A Relic of Taylor Guitar History

[Marco Polo]

That's a piece of Taylor History! 

To echo the comments above, beautiful guitar and thanks for sharing the story.

[EuroJam]

Hi Hornwriter! 

What a great story.  It seems strange to me that Taylor would post that yours is not THE first serialized Taylor, since your SN 00109 is clearly lower than SN 10109.  Also, you said in another response that you sent this story to Bob Taylor along with your original receipts.  That should have cleared up any fuzzy recordkeeping.  Did the other guy have his original receipts?

[mgap]

Hi Hornwriter! 

What a great story.  It seems strange to me that Taylor would post that yours is not THE first serialized Taylor, since your SN 00109 is clearly lower than SN 10109.  Also, you said in another response that you sent this story to Bob Taylor along with your original receipts.  That should have cleared up any fuzzy recordkeeping.  Did the other guy have his original receipts?

I think that shows how chaotic it probably was back in the day with two very young and inexperienced dudes so full of dreams, but had not acquired the total business sense they now possess. 

[Hornwriter]

Hi EuroJam, good to know there are readers overseas in Europe reading this forum.  That's awesome, I loved it over there. I lived in Germany for about six years and enjoyed their love of classic rock. I got a chance to use the old Taylor in a few sets playing in a German classic rock cover band for a while.  The band was called Take Off, as we were all Aerospace engineers.

To answer your question, I'd had similar thoughts and Taylor Support told me the following "The other person doesn't have the receipts like you do, so there's some uncertainty there. Receipts would mark the sale date and not the build date, so that's another factor to consider. Bob says they changed serial numbering methods several times in the early years and he just doesn't remember why one serial would start with a zero and the other with a one."

I could also add that there is a reason I have my original receipts after more that 40 years.  Because thats one of the things I always put in that little fuzzy box in the middle of the guitar case and leave it there.  I tend then to think that if one does not have their original purchase receipts (good for warranty issues and resale you know), then you probably are not the original owner.

I guess unless the current owner of this other rare older model guitar comes forward with details on their Taylor Relic Guitar, then I probably won't be able to do any better than having "one of two of the oldest Taylors". Ce La Vie.

Steve

[timfitz63]

Very cool story and guitar, Steve!  Makes me think we should start a "Most Interesting Guitar" thread to collect information like this on our members' most interesting and/or significant guitars.  Maybe everyone could vote for forum "Guitar of the Year" or something like that...?

... The band was called Take Off, as we were all Aerospace engineers...

Geez!  I thought I was the only aerospace engineer on the forum!  My only work-related trip to Europe was to present a technical paper at an AGARD conference; but that was something like 20 years ago.  What were you working on in Germany?

[Hornwriter]

Hi timfitz63- Thanks for your comment.  I unfortunately am not at liberty to discuss my work activities in Europe.  However, I can say that if you ever get a chance to get to Hamburg Germany, go to the Reeperbahn!  Check out the memorial (picture below) of the old Star Club, where the Beatles (and others) got their start and polished their licks.

[Mark Stone]

Great narrative - Thanks for sharing. One of the more attractive aspects of Taylor as a company is, although it has become huge, there is still an emphasis on quality and service. As an individual Taylor owner, we feel like an individual and not a part of a herd of cattle. I know your situation with this very special guitar is unique, but it demonstrates (although somewhat indirectly) the company's level of care towards all of its owners. Refreshing.

[Hornwriter]

Great narrative - Thanks for sharing. One of the more attractive aspects of Taylor as a company is, although it has become huge, there is still an emphasis on quality and service. As an individual Taylor owner, we feel like an individual and not a part of a herd of cattle. I know your situation with this very special guitar is unique, but it demonstrates (although somewhat indirectly) the company's level of care towards all of its owners. Refreshing.

Thanks Mark - You couldn't be more right. Taylor Guitars really do service their clients, their community and the world at large with their own brand of steadfastness to quality, innovation, environmentally sustainable approaches to materials and processes and their focus on great Customer Service.  Here in San Diego area, they are very well known and respected for these attributes. Their factory tours are a big hit here and it's amazing to see how many people at work have the sounds hole cutouts they give out as their office coffee coasters.

I'm thinking of heading over to the El Cajon factory one last time for a refresh with the old Taylor.  I just realized it's been 20 years already since the last visit.  Life's a journey and we're getting ready to head out again, so don't know if life will take me back here to my home town of San Diego again.

Steve

[zeebow]

Great narrative - Thanks for sharing. One of the more attractive aspects of Taylor as a company is, although it has become huge, there is still an emphasis on quality and service. As an individual Taylor owner, we feel like an individual and not a part of a herd of cattle. I know your situation with this very special guitar is unique, but it demonstrates (although somewhat indirectly) the company's level of care towards all of its owners. Refreshing.

Thanks Mark - You couldn't be more right. Taylor Guitars really do service their clients, their community and the world at large with their own brand of steadfastness to quality, innovation, environmentally sustainable approaches to materials and processes and their focus on great Customer Service.  Here in San Diego area, they are very well known and respected for these attributes. Their factory tours are a big hit here and it's amazing to see how many people at work have the sounds hole cutouts they give out as their office coffee coasters.

I'm thinking of heading over to the El Cajon factory one last time for a refresh with the old Taylor.  I just realized it's been 20 years already since the last visit.  Life's a journey and we're getting ready to head out again, so don't know if life will take me back here to my home town of San Diego again.

Steve

steve, you’re an awesome person with an equally amazing story. i emailed taylor your post, i think you should contact them prior to your visit!

[EuroJam]

Hi again Hornwriter,

   Still love your great Taylor Guitar story, what a history lesson.  Also, I like that you brought it over the Europe and played for a while in a German rock band too, COOL!  We here in France also like our classic rock and have some great players.   

   I was reading your story and and was wondering about something.  You said Bob Taylor "went directly into the back shop and brought out an almost finished jumbo maple body”.   To me, I would wonder how long it had been sitting there already built?  This body could have been made during the Westland Guitars times or even American Dream days, who knows.  Just a thought for you. 
 
EuroJam 

[Hornwriter]

Hi again Hornwriter,

   Still love your great Taylor Guitar story, what a history lesson.  Also, I like that you brought it over the Europe and played for a while in a German rock band too, COOL!  We here in France also like our classic rock and have some great players.   

   I was reading your story and and was wondering about something.  You said Bob Taylor "went directly into the back shop and brought out an almost finished jumbo maple body”.   To me, I would wonder how long it had been sitting there already built?  This body could have been made during the Westland Guitars times or even American Dream days, who knows.  Just a thought for you. 
 
EuroJam 

EuroJam -  Yeah, France ROCKS too!  I'm blown away by some of the young artists out there, particularly this young French girl called Tina S on YouTube.  Makes me wonder just how some of this generations musicians get that good at such a young age and where they will take music in the future.

I thought about what you had brought up about the guitar body having been already built when I first came into the Lemon Grove shop back in early 1975.  I think the sign next to the front door still said Westland Music Co., so technically you could be right. The guitar body then could be pre-Taylor (Westland or even American Dream) and could date into '74 timeframe, which would make it even cooler in my mind.  Thanks for your thoughts on this.

Also, my thoughts for you and maybe your band mates:  Accrochez-toi à ton rêves (Hold on tight to your dreams) "E.L.O."

Steve

[timfitz63]

Hi timfitz63- Thanks for your comment.  I unfortunately am not at liberty to discuss my work activities in Europe.  However, I can say that if you ever get a chance to get to Hamburg Germany, go to the Reeperbahn!  Check out the memorial (picture below) of the old Star Club, where the Beatles (and others) got their start and polished their licks.

Will do, Steve!

... Also, my thoughts for you and maybe your band mates:  Accrochez-toi à ton rêves (Hold on tight to your dreams) "E.L.O."

Looks like we may have something else in common besides being aerospace engineers and Taylor guitars:  we both follow Electric Light Orchestra.  I remember I was just going into college when "Hold On Tight" was all over the radio.  The French verse baffled me, though, but my girlfriend at the time was taking French so I asked her to translate it.  Turns out it's just the first verse of the song in French...  Apparently the music video for the song was the most expensive to produce at the time; it seemed to have little to do with the lyrics, but was entertaining nonetheless.  Somewhere along the way I've heard an unconfirmed rumor that the guy playing the 'mad scientist' in the video is former band member Roy Wood, but no one who really knows has ever said one way or the other...

[Hornwriter]

Hi timfitz63- Thanks for your comment.  I unfortunately am not at liberty to discuss my work activities in Europe.  However, I can say that if you ever get a chance to get to Hamburg Germany, go to the Reeperbahn!  Check out the memorial (picture below) of the old Star Club, where the Beatles (and others) got their start and polished their licks.

Will do, Steve!

... Also, my thoughts for you and maybe your band mates:  Accrochez-toi à ton rêves (Hold on tight to your dreams) "E.L.O."

Looks like we may have something else in common besides being aerospace engineers and Taylor guitars:  we both follow Electric Light Orchestra.  I remember I was just going into college when "Hold On Tight" was all over the radio.  The French verse baffled me, though, but my girlfriend at the time was taking French so I asked her to translate it.  Turns out it's just the first verse of the song in French...  Apparently the music video for the song was the most expensive to produce at the time; it seemed to have little to do with the lyrics, but was entertaining nonetheless.  Somewhere along the way I've heard an unconfirmed rumor that the guy playing the 'mad scientist' in the video is former band member Roy Wood, but no one who really knows has ever said one way or the other...

Tim - My thanks for all you have shared on this site as well.  You are definitely a man who follows his passion. I am truly amazed at the collection of fine Taylor instruments you have amassed. Never seen anything like it in all my travels and associations. 

I've read your story of your PS14ce (Coco, Braz RW, "Milagro") and must admit I'm very impressed with this endeavor.  I had a 2004 914ce Cyndi for about 10 years.  I was always so paranoid when taking it anywhere, especially stage events, that I invariably left it at home and used my old trusty '75 jumbo.  I was always freaked out about getting is scratched or dinged or some drunken fool doing something stupid to it (which could include myself). Also, it seems like once one has taken that leap into the stratosphere of higher end guitars, at least in my case it started me dreaming of moving up to something even finer like perhaps a new Presentation.  I've recently sold my 914ce and am debating the next move. Perhaps a new V-braced PS14/18, but certainly a Braz RW model.

Again, my hats goes off to you my friend. "Fortune sides with he who dares." - Virgil

Steve

[timfitz63]

Tim - My thanks for all you have shared on this site as well.  You are definitely a man who follows his passion. I am truly amazed at the collection of fine Taylor instruments you have amassed. Never seen anything like it in all my travels and associations. 

I've read your story of your PS14ce (Coco, Braz RW, "Milagro") and must admit I'm very impressed with this endeavor.  I had a 2004 914ce Cyndi for about 10 years.  I was always so paranoid when taking it anywhere, especially stage events, that I invariably left it at home and used my old trusty '75 jumbo.  I was always freaked out about getting is scratched or dinged or some drunken fool doing something stupid to it (which could include myself). Also, it seems like once one has taken that leap into the stratosphere of higher end guitars, at least in my case it started me dreaming of moving up to perhaps a new Presentation.  I've recently sold my 914ce and am debating the next move. Perhaps a new V-braced PS14/18, but certainly a Braz RW model.

Again, my hats goes off to you my friend. "Fortune sides with he who dares." - Virgil

Thank you, Steve!  I appreciate the compliments!  As with all endeavors, though, the passion brings a downside:  the collection is becoming somewhat unmanageable.  I really should pare it down, but can't bring myself to sell anything.  At least it's become time for a long pause while I get a handle on things...

I share your squeamishness about damage to the guitars.  I guess it's just the touch of OCD that every engineer has...  I recently returned to Texas after being on a remote job site for the previous five months and found that, despite my best efforts to keep it safe (i.e., Humidipaks in the case, a humidifier in the room that my next-door neighbor monitored diligently for me), one of my beloved guitars had developed some cracking in the finish.  I guess the harsher-than-normal winter was a bit too much for it.  The good news it it appears -- as best as I can discern -- that the wood is unaffected; only the finish seems to have cracked.  This was a factory-used guitar that seemed to have a finish imperfection right in the area that was affected, and it's not affected the tone at all.  But it's still disappointing to look at it and know it's there...  I'm trying to let it be, but know in my heart that I will probably have it repaired -- just because...

Well, since you brought it up...  One thing we're all good at on this forum is spending each other's money on Taylor guitars.  And I happen to know of a couple of guitars lurking out in Taylorland that may pique your interest:  both are made with the coveted "Milagro" Brazilian Rosewood (of which I was told Taylor only had enough for about 50 guitars); and both are at the same Taylor dealer (Empire Music in Pittsburgh, PA).

The first is a PS14ce; aside from having "Milagro" Brazilian Rosewood, it is probably the only PS14ce on the planet with the AP bracing (not found on the Presentation Series).  Certainly the only one with "Milagro" and AP bracing.  It's also on sale, but you'd have to call Empire and talk to Joe or Todd to get the special pricing.  Don't know if it will hurt or help your wallet to mention me...

The other is a Custom GA that, I believe, Taylor had at Winter NAMM.  It's all decked out with "Milagro" backs/sides, Adirondack top, AP bracing, Koa binding with armrest -- and "V-Class" bracing for the top.

I've played both guitars and they're both quite nice.  I actually prefer the tone of the PS14ce, probably because Adirondack sounds a bit too harsh to my ears, but you may hear otherwise.  And I'm not a discerning enough player at this stage to truly appreciate the benefits of "V-Class" bracing.  Ideally -- and especially given the money involved -- you should sample them both yourself.  But I don't know how feasible a trip to Pittsburgh is for you...?

Is that Virgil I hear daring you...?

[Hornwriter]

Thanks ZeeBow - I will give a call to Customer Service before I head over to the Taylor factory in El Cajon.  I've talked to Bob and Kurt both over the years several times, as I used to go to the winter NAMM show every year with a friend who had a musical manufacturing business.  If you can swing a pass to the NAMM in Anaheim Ca, it is amazing and the Taylor Guitar "suite" is to die for.  You also get the possibility to see up close or even meet a lot of famous musicians (met Joe Satriani, Steve Vei and many more).

Anyway, it's been many years now and I doubt either would recognize me.  It's not readily apparent from the story about my first Taylor, but I really do believe walking in the shop back then that I was possibly their 1st customer to purchase a guitar out the door.  It's not that significant a data point for them now, but it left an indelible impression on me as a young player just out of high school and provided me with a life long friend (my custom Taylor) to remember it by.

Steve