Taylor Guitars - The Next 40 Years - Passing the torch from Bob to Andy

[michaelw]

... Does anyone know if a changing of the guard is imminent???

some feel it's already happened
http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=326196

from how it appears, it looks like Andy has been involved
with Taylor for at least the past 3 full years & likely longer -
here is the range of instruments Andy's already built
http://www.andypowersinstruments.com/models.html

of special note, to me, are the armrest bevel, neck heel
body taper, single cut semi hollow body & ukuleles

when Andy joined Taylor, from my perspective, the "deal" was all but "done" -
what Bob has accomplished in the last 40 years is epic, imho, for a large scale guitar builder
in that through various innovative processes & being able to responsibly source & continuing
to able to use materials that other builders have stopped using for the most part because
the way it has always been done could not be sustainable & possibly not profitable

Bob has provided Andy with the tools to be able to, in essence, build Andy's
guitars on a much larger scale & for them to be more accessible to more players -
Bob has already stated where he stands & what Andy's role in the company is

The 13 fret, then "jumbo", prototype for Zac Brown, prototype X10s for David Mayfield,
Sonia Leigh's 514ce "Jackson", the redesigned 520 & 700s, the acoustic line being
phased into the standard series, the discontinuation of the solid body, baritone &
pruning of other models is all creating a much clearer idea of the big picture, to me

whether an official "statement" & "changing of the guard" is released at NAMM or not
doesn't mean anything to me, in & of itself, because it will still be Taylor Quality Guitars -
change happens, Matt Guzzetta & Bob Zink have retired, there has been a new VP of sales,
director of marketing, artist relations manager ... the next round of players have come together 

Bob has laid the ground work & the journey has been an amazing one & i think that even after
he officially retires, Bob will always be involved with his company in some way shape or form -
he'll just have a lot more freedom to do what he enjoys doing &
there may not necessarily be "strings attached" to some of them

"the next 40" has already started -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HcfVJNOspo#t=176
to me, these words clarify what has been happening in the past few years, where it's going now &
i think that what's going to happen is next is going be to be like the second half of a 1/4 mile pass

[Redwood Tree]

Happy Sad    My first Taylor was a 2000 Ltd.810ce LOTF  and that was my intro. to the higher end price range guitars. I have had around 40 Taylors since 2001 and keep 6 at this time along with some Martins. I even recently aquired a 1976 815 Taylor , I always wanted a personally hand built by Bob, and found # 253. Built like a rock I know will be around 100 years from now.  And I do have 1 Andy Powers infused Taylor the 2008 GS-LTD-B .
 I need to do a post about this GS, It is  THE BEST  Taylor I have for the sound I was loking for.  I kept a bunch of the best. Thank you Bob. You have made Insturments that improved my life.

[Strumming Fool]

Thanks for posting this, jr...and thanks to Bob Taylor for his unselfish devotion to a continuing tradition of excellence in innovation for the acoustic guitar. As I said in the "icon" thread, Bob Taylor made me look at guitars in a whole different way. I look forward to Andy Powers continuing that mind expansion!

[Edward]

...As I said in the "icon" thread, Bob Taylor made me look at guitars in a whole different way. I look forward to Andy Powers continuing that mind expansion!

True for me, as well.  Since my first Taylor, I've come to look at acoustics completely differently.  Or better yet, since Bob has made his vision a reality, I've come to see acoustics much as he has.  Thank you Bob and Co!

That said, change happens.  And at times for the worse; we've all seen the decline in companies we loved.  So personally, I have to grant mega-large Kudos to Bob: both for for how he approached the passing of the torch as well as his choice in a the talented visionary, Andy Powers, who apparently shares the same values in the key areas that count.  I love my "Bob" guitars, my R-Taylors (never gettin rid of these), as well as my 2013 616SLtd "Andy" guit.  It was exciting for me to wintess and partake in "that" chapter, and now I look with anticipation to what Andy and team will bring to the next ...not to mention what Bob may have up his sleeve in his new role

Edward

[Shoreline Music]

I was checking in on the hometown paper today (San Diego U-T), and ran across yet another take on the same news:

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/jan/22/taylor-guitars-bold-move-for-fortieth-anniversary/

Not much new, but a fun read nonetheless.

[jjrpilot-admin]

I was checking in on the hometown paper today (San Diego U-T), and ran across yet another take on the same news:

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/jan/22/taylor-guitars-bold-move-for-fortieth-anniversary/

Not much new, but a fun read nonetheless.

Great article!  BTW folks, please welcome John and his company Shoreline Music!  They're also an official Taylor dealer. 

I noticed this pic specifically, notice the solid kerfing....I wonder if this is in the new 800 series...

[jrporter]

I just bought my Taylor 524 from John @ Shoreline and can't say enough good things about John's customer service and the wonderful instrument I now own...

[Edward]

...
I noticed this pic specifically, notice the solid kerfing....I wonder if this is in the new 800 series...

Solid lining is reminiscent of the RT builds, and also repeated in the Builders Reserves.  The angled bracing makes me think of the new 800 bracing, though.  This likely is one of the new breed.

Edward

[dmccrider]

I think its more of a transition from Larry Breedlove to the younger and, dare I say, more talented Andy Powers as chief creative luthier force in the company, rather than some form of corporate shake-up.  I think Bob has stepped back a bit from guitar design for a while now, in favor of devoting his energy to projects such as sourcing sustainable supplies of wood (ebony,mahogany, for ex) and other major projects of that ilk.

What he said.

[Montesdad]

Taylor guitars are my mainstay -

It's good to know that skilled artisans, passionate about their work and who have a vision for the future and are recognized for their love of craft, can be found and put into place to carry on a true tradition such as this.  Enjoyed the video -

[TaylorGirl]

I think Taylor will be around for a long time, thanks to Bob's foresight and Andy's talent. I'd rather see a transition like this with Taylor, than an automatic handing down to a family member, who likely won't have the same passion, knowledge, and ability that Bob and Andy have.

[HAPPYDAN]

I hope and pray Taylor maintains the quality they have become known for. Over my 62 years I have seen so many (things) downgraded to maintain a competitive price point, to the extent of off-shore production and downright counterfeiting. Enough. I don't mind paying for quality, and I do not believe I am alone in this regard.

[Night Train]

I noticed this pic specifically, notice the solid kerfing....I wonder if this is in the new 800 series...

That's not a Rosewood guitar.

[jjrpilot-admin]

I noticed this pic specifically, notice the solid kerfing....I wonder if this is in the new 800 series...

That's not a Rosewood guitar.

Duh....gosh, good call. Hahaha, I'll go back to my cave now...haha

[Night Train]

I think it's interesting to note that not a single comment here addresses Kurt Listug's influence and impact on the direction of the company. Back when Kurt had the issues with his heart, Bob publicly stated that he wasn't interested in building guitars without Kurt.

Of course Bob is the "face" of the company, but he's not "the company".

Taylor Guitars is every bit Kurt's company as it is Bob's. It will be interesting to see what role Kurt decides to take when Bob does decide to retire.