Andy Powers explains why: Each note has a clearer identity and the notes have more harmonic coherence. Taylors V-Class bracing is a revolutionary new pattern that marks a major shift away from traditional steel-string bracing patterns. At a time when many manufacturers are offering reissue and vintage models of guitars made during their golden era, Taylor Guitars is looking ahead. With the bridge and center of the guitar well supported the sides have more freedom to move. "The more we learn, the less we know.". The classic tonewood combination of Indian rosewood and Sitka spruce still delivers its characteristic blend of warmth, low-end presence, and high-range sparkle, but V-Class bracing elevates that tone to new heights. It is my favorite acoustic. I ended up with a 814 DLX and it is very special. Another attribute that playersand especially listenerswill hear is increased projection. Acoustic vs Electric Guitars: Beginner Advice. Fan bracing is a completely different bracing style used on our nylon-string models. San Antonio, TX 78205 Taylor Guitars, a company that is not satisfied resting on their laurels. On the other hand, Taylor has its very own V- class bracing pattern that marked its shift from the traditional steel-string bracing. They sound even and have a Typically, guitar builders must make a choice between sustain and volume. Powers recalled. I have a 2002 Cocabolo 810-LTD bought new, a 2007 Koa 414ce-SL bought used. Bracing is the internal architecture, featuring an arrangement of wooden struts, that strengthens the top and back of an acoustic guitar, creating a strategic balance between stiffness and flexibility. Bracing. X-Bracing V-Bracing X-Class Bracing I can dig in with a pick and its volume is comparable to a dreadnought, yet it has the sensitivity to allow finger-style playing. Well be introducing V-Class bracing to our standard line throughout 2018. Some will notice the sonic balance first; others will notice the volume, sustain or projection. Andys formidable talent combined with Taylors resources and desire to innovate have yielded continual improvements in the tone of their instruments. Whatever they are doing, the V bracing does wonders paired with maple. This all mahogany beauty delivers the warmth, projection and volume one would expect from Taylor. The properties of the V-class bracing are on full display. Because of the uniformity of the notes, the tone will amplify well. The trade-off is that when you make something stiffer, you reduce its flexibility, and vice versa. You are using an out of date browser. The lack of flexibility in the movement of the top means that there wont be much volume. In other words, the frequencies the guitar generates agree more with each other. . Huw Price looks at the Builder's Edition K14CE Taylor is using the V-Class bracing in a range of guitars, with the least expensive coming in a $3,000 and the most costly weighing in at It's an elegant solution to a problem that has plagued luthiers for decades. Taylor's new V-Bracing VS the Standard X-Bracing! Trebles are clear and airy with sparkling complex harmonics and the fine string to string balance makes for easy picking. Saddle: Micarta. If you look at an X-braced top compared to Taylor's V-braced top, one of the things you notice is how the upper portion of the V borders the right and left (bass and treble) sides of the soundhole, after going underneath the larger horizontal brace just below the soundhole. Some guitarists will even adjust strings slightly for the chord they are playing in a particular key; compromising in one area to fix another. The improved intonation afforded to players by V-Class bracing is not related to altered scale length, fret spacing, or compensation to create a different tuning temperament. A V-Class guitar is no more susceptible to damage than an X-braced guitar, and its design is both strong and responsive. Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest stories in hedge funds, PE, fintech, and banking delivered daily to your inbox. Plugged in (I ran the guitar through a Fender Pro Junior IV because I don't have an acoustic amp), the 914ce is bold and balanced. And as it turns out, this innovative bracing design also improves the intonation of the guitar. What Andy Powers discovered when developing the V-class bracing pattern is that when the movement of the top is better controlled the orderly response, along with rigidity inline with the neck improves the intonation, getting rid of the problem areas in a triad and removing the dissonant chord that many guitarists have mis-categorized as complex. For years, acoustic guitar builders had to compromise between volume and sustain. Refined sonic and aesthetic details abound on Taylors rosewood/spruce 900 Series, whose tone receives a major upgrade from newly added V-Class bracing. Developed for the smaller Taylor GT body shape, our proprietary C-Class bracing leverages some of the foundational, tone-enhancing ideas behind our V-Class design to boost the volume and sustain. For these characteristics alone . V-Class guitar bracing controls the tops flexibility, creating a more orderly rocking motion across both sides of the top. The overall sound is sweet, focused and responsive, with a tonal output that sonically punches above its weight class. The ultimate goal of V-Class bracing is to give players an inspiring tool that does a better job of helping them express themselves in the context of the modern musical world. 2023 Gryphon Stringed Instruments | Web Design by Dayspring, We are very excited to announce the arrival of Taylors new V-Class series of guitars here at Gryphon. By nature of their legacy design, acoustic guitars are never really perfect, and almost everybody fights a bit to achieve what they want, no matter how skilled they are. The 314e has xbrace and the 414ceR is V braced. Clearly, this isn't a purchase that any player will take lightly a guitar of this caliber is a lifetime investment. The 214ce is fitted with Taylors Expression System 2 electronics. I recommend taking a look around the countryside and seeing what others are doing, said Taylor. V-Class bracing is the product of Taylors tradition of ingenuity, a new development that breaks away from the traditional X-bracing pattern to change the way the acoustic guitar sounds. Average Electric Bill In Burbank, Ca, Three cross braces and a reinforcement plate under the bridge provide additional support. Volume is produced by the movement of the top, put into motion by the vibration of the strings. Were constantly dealing with problems that result when a guitars soundboard just cant withstand the strain of a set of steel strings pulling on the bridge (a set of light gauge strings exerts over 150 lbs of pull on a pin bridge). So the way the V class is braced, it "should" limit the top moving due to humidity, giving you a guitar with better intonation. The original Taylor pickup however prevents this so I installed the Baggs mic between the bridge plate and the x brace. The V bracing also improves intonation. Acoustic vs Electric Guitars: Beginner Advice. My acid test for a guitar, when you get right down to it, is can I write a song on the instrument. Amazing sonic possibilities, and intonation like you've never heard are what brings your tone to the V-Class! (Note: Bracing patterns shown have been simplified to highlight the basic form.). Taylor K-22CE Grand Concert Guitar V Class Bracing Taylor K-22CE Grand Concert Guitar V Class Bracing. Its incredible. Bracing: Forward shifted scalloped X Bracing. Several years of development followed, during which Powers would concoct a design, test it, figure out if something was a fluke, and then get control of a feature so that it could be replicated. The V brace delivers both. Now, this modern classic has been given yet another upgrade: Taylor's revolutionary V-Class bracing! Called "V-Class" bracing, it was devised by Andy Powers, a master guitar maker who joined Taylor in 2011 and has been talked about as an heir to Bob Taylor's leadership. Compare Guitars; New Taylor Models; Builder's Edition; For sale is my Taylor 614CE Builder's Edition guitar. But Powers isn't buying it. Gibson's guitars have often been flashier and are often favored by rock, blues, and country players for their earthy, grittier tone and eye-catching looks (Keith Richards was a fan of the Hummingbird, and Pete Townshend likes the J-200 jumbo). Waste Management As A Career, In coming up with V-Class, Powers sought to solve an age-old problem with the so-called "flat top" design what most players recognize as the steel-stringed acoustic guitar. Electronic music is all the rage these days, but the most high-tech of America's Big Three guitar makers is proving that the acoustic guitar can keep up. It often creates quieter, more mid-heavy guitars. Compare Guitars; New Taylor Models; Builder's Edition; It was the display model and is practically in mint condition. The sound is perfectly balanced - big, booming bass that sometimes feels as though it's being amplified electronically, and a higher register has no problem breaking through with bell-like clarity, even on the upper ends of the fretboard. The improvement in intonation was so impressive that it fundamentally changes the guitars response and the sound of certain chords that as guitars players we have become so accustomed to being out of tune that we think that is how they should sound. Not so with the new Taylors where the V-Class bracing, combined with the company's neck-to-body joining for which its already renowned, means that you can hit every single available note and savor the sustain and volume that Powers focused on while remaining deliciously in tune. We're constantly dealing with problems that result when a guitar's soundboard just can't withstand the strain of a set of steel strings pulling on the bridge (a set of light gauge strings exerts over 150 lbs of "pull" on a pin bridge). The 914ce is a cutaway grand auditorium shape, which means that the instrument is a bit smaller than a traditional dreadnought; I increasingly favor this design, which is easier to play standing with a strap than a dread, as well as when sitting. It did look nice, but I was very aware that I could get the guitar parts I wanted without all the inlay for a lot less money with a bit of patience. The bracing is still wrong, wrong herringbone used, wrong backstrip, and the wrong sound. At least not in the larger guitar market as a whole. Taylors V-Class bracing is a seismic shift in acoustic construction that promises more volume, great tone and improved intonation. It's been used on violins, arch top guitars, cellos, etc. Taylor's V-Class bracing is a revolutionary new pattern that marks a major shift away from traditional steel-string bracing patterns. Vertical Blinds; Roller Blinds; Aluminium Venetian Blinds But its not uniform from string to string. As one of the first V-Class models, its a glimpse into Taylors future, and with its great sound and snazzy looks, its bound to have great appeal among players looking for a contemporary high-end flattop. Open for in-store, online & email orders. Then, while observing the ocean Andy Powers had an epiphany. This means that alternate tunings will enjoy the same harmonic coherence as standard tuning. A short summary of this paper. I really couldn't hear it well at NAMM but the pattern struck me as just a modification of ladder bracing. V-Class bracing makes the top more in tune with the vibrating strings. They are pretty impressed to. When, in fact, you havent. I certainly did, and I threw everything I had in standard tuning at it, with forays into my preferred alternative tunings, DADGAD and open-G. At this level, acoustics don't have flaws they simply have varying degrees of magnificent virtues. Some also resulted in a radical redesign of the acoustic guitar, changing the established shape to accommodate the bracing, for better or worse. I dont understand how the bracing would impact the intonation that sounds like marketing to me. I mean, if you want to talk yourself out of getting a V-braced Taylor, fine, suit yourself, but dont kid yourself into thinking that youve actually learned anything about them. This guitar has a lot of overtones/harmonics that bloom nicely. The Taylor Builders Edition K14ce with V-Class bracing is quite simply the best acoustic guitar weve ever played. His latest design change dramatically changes the bracing inside of the guitars resulting in increased sustain, volume and improved intonation. The top bulges behind the bridge under the strain, the top sinks in front of the bridge as that bridge rolls forward under string tension, and often the top gets distorted around the soundhole because right where the top needs to be strongest, theres a big (sound) hole! Taylor Guitars plans to implement the new bracing pattern in all of its U.S. made Grand Auditorium guitars by years end with other body shapes to follow as the bracing is adapted for it. This is accomplished through the design of the braces. Bracing and top thickness are the voice of the guitar..that is the magic. The scale of the guitar, accuracy of the fretwork and changes made to these design aspects to improve intonation are the most common discussions. 9012 Research Blvd Suite C-15 Andy also credits the innovative manufacturing culture of Taylor Guitars, which has provided a supportive environment and tooling resources for ongoing design improvements. Many will notice the sound of improved intonation and harmony between the notes, which is a characteristic that is significantly different than other designs. It may not display this or other websites correctly. We have an inherent need to tell stories and make music. If you look at the design, you can see these V-braced Taylor soundboards are a lot stronger, but only where they really need to be. Either this new bracing pattern is performing a miracle of physics previously unknown to the scientific community, or he has been milking snakes for oil to sell to the gullible and uninformed. JavaScript is disabled. An unlikely insight came from his second home (outside the guitar workshop) the Pacific Ocean, where he regularly surfs. since the beginnings of each of those instruments. An octave and fifth will often be in tune up and down the neck but the third of the chord is usually a bit off. The wavelengths line up with each other in phase picture wavy lines nestled together traveling the same way and strengthen each other. When you play high on the neck notes swell and sustain instead of dying out. Previously, I found them very one dimensional and cardboardy is the best way to describe it. I built a 23" scale V-braced tenor guitar, widening the neck and making the braces as light as I dared, with the intention of using nylon strings. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. Musicians such as Taylor Swift a Taylor player, naturally have spurred interest among new, female customers to pick up a humble thing made of wood and string to see if they can make it sound cool. THEPOOYA@GMAIL.COM. Copyright 2012-2022 TAYLOR-LISTUG, INC. All Rights Reserved They have a pretty flexible build to order program (Im not sure what the current name is). Intonation has to do with the placement of the frets, saddle, nut, and the amount of pressure needed to fret the strings. San Antonio Northwest Moving through various prototype Andy Powers developed the V-class bracing pattern. Kaspersky Login Forgot Password, 08-02-2022, 07:20 PM. "We don't know all that much about the instrument," he said. Discover how we broke away from tradition and reinvented what the acoustic guitar can do. Nut: Nubone. We didn't talk about it in this Taylor 314ce review yet, so here it is. 4K views 4 years ago Check out what V-Class Bracing can do! The 3.5 mil thin finish ensures optimised vibration behaviour. Taylor is rolling out their V-Class System bracing by introducing it at the top of Taylors line up for 2018, but will eventually offer it on all of their Grand Auditorium shapes, the most popular of their design models. The results were quickly successful, but also intimidating. Bracing: Taylors performance bracing with relief rout. Taylor Guitars Builder's Edition 912ce Grand Concert with V-Class Bracing V-Class bracing is a natural partner with Indian rosewood, helping that wood's naturally textured overtones to bloom and resonate with greater sustain while adding overall volume and musicality. For complete information about the cookies we use, data we collect and how we process them, please check our, blackpink kill this love inspired outfits, Republic Services Clean-up Day Schedule 2022 Walnut Creek Ca, 2018 Gmc Sierra 1500 Transmission Problems. The Taylor has similar volume and sustain which tells me that V-bracing has accomplished its primary goals. My 314e sounds better now than the 414ceR. Perhaps they are doing something different with the bridge? To increase the guitar tops stability while at the same time improving the volume and sustain is quite an achievement, and so far everyone at Gryphon loves the sound of the V-Class 914ce Taylor sent us. Open for in-store, online & email orders. "Some of them get really quiet," he said. The two new V braced Taylors I played sounded pretty damn good, and I'm a Martin man. Particularly the grand auditorium models. The V-Class innovation comes along at a good time or the acoustic guitar. First, the axe: Taylor loaned me a 914ce guitar to review, a $5,000 instrument that reminded me how much better a crummy player such as myself can sound with a truly great guitar in hand. Tobacco Sunburst. The X pattern provides a continuous flow of strength from the upper bout to the lower bout, which provides rigidity despite the soundholes location in the middle of the soundboard. No. Creative Recreation Hoodie, Taylor admits many options can make it hard to decide which brace to use. Unplugged, playing the 914ce is like holding a piano in your lap: the dynamic range is miraculous. Its just a mechanical problem. While traditional X-bracing has stood the test of time for over 100 years, it creates an inherent trade-off between two key elements of an acoustic guitars sound: volume and sustain. Recall Les Paul's steel rail experiment (string had "endless ring") and his log guitar (first electric guitar) back in the 1930s. Modern playing amenities include a Venetian cutaway and Taylors stage-ready ES2 pickup and preamp. Then I made a mistake and played a 717e Grand Pacific. 1530 Babcock Road I just bought a 2014 514 last week. All are made in El Cajon, California, near San Diego. I spoke to friend of mine who is an experienced, well known acoustic guitar luthier who was attending NAMM today (not exhibiting). Music industry veterans respond to the V-Class experience. (Watch him talk about it here. Be the first to receive the latest Gryphon news, product alerts, special offers. Sustain, however, is governed by stiffness. Taylor 814ce V-Class Bracing Grand Auditorium Acoustic Electric Guitar Smoked with Case 814 ce The flagship Grand Auditorium now boasts even more sonic delights Now Taylor has added a nylon-string version to the existing steel-string models in the series, and we had a chance to check the new Academy 12e-N in the Peghead Nation studio. I was excited and scared at the same time.". I got a new, old stock, 2015, 416ce today. These qualities have served them well in crafting some of the best playing acoustic guitars on the market and it has now generated a new bracing pattern that is sure to revolutionize things once again. Register for a Program; Jewish Men's Retreat. At a time when many manufacturers are offering reissue and vintage models of guitars made during their golden era, Taylor Guitars is looking ahead. I love V bracing. A medium-sized, versatile Grand Auditorium body shape lends itself well to suit most players, and its Venetian cutaway is a striking addition. 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