Breaking News- New Tacoma-influenced guitars coming from George Gruhn

[Gunny]

Originally Posted by Sam Sherry

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gunny
There are a few PACRIM prototype Tacomas out there, but the idea died quickly. Like many big companies, they chose not to compete with themselves.

Respect for your knowledge and experience but the Olympia By Tacoma line is more than that.

I was not referring to Olympia guitars as that story is well known. There were some actual "Tacoma" labeled guitar prototypes made overseas that surfaced a year or so after FMIC shuttered the factory and moved back East with Guild. It is thought that they probably decided not give it a go. We have a pic or 2 on the forum somewhere.

[gr81dorn]

Spent like 45 minutes visiting with George yesterday and got the full story on this history of the designs, the relationship with Tacoma, etc.. The new Gruhn guitars will be ready next week and he’s excited and said they’ll be better than the originals made by Tacoma and better than the prototypes that Gallagher made for him at the beginning of this process. He’s got a bunch arriving next week and then should have some more by fall. A few noticeable design changes from the tacomas but pretty similar to the original designs. Starting at $2500 seems really fair for what they are.

[bsman]

I had two Tacomas - an EM9 that was my first really decent (i.e. non-Ovation) acoustic and a DR10. The EM9 had no finish issues (well, to be frank, almost no finish period! ) but I played it so much and so hard that I wore out the frets and didn't have the wherewithal or time at that point in my life to deal with. The DM10 was brilliant until it started to "delaminate" - i.e. big patches of finish peeling off. It looked like it had leprosy. It sounded amazing, but I was already getting to the point where I'd determined that dreads may be fantastic, but not for me. I donated it to the local school district. I really enjoyed every Tacoma I ever picked up - it's just a shame that the f'd up the finish application so badly.

[Birdbrain]

Originally Posted by Gunny

Being a tad OCD, I had to get past symmetry myself. The bridge and headstock make them unique.

One of my favorites. PKK40

I love that bridge! It's like a crooked smile, and it makes sense intuitively.

[Birdbrain]

Originally Posted by bsman

I had two Tacomas - an EM9 that was my first really decent (i.e. non-Ovation) acoustic and a DR10. The EM9 had no finish issues (well, to be frank, almost no finish period! ) but I played it so much and so hard that I wore out the frets and didn't have the wherewithal or time at that point in my life to deal with. The DM10 was brilliant until it started to "delaminate" - i.e. big patches of finish peeling off. It looked like it had leprosy. It sounded amazing, but I was already getting to the point where I'd determined that dreads may be fantastic, but not for me. I donated it to the local school district. I really enjoyed every Tacoma I ever picked up - it's just a shame that the f'd up the finish application so badly.

Of my four Tacomas, only one has bad rash- but it got better, really. When I bought my EK36C almost four years ago, it had several half-dollar sized finish bubbles on the waists of the sides. Those bubbles expanded gradually, and when several patches scabbed off on their own, I continued the process on the upper side. I picked off loose patches with my fingernail. When I reached the convex hips of the side, I ran out of loose finish. It seems well-adhered beyond that point. Fortunately, the gloss on the top and back remains perfect.

What I have now is an eight-inch stretch of bare koa wood in the upper waist, the one I look at. I'm content with that. The bare koa wasn't sanded flat, so it has an interesting texture. The wood has been sealed at the factory, so there should be no ill effects from the exposure.

Still, I'd love to hear what my Glossy Tacoma LJs would soundlike with all that thick poly removed. All the matte-finished Seagulls I've owned had exceptional sound, and so does my new Tacoma Chief.

[jbrnigan]

My first guitar in the early '60's was a Melody. In the late "60's it was replaced by a Silvertone model 319 (both of which I still have). In the late '70's I got real job and my first "real" guitar, a Yamaha FG365s, a couple years later I added a 12 string Yamaha FG-412SB. I played both of these guitars until 2000 / 2001. I read an article about Tacoma guitars on an airplane on my way to Seattle.......long story short, Tacoma made arrangements for me to purchase a DR-12 through a local retailer down the street from their factory. A year later I purchased a DM-912, 12 string, replacing both of my Yamaha's (which I still have) The Tacoma's were/are awesome solid wood guitars, the equal to anything that I had played. Not withstanding the well known finish issues, I believe Tacoma could have, would have been a dominant player today. I recently retired my DR-12 after 23 years, and replaced it with a Martin D-28, the only guitar I found that was the equal to the Tacoma in terms of tone woods used in manufacturing, volume, expression and playability. I applaud Gruhn's efforts, but the likelihood of his efforts to be anything more than a boutique guitar supplier, using his or Tacoma's designs, is not likely. If you never owned a Tacoma, any references to the brand and their unique properties are not likely to resonate with the broader market. IMO
IMO

[Joseph Hanna]

Originally Posted by drive-south

The Papoose is versatile in all those ways, but the fact it was high tuned put it in a class by itself. I always felt that the Baby Taylors and Little Martins were sonically useless. Not much better than the Martin Backpacker (I've owned 2 of these guitar-shaped toys).

I guess Today is "Dump on George Day".

I'd agree with you that many folks (myself included) considered the Pappose a serious instrument that excelled in recordings, especially doubling an existing track. It certainly never struck me as a kid's guitar. Where I do disagree with ya is Baby Taylors are sonically useless. For me, that isn't even remotely accurate. My Baby Taylor records as beautifully as any of the guitars I own. It's, to be sure, a different voice but sonically useless; at least for me, it is not.

[Birdbrain]

Originally Posted by jbrnigan

I applaud Gruhn's efforts, but the likelihood of his efforts to be anything more than a boutique guitar supplier, using his or Tacoma's designs, is not likely. If you never owned a Tacoma, any references to the brand and their unique properties are not likely to resonate with the broader market. IMO
IMO

GG has said he intends to run a factory, "not a boutique," eventually capable of making 5k instruments a year. His Lebanon,TN, factory tour is up at YouTube, see for yourself.

Seems to me that all the stars are lined up here to suggest success. This isn't some random startup. George Gruhn has been a vintage authority in the Music City for half a century (I was one of his first customers, in 1970). It would be hard to find a star-caliber stringed instrument player who hasn't visited his Nashville shop. He knows how to sell guitars, and the folks who buy many of them. he holds the relevant parents on Tacoma's Wing designs. And believe me, there's plenty of money in Nashvegas to fund a business like this.

So if this isn't a hit, I won't understand why. Recently I've gone and gotten a Tacoma Chief mini jumbo and a dred-shaped Roadking. The volume and tone they produce is phenomenal! "Not better, but different," like George says. There's a benefit to a solid top, without a central hole and lightly braced, plus an offset soundhole that beams more sound towards the player. I didn't experience this until three weeks ago, and now I'm a believer.

[Birdbrain]

On his weekly Zoom conversation today, Gruhn said he will present and discuss "in detail" his new guitar. It's free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required. I'll bring the popcorn. The vid-cast begins at 10 am CST on Fridays.

[gr81dorn]

He had a lot to say when we visited and he's genuinely confident they'll be successful. The pricepoint is going to be really competitive for a modern design, all solid, made in the USA instrument. He's committed, now, to manufacturing things under his supervision and direction vs his original plan to have them made by another great maker. He's too picky on this project to let others have control, it was clear.

[MCDEMO1]

My only experience playing a Tacoma was with a maple bodied baritone (Thunderchief ?) I bought and then returned to Elderly. A beautiful well-made guitar all-around, including an impeccable finish. It sounded phenomenal in the first 3 to 5 fret area, but muffled as I went up the neck. It was a big guitar and my technique was likely not the best having never played a baritone before.

Never saw a Tacoma with the rash problem. I have a late 90's Taylor LKSM 12 where the finish on the sides suddenly bubbled and over 50% of it peeled off. It looks terrible, but sounds great so I've kept it.
Saw another Taylor 12 from that era with the same problem. Wonder if Taylor and Tacoma were using the same finishing regimen and materials in that time period ?

There are some YouTubes of Peter Frampton playing his CiC Chief. If Gruhn's new guitars sound anything like PF's model they should have a good chance of being a successful alternative to what is already out there.
I like a wide nut and saddle spacing. I doubt these new Gruhn's will have those features.

This video was recorded using a Baggs pickup. Wonder about how it would sound mic'd ?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fxp-AY7Itc

[rollypolly]

If they are similar to the original Tacomas, meaning somewhat affordable, made in USA, good build and tone, then these will probably do well. I know I would be interested. A friend of mine had one years ago and I remember it was a canon and had beautiful tone. I was always gassing for it.

[Gunny]

Originally Posted by MCDEMO1

Never saw a Tacoma with the rash problem. I have a late 90's Taylor LKSM 12 where the finish on the sides suddenly bubbled and over 50% of it peeled off. It looks terrible, but sounds great so I've kept it.
Saw another Taylor 12 from that era with the same problem. Wonder if Taylor and Tacoma were using the same finishing regimen and materials in that time period ?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fxp-AY7Itc

I think many builders had some issues with certain products. I can't remember, but the name McFadden Guitar products rings a bell. Think they went bankrupt but came back. Might have been some law suits. Tacoma it appears just kept using a defective (never curing) sealer. You can scrape the poly off of a 20 year Tacoma and it is still tacky underneath. I've done a few.

[Charlie Bernstein]

My first question is always: Where are they made?

[Gunny]

Originally Posted by Charlie Bernstein

My first question is always: Where are they made?

Of this, we know for certain.