Which Taylor took you completely by surprise ?

[michaelw]

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

[DMBfan41]

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.

[bo1142]

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

[Edward]

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

[flaggerphil]

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.

[Terry]

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

[spieler]

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  , 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.

[e8n]

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

[Ted @ LA Guitar Sales]

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.   

[e8n]

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

[michaelw]

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

[John429]

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.

[michaelw]

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

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

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

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

we maple peeps need to stick together

[michaelw]

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

[darylcrisp]

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