Amps

[Dolf]

Very interesting listen. I think he's doing the right thing, overall.

[Dann'sTheMan]

Great link - thanks for posting. I've owned my Brazilian Rosewood Taylor for 13 years (from new), and there are lighter streaks in her ebony fretboard. Bob Taylor and indeed the company has always struck me as a man of integrity. I was privileged to meet him a couple of years ago when I was picking up my "Rose" in El Cajon following a refinish (a significant amount of work that Taylor decided to do free of charge). The video struck me as a grown up, honest, explanation of why this stance is being taken. Taylor have never been afraid of standing alone and arguing their approach, and they've often succeeded in bringing the industry around to their way of thinking (e.g. humidity control of solid wood guitars, the validity of bolt-on neck acoustics). IMO, they didn't succeed in convincing the industry regarding their finger-jointed headstocks, but at least they gave it a good go, and their NT neck join is simply unique. IMO, I think Bob Taylor is motivated to leave the guitar industry in better shape than when he found it. I think this approach to ebony management is a worthy cause, and I wish him the very best in changing the industry (again), Big smiles, Andy. P.S. FWIW, I'm still very much a fan of Taylor guitars. I was at a Taylor roadshow event two weeks ago, and fell in love with a glorious 12 fret Grand Concert (couldn't justify the purchase with my "Rose" covering similar sonic territory). I'm a fan of other makers too - I was lucky enough to get a tour of Santa Cruz guitars by Richard Hoover himself, and I love his guitars.

[rleechb]

Great link, and I agree with what Mr. Taylor is doing.



There's a part of me, however, that says he went, "Wait, you're just leaving that wood in the forest? Maybe I should have you bring that stuff in, I'll reimage Taylor as a green company, and have plenty of ebony, b-stock or not, to make guitars with. WIN."

[madrigal77]

It makes me wish I had gotten my Carvin Custom instead of a new amp. By the time I'm able to afford it again, all black ebony will probably be super expensive .

[Johnny Two Tone]

Great link, and I agree with what Mr. Taylor is doing. There's a part of me, however, that says he went, "Wait, you're just leaving that wood in the forest? Maybe I should have you bring that stuff in, I'll reimage Taylor as a green company, and have plenty of ebony, b-stock or not, to make guitars with. WIN."

Does it really matter what the motive is if the end result is the same?

[marshallnoise]

The ebony on my Taylor has a few light spots. I'm not really feminine enough to care about the aesthetics of my fret board. I like ebony because of the way it sounds and feels.

And that is my thought too. Ebony in guitars is more to do with feel and how snappy it sounds than it is to do with looks. At least for me. And good on Bob for being a GREAT business man. Men like Bob Taylor are heroes. Innovation every step of the way, including business tactics. God bless that Hank Rearden of a guitar manufacturer.

[kulardenu]

Taylor Rocks!

[mbarn3065]

I like Gibson acoustics. Gibson uses alternative woods instead of ebony and rosewood.

[murdock]

didn't watch the video. too boring. taylor acoustics all day!

[rushtallica]

Because guitarists and musicians in general are notoriously resistant to new materials, and will say they sound horrible without ever even having used them. How long did it take basswood to be accepted as a decent tonewood? People still say it is a shitty wood that sounds bad because it is less expensive and relatively new compared to alder or mahogany. There are shitty cheap woods out there like pawlownia of course....

The basswood guitars I've had sounded fine for metal, but I didn't think they sounded quite right or at least not what I preferred for rock/blues-rock. But if basswood was the only type of wood around acceptable to use I'd have no problem with it.

[Cibyl]

Sounds more like the dude from Taylor will control what is used for many luthiers and builders, furniture makers, flooring contractors, and you gatt damn well bet he will charge a premium for unblemished ebony. IDK I'm a little skeptical of this enviro speak bullshit. If he's doing this for the right reasons fine, but imo most of these guys conserving one thing are rich dudes and abuse the hell out of other stuff they are not building/making. The other side like this guy from Taylor suggests is he will be in control. That means he sets the price. Not quite for the conservation effort as much as it is control of supply side econ. Its like teh push on CF bulbs that closed the incandescent mfg facilities in the USA so we can buy fucking Chinese made CF bulbs just to have the energy companies raise rates when consumption is low. Conserve my ass.. it's more control than anything else.

All the points you make are valid enough -- Taylor controlling a large part of the supply, raising the value of the "pure" black ebony, etc. Dood is rich, we're not,...who cares. But I look at it this way, at least those other 18 trees that were cut down aren't just laying on the ground not being used and rotting way. There's way more to this than just the value of the wood, the usage, etc. So many people love to joke about all the "save the rain forest" etc,...environmental pussies. We can joke all we want but it's a legit problem with legit outcomes.

[Cibyl]

Oh -- thanks for posting the vid. Very interesting and I agree with what Mr Taylor is doing. Maybe I'll buy another Taylor some day -- I dig my Guild's much more though.

[HKSblade1]

All the points you make are valid enough -- Taylor controlling a large part of the supply, raising the value of the "pure" black ebony, etc. Dood is rich, we're not,...who cares. But I look at it this way, at least those other 18 trees that were cut down aren't just laying on the ground not being used and rotting way. There's way more to this than just the value of the wood, the usage, etc. So many people love to joke about all the "save the rain forest" etc,...environmental pussies. We can joke all we want but it's a legit problem with legit outcomes.

We don't know what's being rotted away either. I'm sure most of it is used for other non guitar products. When it comes to custom stringed instruments, that's different. If he's pricing the boards as high as traditional non blemished ebony then its their fucking fault it isn't being used in more budget friendly musical instruments. Many would buy $400 guitars with blemished ebony. I wasn't attempting to joke.. I basically said the guy claims its all about saving the environment for which I am extremely skeptical. He knows high end companies and custom shop consumers along with many major artists will want the best choice woods and he'll basically control the pricing of certain fingerboard woods. I just wish these guys would be completely honest and most of them are not. It's as bad as politicians. It sounds like a great idea, but there's always something in it for them besides the idea of doing something righteous, especially on a scale like this.