Taylor Jumbos

[Doug W]

I Tivo the "Live From Darrell's House" (LFDH) TV episodes. Many times these episodes feature Taylors.

Darrell Hall's ex-producer, Tom "T-Bone" Walk (that in recent years passed away) seems to be playing a Taylor full body (no cutaway) jumbo that is (my guesses) Maple back and sides and possibly Cedar top, /w old-style barn door preamp and UST.

Over many LFDH episodes Mr. Walk used that guitar for rhythm, leads, and slide.

Gary - all I can say is "Thank you!".  I'd not come across LFDH before, and now I'm hooked - what a brilliant find.

Keeping on topic - that jumbo slide sound (great example is in episode 5 where KT Tunstall joins, and they play Bonnie Raitt's "Something to Talk About") is amazing.

I have to say - I fall more in love with my 815 every day.  I'm a big guy, so it doesn't feel uncomfortable to play it in the standard position, but I have to admit the initial "factory specs" setup made it feel like a little more work to play than some of my others, so I did a little experiment.  I bought a spare saddle, shaped it to be 1/16" lower than "standard" and put on some elixer lights.  I'm amazed - plays like a GA, but still has the Jumbo sound and character that I fell in love with in the first place, and the 12's sure seem to drive the top well enough compared to the higher tension 13's.

edited to correct typo

[jml]

I have a year 2000 Jumbo (555 12-string).  If I could only keep one of my four guitars, this would be it.  The narrow waist felt weird to me at first, but now it's the guitar that sits on my thigh the best.  I've been considering a jumbo six string (if I can find one), but stuff in my house keeps breaking (!)

John

[egkor]

Garry - all I can say is "Thank you!".  I'd not come across LFDH before, and now I'm hooked - what a brilliant find.

Keeping on topic - that jumbo slide sound (great example is in episode 5 where KT Tunstall joins, and they play Bonnie Raitt's "Something to Talk About") is amazing.

I have to say - I fall more in love with my 815 every day.  I'm a big guy, so it doesn't feel uncomfortable to play it in the standard position, but I have to admit the initial "factory specs" setup made it feel like a little more work to play than some of my others, so I did a little experiment.  I bought a spare saddle, shaped it to be 1/16" lower than "standard" and put on some elixer lights.  I'm amazed - plays like a GA, but still has the Jumbo sound and character that I fell in love with in the first place, and the 12's sure seem to drive the top well enough compared to the higher tension 13's.

You are welcome WRT LFDH! 

I've said this before:  I want it all!  I want the beautiful shimmering/sustaining highs of the GA series, and the volume, bottom, and general Mojo of a Jumbo.  So, working with what I have, I'll try putting Elixir 80/20 Nano Lights on my 315ce and see what happens.

My 315ce has it mostly covered (with the Mediums) except it doesn't have the "Taylor highs" like I really want like my 414ce does.  If I could combine all the attributes of my 315ce (JM) and 414ce (GA) together I think I would be "there", or at least closer. 

-Gary K

[Doug W]

Gary -

I'll be interested to hear what you think, and see whether it reflects my own observations, or if you come back and say I'm smoking something. 

When I said "plays like a GA", I was speaking more to playability than to tone - I'm not sure if it is primarily the lighter string or lower action (or the combination), but the left hand work now requires a LOT less effort than before, and the guitar still sounds good.  To my ear, it is very well balanced - a lead line on the high strings does have that echoey (is that a word?) sustain that I associate with Taylors, though maybe not to the degree of a GA.  But when strummed hard, or when picking out a melody on the bass strings, there is much more growl and rumble than a GA.

That said, everything is a compromise.  It is neither as loud nor as gut rumbling now as it was with mediums and higher action, so who knows - I may try to tweak some more - keep the lighter strings and go with  slightly higher action, or put mediums on the current lowered saddle, or who knows what else?

Half the fun of the trip is the journey itself, right?

[egkor]

@Doug W,

Understood!  I bought the new set of Lights, I just want to see what will happen with them on the 315ce.  Never tried that particular experiment before!

When I was at GC picking up strings, I strummed a new 310ce dread, and it had some degree of that "shimmer", even with Medium strings.  So the quest continues!   

Gary K

[michaelw]

I understand that Taylor is redesigning their jumbo line. Does anyone besides myself would love to see the jumbo be included in their acoustic line up?  I think a JU-3,4,5,6,7,8 with simple appointments no electronics (optional) no cutaway would be great.

Who's with me on this?

the JM5-8 can be spec'd BTO for less $ than a standard
non-cutaway model, provided the binding is white or black plastic -
creme binding is no longer on the standard BTO sheet & ivoroid is rather expensive (imho)

waiting to see what happens with the redesigned/revoiced jumbo & the other 'new model' -
all 'hog with CV bracing & 'tortoise binding' would be pretty sweet

[DMZ]

My first Taylor was a beautiful '97 615 with a heavy big leaf quilted like those gallery series. It was like I won the lottery when I found it, struck a deal at the local store and brought it home. Long since gone, I can only imagine what it would sound like today. Many have come and gone but the jumbo has a soft spot for me. I filled the void however with an exceptional vintage style-toned J200.

[Sludgefactory]

My 615ce is my favorite Taylor of my current and past Taylors. I think the jumbo gets a bad rap as being uncomfortable to play. I am not a big guy and the way it sits in my lap I have no issue. In fact, I've played 3 hours gigs while sitting on a stool and had no problem. I realize sitting back in your easy chair with a grand concert might be more cozy I think more people should give the jumbo a try.

[Strumming Fool]

All this talk about maple jumbos has got me seriuosly considering one as my next BTO (even though I'm a GA guy - see signature below). Funny thing is that I never found my W65 uncomfortable even though I'm a smaller guy, but I did find the GS to be awkward. To each his own, I guess....

[egkor]

My 615ce is my favorite Taylor of my current and past Taylors.

I had found a new 2011 615ce in a local GC. Since the Taylor Jumbos are harder (for me) to find, and since they are going on hiatus, and since I really like my 315ce Jumbo, I brought the 615ce home.

In my 30-day trial I was mostly liking the 615ce.  However, for the amount of money it would have cost (and this is below MAP, a good deal) I still could not resolve that I loved that guitar enough to keep it.  I didn't want to take a chance on keeping it and it not ever "open up".

Since returning the 615ce, I tried Elixir Nano 80/20 Lights (.012s) on my 315ce. Surprise, they actually worked out really well, the 315ce seems easier to play and the trebles seem to ring/sustain more than with the Mediums (.013s). 

My interest in the 615ce is renewed now that I know a switch from Mediums to Lights (and probably to Light-Mediums) can work with good results.

I would just like the 615ce to be more "lively" than it was when I evaluated it (maybe like a 614ce/GA).  Maple has its sound and I appreciate that (that's one reason I'm interested in the Maple Jumbo).  Maybe a retry with a fresh set of Light gauge strings?

-Gary K