ES2 retrofit

[Tnfiddler]

I know you’ve told me before to keep the K&K pure mini in my W10, but I’ve joined another country band that’s pretty loud with a pedal steel, bass and lead cranking down all the time and even adjusting the sound, I’m getting feedback issues. It’s a pain having to go to a preamp to do adjustments too, so I’m pretty sure I’m getting ready to ship it to El Cajon and have the ES2 put in it to make life simple and easy. I’m not worried about the holes, because I have no plans to get rid of it. I’m beyond ready to be able to turn some knobs and do everything myself. It’s times like that I wish I’d kept one of my ES equipped Taylor’s I had in the past!

[jonfields45]

Is it possible for you to borrow an ES2 Taylor for a gig to be sure it solves the problem? Thinking about how the ES2 transducers work, it might occupy the middle ground between a SBT and UST, and might not get you where you need to go.

[paulin]

. . . I’ve joined another country band that’s pretty loud with a pedal steel, bass and lead cranking down all the time and even adjusting the sound, I’m getting feedback issues. It’s a pain having to go to a preamp to do adjustments too, so I’m pretty sure I’m getting ready to ship it to El Cajon and have the ES2 put in it to make life simple and easy. I’m not worried about the holes, because I have no plans to get rid of it. I’m beyond ready to be able to turn some knobs and do everything myself.

This is exactly why I have gone to soundhole mag pickups. I tried most of them and found, for me, that the LR Baggs M80 works best.

[Bob Womack]

People here get sniffy about barn doors and USTs but I'll be honest: after years of monkeying with mics and crappy early pickups I think we've never had it so good.


Bob

[Tnfiddler]

Originally Posted by Bob Womack

People here get sniffy about barn doors and USTs but I'll be honest: after years of monkeying with mics and crappy early pickups I think we've never had it so good.


Bob

Amen to that! I’ve got a Fishman Matrix Infinity in my 810 and while it’s pretty good, it stinks to have to take the strings off just to change a battery! I may just send it in next and get the ES2 put in it!

[jojobean39]

You know the ES2 systems are known for bad feedback problems, right?

Our guitarist in our worship band doesn't have problems, as we all use in ears. But from what I understand, they are notorious for feedback issues.

I second the recommendation to try one out first, to make sure it solves the problem.

[BT55]

I have both ES1 and ES2 Taylor’s. The ES1 went through about three iterations and improved each time. The ES2 is the next level. I’ve has no problems with the ES2 electronics. I have an LR Baggs Venue and you can dial out any problems. If I go straight to my Fishman Loudbox you can get the same results.

When people report issues we never really know what causes those issues. Is it bad amp or PA placement, wiring issues, pedal issues, amps etc. The only way to quantify these issues is to switch to another guitar in the same setup and see if the issue is reproduced.

Get the ES2 retrofit. I would upgrade all of my Taylor’s if the shipping costs were not so prohibitive.

[SpruceTop]

The Taylor ES2 is great for band situations but not quite as feedback-resistant as the older ES1.1/ES1.2/ES1.3 magnetic-based systems. As others have mentioned, please try a Taylor with an ES2 system with your band before you get the swap-out done.

[rschultz]

M80 is a great option for loud stages, and it sounds awesome too.

[martingitdave]

Originally Posted by jonfields45

Is it possible for you to borrow an ES2 Taylor for a gig to be sure it solves the problem? Thinking about how the ES2 transducers work, it might occupy the middle ground between a SBT and UST, and might not get you where you need to go.

I'm in agreement with Jon. ES2 is more feedback resistant than a K&K, but it is not as resistant as a UST system like a Fishman or LR Baggs. If "more" feedback rejection is what you need, it could be great. I happen to like the ES2 a lot and consider it among the best factory systems. If you need the "most" feedback rejection, you should consider other aftermarket options with an under-saddle transducer.

[MattM]

You can still get the ES 1.3 put in as well.

[RockerDuck]

Put a feedback buster in your sound hole when playing loud. You are not hearing your guitar anyway, its the pickup producing sound. I've done it in LOUD bands and did not feed back at all. I use a Taylor Es2 and Martin ust's.

[Tnfiddler]

Got a shipping box and as soon as my 810 is done getting a neck reset, I’m shipping the W10 out to get the retrofit. I’m gonna keep the Matrix Infinity in the 810 and having the W10 with the ES2, I’ll be set. I’ll make a recording of it after I get it back and share it on here so you can hear how it sounds. I’ll do a before recording too and put it on here too.