of variegated tones that appear to descend in a molten flow. The wood’s density will yield a bright, responsive tone with sparkling treble notes. Paired with the Grand Concert body, the crisp note definition will match well with fingerstylists and fleet-fingered pickers. For a frontal view of the guitar, see our center spread on pages 18-19.