A Guitar Company that Listens ... A Special Thanks to Larry Clark

[buddiesorg]

Lately, I've been thinking about how I think Taylor is a first class company ... and thinking about about the reasons why I think that way. And when I talked to Larry Clark yesterday, the biggest reason hit me on the head.

When I thanked him for putting in the shovelburgers, he responded with something like "It seemed like something you guys really liked. It was a highlight for you." And I realized that while he was editing his footage, he really was looking for stuff he knew we would like to see. Which also means that he really paid attention to our reactions to the weekend's happenings.

And then I thought about the weekend's schedule ... and the TaylorStock guitar options ... and all that was based on things we were interested in. I already commented on this when my husband asked me about some guitar options and I responded with, "Well, Taylor knew alot of Forum members were interested in it."

I really think this is the appeal of Taylor Guitars as a company. Whether it's a guitar or a video or something else, they're listening to their customers ... and I think it goes a long way. And I think we're proof of that.

[rsimper]

I agree wholeheartedly...

There is just something really special about being treated to the things that you TRULY want...

I mean, dont get me wrong, for Taylor to invite us at all is amazing, but then to take things from the forum and incorporate them into a great weekend program (Cindy inlays, swapping inlays, TS Truss rod covers, hand signed labels, JWs guitar being on display, etc etc etc) is just like a dream come true...

It sorta went like a surreal flowchart...we stir up talk on the forum, talk gets more serious, and suddenly, it happens...

Case and point...Cindy inlays once again, or the "Hey i wonder whats gonna happen with Taylors video footage" threads, and sure enough, I got a tape in my mailbox today.

The thing that stuck out to me? Having the chance to get the new appointments on the 900 with the Cindy inlay, since I was the one who was most cuckoo over the Cindy in the thread that BobT first mentioned its return, and I shamelessly begged for the chance to get it with the glossed ebony headstock :D Little things like this make me feel like I matter to them, and that our opinions are valued.

How often do you get that feeling from a relatively large company (or any company for that matter). If I go to the Callaway Golf Clubs forum and post that the new grips they are shipping their clubs with really stink, are they gonna change them? I doubt it...but a few of us post about the little latches being incompetent and a few weeks or months later, big latches and a lock! Now, Im sure this doesnt have EVERYTHING to do with us, but hey, theyre listening.

Its like Big Brother...theyre always watching, but I guess in BT's case, its more like Big Uncle :D


Thanks Uncle!

[Doug L.]

Mary,

I could not agree with you more!

Taylor is FIRST CLASS, head to toe!!!

I am a difficult customer to please and they continue to amaze me!

Best Regards,
Doug L.

[cpmusic]

I agree completely, and couldn't have said it better. Thanks to Bob, Kurt, Larry, Ed, Jonathan, and everyone else who made this whole experience so special for all of us!

[meridian]

I continue to be very impressed with Taylor as a company. But after meeting Bob T, it is easy to see that this comes from the top.

Not only did they go the extra mile for us at the event itself, but in a very real way Taylostock has been ongoing!

Very impressive!
:)

BTW, I have a picture of Larry Clark with video camera here:

http://homepage.mac.com/musicandlight/PhotoAlbum5.html

[Lisa]

Yes, thank you Larry. I can't wait to see the video. I know it will exceed my expectations as you guys always do. The fact that you included things in the video that made us all smile is true hospitality. We have all been amazed at how we were all treated like VIP at Taylorstock.

I can't say enough good things about Taylor. You guys are first class and you prove it in all the "little details", like the video and all the great options you gave us for the Taylorstock guitars. You guys all went way beyond the extra mile for all of us.

I'm not a bit prejudiced; TAYLOR IS THE BEST!!!

[MJH]

They are absolutely the best. It was a fantastic weekend. The way we were treated and the ability to do custom options to our guitars. They simply did not have to do this.

Now the video comes as a complete surprise. I have been watching it and I get excited all over again about how great this whole affair really was.

I am in awe of Bob Taylor and everything about Taylor Guitars.

Mark

[darkwing]

My (admittedly few) dealings with Taylor have been very pleasant indeed!!! Just the other day, I called about a replacement saddle, as mine was gettin' kinda "groovy," and they couldn't have been nicer. Got it in a couple of days (free). They have always been helpful with questions, etc. as well.

p.s.- oops, what was I thinkin'? Though I bought it in '98, my 712 is not a 98, as I've mentioned.....it's a 97....just happened to look at the serial the other day.......DUH!!! :rolleyes:

[Steve314]

I'd have to agree with everything that been said here. A "for instance":

On the same weekend of Taylorstock, another guitar forum was having a get together at their manufacturer of choice. The schedule of events for them included things like get-togethers in a local park for jams, dinners, etc.

Only once was the factory mentioned, and there was zero indication than the factory visit was going to include anything more than the standard tour that they always give. Attendees sure as hell weren't picking out wood, with the company President, for custom built guitars, or getting to perform in a hall like the Performance Venue (parks are nice enough, but the acoustics suck).

I guess that's what impressed me about Taylorstock. This other forum did every bit of planning themselves; scheduling all of the events. For Taylorstock, I think it's an understatement to say that Taylor was heavily involved in the planning and execution of the entire weekend. Taylor went completely out of their way to ensure that we had a good time.

The inclusion of the video, provided as a momento to attendees of the weekend, is just the kind of thing that really sets Taylor Guitars apart...

Steve

[buddiesorg]

That's true ... but I think you hit on something that was missing from our "little" get together ... I think it would have been neat if we all got together outside of the Taylor Factory to play and enjoy each other's company more. Of course, this is said in hindsight since it sure seemed, at least from the schedule, that we'd have tons of time just to chat and play ... it just didn't turn out that way. I know I didn't get to talk to alot of Forum members I wish I could have ... and didn't get to offer many Forum members to play my guitars (and get to play theirs as well). But we were all obsessing about the same thing as soon as the Saturday events started and playing guitars didn't enter my mind until about midnight.

This isn't something that Taylor Guitars should plan ... but maybe next time (yeah, I know JR ... no next time in the planning stages) we really should take the day before or after to meet somewhere to just jam and talk. I know the guys at the T&C must have done some of that, but maybe next time actual times for it can be set.

[MJH]

I agree with Mary whole heartedly. I wanted to jam a little more. I brought my guitar for that reason. Don't get me wrong. I loved everything about the weekend, but I really did not get to talk to everyone and get to know them better. Next time we should!

Mark

[meridian]

Originally posted by MJH
I agree with Mary whole heartedly. I wanted to jam a little more. I brought my guitar for that reason. Don't get me wrong. I loved everything about the weekend, but I really did not get to talk to everyone and get to know them better. Next time we should!

Mark

Man, Mark, by the time we got back from Taylor, I just crashed!

There would have to be a more relaxed schedule for that stuff to happen!:)

[buddiesorg]

That's why we'd need to do it on another day ... like Sunday.

[amcd]

I agree with Mary and Mark that more time was needed to meet other forum members. Watching the video from Taylor (thanks to Larry Clark and everyone at Taylor) reminded me of all the great people with whom I had so little time to talk.

Taylor is a great company. One of the things that was evident at TaylorStock and reading through the posts on the forum is that they are not afraid to use new tools or ideas to improve their products. This forum is no exception - it's a sales and marketing managers dream. We have Taylor enthusiasts from all walks of life, demographics, and professions who know what they like and dislike and who use this forum to discuss them sensibly. Sure Taylor listens because the group of people that make up this forum have proven it's not a flash in the pan but a community with values similar to their own.

[MJH]

Well said!

Mark

[J.R. Rogers]

I thought this was a "thanks Larry" thread! :D

Larry did an incredible job on this video! What a great memoir of the event! Watching it was almost like being there again. Big thanks to Larry, Bob, Jonathan, and everyone else who was involved. You guys ROCK! :)

J.R.

[rsimper]

I love the way it ends....

They're on their way :D

So wonderful!

[buddiesorg]

Well, it started out that way ... and like all threads in cyberspace, someone like me ends up making it go on a tangent ... still, my thanks to Larry still stand ... I love that video!