About nine years ago, I had heard that in 1995, Taylor was considering phasing out the 612 model. Yet it was one of the favorites of Richard Cotten, the late owner of Cotten Music in Nashville. He convinced Kurt and Bob to build about 62 copies of a special "Cotten" Taylor 612c with his own specifications:
- a specially modified standard inlay to make it look like a cotton bole inlay,
- a more highly figured flamed maple back and sides than usual,
- and the sharp Florentine cutaway.
It was a fingerstyle dream! When Richard died of leukemia soon thereafter, Taylor donated part of the proceeds to fund leukemia research.
I had wanted one of these, "my own" Signature Series, ever since I first heard of them. They didn't show up for sale very often, and their owners tended to prize them highly. I had asked a couple of fellow members of the then-Taylor Guitar Forum about them, and they were as enthusiastic about their Cottens as I knew I would be.
In July of 2003, Kim Sherman of Cotten Music in Nashville and Darcy Cotten, Richard's widow, helped me obtain one of these special guitars in pristine condition. It had been used a few times in recording sessions, but I couldn't tell it from one that was brand new. It was strictly acoustic, and though I've considered adding a non-invasive pickup, I haven't done it yet. (I like the K&K Pure Mini on my McKnight.) So far, it's only been played through a mic, and it has a wonderful tone - clean and clear, round and full, with enough bass to be heard but not over balanced.
Cotten finally got his Cotten, and for the past eight years it has often been found in my lap while I mess around with online computer stuff. Don't you wish you had
your own signature model Taylor?
cotten
(Yes, I still have the Taylor Guitar Forum shirt around here somewhere!)
