Taylor ES2 with Fishman Aura Spectrum DI?

[guitaniac]

Reading about the ES2 in the current "Wood & Steel", I notice that Nashville-based guitarist Danny Rader (currently touring with Keith Urban) is using his ES2-equipped Taylor with a Fishman Aura Spectrum DI. Has anyone here tried the ES2 with the Spectrum DI yet?


When I first heard recordings of the ES2, I thought its clean and relatively direct sound would probably work well with custom Aura sound images. It appears, from Danny Rader's personal experience, that the ES2 may even work well with some of the stock sound images in the Spectrum DI and/or available from the Aura Sound Image Gallery.

In any event, its an amusing irony to see Taylor and Fishman "together again" in helping Danny Rader achieve a pleasing amplified guitar sound.

[Petty1818]

That's very interesting. I honestly never thought that the ES2 and Aura would work well together. To me the ES2 already has a natural and warm tone that's quite mic like. It kind of reminds me of the K&K pure mini. I would think that pairing it with the Aura would produce too much of a hollow and mid heavy tone. However, if it worked, that would be pretty incredible. I am thinking of purchasing a new 810 without the ES2 system which would be a custom order. However, some stores have the 810E in stock with the ES2 so maybe I could rent it for a week before placing the order and then I can try it with the spectrum di.

[guitaniac]

From the recordings which I've heard, I'd say that the ES2 sound is more direct (and more Aura-friendly) than the Pure Mini sound. Then again, I've yet to hear the ES2 live. Perhaps its just wishful thinking that the ES2 sounds less in-the-well than the Pure Mini and other soundboard pickups which I used and/or heard live. Even with my glued-in iBeam rig, I prefer the tone best with a little UST signal blended in.

BTW, I also suspect that Aura would work well with the Rich Barbera pickups, especially when using custom sound images.

[Groberts]

I played two Taylors today with the ES2 electronics. Straight into a fishman Loudbox. Sounded very good. My favorite sounding Taylor electroncs so far. I wouldn't even consider a Taylor ES1 system. (Personal preference for K&K PWM over that) But the new ES2 sounds really good. Surprised me!

[TaylorByron]

I just grabbed a Taylor 816ce. I want to record into my digital Zoom HD8
that runs two channels in at the same time. Mic and Guitar. I tried a few
mics for the guitar, since I was not happy with the ES2 UNTIL: we got
the answer! The 'noisey' spruce top was toned down by adjusting the
three screws to the pickup at the bridge saddle. Then I got a great deal
on the Fishman Pro EQ Platinum. NOW I don't need a MIC to the Guitar!
Signal path: Taylor to the Fishman Pro to the HD8. I can do more EQ at
the Zoom and add reverb and chorus. But the amazing thing is this:
The Pro EQ boost the signal level to just the right amount to my ears
with the sliders all cranked full up, the Smooth knob max, the Notch
knob at 2 oclock and both gain and vol at noon. Guitar flat vol noon.
This set up just sounds fantastic! Who said one couldn't make an
acoustic guitar recording without a MIC!!!?
I also bagged the fantastic Fishman Artist Loudbox for giggin.
DI out to my little Fender Acoustasonic 30 for the 'other ear'!!
Whew!! I was almost called: MartinByron! Man I love the Taylor!

[Petty1818]

I have not had a chance to read the article on Danny Rader but I did search him online and came across another forum that was discussing his use of the ES2. Apparently he had a retrofit of the ES2 done to his older Taylor guitars. I don't think I could ever have someone drill holes into my bridge but it looks like upgrades like this might be possible in the future.