Taylor ES 1 vs ES 2

roadbiker · #1 02-27-2018, 05:17 PM

Okay. My guitar has arrived safely at Taylor to have some bubbles in the finish repaired (under warranty), and I called today to make sure that it arrived safe ans sound, which it did. I spoke to one of the guys in the repair department and asked about the differences in the 2010 Expression System that is in my guitar (2011 814) and the 2014 ES 2 system. After he explained the differences and that they could upgrade it I was interested, but the price of the upgrade is $300. They won't be shipping the guitar back until April 12, so I have time to make up my mind.

The questions I have for anyone who has both: is there a noticeable difference, and is it worth the $300 to upgrade it? Is the ES2 $300 better than what I already have???

Looking forward to your opinions,
Jim

Dwight · #2 02-27-2018, 05:30 PM

The ES-1 V.3 should be fine. I wouldn't spend any money to upgrade to the ES-2. Taylor is always "upgrading" so even the ES-2 will be outdated before you know it.

kcnbys · #3 02-27-2018, 05:41 PM

In my opinion, the ES2 sounds better than any of the previous iterations of the Expression System. Does it sound $300 better than the ES v1.3 in your 814? I doubt it. It might depend on the amplified use of that guitar. When do you play it plugged in, and for what? You also always have the option of upgrading the pickup to a totally different system that wouldn't cost as much.

BT55 · #4 02-27-2018, 08:19 PM

Definitely upgrade to the ES2. I have ES and ES2 Taylors. The ES system is good and it's been upgraded a few times but the ES2 is definitely an improvement over the ES system. You've already paid to ship the guitar to Taylor and they can do the conversion before returning it to you. If I ever had to return one of my ES guitars to Taylor I would have them converted.

troggg · #5 02-27-2018, 08:58 PM

I'm not intimately familiar with using both so I'll spare you the opinion on which is better ... but I would have thought it would cost a lot more to upgrade than that, just sayin'.

martingitdave · #6 02-27-2018, 09:24 PM

ES2 is a huge upgrade in my opinion. It’s one of my four favorite factory pickup systems.

DavidE · #7 02-27-2018, 10:09 PM

ES2 is the first Taylor system I can stand. No more magnetic sound. But a Baggs Anthem system is better still.

SpruceTop · #8 02-27-2018, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadbiker

Okay. My guitar has arrived safely at Taylor to have some bubbles in the finish repaired (under warranty), and I called today to make sure that it arrived safe ans sound, which it did. I spoke to one of the guys in the repair department and asked about the differences in the 2010 Expression System that is in my guitar (2011 814) and the 2014 ES 2 system. After he explained the differences and that they could upgrade it I was interested, but the price of the upgrade is $300. They won't be shipping the guitar back until April 12, so I have time to make up my mind.

The questions I have for anyone who has both: is there a noticeable difference, and is it worth the $300 to upgrade it? Is the ES2 $300 better than what I already have???

Looking forward to your opinions,
Jim

Get the ES2.

AeroUSA · #9 02-28-2018, 01:05 AM

Have it done since it’s already there

DoryDavis · #10 02-28-2018, 06:45 AM

Well going against the tide, I'd say stick with the es-1 and begin using it with a trs cord, so you can run a richer balanced signal to your amp/pa. The es 2 does not offer the balanced option as I understand it.
Take that 300 and improve the amplification itself, upgrade your amp or pa. That is just my view, it'll be the minority view for sure, but I have a 712 12 fret with es-1 and play it the way I described and it works well.

MikeBmusic · #11 02-28-2018, 07:41 AM

Get yourself over to a music store that has an 814 with ES2 in stock that you can plug in and try!
Some people like it, some don't 9as you can see form the various replies above). Most of that has to do with how the player plays. Are you satisfied with the sound of your ES 1.3 pickup when plugged in?

pieterh · #12 02-28-2018, 08:55 AM

If you can try a Taylor with the ES2 I recommend it, preferably while A-B testing it next to one with ES1.3.

For what it is worth I have had 1.1, 1.3 and 2 in my Taylor. The new system scores over the original magnetic based in many ways: it sounds more natural; the output is a regular unbalanced signal making matching it to regular guitar products (fx pedals, pedal tuners, acoustic instrument preamps etc) much easier; there is now no longer the annoying and intrusive magnetic character the higher up the neck the guitar is played.

I had the opportunity to play the new system at Musikmesse in 2015 and heard the difference. There are many who aren't impressed with it but for me it is well worth the upgrade - previously I had to try and dial in a half-way decent eq etc to get rid of the electric guitar quality of the neck pickup, and the body sensor didn't do enough to give the sound its acoustic-ness if you know what I mean. Now I can get a decent live tone in next to no time.

RefrigRaider · #13 02-28-2018, 09:14 AM

Upgrade to ES2. My cheapo Taylor with its ES2 has better plugged in sound than my last Gibson with its LRBaggs Element, and that one was great. However, other responses in this thread that suggest going to a music store and trying it out on other Taylors is a good idea.

James May · #14 02-28-2018, 09:36 AM

And this discussion would not be complete without someone mentioning that the ES-2 plays extremely well with ToneDexter, while the ES-1 does not (due to it being magnetic). Should you want to keep that possibility open...

I personally think the ES-2 is one of the best factory installed pickups available.

doublescale1 · #15 02-28-2018, 09:42 AM

The guitar is at Taylor - have the upgrade done. I had a 710 with ES1 and now have a 322ce with the new ES2 - the ES2 is a significant improvement, I dont have to use my Mama Bear pre-amp with the ES2 like I had to with the gen1 ES.