#16
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I'd love to see Taylor build a Gypsy Jazz guitar. I agree, they could use the 100 or even 200 series fairly easily and reasonably priced.
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#17
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Your methodology is similar to what's been commonly done here in the U.S. by several manufacturers. Gold Tone and Recording King would be two that most folks would be familiar with. Your dulcimer example is the mirror image of that, building in the U.S. and marketing in Europe. My thoughts on Taylor doing this are a reflection on bringing an arch top to market here that doesn't involve off-shore manufacture and also bringing the unique perspective of the arch top guitar a wider acceptance. Once in a while there are forces that heavily influence the market (like David Rawlings pulling the lowly Epi Olympic into the limelight) and I think the Taylor name could do the same thing. The other thing that Taylor could bring to the table is a fresh look at the overall design. Andy Powers is the perfect candidate to create an arch top that could have a much improved acoustic signature, whatever that might be. |
#18
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#19
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"Mistaking silence for weakness and contempt for fear is the final, fatal error of a fool" - Sicilian proverb (paraphrased) |
#20
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Did I read correctly that this Taylor archtop would be an all-laminate? I know a laminate top is less of a deal on archtops than on flattops, but if Taylor do not currently market laminate-top models (do they?) I cannot really see them introduce one on an instrument that's supposed to be acoustic. If not only for marketing reasons. They could still go for a pressed solid top though.
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I'm always not thinking many more things than I'm thinking. I therefore ain't more than I am. Pickle: Gretsch G9240 "Alligator" wood-body resonator wearing nylguts (China, 2018?) Toon: Eastman Cabaret JB (China, 2022) Stanley: The Loar LH-650 (China, 2017) |
#21
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They already have a few models that utilize this layered construction for the back plate so it wouldn't be much of a reach to change the type of wood, accentuate the arch, and use the plates for the top. Given Andy's propensity for new bracing I don't think a couple of tone bars or even an X brace would slow him down significantly. I think a layered laminate top could sound really good, especially with Taylor's ability to engineer acoustics that punch above their weight. |
#22
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I'd look for something as-yet-untried and well-outside-the-box in the bracing department as well...
__________________
"Mistaking silence for weakness and contempt for fear is the final, fatal error of a fool" - Sicilian proverb (paraphrased) |
#23
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You mean like an exo-skeleton?
__________________
I'm always not thinking many more things than I'm thinking. I therefore ain't more than I am. Pickle: Gretsch G9240 "Alligator" wood-body resonator wearing nylguts (China, 2018?) Toon: Eastman Cabaret JB (China, 2022) Stanley: The Loar LH-650 (China, 2017) |
#24
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In case you're not aware (or may have forgotten) Garrison tried a similar concept about 20 years ago, with mixed tonal results - the good news being that it took a good deal of the stress off the top/sides/back which allowed them to use thinner woods, supposedly in the name of resonance (highly questionable IME, as they were some of the heaviest flattop guitars I've ever played). That said, a fair amount of downward pressure is necessary to create the "piston" motion and strong forward projection associated with an archtop (try one of those Big Band-era comp boxes with a set of 10's or 11's and you'll see what I mean), and while I've heard of some handbuilt luthier instruments using "flying" or cantilever braces, I suspect the economic constraints imposed on a (hopefully) mass-market archtop will preclude any such experiment; I'm thinking more along the lines of a variation on the V-Class concept, that will allow economy of production along with an idiosyncratic tone that appeals to converted flattop players and archtop lovers alike - similar to the discontinued Godin 5th Avenue acoustic archtop but with more cosmetic/tonal refinement...
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"Mistaking silence for weakness and contempt for fear is the final, fatal error of a fool" - Sicilian proverb (paraphrased) |
#25
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I'm learning to flatpick and fingerpick guitar to accompany songs. I've played and studied traditional noter/drone mountain dulcimer for many years. And I used to play dobro in a bluegrass band. |
#26
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X-brace but combined with a double-top (the only kind of laminate I'd want topside) and a very innovative design:
__________________
I'm always not thinking many more things than I'm thinking. I therefore ain't more than I am. Pickle: Gretsch G9240 "Alligator" wood-body resonator wearing nylguts (China, 2018?) Toon: Eastman Cabaret JB (China, 2022) Stanley: The Loar LH-650 (China, 2017) |
#27
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__________________
"Mistaking silence for weakness and contempt for fear is the final, fatal error of a fool" - Sicilian proverb (paraphrased) |
#28
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I've just been sitting here with a calculator in my hands pondering what up-front investment it would need to do a 250 guitar run, how I could handle US sales etc. etc. I need to put this one to bed and get on with my day job, which is being retired!!! (although I do seem to have inadvertently ended up with a very complex job as the caretaker MD for a cancer charity - not quite sure how they sneaked that one past me!).
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I'm learning to flatpick and fingerpick guitar to accompany songs. I've played and studied traditional noter/drone mountain dulcimer for many years. And I used to play dobro in a bluegrass band. |
#29
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EDIT: just saying that you'd need to be certain to budget for sufficient QC.
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I'm always not thinking many more things than I'm thinking. I therefore ain't more than I am. Pickle: Gretsch G9240 "Alligator" wood-body resonator wearing nylguts (China, 2018?) Toon: Eastman Cabaret JB (China, 2022) Stanley: The Loar LH-650 (China, 2017) |
#30
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Nothing wrong with using the same process to form a top plate and then adding braces. It's been done successfully for years on some of the consumer arch tops. Steve DeRosa's comments about re-design and coming up with a unique instrument are very on target with what I was trying to relate. Taylor can use their design savvy to produce a economically viable laminate arch top guitar with secret-sauce bracing that produces a new, but pleasing sound while using medium or even light gauge strings. Part of the problem I always have with "arch tops" is the need to string with heavier guage strings to drive the top. Don't think for a minute that it can't be done, given Andy Powers being thrown into the formula. I wouldn't hold out a lot of hope for a Godin solution. They might just try it but do something boneheaded like epoxying the necks on to cut costs. Last edited by Rudy4; 04-12-2022 at 08:04 AM. |