The 2010 Guitar Guide. Summer Edition

Transcription

1 The 2010 Guitar Guide Summer Edition

2 Gear up in style with Taylor gifts and accessories. TaylorWare CLOTHING / GEAR / PARTS / GIFTS taylorguitars.com/taylorware

3 3 Guitar Guide Summer 2010 Find us on Facebook. Add us on MySpace. Subscribe on YouTube. Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/taylorguitarspr The 2010 Guitar Guide On the Cover 4 The 2010 Guitar Guide Welcome to the 2010 Taylor line. There s a lot to love here. 6 Finding Your Fit: Woods and Shapes You might know what you like, but is it the right match for the sound you want? We break down the elements of tone to help you understand what makes a guitar right for you. Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Zac Brown with an NS74ce, his main stage guitar. 8 8 The Acoustic Line From the Koa Series to the Baby Taylor, we profile our many flavors of acoustic tone. 22 GS Mini Our new scaled-down GS packs a potent sound into a portable size. We also designed some special accessories, including an easy-to-install after-market pickup. 26 Specialty Models A sweet-voiced 12-Fret and a pair of rich Baritones promise to take you somewhere new. 28 The Electric Line This year, SolidBody customization leads the way. We ll walk you through the new color and pickup options, including our new vintage alnico humbucker Build to Order If you ve been dreaming of a custom Taylor, our Build to Order program gives you a broad array of choices and an impressive turnaround time Acoustic Electronics Whether for stage or studio, the Taylor Expression System captures all the natural tonal richness you love about a Taylor and helps you share it with the world. 41 Customer Service We take service as seriously as we take guitar-making. From helping you find a guitar to helping you care for it, we re all about giving you the support you need. 42 The Specs Here s a closer look at the details that define each guitar we make.

4 the 2010 guitar guide Specialty acoustics, custom electrics, and more expand this year s Taylor line Boasting more guitar choices than ever before, this year s lineup of Taylor models celebrates the many flavors of musical inspiration, some already discovered, others yet to be born in your hands. Whether you re a beginner, a virtuoso, or somewhere in between, our guitars promise a playing experience that brings out your best. In our 2010 Guitar Guide, we present an overview of the many flavors of Taylor tone that are available to you. Like people, each guitar has its own unique personality, and with more than 100 different standard Taylor models on the menu, our guide is intended to help you find the right one. This year we re pleased to welcome three fresh acoustic voices to the line as part of our Specialty series. Two of them are baritone models, a 6-string inspired by our 35th anniversary LTD and an 8-string. Joining them is an amazing new 12-fret rosewood Grand Concert, also inspired by a 35th anniversary model. As we detail on pages 36-37, our Artist Series continues to grow this year, with new signature models designed with popular singersongwriters Jason Mraz and Dave Matthews, both longtime Taylor players. We also debut a new pickup for our nylons, the Expression System-derived ES-N, and proudly unveil the GS Mini TM, a fun-size guitar with a full-size sound. In our electric division, the big news is the evolution of our SolidBody series to offer a much greater ability to choose your specs. Now you can select from a variety of options that include new colors, new pickup configurations, pickguards now available for the Standard and Custom and a tremolo option for any model. We also have a new pickup, a vintage alnico humbucker. And from the T5 series comes the new ovangkol-top T5 Classic. Each year it seems to get a little harder to contain the Taylor line for very long because we re constantly working on new designs that spring to life throughout the year. But we wouldn t have it any other way. As you leaf through the following pages, we hope you get a sense of one of our underlying goals: to make the guitar-playing experience more enjoyable. We do it through constant innovation that redefines what a guitar can be, and we do it through the kind of customer outreach and support that strives to help you enrich your life through music. L-R: Bob Taylor and Jason Mraz at the Taylor factory. 4

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6 Finding Your Fit The right pairing of shape and woods will lead you to a Taylor that sounds great on you Choosing a guitar is a highly personal, subjective process. This is both the beauty and the challenge of finding the right model one that inspires you and delivers the sounds that you re after. Each person has different playing mechanics, we each perceive tone in a unique way, and our attraction to a certain look may get in the way of finding the right sound. Understanding a few basic ideas about the factors that contribute to acoustic and electric guitar tone will streamline your search and help you find the most compatible instrument for your musical needs. Keep in mind that certain guitars are highly versatile, while others shine in a more specialized playing application, so knowing what you want always helps. If you aren t sure, you can always talk to a Taylor dealer or call Ben Benavente at the Taylor factory ( TAYLOR) for recommendations. When Taylor product specialists talk with customers at Road Shows about acoustic guitars, they often start by offering this basic tone equation for reference: A guitar s body shape + the tonal properties of woods + player technique = guitar tone In other words, a guitar s dimensions generate the guitar s fundamental sound, the types of woods used for the guitar help flavor that sound, and the way one plays interacts with those tonal attributes. The idea is to choose a body shape and combination of woods that respond well to the way you play. For example, if you re a lively strummer who wants a lot of volume, a small-bodied guitar may not be right for you. Or, if you re a fingerstyle player who craves a warm sound with rich overtones, maple probably won t cut it. Working out your own personal tone equation will help you find some great model options. Acoustic Shapes A guitar s overall shape defines how big the soundboard is, and a bigger shape tends to translate into more tone because there s more surface area vibrating with the strings. Each Taylor shape features a refined design that helps establish a distinctive sound for that guitar. Here s a rundown of our five standard shapes and their accompanying sounds.

7 Grand Auditorium (GA) The medium-size GA gave the world an identity-defining Taylor shape and sound. It was big enough to compete with the bigger, traditional dreadnought shape, long established in the acoustic world, yet the GA offered more sonic balance instead of a bass-dominant tone. The slightly tapered waist helps create an even blend between the bass, midrange and treble notes. That tonal balance comes through for strummers, the clarity suits fingerstyle playing, and the overall presence sits well in a studio mix with other instruments. The GA is a superb all-purpose guitar shape that rewards players with versatility and incredible range. Grand Symphony (GS) If you crave acoustic horsepower if you re a strummer or picker who likes to drive a guitar and get full-bodied tone and robust volume, yet without compromising balance the GS is your shape. It s Taylor s boldest, richest acoustic voice, and, like a good sports car, blends power with responsiveness, which means players can drive the GS hard without sacrificing clarity. Grand Concert (GC) Taylor s smallest body shape features a slender waist that helps curb the overtones. As a result, the GC tends to occupy less sonic space, which helps it blend well with other instruments both on stage and in a recording mix. Because of its tonal clarity, the GC is well suited for fingerstyle and for pickers who play lead lines. With the availability of the Expression System acoustic pickup or studio microphones, acoustic volume is not an issue. The GC also features a shorter 24 7/8-inch scale length, which, together with the more compact size, offers physical comfort and playability that may appeal to players with smaller hands. Dreadnought (DN) Bob Taylor chose to honor the large, traditional guitar shape he inherited by refining it, taking a potent tone known for its strong bass response and adding a balanced midrange and clear notes to give flatpickers and strummers the ability to be both aggressive and articulate across the tonal spectrum. Strong pickers are bound to love the blend of power and fidelity, which adds a new tonal dimension to roots-flavored music. Jumbo (JM) Taylor s biggest shape delivers a big, full sound without the bottom-heavy boominess. The curvy dimensions present a lot of soundboard real estate, yet the contoured waist helps tighten the midrange, keeping the overtones in check. Jumbos are great as big, full strummers, especially for solo artists who want a robust acoustic voice without sacrificing balance. Taylor Jumbos particularly shine as 12-strings, yielding a rich, lush tone with lots of signature Taylor clarity and balance. Woods The woods used on the top, back and sides of an acoustic guitar interact with the fundamental sound profile established by the shape, adding distinctive tonal flavors. A wood s stiffness and density, for example, will influence its tonal frequencies, meaning that different species of woods will yield different degrees of bass, midrange, treble and overall sustain relative to each other. The description of each series in our acoustic/electric line on the following pages includes a note on the distinguishing properties of the tonewoods used on the back and sides of the guitar. These are just generalizations for reference; keep in mind that each set of wood is unique, which of course adds to the fun of sampling guitars. When it comes to soundboards, Sitka spruce is far and away the tonewood used most often for guitar tops. It s strong yet flexible, which produces a clear acoustic tone. Here is a brief rundown of soundboard properties among the woods we commonly use for guitar tops: Sitka Spruce Used on the majority of Taylor acoustics, it yields a broad dynamic range and accommodates a versatile range of playing styles. Western Red Cedar Cedar s softer density adds an element of warmth to a guitar s tone, especially for players with a softer touch, like fingerstylists or moderate strummers and pickers. More aggressive players are better matched with spruce, as they might run out of headroom with cedar. Adirondack Spruce Compared to Sitka, it has more dynamic range and can be driven hard for greater volume without losing clarity. Some players also perceive an additional sweetness in the midrange tones. Its availability is limited. Engelmann Spruce Compared to Sitka, Engelmann often has a hint of additional richness that sounds like an aged or played-in guitar. Its availability is also limited. Hardwood Tops Woods like koa and walnut that are used on the back and sides of a guitar are sometimes used as tops, as well. Their stiffness translates into a bright tone initially, but the more the guitar is played, the more full-bodied the tone becomes. To read more about acoustic shapes and woods, visit taylorguitars.com under Features. Player Technique It s fair to say that a guitar s tone is largely in the hands of the player, so it helps if you understand what kind of a player you are and what you re going for when you play. Your playing style (strumming, flatpicking, fingerstyle), your attack (how hard or soft you hit the strings), string type and gauge, the way you fret essentially the sum total of everything you physically do to the guitar is a big part of the equation. For more on the tone-shaping variables of the player and how they can be matched up with the right tones or woods, go to taylorguitars.com/guitars/features/ woods/tone. Electric Tone When it comes to electric guitars, pickups are another key part of the tone equation. In the electric portion of the Guitar Guide, you ll find more details on Taylor s proprietary electric pickups, their tonal personalities, and the different pickup configurations that are available. In terms of body styles, certain distinctions are reflected in the different body designs of the T5, T3 and SolidBody. The T5 is a fully hollowbody design, which helps yield more natural acoustic tones that contribute to the T5 s incredible sonic range. The T3 is a semi-hollowbody with a solid center block that runs down the length of the center. The SolidBody is, as the name suggests, the most solid, although the Standard and Custom feature special tone chambers, partly for weight relief but also to optimize the body s natural acoustic bloom. This enhances sustain, which is otherwise hard to create on an electric when everything is locked down. Bob s Guitar Tips People often have questions as they consider the many guitar choices available to them. Bob Taylor answered a few common questions and offered some personal advice on finding the right guitar. What qualities set a Taylor acoustic guitar apart from other guitar brands? A Taylor has a unique tone, known for its clarity and balance. This tone-print not only sounds fantastic when played on its own, but works very well when played with other instruments or when recorded. Equally important and widely recognized are the superb playability and intonation of a Taylor. Currently our NT neck design is the ultimate in straight, precise, adjustable guitar necks. It allows total control over action and intonation. This adjustability allows the original factory setup to be perfect, and allows easy, quick, affordable adjustments for the life of the guitar after the purchase. It s the best neck/body attachment in the industry today. How will I know when I find the right guitar? Sometimes this is easy, and sometimes this is hard. First, try not to second-guess a feeling when you know you ve found the right guitar. All too often a person laments the guitar that got away, so when one inspires you in a way that you know is right, act on it. Now, if that doesn t come to you, and you re shopping for a guitar among many options, try to define what the guitar is meant to do for you. Is it a one-time purchase to solve all your guitar needs for life, or is it a guitar to fit a particular musical style or desire? Most people have multiple guitars because they have multiple needs and play many styles. For instance, a small-bodied guitar might be perfect for fingerstyle, but you might want a larger guitar for strumming. This is where people get confused. It s so much easier if you try not to make each guitar solve every musical problem, especially if you re a person who already knows you need more than one guitar. However, even with these challenges, you will eventually like one particular guitar more than the others, and when that happens, go for it! How will an acoustic guitar s sound change over time? It will develop more clarity, more depth and more volume. In short, it will just sound better and better. It s one of the amazing treats of buying a guitar. Whereas your clothes, car, computer, TV and furniture wear out with age, your guitar wears in with age. Sure, it gets worn cosmetically, but the tone just improves. It s most noticeable when you play your 10- or 15-year-old guitar against a brand new one of the same style. I often smile when I read forums where people proclaim that Taylor made better guitars in the early 90s than now because their old guitar sounds better. They ll claim it has some quality they can t describe. I can describe it very easily: It s called age. What are the most important things to remember about caring for a guitar? Caring for a guitar is easy if you consider heat and humidity. Low humidity ravages a good guitar. Also, heat, as in leaving your guitar in the trunk of your car while you shop or eat at a restaurant on a summer day, will wreak havoc on your guitar. But in our experience, it s the long, slow lack of humidity that does more damage to a guitar than anything else. Store you guitar in its case rather than displaying it in the living room or music room, unless you are controlling the humidity in those rooms. Use a soundhole humidifier to restore lost humidity to the wood in your guitar. Sharp fret ends or low, buzzy action are signs of a guitar drying excessively. Other than humidity control, in my opinion a guitar doesn t need too much other care. Just play it, wipe it down, polish it once in a while, and change the strings to keep the tone sounding good. 7

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9 2010 Guitar Guide The ACOUSTIC/ELECTRIC LINE The koa Series Back/Sides: Hawaiian Koa Top: Abalone-trimmed Sitka Spruce or Hawaiian Koa Fretboard Inlay: Abalone Koa Series Binding: Curly Maple Rosette: Abalone Additional Premium Appointments: Maple-bound soundhole Models: K10ce, K12ce, K14ce, K16ce, K20ce, K22ce, K24ce, K26ce, K54ce, K56ce, K64ce, K65ce, K66ce Hawaiian koa, you had us at Aloha. Koa s seduction is often kindled with the first glimpse of its flamed figure and rich variegation. The romance with its tone, however, tends to unfold more gradually. As a dense tropical hardwood, koa s tonal properties initially project a bright focus like maple, especially when also topped with a koa soundboard. But the tone slowly reveals its full range as it opens up with playing over time, sweetening as the midrange takes on rich, mellow overtones similar to mahogany. Fingerstyle players who use more flesh than nails will naturally soften the brightness. To match the wood s visual splendor, we appoint the Koa Series with figured maple binding and vibrant abalone trim. A truly rare beauty both above and below the surface, koa promises to age gracefully. If you spend enough time with a koa guitar, chances are that you will, too. K24ce shown 9

10 the 900 Series Back/Sides: Top: Abalone-trimmed Sitka Spruce Fretboard Inlay: 900 Series Pearl Binding: Ivoroid Rosette: Abalone Sunburst Options: Tobacco (top only) Additional Premium Appointments: Gotoh tuners, bone nut/saddle, peghead and bridge inlays Models: 910ce, 912ce, 914ce, 916ce, 954ce the 800 Series Back/Sides: Top: Sitka Spruce Fretboard Inlay: 800 Series Pearl Binding: Curly Maple Rosette: Abalone Sunburst Options: Tobacco (top only) Models: 810ce, 812ce, 814ce, 815ce, 816ce, 854ce, 855ce, 856ce the 700 Series Back/Sides: Top: Engelmann Spruce (710ce, 712ce), Western Red Cedar (714ce, 716ce) Fretboard Inlay: Pearl Dots Binding: Rosette: Abalone Sunburst Options: Tobacco (top only) Models: 710ce, 712ce, 714ce, 716ce East Indian rosewood s sweeping tonal range is matched by its broad appeal, having carved out a deservedly rich heritage among acoustic players for decades. Boasting deep, full lows, bright, articulate highs, and rich sustain, rosewood s tone is both complex and responsive to the player, and pairs well with a variety of guitar shapes. With a small guitar body, fingerstylists and lighter pickers have access to a crisp, full-range tonal palette. With larger body shapes, flatpickers can drive basslines and pick out clean melodies, while strummers benefit from the dynamic range and the tonal balance. A rosewood Grand Auditorium lives in both worlds, making it one of the most versatile Taylor guitars a player can own. Rosewood is appealing and abundant enough that we use it for three different Taylor series. Our premium 900 Series rosewood has the broadest range of colors and tends to display tighter, straighter grain. The overall aesthetic is of elegant sophistication rooted in tradition. The 800 Series has evolved from its workmanlike appearance during Taylor s early days into a stylish appointment package featuring figured maple trim. The 700 Series displays rosewood s most organic personality, often with thick chocolate-hued bands and complemented by rosewood binding. The 700s also feature alternative soundboard offerings cedar for extra warmth and richness and Engelmann spruce for a creamier look and slightly mellower response. Whichever series you favor, rosewood will simply sing in your hands. 10 L-R: 916ce, 814ce, 714ce

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13 21 the 600 Series Back/Sides: Big Leaf Maple Top: Sitka Spruce Fretboard Inlay: Pearl Leaf Pattern Binding: White Rosette: Abalone Colors/Bursts: Aged Toner, Amber, Black, Blue, Blue Burst, Cherry Black Sunburst, Cherry Sunburst (or optional top only), Green, Honey Sunburst, Natural, Orange, Purple, Ruby Red, Ruby Red Burst, Tobacco Sunburst (or optional top only), Transparent Black Models: 610ce, 612ce, 614ce, 615ce, 616ce, 654ce, 655ce, 656ce Maple s focused tone is strong on the fundamental and produces a clean, bright sound. Its physical density translates into fewer overtones and quicker note decay. (It has less low end and more high end than rosewood.) Consequently, it has been a preferred guitar wood for ensemble playing, both on stage and in the studio, because it articulates clearly through a mix with other instruments. It s also more immune to feedback. Maple s tonal properties work well for smallerbodied guitars where the tone is being amplified, and with biggerbodied guitars, including 12-strings, because it s not bottom-heavy, so the sound tends not to be overly boomy. Of course, tone is often only half of maple s equation, as its blonde complexion, coupled with varying degrees of figure, from flame to quilt, invite a variety of vibrant color shades and bursts that enhance the dimension of the figure while evoking vibrant personalities. On our 600 Series, white binding adds a crisp counterpoint to more than 15 available color shades, including sunburst options, offering more visual pop to the abalone rosette. And through our Modify a Model program, you can order any color or burst treatment we offer through your dealer, at no additional charge. L-R: Natural 610ce, cherry sunburst 616ce, tobacco sunburst 616ce, blue 614ce, tobacco sunburst 610ce 13

14 the 500 Series Back/Sides: Tropical Mahogany Top: Engelmann Spruce (510ce, 512ce) Western Red Cedar (514ce, 516ce) Fretboard Inlay: Pearl Dots Binding: Rosette: Abalone Models: 510ce, 512ce, 514ce, 516ce Mahogany sits alongside rosewood in terms of its enduring appeal among acoustic guitar makers and players. Tonally, mahogany flourishes in the midrange zone, yielding a bloom of overtones that add richness to the overall acoustic sound. You ll hear that midrange resonance sometimes described as meaty or earthy. As a traditional tonewood, mahogany is associated with a lot of vintage acoustic music like blues and folk, although plenty of contemporary players (including Leo Kottke) are devoted to mahogany s tone. That midrange character, along with superb dynamic range, records well and offers a lot to a musician who appreciates character and texture singersongwriters, fingerstyle players, and blues/roots artists come to mind. Mahogany also sounds wonderfully resonant in alternate tunings. Our 500 Series offers a choice of cedar tops on the popular 514ce (GA) and 516ce (GS) adding even more warmth for fingerpickers and strummers and Engelmann spruce on the Dreadnought 510ce and Grand Concert 512ce. Taylor acoustics have long been favored for recording due to their natural clarity and balance. With more people involved in home recording projects, working with a Taylor means it s easy to get a great acoustic sound. Robin Whitehouse, 23, began recording at home with his computer in 10th grade. Pictured in his home studio with a 510ce, he has recorded a variety of music projects, including two full-length albums with his own bands and the music of other local artists, ranging from ballads to pop-punk to musical theater. My Taylor has changed recording acoustic guitar from a tedious process into an artistic sonic exploration, he says. 14

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17 the 400 Series Back/Sides: Ovangkol Top: Sitka Spruce Finish: with Top Fretboard Inlay: Large Pearl Dots Binding: White Rosette: 3-Ring Models: 410ce, 412ce, 414ce, 454ce, 455ce the 300 Series Back/Sides: Sapele Top: Sitka Spruce Finish: with Top Fretboard Inlay: Large Pearl Dots Binding: Black Rosette: 3-Ring Models: 310ce, 312ce, 314ce, 315ce, 354ce, 355ce A reliable, performance-ready guitar is an indispensable tool for a gigging musician. Our 400 Series and 300 Series deliver that and plenty more. Both series feature woods that may not boast the recognizable heritage of rosewood and mahogany, yet they give players a comparable range of tones, with a splash of extra sparkle. Ovangkol is an African alternative to rosewood that yields a similarly wide tonal spectrum from lows to highs, with a bit more midrange. Sapele, another African tonewood, is a highly sustainable alternative to mahogany that has a similar sound, but with its slightly higher density, adds a touch of extra treble zing. Both series feature a satin finish and a simpler appointment package, translating into our most affordable price point for solid wood acoustics without sacrificing any of Taylor s signature playability. Liz Grace fronts the country band Three Chord Justice. I ve been singing in honky tonks across the Western U.S. for 20 years, she says. When I first picked up my Taylor and heard its clear and wonderful ring, I knew I would be a loyal Taylor player. My guitar is perfect for my band, because it gives me a rich, warm sound that cuts through the band. Every other guitar I ve played struggles to be heard. But my Taylor is perfect. She s pictured here at Hooleys Irish Pub playing a 314ce, flanked by a 355ce and a 412ce. 17

18 the 200 Series Back/Sides: Rosewood Laminate Top: Solid Sitka Spruce () Fretboard Inlay: Pearloid Dots Binding: White Rosette: 3-Ring Models: 210, 210e, 210ce, 214, 214e, 214ce the 100 Series Back/Sides: Sapele Laminate Top: Solid Sitka Spruce Fretboard Inlay: Pearloid Dots Binding: Black Rosette: 3-Ring Models: 110, 110e, 110ce, 114, 114e, 114ce We know how to make a great guitar more affordable without compromising great tone. Our rosewood laminate 200 Series and sapele laminate 100 Series are designed to give players an inspiring Taylor playing experience and arm them with a fun tool that can cover a lot of musical applications, all at a reasonable price point. Both series feature a choice of Dreadnought or Grand Auditorium shapes with a solid spruce top, come with or without a cutaway, and can be ordered with or without our under-saddle ES-T acoustic pickup. Whether you re in the early stages of woodshedding or you re just looking for a killer value, you can t go wrong with either series. For some guitarists, the garage may end up being the biggest venue they ever play, but in the end, it s all about having fun. The 100 and 200 Series give players great tools for honing their chops and offer the kind of playability and tone that s hard to match at their price points. Here, Brandon (left, 214ce) and Connor (right, 110) goof around, while Connor s brother Dallas dials in the drum kit and lead vocalist Rocky the dog struts his stuff. 18

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20 the nylon series NS72ce/NS74ce Back & Sides: Top: Cedar Binding: Headstock Overlay: NS62ce/NS64ce Back & Sides: Big Leaf Maple Top: Engelmann Spruce Binding: Headstock Overlay/Bridge: NS32ce/ NS34ce Back & Sides: Sapele Top: Sitka Spruce Binding: Black Headstock Overlay: NS24e/NS24ce Back & Sides: Rosewood Laminate Top: Sitka Spruce Binding: Black Headstock Overlay: One of the pleasures of living in the modern acoustic guitar era is the diverse palette of tonal flavors available to players. Our Nylon Series represents the next generation of nylon tone, used not just for traditional classical or Spanishtinged music, but in virtually every contemporary genre, from rock and pop to jazz and world music. Grammy favorites from Jason Mraz to Zac Brown to Wayne Johnson rely on Taylor nylons for songwriting and performance. With a cutaway and a 1 7/8-inch neck, our nylons offer steel-string acoustic players a smooth crossover to a fresh sonic texture, and the lighter string tension adds an extra helping of playability. In 2009 we added a pair of more affordable rosewood laminate nylons to the family, and new for 2010 is our ES-N pickup, featuring a preamp and tone controls that were designed to naturally capture the nylon-string voice. 20 NS74ce shown

21 baby taylor Size/Shape: 3/4-scale Dreadnought (22 3/4-inch scale length) Back/Sides: Sapele Laminate Top: Solid Sitka Spruce or Mahogany Fretboard Inlay: Pearloid Dots Rosette: Laser-etched big baby taylor Size/Shape: 15/16-scale Dreadnought Back/Sides: Sapele Laminate Top: Solid Sitka Spruce Fretboard Inlay: Pearloid Dots Rosette: Laser-etched A big reason for the guitar s widespread popularity is its portability, and the Baby Taylor has taken this to a whole new level. The ¾-size Dreadnought helped establish the travel guitar market, and now, even 14 years after its debut, its appeal remains as strong as ever for travelers, children and artists from Lindsey Buckingham to Taylor Swift for a simple reason: It plays and sounds like a real guitar. Its bigger, louder sibling, the Big Baby, is another favorite for players who want to keep a songwriting guitar handy at the office, in their house for friends to pick up and play, or as an alternate-tuning guitar. Whatever your needs, whichever direction you may be headed, the Baby s appeal is as far and wide as you want to go. You don t have to be off in the wilderness to appreciate the Baby Taylor s portability. It makes a great companion when you re commuting around town, too. Plus, you ll be well equipped if you get inspired to do a little busking on the fly. Baby Taylor shown 21

22 2010 Guitar Guide The GS MINI TM Size/Shape: Scaled-down GS (23 1/2-inch scale length) Back/Sides: Sapele Laminate Top: Solid Sitka Spruce Fretboard Inlay: Pearloid Dots Rosette: 3-Ring Purfling: Black/White/Black The GS Mini pairs the concept of a fun, ultra-portable guitar, first embodied by the Baby Taylor, with the tone-enhancing engineering that led to the development of the GS body style. The result is a small-size guitar with a full-size sound, making it the perfect go-anywhere guitar from the couch to the campfire to the concert hall at an affordable price point. Besides a surprisingly rich, beefed-up sound, the Mini also features Taylor s patented NT neck, which delivers Taylor s renowned intonation and provides more stability in different climate conditions out in the world. The Mini even borrows some of the refined aesthetic details of our full-size models, like an inlaid rosette, top purfling, and a pickguard. And to make the Mini even more versatile for players who want to plug in, it s pre-fitted for easy self-installation of our proprietary magnetic soundhole pickup, the ES-Go (opposite page), which can be purchased separately and added in minutes. Together with the V-Cable, wherever life takes you, the GS Mini is always ready to play. Scott Winder from Taylor s equipment maintenance team enjoys cruising out to the desert or the mountains on the weekends, and loves to have a guitar with him when he s surrounded by the inspiration of the great outdoors. With the GS Mini, ES-Go, Taylor V-Cable and the Sonoma Wire Works GuitarJack iphone interface, he can easily record music from anywhere. He uses Sonoma s iphone app FourTrack and a Taylor iphone app with several Taylor EQ presets, including one for the GS Mini. For more details on the GuitarJack, FourTrack and the Taylor iphone app, visit sonomawireworks.com/guitarjack. 22

23 Plug-in Accessories ES-Go The ES-Go is a magnetic soundhole pickup developed exclusively for the GS Mini. It was designed to be a convenient add-on component that anyone can install on their own in minutes for a great amplified acoustic sound. Every Mini comes pre-fitted with a pickup connecting bracket that s mounted to the neck extension block inside the soundhole. The ES-Go includes a mounting clip that snaps into the bracket, allowing the pickup to float in the soundhole without touching the top. Simply replace the Mini s endpin with the pickup s endpin jack, which has a cable that plugs into an input jack on the pickup. Once the pickup is snapped into the connecting bracket, the Mini is ready to be plugged in. V-Cable The innovative, Taylor-designed V-Cable features a master volume control that s built directly into the cable, making it easy to adjust your volume anytime you plug in a GS Mini with the ES-Go pickup. It also works with other guitars that don t have an onboard volume control. The volume knob s ergonomic placement on the end of the cable that plugs into the guitar makes it easy for players to find it in the dark, and it can be turned off to unplug noiselessly. Both the ES-Go and the V-Cable are available through TaylorWare at taylorguitars.com

24 2010 Guitar Guide The acoustic LINE grand symphony Models: GS-K, GS8, GS8-12, GS7, GS6, GS6-12, GS5, GS5-12 grand AUDITORIUM Models: GA-K, GA-K-12, GA8, GA8-12, GA7, GA6, GA6-12, GA5, GA4, GA4-12, GA3, GA3-12 grand concert Models: GC-K, GC8, GC7, GC6, GC5, GC4, GC3 dreadnought Models: DN-K, 910 Legacy,* 810 Legacy,** DN8, DN5, DN4, DN3 *Features Cindy fretboard inlay and abalone-edged top **Features 800 Series fretboard inlay and white binding The clean, symmetrical contours of a noncutaway acoustic speak to the aesthetic of elegant simplicity that defines our Acoustic line. Appointments are understated and kept to a minimum, pickguards are withheld (available as an option), and our less-is-more design approach honors the essential elements of a fine acoustic guitar: shapes, woods and pure tone. A world of rich detail and nuance lives within that tone, and we don t want anything else to take away from your playing experience. Inspired by the development of the Grand Symphony (GS), the Acoustic line features 34 models, organized around four shapes: the GS, the Grand Auditorium (GA), the Grand Concert (GC), and the Dreadnought (DN). Several 12-string models are available in the GS and GA shapes, and the optional Expression System pickup fits the line s design sensibility by amplifying the acoustic tone in the most natural way possible, without intruding on the beauty of the instrument. A quartet of acoustic models against a backdrop of figured Hawaiian koa boards. 24 L-R: a lefty GA3e, DN5e, GS-7 and GC-Ke

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27 2010 Guitar Guide The specialty models Baritone 6-String Baritone 8-String 12-Fret Three unique guitar voices from 2009 have inspired new models for our line this year: a 6- and 8-string Baritone Grand Symphony and a 12-fret Grand Concert. Linking the trio are the tonewood combination of Indian rosewood and Sitka spruce and an underlying theme of discovering fresh musical inspiration. The Baritone models feature a longer 27-inch scale length and are tuned from B to B, giving singersongwriters a guitar with deeper, richer tone, yet with normal string tension, and allowing them to sing in a lower vocal range. The 8-string is a sonic revelation, pairing two upper octave strings with the third and fourth (D and A) strings to extend the baritone range into the upper register without overemphasizing the 12-string jangle. It s great for walking bass lines and other melodic chord embellishments. The rosewood/spruce 12-Fret has stolen Bob Taylor s heart and given the world a Taylor sound like no other a modern vintage tone that blends warmth and depth on the low end with crisp, snappy treble and surprising overall volume. Because the neck meets the body at the 12th fret instead of the 14th, and the bridge is repositioned farther back on the soundboard, the result is a sweet spot of sound that gives the 12-Fret the voice of an aged guitar right out of the case. The model also features a slotted head and a cutaway design inspired by our Nylon Series. If you ve been craving something different to stimulate your creative juices, look no further than our specialty models. San Diego singer-songwriter Cindy Lee Berryhill enjoys her first exposure to our new 8-string Baritone. Berryhill often writes in the keys of B and B flat and says the Taylor Baritone is now officially on her wish list. I ve always loved the lower tones of the guitar and have been an admirer of Neil Young s detuned guitar sound, she says. But probably most important is my desire to reinvent. As a guitarist/songwriter, I invite each song cycle to come from a fresh place. I like to get myself in a sea of tones on a ship that s lost its bearing, its North Star, which forces me to reinvent a new constellation of chords. Then the songs start blowing in. L-R: The 12-Fret, Baritone 8-string, and Baritone 6-string 27

28 2010 Guitar Guide The ELECTRIC LINE the solidbody Fueled by our proprietary pickups and innovative design touches, the Taylor SolidBody has given the electric guitar world a uniquely inspiring voice. For 2010, we diversify the SolidBody s appeal with a fresh array of custom ordering options and after-market flexibility. Now you can have exactly the look and tones you want by choosing from options that include color (for the SolidBody Classic), pickup configuration, and pickguard color, with an optional tremolo bridge available for any model. We ve also added a new pickup to the mix, a vintage alnico (VA) humbucker, which boasts a big, full sound. You can now order a SolidBody Custom or Standard with a pickguard, and the Classic now comes in 14 different colors. On top of that, our solderless, plug & play loaded pickguards give you additional options that let you easily swap out pickups to completely change the tonal personality of your guitar in minutes. Now more than ever, the SolidBody experience means you can own a Taylor electric that fits your style and sound. L-R: Viper Blue Classic with white pearloid pickguard, 3 mini humbuckers and tremolo; Jewelescent Orange Classic with black pearloid pickguard, 2 single coils/1 humbucker and tremolo; Custom Koa with vintage alnico humbuckers and tremolo; Standard with white pearloid pickguard and 3 single coils; Custom Walnut with white pearloid pickguard and 2 full-size humbuckers 28

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30 the solidbody Choose Your Body The SolidBody comes in three different body styles: Classic, Standard and Custom. The Classic features an alder body with a broad array of color options (shown and listed below). The Standard features a chambered sapele body with a top of figured maple and an aged cherry sunburst. The Custom also features a chambered sapele body, with a choice of two different tops, koa or walnut. Choose Your Pickguard All SolidBody models come with a pickguard, available in a choice of five colors: white pearloid, black pearloid, tortoise, black and parchment. The Standard and Custom can also be ordered with direct-mount pickups, without a pickguard. Choose Your Pickup Configuration A wide variety of different SolidBody pickup configurations gives players a unique palette of electric tones from which to choose. In addition to these choices, our pickups are designed for after-market plug & play flexibility, so you can swap out for other loaded pickguards with different pickup configurations, without the need for any soldering, giving you the ultimate in SolidBody customization. Build a Virtual SolidBody Online You can explore the different custom options offered with the SolidBody by using our online SolidBody Configurator. The program allows you to select from all available options and build a virtual model. Feel free to experiment with different body, pickup and pickguard combinations. The Configurator gives you the option of downloading a picture of your guitar with your chosen specs. You can also them, print them, or be directed to one of Taylor s premier electric dealerships to place an order. taylorguitars.com/guitars/electric/ models/solidbody/ Classic - Trans White Classic - Titanium Pearl Classic - Lava Red Classic - Jewelescent Orange Classic - Purple Flake Classic - Blue Metallic Classic - Viper Blue Classic - Sage Green Classic - Sublime Classic - Magenta Pearl

31 pickup personalities Much of the distinctive tonal character of an electric guitar comes from the types of pickups used. With the SolidBody, our pickups were actually developed before the guitar was. The fact that they had such a cool and unique character justified designing a whole new guitar around them. Our electronics team captured all the familiar goodness of the iconic electric pickups we ve loved for years, but also solved some of their inherent problems. Our developers also added unique Taylor flavors and enhanced the tone-shaping capability. The following pickups are available in different configurations on the SolidBody. Humbucker: Uses two coils to generate sound. Humbuckers are known for having a high output and for their ability to produce sound without the noise that is inherent with a traditional single coil pickup. Players such as Jimmy Page, Dickie Betts and Carlos Santana have defined their signature tones with humbucker-equipped guitars. Our humbucker was designed to balance the sweetness and definition of a vintage pickup sound with the power to fully drive an amp without overpounding it. It unleashes raw rock power and great sustain without sacrificing balance or great tone. Mini Humbucker: Also uses two coils and has all the advantages of a full-size humbucker, but because of its smaller size, it provides a tone that takes up less sonic space, which is great for cutting through a mix. High Definition / High Gain: Our full-size and mini humbuckers are available in two different versions. The High Definition (HD) is our original high fidelity design, while the High Gain (HG) is slightly darker-sounding and unleashes more front-end drive for a crunchier tone with extra rawness. Vintage Alnico (VA) Humbucker: Our newest pickup is a full-size, covered humbucker with a big sound. The Alnico 5 magnets we used are known for their hot output and round sound. Our VA pays homage to the tradition of classic humbuckers, yet with a more modern sonic flavor. Taylor s David Hosler explains: I ve always liked that big, woolly tone that comes with PAF humbuckers. Our goal was to create a pickup with a little more drive on the front end of the amp. Single Coil: Uses only one coil by design. When played through a clean channel on an amp, single coils can sound shimmery, glassy and bright. They take on a different personality when played through the crunch or high gain channel of an amp. Players who have popularized the single coil sound include Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jeff Beck and David Gilmour. Our breakthrough noiseless single coil responds with all the breathiness, sparkle and other distinctive character of the single coil sound, but without any of the traditional buzz, hum or other sonic artifacts. Classic - Tobacco Sunburst Classic - Natural Classic - Trans Red Classic - Black Standard - Aged Cherry Sunburst Custom - Walnut Custom - Koa Standard - Aged Cherry Sunburst w/ pickguard Custom - Walnut w/ pickguard Custom - Koa w/ pickguard

32 the solidbody Pickup configurations Choosing from different combinations of pickups allows you to customize the fundamental tonal palette of your SolidBody. With plenty of configurations available, you can completely personalize your sound for your playing preferences. Here s a rundown of available configurations. 5 2 Mini Humbuckers (HD or HG) 1 Because mini humbuckers take up less sonic space than full-size humbuckers, they re a great choice for a band with multiple instruments. They have plenty of grind and punch without getting in the way of the other arrangements in the mix. On stage, the minis have a little more cut and presence. A sideman will be able to cover a lot of ground. 6 2 Full-size HD Humbuckers 2 2 Full-size HG Humbuckers 3 2 Full-size Vintage Alnico Humbuckers 4 Two full-size humbuckers have a heavier, dirtier tone than the mini for more of a rock edge. For years, players have relied on this combination to deliver the warm, sweet sound of the neck pickup and the bite of the bridge. The HG version is full of presence and is engineered to hit the front of the amp harder than the HD for a heavier, crunchy tone. The vintage alnicos are our modern version of a traditional PAF-style covered pickup. They feature a fat, round sound with a warm bottom end. Traditionally, guitars with two humbuckers have a 3-way switch. Our 5-way switching system adds both a parallel and series option for a broader tone palette Single Coils 5 Another classic sound in the electric world. Sultans of Swing, Brown Sugar, All Along the Watchtower, and Another Brick in the Wall are examples of single coil gold. Our noiseless single coils capture all the great character of the single coil sound without the buzz and other sonic noise. The bridge pickup sounds great overdriven, yet has lots of sparkle and clarity when played clean. Our switching allows each pickup to be selected individually and also provides two combined pickup positions. 3 1 Full-size HG Humbucker 6 There is a simple beauty to the signal chain of a guitar, cable and amp. Some players just want to plug in, turn up, and rock out. If you like to ride the volume knob for more nuance, turning down the volume controls a little and hitting the amp in different ways will yield all kinds of colors and flavors at different levels. Pulling up the volume pot will split the coil. 32

33 9 8 2 Single Coils/1 HG Humbucker 7 This combination, born out of the guitar player culture of swapping pickups, is a very popular and versatile setup. If you re a player who needs to quickly switch between the slam of a humbucker and the wisp of a single coil, the single single hum configuration will get it done. Perfect for a player who wants access to multiple tones with one guitar. 2 1 HD Mini Humbucker/1 Single Coil 8 This setup throws a nod to Keith Richards and other great blues players like Albert Collins. A 3-way switch allows you to toggle between the modern sound of our high definition mini and the spank of our noiseless bridge single coil. Great for cutting, groovy, rhythmic chording. 1 3 HD Mini Humbuckers (HD or HG) 9 The three-mini setup is reminiscent of the 60s Firebird 7 but with Taylor s own sonic imprint. Positions 1 and 5 (Neck and Bridge) deliver a smooth and driving front edge, with great distortion and clean sounds available at the flick of a switch. Both positions drive the front end of an amp really well. Positions 2 and 4 capture a thick single coil vibe, and make great choices for blues rhythm or lead. The real gem of this configuration is Position 3, the middle pickup alone. It sparkles and drives at the same time; it s really transparent and thick. With a trem, this setup suits any style or tonal flavor. Loaded Pickguards In addition to custom ordering options, Taylor s solderless, plug & play loaded pickguards give SolidBody owners ongoing pickup flexibility, making it easy to swap out pickups for a new configuration that translates into incredible versatility. Players can choose from a variety of pickup combinations and pickguard colors. Owners of a SolidBody Standard or Custom who have their pickups directmounted without a pickguard can purchase individual replacement pickups in the form of full-size or mini humbuckers, available in both HD and HG versions. Both the loaded pickguards and replacement pickups can be swapped out in minutes with a Phillips head screwdriver. 33

34 The T5 The incredibly versatile hollowbody hybrid T5 continues to amaze players with its stunning range of electric and amplified acoustic tones. Equipped with an acoustic body sensor derived from the Expression System and two humbuckers (one installed beneath the fretboard), the T5 is fully compatible with acoustic amps, a PA system, and electric amps. A five-way switch offers access to a full range of acoustic and electric tones, and an A/B/Both box lets players dial in a blend of both. A winner of multiple industry awards, the T5 has redefined what a guitar can do and given performers across the musical spectrum a guitar that can cover as much ground as they need to on stage. For 2010, we re pleased to add another model to the mix, the ovangkol top T5 Classic (available as either a 6- or 12-string). To view a video demonstration of everything the T5 can do, visit taylorguitars.com. The T3 The T3 rounds out the Taylor electric line with yet another inspiring blend of tones and smooth functionality that embrace the semihollow sound and then take it to another level. The T3 s coil-splitting application allows players to turn their high definition humbuckers into single coils. Our push/pull tone knob activates two different levels of tone-shaping that yield a colorful range of electric voices, from rockabilly twang to hard rock to warm, fat jazz. A metal rollerstyle bridge includes two tailpiece options: a stop tailpiece or, on the T3/B, an authentic Bigsby vibrato that adds a touch of vintage, chromed-out cool. The Bigsby/roller bridge pairing solves the pitch problems long associated with fixed bridges and tuning stability. Every step of the way, the T3 enhances the feel, sound and performance of a semi-hollowbody electric. Plug one in and you re bound to discover a heap of cool new sounds. L-R: Ovangkol top T5 Classic, koa top T5-C2, tobacco sunburst T3/B, honey sunburst T5C1-12, Macassar ebony top T5-C5, red T3 with stop tail 34

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37 the signature models Great artists bring something uniquely compelling to the world. Our Signature models represent an extension of each Taylor artist s unique musical expression. In each case, a signature guitar has evolved from a standard Taylor model an artist has played for years, incorporating additional design elements that visually capture part of the artist s identity. For 2010, our Signature models embody a range of musical styles. Our DDSM and LKSM celebrate two of the most accomplished fingerstyle players in the world in Doyle Dykes and Leo Kottke. The TSBT is an invitation to young Taylor Swift fans who have been inspired by her songs to pick up a guitar themselves. The STSM-T5 captures the creative energy of rock singer-songwriter Serj Tankian and the dynamic range of musical emotions the T5 can articulate on stage. The DMSM adds a fresh inlay motif to the 914ce model that Dave Matthews has played on stage for years. And the JMSM, designed with Jason Mraz, showcases the ways a nylon-string s expressive flavors and rhythmic textures fit into the acoustic pop world. With the right guitar, we each can find our own signature sound. JMSM Signature Artist: Jason Mraz Back/Sides: / Top: Western Red Cedar Unique Features: Mexican cypress Be Love triangle/circle fretboard inlay, zodiac rosette inlay featuring koa, bubinga and Mexican cypress STSM-T5 Signature Artist: Serj Tankian Body: Sapele / Top: Maple Unique Features: Red binding, Energy Wheel fretboard and peghead inlays, unbound f-hole TSBT Signature Artist: Taylor Swift Back/Sides: Sapele Laminate / Top: Solid Sitka Spruce Unique Features: Custom rosette featuring a vine motif with Love inscribed three times, with Taylor Swift s stylized signature and the word Fearless over the bridge DDSM Signature Artist: Doyle Dykes Back/Sides: Big Leaf Maple / Top: Sitka Spruce Unique Features: Florentine cutaway, 4 1/8-inch body depth, offset pearl Chet style fretboard inlays, pearl/abalone rose peghead inlay, abalone-edged top, different color options (see specs) LKSM, LKSM-6 Signature Artist: Leo Kottke Back/Sides: Tropical Mahogany / Top: Sitka Spruce Unique Features: No fretboard inlay, heavy gauge strings tuned to C# DMSM Signature Artist: Dave Matthews Back/Sides: / Top: Sitka Spruce Unique Features: Custom fretboard and peghead inlays, aged toner top shading L-R: Jason Mraz Signature Model, Serj Tankian T5, Taylor Swift Baby Taylor, Doyle Dykes Signature Model, Leo Kottke Signature Model, Dave Matthews Signature Model 37

38 2010 Guitar Guide customization build To order Part of the pleasure of being a guitar enthusiast is envisioning one s dream guitar(s). In recent years, we ve taken it upon ourselves to make those guitar dreams tangible through the Taylor Build to Order program. Our goal is simple: to use our wood resources and design expertise to help you create a Taylor that s truly your own. The program is based on three key ideas: choice, support and turnaround. Starting with choice, our BTO menu features about 40 separate categories from which to choose, from amazing grades of exotic woods to custom neck profiles to a rich palette of inlay, binding and purfling options. Next is support. With the many available options, you might have questions along the way, and we re more than happy to answer them. We ve also brought a good number of our dealers out to the Taylor complex to spend time with Bob Taylor and our BTO team and learn firsthand about BTO options, giving you an additional resource, since you ll place your BTO order through your dealer. Last is turnaround time. We reserve daily build slots for BTO guitars because you shouldn t have to wait six months or more. This means that orders are fulfilled in around eight weeks. Our Build to Order program doesn t just cover our steelstring acoustics. It includes nylon-strings, the T5 and the T3, too. Our menu of options may change on a quarterly basis, based on the availability of woods. In 2010, new BTO options for acoustic guitars include an armrest or a headstock backstrap, plus the ability to order a custom 9-string, 12- fret or baritone guitar. New options for the T5 and T3 include Koa Backstrap the availability of maple, koa or ebony binding. For a listing of BTO categories, check our Specifications pages in the back of the Guitar Guide. L-R: GA with AA-quilt maple back and sides, tobacco sunburst finish, 900 Series fretboard and bridge inlays, koa binding and rosette, and abalone top; GC with a cocobolo back, sides, armrest and binding, Engelmann spruce top, and 600 Series fretboard inlays; T5 with Macassar ebony top and headstock overlay, Cindy fretboard inlays, Koa Series peghead inlay, and antique gold Gotoh 510 tuners 38

39 modify a model If you want a variation on a guitar model from Taylor s existing line without having to order a custom Build to Order guitar, we offer a number of options through our Modify a Model program. The program applies to any model from the Acoustic 3 or Acoustic/ Electric 300 Series and up. (These options apply when ordering a guitar only, not for an existing guitar.) Common choices include: Alternative nut widths of 1 11/16 or 1 7/8 inches Switching to or from a short-scale neck Tuner upgrades (including Gotoh 510s) Pickguard options (black, clear, tortoise, none) A bone nut/saddle Some options are specific to certain series. For the maple 600 Series, you can choose between different grades of quilt or flame, and for no additional charge can select from all available color and burst options. On the 500 Series and higher, top swapping options include Sitka spruce, Engelmann spruce or cedar, and you can choose between a two- or three-piece back. The Koa Series offers a shaded edgeburst option. You can also opt for a Florentine cutaway in place of the standard Venetian on any acoustic/electric. Prices vary by option and may not be available on all models. For more information about modifying a model, contact an authorized Taylor dealer. 39

40 Acoustic Electronics The performance-ready Expression System faithfully reproduces your Taylor s natural voice Our commitment to great acoustic tone doesn t end with the guitar. It includes the realm of amplified sound for players who want to plug in and convey all the great acoustic nuances they love about their Taylors. A guitar s shape, its wood pairings, and the technique of the player together create a unique tonal character, and we think that voice deserves to be heard when the guitar is plugged-in. After all, many gigging acoustic players stake their livelihood on their live sound, and they want a pickup that sounds natural, is reliable, and is easy to use. We decided to develop our own acoustic pickup, the Expression System (ES), because other aftermarket pickups like a traditional piezo transducer had never managed to produce a true acoustic sound. We started by studying how a guitar resonates. We worked closely with legendary pro audio designer Mr. Rupert Neve. Ultimately, our product development group designed a highfidelity acoustic pickup and preamp that are fully integrated into the guitar. We ve been installing it in our guitars since 2003, and some of the biggest names in music, from John Fogerty to George Strait, rely on it for a great acoustic sound on stage. The ES incorporates a network of magnetic sensors that work like a microphone to capture the acoustic detail coming from the guitar s body and neck as they resonate. A body sensor affixed to the underside of the guitar s soundboard (top) captures all the sonic detail of its movement, while a neck sensor picks up string and neck vibration. A pro audio grade preamp cleanly boosts the signal and eliminates noise that might otherwise distort or muddy the tone. The result is amplified acoustic tone that sounds like you and your guitar, with all the richness, articulation and dynamic range you could ask for. It s also highly feedback resistant. Another goal of the ES design was to offer easy-to-use tone controls without intruding on the beautiful aesthetic of a Taylor. With three softtouch roller knobs elegantly embedded in the upper bout of the guitar, you can adjust your volume, bass, midrange and treble frequencies, allowing you to dial in your sound to suit the performance space. The latest version of the ES (updated this year) allows players to turn off the body sensor with a switch on the preamp board inside the soundhole, features a battery indicator LED, and includes a fused string ground to protect players who play at venues that may not have proper electrical ground. Although the ES was originally designed with performance in mind, the sound quality is good enough that many players and recording engineers also use the ES signal for recording. In the end, the ES will satisfy the most demanding pro player, yet makes it simple enough for anyone to plug in and get a great live tone. Even if you re not quite ready for that open mic night, with the ES, your guitar will be ready to go when you are. The ES comes standard on acoustic/electric models from the 300 Series up and is optional on models in our acoustic line. ES-T Under-Saddle Transducer / 100 & 200 Series Inspired by our Expression System technology and installed on our 100 and 200 Series, the ES-T is a single-source, under-saddle transducer with individual elements for each string. The ES-T has an onboard preamp and the same active controls found on the full ES. Featuring a custom-voiced EQ and dynamic response, the system is powered by a 9-volt battery, with a battery life LED power indicator (which is lit when the battery is being used). The pickup also has a Phase switch for feedback control, which is located on the preamp board inside the soundhole. ES-N / Nylon Series New for 2010, the ES-N applies our ES pickup technology to our Nylon Series. It s similar to the ES-T, but the preamp design and tone controls were customized to complement the nylon-string voice. Our standard ES control knobs replace the Fishman EQ control unit formerly installed in the guitar s upper bout, adding more tone-shaping control and preserving the natural design aesthetic. ES Installation and Retrofits Whatever model of acoustic guitar you own, whether an older Taylor with pre-es electronics or a model without electronics, our Factory Service Center can install or retrofit the Expression System. A retrofit for classic Taylor necks (featuring a onepiece, pre-nt neck design) incorporates the same type of a neck/string sensor used on the standard ES, only the pickup housing is mounted in the soundhole. The Baby and Big Baby can be equipped with an active undersaddle transducer ($150). The ES install adds the ES to a Taylor that doesn t currently have electronics or that has other electronics inside the body of the guitar and won t present an obstruction to the installation process. NT neck design only. ($500) The ES retrofit is used on a Taylor that has the Fishman Onboard Blender, Fishman Prefix or the L.R. Baggs pickup used on the Doyle Dykes Signature Model. Side-mounted controls fill the existing preamp hole in the guitar. ($500) The ES upgrade will modify your ES-equipped Taylor guitar from the AA battery power source to the 9v system currently used. The latest version of the ES also includes a fused string ground, battery indicator LED, and a switch that allows you to turn off the body sensor. ($300) The ES-NC (no controls) is an option for customers who want the ES electronics but also want to preserve the pure acoustic aesthetic of their guitar. This version features the ES sensors and preamp, but has no volume or tone controls. The pickup installation also features a standard endpin jack along the tail line instead of the ES battery carriage. (The 9v battery is housed inside the soundhole.) ($500) ES installation includes our Refresh service package. For more information, see our service package listings on page 41, or feel free to call Taylor s Customer Service Department at (800) The K4 Another Taylor toneshaping product that we feel deserves a place in any serious musician s toolbox is the K4 Preamp and Equalizer. Like the ES, it incorporates the ultra-musical analog circuitry of Mr. Rupert Neve and expands the degree of tone control of the ES, allowing you to precisely shape your guitar s tone by honing in on the notes or frequencies of your choice and then cutting or boosting them to taste. It s perfect for studio or home recording and live performance. Among the K4 s features are a tuner output, phase reverse switch, headphone jack, and an effects loop, which allows you to use reverb, a stomp box, a volume pedal or other effects and maintain a balanced signal chain. Multiple, transformercoupled balanced outputs give you routing flexibility, enabling you to drive an amp, PA or both. The K4 is also handy for enhancing the amplified sound of other types of acoustic/ electric guitars. If you like to detail your tone, the K4 is an essential piece of gear. Tip: Because of its flexible, smooth EQ section, the K4 can come in handy in a mixing session. Try using the K4 as a channel insert on your mixing console the next time you do a mix. 40

41 Customer Service Taylor s commitment to service extends well beyond guitar repairs. From tech support to guitar care tips, we provide a direct line to a great guitar experience. Part of Bob and Kurt s long-term vision for Taylor Guitars has been to redefine what service from a guitar company means. We re passionate about making guitars but also about helping customers find the right ones, get the most out of them, and keep them in great condition. The beautiful thing about a well-made guitar is that if it s well cared for, its tone will only get better over time. Guitar service used to simply mean repairing a broken instrument if it was under warranty. For us, service has come to mean many things. It starts with open, direct lines of communication for prospective customers and owners alike to interact with us. It s Ben Benavente on the phone helping a customer decide on a koa or cocobolo guitar and then informing him which dealer near him might have the model in stock. It s a Road Show Q&A or hands-on demo with Taylor employees at your local music store. It s an Ask Bob response, straight from Bob Taylor himself, in Wood&Steel. It s a friendly and informative factory tour. It s the instructive tech sheets and videos on the Taylor website, designed to educate owners on everything from properly changing their strings to swapping out pickups to keeping their guitar humidified. It s helping a traveling singer-songwriter get to a qualified repair technician on the road so they can get their guitar fixed in time for their next gig. And of course, it s the expert care and repair of your favorite guitar, whatever its condition may be. As a full-service company, we re committed to providing all the resources you need to enjoy your guitars as long as you own them. As Taylor and our customer base have grown over time, we ve expanded the scope of our authorized service network to support customers throughout North America and the rest of the world. At taylorguitars.com you ll find a growing list of repair contacts who have gone through extensive training at the Taylor factory. We encourage you to call our Customer Service department here at our factory complex in El Cajon, California, where our service staff can refer to our list of over 300 repair techs to find the right tech for your needs in your area. We also have four international factory service centers located in England, Sweden, Germany and France, staffed by repair techs who ve trained here at Taylor s headquarters. In 2008, in response to customer requests, we put together a series of service packages designed to help owners keep their Taylors primed. In 2009, we opened an expanded Factory Service Center in El Cajon and extended our reputation for great service beyond Taylors to include other guitar brands. We know that quality service can be hard to come by, and it s gratifying when someone drives in from out of state to drop off their Martin or Gibson because of the work we did on their Taylor. Some of you may own 20 Taylors, while others may be encountering Taylor for the first time. Either way, our service team has your back throughout your guitar journey, wherever it may take you, and whatever your questions or concerns may be. Need help finding a guitar? If you re interested in a Taylor but aren t sure which model is right for you, or if you want a particular model but can t find it, give Taylor s Ben Benavente a call. Ben helps customers locate elusive Taylor models and answers questions that help people hone in on the right Taylor for their needs. He ll be happy to answer questions about tonewoods, body shapes and other appointment details, and because he is able to track dealer inventories, he can direct you to a store that carries the specific Taylor model you re looking for. Ben can also assist customers with Build to Order questions. Whatever information you need, Ben is here to help, without any sales pressure. Just call TAYLOR. Taylor Service Packages We currently offer four service packages that cover any level of maintenance a guitar might need. Send your guitar(s) to the Taylor factory specifically for one of these packages, or add a service package to a guitar that s sent in for other reasons, such as warranty service, ding repair, etc. Our Factory Service Center can also perform Expression System pickup installations and upgrades. Guitars shipped to us will be returned in a brand new shipping carton with Taylor-engineered inserts designed to stabilize the case and cushion the ends. Refresh Includes: Stabilizing the guitar at the proper humidity level Tuner tightening and adjustment Fretboard cleaning and conditioning Installation of new Elixir strings Installation of new battery Truss rod adjustment Cleaning and polishing $95 All models Revive Includes the Refresh package plus: Neck angle adjustment (reset) Fret dress Acoustic models: Nut and saddle adjustment or replacement (Tusq) as needed SolidBody models: Nut adjustment or replacement (bone) and bridge adjustment T5 models: Nut and saddle adjustment or replacement (bone) as needed $200 Acoustic models $200 SolidBody models $300 T5 models Renew Geared toward the gigging player, Taylor s repair techs will return your guitar to perfect performance condition. Includes the Revive package plus: Partial refret up to 10 frets (full refret add $100) Full check of the electronics system $325 Acoustic models $325 SolidBody models $425 T5 models Rejuvenate The ultimate hydrating solution for a dry guitar. Your guitar and case are returned to optimum humidity levels with our rehydrating process. Once the guitar is stabilized, we repair any cracks in the fretboard or bridge, file sharp fret ends smooth, level any uneven frets, and finish with all the services in the Refresh package. (Guitars with additional wood cracks will incur further charges.) $200 All models Bone Upgrade Add a bone nut and wave-compensated bone saddle upgrade to any acoustic service package for $100. Customers in the U.S. and Canada are encouraged to contact our Factory Service Center staff toll free at with any service, maintenance or repair questions concerning their guitars. Our hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday. We ve found that a personal conversation is the most effective way of answering questions and quickly troubleshooting problems. So, please call, and we ll be happy to help you. Outside North America, sales and service questions are best answered by our international distribution partners. For contact information, go to taylorguitars.com/dealers/international Taylor Care: Restringing and Tuning Tips Taylor Customer Service Manager Glen Wolff shares a few tips that will help you keep your guitar in tune when you change strings. Every time you change your strings, tighten your peghead tuning machines and check for loose tuner buttons. When installing new strings, make sure the ball end of the string is seated firmly against the underside of the top. Install strings neatly on the tuner post, 3-5 wraps straight down, never crossing over wraps. Stretch and retune new strings several times to help them stabilize and settle in. Always tune strings up from flat, never down from sharp. Electronic tuners all react a little differently. Spend a little time with a new tuner to learn its personality. Using harmonics to tune will help your tuner lock onto the note faster, especially on the bass strings. Wash your hands before playing and wipe down your strings afterward with a clean, dry cloth. For a video demonstration of how to properly clean, polish and restring a guitar, visit taylorguitars.com and look for our maintenance videos under Service & Support. 41

42 Dimensions by Shape 2010 Guitar Guide Specifications Overall Length 6-String 12-String Body Length Body Width Body Depth Scale Length Standard Short Baritone Frets Neck Width 6-String 12-string 100/200 Series Strings / Gauge GA /8 * 25 1/2 24 7/ /4 1 7/8 1 11/16 GS /4 4 5/8 25 1/2 24 7/ /4 1 7/8 GC 40 1/2 19 1/ /8 24 7/ /4 DN /8 25 1/2 24 7/ /4 1 11/16 JM /8 25 1/2 24 7/ /4 1 7/8 Acoustic GC, GA, Baby, Big Baby: Elixir NANOWEB Light Gauge ( ) All 12-string Models: Elixir NANOWEB Light Gauge ( ) GS, DN, JM, GS Mini: Elixir NANOWEB Medium Gauge ( ) LKSM: Elixir NANOWEB Custom Medium Gauge ( ) Nylon Series: D Addario Pro-Arté Extra Hard Tension Baritone: Elixir Baritone ( ) GS Mini 35 5/8 17 5/8 14 3/8 4 7/ / /16 Baby 33 3/4 15 3/4 12 1/2 3 3/8 22 3/ /16 Big Baby 40 1/4 19 1/ / /16 T3 41 3/ /3 24 7/ /16 T5 40 3/4 40 3/ /3 24 7/ / /16 SolidBody / /20 1 3/4 24 7/ /16 Electric T3, SolidBody: Elixir NANOWEB Electric Light Gauge ( ) T5: Elixir NANOWEB Electric Medium Gauge ( ) T5 12-string: Elixir NANOWEB Electric Light Gauge *DDSM body depth is 4 1/8 Models by Shape GA GS GC DN JM GS Mini Baby Big Baby T3 t5 SolidBody K14ce K24ce K54ce K64ce 914ce 954ce 814ce 854ce 714ce 614ce 654ce 514ce 414ce 454ce 314ce 354ce e 214ce e 114ce GA-K GA-K-12 GA8 GA8-12 GA7 GA6 GA6-12 GA5 GA4 GA4-12 GA3 GA3-12 NS74ce NS64ce NS34ce NS24ce NS24e DDSM DMSM K16ce K26ce K56ce K66ce 916ce 816ce 856ce 716ce 616ce 656ce 516ce GS-K GS8 GS8-12 GS7 GS6 GS5 GS5-12 Baritone 8 Baritone 6 K12ce K22ce 912ce 812ce 712ce 612ce 512ce 412ce 312ce GC-K GC8 GC7 GC6 GC5 GC4 GC3 NS72ce NS62ce NS32ce 12-Fret JMSM K10ce K20ce 910ce 810ce 710ce 610ce 510ce 410ce 310ce e 210ce e 110ce DN-K 910 Legacy dn8 810 Legacy DN5 DN4 DN3 K65ce LKSM LKSM-6 815ce 855ce 615ce 655ce 455ce 315ce 355ce GS Mini BT1 BBT T3 BT2 T3/B TSBT T5-S T5S-12 T5-S1 T5S1-12 T5-C T5C-12 T5-C1 T5C1-12 T5-C2 T5C2-12 T5-C4 T5C4-12 T5-C5 T5C5-12 T5 Classic T5 Classic 12 STSM-T5 SB Classic SB Standard SB Custom Koa SB Custom Walnut Models and specifications are subject to change without notice

43 Build To Order Menu Categories 2010 Guitar Guide Specifications Taylor s Build to Order program enables you to custom-design your dream Taylor by choosing from a robust menu of guitar specifications. Here you ll find a list of BTO categories for our steel-string and nylon-string acoustics, as well as the T5 and T3. For a complete list of options and pricing within each category, contact your preferred Taylor dealer, who will have a comprehensive BTO worksheet and will be able to help you with your order. If you live in the U.S. or Canada and have specific questions about the BTO program, call us at TAYLOR, and Ben Benavente will be happy to help you. For customers outside North America, contact the international Taylor distributor in your country. Please note that some options, particularly wood choices, may change on a quarterly basis. Acoustic, Acoustic/Electric Guitar Type (6-, 12- or 9-string) Baritone 12-Fret Body Shape Cutaway Electronics Right or Left Handed Left Handed strung Right Handed Nut Width Scale Length Neck Profile Peghead Back/Sides Top Back Configuration Wedge Material Headstock Overlay Truss Rod Cover Neck Wood Binding (Body, Fretboard, Peghead) Bound (Peghead) Purfling Rosette Abalone Top Fretboard Inlay Peghead Inlay Bridge Inlay Top Finish Back/Sides Finish Neck Finish Peghead Finish Color Tuners String Type Bridge Pins Pickguard Nut/Saddle Strap Pin Bracing Armrest Backstrap Nylon Body Shape Cutaway Electronics Right or Left Handed Back/Sides Top Back Configuration Wedge Material Headstock Overlay Neck Wood Binding (Body, Fretboard) Rosette Abalone Top Fretboard Inlay Top Finish Back/Sides Finish Neck Finish Peghead Finish Color Strap Pin Peghead Logo T5 / T3 Guitar Type (6- or 12-string) Electronics Right or Left Handed Bridge (T3) Neck Profile Headstock Overlay Truss Rod Cover Neck Wood Binding (Body, Fretboard, Peghead) Purfling Abalone Trim Fretboard Inlay Peghead Inlay Top Finish Back/Sides Finish Neck Finish Peghead Finish Color Tuners String Type Bridge Pins Strap Pin Build To Order Wood Choices Back/Sides (Steel-string Acoustic & Nylon) Tops (Steel-string Acoustic) Tops (Nylon) Hawaiian Koa, A Hawaiian Koa, AA Hawaiian Koa, Master, A, AA Macassar (Striped ) Madagascar Rosewood Mahogany Maple, A Flame Maple, A Quilt Maple, AA Flame Maple, AA Quilt Ovangkol Sapele Walnut, A Walnut, AA Walnut, Grafted Adirondack Spruce Adirondack Spruce, Premium Engelmann Spruce Engelmann Spruce, Premium Hawaiian Koa, A Hawaiian Koa, AA Hawaiian Koa, Master Mahogany Redwood, Premium Redwood, Standard Sinker Redwood Sitka Spruce Sitka Spruce, Premium Walnut Western Red Cedar Engelmann Spruce Engelmann Spruce, Premium Redwood, Premium Redwood, Standard Sinker Redwood Sitka Spruce Sitka Spruce, Premium Western Red Cedar 43

44 Standard Features Koa Series Acoustic Koa 900 Series 800 Series Acoustic Series Acoustic Series Acoustic Series Back / Sides Hawaiian Koa Hawaiian Koa Big Leaf Maple Big Leaf Maple Tropical Mahogany Top Sitka Spruce or Hawaiian Koa Sitka Spruce or Hawaiian Koa Sitka Spruce Sitka Spruce Sitka Spruce Engelmann Spruce / Western Red Cedar Western Red Cedar Sitka Spruce Sitka Spruce Engelmann Spruce / Western Red Cedar Neck Tropical Mahogany Tropical Mahogany Tropical Mahogany Tropical Mahogany Tropical Mahogany Tropical Mahogany Tropical Mahogany Hard Rock Maple Hard Rock Maple Tropical Mahogany Bracing CV w/ Relief Rout CV w/ Relief Rout CV w/ Relief Rout CV w/ Relief Rout CV w/ Relief Rout Standard II (Forward Shifted Pattern w/ Relief Rout) Standard II (Forward Shifted Pattern w/ Relief Rout) Standard II (Forward Shifted Pattern w/ Relief Rout) Standard II (Forward Shifted Pattern w/ Relief Rout) Standard II (Forward Shifted Pattern w/ Relief Rout) Rosette Single Ring Abalone 3-Ring Abalone Single Ring Abalone Single Ring Abalone 3-Ring Abalone 3-Ring Abalone 3-Ring Abalone Single Ring Abalone 3-Ring Abalone 3-Ring Abalone Fretboard Fretboard Inlay Abalone Koa Series Abalone Dots Pearl 900 Series Pearl 800 Series Abalone Dots Pearl Dots Abalone Dots Pearl 600 Series Leaf Abalone Dots Pearl Dots Top Inlay Abalone Abalone Abalone Headstock Overlay w/ Pearl Inlay Binding Curly Maple Ivoroid Ivoroid Curly Maple Ivoroid Ivoroid White Ivoroid Bridge w/ Pearl Inlay Bridge Pins w/ Abalone Dots w/ Abalone Dots w/ Abalone Dots w/ Abalone Dots w/ Abalone Dots w/ Abalone Dots w/ Abalone Dots w/ Abalone Dots w/ Abalone Dots w/ Abalone Dots Nut / Saddle Tusq Tusq Bone Tusq Tusq Tusq Tusq Tusq Tusq Tusq Tuning Machines / Buttons Taylor Gold Taylor Gold or Taylor Slot Head (GC) Gotoh Taylor Gold Taylor Gold or Taylor Slot Head (GC) Taylor Gold Taylor Gold or Taylor Slot Head (GC) Taylor Gold Taylor Gold or Taylor Slot Head (GC) Taylor Chrome Taylor Gold (514ce, 516ce) Truss Rod Cover Indian Rosewood Indian Rosewood Indian Rosewood Indian Rosewood Indian Rosewood Indian Rosewood Back / Side Finish Top Finish Neck Finish Electronics Expression System Expression System Expression System Expression System Optional Expression System Expression System Optional Expression System Expression System Optional Expression System Expression System Pickguard Tortoise Tortoise Tortoise (Amber) (colors/bursts) Tortoise Case Taylor Deluxe Hardshell (Brown) Taylor Deluxe Hardshell (Brown) Taylor Deluxe Hardshell (Brown) Taylor Deluxe Hardshell (Brown) Taylor Deluxe Hardshell (Brown) Taylor Deluxe Hardshell (Brown) Taylor Deluxe Hardshell (Brown) Taylor Deluxe Hardshell (Brown) Taylor Deluxe Hardshell (Brown) Taylor Deluxe Hardshell (Brown) Models K10ce, K12ce, K14ce, K16ce, K20ce, K22ce, K24ce, K26ce, K54ce, K64ce, K65ce, K56ce, K66ce GA-K, GA-K-12 GC-K, GS-K DN-K 910ce, 910 Legacy 912ce, 914ce, 916ce, 954ce 810ce, 812ce, 814ce, 815ce, 816ce, 854ce, 855ce, 856ce GA8, GC8, GS8, DN8, 810 Legacy GA8-12, GS ce, 712ce, 714ce, 716ce GA7, GC7, GS7 610ce, 612ce, 614ce, 615ce, 616ce, 654ce, 655ce, 656ce GA6, GC6, GS6, GA ce, 512ce, 514ce, 516ce 44

45 Standard Features Acoustic Series Acoustic Series Acoustic / 100 Series GS Mini Baby Taylor Nylon Series Back / Sides Tropical Mahogany Ovangkol Ovangkol Sapele Sapele 200 Series: Rosewood Laminate 100 Series: Sapele Laminate Sapele Laminate Sapele Laminate (NS72ce, NS74ce) Big Leaf Maple (NS62ce, NS64ce) Sapele (NS32ce, NS34ce) Laminate (NS24ce, NS24e) Top Sitka Spruce (DN) / Western Red Cedar Sitka Spruce Sitka Spruce Sitka Spruce Sitka Spruce Sitka Spruce Sitka Spruce BT1, BBT: Sitka Spruce, BT2: Tropical Mahogany Western Red Cedar (70s) Engelmann Spruce (60s) Sitka Spruce (20s, 30s) Neck Tropical Mahogany Tropical Mahogany Tropical Mahogany Tropical Mahogany Tropical Mahogany Sapele Sapele Sapele Tropical Mahogany Bracing Standard II (Forward Shifted Pattern w/ Relief Rout) Standard II (Forward Shifted Pattern w/ Relief Rout) Standard II (Forward Shifted Pattern w/ Relief Rout) Standard II (Forward Shifted Pattern w/ Relief Rout) Standard II (Forward Shifted Pattern w/ Relief Rout) X Bracing X Bracing X Bracing Nylon Series Bracing Rosette 3-Ring Abalone 3-Ring 3-Ring 3-Ring 3-Ring 3-Ring 3-Ring Laser Etched Mexican Cyprus & Myrtle Geometric Pattern Fretboard Fretboard Inlay Abalone Dots Large Pearl Dots Pearl Dots Large Pearl Dots Pearl Dots Pearloid Dots Pearloid Dots Pearloid Dots Top Inlay Headstock Overlay Lexan Lexan (20s, 30s, 70s) (60s) Binding Ivoroid White Cream Black Cream White (200s) Black (100s) (60s, 70s) Black (20s, 30s) Bridge Bridge Pins w/ Abalone Dots Black Black Black Nut / Saddle Tusq Tusq Tusq Tusq Tusq Tusq NuBone Tusq Tusq Tuning Machines / Buttons Taylor Gold or Taylor Slot Head (GC) Taylor Chrome Taylor Chrome Taylor Chrome Taylor Chrome Chrome Chrome Chrome Ping Classical Gold w/ivoroid btns Classical Chrome w/cream btns (20s) Truss Rod Cover Indian Rosewood Indian Rosewood Indian Rosewood Indian Rosewood Indian Rosewood Rosewood Lexan (32, 62, 72) (24, 34, 74) (64) Back / Side Finish Varnish (100s) (200s) Varnish Varnish (60s, 70s) (20s, 30s) Top Finish Varnish (100s) (200s) Varnish Varnish Neck Finish Varnish (100s) (200s) Varnish Varnish Electronics Optional Expression System Expression System Optional Expression System Expression System Optional Expression System Taylor ES-T (E and CE models) Pre-fitted for ES-Go TM Optional ES-N Pickguard Tortoise Tortoise Tortoise Tortoise Tortoise (BBT) Case Taylor Deluxe Hardshell (Brown) Taylor Hardshell (Black) Taylor Hardshell (Black) Taylor Hardshell (Black) Taylor Hardshell (Black) Gig Bag (100 Series) Hard Bag (200 Series) GS Mini Hard Bag Gig Bag Hard Bag (20s) Taylor Hardshell Black (30s) Deluxe Brown (60s, 70s) Models GA5, GC5, GS5, DN5, GS ce, 412ce, 414ce, 454ce, 455ce GA4, GC4, DN4, GA ce, 312ce, 314ce, 315ce, 354ce, 355ce GA3, GC3, DN3, GA , 110e, 110ce, 114, 114e, 114ce 210, 210e, 210ce, 214, 214e, 214ce GS Mini BT1 (Sitka) BT2 (Tropical Mahogany) BBT (Big Baby) NS24ce, NS24e NS32ce, NS34ce NS62ce, NS64ce NS72ce, NS74ce 45 48

46 Standard Features - Signature Models Standard Features - Specialty DDSM (Doyle Dykes) LKSM (Leo Kottke) TSBT (Taylor Swift) STSM (Serj Tankian) JMSM (Jason Mraz) DMSM (Dave Matthews) Baritone 12-Fret Back / Sides Big Leaf Maple Tropical Mahogany Sapele Laminate Sapele Back / Sides Top Sitka Spruce Sitka Spruce Sitka Spruce Maple Western Red Cedar Sitka Spruce Top Sitka Spruce Sitka Spruce Neck Hard Rock Maple Tropical Mahogany Sapele Sapele Tropical Mahogany Tropical Mahogany Neck Tropical Mahogany Tropical Mahogany Bracing Standard II (Forward Shifted Pattern w/ Relief Rout) LKSM Bracing X Bracing Standard T5 Nylon Series Bracing CV w/ Relief Rout Bracing Baritone Bracing 12-Fret Bracing Rosette Single Ring Abalone 3-Ring Screen Printed Custom N/A Mexican Cypress/ Bubinga/Koa Zodiac Symbols Single Ring Abalone Rosette Fretboard 3-Ring Abalone Single Ring Abalone w/ Bound Soundhole Fretboard Fretboard Inlay Top Inlay Pearl DDSM Abalone Pearloid Dots Serj Tankian Energy Wheel N/A Mexican Cypress Be Love w/circle/ Triangle Pearl Cindy / Grux Fretboard Inlay Top Inlay Headstock Overlay Small Pearl Diamonds Indian Rosewood Pearl Dots Indian Rosewood Headstock Overlay w/ Pearl / Abalone Rose Inlay Indian Rosewood Lexan w/energy Wheel Inlay Indian Rosewood Binding Indian Rosewood Ivoroid Binding Ivoroid Indian Rosewood Black Indian Rosewood Ivoroid Bridge Bridge Bridge Pins w/ Abalone Dots Black Bridge Pins Nut / Saddle w/ Abalone Dots Bone w/ Abalone Dots Tusq Nut / Saddle Tuning Machines / Buttons Truss Rod Cover Back / Side Finish Top Finish Tusq Taylor Gold Tusq Taylor Gold Indian Rosewood Tusq Chrome Varnish Varnish Bone Chrome Black Tusq Ping Classical Gold with Ivoroid Buttons Bone Gotoh Tuning Machines / Buttons Truss Rod Cover Back / Side Finish Top Finish Taylor Gold Mini (8-String) Taylor Gold (6-String) Indian Rosewood Taylor Slot Head Indian Rosewood Neck Finish Varnish Neck Finish Electronics Expression System or Baggs / DDSM Optional T5 Electronics w/ Five-Way Switch ES-N Expression System Electronics Expression System Expression System Pickguard Case Models Taylor Deluxe Hardshell (Brown) DDSM colors: Natural Black (opaque) Black (translucent) Orange Brown Sugar Taylor Deluxe Hardshell (Brown) LKSM LKSM-6 Gig Bag TSBT Taylor T5 Hardshell (Black) STSM-T5 Taylor Deluxe Hardshell (Brown) JMSM Taylor Deluxe Hardshell (Brown) DMSM Pickguard Case Models Taylor Deluxe Hardshell (Brown) Baritone 8-String Baritone 6-String Taylor Deluxe Hardshell (Brown) 12-Fret 46

47 Standard Features - The Electric Line T5 T5 Classic T3 SolidBody Body Sapele Sapele Sapele Alder (Classic) Sapele (Standard, Custom Walnut) Tropical Mahogany (Custom Koa) Top Sitka Spruce (T5-S, T5-C); Figured Maple (T5-S1, T5-C1); Koa (T5-C2); Walnut (T5-C4); Macassar (T5-C5) Ovangkol Quilted Maple Maple (Standard) Walnut (Custom Walnut) Koa (Custom Koa) Neck Tropical Mahogany Sapele Sapele Sapele (Standard, Custom Walnut) Tropical Mahogany (Custom Koa) Maple (Classic) Fretboard (Standard, Custom) (Classic) Fretboard Inlay Pearl Dots (T5-S, T5-S1) Pearl T5 Artist (T5-C, T5-C1, T5-C2, T5-C4, T5-C5) Small Diamonds Pearl Dots Pearl Dots (Classic, Standard) Pearl Progressive Diamonds (Custom Walnut) Koa Series (Custom Koa) Headstock Overlay Fretboard Binding White Black White (Classic) Black (Standard, Custom) Bridge Chrome Roller-style w/stop Tail (T3) or Bigsby Vibrato (T3/B) Taylor Stoptail Aluminum, fully adjustable Optional tremolo Nut Bone Tusq Tusq with Teflon Bone Tuning Machines / Buttons Taylor Chrome (T5-S, T5-S1 and blue bursts) Taylor Gold (T5-C, T5-C1, T5-C2, T5-C4, T5-C5) Taylor Chrome Taylor Chrome Taylor Chrome Back / Side Finish (Classic Natural, Standard Natural) (All other models) Top Finish (Classic Natural, Standard Natural) (All other models) Neck Finish (All Classics) (All other models) Electronics T5 Electronics w/ Five-Way Switch T5 Electronics w/ Five-Way Switch Taylor HD Humbuckers w/coilsplitting Capability Full-size or Mini Humbuckers (HD or HG), Vintage Alnico Humbuckers, Single Coils, available in different configurations (see page 32) Pickguard White Pearloid Black Pearloid Tortoise Shell Black Parchment (optional on Standard and Custom) Case Taylor T5 Hardshell (Black) Gig Bag Taylor T3 Hardshell (Black) Deluxe Hardshell Color / Burst Options Natural, Red, Blue, Black (Translucent Black Optional) w/ Edgeburst; Sunburst Options: Tobacco, Honey, Cherry Natural, Ruby Red Burst, Black, Translucent Orange; Sunburst Options: Tobacco, Honey Classic: Translucent White, Translucent Red, Black, Natural, Sage Green, Sublime, Magenta Pearl, Tobacco Sunburst, Purple Flake, Jewelescent Orange, Viper Blue, Lava Red Pearl, Titanium Pearl, Blue Metallic; Standard: Aged Cherry Sunburst, Custom: Shaded Edge Models T5-S, T5S-12, T5-S1, T5S1-12, T5-C, T5C-12, T5-C1, T5C1-12, T5-C2, T5C2-12 T5-C4, T5C4-12, T5-C5, T5C5-12 T5 Classic T3, T3/B Classic, Standard, Custom Walnut, Custom Koa

48 A Publication of Taylor Guitars Guitar Guide / Summer 2010 Taylor Guitars 1980 Gillespie Way El Cajon, CA taylorguitars.com Presorted Standard U.S. Postage PAID Phoenix, AZ Permit No The paper we used is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. The FSC is a non-profit organization that supports environmentally friendly, socially responsible and economically viable management of the world s forests. Aloha, Gorgeous This stunning custom 6-string Grand Symphony was crafted through Taylor s Build to Order program. The top, back and sides feature exquisitely figured master-grade Hawaiian koa, whose beautifully bookmatched soundboard exhibits rich variegation. A mother-ofpearl tropical vine fretboard inlay helps evoke an exotic Island motif that suits koa s hallowed heritage, while rosewood binding and white purfling accentuate the voluptuous GS contours and sharp Florentine cutaway.