The Taylor has arrived!

[pooterpatty]

To quote Ferris Bueller, "it is SO choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up".

I'd said before that I would kiss the FedEx man when he showed up, and I did. Luckily for me, the delivery man was a delivery woman, and while she was a bit taken aback with my obvious enthusiasm, the good news is that I now have a date for Saturday night

I was a bit apprehensive about the weight at first, as FedEx said the package was 19 pounds. I was hoping that a hardshell case would be included, and it was - a really nice hardshell case with velvety black lining and nice big pockets for picks, straps, and contraband. When I picked the guitar up, I was amazed at how light it is. I'll be able to play an entire show with this without fatigue. It's actually lighter than my Ibanez RG! Even though it's lightweight, it's definitely not cheap. This thing is so resonant - it's loud as hell before you even plug it in! I can tell a lot of thought went into the wood choices.

The neck is silky smooth, with a Les Paul-like profile, and is well balanced. Even though the neck is connected to the body with only one bolt, the marriage is rock-solid, and I couldn't even fit a hair in the gap. The frets look to be medium size, and the fretwork is impeccable. No rough spots, no buzz anywhere, and unlike every other guitar I've ever bought, it was PERFECTLY intonated right out of the box. I'm picky as hell, but there's not a thing that I will change about this guitar. Action is perfect, controls feel chunky and solid, and they're placed right where they need to be.

How does it sound? Orgasmic! It's the only guitar I've played with dual humbuckers that has a 5-position switch. I can get any sound I want out of it. I can't wait to plug it into my Showman and crank it up to 10. I can already tell the sound will be huge.

I'm supposed to be working right now, so I just wanted to post a quick review and let Sonoma know that my new baby has arrived. I don't have a digital camera at the moment, so I have to wait for a friend to get off work before I can post some pictures. As soon as I have some taken, I'll post them here (probably later tonight). And of course a sound test on Riffcaster will be forthcoming as well

Thanks again to David from Taylor, and of course everyone at Sonoma! You've made my year!

[blue4u]

A new guitar AND a date with a woman to boot?!?! I cry fowl here!!! There was NO mention of a FedEX woman in this contest...

[bluesydude]

Enjoy it to the max!

[pooterpatty]

Actually Rich that was just a joke. I'm way too homely lookin' to scam a date from the FedEx lady, not to mention the fact that indiscriminately kissing strangers can probably get ya arrested for attempted sexual assault. Everything else is true though

[SoCaljammer]

Awesome Pooter, you deserved it.
Can't wait to hear it though!

[Charvelguy]

Firstly, congrats again.
Second, did you have a choice over the pickups? did this come with the chrome mini type hums or the open face std hums? From what I understand, the guitar was pretty much built around the pickups.
I didn't realize this was a bolt supported neck system but then again, in the few ads and articles I've read, they have not shown the backside of this. I'm wondering if even the custom model is like that?
This was the std model right?

Well, I wish not to detract from your experience.. so make some more music and enjoy!

[pooterpatty]

Mine is the Standard with the open humbuckers. It is only one bolt holding the neck on, but it feels like I could go out and pound railroad spikes with it. Very solid. You can see pictures of it on Taylor's website, but I'll post some of my own later on. And I don't think anything could detract from my experience

[Wedgebill]

Excellent news Pooter, can't wait to hear it


I'm a bit concerned about Rich though, exactly which breed of fowl has he been crying about, Rhode Island Redneck maybe ? :rollover ducky: :rolleyes:

[meesh]

Man oh man, you lucky dog... it sure does sound like an amazing instrument. Big time congrats again and I can't wait to hear it!

[cwight]

Hey Pooter just enjoy, it's well deserved and I can't wait to hear you blast away on it, just promise the Tele ain't retired I love to hear you playing that thing....

[mickeymix]

Great news Poots....I can't wait to hear what "she" sounds like!

[Mozzarello]

Congrats Pooter! Nice Review, and as many others here, we're expecting another killer tune with this babeeee.

[riffer7777]

get yer camera out so we can have a butchers at the tinker taylor !!!great stuff potterpatty cant wait to hear the little monster,you deserve it !!!

[fooks]

so coooool, pooter!! enjoy it!

[pooterpatty]

As promised, here's a pic. Pay no attention to the man behind the guitar





This photo is unaltered. Yes, the color really is that striking!

I know it looks like I'm not happy, but they never said "smile" before taking the picture. By the time we realized it of course, the battery in the stupid camera died. I'm charging it now, and will post more pictures soon (sans creepy lookin dude in the background).

I want to thank Michelle and the gang at Sonoma for getting this out to me so quick. If I was forced to "allow 4-6 weeks for delivery" I think I woulda gone nuts with anticipation! More pics, and tunes, to follow