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Originally Posted by cotten
My "own" signature model Taylor, a Cotten 612c, came to live with me last weekend, and I am thrilled! I waited this long to report because I've been too busy to seriously put it through its paces until this morning, and because I was hoping to post a picture illustrating the title of this thread. Maybe later.....
Back in 1995, Taylor was considering dropping the 612 line. Richard Cotten, of Cotten Music Center in Nashville, had Taylor build 100 [edit: I believe only 62 have been accounted for] special "Cotten 612s." They were such a hit that Taylor kept the 612, much to the delight of many a finger stylist.
So what's it like? Fantabulous! Start with heavily flamed maple back and sides, give it a richly silked, slightly orange sitka top, add the sharp florintine cutaway, an abalone rosette, and a custom Cotten inlay that features a cotton bole above the classic Taylor "wings" - wrap it all in a small, intimately comfortable Grand Concert body. Give it tender, loving care for eight years and you've got something very special. Send it to a guy with the same last name and it becomes, Poof! a keep it forever heirloom!
The one in my lap right now came from Kim at Cotten Music, via two other owners who must have had lots of other options. I can't tell this guitar's ever been played! It truly is one of those "mint" guitars that everyone on eBay claims to be selling.
How does it sound? Wonderfully different from my 914c. Less bass and volume, of course, but with those more than sufficient and beautifully balanced end to end. This thing sparkles! There are no electronics, so I thought at first I would quickly add a non-invasive pickup of some sort. I'm rethinking that now.
My 914 is the prefect does-everything-I-ask-beautifully work guitar. (Worship leading.) Yes, I'm extremely careful with it! But that means that I can keep the Cotten at home, just for those special times when friends come over or when I want to sit out in the swing on a warm summer's evening with a wonderful guitar and Mars peeping over my shoulder.
How does it play? It's a TAYLOR, remember? It plays like it knows what I'm thinking, smooth and comfortable as any guitar I've ever played. OOoooo, the sound it makes!
I really don't have TAS, and with two of the best possible guitars in the world for me, my immune system is in total control! As far as I know, I'm the only TGFer with his "own" Signature Series. Except maybe for that Bob guy who puts his name on the headstock of our favorite guitars, that is. But I bet even he doesn't own a Cotten!
cotten
Forgot to mention the Pink Poodle case. It wasn't in quite as nice condition - I had to wipe off a little dust to make it look brand new!
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