The New 900 Series Detail-rich curve appeal Maple Grand Concerts Surprising power, warmth & sustain The GS Mini Turns 5 Guitar Workout Build speed, strength & endurance Guitar Care & Travel Tips 2 www.taylorguitars.com Letters VOLUME 82 | SUMMER 2015 > CONTENTS < Find us on Facebook. Subscribe on YouTube. Follow us on Twitter: @taylorguitars Good Vibrations and yet another reason to declare my I think the stars just aligned for Bluegrass and Beyond Bob, you responded to my question appreciation of and loyalty to the Taylor me and it was time. I am thoroughly I’ve owned three Taylors over about a mahogany top on a rosewood brand. amazed at the sound this instrument the years, a new 512 and 510, and body in the Winter 2015 edition of Greg Clare produces. This is how a guitar is sup- now have a Dan Crary Signature Wood&Steel [“Ask Bob”] with a recom- posed to sound! And the tuning is Model (DCSM), which I found sec- FEATURES COLUMNS mendation that I check out the new 810 P.S. My wife would really appreciate it precise. My fingertips will always be ondhand, having always wanted to try or 814ce instead. I was a little surprised if you guys would stop turning out new calloused, and I will be a Taylor guitar one. I fell in love with it immediately. 6 THE GUITARIST AS ATHLETE but have never been steered wrong and increasingly compelling guitars... fan for life. No other guitar in the shop came close 4 KURT’S CORNER Working these hand exercises into your practice routine We’re exploring ways to help our by you or your team, so I decided to but I know you won’t do that, right? Larry Braybrooks for me. I enjoyed reading the article will boost your speed, strength and longevity as a player. dealers offer the best possible check out both models. While doing so, Fair Oaks, CA by Eric Bacher about the acquisition in-store Taylor experience. I picked up one of the few new 614ce of his DCSM and its restoration (Vol. models in my area, which I found at one C1 Concierge 80 / Fall 2014). The DCSM to me is of your best [dealers], Melodee Music in I had such a positive experience Worth the Wait much more than a bluegrass guitar. I’ve 8 THE GS MINI TURNS 5 Sterling, Virginia. I’ve always been one with Taylor Guitars that I wanted to When I bought a Baby Taylor in owned a Gibson L5 acoustic archtop, This summer we celebrate the birthday of one of the 5 BOBSPEAK of those “I don’t much care for maple” share it. Recently I went to my local 2006, I hadn’t played a single chord and when playing swing-style chordal most popular and well-traveled 5-year-olds in the world. Even after 40-plus years in business, Family Support guys, but I was curious after seeing Guitar Center, came across the Taylor on a guitar. I was 62, and my teacher bass runs, the Taylor has a depth and Bob is more eager than ever to learn I wanted to send a note of thanks for what Andy Powers had written about the T5z Custom (koa top), and played confessed he’d wondered if I’d left it a punch very reminiscent of the old L5. It and improve. Vol. 81 [Winter 2015], particularly the new series and watching several of your it through a Fishman 200 amplifier. bit late. I did struggle at first, but now I also has a sweeter, more rounded tone 12 THE REDESIGNED MAPLE 600S: feature on Mr. McMinn’s extraordinary online videos about the re-engineering I was so blown away by the sound have great fun making music with him on the top strings. For bluegrass the efforts to propagate figured maple. I’ve of the series. that I decided to purchase the T5z and also entertaining my husband and Taylor is, of course, superb, with that GRAND CONCERTS got a Guild 12-string jumbo with maple An engineer by trade, I’ve spent a immediately. It has the sweetest guitar the cat. beautiful full tone shining through on The 612ce and its 12-fret sibling pack impressive volume, warmth 32 THE CRAFT Andy Powers shares his thoughts on back and sides. I can attest to the reasonable amount of time trying to sound I have ever heard in 45 years of I love receiving your beautifully the fiddle tunes. It’s a very versatile and sustain into a compact form. Meet your new inspiration. unique tonal quality of the wood, and understand guitar building (including playing. About six months later I was presented magazine and [recently] instrument, and it’s my favourite dread- guitar-making design harmony and would love to see more of it “out there.” I a wonderful build class at Whetstone experimenting with friend’s 12-string fell in love with the GS Mini. So, this nought of all. relates them to the aesthetic vision was so fascinated with the reporting on School of Lutherie in Brattleboro, and thought, I wonder what Taylor has morning I did what every senior citizen Eric Kwiatkowski for the new 900 Series. Mr. McMinn’s work that I actually found Vermont) and was captivated by the new on the web in 12-strings. I came across should do. I went down to Dawson’s Nottingham, England 14 BACKSTAGE PASS: KENNY GREENBERG myself reading excerpts of the article out back bracing, so I had to try it out. It a legacy guitar called the T5C1-12. in Manchester (England) and ordered AND MARSHALL ALTMAN took all of 10 minutes to realize I simply The picture on the web showed it as one. I’m left-handed, and they didn’t ON THE COVER loud to my wife. Two veteran Nashville music pros have embraced the I’m also very grateful for the outstand- couldn’t live without this guitar! Not only a blond quilted [maple] top. Although have one in stock. But I can wait. After Island Rules revoiced 810e and ES2 pickup for the stage and studio. ing photography always on display in was this one of the prettiest pieces of it was no longer in production, I called all, I’ve waited 70 years for this. Thank For the past several years I have 18 THE NEW 900 SERIES Wood&Steel, and the company’s web- maple I’ve seen, but the fit and finish the Taylor sales staff at the San Diego you once again for the joy you’ve given taken my GS Mini on our annual char- A luxurious update to our most elegant class of rosewood DEPARTMENTS site. It was that attention to detail that were flawless and the appointments factory and asked them to “comb the me. tered catamaran cruise in the British guitars reveals a rich three-part harmony of tone, visual details, gave me the confidence to purchase an amazing. country” for one. Guess what? They Pat Bottomley Virgin Islands. Singing and strumming and playing comfort. We also spotlight a sustainable abalone 16 NOTES FROM NAMM 816ce several years ago, without ever After a week of playing it daily, I’m found one — the only one in existence! Denshaw, Oldham, UK in a quiet mooring down there is some- Our maple 600s made a great first impression. 10 ASK BOB sourcing program off the Pacific coast of Mexico’s Baja having touched the instrument. I knew still in awe. I don’t know whether your I bought it. It is truly the only 12-string thing you can experience but can’t ade- Our artist lineup made some memorable music. Tap tuning, stages of aging, cedar-top what woods I wanted; I felt like I knew team has measured the movement of that has the same neck action as a quately describe. I highly recommend it. California peninsula. 12-strings, and thin finish concerns. exactly what I’d be getting in the 816ce, the back with Andy’s new bracing sys- 6-string guitar. Thanks again to Taylor Ed. Note: The following note was sent This year was a bit different on and that I didn’t need to play it before- tem, but I swear I can feel it “pumping” for its quality products and to its out- to Jeff Mallia, a respected luthier and departure from West End, Tortola. As COVER PHOTO: EBONY ARMREST AND BINDING WITH hand. I wasn’t disappointed. against my chest when I play — provid- standing sales staff. You guys rock! Premier Level authorized Taylor Service I ran the Mini through the BVI govern- KOA PURFLING AND ABALONE TOP TRIM ON A 914CE 26 SOUNDINGS One of the things I like most about ing an unbelievable level of feedback Steve Testa Technician based in Concord West, ment TSA screening, normally a routine McCartney rocks his koa Taylor, Hozier being part of the Taylor “family” is the to the player as well as the remarkable Melbourne, FL New South Wales, Australia, a suburb matter, something unusual happened. goes deep with a baritone, and Zac Brown tone and volume already described on of Sydney. Australian Taylor owners The rather large TSA agent, an Island feeling that I’m supporting these kinds stretches out. Plus, the Bacon Brothers, of groundbreaking efforts to enlighten your website. I’ve compared the physical Editor’s Note: Although 12-string edi- will find him to be a great resource and native, looked at me sternly and said, Alan Jackson on tour, Mike Keneally, people about environmental issues, and sensation of this guitar to each of my tions of our original T5 currently remain can find his contact information listed “I’m sorry, sir, but there is a problem.