Just got back into town after almost a month away and had the latest W&S waiting for me. As others have mentioned, I have to fight the urge to consider conjuring up plans for future guitars. My recent acquisition of the 517e has me satisfied for the foreseeable future, though.
One thing struck me when I read this issue, though, that is very telling about Taylor Guitars, and in particular about Bob Taylor: Bob's efforts to put the spotlight on Andy Powers. As founder, he would seem to want to take credit for the successes of the company. But Andy Powers' efforts to advance Taylor Guitars are not only acknowledged, but celebrated, especially by Bob himself. Even in his own column, "Bobspeak," he references Andy throughout. I am very impressed with this.
My sense is that Bob's own interest in environmental conservationism, especially when it comes to guitar manufacturing, has been his focus of late. And I think it is indeed a noble focus. With Andy at the forefront of innovation, this gives Bob the time to focus on leaving an environmental impact as his legacy. For him to put the spotlight on Andy during this process is quite admirable, at least in my eyes.
Everything I stated above is just conjecture on my part, of course. But I am left even more impressed with Taylor Guitars as a company after this latest issue.
