TOOLING AROUND
Thanks so much for the New Neck Design video, but your title was deceiving. Yes it did tell me about your new neck design, but more importantly, it was a great overall informational tool that I am passing
around to my friends and fellow guitarists. You covered Guitar 101 in an easy, interesting format. I own a 355 and waited patiently for the opportunity to buy an NS32ce. I also own ten other guitars, and must say your quality, sound, and attention to detail are the reasons this East Coast New Jersey picker thinks you’re the best. I’ve got my eye on my next purchase and of course it says “Taylor” on the head.
Bill Carroll
ROCKY MOUNTAIN TAYLORS
I bought my Baby Taylor last July, for the purpose of travel. But I soon learned
that this guitar was much more than just a convenient carry-on; it sounds great and
is fun to play. I knew I would be visiting Aspen in the fall and looked forward to
bringing the Baby with me. This little guitar was small enough to carry-on and the
airlines had no problem with that.
Begun in October 1998, hundreds of John Denver fans gather in Aspen to celebrate a
"Musical Tribute to John Denver". It has become so popular that the town of Aspen has
issued an official proclamation, declaring it John Denver Week!
John Denver played Taylor Guitars and several of his fans play them also. I knew that
many of them would be in Aspen too, and that's when I got the idea of including all the
Taylor guitars in the picture.
 This picture was taken on Sunday, October 15, 2000, in front of one of the world's most
photographed mountains in the world, Maroon Bells. We gathered an astounding eight
different Taylor models, and two Baby Taylors. The people in this photograph traveled
from all over the country to attend the John Denver tribute events. They are:
Standing in back row, left to right: Rod Hier (Nebraska) -
K22; Dr. Christopher Westfall
(New Jersey) -
814 with custom inlay; Steve Gorman
(Northern California) - 355; Frank
DeLaMarre (Michigan) - K65
Kneeling in front row, left to right: Dave Howard (Texas) -
512; Pat Hier (Nebraska) -
Baby Taylor; Shirley Pestana
(Southern California) - Baby Taylor; Melanie Trondson
(Colorado) - 655; Judy Therrien
(Northern California) - 815E
Thank you for making such great sounding guitars and for making the Baby Taylor.
Shirley Pestana
Via the Internet
ENGINEERING A GOOD EXCUSE
I just wanted to take a moment out of my hectic day to say "thank you." Not only for building a great guitar (my new 355), but also for your attention to detail. Not only are the design and materials absolutely
stunning, but the setup and action are first rate. And the intonation is super (one of my greatest complaints with many guitars). As if all of that wasn't enough, I also received a beautiful catalog and very interesting video.
As an engineer for nearly 25 years, I can appreciate the innovation of your neck joint design. What really prompted me to write, though, is the fact that you actually read my comments on the warranty registration and responded. I mentioned that my only complaint was the lack of a strap button on the heel of the neck. Today, I received a very clear and easy to follow set of directions for installing the strap button exactly where I thought it should go. What more can I say? You are the best. Now, if only I can come up with a good excuse to buy a new 6-string.
Bob Dettorre
Beverly, Massachusetts
AN ENGINEER'S CHEER
I'm taking a moment out of my hectic day to say "thank you". Not only for building a great guitar (my new 355), but also for your
attention to detail. Not only are the design and materials absolutely stunning, but the setup and action are first-rate, and the
intonation is super (one of my greatest complaints with many guitars). As if all of that wasn't enough, I also received a beautiful
catalog and a very interesting video [Taylor On Guitars: New Neck Designs].
As an engineer for nearly 25 years, I can appreciate the innovation of your neck joint design. What really prompted me to write,
though, is the fact that you actually read my comments on the warranty registration card, and responded. I mentioned that my only
complaint was the lack of a strap button on the heel of the neck. Today, I received a very clear and easy-to-follow set of directions
for installing the strap button exactly where I thought it should go.
What more can I say? You are the best. Now, if only I can come up with a good excuse to buy a new 6-string….
Bob Dettorre
Beverly, Massachusetts
Via the Internet
TRUST NEVER SLEEPS
 I am an acoustic fingerstyle guitarist specializing in Celtic and sacred music. I play a 12-string guitar in a special tuning in order to emulate other instruments,
such as the bagpipe, harp, and dulcimer. Although my playing is strongly influenced by my favorites, who include Phil Keaggy, Al Petteway, and William Coulter, I am
constantly striving to develop a style that is my own "signature".
This picture of me was taken last summer, at a festival I played at. I am playing my trusty road guitar (355). My other two are a 555 (custom)
and a 515 (custom), from 1992 and 1989, respectively. Thanks for the great guitars.
John Wilson
Acoustic Musicians Guild
Via the Internet
PERFECT REMEDY FOR CLASSICAL GAS
I just wanted to tell your company about my experience. I have been a [other brand] man for 30 years. I own two and was looking to get an older 12-string. After visiting
several shops and trying most models, I liked them, but something was not right. A salesman suggested I try some other brands for comparison. After playing [several other
high-end brands], and assorted cheaper ones, your neat little 355 was the most enjoyable experience. And I will not try to convey how much
I enjoyed the 855.
Needless to say, even though I am a weekend warrior and far from being a pro, I am convinced that your 12-strings are the best around for what my ear wants. If my [other
brand] doesn't sell this week, I plan to trade it for a 355 straight across. That is a $1700 guitar for a $1000 guitar; that is how much I want one. And, I plan to absolutely
wear it out, or try to. "Classical Gas" really sounds great on a 12-string. Thanks for listening.
David Watkins
Via the Internet
GUITAR, CONSERVATORY
 Having visited San Diego many times (my brother is a policeman in your fair city), I thought you might like to see what our conservatory looks like. You
might make better guitars, but we make better conservatories. Anyway, after my recent guitar lesson at Podium Music in Minneapolis, I strolled next door,
got a chocolate hazelnut coffee, and sat down to read and enjoy the Summer ['99] issue of Wood&Steel. Thanks for another fun and informative periodical.
I just acquired my fourth Taylor since 1998, when I started taking lessons at Podium. I began with the K-22, which is sounding better and better with age
and playing. It is so lovely to look at that at first, I must confess, I was almost afraid to play it. So, I bought a Baby Taylor to "drag around" with
me to lessons. For travel, and to leave on the kitchen table.
 Then, I indulged my love of 12-strings and bought the 355 (unable to afford a 555 or an 855, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the 355 sounded
very sweet, and was in my price range). My latest acquisition is an 812-C, which I fell in love with while attending
Pat Kirtley's workshop at Water
Music, in Stillwater, Minnesota. I need your latest catalog, so I can dream about my next Taylor.
My guitar teacher, John Franzen, asked all his students to give him a photo of themselves with their guitars, for the wall of his studio. Enclosed are
two photos I took, one of the Como Conservatory and one of me with my 355. Thanks again for the Taylor workshops, for Wood&Steel, and, of course, for
the wonderful guitars.
Mary Sweeney
St. Paul, Minnesota
SWEET 'N' EASY DOES IT
Just bought a 355 (12-string) from Sam Ash in New York City today. Wow! Just to let you know, out of all the
12-strings in the Sam Ash acoustic department (and I played 'em all), the Taylor 355 had the sweetest sound, the easiest
feel, and it hooked me right away. Good work guys - great guitar!
Earl Klein
Via the Internet
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