Unofficial Taylor Guitar Forum - UTGF
Taylor Acoustic & Electric Guitars => Taylor Acoustic & Electric Guitars => Topic started by: michaelw on January 18, 2017, 07:49:56 PM
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https://www.taylorguitars.com/guitars/acoustic/series/academy/story (https://www.taylorguitars.com/guitars/acoustic/series/academy/story)
8)
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Been waiting for that entry-level Concert Nylon
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Hmm. Aside from the trappings like a bevel, how does the Acadamy Series differ fundamentally from the 100 Series...? Why didn't they just add a 112e and 112e-N to that line...?
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If they can put a bevel on an entry-level guitar, it makes me wonder why they don't put them on all of their guitars. I mean, if it doesn't jack up the price of the guitar, who wouldn't want one?
That's a rhetorical question, by the way.
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Hmm. Aside from the trappings like a bevel, how does the Acadamy Series differ fundamentally from the 100 Series...? Why didn't they just add a 112e and 112e-N to that line...?
Shorter scale, arm bevel, simpler appointments. Also, the 100 series now features layered walnut b&s, so the Academy series is now the only place where layered Sapele is being used (apart from GS mini & baby)
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interesting things they did here. may consider buying it for my kids when they get old enough
the fact that it has an arm rest at an affordable price is intriguing
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If they can put a bevel on an entry-level guitar, it makes me wonder why they don't put them on all of their guitars. I mean, if it doesn't jack up the price of the guitar, who wouldn't want one?
That's a rhetorical question, by the way.
I predict more bevels/armrests and torrefied tops and options over the next little while.
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Armrests are going to be the new cutaways for Taylor guitars -- as other prominent guitar makers have been obviously trying to go after the "CE" look, I predict this is going to be the new Taylor visual signature and selling point.
I dont care for the asymmetrical armrest look personally, nor do I like visible electronic controls or cutaways, which may explain why I've drifted away from Taylors a bit in recent years. I do like a lot of the Andy Powers aesthetic choices though and these "academy" (unfortunate naming choice) guitars are no different. Very elegantly understated design. Almost a Taylor take on the classic Martin 15 series.
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And just to note, there are two kinds of Taylor arm rests.....the radius (800 dlx and academy) and the bevel (900 and above).
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DrS12tfcDKGE&ved=0ahUKEwiMkf2unM7RAhWExVQKHWOfCDcQwqsBCB8wAA&usg=AFQjCNGDLtg5gsWyHev7OAwo5aOo9eDZpQ&sig2=aChCZ6LB3pudxBRuaRokGg
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With with the wildly popular GS Mini series, I think that this is the expansion on this strong foundation. I am not familiar with the ES-B pickup/preamp, is it new?
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With with the wildly popular GS Mini series, I think that this is the expansion on this strong foundation. I am not familiar with the ES-B pickup/preamp, is it new?
CME is listing both e and non-e versions of the Academy Series. grand concert sized non-e? Yes please!
https://www.chicagomusicexchange.com/collections/taylor
$
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yep -
a10, a12 & a12n models are listed
https://www.taylorguitars.com/sites/default/files/TaylorGuitars-PriceList-2017.pdf (https://www.taylorguitars.com/sites/default/files/TaylorGuitars-PriceList-2017.pdf)
CME has some nice ones -
among them
414ce cedar/blackwood
https://www.chicagomusicexchange.com/collections/taylor/products/taylor-custom-400-series-grand-auditorium-cedar-blackwood-w-hardshell-case-serial-1110176110 (https://www.chicagomusicexchange.com/collections/taylor/products/taylor-custom-400-series-grand-auditorium-cedar-blackwood-w-hardshell-case-serial-1110176110)
714ce sitka/blackwood
https://www.chicagomusicexchange.com/collections/taylor/products/taylor-prototype-714ce-grand-auditorium-blackwood-spruce-revision-3 (https://www.chicagomusicexchange.com/collections/taylor/products/taylor-prototype-714ce-grand-auditorium-blackwood-spruce-revision-3)
GSceLTD sitka/flamed mahogany
https://www.chicagomusicexchange.com/collections/taylor/products/taylor-prototype-gsce-ltd-grand-symphony-curly-mahogany-sitka (https://www.chicagomusicexchange.com/collections/taylor/products/taylor-prototype-gsce-ltd-grand-symphony-curly-mahogany-sitka)
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interesting things they did here. may consider buying it for my kids when they get old enough
This is exactly who it is for. Basically beginner's guitar with everything you need to have a great experience and nothing more. And nothing less, which is the problem with a lot of beginner's guitars.
Sure wish Taylor would incorporate a tuner into their ES-2 units. I have ideas about how to do that with no difference in appearance.
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the a10 is a 15/16 size dreadnought -
the lower bout just outlines that of the big baby (15 1/8" vs 15") &
the a12 has a deeper body than the GC (4 11/16" vs 4 3/8")
the overall length of the academy series models is the same as the big baby
(40 1/4"), with the a10 having a 4 11/16" body depth vs the big baby's 4"
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With with the wildly popular GS Mini series, I think that this is the expansion on this strong foundation. I am not familiar with the ES-B pickup/preamp, is it new?
the ES-B was introduced in 2015 on the baby series
https://www.taylorguitars.com/guitars/acoustic/features/electronics/es-b (https://www.taylorguitars.com/guitars/acoustic/features/electronics/es-b)
the gs mini e rw has been removed from the current $ list
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Sure wish Taylor would incorporate a tuner into their ES-2 units. I have ideas about how to do that with no difference in appearance.
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This please.
Simple LED on top of the volume knob would work wonders.
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academy series & gs mini bass at NAMM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEl6NIUkjSM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEl6NIUkjSM)
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marc seal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCUInYzgnZE (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCUInYzgnZE)
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marc seal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCUInYzgnZE (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCUInYzgnZE)
It sounds like they are using CNC machines for the radius arm rests. That would explain how they can offer that style arm rests on these entry level Taylor's. In comparison, the bevel arm rest is quite labor intensive.
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interesting things they did here. may consider buying it for my kids when they get old enough
This is exactly who it is for. Basically beginner's guitar with everything you need to have a great experience and nothing more. And nothing less, which is the problem with a lot of beginner's guitars.
Sure wish Taylor would incorporate a tuner into their ES-2 units. I have ideas about how to do that with no difference in appearance.
on a taylor owner fb group, i saw a cool tuner that sits in the soundhole. do you want me to find it and send you a link?
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Nope, just opining about design.
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Armrests are going to be the new cutaways for Taylor guitars -- as other prominent guitar makers have been obviously trying to go after the "CE" look, I predict this is going to be the new Taylor visual signature and selling point.
I dont care for the asymmetrical armrest look personally, nor do I like visible electronic controls or cutaways, which may explain why I've drifted away from Taylors a bit in recent years. I do like a lot of the Andy Powers aesthetic choices though and these "academy" (unfortunate naming choice) guitars are no different. Very elegantly understated design. Almost a Taylor take on the classic Martin 15 series.
If this is true then I will have 2 things to dislike. cutaways and arm rests.
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Good thing there are so many choices choices. I like cut-away and arm bevel. However, I have never cared for pick guards. Fortunately, neither of my Taylor guitars came with a pick guard.
Edit: To me the name "Academy" is simply another way of saying "student model". I could be wrong, but that, in the past, is what classical guitar makers often named their low cost product lines. I have not really seen that done with steel string guitars.
Tony
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andy & greg
https://youtu.be/YnqvVFvrj1w?t=612 (https://youtu.be/YnqvVFvrj1w?t=612)
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The arm rests are awful and I don't like anything about the new Taylor lineups since the 800s were revoiced. Just not my cup of tea
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With more or less the same price point as a GS Mini, I wonder which would be a better investment for an 'entry' guitar.
For younger kids learning, the smaller size of the Mini seems to be a better option. While I sort of like the sleek, naked look of the academy guitar, I can't for the life of me find the armrest visually appealing. And maybe it's because of my body structure, but I'd have never in a million years thought that an armrest was necessary or beneficial. When learning to play, along with my cousin and some friends, I never have heard anyone complain about how their arm lays across the guitar. I'm not saying it doesn't help, but I wonder just how many people this will actually benefit.
That said, back to my original point, if there is an issue with comfort, I'd assume the GS Mini, on account of its size, would alleviate that as well. Now, to each his own, and more guitars & players the better, but if I had the extra scratch laying around and was looking for a guitar to teach my kids with, I'd still go the GS Mini route (plus it look like a lot of fun for me! double threat value!)
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The GS Mini is a fine instrument, to be sure. But the medium strings can be quite painful, especially for young unseasoned fingertips and the body size may be awkward for some. The idea is to make it fun and interesting for the young student. Many youngsters I have encountered started with a cheap acoustic (purchased for them by parents), became frustrated with playing difficulties and quit. Enter the Gibson Les Paul Jr. electric, single pickup. Much easier to hold and play, sounds good, looks cool, not expensive. Taylor has a good idea, I hope it works. I got my niece a Baby Taylor a few years ago and she still plays it. I thought that was their student guitar.
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I believe they will be discontinuing the RW versions of anything made in their Mexico facility.
Thank you CITES
...hence the Walnut offerings.