Taylor 422 Rosewood 1996

[seanD]

Hi to everyone, from SoCal. I have had the above guitar about 15 years, picked it up in what I now believe was a killer trade, for an Ovation Legend of all things. At that time, it was still tight and needed to be played in, but it has turned into a very sweet sounding instrument and now has a lovely orange vintage patina on the top. It even still smells nice!

Does anyone know how many of these were produced in 96/97?  They aren't real common, and only occasionally come up for sale.

Also, does anyone know the finish Bob Taylor used on the top? It is super thin, probably nitro cellulose, but my top is aging very similar to
a shellac style varnish I noticed on a friend's vintage pre-war Martin 000.

By the way, the 422 measures the same as a 000 Martin in body and scale, with a 15 inch lower bout and a 25.5 inch scale.  The sound is warmer and richer, balanced and well articulated, responsive to subtle technique and input, but tons of headroom if volume is desired. How do I know? I also have a 12 year old 000 Martin, which is fetching in its own way. A brunette to the Taylor blonde.

Lastly, this guitar sounds much less "bright and twangy" than current 400's. I suspect the current Taylor "sound" is commercial, mainly because it is obvious and attention getting to the untrained ear. Bob was really onto something with this instrument design in the 000/OM tradition of midsize guitars. I have played only two other Taylors with similar balance, a 25 year anniversary model, and a 30 year anniversary model, both very limited production.  Any thoughts?

Update:  January 21, 2014

I originally thought it was a 97, turns out after talking to Taylor, it's a 96. They are tracking down production numbers,  the initial thought is the rosewood run was limited, as were the other tone woods.

What impresses me the most is not only the warm tonal balance but also the dynamic headroom of the design. It will sing with fingers or jump with a flat pick in a bluegrass circle. In view of Martin's dramatic success with their new 000's, Bob should break out the old plans and crank out a new run with the NT neck. I also forgot to mention the design includes a parabolic back, and what appears to be forward shifted X-bracing

Taylor 422R, 1996
Martin 00028, 2001, Custon
Gibson ES135, 2002 Memphis
Fender Japanese Squier Strat, 1982 with Seymour Duncans
Ramirez Classical
Martin D-35, 1971

[Strumming Fool]

Taylor was using its UV-cured poly finish when your guitar was made. I've got a '95 and a '97, and their finishes have also aged beautifully. As far as "twangy" goes, most newer guitars will sound brighter than their older counterparts, simply due to lack of age. They all "mellow" with time...would love to see pics of your baby.

[seanD]

Thanks for the info, the open grain, patina and coloring really looks shellac-like, similar to what Collings does on their higher end stuff. The top vibrates super-free, and is becoming fiddle-like in tone and sustain. I'm going to call Taylor to find out how many were made, just curious. Will post pictures soon too.

[michaelw]

your 97 422 sounds pretty nice, sean & with that # of years of playing behind it, i'll bet the tone has matured big-time

the X12s had more OM-shaped curves up until 00 & the body shape has seen the most changes since its 84 release -
the 04 30th anniversary XXX-GCs had the redesigned body silhouette done in 00, deeper body 4 3/8" vs 4 1/8", shorter scale
24 7/8" rather than 25.5", with standard II forward-shifted bracing & relief rout & there have been 2 mods/options since then,
with the addition of CV bracing on the 800 series/up & a 12 fret model with its own specific bracing pattern & bridge position

the deep body X12s offered in the early mid 90's intrigue me -
i haven't seen too many of those, but i have a 91 412 honduras mahogany that's deeper than the old
jumbo & with a rosewood board & bridge, it was well-played in by the time i got it & to me, it's got "it"

the "classic" designs, especially the pre 97 square shoulder dreadnoughts, will always have "something" the
current/future models will not & the pre-CNC models & ones from lemon grove will be a little more "special" -
i'd like to spec a X12 spruce/maple, parabolic braced, mahogany neck, thin finish BTO this year, to hear what
30 years have done, but seeing it'll be the company's 40th, & X12s 30th, anniversaries respectively, i'm hoping
for a 422LTD-MA for just a little more than the 412 $ tag, sort of like the 2011 412ceFLTD-R, minus the CE

only 3 more weeks ... c'mon, winter NAMM

[CodeBlueEMT]

 Hi Sean. Welcome to the UTGF. Enjoy.

[mgap]

Welcome to the forum Sean.  Enjoy.

[Jersey tuning]

Welcome.  I've also been enjoying playing smaller guitars--6 of mine are 000 or smaller.  In Martin language, I have notably a 000(Taylor GC), 00(Froggy Bottom "C", Tacoma PK30 parlor), and 2  (Martin 2-17).