TAYLOR Acoustic - Opinions/Tips

MNAirHead · #1 09-14-2011, 01:22 AM

I do some work with an acoustic player -- he recently switched from an Ovation (USA model) to a Taylor.

Any tips on getting a Taylor to warm up??

I've had him try hole plugs, lighter picks, different EQ etc... different DI boxes...

For some reason, it's always metallic and harsh - I've also encountered this with other Taylor owners.

I'm well aware that our ears are used to hearing "Martin-ish" acoustics.

Gearhead17 · #2 09-14-2011, 01:18 PM

Possibly different strings to warm up the tone. Martin's, from my experiences with them, are very rich sounding and have a very unique tone. Much different than what Taylor does. Maybe your ears like the Martin tone better, but I would definitely not call the Taylor sound harsh in any way.

muljoe · #3 09-14-2011, 02:10 PM

I have always thought Taylors sound like a tin can. There was one Koa Taylor a friend which sounds really full and rich. But 95% of Taylors I have heard sound like you said, metallic and harsh. You could try the L.R. Baggs para DI, that is by far my favorite for acoustic, it really brings acoustics to life. Unfortunately, they do not change the tone that much...so if you have a harsh sound going in...you will probably have a harsh tone coming out. Maybe worth a shot though. I would agree that maybe strings could help, or a different pickup...I have never been a huge fan of their expression pickup.

But as a Martin guy...I'd say just tell him to buy a Martin!!!!

zachbass02 · #4 09-15-2011, 09:40 AM

ditch the taylor and get something else. =) JK...

Which Taylor model is it? I've noticed that until you get to a certain price point, Taylors seem to sound thin and have no body. Some of the higher end models have some body to their sound though (like basically the 514 model on up). Every one of their acoustic/electric thin body things that I've heard, like the T5, has sounded like a tin can......maybe try a high end tube DI like an Avalon U5. I've known several acoustic players around Nashville that use them for their live DI to warm up a guitar tone.

walker rosewood · #5 09-15-2011, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Any tips on getting a Taylor to warm up??

Before opening the thread I was already prepared to say "yeah, sell it and buy a Martin".

I concur with everyone else so far, 95% of Taylors sound awful. If you've got sweepable eq's, set one knob between 1k-3.5k (fiddle with it) and roll it off hard. Then set another to 250 and crank it up until it sounds sort of like a real guitar. You can try boosting 80 also, but even on a Taylor that might start to get boomy.

Also, work with the eq's on the guitar's preamp. And if there's a 'presence' knob turn it down.

Still, it's an acoustic instrument with physical properties. Without improving the wood and shape, there's little you can do.

6jase5 · #6 09-15-2011, 10:28 AM

I come to this differently as an owner of a few acoustics. I have several older Martins (D35 and D28) and although I like both, I won't say that they are better than most Taylors as a blanket statement. Perhaps more bottom end typically, but not "better" in finish and finger picking clarity. Like Gibson, Fender and everyone else, Martin has had some good years and many not so good years. Some of the higher ended 9 series Taylors and R. Taylors (higher end models) are some of the nicest I've ever heard.

Must be stated, Goodall's are the best acoustic I've ever played hands down followed by Huss and Dalton, Bourgeois, R.Taylor and then Martin.

As stated for a fix, I would highly suggest looking at the electronics, signal path and strings which define much of the amplified sound. That said, a tinny guitar unplugged will usually be a tinny guitar plugged in.

MNAirHead · #7 09-15-2011, 11:14 AM

This isn't a Taylor bash... ..

More of what I can do to provide a better sound.

I assume I'm doing something wrong...

I'll check the model (I'm aware it's relevant) I know it's like a $1500 price point.

It almost sounds through the PA that it's a guitar intended for finger picking forced to be a strummer.

I'll print this out and bring the EQ suggestions.

Mojo-Man · #8 09-15-2011, 11:18 AM

What model Taylor does he have ?

Each one sounds different, he may simply have the wrong one.

Vinny D · #9 09-15-2011, 11:19 AM

I was providing sound for an acoustic performer last night that was using a pretty nice Taylor and a cheap Fender acoustic.
After the third song into the first set the Taylor started sounding very thin and tin'ish sounding. I had the performer switch to the Fender and it sounded fantastic.
I told the performers husband to try changing the battery in the Taylor and see if it helps.
Made the change and the Taylor sounded like a completely different guitar.
Had plenty of fullnes and warmth and the tin'ish sound we were experiencing early was no longer there.

So....make sure you always have a fresh battery in your acoustic as it really made a world of difference.

silky smoove · #10 09-15-2011, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zachbass02

maybe try a high end tube DI like an Avalon U5.

There are no tubes in an Avalon U5.

Back on-topic: My experience with Taylor is lmited to one acoustic owned by one of the guitar players in a band I was in up until 2009. He owned the Taylor, and a Martin. I don't know the models, but he quantified them by saying that they were both about $1,000. At the $1,000 pricepoint (assuming he was accurate), the Taylor sounded and played infinitely better than the Martin. Based on this experience I had always assumed that Taylors were incredible. I'll be purchasing a new acoustic this year for a new project, and I'll have to give Taylor a more objective look after hearing the comments in this thread.

zachbass02 · #11 09-15-2011, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silky smoove

There are no tubes in an Avalon U5.

.

ooops...regardless, try a higher end DI. What DI's have you tried on it so far? I've heard the radial JDI works great too. My friend that played acoustic for Sara Evans used to use an LR Baggs for his acoustic instruments, recently became a big fan of the JDI for his acoustics.

Munjibunga · #12 09-15-2011, 12:33 PM

My partner in my trio plays a Taylor with a cocobolo body, and it sounds fantastic. Maybe you need to try a Taylor with different wood. (I know, it's a little late for that.)

MNAirHead · #13 09-15-2011, 08:32 PM

Model
214-CE-G

walterw · #14 09-15-2011, 08:44 PM

OK, that one has a regular under-saddle pickup, as opposed to the full-on expression system.

it should sound fine plugged in, pretty much like any other under-saddle equipped acoustic.

a bit of compression is nice, to tame the high end "quack" of hard-strummed piezo pickups.

the rest is just EQing to taste.

Fab_Superlative · #15 09-15-2011, 09:13 PM

Test drive a Fishman, Aura spectrum DI pedal.

I own one, and get good results when running a Taylor 210e, (strung with Elixir's) thru it.

Here's a blurb about the ES-T pickup that is installed on these series of Taylor guitars.

ES-T Pickup
Inspired by Taylor's Expression System technology, the Expression System Transducer, or ES-T, is a single-source, under-saddle transducer with individual elements for each string. (The ES-T was originally called the ES Element, but the name was changed to avoid confusion with another product.) The ES-T has an onboard preamp and the same active controls found on the full Expression System. Featuring a custom-voiced EQ and dynamic response, the system is powered by a 9-volt battery, with a battery life LED power indicator (which is lit when the battery is being used). The pickup also has a Phase switch for feedback control, which is located on the preamp board inside the soundhole.

**Ukiah Bass** · #16 09-16-2011, 08:14 AM

I've successfully warmed up a Tacoma Thunderchief fretless two ways. It's strung with black nylon tapewounds. And I use a SIB Fatdrive tube preamp. The pre does wonders. Other brands will probably work as well.

bigtexashonk · #17 09-16-2011, 08:53 AM

Martin Marquis strings help.

AnchorHoy · #18 09-18-2011, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNAirHead

Any tips on getting a Taylor to warm up??

I work with a singer/songwriter who has an all-Koa Taylor that has even more of that "tinny tendency" the run-of-the-mill Taylors I've encountered elsewhere

One thing we've both found in connection with hers is that it is extremely sensitive to not only string gauges but also what type of metal is used for the wound strings. Huge difference between 80/20 Bronze and Phosphor Bronze in exactly the same gauges, with Phosphor Bronze consistently getting the nod for "warmth"

MNAirHead · #19 09-18-2011, 01:51 PM

any suggestions for guages...

I was thinking of asking him NOT to change strings.. this may bring out more mids (like it does in a martin)

atomicdog · #20 09-18-2011, 08:52 PM

i own Taylors (410 spruce top/Ovongkol back and sides) and 714CE (cedar top/Indian rosewood back and sides). I also own a Martin mahogany 000-15. I've never had trouble with the Taylors sounding harsh or cold (quite the opposite--their known for rich clear bass that Martins lack), though I think the Expression system is crap (1st generation). The Taylors below the old 400 series (now G4) can sound thin. Try micing them instead of using the pickup (or use a better DI, as another member suggested).