FAMILY TREE
Thank you for your courteous and efficient assistance in registering the two Liberty Tree Guitars that I was so fortunate in being able to purchase. Along with the two LTG's, I'm also the proud and pleased owner of a 314ce and an 810ce. They have both served me well.

You asked for the story behind the four guitars that recently came into the possession of our family. During the summer of 2000, my wife to be, Rosemarie, and I took a tour of your plant in El Cajon. During the tour, the guide pointed out some of the wood that was to be used in the making of the Liberty Tree Guitars and told us the story of the last remaining Liberty Tree. Hearing this, my future wife became quite excited since her daughter and son-in-law had met on the campus of Saint John's College, graduated under the Liberty Tree, and eventually married there on July 4, 1993 (how fitting!). She thought at the time how great it would be to give such a guitar to Christine and Frank, since it would obviously have special meaning for them. Although no prices were quoted at that time, we felt sure the cost would be beyond our means and that surely they would be all swept up by wealthy collectors and famous entertainers. Possessing even one seemed like a pipe dream. All that began to change this past February.

By this time Rosemarie and I were married (August 5, 2001) and had returned to visit relatives living in Oceanside, CA. We were traveling with her son, Tony Barber, and he and I decided to take a tour of the Taylor plant. This would be my second visit and his first. I found it every bit as fascinating. Towards the end of the tour, we were shown some completed LTG bodies. At this point I had a severe G.A.S. (Guitar Acquisition Syndrome) attack. I knew I had to own one!

After returning from the tour, I told Rosemarie about the guitar, and again, because of the St. John's connection, her enthusiasm was renewed. Since it was not financially feasible for me to swing it, she encouraged me to look into the possibility of acquiring an LTG. I continued to feel that the chances of finding one were slim, however. Nevertheless, upon my return to NJ I went to my dealer, Dave Phillips Music and Sound, in Flemington, NJ, to see what could be done. Dave Sneed, the branch manager, immediately made a phone call, and surprisingly, one was available. He subsequently ordered it for me. Now I could rest assured.

Concurrent to ordering my LTG, Rosemarie was determined to somehow get one for her daughter and son-in law. A friend of mine in Philadelphia suggested a dealer in Bryn Mawr, PA that he thought would be able to help. Tom, the sales manager at Medley Music, was able to procure not only one, but two LTG's at an exceptional price. The first was to go to Christine and Frank Alden (the aforementioned daughter and son-in-law) and the second to my wife's son, Tony. After seeing the end result, Tony went "sleepless in New Jersey" and was unable to get his mind off of owning one. My dealings with both dealers couldn't have been any better.

The fourth LTG came as a surprise. Not too long after receiving my first LTG I received a call from Josh, a salesperson at Dave Phillips M&S, informing me of the availability of yet another one. After a brief moment agonizing about the additional expenditure, I decided it would indeed by a worthwhile investment. I closed the deal and reluctantly went home to face my wife's reaction. Her response: "What a great investment". My reaction: "What a great wife!" So I am now guitar-rich and dollar-poor. I think that's a pretty good arrangement, don't you?

My first LTG arrived with much fanfare at Dave Phillips M&S in Flemington. The other two came in by Parcel Post a couple of weeks apart. Quite coincidentally, three of our guitars coming from two different locations and arriving within weeks of each other were consecutively numbered (178, 179 and 180)! I do believe in destiny and feel that some things are simply meant to be. We delivered Frank and Christine's LTG when we visited them in Baltimore, MD on Mother's Day weekend, when we attended the two-day Baltimore Blues Festival. Frank is a musician as well as a part-time recording engineer, while he embarks on pursuing his law degree at the University of Maryland. Just as an aside, Frank is a direct descendent of John Alden, one of the original Pilgrim settlers who came over on the Mayflowerlook it up! History is in his blood, and owning a Liberty Tree Guitar is a significant honor for him.

Ah, but what about the guitar itself? What can I say? It's a Taylor! The NT neck is great and the action is superb. The sound is really better than I ever expected, given that Tulip Poplar is not really a frequently used tone wood. My guess is that this is the first time it's been done. It's easy to tell that in a few years the tone will be even better. Every guitar is built to be played and enjoyed, and this one certainly will. I have no intention of locking it away in vault. I hope to tell its story and display it for the American History classes at Ridge High School in Basking Ridge, NJ, where I work as a guidance counselor. Needless to say, I feel honored to own this guitar and be able to share the history of its origin with the students in my district.

That's the story. I'm enclosing a picture of the three of us with our LTG's, as well as a picture of the actual Liberty Tree on the campus of St. John's College, taken on graduation day in 1993.

STYLIN' FOR LIFE
I've been playing your guitars since I was nine years old. I'm now 15 and I've vowed to never play any other guitar. Your guitars have the cleanest feel, sound and look. I can't get enough of the incredible sound they have. The look is majestic. It's all about "style", and your guitars have it! I just wanted to thank you for your all-around beautiful guitars.

Jordan Ash
Yuba City, CA

PERFECTLY FRANK
Please see the attached images of me wearing my favorite shirt. The first is a photograph of me, and the second is my son Matthew's artistic rendering, done at age nine. The likeness is amazing.

Frank A. Saporito
Wheeling, WV

LADY OF THE LAKE
I know you get so many letters from happy customers, but I just have to tell you this amazing story. I have wanted a Taylor for years, but could never get the money for one. I always go to my favorite store in Danbury, Connecticut: East Coast Music Mall. Two weeks ago I went into their high-end guitar room. There are always so many Taylors to choose from, and I played them all. I fell madly in love with one, so I got the sales person for a price quote. It sounded so beautiful you could cry! The sales rep gave me the price, and I said I'd have to come back in a few weeks when I could get up the money. He pointed out that his store has its own credit card, so I applied.

While waiting to be approved, I went across the street to this beautiful frozen lake to photograph it. My cousin, who is very disabled, was with me in the store, so she waited there. There I was, taking pictures, and I got too close and fell in! I thought I broke my ankle, but all I could think of was my possible Taylor guitar. My cousin [eventually] came outside to see where I was. There we were, yelling back and forth with me still in the frozen lake. She finally heard my last cry for help, but the plea was, "Don't call for an ambulance because I may be approved for the Taylor!"

Luckily I did not break my ankle, but I did sprain it really badly. A very nice man saw me go into the lake and stopped his car to help me out. I limped across the street and saw my salesman talking to my cousin. I was approved! Not caring about my leg, I went back inside and got a limited edition 800 Series guitar! I came home in a lot of pain but it didn't matter because I had finally gotten my dream Taylor! I had to take the next day off from work because I couldn't walk, but I was happy because I could play my new beautiful Taylor. Thank you for making such wonderful instruments.

Lori Pastore
Via the Internet

SUNNY DAY DUO
Good Morning, Taylor Guitars!

It's a beautiful sunny day here in Tennessee. I trust it is the same in El Cajon.

I thought I would send a couple photos for your enjoyment: The first is of the duo I am working with — Dan Landrum on hammer dulcimer and myself on guitar.

Have a great day.

Gary Hicks
Via the Internet

FANCY FEAST
I was taking some digital photos recently for insurance purposes....and the cat jumped into the picture...we call it the "Koi & the Cat!"...I guess I'm not the only one who enjoys the guitar. Cheers.

Larry Sims
Via the Internet

P.S. BTW, [the guitar] is number 80 of 100 and a fantastic piece, of course...keep 'em comin'!

 

CLONE JIM STEILBERG!
After months of agonizing trips to guitar shops, I stopped in at Steilberg String Instruments in Louisville, Kentucky while on vacation. I spoke with Jim Steilberg, the owner, for quite some time, and explained what I was looking for and what I needed from my next guitar. I've had [several other high-end brands], and have never been extremely happy with the instruments.

Jim set me up in a room and brought out five guitars to try. He even tuned them for me. There was no pressure. I played and compared each guitar. He really made me feel so confident about Taylor guitars. He truly made the purchase of the instrument something special.

I've had my Taylor for one month and I can't put it down. It plays and sounds as good as any guitar I've ever played. The Fishman electronics take it to another level. The first Sunday I played at my church, I had at least 10 people tell me how great the guitar sounded. I can't say enough about Jim Steilberg; I've never had a better buying experience. When I spoke to him over the phone from Birmingham, he really put me at ease that he would have something that would fit my needs. He is a credit to your company and there ought to be more like him. I look forward to keeping this guitar for quite sometime.

Mickey Hicks
Birmingham, Alabama
Via the Internet

MacGORGEOUS
I downloaded your new screensaver yesterday. It is almost as beautiful as your catalogue - and what a joy it is to see those gorgeous guitars unfold across my screen! I swear, I can smell the rosewood. I am happy that you had a version for my Macintosh, unlike that other major guitar maker who only makes theirs for PCs.

Steve Kane
Somerville, New Jersey

HI, I'M BOB. WANNA TRY MY GUITAR?
You folks at Taylor are great! Thanks for the end pin; it is perfect! Now, my GA-MC is complete again! I bought my Taylor after seeing Doyle Dykes live. He is the finest all-around guitarist I've ever heard "live" - incredible. What a tone! I guess you can tell I am enthusiastic about Taylors. I quit playing acoustics years ago. I liked [other brands], and [another brand] were always high-priced and I wasn't blown away by them. Then, I played a Taylor - finally, someone got it totally right. I must play 50 percent on the Taylor now, and [as someone who owns] three great electrics, that's a big change!

Here's a quick story: around 1984, I was working for a utility company in San Gabriel Valley [California], and one day I took a lunch break at Stan's Guitars (used guitars basically, old-fashioned store) in Glendora. No one else in the store save myself and, of course, Stan. I was talking to Stan when in walks this man who said his name was Taylor, and that he made these guitars in San Diego. I recall that it was somewhere out by Santee. Stan was a stand-offish guy who hardly liked anything new, so he said, "no, thanks".

The man asked me if I play, and I said, "sure." Then, he opened the case, handed me his Taylor, and asked me to play it (he seemed to want an opinion). I started picking some Paul Simon-type stuff, and I recall saying to Stan, "[Darn], this is a cool guitar," or something to that effect. I played for just a few minutes, and was amazed by it. It was light! Tone, action, feel, responsiveness. Seems like he said they would price out at about $700 or so.

That was a long time ago, but I do believe that was Robert Taylor and I never forgot the "feel" of that instrument. I hope I have my facts right. Years later, I saw these Taylors popping up, and wondered if it was the guy from San Diego. Sure enough. Well done!

Enough yakking. I also have the Baby Taylor. All my friends have gotta pick it up and try it. Great picking guitar! I like to keep it alternately tuned. Good action! Thanks to Zach [Arntz] for the super attention and perfect response, and to the Taylor company for doing it right!

Dan Serdutz
Via the Internet

SLEEPLESS AND LOVING IT
Dear Taylor Gods, I recently purchased my first Taylor. I was a [different brand] fanatic for 16 years - until now! Jeeeez, I love the crystal sound that comes from my Taylor. As for all things being created equal, Taylors are not! I played three models before I had to make my purchase. The store was closing, I had one in my hands, and the store owner dragged me out of the sound room one hour after the store closed! Apparently, he did not notice me playing away in the little sound room, and was about to turn the lights off. I wouldn't have noticed anyway, I had my eyes closed.

I was really begging this guy to please let me purchase this guitar that night, even after the registers were off. He must have seen the desperation in my eyes, because he let me buy it! Needless to say, since then I have had many sleepless nights! My first Taylor has been a truly religious experience and I can't thank you enough!

Mike Adams
Via the Internet

PARADISE - IN NEW YORK?
I saw your display at the New York Custom Guitar show and heard Artie Traum play. Luckily, he played before the noise level got too high [from customers trying out electric instruments]. His playing sounded like paradise. And I enjoyed becoming more familiar with the Taylors. I picked up a catalog and a copy of Wood&Steel, which is loaded with the kind of great stuff I'm always looking for. I appreciate the attention, and thanks for coming to New York.

Bill Creevy
New York City, New York

SHORT 'N' SWEET
Great website - best on the web!

A. Wong
Via the Internet

ONE TALL ORDER, COMING RIGHT UP
Greetings! I just got back from a 26-city tour as one of the artists on Windham Hill's "Winter Solstice Tour". I got my new Taylor about a week before we left. Even after all-day rehearsals, long sound checks, and a 2-1/2-hour show, I still couldn't wait to get back to my hotel room so I could play my new guitar. I can't put it down! It even had a couple of new songs in it!

I worked as an assistant/apprentice to a very gifted luthier in Burlington, Vermont for six years. I've learned what to look for in a guitar. That thing came out of the case absolutely perfect in every respect. That's a tall order, and I just had to send you a gushing letter to show my appreciation.

In addition to the quality of the guitar, your Artist Relations department was outstanding in catering to my every whim, without the slightest hint of annoyance. In fact, I got the feeling that they were actually enthusiastic about helping me out. I live in New York, so you can only imagine how foreign this is to me.

Thank you all very much. When I need a 12-string, I'll be calling again!

P.S. - I'll be using my new Taylor on Lisa Lynne's upcoming CD, which we'll be recording this February in L.A. Needless to say, it will be on my next as well, which will also go down sometime this spring.

Sean Harkness
Via the Internet

A "REAL" BLUEGRASS GUITAR
After I began playing bluegrass music five years ago, I was told by a well-meaning veteran to get a real guitar. As the lead singer and guitar player of a traveling band, I needed one better than I had, so I sought out one of the most reputable guitar builders in our state. When I went for my first visit to his shop to get my "custom" guitar started, I was surprised to find that he copied the bracing and neck styles of a guitar called Taylor. That told me what kind of guitar I needed!

I was 17 years old, and I spent my first (to me) large sum of money on a used Taylor 420R. Since then, my band Southern Drive has won the Pizza Hut International Bluegrass Showdown (year 2000) and gained an endorsement from First Quality Musical Supplies. We are playing many large festivals this year, and I will proudly be playing my Taylor - I love it!

A nice gentleman at the IBMA this year encouraged me to send my photo to you guys with my guitar. He said that you wanted to know about people in the bluegrass world who played Taylors. I do, and I always will. Thank you.

Christy Allen
Southern Drive
Mocksville, North Carolina
Via the Internet

"PURE" ACOUSTIC REVISITED
In the summer of 1992, I walked into my local guitar shop in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and a friend and fellow musician - who also happened to be the salesperson - offered up a guitar for me to try. Scott had sold me a new Strat about two months earlier, and I had also purchased a sound board, a second-hand bass, and a vintage Telecaster in the year preceding that fateful day. The guitar he asked me to try - with a story about it being a limited offering in this color due to a mis-order somewhere in Europe - was a Taylor 410_BK.

Even though I am a lover of natural finishes, the tone of the instrument was "music to my ears". I asked Scott to hold the instrument for me, and about a week later I purchased the guitar, adding it to my collection of 15 other instruments that crowded my apartment.

Since that day, circumstances have seen all my instruments, save one, go to new homes. I quit playing out, and I always felt guilty having a guitar that sat in a case not getting the attention it deserved. Three of my favorites went to gifted musician friends who deserved upgrades. Others were sold in charity auctions or on consignment. But the Taylor has become a friend that I could never part with. Its tone gets sweeter every day, and I have grown to love its voice.

And now, with your Elixir strings, it is absolutely beautiful. Most folks would find this letter a weird one, but I truly love this instrument and the sound it delivers. I just want everyone at your place to know that with 30 years of playing under my belt, your instruments are the finest I have had the pleasure to play. Whenever I go into a music shop, the first thing I look for is the "Taylor Authorized Dealer" sticker on the door. If there is one, I inform my wife that I am "going to be a while," as I take the time to check out what that shop has in stock. Usually, I engage the shopkeeper in a conversation about what I consider the purest sound in American guitar craftsmanship I have ever experienced.

I want everyone at Taylor to know that this is one player who counts that day in 1992 as a true blessing. I had been playing some gigs with the Tele and Strat in my "blue period", but I got back into the pure sound of acoustic guitar and the music of my roots (bluegrass/folk/pop/story_telling) because of this guitar. Thanks folks, for your craftsmanship, your dedication to quality, and for the sound that lifts me every time my Taylor and I commune. Peace.

Terry Nicoludis
Morrow, Georgia
Via the Internet

SHIFTING GEARS
I'm a new student of the guitar who has fallen in love with the instrument. If I did not have to work, I would probably just sit and play all day. Well, having the means to purchase any guitar I wanted (I have saved up a nice chunk of change targeted just for my new purchase), I wanted to go to the top of the line. I wanted the feeling of owning, practicing, and playing a [different brand], and an upper-end one, to boot.

So, I went on a fact-finding mission to the Guitar Center in Towson, Maryland. And, for the first time, I sat and tried all the [other brand guitars]. They all felt nice, but not one of them caught my ear. In fact, the most expensive one took a beginner like me only a moment to rule out of the potential lot.

Now, in the meantime, my buddy, who rode the two-and-a-half hours to the store with me, was picking up the Taylors, and he kept saying, "Man, I think these sound a lot better than the [others]." But, I didn't even want to hear that; I wanted a [different brand] guitar - pretty childish for a 45-year-old man in a 26-year marriage with the greatest 25-year-daughter, who was brought up not to be spoiled, and to make good business decisions.

I knew in my heart that to come that far and not try some other models would be an unwise thing; plus, I would be able to say that I tried the others but that [the other brand] beat them all. Well, you can imagine me with that mindset picking up a Taylor, just to strum it, and feeling my brain saying, "this sounds better," not to mention my wallet saying, "this is not as expensive." And, yet, this ridiculous mindset still said, "but I want a [different brand]."

So, now I have to shift gears and decide which Taylor I want. Maybe someday I'll buy a [different brand] and just put it away to say I own one. For now though, it looks like I'll play a Taylor. With my deepest appreciation for making such a quality product.

Hal Chernoff
Via the Internet

DESIGN OF THE TIMES
Thank you for the Taylor On Guitars: New Neck Designs video. Bob Taylor does a tremendous job explaining in layman's terms the problems and solutions. I found myself as engrossed in the video as my teenage son and daughter were mystified that anyone could watch it. If I hadn't already purchased an amazing XXV-GA, I would probably run out and buy one of the new designs. Heck, I might run out and buy another new Taylor anyway. Thanks again.

Scott Dorsey
Via the Internet

GUITARSTRUCK
Visited [Taylor Guitars] for the first time at the NAMM show [in February] and had a wonderful experience. I never liked your guitars - been a [other brand] player for years. [But] something struck me while in the booth, and I played several of your guitars and listened to Stephen Bishop and Freebo and Doyle Dykes and had a wonderful time. The first time I could say I truly enjoyed much at NAMM. I am now a fan of your guitars! I am shopping for a guitar and will be considering a Taylor now. Thanks.

Chee Ammen
Via the Internet

LOYAL FOR LIFE
Thanks to Becky Zegar in your PR department for the information on the 422-R. Tell her boss that I think you guys wrote the book on customer service. I am always amazed at the amount of time and effort you (plural) put into your responses. This was exactly the kind of information I was looking for.

As if your product wasn't already good enough, your personal attention has made me a loyal customer for life. I am already thinking of upgrading - and I have my eye on another Taylor!

Joe Mazzara
Via the Internet

TOUR BUZZ
We toured your plant in February. It was very interesting, and we finally found out how our guitars were made. Thanks to Buzz for the guided tour. Top-shelf public relations for Taylor guitars!

Miko Czerny-Holownia
Ottawa, Canada
Via the Internet

SPEEDPICKING
Once again, your people deserve an "attaboy" (or, in this case, "attagirl"). The lady in TaylorWare who took my phone order was very helpful and pleasant, but get real - I placed my order for some picks and a strap on Friday afternoon and they arrived on Saturday. What's up with that?

Nobody has ever been that customer-service-oriented with me. Keep up the good work. I know you have the best guitars, and it's easy to see why with performance like this. Your people are outstanding!

Steven R. Harrison
Via the Internet

SHE'S A BEAUTY
I was so impressed with your free catalog. It is a book of beautiful pictures and simple statements about your guitars. With the embossed cover, I almost didn't want to open it, for fear of ruining the pristineness. May I commend you on yet another job well done.

Jeremy Blanchard
Via the Internet

KATHY AND KOA
Thought I'd pass along this great photo of Kathy Mattea and her Taylor Jumbo [K15c], taken last week when we were in Salt Lake for three concert dates. Also, sure enjoyed the piece in Wood&Steel [Winter 2000 issue] on A# Music and Skip and Lyle. Nicely done. Flying to Orlando tomorrow on business with my husband, Ron. We saw that Doyle's going to be there for a workshop, so we'll probably pop on over and catch that. I'll pass on any good photos of the event.

Pat Sullivan
Via the Internet

TIME KEEPS ON SLIPPING, SLIPPING, SLIPPING...
Every time I go to a music store and play a Taylor, I draw a small crowd. They are irresistibly playable! Taylors are the finest guitars built today. [Several other brands] are either "okay", or burnable, or they stink. The few hand-made customs I own are okay, but the inexpensive Taylors have them all beat. I have spent thousands on guitars, and am just annoyed that Bob Taylor didn't start sooner. I have a [custom guitar by a well-known luthier] that sounds and plays great, but compared to an inexpensive Taylor, well, I could've saved thousands!

All my students who are looking for that good guitar, get turned on to Taylor by me. Experience, believe me, is the best teacher. I live in the Charleston, South Carolina area, and my local Taylor dealer is Fox Music. They have your best representative working for them, and she sells Taylors to all us guitar freaks. I haven't bought one, but it is just a matter of time.

I played her Taylor at an open-mic night at a local pub, and she ran over to her mom and said, "this guy is gonna marry my sister!" (I met her sister, and, who knows, maybe - just maybe.) That just goes to show you the power of a Taylor guitar.

Dave the Crazy Guitarist
Via the Internet

STRAIGHT TO VIDEO
I got my video [Taylor On Guitars: New Neck Designs] today and popped it in the VCR, first thing. I was impressed with the engineering effort that went into the new neck design and Bob Taylor's careful explanation of how it all works. I can't wait to get my hands on a new Taylor and try it out.

Mike Sanders
Via the Internet

M2M TAYLOR FEST
[Producer] T Bone Wolk asked me to forward to you some photos of the "Taylor fest" we had at the studio yesterday. By pure coincidence, everyone showed up with your guitars to do an acoustic version of M2M's first single for Atlantic Records. The song, "Don't Say You Love Me", was just released, and is the most-added record on US Top 40 radio this week. It's also the lead single off the Pokémon movie soundtrack, due in November. These girls are the real thing; they co-wrote all the songs on their album and are amazing singers, too.

Jimmy Bralower
Jimmy Bralower Productions Inc.
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

LEAPS AND BOUNDS OVER A CLUNKER
I got talked into buying a Taylor after the head snapped off the neck of my old clunker (I foolishly checked it with an airline). That was three years ago, and I have never regretted this decision. The [darned] thing sounds better every time I take it out of the case, and my playing has improved by leaps and bounds. This is not because I am particularly talented, but because I love getting the thing out to play it because it sounds so good.

A clue to the quality of workmanship on a guitar is to look inside the soundbox at the joints around the edge. Is there excess glue? Are there spaces? Taylor passes this simple test with flying colors. Everything about the instrument points to quality workmanship and attention to detail. I'm no expert on the plethora of guitar brands out there, and can only speak to my own experience, but that experience has been great! I can honestly say that my Taylor is my most prized possession (to the point where the line in "The Farthest Shore" about his old guitar burning up with his cabin brings tears to my eyes). Cheers.

Martin Buhr
Via the Internet

SHOW AND TELL
Received the video [Taylor On Guitars: New Neck Designs] today. Excellent video. I am a high school English teacher, and I would like to share this video with the technology teacher. They have CNC mills, etc. in the classroom. It would be nice for the students to see this technology in action. I have enjoyed [the Taylor owners's quarterly newsletter] Wood&Steel since its first issue, but this video makes everything crystal clear. I have a GA-KS Taylor and love it.

Bill Cochran
Via the Internet

THANKS, NOW WE KNOW
Just so you know, I will be recommending your guitars to my students and other players who want a quality guitar at an affordable price.

Michael Duncan
Brooklyn, New York
Via the Internet

JAWDROPPING TONE
I am the proud owner of (among other guitars) a '68 Guild D-35. I've had it since it was new, when it was "voiced" by a guy named Stutzman in New York [David Stutzman of Stutzman Guitar Center in Rochester, NY], resulting in a gorgeous tone with deep, tight bass and ringing highs. Over the years I would play other "high-ends" at music stores. None sounded nearly as good as my Guild. About a year ago, I was at Guitar Center in Fountain Valley [California] fingerpicking new [other brand] and really wondering what people saw in those guitars. To me, their sound was "muddy" and muted. I was about to leave when I spotted a new Taylor.

I had known of the brand, but I thought, "if a [other brand] sounded like it did, what could this Taylor sound like?" I picked it up, played a chord, and the sound made my jaw drop. It was the first new guitar I ever played that sounded as good as my beloved Guild. Since then, I have played other Taylors and am still amazed at the sound. I am now a devout follower, and will soon be a proud owner. Thanks for the experience.

Michael Sebastian
Via the Internet

SWEET LITTLE 14
I purchased a Taylor 514-CW* that is so sweet I just had to write (I'm sure you get these letters all the time). I've enclosed a photo of [L-R] me with my 514-CW and my brother, Greg, holding his two spectacular Taylors, an amazing Brazilian 710 and an outrageous 20th Anniversary Grand Auditorium XX-RS (I had been dreaming of owning a Taylor ever since I laid eyes, hands, and ears on his two Taylors). I knew I would own one someday, but I thought that day was far in the future. I'm glad the future is now!

Believe it or not, I bought the guitar from Bob Tekippe at Eckroth Music in Bismarck (he's an exemplary representative of your company), sight-unseen and sound-unheard. After Bob and my brother described the guitar over the phone, I knew I had to do whatever I could to acquire it. I decided to sell my precious '66 Strat, if that tells you anything about how much I wanted a Taylor. I have not regretted my decision in the least.

Bob and Greg had described my 514-CW in absolutely glowing terms. I was expecting incredible things from this instrument. Words cannot describe my awe when I opened the case; its looks alone far exceeded my expectations. That feeling was intensified 100-fold with my first strum. It is a gorgeous instrument, and playing it makes me very happy. What more could one ask of a guitar?

James A. Vranna, Jr.
Grand Forks, North Dakota

SAVING ERNIE
Wanted to share this photo of a group of Taylor players. The participants are [clockwise, from far left]: Digi Broughton, Jake White, Allan Jackson, an unidentified player, and Barbara Lowry, who is holding a photo of her playing her Taylor at home - where she'd left it! Please run this photo or they'll kill me!

Ernie Jackson
New York, New York

HELP WITH THE HAPS
Thanks for creating such a fantastic website. As a Taylor fanatic, I own 12 Taylors at this time, and I'm still buying them. It's great to be able to have new info almost every time I visit the site. This keeps both my interest and my frequency of return to your site very high. Thanks for helping me to keep up-to-date on the "haps" at Taylor.

CLUB TAYLOR
I'm the owner of a 1992 model 420. The Taylor is very popular in this area. I was a bar owner and I had nine different Taylor players who frequented my club, several of them "converts" after hearing the 420. Mine was one of the early ones, with the rosewood back and sides. No other guitar can turn a musician's head as fast as a Taylor!

Pete Weston
Binghamton, New York
Via the Internet

BRANDED AND ROPED
I thought you might enjoy this. For four months, I have been visiting the MARS music store in Tampa [Florida] on Tuesdays (my day off). I own an [other brand] spruce top mahogany with Schaller tuners. It's okay, but it's still an [other brand]. Well, every Tuesday, I play the [brand X's], then the [brand XX's], and then the [brand XXX's]. One of them was going to be mine as soon as I made up my mind. The store carries Taylor, and I play them once in a while, but if I am going to spend that much I'll get a [brand X] or [brand XX].

Huh? Recently, I was deep into [playing] "House of the Rising Sun", when the guy behind me started some flamenco thing that stopped everyone in the place. He was real good, and he was playing a Taylor (although he could have made anything sound good). Anyway, after he left and we were sure he couldn't hear us duff around, every Taylor in there was being strummed. We didn't sound like him, but the action on the Taylors felt lower than on the others and the sound seemed brighter than the other rosewood models. I already thought the Taylors had the best-looking fit-and-finish there is.

It dawned on my dumb [posterior region] that the Taylor feels like what I was hoping the [brand X] would feel like, but doesn't. And I don't like the scale of a [brand XX], and the [brand XXX] just doesn't cut it. So, this Tuesday, I'll have the money, and I've made up my mind to own a Taylor. I admit I'm not worthy of this guitar, but I'll get better. Or, maybe I will just put it in its stand and stare at it. Thanks for your patience; excuse my ignorance.

Perry Mattingly
Via the Internet

TWO FOR JENNIFER
Just a thought for your ["Artists Who Play/Recording Artists"] page: you don't have Jennifer Knapp (Christian folk-rock artist, six Dove nominations this year, four songs at number one). Also, Carolyn Arends (an older, even more well-known Christian artist). Both of these artists are very well known in the CCM scene, and use Taylors pretty exclusively, and have their Taylors proudly displayed in their albums and videos. There are probably many more, but those come to mind right away.

Marcus Ledbetter
Via the Internet

A RARE AND BEAUTIFUL THING
A quick note of thanks to [assistant to the Public Relations Director] Steve Rapp and all the folks at Taylor Guitars. I was out West last month and picked up the custom guitar I ordered, based on discussions with Steve last spring - 900 Series woods with 700 Series inlays. It is a stunning piece of work, and plays beautifully.

It is a rare thing to find a company like Taylor. Your customer service is every bit as amazing as your instruments. My guitar went into production on May 27, and was waiting for me, on time, in San Francisco, on June 29. Wow. Many, many thanks and all the best to the whole crew.

Kurt Shillinger
Via the Internet

WORTHY OF THE BLUES
Yesterday, I received the Taylor Guitars newsletter [Wood&Steel] from Carlton Frederick's music store in Goldsboro, North Carolina. I had never heard of Taylor. This isn't surprising, as I have only been looking for a guitar for a few months. I bought an [electric guitar] after fending off the [major acoustic brands] "faithful". I read the entire Taylor newsletter last night. Went back to look at some of the Taylors at Frederick's and at Pearson's in Greenville, North Carolina. I am a "blues" enthusiast. Wow, what nice guitars. Thought of trading in my [electric guitar] on a Taylor. Guess what! The one I would have bought cost three months salary. Ha! Yes, they are worth it.

Jim Hathorn
Kinston, North Carolina
Via the Internet

CUTTING EDGE EDGE CUTTING
I was looking at Hoffman Guitars' website (they're located in Minnesota, very near to Jim Olson's shop). He has an interesting tour of Jim Olson's shop on his site, and I noticed that Olson is using a Fadal [CNC milling machine]. I guess this blurs the distinction between so-called "hand-crafted" guitars and "production" guitars. I don't blame Olson at all; it's smart to use the best-available technology to get the cut just right. But I tire of hearing how Taylor is "cheating" or sacrificing tone by using tools like the Fadal.

Scott Maxwell
Via the Internet

[Ed. Note: We've known Jim Olson for years and just love his guitars. Bob Taylor is always excited when he sees the individual luthier modernize his shop and make commitments to his own future like this. Bob once had a conversation with Jim after he'd destroyed his shoulder from carving so many necks, and Jim literally was "up on blocks", making no guitars for over four months. Bob reiterated the benefits of using CNC machines. Jim's customers and his family certainly have benefitted from his decision to use them. Other terrific guitar makers who now use CNC technology include Collings, Bourgeois, Santa Cruz, Breedlove, and Martin. We're in good company.]