All,

I would like to ask that we use this area to capture comments or questions related to our ToneMatch partner Taylor guitars.

I will be working with Taylor to ask that they drop in time to time and keep us updated on current events and respond to any open questions that you may have.

Brian Swerdfeger Interview

Thank you
Neil

Hi Neil and fellow Taylor guitarists,

Just passing through, on my way to make a T1-related post elsewhere, and found this new forum. Guess I can help get the ball rolling.

I play a 2001 Taylor 714ce with Fishman preamp, and a 2000 Taylor K65 (jumbo koa 12-string with Kottke cutaway, back when it was a custom option) with a Fishman Rare Earth combo mic/piezo soundhole unit. (And a Fletcher Brock large-bodied cittern, other subject!)

Imagine my delight when in discovering the L1 system back in 2003, I learned of the Taylor presets. What a gift. I immediately used the L1 model 1 presets, and moved onto the T1 version later. EQ has never been easier, and I get many compliments on the sound of both.

Since I am the rhythm and backing person in a trio with two melodists, I have plenty of room to play with bass and chords. I have had guys come up to the stage after a show and ask where we're hiding the bass!

Anyway, I've written about my rig other places in these discussions, just wanted to plant a stake here and express my appreciation for the Bose-Taylor connection.

Mary

Matt, congrats on the new 810! It must sound outstanding plugged direct. What a tour de force of great pickups, though. I'm familiar with some you mention, have become contented with what I have. But isn't it blessedly simple to just plug n play as with the 810.

Which reminds me that (duh!) as a player of three guitars on stage, one of my early challenges with the L1 system was NOT getting to do so. I had to put together a pedal board with multi-selector, which sure added a level of complexity I don't miss.

The T1 changed all that, and now I have a channel for each instrument, those awesome presets (for me, the Grand Auditorium and Jumbo Strums).

Anyway, nice to hear your story, and hoping more Taylor players will chime in, too.

Mary

Wow,

My Ideal setup.

I have a 615CE with ES that I don't play out anymore since the bridge pulled up and I had it repaired.

I have a Composite Acoustic that I use for my gigs, but love the Taylor Sound and playability.

I just have too many time when I need to leave it in the car all day etc, and the CA is great there.

I still use my Taylor for all my recording etc...

quote:

Originally posted by MBanshee:
Matt, congrats on the new 810! It must sound outstanding plugged direct. What a tour de force of great pickups, though. I'm familiar with some you mention, have become contented with what I have. But isn't it blessedly simple to just plug n play as with the 810.

Mary,
The 810 does sound nice plugged directly in. If I really want to geek out I use my Goodall Concert Jumbo with a Sunrise/K&K Mini/Schertler Dyn-G all run through the Pendulum SPS-1 and into the T1. To me that sounds like studio quality acoustic guitar sound! But it's a lot of stuff to lug and it's a lot of stuff to hook up.

I sometimes hear people criticize the ES system. There are benefits and drawbacks to all pickups/systems but this 810 with the ES seems to hit a nice balance between good sound, gain before feedback, plug and play, on board controls, etc. etc. So I'm happy.

Gordy,
I sure know what you mean about the CA being travel friendly. I hate to give that up but I decided to put my CA X up for sale on the Acoustic Guitar Forum. I guess I'm just a big bodied, wooden guitar guy!

Matt

Taylor Guitars and Bose L1 - the best of all worlds.

Apologies for such a loooong post - so feel free to stop reading any time soon...

We've been fans of Taylor guitars since 2003 when we bought a Big Baby for Val... at that time our other guitars were two 30 year old Brazilian Rosewood Yamahas (FG580 6-string and FG630 12-string).

In May 2005 we bought a Taylor for Jimmy (a used 25th Anniversary XXV-DR Limited Edition) with the Taylor-fitted Fishman system.

In June 2005 we bought a Taylor 12-string (a used 855 with an EMG system fitted by the previous owner). From the same person we bought a Taylor 810-L1 Brazilian Rosewood Limited Edition for Val... no electrics, but we had a local guy fit a Fishman Matrix under-saddle pickup.

In August 2005 we bought a used Taylor 810CE for Jimmy (with the Taylor fitted Fishman system) as his XXV-DR couldn't compete acoustically with Val's 810-L1. As it turned out, Val preferred the feel and sound of the Indian Rosewood cutaway 810 so we swapped over.

We thought that we pretty much couldn't ask for more - but TAS (Taylor Acquisition Syndrome) struck again in May 2007 when we bought another Taylor 855 12-string (from the USA on eBay - that's how confident we were with the Taylor pedigree). This one had the Expression System retro-fitted by Taylor.

We were very happy with the acoustic sound of our guitars, reasonably happy with our own PA system (Behringer PMH3000 and Carlsbro speakers for Front of House, with a small Carlsbro amp and wedge speakers for monitoring), but extremely frustrated when performing through house systems at some venues... not only were we unhappy with what we could/couldn't hear while performing, but we hadn't a clue what audiences were hearing.

This is where serendipity (happenstance) comes to the fore in our Taylor story.

Jimmy's 810 developed a buzz/rattle that we couldn't track down, a local well-renowned luthier couldn't track down, and Taylor UK reps Sound Technology couldn't track down... so, it became apparent that we'd have to somehow find a replacement. We didn't want to sell a faulted product to anyone, and no-one seemed able to locate or fix the problem, but we needed a new guitar for Jimmy.

In September 2007 we saw a new 910CE advertised on eBay at what seemed a bargain price... so we made tentative arrangements to go to Scotland and try the guitar with a view to buying it for Jimmy. While browsing the internet to see how much 910s were really selling for we came across an advert for a Brazilian Rosewood 910CE-L7 with a £1,000 sterling price reduction. Jimmy's eyes glazed over (he's always loved Brazilian Rosewood - first the Yamaha FG580 and FG630, then the Taylor 810-L1) - and here was the opportunity to upgrade from the 810 to the 910 and have his favourite wood!

We had the 910CE-L7 shipped to our local Taylor dealers (GuitarGuitar in Newcastle) from their Glasgow branch. We then drove into town and tried it - it was beautiful, both acoustically and amplified using the Expression System through an AER acousticube amp. We decided between us that we had to have it, so we told the store manager about the 810-L1 and asked if he'd consider a part exchange. He took the 810 away, played it, had it on the bench inspecting it for a while... and he came back happy to give us a good deal on it.

That same evening we drove to Scotland (with Taylors 810CE, 855 and new 910CE-L7 in the back) to try the 910CE we'd first seen on eBay... yes, you guessed... we bought it! Val absolutely loved it - and the two 910s sound fabulous together. Val's 910 has the version 2 Expression System, while Jimmy's has the original version 1 ES.

So, our acoustic sound was even better than before, but we were still dogged by the age old problems of traditional PA system setups - here we were with gorgeous sounding guitars which at times were made to sound like trash (was gonna use a different word, but it probably would have to be edited out!) through some systems. This was so frustrating and depressing, and caused us much angst and anger.

This is where serendipity (happenstance) comes to the fore in our Bose L1 story.

We turned up to play a floor spot at a local venue and were surprised to see what looked like a black tube monolith standing on-stage. The usual soundman wasn't there and a guy brought one of his band's L1 systems (Classic or Model 1, we're not sure now). Like most people in the room we were intrigued by the cool, futuristic equipment - and we couldn't work out how it could possibly replace the usual PA system. When we heard other people through the system we were taken aback by the clarity of the sound, then we were further amazed when he asked us about our guitars so he could select an appropriate preset... when we stood up on stage with the stick behind us we were slightly disoriented at first to have the sound behind us, but were stunned at what we were hearing and the knowledge of how good things sounded out front.

And then for the next few months it was back to our own system (which somehow didn't sound as good to us any more) or to the lottery of house systems of different venues. The memory of the Bose system kept nagging and nagging and we felt we had to do something about it.

On January 1st 2008 we joined the Bose Musicians Forum and found a wealth of knowledge, talent and downright friendliness that helped us understand more about the L1. And so, on January 16th we auditioned a system at our local Sound Control store (1 x L1 model 2, 1 x B1, 1 x T1) and were so knocked out by it that we bought it there and then (ordering a second T1, power supply and two mic stand adapters).

Presets Used

Being gentle, fingerstyle players we started with the Taylor Dreadnought Finger preset for both 6-strings, tweaking slightly to our individual tastes. Then Val changed to the Dreadnought strum, and has now moved on to the GS Mahogany/Cedar Taylor Grand Audorium Finger. So it doesn't always follow that the preset for your guitar body shape will always match your personal preferences, but it's a good place to start.

Both 12-strings use the Jumbo Finger preset, both with no zEQ (even though both guitars have different pickups).

The Taylor Guitar presets can also work well on other guitars too - Jimmy's 910CE-L7 is undergoing repair which will probably result in a version 2 expression system being installed, so he's back to playing his 30 year old Yamaha which has the Fishman Rare Earth Humbucker soundhole system. Being modelled on the Martin D28 shape we started with the Martin presets on the ToneMatch, then worked through everythin and ended up with, guess what... Taylor Dreadnought Finger with a little more tweaking!

Oh, and just to wrap up the Taylor Guitars story... we also have two Baby Taylors - one free from Taylor as a promotional thank you for buying the 910CE-L7 and one bought so we'd both have one! Does anyone have any thoughts/advice on pickups for these so we can play them through the L1? (We'd prefer to have pickups rather than mic-ing them.)

If you've reached this far, congratulations! We'll try and be less wordy in future... a little les verBose you might say!

Edited by jiva (22 October 2008) to correct Val's ToneMatch preset and tidy up some spelling/typos.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: jivauk,

Great story JiVa! (everyone else's too!),

No need for length-apology, certainly not to ME!

QUITE the guitar buyers! Matt & I don't feel so bad now...

I got interested in Taylor a number of years ago, I guess just from seeing cool pros and heroes playing them. I felt them out of reach financially, plus I've had a stellar 1969 Martin D-28 Brazilian since it was a pup.

It got worse though when I saw John Denver's and Kenny Loggins' all KOA guitars, JUMBOS no less, which I was also drawn to.

The Koa Disease I cured by buying a $125 Oscar Schmidt ukelele, with really pretty abalone binding all over - fun to play too. I play a few Beatle songs and a blues thing, but NO Don Ho. Kept me from spending $4,000+ on a Taylor Koa guitar, bless its little heart.

Then in 2006 I couldn't stand it any longer and custom ordered a 615-CE jumbo, transparent black, florentine. Earlier this year I realized there's were a few things about it I "ordered wrong", decided life's too short, and placed another order to correct my mistake - another 615 jumbo, true black, florentine cut, ivoroid binding with abalone, with a B-Band A11 pickup and preamp added after - fitted just like ES.

I'm set now!

Mike

I'm taking my L1 Classic with me on a trip next week so I set it up tonight just to be sure it works. I plugged my new (to me) Taylor 810ce into channel two and used the Taylor 810 preset number 49. I really like it! I think I like it better than the the Taylor Dreadnought Strum preset I am using with my T1. Could that be?

Are the Taylor presets in my T1 based on just the instrument or the instrument with the ES pickup system? If the presets in my T1 are only based on the instrument, is there a way to get that preset number 49 into my T1?

Thanks!
Matt

Hi Jimmy & Val (jiva)!

I enjoyed your lengthy "Taylor story"! Thanks for sharing the path to your current happiness. It was a nice read.

I hesitate to say this here in the Taylor guitar thread, but I prefer the Martin acoustic guitar sound, more than the Taylor sound. Nevertheless, I'll be the first to say I really like the craftsmanship and beauty of the Taylor guitars. Taylor guitars are exceptional and well crafted instruments by all means, and I'm not wanting to start a Martin v. Taylor debate here, just trying to compliment all you Taylor owners on your selection of beautiful guitars! I do wish Martin had something like ES for their line of acoustic guitars.

Thanks...John

Hi John

It's always fascinating to learn about people's preferences regarding music, whether it's their choice of instruments or concerts they attend or artists/songs/tunes they enjoy most.

What is it that draws us to something? What is it that provides that exquisite "aah" factor? Is it possible to define or even try to explain it? (That might be better suited to another thread entirely.)

Our favourite singer/songwriter (Allan Taylor) always uses Martin guitars and we love the sound he makes.

Over here in the UK we also find people in folk clubs are equally passionate about Fylde and Lowden.

But one thing is for certain - the combination of the Bose L1 and your favourite instrument(s)is inspiring.

Matt, I've replied to your other post regarding Preset 49, etc...

All the best,

Chuck

John, your comment about preferring Martin guitars just goes to show, it's as true as ever... some guys like Fords, some guys like Chevies!

Mary

Someone said
''Taylor Guitars and Bose L1 - the best of all worlds.''

I must agree, as they go so well together. I tried different respectable brands before like Ovation, Martin, Gibson or PRS Hollowbody but nothing seems to match the sound of my Taylor T5 Custom with Koa Top on a L1 Model II.
First I used this gorgeous instrument with a Schertler Unico amp and L1, but I think that the best sound you can get is if you use a Taylor A/B Box, one channel for Taylor K4 and another one for the original preset of T5. For me it's great, it would be nice to have soon an original preset for K4, but time will tell.
I use this guitar with the SKB PS55 pedal board for my Morley wah wah, TC Helicon Harmony G and X2 Plus wireless system. In this way everything is easy to setup and I even stopped playing on the Schertler amp, as Taylor K4 can easily fit on the pedalboard space too.

Please excuse my enthusiasm, but T5C2 is more than a guitar or an instrument. Is the shape that describes perfectly the care for detail, the lack of compromises, the human factor at its best. I own this guitar for few months and still every time I take this guitar in my arms I feel like a child staring at his first bike.
The Koa wood reminds me of good fresh coffee, of a beautiful woman with spanish skin and the sound it feels like the extension of your thoughts, the kind of sound where you do not need anything else added or subtracted.

It might be an expensive product, like Bose L1 for example, but comparing with the quality you get for both of them I honestly think that the price is fair and well justified.
As for me my L1 and my Taylor T5 are priceless, and this type of connection between a musicians and his instruments is mandatory for a great musical content or a live performance. When you trust and value your instrument you are much better on stage and your inspiration can come also from the reflection of a handcrafted Koa top or the vertical friend you play with, named L1.

That being said, I hope that more people will have the opportunity to enjoy T5 and L1 together, as it is the perfect team for the musician looking for sound with no compromises.

All the best

Mani

Catch a recording of Brian Swerdfeger (of Taylor Guitar) playing at the Bose exhibit at Salon de la Musique in Paris 2008.


--== click the picture to go to a list of recordings ==--

Brian's recording is the 5th on the list.

While you are listening, scroll up on that page and read how Wiek-at-Bose-Europe recorded it live at the show using the T1® on stage.

You can also catch Brian's Interview about ToneMatch® technology





PS

Brian - if you are out there - what is that gorgeous Guitar you have in your hands? Do you remember what settings you used on the T1®?

Hi there, just took delivery on my refurbished and newly Expression Systemed (not a verb, I know) Taylor 714ce. I took advantage of Taylor's very nice maintenance packages, with fret replacement and neck adjustment for my medium-gauge strings, and decided to go for it and get the second generation Expression system put in.

It's different! Both the guitar, and the electronics--moved from a Fishman onboard EQ, thus the retrofit knobs box. Action all the quicker, really feels and sounds well balanced. But it's diffurnt and I'm going to have to bond all over again with this, my most-strummed instrument.

I immediately plugged it in to my T1, and zeroed out the EQ under Grand Auditorium Strum, and it certainly delivers a balanced sound. I guess it's just a different tone shape and I'll be finessing it for a bit. I used to have to lower the mids a bit, now I'm not sure. It's disorienting in a funny way.

I would be interested in others' experience with the Expression System - T1 interface. One big change: the Expression System outjack is balanced. Plugging in to Ch. 4, with my usual Monster unbalanced cable, I could't even get the trim to peak out. I think I must a) switch this guitar back to Ch. 1-3, and b) use a balanced cable.

Nice long local, low-pressure gig coming up Saturday, so I will have a chance to really hear and feel it again.

Sorry, thinking out loud, here. Anyway, here's the whole deal.

And specifically, the ES retrofit thingie for guitars with Fishman and other onboard EQ units. I did not take a shot of the very nifty battery insert right under the endpin jack.

Okay, one last thing: I also have my gorgeous and hard-working K65 koa 12-string, heretofore amplified by a Fishman Rare Earth Blender soundhole pickup/mic. I have scheduled the same install and refurbish. I will be really, really making sure I love the Expression System before Monday, my scheduled shipping date.

My hope with the 12-string is to lessen feedback events, maximize the wondrous sound this guitar produces. The Rare Earth is quite good,though 10 years old and somewhat vulnerable to ye feedback.

Mary

Besides ditto on most of the above...


I currently play a Grand Symphony, rosewood/spruce model. I've modified it with bone nut and saddle, and refretted it with jumbo frets (I have hand issues).

I love it, and generally love the ES. I only have two complaints, and the Bose T1 fixes them both:

1. The ES has a nasal quality (all Taylor ES owners know this). Cliff has very successfully tweaked it out.

2. I really hate Taylor's idea of a good amplified sound. Even on their own DVD, I think the sound is awful, although I guess everyone's become accustomed to it. It's not really bad, it just sounds terribly bright to me, and very unlike my unamplified sound, especially when I fingerpick. But I switched from the Taylor GS preset to the Taylor Jumbo preset, and - voila! There's my acoustic sound, even fingerpicking!

Bottom line: I am so happy with my Taylor GS through my Bose Model II. It's pretty much heaven, unless you mic your guitar, and I'm not doing that.

On a totally irrelevant side note, I love the beauty, but understated appointments of my GS. Very elegant looking, but not cheesecakey at all. Cudos...

PS: (LOL)

Between the Taylor ES system, the L1, and the T1 para EQ ability, I no longer have ANY feedback problems, anywhere I play, at about any volume. (And I rarely need to use the para EQ).

Hi Tres!
Thanks, and congratulations on your GS. I recently played an R. Taylor style 1, which is apparently much the same body, and it was SPLENDID.

Do you use a balanced cable? into ch. 1-3?

Mary