Wild Streak Tasmanian Blackheart Sassafras Leads the Fall LTDs Blackwood 500s All-Koa 300s + GS Mini

40 Taylor Innovations Why You Should Plug In When to Change Your Strings 2 www.taylorguitars.com

| found in the van was a 6-string. I played ing higher action than desired. I had Volume 80 Fall 2014 the guitar myself all throughout the tour True Companion the saddle trimmed twice during that Letters and kept myself entertained in the very I used to play in a hard rock band period to lower the action. The second rare moments of down time we had in the late ’90s in Johannesburg, and last time I had this done was in > What’s Inside < Find us on Facebook. Subscribe on YouTube. Follow us on Twitter: @taylorguitars in our hotel rooms. When I turned the South Africa. After several years, just March. When I picked up the guitar, I to hear what it could do! The reborn guitar in at the end of the tour I felt like as things were starting to look up, the immediately noticed that it had lost a 800 Series has made giant steps I was saying goodbye to an old friend, band fell apart after a bizarre punch-up tremendous amount of bass from the A toward a truly acoustic amplified sound. after all eight months together, and I in the recording studio. I didn’t really and E strings. It crushed me — it no lon- Thanks again! was very attached to the guitar. When want to play after that, and my guitars ger sounded like a Taylor. Furthermore, M Kelly Rogers I turned the guitar in to the road man- started gathering dust as other profes- there was very little bridge left, and the Features Columns ager, he had no idea of its existence. sional commitments took over and I adjustment had a damping effect on the Sometimes I wonder if I had just taken started traveling a lot. In 2003, while sustain of my low E string. It no longer 6 The Perks of Plugging In it back to L.A. with me or asked Prince doing some engineering consulting in had that strong bass vibration that I 4 Kurt’s Corner Smoky Satisfaction Even if you don’t play out, acoustic amplification can breathe Kurt recounts the birth of the A few months back I put together a if I could have it, things would have Philadelphia, I decided to buy a small used to hear and feel. new life into your playing. Grand Auditorium 20 years ago. [custom] Grand Concert with grafted turned out differently. Oh well, honesty guitar that could travel with me. I picked I asked Zach if he would take a walnut body, cedar top, and maple is the best policy, and that’s the way I up a mahogany Baby Taylor, and it’s look at it, and despite the fact that it bindings and inlays. It is an all-around conduct my life. flown with me all over the place and was 7:15 p.m., and George’s closes at great-looking, great-sounding and Murray Levy rekindled my passion in music! I’ve 8:00, he agreed. I ran home, grabbed 8 Writing Uphill: Portrait of a 5 BobSpeak great-playing guitar, and I’m 100 per- worn the frets flat in places but used my guitar, and brought it back. Zach Bob relates the palate-enhancing flavor cent satisfied. But the big surprise has Ed. Note: Murray, we checked with some shims at the bridge to stop the eyeballed it down the neck and said, nashville Songwriter profile of artisanal craft salt to Taylor’s Success eluded Nashville tunesmith Marty Dodson for years. been the variegated ebony fretboard I Larry Breedlove, who confirmed that a buzz. I love that guitar and ended up “If it were me, I would remove the neck revoiced 800 Series. But he kept writing until he made it. A Welcome Addition decided on after reading about Taylor’s purple 6-string was made in addition to buying another as a gift to my brother and adjust it to get the geometry cor- I just received my Summer 2014 efforts in Cameroon. The light touches the 12-string. Due to the experimental several years later (also mahogany). I rect first, and then put in a new saddle.” issue of Wood&Steel and was delight- in the black wood give the fretboard a nature of our color application tech- still play it regularly, and it now lives at I said, “So I guess I have to ship it to ed to find the addition of the new 150e smoky, three-dimensional quality, and niques at that time, the hues tended to my folks’ place at the coast, so I always Taylor, right?” He replied, “No, I can 27 The Craft 12 40 Taylor Innovations Andy explains why assigning high 12-string Dreadnought. I ordered this the light wood matches the maple bind- vary, and as Larry recalls, the 6-string have a guitar when I go visit. That gui- take care of it.” In honor of Taylor’s 40th anniversary, we spotlight 40 innovations commercial value to tonewoods guitar the next day from a retailer that ing. It’s a terrific effect. featured a less attractive shade of tar and I will continue to grow older And the heavens opened up and 18 that embody our forward-thinking philosophy. had them in stock. I have been look- So why isn’t this part of the stan- purple than the 12-string. It also may together! the angels sang. supports sustainable usage. ing for a 12-string that fit my budget dard line? I am guessing that you might have had the Taylor name inlaid in the Farid Essack About 45 minutes later, my guitar for some time. I have two other Taylor be concerned about the “fretboards headstock (the 12-string didn’t), and Johannesburg, South Africa sounded like a brand new Taylor. Unbe- 6-strings, a 616ce and a Big Baby, and are black” culture in acoustic guitars? at that time Prince refused to perform lievable. And Zach did it for no charge. 26 Time to Change Your Strings? now am looking forward to the 150e. (Electrics have lots of different fret- with instruments that had the maker’s This is probably one of the best cus- ON THE COVER You’re probably overdue. And while you’re at it, you should Thanks for making this guitar available board colors.) Then consider the flip name on them, which might explain Concert Character tomer service experiences I have had in probably clean your fretboard. to players! side: When buying a standard model, it why the guitar stayed in the van — or in I own a Taylor 612ce that I bought my 54 years of life. Writing a letter like 18 The 2014 Fall Limiteds Departments Alan Hecko gives each guitar a unique personality. your hands. It’s nice to know that you secondhand early last year. I play mainly this is not something I normally take the This season’s tonewood specials include sustainably sourced black- Hurst, TX And it’s always visible to your audience enjoyed playing it. jazz (plectrum), and was so impressed time to do, but I felt compelled to do heart sassafras and blackwood from Tasmania. Plus, all-koa 32 Case Study: Bluegrass Rebirth 10 Ask Bob when you play, unlike the wood in the with the 612ce that when I read so in this case. It is so rare that I see 300 Series and GS Mini models. back and sides. So if you’re consider- through the 40-year anniversary issue customer service at this level. I can see A cherished but neglected Dan Crary Signature Model is Wood grain orientation, ES2 nuances, restored to fine flatpicking form. onboard tuners, Taylors for bluegrass, ES2: Rock Without Abuse ing exploring fretboard woods, I heartily Never Too Late of Wood&Steel and saw your new 800 that Taylor is in it for the long haul, and Cover photo: a pair of blackheart sassafras On weekends I perform covers recommend variegated ebony. I lost my wife to breast cancer Series, I bought a First Edition 812ce. I’m sure your customer base will con- Grand orchestra models and T5z electronics. for folks enjoying an afternoon in Half John Lyons about five years ago. When you’ve The body size of the [Grand Concert] tinue to grow. Moon Bay, just south of San Francisco. Roswell, GA been together with someone you love is perfect for my requirements, and the Thanks for sending Zach our way I play a K14ce and a K66ce 12-string for 50 years, it leaves a big void. At Indian rosewood used with the 812ce and for providing him with the tools and 24 Soundings through a Yamaha PA. My right-hand Ed. Note: We agree, John. “Smoky” 72 years of age, I have always wanted gives it a completely different character training necessary to do a repair like Jimmie Johnson’s GS Mini, country style is very percussive. I’ve had to ebony fretboards are currently a stan- to play a guitar, but life’s distractions than the Big Leaf maple of the 612ce. this on site. You now have another Tay- craftsman Chase Bryant, ES2 raves from pound a bit on the strings and the dard feature on all of our 800 Series kept me busy. So when my love and I never know which one to pick up and lor customer for life. (You actually had the Goo Goo Dolls’ John Rzeznik, new tops of my guitars to get the rhythmic models. You can expect to see varie- soul mate was no longer with me, I play first, as they are both wonder- me before this.) releases from Jason Spooner and Belinda sounds for many of the songs I sing. gated fretboards on other Taylor mod- decided to try learning the guitar. I had ful instruments. I know the 812ce will Brian P. Wray Gail, and more. So much so that, to my dismay, I’d els in the future. studied piano when I was 12, but then get even better with playing, although Atlantic Beach, FL worn the finish off of my K14ce just I discovered girls, and that ended my it’s hard to believe it can improve on under the bottom three strings. It also budding music career. A longtime friend what I already have. As a senior gui- needed a fret job, so I went to Gryphon Tour Mate from a Taylor dealer, Hot Licks Guitar tarist with many years of experience 28 Taylor Notes Stringed Instruments in Palo Alto (a I recently saw your article regarding Shop, convinced me I could learn, so behind me — some as a professional Correction: The custom guitar shown Snapshots from Cameroon, Taylor’s great shop) to see about refretting it a 12-string guitar you made for Prince I bought a 518e and just loved the musician — I would like to thank you on the back cover of our spring/sum- 6 Steve Baldwin and Diane Magagna say and also what to do about the dam- [“Profile: Larry Breedlove,” Spring/ sound. My house now looks like a for producing such high-quality instru- mer 2014 issue featured a back and goodbye, and standard model options aged finish. While there, I plugged in a Summer issue]. I was Prince’s driver Taylor showroom. There is something ments. sides of Amazon rosewood, not coco- for the 800 Series. new 814ce with the new ES2 pickup from 1984 through 1988. I was also on unique to each model, and each has its Colin Williams bolo as originally reported. We regret and discovered that I didn’t have to the Purple Rain tour. I was assigned a own identity and voice. Since I started the error. hit the strings or top hard to get nice, customized black van that I would drive I have gotten fairly good, and I call my percussive sounds! I began dreaming Prince in, and while checking it out, I mistakes “innovation.” 30 Events/Calendar Spot-on Service The 814ce is named Best in Show at and scheming about playing a new came across a guitar case. I play guitar, If some of the over-65 crowd is I’m writing to share a great experi- Summer NAMM, and we roll out on our 800 Series guitar. Well, yesterday, I so I was excited to see what it was. bored with golf, fishing, sleeping and ence I had in June at George’s Music performed with my new 816ce, and it I saw that the case had Taylor on the yard work, they really should go to a in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. While Road Show fall tour. was truly amazing! The ES2 and the side and quite honestly had never heard guitar shop and see how much joy and attending your Road Show, I spoke with new voicing, from the vibrant treble to of the brand at that time. I opened the challenge there is in learning at our your rep from San Diego, Zach [Arntz]. the deep, articulated bass, made me case and found a purple Taylor guitar. age. It ain’t over until it is over. You are It occurred to me that I should ask 33 TaylorWare want to rock that guitar even more than Your article says the purple guitar that a quality act, and your products show it. him about an issue that I was having New apparel for fall. I usually do, and I didn’t have to abuse you made for Prince and played by Russell Levin with my GS8, which I had purchased it to get the acoustic sounds I wanted. I Wendy Melvoin was a 12-string. Unless Waldorf, MD new in 2008 from Guitar Center. The 8 12 played extended versions of songs just I am losing my memory, the guitar I bridge had slowly risen over time, caus- 4 www.taylorguitars.com 5

wasn’t a marked improvement. I decid- want to go backward from your Taylor ed I didn’t like flavored salt. I’d rather guitar. It feels right and sounds good, Volume 80 have the flavor in the dish, and let the and you get used to it. Your ear devel- Editor’s Note Fall 2014 salt be the salt. All these experiences ops in the same way as your taste, and took place over 20 years of pretty it brings pleasure. The experience is successful cooking. My grocery-store good on many levels. kosher salt and I made a lot of people I know another Andrew, but I call Pressing On Publisher Taylor-Listug, Inc. happy with our cooking. him Andy. He’s doing with our guitars You’ll find no shortage of inspirational quotes about perseverance. Recently I tasted salt that changed what Andrew did with salt. It’s hard for Writer Victor Hugo called it the “secret of all triumphs.” The Chinese phi- my world. No, you don’t understand! me to go back now. If you’ve played losopher-poet Lao Tzu deemed it “the foundation of all actions.” Winston Produced by the Taylor Guitars Marketing Department This salt is a leap forward in a way that our new 800s you know what I mean. Churchill, master of pithy wisdom about facing hardship, famously said, Vice President Tim O’Brien I hadn’t experienced before. I’d sign And Andy is doing it to more of our “If you are going through hell, keep going.” Countless other accomplished a paper right now saying it’s the best guitars, which of course we will talk figures, from Olympic athletes to titans of industry to groundbreaking art- Editor Jim Kirlin I’ve ever tasted and probably will ever about at length, because you know us, ists, have eloquently name-checked perseverance as an essential ingredi- Art Director Cory Sheehan taste. It feels better too, being moist right? ent of success. One might argue that learning how to overcome adversity Graphic Designer Rita Funk-Hoffman and flaky, and it looks better, like a So there is an application to guitars is the single most useful life skill a person can learn. snowflake. It even melts on your tongue with my infomercial for Marblehead This theme of perseverance percolates throughout the pages of this Photographer Tim Whitehouse like a snowflake and has a beginning, salt. It’s about developing your senses, issue. October 15 officially marks the 40th anniversary of Taylor Guitars, middle and ending taste. Tasting this and it’s about makers of things tak- and like other business success stories, the passion and talents of Bob salt I realized that it’s delicious in its ing it to the nth degree to get it right. and Kurt were amplified and sustained by their sheer determination. Contributors own right. The things besides the salt It’s about Andrew and me, and how I Many of the 40 Taylor innovations we spotlight in our anniversary feature David Hosler / Wayne Johnson / David Kaye that I taste in there seem like they showed him a guitar he loves and how required considerable trial and error to get right. Our profile of Nashville belong, and they’re scrumptious. It he showed me a salt I love. If you go to songwriter Marty Dodson chronicles his efforts to decode the songwriting Kurt Listug / Shawn Persinger / Shane Roeschlein makes me feel smart that I can even his site you’ll see a link to a guitar proj- process and learn from his many failures along the way. Award-winning Bob Taylor / Glen Wolff / Chalise Zolezzi perceive it. What I now taste in other ect. Look there and read about Andrew Western music artist Belinda Gail had to start over and retool her career salts taste like contaminants, probably buying GS Mini guitars to put into the after losing her husband and then her longtime songwriting and perform- because they are. I literally cannot walk hands of refugee kids in the Middle ing partner. And in Cameroon, the slow progress we’ve been making with Technical Advisors past my jar of salt and not steal a tiny East who need something besides war our ebony mill in the face of many complications would never be possible Kurt’s Corner Ed Granero / David Hosler / Gerry Kowalski BOBSPEAK pinch for my tongue. It’s even kosher in their lives. You’ll be touched, you’ll without the right balance of stubborn resolve and steady patience. Crystal Lawrence / Andy Lund / Rob Magargal / Mike Mosley on top of all its other virtues. Who’d count your blessings, and you may So, here’s to Taylor’s 40th anniversary and to the spirit of persever- have thought! even want to help Andrew spread salt ance that we all have within us. No matter what our talent level may be Andy Powers / Bob Taylor / Chris Wellons / Glen Wolff A monk thought, that’s who. His and music into the world. I’m a fan. going into anything we do, we all have the ability to keep trying. May we The Grand Auditorium Turns 20 Savoring the Salt name is Andrew and he lives in Marble- I’m also a fan of Steve Baldwin, all chase our passions, get up when we fall down, and lend a hand to Last issue I wrote about our Grand with our company. Out of appreciation We followed up in 1995 with six Contributing Photographers I grew up on salt from the grocery head, Massachusetts. He uses the who is retiring from Taylor Guitars this those doing the same. Concert body shape, which was intro- for her loyalty and support, Bob offered different limited production Grand store. You know, the salt that’s iodized 1,600-year-old salt making method year after an illustrious 30-year career Rita Funk-Hoffman / David Kaye / Katrina Horstman duced in early 1984 and celebrates its to make Kathy the very first Grand Auditorium models: the GA-MC so it doesn’t get sticky when it’s humid perfected by the Greek Orthodox here. I appreciate Steve’s steadfast — Jim Kirlin 30th anniversary this year. We released Auditorium shape guitar, a guitar that at (mahogany with cedar), the GA-RS and clog up the salt shaker. Salt is monks on Mount Athos off the coast dedication to the Finish department, the guitar during a low point of popular- that point only existed in his mind. (rosewood with Sitka spruce, GA-BE Circulation Printing / Distribution about the best absorber of humidity. In of Greece. Google Mount Athos; you’ll where he’s contributed for all these ity for the acoustic guitar in general, Bob had been thinking about creat- (Brazilian rosewood with Engelmann Katrina Horstman Courier Graphics / CEREUS - Phoenix fact, salt solutions are used to calibrate be amazed. Anyway, Andrew and I years. He knows every method that and a difficult time for the guitar indus- ing another new body shape for some spruce), GA-WS (walnut with Sitka humidity gauges, but that’s another became friends, and he found himself we’ve used to finish our guitars, and try. We were a very small company at time. He wanted to design a new guitar spruce), GA-KC (koa with cedar) and article, which you’d no doubt find boring. doing ministry around the world. These his bad experiences combined with the that time. Nevertheless, this new shape that was basically the size of a dread- GA-KS (koa with Sitka spruce). In Translation Well, I thought nothing of this salt that good works are funded by donations, good have forged him into a wise old 2014 Taylor Factory Tours & Vacation Dates was well received and became a good nought, but with a different shape. later years, Grand Auditorium models Veritas Language Solutions I grew up with. It was neither good nor and Andrew already had given away dog who doesn’t take kindly to chang- A free, guided tour of the Taylor Guitars factory is given every Monday seller for us. The balanced, clear sound Starting with the shape and concept became standard throughout the differ- bad; it was just salt. his own fortune and couldn’t abide with es that aren’t tested. That’s valuable! through Friday at 1 p.m. (excluding holidays). No advance reservations addressed the needs of many players of the Grand Concert, he began draw- ent series of guitars we offer, and were As the years passed I started cook- the thought of using a dime of dona- The last few years he’s expanded his are necessary. Simply check-in at the reception desk in our Visitor Center, who required a less bass-dominant ing, eventually creating the shape that identified by model numbers ending in ©2014 Taylor-Listug, Inc. All Rights reserved. TAYLOR, TAYLOR (Stylized); TAYLOR GUITARS, TAYLOR ing more and more. The Food Network tion money to support himself, so one capabilities into robotics for spraying located in the lobby of our main building, before 1 p.m. We ask that large tone for their style of playing. would become the Grand Auditorium. “4,” our designation for the GA shape. QUALITY GUITARS and Design ; BABY TAYLOR; BIG BABY; Peghead Design; Bridge Design; really changed things for me, as I day he walked into the ocean with a and polishing, and again, knowing how Pickguard Design; 100 SERIES; 200 SERIES; 300 SERIES; 400 SERIES; 500 SERIES; 600 SERIES; groups (more than 10) call us in advance at (619) 258-1207. By the second half of the 1980s, In terms of sound, Bob was looking The Grand Auditorium proved to 700 SERIES; 800 SERIES; 900 SERIES; PRESENTATION SERIES; GALLERY; QUALITY TAYLOR watched people cook and then tried five-gallon bucket and after many trips we did it in the old days makes a differ- While not physically demanding, the tour does include a fair amount acoustic guitar music started showing for clarity, which is what he gravitates be the perfect guitar for the time. It’s GUITARS, GUITARS AND CASES and Design; WOOD&STEEL; ROBERT TAYLOR (Stylized); TAYLOR to emulate what I saw. I don’t mean brought out 1,000 pounds of water. ence in how we choose to do it now. of walking. Due to the technical nature, the tour may not be suitable for new signs of life, and was again being towards. So he began designing the the shape most closely associated with EXPRESSION SYSTEM; EXPRESSION SYSTEM; TAYLORWARE ; TAYLOR GUITARS K4; K4, TAYLOR recipes so much as the way chefs cook: He made his first batch of salt in the Steve’s also been a part of our small children. The tour lasts approximately one hour and 15 minutes K4; TAYLOR ES; DYNAMIC BODY SENSOR; T5; T5 (Stylized); BALANCED BREAKOUT; R. TAYLOR; featured in TV and movie soundtracks. guitar with both a new look and a clear Taylor due to its popularity and visibility R TAYLOR (Stylized); AMERICAN DREAM; TAYLOR SOLIDBODY; T3; GRAND SYMPHONY; WAVE how they move, how they think, how a monastic tradition in order to sell it 401(k) supervision team. He’s been and departs from the main building at 1980 Gillespie Way in El Cajon, Our sales started getting a little easier sound in mind. in the hands of artists. It’s not only a COMPENSATED; GS; GS MINI; ES-GO; V-CABLE; FIND YOUR FIT; and GA are registered trademarks dish comes together, what food looks to pay for his rent and food, so that a savvy investor himself and has lived California. to come by, owing in no small part to of Taylor-Listug, Inc. NYLON SERIES; KOA SERIES; GRAND AUDITORIUM; GRAND CONCERT, like when it’s cooked right. Some cook- he’s not a burden on a donor. You can a clean financial life forever, making it Please take note of the weekday exceptions below. For more information, TAYLOR SWIFT BABY TAYLOR; LEO KOTTKE SIGNATURE MODEL; DYNAMIC STRING SENSOR; the popularity of the Grand Concert. ing makes sense to me, and I enjoy it buy this salt from Andrew by going to easier for him to retire. I respect that a Bob offered to make Kathy Mattea the GRAND ORCHESTRA; GO; TAYLOR ROAD SHOW; JASON MRAZ SIGNATURE MODEL; NOUVEAU; including directions to the factory, please visit taylorguitars.com/contact. This increasing interest in acoustic gui- ISLAND VINE ; CINDY; HERITAGE DIAMONDS; TWISTED OVALS; DECO DIAMONDS; and SPIRES whenever I have the time. Over time I marbleheadsalt.com. It is worth every great deal. He’s raising kids, too, kids We look forward to seeing you! tars and acoustic music was reflected very first Grand Auditorium, a guitar are trademarks of Taylor-Listug, Inc. graduated to kosher salt from the gro- dollar you’ll spend. who had nobody else to turn to. Steve, and featured prominently in MTV cery store and forever left iodized salt Here’s a little recipe: Slice a small let’s lift a glass to a career played well, that at that point only existed in his ELIXIR and NANOWEB are registered trademarks of W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc. D’ADDARIO PRO-ARTE Unplugged, a TV series which debuted is a registered trademark of J. D’Addario & Co., Inc. NUBONE is a registered trademark of David Dunwoodie. behind. What an improvement. I can’t piece of crusty bread and put some and thanks for all your contributions. in late 1989. The series showcased mind. say it tasted a lot better. I think it did, but olive oil on it. Atop that, put a thin slice You always have a place at our table. Factory Closures artists performing their hit songs on Prices, specifications and availability are subject to change without notice. it was better in other ways. I quit using of tomato and a pinch of Marblehead So I’ll leave you with that, and what October 13 acoustic instruments. By the early We introduced the Grand bestseller for us; it has become truly a saltshaker and started pinching salt Andrew likes to say: “Stay salty.” Wood&Steel is distributed to registered Taylor guitar owners and Authorized Taylor Dealers as a complimentary salt. Taste the salt. Focus on it and (Taylor Guitars Anniversary) 1990s, our sales had started accelerat- Auditorium in 1994 in celebration of the iconic modern acoustic-electric service. To receive a subscription, please register your Taylor guitar at www.taylorguitars.com/registration. with my fingers, tossing in what I wanted enjoy it. Then repeat over and over until ing. our 20th anniversary, and offered it in guitar. To contact us about changing your mailing address or ending your subscription, please visit from a vessel of salt by the stove or on you feel like you should stop for some ­­ — Bob Taylor, President www.taylorguitars.com/contact. November 27-28 In the summer of 1993, country just two models: the XX-MC (mahogany the table. Never again could I stand to reason. Move on from there, using the (Thanksgiving Holiday) artist Kathy Mattea, who was in San back and sides, cedar top), and the — Kurt Listug, CEO look at a saltshaker. It signaled a low salt, and you’ll fall in love with it like I Diego for a concert, stopped by to XX-RS (rosewood back and sides, level of culinary ability to me. I wanted to have. But be sure to stop and taste it. visit the factory. Kathy had adopted spruce top). Guitar players loved it and Online feel my salt. I wanted more involvement Pay attention. You’ll see what I’m talk- Monday, December 22 through Friday, the Grand Concert as her go-to guitar, warmly embraced the versatile, bal- than shaking out a bit here and there. ing about. You won’t want to go back- January 2 and she and her husband, Nashville anced, clear sound of this new guitar Read this and other back issues of Wood&Steel at taylorguitars.com I dabbled in finishing salts, from ward from there. (Company Vacation) songwriter Jon Vezner, became friends shape. places around the world, but there In many ways it’s like how you don’t 7

s someone who performs live sound of a pure acoustic guitar, but if Firepod providing a clean and transpar- Third, be patient. Different playing Plugging in isn’t for every acoustic several times a week, I often you are playing a marathon three-hour ent signal. If feasible, I recommend that techniques will most likely require you guitarist. As I noted earlier, not every- A find myself plugging my Tay- set in a bar, it’s nice to hear some other you also plug your guitar into as many to adjust your settings. For example, one has the needs or the means to lor 310e into a PA system. Using the colors coming out of the amp. I try not different amps as possible. Once you’re when I plugged the 816ce straight into amplify. But I encourage you to give original Taylor Expression System® (and to overdo it with effects — again, subtle- plugged in… my PA (with my new amp levels), with it a try. The simple act of plugging in having played a Taylor with the ES2), ty is the name of the game in my opin- First, you actually should play rela- the guitar’s bass, treble and volume can really electrify your playing (pun I do this without a second thought ion — but having even just two different tively loudly, but don’t jump into the all set at 12 o’clock, it sounded abso- intended) and might just lead you into regarding the quality or consistency of reverb choices to play with — short or deep end with both feet, especially if lutely perfect for single-note melodies, some new, unknown creative realms the tone I’m going to hear coming out long, church or bathroom, hall or spring you’re new to amps — you don’t want but it was a little loud for strumming of personal expression. Or it might of the speakers. This goes for large — can help prevent ear fatigue during a too much volume slapping you in the open-string chords. I was able to easily just be too loud. But you won’t know outdoor festival gigs as well as more long night of acoustic music. face and scaring you. Set the ampli- adjust the between the two techniques unless you try. intimate spaces like a house concert. fier’s tone controls to the middle of by simply turning the volume down to My Taylor always sounds full and rich Tone Options each knob rotation. Turn the amp’s when amplified, and I can hear the Another useful feature wherein volume about one-third of the way up. subtle harmonic overtones just as plugging in trumps playing unplugged Set the treble and bass controls on clearly as if I was playing acoustically in or into a microphone is the ability to the guitar (bass is closest to the back) a sound-treated studio. manipulate your sound with the guitar’s in the middle (you should feel a slight Because of this personal experi- tone and volume knobs. Using nothing bump at the center marker), with the A Note on ence, I am frequently surprised to meet more than bass, treble and volume, I white level indicator on both knobs students and clinic attendees who have can get a wide range of acoustic colors pointing to the heel of the neck. Keep never once plugged their guitar into out of my Taylor. Normally, playing solo the volume control (closest to the Recording an amp. Granted, some of them don’t or in my duo, I just set everything at 12 soundboard) turned all the way down. have a pickup system in their Taylor, o’clock and go. But if I’m playing with Now strum a bit, gradually raising the Traditionally the best way to capture the true sound but many players don’t think they have two or more guitarists, or a bass player, volume control on the guitar until you of your acoustic guitar is to place a microphone in front the need or the means to amplify. Well, or a drummer, or all of them at once, feel comfortable with the sound. From of it. Or better yet, two microphones. But for the last if this is true for you, I’d like to share it’s really nice to have tone options that there, you can begin to experiment with 10 years or so, I’ve also been plugging my guitar into a some perks of plugging in that might allow my playing to sit right in the mix. the tone controls on the guitar or amp. preamp of some sort to capture a third track of my live have never occurred to you. And if Three acoustic guitars that all sound Beginning in this way will help success- performance. I have found this technique to be invaluable you do amplify your Taylor on a regular the same are too much, and too boring. fully move you from a purely acoustic when it comes time to mix. Though I might only use a basis, I might have some tips for you So I might add a little bite to my playing experience to learning to hear yourself hint of the “direct” track, it often enhances my recordings as well. by boosting the treble. Actually, more through an amplifier. in ways that microphones cannot. For one thing, I move often than not, to achieve this tone I’ll The key here is that you don’t want around a lot when I play, so inevitably I find myself Clarity vs. Volume dial back the bass. This allows my leads to be deceived by hearing more of shifting out of position of my stereo mike setup. Usually It’s a common misconception to to stand out in the mix without being your guitar’s normal acoustic sound this isn’t a huge problem, but every now and then a great believe that plugging in is just going to ear-piercingly annoying. Conversely, than what is coming out of the ampli- performance is flawed by tonal inconsistencies. Enter the make you louder. While access to more if I feel the mix needs more bottom fier. There should be a balance, but let direct track, which I can use to boost any frequency that volume is certainly one of the reasons end, I will turn up both the bass and the amp do its job, and just remember, might be deficient in the mike tracks. for amplification (let’s face it, if you’re treble knobs but turn my volume down. clarity rather than volume, so loud but Or perhaps you don’t have access to two playing an outdoor gig or in a noisy bar, This gives me more low end without not too loud. For example, I am used to microphones, or any for that matter. Well, don’t forget, your guitar can rarely be heard more overpowering the other players, yet still playing my Taylor 310e, with the origi- pickups are actually just small microphones, so let them than a few feet away), I would suggest maintains clarity. I’m looking for a deep, nal Expression System, into a Radial work like any other mike. You can get an amazing range that “clarity” is a more fundamental rich, full sound, not a fat and mushy preamp for a little volume boost. I found of tones from a direct track and a little EQ savvy. When benefit. one. Having these options at the tips of the new ES2 didn’t need this, as it is I recorded my 2004 CD The Art of Modern/Primitive For example, when I play large your fingers, rather than at the mercy of 25 percent louder than the original ES. Guitar, I only had one good, high-end microphone. But halls with my mandolinist, we are both the soundman, is a serious advantage. This actually took some getting used I also had my Taylor 410e, which I plugged directly into plugged in and have a nice balance to. I was accustomed to having my my computer! No external preamp, nothing. Just right between volume and tone. But when Getting Started levels at 5 or 6 on the PA, but the ES2 into the back of an off-the-shelf Compaq. Acoustic Guitar we started playing smaller unplugged If you are completely new to the allowed me to turn down to 2 or 3. So magazine went on to name that recording one of the house concerts, I found that I just world of amplification — maybe you’ve be sure and find the right volume for “Best of the Year,” alongside records by Paco De Lucia couldn’t compete with the mandolin’s got an amp at home and just haven’t your guitar. And don’t be shy. I know it and Loretta Lynn. And I did it all in my bedroom with one overpowering volume, especially when had the time to experiment with it, or can be uncomfortable — either because mike, a computer, and my Taylor 410e. I went to solo. So now we both plug perhaps you haven’t even plugged in you’re self-conscious about your play- You don’t have to be a stage-strutting in, even in a small room, with the man- at a music store — I’d like to offer a few ing or because you don’t want to look dolin’s volume turned down to 1 and tips on how to test-drive your guitar’s like a showoff playing loudly in a music guitar hero to reap the benefits of the guitar on 2 or 3. Most of the time amplification system. store — but the more you can really the audience can’t even tell that we are I’ll be writing from recent personal hear what’s coming out of that amp the 11 o’clock. Additionally, I found that Shawn Persinger, a.k.a. Prester John, Taylor’s acoustic electronics amplified and will ask us why we have experience, as Taylor was kind enough better. when I went to fingerpick, I preferred owns a Taylor 410, two 310s, a a large speaker behind us. And that’s to send me a loaner 816ce with the Second, play something you know to turn the bass down a touch. What 214ce-N and an 8-string Baritone. His exactly the point: clarity, not volume. new ES2 pickup to test out. I played it really well. If you’ve played a fingerstyle sounded great with a pick on the low music has been described as a myriad The audience still hears my natural through a wide variety of amps, includ- blues a thousand times, play it a thou- E string seemed to boom out when I of delightful musical paradoxes: com- acoustic tone, plus a little bit more that ing an Ibanez Troubadour, an ancient sand and one times. The same goes played it with the flesh of my thumb. My plex but catchy; virtuosic yet affable; they are unaware of. (1989) Peavy PA, a Pre-Sonus Firepod for you strummers out there. If the only long-term familiarity with using guitars smart and whimsical. His book The recording interface, the Bose L1 PA, chords you know are G, C and D, don’t equipped with pickups, in conjunction 50 Greatest Guitar Books is being Effects and even a Fender Delux Reverb. Not be afraid to crank up and strum away. with the amazingly versatile ES2, made hailed as a monumental achievement Add to the subtle use of amplifica- surprisingly, the ES2 sounded great You want the sound coming out of the performing these tweaks an effortless by readers and critics. tion a little reverb, maybe some ambient through everything, with the three guitar amp to match your normal acoustic task. Your experience may take a little (www.GreatestGuitarBooks.com) delay on a poignant song, or any other amps providing some sort of unique sound as closely as possible. You can longer initially as you dial in the sound By Shawn Persinger effect of your choosing, and suddenly colorization (playing through the Fender test this most accurately by playing a for your preferences, but that’s normal. you have a whole new sonic palette to made the guitar sound like a bluegrass favorite chestnut rather than a song So take your time, turn those knobs, draw from. Believe me, I’m all for the festival, circa 1977) and the PAs and that’s new to your repertoire. and trust your ears. 9

find some part-time work to help make was also offered a publishing deal. years none of his songs had turned ends meet along the way, but his home- Dodson signed a five-year deal into cuts, and he feared he was about schooling schedule and commitment to that paid him $866 a month. While to lose his writing deal. A conversation Marty Dodson on his Taylors writing made it difficult to find much. At the money wasn’t much, he says the with Williams brought a revelation that “When I was writing for Kim Williams I had this really cheap one point he got a tempting offer for a environment helped him hone his craft, would prove to be a pivotal moment in guitar — I think I paid $69 for it. One day I was writing and Path of full-time job. especially co-writing with other people. his songwriting career. the head just broke off. It went flying, strings everywhere. Kim “There was a guy who I think felt “Co-writing helped me realize the “I had written with guys who went loaned me a guitar for a little while, and that Christmas he gave sorry for me, so he offered me a job songs I’d written by myself were too home and made their own demos, me a Taylor 310. I’d never had a new guitar. I’d buy guitars at writing instruction manuals for small personal,” he says. “I had a song called had their own Pro Tools rigs and pro- pawn shops, and I’d had some decent brands, but they were all appliances like toasters,” Dodson shares. ‘She Stopped Living the Day He Died,’ grammed drums and stuff like that, so beat up. I just fell in love with that Taylor. It sounded amazing. “It was more money than I’d ever made, which I wrote about my grandmother I went out and bought all this equip- “Then when I wrote for Clint Black, that first Christmas he it had benefits, and I probably could’ve because when my grandfather died, ment,” he recalls. “I was trying to learn gave us all Big Baby Taylors with our company logo engraved stayed there forever. I felt like I had to she’d been totally dependent on him. how to do all that, but I’m not a great on them. Then I wound up buying an NS32ce when those came decide whether I wanted to take the When I played it for my family they cried guitar player — I can play well enough out because I’d always wanted a nylon-string guitar. The first Persistence safe thing or actually be a songwriter. and thought it was amazing, and I would to write, but I can’t play licks and lead song I wrote on that was “Let Me Down Easy,” which was a No. 1 Marty Dodson was determined to become a successful I turned that job down. A lot of people play it out and people would cry. When parts. And as I was talking to Kim I for Billy Currington. Now my co-writers and I joke about it every thought I was crazy, but it was a huge I played it for Kim, he said, ‘That’s the realized that I just needed to focus on time I bring that guitar. They’re like, ‘Oh boy, you brought the Nashville songwriter. Getting there took years of struggle motivator.” most depressing thing. That’s not at all what I do really well and quit trying to lucky guitar.’ Lately I’ve been doing a lot of corporate training To punctuate his renewed commit- my experience with my grandmother. I learn how to do everything. So I told events. I was flying with that NS32 a lot and kept thinking, I just and failure, but his perseverance paid off in the end. ment to songwriting, he went home, think it’s too personal.’ Co-writing helped him, ‘I think I’m really strong with ideas know this guitar will get broken, and every now and then I would picked an open spot on a wall, and me learn how to take my experience and lyrics,’ and he said, ‘Let’s find you have to gate check it. So I bought a GS Mini. We wound up get- By Jim Kirlin hammered a nail into it. He’d decided he and make it universal so other people some people who play guitar really ting them for almost everybody on our corporate training team. would hang his first gold record there. could relate to it even if they hadn’t gone well.’ He did, and I started writing with They’re awesome.” Earlier this year, we launched a his early exposure to people pursuing a through that exact thing.” them, and then all of a sudden I started campaign to celebrate musicians who career in music didn’t paint a promising Learning to Co-Write Dodson also learned a lot about per- getting songs on hold, then getting embody the boldness and courage that picture. Gordon Payne, who was writing at severance by working with Williams. cuts, and then it just really clicked for we deeply value here at Taylor Guitars. “My earliest impressions were that the time for Reba McEntire’s publishing “He had been an electrical engineer, me that if I could maximize what I do These are people whose passion and the person coming to work on our air company, did Dodson another favor and and something like 80 percent of his well I could make something happen. Me,” which went to No. 7 on the country ning into people who were being ripped determination have driven them to conditioner or every waitress was try- put him in touch with a few other aspir- body had been burned in a horrible That has been the key to the success charts. off. One of the things we discovered pursue musical goals even in the face ing to be a songwriter or a singer,” he ing songwriters who were a little further accident at a plant where he worked,” I’ve had. Every single I’ve ever had has When Kim Williams decided to when we looked at other websites of formidable obstacles. You can read explains. “So my only exposure was to along in their development. Dodson hit Dodson says. “When I started writing been written with one of those guys close his publishing business, Dodson was that most of them were started by short versions of our first five stories in people who were failing or struggling it off creatively with one of them, Terry for him he’d had huge Garth Brooks hits who plays guitar really well and is a got a deal with Clint Black’s com- people who had come to Nashville and guitar magazines across the U.S. and at it.” Vonderheide, who soon scored a writ- and been writer of the year at ASCAP, good melody person.” pany, Blacktop Music Group, where he failed. Our thought was, if you couldn’t Europe. The longer profiles of each Dodson says his perspective stifled ing deal with successful songwriter and and he would still come in limping and After six years of walking past a landed his first No. 1 single with Billy do it, how can you tell me how to do it? musician can be found at taylorguitars. his own aspirations of becoming a music publisher Kim Williams. Williams write two or three times a day. So the bare nail in his wall, Dodson earned his Currington’s “Must Be Doin’ Something One day Clay said, ‘Do you think any- com. Below you’ll meet our friend, songwriter for a long time. By the time had penned hits for Garth Brooks, work ethic in our office was, you show first gold record with a writing credit Right.” It was nine years after he had body would be interested if we started a songwriter Marty Dodson, whose story he enrolled in college he had decided among others, and had liked the results up and you just bust it until you’ve got on Lonestar’s third record, Lonely Grill, first quit his job to focus on writing. He’s website and actually told the truth about will also be featured in magazines this to pursue a degree in psychology. The of the co-writing work Vonderheide nothing left, and then you go home. I which eventually went quadruple plati- had five more No. 1 hits since, including songwriting?’ We thought it would be fall. In our eyes, Marty personifies the lone music class he took only reaffirmed and Dodson had done together, so he learned a lot about work ethic and quan- num. In the fourth year of his writing Currington’s “Let Me Down Easy” and fun to see how people respond to being commitment to persevere through dif- his doubts. asked to meet Dodson, and the two got tity of output from him.” deal he scored a co-writing hit with the Kenny Chesney’s “Everybody Wants to told that this is really hard, and lots of ficult times in pursuit of one’s dreams. “It was a commercial class taught to know each other. Eventually Dodson Despite Dodson’s efforts, after three Rascal Flatts single “While You Loved Go to Heaven,” and had songs recorded you aren’t going to make it, but if you We hope these stories inspire you to by a realtor who wrote jingles,” Dodson by the likes of Carrie Underwood, Leon really want to, here’s what you need reach toward your own musical dreams. says. “Even he didn’t know how to Russell, Joe Cocker, the Oak Ridge to do. So we just started doing that. Or, as we like to say: “Step forward. become a songwriter; he just took us to Boys, and even pop-rock act Plain People would come in for mentoring Music is waiting.” his studio and showed us some things White Tees. sessions, and we’d be brutally honest about writing jingles. It discouraged Dodson is both humble and proud with them.” s a kid, Marty Dodson loved the me even more because I felt a kind of as he reflects on his accomplishments, A Songtown USA Facebook page way songs could take him to impenetrable wall — it didn’t seem like especially in light of his slow, circuitous (Facebook.com/songtownusa) was cre- A places he’d never been. anybody knew how to make it. So I really path. ated in January of 2013 and a soon-to- “My family didn’t have much money — just put it away and didn’t write at all “I’ve had a lot of help along the way, be completed website (Songtown.com) I think we went on one vacation when I through college.” but I’ve made a lot of mistakes,” he says. will present educational programs for was growing up — so I had never seen Dodson later got a part-time job as a “I’ve kind of stumbled along until I found songwriters along with other collabora- much of the world,” he says. “A cousin of youth minister for a church while going what the right path was.” tive resources that will help people find MARTY DODSON WAS AN ASPIRING SONGWRITER. ONE DAY, HE DECIDED TO HAMMER A NAIL INTO mine had introduced me to the Eagles to school full time, and along the way A WALL. “THIS IS WHERE I WILL HANG MY FIRST GOLD RECORD,” HE DECLARED — WHICH WAS A BOLD others to complement their skill sets. PROCLAMATION, ESPECIALLY COMING FROM A GUY WHOSE NEXT BEST OPTION WAS A JOB WRITING and John Denver, so I would listen to got married and started a family. He TOASTER MANUALS. FOR SIX LONG YEARS HE WALKED BY THAT EMPTY NAIL. AND SO DID HIS WIFE Mentoring Others Dodson says that on a good week, they the man who drove a nail with a dream. AND THREE KIDS. THIS TOOK GUTS. PARTICULARLY AFTER EATING MASHED POTATOES COVERED IN those albums in my room and imagine says it wasn’t until about six or seven 69-CENT GRAVY. BUT MARTY PERSEVERED. FOCUSED ON SUCCESS. UNTIL ONE DAY, A GOLD RECORD Now that he has an established reach about 35,000 people. HUNG ON THAT NAIL, AND THEN A PLATINUM NEXT TO IT. HIS STORY REMINDS US THAT THE WORLD Colorado and all the places they were years after he finished college that he nerve to tell him I’d written a song that I “What Color is Your Parachute?” which COULD USE MORE DREAMERS LIKE MARTY. FOR MORE ON MARTY AND OTHER STORIES OF COURAGE career as a songwriter, Dodson enjoys “We both love Nashville, and we’d THAT INSPIRE US, visit taylorguitars.com singing about.” picked up the guitar again and started A Much-Needed Mentor thought was pretty cool, so he asked me encourages people to discover what using his experiences to mentor other hate for people to think that this is just Dodson got his first guitar when he playing and writing for fun. Around the Gordon Payne was a songwriter and to play it for him. He said, ‘It’s not very they love to do and then find a way to aspiring songwriters. In 2013, he and a place that will scam you,” he adds. was 11 and immediately started penning same time he found himself reconsider- singer-guitarist who had played with commercial, but I love the idea,’ and he turn it into a career. successful fellow songwriter Clay Mills “We wanted to educate people against tunes of his own. ing his job and career path. JJ Cale and Don White, Tanya Tucker, asked if he could help me rewrite it, so “After meeting Gordon I decided launched on online resource network that and try to inspire them to put in the “I discovered that sitting and playing “At that point I had three kids and Waylon Jennings, and Buddy Holly’s he did that. Then he took me to a studio that making a living writing songs would called Songtown USA. work instead of just looking for a back on the fourth step of the stairs going had to be gone a lot at night doing band, The Crickets (from 1985-1994). and he demoed it. I was blown away by be number one on my list,” he says. “Clay and I thought it would be a door.” down to our basement would echo and activities with other people’s kids for “My dad would build computers for the fact that the musicians could listen “Fortunately, I was able to go all in — we cool way to give back and help people sound cool, so I would sit there and my job, and I decided I didn’t want to people, and Gordon became his cli- to our work tape one time and play the were home-schooling our kids and my avoid some of the mistakes we’d made,” Marty Dodson currently writes for write songs about the girl down the keep doing that,” he says. “So I quit, and ent, so I ran into him several times,” he song. I was hooked. After that I thought, wife was working, and I was able to he says. “Both of us had been on the the music publishing company 2014 TAYLOR GUITARS2014 © street or somebody from school,” he my wife went back to work for a while says. “I thought it was interesting that Gordon took me seriously enough that I write quite a bit.” board at NSAI [Nashville Songwriters ole, which purchased Clint Black’s remembers. until I could figure out what I wanted to he was in The Crickets, so I’d pick his think I’ve got some ability.” Still, Dodson struggled as he tried to Association International], and we’d Blacktop Publishing Group in 2010. Despite growing up in the country do. It was during that period that I met brain about Buddy Holly and the history Around the same time, Dodson read refine his songwriting chops on his own. seen some of the great things they were Martydodson.com music capital of Nashville, Dodson says Gordon.” of their band. Eventually I got up the the bestselling career guidance book Money was also tight, so he tried to The print piece inspired by Marty’s story doing for songwriters, but we kept run- 10 www.taylorguitars.com 11

a side note, we do put a slight chamfer tar for that very reason. This is one rea- available as an upper-end model, and a Sharpie pen in your tool kit and write Good questions, Scott. First, the sun- them had Taylors. So I didn’t work (bevel) on the bottom of the saddle son why we use Elixir® brand strings, now you can buy a 114ce. the date on the battery. That tells you burst. We wouldn’t be able to produce too hard to gain the flatpickers. Who edges to keep the corners fitting well because the tone lasts due to the fact a lot, but is just a suggestion. I don’t as thin a finish on the 800 Series with would blame me? Andy Powers, who Ask Bob in the slot while allowing a good slip fit that they are coated with a web of want the light on the outside of the gui- a sunburst as we do clear. Everything is designing our guitars now, likes both of the saddle. A good saddle fit is also Teflon,® which keeps the oils and soils tar, as it makes a hole that will become matters, especially the finish. That said, sounds and is a good enough builder important for the acoustic response of from your hands from lodging between I am poised to purchase the new obsolete one day, while the holes for it would still be a GREAT guitar with to make a guitar that pleases both. So, Wood grain orientation, ES2 nuances, the guitar as well as the pickup func- the wrap windings. This gives our gui- T5z Classic, adding yet another our knobs won’t. a sunburst. But thinner is better. As I would say that a flatpicker should try tion. tars a chance to be heard. If you’re not Taylor guitar to my stable. I read for on-board tuners, there is a dividing a new Taylor 800 Series guitar. They and onboard tuners Putting the pickup in front of the going to change your strings often, be about your innovative change to the line in my mind, and I stick to it. On might be surprised. The reviews are saddle was considered but would sure to try these. But there’s nothing piezo pickup placement in your new one side you have musical instruments, stellar among all players. Who knows, require making the bridge and pin plate like a new set of strings to really hear Expression System 2. It would seem and on the other you have consumer though, even if the sound is accept- larger to accommodate the pickup on what your guitar has to offer. After all, that a logical evolution would be for electronics. Tuners are convenient, I will able now, we still might have the wrong the treble side. We tried several ver- they are what make the sound. The gui- all your guitars to eventually follow admit, but they fit into the consumer shaped headstock, pickguard and I’ve been wondering how the narrow- to you also) that the rocking motion sions of this and found the current loca- tar amplifies that sound, and better gui- suit. So, are you about to release electronics class and only belong on bridge for some people. I understand ness or wideness of wood grain, as of the saddle could be enhanced by tion to be ideal. We need adjustment tars do a better job of it, which is what a second-generation T5z with a guitars that are just as disposable why, but I think we now offer a guitar well as its orientation, affects guitar slightly rounding its bottom edges. for the reasons previously cited. we call tone. But without the strings, behind-the-saddle piezo placement? as consumer electronics are. Our that a bluegrass player could enjoy. resonance and tone. Might that make a noticeable differ- We also do plan on eventually offer- we only have a nice flower pot. Bradley C. Smith Expression System is in the musical John Yamanaka ence? ing the ES2 as a retrofit. Timing will Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada instrument category. It is essential to Irvine, CA I also wondered if it was ever a depend on a number of factors, includ- today’s music. We have designed it to consideration to place the pickup ing our manufacturing ability for larger That’s a good question, Bradley, and function on an aesthetic platform (three I own a 2003 cedar-top 714ce, which John, let’s talk about tops primarily. The in front of the saddle rather than numbers of the pickups. We don’t yet I just bought a 314ce and abso- I’m sure others wonder about the same small knobs and a battery-housing I have used extensively. Two years orientation is important because we like behind it. My thinking is that in pluck- have a timeframe for when we’ll begin lutely love it. It is easily one of the thing. We don’t have a plan to change strap jack) that has stood the test of ago, I decided to take the high E stiff tops. When the wood is perfectly ing a string and setting it to vibrate, to offer this service. two best-sounding acoustics I’ve the T5 line to the new ES2 and the five revisions and one complete change string off! I prefer how it sounds quartersawn with grain lines that are you are shortening it and in effect ever played (the other being the reason is this: The sensor in the T5 of the electronic components inside. that way, and it works with the kind exactly 90 degrees from the face, the pulling the saddle, which would new 814ce, which I could barely is magnetic and blends in tone and It is upgradable. So there is a differ- of open chords and tunings I play. I wood is the stiffest. You can see the make it rock forward toward the put down). My question is about impedance with the two other mag- ence between the “electronics” that we tune down a semitone and use Elixir evidence of that cut by the cross grain soundhole and neck more than back- Would you consider making one of the new GO. I love my GAs for their netic pickups that make up the T5’s install into our guitar for the purpose Custom Lights. It still stays in tune in the top. We also like to call it silk. ward, and you might not even need your series with a pinless bridge? I versatility, but I am considering other trio of pickups. Since the ES2 is totally LED battery indicator light of amplification and what I would call very well and sounds great. When you see a lot of that, you have the tension adjustment set screws. have an older guitar with this type of body types for my next Taylor. The different in design, it is not a plug-in consumer tools or electronics that I Will the imbalance in tension very quartered wood. A few degrees off The article also mentioned that you bridge, and it’s quick for restringing, versatility, tonal uniformity, and big- replacement. The difficulty comes in feel should not be a part of the guitar along the guitar eventually damage the quarter still works great, but I don’t installed the ES2 on a few of Danny has a less steep angle across the ger sound of the new GO have me matching impedance while using the I’m thinking about investing in an itself. All those things become obsolete, the bridge, saddle or neck? I have like it as much when it starts approach- Rader’s existing Taylors. Is that a strings where they rest on the sad- pretty captivated. They seem to have same preamp as the other pickups. excellent rosewood/spruce acoustic cease to function, and need changing, asked a few different luthiers. Some ing 10 degrees. Regarding grain width service that you may offer to other dle, and also sounds very nice. My all the volume and bass of a large They each would require a separate guitar. I had been focused on the while the guitar only gets better with think what I have done is almost her- in spruce, I prefer wider grain, because Taylor owners in the future? guess is that it also puts less stress I recently became the proud owner of a Taylor body, and yet the responsiveness preamp and then need to be blended 714ce, but my attention has been age. I’d rather you do it with your foot esy; others think it will be fine. Also, the wood is nearly as stiff as narrow Tom Duncan on the strings where they come up and tonal clarity of a small body. My somehow. That would not be good diverted to the 814 by your design on the floor and throw that piece of I’m considering purchasing one of grain but much lighter in weight, which through the bridge and intersect with T5-S and love it. I watched the video on your question is three-fold: 1) Do you design in the end. Also, as luck would innovations this year. Last week, I equipment away one day and keep your your 12-strings and doing something allows easier movement. There is a limit the peg. Is it purely traditional to website of how to restring a steel-string guitar. think the GO will prove to be as have it, the current acoustic sensor on had the chance to play 2013 and ever-improving guitar just as it is. I hope similar. Would it eventually damage to width that looks pleasing, which at Ed. Note: We asked pickup designer have pinned bridges? The demonstrator slackened all the strings at versatile as my beloved GAs? 2) Are the T5 works incredibly well on that gui- 2014 editions of the 814ce side you see the sense in that. I’m truly try- that instrument? this point in time is about ten lines per David Hosler to respond to these Glenn you planning on offering a cutaway tar, and the truth is that it works better by side and was impressed by ing to look after you in the long run. Luke d’Eça inch. One day, when we are cultivating questions. once and took them all off. Is it OK to do this? in the near future? (This would be a on the T5 than on an acoustic guitar. the changes and the distinction in spruce for guitars, and that day will Tom, your thoughtful questions are Glenn, we made a pinless bridge once Will the change in tension by removing all the must for me.) 3) Will it become avail- So, in this case we’re lucky because, their voices. The 2013 model is a Luke, you can take off any string you happen, guitars will be made with five good ones and things that we tried in on our original 400 Series. It was nice strings do any harm to the neck? I’ve always able in your lower models as well, while it would be difficult to change great guitar. The 2014 model is a want and play your music. Don’t let oth- and six lines per inch, so prepare your the development stages until eventu- and had some manufacturing advantag- or are you planning to keep it as an the T5 acoustic sensor to the ES2, GREAT guitar! Given the popularity of Taylor guitars ers tell you that you can’t. It won’t harm kids to like wider grain, which they will. ally settling on the current design es. All the points you cite as being bet- been led to believe that strings should be exclusive to your higher-end series? we don’t need to do so because the I have two questions. First, I’m in the acoustic world, when it comes the guitar at all. As for the hardwoods, grain width and placement. The most challeng- ter have pros and cons. For instance, changed one at a time. One more related question: Any current sensor functions very well and a bit nostalgic about sunburst fin- to bluegrass, they seem to be on doesn’t matter quite as much when the ing aspect of using the saddle as the yes, you can re-string more easily, but Hal Darlington idea when the refinements of your we don’t feel there is much room for ishes because my first acoustic had the opposite side of the spectrum wood is very dense. However, quarter- source for any pickup is the saddle’s you also put little dents in the guitar top 800 Series will be made universally improvement. a sunburst. Would the addition of a — invisible, a taboo. I have yet to cut wood is always more stable, even fit into the slot itself. It’s almost impos- more easily from the ball ends being available on all models? They are sunburst finish negatively affect the see a Taylor guitar being played in a if you might not perceive a difference sible to machine all the surfaces of both dragged across the top. People com- Hal, feel free to take off all the strings at once. It fantastic! miraculous reduction in finish depth bluegrass band, be it live or on the in tone. But as always, every difference the saddle and the wood slot to allow plained about that back then. But those won’t harm a thing. And it allows you to wipe off Brendan Denil you’ve been able to achieve, and if Internet. Do you have any explana- makes a difference, right? I love to everything to work together acoustically pros and cons aside, in the end we your fretboard. I love my 416ce. Have you ever so, how prominent would the change tions for this? answer these questions, but I also cau- without some sort of small mechani- make an aesthetic decision, coupled Thanks for the shout-out on the new thought about having a little red be to the guitar’s volume and tone? Bonifacio Gulla (618e) Got a tion people against obsessing over the cal interference. Repair technicians with a functional and branding decision, 800s, Brendan, and yes, the appropri- (battery low) warning light, maybe Second, I wonder whether an Temecula, CA answers. It’s our job to make guitars and builders have been trying with and so we opt for a pinned bridge. I ate changes are working their way into positioned near the volume control? I onboard tuner was considered when question for that sound great and last long with the much frustration to make everything can’t tell you a big story about how one other models. It’s not a cut-and-paste have had the battery go dead without the Expression System was upgrad- Yes, I do. Most people who play blue- Bob Taylor? materials the world offers now, and flat and level for years in order to bal- is better than the other. For example, all operation, as in applying everything warning and the sound becomes dis- ed. This is a feature I use all the time grass don’t like Taylor guitars; they we’re quite good at that. We follow ance under-saddle transducer pickups. classical guitars are pinless. They both who used to change strings weekly), set took me by surprise. Whatever from the 800s to each series, because torted through the speakers. Maybe on my Ibanez, which is equipped prefer Martin guitars. But we like them. Shoot him an e-mail: the rules, but sometimes break them. We now know that the real solution work fine, but we choose the pinned but since I no longer play in a band the reason, this guitar sounds better each series needs its own changes. a little warning would help. with a Fishman Aura electronics And they should try a new 810 or 810e [email protected] A little knowledge is fun to have, but was to have the pickup “in the correct bridge and will most likely stick with it. and I wipe down the strings well than I remember, and it was already Your second question about the GO: John system. It is so convenient for stage and see what they think. The fact is it can also be dangerous, so keep the place,” but a good mechanical fit is still after each use, I didn’t think much of perfect. What do you think? Yes, it’s a versatile guitar; it simply purposes to have the tuner under my that the popularity of our guitars is very If you have a specific whole in mind and try not to separate it important even with ES2, which makes it. Holy shimmer, Batman. My guitar Paul W. starts out bigger in size and sound than John, if you look inside your guitar fingertips, including the ability to cut much associated with our sound, and into the parts. adjustment a very valuable tool! sounded so nice before changing to your GA. You can currently order a GO where the ES control knobs are, you the signal to the amp with one touch that is because our sound was/is dif- repair or service The movement is so small (nanome- I have an 816ce that I picked out the fresh set that I hardly believed Well, Paul, strings wear out on guitars with a cutaway through our Custom will see a little LED light that shines for tuning. Do you have any thoughts ferent than the traditional sound, and concern, please call ters) that it takes a laser to see it or a after playing literally everything it would improve much with the because people touch them with their program. And finally, we don’t have any when your guitar is plugged in. This on this? If the idea has been consid- there are many people who prefer our our Customer Service piezo element to pick it up. Like the top available in Pittsburgh. It was a change, but boy was I wrong. It was hands. They don’t wear out on a piano plans to make the GO available in the tells you that your battery is good. ered and dismissed, is it an aesthetic sound. I once went to the Walnut Valley department at I read your Wood&Steel article on of a guitar vibrating, you can’t see it, Christmas gift from my wife in 2010. full and deep with a detailed crisp- because nobody touches them, and 100 or 200 Series. Someday we might When you don’t see it lit, that tells you issue or a tone issue related to the Festival in Winfield, Kansas, and saw (800) 943-6782, the ES2 design. In understanding but it is moving very dynamically. I am embarrassed to say that I just ness that defines what I want in an the tones of the two instruments are see a 300 or 400 Series GO, but for that your battery voltage is getting low inclusion of more non-wood compo- 51 contestants in the flatpicking con- and we’ll take David Hosler’s thought process in Rounding the saddle bottom does changed my strings for the second acoustic sound. Maybe it’s nice and different. But often in a guitar shop the now we are leaving it where it is in the and that soon it will be too low to work; nents? test and only one Taylor among them. care of you. moving the piezo sensors behind the not positively affect the motion of the time since taking ownership of this broken-in now after four years of guitar with the newest strings is the line. These changes happen slowly, but it’s in the dying zone. Also, when you Scott Then I went to the fingerstyle contest saddle, it occurred to me (and maybe saddle as the movement is so small. As fine instrument (a travesty for a guy playing, but that changing to a new guitar that sells, even over a better gui- I can remember when the GA was only put in a battery, it’s a good idea to have West Montrose, Ontario, Canada and saw 47 contestants, and 44 of 12-Strings Early in Taylor’s history, Bob Taylor’s 12-string guitars helped the company establish a differentiating niche in the guitar world. Most 12-strings of the day were notoriously difficult to play due to a combination of chunky neck profiles and relatively high action. In fact, most 12-strings had to be tuned down just to make them playable. Taylor’s 12-strings were playable enough to be tuned to concert pitch, and thanks to the efforts of a few early Taylor dealers in the Los Angeles area, including McCabe’s Guitar Shop and Westwood Music, our 12-strings were embraced in the ’70s by the likes of Neil Young, David Crosby, and J.D. Souther, and later by John Denver, Kenny Loggins, and many others. of Taylor INNOVATION ctober 15, 1974, brought a soggy start to Taylor Guitars. In honor of the company’s Bob, Kurt, then-partner Steve Schemmer, and their small O staff arrived at their shop in Lemon Grove, California, to 1976Slim-profile, find the floor under a couple of inches of water, the result of runoff Bolt-on Necks 40th anniversary, from a rain storm the night before. Fortunately, the crew was able to Taylor’s signature play- bail out, mop up, and get to work without losing any wood or equip- ability was the product ment. It would merely be the first of countless episodes of adversity of Bob Taylor’s slimmer the fledgling enterprise would face. necks, an intuitive design we highlight 40 Forty years later, Taylor has not just survived but thrived, against decision that marked a the odds, evolving from a struggling shop into an industry-leading departure from the big- manufacturer, all without the need for Bob and Kurt to relinquish ger, rounder neck profiles ownership or management control along the way. Their secret? A innovations that of other acoustic guitars. relentlessly innovative spirit infused with a blend of other attributes: Another contributing factor raw talent, passion, youthful ignorance, problem-solving creativity, was a bolt-on heel design, gritty resolve, trust, adaptability, and a knack for enlisting the help of a structural innovation that have set Taylor apart others along the way. Add some random luck for good measure and was initially sparked by a you’ve got a blueprint for a company that slowly became, as Bob repair job Bob performed once described Taylor, a 20-year overnight success. on a friend’s Guild G-37, In honor of Taylor’s 40th anniversary, it seems fitting to spotlight in which he converted a By Jim Kirlin some of the fruits of that innovative spirit. We chose 40. By no dovetail to a bolt-on in means is this the definitive compilation, but it calls out many recog- 1973. Bob introduced a nizable developments that have spurred Taylor’s ongoing transfor- more refined version of the mation. One thing is for certain: Within a culture of innovative think- bolt-on heel in 1976 with ing, fresh discoveries in turn spawn other new discoveries. As long input from other luthiers in as the company preserves that spirit, this list will continue to grow, San Diego, including Sam bringing fresh inspiration to another generation of Taylor players. Radding from the American Dream and James Goodall. The bolt-on neck also made continued on next page it easier to perform neck resets. Neil Young with a 1970s 12-string 855 40 Years of Taylor Innovation 40 Years of Taylor Innovation

1984 1995 UV-Curable Finish Grand Concert Taylor pioneered the development of Laser Technology The small body style was new polyester-based guitar finishes that After first using lasers to etch the rosette pattern for the designed with input from are more durable and contain fewer Baby Taylor, the company expanded their use to include national fingerstyle champion solvents than traditional nitrocellulose the cutting of guitar tops, backs, sides, intricate inlays, Chris Proctor during a time lacquer finishes, and can be applied in and other guitar components. Controlled by computer in the 1980s when a new thinner coats to optimize the tonal prop- programs, lasers are able to cut wood parts quietly, accu- generation of adventurous, erties of the guitar. Taylor’s design of an rately, and without chipping since there are no high-speed genre-blending fingerpickers ultraviolet light curing oven enabled the rotating cutters to stress the material. was searching for guitars curing time to be reduced from days to that would better match their minutes. playing needs. The era’s 1996 tools of the trade were large- ly Jumbos and Dreadnoughts 1990 with narrower fretboards and a boomier low end. The Computer (CNC) Mills Grand Concert offered a Taylor was the first acoustic guitar company to use computer numeric controlled 1995 mills. The game-changing machines brought exacting precision when it came to The Pallet 1996 more balanced and articulate voice. cutting, pocketing and shaping complex guitar components and brought unprec- Guitar edented consistency to the guitar-making process. CNC mills also were used to It’s a cult favorite among fabricate proprietary fixtures and other tools that helped improve Taylor’s guitar- Taylor fans, but what making methods. They became a key catalyst for other innovations and helped spur might seem like a cool Taylor’s growth into an industry-leading manufacturer. one-off novelty guitar was actually crafted to make a more profound statement. Bob Taylor was responding to the Fret Buck growing commentary that an exceptional supply Designed by Taylor tooling 1993 of tonewoods was the 1991 and machine design guru secret of Taylor’s great- Matt Guzzetta to make the Kerf Saw & sounding guitars. Making fretting process easier, this Clamps a guitar out of a dis- became a staple of Taylor’s Developed by Taylor’s tool tressed, discarded ship- repair department for refret- and machine designer Matt ping pallet demonstrated ting guitars without having Guzzetta, the kerf saw that strong design and to remove the neck from automated the process of craftsmanship can the body (before the easily cutting the slotted kerfing transform virtually any detachable NT neck was strips that line the interior materials into a guitar introduced). We still use it edges of a guitar’s sides. Baby Taylor with great playability and to service pre-NT guitars The kerf clamps were What was born as Taylor’s ¾-size mini-Dreadnought was initially conceived as quality tone. in repair, and luthier supply machined from extruded a ukulele concept from Bob Taylor, but Bob quickly realized that a travel- and stores sell them to other aluminum to hold the child-friendly guitar was a better idea. It turned out that the impressive playability repair technicians and instru- glued kerfing strips inside and musicality of the guitar greatly diversified its appeal as a legitimate musical ment makers. a guitar’s sides, replacing instrument for players at every level. Adult players bought them for their kids but wooden clothespins. also embraced the Baby as a slide guitar, songwriting guitar, an alternate tuning guitar, etc. Its popularity helped establish the travel guitar category.

Workshop Program (1984) players Chris Shaw, Artie Traum and Dan Crary Signature Model (1986) Leo Kottke Signature Model (1986) Guitar Cases (1989) Taylor Ad Campaigns (1992) radically different than those of other Grand Auditorium (1994) style cutaway reminiscent of Taylor’s the instrument, it was discontinued in Taylor’s touring guitar workshops first Livingston Taylor, among others. Taylor’s first-ever signature model was In the mid-’80s, a store-bought Taylor Guitar cases proved to be a problem- In the early 1990s, as the acoustic gui- guitar brands, from the off-beat, nature- First offered as a limited edition to LKSM, and a dramatically wedged body 2002. rolled out in 1984 with fingerstyle originally designed as a custom guitar mahogany 12-string 555 lured finger- atic issue for Taylor in the late 1980s, tar began to experience a resurgence themed Trees series to the Discovery celebrate Taylor’s 20th anniversary, depth (3-1/2 inches on the bass side; champions Harvey Reid and Chris Proc- Artist Series (1985) for progressive bluegrass flatpicker style virtuoso Leo Kottke back to playing especially as the company had begun in popularity and Taylor was increasing campaign, which incorporated excerpts the medium-size GA represented the 6-1/4 on the treble side) to maximize Tecate Factory (2000) tor as clinicians. Both had showcased What began as Larry Breedlove’s exper- Dan Crary, who craved a Dreadnought guitar after a hiatus due to hand ail- increasing its daily production. Between its production capacity, CEO Kurt Lis- of letters from actual customers about crystallization of Bob Taylor’s aesthetic the interior air chamber while also opti- What began as the relocation of Tay- Taylor’s guitars at NAMM Shows, and imental color application techniques on with a louder, more responsive treble, ments. As the story goes, Kottke used the lack of a consistent supply from its tug looked to develop an ad campaign how they discovered their Taylors. The design sensibility. Its greater versatility mizing playability. An offset soundhole lor’s in-house case production from its they took the guitar demo clinics on maple/spruce guitars (including a pur- a more musical bass, and nice balance a pocket knife to carve down some of vendor, quality issues, and an improper strategy that would strengthen Taylor’s campaigns proved to be very effective. gave players a guitar that they could increased the vibrational surface of the factory complex in El Cajon, California, the road to Taylor’s dealers as in-store ple 12-string made for Prince) grew into between the two. Bob Taylor essentially the braces inside the guitar to modify it. fit due to the nuances of Taylor’s gui- brand awareness and differentiate the flatpick, strum and play fingerstyle on, soundboard, while Klein’s asymmetrical to a new facility in Tecate, Mexico, workshops. Their grassroots promotion the stage-friendly Artist Series. With the revoiced a rosewood/spruce 810 by Bob Taylor later connected with Kottke, tar shapes compared to several other company in a positive way. Many of Vacuum Chuck (1993) and it fit into a recording mix nicely, bridge was designed to help the top has gradually evolved into an integral of Taylor was cheaper than traditional acoustic guitar market slumping in the shifting from scalloped bracing to taller, and after a series of conversations, they major brands (which most cases were the guitar ads within the industry had This tool designed by Taylor’s Matt making it a go-to guitar for session move more efficiently and boost the extension of our guitar manufacturing magazine advertising — an important mid-’80s, the colored aesthetic recast more blade-shaped braces and thinning decided to work together on the design designed to fit), Bob Taylor decided to a homogenized feel, featuring either a Guzzetta is a clamp that uses vacuum musicians. It become the quintessential bass and treble. The interior boasted operation. Located just an hour from consideration given Taylor’s budget the acoustic guitar in a more contem- the top. The guitar also featured a soft of what Kottke thought would make the begin manufacturing cases in-house. slick photo of a guitar, a famous guitar suction to hold a guitar body in place to Taylor body shape and redefined the Klein’s elaborate bracing scheme. Four our complex in El Cajon, Taylor’s Tecate constraints at that time. Their efforts laid porary light, attracting a lot of attention cutaway to give Crary access to the ultimate 12-string. The resulting LKSM Doing so resolved those issues and player with an endorsement, or a bomb- enable a craftsperson to scrape excess acoustic guitar for the modern player. models were offered, with tonewood facility currently not only produces the groundwork for an expanded work- and bolstering awareness of Taylor as upper register for his blazing solo runs. retained the mahogany/Sitka wood pair- enabled Taylor to better manage the shell model selling sex appeal. Inspired binding, sand the surface of the sides, choices that included imbuia and cases, but also crafts the Baby Taylor shop program that featured a robust other high-profile artists of the day, from Dan (and Bob) liked it so much that it ing and Jumbo shape, with a flatter-style shipping flow. Bob took things a step by the advertising of other brands he and drill a pilot hole for the endpin jack. Acoustic Bass (1995) maple. While the size and nature of Series, the GS Mini, our 100 and 200 stable of world-class guitarists, includ- Kenny Loggins to Billy Idol guitarist became an official production model cutaway. Kottke felt that a 12-string’s further, overseeing the design of cus- admired, such as Harley-Davidson, Kurt The vacuum reduces the possibility of The offspring of a unique collaboration the design made it a niche instrument, Series, and performs other wood pro- ing flatpickers Dan Crary and Beppe Steve Stevens, ordered custom models. for a number of years. (See page 32 strength was a rumbling low-end and tomized inserts for the boxes in which keyed in on the aspirational nature of scratching and damaging the body. It between Bob Taylor and envelope- it was well received by established cessing functions for our production Gambetta, fingerstylists Laurence Juber, The Artist Series eventually evolved into for more.) shouldn’t be tuned to pitch, so it was the cases were shipped, providing extra their ad campaigns and worked with also enables the body to be rotated pushing luthier Steve Klein fused bassists including Nashville session line. Tecate’s close proximity to our Pat Kirtley and Doyle Dykes, Piedmont the maple/spruce 600 Series, which designed to feature heavy gauge strings protection by enabling the cases to designers John Vitro and John Robert- 360 degrees, giving our craftspeople Klein’s radical design ideas with Tay- ace Michael Rhodes, Cheap Trick’s blues picker John Cephas, singer- incorporated an array of color finish and to be tuned to C-sharp. A 6-string effectively “float” within the box. son from a local ad agency. The result complete access to the contours of the lor’s aesthetic lines. The body featured Tom Petersson, and jazz virtuoso Stan- songwriter Wendy Waldman, and folk options. version was also made. was a series of ad campaigns that were sides. a big, round lower bout, a Maccaferri- ley Clarke. With limited demand for continued on next page 40 Years of Taylor Innovation 16 T5 Custom Program A revolutionary “electracoustic” gui- While Taylor’s standard guitar line Small-scale 1999 2005 tar design, the hollowbody hybrid had evolved into a robust offer- 2011 leveraged Taylor’s proprietary pickup ing of body styles, wood pairings Robotics New Technology design capabilities and bridged the and appointment packages, we One of the newest frontiers of Taylor’s (NT) Neck acoustic and electric worlds in a truly wanted to give customers an high-tech tooling and manufacturing Not only one of the most revolutionary unique and inspiring way, infus- even broader palette of options capability is the use of small-scale innovations in Taylor history but in the ing a versatile palette of tones to enable them to design a Taylor robotics to perform intricate assembly entire acoustic guitar industry, the pat- into one all-performance guitar. guitar that truly reflected their own processes. First used to manufacture ented NT neck arguably represented Compatible with both elec- tonal and aesthetic preferences. the pickup assembly for the Expression the first major advance in acoustic tric and acoustic amps and The Custom program features System 2, the robotic units enable the guitar design since the birth of the equipped with acoustic and dozens of menu categories that automated in-house production of com- steel-string. The neck design incorpo- electric pickups and five-way are rich with options, and we’ve plex guitar components. rated computer mill and laser technol- worked closely with dealers to ogy to change the way the bolt-on enable them to help customers 2014 neck attaches to the body of the guitar. with their orders. The program The design brought more stability and also makes it easy for dealers to precision to the neck, enabling unprec- switching, the T5 was one add truly unique models to their edented micro-adjustability to ensure of Taylor’s most successful product own inventory. We also love to Taylor’s European Headquarters a precise neck angle and easy service- launches ever. The more recent T5z spec out our own custom offer- After using external sales distributors in the European market for years, Taylor took ability to maintain the perfect neck expanded the T5 family with a more ings and bring them to Road on its own distribution by establishing a multifaceted facility in Amsterdam to better angle. The three-piece design also compact body and a more electric- Shows for customers to experi- serve dealers and customers. In addition to inventory warehousing, our European brought greater structural resilience to friendly feel. ence firsthand. Best of all, with our headquarters houses our sales and customer service offices, dealer education the neck and significantly reduced the production sophistication, we’re space, and a fully equipped Factory Service Center that performs every level of waste of mahogany and sapele wood. able to offer superb turnaround repair that our factory in El Cajon can. The operation also supports our European time — less than eight weeks — on Road Show events. 2009 orders. 2003, 2014 Electrostatic/Robotic 2014 Expression System® Finish Application 2010 After years of installing after-market 2005 Taylor dramatically increased the trans- Revoiced 800 Series pickups from outside manufacturers, fer efficiency of the finish sprayed on a The comprehensive design overhaul of our flagship and most popular guitar Taylor’s product development team guitar from 15 percent when sprayed series made the bold statement that we believe in continual innovation and applied its extensive guitar knowledge manually to about 85 percent with the in exploring new frontiers in tone. The new 800s also showcased a fusion to design a proprietary pickup system integration of electrostatic and robotic of Andy Powers’ talents as Taylor’s next-generation master capable of capturing the rich acoustic technologies. The electrostatic applica- luthier with the R&D and manufacturing sophistication nuances and translating them into a tion is enhanced within a controlled that enables Andy’s ideas to be implemented in an more natural amplified tone that was spray environment, in which the finish GS Mini unprecedented way at a production level. reflective of both the guitar and the temperature and the humidity levels are Taylor’s next-generation version of a scaled-down guitar after the Baby Taylor was player. The original Expression System stabilized to create optimal conditions designed to create a bigger, richer guitar sound yet still retain the compact feel of incorporated a network of magnetic for finish attraction. The resulting fin- a travel-friendly guitar. The guitar borrowed from Taylor’s shapely Grand Symphony neck and body sensors and a preamp ish coating is more evenly applied and body style and incorporated many of Taylor’s latest design ideas, including the designed with input with revered pro more consistent across the production patented NT neck. The design even included an easy-to-install aftermarket pickup, audio designer Rupert Neve. The lat- line. the ES-Go®. Right out of the gate, the guitar was smash success, yielding a full- est iteration, the Expression System 2 size voice in a comfortably intimate package that suited both an active lifestyle and (2014), features the breakthrough rede- relaxed couch strumming. Four years into production, we are approaching 100,000 sign of a piezo-style pickup. GS Mini models made.

U.S. headquarters has enabled us to of usable wood for guitar necks from act with buffing wheels that move to top serves to expand the boundary raising and slightly widening the waist that best fits their needs. Guests are pickups and a metal bridge design. The 8-string Baritone (2009) Ebony Sourcing (2011) this will enable Cameroonian communi- maintain Taylor’s high quality standards, each log. The well-managed program maintain an optimized pressure level edge of the soundboard, helping to and rounding out the lower bout. The also invited to test-drive Taylor models, unique character of the pickups would This specialty design was something In 2011, Taylor became the co-owner ties to build a better economy through as production supervisors and machine has become a model of sustainable throughout the process. enhance its tonal output. resulting shape retained an aesthetic including production guitars and an soon spark the creation of a full-fledged of an acoustic love child spawned of Crelicam, an ebony mill in Camer- responsible management of an impor- and tooling specialists travel back and social forestry and enabled communi- family resemblance with other Taylor ever-changing selection of beautiful solidbody that was designed completely from two special models created for oon. In the course of researching the tant natural resource. forth to the factory every day. ties to improve their quality of life while Nylon Series (2002) Automated Sidebenders (2004) body styles while also yielding a distinc- custom guitars brought by the Road from the ground up. Distinctive features Taylor’s 35th anniversary: a 6-string harvesting of ebony there, Bob discov- properly managing the forest resources Rather than designing a traditional clas- Our side and cutaway benders were tive tone profile that featured a deeper, Show team. A Q&A session rounds included an ergonomic bridge, Taylor’s baritone GS and a 9-string GS. The ered that most ebony trees felled were Grand Orchestra (2013) Mahogany Sourcing around them for the long-term future. sical guitar, Taylor developed its nylon- designed in-house and incorporate piano-like bass, extra volume and low- out the event by giving guests an open single-bolt T-Lock™ neck joint (borrowed 8-string fused the lower, deeper tonal left on the forest floor because the The first full-fledged guitar design in Honduras (2001) The program’s success has led to the string guitars to be more compatible a Programmable Logic Controller to end sustain, without ruining the clarity forum for discussing all things Taylor. from the T5), and over time, an array range of the 6-string bari (tuned from wood featured color variegation rather from Taylor master luthier Andy Pow- Taylor’s philosophy of conservation- expansion to other community coopera- with the steel-string playing experience. maintain a consistent temperature, of the mids and highs. Thousands of Road Shows have been of pickup choices, including several B to B) with some of the upper-octave than the all-black appearance that has ers replaced the Taylor Jumbo with a minded tonewood consumption led to tives in Honduras. Slimmer necks, cutaways and onboard tension and rate of speed. This has presented to date, and they have humbuckers and a noiseless single coil, shimmer that the 9-string produced. historically been valued by instrument re-envisioned big-bodied shape that our involvement in a pioneering partner- electronics were among the modern virtually eliminated breakage and other Road Shows (2007) spawned a series of more personalized plus single or double cutaway options Looking to keep the jangle factor in makers. Bob shared this revelation blended depth, boldness and com- ship with remote forest communities in Robotic Finish Buffing (2001) and performance-friendly amenities, problematic issues associated with the The latest evolution of our in-store Find Your Fit events, in which our sales and an optional tremolo. In addition to check, Taylor’s design team landed on with the music community in order to plexity with remarkable balance and Honduras, which support themselves Designed both to alleviate the physical while still yielding the evocative tonal manual wood bending process and events pairs our sales rep for the store team gives one-on-one consultations to an array of customized ordering options, the 8-string, featuring octave pairings promote broader acceptance of varie- responsiveness, which is a unique tonal through the sustainable harvesting of demands of the manual buffing process character of the classical sound. As enables us to make a more accurate with a product specialist, resulting in help customers identify the best type of the SolidBody boasted after-market for the third and fourth strings. The gated ebony among instrument makers. package for a big guitar. mahogany. Because such forest com- and improve production consistency a result, more and more players have set of sides. an engaging mix of Taylor philosophy, guitar for their needs. pickup-swapping flexibility with the avail- result was a uniquely inspiring guitar Bob has used Taylor’s manufacturing munities are often working with less through automation, our buffing robot, incorporated Taylor nylon-strings into a fresh-from-the-factory product informa- ability of solderless loaded pickguards, that blended elements of a six-string, expertise to upgrade the harvesting and sophisticated tools and milling equip- “Buffy,” made it easier to a give a gui- broad mix of musical genres. Grand Symphony (2006) tion, and guitar demonstrations that SolidBody Electrics (2007) which enabled players to change their a bass, and a 12-string into an expres- milling efforts in Cameroon, improv- ment, Bob Taylor modified our cutting tar’s finish an even luster, which can be The pursuit of a richer, more robust help attendees better understand the Fueled by a continuation of our enve- pickup configuration in minutes. Though sive tonal palette. It lived as a standard ing working conditions for employees, specifications to provide a more practi- a challenge given the mix of complex Relief Rout (2003) acoustic voice led to the GS. Bob Taylor guitar line. The Road Show lope-pushing pickup design, the Solid- the SolidBody is currently on production model for several years before moving introducing better tools and machines, cal approach that was easier to exe- shapes with different body styles. The The patented CNC-milled groove that Taylor and Larry Breedlove expanded format offers players at every level Body initially began as a more electric hiatus, its design informed the develop- to our Custom program to give players and training employees to improve the cute. The result was the increased yield 6-axis robots are programmed to inter- runs around the underside of a guitar the footprint of the Grand Auditorium, practical advice on finding a guitar iteration of the hybrid T5, with new ment of the T5z. more ordering flexibility. mill’s processing capability. Ultimately, 19 The 2014 Fall Limiteds Tasmania’s blackheart sassafras and blackwood, plus an all-koa ensemble, yield a trove of tonewood treats

By Jim Kirlin

Each year our Fall Limited Editions species of wood,” Andy shares. into it and realize, this is absolutely pre- are thoughtfully crafted to inspire guitar “They’re a developed country with mium guitar wood, every foot of it.” lovers in fresh ways. This year’s sea- troves of wonderful hardwood forests in sonal menu is connected by the theme abundance. In the past there have been Blackheart Sassafras of island origins, even if the islands times when those forests were not so Another wood that captivated Andy represented are more than 5,500 miles highly valued, but recently we’ve seen was blackheart sassafras, a visually apart. some proven examples of viable selec- striking aberration of the more common Our first stop is the wildly beautiful tive harvesting.” sassafras tree native to Tasmania. The Australian island state of Tasmania, the As Andy researched different “blackheart” moniker refers to dark, dra- home of two fantastic tonewoods: rare Tasmanian woods, he and Taylor’s matic striping in the otherwise blond- blackheart sassafras, whose flamboyant wood buyer, Chris Cosgrove, con- colored wood, which is caused by fungi complexion is the natural result of fungi nected with a supplier based in that form in the heartwood of the tree. that stain the trees’ blond wood with Tasmania named Bob Mac Millan, Typically it forms as a result of branches bold, contrasting lines; and blackwood, proprietor of a small company called that break off during storms, which an abundant Australian hardwood Tasmanian Salvaged Resurrection enables water to drip down within the whose musical qualities are comparable Timbers. Mac Millan’s environmentally tree while it’s growing, sometimes over to such longtime tonewood classics as sound approach as a supplier aligned the course of 100-150 years, accord- mahogany and rosewood. From there with Taylor’s philosophy of supporting ing to Bob Mac Millan. The phenom- we travel to the Hawaiian Islands, the sustainable harvesting, and seemed to enon differs from that of spalted maple source of Hawaiian koa, where our offer the potential for a healthy client- in that the fungi that cause spalting are desire to use more of the wood from vendor relationship. essentially wood rot that occurs after each log we procure spurred on a pair Because a lot of Tasmania is com- the wood is cut and can compromise of all-koa 300 Series models along with prised of rural, family-owned farms, its structural integrity. a handsome GS Mini. Mac Millan has built up a network of “Often, spalted wood gets too soft Beyond the island bond, the guitars contacts with local farmers, many of and squishy and does weird things,” of this year’s collection are linked by whom have old trees on their property Andy says. “This blackheart is not the our commitment to the responsible that were either naturally damaged by same scenario. It just colors the wood stewardship of the tonewood resources storms or are overmature and hamper- in a very interesting way. The trees are made available to us. As Bob Taylor has ing new growth on the land. (For more a dense, slow-growing hardwood, and emphasized with our ebony sourcing on Mac Millan, see our sidebar on they’re remarkably consistent in their initiatives in Cameroon, we feel a deep page 21.) If a tree has value to instru- sonic properties from one piece to the obligation to use what the forest pro- ment makers, like an old blackwood, next. I couldn’t pick out one piece that vides, and to invest in the healthy long- the farmer might call Mac Millan, and was harder or softer than another, or term future of tonewood resources. We he’ll often buy, log and remove it, and stiffer or more flexible. Something like hope you enjoy this year’s offerings, then replant the same type of tree in a spalted maple tends to have a huge and invite you to sample them at a nearby spot. range of possible densities, some from dealer near you. “It’s the most select version of very soft to very hard, often within the selective harvesting possible,” Andy same piece of wood. This sassafras is A Taste of Tasmania says. “Bob is only taking the trees that really wonderful to work with, to finish, Over the years at Taylor we’ve are best used for wood, and then turn- and it sounds amazing.” produced several batches of limited ing them into their highest value usage Though blackheart doesn’t have a editions featuring blackwood (most rather than just shredding them for deep-rooted heritage as a tonewood — recently in the fall of 2012) sourced pulp or mulch or something like that; it’s been more popular among makers from the small Australian island state he’s turning them into premium material of high-end furniture and other wood- of Tasmania, located about 150 miles because these are really great woods.” work due to its visual appeal — it’s not (about 240 kilometers) south of Andy and Chris traveled to due to any sonic shortcomings, Andy Australia’s mainland. Taylor master luth- Tasmania on a couple of occasions to says. ier Andy Powers also has long admired do some boots-on-the-ground research “We were interested in using it blackwood’s properties as a tonewood and spend time with Mac Millan. They because it brings this completely and has crafted guitars with it for years. hiked into the bush and visited farmland unique and inherently musical flavor to After arriving at Taylor he became inter- and family woodlots to look at trees. the voice of the guitar,” he explains. “It ested not only in continuing to work They saw some wonderful blackwood offers a new kind of voice to even a with blackwood, but also in Tasmania specimens. seasoned musician.” as a region that could potentially sup- “Some of these trees are five to port the sustainable sourcing of other six feet in diameter and straight as an tonewoods as well. (See “The Craft” on arrow,” Andy says. “A farmer wants a Opposite page, L-R: 718e-FLTD, page 27.) fallen tree out of his pasture because 512ce-12-Fret FLTD, GS Mini-e Koa, Island Roots “Australia as a country, and his sheep are tripping over it; we want 324ce-K FLTD Tasmania in particular, are interesting it out of his pasture because we want because they have so many unique to make guitars out of it. Then you slice continued on next page 21

Bob Mac Millan’s Future-minded Forestry Working with wood has been a lifelong passion for conservation- minded craftsman turned sup- plier Bob Mac Millan, proprietor of Tasmanian Salvaged Resurrection Timbers, a small and nimble opera- tion based in the small town of Bagdad, about 25 miles north of Hobart, Tasmania’s capital city. In conversation, Mac Millan’s affable personality is embellished by his pleasant Australian lilt and his plucky passion for his work. “I’m a big greenie,” he says of his environmentally conscious phi- losophy of forestry, and he hasn’t shied away from publicly criticizing the Tasmanian government in the local media when its policies have supported big industrial logging companies that engage in clear-cut- ting forestry. (“I’m a bit of what you call a ‘stirrer,’” he confesses. “I like having a go at the government.”) Scottish by birth, Mac Millan fell in love with woodworking at age 12 and moved to Australia in 1967. At university he studied fine furniture and sculpture, and later became a woodworking artist. He moved to Tasmania in 1968 and found it to L-R: Andy Powers, Bob Mac Millan and Chris Cosgrove be a magical place. “I thought I was in wood heav- “I absolutely love it, because what there are blackwoods that have got wood comes from, so they go in and with Mac Millan to visit farms and en,” he says. “The whole island was better things can you see than a to come out, and they’re usually very get whatever they want, but they only shared their knowledge of how to cut just thick rainforest.” musical instrument made out of it?” old trees.” pay about 25 percent of what I will wood for guitars. He remembers seeing the he reflects. As part of his harvesting services, offer a farmer. I offer them a lot more “We’ve worked with Bob on how effects of large-scale industrial log- Mac Millan developed his eco- Mac Millan says he also convinces money because if I make the farmer to cut guitar-specific boards out of ging companies as they clear-cut friendly business model for harvest- the landowners to let him replant a happy, he will tell other farmers to these trees, exactly how we want some of the old-growth forests ing the woods he supplies to his tree of the same species in a nearby contact Bob, and we’re all happy.” to lay out each tree, where to take shortly after arriving. While subse- clients by targeting storm-felled location. He believes it’s a sustainable boards for sides, boards for backs quent government policy curbed and overmature old-growth trees. “Some people will say, ‘I won’t business approach for the future. and tops,” Andy says. this practice, witnessing its effects Because a lot of Tasmania’s rainfor- reap the benefit of that — it’ll be 100 “Instead of going into a commu- Taylor also recently shipped a firsthand fueled his desire to sup- ests are privately owned, in many or 200 years before there’s a market nity and trying to rip them off by get- band saw to Mac Millan to enable his L-R: Blackheart sassafras/Sitka spruce 718e-FLTD, 714ce-FLTD, 718e-FLTD port more responsible, sustainable cases as family farmland, he began for that timber we’re planting,’” he ting the timber at the lowest possible crew to do more refined cutting on harvesting methods. He first began contacting individual owners about shares. “And I say, ‘Well, so what? cost, if we offer people a good price their own. 700 Series Woods Models harvesting wood himself by sal- selectively harvesting trees from their It’s there for the future, and that’s everybody’s happy, and the resource “I’m hoping in the next six months Back/Sides: Blackheart Sassafras 712e-12-Fret FLTD, vaging the stump wood of felled property. His grassroots engagement what I’m about. I want to see it con- will be available forever, that’s the I’ll start resawing sets for Taylor Fall LTDs Top: Sitka Spruce 714ce-FLTD, 718e-FLTD trees for his own woodturning and with local Tasmanians proved to be tinue for hundreds and hundreds of way I look at it,” he says. rather than sending over billets,” Mac furniture making. In the late ’90s he an effective way to build relationships years.’” Mac Millan has kept his operation Millan says. started participating in online wood- and a low-impact way of salvaging Mac Millan’s company only has a lean by using local loggers and saw- Mac Millan believes that respon- high-value wood. Some of the locals handful of employees, including one mills when needed to harvest and sible sourcing methods resonate with Compared to normal sassafras pared to other tonewoods. models, a non-cutaway Grand Concert meant to be very dynamic and player- strong visual character, Andy didn’t feel working forums to promote his know of him through his interviews of his stepsons, Nick Denholm, who process the trees. customers who buy wood products trees, those with blackheart coloration “If I were to try to offer a concrete 12-Fret, a cutaway Grand Auditorium, sensitive,” he explains. “This sassafras, the need to add a lot of extra embellish- wood products. Before long, wood on local radio and TV programs. is involved in all aspects of the busi- “I’m the one who finds the farm- and impact their purchasing deci- are rarer, which is why this limited edi- a description of this as a guitar wood, and a non-cutaway Grand Orchestra. coupled with those additional design ment. Elegant aesthetic touches include turners in America and Germany “I’ve also gone around to areas ness. Mac Millan says that despite ers, and then I’ll bring a logging crew sions. As a wood craftsman, he’s tion offering is restricted to several I’d say it’s warm, with clear top end, a The guitars share many of the same elements, has that same kind of person- rosewood binding, rosewood top edge who admired his work began to and to pubs and had a beer and the relatively small scale of his opera- in to do the actual felling of the tim- experienced it firsthand. hundred sets. Even the sets cut from lot of focus, and it has great projection,” tone-enhancing refinements first ality — it goes where a player pushes trim, an abalone rosette outlined in inquire whether they could buy talked to the local farmers,” he says. tion, he’s able to compete with some ber,” he says. “Then I’ll have the log “You know all the craft shops the same section of this particular log Andy explains. “It’s got some of the dry, introduced on Taylor’s newly revoiced it. Depending on the player, a person rosewood, mother-of-pearl Heritage some of the exotic Tasmanian “I tell them what I’m about and ask if of the bigger timber companies that delivered to the closest sawmill to that sell wooden bowls and that type differed in appearance, so no two sets woody response of walnut or mahog- 800 Series, including Advanced might bring out more of a mahogany Diamond fretboard inlays borrowed hardwoods he was using. What they’ve got any blackwood on their also harvest blackwood by paying where the farm is, and they cut to my of stuff made out of minor species from this select batch are visually alike. any, some of the note separation and Performance bracing and protein sound, or rosewood, maple, walnut or from the 700 Series, and a pickguard- began as a small enterprise eventu- property that’s old and dying. I’ve farmers higher dollar value for a tree. specifications.” timbers here in Tasmania?” he says. While sassafras is normally light in focus of maple or myrtle, and a more glues, which give each model an extra even something else. I think this will be free top. The guitars also feature our ally expanded beyond woodturn- ing clients to include supplying spent the last three or four years He offers an example. As a client, Taylor has supported “Well, the tourists that come into color, the blackheart sets also show- articulated high-end overtone series rich, dynamic character. Between the really appealing to players.” Expression System® 2 acoustic elec- instrument tonewoods such as getting the word out there. I get “There’s a big logging company Mac Millan’s efforts by more than just Tasmania are starting to say, ‘Does case a kaleidoscopic mix of pink, red like rosewood. In other words, it has a unique tone profile of sassafras and Because of the visual variance of tronics, a limited edition label, and ship blackwood, sassafras and myrtle to dairy farmers who’ll ring me up, for up in the northwest coast,” he says. purchasing blackwood and black- this come from clear-felled logging?’ and purple hues, accented with bold certain chime and breathiness up top, the other design features, Andy says the different wood sets, Andy and Chris in a Taylor deluxe hardshell case. instance, with a couple thousand “They’ve got a huge contract with heart sassafras. During their visits to And if so, they won’t buy it.” lines. while also staying really focused. The these guitars respond with a pleasantly worked closely with Bob Mac Millan’s individual luthiers in Australia, and head of cattle, and they’ve got to put the government, they’ve got [access Tasmania, Andy Powers and wood www.tasmaniantonewoods.com As a dense, slow-growing hard- low end has a warm dryness to it.” chameleon-like tonal quality that reflects team while in Tasmania to cut back and eventually, a few larger companies in an irrigation system, a dam. So to] the swamplands where the black- buyer Chris Cosgrove have traveled wood, sassafras’s tonal properties give The sassafras was paired with a each player’s individual style. side sets next to each other to maintain including Taylor. it a truly unique sonic personality com- Sitka spruce top and is offered in three “The 800 Series design was a cohesive aesthetic. And given its 22 www.taylorguitars.com Unique aesthetic touches2123 on our all-koa 300 Series guitars include an all-satin Koa Curation finish and a pickguard-free We love the richly figured sets of top, which visually amplify the Hawaiian koa used for our Koa Series. organic beauty and variega- Because we typically buy koa as a tion of the wood. Tonally, these whole log, our wood purchasing team guitars will sound slightly dif- is always looking for contenders with ferent than their Koa Series worthy figure. The challenge is that counterparts due to the use without the benefit of being able to cut of our 300 Series bracing a log into boards for closer examination scheme (Standard II) rather before purchasing it, it can be difficult than the CV bracing used on to fully assess the prevalence of the the Koa Series. The Standard figure, as wood buyer Chris Cosgrove II will punch up the midrange explains. and favor a powerful strum- mer. With the addition of our Expression System® 2 pickup, these guitars make a great all-around choice for fronting a band as a rhythm player or a singer-songwriter, and should respond nicely to fingerstyle with a blend of midrange warmth and top-end articulation. Appointments include black binding, 4mm Italian acrylic dots, and a 3-ring rosette. The guitar ships in a L-R: 326ce-K FLTD, 324ce-FLTD Taylor deluxe hardshell case.

300 Series Woods Models Back/Sides: Hawaiian Koa 324ce-K FLTD, 326ce-K FLTD Fall LTDs Top: Hawaiian Koa

“Sometimes figure is visible under the bark by what’s called dimpling, but the best approach is to take a cut off the end edge of the log with a hatchet or machete or else you won’t see the figure,” he says. “You have to check both ends of the log to ensure that the figure goes all the way up the tree.” Our popular and portable Even then, Chris says, it’s hard to GS Mini enjoys an exotic know whether the figure runs all the tonewood upgrade with this way into the heart or appears on all limited edition all-koa model. A L-R: Blackwood/Sitka spruce 512ce-12-Fret FLTD and 514ce-FLTD with shaded edgeburst bodies sides of the log. pickguard-free solid koa top is “Figure can start strong and then paired with layered koa back disappear in any direction,” he adds. and sides, with the addition of Woods Models “But we understand this and are able 500 Series Taylor’s ES-T pickup for instant Back/Sides: Tasmanian Blackwood 510e-FLTD, 512ce-12-Fret FLTD, to grade and sort wood accordingly, plug-and-play fun. If you like Fall LTDs Top: Sitka Spruce 514ce-FLTD, 516ce-FLTD, 518e-FLTD with the intention of utilizing what a tree the sound of our mahogany- gives us to the best of our ability.” top Mini, you’ll also enjoy this In addition to the wood that’s model; the hardwood koa top While Tasmanian blackwood can’t We’re pleased to showcase it once eco-friendly harvesting approach and rial is a match made in heaven. The fact blackwood’s rich cinnamon-red hues appropriate for the Koa Series, will yield a focused response claim the marquee billing of well- again as part of a special 500 Series the natural workability of the wood, that it has an inherent musical quality with a shaded edgeburst body and AA-grade or master-grade sets are with a splash of extra top-end established tonewood counterparts like limited edition package. Blackwood’s Andy feels that it could have a future in that’s appropriate for a lot of different neck, which help conjure a neo-vintage set aside for premium custom mod- chime. Other standard GS Mini rosewood, mahogany, maple or even tone profile resembles that of koa or the Taylor line at some point. styles is great, too — it makes a nice personality, especially paired with the els. Less extravagantly figured sets appointments include an all- Hawaiian koa, we think its natural musical mahogany in its midrange focus — a “It’s a really good wood to make fingerstyle guitar, a great strummer, and ivoroid appointment package borrowed are often saved for a more affordable matte finish, 5mm dot fretboard properties warrant a place at the table as little dry and clear yet also warm — with a guitar out of,” he says. “It’s stable; everything in between. We can make a from our standard 500 Series. Each batch of limited editions. In the latter inlays, a 3-ring rosette, and a staple wood among guitar enthusi- an added splash of top-end shimmer it works well, finishes well, glues well. great Dreadnought out of it or a really model features a limited edition label case, we’ve made an all-koa guitar chrome tuners. The guitar ships asts. If Tasmania hadn’t been as geo- and richness found in rosewood. Its Plus, the trees grow very large and cool 12-Fret Grand Concert.” inside the guitar, comes equipped with more affordable by crafting a pair of L-R: Front and back views of a GS Mini-e Koa in a GS Mini hard bag. graphically isolated from the Western musicality also lends itself to a variety straight, so you can get pieces that Andy preferred the straight-grained Taylor Expression System® 2 electron- all-koa 300 Series limiteds, featur- ing our Grand Auditorium and Grand world and blackwood had been more of body sizes and musical styles, which want to turn into guitars — you’re not sets of this particular batch for their ics, and ships in a Taylor deluxe hard- Woods Model Symphony shapes. We’re also pleased GS Mini-e Koa available to guitar makers decades ago, is why we’ve produced models in all fighting to coerce them into becoming extra tonal clarity, and paired them with shell case. Back/Sides: Layered Hawaiian Koa GS Mini-e Koa to offer a selection of all-koa GS Mini Andy suggests, it might have become a five Taylor body shapes. an instrument. That plus this incredibly a Sitka spruce top. In terms of appoint- Fall LTD Top: Solid Hawaiian Koa more popular tonewood sooner. Together with Bob Mac Millan’s responsible way of harvesting the mate- ments, Andy chose to complement guitars. 24 www.taylorguitars.com 29

and a house on site, which enabled the the band’s current tour…Professional band to live together during the record- Weird Milestone golfer, two-time PGA Tour winner, and Soundings ing process. The experience gave them Despite crafting many pop hits over Dave Matthews fan Russell Henley more time to experiment in the studio, the years, comedian-singer and master has been seen playing his 214ce- work through arrangements together parodist “Weird Al” Yankovic achieved BLK in between golf tournaments… as a group, and track the record live something in July that he had never In May, Cassadee Pope, winner of in a room together. Spooner says the managed to do in his 30-year career: season three of The Voice, performed A Guitar to the City approach helped the band capture their score a No. 1 album on the Billboard with her Taylor 710e at a “Sounds Not only is El Cajon, California, the a group of listeners of local country live energy in a way that wasn’t quite 200 charts. The release of Mandatory Like Nashville” showcase event at the home of Taylor Guitars, it’s also the music station KSON to a mini-concert bottled on previous studio recordings. Fun was accompanied by a rapid Gibson Guitar Studios in London. hometown of six-time NASCAR Sprint featuring his songs “Take it on Back,” “The difference is night and day,” succession of clever and entertaining Cup champion Jimmie Johnson. “Change Your Name,” and “Please he adds. videos that became a viral sensation. Johnson grew up in the area, attended Come to Boston,” all while playing his The results shine on the band’s new Longtime guitarist Jim West used his local schools, and has continued to guitar left-handed, upside down and album, Chemical. The opener, “Top 514ce on some of the tracks, including Born in the USA have a regular presence in the city, backwards, a preference he developed Hat,” sets the tone with a tight funk “Mission Statement,” a harmony-rich In August, Taylor Guitars was pro- honoring his roots and enriching the as a child. groove, as Spooner’s twangy electric send-up of corporate buzzwords and filed in USA Today in recognition of lives of local students through dona- “My grandfather had an old mando- carves a sinuous melody over a sim- double-speak that channels the Crosby, the company’s milestone 40th anniver- tions totaling $4.5 million. lin around the house that was strung mering organ, with the smooth-handling Stills, Nash & Young classic “Carry sary year. Writer Jefferson Graham On Tuesday, June 14, the City of El ADEG, upside down, and [he] thought I rhythm section surfing the pocket. On.” West says he even used David interviewed Bob and Kurt, who Cajon and other elected officials paid would fix it, but I learned to play upside “After All” stretches into a chill, bluesy Crosby’s tuning for the song: EBEEBE. reflected on their early struggles and tribute to the accomplishments and down,” he explains. “My mom wanted jam with an improvisational, borderline eventual success, including a current charitable efforts of the local hometown me to learn the right way and play left- Grateful Dead feel. “Long Cold Grave” No. 1 market share position in acoustic hero with the declaration of “Jimmie handed guitar, but I never liked the way balances Steely Dan’s surgical preci- guitar sales, based on data from MI Johnson Day.” When it came time for it looked or felt.” sion with the warm gospel vocals of All of America Likes the ES2 Sales Trak. Graham also highlighted Mayor Bill Wells to offer Johnson what Bryant now counts about 25 gui- guest singer Darcel Williams. “Fireflies” Gerry Beckley and Dewey luthier Andy Powers as Taylor’s next- Clockwise from top would ordinarily be an honorary key to tars in his collection, but says his go-to is a nostalgic slice of Americana, with Bunnell from the band America are generation master builder and spoke left: John Rzeznik with the city, Wells instead presented him is the 618e he picked up in Nashville at Spooner’s vocals sketching iconic longtime Taylor players and between with several Taylor dealers, who called his 915ce (photo by Steve with a custom GS Mini branded with Gruhn Guitars. images of summers past, flavored with the two of them own many of our attention to playability and crisp tone as Parr); Jimmie Johnson his number, 48. Johnson was stoked. “It just sounds great. It can over- guitars. After years of using other harmonica, organ and guest guitarist signature features of a Taylor guitar. with his customized GS “I’m a music person and have always come anything. No matter what setting Bucky Baxtor’s weeping pedal steel. after-market pickups, Dewey Bunnell Mini; Jason Spooner wanted to play the guitar,” he said after- you’re in, it can do its thing and shine.” Spooner’s 910 shines on the tender recently had us upgrade one of his (photo by Cara Slifka); ® ward. “Getting a Taylor custom guitar chasebryant.com acoustic tune “Shrouded,” channeling Taylors to the Expression System 2, Chase Bryant at the was one of the highlights of the day in the band America with sweet harmo- and following a string of live shows this Back in the Saddle Taylor factory; Belinda El Cajon. I’m proud of my hometown — nies before slowly drifting into the ether. summer, everyone was happy with the Despite the highly decorated Gail’s new release (cover that day was such a celebration, and On the darker-themed “Read Them sound, reports the band’s guitar tech, music career of “America’s Western photo by Steve Atkinson); the guitar was just the icing on the Four on the Floor Their Rights,” a purring bassline seethes Travis Jameson. Sweetheart,” Belinda Gail, the Mary Sarah (photo by cake. Amazing.” Portland, Maine-based singer- with hushed menace as Spooner’s “We just got home from doing Western music standout found herself Russ Harrington) jimmiejohnsonfoundation.org songwriter/guitarist Jason Spooner vocals amplify the tension. The clouds seven shows with the ES2, and we all emotionally daunted by the notion of (910e) has always worked from a rich part on “Blind Side,” a reggae-tinged think it sounds great,” he shared. “The recording her latest record, Granite Americana playbook. Over the years roots-rocker infused with organic jammy guitar sounded warmer through the Mountain. In 2008, the 7-time Western he’s stitched his eclectic influences goodness that’s built for extended amps, clear in the band’s in-ear moni- Music Association Female Performer of Taking it on Back into a well-rounded roots-rock rep- play on stage. “Red and Green” lays tors, and the soundman liked it through the Year lost her husband to a sudden Over the summer, rising country ertoire that can stretch from intimate down a deliciously dark ‘n’ dirty blues the main speakers. So, a big thumbs-up heart attack, and in 2009 she lost her artist Chase Bryant (618e) stopped acoustic folk to electric jam band. groove with thick, fuzzy edges. “Blink from everyone in America.” longtime recording/performing partner by the Taylor factory. Bryant was on Gifted with fluid guitar chops, a warm, of an Eye” is quintessential Spooner, and dear friend, Curly Musgrave, with a radio station tour in support of his willowy voice, and a keen lyrical point as he wraps his nimble vocals around whom she had also won several awards debut single, “Take it on Back,” which of view, Spooner has spun his musical a sweet groove flavored with woody as a duo. Though she initially felt adrift debuted in the Country Aircheck Top 3 versatility into a flexible musical asset, upright bass. “Back and Forth” Taylorspotting as she pushed on with her career, “Most Added” chart. performing both as a solo artist and as embraces world-folk with a Calypso Gritty blues-soul provocateurs she says the experience forced her vocal producer Aarom Meador. At our press deadline, Granite 16 out with us,” Rzeznik says, “and they DI and a Vintech X73. “Sometimes I played in years with rich acoustic Born in the small town of Orange frontman for the Jason Spooner Trio. feel and vocal harmonies that imagine Vintage Trouble have released to elevate her songwriting and guitar- Like much of the Western music Mountain had just been nominated sound great.” like the coloration that the X73 gives arrangements. Footage was shot with Grove, Texas, Bryant’s musical heri- Flanked by equally fluid players in bass- Paul Simon teaming up with America. an acoustic EP, The Swing House playing chops. She was also buoyed genre, Granite Mountain is rich with for Album of the Year by the Western Rzeznik was a big fan of the original it, and sometimes I just like it straight the intent of releasing a concert film in tage is a who’s-who of country music. ist Adam Frederick and drummer Reed On the acoustic instrumental “T’ump,” Acoustic Sessions, and the smoldering by the support of her many fans and story-songs that celebrate the spirit Music Association, and two songs, Expression System when it was first through the Evil Twin because that’s the near future. Bryant’s grandfather played piano in Chambers, the group has parlayed the band leans toward a jazz-style jam set features guitarist Nalle Colt on talented friends in the Western music of ranching and cowboy life in the “Along the Buffalo” and “He Sang released, and earlier in the year we sent a really pure tube DI signal and really, As enjoyable as that expanded Roy Orbison’s first two bands and later their groove-rich interplay into crowd- with rotating solos that spotlight the a new 810e. The guitar is featured in world. “It truly is an extended family,” American West, from a deep connec- for Me,” were nominees for Song of him a couple of new 800 Series loan- really nice.” performance context is for him, Rzeznik for Waylon Jennings. His uncles co- pleasing live shows. musicianship of each band member. their music video for the tune “Another she says. “In a heartbeat, they are tion to the land to the struggles and the Year. Gail also was nominated for ers, an 814ce and an 816ce, featuring A lot of Rzeznik’s Taylor acoustics notes that a good song will connect in founded the group Ricochet, which had The trio recently bolstered their “Spell” closes with just Spooner and Man’s Words”… Dolly Parton has ready to jump in and help one another values of the past and present. Gail’s Female Performer and Entertainer of the Expression System® 2. We also are rosewood models, including sev- its purist form. several hits in the ’90s. sound with the addition of keyboardist his 910 alone in a big, live room, pure been performing with a customized GS out.” Gail’s Kickstarter campaign to warm and vibrant voice provides the the Year. That’s a fine return to form. upgraded his 2005 914ce to the ES2. eral Jumbos, and he says he likes the “Most of the songs I write start out “From the time I was a kid, the only Warren McPherson (and tweaked their and unvarnished, with an intimate vocal Mini featuring a white body adorned help fund the recording project quickly perfect vessel to convey the dynamic belindagailsings.com The verdict? blend of low end and sweetness in the on acoustic guitar, because ultimately I thing I wanted to do was play music,” name to the Jason Spooner Band), a over a sweetly fingerpicked figure. with a decorative pattern of beads, reached its goal, and she teamed up emotional range of the songs, whether “It’s pretty amazing,” he says. tone. This past spring, the Goo Goo like to be able to get it to where it can Bryant says. move that Spooner says expanded the As a whole, Chemical feels like a with an equally adorned headstock… with award-winning Western music it’s the title track’s homage to the “There’s a lot more gain. The guitars Dolls played a series of acoustic shows be stripped down just to the elements Bryant took his dream to L.A., first band’s range “exponentially.” Looking to fully realized record, as the addition of 19-year-old country artist Mary Sarah guitarist and producer Rich O’Brien, majestic mountain behind her home, have a louder, more full-bodied feel dubbed The Otis Midnight Sessions of an acoustic guitar and vocal,” he as a session player, and then to (the exploit the four-piece’s musical chemis- McPherson’s keyboard textures bring a recently released her breakout album who used Gail’s “Running Horses” the playful “Don’t Talk to Jake,” the Doll Accessories to them. To me there’s more wood in Tour with a young band from Los says. “That’s how I judge the writing: Is late) Barbara Orbison, Roy’s widow try to the fullest for their latest record- noticeable dimension that helps evoke Bridges, a collection of duets with sunburst 615e on many of the tracks. mellow-swinging blues of the ’40s In mid-August we caught up with the tone, and they’re a little bit more Angeles, Run River North. The band it good enough to hold up to that? You and a Nashville publisher, who signed ing project, the band found the perfect the mood of each song with greater some of country music’s superstars, (“He was so delighted with the sound chestnut “Along the Navajo Trail,” or Goo Goo Dolls frontman John aggressive sounding. That was the first played an opening set and then joined can play around in the studio and put a him in one of her last acts. He was setting for the full-immersion experience emotional depth. All four musicians including Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, that he tried to buy the guitar from me,” the anthemic “Cowgirl Creed,” which Rzeznik as the band was approaching thing that was obvious. The tone was the Goo Goo Dolls to form an 11-piece hundred tracks on something, but if it’s soon led to BBR Music Group imprint they were craving: Midcoast Maine’s seem completely in tune with each Merle Haggard and Vince Gill, and Gail shares.) The album’s tracks include calls to mind the shimmering voice the home stretch of their summer tour. really, really sweet on the low and the acoustic ensemble with extra acoustic just a vocal and a guitar and it’s still a Red Bow Records, and soon afterward HEARSTUDIOS, located in the scenic other, and that’s always a good time to has been out and about with her older a few penned by Gail, a few from her of Linda Ronstadt. For pure vocal The band had a full arsenal of Taylor high, which was pretty dramatic. You guitars, percussion, vocals and violin. great song, then that’s where it’s at.” he hit the road, where he’s been on the harbor town of Camden Village. The hit the “record” button. model K24ce… Dan Weller from the songwriting friends, and a few old-time power, Gail’s a cappella rendition of acoustics in tow, no doubt to handle can dial in a serious amount of tone.” The fortified lineup enabled Rzeznik to googoodolls.com cusp of breaking big. state-of-the-art new studio, completed jasonspooner.com chart-topping act Florida Georgia classics, brought to life with a talented “Shenandoah” resonates with deep the mix of alternate tunings employed Rzeznik says he’s been going back dig deeper into the band’s catalog and At the Taylor factory, Bryant treated in 2013, offered both an inspiring vibe Line has been playing his 712ce on posse of Texas musicians and engineer/ and reverent grace. for their songs. “I think we have about and forth between an Evil Twin tube repaint some tracks the band hadn’t 26 www.taylorguitars.com 27

save some wood for a rainy day so to Well, I’ve had a look. And I like speak. I hear the words “preservation,” what I see as a guitar maker and a “conservation” and “sustainability” daily timber fanatic. I see fantastic instrument in relation to all sorts of things. Here wood being collected in a selective in the shop, it’s usually about forests and low-impact way, and with a mind of guitar wood. As a relatively young toward a healthy future forest. Although guitar maker, I look forward to years of blackwood is a relatively unknown gui- instrument making, and I hope those tar wood in comparison to the familiar soft kinks where the strings touch the years of instrument making are spent faces of India’s rosewood, or central frets when pressed down. This means working with wood. Our guitar-making America’s mahogany, or even Hawaii’s the strings are no longer straight and team here at Taylor loves timber, and koa, which is a cousin, this may have have been compromised. That’s why we want to be diligent and protect it more to do with Tasmania’s distance you can’t simply rely on whether the so the forest resources not only stay from large guitar makers. The familiar • Your guitar is in good shape in tops of your strings look and feel good. healthy and thrive, but also so we can woods have a long history of importa- terms of action and set-up yet won’t It’s the underside of the strings that continue making guitars from these tion for furniture making and have been stay in tune often take a beating. When you play the precious treats. available to guitar manufacturers for • The guitar is set up correctly yet will guitar, you push the strings against the A few years ago I was reading a decades, so naturally they were used. When was the last time you changed not intonate properly fretboard and the frets. If the fretboard book about fish poaching and learned Although blackwood hasn’t been a Time to your guitar strings? • The strings are corroded is dirty, the strings pick up that muck, an interesting concept. A natural regular attendee at the guitar party, it A lot of people don’t like to. • Coated strings are fuzzy from and the tone can degrade more quickly. resource typically isn’t protected until surely isn’t for lack of good sound. This Believe me, I know. I’ve seen guitar- extended play So if you replace your strings but don’t there is value assigned to it. Usually, wood sounds better to me now than ists whose strings are funky and • The guitar suffers from diminished clean the fretboard, you’re only transfer- value is assigned when commerce is years ago when I first worked with it. In green where they pick and chord sustain or dead notes ring that dirt and grime to the bottom of done with that resource. Once there fact, I haven’t heard a blackwood guitar the notes, or who play their a new set of strings. is calculable value for it, govern- yet that I didn’t like. Sure, I’m biased coated strings well beyond the The Curse of Acid Fingers One of the premises of coated ing authorities will take notice and because I like guitars, but I’m still a fan. Change point when the coating wears It’s always a good idea to wash your strings like Elixir® Strings (which we take steps to protect it. Whether the It’s immensely rewarding to get to off. Put it this way: If your gui- hands before playing guitar and to wipe install on steel-string models at the resource is a fishery or a forest, the know the personality of a material like tar sounds a lot better after down the strings afterward to reduce Taylor factory) is that their coating seals concept is the same. If people see blackwood, or a newcomer like sassa- putting fresh strings on, then the grime factor and help preserve your the strings and protects them from the the value of timber coming from a fras. As a builder, I notice the ways the you waited too long. Most of string life. For some players, though, deadening effects of dirt and oil buildup forest, the forest becomes valuable wood’s physical properties contribute us wait too long. the pH levels of their finger perspiration between the windings. On uncoated to an accountant, and that forest is to the musical values of volume, tonal So how often should contain an unusually high acid concen- strings, that fretboard muck can get more likely to be protected. More than color, sustain and balance of a finished Your you change your strings? tration, which in extreme scenarios can into the crevices between the wraps of strict conservationism, which is itself a instrument. There are common traits Well, it depends on a vari- kill strings within a day or less (Bob the wound strings, reducing their ability noble and wonderful pursuit, sustain- among woods to be sure, yet there are ety of factors. Taylor calls it the Reverse Midas Touch. to vibrate properly. If the fretboard is able usage is often the most practical unique subtleties inherent to a particu- Not surprisingly, a big We had an employee at Taylor who was clean to begin with, the strings will last and effective way to ensure the future lar timber. I often find myself lacking contributor is how much forbidden from touching the strings on even longer, even coated strings. health of a resource. words precise enough to describe you play. If you play every newly set-up guitars for this reason.) We recommend cleaning the fret- Now, as a guitar maker, I’ve sampled those traits, so I end up comparing Strings? day, you’ll need to change Others might enjoy six months of board with 0000 grade (very fine) steel lots of special woods. Tasmanian black- them to other woods to provide a relat- your strings more often than healthy string life. For most people, the wool. After you remove the old strings, wood is a material I first encountered at able reference. Yet this seems insuf- someone who plays once a duration is somewhere in between. cover the soundhole with a towel or a local exotic wood dealer. It was love ficient. It might also seem to imply that Here are month. It’s important to pay I once worked with a customer low-tack tape like we use here at Taylor. at first sight. The first board I picked the wood is an inferior substitute, which attention to the warning signs who claimed his guitar was causing You can rub hard to remove the dirt up said with a nearly audible voice, is far from true. There is uniqueness some signs that your strings are starting the strings to not only go dead, but to from the fretboard and polish the frets. “I want to be a guitar.” I could see its that radiates musicality in many woods, to lose their liveliness. I’ve had become completely corroded down to Finish by rubbing lengthwise in the beautiful color variegation, as warm as both well and less known, which makes that it many players ask me if something the core wire at every fret. He sent a direction of the grain to remove the fine cinnamon, its straight, even grain, and each board a unique treat that deserves is wrong with their guitar because photo of one of his strings as a refer- scratches created by the steel wool. feel its perfect density. It came back to to be valued and savored. might be it won’t stay in tune or intonate, even ence for me. It was easy for me to Next, if the fretboard looks dry, you the shop without ever leaving my hands This season, we’re thrilled to be though a few months earlier it was see that the culprit was the acids and might want to condition it with fret- and turned into as wonderful a guitar making instruments with blackwood just fine. The problem: dead strings. sweat from his skin. It didn’t matter if board oil since the ebony is raw and as it first suggested. Blackwood and I and sassafras from Tasmania, as well One person who brought me his guitar he washed his hands beforehand. It unfinished. Most fretboard condition- have enjoyed a great relationship ever as blackwood’s Hawaiian cousin, koa. By Rob Magargal The Craft said he hadn’t changed strings in two also turned out that he’d been using ing products incorporate either boiled since. Over time, I became interested We’ve been savoring the process of years and couldn’t understand why it uncoated bronze strings. He switched linseed oil or mineral oil as their active in learning where this wood came from preparing and building these guitars wouldn’t tune properly. If you’ve expe- to a phosphor bronze, and the problem ingredient. Apply a small amount to Precious Treats and meeting its family. I wanted to know with these precious woods. These rienced something similar, you might instantly went away. He has never had a rag and wipe it onto the fretboard Placing a high value on tonewoods can lead toward more the condition of the forest where it instruments are a real treat for both the be able to save your guitar a trip to a that problem since, and he plays his (lengthwise in the direction of the sustainable consumption grew. I soon discovered that blackwood woodworker and the musician who can service technician simply by changing guitar every day. Our friends at Elixir® grain), and then wipe away any excess. had forest friends that also wanted to appreciate the aural and visual beauty your strings. You’d be surprised by Strings point out that their coating Then you’re ready to re-string your gui- be made into guitars. My interest led of the wood. This treat seems to reso- how often that simple solution resolves protects both metals equally (since tar. Keep in mind that the technique you ave some for a rainy recently pointed this out on the occa- ed a big, “real” slab of wood to cut up me to meet Bob Mac Millan, another nate even more sweetly when I know a variety of issues. Think of it as the a player’s finger acids won’t come in use will affect the ability of the strings day.” How many times sion of my toddler-age son’s recent to supplement the small offcuts my dad woodworker who had been charmed the forest is healthy and trees are har- equivalent of rebooting your computer direct contact with the raw wire) and to properly hold their tuning. “S has this been uttered, birthday. Like my wife, our son has a would bring home from his work as a by Tasmanian woods. I learned more vested in a way that closely agrees with when you run into a problem. that players with “acid hands” are For more details on how to clean and in how many contexts? It makes green thumb and really, really fancied carpenter. My parents obliged, and for about his timber operation and how the all that we as wood lovers value. Some people might not play fre- among their biggest fans. and restring your guitar, visit taylorgui- me think of being a kid, getting some a small-scale wheelbarrow and a bale a good month, I sawed up that piece wood was being harvested. In our first quently, but their guitar is always sitting tars.com/support, where you can down- special treat, and not wanting to of potting soil for his birthday. I was of wood. Not too fast, but slowly, to conversation, Bob said something like, out of its case, potentially exposed to Clean the Fretboard load our tech sheet and watch a video consume it all at once so it could be chuckling about his interests with my savor the fresh smell and texture of that “Ah, so you’ve fallen for the blackwood, dust. Those strings will lose their life If you haven’t changed your strings featuring yours truly. And then go do it. savored. As a lumber lover, my spe- dad, who reminded me that for one of plank as I stacked up the pieces I cut too…. You should come down and have span more quickly just from that expo- in a while, try this with your guitar: Run You’ll be glad you did. cial treat has always been wood and my own early childhood birthdays, I had from it. You’ve got to save some for a a walk out in the bush and take a look. sure. your finger under the B and G strings. the instruments I can make from it. In asked, and then pleaded, for a big pine rainy day. I’m only on the other side of the world; Here are some signs that your gui- You’ll probably notice a couple of Rob Magargal is Taylor’s Service fact, my love of wood may go further board from the local lumberyard. I had Fast-forward to the present. Here it’s not far.” Spoken with typical Aussie tar might need new strings: things. The first is grime. The second is Network Manager. back than my love of guitars. My dad a little handsaw and desperately want- I am as a guitar maker, still wanting to understatement. 28 www.taylorguitars.com 29

more like hours,” Baldwin says. “If we shortcoming of spraying manually had While it’s hard work, pushing the enve- Diane Magagna From 1980-85, Magagna imported Fond Farewells: Finish Expert Steve Baldwin and wanted to, we could finish a body from been a low transfer efficiency, which lope has become standard operating Lowden guitars from Ireland. In Taylor Notes Director of International Sales Diane Magagna to Retire start to end in about 2-1/2 hours.” meant a lot of over-spraying and mate- procedure for the finish team. 1985, she made the move to the rial waste, even with state-of-the-art Of all the innovations he’s helped iconic Rickenbacker brand and Steve Baldwin grins as he recalls the light to accelerate the curing process Robotic Buffing spray guns. Baldwin, Matt Guzzetta bring to production, Baldwin says he’s served as a sales representative for extent of his interview with Bob Taylor in 1991. Taylor’s adoption of robotic buffing and another machine and tool special- proudest of Taylor’s UV-curable finish the Northeastern United States and for a job spraying finish back in 1983. “Being the innovator that he is, he (2001) was driven not only by a desire ist at Taylor partnered with Pinnacle developments. Eastern Canada. In 1992, at Summer “Bob said, ‘Do you know how to told us, ‘This is where we’re going, for greater consistency, Baldwin says, once again on the integration of the “We were one of the first instrument NAMM in Atlantic City, New Jersey, spray?’ and I said, ‘Yeah,’” Baldwin and I want to do what it takes for us to but to relieve the physical stress of the components. One of the technolo- manufacturers in the world to be able she met TJ Baden, then Taylor’s Vice shares. “He said, ‘Do you want to do do UV-cured finishes on our guitars,’” manual buffing process. gies employed to increase the transfer to use UV like we use it today,” he says. President of Sales, who enlisted her to finish here?’ and I said, ‘Yeah, okay.’ He Baldwin relays. “That started the ball “It’s probably the most physically efficiency was electrostatic attraction, “Three-dimensional UV curing was basi- come on board with the urgent request, said, ‘Can you start?’ That was it.” rolling.” demanding job on the production floor,” which incorporates a rotary atom- cally non-existent. There was no book “We have 50 guitars in stock and More than 30 years later, it’s safe to The challenge was that UV curing he explains. “We wanted to take that izer to spray. (The technology is used on how to UV-cure instrument material. we’re panicked.” She took the job as say it was a good fit. didn’t yet exist for three-dimensional physicality out of there and automate it. with powder coating.) In the end, the We had to figure it out. Luckily, a lot of an independent representative for nine Baldwin had learned to make ban- objects like a guitar, and finish manufac- One point worth noting is that when we transfer efficiency was increased dra- people helped us get to where we are states in the northeastern United States jos and spray nitrocellulose lacquer turers weren’t initially eager to dial up went to robotics, we didn’t replace any matically — from 15 percent manually today.” and in 1998 moved to San Diego to while working for luthier Greg Deering, the R&D for a small guitar company that jobs. We kept everybody here. We just to about 85 percent with the robotic/ Baldwin says that in the wake of join Taylor at its headquarters as the a friend of Bob’s going back to the wasn’t a big-paying client. So Taylor had made their jobs a little bit easier.” electrostatic method. Taylor’s developments, a lot of other Director of International Sales, becom- American Dream days, although when to do most of the legwork on its own. Implementing the new technology “The whole idea behind the spray manufacturers have consulted the com- ing Taylor’s first female in a senior sales Baldwin signed on at Taylor he’d been Bob hired a chemist to help with the in a production environment presented cell, not only with the electrostatic, pany for advice, and it’s been gratifying position and the first named female doing commercial refurbishing work. development process. a steep learning curve for Baldwin was to have conditions stabilized, so to share what they’ve learned. director for the company. In her posi- Clockwise from top left: “When I left my good-paying con- “He and I worked together on getting because he had to learn how to pro- we began heating the paint, and we “A lot more manufacturers out there tion, she chartered the sales direction A view of the new build- struction job to make guitars, people the top coat, and we were also work- gram the system that controlled how the started controlling the temperature are using similar methods because of One could say the pulse of music of the company into new territory, revis- ing structure; employees in my family questioned my sanity,” he ing to create a UV-curable filler paste,” and the humidity in the cell,” he says. what we’ve done,” he says. “It’s also gather to march in a parade robot interfaced with a guitar and with is in Diane Magagna’s blood. An East ing the roles of existing distributors celebrating Cameroon’s chuckles. ‘You’re going to do what? Baldwin says. “They were actually all the buffing wheels in a buffing cell. One “Maintaining those variables would also good for the coating manufacturers Coast native, Taylor’s longtime Director and forging new relationships and dis- Fête du Travail, the coun- What will that do for you?’ Now we’re a Bob’s ideas on how to turn a coating of the biggest challenges was regulating help us identify any issues if they came because they can sell more coating. of International Sales spent her sum- tribution channels in various countries try’s Labor Day celebration; multi-million-dollar company, but back in into a paste. He suggested that we use the pressure against the buffing wheels. along,” Baldwin explains. “That helped And if they have problems, or we have mers as a young woman working at across the globe. ® members of the Crelicam the Lemon Grove days we were a multi- CAB-O-SIL, which is ground glass [sili- After initially using a first-generation out tremendously.” problems, there’s someone else to talk several family businesses off the coast Through the years, Magagna esti- Snapshots from Cameroon Women’s Union celebrate hundred-dollar company. I was there ca], and it comes in different finenesses, robot and buffing cell that could only Baldwin also was involved in with and compare notes.” of New Jersey on Long Beach Island, mates that she has spent more than It’s now been three years since International Women’s Day when Kurt was out on the floor making like sandpaper grits. It was like powder buff a portion of a guitar, Baldwin Taylor’s most recent advance in finish Baldwin emphasizes that building including the popular music club Le 200 days on the road each year, but Taylor and our partner, Madinter Trade, wearing dresses made from guitars. We were all struggling at the or cotton candy that had no weight to read about another company, Pinnacle application, the thinner gloss finish for good working relationships with sup- Garage Discotheque. She remembers says she has enjoyed her work to the became co-owners of the Crelicam this year’s official commem- same time. It wasn’t uncommon to work it. But once you added it to the material Technologies, which had pressure-com- the redesigned 800 Series, which was pliers has always been essential for meeting a couple of people who would fullest. ebony mill in Cameroon. In that time, orative fabric; members of 12, 13, 14 hours.” and mixed it up it would turn the coating pliant buffing wheels. reduced from an average thickness of 6 Taylor. go on to make an impact in the music “I know I’ve been blessed with a we’ve reported on progress made the local community with a Baldwin, Taylor’s longtime Finish into a paste filler that we could apply. So “It means the wheels will move in mils (.006 inch) to 3.5 mils. “They’re like co-partners in this,” he industry: a young, unknown New Jersey great job when I don’t have to set an toward safeguarding ebony’s future as faucet that provides clean department manager and currently a the first UV-curable fillers that we used and out to maintain the pressure that “We’ve known for years that the says. “They’ve worked extremely closely artist named Bruce Springsteen, and alarm clock to be reminded to go to well as our efforts to enrich the lives of water; new safety gear for senior finish consultant, will pass the we created in-house.” was programmed for them,” Baldwin thinner the finish the better the sound, with us on this stuff,” he says. “They the man who would eventually become work,” she reflects. “The greatest gifts our employees and the local community. employees includes hard 31-year mark at Taylor in October and The newly formulated finish top coat says. “And you can buff the top, back, so we’ve always tried to spray thinner,” want to be a part of what we’re doing her husband, David Magagna, an MI Bob and Kurt give their employees, and Recently Crelicam added a pair of new hats; Crelicam’s recreational retire at the end of the year. In those was polyester-based, and offered sev- sides, all the different body shapes, he says. “But now with the 3.5-mil fin- here, and they’ve been willing to bend industry veteran. gave to me, are the empowerment and achievements to its list. The first is a new soccer team three decades, he has played a key role eral advantages over nitrocellulose: it everything. It was great. The rest is his- ish, that brought on a whole new set of over backwards to help us. It’s a great After getting married, Diane began trust to do my job.” structure to house our ebony milling and in the R&D and implementation of sever- contained a lot fewer solvents, so there tory.” circumstances.” thing for the manufacturing industry to working with exported American-made As retirement approaches, she other factory operations. The structure al major innovations in the finishing pro- were environmental benefits in terms Those included having to modify the have these kinds of relationships. So music products including Gurian remains coy about her plans for the offers a larger space for tools, machinery cess, which have radically transformed of reducing air emissions; it was more A Better Way to Spray finish formulation to enable it to spray that in itself, being able to build these Guitars, Dobro, OME Banjos, Arthur future. Nonetheless, her legacy of shar- and wood storage, together with green it from a highly manual, labor-intensive durable, enabling a thinner coating to Several years later, Baldwin helped thinner and more evenly and refining relationships, has been quite gratifying E. Smith Banjos, GHS Strings and Bill ing the Taylor brand around the globe upgrades such as natural light and ven- approach to a sophisticated, technology- be applied, which yielded tonal benefits; develop a new spray cell that also some of the sanding techniques to over the years.” Lawrence Pickups. She recalls first will be fondly remembered by her indus- tilation. The second is the completion of driven science. Gone are the days of and it didn’t yellow with age or fall prey incorporated robotic technology. The accommodate the ultra-thin coating. meeting Bob Taylor and Kurt Listug try colleagues, many of whom have a clean water project in which a team hand-spraying nitro, watching guitars to checking (small hairline cracks) with around 1975 or 1976 at the Winter become friends, including Matt Umanov of Crelicam employees dug a well and pile up during the 11-day air-curing age and temperature fluctuation. NAMM Show at the Disneyland Hotel from Taylor dealer Matt Umanov Guitars plumbed an exterior faucet to provide cycle, and enduring the physical grind Eventually Taylor was able to enlist in Anaheim, California. She was work- in New York City, who has known Diane clean water to the local community. of buffing them by hand. These days we an outside manufacturer that had pro- ing in a small booth selling Gurian since the 1970s. work with low-VOC polyester finishes, vided them with some of the materials guitars. “There is no one finer, nor could automated spraying, ultraviolet (UV) cur- to formulate the finish for them. It wasn’t “I looked in the doorway and saw there be, to grace us all with everything ing ovens, and robotic buffing cells. the last time that Taylor would bear the these two guys schlepping their gui- she represents in life,” he says. “Our people nowadays have no idea early load of R&D and then find a suppli- tars,” she remembers. “After talking for how easy they have it,” Steve reflects er to produce what they had developed. a while, Kurt remarked, ‘I hope we get matter-of-factly. He says he reminds Fortunately, as Taylor grew into a more big enough to have someone sell our employees from time to time, but that established company, suppliers became guitars. Maybe one day we will hire the processes are so different now it more willing partners in the development you.’” doesn’t fully register. Plus, he knows process. he sounds like a stereotypical old-timer Around the same time, Taylor also grousing to the younger generation. built its own UV curing oven in-house. “Back in the day when we had horse Bob worked with tool and machine and buggy…” he deadpans, poking fun designer Matt Guzzetta, and the result 800 Series: Standard Model Options Now Available at himself. was the ability to cure a coat of finish in As rave reviews of our new 800 Series continue to roll in, we’re pleased to Looking back on Taylor’s pioneer- about 30 seconds, which represented introduce more flexibility with several standard model options for the series. Among ing developments in the realm of finish, a huge breakthrough. The UV-curable them are alternative tuner and nut width choices, Adirondack spruce bracing, a Baldwin credits Bob Taylor as both finish application became part of the Florentine cutaway, and a clear pickguard or pickguard-free top. For more details, a driving and supportive force when production process in 1995. contact your local Taylor dealer. it came to pursuing new application “We cut the time for finishing an techniques. He remembers Bob’s return acoustic guitar from about 11 days from a seminar on using ultraviolet (UV) down to two days, and it was actually 30 www.taylorguitars.com 31

For all the latest Taylor event listings, visit taylorguitars.com/events Cincinnati, OH Austin, TX West Palm Beach, FL Roslyn, NY North Wales, PA Calendar Wednesday, November 19, 7 p.m. Wednesday, November 12, 7 p.m. Tuesday, December 9, 2 p.m. - 8 p.m. Saturday, October 25, 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday, November 1, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Buddy Rogers Music Strait Music George’s Music The Music Zoo George’s Music (513) 232-0777 (512) 476-6927 (561) 242-0345 (516) 626-9292 (215) 412-4400

Our fall Road Show tour is in full swing, with many events scheduled Columbus, GA Bloomington, IN Grand Rapids, MI Cambridge, OH Houston, TX Honolulu, HI Catonsville, MD Williamsport, PA throughout North America. In addition to our presentation on body shapes Tuesday, October 7, 7 p.m. Monday, November 17, 7 p.m. Thursday, October 9, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, November 20, 7 p.m. Thursday, November 13, 7 p.m. Friday, October 10, 2 p.m. - 7 p.m. Friday, November 21, 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday, November 15, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. and tonewoods, our Taylor Road Show team will share tips on selecting the Everything Musical Vance Music Center Rainbow Music Pavlov Music Great Southern Music Island Guitars Appalachian Bluegrass Shoppe Robert M Sides Family Music Center right guitar and demonstrate new product offerings such as the revoiced (706) 323-1809 (812) 339-0618 (616) 774-0565 (740) 432-2515 (281) 550-4545 (808) 591-2910 (410) 744-1144 (570) 326-2094 800 Series, the Expression System® 2 pickup, and the new T5z. We’ll also have a fresh mix of beautiful custom guitars to show. Below you’ll find our Alpharetta, GA Avon, IN Ellisville, MO Kanata, ON Orem, UT Nampa, ID Traverse City, MI Houston, TX latest event listings, with more on the way. We hope you can join us at a Wednesday, October 8, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 18, 7 p.m. Monday, October 20, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, October 23, 7 p.m. Friday, October 10, 6:30 p.m. Saturday, October 11, 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday, October 4, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday, November 15, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. dealer location near you. Guitar Center IRC Music Fazio’s Frets & Friends Music Long and McQuade Best In Music Dorsey Music Marshall Music - Traverse City Fuller’s Guitar (678) 893-0870 (317) 271-1010 (636) 227-3573 (613) 595-1035 (801) 802-8022 (208) 466-5681 (231) 922-9503 (713) 880-2188

Monroe, LA Jefferson City, MO Keizer, OR Sterling, VA Downers Grove, IL Cincinnati, OH Sterling, VA Friday, September 26, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 21, 6:30 p.m. Monday, November 10, 7 p.m. Tuesday, November 18, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, November 15, 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday, November 22, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Tuesday, November 18, 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. Matt’s Music Will West Music & Sound Uptown Music Melodee Music Tobias Music Buddy Roger’s Music Melodee Music (318) 387-3628 (573) 635-7777 (503) 393-4437 (703) 450-4667 (630) 960-2455 (513) 232-0777 (703) 450-4667

Kenner, LA St. Joseph, MO Portland, OR Burlington, VT Worcester, MA Portland, OR Monday, October 27, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 22, 7 p.m. Tuesday, November 11, 7 p.m. Tuesday, October 28, 6:30 p.m. Saturday, October 11, 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday, November 15, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. C&M Music Lanham Music of St. Joseph Portland Music Company Advance Music Center Union Music Portland Music Company (504) 468-8688 (816) 233-5142 (503) 228-8437 (802) 863-8652 (508) 753-3702 (503) 228-8437

Alexandria, LA Charlotte, NC Carlisle, PA Olympia, WA Tuesday, October 28, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, October 23, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 11, 7 p.m. Wednesday, November 12, 7 p.m. with dealers, catch up on what is work- several categories, all of which stood out Red River Music Sam Ash Music JW Music Music 6000 814ce Named Best in Show ing well, and discuss what can be done as a “must stock” item in the retail envi- (318) 443-6365 (704) 522-9253 (717) 258-6765 (360) 786-6000 at Summer NAMM better to enhance our partnerships. ronment. Gabriel O’Brien from Larry’s Members of Taylor’s sales and Overwhelmingly the new 800 Series Music in Wooster, Ohio, chose the Lafayette, LA Raleigh, NC Quebec City, QC Seattle, WA marketing teams traveled to Nashville, continued to receive the most attention 814ce on the basis of Taylor’s continu- Wednesday, October 29, 6:30 p.m. Friday, October 24, 6:30 p.m. Monday, October 20, 7 p.m. Thursday, November 13, 7 p.m. Tennessee for the 2014 Summer and positive comments from dealers. ing drive to innovate. C&M Music Sam Ash Music Musique Gagne Dusty Strings Music Store & School NAMM Show, held July 17-19. The mid- In fact, the 814ce was recognized “In search of better tone they’ve (337) 989-2838 (919) 855-9581 (418) 525-8601 (206) 634-1662 year show is a fraction of the size of the at the popular “Best in Show” breakfast made a thinner-finish guitar and com- winter trade event in Anaheim, California, panel held on Saturday morning, the pletely redesigned the bracing from the Gonzales, LA Dover, NH Victoriaville, QC Madison, WI yet over 400 exhibitors and 12,000 final day of the event. Led by Music Inc. ground up,” O’Brien noted. “It’s really Thursday, October 30, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, October 30, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 21, 7 p.m. Monday, November 10, 6:30 p.m. registered attendees make the trek to magazine editor Frank Alkyer, dealers lively and has a great dynamic. I’m really L-R: Kelly Hulme, Taylor’s product manager for our Australian distributor Audio Products Group, with Taylor’s Andy Music Inc. of Louisiana Ear Craft Music Gerald Musique Madison Music Music City to exhibit and see the lat- from across the nation highlight the knocked out by a company that, at the Lund during a Road Show at Big Music outside of Sydney (225) 647-8681 (603) 749-3138 (819) 752-5912 (608) 257-5877 est gear and industry trends. The more best products, services and companies top of their game, will redesign their casual atmosphere of the show allows at the show. The panel, comprised of best-selling product for the sake of mak- North Englewood, CO Atlanta, GA Lexington, MA Asbury Park, NJ Montreal, QC Neenah, WI Taylor’s sales staff to spend quality time retail experts, selected products across ing it better.” American Wednesday, October 8, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 21, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 29, 6:30 p.m. Monday, November 10, 7 p.m. Wednesday, October 22, 7 p.m. Tuesday, November 11, 6:30 p.m. ROAD Guitar Center Sam Ash Music The Music Emporium Russo Asbury Park Steve’s Music Island Music SHOWS (303) 858-0858 (770) 818-0042 (781) 860-0049 (732) 455-8397 (514) 878-2216 (920) 725-9000

Hoover, AL Hamden, CT Wailuku, HI Wheaton, MD Phillipsburg, NJ Rapid City, SD Thursday, October 9, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, September 25, 6:30 p.m. Sunday, October 5, 3 p.m. Wednesday, November 19, 7 p.m. Wednesday, November 12, 7 p.m. Friday, October 24, 7 p.m. Guitar Center Brian’s Guitars Bounty Music Chuck Levin’s Washington Music Center Dave Phillips Music and Sound Haggerty’s Music U.S. Find Your Fit (205) 824-6454 (203) 287-9190 (808) 871-1141 (301) 946-8808 (908) 454-3313 (605) 348-6737 events

Huntsville, AL Clearwater, FL Hilo, HI Westminster, MD Clifton Park, NY Madison, TN Dania Beach, FL Friday, October 10, 6 p.m. Monday, September 22, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 8, 7 p.m. Thursday, November 20, 7 p.m. Monday, September 22, 6:30 p.m. Monday, October 20, 6:30 p.m. Saturday, September 27, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. The Fret Shop Guitar Center Hilo Guitars Coffey Music Parkway Music Sam Ash Music A1A Guitars and Art (256) 430-4729 (727) 791-7464 (808) 935-4282 (410) 876-1045 (518) 383-0300 (615) 860-7475 (954) 925-7190

Jonesboro, AR Lakeland, FL Honolulu, HI Catonsville, MD Middletown, NY Texarkana, TX Jacksonville Beach, FL Monday, September 22, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 23, 7 p.m. Thursday, October 9, 7 p.m. Friday, November 21, 7 p.m. Tuesday, September 23, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 24, 6:30 p.m. Friday, December 5, 2 p.m. - 8 p.m. Back Beat Music Carlton Music Center Island Guitars Appalachian Bluegrass Shoppe Alto Music Texarkana Pro Sound George’s Music (870) 932-7529 (863) 686-3179 (808) 591-2910 (410) 744-1144 (845) 692-6922 (903) 223-7799 (904) 270-2220

Conway, AR Ocala, FL Idaho Falls, ID Fraser, MI Horseheads, NY Longview, TX Orange Park, FL Tuesday, September 23, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 24, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, October 9, 7 p.m. Tuesday, October 7, 7 p.m. Thursday, November 13, 7 p.m. Thursday, September 25, 6:30 p.m. Saturday, December 6, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Jack’s Music Guitar Center Ocala Chesbro Music Huber & Breese Music Robert M Sides Family Music Center Mundt Music George’s Music (501) 327-8129 (352) 861-4442 (208) 522-8691 (586) 294-3950 (607) 739-1559 (903) 758-8872 (904) 777-9393

Longmont, CO West Palm Beach, FL Downers Grove, IL Waterford, MI Toledo, OH Corpus Christi, TX Orlando, FL Tuesday, October 7, 7 p.m. Thursday, September 25, 6:30 p.m. Friday, November 14, 4 p.m. & 7 p.m. Wednesday, October 8, 7 p.m. Monday, October 6, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 11, 6:30 p.m. Monday, December 8, 2 p.m. - 8 p.m. A guest samples an 814ce in the Taylor showcase room at Summer NAMM Guitars Etc. Guitar Center Tobias Music Motor City Guitar Guitar Center Toledo Sound Vibrations George’s Music (303) 776-8388 (561) 616-5601 (630) 960-2455 (248) 673-1900 (419) 868-8779 (361) 884-8981 (407) 352-8000 32 www.taylorguitars.com FALL 33 Case Study 2014 Bluegrass Rebirth After arriving at Taylor’s Factory Service Center TaylorWare out of the blue, a long-neglected Dreadnought CLOTHING / GEAR / PARTS / GIFTS finds a second home, and a happy new owner

By Eric Bacher Ed. Note: Eric Bacher, a 26-year Taylor shape. The DCSM is braced with tall, veteran and longtime final inspection narrow-top braces that were designed specialist in our Final Assembly depart- to bring out a strong treble response, Molly from our Marketing team, ment, currently checks in many of the and the oblong cutaway, while carefully shown wearing our stylish new guitars that arrive at the Taylor factory designed to not lose much body mass, Ladies’ Long Sleeve Peghead T, for service. eases the reach to the upper register. The neck is narrower than most stan- keeps our Visitor Center running dard Taylors, measuring 1-11/16 inches smoothly. Ryan from the Finish at the nut, and the fingerboard inlays department sports our stylish On a whim she had packed the are hand-engraved mother-of-pearl Chambray Shirt and handy new guitar in its case. Inside, the only real diamonds. Some of the unique appoint- messenger bag. protection was some bubble wrap in ments of the early DCSMs are the the vacant areas. Packing tape tightly cream-colored neck and body binding, bound the outside of the case from top the specific Kluson-style waffle-back to bottom. No packing box was used or tuning machines, the teardrop pick- service ticket included. After securing guard, and the subtle aged toner on the street address for Taylor Guitars to the spruce top. The peghead shape is the lid, she shipped the case with its also unique for this model — as a whole precious cargo from the arid Texas des- it is slightly narrower and elongated. ert to California, leaving it up to chance. This particular guitar has a wonderfully Laura Lynch hadn’t played the shaped thin-profile neck, and overall is guitar, or any guitar, for many years. balanced and lightweight. She gave it up when she moved to the As my conversation with Laura pro- Chihuahuan desert and changed her gressed, I realized that I was destined career. The guitar had lived with her in to at least try to purchase the guitar, this dry climate, and over the years had and proceeded to make her an offer NEW (far right) gradually given up all of its moisture. for a fair amount. She was thrilled and Men’s Long Sleeve Chambray Shirt It became so parched that it began to readily accepted. After having taken 80/20 cotton/poly blend. Two chest crack in many areas of the body, ulti- the chance of sending it, in one pleas- pockets with embroidered Taylor logo mately reaching a point when it became ant phone conversation she had suc- above left pocket. Western back yoke. entirely unplayable. ceeded in finding a new home for her Slim fit. (Gray #3500; M-XXL) Laura had a long history with this beloved guitar. I, too, was thrilled, and guitar, and although it was in disrepair, once off the phone immediately showed she loved it dearly. She maintained the guitar to Tim Luranc in the Taylor a deep respect for the quality of the repair shop. He’s an original employee instrument and its make. She enclosed and was a guitar builder in the Lemon a letter within the case containing these Grove shop at the time this DCSM was NEW (above) NEW sentiments, also relating some of her made. He took one look at the hand- Ladies’ Long Sleeve Peghead T Men’s Long Sleeve Pick T own rich musical history in the country written heel label and recognized his Tri-blend scoop neck. Preshrunk cotton/ 100% ringspun cotton. Fashion fit. music scene (written in beautiful long- own writing; he was the original builder! poly/rayon jersey. Slim fit. (Grey #4130; (Gray #2050; M-XL, $30.00; XXL, hand on vellum paper). Eight years of I excitedly asked him if he would per- S-XXL, $30.00) $32.00) her life had been spent touring and form the body crack repairs, brace making music, from playing on Dallas repairs, and set-up work on the guitar. NEW (above) Rosette T street corners to performing at the He gladly agreed, and the result is what Taylor Messenger Bag 100% preshrunk cotton. Rosette White House as a founding member of you see pictured here. Coated cotton canvas with contrast design. Short sleeve. Standard fit. the Dixie Chicks. When I phoned her to This flatpicker couldn’t be happier. stitching. Front flap features woven (Cardinal Red #1730; S-XL, $25.00; discuss possible service options for the The first tune I played on the guitar was canvas Taylor label and magnetic front XXL-XXXL, $27.00) guitar, the conversation quickly led to Clarence White’s version of “Shady closure. Pockets include card slot, flap the wonders of early bluegrass music, Grove.” The clear tone of the guitar pocket, and large interior zipper pocket, SoCal T like the Carter Family and The Blue Sky made every note count, leading the way plus three pen slots. Customized Taylor 50/50 poly/cotton blend. Ultra soft, Boys. I’m sure I mentioned my infatua- into the sunlight. All I kept thinking was interior lining with padded laptop pocket worn-in feel. California peghead /74 tion with the late Clarence White (I usu- herself, but was looking for a possible tar was introduced by Taylor Guitars educator, and this model was designed blue skies ahead! and Velcro tab, plus additional interior design. Short sleeve. Slim fit. ally do, at least once a day). Our con- buyer. A buyer who was a flatpicker in 1986, stemming from a friendship with his input and bluegrass music in pocket. Adjustable canvas/web strap. (Olive #1471; S-XL, $30.00; XXL versation meandered on, and soon it and a bluegrass lover. between Bob, Kurt and Dan. Dan was mind. It boasts the classic combina- became quite apparent that she wasn’t The guitar is a 1987 Dan Crary then, and continues to be, a world- tion of Sitka spruce and East Indian (Brown #61168, $69.00) $32.00) really interested in fixing the guitar for Signature Model, or DCSM. This gui- renowned bluegrass guitarist and rosewood together in a Dreadnought 34 Fleece Jacket Wrap yourself in cozy warmth with our Richard from Finish Sherpa-lined hooded fleece jacket. Boasting a hefty 14-ounce 80/20 cot- rocks our new ton/polyester body with 100% polyes- California Original T. ter Sherpa lining, the jacket is stone- washed for a well-worn look and soft feel. Features a Taylor appliqué with an embroidered guitar across the chest, cuffs with thumbholes, front pockets, plus a secure media pocket with an interior hole for headphones. (Charcoal # 2891; S-XL, $65; XXL, $67.00) Glassware

Etched Glass 20 oz., featuring hand-etched round Taylor logo. (#70010, $10.00)

Taylor Etched Peghead Mug Ceramic, holds 15 oz. (Black #70005, $15.00) Abel (left) and Jon both work the night shift in our Finish department. Taylor Mug Each debuts a separate black layer Glossy ceramic bistro mug featuring the round Taylor logo. Holds 15 oz. (Brown with cream interior, #70006, $10.00) Hoody Sweatshirt from our new collection. 50/50 cotton/poly blend with double-needle NEW stitching. Doubled lined California Original T Accessories hood with drawstring. 100% combed cotton, Orange Taylor logo featuring California flag/guitar and pouch pocket. design. Short sleeve. Fashion Fit. Standard fit. (Brown #1562; S-XL, $24.00; (Sport Gray #2814; XXL-XXXL, $26.00) S-XL, $39; 7 NEW XXL, $42.00) NEW 4 Taylor Bar Stool Men’s Fashion Fleece Sweatshirt Padded swivel seat in 60/40 cotton/poly slub jersey full zip hooded NEW black matte vinyl. 30” sweatshirt. Two flap pockets with embroidered Men’s Guitar Stamp T height. Assembly required. Taylor peghead on left chest. Standard fit. 100% ringspun cotton. Short sleeve. Fashion fit. (#70200, $99.00) (Black #2896; S-XL, $64.00; XXL, $66.00) (Black #1444; S-XL, $25.00; XXL-XXXL, $27.00)

8 5

9 Men’s Cap Military Embroidery Cap Pro style chino twill cap with structured Adjustable with Velcro closure — one 6 front and red/white round Taylor logo. size fits most. (Black #00402, $22.00) 1 Adjustable fabric strap with custom 2 embossed metal peghead buckle 3 closure. One size fits all. (Black #00378; $25.00) 10 1) Digital Headstock Tuner 4) Guitar Stand 6) Travel Guitar Stand 8) Big Digit Hygro-Thermometer Clip-on chromatic tuner, back-lit LCD Features laser-etched Taylor logo, rich Sapele, lightweight (less than 16 Easy-to-read display shows temperature display. (#80920, $29.00) satin finish, and rubber pads to protect ounces) and ultra-portable. (#70198, and humidity simultaneously. (#80358, your guitar’s finish. (Sapele/Mahogany $59.00) $44.99) Logo T Baseball T Aged Logo T 2) Taylor Polish Cloth 3-Pack #70100, $70.00; assembly required) 100% preshrunk cotton. Standard Vintage heather fine jersey. 60/40 60/40 preshrunk poly/cotton. Short Microfiber with serrated edge. Features 7) Elixir® HD Light Strings 9) Mini Hygro-Thermometer Fit. (Olive #1670; S-XL, $20.00; combed cotton/poly blend. Gray sleeve. Fashion fit. (Heather Dark embossed Taylor logo. 11-1/2” x 9-1/2”. 5) Black Composite Travel The new custom-gauge set (.013, .017, Compact digital unit works in a guitar XXL-XXXL, $22.00) body with navy 3/4 sleeve. Fashion Gray #1590; S-XL, $24.00; XXL, TaylorWare 3-pack (Chestnut, Tan, Brown #80908, Guitar Stand .025, .032, .042, .053) was specially case or in-room settings. Dimensions: 2” CLOTHING / GEAR / PARTS / GIFTS fit. (Gray/Navy #2296; S-XL, $26.00) $18.00); 3-pack (Black, Taupe, Charcoal Made from durable recycled ABS designed to bring bolder highs, fuller x 1.5” x .63” (51 x 38 x 16mm). $34.00; XXL, $36.00) #80909 [shown], $18.00) composite material to securely hold your lows, and a balanced overall voice to our (#80359, $24.99) Taylor guitar. Travel-friendly design. Folds Grand Concert and Grand Auditorium 1-800-494-9600 Reversible Beanie 3) Taylor Guitar Polish up to store in gig bags and most guitar models. Phosphor Bronze with 10) Guitar Straps Feel free to flip your lid anytime and look good inside and out. Embroidered Taylor Spray-on cleaning polish that is easily cases. Accommodates all Taylor models. NANOWEB® coating. (#89902, $15.00) Visit taylorguitars.com for a complete Visit taylorguitars.com/taylorware round logo on one side, Taylor peghead on the other. 100% acrylic. One size fits all. and safely wiped away. 4 fl. oz. (#70180, $39.00) selection of Taylor guitar straps. to see the full line. (Black #00118, Brown #00119, $20.00) (#80901, $12.00) Shady Maple This special edition T5z Pro boasts a “two-tone” quilted maple top, a reference to the use of maple sets that incorporate a blend of heartwood and sapwood. Typically only maple’s sapwood is used for its prized blond complexion. In this case, the wood was cut in a way that utilizes more of the rare quilted figure and blends the slightly tawny color of the heartwood with the lighter sapwood. A custom- formulated molasses sunburst adds a deep, burnished bronze glow that amplifies the depth of figure and two-tone color dynamic. Gold hardware and a two-tone Spire inlay scheme complement the aesthetic. For availability, check with your local Taylor dealer.