FINNEAS with the new GT K21e - Taylor Guitars
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Award-winning singer-songwriter/producer
FINNEAS with the new GT K21e INSIDE:
THE 2021
GUITAR GUIDE
2 www.taylorguitars.com
Letters social
circles
program. Scott Paul’s article describ- I aspire to own a Taylor guitar one
Email us ing the partnership with West Coast
Arborists really nailed it for me: Taylor
day. When I do, I’ll feel great satisfac-
tion not only knowing that the instru-
taylorguitars.com/contact is The Real Deal. How many musical ment was designed with tremendous
instrument companies have a position thought and care (which is clear from
of Director of Natural Resource Sus- reading Bob and Andy’s columns), but Join the Taylor community
tainability? You guys don’t just talk, you also that buying a Taylor supports a
walk the walk. As someone who advo- good company. Thank you so much for Facebook: @taylorguitars
cates for urban forests, loves working forging such an excellent path in this Instagram: @taylorguitars
Interior Design Handled with Care with wood, and occasionally plays world. Please know that your efforts are @taylorespanol
I’m currently trying my hand at some I’m too old for writing fan letters, guitar, I just feel compelled to write and appreciated! Twitter: @taylorguitars
still-life photography. I thought you but I have to say I’m absolutely blown say thank you. Craig Haggart YouTube: TaylorQualityGuitars
might like to see what goes on inside away with Taylor’s service. Twenty years Sunnyvale, California
your guitars once they leave the factory. ago, my wife gifted me a 410ce LTD
By the way, thank you for the main- at a time in our lives when we didn’t
tenance videos on YouTube. I’ve just have a lot of money. It’s my most prized
re-strung that guitar following one of possession. I nervously sent it on a
the guides. 6,000-mile round trip from upstate New Mic Magic
Steve Hyde York to you in California for service and This is in response to Gabriel O’Brien’s article in Wood&Steel [Vol. 98 / Issue 3], “An Introduction to Recording
Acoustic Guitar.” The excellent article aptly shows the tried-and-true method of placing a cardioid mic about 12
inches from the top, pointing a touch off the hole. One can always expect excellent, natural-sounding results from
this single-channel (mono) capture.
For a “stereo” method, the article briefly mentions the possibility of using an XY pattern, but I find that XY still
captures the instrument more or less in mono (even when the channels are fully spread, the guitar appears com-
pactly centered), while providing a broad “stereo” spread of the acoustic environment around the guitar. Nice! But...
Years ago, I pioneered a two-mic acoustic guitar recording technique that provides two distinct-sounding chan-
nels that can be very effective in a mix.
Mic 1, which can actually be pointed a few frets back from the
end of the fingerboard, picks up what I would call a “scooped”
sound — lots of bottom and a bright, stringy top, but not much
“meaty” midrange.
Mic 2, pointed near the center of the lower bout, picks up
very little bass and absolutely no stringy treble, but effectively
captures the meaty midrange of the instrument — thus filling in
the spectral range that is missing from the Mic 1 signal. 1
Inside Hyde’s 2005 110 As such, the two channels allow for a range of interesting
mixing or blending options, such as:
• Spreading the sounds of the guitar widely across the
Welcome to the Family basically got back a new guitar. Gob- stereo speakers
I am a 54-year-old disabled veter- smacked! • Enhanced adjustment of tonal balance to suit a given
an and author who has never played These days, just getting folks to orchestration, etc.
guitar but always had a desire to learn do what they claim to do seems like a Because the mics point to different sources of radiation
to play. I am finally in a place in my challenge, so finding people who go from the top, the signals do not interact in a way to cause a lot
life to fully commit to becoming an above and beyond is a real pleasure. of phase cancellation when summed to mono.
accomplished player. Older, yes, but Your service people fall into this cate- Just thought I’d share.
much more committed. I’ve been prac- gory. From the swift, efficient and help- Larry Revit
ticing every day and look forward to ful communication of Adam Bernal to 2
playing my first real song. the top-class return arrangements and Gabriel replies: Thanks so much for your thoughts, Larry.
After doing a lot of research, listen- communications of Mike Puckett, and I mentioned coincident XY recording as a popular approach
ing to different brands of guitars and of course the patience and high skill to acoustic guitar with multiple microphones in the same
comparisons, I settled on Taylor. The level of Chris Bearden in service, your way that I’d mention ORTF or a spaced pair, like what you’re
814ce became my favorite model after team was amazing. Whatever you’re describing. You’re correct in that it’s not particularly “stereo
researching several models, and I just paying these people, it ain’t enough! sounding.” I assume many use XY because it simulates human hearing. However, my goal when recording guitars
received my Taylor V-Class 814ce last Jim Meade is circumstantial. For studio work, I’m usually trying to seat something in a larger mix. For video content, I’m usually
Saturday. trying to give listeners my impression of what the guitar sounds like to the player so the listener can determine
On my journey to becoming a great whether that’s a guitar they’d like to try out in a store and possibly own — an important distinction — and to show
player, I am learning everything Taylor what a guitar can do. In the studio, for solo guitar or singer-songwriter setups where acoustic guitar is the main
because I believe the history, heritage Noble Path instrument, I often use two to three microphones. I’ll usually start with the first in the position I previously men-
and knowing about the people behind A friend of mine bought a Taylor tioned: about 12 inches from the treble side of the upper bout. When adding a second microphone, I often place
Taylor will make me a better player and guitar a few years ago, and he always it shoulder high to the player’s strumming arm, angled slightly down toward the bridge from three to four feet
human being. passes along his copy of Wood&Steel away, thus obeying the three-to-one rule. I’ll go into more depth in a future article, but for now, thanks again for
Anyway, I love Taylor Primetime for to me once he’s done reading it. I have sharing your experience. I look forward to trying out the technique you suggested.
the education, fun, knowledge, “nerdi- to tell you how incredibly impressed I
ness” and all the players in each epi- am with not only your guitars, but also
sode. Thank you for making me feel like your company. Your tree husbandry was
I belong. already above and beyond the call of
James A. Murphy duty; now I read about your urban tree
Contents WOOD&STEEL | VOLUME 99 | 2021 ISSUE 1
Features Departments
10 The Taylor GT: 6 Ask Bob
New Models for 2021 Telegraphing explained, angled back bracing,
Following the acclaimed debut of our fun-to-play new GT, wood-drying techniques, relative vs. absolute
humidity, and more.
we’re thrilled to introduce the new rosewood/spruce
GT 811e and all-koa GT K21e.
8 Sustainability
14 Dream Team Reforestation has grown into a global
Developed in the face of adversity, our American Dream phenomenon, but climate change and other
Series has earned a permanent place within the Taylor line. factors add complexities to the initiatives
being developed.
16 Guitar Lesson:
Playing for Keeps 46 TaylorWare
Taylor gear and accessories, including guitar
Been playing more while stuck at home? Here’s how to
stands, straps, picks, wall hangers, guitar care
make real progress without losing sight of having fun.
products, apparel and more.
Columns
4 Kurt’s Corner 5 BobSpeak 45 The Craft
The longevity of several musical Bob reflects on the past year, Music is constantly evolving,
instrument companies is a the importance of music, and so the instruments we make
testament to the intrinsic value the need to look after each should too.
of musical expression — and a other.
motivator for Taylor.
18 The 2021 Taylor Guitar Guide
19 The Taylor Difference
Five things that set the Taylor
experience apart.
20 Taylor Body Shapes
13
How the proportions of each Taylor
body style impact its feel and sound.
22 Tonewoods
On the Cover A closer look at the properties that
give each wood species its unique
sonic personality.
FINNEAS
24 The Taylor Line
The GRAMMY-winning artist/producer comes up for air during at a Glance
a fertile creative stretch to share why a good acoustic guitar is A road map of our guitar series
an indispensable songwriting tool and what he likes about the and tonewood pairings for each.
new Taylor GT.
26 The Taylor Line
Cover Photo: FINNEAS with the new GT K21e by Series
Explore the Taylor line one series at
a time and discover what’s special
about each.
4 www.taylorguitars.com
Volume 99
2021 Issue 1
Produced by the Taylor Guitars Marketing Department
Publisher Taylor-Listug, Inc.
Vice President Tim O’Brien
Director of Marketing Craig Evans
Editorial Director Jim Kirlin
Art Director Cory Sheehan
Graphic Designer Ryan Hanser
Photographer Patrick Fore
Contributors
Colin Griffith / Kurt Listug / Gabriel O'Brien / Scott Paul
Shawn Persinger / Andy Powers / Chris Sorenson / Bob Taylor / Glen Wolff
Technical Advisors
Ed Granero / Gerry Kowalski / Crystal Lawrence / Andy Lund
Rob Magargal / Monte Montefusco / Andy Powers / Bob Taylor
Chris Wellons / Glen Wolff
Printing / Distribution
Kurt’s Corner
PrintWoods (Phoenix, AZ)
Translation
The Language Company (Bristol, England, UK)
Future-Proofing lete, and companies get relegated to the
One of the keys to longevity in business
dustbin in just a few years. A company
Wood&Steel is distributed to registered Taylor guitar
needs to be on the cutting edge to
owners and Authorized Taylor Dealers as a complimentary service.
is finding ways to make people’s lives better. remain relevant. We’re all aware of tech-
nology companies that were once dom-
inant but now no longer exist. The world Manage Your Subscription
I’d like to start by wishing everyone that Taylor Guitars could outlive Apple. of technology changes quickly.
Subscribe
a healthy and happy year in 2021. So That’s a fairly outrageous statement to I can’t imagine Apple going away
To receive a subscription, please register your Taylor guitar at
much has been out of our control, and make, but I think he made an interesting because their products make life better. taylorguitars.com/registration.
everyone else’s control, during this pan- point. Musical instruments evolve fairly If they stopped improving the ways their
demic. Here at Taylor, we were fortunate slowly. The best instruments produced products enhance people’s lives, would Unsubscribe
to have a healthy year in 2020, and lucky by some manufacturers were made 60 the company continue to thrive? Maybe To unsubscribe from Wood&Steel, please email
to be in a business that was well-aligned or more years ago. Musical instrument that’s the appropriate question, because support@taylorguitars.com. Please include your
with people spending more time working technology doesn’t easily become out- musical instruments do continue to name and mailing address as they appear on this issue,
from and being at home, and turning to dated. improve and enhance people’s lives, plus the subscription number located directly above
music during that time. With the recent Martin Guitars has been in business even as the instruments become quite your name.
news of several vaccines proving effec- since 1833. Steinway since 1853. old. Their inherent technology doesn’t
Change of address
tive and nearing approval, I’m hopeful Gibson since 1902. Each for more become outdated and useless.
“
To change your mailing address, please visit
For me, the question is, where do taylorguitars.com/contact
I want technology to help improve and
simplify my life, and where do I not want Online
more technology? Some people like the Read our digital edition and other back issues of Wood&Steel at
Some of the oldest companies in idea of a self-driving car. Not me, I really woodandsteel.taylorguitars.com
”
America make musical instruments. enjoy driving. I want technology to help
me enjoy doing the things I really love
©2021 Taylor-Listug, Inc. All Rights reserved. TAYLOR, TAYLOR (Stylized); TAYLOR GUITARS, TAYLOR
doing, not do them for me. I don’t want
QUALITY GUITARS and Design; BABY TAYLOR; BIG BABY; Peghead Design; Bridge Design; Pickguard
technology to take the skill or enjoyment Design; ACADEMY SERIES; 100 SERIES; 200 SERIES; 300 SERIES; 400 SERIES; 500 SERIES; 600
out of them for me. SERIES; 700 SERIES; 800 SERIES; 900 SERIES; PRESENTATION SERIES; GALLERY; QUALITY TAYLOR
GUITARS, GUITARS AND CASES and Design; WOOD&STEEL; ROBERT TAYLOR (Stylized); TAYLOR
we’ll all turn the corner, get back to than a hundred years, making pretty Our job as instrument builders and
EXPRESSION SYSTEM; EXPRESSION SYSTEM; TAYLORWARE; TAYLOR GUITARS K4; K4, TAYLOR K4;
more normal conditions, and have a traditional musical instruments. Making designers is to make instruments that TAYLOR ES; DYNAMIC BODY SENSOR; T5; T5 (Stylized); BALANCED BREAKOUT; R. TAYLOR; R TAYLOR
positive year. and enjoying music fulfills a human are more fun and more inspiring for you (Stylized); AMERICAN DREAM; TAYLOR SOLIDBODY; T3; GRAND SYMPHONY; WAVE COMPENSATED;
As I’ve written many times before, we need, as it’s creative and aesthetic. It’s to play, and that brighten your day when- GS; GS MINI; ES-GO; V-CABLE; FIND YOUR FIT; and GA are registered trademarks of Taylor-Listug, Inc. in
the United States and other jurisdictions. V-CLASS; NYLON SERIES; KOA SERIES; GRAND AUDITORIUM;
don’t know what each year will bring or an art form, and it makes life better. ever you pick one up. That will remain GRAND CONCERT, TAYLOR SWIFT BABY TAYLOR; LEO KOTTKE SIGNATURE MODEL; DYNAMIC
what challenges we’ll be presented with, It’s remarkable to me that some of the our focus and purpose from now into STRING SENSOR; GRAND ORCHESTRA; GRAND PACIFIC; GO; TAYLOR ROAD SHOW; JASON MRAZ
and 2020 was certainly no exception! oldest companies in America are com- the future. If we do a good job at this, SIGNATURE MODEL; NOUVEAU; ISLAND VINE; CINDY; HERITAGE DIAMONDS; TWISTED OVALS;
DECO DIAMONDS; SPIRES; and URBAN ASH are trademarks of Taylor-Listug, Inc.
If we’re lucky, life is long, yet it only panies that make musical instruments — and if we’re a little lucky, hopefully Taylor
lasts decades. But businesses can last instruments that haven’t changed much Guitars will continue to thrive and inspire ELIXIR and NANOWEB are registered trademarks of W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc. D’ADDARIO PRO-ARTE
centuries, depending on the industry. throughout the years. people to create music for generations is a registered trademark of J. D’Addario & Co., Inc. NUBONE is a registered trademark of David Dunwoodie.
Bob, Andy and I were talking recently, By contrast, technology can evolve to come. Prices, specifications and availability are subject to change without notice.
and Bob said somewhat provocatively so rapidly that products become obso- — Kurt Listug, CEO
5
Explore our Digital Edition
BobSpeak
Better Days Ahead Beyond the print edition of Wood&Steel,
Bob reflects with bittersweet emotions you’ll find related video content in our
on an unprecedented year. digital edition, accessible for free at
taylorguitars.com (look under Owners
in the menu bar) or here:
Experiencing the upheaval of the as a business sector because when known from a lifetime of making guitars.
woodandsteel.taylorguitars.com
last year has taken me and all of us on people are forced to cut back, they We’ve worked hard this year to make
a journey the likes of which I’ve never seem to find that playing music helps what players want. And just to be clear, Here’s a taste of what you’ll find:
experienced in my life. Collectively, it their spirits. Never has this played out when I say “we,” I really mean it. The
felt as if we were shaken to the core as obviously as the year 2020 for us Taylor team, represented around the
last year — in different ways in different here at Taylor. People bought guitars world, is who I want to go through dif- • Demos of our newest GT and
parts of the world. Health, equality, fair in numbers I’ve never experienced. I’ll ficult times with. And that includes our American Dream models
opportunity, governmental leadership, admit I had a hard time reconciling the dealers, and you who buy our guitars.
populations’ willingness to follow, and feelings I had as our livelihoods were Together, it’s a great team with a good • Ask Bob: Bob Taylor explains V-Class
many more ideas and conditions have supported with the knowledge that outlook that makes beneficial deposits telegraphing
been tested, evaluated, re-evaluated those of others were not. We’re happy into the world. I couldn’t ask for any-
thing better.
• An overview of Taylor body shapes
and discussed like no other time I can we’re surviving and serving the needs
remember. This was global. of people, but heartbroken for those In this issue, we’ll go on to talk
and tonewoods
With every experience I’ve had in who are struggling. about guitar models, construction
• How different guitar picks affect your tone
the past, I’ve always been able to count So when we reflect on our accom- techniques, guitar gear, music, sustain-
on people getting together to work, plishments from the past year, our ability efforts and other related topics • The basics of using our ES2 pickup and
to put forth effort to get ourselves out feeling of good fortune is bittersweet. because life goes on, and we want it guitar care tips
of the mess. This time, however, the It’s not that we feel like the world would to go on. I’m just here to say that we
option of solving things by coming be better if we did worse for the sake feel blessed that we’re okay, and truly • Instructional videos on using a capo,
together physically was hampered, and of suffering, but you should know we all hope that you’re okay. For those who playing posture and more
in some cases, it evaporated. have been touched by friends and fam- are not, know that we’re thinking of you
As we look into the new year, we ily who are not so fortunate. And I trust because we all know someone close
that on a personal level, all of us who who has suffered greatly.
can see we have a way to go in order
to recover from the pandemic. But I’m are more fortunate during these times May I suggest to everyone: play
Some of this video content is
looking forward to things getting better are helping those we know personally music. Try to love each other. Help your accessible from these pages if
for all of us, and I miss all the people who are not. neighbor. Make memorable times. You’ll
you have a smartphone. Simply
I’m used to seeing, both here in San One thing that makes us proud is never forget it or regret it.
Diego and around the world! that when we make guitars, it really scan the QR codes for instant access.
One thing that became clear once seems to help people. I love hearing — Bob Taylor, President
again is that music helps people feel how so many people have found mean-
better. Historical data shows that ing in playing music for themselves, for
during hard economic times, musical others, and with others. This is probably
instruments have always done fairly well the greatest benefit and blessing I’ve
6 www.taylorguitars.com
Ask Bob
Telegraphing explained, angled back bracing,
wood-drying techniques, and relative vs. absolute humidity
I have a 2019 814ce with a cedar top
that I purchased from Wildwood Gui-
tars in August of 2019. It’s been lov-
ingly played nearly every day since,
and otherwise stored in its hardshell
case with an Oasis humidifier. I also
Are there any urban tonewoods other than ash
have a small digital hygrometer in on the horizon for Taylor?
the case and check it each time I
get my guitar out to play. It’s always Pat O’Brien
between 40 and 45 percent RH. Late-
ly I have begun to notice “witness
lines” of the [V-Class] bracing pat-
Yes, Pat. We’re looking at eucalyptus and blackwood.
tern in the top. I can clearly see the
“V” radiating down from the bridge And maybe more in the future. There are some great
to the tail of the guitar, and I can
also see witness lines of those same tonewoods out there in the urban environment, most
braces between the bridge and the
soundhole. Is this normal? I love my
traditionally discarded when a city decides to take
guitar, and I just want to be sure I them. By the way, we buy a lot of our mahogany from
am doing everything I can so it has a
long and wonderful life. India, as it was basically planted as an urban tree
Mike Keffeler
during the colonial years. So without the marketing,
Scan the code a lot of our mahogany sides and backs are actually
to see Bob’s
video response. urban wood. And you should know that most Indian
rosewood comes from being planted as shade and/or
Mike, this is normal and not a problem.
Telegraphing is when you can see the
wind-blocking trees for tea plantations. It’s neat to
pattern of the braces underneath the think that so much is renewable that way.
top by looking at the top in certain light
conditions. I’ll try to explain in words,
but I’m making a video response as
well. Our V-Class bracing is still new to
the market after just a couple years, but
we made guitars with it in our factory
and put them through both our torture
chambers and time trials for five years
before ever releasing them to be sure This is forever a problem because the I know that humidity is a concern for is the amount of water in the air relative relative humidity. A bath towel tends to
they would be resilient. What is so string height goes up and down like guitars, and the recommendations to the air temperature’s ability to hold stay damp in a Seattle house and tends
good about V-Class is that the braces a bladder being inflated and deflated. are usually given in relative humidity water. So when the RH is 50%, it means to get really dry in a Las Vegas house.
don’t run across the top from one side Since V-Class runs at only a slight terms. Isn’t specific humidity most that at that given temperature, the air is So does a guitar. The absolute humidity
to the other like X bracing does. This angle in relation to the top grain, as the important? I live in the Pacific North- at 50% capacity of what it’s capable of works differently. At Taylor, we prepare
helps both the sound and the stabil- top stretches from drying, or gathers in west, and while our relative humidity holding. Raise the temperature and then our wood and build at close to 50% RH,
ity of the guitar. Many other stringed on itself as it swells from higher humidi- is high, the temperatures are cool, it can hold more, so it changes to 40% which is a good all-around level to build,
instruments are actually braced in a ty, it does not cause the top to rise and so our specific humidity is low. A or 20%, depending on the temperature and the guitar is very happy if it gets to
similar way to V-Class, like mandolins, fall. Action and string height stay amaz- tropical climate might have a relative rise. Lower the temperature and the experience that out in its working life. It
violins, archtop guitars and others. We ingly stable. This is a huge advantage humidity in the recommended range, RH increases, since cold air holds less can withstand changes, but it’s nice if it
have a soundhole in the middle of the of the V-Class design in addition to the yet have a high specific humidity. water. Absolute humidity is how much experiences that and not the extremes.
top, so we run our braces in the V pat- tonal and intonation advantages. But Which is better? water is in a volume of air, regardless of
tern to pass by the sides of the sound- the top can show the braces under- M Pedersen the temperature.
hole. The top of the guitar will shrink neath when a top stretches or gathers Okay, here’s the answer. Wood
and swell with changing humidity levels, from changing width. It’s just visual. Good question, M! Some refer to that equalizes to the relative humidity, not the What is the drying time for different
as always. An X brace runs across the There is no harm being done. It can as absolute humidity. If we were making absolute. So does your bath towel or tonewoods before they can start to
grain from side to side, so it doesn’t come and go with humidity changes. Gummy Bears or shiny chocolate bars, your potato chips. This is called EMC be machined for tops and sides? Do
show as much of the telegraphing pat- Don’t be alarmed. We’ve tortured these absolute humidity, so I have heard, is (equilibrium moisture content), and the some woods process sooner than
tern. But it causes the top to arch up guitars to extremes you cannot imagine. important. Without getting geeky, which wood will gain or lose moisture in an others, and how is tone affected?
with humidity and down with dryness. We are confident in them. is hard not to do, relative humidity (RH) effort to equalize to the surrounding Al
7
Al, I’ll start by saying that we dry for making acoustic guitars with bodies tone in ways we can alter as I explained blocks, we will direct the wood to the the Italians. We make a lot of guitars.
stability more than tone. If we do a that were less deep than other guitars. in the question regarding back bracing. best value part to make. The colored Hundreds each day. And I think when it
good job of that, the tone is the best That makes them comfy to hold and play The body is a sound box almost like a pieces are called royal ebony, as you comes to guitars made in El Cajon, we
it can be. Wood with lower moisture and gives them a clarity of tone that has speaker cabinet. It’s just different for referred to it, by some people, but we actually make more wood-bound gui-
content always sounds better since great utility. Andy recognized both of a different purpose. So a spruce back don’t use that term — although I like the tars than anyone anywhere. So I guess
water weight adds nothing to tone. those assets, and when thinking as he doesn’t add much. Something hard that ring of that name! Thank you for the we have a different viewpoint. As for
So we work toward stability, and that does about how to solve an acoustic still moves gives us the tone we want for comments on the tone. Your description your pickguard question, we produce
means removing water in ways that problem with a guitar in an unconven- the back. And a sound post would stop might help others, so I appreciate the some models without them. And we like
make it difficult for it to re-enter the tional way, he fashioned the idea of the top from vibrating and turn it into a descriptive wording. the wooden ones we make for certain
wood. Nearly all of our woods can be making the braces at an angle. This boink. series. Again, plastic is pretty tradition-
dried in a two-to-three-month, highly makes the back asymmetrical and con- al. Putting it on yourself (maybe not you
controlled process. But since we carry trols its tension in a way that Andy knew personally) would likely be a disaster.
more wood stock than a few months’ would enhance the low-end response As an owner of two Taylors — a 2004 It’s not easy to position it exactly where
worth, we usually dry it longer since it’s but not add what could be described Is the ebony wood [processed] in W12ce and a 1984 712 (Lemon it belongs on the first try. We have the
there anyway. as a reverb response, which sort of Cameroon by Crelicam exclusively Grove) — and always looking to add tools and skill to do that here in the
undoes the clarity virtues we like in the Gabon ebony? Are royal ebony and to the collection, I pause because of factory.
guitar I made and Andy inherited. So Macassar ebony different species the use of ivoroid, Italian acrylic and
this did the trick. If you just think of how than Gabon? Are there other species tortoise (fancy names for plastic) for
Bob, much has been written about differently the angled braces spread the of ebony besides those three that are binding and inlays and basic plastic
Taylor’s innovations in guitar design load, the tension and the vibration over commonly used for parts of guitars? pickguards. I am curious why Tay- I am the proud owner of a 514ce
and production, but I’m curious the back compared to if it were broken At a Road Show before the quar- lor would “gild the lily” with plastic, made in 2018. I am still amazed
whether your team also has pursued into equal quadrants like normal back antine (at Music 6000 in Olympia, especially when Taylor does every- at the sweet sounds I get from my
advances in your methods of drying braces, you can get an idea that it’s Washington), I was able to play an thing else so flawlessly and because guitar’s cedar top. I can hear nice
and conditioning your wood. Are there really different acoustically. I asked Andy E14ce [featuring ebony back and many other makers (at comparable ringing tones from the B & E strings
particular challenges you face now today if he would do that to a more sides]. I love the sound of that guitar — price points) are binding with flame when I fingerpick. I wanted to find
that you didn’t have to contend with traditional-depth guitar too, and he said I felt that it presented a strong and maple or ebony or a variety of out more about the selection pro-
in the past? while he thought of it as a solution to a solid fundamental. There was some woods. And fret inlays, etc., are aba- cess for cedar tops. I have played
Marc Larsen shallower guitar, that yes, he’d do it now gradual overtone bloom (which I do lone, mother-of-pearl or wood. spruce-top guitars for a long time,
to a deeper guitar if that guitar was in appreciate), but I found the way that As for pickguards, as a finger- and I know that wood is ubiquitous
Yes, Marc, we are always advancing that need of what this offers. I love learning the full chords initially hit me very picker, for me, the pickguard adds in acoustic guitar building. How do
process. In fact, as I write, we’re con- from Andy! satisfying. Is it reasonable to assume nothing to the instrument. Can they you know which cedar logs will work
ducting drying experiments to improve that the beautiful back and sides of be removed, or, better yet, can Taylor for the tops you put on the 514?
the current processes, and this practice that guitar came from the Crelicam send them with the instrument and Anthony
never ceases, as it’s one of my dearest mill? Are the folks in Cameroon let the end user install or not? I see
interests. We prefer to dry all our wood As an amateur builder, I have made selecting which logs become fret- you use some wood pickguards, and It’s easy, Anthony. We just look at it. It’s
here on-site. We have very little wood about a dozen guitars. Without the boards and bridges and which ones they appeal much more than plastic. that simple, but straight grain, no struc-
that comes to us dry and ready to use. money to invest in top-quality spe- might be good choices for backs and But all this plastic limits my Taylor tural flaws, and accurate quartersawn
We have a huge drying operation with cialized tools, I’ve always resorted to sides? Or are those decisions made options. cutting from the mill all add up to cedar
dependable methods we’ve developed trying to figure out how to make cer- in smaller chunks than the whole log? With an instrument as smartly you can depend on. We don’t over-use
over time. One challenge we have that tain cuts or make bends in different Robert designed and produced as yours, cedar because it’s hard to work with
we’re working on now is how to make ways, or use different materials and Lacey, Washington why “pollute” all that wood and steel compared to spruce, so there’s a limit
wood more stable through drying, techniques...some obviously more with plastic? to how many guitars we can make.
re-drying, and even some heat here and successful than others. My questions Robert, that’s a lot of questions! Okay, John LaSala For instance, it takes forever for glue
there in order to be able to expand more have to do with why other stringed Gabon ebony is the same as Cameroon to dry on cedar. I’m often asked how
easily in the high-humidity equatorial instruments like violins and cellos ebony. Look at your smart phone map John, ivoroid and tortoise are not just we know something will sound good.
regions of the world. We have such high have a sound post but guitars do and notice that Gabon is the country plastic, they’re nitrocellulose plastic, There’s no mystery to it for us. It’s like
demand for our guitars, so this keeps not. And why not also make the back sharing part of the southern border of the original plastic. What film is made asking a chef how he or she knows
us on our toes. Here where we live in out of the soundboard material? Cameroon. The species is Diospyros of. It’s not made in the U.S. anymore something will taste good. In the same
Southern California, it’s about keeping Wouldn’t more movement produce crassiflora Hiern, and the tree isn’t because it’s so volatile in the manufac- way, if I suggested you put ketchup
the guitar from cracking in dry condi- more sound? aware of the border. Macassar ebony, turing process. It’s made in Italy and and mustard on your morning granola,
tions. But there it’s about keeping it from Rick Mortimer on the other hand, comes from Indo- has deep, deep roots in the history of you’d know that is just wrong, as wrong
swelling from ultra-high daily humidity. nesia and is Diospyros celebica. And guitar making. Italian acrylic is similar — as can be, even if you’ve never tasted
We never stop trying to improve this. Rick, with a violin, a sound post is meant Madagascar ebony is Diospyros ebe- made in Italy like the others to be beau- it. Well, the tonal properties of wood
It’s a core competency of ours that is to excite the back to vibrate with the num. FYI, persimmon fruit comes from tiful and preserve some tradition. It’s are like that for us. We touch it, feel it,
foundational to a good guitar and our top. Remember, it’s a bowed instrument, Diospyros kaki. And there are many not made here, there’s no profit in it for smell it, tap it. Then we know.
business. and the power going into the string is other Diospyros species, too, spread out American thinking, so “grazie mille” to
enormous — many, many times greater across the tropics. The blackest comes
than a pluck on a guitar. And so that from Madagascar. Macassar is different
constant bowing motion can get the and is highly colored. Cameroonian
Can you explain the theory behind violin to really perform! It’s so loud. It’s ebony that we get from our Crelicam
your angled back bracing? wonderful. The guitar is a different thing. mill is both black and colored. Currently,
Got a question for Bob Taylor?
Alexa D. So now think of what a violin sounds like more trees are colored from that region.
when it’s plucked. Boink. It’s kind of a We do not extract whole logs since we
Alexa, in the time I’ve spent with Andy letdown, isn’t it? It takes 10 of them in don’t have roads that offer access to Shoot him an email: askbob@taylorguitars.com
Powers, he’s taught me much of his the orchestra to even hear that measly the trees. We use big four-wheel-drive
knowledge of guitar making. He’s quite pluck. No sustain at all. None. Sound trucks, on a machete-cut path into If you have a specific repair or service concern, please call
clever and thinks of things most of us over. The guitar’s soundboard resonates thick forest to extract the blocks we cut our Customer Service department at (800) 943-6782,
mere mortals don’t! Let’s start with and sustains. The back is there to sup- on-site. These are usually 500-pound and we’ll take care of you.
the fact that, back in the day, I started port it, add some color, and fill out the blocks. Then, reading the color of those
[Sustainability]
SE E DS OF
CHANGE I N A CHANG I NG WOR LD
Women at a nursery in Nawalparasi, Nepal.
(Photo: Eden Reforestation Projects)
In an age of climate change, growing
O
ver the past decade, reforestation (the African Forest Landscape Res- tree cover. These include open-canopy
has become a worldwide toration Initiative) in Africa. On the woodlands, peatlands, grasslands,
the right tree in the right place is movement. Think of it as the smaller side stages, you’ll find local and chaparral, tundra and deserts. So, let’s
more important than ever. Here’s why.
equivalent of the world’s largest (and upcoming initiatives, where community just assume I’m talking about reforesta-
longest) music festival, with live events roots are often strongest. Here you’ll tion in areas where it is appropriate.
taking place on stages all around the find Taylor Guitars’ work via the Ebony
By Scott Paul globe. Headlining acts include the Project in Cameroon, Paniolo Tone- Forests & Agriculture
Bonn Challenge, with its global goal to woods in Hawaii, and our emerging Although growing trees seems like
bring 350 million hectares of degraded efforts with urban trees in our home a straightforward act, like many things,
and deforested landscapes into resto- state of California. Meanwhile, there are deciding what and where to grow
ration by 2030; the Paris Agreement, countless others around the world also trees isn’t so simple. For example, in
created to combat climate change; and jamming away on festival side stages taking care of a global population of
the New York Declaration on Forests, and even in the parking lot. 7.8 billion people and counting, with
an international plan to halt global Taken together, the scale of forest increasing escalations in the demand
deforestation that has 200 endors- restoration initiatives now either under- for food, fiber and fuel, arable land is at
ers including national governments, way or under discussion is unprece- a premium. The word “arable” comes
multi-national companies, groups rep- dented. So, we thought it might be a from the Latin word arabilis, meaning
resenting indigenous communities, and good time to share a few thoughts on “able to be plowed.” It’s the flat land
non-government organizations. this increasingly hot topic. But first, it’s where it is most economically efficient
Supporting acts might include worth acknowledging that the Earth to grow temporary crops or temporary
regional restoration efforts like Initiative has several important terrestrial eco- meadows for mowing or for pasture.
20×20 in Latin America and AFR100 systems, and not all are dominated by Competition for this land is one reason
9
why, in temperate regions, you tend to social scientist, environmental activist ing flora and fauna. Further, native tree
see remaining native forests on hillsides or government official. species tend to support more insects,
or in ravines, where agricultural activity From an economic perspective, an important food source for native
would be costly. It is also a reason why exotic species often enjoy years, even birds, which in turn distribute seeds and
so much agricultural expansion is taking decades, of rapid growth due to the fact help a wide variety of plants reproduce.
place across the tropics, where there that they are separated from the natural Healthy insect populations also prey
are vast areas of flat land with few predators of their native range. Growing upon native plants, keeping their pop-
rocks and lots of sun. Over 70 percent trees sequester carbon, and wood is ulations controlled. The importance of
of tropical forest loss is due to the increasingly being seen as an environ- protecting and expanding native forest
conversion to large-scale agricultural mentally friendly building material over lands cannot be overemphasized, a fact
production. steel and concrete. Growing more trees that comes into clearer focus as we gain
“
further insights into the ecological sys-
tems that support life on Earth.
The Climes They Are
Over 70 percent of tropical forest loss a-Changin’
Conversations about what to
is due to the conversion to large-scale plant and where to plant are not new.
agricultural production.
”
Regardless of where you stand on the
issue, climate change is changing every- Natural restoration of tropical dry forest in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Thirty-five
thing, and it’s a driving force behind years ago this land was pastureland cleared from the forest over a century ago.
many internationally funded reforestation (Photo: Eric Palola)
efforts, as policymakers mobilize funds
and look for incentives to slow, reduce
Meeting the world’s growing demand can also reduce the rate of deforestation and eventually reverse greenhouse gas In an attempt to restore the for- attempt to restore natural systems while
for food, fiber and fuel in an era of cli- of nearby native forests, as people may emissions. But climate change is also est, Icelanders began planting native caring for an ever-expanding global
mate change helps explain why most of have less need to enter native forests impacting the act of growing trees itself. species, but after a few decades, they population — which sometimes can feel
the largest tree-planting projects over for their timber or fuelwood needs. So To understand how, let’s look at Iceland, realized the new forest was dying off. like having the Sex Pistols on one stage
the past several decades have priori- having fast-growing, short-rotation trees the volcanically active island in the Conditions had changed — winters were and the New York Philharmonic on
tized the planting of a few profitable, makes sense, but we need to balance North Atlantic region. milder, and summers were longer — and another.
often exotic, tree species. It might also our portfolio. For our planet (and our Although people might imagine many of the native trees couldn’t survive. On March 1, 2019, the UN General
help explain why you often see two metaphorical festival), in order to survive, Iceland with its characteristic sand and When the country incorporated Assembly officially adopted a resolution
seemingly contradictory statistics — we need to make informed and deliber- lava fields, mountains and glaciers, the several exotic species that were better declaring 2021–2030 the UN Decade
that in some countries forest cover is ate choices, and we need diversity to be island was, in fact, once heavily forest- adapted for current conditions, the for- on Ecosystem Restoration, and in 2020
increasing overall, while native forest resilient. ed. With colonization some 1,000 years est began to take hold. The takeaway? the World Economic Forum in Davos
is shrinking. There is no universally From an ecological perspective, ago, land was cleared and livestock In some places, climate change is launched the Trillion Trees platform to
agreed-upon definition of a forest, let growing native trees provides the best were introduced, exposing soil on the outpacing the evolution of new traits in support it. Through initiatives like Ter-
alone reforestation. Your opinion likely return on investment, as native species notoriously windswept island and creat- trees that help determine, for example, raMatch, the match.com for trees, they
varies depending on whether you’re a have evolved to compete and survive in ing conditions that kept the forest from how much heat they need in the sum- are funding experienced local groups
palm oil company, forester, ecologist, a symbiotic relationship with surround- coming back. mer, how tolerant they are to drought, dedicated to doing reforestation the
and when to start or stop growing right way. And researchers are also
seasonally. In regions all over the getting better at seeing where trees
world, we’re seeing plants and animals are growing with the help of satellites,
abandon their historical territories and helping track progress toward those
move to more suitable zones or perish ambitious goals. Everywhere you turn,
altogether. Tropical fish are migrating it seems that something is happening.
north or south away from the equator to As we grapple with the challenges
cooler waters. Trees, too, are gradually and intricacies of reforestation around
shifting latitudes or into higher eleva- the world, it is helpful to keep in mind
tions. Yes, over time, trees migrate too. that archaeological and ethnobotanical
In another example of how climate evidence shows humanity has survived
change is changing the game, one clos- and prospered by manipulating the
er to home for us at Taylor Guitars, the environment and by moving plants and
U.S. government is now advocating for animals from one place to another.
the planting of “climate-ready trees” in Now, it suits our needs to enhance, not
California cities. These trees are suited diminish, the world around us. As the
to changing environmental conditions, proverb says: “The best time to plant
such as the increased likelihood of a tree was 20 years ago. The second-
drought. Many of the trees suggested best time is now.”
are from places like Australia, India, With the right partners and resourc-
Mexico or Brazil. es in place, local knowledge, and the
empowerment of affected communities,
Get Growing we can make our global restoration fes-
Climate change is an enormous- tival a neverending event.
ly complicated issue, and scientific
research indicates the best thing we Scott Paul is Taylor’s Director of
can do to mitigate its impact is reduce Natural Resource Sustainability.
our consumption of fossil fuels. Grow-
Plantation for plywood production, Forest College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, India.
(Photo: James Anderson/World Resources Institute) ing trees is not a panacea, but it’s
a great idea. So we simultaneously
10 www.taylorguitars.com
FA M I LY
After unveiling our sleek, fun-to-play
GT guitar last October, we’re thrilled to
branch out with premium rosewood and
koa models.
By Jim Kirlin11
A F FA I R
F
or those of us at Taylor who get inches — the equivalent of capo-ing a “It’s one of the easiest playing gui- recommendations that offer the easiest who’ve had a chance to get their hands
to usher inventive new guitar guitar with a 25-1/2-inch scale length tars I’ve ever had my hands on,” wrote playability. Given its many hand-friendly on it.
designs into the world, one of at the first fret. Guitar Player magazine gear guru Art features, the GT is, without question, a As part of his “First Look” video
the joys of our work is responding to the For the body proportions, he envi- Thompson in his review of the GTe great option to explore. series, Premier Guitar gear editor John
needs of players — delivering inspiring sioned something larger than our pop- Urban Ash for the publication’s Decem- Bohlinger shared his initial impressions
musical tools that haven’t been available ular GS Mini but slightly smaller than ber edition, on his way to giving the The Birth of Serious Fun of the GT and liked its “bluesy mojo.” He
before. Usually it’s a guitar with some our Grand Concert. He borrowed the guitar an Editors’ Pick Award. “It’s as When we launched the GT in also picked up on the “serious fun” dual-
new combination of refined features that shapely curves of our biggest body style, light as a feather, yet so dynamic and October — our fastest-selling U.S. ity of the guitar.
make it easier to play, or a fresh tonal the Grand Orchestra, but scaled them expressive.” model launch ever — one message “It seems like the kind of thing you
palette to explore. Often, it’s both. down and made the body shallower. Among the other nuanced touches we sent with our “serious fun” tagline could go disappear in the woods with
Such was the case in October, The other critical ingredient was that contribute to the GT’s hand-friendly was the fusion of easy handling and for a few days and then go play a con-
when we unveiled our sporty Grand the internal bracing architecture. The feel are a nut width of 1-23/32 inches, high performance we feel the GT cert in an arena the next day,” he said
Theater — better known as the GT. challenge was to coax a full voice from which splits the difference between the embodies. Historically speaking, our after a test drive.
As we detailed in our cover story last the body’s compact proportions. One of 1-3/4-inch and 1-11/16-inch nut widths GS Mini became arguably the most For more early reactions to the GT
issue, master builder Andy Powers the benefits of Andy’s innovative V-Class successful guitar we’ve ever offered in Urban Ash guitar, see our “Review Riffs”
had observed a groundswell of inter- architecture, introduced in 2018, is its part because we were able to blend sidebar.
est among players for the compact ability to improve the tonal output and couch-friendly size with a surprisingly
proportions and nimble feel of smaller produce a uniform response across taylor TM
robust voice. Yet we knew there was
guitars, yet players didn’t want to skimp the frequency spectrum. But due to the room — and a desire among players — Scan the code
to watch demos of the
on sound. They wanted a stage- and GT’s smaller proportions, he needed to for another level of musical sophistica-
GT 811e and GT K21e.
studio-worthy instrument capable of resort to a bit of “acoustic alchemy,” as tion from a compact guitar.
producing rich, full-bodied tone. he puts it, in order to enhance the low- Our debut model, the GT Urban
Andy had actually been kicking end frequencies. That led to an asym- Ash, features solid Urban Ash back
around design ideas on and off for a few metrical variant of his V-Class design, and sides with a solid spruce top, and New GT Models
years before Taylor committed to devel- dubbed C-Class™ bracing in honor of its comes with optional ES2 electronics. From its earliest stage of develop-
oping what became the GT last winter. cantilevered structural element. used on other Taylor 6-strings, plus a The choice of this species of ash (also ment, the GT offered great potential as
From the beginning, he knew that one of “It’s a different mechanism to exag- new neck carve profile that caters to the known as Shamel or evergreen ash) another versatile framework for Andy to
the foundational design choices for this gerate the low-end response out of a GT’s unique scale length. was two-fold: We loved its mahoga- present other appealing tonewood voic-
guitar, one that would help define both relatively small guitar,” Andy says, “while “This profile has elements of our ny-like tonal characteristics, and we ings (and aesthetic treatments) within
the feel and sound, would be the scale still delivering the enhancements of the classic Taylor neck shape and offers saw this guitar as another exciting the Taylor line. In fact, we’ve officially
length of the strings (measured from the V-Class design, like improved volume a subtle nod to the compound-carve demonstration of our commitment adopted it as a member of our family of
nut to the saddle). He set his sights on and intonation.” design we developed for the Grand to our urban wood initiative — using body shapes, assigning the numeral 1
something shorter than the string length When integrated together, the Pacific,” Andy says. “Proportionally, it responsibly sourced wood from end- to designate it within our model naming
range of most modern acoustic guitars unique design specifications of the has a touch more depth and fullness of-life trees slated for removal from scheme when adding it to an existing
(“Most live in the world of somewhere GT place it in a category all its own, in the player’s hand than you might municipal areas. Taylor series.
around 25 inches,” he notes), but longer offering a uniquely appealing blend of assume for such a nimble guitar, but We also wanted to make our To kick off 2021, we’re excited to
than the typical string length of what playing comfort and sound. The scale the subtle profile transition as you move first GT model broadly accessible to expand the GT footprint with two new
would be considered a travel guitar — up length, in tandem with light-gauge from the nut to the heel has an appeal- players, so we gave it modest appoint- models: the rosewood/spruce GT 811e,
to about 23.5 inches (the scale length (.012-.053) strings, yields a light, slinky ing, balanced feel that makes playing ments and introduced it in the same which brings another rich voice to our
of our GS Mini). To most people, that tension profile. (It’s the same tension as seem effortless.” price range as our American Dream 800 Series, and the all-koa GT K21e,
in-between zone might seem negligible, a guitar with a scale length of 25-1/2 We get a steady stream of inquiries Series guitars, making it among the which adds an enticing new musical
but for Andy, it was prime real estate to inches tuned down a half step.) The from folks — from beginners to mature most affordable U.S.-made, all-solid- personality to our Koa Series.
create a new category of guitar with an shorter scale length also means slightly players eager to reduce the stress on wood guitars in the Taylor line.
inviting new feel and sound. In the end, condensed fret spacing, making more their hands and prolong the lifespan of So far, the guitar has been warmly
Andy arrived at a scale length of 24-1/8 complicated chords easier to play. a favorite hobby — looking for model embraced by reviewers and the artists continued12
Meet the GT 811e…
Andy was eager to craft a GT guitar
with the classic rosewood and Sitka
Review Riffs
spruce wood pairing. Here are some highlights from recent reviews
He compares working with the of the GTe Urban Ash.
woods in this context to the way differ-
ent chefs or regions use staple ingredi-
ents in a fresh way to place their own
culinary imprint on a familiar dish.
Chris Vinnicombe, Guitar.com
“…the relaxed playability encourages those of us who aren’t
“With the GT 811, you’ll hear that
acoustic virtuosi to be a little more ambitious. The wound G, for
familiar spruce and rosewood flattop
example, is considerably easier to bend than it is on an acoustic
guitar sound, but as a result of the GT’s
with a more conventional scale length, so you can approach solos
fresh form and structure, the listening
much as you might on an electric guitar strung with a plain G.”
and playing experiences deliver a dis-
“Single notes in higher registers hang in the air for longer
tinctly new dimension,” Andy says. “This
than expected, harmonic content is plentiful, and even when
iteration retains the slinky, ultra-easy
using deep open tunings, the intonation is superb….”
handling and string feel, svelte body
“The more time you spend with it, the more its charms reveal
contours, and surprisingly broad GT
themselves, and for singer-songwriters, the GT’s compact
voice we love, but it’s been shaped
dimensions and intimate feel mean it’s as ideally suited to the
into a denser, harmonically saturated
living room as it is to the stage or studio.”
sound. The top responds quickly to
even the most delicate articulation, and
it’s buoyed by the deep and supportive
Pete Prown, Vintage Guitar
“Strum a chord and listen to that clear-as-a-bell tone. You
sound rosewood is known for.”
won’t find the boom of a dreadnought, but this Taylor does
Aesthetically, the guitar shares many
produce a surprisingly nuanced tone to a portable instrument.
standard 800 Series appointments,
The treble end is also sweet — not the thin, wimpy tone of some
including maple binding with rosewood
acoustics, but delivering genuine sonic meat....”
top trim, an abalone rosette, our Ele-
“Think of it as the pro’s small acoustic…The GTe is ready for
ment inlay scheme in mother-of-pearl,
live gigs just as much as songwriting on-the-go.... This Taylor is
a rosewood pickguard, and a 4.5-mil
not another parlor guitar — the GTe Urban Ash is really its own
gloss-finish body. Distinctions include
class of small-body acoustic.”
C-Class bracing, an armrest-free body
(due to the GT’s comfortably small
form), and Taylor Mini tuners in smoked
Art Thompson, Guitar Player
“The GT is very responsive to
nickel (the Minis are more appropriate
the player’s touch, easily steering
for the guitar’s smaller proportions, and
through softer and louder passages
their lighter weight keeps the guitar
while maintaining consistently sweet
physically balanced). The GT 811e also
and focused tone.”
features onboard ES2 electronics and
“[It] has a big presence that
comes with our attractive AeroCase,
belies its small size…. It’s a natural
which players love for its blend of light-
for trips, but it’s just as worthy as a
weight yet super-sturdy attributes.
studio and/or performance instru-
ment thanks to its rich tone and
…And the GT K21e
full-bodied soundstage.”
The all-koa edition of the GT introduc-
es a unique harmony of aesthetic beauty,
playing comfort, and sonic expression.
Christian Seaman,
“Tonally, this guitar is the perfect
American Songwriter
“Lead runs and fingerstyle lines
demonstration of the midrange balance
are in the GT’s favor; however, it
and sweetness koa is known for,” Andy
is no slouch when asked to
says. “It has a vibrantly focused sound,
produce a driving flat-picked
with a smoothly rounded attack. The
rhythm…. the GT gives off
balanced response is broadly useful
a full-bodied fundamental
for a player who will use it as a rhythm
voice with a lively midrange
instrument, a fingerstyle guitar, or for an
as well. A very light touch
electric guitar-oriented playing style.”
provides a louder than
The models boast solid, figured selves, is the effect of the different finish certain: a great playing experience runs
expected response.”
koa top, back and sides, with a shaded treatments, as Andy explains. in the family.
“In some ways, the
edgeburst around the body and neck. “The GT Urban Ash guitars wear For more details on all Taylor GT
GT’s shorter scale and
Additional Koa Series appointments an ultra-thin, water-based matte finish, models, including complete specifica-
tighter string spacing
include maple binding and top purfling, which has a super-low damping factor, tions, photos, video demos and more,
offer a new light on the
an elegant maple Spring Vine inlay allowing a direct and organic overtone visit taylorguitars.com and our digital
landscape of the finger-
scheme, a gloss-finish body, and Gotoh profile from these woods,” he says. edition of this issue. For model availabil-
board. I had lots of fun
Mini 510 tuners in antique gold. It comes “Both the 800 Series and Koa Series ity, contact your preferred Taylor dealer.
trying out different chords
equipped with our ES2 pickup and GT guitars are completed with our more
otherwise uncomfortable to reach
includes Taylor’s AeroCase. traditional gloss Taylor finish, which
on a standard scale guitar!”
One interesting tonal distinction subtly filters the characteristics of each Correction: In last issue’s GT story, we mis-
between the new GT models and the piece of wood, refining the response.” stated that the GT’s body depth measured at
original GT Urban Ash, beyond the dif- Whichever GT model you find your- the soundhole is 3-3/4 inches. The correct
ferent sonic flavors of the woods them- self gravitating toward, one thing is for depth from that location is 4-1/4 inches.You can also read
