Greetings from suburban Phoenix AZ. I'm a long-time mediocre player, starting in high school some 50 years ago. I've been a life-long Guild player and recent acquired by first Taylor, a 1994 vintage 855 12-string.
As one might tell from my handle, I am a big fan of singer/songwriter John Stewart. I've been a big fan of him since the early 1970's. I've seen John perform dozens of times. From the mid-1990's until his death in 2008, John had an endorsement deal with Taylor. John had many different Taylor guitars. It seemed that everytime I saw him perform he had a different one. He started playing an 855 in the latter part of 1994. John never kept his guitars for very long and a few years later he offered the 855 up for sale through his internet fan page. I was a hair too slow on the trigger and another fan bought it.
This guy kept it for a number of years before selling it to Chuck McDermott. one of John's former sidemen and collaborator. Recently, Chuck offered it to me and I wasn't going to let it get away a second time...
For an older instrument that was a documented world traveler it is in great shape. The case, however, shows it's mileage. It still has a couple of FRAGILE stickers on it applied by a couple of different airlines. The case does not seem to the original, as the warranty card in the string pocket is for a Leo Kotkke model, with a different (higher) serial number. I remember John telling me his first Taylor 12 was a Leo Kotkke but he couldn't get used to the thicker neck and so he traded it in on the 855.
The guitar has a pick up, which I assume was factory installed, as John wouldn't buy a guitar without electronics in it. It is a simple undersaddle pickup with a 9v battery pre-amp. No volume or tone controls. Anyone out there in Taylor-land have a clue what this might be? It sounds great plugged in. While looking around inside with a mirror I found the date MA--- 7, 1994 stamped into the underside of the top. the "---" was covered by a brace.
Comparing the 855 to my 1971 Guild F-412 is an apples and oranges deal. The Guild has a maple body with an arched back making it absolutely the loudest guitar I have ever played. The 855 is no slouch, but the rosewood body adds its own special tone. The 855 has a thinner neck (front to back) but the fretboard is about the same width. The F412 is built like a tank and very heavy. 12 full sized Grover Rotomatics make it a bit neck heavy. The 855 is lighter, but still solid. Very different, very cool.
It is good to be aboard.
Earl K
Phoenix, AZ
other axes in the stable:
1972 Guild F-112
1975 Guild F-30
1971 Guild F-412
1989 Guild GF-55
2004 Gretsch 6122 Country Gentleman
2006 Gretsch 6128TSP Duo Jet
1993 Rickenbacker 360-12 V64
