THE 2020 GUITAR GUIDE UPCYCLING URBAN WOOD 2 www.taylorguitars.com Letters social Email us circles taylorguitars.com/contact Join the Taylor community Facebook: @taylorguitars to last, including wooden instruments, A Sweeter Sound nice acoustic guitar, I ran across Bob Instagram: @taylorguitars although they are more fragile. But the I was interested in the “Ask Bob” Taylor’s video about the Ebony Project @taylorespanol real essence of your article was how query about the effect on tone the size on YouTube. After seeing how environ- Twitter: @taylorguitars you reunited ebony with Buck Knives. of the soundhole has. A few months ago, mentally conscientious he is and how YouTube: taylorguitars That is just outstanding. Thank you for I attached an ES-Go pickup to my GS he incorporated that as a major part of great work and products. I’ve only been Mini, and as you are aware, the pickup Taylor Guitars’ philosophy (and prac- playing for six years, on a GS Mini, my covers a small part of the soundhole tice), I decided that the only question first guitar. And I’m fond of ebony! near the neck of the guitar. When play- was which Taylor guitar I liked best and Charlie Francisco, DVM ing the guitar acoustically (i.e., not could afford. The 414ce is outstanding through the pickup or amp), I have independent of all of this, but I did want noticed the tone is “sweeter” — there Bob to know that his environmental Deluxe Treatment is more high end and a slight reduction concerns and the fact that he is doing I’m the proud owner of an 810, 414 in bass. I have to say I love this “new” something and not just talking about Special Edition, GS Mini and a Baby tone, and friends have commented, it were as important as any other con- Taylor. I gave my 414 to my son, who thinking it was a different guitar. Now sideration. Based on my experience is a far better player than me, when he that I have read the response regarding with my 414ce and Bob’s commitment Best Case Scenario went to college, but I miss it terribly, the effect of the size of the soundhole to the environment, the next acoustic I’m a father of 7, a public school and my 810 is exacerbating some arm on tone, I am happy to learn that I guitar I buy will be a 400 or 500 Series music teacher, and a church worship issues, so it seems I need to get anoth- wasn’t imagining the change in my gui- 12-string. leader. For my 40th birthday, my fam- er guitar with a smaller body. tar sound! David B. ily bought me my first good acoustic I tried out the 814ce DLX last week Alan Finnimore guitar — I went to House of Guitars in and fell in love. It is the first V-braced Surrey, England Rochester, New York, and picked out Taylor I’ve tried, and I can’t articulate Acoustic Workhorse my favorite Taylor. It’s been amazing. how great it sounded nor how much I am a lifelong guitar player. I started Two years later, it was a busy day, I was it has ruined my life. Normally, when Eco Logic playing when I was 7 and would practice dropping off kids, people were loading picking up strings at the local Taylor I recently purchased a V-Class sometimes until I wanted to cry from and unloading things from the trunk, dealer, I’ll drop in and spend a little time 414ce and wanted to let you know finger pain. I never had the luxury of and as I backed out of the driveway, I playing a few guitars (Taylor, Martin, that your efforts to build guitars in an an expensive guitar. I tried to make an could feel that I had backed over some- Gibson, etc.), but I never feel like I’m ecologically friendly way, especially the old Harmony sound like the pros. That thing. Turning onto the road, the car playing a guitar that sounds as good or efforts to ensure that ebony does not never happened. dragged the object forward, then ran plays as well as my 810. Each visit is become endangered, were as import- Years later when I went to college, I over it again. It was at that moment the an affirmation that my 2003 810 cannot ant as the build quality, playability, tone, befriended a fellow who is still a good horror struck me that it was, indeed, my be improved upon. Dang it, Andy — etc. When I started looking for a really friend to this day. Like me, he loved Taylor guitar. As I hurriedly jumped into now I need to get the 814ce DLX! Its acoustic music, and we would play and the street to get it, I started thinking sustain, its playability, even the way I sing for hours. He had a Taylor 110. I about having to wait until my 50th or can hear it much better than my 810 had never heard something like that. It 60th birthday to replace it. Amazingly, have made me less satisfied with my was amazing to me. although the case was heavily dam- present Taylor collection. The armrest is Years later, when I was 28, I went to aged on the exterior, the guitar inside icing on the cake. I do have a question, compete in the Doc Watson Flatpicking was UNTOUCHED. Completely fine. though. Competition at Merlefest, and I asked I was glad I got a Taylor case and Is it possible to get the identically if he would mind if I played his guitar. I didn’t skimp with something cheaper appointed guitar with a tobacco sun- didn’t win, but the 110 held its own in and wimpier. As soon as possible, I burst or stained top of some sort, or a competition full of [other brands]. A purchased a new Taylor case, and my is that blasphemy? I look at this as my couple of the folks came up to me after guitar is looking and sounding as great last guitar purchase (I’m not going to and asked about my pick and strings, as ever. Everyone always praises your play and be further tempted by any of etc. I simply conceded that it was a guitars, but I wanted to say thanks for Andy’s future models...except maybe great guitar. At that point I decided to 414ce the effort you put into making quality the 12-string!), and I’ve always wanted get my own Taylor 110. I have had it cases! a guitar that didn’t have the typical for over eight years now, and I still love John Ruth blonde spruce top. Can it be done? that guitar. Covington, Pennsylvania Assuming so, what would my options Thank you for making such quality be, and how much extra should I expect guitars. I am already in the market for a to pay? higher-level Taylor, but I won’t be for- Ebony Reunion Nick Richardson getting about my 110 anytime soon. Bob, your column last issue [Bob- Jay Vinson Speak, Vol. 95 / Fall 2019] was tre- Ed. Note: We love a good sunburst, North Carolina mendous. I, too, have a Buck knife. It too, Nick. You can order an 814ce DLX was my first hunting knife. I’m 64. There with a sunburst top for an additional are definitely products that are built $200 (USD). Contents WOOD&STEEL | VOLUME 96 | 2020 ISSUE 1 The 2020 Guitar Guide Columns 4 Kurt’s Corner A decade of global travel has given Kurt a seasoned perspective on the universal appeal of guitars — as filtered through different markets and cultures. 5 BobSpeak Bob reflects on Andy’s latest Builder’s Edition innovations, our new urban wood initiative, and our most recent planting efforts with ebony and koa. Departments 24 Taylor Body Shapes Which acoustic body shape is right for you? Here’s a Ask Bob guide to our five body styles and the feel and sound that 6 Jumbo frets, maple necks, customer set each apart. focus, strap pin location, and more. 26 Tonewoods Sustainability On the Cover Rosewood, mahogany, spruce, koa and more — each 8 Scott Paul explains the value of urban 10 wood we use has unique tonal properties that flavor a trees and how our collaboration with The Builder’s Edition Collection guitar’s sound. a California-based arborist can support It started with Andy Powers’ quest to make our guitars feel the regreening of city and suburban and sound better. Two years and nine guitars later, Andy’s areas. Builder’s Edition concept has blossomed into a stunning guitar 28 The Taylor Line at a Glance collection that combines our V-Class bracing with premium An overview of the tonewood pairings within each guitar contouring features. Meet our four newest models. series we offer, plus a guide to our model numbers. 46 TaylorWare A sampling of the latest Taylor Builder’s Edition 816ce accessories, including guitar straps, Our first V-Class Grand Symphony incorporates an innovative The Taylor Line by Series guitar stands, guitar care products, soundport cutaway to create an immersive acoustic experience 30 A closer look at the woods, aesthetic details, and picks and apparel. unlike anything you’ve ever heard. models that distinguish each series in our guitar line. Builder’s Edition 912ce This rosewood Grand Concert was designed with electric players in mind. The response is fast in feel and sound — clear, clean and powerful.