Any thoughts on Taylors new soundport?

[fitness1]

Originally Posted by tbeltrans

Easy now. Being a guitar forum, these things being discussed are of little consequence outside the forum. Those of us who have experienced the world outside our own little corner are not going to mistake an oddly placed soundport for some seismic world change. Things get pretty silly here, no doubt. But all in all, it is just a bit of fun and I like to think most of us realize that.

Tony

Yes - it's all about giving the "people" what they want - and Taylor's been doing a pretty good job of that for a long time! I just wish they had started putting them in the traditional place personally.

[magazine]

An extra hole facing away from the player actually makes more sense than toward the player if ya think about it.

[zmf]

Originally Posted by Wade Hampton

I mean, seriously, does that actually shake the foundations of your worldview?!?

No, what worries me is that it reinforces my world view.

[fitness1]

Originally Posted by magazine

An extra hole facing away from the player actually makes more sense than toward the player if ya think about it.

What would you say to support that?

[magazine]

Well the sound hole in the center of the guitar serves a purpose of projecting sound outward. Wouldnt it make more sense to have a soundport that faces outward as well? Seems like it would have a better purpose for someone that is playing for an audience.

[fitness1]

Originally Posted by magazine

Well the sound hole in the center of the guitar serves a purpose of projecting sound outward. Wouldnt it make more sense to have a soundport that faces outward as well? Seems like it would have a better purpose for someone that is playing for an audience.

My take is that is what microphones and/or pickups are for (audiences)

[Dbone]

Originally Posted by Racerbob

I personally like sound ports, my experience is they do what is claimed the majority of the time. In this case putting a mic in front of the guitar then covering the port will not duplicate the player's experience.

It seems to lower the volume when he covered it but the explanation he gave was it was supposed to "surround" the player with the sound normally heard only out front. So unless he put a mic at his ear I don't see how the video will tell us anything useful.

On the other hand, I had a Nightingale with the "flutes" sound ports which are pretty much under the player's right arm and yet they definitely create a "surround sound" effect very distinctive from guitar with them plugged. So who knows, but this item like the V-bracing will require in person evaluation.

But they won't sell me one anyway as long as the only saddle spacing offered is 2 3/16.

I like sound ports too. Just not ones that look absolutely rediculous.

[Dbone]

Originally Posted by frankmcr

Soundport facing away from the player . . .

Next up - rosewood top, spruce back & sides?

Lol...nice...

[Dbone]

Originally Posted by Wade Hampton

Boy, you guys are harsh!

As for me, I’m going to reserve judgement on this new soundport design until I get a chance to play a guitar that has one for myself. Unlike what seems like everyone else, I can’t see much point in criticizing either Taylor or Andy Powers for trying new things: I mean, honestly? How does it harm any of us if Taylor puts a soundport where none of us of us would expect to see one? I mean, seriously, does that actually shake the foundations of your worldview?!?

Not mine. If it works, more power to them.

Short version: it doesn’t trouble me in the slightest when Taylor does something that I don’t expect. In fact, I admire them for it.

After all, the last I checked, the Taylor Guitar Company has not been sending gun thugs to drag reluctant guitar owners to music stores to buy ANY of their products. Participation remains entirely voluntary.


Wade Hampton Miller

They are a brave company for sure. This sound port proves it...lol

I see your point a bit. They definitely are a pretty progressive company that is pretty willing to change things up generally. I guess they deserve some props and admiration for that. I guess coming a long with this will be some hits and misses.

This is a major miss for me. For a company that, at least to me, is usually so on the mark in terms of design language, I can’t believe this gaff. I really can’t. I find it that offensive looking. Lol.

[Wade Hampton]

Like I already wrote, I’m reserving judgement on Taylor’s new soundport design until I can play one of these guitars for myself. I’m not going to fulminate against them online without hands-on experience first.


whm

[Audie]

Originally Posted by tbeltrans

Easy now. Being a guitar forum, these things being discussed are of little consequence outside the forum. Those of us who have experienced the world outside our own little corner are not going to mistake an oddly placed soundport for some seismic world change. Things get pretty silly here, no doubt. But all in all, it is just a bit of fun and I like to think most of us realize that.

Tony

Yes, everything I read here echoes what I said in my thread. However they wanted to crucify me for asking

What is Bob thinking?

The consistent theme with Taylor is an oversell on the latest and greatest and look what we did. It makes loyal Taylor owners like myself feel if we do not get on board, we are missing out with our inferior previous purchases. Taylor is sputtering with all these gizmos and changes. I hope they settle down and dial things in and get in tune with their rational customer base. The short time Taylor is giving instruments to be excepted is not good financially for the customer or the company. Before you can except the change they move onto something else to change. Change is good, but to much change will leave you with none in the bank. And just because you can change does not mean you should. It is as if Andy is running around like a kid in a candy store, trying everything and anything just because he can.. Well that kid gets sick from eating all that candy. Bob and Kurt need to reign him in. You know what they say. Spoil the child, you spoil the ride. I don't want Taylor to get sick.

I like Taylor guitars. Have a room dedicated to them. I can think of three models I wanted to buy between 2015 and 2018 in addition to the ones I bought during that time. They made so many changes, that none of them are available anymore. Heck, bring those back along with a reissue of the Lemon Grove days and a few other times. They will sell like hotcakes.

What Taylor is doing is not good for business. I got alot of skin in their game and I want them to succeed because I want more Taylors. I think I went on a pleasant rant about the company I like. So enough from me for now.

[tbeltrans]

I also reserve judgement on the sound and feel of the guitar until I can actually play it. However, I don't care for the look of this sound port in the cutaway at all and, along with the rest of the guitar's attributes, either the look is appealing to me or not.

When all the discussion about V-class was raging here, I didn't voice an opinion, and was pleasantly surprised when I played the K14ce, and now own one. To me, the appointments on that guitar are perfect with the understated "bling" and the comfortable curves.

None of the acoustic guitars I own have pick guards because to me, they just look silly and I don't play with a pick anyway. There is enough variety in guitars available for all of us to find something that appeals.

Tony

[Audie]

I would like to try the new soundport model and see it in person. That is likely not happening anytime soon. Both my Taylor dealers have not ordered either one of the models that have it. I just don't like it.

[Audie]

Originally Posted by tbeltrans

I also reserve judgement on the sound and feel of the guitar until I can actually play it. However, I don't care for the look of this sound port in the cutaway at all and, along with the rest of the guitar's attributes, either the look is appealing to me or not.

When all the discussion about V-class was raging here, I didn't voice an opinion, and was pleasantly surprised when I played the K14ce, and now own one. To me, the appointments on that guitar are perfect with the understated "bling" and the comfortable curves.

None of the acoustic guitars I own have pick guards because to me, they just look silly and I don't play with a pick anyway. There is enough variety in guitars available for all of us to find something that appeals.

Tony

To date, the K14ce is the only one that appeals to me out of the whole V braced bunch. The only reason I have not purchased it yet is I feel like I'm going to miss the next greatest thing,or find out I was a guinea pig in a overall failed lab experiment. Worse yet, It may sell before I come around to it. I guess what I'm saying after all this writing is my confidence is shaken in the company I like alot. I guess I have to get it out of my system. And no. I am not fulminating, just expressing my passion for TAYLOR guitars. No hate exists here.

[Brucebubs]

Found this picture on the interweb - one of the very first 6 guitars made by Taylor next to this new 816ce Builders Edition.



I like the old one.