The ES2 system latest version has anyone upgraded to it

[Strumming Fool]

Clarify, please

Your axe must have been "upgraded" to whatever was the current system if you do have the ES2.

So, You do have the three tiny hex set screws touching the back of the saddle?  That will be an ES2.

If you don't have the set screws you have an ES1

It would be good if we are all singing from the same proverbial page in the hymnal

This is interesting...

Paul

Right, Paul! So, Chris - do you know whether your 2011 614ce had an ES 1 to ES2 upgrade, as the ES2 was first introduced in 2013? Just curious....

[Scottp]

Glad you got that part cleared up, Scott.

So may I ask then, what specifically is it you're not liking about your ES2?  Is the system working fine but you're not satisfied with the tone, or are you experiencing something genuinely wrong with it when you plug in?

Edward

Well since I had my 2003 414ce, that I played the heck out of (now gone) that guitar had a basic under the saddle factory pickup.
Being a big Taylor fan back in the day I watched closely as the developed their new acoustic pickup systems. Like the one with 3 sensors.

Fast forward to a few months ago, I fell in love with the finish on this guitar, beautiful flame maple grain on the back and sides. I checked the pickup at the store, just to make sure it worked, expecting that it was going to sound better than my old 414ce.

It did not. The tone is bright and not well balanced. Yes all the controls seem to work throughout their ranges.

I checked the frets for being level and they were not. They were all over the place.
I just had a setup, level, crown and polish done on it. It already plays SO much better.
The luthier said he checked and adjusted the 3 saddle sensors.

I'm hoping to get some time real soon to plug it in!

Thanks.

[Scottp]

Clarify, please

Your axe must have been "upgraded" to whatever was the current system if you do have the ES2.

So, You do have the three tiny hex set screws touching the back of the saddle?  That will be an ES2.

If you don't have the set screws you have an ES1

It would be good if we are all singing from the same proverbial page in the hymnal



For the record, I do have the three tiny hex set screws touching the back of the saddle?  Yes it is an ES2.

Thanks.

This is interesting...

Paul

[Earl]

My guitar does have the ES2 system. 
I heard there was a preamp change. Is anyone familiar with the V2 preamp for the ES2 system?

Apologies for derailing your thread -- mea culpa.  Yes, the original ES system had some tone and balance issues, and Taylor was replacing the first pre-amp board for a while under warranty.  I don't know how to tell if you have the original V1 pre-amp or the revised V2 version, but Customer Support can answer that question.  It probably can be identified by a switch or a visible part number.  Call to get their help.  I recall many reports that the new pre-amp board mostly solved the gain and balance problems in the field.

[Edward]

Hey Scott,

The fret level/crown work is good as you not only get a better player, but it rules out that variable.  Your ES2 is, indeed, the earliest of the preamps.  And since you've already called them and they gave you the price of the current preamp, they clearly aren't going to do it for you gratis ...something they do for the original owner under warranty.

So my suggestion is buy a .050" allen wrench (I bought my set from Amazon for a few bucks), and adjust the three heads yourself.  It's not a drastic tonal or balance difference, but it does help a bit.  I personally found the harsh brightness is due to the screws being too tight, which apparently the piezo responds with a sharp, brittle top end. 

May I suggest: plug in the guitar and put ES knobs to detent.  Turn up the volume on your amp (but I found good headphones through an audio interface to be more sensitive/accurate), and back off each screw until it is clear it no longer has any influence on the volume.  Then slowly tighten the screw sloooowly until you hear it affect the volume.  HERE is where you tweak it "just so" ...and we are talking about minute changes in the screw head to adjust the volume for that pair of strings.  Repeat for the other two screws/pair of strings.

Shortcoming: that one screw affects the pair of strings unequally.  For example, adjusting for relative volume for the high e will result in a B that's too loud; get the B where I want it and the e is not loud enough.  Same with the low E and A.  Ugh!  I have no great love for the ES2, but adjusting the screws and lots of judicious EQ-ing (GEQ or parametric) makes it ok, passable; better than normal piezo UST (which I typically dislike), so at least it's a decent live tone once I've done all the aforementioned tweaking. 

Sorry if this is too much info, or is simply irrelevant to you, but thought I'd just toss it out there as perhaps you find something of help. 

Edward

[Scottp]

Hello Edward!

Definitely not too much info!! 

Thank you for the detailed response. I love the headphone idea!
I will give that a try and report back. Probably in about 1 week, lots going on.
I appreciate everyone's help too!

Thanks.

[Gabrielobrien]

I have and I’m also an authorized repair tech. The V2 preamp is not as high output. People were complaining of hand noise and feedback issues, so they tested it with the ES-T preamp and it’s a better fit overall. Here’s a guide I made on getting the most out of it: https://vimeo.com/502271767/d1bb13b395

[Scottp]

Hello,

Thank you so much for the information and the video.
Very well done!!!