80s REVIVAL
 I’ve enclosed a photo of me with my Taylor 514ce in my home studio. I own six guitars and I find my Taylor to be superior in sound for my recordings. I’m 81 years old and enjoy music almost every day. I play with a couple of groups and write the music on the computer. During WWII I played with a dance band from 1942-1943, and now I am playing the same type of music! Keep sending my Wood&Steel…I enjoy every issue.
Ralph Bianco
Havertown, PA
REALLY DOWN UNDER
I felt it necessary to express the gratitude of Australians to Taylor (I saw no other Aussies in
the emails). In January '02 I went to a guitar store with the intent of getting a quality
acoustic, which in Australia means a [local brand]. After comparing many guitars, a Taylor
514ce arrived in the store by request of an order and they let me play it. I HAD TO HAVE IT! There
was no comparison. The sound, style, feel and the unbeatable output of the Fishman all meant I
had to offer an extra 10% on the price to take it home. I have not been disappointed at all;
it's a real work of art. I am an Anaesthetic Technician working in operating theatres in
Sydney but if you could please open a Taylor factory/store in Australia then I'll be more
than happy to help run it.
Mark Jollow
Via the Internet
O'TAYLOR
Hi to all at Taylor guitars from sunny Birmingham (UK). I am a very proud owner of a 514ce. I sincerely congratulate
you on the exceptional craftsmanship, beautiful finish, and truly amazing sound of this instrument. I know that I have found
a friend for life. I have long fancied a [other brand] for its "Irish-ness" and had promised myself one whenever I could
afford it, but in playing it side-by-side with your guitars, there was no comparison. The decision to buy a Taylor quickly
made itself!
Aidan O'Brien
Via the Internet
FOUR CHORDS & 7 SECONDS TO BUY
I've wanted to write you guys 'n' gals for the past two years, but I have been busy
playing my
514ce I've seen the newer ads about people making their Taylor purchases in a
matter of minutes, but I think I have them beat! I have been playing electric guitar
forever and in January 1999 I got the urge to try this acoustic thingy. I had in my
mind NOT to buy a Taylor as EVERYONE seems to be playing them -- I am the '70s
rebellious type and did not want to be like everyone else. I walked into a store in
Utah while on a business trip and there was a used (1996) 514C that had just come in
the shop on a trade. I picked it up, literally played four chords on it and told the
salesman that I would take it. I think the four chords took a total of about seven
seconds to play. I did not even try for the "good buddy discount." I just paid the
asking price. Since then, I have written and released my first CD, WASATCH BOULEVARD!
Needless to say, my heart is now set on owning a
714C and a
914C
Mike Fred
Via the Internet
FAMILY SEAL OF APPROVAL
After several months of looking for a new guitar, I finally bought my first Taylor - a 514-CE-Ab. I had played [another brand] for several years, and became interested in Taylors after picking up a copy of Wood&Steel. When I brought my new purchase home, my wife and even my kids noticed the clear tone and beautiful intonation of the cedar and mahogany body, not to mention the outstanding attention you pay to the detail and appearance of your instruments.
I also love the fact that I can easily ask questions or get information through your website. I will be a Taylor player for many years. Thanks for building a great American guitar.
John Mc Cormick
Rochester New York
Via the Internet
TONE-DRIPPING GOOD
I had been trying to do my "homework" before making such a large purchase. I couldn't afford to buy such an expensive instrument,
and then changed my mind. I had tried out [several other brands], and they all had some great instruments. I also played a 514ce,
712ce, and a 710ce. Then, I played a new
25th Anniversary 710-BCE at Larry Morgan Music, in Garland Texas. I played it for 10
minutes, and I bought it!
Larry and his technician set up the action perfectly, and gave me some tips on maintenance. I also bought a humidifier for the
guitar, which I use all the time, and check for dryness each day. I absolutely love this instrument. It literally drips tone.
And even I find it relatively easy to play (compared to my electric). I also find that it is easy to play fingerstyle on this
axe. It has so much volume that I don't have to pick as hard with my right hand fingers.
Even so (to quote the Beatles), "I've got blisters on my fingers!" from playing my new guitar so much. I also was pleased to
receive the video showing Taylor's new neck-joint method [Taylor On Guitars: New Neck Designs]. I am an extremely happy and
grateful customer. Thanks for making such a wonderful guitar.
Steven Kastner
Via the Internet
TAYLOR GOTHIC
I took my wife, AnneMarie, to hear Doyle Dykes last night. This was something new for her, and very powerful. As we
chatted after the clinic, I showed him a parody I created with my digital camera for our thankyou notes for our wedding
last May. He agreed that you might get a chuckle out of it, so for what it's worth . . . think pitchforks.
We aren't actually that far along in years, though it did take a long time to find each other. You may also find this
tale interesting. Several years ago, my dad in northern Georgia died in an accident while I was out buying my Taylor
(I live in Florida). I bought the instrument, a limited-edition 514-CE,
without really knowing how I'd be able to make the payments on it; I just knew it was the one for me in every way.
I later got some inheritance money that paid for the guitar. It's a gift from my dad, though he may not be aware of it.
I'll thank him when I see him! This guitar obviously has sentimental value for me, but, it is an exquisite work of art
too.
James Madison and AnneMarie Thomas
St. Petersburg, Florida
Via the Internet
PICKIN' ON THE UN
 I recently returned to Scotland after a successful US tour (my 12th) that took in 21 gigs in 25 days and covered 4,500
miles in eight states. Highlight gigs included a "Songwriters in the Round" at the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, and a
showcase performance at the North East Regional Folk Alliance, Split Rock, Lake Harmony, Pennsylvania. Most prestigious
of all, I took part in a concert series at the United Nations in New York (see attached JPG).
The guitar I play is a custom 510
(cedar instead of Engelmann top and Fishman blender, which was upgraded in the factory
with a better-quality Fishman mic during one of my previous tours). I also own a
514c. I received many comments about
my guitar sound in a variety of venues, as I always do. However, here's what I thought would most interest you: I am
not a cutting-edge guitar wizard, [but] rather a singer who fingerpicks guitar in a style that is gently melodic but
solid (not dissimilar to John Denver and Tom Paxton). Yet, at the Folk Alliance conference, which attracts the cream of
the world's folk musicians, I was approached by many "real" guitarists who were knocked out by my sound and asked
questions about my guitar. My only answer was, "it's a Taylor!" Thanks for making such fine instruments.
Bruce Davies
Via the Internet
DAYS OF FUTURE PASTELS
 I love my 1989 K22 "lefty", and I'm sending a pastel image of it as a thank-you note. I met Bob Taylor at an Anaheim
NAMM show, where he suggested the 514c as a compliment to my
K22. I've also successfully escorted my wife through your
factory tour. A cover-to-cover Wood&Steel reader, I might even be considered a bona fide Taylor groupie (I am going to
be 46 in a week or so).
In constructing a nifty website (www.willrichards.com), I've been collecting images to post. "Taylorpastel" will grace
the site as a link to my guitar collection. If anyone browsing my site finds it "familiar", it's because Star Trek has
used my work on the Next Generation and Voyager series, along with the Insurrection movie (a great line on the resume).
Will Richards
Underwood, Washington
Via the Internet
THE SHOP NEXT DOOR
I want to commend your whole organization for what you do for music, and more specifically, guitars! From the first time
I was introduced to Taylor guitars, I fell in love with them. I recently purchased a 514-CE and I have been nothing short
of
impressed with its quality, sound, looks, you name it. On top of that, your company made me feel like I was valued. Even
though you are in California and I am in Iowa, I felt like you were the shop next door. Kudos to you all for your great
work! You should be very proud! [I'm] a satisfied Taylor player!
Kevin Jansma
Ankeny, Iowa
ON THE STAGE, ON THE PAGE
 On Christmas evening, I happened upon a special on Connecticut Public Television called "The Seventh Annual Rob Mathes
Christmas Concert". Rob played piano and guitar. I believe he was playing a 514-CE, with an
812-CE on a stand nearby.
I thought I'd mention the event, because Rob isn't mentioned on your artist page. He appears to be a fairly high profile
musician; guest performers included Michael McDonald, Vanessa Williams, and David Sanborn, with readings by Ossie Davis.
I thought you'd like to know.
Dan Carnevale
Enfield, Connecticut (412-CE, Baby M)
[Ed. Note: Thanks, Dan. Rob Mathes now can be found on the "Studio&Stage"
page of the "Artists Who Play"
section of our website.]
BEFORE AND AFTER SERVICE
I played rhythm guitar in a band 10 years ago, and I recently got the urge to buy a guitar and start playing again. Having a great love for the beauty of guitars, I
wanted to buy something really nice. Because I haven't been around guitars for a decade, I had not heard of Taylor guitars. I did notice Garth Brooks and then Amy Grant
playing one, and now everywhere I look someone seems to have a Taylor.
Anyway, I went to my local music store and started playing the [other brand]. Eric Clapton is my all-time favorite, and they had an EC signature model there. I was sure
that was the guitar for me. The guitar salesman was pleased that I was looking at high-end guitars, and asked if I had played the Taylors. I sat there for an hour playing
the EC model and two of the Taylors he brought down. Well, I walked away with the 514-CE!
When I looked at your literature and then your web site, I was fascinated with the stories about humidifiers. I had heard a few things about keeping guitars properly
acclimated, but I never knew what to do. My main purpose for this note is to thank you for taking the pains to put so much into the development and manufacturing of your
guitars.
I also want to thank you for the great info on the "care of" on your site. You can bet that my beautiful Taylor is going to be properly humidified and cared for. After
visiting your website, I was even more pleased with my purchase. Thanks.
Steve Godwin
Via the Internet
MAHOGANY AND CEDAR EQUALS GREEN FRIENDS
I have been very happy with my purchase of a 514-C model guitar. I looked all over to locate the perfect acoustic guitar for performance and recording, and played all
of the competition, before realizing that there really is no comparison between your line of instruments and the other brands out there. I feel as if I made one of the
most important decisions of my life, as I took more than a week, and browsed through five stores in the Fort Lauderdale, Florida area before finally picking this winner
of a guitar.
The store I purchased it from had quite an extensive selection, and the 514-C was priced lower than some of the others, but the rich, woody sound of its cedar top is what
sold me! I could go on like this all day, as I am now addicted to this guitar, and all of my friends are sick of hearing me talk about it! (They are just jealous; they all
want to play on mine, and I end up plunking on their old junkers, because I feel sorry for them.)
In conclusion, I would like to say that you guys make the best guitars in the world, and I am a walking advertisement for your awesome product. No one who has played my
guitar has been able to conceal his envy, although they all try to play it cool! The only people who were able to pull the "too cool to react" routine were those who
already had a Taylor of their own! Even a couple of those guys were amazed at the playability and rich sound of my 514-C. Thanks for your time.
Michael Johnson
Via the Internet
GOOD WORK, TAYLOR PEOPLE
 Recently, I sent you an e-mail regarding your sweepstakes entry rules [as they apply to those living in rural areas far from a Taylor dealer]. I am
quite impressed that: 1) you responded at all; and, 2) you actually were willing to consider my request. As you and I know, Taylor is likely to sell
more guitars in one good weekend in Denver than over an entire year in the entire state of Wyoming (we are about 450,000 strong). The fact that you
would devote time and resources to consider my request indicates a company that retains the ability to look beyond the dreaded Abottom line.
Congratulations to your marketing and public relations people; your policies will develop a customer base that is loyal and multi-generational, ensuring
prosperity for future Taylor people. I withdraw my request for sweepstakes consideration; it wouldn't be fair to the folks who must go into the
dealerships to have their entries validated. However, based on your actions (and the sound of your guitars), I will purchase a Taylor as my next guitar.
Good work, Taylor People.
Jeffrey C. McGee, M.A.
Rural Psychologist
Laramie, Wyoming
"UH, HONEY . . . GUESS WHAT I GOT?"
Recently, I joined the ranks of the Taylor owners. I really hadn't expected to, although I've always been fond of your guitars. You see, just two
weeks earlier, I took delivery of a gorgeous acoustic I had ordered last September. This guitar was made by [a luthier], and was a custom version
of one of his models, made to my specifications - three-piece flame maple and quilted mahogany back, maple sides - I couldn't have been happier with
the way it turned out, or with the way it sounded.
Then, I made the "mistake" of walking into Dave Phillips Music and Sound [in Phillipsburg, New Jersey] to buy a set of strings. I stopped in the
acoustic room, as I always do, and picked a few guitars off the wall. I was satisfied as I put each one back that nothing there sounded as good as
my [custom guitar].
Then, I picked up a Taylor 514-CE. I've rarely had sound from a new acoustic fill a room the way this guitar did. It sounded like it had been played
for years, but the serial number confirmed that it was "born" in 1999. I couldn't put it down. I plugged it in, hoping I'd be disappointed by the
Fishman onboard blender system - nah!
The hardest part was that its character was so unlike the [custom guitar] that I couldn't even say they sounded alike. After an hour or so, I walked
out of the shop with another new acoustic. Good thing my wife is so understanding - I've got one of the best there is, and two of the best guitars.
Oh yeah, the set of strings I'd come in for, the salesman threw them in with the deal.
Jake Kurdsjuk
Washington, New Jersey
Via the Internet
PICKIN' IN PICAYUNE
I purchased my first Taylor a few days ago, a 514-CE, and it is wonderful, easy to play,
and sounds so good. I had been looking for the right Taylor for quite a while, and the wait was well worth it. One of the things that really
helped get me "revved-up" about Taylors was the current [Summer '99] issue of Wood&Steel. I was wondering if there is any possible way to acquire
back issues? There is so much great information in there. I would so much love to be able to read all the great articles that have already appeared.
Joel Barnes
Picayune, Mississippi
Via the Internet
[Ed. Note: All the back issues we still have are on their way, Joel.]
VEGA'S LOUNGE AXE?
Great shot of Suzanne Vega and what I guess is a 514-C. Is that what she plays?
Guy LeVan
Via the Internet
[Ed. note: Yes, it's a 514-C. Vega also owns a Taylor limited-edition "Guitar Center" model.]
|
