Unofficial Taylor Guitar Forum - UTGF
Taylor Acoustic & Electric Guitars => Taylor Acoustic & Electric Guitars => Topic started by: cotten on January 07, 2012, 02:59:04 PM
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About nine years ago, I had heard that in 1995, Taylor was considering phasing out the 612 model. Yet it was one of the favorites of Richard Cotten, the late owner of Cotten Music in Nashville. He convinced Kurt and Bob to build about 62 copies of a special "Cotten" Taylor 612c with his own specifications:
- a specially modified standard inlay to make it look like a cotton bole inlay,
- a more highly figured flamed maple back and sides than usual,
- and the sharp Florentine cutaway.
It was a fingerstyle dream! When Richard died of leukemia soon thereafter, Taylor donated part of the proceeds to fund leukemia research.
I had wanted one of these, "my own" Signature Series, ever since I first heard of them. They didn't show up for sale very often, and their owners tended to prize them highly. I had asked a couple of fellow members of the then-Taylor Guitar Forum about them, and they were as enthusiastic about their Cottens as I knew I would be.
In July of 2003, Kim Sherman of Cotten Music in Nashville and Darcy Cotten, Richard's widow, helped me obtain one of these special guitars in pristine condition. It had been used a few times in recording sessions, but I couldn't tell it from one that was brand new. It was strictly acoustic, and though I've considered adding a non-invasive pickup, I haven't done it yet. (I like the K&K Pure Mini on my McKnight.) So far, it's only been played through a mic, and it has a wonderful tone - clean and clear, round and full, with enough bass to be heard but not over balanced.
Cotten finally got his Cotten, and for the past eight years it has often been found in my lap while I mess around with online computer stuff. Don't you wish you had your own signature model Taylor? ;)
(http://www.rejoicemusic.org/membergallery/cotten2.jpg)
cotten
(Yes, I still have the Taylor Guitar Forum shirt around here somewhere!)
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Congratulations !!! I don't have a signature model, but I do have a Briggs&Stratton.
[attachment deleted by admin]
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Cool post, Cotton!
I recall you mentioning it in the past, but I like the full bio of your guitar and its raison d'tre here. Thanks for sharing! :)
Edward
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Congratulations !!! I don't have a signature model, but I do have a Briggs&Stratton.
Cool! Which one are you? ;)
cotten
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LOL!! I'm the pull rope.
Steve
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Really nice backstory about your "Cotton" Signature series. Thank you for sharing it, John :)
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Pretty cool guitars. I have been able to play one. I like the inlays. Can you put up some closeups so others can see.
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Don't you wish you had your own signature model Taylor? ;)
My name's on the headstock of each and every one of their guitars. I'd be lying if I told you that wasn't a tiny part of me falling in love with the brand back when I started playing 10-11 years ago. ;)
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Sorry it's so big, I'm still learning about digital photography. Here's a closeup of the Cotten 612c inlay.
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n493/johnccotten/100_1730.jpg?t=1325993325)
cotten
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(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n493/johnccotten/100_1728.jpg?t=1325993390)
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(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n493/johnccotten/100_1728.jpg?t=1325993390)
THAT my friend...is awesome! Super cool story! Don't let that one go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Sorry it's so big, I'm still learning about digital photography. Here's a closeup of the Cotten 612c inlay.
i'm glad that pic is the size it is :D
thanks for sharing, cotten ... very 8)
i never realized that the bole part of the inlay was as intricately detailed as it is -
i have seen pics of other examples your signature model, some may have been a
natural (no amber stain) finish flamed maple, i think, but until now i thought that the
bole had a just slightly different 'haircut' (profile) on the top of center part of the inlay &
i never realized that there was a fourth piece underneath that, in between the 'leaves
thanks for sharing the history of the guitar & the story behind how yours 'made it home'
there are two other JCSM guitars (John Cephas & Jars of Clay), but i prefer the 'maple flavor' one ;)
hope you have a good weekend :)
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Sorry it's so big, I'm still learning about digital photography. Here's a closeup of the Cotten 612c inlay.
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n493/johnccotten/100_1730.jpg?t=1325993325)
cotten
Does anyone else notice the resemblance, or am I the only one?
(http://images.uulyrics.com/cover/b/bette-midler/album-bette-midler-greatest-hits-experience-the-divine.jpg)
(http://www.legendsinconcert.com/media/images/performers-details/bette_miller_sp.jpg)
I may not have a "signature" model, but I really do like the Cindy inlay. The fact that it has my name makes it all the more appealing. ;)
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Does anyone else notice the resemblance, or am I the only one?
I may not have a "signature" model, but I really do like the Cindy inlay. The fact that it has my name makes it all the more appealing. ;)
Haha - Cindy, I was thinking the same thing about your name and the Cindy inlay :)
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My non-Cotten Taylor, a 2000 914c, has the Cindy inlay. I like it a lot - elegant, yet not across the line into gaudy. All this time, though, I thought it was named after Bob Taylor's wife, not our friendly local Moderator...
Wait... Ummm,... Cindy,... What's your husband's name again? :o
cotten
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About nine years ago, I had heard that in 1995, Taylor was considering phasing out the 612 model. Yet it was one of the favorites of Richard Cotten, the late owner of Cotten Music in Nashville. He convinced Kurt and Bob to build about 62 copies of a special "Cotten" Taylor 612c with his own specifications:
- a specially modified standard inlay to make it look like a cotton bole inlay,
- a more highly figured flamed maple back and sides than usual,
- and the sharp Florentine cutaway.
It was a fingerstyle dream! When Richard died of leukemia soon thereafter, Taylor donated part of the proceeds to fund leukemia research.
I had wanted one of these, "my own" Signature Series, ever since I first heard of them. They didn't show up for sale very often, and their owners tended to prize them highly. I had asked a couple of fellow members of the then-Taylor Guitar Forum about them, and they were as enthusiastic about their Cottens as I knew I would be.
In July of 2003, Kim Sherman of Cotten Music in Nashville and Darcy Cotten, Richard's widow, helped me obtain one of these special guitars in pristine condition. It had been used a few times in recording sessions, but I couldn't tell it from one that was brand new. It was strictly acoustic, and though I've considered adding a non-invasive pickup, I haven't done it yet. (I like the K&K Pure Mini on my McKnight.) So far, it's only been played through a mic, and it has a wonderful tone - clean and clear, round and full, with enough bass to be heard but not over balanced.
Cotten finally got his Cotten, and for the past eight years it has often been found in my lap while I mess around with online computer stuff. Don't you wish you had your own signature model Taylor? ;)
(http://www.rejoicemusic.org/membergallery/cotten2.jpg)
cotten
(Yes, I still have the Taylor Guitar Forum shirt around here somewhere!)
What a wonderful story John, thank you for sharing it.
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My non-Cotten Taylor, a 2000 914c, has the Cindy inlay. I like it a lot - elegant, yet not across the line into gaudy. All this time, though, I thought it was named after Bob Taylor's wife, not our friendly local Moderator...
Wait... Ummm,... Cindy,... What's your husband's name again? :o
cotten
LOL! I think you've got me mixed up with the wrong family. I have a few siblings:
I do have a brother name Bobby along with brothers Peter and Greg as well as my older sisters Jan and Marcia. ;D
;)
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Thanks for sharing that story, John.
It's a beautiful guitar. ;D
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My non-Cotten Taylor, a 2000 914c, has the Cindy inlay. I like it a lot - elegant, yet not across the line into gaudy. All this time, though, I thought it was named after Bob Taylor's wife, not our friendly local Moderator...
Wait... Ummm,... Cindy,... What's your husband's name again? :o
cotten
LOL! I think you've got me mixed up with the wrong family. I have a few siblings:
I do have a brother name Bobby along with brothers Peter and Greg as well as my older sisters Jan and Marcia. ;D
;)
:)
:D
;D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45CHLPg39Kg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45CHLPg39Kg)
i don't believe i caught your eldest sister's name, Cindy ???
just wanted to make sure i heard correctly, was it ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yZHveWFvqM (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yZHveWFvqM)
;D
hi cotten,
i was wondering if you might have a pic or 2 floating around of your 914c
that you might could possibly share with us, if it is not too much trouble ... pleeeez :-[
i owned one in the past (00 914c), but mine just did not have the tone i desired :(
it had great playability & was a beautiful guitar with excellent craftsmanship ...
& at the time, i didn't realize it had the UTGFModerator inlay on the fretboard ;)
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i don't believe i caught your eldest sister's name, Cindy ???
just wanted to make sure i heard correctly, was it ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yZHveWFvqM (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yZHveWFvqM)
;D
hi cotten,
i was wondering if you might have a pic or 2 floating around of your 914c
that you might could possibly share with us, if it is not too much trouble ... pleeeez :-[
i owned one in the past (00 914c), but mine just did not have the tone i desired :(
it had great playability & was a beautiful guitar with excellent craftsmanship ...
& at the time, i didn't realize it had the UTGFModerator inlay on the fretboard ;)
Where'd you get my family video? :o
;)
So Michael, what type of fretboard inlay did your '00 914c have on it? Was it the traditional 900 series inlay from long ago? And cotten, it sure would be nice to have a sneak peek of yours!
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At this moment, I can't locate pictures of my 2000 914c, but, hey, except for the ES and a touch of runout in the Englemann, mine looks almost exactly like this one from the Taylor web site. http://www.taylorguitars.com/guitars/acoustic-electric/900/914ce/
(http://www.taylorguitars.com/Guitars/Shared/Images/Models/914ce-1.jpg)
I don't have a decent camera any more since my trusty old Olympus OM-2 died, but maybe I can come up with some shots of my 914. Nice guitar! (My hummingbird has the eye dot - some don't.)
cotten
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hey there :)
from one of the earlier posts, it sounds like you've got a pretty special 914c (tonally also) ... very nice 8)
until there is a photo opportunity, if you could possibly answer one little question for me, please,
as inquiring minds want to know & er, maybe there's one other person that's interested too ???
i was just wondering if your bird is awake or asleep - just curious if the bird inlay has an 'eye-dot'
the answer can wait until a pic is posted ...
let's just keep 'em all guessing ;)
play on (need a guitar smiley to put here) :D
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I'm not a Cotten owner, but I played one on TV... ;D
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Hey, roadbiker: ;D
Michael:...(My hummingbird has the eye dot - some don't.)
That's probably why my 914 sounds so good. It's "opened up."
cotten