[AVTaylor83]

I was a little skeptical when I bought my 2016 514ce LTD, because I really hated the old magnetic sound of the ES1 had very little experience with the ES2 - but I really wanted the guitar.

Fishman was my pickup of choice prior, and after comparing an older Taylor with the Matrix Infinity to the ES2 it was no contest - the ES2 was better hands-down.

I've grown to love the ES2. It's the best single-source pickup I've used. I keep the controls set flat and it's really easy to dial in.

But where I think it really shines is through my POD Go. The acoustic amp on the POD adds a bit of warmth, plus reverb, a bit of eq, and slight blend of an IR - I'm getting the best plugged in sound I've ever experienced with an acoustic guitar. And I've played Taylors with the old Fishman barndoor, the Baggs Anthem, the K&K Pure Mini, and Fishman Matrix Infinity.

I would say if you're having trouble with the ES2, check to make sure it has the latest preamp. Then make sure the knobs on the bridge are adjusted by an authorized Taylor guitar pro. Maybe add an eq in there to dial out some of the low mids. There's also a phase switch on the preamp that can help dial out some of the low end. With the proper set-up I think it's as good of a "plug and play" system as there is out there.