Paul McCartney with a Taylor on the cover of the “Costco Connection”

[Wade Hampton]

I don’t know how many of you are members of Costco, but here in Anchorage it seems as though everyone shops there. And if you belong they send you a promotional magazine called “Costco Connection.”

This month, surprisingly, Paul McCartney is on the cover, and he’s holding a Taylor all-koa guitar with a left-handed cutaway. The guitar is the only reason I’m posting about his appearance in the publication, frankly.

I’m not familiar enough with the Taylor product line to know what model it is, but it’s clearly not a cheap one. Do any of you who get the Costco Connection know what model it might be?

Just curious.


Wade Hampton Miller

[KevinH]

I saw that. But not sure what model it is. Here is the cover image in case anyone recognizes the model-

pm.jpg

[Wade Hampton]

Normally the Costco Connection doesn’t even make it to my house, but goes straight into the post office’s recycling bin.


whm

[KevinH]

Originally Posted by Wade Hampton

Normally the Costco Connection doesn’t even make it to my house, but goes straight into the post office’s recycling bin.


whm

I hear ya. It's about 200' from our mailbox to the recycle bin. That's about all the time I see it as well. But gotta admit that cover did catch my eye.

[llew]

Another recycle bin guy here!

[Blueser100]

I get the magazine. He’s doing press for his book “The Lyrics” which came out today. Very nice two volume set in case.

[Bob Womack]

Looks like a K24c all-koa.

Bob

[HFox]

I am a member of Costco...love the company.
The mag is always headed to the recycle bin without reading....but yea saw the Taylor koa....I own a K462Ce 12er...mag still hit the recycle bin...swoosh.

[jricc]

Hi Wade, The Taylor that Paul is shown with is a Richie Sambora Model. Supposedly only 100 made.

[jricc]

Here's another pic. You can barely see the Sambora signature on the label.
Real pretty guitar...

[Wade Hampton]

It’s interesting that he would pose with another artist’s signature model, but knowing Sir Paul’s decades-long indifference to guitar specifics I suppose it shouldn’t come as a surprise. What probably happened is that a Taylor rep rounded up a selection of left-handed guitars for Mr. McCartney to try and he chose this one.


whm

[Steve DeRosa]

One little-known fact is that Costco actually sold Taylors as well as Gibsons in the early-2K's, either discontinued models (Gibson) or factory seconds (both), the only problem being that as a non-authorized dealer the factory warranty did not apply - while the Taylors (almost exclusively T-5's) were fairly close to what it would cost for a first-quality instrument with warranty, I was seriously considering an ES-333 @ $900 w/OHSC...

[gmel555]

I'd read a few years ago that Paul was often writing with a Taylor Richie Zambora model he liked a a lot. If you'll notice the Costco cover appears to be from the same photo shoot as British GQ article. Same, background, clothes, hair, (guitar), etc. I'd bet it was sent over to Costco for use on the cover, it's just too similar to the photo in GQ as if it was part of the same shoot.

[Wade Hampton]

gmel, I don't keep up with British GQ, so I missed that one!


whm

[joeappel]

Originally Posted by gmel555

I'd read a few years ago that Paul was often writing with a Taylor Richie Zambora model he liked a a lot. If you'll notice the Costco cover appears to be from the same photo shoot as British GQ article. Same, background, clothes, hair, (guitar), etc. I'd bet it was sent over to Costco for use on the cover, it's just too similar to the photo in GQ as if it was part of the same shoot.

Oh for sure it's from the same shoot. Most likely GQ purchased exclusive rights only for Great Britain. So the photographer was able to also lease the image to Costco mag because it's in the North American market.

Good for the photog for making some extra scratch on the deal, although it probably wasn't as much as one might imagine. My image pricing program tells me that they probably made anywhere from $1800 - $3600 on the sale. Costco Connection has a circulation of over 14 million.