TaylorSense Installation Instructions for ES1 Pickup Systems - Version 2
How to install the TaylorSense battery box in all 9V Expression System 1 (ES1) pickup systems
TaylorSense Installation Instructions - Version 2
These installation instructions are only for guitars with a 9V version of Taylor’s Expression System 1 (ES1) pickup. If you are not sure which pickup system is in your guitar, return to Step 2 by clicking here.
Required Tools:
Phillips-head screwdriver
Flat-head screwdriver
Two pieces of masking or painter's tape
Step 1: Remove or loosen the strings of your guitar so your arm can easily fit inside the soundhole of your guitar.
Step 2: Reach inside the soundhole toward the lower left of the guitar, and follow the side of the guitar with your hand.
You should feel a wire along the edge where the guitar’s top and side meet as shown below in Image 2a. Follow it along the guitar body (toward the battery box) until you feel the wire clip that holds the wire in place closest to the battery box. (There is more than one wire clip.)
Image 2a- You should feel a wire along the edge where the guitar's top and side meet.
Step 3: Once you have located the wire clip closest to the battery box, bend the wire clip up to release the wire. This will provide the necessary slack for the battery box to move.
See below Images 2b and 2c.
Image 2b- Bend the wire clip up to release the wire.
Image 2c- Make sure you have enough slack for you to remove your battery box.
Step 4: From the outside of the guitar, remove the battery cradle from the original battery box of your guitar.
See below Image 2d.
Image 2d- Remove the battery cradle from the original battery box in your guitar.
Step 5: Using a Philips-head screwdriver, remove the two screws from the battery box. Be sure to save these screws. You will need them to install the TaylorSense battery box.
See below Image 2e.
Image 2e- Remove the two screws from the battery box.
Step 6: Slowly slide the battery box out of your guitar. Be careful because two wires are attached to it. One is attached by a black plastic connector clip; the other (ground wire) is attached with a flat-head screw.
See below Image 2f.
Image 2f- Carefully pull out the battery box.
Step 7: Flip the battery box over so the circuit board is on the bottom. Hold the ground wire that’s attached with the flat-head screw and loosen the screw. Do not completely remove the screw. Only loosen it a little to remove the ground wire.
See below Image 2g.
Image 2g- Flip the battery box over so the circuit board is on the bottom. Hold the ground wire that’s attached with the screw and loosen the screw. Do not completely remove the screw. Only loosen it a little to remove the ground wire.
Step 8: Once the screw is loose enough, slide the ground wire out and use a piece of masking tape to secure it to the outside of the guitar. This will free your hands and keep the wire from falling back into the guitar.
See below Images 2h and 2i. Please note that a piece of masking or painter's tape will not damage the outside of your guitar.
Image 2h- Once the screw is loose enough, slide out the ground wire.
Image 2i- Use a piece of masking tape to tape it to the outside of the guitar to secure it. This will free your hands and keep the wire from falling back into the guitar.
Step 9: With the ground wire now disconnected, pinch the other wire at the base of the black connector clip and pull to disconnect it. Use another piece of tape to secure the connector clip to the outside of the guitar so it doesn't fall into the guitar.
See below Image 2j.
Image 2j- Pinch the other wire at the base of the black connector clip and pull to disconnect it.
Step 10: The fuse on your original battery box will now need to be transferred to the TaylorSense battery box. Gently remove the fuse by pulling it upward.
See below Image 2k.
If your fuse is soldered to your old battery box, please call Taylor Guitars Customer Service for assistance using the number at the bottom of this page.
Image 2k- Remove the fuse from your Taylor Expression System 1 (ES1) battery box by gently pulling upward.
Step 11: Insert the fuse into the same spot on your new TaylorSense battery box. There is no wrong way to install it. Simply line it up and push it in.
See below Image 2l.
Image 2l- Insert the fuse into the same spot on your new TaylorSense battery box. There is no wrong way to install it. Simply line it up and push it in.
Step 12: Insert the ground wire into the side of the metal ground wire bracket on your TaylorSense battery box, between the top of the bracket and the nut that's attached to the flat-head screw. Tighten the flat-head screw to secure it.
See below Images 2m and 2n.
Image 2m- Insert the ground wire into the side of the metal ground wire bracket on your TaylorSense battery box. Note that this side placement is not the same as on your original battery box.
Step 13: Take your new TaylorSense battery box, with the circuit board on the bottom, and attach it to the black connector clip. It should snap in place easily, and will click when secured properly.
See below Image 2o.
Image 2o- Take your new TaylorSense battery box, with the circuit board on the bottom, and attach it to the black connector clip. It should snap in place easily, and will click when secured properly.
Step 14: With all of the wires now connected, flip the TaylorSense battery box over so the circuit board is on the top. Slide it in place, and reinstall your two screws.
See below Images 2p and 2q.
Image 2p- Flip the TaylorSense battery box over so the circuit board is on the top. Slide it in place.
Image 2q- Reinstall your two screws.
Step 15: Reach through the soundhole and re-secure the wire inside the guitar by bending the clip to hold it in place.
See below Images 2r and 2s.
Image 2r- Reach through the soundhole and re-secure the wire inside the guitar by bending the clip to hold it in place.
Bend the wire clip down to re-secure the wire inside the guitar.
Step 16: Install a fresh 9V battery in the battery cradle. At Taylor we use a high-energy Duracell battery, but any quality battery will work as long as it fits inside the cradle.
9V batteries do vary in size. If your 9V battery does not fit into the cradle, do not force it. You need a properly fitting 9V battery.
See below Image 2t.
Image 2t- Install a fresh 9V battery in the battery cradle.
Step 17: Snap the battery cradle into the TaylorSense battery box.
See below Image 2u.
Image 2u- Snap the battery cradle into the TaylorSense battery box.
