Author Topic: New Taylor ES (Read 7969 times)

forhim · « **on:** December 09, 2011, 02:10:50 PM »

So, Taylor has gone to the new preamp and one sensor option for the ES system. Is there anyone here who has both and has tried them out against one another?

Love to hear your comments.

DennisG · « **Reply #1 on:** December 09, 2011, 02:14:14 PM »

There are a lot of people on AGF who have two or more guitars with the different ES systems and who believe the new one is much better -- "better" meaning more natural sounding. And there are a number of people who have switched out the older ES system on a guitar for the new one, and insist they hear an improvement.

I've seen dozens of reports like these, but I've never heard anyone say they prefer the older system.

Steely Glen · « **Reply #2 on:** December 09, 2011, 02:37:00 PM »

When I was shopping for my 800 series, I A/B'd several new 814s against my 2008 DN4e (which I have since sold). The new ES was a vast improvement, IMO. It was crisper and yet warmer at the same time. Both still have the magnetic tone as you climb the neck, but I don't have a problem with that. I prefer the magnetic tone to the UST "honk," if I had to pick one.

Gutch · « **Reply #3 on:** December 10, 2011, 11:50:26 PM »

I own examples from the first to the latest. I can tell that there are major improvements that come with each version, but even the initial release of ES is certainly very useable with a little EQ adjustment at the board. The most recent version, as Dennis alluded to, is the best and most natural sounding.

Edward · « **Reply #4 on:** December 11, 2011, 02:36:24 AM »

Quote from: forhim on December 09, 2011, 02:10:50 PM

So, Taylor has gone to the new preamp and one sensor option for the ES system. Is there anyone here who has both and has tried them out against one another?

Love to hear your comments.

Yup, had all three (and I've had them concurrently so I did have the opportunity to A/B them. Each version truly is better than the previous one, IMHO. Big step from AA to the 9v, not as much from the old 9v to the the current one. Still, the 2010 ES is incrementally better sounding (less metallic mids and just more natural, overall) and worth the upgrade if you play out often, or just want the better tone. Perhaps my upgrading two guitars tells you something about how I feel ...and may be doing a third???

Edward

michaelw · « **Reply #5 on:** December 11, 2011, 01:30:27 PM »

the first time i heard ES, i was able to determine the series being played -
i was wrong on the model (i thought it was a 614ce when it was a 612ce),
but that was because the person playing accentuated the low end a hair

this was not seeing any of the set up (i was actually in an adjoining room)

a friend of mine played a couple of guitars i used to have at a memorial service,
a 06 914LTD adi/coco ver 1.0 2AA & a 09 716LTD madi ver 2.0 9V 2 body sensor &
imho, each version did a great job in reproducing each guitar's 'special' tone -
the adi/coco was a bit more 'sparkly' & the 716 was warmer & more 'robust'

i have yet to spend much time with the ver 3.0 9V 1 body sensor &
have since had to allow the 914 & 716 to move on to 'greener pastures' -
i am quite confident that it will be very impressive (class A discrete is nice)

Saxacat · « **Reply #6 on:** December 11, 2011, 04:42:16 PM »

Quote from: forhim on December 09, 2011, 02:10:50 PM

So, Taylor has gone to the new preamp and one sensor option for the ES system.

Hi, forgive my ignorance on this, I'm new to Taylors, but my GA only has one sensor/switch, but according to the serial number (if I'm decoding it correctly) it was made in Jan 2010. Is this the new ES system?

DennisG · « **Reply #7 on:** December 11, 2011, 04:46:03 PM »

Quote from: Saxacat on December 11, 2011, 04:42:16 PM

Quote from: forhim on December 09, 2011, 02:10:50 PM
So, Taylor has gone to the new preamp and one sensor option for the ES system.

Hi, forgive my ignorance on this, I'm new to Taylors, but my GA only has one sensor/switch, but according to the serial number (if I'm decoding it correctly) it was made in Jan 2010. Is this the new ES system?

If it's only got one switch, it's the new ES system.

Saxacat · « **Reply #8 on:** December 11, 2011, 05:02:39 PM »

Thanks, nice to know I've got the latest (and hopefully the best thus far).

Unfortunately, can't help with the question in the OP as nothing to compare it to; but the new one sounds great to me.

forhim · « **Reply #9 on:** December 12, 2011, 03:50:42 PM »

Another question...though it's been covered on the "other" forum...

Line level noise out of an ES...anyone had experience with this. Got the Fishman Pro amp yesterday and noticed the line level noise coming out of the amp. Unplugged the guitar...noise is gone...

Edward · « **Reply #10 on:** December 12, 2011, 05:19:03 PM »

My ES systems are all dead quiet. Whether using unbalanced into a Baggs Venue to snake, or balanced straight into the snake, always dead quiet.

Edward

michaelw · « **Reply #11 on:** December 12, 2011, 05:34:44 PM »

Quote from: forhim on December 12, 2011, 03:50:42 PM

Another question...though it's been covered on the "other" forum...

Line level noise out of an ES...anyone had experience with this. Got the Fishman Pro amp yesterday and noticed the line level noise coming out of the amp. Unplugged the guitar...noise is gone...

trying my best to make a suggestion

i'm assuming it does this only with your ES Taylor & not with any other guitar -
trying to rule out if the problem might be in the amp input jack or the guitar

just wondering if you are using a TRS/XLR in, TRS/TRS 1/4" or unbalanced 1/4" -
i don't have any experience with the Fishman Pro, but in other instances
i have had problems using a TRS/TRS 1/4" into an unbalanced (hi-Z) input.
an unbalanced 1/4" fixed that, albeit with a reduction in overall signal level

perhaps testing or swapping out the instrument cable might help -
are you running through a di box/efx or straight into the amp or does
the guitar also make the noise plugged directly in (battery/fusible link)

if there is no issue with another guitar & the cable tests good,
i would try checking the battery (test it, as new batteries can be bad) -
if there any change in the noise with the strings fretted, could be the fuse

hope the fix is simple & that this is helpful

Iplay2 · « **Reply #12 on:** December 12, 2011, 05:54:04 PM »

I have had 1 Taylor with the first gen AA ES and 3 with the second gen 9V ES. Like others have said, there is big difference between the two, and I didn't like the AA ES at all. I have had no issues with any of my Taylors with the second gen ES, and I can only imagine that the third gen is even better. If I ever have to send my 614ce in for a little love from Taylor, I will for sure have them install the newest ES they have at that time. Until that time though, I am quite happy with what I have.

I would have to be getting a crazy good deal on a Taylor with the AA ES before I would go back to it again, because it would go straight to Taylor first thing for an upgrade. I had a 714ce that I just loved that had the AA version, but it just had a horrible tinny sound plugged in that I couldn't get to go away. We parted ways after I played it live a few times. I had a friend play it for me while I was doing a sound check, and it just made me sick to listen to. It sounded nothing like the 714 at all. I was so disappointed.

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