MY KINGDOM FOR A 614ce
I sent in my Owner Registration card to make sure I get on the Wood&Steel mailing list! On that card, I said that Doyle Dykes is the best "salesman" Taylor could have. From personal experience, I can assure you that Doyle is infecting people with Taylor Acquisition Syndrome. I've owned a [different brand] for 28 years, and over the years, I've also acquired three other acoustics.

I had heard about Taylor guitars from a friend who owns one, but that didn't spark much interest. The first time I ever put my hands on a Taylor was about a year ago, when I ran across a used Dreadnought model at local music store. I found all the fret ends sticking out at the edge of the fretboard in a most irritating way. I don't remember much about the sound of that guitar, but that apparent defect didn't impress me very much. After reading one of your "Tech-Sheets", I realized that the guitar had been damaged from drying out.

Last September, my Taylor friend invited me to go to Guitar Works in Richmond to see Doyle Dykes [conduct a Taylor workshop]. I had heard his name, but I was not very familiar with his music. I went and I was amazed. Doyle is just such an incredible musician, songwriter, and person. I would place that evening in the category of being a life-changing event.

The biggest immediate change was my view of Taylor guitars. The next day, I went back and played every one they had in the shop (for comparison, I played another major brand, too). I kept coming back to a 614ce with a natural finish. It was absolutely beautiful, and I loved the sound. I decided that was my guitar.

When I went home and announced this to my wife, she was unimpressed with the idea of adding a sixth guitar to my collection. Brashly, I declared that I would sell them all if I could get that Taylor. She quickly snapped up that offer, adding, "Okay, but I want all those guitars out of here." So, I bought the 614ce, and now I'm moving in the direction of liquidating my little collection. I haven't actually sold one yet, but I am committed to doing it.

Most of the folks who have seen my new guitar are reluctant to handle it for fear of marring it in some way. One of the guys who works for me best described it as "wooden artwork". I agree totally. No doubt, when I bought it, somewhere in the back of my mind was the irrational thought that if I owned that guitar, I, too, could play like Doyle Dykes. I suspect that, at one time or another, we all allow such delusions to influence our decisions, but in this case, I'm happy with the consequences.

I love my guitar. I would have put all this in the "Comments" space on my registration card but there just wasn't room enough. Thanks for building great guitars.