Unofficial Taylor Guitar Forum - UTGF

Taylor Acoustic & Electric Guitars => Taylor Acoustic & Electric Guitars => Topic started by: markallen on December 23, 2011, 09:36:54 AM

Title: NTGD Yipee!! - 2011 Fall Ltd Koa GA
Post by: markallen on December 23, 2011, 09:36:54 AM
I'm very excited to have received my Fall Koa Ltd. It is the GA size in solid Koa with beautiful inlaid woods on the rosette and fretboard. This is the standard neck with the 25.5" scale length. I played it for about an hour last night and it just sounds lovely. Extremely balanced from lows to highs. Previously I had a 2010 Spring Koa LTD 12 fret GC which was definitely more "chime like" in the higher registers, but this guitar seems exceptionally more balanced overall which I like much better. I know it takes a while for Koa to open up, so if what I'm hearing now is only going to get better with age, I'm a very happy camper!  A big "tip of the hat" to Jon and Sharon Gagnon at My Favorite Guitars who provided their usual incredible service on this sale. I've purchased many guitars from them in the past and the service and pricing have always been spectacular.

I'm out of town on vacation next week and considering having it sit the whole week with ToneRite on it. We'll see what happens.

Cheers,
Mark

Of course, no NTGD post would be complete without photos:
(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx256/fallboard/Taylor%20Koa%20Fall%20LTD/IMG_0308.jpg)
(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx256/fallboard/Taylor%20Koa%20Fall%20LTD/IMG_0305.jpg)
(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx256/fallboard/Taylor%20Koa%20Fall%20LTD/IMG_0306.jpg)
(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx256/fallboard/Taylor%20Koa%20Fall%20LTD/IMG_0309.jpg)
(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx256/fallboard/Taylor%20Koa%20Fall%20LTD/IMG_0311.jpg)
(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx256/fallboard/Taylor%20Koa%20Fall%20LTD/IMG_0312.jpg)
Title: Re: NTGD Yipee!! - 2011 Fall Ltd Koa GA
Post by: BigSkyTaylorPlayer on December 23, 2011, 09:46:18 AM
WOW, what a beauty!!  I love my 2010 Fall Limited Koa but the 2011 is absolutely stunning.  You know about Koa opening up so as you said in your post - it's only going to get better.  Mine opened this summer and it was amazing.

Congrats and enjoy.
Title: Re: NTGD Yipee!! - 2011 Fall Ltd Koa GA
Post by: markallen on December 23, 2011, 10:05:54 AM
WOW, what a beauty!!  I love my 2010 Fall Limited Koa but the 2011 is absolutely stunning.  You know about Koa opening up so as you said in your post - it's only going to get better.  Mine opened this summer and it was amazing.

Congrats and enjoy.

Thanks TP,

I'm going to (hopefully) accelerate the opening up process a bit with the ToneRite. I've never used one and am honestly a bit of a sceptic, but I've found no reports of the process damaging or worsening the tone of a guitar so I figure "nothing ventured, nothing gained". While I'm on vacation next week, I'm planning on letting the ToneRite do it's thing.

Mark
Title: Re: NTGD Yipee!! - 2011 Fall Ltd Koa GA
Post by: BigSkyTaylorPlayer on December 23, 2011, 10:20:00 AM
What style of music do you play?  I do mostly flatpicking with some strumming.  I got the GS Mini the other day and didn't get to play it enough yet to compare it against my Koa but it seems the Koa is brighter and to me sounds so full tho' that could be the GS body.  I'm still learning about all the differences in woods and body shapes.

How are you going to survive a week away from your new baby?
Title: Re: NTGD Yipee!! - 2011 Fall Ltd Koa GA
Post by: cjd-player on December 23, 2011, 10:22:52 AM
Wow, what a beautiful guitar.  Andy Powers is certainly doing great work at Taylor.  Taylor's future would seem to be in good hands.

Congratulations.
Title: Re: NTGD Yipee!! - 2011 Fall Ltd Koa GA
Post by: Terry on December 23, 2011, 10:33:56 AM
Well done! It's almost too pretty to play ;D
Congrats.
Title: Re: NTGD Yipee!! - 2011 Fall Ltd Koa GA
Post by: markallen on December 23, 2011, 11:05:46 AM
What style of music do you play?  I do mostly flatpicking with some strumming.  I got the GS Mini the other day and didn't get to play it enough yet to compare it against my Koa but it seems the Koa is brighter and to me sounds so full tho' that could be the GS body.  I'm still learning about all the differences in woods and body shapes.

How are you going to survive a week away from your new baby?

I play mainly light strumming and fingerpicking. Folk / campfire / worship type stuff. I had the 12 fret short scale and it just seemed a bit too cramped for me. This of course is more "me than "guitar" as I'm 6'2" and 240# with stubby fingers. :)

The Koa is bright. In fact, I also have a GS6 big leaf maple and the Koa is easily as bright as the maple. I'm just loving the feel of it so far.

Yes, I'm going to miss her next week. But mama and I are going to Branson and then a side trip to Nashville, so I think I'll have plenty to do.

Title: Re: NTGD Yipee!! - 2011 Fall Ltd Koa GA
Post by: michaelw on December 23, 2011, 11:42:18 AM
ho, ho ... whoa :o

that is some ultra-flamed koa on your new guitar, Mark :D

congrats & thanks for sharing the pics with us :)

i like the reflection on this one, kind of a 'solarized' effect ...  extremely 8)
(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx256/fallboard/Taylor%20Koa%20Fall%20LTD/IMG_0309.jpg)

very nice ;D
Title: Re: NTGD Yipee!! - 2011 Fall Ltd Koa GA
Post by: bo1142 on December 23, 2011, 02:18:17 PM
Holy geez!  That is beautiful.  Congratulations.  You know that there is a downside to an all Koa guitar, right?  You can't play it ALL the time...you must sleep ;D  Enjoy!
Title: Re: NTGD Yipee!! - 2011 Fall Ltd Koa GA
Post by: LindaLoo on December 23, 2011, 02:38:35 PM
Absolutely stunning!!!! Many congratulations. (http://smiles.kolobok.us/artists/laie/Laie_3.gif)
Title: Re: NTGD Yipee!! - 2011 Fall Ltd Koa GA
Post by: gdeleo on December 23, 2011, 02:58:03 PM
That is one beautiful guitar.  All the best of luck with it.
Title: Re: NTGD Yipee!! - 2011 Fall Ltd Koa GA
Post by: Raven on December 23, 2011, 05:43:42 PM
Very Nice !!!!!! I love mine as well !!!! Congrats .......  :)
Title: Re: NTGD Yipee!! - 2011 Fall Ltd Koa GA
Post by: John429 on December 23, 2011, 06:37:55 PM
Super beautiful guitar, Mark! I love the fret board inlay as well. You will have so much enjoyment playing it!
Title: Re: NTGD Yipee!! - 2011 Fall Ltd Koa GA
Post by: Edward on December 23, 2011, 09:55:10 PM
WOW!  That is some amazing koa ...easily some of the finest koa I have ever seen.  Congrats and enjoy!

Edward
Title: Re: NTGD Yipee!! - 2011 Fall Ltd Koa GA
Post by: Strumming Fool on December 23, 2011, 10:29:40 PM
Mark-

That's just stunning! I had the good fortune to play one recently at Martin Music in Memphis TN. I think that Taylor seems to have gained an edge over other builders regarding koa-topped guitars. While I'm not much of fan of a hardwood-topped guitars, the last few I've played from Taylor sounded really good right out of the box. I wish you many, many years with that lovely instrument. Congrats and Merry Christmas.
Title: Re: NTGD Yipee!! - 2011 Fall Ltd Koa GA
Post by: Cindy on December 23, 2011, 10:41:48 PM
Absolutely stunning! 8) Sometimes I wonder who actually determines the wood, inlays, and everything else involved with Taylor's limiteds. This limited style is GORGEOUS! ;)
Title: Re: NTGD Yipee!! - 2011 Fall Ltd Koa GA
Post by: barefooter on December 23, 2011, 11:32:10 PM
I need oxygen....  That just took my breath away.  A beautiful guitar indeed.  A wonderful Christmas gift as well.  Merry Christmas :)
Title: Re: NTGD Yipee!! - 2011 Fall Ltd Koa GA
Post by: markallen on December 24, 2011, 05:37:09 PM
Thanks everyone for the wonderful comments. I've been playing every chance I've had for the past 48 hours. I promised I'd put it down for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Then it's off for a week of vacation and I will miss playing my new instrument the whole time. Have a blessed Christmas everyone!!

Mark
Title: Re: NTGD Yipee!! - 2011 Fall Ltd Koa GA
Post by: Raven on December 24, 2011, 06:52:30 PM
Absolutely stunning! 8) Sometimes I wonder who actually determines the wood, inlays, and everything else involved with Taylor's limiteds. This limited style is GORGEOUS! ;)

Andy Powers and Larry Breedlove hand their hands in this years batch of Fall Limiteds .....

http://youtu.be/7U8oAvWOpME (http://youtu.be/7U8oAvWOpME)
Title: Re: NTGD Yipee!! - 2011 Fall Ltd Koa GA
Post by: michaelw on December 26, 2011, 02:10:17 PM
Absolutely stunning! 8) Sometimes I wonder who actually determines the wood, inlays, and everything else involved with Taylor's limiteds. This limited style is GORGEOUS! ;)
Larry Breedlove & Andy Powers had a lot to do with this year's Fall LTDs & i'm quite certain
that they both worked on the design of the 'twisted', 'pipe-liine' & current PS inlays as well

i believe that Larry, among others at Taylor, also designed the L30 inlays/rosettes in 04 -
wood availability & the appointments are most likely determined by product development/R&D
 
Title: Re: NTGD Yipee!! - 2011 Fall Ltd Koa GA
Post by: zeebow on December 27, 2011, 01:18:22 AM
I was lucky enough to play one of these at George's music in orlando. It didn't "speak" to me, but I wish it did b/c yours looks freaking sweet!

I hear koa opens up nicely, but I don't know anyone that has a koa guitar so I was nervous about waiting to hear how it sounded opened up :)
Title: Re: NTGD Yipee!! - 2011 Fall Ltd Koa GA
Post by: markallen on December 27, 2011, 10:21:59 AM
Zee, I'm hoping to accelerate the opening up process by using the ToneRite on it while I'm away on vacation this week. While mama and I are down in Branson,  the Koa is at home doing the shake, rattle, roll with the ToneRite.  I'll report back the results next week.

Mark

Title: Re: NTGD Yipee!! - 2011 Fall Ltd Koa GA
Post by: BigSkyTaylorPlayer on December 27, 2011, 10:25:19 AM
Wow, have a good trip, I know you have been enjoying playing that beautiful guitar.
Title: Re: NTGD Yipee!! - 2011 Fall Ltd Koa GA
Post by: mels95yj on December 27, 2011, 03:53:22 PM
Congrats on a beauty!  I, myself, just got one in a GS flavor for Christmas.  This one's a keeper for sure.
Title: Re: NTGD Yipee!! - 2011 Fall Ltd Koa GA
Post by: michaelw on December 27, 2011, 07:42:33 PM
Congrats on a beauty!  I, myself, just got one in a GS flavor for Christmas.  This one's a keeper for sure.
congrats on the Koa GS, mels95yj :)

any chance that you might have a pic or 2 to share with us ;)
please feel to start a new thread, if you'd like :D

WELCOME !
Title: Re: NTGD Yipee!! - 2011 Fall Ltd Koa GA
Post by: mescobar on December 29, 2011, 11:44:36 AM
mels95yj:
Without pics it didn't happen!  :P

markallen:
Looks like an awesome guitar. I too have a GA (12 fret) Koa from this limited run.
The flame is better than I was anticipating.
Congrats!
Title: Re: NTGD Yipee!! - 2011 Fall Ltd Koa GA
Post by: Ted @ LA Guitar Sales on December 29, 2011, 09:36:30 PM
The Koa series went fast, congrats on securing one and enjoy your new Taylor!
Title: Re: NTGD Yipee!! - 2011 Fall Ltd Koa GA
Post by: zeebow on December 30, 2011, 02:44:29 AM
Zee, I'm hoping to accelerate the opening up process by using the ToneRite on it while I'm away on vacation this week. While mama and I are down in Branson,  the Koa is at home doing the shake, rattle, roll with the ToneRite.  I'll report back the results next week.

Mark

yup, i saw that you wrote that in an earlier post. if it works out for you, i'll probably use ToneRite on my 914 (when it comes next year lol)

man, can't stop going back to this thread to look at the pics. i really wished i could have heard a koa that opened up in person, price difference was a wash between the koa ltd and my future 914

Title: Re: NTGD Yipee!! - 2011 Fall Ltd Koa GA
Post by: dkoloff on January 08, 2012, 04:32:10 PM
I saw them at the factory on the tour...played one of the demos and just thought it was a really nice player and one of the prettier guitars that I have seen lately. Enjoy!
Title: Re: NTGD Yipee!! - 2011 Fall Ltd Koa GA
Post by: Drock2k1 on January 09, 2012, 11:16:57 PM
The more I see the the more I love them. Congrats on the new guitar and God bless Taylor for the edgeburst
Title: Re: NTGD Yipee!! - 2011 Fall Ltd Koa GA
Post by: michaelw on January 09, 2012, 11:34:19 PM
Zee, I'm hoping to accelerate the opening up process by using the ToneRite on it while I'm away on vacation this week. While mama and I are down in Branson,  the Koa is at home doing the shake, rattle, roll with the ToneRite.  I'll report back the results next week.

Mark
hi Mark,
just wondering if the Koa is still a shake, rattle & rollin' ;D

hope you had a fun vacation :)
Title: Re: NTGD Yipee!! - 2011 Fall Ltd Koa GA
Post by: Gutch on January 10, 2012, 05:04:32 PM
That is one beautiful guitar -- congrats!
Title: Re: NTGD Yipee!! - 2011 Fall Ltd Koa GA
Post by: DMZ on January 10, 2012, 06:12:01 PM
Dang that's a beaut!
Title: Re: NTGD Yipee!! - 2011 Fall Ltd Koa GA
Post by: Glen on February 19, 2012, 07:32:03 AM
Just curious. Did the ToneRite do anything for your Fall Ltd?
Title: Re: NTGD Yipee!! - 2011 Fall Ltd Koa GA
Post by: Steve on February 19, 2012, 09:30:44 AM
The only proper way to age a guitar is to play it...
Title: Re: NTGD Yipee!! - 2011 Fall Ltd Koa GA
Post by: cigarfan on February 19, 2012, 01:21:23 PM
Beautiful Guitar! Mucho congratulations.

I'm sure you will be very pleasantly surprised as it does open up. I've got a 2007 GA-K which is the Spruce top / Koa Back/sides which has really blossomed. Very versatile too. You won't be disappointed.
Title: Re: NTGD Yipee!! - 2011 Fall Ltd Koa GA
Post by: markallen on February 21, 2012, 10:32:52 AM
Hi Everyone,
Thanks for all the wonderful comments. I've been away from the board for a while as I've been diligently working on a project at work. the short answer on the ToneRite is WOW! The thing really works. I'll write a separate thread going into some detail shortly.
Cheers,
Mark
Title: Re: NTGD Yipee!! - 2011 Fall Ltd Koa GA
Post by: michaelw on February 21, 2012, 01:23:48 PM
Hi Everyone,
Thanks for all the wonderful comments. I've been away from the board for a while as I've been diligently working on a project at work. the short answer on the ToneRite is WOW! The thing really works. I'll write a separate thread going into some detail shortly.
Cheers,
Mark
awesome :)

looking forward to the update, Mark :D