INSIDE THE WORLD OF TAYLOR GUITARS / VOLUME 74 winter 2013 THE 2013 GUITAR GUIDE The New Grand Orchestra Big & Balanced Koa 200s Find Your Fit All About Shapes, Woods & Sounds Your Player Profile Sustainable Forestry String-Changing Tips Taylor Around the World 2 www.taylorguitars.com 3 Letters Volume 74 Winter 2013 Find us on Facebook. Subscribe on YouTube. Follow us on Twitter: @taylorguitars the eye of the hurricane passed over around the block, so to speak. We lor sales managers Michael Lille and the beauty and the fullness of the us and spared us the non-stop winds were overwhelmed by the knowledge, Aaron Dablow, and product specialist sound coming from such a small guitar. and torrential rain that afflicted the sense of humor, and musical abilities of Marc Seal] played three different Taylor I knew I had to have one. areas farther north. We did, however, both people putting on the show [Ed. guitar shapes with different woods My wife and I do a great deal of suffer two high-tide storm surges that Note: Taylor district sales manager together, it was awesome to hear the traveling. I realized that the Mini would reached record heights. We were with- Mike Ausman and product specialist differences. The guys all had fantastic make a truly great travel guitar. The out heat or electricity for four days, and Wayne Johnson]. We are both retired attitudes, great senses of humor, and a Road Show was on a Tuesday, and were banned from returning home for teachers and have hundreds if not wonderful dedication to Taylor Guitars. the following Friday I called Mark Tor- five days. My music studio, a converted thousands of lectures and demonstra- It was a pleasure to have been able to stenson at the Fret Shop and told him On the Cover garage, took in an estimated six inches tions behind us. None come even attend. I wanted one of the rosewood [lami- of flood water. When I finally returned close to meeting the standards of your Now I’m saving up for a Baritone nate]/spruce [limited edition] models. home I discovered my Taylor 414ce show. We couldn’t stop talking about 8-String to complement my T5 and Mark told me he only had two left. I 10 The Grand Orchestra in its case under my piano, sitting on the show and all we learned all the way 414ce-LTD (which my wife presented went down the shop on Saturday, with We proudly unveil the big- soaking-wet carpeting. home. We are ready to go again just to me as a wedding present last June!) my money clutched in my hot, sweaty bodied successor to our When I finally had the nerve to as soon as another Taylor guitar show I just wanted to let you know how hand, and Mark was holding the last Jumbo shape. Taylor luthier open the case, I was stunned to see comes anywhere near us. Thanks so much we appreciate your company one for me. Now it’s mine, and I am Andy Powers talks about A Pressing Matter the guitar fully intact, neck straight, and much. providing the Road Show and giving us enjoying it thoroughly. blending tonal power and Two years ago at the age of 59 the wood in perfect shape! The inside Chuck Berquist a chance to see and play such amazing I have enjoyed working with Mark, balance, and how our newest I made a New Year’s resolution to of the case, despite sitting in water or guitars! and want to thank Taylor Guitars for shape fits into the family of learn to play the guitar. I had plenty of on wet carpeting for four days, was Geoff Smith the truly quality guitars you are produc- Taylor acoustic designs. inspiration; my two brothers have been bone dry. And much to my surprise, the Deferred Dream Victoria, BC, Canada ing. I am sure that at some time in the playing and writing their own songs for guitar was still in tune! I haven’t been I have tried out many fabulous future there will be a third Taylor guitar 40-plus years, and my son James, a able to check the electronics yet since Taylor guitars at various music stores in my house. Taylor guitar owner, is an accomplished I lost four amps in the flood, but that is and finally was ready to make the leap In the Mood Dale Wasserman fingerpickin’ bluegrass player. James a relatively easy fix if necessary. when I found out the Road Show was Creativity involves talent, but I and his Taylor moved to New Jersey Needless to say, my guitar has a coming to town. I was so excited, as believe an even larger contributor to to attend school before I decided I new name. Here’s hoping “Sandy” is was my wife, who knew how badly I creativity is mood. Sometimes mood Study Abroad wanted to become a guitar player, so with me for a long, long time. I promise wanted a Taylor. In fact, she said that is present through our natural environ- I recently attended the Taylor Gui- I began learning on a mini classical to keep her dry in the future. if I found my dream guitar at the show ment, but there are times when mood tars University event [presented to [guitar] that I borrowed from a friend. Dan Pittaro she would buy it for me. As the date of is set through artificial means: lighting, employees from music stores in our Wood&Steel continued to come to our the event drew near, so did the immi- temperature, and, of course, sound. My dealer network] at your Amsterdam home in Oklahoma, and when I took nent birth of our granddaughter, who Taylor guitar (GS8e) plays a major role facility, and I have to say that in the up guitar I started reading it. I always Deep, Dark and Beautiful was now overdue. Everyone was trying in setting the mood for creative song- 15-plus years of working in the retail read the “Letters” section first in any I started planning my Build to Order to guess the date, but I said I knew writing. A guitar with bad-to-mediocre sector, I have never attended such an magazine, and yours was no exception. guitar three years ago. Of course I when it would be. Of course, this time tone will ruin a creative mood quickly. informative and insightful course. I couldn’t help but notice the raves had many questions. They were all I was right. She was born on the day But the tone of my Taylor GS causes Already a Taylor Guitars enthusiast, about the GS Mini from readers in answered cheerfully and promptly. Even of the Road Show, and I missed the my creative mood to blossom. I was keen to meet members of the every issue, so last year when I decid- when the question was a matter of event. I think my wife was even more Mike West Taylor staff and glean information that ed I wanted a real guitar for Christmas, which wood was best for my purposes disappointed than I, but as she said, I would find useful in selling the instru- of course I looked at the Mini first. and the choices were quite far apart in “A new Taylor guitar: $4,000; a new, ments in my store. I found all of the It has been a year since my GS price, and when the wrong choice was beautiful, healthy granddaughter: price- Thorough Appreciation Taylor members from both the USA Mini came to live with me, and I could several hundred dollars higher than the less!” (Her middle name is Taylor, after I am 77 years old and have been factory and the European facility most not be happier with my choice. I prac- one I needed, I was answered honestly. our daughter.) I’ll be sitting down with retired for 12 years. I have always knowledgeable when it came to techni- tice almost every day, and even though I can’t thank you enough for your help. my Taylor rep soon to work on a BTO. wanted to play the guitar, so six cal detail and sales techniques. Thank I will probably never be as good a gui- I received my beautiful BTO GS on But in the meantime I just bought a months ago I purchased a 310ce and you for the warmth and hospitality that The 2013 Guitar Guide tarist as the others who write to you, September 14, 2012. I found it to be mahogany GS Mini for when we travel started taking lessons. Wow, great was shown to the UK dealers. Rest I am happy with my progress. I am so far beyond my greatest expectations. I to see our son, daughter-in-law, and sound, and very reasonably priced. To assured: All the info was absorbed and proud of my Taylor, and proud of myself play country gospel, and the deep, dark two grandchildren. say that I am enjoying the guitar and will be used. 14 Finding Your Fit as well for setting a goal and working sound I wanted is brought out so beau- Stephen Blender the lessons would be an understate- Ralph Langfield Taylor product specialist Corey Witt Cover photo: Andy Powers with a new Grand Orchestra 918e toward it. And I can add Wood&Steel tifully by the combination of the sinker Owen Sound, ON, Canada ment. helps you hone in on the right type of enjoying a view of the Pacific Ocean from the bluffs of Torrey Pines and the people who wrote to you in redwood top and the Indian rosewood On September 3, I attended my guitar for your needs.