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/n5uQuufAKwMhttp://youtu.be/Yo6ityHaLl8http://youtu.be/i_cD_Fkura4http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AgfRcvqfDrshttp://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AgfRcvqfDrsLast 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!!!!
