What would be the iconic Taylor acoustic guitar?

[MexicoMike]

You can't make a Taylor into "an iconic acoustic guitar" any more than you can make Yamaha into "an iconic grand piano."  That belongs to Steinway, just as "Iconic acoustic guitar" belongs to Martin.  Sure, you can claim some specific Taylor is their most popular or best known guitar.  But "iconic" just isn't there.

Of course, that "status" has nothing to do with the fact that the quality of a current Taylor guitar/Yamaha grand piano may, by some, be considered better than a current Martin or a Steinway because "iconic" is about image.  It is the same as comparing a Honda NSX with a Ferrari 308.  The NSX may be (IS, in my opinion) a "better" car but the 308 is iconic.  Most people wouldn't know an NSX if they saw one.  Iconic is ONLY about an image; it has nothing to do with what product is really "better."

[Strumming Fool]

You can't make a Taylor into "an iconic acoustic guitar" any more than you can make Yamaha into "an iconic grand piano."  That belongs to Steinway, just as "Iconic acoustic guitar" belongs to Martin.  Sure, you can claim some specific Taylor is their most popular or best known guitar.  But "iconic" just isn't there.

Of course, that "status" has nothing to do with the fact that the quality of a current Taylor guitar/Yamaha grand piano may, by some, be considered better than a current Martin or a Steinway because "iconic" is about image.  It is the same as comparing a Honda NSX with a Ferrari 308.  The NSX may be (IS, in my opinion) a "better" car but the 308 is iconic.  Most people wouldn't know an NSX if they saw one.  Iconic is ONLY about an image; it has nothing to do with what product is really "better."

I respectfully disagree. The guitar itself is an icon for many things including popular American music. Now when I think "dreadnought", a D-28 will certainly come to mind as the iconic dreadnought. But when I think of a grand auditorium guitar, Taylor's name rises to the top, even though Martin makes something similar. Taylor's grand auditorium was a game-changer since its introduction as was Martin's dreadnought after it was introduced. That's what makes them both iconic to me.

[fretted]

I support Strumming Fool's postion. I don't think "icon" is easily definable other than I just know one when I see one. It becomes a "meme" - a subconscious agreement. While each D-28 might be on an order of magnitude - that is, one better or worse than another - The conceptual D-28 itself transcends that order. You might say," I don't like D-28s" but that would be absurd like saying, "I don't like Model T' Fords" You might say it, but the concept itself has become existential and beyond review.

[Jersey tuning]

Bosendorfer is as iconic as Steinway.  And as iconic as a 1930's D28 is, the '50's D28's were mostly duds. Not to mention archtop and electric Martins.  But let's give Martin its props for introducing the dreadnaught.

The 814 is the iconic GA.  Was when introduced, still is.

[ataylor]

Taylor are the Oregon Ducks of the guitar world. Where brands like Gibson, Martin, and Guild are the Alabamas, Michigans, and Notre Dames -- built on tradition and reputation. Taylor is like Oregon in that they have chosen to embrace innovation and change as their tradition -- not holding fast to any one iconic look or tradition.

While Oregon may not be considered an "iconic" football program by some, there's no denying that their methods and approach to the game and recruiting have had a massive impact -- with programs like those I've listed above even borrowing here and there from their playbook (both literally and figuratively). I think it's fair to say Taylor can make a similar claim in the guitar industry.

[Jarlaxle]

You can't make a Taylor into "an iconic acoustic guitar" any more than you can make Yamaha into "an iconic grand piano."  That belongs to Steinway, just as "Iconic acoustic guitar" belongs to Martin.  Sure, you can claim some specific Taylor is their most popular or best known guitar.  But "iconic" just isn't there.

Of course, that "status" has nothing to do with the fact that the quality of a current Taylor guitar/Yamaha grand piano may, by some, be considered better than a current Martin or a Steinway because "iconic" is about image.  It is the same as comparing a Honda NSX with a Ferrari 308.  The NSX may be (IS, in my opinion) a "better" car but the 308 is iconic.  Most people wouldn't know an NSX if they saw one.  Iconic is ONLY about an image; it has nothing to do with what product is really "better."

Completely disagree, there can be multiple "iconic" examples within the same genre.  Take cars for example:

Chevy Corvette
Porsche 911
BMW 2002
Jag E Type
Ferrari Daytona

No way there is "one and only one" iconic acoustic guitar...

[michaelw]

You can't make a Taylor into "an iconic acoustic guitar" any more than you can make Yamaha into "an iconic grand piano."  That belongs to Steinway, just as "Iconic acoustic guitar" belongs to Martin.  Sure, you can claim some specific Taylor is their most popular or best known guitar.  But "iconic" just isn't there.

Of course, that "status" has nothing to do with the fact that the quality of a current Taylor guitar/Yamaha grand piano may, by some, be considered better than a current Martin or a Steinway because "iconic" is about image.  It is the same as comparing a Honda NSX with a Ferrari 308.  The NSX may be (IS, in my opinion) a "better" car but the 308 is iconic.  Most people wouldn't know an NSX if they saw one.  Iconic is ONLY about an image; it has nothing to do with what product is really "better."

magnum p.i. may  have put the 308GTs into iconic status, but it wasn't without hiccups -
a few years later, the 208GTs was offered with a 155hp 2.0L V8
http://www.ferrari.com/English/GT_Sport%20Cars/Classiche/All_Models/Pages/208_GTS.aspx
a turbocharged version followed rather quickly, then it was replaced by the 328

this what the 308GTs turned into
http://458speciale.ferrari.com/en/
http://www.pininfarina.it/en/ferrari_458_speciale
not bad for 39 years of continuous production & evolution, in spite of having to confirm to varying regulations
http://www.autoweek.com/article/20131111/carreviews/131109814#

the Acura, in NA & HK, NSX was axed after 15 years of production because sales volume was too low & production costs were too high -
nearly 3 years after the demise of the NSX, another "supercar", which the NSX did not qualify
to be in that category, imho, was promised 2 years later & after 5 years, this may be  what's next

early renderings, looking quite pininfarinaesque
http://www.topspeed.com/cars/honda/2016-honda-nsx-ar100635.html
http://acuraconnected.com/tag/2016-acura-nsx/
by the time 60mph gets there, the nsx will probably be about 10 car lengths behind
http://www.topspeed.com/cars/acura/2016-acura-nsx-ar155562.html
the tag on the acura is likely to be nearly twice of the 2005 model

the 11 3.7L V6 mustang made 15 more hp than the 05 NSX, for about 1/4 of the $ & with a relatively
small investment in suspension pieces, rolling stock & tuning, the ford will likely outhandle the NSX too
http://www.continentaltire.com/www/tires_us_en/conti_communication/news/pr/10_03_2013_en.html

in my mind, this is iconic
http://www.si.edu/Encyclopedia_SI/nmah/stradv.htm
but, that's just my take on it

[Sword Bringer]

It's gotta be the 814-CE.

[mgap]

in my mind, this is iconic
http://www.stradivarius.com/
but, that's just my take on it

This link took me to a women's clothing on line shopping.  Now I may have been interested (not) but no link for the USA.  Hmmm...

[michaelw]

in my mind, this is iconic
http://www.stradivarius.com/
but, that's just my take on it

This link took me to a women's clothing on line shopping.  Now I may have been interested (not) but no link for the USA.  Hmmm...

er, oops

i meant this
http://www.si.edu/Encyclopedia_SI/nmah/stradv.htm

[MDS08]

A 910 with the Cindy inlays. Yea because that's what I play along with my D18. Just kidding. A 814 goes down in my book!

[Herb Hunter]

It is not an iconic jet. That honor would go to a Learjet or Gulfstream jet.

I never said it was an iconic jet. I said their desired tail number gives insight into what model guitar Taylor believes is their iconic guitar.

I know you never did which is why I didn’t quote your post. My comment about corporate jets and their iconic status was incidental.

[michaelw]

here's Bob & Andy's take on it -
Q1
http://www.taylorguitars.com/guitars/acoustic/series/800/story

the 814ce combines the series & the shape, but i still like the "old school" 810s

[Ahorsewithnoname]

Yeah, the 814ce hits all the sweet spots for me.  It's the guitar that bumped my previous "favorite guitar" from that status... a position it held for 47 years.  When I think "Taylor", I think 814ce.  Make it a tobacco sunburst (with that gorgeous curly maple binding), and I think "MY Taylor."

Iconic?  Yeah, that works for me.

Captain Jim

This is such a great pic!

Of course, you have no idea what you are doing.......but you really look like you do know what you are doing.....which make the pic....great! Ha!

[Dogcreek]

..."the iconic Taylor?"   The particular one I am playing at that very precise point in time....  LOL   

Jeff