Cujo's Service Package Journey Has Begun...

[Strumming Fool]

Due to the unqualified success of past ES retrofits, upgrades and other service packages, it's time to send the last one in: my beloved '97 Cujo 14. I'm not sure what will be needed, but I always look forward to the "play like new" feel and the "like new" appearance when they come back to me.

Of course, this one and my '95 will stay pure acoustics, especially since my other four are ES-equipped. More to report as the process continues...should be in El Cajon by Thursday.

[stepchildusmc]

SF... You had me at Cujo 
i'm dying to get some looks at that one as it's the most intriguing to me of all the ones in your sig.

[Herb Hunter]

Maybe the photographs below of a Cujo guitar will tide you over until Strumming Fool’s guitar returns from Taylor and is photographed anew. I’m eager to see photographs of his freshened Cujo too.

[Strumming Fool]

I doubt that "after" pics will show a real difference...so here's some "before" shots that should satisfy. (BTW, I love the back on Herb's Cujo - so dramatic!)

[Cindy]

Strumming Fool or Herb, do either of you know the history behind why Taylor made a Cujo model? Is Bob Taylor a Stephen King fan? I've never watched a Stephen King movie, and the only book of his I ever read was Cujo. I've never had the desire to read any other of his works simply because I'm not into thrillers that are THAT intense! LOL! The book Cujo was enough for me!

[PureTone]

This was released in 97, I think.
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/what-do-you-get-when-the-master-of-macabre-meets-a-master-guitar-maker-77764622.html
Apparent Mr. King is a player.
http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/taylor-guitars-history/
The story was in Wood and Steel Fall 97, but that's gone as it was on the legacyweb.taylorguitars site.

[Herb Hunter]

Strumming Fool or Herb, do either of you know the history behind why Taylor made a Cujo model? Is Bob Taylor a Stephen King fan? I've never watched a Stephen King movie, and the only book of his I ever read was Cujo. I've never had the desire to read any other of his works simply because I'm not into thrillers that are THAT intense! LOL! The book Cujo was enough for me!

What I remember is that the black walnut tree in the Cujo movie died after some 400 years. The tree also was depicted in another movie (non-King ) whose title, subject or actors I don’t recall. The person hired to remove the dead tree recognized its potential and contacted Taylor Guitars. Bob Taylor flew up to have a look at the tree and decided to buy it. I don’t remember how Taylor came to decide on the Stephen King / Cujo theme but I did notice that the value of Cujo guitars increased after a publicized performance by Stephen King in Miami and guitar folk realized King could really play guitar.


A ’97 or ’98 Wood & Steel issue had a feature article about the entire project.

[fmbstrummer]

Herb, Do you recall the number produced in this limited run?  Did they hold lumber back for BTO production? 

FMB

[cigarfan]

Hope the journey and the repairs are a success!

I know you have documented your successes here but I still can't imagine how I would feel packing up a loved one and sending her off!

[cpmusic]

Apparent Mr. King is a player.

King was a member of the Rock Bottom Remainders, a band comprised of published authors, most of them rotating in and out as schedules permitted. I only saw them once, about a dozen years ago on some TV show, playing a few classics of rock and R&B. There were 10 or 12 members at that performance, including King, Dave Barry (also on guitar), and a few of the other "regulars." 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_Bottom_Remainders
http://www.rockbottomremainders.com/

[guitararmy]

The other movie featuring the tree was "Peggy Sue Got Married"  with Kathleen Turner and Nicholas Cage....

[Strumming Fool]

Herb, Do you recall the number produced in this limited run?  Did they hold lumber back for BTO production? 

FMB

125 GAs and 125 DNs... not sure if they held any wood back for BTOs. I haven't seen any black walnut Taylors since...most of what you'll see is either Claro or grafted. In any case, the Cujo theme came about, because Taylor employees started calling the harvested walnut "Cujo wood", because it came from the tree on the ranch in Petaluma CA, where the movie was filmed. From there, several designs were conceived until they settled on the one you see on the above photos. There are so many inlay materials used from spiny red oyster shell to Formica - it's such a cool guitar. Bob Taylor described the sound of this particular walnut as "turbo-charged rosewood", and I couldn't agree more. Major volume, depth and sparkle that continues to get better with age ...blows away most of the R.Taylors I've played...very special!

[Cindy]

Strumming Fool or Herb, do either of you know the history behind why Taylor made a Cujo model? Is Bob Taylor a Stephen King fan? I've never watched a Stephen King movie, and the only book of his I ever read was Cujo. I've never had the desire to read any other of his works simply because I'm not into thrillers that are THAT intense! LOL! The book Cujo was enough for me!

What I remember is that the black walnut tree in the Cujo movie died after some 400 years. The tree also was depicted in another movie (non-King ) whose title, subject or actors I don’t recall. The person hired to remove the dead tree recognized its potential and contacted Taylor Guitars. Bob Taylor flew up to have a look at the tree and decided to buy it. I don’t remember how Taylor came to decide on the Stephen King / Cujo theme but I did notice that the value of Cujo guitars increased after a publicized performance by Stephen King in Miami and guitar folk realized King could really play guitar.


A ’97 or ’98 Wood & Steel issue had a feature article about the entire project.

+1 Thanks for the info, Herb!

[Strumming Fool]

Update:

After a bit of phone tag, Taylor and I discussed what was needed and decided on the Renew package with a partial refret. They'll also replace the bone nut and saddle and get rid of a few minor dings. Cujo should be back home in 2-3 weeks. Can't wait as I have had great experiences with my other Taylors using one of their great service packages!

[Strumming Fool]

All work has been done, and Cujo should be back on my doorstep next Wednesday 12/20. Looking forward to reconnecting with my old friend!