Taylorstock Guitar Roll Call

[cpmusic]

Not to make anyone else feel bad, but instead of rummaging through other threads, let's hear a roll call of the Taylorstock (TS) Guitars.

As many of the folks here know, I didn't plan on ordering anything, having just stretched plastic a few months ago for my 714. The reason people know this is because I kept repeating it like mantra, basically trying to convince myself that it wouldn't be the end of the world if I didn't order a TS guitar.

The problem is, I had an hour and a half going home on Friday, and another hour and a half driving back on Saturday, with just my thoughts for company. Along the way, I started thinking that, as long as I kept it simple, a Taylor 12 would might be reasonable, leaning toward a 455. Then I heard the magic words -- this year's Fall 300 LTDs are maple -- and I just couldn't resist.

So, my TS guitar will be a 355c LTD, Sitka spruce top, maple back and sides stained golden brown, and the standard Kottke-style cutaway. No pickup or electronics. Since it's a 300, there wasn't any wiggle room for options unless I wanted to spend a great big mess of money, so I left the appointments as they come. I'm calling it my Poor Man's 655.

Since I was one of the first people on the wood floor (no, I didn't push or shove) I had the pleasure of Bob's assistance with both the maple and spruce selection. There weren't a lot of maple sets available for this series, but there was one that had a pretty quilt pattern with much more figuring than the rest, so that was my choice. Bob sifted through a big pile of high grade Sitka (much better than you usually see on 300s) and found a beautifully silked and very stiff board with virtually no run-out that he said would make a great 12-string top. Who was I to argue?

I still don't know exactly how I'll swing this, but I'm glad I took the plunge.

[getgo]

Congratulations Chris!! What a great guitar to have and hold and grow with. I can't imagine the feeling of looking at raw wood that will soon be a beautiful guitar and having the help of Bob himself, help you pick out the best possible wood. You are very lucky.:)

[buddiesorg]

Well, since you started the thread ... I wasn't planning on getting a TaylorStock guitar (everyone say, "Yeah, right"). Really, I wasn't, because I had heard the new dreadnought bracing wasn't going to be on the 8xx until late this year or maybe slide into next year, I couldn't unless Uncle Bob was willing to sit on the set until then or make this a special case.

Anyway, I waited what seemed like forever for the master grade cocobolo (I was the first at the table and was disappointed in what I saw there ... not that it wasn't great wood, but, as you all know, I don't like sapwood). And by then, of course, the line was so long ... besides, they had just announced dinner ... so I decided to just let the capable people at Taylor find me a really nice piece of sitka to go with it.

After the open mic and during the break before Steve White, I just walked back to the wood to look at it again (I love looking at wood) and Bob asked if I had a top for my guitar ... I figured he needed dinner or something, so I just said to pick out one for me later. He said, "No, let's find one together." So we did.

So, to make a short story even longer :) ... I'll be having an 810 master grade cocobolo with sitka top, 900 fretboard (no Cindy) and peghead, koa binding.

[Steve314]

Some home improvements had put the kabash on my ordering a new guitar at Taylorstock, so I was content in living vicariously through everyone else's glee.

However, I'm getting my own version of a TS Guitar. Bob Taylor signed the back of the headstock on my 314, and I'll be getting one of the Taylorstock '02 truss rod covers that Bob decided (off the cuff, mind you; just the kind of guy he is) to give us. The truss rod covers came about from an idea about inlaying "Taylorstock '02" somewhere on the fretboards of guitars that were ordered. The TRC's will be easier to do, and Bob is providing them at no cost.

Granted, this isn't quite as cool as ordering up a new axe, but it sure will be special. Throw in the fact that Bob Taylor also gave my guitar the "once over", and it makes that little 314 something special...

Steve

[SonShine]

After years of anticipation, I'm getting my 1st Taylor courtesy of our Taylorstock Event.

My original intent was to get a 410 or 510, but I ended up really liking the 810 LTDs...and since I didn't put electronics in, it was a little cheaper than it would have been.

So, I'm getting an 810 LTD with Cocobolo and a Redwood top. At first, Bob suggested that I go with an Engelman Spruce top instead (who was I to argue?) so he headed towards that pile. But, he changed his mind and figured that he would change the thickness on the redwood to make it stiff enough and make sure that the revoicing was preserved (or something like that - I basically just let him run with it and stepped back ;) ). It will have maple binding and no other modifications. Can't wait!

[TimB]

912CE (no E)
East Indian Rosewood
Master Grade Redwood top
2002 inlay
Maple binding

-=Tim=-

[Cisco]

812 no C no E
solid Imbuia top back and sides !!!
like a Bass only a guitar !!!!


Ron

[tbondo]

912C
East Indian Rosewood
Master Grade Redwood top
2000 Specifications (incl. Cindy) w/rosewood binding (does not include fretboard extension, darn!)
1 7/8 neck
chrome schallers

[VFran]

W65ce without the e
walnut back, sides, and top
cindy inlay
abolone binding and rosette
900 series bridge inlay

Several indivduals helped me pick the walnut and a special thanks to TBondo for helping me get to the bottom of the pile and choosing a very cool "marble cake" walnut with some flaming. Ed Granero, one of gurus at Taylor also was extremely helpful, and then finally Bob T. blessed the choice.

[tvkruzan]

912CE (no E)
East Indian Rosewood
Master Grade Redwood top
2002 inlay

Thanks to my wife being there with me, she kept pushing and prodding me until I ended up with guitar I really wanted.

[W5BLT]

814 LTD (no C, no E)
Zircote back and sides (you gotta see this stuff)
Sitka top (picked out by Bob Taylor)
Koa binding
Cindy inlay
Florentine cutaway

Does this mean I actually have to learn a 3rd cord?

[rsimper]

More on my guitar later, and lots of pics of the wood selection process, but here are the basic specs:

914c
2002 appointments
Cindy inlay and peghead
Special Cindy inlay on the bridge
Handpicked by Ryan/Bob Taylor Engelmann and Indian Rosewood
Special request that the ebony headstock overlay and the mahogany neck be as dark as possible


Ill just throw in here quickly a huge thanks to Bob, Ed, and Jonathan and everyone else at Taylor for their help and graciousness in hosting. The event went without a hitch (other than our HORRID amount of respect for the scheduled time slot for wood selection :D )

Id do it again in half a heartbeat...Id do it if I had to fly in from Moscow.

[jmeinel]

My turn! :roll:

Guitar #1 (does this mean I got more then 1 guitar??!!!) ;)

810-LTD
2 peice back (amazing peice!)
Koa series inlay
Maple binding
Cocobolo glossed headstock overlay
No electronics (I have to wait to see what the new ones are going to sound like.)

Guitar #2

654CE-LTD
2 peice quilted back
Cindy Inlay
No electronics
No pickguard

My mouth is already watering! :eek:

Jennifer :D

[jeffrey]

810C Fall LTD
Master Grade Cocobolo back/sides (highly figured, with a little sapwood)
Master Grade Redwood top (very, very silked)
Master Grade Mahagoney neck (flamed, very figured)
Cocobolo gloss overlay on headstock
Celtic inlays
Koa binding
Special inlay on the back commerating my father. On the upper bout (opposite the cutaway) it will have my Dad's full name, dob/dod and a short sentence. Then 'swimming' from the lower bout to the upper bout on the back (kind of right through the waist of the guitar) will be one of the Koi from the Living Jewels guitar done in Flame Maple and Koa.

I wasn't really set on the Cocobolo or Redwood until I played the Redwood/Rosewood guitar that he built for us. After a long discussion with Bob about my style, he decided that the Redwood would likely work best for me as it's going to be stiffer then Cedar or Spruce and will "react" faster.

In short, this is a good thing for my style. :)

He also said it will keep the punchiness and clarity of the new x10's, but will retain the articulation and accuracy of the Redwood that I liked so much.

I can't wait. :) I want it now!! Hehe.

[amcd]

812C Fall LTD
Master Grade Cocobolo back/sides
(Thanks to Chris for his extra effort finding this beautiful wood)
Master Grade Redwood top
Maple binding
Cocobolo headstock

For my son:
310E Fall LTD
Upgraded Maple back/sides
Upgraded Sitka top


We can't wait!

[chet]

How long will it take for you to get your new guitars?

Congrats-it sounds like it was a great event, and maybe they'd be willing to do it again next year? [hope]

[jeffrey]

I'd imagine turn around on most of these guitars will be around 60-90 days.

Taylor usually does 2-3 custom guitars a week (and most of these are custom in some respect) so it will take a while seeing as 47 guitars were ordered.

As far as doing it again, nothing has been said.

This was never intended to be an annual thing from what I understand. The possiblity of another one is pure speculation at the moment.

And if/when they do decide to do it again, I seriously doubt it will be next year with all the guitars that were ordered. :)

[Gutch]

WOW! There was some phenominal wood sets being picked out for these guitars. I'll second Bob's (W5BLT) comment on the Ziricote he picked out. The grain is absolutely beautiful!

I went 814C (no E)
Cocobolo (Three piece Back with Sapwood in two outer back pieces)
Sitka (Bob Taylor's comment - "KILLER Top!")
Clear Pickguard
Maple binding
New "V" shape neck
Torch inlay on gloss finished Headstock

The folks at the factory were a wealth of information and so willing to help answer questions and concerns. I have never worked with a more generous and customer-oriented company in my life! THANKS TO EVERYONE AT TAYLOR FOR A FANTASTIC WEEKEND!!!

BTW, here's a pic of one of the most memorable moments of my life...
http://www.wingjr.com/our_photo_album/TaylorStock_2002/images/P1010143.jpg

Thanks, Bob! (And Rob for the pic!)

[levifly]

814c no e ltd.
cocobolo back and sides (with sapwood on both back and sides)
redwood top
all wood master grade
maple binding
cindy inlay
cocobolo headstock veneer
clear pickguard
I can't wait for it to come.
mw

[rsimper]

Originally posted by chet
How long will it take for you to get your new guitars?

Congrats-it sounds like it was a great event, and maybe they'd be willing to do it again next year? [hope]

The only OFFICIAL word was that each guitar will be finished 3 weeks after they start it.

Orders need to be placed by august 26th, so I would say they should all be turned out by the end of the year.

That second part is just speculation though.

[Dennis]

guitar#1: 854LTD
master grade cocobolo sides / back
master grade redwood top
master grade mahogony neck
cindy inlay
cocobolo headstock and bridge
maple binding
no electronics

guitar#2: 810 LTD
standard cocobolo sides/back
sitka spruce top
master grade mahogony neck (from same tree as other neck)
2002 900-series inlay
cocobolo headstock and bridge
koa binding
no electronics.

only things that could possibly change are that i'm still luke warm on pickguards (currently no pickguards on either), and i left a JPG file w/the cad design dude (Steve?) to work up some ideas for me. If he comes through with something that will work, then one of those guitars might get a different inlay pattern.

really can't decide on the pickguard thing.. thoughts, anyone? i hate to cover up that wood....

d

[rsimper]

Easy Dennis- clear pickguards. They are thin and difficult to notice...they do the trick.

Or you could get a picknxr...they can be removed easier than opening a slice of american cheese, but they just look kinda goofy when they are on since they are thick vinyl.

[Dennis]

Thanks for the input, Ryan. Yeah, maybe clear pickguard on the redwood, maybe a normal one on the spruce. Guess I can think about it for a day or two.

d

[cpmusic]

I ordered a clear pickguard on my 355c. I like the Taylor pickguards well enough, but the spruce Bob picked out for me is really pretty, and I want this guitar to have a cleaner look anyway. I suppose I could have left the guard off altogether, but I'll be doing a lot of strumming.

As a side note, I was just thinking that it would have been cool if we could have had the guitars marked as our own signature models. I know, it's completely impractical and I would not have asked even if it occurred to me while I was there, but it was a nice passing thought. We could always use that phrase anyway, as Mike does. Then again, my initials are CP, and there already is a CPSM. :)

[tvkruzan]

RE: Dennis - Pickguards

I also went with a clear pickguard for mine.

[rsimper]

Just a side note- Terry- you got a beautiful set of E.I. Rosewood for yours...I saw it on the table and just had to stop and admire :)

[david_m]

Without knowing it before hand, Bob Prater (W5BLT) and I picked out very similar guitars:

Based on a 912 (no C or E)
Ziricote back and sides (same stuff as on the gray whale gallery)
Engleman top
Koa binding
1 7/8" neck
Cindy neck inlay
Ziricote head stock overlay

It's going to be GORGEOUS. Plus, I think there were only 4 sets of Ziricote in all of Taylor. According to JR these may be the last Ziricote guitars Taylor makes? So JR, W5BLT, Trombone and I are going to have some really cool guitars.

I know, I know. This guitar is neither rosewood or koa, but imagine the direct attack of koa with the overtones of rosewood and that's what the ziricote sounded like to me. I played the gray whale gallery guitar in the performance room and it was AMAZING (Cisco can confirm this).

I can't wait, I can't wait, I can't wait.

PS CPmusic's top piece on his 355 is incredible. It is the stiffest top I came across (and I flexed nearly everything there). It is going to make one VERY loud and balanced 12 string.

David

[david_m]

Just a side note- Terry- you got a beautiful set of E.I. Rosewood for yours...I saw it on the table and just had to stop and admire

AGREED! Folks, you are not going to believe the EI Rosewood Terry picked out!! Completely unstained it was already PURPLE. When I saw it I gasped. Unbelieveable.

Actually, all of the wood was amazing. The worst piece of wood there was GREAT. Bob really opened up the vaults for us. These guitars are going to be amazing.

David

[tvkruzan]

Originally posted by rsimper
Just a side note- Terry- you got a beautiful set of E.I. Rosewood for yours...I saw it on the table and just had to stop and admire :)

Thanks Ryan, my wife loved it too!

by the way, it was great meeting you.

[buddiesorg]

Terry, I'm glad I got to see you ... at least you listened to the NS ... you really should have played and felt the strings ... speaking of the NS, David was so great. I told him about how a few of the strings were binding when I was tuning it and I should I leave the guitar with them now (I'm sure it's because the extra high tension Savarez strings are just so thick ... didn't notice anything for months on the high tensions, just on Friday morning when I tuned up the extra highs for the first time since installing them) ... but I couldn't tell him which ones ... he checked out all the nut slots ... and now it tunes perfectly.