Who should Taylor do a signature model for next?

[michaelw]

the current 914ce can be ordered with an engelmann top & without electronics -
97-00 914c vs 11-12 914ce, the main differences between the 2 models would be
NT neck with scarfjoint headstock vs pre NT on 97-early 00 models
CV bracing vs pre-Standard II (non-forward shifted & no relief rout)
gloss ebony headstock overlay with rosewood binding vs unbound gloss rosewood headstock
bridge pins holes in a straight line vs smiley bridge (pinholes in an arc) on 97- early 99 models
Cindy bridge inlay vs no bridge inlay
bone nut & saddle vs Tusq
Gotoh tuners vs Grovers

in addition to age, the woods on the earlier models are likely to have
tighter & straighter grain, with more silking on the engelmann top &
greater variegation on the rosewood (black, dark brown & purple)

whether the newer model or older model sounds better is up to the person playing

i find that i have more interest in a signature model if it has some features
(unique to a 'standard' model) that have an effect on tone (woods or bracing),
rather than just aesthetics (inlay, finish, etc) & that if i like the tone of a
guitar that an artist is playing & their music, not that i would 'sound like them',
i would be more inclined to research the specs of the 'original' guitar,
whether it be a 68 hummingbird or 68 tele with a maple 'board, etc

imho, it's not just  what they're playing, although it is a big part of it,
but it's how  they're  playing it (in addition to the rig & settings)

[Steve]

Actually, check out the Spring 2011 Wood and Steel, page 12.  Taylor built Tommy a pair of short scale Dreads with Adi tops, CV bracing, and Madagascar RW. 
He had them made for his bluegrass project "The Great Divide".

Absolutely true.

Go to a Styx concert, where far more people will see him during a tour, and see what he's playing.

Tommy's not identified with the Dreads...

[michaelw]

Tommy's been seen with some Taylor electrics as well,
especially when they were yet to be released (prototypes) -
perhaps, a SolidBody single or double cutaway Standard model
with custom voiced pickups/configuration, unique finish & inlays

[Steve]

Tommy's been seen with some Taylor electrics as well,
especially when they were yet to be released (prototypes) -
perhaps, a SolidBody single or double cutaway Standard model
with custom voiced pickups/configuration, unique finish & inlays

When Tommy plays electric, it might be a PRS, a Gibson or a Fender.

When he plays an acoustic, though, it's always a Taylor. Ergo, an acoustic would be far more appropriate...

[ataylor]

It seems that signature models can go either way in terms of "association" -- sometimes they are a replica of a guitar that the artist is known to use (like my Lennon Epiphone Casino, or a Clapton "Blackie" Stratocaster), while other times it's simply a guitar that is some sort of collaboration between the company and the artist (like that new John Mayer "stagecoach" Martin, or the Jeff Tweedy Gibson SG).

Both routes are capable of yielding cool guitars. Since Taylor is a comparatively young guitar company, it seems that they would typically go with the latter route more often than not, which suits their brand approach just fine.

[michaelw]

Tommy may play a 655 or 656ce most frequently, but i wonder how
strong the 'mass-appeal' would be for a larger body maple 12'er

a 616ce could  possibly be a 'safer bet', imho - adi CV, custom finish & inlays
but there is a dealer that has already done a sizable special order run with
sitka/maple & adi CV ... perhaps an engelmann top, to change it up a little

a JKSM (a la JDX), based on the 214e with a cedar top, satinwood laminate, custom inlays &
rosette & the ES-T for a relatively small upcharge could  be interesting, i think