Unofficial Taylor Guitar Forum - UTGF
Taylor Acoustic & Electric Guitars => Taylor Acoustic & Electric Guitars => Topic started by: MB on April 03, 2014, 10:43:38 AM
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I am going to my first road show in May. What can I expect?
Thanks
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A great time!!! ;D
They always tend to demo the different models etc which is really useful and then they have a Q&A...then they give out little prizes etc. At the end they have the "petting zoo" which you get to demo all the different guitars. I fell in love with the koa models....but alas...my bank account hates me. ::)
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You can expect a large crowd and a lot of noise during the petting zoo phase of the evening. I've been to about 5 of these, and I tend to get there about an hour early, hang my jacket on a seat up front, then go play the petting zoo guitars in peace and quiet, before the multitude arrives. You can also expect a very fun evening with great music, lots of information, and some give-aways of strings and t-shirts. Bring a pen to fill out the coupon.
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Groove City is going to host it's first Road Show in May - So it'll be first as host and as a player. Looking forward to meeting some great people and watching some great players
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I'll be at the one in Ocala, Florida next Wednesday. I hope they have lots of guitars for the petting zoo!
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Has anyone seen the new 150 12 string at a recent show? My next local show is the 17th and I'm really hoping to get a few quality minutes with a 150.
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I'll be in Pensacola next Thursday! Anybody else?
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Most road shows I've been to have had 20-30 attendees. Show is informative, especially first time around. Petting zoo often has some interesting and one-off models. And there are always give-aways, sometimes even travel-sized guitars!
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I had fun at my first Road Show. Expect a casual presentation, some beautiful guitars, and maybe even some learnin'. ;) I was surprised that there were only 25 to 30 people there (in Phoenix). They had a drawing for some t-shirt and strings. Good demonstration; this was all about the new 800 series and the T5z. Depending on the situation, getting some hands-on with the "petting zoo" can be a bit of ... well, a zoo.
I will SO attend another Road Show when our travels and their stops cross paths.
Have fun!
Jim
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Surprising to hear how sparse the crowds are at some of the road shows. Here in Seattle, the show regularly brings in 50 to 100 people.
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Groove City is going to host it's first Road Show in May - So it'll be first as host and as a player. Looking forward to meeting some great people and watching some great players
This is the show I'm hoping to attend. It's the first one since I've been watching the schedule that a road show has come close enough for me to consider going. I've recently acquired all the Taylor's I can handle right now with the exception of a 12 string.
I'm hoping to find a 12 or two among the guitars there. My biggest concern with most 12 strings is that they lack low end. It's all "shimmer" and no depth. I've never played a Taylor 12 string so I'm not sure if they make one like that. I'd like to think the new 150 would have enough low end for me to pull the trigger on one, especially at that price point! All the Taylor 12 strings I've heard on the Tube are super shimmery but not many were recorded properly enough to tell over the Internet. Looking forward to going to my first road show if I can sneak out of work in time!
Hope to see you Groove City dudes there!
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I'm planning on attending one later this month in Shawnee KS
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Back to Bergenfield NJ next month. Last time they had some terrific one offs including an almost affordable Braz.
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I am attending one in Ithaca, NY next week (4/9). They usually have 25 - 30 people, and they are great fun! Taking the better half with me so she can understand my fanaticism a little better!
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Going to the Road Show in Shawnee tonight!
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Smart move--mine bought me a one-off at a roadshow.....
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I posted this on the Acoustic Guitar Forum on March 7 2014
Last night a fellow forum member and I had the opportunity to attend the Taylor road show. As many of you know, the roadshow is a manufacturers mobile ambasadors demonstrating their guitars under better conditions then a Saturday cage fight at Guitar Center. Last night Show was at Sam Ash in Huntington New York.
Our reason for the trip aside from the obvious guitar porn was to correct an error in our guitar setup. We both have a few Taylor's that we set up adjusting the neck and shaving the saddles because we did not have access to shims. We wanted to find out what rules we have violated and fines we need to pay so we can have the super low action we like and the volume and tone of the taller saddles.
Arriving early, we wandered the store searching for the venue and found them setting up in the back. Doug, my fellow forum member was first on the scene and quickly identified the Taylor representative and began the inquisition.
"Are any of you here tonight guitar techs?" Doug asked. "I have been known to dabble" came the response from the tall, smiling man in the Taylor tee shirt. The rep from Taylor introduced himself as Mike Ausman, the Key accounts rep.
Doug describe our set ups and questions sharing how well his GA3 plays and how he would like his 914 to set up the same way. Mike responded by asking "where are your guitars?" We did bring them with us and mike simple said "go get them"
Mike took the time to examine each guitar and comment on the set ups and what he would suggest we do. He then made a call to someone at Taylor and we were emailed a list of certified technicians and contact info for Mike if we had further questions. Al under warranty, no laws have been broken, no animals hurt.
It may seem obvious that we can find a tech on our own. That information is very accessible thru Taylor. The problems encountered with the techs is worthy of a thread all it's own. Doug's visit to home of one tech he describes as a cross between silence of the lambs and psycho. Another tech works at a large retailer and does not appear to enjoy his work. His "it's within factory specs" answer to any customer request has driven customers from the store. But I digress. We were given the name and number of a tech we will contact and visit shortly and told by Mike to contact him with any further questions.
The connection Mike made with us was exceptional for several reasons. As a business owner who has hosted seminars I am aware of all the logistics you must attend to setting up this type of venue. I know how hard it is to give people attention when you are on a time line and the room is filling up. We could clearly see how Mike was tuned in to our request. He was focused and invested time with us. He did that while still orchestrating the timely start of the RoadShow.
Reason number 1 to attend the Taylor Roadshow is Mike Ausman.
I should say Mike and other reps like him. It goes way beyond forum opinions to have acces to someone at the center of a company like Taylor. Someone who has the resources to definitively answer any questions regarding your current or future Taylor.
We settled into our seats and Mike outlines the evening for the audience. An overview of Taylor history, compliments to other manufacturers and some discussion on the Taylor difference. Things you would expect at a roadshow. He then I troduces us to Wayne Johnson. Wayne had been sitting on the stage next to Mike holding an older nylon string Taylor that had true miles on it. Not at all like the pristine examples of Taylor art surrounding them. Wayne addressed the audience with a humble and engaging tone. With the demeanor of a storyteller he described his nylon 714 and why he likes it, what he has done to it and what he has done with it. Wayne has a resume worth googling.
With a quick adjustment in volume on the guitar and a click of a foot switch Wayne begins to play. Sam Ash is transformed into an intimate venue and we have from row seats to the exceptional playing of a guitar master who was been on stage side by side with Tommy Emanuel as well as toured with Manhattan Transfer and worked with Bet Midler. I have paid $100 for seats worse than this.
Reason number 2 is Wayne Johnson.
Each guitar that Was demonstrated that evening was first described by Mike and then played and described by Wayne. Each guitar was played in styles that suited it as well as comparatively against the other models. My opinion of the maple body is forever altered now that I have seen and heard an accomplished musician demonstrate the difference of Maple and when it works best. My opinion of the 18 series is also altered by Wayne's demonstration (as well as Mikes description).
I did not take pictures or video but did find these clips on YouTube.
http://youtu.be/n5uQuufAKwM
http://youtu.be/Yo6ityHaLl8
http://youtu.be/i_cD_Fkura4
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AgfRcvqfDrs
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AgfRcvqfDrs
Last night I went to a concert, a music store, a tech show and at times a comedy club... And never left my seat. It cost nothing but gas money and I left with a tee shirt, bag of pics and a set of strings. I also know what is now on my Taylor shopping list. Don't miss the show!
Do not miss the show!!!!
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I will also add the following although some of this repeats above...
At the Taylor show the number of Velcro sneakers was approaching that of a Martin road show I attended. I was surprised to see that many.
Their will be a person in the audience that will ask "trivia: questions they already know the answer to, and you will realize this is a big night out for them.
You should go early and stay late and play everything you can put your hands on.
Ask questions, you might get a tee shirt or strings.
If you own a Taylor and have set up questions bring the guitar with you.
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Thanks 83....good info. Now I am more excited than ever to attend the road show in May!
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Have fun, there aren't any shows here in Big Sky Country.
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Last night I went to the one in Calgary at Guitar works . You always pick up something even though a guy goes to a lot of them .Check out this Wayne Johnson guy on u-tube with Tommy Emmanuel .on U- tube
punch in Tommy Emmanuel. and Wayne Johnson - lord love a duck what a performance those 2 are .Wayne doesn't bragg at all and very good at explaining the difference various Taylor's but I was talking to him about this and that and during the break cause he remembered me from last year when my buddy that I had with me mentioned Tommy' s name and he said " oh ya I toured with him" So when I heard that I figured this guy is no slough told me to go to U tube and have a look .
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No slouch? Wayne Johnson's a Grammy winning guitarist. Yeah, he knows what;s up :)
I heard him play at a RS, and other than blown away by his style and flavor (far more than mere "technical skill" but oh so flavorful and musical!), but was likewise impressed by his humility and very down-home familiarity he has with folks. I loved talking with him as much as watching him play ...not to mention I copped a cool harmonic riff from him with his encouragement, no less. :)
Edward
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Hey Edward....I must concur with your comments regarding Wayne. He is super talented!
If you are an acoustic guitar player, his solo acoustic albums are "must listen to" material.
We should be so lucky to have access to him at a Road Show! I hope he is at the one in St Paul in May!