Noise when plugged into amp w/my 314ce

[Bowedup]

Good evening all,
I'm having an issue with my 314ce that I could use some help with.  It is a 2015 model with the ES2 pickup.  It sounds fine through my amps (I've tried both for troubleshooting) at low volume levels, say #3 or less on the amp, about the same on the ES2 controls, but if I turn the volume up much past that on either the amp OR the ES2 I get a resonating humming noise that I can feel back thru the guitar that will continue to get louder and louder unless I touch the strings.  The noise happens on its own as soon as the volume is adjusted, not just when I strum.

I feel like I've narrowed it down to something wrong with my Taylor because I've plugged our other guitars and even my wife's electric violin into both amps and they all work fine at all volume levels.  So far I've tried both ES2 setting with the toggle switch inside the sound hole of the guitar, tried 3 different cables with my 314ce, tried two different amps, different 9v batteries in the ES2, still the same annoying humming feedback noise.  I read up about the grounding fuse on the ES2 and removed the battery box to inspect it but there was not a fuse on the circuit board, I'm guessing it must be mounted on the circuitboard with the pickup switch inside the soundhole?

Any ideas? 

Thanks

Scott

[nhbiker1961]

What are the amps you are plugging it into?

[Bowedup]

Marshall DSL40 and Fender Mustang Mini

[Earl]

I am certainly NOT an expert on the ES2 system (don't even own one, so take my comments with the appropriate grain of salt) but this sounds a lot like the normal body / top feedback from a really really hot pickup.  The ES2 is reputed to be a hot signal anyway, and if the tension of the three elements is adjusted too tight against the saddle, the problem gets worse.  Excessive "boominess" is a common description.  I doubt that it is cables or batteries or the other things you've already tried.

Does the hum / feedback go away if you press fairly hard on the saddle itself?  Have you tried plugging in through a DI box?  I know that a DI is not technically required for the ES2 system, but it might give you better signal matching and EQ to work with.  If these things don't work, it would be time to call Taylor tomorrow during business hours or take it back to your dealer for evaluation.  Perhaps someone more knowledgeable about ES2 will chime in soon.

[guitarsrsoawesome]

I am certainly NOT an expert on the ES2 system (don't even own one, so take my comments with the appropriate grain of salt) but this sounds a lot like the normal body / top feedback from a really really hot pickup.  The ES2 is reputed to be a hot signal anyway, and if the tension of the three elements is adjusted too tight against the saddle, the problem gets worse.  Excessive "boominess" is a common description.  I doubt that it is cables or batteries or the other things you've already tried.

Does the hum / feedback go away if you press fairly hard on the saddle itself?  Have you tried plugging in through a DI box?  I know that a DI is not technically required for the ES2 system, but it might give you better signal matching and EQ to work with.

Earl hits the nail on the head about the ES2 signal being hot...and if the top is moving for some reason I've had a similar result...but usually at much higher levels than 3 on the ES2 (I usually play mine on center detent) and 5 on the amp/pa.  Sometimes just pulling some of the bass out of the signal resolves it for me, but like I said, it's happening at louder volumes for me and not every time, sometimes changing proximity from the amp fixes it.  So perhaps there's something wrong with your ES's preamp or circuit board?

I agree with Earl you should call Taylor or take it to a authorized luthier because those volumes are pretty low for that kind of feedback...hope that helps

[nhbiker1961]

I just tried my taylor with the ES2 through my Fender Hotrod deluxe with the amp set on 3 and the guitar volume at half. It hums and howls as soon as you take your hands off the strings. This was in a small room so I think if you are going to play through this kind of amp, where you are standing and where the amp is make a lot of difference. I did a gig last night Sat using my Fishman mini with the amp volume ( both master and main gain) set at 12'0 clock ( half way) and the guitar around 11' o clock with no feed back. The amp was sent out to the house system for the audience. The ES2 is a lot hotter than the ES1. I could play it through my Hotrod, the ES2 I cannot , at least in my house at those volumes. But I use the Hotrod for the Strat and Teli, not the Taylors. Might be time for an acoustic amp?