Lunch Report Tue July 12, 2011

[darwinohm]

It is 2:00 and no lunch report so I will bring up a whole new subject today, but first, lunch. I had a great Reuben with Iced Tea at Joe Sensors with researcher Scott Wolter. We were Runestoning it!.

Last week I was doing research prior to buying the Taylor Sb-2. There is not a lot information available so I thought "What better than start on the Taylor guitar forum". I signed up and started my search. I could not post until I had been approved so I did searches. This is a large forum. I could find no posts on the SB-2 but did find some on the T-5 and T-3. This is really an acoustic forum but have sub-forums for acoustic, general Taylor forum and other sub-forums. Two days ago I was given access to post. I posted a short post introducing myself, mentioned that I was an electric guy and had several brands of guitars and had purchased a Taylor. I also asked for experiences or opinions of this model. I also posted a picture which is encouraged. More than 48 hours later there have been 77 reads and no responses. I am beginning to wonder if I am in the wrong forum, or am I the first guy to own one of these? I don't think so as they were shown at NAMM. I know that they are acoustic people but many list electrics in their signature. The question, what is my next move or should I just move on? They really seem to share some good information on that forum.

That brings up the next discussion point. I found this forum right from the get go to be friendly, informative and a great source for information. If someone here hasn't done it or have an answer, it probably doesn't need to be done. I also know that G&L watches very closely for input on products and Craig is most beneficial and a great interface to the factory. There are a lot of members of old who no longer post. I think this is a friendly environment and we all respect each other and get along well. Personally, I think that we have a gem here. I know that if I posted information requests about a G&L that I would have more answers in 48 hrs than I probably could handle. Let me know what you think?????? Darwin

[sickbutnottired]

Lunch, Subway two days in a row.....oh well.

I can't help on the Taylor forum. Sometimes straight acoustic players as a group seem a little more mercurial than absolutely necessary, but who knows. And I do think that most folks would be there for acoustic info sense taylor is newer to the electric market. BTW, that guitar is beaut. I look forward to hearing more about it.

This forum is indeed a gem. I often feel like Craig deserves a few more kudos than he gets.

[yowhatsshakin]

Hey Darwin,

Thanks for picking up the LR today!

Lunch: left over risotto con gamberetti, or in good ol' American English, italian rice with shrimps. I made it yesterday evening; takes time and attention to make a good risotto, but it's worth it!

I can think of many theories why you don't get too many responses on the Taylor forum. For one, Taylor became well known as a builder of high quality acoustic guitars. Although they are producing electrics for quite a while now, the forum might still draw in predominantly acoustic players who have very little experience with the electric models. BTW, if you talk about the T-5 and to a slightly lesser extend the T-3, both have still very much a semi-acoustic aura over them and might be called electric acoustics. (Think 'Electric Spanish' in Gibson lingo). The solid body models may very well be perceived as completely different beasts and hence not too many on the forum will have one.

Like Paul Reed Smith, Bob Taylor basically figured out how to build acoustics well but still be able to scale up almost to mass production. So another reason might be that Taylor is too big and is attracting a different kind of customer. What I mean is that when talking about brands like Santa Cruz, Collings, Bourgeois, John Suhr, Tom Anderson, Nik Huber in Germany, and I would even include G&L here, these smaller, but still medium sized, manufacturers usually have very enthusiastic and loyal customers. Their websites will be visited by rabid fans of the brand who, because the brand is lesser known, will have done more research than one would do for the better known brands, and hence may either know something they truly like to share with their brethren (or are just more opinionated ). What all these brands all have in common, as do many other even smaller shops, is that each of them is building a better version of well known mouse-traps: Martin and Gibson acoustic models, Fender and Gibson electric models. The latter is still true for Bill Collings and his line of electrics. BTW, why are there so many acoustic guitar builders who all of a sudden make the switch to electric? Bob Taylor, Bill Collings, Jean Larrivée. And then Paul Smith is going the other way around!

Still, I have a special place in my heart for the people at Taylor because they helped Tim Page and G&L deal with the pearloid binding on Tim's Z-2 model. This guitar would not be able to be as is without their generous help and input when they were not making electrics yet mind you.

But not getting too many responses also happens on this forum once in a while. I remember some posters here complaining that they got 'so many view' but nobody gave a response But like you Darwin, I absolutely love this place. It would indeed be great if some of the old timers would chime in once in a while, and many of them do. But you can answer the same question only that many times before you would like somebody else to pick up the slack. I mean, how many times has Boogie Bill answered the 'How do PTB controls work?' question? Not that I want you to stop Bill !

- Jos

[blargfromouterspace]

I fully agree this about this forum, there's a great bunch of guys around here and Craig does a great job. Darwin, if they don't want you at the Taylor forum it's their loss. Jos could be right about them being players with little experience of electrics, or it could be that the fans of Taylor guitars are wary of this new product. A similar example can be found here with the G&L branded stomp-boxes. I recall only one member here who has one, and as a bunch of guys who like G&L guitars enough to devote time to writing about them on the internet almost everyday I'd have expected more of us to have bought one. So maybe the Taylor electric is the Taylor version of the G&L stompbox????

I had a nice surprise on my doorstep today - a 212 speaker cab I got on ebay for a great price. Still too early here to fire it up, and I have to make a speaker cable, but I might just make a bit of noise today!

[darwinohm]

Hey folks, I had a PM from SouthpawGuy and I think that he hit the nail on the head. I had posted on the Taylor general forum. He suggested that I post on the Taylor Electric forum, which I just did. I am surprised that no one on the forum mentioned that but I want to thank one of our own for noticing this. Now we will see what happens. Stay tuned-- Darwin

[zapcosongs]

I'm just checking in to say I liked Jos' post.

Darwin, what got you to pull the trigger on the Taylor? You're a low-ender at heart aren't you, and you seem to have a good supply of six stringers to boot! - ed

PS: What's the latest on The Stone?

(edited to put a question mark after "Taylor.")

[darwinohm]

Zap, I am always looking for something new. I am a retired emptynester so I am able to scrape up a few bucks now and them. I buy guitars because it is like money in the bank and they are so sweet to look at. I have never owned a Taylor. I am not an acoustic guy and am basically a lowender at heart but love to play six string. So, I was intrigued by the build quality of the Taylor solid body, though it is chambered, and it is a damn decent sounding guitar. So, I picked up one last week. I have not left the G&L fold and am almost ready to pull the trigger on another G&L. I just haven't engaged Ginny yet. Any good ideas???? Wouldn't you know, I just buy a guitar and they pulled me aside yesterday on a perfect used Legacy and offered it at a price I can argue with. I don't have GAS but could get some at this rate.

The Rune Stone is a done deal but we will always have some skeptics. They do not have any evidence against it but this is a very political subject in Scandinavia. It reminds me of people arguing religion. They believe but are not sure why but were told or raised to believe. Science is on our side and it takes a lot of my time but what can I say when I'm having a good time! Thanks for asking Ed and you have a great evening and tomorrow. My ribs are healing and I will be fit as a fiddle before I know it!!!! Maybe I'll have one more. Ed, I wished you lived close by and I bet you would join me. -- Darwin-- By the way, I always enjoy Yow's posts. He hasn't had a bad one yet.

[sirmyghin]

Can't chime in much today, but this place is pretty good. I have found a few good places, and a lot of bad ones over time.

Never been on the Taylor forum though, so can't chime in there.

[gitman001]

Hey all,
As a relative newbie, this forum has been a fantastic place to read, share and learn. I agree that there is a great group of guys here and personally I have felt very welcome since day 1.

With time at a premium (you know with the 4 and 2 yr old) I wish I could chime in more, but I do find myself reading every post and I usually end up checking the site twice a day at least. Cudos to guys like Darwin, jos, Jamie, sirmy and many others who take the time to post non stop. I think without you guys the site would be a ghost town. I have noticed fewer posts and replies than when I first joined (especially in LR) a few months back - maybe it is a seasonal thing, it is my first summer round here!

Still waiting for the sc-2 call........... That should give us something to talk about

Scott

[zapcosongs]

Hey Darwin -

We seem to have some things in common. For example, I also prefer my ribs tender.... ;+) - ed

[darwinohm]

Ed, tender they are!!! Bed time-- Darwin

[sam]

Hey Darwin nice pinch hit,

Speaking of pinch hit how about the National League!!! Any baseball fans and All Star game watchers?

Not a Taylor owner, Martin in my house...but all geetars need a voice. Not my voice of course!!

You are very correct, this site is a still a gem. Lots of great input and suggestions that the great Darth Invader takes to heart. Even better, Craig watches closely and gives guitars to random posters..or was that posers? (hey Craig didjacatchthisone )

Glad to hear rib is healing, surgery on foot finally healing with me and my youngest was released by orthopedist two days ago. My wife says everyone is getting steel-toed shoes! Best of health to all.

[RampageFan]

Hi Darwin,

Thanks for picking up the slack. Last year I decided to buy my first guitar since 1998. I was totally happy with my Jackson and Ibanez and didn't feel the need for a 3rd. In the last 4 years my kids have graduated and I have a lot more time to devote to my guitars. I decided I wanted to replace my old Rampage that I sold years ago and started looking to buy a used one. Couldn't find one anywhere. So I started researching G&L and found this site. I must say that it is a great tool and I have learned a lot. I agree that the people here are great. I lurk everyday and don't participate like I should, I'm just a quiet guy who listens to what other's have to say. While searching this site it was obvious the old guys don't post here much anymore, and I often wonder why. I wish they would because I would love to hear about their collections and knowledge about G&L's history.

As a result of this site, and the fact that G&L does monitor, it's made me a die hard fan. In the last year I have bought 3 G&L's, and I have basically become a G&L collector. I'm always looking for the next G&L! So I agree, this is a great place and Craig deserves a lot more credit around here.

Just thought I'd share!
Dave

[Philby]

Thanks for stepping up today Darwin, broken ribs an' all. What a trouper!

I like hanging around here too. The folks are friendly and, most importantly, helpful and knowledgeable.

I wish the site had a virtual bar where we could hang out some more.

I've barely had time to fart the last few weeks. Hopefully it'll calm down the next couple of weeks when some people return from leave and I can read the threads properly.

[bassman]

hi Darwin. I do not know why some forums don,t generate responses. I know that work places are getting more vigilant about monitoring employees and where they go online. Sometimes people don't want to look stupid, so they don't reply.

I just bought a used Taylor Big Baby and it is a great acoustic.
I dig the Rune Stone!

[bassman]

hi Darwin. I do not know why some forums don,t generate responses. I know that work places are getting more vigilant about monitoring employees and where they go online. Sometimes people don't want to look stupid, so they don't reply.

I just bought a used Taylor Big Baby and it is a great acoustic.
I dig the Rune Stone!

[sirmyghin]

It is also important to note that a lot of brand forums are chalk full of fanboys who if it isn't >BRAND< it is trash

[darwinohm]

Hey folks, just wanted to let you know that SouthpawGuy steered me in the right direction on the Taylor forum and I did get some very good information. All is good!!

Thank you for all your responses and suggestions on this LR --Darwin

[zapcosongs]

Excellent.

But do they know about The Stone over there? - ed