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Happy Birthday, Taylor Guitars

I just bought a Taylor this Spring.  And I don’t regret that decision one bit.  I got a sweet deal on an incredible guitar.  But let me indulge in some window shopping on their latest set of masterpieces: the 35th anniversary series.

Taylor is venturing into new territory on some of their acoustic offerings with a 9-string, a Parlor guitar, and a Baritone.

I had never seen a 9-string before, which has a doubled b string and octave-doubled d and g strings.  It’s supposed to offer the best of both the 6 and 12 string guitar (defined bass and highs that aren’t too trebly).  I’m intrigued.  I hope to try one out someday:

Taylor 35th Anniversary 9-string Guitar

Taylor 35th Anniversary 9-string Guitar

A parlor guitar is a smaller bodied guitar, and goes back to the days of early America, when music was primarily played in people’s homes (for a fantastic read on the history of guitar in America, check out Guitar: An American Life by Tim Brookes):

A Tour of J Warwick Guitars

Hand-carved pick by Rob
Hand-carved pick by Rob

Turns out the Taylor guitar I bought this Spring had a bad part in the electronics.  Taylor referred me to a nearby luthier who does warranty work for them.  A lifetime warranty is a happy thing!  Of course my wife says I spent so much on that guitar that “it’d BETTER have a lifetime warranty!”

Sending me to someone who makes guitars is probably not a good idea financially.  It’s kinda like giving my son a credit card and sending him to Gamestop to window shop… but hey– a guy’s gotta do what a guy’s gotta do. :)

Not to be confused with Warwick Basses, J Warwick Guitars is the team of Jim Warwick and Rob Mock, who make custom, handcrafted acoustic guitars.  They make a great team.  What struck me about their work is the quality, attention to detail, and creativity.  Rob’s skill at woodcarving adds an exciting element to Jim’s expert luthery.

United Breaks Guitars, Song 2

Dave Carroll is keeping his promise to write 3 songs about United Airlines baggage handlers breaking his Taylor guitar.  Here’s song 2:

United Breaks Guitars Aftermath: United Makes Amends; Taylor Guitars Offers Guitar Repair and Air Travel Tips

UPDATE: Dave Carroll has posted a response on YouTube:

In the aftermath of the United Breaks Guitars video (posted below if you haven’t seen it), United Airlines has offered Dave Carroll $3k for his troubles, but he asked that it be donated to the Thelonius Monk Institute of Jazz for music education for kids…so that’s what United is doing, according to info they posted on Twitter yesterday (@UnitedAirlines).

Meanwhile, Taylor Guitars has released a video in which Bob Taylor talks about the Taylor Factory Service Center and offers tips and help for guitarists who travel by air. The air travel resources he mentions in the video are on the Taylor Web site.

If you haven’t seen it, here’s Dave Carroll’s wonderful song about his Taylor guitar being damaged by United Airlines: United Breaks Guitars:

Uh-oh Taylor Guitars, What Have You Done?!

Taylor 716ce LTDTHE PLAN was to pay off some debt, save some cash, and plunk it down on a Taylor 816ce for my 40th birthday next year.  So I consulted with a couple of female friends about my plan (a strategy I HIGHLY recommend guys), and presented it to my wife who voiced her…support!  Happy Bday to me!

Now, mind you, the 816ce is a pretty hefty chunk of change.  And as much as I love the sound of this guitar for fingerstyle playing, I’m still wrestling with the idea of putting out 3 bills for it.  As I’ve been following my plan faithfully and putting aside a little extra cash here and there, I’ve also been dropping by the guitar shop now & then to try out other guitars and see if I can find something just as awesome for a little less cash.

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