Identifying Your Expression System® Pickup
The TaylorSense battery box installation process varies depending on which pickup system you have. Here we help you identify the specific system in your Taylor guitar.
The TaylorSense battery box is compatible with any Taylor pickup with a 9V battery. This includes Expression System 1 (ES1), Expression System 2 (ES2), ES-N (nylon-string) and ES-T.
THREE easy steps to help you identify your pickup system:
Step 1: Confirm you currently have a 9V battery box system
Simply remove the battery from the bottom of your guitar as seen in image 1a.
Image 1a- Remove the battery from the bottom of your guitar
If you have a 9V battery inside, proceed to Step 2 below.
If you have two AA batteries as seen in image 1b below, the TaylorSense battery box is not compatible with your Taylor guitar and cannot be installed. Please call our Customer Service team at 1-800-943-6782 to return your TaylorSense system or upgrade your guitar’s pickup.
Image 1b- If you have two AA batteries the TaylorSense battery box is not compatible with your Taylor guitar.
Step 2: Identifying ES-N and ES2 Pickups
Do you have a nylon-string Taylor guitar as seen in image 1c below? If so, you have an ES-N pickup. Click here to proceed to the TaylorSense Installation Instructions - Version 1.
Image 1c- If have a nylon-string Taylor guitar you have an ES-N pickup. Proceed to the TaylorSense Installation Instructions - Version 1.
If you have a steel-string Taylor guitar, look at the bridge. Do you see three Allen screws between the saddle and the bridge pins, as pictured in image 1d below?
Image 1d- If you have a steel-string Taylor guitar and you see three Allen screws between the saddle and the bridge pins, you have an Expression System 2 (ES2) pickup. Proceed to TaylorSense Installation Instructions - Version 1.
If so, you have an Expression System 2 pickup (ES2). Click here to proceed to TaylorSense Installation Instructions - Version 1. If you do not have ES-N or ES2 continue below.
Step 3: Identifying Your Pickup Using the Preamp Circuit Board
Hold the guitar with the neck away from you and look inside the soundhole as pictured in Image 1e below.
Image 1e- Hold the guitar with the neck away from you and look inside the soundhole.
You should see some electronics on the inside left (aligned with the volume, treble and bass knobs).
This is the preamp. Notice the small red LED light and white switch(es) on the circuit board. The location of these on the board will help you determine which pickup system you have.
Below are photos of different preamps. When you see yours, proceed to the installation instructions assigned to it.
Image 1f- The red LED light is in the middle left side of the board, and the single white switch is on the same side below the red LED light. If yours looks like this, you have an ES-T pickup.
Image 1g- The red LED light is positioned on the lower right side of the board, and there is a single white switch on the same side above the red LED light. If yours looks like this, you have an Expression System 1 (ES1) pickup.
Image 1h- The red LED light and the two white switches all appear in the middle of the right side of the board. If yours looks like this, you have an Expression System 1 (ES1) pickup.
In Image 1f above, the red LED light is in the middle left side of the board, and the one white switch is on the same side below the red LED light. If Image 1f matches your guitar, you have an ES-T pickup and can now click here to proceed to TaylorSense Installation Instructions - Version 1.
If you do not have an ES-T pickup, please continue below.
In Image 1g above, the red LED light is positioned on the lower right side of the board, and there is one white switch on the same side above the red LED light. If Image 1g matches your guitar, you have an Expression System 1 (ES1) pickup and can now click here to proceed to TaylorSense Installation Instructions - Version 2.
In Image 1h above, the red LED light and the two white switches all appear in the middle of the right side of the board. If Image 1h matches your guitar, you have an Expression System 1 (ES1) pickup. Click here to proceed to TaylorSense Installation Instructions - Version 2.
If you’ve gotten this far and do not know which pickup system you have, please call Taylor Guitars Customer Service at 1-800-943-6782. We will be happy to help you.