Taylor Kool-aid

[crashcup]

I am a Taylor Guitar disciple.  I have thrice made the pilgrimage to the Taylor Guitar factory to take communion with the Taylor brotherhood.  I have watched all the Bob Taylor videos, am an avid reader of "Wood and Steel," and I have ardently adhered to the faith in that my guitar inventory is exclusively derived from the Taylor sect.  I blissfully have guzzled the Taylor Kool Aid and am happy.

But when I read Acoustic Guitar magazine I am stirred by heretical emotions and visits to local guitar shops have tempted me to stray from my faith in the Taylor patented New Technology (NT) neck.  I am sorry, but I like that my guitars remain in tune long after I last tuned them. 

Still, I am tempted to stray by the pantheon of legendary guitars. How can all those who don't play Taylors be wrong? 

I am looking for an antidote to the Taylor Kool-aid.  Should I deviate from the faith, what pestilence will be visited upon me?  To those who have strayed from the true religion, what has been your experience?  Armageddon? 

Should I purchase a (horror) non-Taylor guitar, will I be cast into the lake of fire?  Or are there truly non-heretical alternatives whose necks will not warp beyond all understanding and whose soundboards will not part like the Red Sea?

Please help me, "unofficially."

With due reverence,

Bill

[Guitarsan]

It is said an unexamined faith is not worth having. First, go play something and see if it's feel and tone speaks to you. Don't settle for one of those, demand both. I wouldn't trade my only nice Taylor for anything else, but could I imagine a complementary sound that spoke to me? Absolutely. So go see what is out there, maybe it'll re-enforce your faith or expand it.

[TaylorGirl]

Like they say, "variety is the spice of life". Most people prefer having different brands in addition to their Taylor(s). I think that's great. I have just always been the type that when I find what I like, I stick with it. I'm comfortable with my Taylors. But, I'm in the minority, I think.....plus, I'm just weird. 

[Strumming Fool]

There are some great guitars out there among other brands. For example, I'd prefer a good OM to a Taylor GC, but that's just me. Give 'em all a try - it's a big world out there! I've tried many and owned many, but for me a Taylor GA is all I really need. Enjoy the journey!

[DJFUZZYMCPICKLE]

Although I too am very partial to my taylors, I believe in the old "if it speaks to me, well then it just does".  That being said I have to say the latest one that I tried really surprised me as I was shopping some guitars for a family member after trying one of a friend and found it to be one of the best under 1k guitars I've ever played.  PRS Angelus SE, the rosewood model was only 900 with hardshell case.  Yes a laminate but compare to the Taylor 214 series, truthfully I thought it blew it away for sound so much I'm considering it as the next guitar as well as always been a fan of Takamine's mid-level stuff as well.  Taylor will always be the first choice, but never believed in just one brand.  I like Ford and I like Chevy.  To me the product's intended use and application are always a factor more than JUST the name on the headstock.  and that PRS?  darn nice guitar for the $$$ FWIW!

[Edward]

Hi Bill,

Nice hyperbole
Anyone with a quasi-heretical devotion to any marque has judgment that is suspect in my mind.  OTOH, for those of us who love a certain marque for specific, quantifiable reasons, then there is nothing "disciple-like" in that kind of measured devotion.

If I may offer examples in my experience: I own Taylor acoustics for the very same reasons I own MesaBoogies ...features, tone, quality, and support.  Nothing more than that: these two marques offer me far more than what other marques do, so there is zero point to deviate from them.

By contrast, I own Fender and Gibson electrics, and a host of pedals ...no brand-loyalty whatsoever.  Nothing to be gained by being brand loyal there, so zero point in limiting myself.

Weigh your own priorities and buy what you like.  Nothing mystical or heretical about it

Edward

[Joseph]

Ha ha... Quite hilarious...
I did find it ironic that you mention the Acoustic Guitar mag...
"But when I read Acoustic Guitar magazine I am stirred by heretical emotions and visits to local guitar shops have tempted me to stray from my faith in the Taylor patented New Technology (NT) neck."

I know one of the editors of the mag.. While he worked at a local guitar store in the 90's, he used to drive me crazy when I would ask his opinion about any particular guitar that I would fasten my newbie
eyes and ears on. He would always say... "It sounds and plays great, but I like my Taylor 712 better".
I know that since then... He has reviewed some great guitars over the years at AG.. As well as playing many live gigs...and now has opened his heart and mind a little bit to embrace others as well...lol

[iteched]

Ah - I guess, being a noob here, I have to put a second post somewhere.

I always stick to some advice given to me a long time ago (in a nearby galaxy) by my Trombone instructor.

"When shopping for an instrument play as many as you can, twice or more if possible, before you finally make a choice".

I own a Taylor T5z - and love it.   I also have other non-Taylor guitars - and love them as well.    All played and "auditioned" before purchasing.

Variety is the spice of life as long as you own at least one Taylor.

:-)

[Frances50]

Variety is the spice of life as long as you own at least one Taylor.

:-)
[/quote]

Totally agree.

[lmacmil]

Personally I can't imagine having only guitars from one manufacturer.  I have only owned two guitars of the same brand although not at the same time.

My "other" guitar is a Martin.  Nothing sounds quite like a Martin so if you like that sound, you should get one (or any other brand you like the sound of.)

[Strumming Fool]

Personally I can't imagine having only guitars from one manufacturer.  I have only owned two guitars of the same brand although not at the same time.

I have owned Taylor (Cujo14), Martin (D-45), Santa Cruz (all-koa H), Lowden (F35) and Larrivee (OM10K) all at the same time. It was fun for a while, but I kept gravitating to the Taylor, so the others slowly fell away and were replaced not only with Taylors, but all GAs. It's a blast to have the familiarity and reliability done in varying "spices"! I still toy with the idea of owning a Bourgeois OM, but for now, it's all Taylors all the time!

[MB]

I read an article recently (can't source it) where Bob Taylor said something to the effect that he doesn't understand why people own so many guitars. Coming from him that made me question my own insanity on this topic. With premium tone wood supplies dwindling....how many guitars does a guy really need? Well...I need one for open G tuning and one for standard on the gig....and a back up so 3. Then there's the baritone that is fun to jam on with other guitar players. But then I see Wood N Steel and WHAM! I want the flavor of the season! That Koa 326ce-k is calling my name!

While Taylor does make exceptional guitars, I think the philosophy of the company contributes to my wanting for more of these beautiful instruments. They don't rest on their laurels. They innovate. They improve. They push the boundaries and take risks...like completely overhauling their best selling 800 series when it's on top! Or moving the pickup element behind the saddle on the ES2. Or Bob Taylor learning about the ebony being wasted because of the color not being right. So he buys the mill and starts using the smoky ebony. Brilliant! The culture at Taylor is what I believe makes these things possible. I don't see the other companies doing things on that level. Martin makes great guitars too....and they have a heritage....BUT...they are not Taylor's.

Many things can factor into a buying decision....but at the end of the day....when you pick up a guitar that you can't put down, that's the one! Or the 10th!

[CodeBlueEMT]

Kool-Aid comes in a variety of flavors, just like tonewood.

[dangrunloh]

I don't think I have quite drunk the kool-aid yet. However, I only like guitars with 1-3/4 necks.  I'll be happy to play any other 1-3/4 neck guitars that I can find here in the rural Midwest.  I've played 1 Larrivee and exactly zero Martins... and about 15 Taylors, so there you go.

[oogaboogachiefwalkingdeer]

Martin makes great guitars too....and they have a heritage....BUT...they are not Taylor's.

That's why I purchased the Martin.