1.25.18

[zeebow]

something new and big is coming 1.25.18 and is dubbed as taylors biggest innovation from Bob himself.

https://youtu.be/oxY4Errkm-U

i think this deserves a separate thread from the NAMM thread

so please reply with:
1. what you think it is
2. what do you hope it is
3. do you plan to buy it

for me:
1. i think it’s a builder reserve 900 series, maybe a lutz/koa wood combo. probably a big GS accompanies by a lutz/koa steel string uke. the fact he has a 900 series in the back aligns with the other builder reserve series, and the label he’s applying says builder edition
2. hope it’s andy’s modern take on a uke or a solid body, gloss gs mini
3 if it’s a builder reserve, i can’t afford it, so nope. if it’s a “first edition” uke or solid wood gs mini, 100% yes. already cleared with the boss

looking forward to hear your responses!!

[donlyn]

Possibly something to do with the bracing; the cross pieces are not perpendicular to the center line joiner piece.

If that is the upper bout, it doesn't appear to be too wide across; based on his hands, maybe 10-12"?

edit> Maybe a solid wood mini?

[Guitarsan]

Possibly something to do with the bracing; the cross pieces are not perpendicular to the center line joiner piece.

Gosh, I'm surprised so many people don't realize that the back bracing on many Series 600 and 800 models are slanted! So nope, that's not new.

[Guitarsan]

something new and big is coming 1.25.18 and is dubbed as taylors biggest innovation from Bob himself.

https://youtu.be/oxY4Errkm-U

i think this deserves a separate thread from the NAMM thread

so please reply with:
1. what you think it is
2. what do you hope it is
3. do you plan to buy it

for me:
1. i think it’s a builder reserve 900 series, maybe a lutz/koa wood combo. probably a big GS accompanies by a lutz/koa steel string uke. the fact he has a 900 series in the back aligns with the other builder reserve series, and the label he’s applying says builder edition
2. hope it’s andy’s modern take on a uke or a solid body, gloss gs mini
3 if it’s a builder reserve, i can’t afford it, so nope. if it’s a “first edition” uke or solid wood gs mini, 100% yes. already cleared with the boss

looking forward to hear your responses!!

Well, let's start with "biggest innovation of all time for Taylor". Bigger than the NT neck. Pretty big. Really big.

So, as I said in the NAMM thread, I believe the big innovation is a new bracing scheme based on Andy Power's patent that is a breakthrough, representing less tradeoff between volume (flexibility) and sustain (rigidness).

Bob's said before he doesn't think the GS Mini market would go for the cost of a solid wood Mini, but maybe he figured something out. I doubt it.

The label does in fact say Builders Edition along the vertical stay. Maybe a parlor guitar? Yeah, what the heck, I'll call that.

I also think they may pull the trigger on the koa uke, we know that's coming, why not now?

So those are my 3 guesses.

As a bonus, perhaps the guitar sound track is an amplified guitar for a reason? It's not miked, it's amplified. Just covering my bases.... 

[jjrpilot-admin]

This was posted over at the AGF but someone found a patent filed by Andy and Taylor Guitars:

https://patents.google.com/patent/US9520108B1/en?q=G10D3%2f02&assignee=TAYLOR-LISTUG%2c+INC.

Looks like it might be bracing...but I also wouldn't be surprised if they also introduced a smaller new model as well.  I agree with some of the posters that the back of the guitar on the table looks really small but then again it could just be the angle...maybe it's a GC...who knows.

Whatever they introduce, I know I'll be excited.....maybe it's time to save some pennies and maybe sell the Martin.........

[madx2]

2 years ago I sent a question to the "Ask Bob" column in Wood and Steel.  It never made it on page.  At first I thought maybe it was a stupid question that just didn't make the cut.  Now I'm telling myself I am a "stable genius" and they have been experimenting with my idea all this time.

Are you ready for it??    Bamboo bracing. 

You saw it here first.

[zeebow]

2 years ago I sent a question to the "Ask Bob" column in Wood and Steel.  It never made it on page.  At first I thought maybe it was a stupid question that just didn't make the cut.  Now I'm telling myself I am a "stable genius" and they have been experimenting with my idea all this time.

Are you ready for it??    Bamboo bracing. 

You saw it here first.

no such thing as a stupid question

interesting, bamboo is dense and rigid, but i’m def not a luthier so i have no idea if that would work

this is fun

[wooglins]

Steel string fan bracing can’t wait. 

[wooglins]

My bet based on the video will be a fan braced steel string parlor.  Small back, recent patent that looks like fan bracing, but not robust enough for full size guitar possibly, but huge sound in small body guitars.

Additionally looks like builders reserve which is sometimes used to test market for new product.

No sense dumping performance bracing across the line as well.  To many bracing changes in short time.

Or it could be ES3. ;-)

[Cindy]

I wonder if DWM's comment is talking about the same thing?

http://www.unofficialtaylorguitarforum.com/index.php?topic=8687.0

[jrowe]

Looking at the Taylor homepage, there is the image that is of the same guitar from the video. By inspecting the element in the browser, you can see that they have named the image: "V-Class-Bracing-Homepage-Phase-1_0.jpg" so I'd say the bracing is the big announcement.

[deepermagic]

Just curious, I haven't shoved my head into a newer than 2012 Taylor soundhole, but since the transition from Bob to Andy, has Andy's signature been on the labels?

[Christhee68]

After looking at the link for the patent, I think the new bracing pattern what the big reveal will be.

P.S. Did anyone notice that Andy's full name is ANDREW TAYLOR POWERS?

I seem to recall Bob saying that Andy was like a son to him. Hmm.....

[zeebow]

Looking at the Taylor homepage, there is the image that is of the same guitar from the video. By inspecting the element in the browser, you can see that they have named the image: "V-Class-Bracing-Homepage-Phase-1_0.jpg" so I'd say the bracing is the big announcement.

interesting find. you’re a sleuth!

[zeebow]

Just curious, I haven't shoved my head into a newer than 2012 Taylor soundhole, but since the transition from Bob to Andy, has Andy's signature been on the labels?

no, they have not. this one does though.