I've had this exact guitar for a couple of weeks now. Absolutely love it! I've been playing for 17 years. I have had PRS (no SE models, the real ones), strats, les pauls, etc... This guitar does sound and play different than all of those, but not in a "bad" way. If I wanted to sound like everyone else I'd buy what everyone else is playing!
See, I like this honesty. I'm sure Taylor don't want to hear this but you're doing them a favor. An upgrade may perhaps be in order. Thanks for your comment.
I absolutely love playing the SB1; it's a little bit of everything, and yet, not quite like anything. Years to come, these guitars will be worth a lot of money.
Thanks for the great review of this classic. I am surprised to see them going used for so little. ~$700. I think further down the road they will be appreciated. I have been playing mine through an old Fender Blues Deluxe and a newer Line6. The pickups are wired a bit different than most would expect, I think. The bridge is a work of art as is the axe in general. Glad to hear you fingerpicking Lagrange a song that influenced me long ago. I have seen other players around Austin playing these, but not many. Regardless, I will be keeping mine. Blanca.
Great tone from that Taylor. I'm wondering what amp you're playing through? I'm thinking it might be a good comparison to play a standard strat and then the new guitar being reviewed so we can get a good comparison of a known guitar tone vs. the reviewed guitar tone. When I hear great tone like this I'm always left wondering just a bit if its really the guitar or a killer amp and effect setup that I'm digging.
Well I feel the need to pipe in here for some of the folks that have expressed some negatives about the classic solidbodies from Taylor. To those who say the control knobs are to slippery when trying to grab them Taylor has three rings specifically cut into the knobs for small rubber o rings that come with the guitar (if you bought it new). Strings coming of the fret board was another complaint....measured the distance its the same as my USA tele and strat.
Hi John, let me tell you that u made a GREAT review of this FANTASTIC guitar! Really... I bought this guitar three years ago and never had been disappointed by any aspect of its characteristics. T-Lock system is a blessing cause it has the advantages of both bolt-on necks and neck-thru-body construction. These mini-humbuckers are magic and I NEVER had a hard time in order to get the sound I wanted from them. So, the headstock is slightly heavy? They can get a ukulele! Keep up the good work
I have the volume down really low so it doesn't drowned out my voice. We're set up quite poorly to get a maximum guitar sound. The amp is just a Roland Cube 30 but it makes all the reviews a fair contest...
@johnhguitar Thanks! Cause I was just wondering because Ive only played Taylor acoustics before and didn't know what to expect from a Taylor solid body electric and haven't seen one in person yet. I have been playing guitar for almost 12 years and set-up almost all my guitars and learned all I know from friends/luthier's. Sweet sounding guitar though! I cant believe your getting that kind of tone with just bare finger picking. Definitely a guitar I will be considering.
I was handed the guitar and gave the review my first impression without being an owner and having any preconceived ideas. It sounds like you've had more experience with this instrument than I have so YOU should say more about it so we can understand. This is not a job and I don't want to work at it any more than I need to.
I love this guitar! The lead singer from a band called "Pierce the Veil" plays one of these. (Not a huge fan of the band, but I saw this guitar in one of their music videos, and fell in love with the body style.) Looks like an acoustic guitar in thin, solid electric form. Haha
angelicpipes scores with a good point! Everyones ears and fingers are unique, as is every guitar neck, board, and body. Are there only 4 classic glove makers to fit everyone's need? For me, (and I dont care who else) I love this guitar and how it fits ME (not starsighter or anyone he might be trying to influence). I also have Gibsons, Tele's. Hair-era Ibanez's. They all are great, but the Taylor Solidbody and T3 fit me perfectly. Makes me want to play more - and thats why we play, right?
Nice review. I used to have the solid body classic but didn't love the mini HB's so sold it. But the guitar it'self was lovely, a very resonant instrument with a really nice neck. I should have kept it becuase Taylor brought out interchangable pickguards so I could have swapped to their SC's which sound very nice. Anyway, great lessons and reviews!
@johnhguitar I agree, someone likes wearing their hat, it's got nothing to do with whether they've given a balanced review of the guitar or whether their playing is good. Everyone has their own style & what appeals to them in the guitar world. You make a great sound Mr Johnguitar and thanks for doing good stuff !
I love the fact that you use your fingers! I do too, basically because I never really learned to play with plectrums (because I kept loosing them:P). Now I see you sometimes use a pick as well, but thats cool. I was just wondering if you could give me any tips, regarding what to look out for, how to/not to pick with the fingers, and maybe even what string types and thickness I should go for. I do not really know a lot myself about those types of things, and I do not have a teacher. Thanks =)
Oh when shall I visit my home country? The land of great artists, composers, scientists, etc. One day I will visit the town of HEUSENSTAMM and be reminded that my family at one time was truly honorable. Thanks for your comment.
(Continued)The neck is pretty narrow with the E strings so close to the edges you can roll them off the fret if you really play this thing hard. The bridge is a bugger to setup. The pickups are the thinnest humbuckers I have ever heard. I'm constantly trying to fatten them up. The volume and tone knobs are so small and smooth, making them difficult to use in a live show because they are hard to get a hold of.
im about to order a custom standard here in the next couple of days. they said it would take 5 months to make it and get it out to me. dose that sound right? i didnt know it would take so long. i have to say though, this guitar is sick!! it has a great classic sound that you could get from a strat or les paul, except its more original. i rarely see people playing one of these unless im specifically looking for people who play them. i cant wait to get mine.
Of course the guitar can be set up but how much do you know about that kind of skill? It's best to let a pro do it but if you do try make sure you have someone as backup in case you're not happy with the end result. Thanks
This model has similar look and feel but no coil taps. What it does have are active pickups which are a real delight. Setup and action are among the best that I've experienced from an internet modeled guitar. Beautiful tone, smooth low action and good intonation settings. here is the link to it in case anyone is interested:amzn.to\1ck0ubT
@johnhguitar HEY! I AM NOT 13 AND I AM not going to knock the verbal piss out of you either because you're awesome! We all owe you for all your help. Heck if it weren't for your reviews I would probably own a guitar right now that I regretted buying with every bone in my body. So thank you.
I use tens ,010 on the guitars that I bend notes on. As far as how to use your fingers just use them. Get a classical guitar method book and learn the exercises in there for the right hand....Carcassi is a good one....john
This guitar isn't overpriced at all. One can play on a Stradivarius but if one hasn't the educated mind to recognize its inner qualities better to play on a toy instrument... Greetings from Belgium
i want to get one with a trem bar. if i do, will i know it comes with locking tuners on the nut. but would i have to string it backwards like a floyd rose? i would rather not do that, but to have a trem bar it may be worth it. i wonder how they do with staying in tune with use of the trem bar?
Oh yea bridge setup is a breeze two allen adjustments on the bottom of the bridge assembly to adjust treble and bass sides. Beats doing six adjustments on a strat bridge or tele bridge and having them dig into your hands as your playing. About time someone developed a new bridge...And yes the pickups are different then a tele or les paul but duh its not trying to be a les paul or tele. PS 90% of tone comes from your fingers... and the high and low e distance to the edge is the same as a tele.
I love the fact you think youtube is public. If you look around there thousands of people doing dumb things beside me and my hat. What do you think of the guitar without saying anything about me?
@TheStratman2617 And what do you play? music that's already been done so well that it's only going to live in the shadow of its dead hero's until everyone loses interest. I bet change scares you shitless!
Yeah! Thanks for not knocking the shit out of me. I've summed up the youtube video world; IT'S A CHANCE FOR 13 YEAR OLD KIDS TO KNOCK THE VERBAL PISS OUT OF AN ADULT WITHOUT HAVING TO FACE HIM IN PERSON.
John I have a lot of respect for your reviews, but after ordering and playing on of these guitars for several months this might be your worst review. I ordered a lefty solid body with mini humbuckers, Boy am I regretting that purchase! The guitar is unbalanced, headstock heavy, with the body way too chambered. It feels like a 3/4 guitar, its smallish and thin (put some wood in this thing Mr Taylor).
I can't believe you compared it to anything classic.... just my opinions but there's a reason you don't see a lot of these on stage, they are way more suited to the studio and for me aren't a stage instruments. If anyone else considering buying one of these I'd couldn't recommend it.
It'll never catch on like a Strat or LP. Prove me wrong in a few years. Or more likely, don't. No disrespect to Bob Taylor or this guitar here, but it's just a side-project. His acoustics have taken off real well, with reason. This solidbody however looks and sounds bland - it's all been done before and the classics have been well established by now.
Cant see paying 2 grand for this. Very bland guitar. I wanted to like it but jeez could you be any more traditional and conservative? Nothing stands out as different from the millions of other guitars out there. I'd buy it for $899 probably.just cuz it does look kinda nice.
I've had this exact guitar for a couple of weeks now. Absolutely love it! I've been playing for 17 years. I have had PRS (no SE models, the real ones), strats, les pauls, etc... This guitar does sound and play different than all of those, but not in a "bad" way. If I wanted to sound like everyone else I'd buy what everyone else is playing!
i love that guitar.....its bright and twangy like a tele but warm and fat like an es-335 all at the same time....its beautiful.
Been through all the major US makers (Fender,Gibson,Rickenbacker) this is the first I'm totally happy with . Love my Taylor
Shame they dropped them. I'll miss 'em. Glad I got to have mine. Very solid(body) guitar, very versatile and loves the AC30 I play it through.
well said, amps love these guitars
See, I like this honesty. I'm sure Taylor don't want to hear this but you're doing them a favor. An upgrade may perhaps be in order.
Thanks for your comment.
Love my Custom Koa model. Gibson, strat and even acoustic tones in the 5th position on a clean amp.
Great sounding guitar and excellent playing! Thanks!
Great review. Thanks. I'm considering one of these in the Classic style (the ones with the plug-and-play pickguards).
i played one at the london guitar show(hawiian koa top), and i was truely blown away... a really remarkable instrument!
Spot on John, such an under rated guitar, amps love them
I absolutely love playing the SB1; it's a little bit of everything, and yet, not quite like anything. Years to come, these guitars will be worth a lot of money.
Thanks for the great review of this classic. I am surprised to see them going used for so little. ~$700. I think further down the road they will be appreciated. I have been playing mine through an old Fender Blues Deluxe and a newer Line6. The pickups are wired a bit different than most would expect, I think. The bridge is a work of art as is the axe in general. Glad to hear you fingerpicking Lagrange a song that influenced me long ago. I have seen other players around Austin playing these, but not many. Regardless, I will be keeping mine. Blanca.
I completely agree - one day; they will be serious collectors items :-)
Nice review, thanks for posting. Taylor's acoustics are sweet, glad to see there electrics are nice too.
Great tone from that Taylor. I'm wondering what amp you're playing through? I'm thinking it might be a good comparison to play a standard strat and then the new guitar being reviewed so we can get a good comparison of a known guitar tone vs. the reviewed guitar tone. When I hear great tone like this I'm always left wondering just a bit if its really the guitar or a killer amp and effect setup that I'm digging.
Well I feel the need to pipe in here for some of the folks that have expressed some negatives about the classic solidbodies from Taylor. To those who say the control knobs are to slippery when trying to grab them Taylor has three rings specifically cut into the knobs for small rubber o rings that come with the guitar (if you bought it new). Strings coming of the fret board was another complaint....measured the distance its the same as my USA tele and strat.
Hi John, let me tell you that u made a GREAT review of this FANTASTIC guitar! Really... I bought this guitar three years ago and never had been disappointed by any aspect of its characteristics. T-Lock system is a blessing cause it has the advantages of both bolt-on necks and neck-thru-body construction. These mini-humbuckers are magic and I NEVER had a hard time in order to get the sound I wanted from them. So, the headstock is slightly heavy? They can get a ukulele! Keep up the good work
Wow, it looks really nice. Thanks for the review!
Beautiful guitar and playing!
I have the volume down really low so it doesn't drowned out my voice. We're set up quite poorly to get a maximum guitar sound. The amp is just a Roland Cube 30 but it makes all the reviews a fair contest...
mixture of gibson lespaul custom and fender stratocaster... lovely
@johnhguitar
Thanks! Cause I was just wondering because Ive only played Taylor acoustics before and didn't know what to expect from a Taylor solid body electric and haven't seen one in person yet. I have been playing guitar for almost 12 years and set-up almost all my guitars and learned all I know from friends/luthier's. Sweet sounding guitar though! I cant believe your getting that kind of tone with just bare finger picking. Definitely a guitar I will be considering.
Yes, it has the mini humbucking pickups. How much high gain compared to what?
it looks great. sounds great too
I love this guitar! I hope they make a double cutaway guitar! -PK
Guitar sounds awesome.
me too, but im stuck on getting either that or the t5
I was handed the guitar and gave the review my first impression without being an owner and having any preconceived ideas. It sounds like you've had more experience with this instrument than I have so YOU should say more about it so we can understand. This is not a job and I don't want to work at it any more than I need to.
I love this guitar!
The lead singer from a band called "Pierce the Veil" plays one of these. (Not a huge fan of the band, but I saw this guitar in one of their music videos, and fell in love with the body style.) Looks like an acoustic guitar in thin, solid electric form. Haha
BillyBob Keith It's a Taylor SolidBody Custom
angelicpipes scores with a good point! Everyones ears and fingers are unique, as is every guitar neck, board, and body. Are there only 4 classic glove makers to fit everyone's need? For me, (and I dont care who else) I love this guitar and how it fits ME (not starsighter or anyone he might be trying to influence). I also have Gibsons, Tele's. Hair-era Ibanez's. They all are great, but the Taylor Solidbody and T3 fit me perfectly. Makes me want to play more - and thats why we play, right?
I so want one of those
Nice review. I used to have the solid body classic but didn't love the mini HB's so sold it. But the guitar it'self was lovely, a very resonant instrument with a really nice neck. I should have kept it becuase Taylor brought out interchangable pickguards so I could have swapped to their SC's which sound very nice.
Anyway, great lessons and reviews!
@johnhguitar I agree, someone likes wearing their hat, it's got nothing to do with whether they've given a balanced review of the guitar or whether their playing is good. Everyone has their own style & what appeals to them in the guitar world. You make a great sound Mr Johnguitar and thanks for doing good stuff !
I love the fact that you use your fingers! I do too, basically because I never really learned to play with plectrums (because I kept loosing them:P). Now I see you sometimes use a pick as well, but thats cool. I was just wondering if you could give me any tips, regarding what to look out for, how to/not to pick with the fingers, and maybe even what string types and thickness I should go for. I do not really know a lot myself about those types of things, and I do not have a teacher.
Thanks =)
Oh when shall I visit my home country? The land of great artists, composers, scientists, etc. One day I will visit the town of HEUSENSTAMM and be reminded that my family at one time was truly honorable.
Thanks for your comment.
I bought one of these used. The neck and ebony fretboard are awesome. This guitar is way under rated. It is very solid.
Just a few celebrities and it will take off. Thanks for the comment.
that's a pretty sweet blues tone
(Continued)The neck is pretty narrow with the E strings so close to the edges you can roll them off the fret if you really play this thing hard. The bridge is a bugger to setup. The pickups are the thinnest humbuckers I have ever heard. I'm constantly trying to fatten them up. The volume and tone knobs are so small and smooth, making them difficult to use in a live show because they are hard to get a hold of.
dude im not even looking at that guys hat. that guitar is SWEET.
Yes!!! you frickin' expert!!!! Tweed with a little gain. Your a smatr player. Thanks for the comment......John
thanks!
Thanks John for a great review, quick question: Is this USA made or import?
im about to order a custom standard here in the next couple of days. they said it would take 5 months to make it and get it out to me. dose that sound right? i didnt know it would take so long.
i have to say though, this guitar is sick!! it has a great classic sound that you could get from a strat or les paul, except its more original. i rarely see people playing one of these unless im specifically looking for people who play them. i cant wait to get mine.
sounds real sweet
i love how dramatic he looks when he says iconic XD
nice guitar, good review.
Of course the guitar can be set up but how much do you know about that kind of skill?
It's best to let a pro do it but if you do try make sure you have someone as backup in case you're not happy with the end result.
Thanks
That's some sweet playing! Here's one teenager who doesn't want to beat the piss out of you for your hat.
This model has similar look and feel but no coil taps. What it does have are active pickups which are a real delight. Setup and action are among the best that I've experienced from an internet modeled guitar. Beautiful tone, smooth low action and good intonation settings.
here is the link to it in case anyone is interested:amzn.to\1ck0ubT
@johnhguitar HEY! I AM NOT 13 AND I AM not going to knock the verbal piss out of you either because you're awesome! We all owe you for all your help. Heck if it weren't for your reviews I would probably own a guitar right now that I regretted buying with every bone in my body.
So thank you.
I use tens ,010 on the guitars that I bend notes on. As far as how to use your fingers just use them. Get a classical guitar method book and learn the exercises in there for the right hand....Carcassi is a good one....john
This guitar isn't overpriced at all. One can play on a Stradivarius but if one hasn't the educated mind to recognize its inner qualities better to play on a toy instrument... Greetings from Belgium
thanks
damn i want one of those!
Can I raise the action and set the inotation on this guitar myself or do I have to send it off to get it set up?
i want to get one with a trem bar. if i do, will i know it comes with locking tuners on the nut. but would i have to string it backwards like a floyd rose? i would rather not do that, but to have a trem bar it may be worth it. i wonder how they do with staying in tune with use of the trem bar?
How would I know?
Damn nice clean tone for humbucker pups
Thanks for the interest. These pickups aren't the same size as a regular humbucker.
My hat? Why on earth would anyone care about my ugly looks?
so how much does it retail for?
Stratman, you from Australia? Do I know you? I lived in Perth for 10 years and traveled all around the big island/continent. You're funny mate!
USA Thanks
i own one like this not all walnut its flame top and it ROCKSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Oh yea bridge setup is a breeze two allen adjustments on the bottom of the bridge assembly to adjust treble and bass sides. Beats doing six adjustments on a strat bridge or tele bridge and having them dig into your hands as your playing. About time someone developed a new bridge...And yes the pickups are different then a tele or les paul but duh its not trying to be a les paul or tele. PS 90% of tone comes from your fingers... and the high and low e distance to the edge is the same as a tele.
man i want that thing so bad and i've never even played it.
i just know its beautiful and if its a taylor it will be amazing. amiriteoramirite?!
They are totally different. You might need 'em both.
Could you tell me what amp that is?
I can't answer that.
Roland Cube 30
This is an amazing guitar...but then again John could probably make a 2x4 sound sweet
OUCH!
John im sorry for saying anything about you . but I like you.
sounds like tweed with a little gain
sounds as rich as a piano!
I love the fact you think youtube is public. If you look around there thousands of people doing dumb things beside me and my hat. What do you think of the guitar without saying anything about me?
When you can play half as good as this guy you can wear whatever the !@#$ you want.
@TheStratman2617 And what do you play? music that's already been done so well that it's only going to live in the shadow of its dead hero's until everyone loses interest. I bet change scares you shitless!
Yeah! Thanks for not knocking the shit out of me. I've summed up the youtube video world;
IT'S A CHANCE FOR 13 YEAR OLD KIDS TO KNOCK THE VERBAL PISS OUT OF AN ADULT WITHOUT HAVING TO FACE HIM IN PERSON.
How about the barffy words coming out of your month assbreath?
@johnhguitar
If you could do metal, you'd know the answer. ; )
@TheStratman2617 narrow minded trolls.
two piece body? I'm surprised.......I thought it would be one piece, all the way thru.
Yeah....but can it do metal? ; )
John I have a lot of respect for your reviews, but after ordering and playing on of these guitars for several months this might be your worst review. I ordered a lefty solid body with mini humbuckers, Boy am I regretting that purchase! The guitar is unbalanced, headstock heavy, with the body way too chambered. It feels like a 3/4 guitar, its smallish and thin (put some wood in this thing Mr Taylor).
Somebody loan me a couple of grand
sound a lot much more better than PRS or SUHR guitars
Bey Zam Its quite a big generalization you are making buddy.
it only in my own humble opinion
It is not a legendary Guitar, thats nonsense. I have bought one used and it is not bad, but I will sell it.
Horst574 :) I will not sell this guitar. Some things ( the neck for example) I like....I will keep the guitar.
Nice guitar. I don't know what is worse: that ridiculous hat or that atrocious shirt.
I can't believe you compared it to anything classic.... just my opinions but there's a reason you don't see a lot of these on stage, they are way more suited to the studio and for me aren't a stage instruments. If anyone else considering buying one of these I'd couldn't recommend it.
Could really use a microphone. Had to crank it up to hear you..then I get blasted by the guitar. :P
It'll never catch on like a Strat or LP. Prove me wrong in a few years. Or more likely, don't. No disrespect to Bob Taylor or this guitar here, but it's just a side-project. His acoustics have taken off real well, with reason. This solidbody however looks and sounds bland - it's all been done before and the classics have been well established by now.
Cant see paying 2 grand for this. Very bland guitar. I wanted to like it but jeez could you be any more traditional and conservative? Nothing stands out as different from the millions of other guitars out there. I'd buy it for $899 probably.just cuz it does look kinda nice.