Unofficial Taylor Guitar Forum - UTGF

Taylor Acoustic & Electric Guitars => Taylor Acoustic & Electric Guitars => Topic started by: michaelw on December 16, 2011, 07:22:21 PM

Title: Which Taylor took you completely by surprise ?
Post by: michaelw on December 16, 2011, 07:22:21 PM
just wondering if there has been a Taylor that was surprise to anyone,
in terms of it's tone (presence, responsiveness, dynamic, 'voice', etc) -
a Taylor that was not at all what one was expecting & ended being 'more'

perhaps a cedar/koa spoke up when it 'should have been' spruce/rosewood or
a smaller body GC, when one felt that the GS with medium strings would be 'it'

i heard a 03 712ce engelmann that sounded much deeper, warmer & bolder than a 02 914ce -
another person that was also playing the guitars agreed ... & the 712ce followed him home :)


Title: Re: Which Taylor took you completely by surprise ?
Post by: DMBfan41 on December 16, 2011, 07:33:51 PM
Oddly enough, I played a 110 yesterday while waiting on my lesson to start and was totally impressed.  Actually contemplated it for a few minutes.  Been thinking about getting a mini for the couch and traveling but am seriously considering the 110 now.
Title: Re: Which Taylor took you completely by surprise ?
Post by: bo1142 on December 16, 2011, 07:52:39 PM
Mine would be the GSmini, followed closely by the DN3.  The GSmini, just because a guitar that size usually doesn't have a presence like that!  Wow!  The DN3 surprised me because I wasn't expecting the low end to be so pronounced, but not so much that it drowned out the mids and highs.  It was so balanced and simple.  I really liked that guitar.  So much, I started a thread about it ;D
Title: Re: Which Taylor took you completely by surprise ?
Post by: Edward on December 17, 2011, 12:43:51 AM
Cedar/rw surprised me most.  For yeeeeaars I had bought the "that's a fingerstylist's guitar" dogma and so shied away, sticking to the ol' standby, spruce.  Then I saw the light.  Glad I did; it changed the way I viewed tone, not to mention made me more open to experimenting with other tonewoods.  Still, gotta love cedar!

Edward
Title: Re: Which Taylor took you completely by surprise ?
Post by: flaggerphil on December 17, 2011, 02:48:48 AM
My all blackwood 426ce-LTD.  I'd always heard it was a lot like koa...which always sounds thin to me when I play.  However, the all blackwood just blew me away...the tone is unbelievable.  Best sounding guitar I own...and have played.
Title: Re: Which Taylor took you completely by surprise ?
Post by: Terry on December 17, 2011, 11:22:26 AM
Two come to mind.
The 714ce was  a  very pleasant surprise to me. The cedar top makes a difference and gives it a great warm sound. I had a chance at one last year and let it slip away. That memory haunts me.
R. Taylor were a bit of a surprise to me too.  I had no doubt they could build a great custom style guitar, but the ones I have played have exceeded my expectations by several notches.  :)
Terry
Title: Re: Which Taylor took you completely by surprise ?
Post by: spieler on December 17, 2011, 11:48:42 AM
When I first read about the Taylor Parlor and saw pictures of it online, I assumed it was a gimmick, an over-priced vanity project for seller and potential buyer alike.

Then, I played one. I couldn't get over the sound coming out of that little guitar. The brazilian back and sides no doubt helped  :o, but still. Beautiful, beautiful little guitar.

[I played it back-to-back-to-back with a Santa Cruz 1929-00, over and over again. What a day.]

~ S.
Title: Re: Which Taylor took you completely by surprise ?
Post by: e8n on December 25, 2011, 07:49:39 PM
My biggest surprise was a BTO that Jim had that someone traded in.  It was a Adi/Coco GS, probably a 2008.  The combination blew me away and inspired my two BTO builds that I currently have.  As an aside, a forum member (at least a former forum member from the old forum) ended up with that very guitar. 

It does go to show that when you are in a shop you should pickup and play everything they will allow you to play.  You never know what will inspire you.

-Dave
Title: Re: Which Taylor took you completely by surprise ?
Post by: Ted @ LA Guitar Sales on December 26, 2011, 12:28:45 PM
That's easy, the Baby Taylor. About ten years ago I was in my local GC and noticed this little wonder hanging on the wall of the acoustic room and was drawn to it immediately. I couldn't get over how easy it was to play and what a great tone it had for such a small instrument. Today we have many excellent 3/4 size guitars and it seems the Baby doesn't get much love on forums but I'm told it's still a great seller. Oh, and yes, I still have mine.   :)
Title: Re: Which Taylor took you completely by surprise ?
Post by: e8n on December 26, 2011, 01:15:58 PM
My biggest surprise was a BTO that Jim had that someone traded in.  It was a Adi/Coco GS, probably a 2008.  The combination blew me away and inspired my two BTO builds that I currently have.  As an aside, a forum member (at least a former forum member from the old forum) ended up with that very guitar. 

It does go to show that when you are in a shop you should pickup and play everything they will allow you to play.  You never know what will inspire you.

-Dave

Dave,

Is that the guitar that Wooglins (sp?) on the old forum bought?

I believe it is.  Really nice guitar!

-Dave
Title: Re: Which Taylor took you completely by surprise ?
Post by: michaelw on December 26, 2011, 01:49:50 PM
My biggest surprise was a BTO that Jim had that someone traded in.  It was a Adi/Coco GS, probably a 2008.  The combination blew me away and inspired my two BTO builds that I currently have.  As an aside, a forum member (at least a former forum member from the old forum) ended up with that very guitar. 

It does go to show that when you are in a shop you should pickup and play everything they will allow you to play.  You never know what will inspire you.

-Dave

Dave,

Is that the guitar that Wooglins (sp?) on the old forum bought?

I believe it is.  Really nice guitar!

-Dave
i remember the images threads & posts of that guitar very well :)

i had also owned a guitar (09 Spring 716ceLTD) similar to one
that was traded for it ... that BTO adi/coco GS is something :D
Title: Re: Which Taylor took you completely by surprise ?
Post by: John429 on December 27, 2011, 12:30:44 AM
My biggest surprise when I recently picked up my first LKSM. Compared to other 12 strings I had played, this guitar had an amazing low end, combined with a tone I had never heard come from a 12 string before.
Title: Re: Which Taylor took you completely by surprise ?
Post by: michaelw on December 27, 2011, 12:36:12 AM
My biggest surprise was a BTO that Jim had that someone traded in.  It was a Adi/Coco GS, probably a 2008.  The combination blew me away and inspired my two BTO builds that I currently have.  As an aside, a forum member (at least a former forum member from the old forum) ended up with that very guitar. 

It does go to show that when you are in a shop you should pickup and play everything they will allow you to play.  You never know what will inspire you.

-Dave

Dave,

Is that the guitar that Wooglins (sp?) on the old forum bought?

I believe it is.  Really nice guitar!

-Dave
i remember the images threads & posts of that guitar very well :)

i had also owned a guitar (09 Spring 716ceLTD) similar to one
that was traded for it ... that BTO adi/coco GS is something :D


I am the original owner of that guitar. Jim and I speced it and I was dumbfounded when I heard the tone. He was insistent on putting on the Addi top. The top and the new bracing system made all of the difference and that experience cemented my trust of Jim's judgment. I agree with the comments here about how wonderful it sounded.

That guitar was featured in a write-up in Wood and Steel that I can link you to if anyone is interested.

I loved the guitar but a shoulder injury really limited my enjoyment of it so back it went to Guitar Rodeo after a year of shoulder aches. Fortunately it has gone on to a new home where is is equally loved. The story had a happy ending for me because it ultimately led to my GA Maple Limited that I will bore you silly about if you are foolish enough to ask. I had also planned over the long haul to get a GC BTO which has also now come to pass. NTGD for me on the GC should be this week.
wow :o

thank you so much for sharing Schooner,
i never knew that the guitar was originally yours ... you're famous :D

seriously, i am glad that you have been able fo find a guitar that
is most comfortable & enjoyable to play in your 09 GAceLTD MA &
congrats on the up & coming, soon-to-be in-bound GC :)

as for the quilted maple beauty you have ...
that's settles it, i will have to start a maple guitar thread -
images & impressions ;D

we maple peeps need to stick together ;)
Title: Re: Which Taylor took you completely by surprise ?
Post by: michaelw on December 27, 2011, 12:39:10 AM
My biggest surprise when I recently picked up my first LKSM. Compared to other 12 strings I had played, this guitar had an amazing low end, combined with a tone I had never heard come from a 12 string before.
very nice :)

John, i was wondering that when you picked it up, did the LKSM
follow you home to hang out with the 612ce & 614ceL30 ;)
Title: Re: Which Taylor took you completely by surprise ?
Post by: darylcrisp on December 27, 2011, 03:45:37 AM
the 516ce i recently picked up. i've been a 12 fret junkie for quite a while now, along with keeping to a smaller body(000/OM). add that i haven't typically cared for cedar as a top wood, and i had preferred shortscale to standard due to an injury.

this 516 just turned all that around and i've found it to be an absolutely marvelous and easy to play guitar, even while sitting(which is how i play).

never in a million years would i have thought this would all come together as it did and fit my style of playing.

d
Title: Re: Which Taylor took you completely by surprise ?
Post by: John429 on December 27, 2011, 03:05:07 PM
John, i was wondering that when you picked it up, did the LKSM
follow you home to hang out with the 612ce & 614ceL30 ;)[/font][/color]

Michael - I wish! This guitar is definitely on my wish list. The one I played didn't have ES, which is something I would want so if I do get one of these, I guess I will have to have it ordered with this feature. Did I see somewhere along the way here in the forum that you had a LKSM (or was that another member)?
Title: Re: Which Taylor took you completely by surprise ?
Post by: michaelw on December 27, 2011, 03:32:25 PM
John, i was wondering that when you picked it up, did the LKSM
follow you home to hang out with the 612ce & 614ceL30 ;)[/font][/color]

Michael - I wish! This guitar is definitely on my wish list. The one I played didn't have ES, which is something I would want so if I do get one of these, I guess I will have to have it ordered with this feature. Did I see somewhere along the way here in the forum that you had a LKSM (or was that another member)?
hi John,
i'm guessing that someone else here will chime-in on the LKSM ... wasn't me  ;)
i had an 03 454ceLTD imbuia GA 12er & i have a 84 650 (dreadnought 12)
i did have a couple different examples of this one
http://www.taylorguitars.com/Guitars/Archive/Older/jksm.html (http://www.taylorguitars.com/Guitars/Archive/Older/jksm.html)
& i think Redwood Tree just 'got his Kenny back'
http://www.taylorguitars.com/Guitars/Archive/Older/klsm.html (http://www.taylorguitars.com/Guitars/Archive/Older/klsm.html)
with only one letter different, or in a different order, i may have mistyped

the bass response on the LKSM is something & could be approached by a
baritone model, but those baritones have some 'cables' for bass strings :o :D
Title: Re: Which Taylor took you completely by surprise ?
Post by: michaelw on December 27, 2011, 05:14:24 PM
Let's get that maple thread started, Michael. I love the 600 series and think that Taylor does the best job with maple guitars of any production builder. Until recently, Jim had a primo 612ce that was really calling my name.
hi Schooner,
this one's for you :D
http://www.unofficialtaylorguitarforum.com/index.php?topic=672.0 (http://www.unofficialtaylorguitarforum.com/index.php?topic=672.0)
enjoy :)
Title: Re: Which Taylor took you completely by surprise ?
Post by: John429 on December 28, 2011, 01:32:13 AM
i'm guessing that someone else here will chime-in on the LKSM ... wasn't me  ;)

Michael - I just saw it was Terry who has a LKSM-12. I knew I had seen that someone here on the forum had one of those. I hope to chat with him sometime about how he likes his!

Thank you for the links to the JKSM and the KLSM! I never even knew about these particular signature models until your post. That's what I love about this forum - I learn new things constantly :)
Title: Re: Which Taylor took you completely by surprise ?
Post by: Edward on December 31, 2011, 02:42:48 AM
That's easy, the Baby Taylor. About ten years ago I was in my local GC and noticed this little wonder hanging on the wall of the acoustic room and was drawn to it immediately. I couldn't get over how easy it was to play and what a great tone it had for such a small instrument. Today we have many excellent 3/4 size guitars and it seems the Baby doesn't get much love on forums but I'm told it's still a great seller. Oh, and yes, I still have mine.   :)

Of all the toys that pass through your hands, Ted, you remark about a BT ...amazing!

Well I have one, a 1999 that my wife got me for Christmas.  It still suprises me today!  Big tone and good bass ...not just "for the size" but genuinely good ...ok, ok, despite its size.  But it always has played stellar, and belts out a full voice that needs no excuse; and I maintain has only gotten better in these mannnny years.  She still hangs among the others on my wall, albeit with a gnarly dent on the upper bout when one of my Strats fell from its wall hanger right onto it, yikes!  That big booboo cracked the wood at the upper bout right where the top and sides meet, but she still plays and sounds solid as ever  ...not to mention serves as a visual reminder to me to be more careful when puttin a guitar back up, geeeze!!   And yeah, it's gone with me on innumerable family outings.  So like you, I really am surprised by this one!

Edward