Author Topic: John Cotten  (Read 6320 times)

cotten

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John Cotten
« on: December 23, 2011, 09:31:53 PM »
Just realized that Josh had asked that we introduce ourselves, and that I had not complied.

Hi, my name is John. I live in the middle part of Georgia, USA, about 90 miles south of Atlanta, where I'd lived for many years before moving here four years ago. Love it here in a small, college dominated city!

Until about 10 years ago, I had played a series of less expensive guitars, from an Epiphone 12-string with a bowed neck to a Takamine 132 classical, though I don't play much classical music. I reached the point in my career as a full time minister whose primary tool is music in various forms, where a guitar was more important. I did two years of careful research and ended up with a wonderful 2000 Taylor 914c. That one stays at the office and remains a trusted friend, though I've added a Cotten 612c and an incredible McKnight MiniMac custom.

I help out with the chores over on another forum, and don't really have a lot of time to give to other online pursuits. Still, I like what Josh is trying to do here, and am already "old" friends with a good number of UTGFers. I look forward to checking in here occasionally, and offering whatever wisdom or nonsense I can, enjoying the wit, knowledge and friendship that is fast becoming the hallmark of this community.

cotten
« Last Edit: July 04, 2014, 06:53:39 PM by UTGF-Team »
Soli Deo Gloria

jjrpilot-admin

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Re: John Cotten
« Reply #1 on: December 23, 2011, 09:48:28 PM »
Great to have you here friend!     ;D

Col 1:15 "that in everything He might be preeminent."
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Cindy

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Re: John Cotten
« Reply #2 on: December 23, 2011, 10:33:40 PM »
Thanks for the interesting bio, John. :D It's nice to have you here, and I hope you will stop by often to share your wisdom. :)
Cindy

Terry

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Re: John Cotten
« Reply #3 on: December 24, 2011, 12:34:18 AM »
Welcome John. I think you've come to right place.  :)
Merry Christmas!
Terry
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cjd-player

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Re: John Cotten
« Reply #4 on: December 24, 2011, 01:26:10 AM »
Nice to see another familiar username here. ;D
Carl
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barefooter

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Re: John Cotten
« Reply #5 on: December 24, 2011, 09:21:50 AM »
Hello Cotton... It is and has always been nice to read your posts regardless of where they are.  I look forward to hearing more from you.

Merry Christmas  :)
Tom
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and a few other pieces of equipment
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coldshot

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Re: John Cotten
« Reply #6 on: December 24, 2011, 03:45:03 PM »
G day John nice to see you here also, your wisdom and nonsense is always appreaciated.
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DMBfan41

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Re: John Cotten
« Reply #7 on: December 24, 2011, 03:53:46 PM »
Aside from anyone named "Taylor", gotta be cool having a guitar that shares your namesake.
Chad

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John429

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Re: John Cotten
« Reply #8 on: December 24, 2011, 04:00:32 PM »
Welcome, John!

Could you tell me a little about your Taylor guitar that shares your last name? I'm sure there is an interesting story associated with it.
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cotten

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Re: John Cotten
« Reply #9 on: December 25, 2011, 11:54:14 PM »
Found this brief explanation of the Cotten 612c, one of which I own, in the archives of another forum, posted by ky224.

"The 612 Cotten model is a special edition 612 made for a dealer named Richard Cotten. He passed away in 1995, and Taylor made a special model for him. I guess in the early 90's, the 612 became discontinued, and Richard Cotten told TJ Baden that Taylor was making a big mistake in discontuing that guitar. He was so persistent that Taylor made 612's just for him and the dealer Cotten Music. Taylor staffers began affectionately referring to the 612 as "the Richard Cotten model". Eventually, Taylor brought it back as a standard model. Anyway, the limited edition differs in that it has the natural (unstained) maple, a florentine (sharp) cutaway and it has a custom "cotton" inlay, which looks VERY much like the standard 600 flower inlay except the middle part of the 3 piece inlay is shaped like a cotten ball. Also, $100 for each guitar sold was donated to the Leukemia Society of America. This whole story can be found in Wood and Steel Vol 6. Fall 1995."

Richard owned Cotten Music Center in Nashville, and I believe his wife, Darcy, still does. I've had the most contact with Kim Sherman there, who is first class all the way. She helped me locate my guitar, and has promised that if I ever get to visit, they will allow me to act like I own the place, at least for a few minutes, as long as I don't damage anything and pay for whatever I take.  :)

I've searched, and am sorry to say that I've found no connection between Richard Cotten's family and my own other than our name with its somewhat weird spelling. (Hey, it fits!) Yes, it's very cool to have "my own signature model" Taylor, even if Taylor Guitars had never heard of me at the time they built it. It's especially nice because the Cotten 612c is such an enjoyable guitar!

http://www.acousticgallery.com/photopost/data/2/thumbs/1239MVC-003F.JPG
http://www.acousticgallery.com/photopost/data/2/thumbs/1239MVC-004F.JPG
http://www.acousticgallery.com/photopost/data/2/1239MVC-007F.JPG

cotten
Soli Deo Gloria

John429

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Re: John Cotten
« Reply #10 on: December 26, 2011, 01:10:51 AM »
John,

Thank you so much for telling this fascinating story! Not only did I learn about some Taylor history I was unaware of - doing away with the 612 and bringing it back for Richard Cotten, but also about the 612 "Cotten" variation with the neat cotton inlay! And how appropriate that you have one of these. Thank you again, John, great story!
2004 Taylor 614ce L30 (daughter's guitar)
2007 Taylor 612ce

not darth

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Re: John Cotten
« Reply #11 on: December 31, 2011, 06:51:59 PM »
Interesting to hear the story about the "Cotten" guitar, before I'd heard this explanation I thought that this guitar was in honor of Elizabeth Cotten, folk/blues guitarist and fingerstyle pioneer. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Cotten

 :)
-Kris
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cotten

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Re: John Cotten
« Reply #12 on: January 01, 2012, 07:19:08 PM »
Would you believe me if I told you Elizabeth Cotten and I are related? We are. We're both musicians! She was a very creative one, of course. Me? Not so much. But then she didn't have "her own" signature Taylor, so that's gotta count for something!  ;)

cotten
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Bong Twang Ping

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Re: John Cotten
« Reply #13 on: January 06, 2012, 09:20:11 PM »
Hey there John... fancy meeting you here ;)

Bong

cotten

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Re: John Cotten
« Reply #14 on: January 07, 2012, 03:05:58 PM »
Greetings, my friend! Good to see you here too. I think you'll enjoy it!

cotten
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