STAGE DIVE
I play in a Gospel Bluegrass band in northeast Oklahoma, and our lead guitar player
plays a Taylor
810. Last night we played at a 4-H supper in a local middle school. The
stage was about three feet off the floor. During our first song (lead guitar player
was playing banjo) we heard a bang and turned around to see the Taylor making its
second flip and landing face down on a concrete/tile floor with a second bang! We
assume the guitar stand wasn't properly set. We all had a sick feeling in our stomachs.
Needless to say, we stopped the song and retrieved the guitar. It had a splintered
piece about 6" by 1" sticking out about a half inch on the top (near where your
arm rests). The guitar player pushed it back in and we managed somehow to start
back playing. A couple of songs later he switched to the guitar and incredibly the
810 was still in tune and still sounded excellent. We were all pretty much ruined
for the rest of the set, but the Taylor still played and seemed unaffected except
for the obvious mark. I am more and more impressed with Taylor guitars all the
time. It really is a quality guitar.
Russ Criner
Beggs, OK
WHALE OF A CASE
I have been painting cases (about 25 of them now) for two years and playing guitar for
eight, but only purchased my Taylor (an 810ce) recently. I named it Jonah, hence the whale.
I only wish I could afford a GSGW! But I'm ecstatic with my 810 and the whale case to
go with it. :)
Callie Maidhof
Overland Park, KS
DISNEYLAND FOR ADULTS
We spent the first days of our vacation in sunny Southern California, anonymous in the crowds of the San Diego Zoo,
Sea World, and even in the emergency room when our daughter got a bad cold (where else do you take sick kids
when you're out of town?). Vacations are for getting away, after all, but it's still disheartening to be a nobody for very long.
I was anxious to see the "birthplace" of my 810ce, and my kids know that your factory tour was my Disneyland. But
the day scheduled for the Taylor factory was the day we ended up in the ER. Finally cleared from the hospital and loaded
with Motrin, we didn't arrive In El Cajon until 1:30. I was frustrated about being late, but driving through your
factory gates turned the day around, and we began to enjoy being a "somebody" again.
We waited in the reception room for the tour group to come around so we could hook up with the last half of the tour.
We poked around, admiring Bob's "trophy" displays, while the receptionist took a shine to my kids and gave them
each a pick — a big deal to an 8- and 5-year-old.
We joined the tour group, and were blown away by even the last half of the tour — and as the guide [Jim Kirlin]
made his closing comments, he quietly told us to stick around. To our absolute delight, he took us on a private tour
of the parts we missed!
My wife's not a musician, but she understands attention to detail and good customer service, and that the two really
are the same. She was impressed to watch one of your employees meticulously matching backs and sides, at how
clean the factory is, at the obviously advanced technology you use...essentially, at what makes Taylor Guitars Taylor
Guitars. I wasn't all that surprised, being the owner and player of a Taylor and a victim of TAS [Taylor Acquisition Syndrome]
(I need a Baby, and I need an 815 in tobacco sunburst, and I need...), but was just as impressed to actually see it.
 I'm also very pleased when anyone treats my kids well. My daughter (whose name is Taylor) was fascinated by the
tools, the procedures, the pieces and parts (she loves the cherry sunburst finish), and she asked several questions.
The guide answered each question in full detail in language she would understand, but without talking down to her,
and without just humoring a curious child.
So the birthplace of all Taylor guitars turned into the highlight of my vacation. We were treated personally, a
delightful change from being treated as tourists. We were awed by the operations, by the factory, and I got a sense
of satisfaction and maybe even justification at seeing the attention to quality that creates your fine guitars.
Thanks especially to our tour guide, and thank you Taylor Guitars.
David Ely
San Antonio, Texas
BOLT-ON BEAUTIFUL
One of the best things that ever happened to me was about one month ago, when I placed an order for a Taylor
814ce. I've been
playing guitar for pretty much my entire life, but I've never owned a really good, quality guitar. I went into a shop to buy a
[different brand], but the first thing I saw was Taylor (an 810, I think). I picked it up and couldn't believe what I heard!
I had read something about bolt-on necks affecting tonality; that's a bunch of crock. It was so beautiful. [The other guitar brand]
was completely out of the question. Don't get me wrong - [those other guitars] are good, but I played a few more Taylors and decided
to buy the 814ce. It has brought me great joy, and always will. Thanks Taylor, for making such great guitars.
Josiah Pitman
Via the Internet
TWO DREADS ARE BETTER THAN ONE
 I am an elementary school principal and Taylor 810-WMB player. In the May 17, 2000 issue of EdCal (bimonthly publication of the
Association of California School Administrators), I was very interested to see this photo. Maybe you will be interested too.
Looks like two Taylor dreadnoughts in this group. Keep up the good work with Wood & Steel.
Chuck Stovall
Via the Internet
DOUBLETIME PICKING
My 710 is a perfect match for my 414k, giving me more dynamic and tonal range than I can handle at this time. Its presence has
already increased my practice time, as I can't seem to go through a session without playing both. I feel lucky to get a guitar
that is so representative of mainline Taylor tradition.
When I knew I was getting this guitar, I got one of the ''97 catalogs [John Cephas cover] offered on the website. As that catalog
promises, the 710 is not a stripped-down 810, but a more subtle statement. I think the black binding makes the rosewood stand
out better than does the white. The cedar-topped 710s are sweet, and there was one that had my eye before I bought the 414k, but
spruce/rosewood is "tradition".
I have been using a humidifier on the 414k and I have been pleased at how this has improved the day-to-day performance. Before
using it, I was always chasing the "out-of-case" tuning up and down, but now it is almost constant. The 710 got one straight
away. Once again, thank you
George Wilson
Via the Internet
WAY BACK IN THE '80s
I am the very proud owner of a Taylor 810, which I purchased back in 1988. This is an absolutely beautiful instrument that is aging very nicely. It sounds richer everyday!
This is, far and away, the best instrument I have ever purchased. Its playability and sound are very inspirational for my writing. Thank you for creating such a wonderful
instrument.
Joe Hassell
Via the Internet
TAYLOR TAG TEAM
Recently, my girlfriend and I were fortunate enough to attend a benefit concert called "Old Friends" at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. The
concert featured Guy Clark, Vince Gill, Nanci Griffth, Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell in an acoustic guitar "tag team" event, as Clark
described it. Taylor was well-represented, with Vince Gill playing a 912-C and Nanci playing her blue custom
614-CE, as I recall.The show was unforgettable and the Taylors sounded great. I have a
K-22-C, an 810, a 312-CE and a
Baby-M, so I always keep an eye out for Taylor guitars.
Your new web site is great and I continue enjoy Wood&Steel. Keep up the good work.
John Barton
Little Rock, Arkansas
Via the Internet
"RELATIVELY" REFRESHING
In December 1998, I became a part of the Taylor "family" by purchasing an 810, 710,
(rosewood and spruce), and a 420-R, which was a limited edition, according to the dealer. I foresee another 400 series
for my son, and an 855 for me, later this year. Kudos to Terry Myers, for answering some questions about
my 810, and for promptly sending me some gold-plated truss rod cover screws for the 710.
It is refreshing to call you folks and talk to human beings, as opposed to automated attendants.
Shannon Stith
Via the Internet
DOING FINE, OVERALLS
 Attached is a picture of our acoustic trio, the Overalls. We specialize in rich harmonies, strong melodies, and words that make you sit up and listen.
Jilda [Watson] and I are songwriters from Empire, Alabama, and Steve Norris, who also writes, is from Helena, Alabama. The three of us had so
much fun pickin' and grinnin' at Steve's brother's beach house, performing together was just a natural progression.
To say that the Overalls love Taylor Guitars is an understatement. As you can tell from the photo, we all have Taylors, including our niece,
Samantha Phillips, who is shown holding her Baby Taylor. I have an 810,
Steve a 710, and Jilda a 415. I also have a 410 that I couldn't
seem to turn loose of when I bought the 810. Sam is not an "Overall" yet, but if she keeps practicing, she will soon be.
Jilda and I played several dates in Ireland in May, and we saw Dan Crary there; he was fabulous. Every time we see him, he always plugs your guitars.
Anyway, a self-titled Overalls CD is being recorded and should be released in the fall. In the meantime, we have a website at (www.TheOveralls.com).
Rick Watson
Via the Internet
ROSEWOOD, SPRUCE, AND OAK
Just dropping you a note to say that the Sitka spruce top and Indian rosewood back and sides on my new Taylor
810 are just gorgeous, and the tone is full, rich, and clear, with remarkable volume. Individually picked notes ring
out like bells. I have rarely heard a guitar sound so good, especially a brand-new one! I also really like your custom, hardshell case. The 810
fits very tightly in there, and it has a lot of room to store things. And I really enjoy reading your quarterly publication,
Wood&Steel.
 When my band returned from a short tour, one of my musicians wanted to take of
picture of me with my 810 beside this big, old, live oak tree. Another bandmember is going to pay a visit to the Guitar Center here in
Webster to buy his wife a new 410-CE (she had fallen in love with my 810). Taylor guitars seem to be a hot seller here in the south Texas
area; it looks like everybody asks for them or talks about them! And when I'm on the road, almost every music store I visit speaks so highly of Taylors.
Special thanks to [repair and service manager] Terry Myers, [regional sales manager] Steve Bernstein, and [assistant to the public relations director] Steve Rapp for
all their help, and for the Taylor Tech-Sheets; they're all very nice guys!
Henry J. Seiter
Friendswood, Texas
GROWING TOGETHER
My name is Jeff Timms and I am the original owner of a beautiful 915-C
that I special-ordered through the Ithaca Guitar Works (Ithaca, New York) back in the fall of 1982. By coincidence, it is the last guitar listed in your 1982 series with
serial number 1951 [see Details/"Dating Your Guitar"].
At the time, I was a very serious player (still am, but I also need to eat and pay my mortgage), and I had decided that after playing and owning numerous electric
and acoustic guitars, I was going to purchase my last acoustic guitar. I looked at [several brands], myriad other custom makes and models, and then Chris at Ithaca
suggested that I try one of these new guitars called Taylor.
I played an 810 and fell in love. I played a 510 and loved it. I
played all four Taylors (which I now realize after reading your "History" must have been a great sale for you guys at the time) that they had in stock and loved every one
of them, and they all played great - something I could not seem to achieve with any two consecutive [other brand] that I played.
As a result, I decided to take a chance on this little unknown company called Taylor, which, to the dismay of my other guitar-playing friends, seemed to be a risky
proposition at the time (as a music store clerk recently said, "before they were even cool"). I took the last $1,000 of my college student loan and $700 from my fiancée,
and ordered a tiger-maple 915c with a cutaway, no pickguard, flawless German spruce top, and rosewood bindings on the body.
When it arrived, on Christmas Eve of 1982, I was delighted. It was, and still is, a beautiful piece of work that only sounds better as we both get older. To me, and I
think to others as well, it is the most beautiful Taylor I have ever seen. I'm not so sure as to the status of my then fiancée.
Since that fateful day, I have watched with pride as this little unknown company grew into what I believe to be the top guitar manufacturer of the day, and I feel that
through this purchase and my constant promoting of the guitar (onstage and off), it's as though I have been a part of that growth in some small way.
Over time, I moved to Atlanta, got responsible, and now have two children. My daughter, age 10, has a most wonderful Baby Taylor that gets quite a workout from dad from
time to time.
I'm not one to write letters like this, but I just wanted to say, "Thanks, Bob." Someday, I would like to meet you face to face, for your craftsmanship has been a major
part of my life for many years.
Jeffrey L. Timms
Lawrenceville, Georgia
Via the Internet
CONVENTIONAL
Last August, I attended the "Song School" presented by Planet Bluegrass in Lyons, Colorado. Students come to this event from all over the country and all over the world.
The workshops are oriented to folk/singer-songwriters. The level of talent at this event was incredible, with the majority of "students" being professionals. I wanted to
pass on that the comment, "This must be a Taylor convention," was repeated by many students over the five days. Given the level of participating talent, I think this is a
strong statement as to the quality of instruments you produce. Thanks for the hours of enjoyment I've received from playing my Taylor 810.
Carlton Ahern
Park City, Utah
CHRISTMAS IN SEPTEMBER
Last Christmas, my wife and children gave me my sixth Taylor, a black beauty 612-C. Gary Niemchick of R.I.T. Music
Central [in Grand Rapids, Michigan], who's my longtime buddy and the best guitar doctor around, helped them in surprising me.
 Proof of my love for your guitars is my seventh Taylor, a Baby Taylor, purchased at my other favorite music store,
Rainbow Music [also in Grand Rapids], so we would have two of them for a road trip to St. Louis. Owners John Gelderloos and Pete Bardolph are
responsible for turning me on to Taylors. I bought an 810 and a Steven Curtis Chapman Baby Taylor [a 1997 limited edition
that was part of a promotion] from them, and have never looked back.
Rainbow has brought Doyle Dykes here twice, and they actually call to personally invite me to the workshops. I attend them with my daughter
Jessica, and Doyle goes out of his way to make her feel very special. Your choice of Doyle to endorse your guitars makes me feel that much more
pride in owning a Taylor. His guitar playing pales next to his personality and his Christian values. (Wow, what a statement that is!)
Taylor guitars could not have chosen a better dealership in West Michigan or a better ambassador than Doyle Dykes. A few years ago, in my
quest for special Taylors, [Taylor repair and service manager] Terry Myers directed me to his old stomping grounds at Huber-Breese, where
I bought my koa 712 and my Brazilian 710. It was a three-hour drive from Grand Rapids,
so I invited my mom to come along.
As I was trying out the two guitars, my mom asked the salesman if he had any really special guitars, and he showed her the GA-BE
[1995 LTD Brazilian rosewood/Engelmann]. She negotiated with Paul as only she can, and when I went to the counter to ring up my two new
"babies", she said, "we'll take this one, too." Of course, I was floored. She said, "Happy Birthday. This makes up for all the years I
didn't get you anything." Needless to say, I now invite her every time I go to the music store!
Walt Gutowski Jr.
Via the Internet
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