BTO Bliss Building guitar dreams Honduran Harmony Sustainable social forestry Coheed and Cambria Breaking down a live acoustic sound Ruthie Foster Soul-stirring blues Wayne Johnson Rethinking scales 2 www.taylorguitars.com In 2009, we saw Leo Kottke per- can’t take my eyes off of it, and it plays 814ce, I’ve also picked up the NS72ce form, and Mark took his own guitar like a dream. If it is true that guitars after watching YouTube videos of Jason with him to the concert. Afterward, Mr. sound better with age, I can only imag- Mraz walking around France playing Letters Kottke came out on stage to meet his ine how this one will sound as we grow one. That guitar is gorgeous, and it’s loyal fans. Mark handed him his beloved older together. Thanks for a wonderful the perfect complement to the 814ce Center. Thank you for thinking outside guitar for an autograph. Leo held it, instrument. at shows when I want an alternative the box and creating the most amazing strummed it, recognized the open E-flat Tom Rusiecki to steel strings. Thank you for building acoustic/electric guitar that doesn’t tuning, and sat down on the edge of Port Richey, FL fantastic guitars and for being an hon- require a world-class concert hall to the stage and played! He and Mark est, ground-up company (I’m currently Tommy Shaw sound world-class! had a conversation about strings, bone halfway through Bob Taylor’s Guitar Gets his bluegrass on Spring Limiteds Bob Fischer nuts, etc., before getting an autograph Cheatin’ & Repeatin’ Lessons). Thanks to you, I have a guitar Macassar 12-Fret & T3 Walnut Double Feature Ocala, FL on the back of the headstock. NOW I that brings back fond memories of the All-Mahogany Roots I had been yearning for a T5 ever Doyle Dykes & the Lights have the happiest husband on earth! Or since they came out, but my wife has woman who helped me realize my pas- Inside his new book Expressionism so I thought. There is something new steadfastly threatened to leave if I sion. The art of the ES NAMM Harmonically Challenged you call an 8-string baritone. Thanks bought one more guitar. After all, she Kevin Castillo Notes I believe there is a mistake on page a lot, Bob! I think I’m going make him reasoned, six (3 Taylors) are more than 27 of Wood&Steel (“The Irrational Fret- wait a year. enough: “You can only play one at a board,” Vol 67/Spring 2011). The final Andrea Eckhart time.” Seaworthy Sound G note in Example 13 should be on the I demanded, cajoled, wheedled, I just returned from 2-1/2 weeks fourth (D) string, fifth fret instead of the begged and whined to no avail. Finally on an expedition-type cruise along the third (G) string, fifth fret, which as we Worthy of Byrd I began singing “Your Cheatin’ Heart” Antarctica Peninsula. Just before leav- New York State of Mind know is a C note. Seasoned musicians I purchased the NS24ce a year ago. at 3 a.m., refusing to quit until she ing, I decided to find a Baby Taylor After reading Jim Kirlin’s article, will clearly know this, but it may con- This guitar is a joy to hold and makes agreed to the T5. She finally relented to take and to play while on the ship. “Freedom of Expression,” in your spring fuse [other] readers. On another note, I fingerpicking an ease. I usually play jazz on the 34th rendition, and not only did A longtime Taylor player, I envisioned issue, I was reminded of the spring greatly enjoyed the Tommy Shaw article and Latin music, and this instrument she agree, she offered to buy it for my bringing a low-cost, decent-sounding of 1971, when I played guitar for a and the insightful fellow Canadian’s works fine in these genres. I’m a big birthday if only I would quit singing! We but compact guitar to entertain myself 60-voice touring choir from Concor- letter in “Ask Bob” concerning the con- fan of the late, great Charlie Byrd, who, bought it from Randy at Quality Guitars and maybe others if the opportunity dia College, New York. At the various verted bookcase/guitar storage cabinet. along with Stan Getz, exposed the in Spring Hill, Florida. He let me play arose. I settled on a GS Mini because venues it was always a challenge (if Larry Garnett bossa nova and Latin rhythms to the as many different T5s as he had for of its higher-quality sound, even though not a nightmare) to amplify my Martin Ottawa, Canada American public. Charlie sometimes as long as I wanted, and worked very it’s a bit larger than a Baby. The Mini D-35. The tour ended with a concert at complained about just not being able to hard to make sure I was totally satisfied traveled beautifully in its sturdy, soft Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall, where Ed. Note: Good catch, Larry. After find “that” sound on his classical back with my choice. I would highly recom- case and strapped right onto my roll- the acoustics were so amazing that my going to press we discovered that a in the late sixties and early seventies. I mend Quality Guitars to anyone looking ing duffel bag (I luckily avoided having guitar did not have to be amped. For portion of Shawn Persinger’s music know if he were alive today he’d have a to purchase a new guitar. I can’t say to check it). After crossing the stormy years I’ve searched in vain for that pure, notation had dropped out when import- Taylor [nylon-string] in his hands. enough about what a cool guitar the T5 Drake Passage, the seas calmed down natural acoustic guitar sound, but that ed into a different software program. Ed Baran is. It is everything that I hoped it would and I pulled out the guitar and sang was a once-in-a-lifetime experience — or Besides the notation not showing up in be and more. and played that night in the Observa- so I thought. the staff, the notes in Ex. 13 are natu- Ben Gilbert tion Deck/Bar. Long story short, it Those of us who have been around ral harmonics, and the diamond sym- Acoustic Revival was a hit, and I played many evenings for a while know that there have been bols denoting harmonics didn’t display I just received my 1990 Dan Crary throughout the awesome journey. The many failed efforts to amp acoustic in the tablature. So, the fifth fret, third Signature Model guitar back from Ryan Passion Play GS Mini has an amazing volume and a guitars, from tinny, scratchy setups and string played as a harmonic is actually McMullen’s team in the Service depart- I just wanted to let you know why decent tone for such a lightweight gui- gimmicks to sad situations where the a G harmonic. The lesson’s complete ment. I had sent the guitar back for your my Taylor is so important to me. When tar. I tend to play a guitar hard to keep instrument was overwhelmed or just notation is available in the online ver- Revive package. Holy mackerel! It’s I was 16, my mom died after a two-year a strong beat and use syncopated, made to sound like an electric guitar. sion of the issue at taylorguitars.com. like having a brand-new guitar with the run with brain cancer. I was extremely percussive sounds, and the Mini took Four years ago, Sound Exchange Sorry for the confusion. voice of a well-played friend. I would close to her, and one of the greatest my hard-driving strumming well. Further, Music became an official distributor of highly recommend the Revive package gifts she gave me was passion (and tal- I tune down a half step and then use Taylor Guitars. The owner and the work- to anyone who has a well-played Taylor ent) for music. She was a lifelong pia- a capo in various positions. Amazingly, ers at the shop were impressed with Happy Hubby and is in need of a tune-up. My guitar nist, guitarist and singer, and she sup- there was no string buzz. Bringing the the new Taylors and enlightened me My husband has always wanted had experienced some rough humidity ported my musical efforts to the fullest, Mini along helped make the trip that with their new find. My wife and I pur- a 12-string guitar — more specifically changes prior to my ownership, which buying me just about any instrument I much better for me and for many oth- chased our son an 814ce. He and I use a Taylor 12. In 2006 he found a 355 left the guitar with a cracked and lifted decided I wanted to learn. When she ers. Thanks for another great guitar it along with a 312ce in locations from and fell in love. They have the same bridge, a dip where the fingerboard passed, I was still just starting out with design! small rooms with low ceilings to large birthday, so I bought it for him. What’s meets the body, pretty worn frets, and guitar, but I took it seriously. When I Kelly Rogers church sanctuaries. The combination a little credit card debt compared to a a need for a new nut and saddle. The was 18, I received life insurance money, of the tonewoods and the Expression husband’s happiness? He played non- guitar came back with every repair and after considering where my pas- System is by far the best natural sound stop for about three weeks, and then expertly provided.