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Admin
Pupule
USA
4551 Posts |
 Posted - 08/13/2002 : 4:36:20 PM
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At risk of presenting an advertisement here, I stumbled upon this at Taylor's site. Thought it was interesting since I've been to a couple presentations about the Hokule`a in New York recently and have tremendous respect for the project and the people involved. -Andy
This article is taken from the Taylor Guitars website.
THE PERFECT POLYNESIAN SEA COMPANION
Aloha, I am writing concerning my recently acquired Baby Taylor. I play a Hawaiian style of guitar called "slack key" or "kiho'alu". I am also involved with an organization called the Polynesian Voyaging Society, whose task is to relearn the lessons of our Polynesian ancestors as they voyaged and settled the area in the Pacific called Polynesia. We have been sailing a Polynesian voyaging, double-hulled sailing canoe called "Hokule'a" for the past 25 years. You might be interested to look at our website to see our latest voyage to the Marquesas, Rapa Nui, Tahiti, and back to Hawai'i.
I was selected to crew on this voyage and desired to take a guitar along. On the first leg to the Marquesas, I brought a full-size guitar, but it proved a bit large to be comfortable on the trip. On the fourth leg, from Rapa Nui to Tahiti, I looked around at a number of travel guitars available in Hawai'i, but could not find one that had the tone, volume and general sound I was looking for.
Finally, I happened upon the Baby Taylor. As soon as I played it, I knew this would be the perfect companion on the voyage at sea. I was a bit apprehensive about taking such a prize out into the elements, but I figured I'd just be careful. It was a good thing the hard case came with the guitar; it even fit in a dry bag that I had purchased for the trip.
Out at sea, the Baby Taylor provided welcome entertainment and enjoyment that the whole crew jammed on. We had some beautiful jam sessions under the stars, as well as during the day. Other crewmembers couldn't believe that such a full sound came from such a small package. It sounded so good that some of the crew commented about purchasing such a guitar once we arrived back in Hawai'i.
Its small size fit perfectly in my small sleeping compartment without compromising any other gear that I needed. It also stood up to the natural environment and high humidity of the tropics and being at sea. If you look at the voyaging website, there is a picture of me playing the Baby Taylor while we were sailing from Rapa Nui to Tahiti.
This is the most satisfying sounding and playable guitar that I have ever owned. Mahalo nui loa,
Dennis Chun
Via the Internet
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Russell Letson
`Olu`olu
USA
504 Posts |
Posted - 08/13/2002 : 5:31:42 PM
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I bought my Baby specifically to take to the late lamented slack key festivals in San Mateo a few years back. I played eleven at three different stores before settling on right one--there was a good deal of variation in sound and setup, and one that sounded great in standard tuning was less than great in taro patch.
Since then the Baby has worked fine for just about everything I've played on it--swing and high-strung (or Nashville tuning) fingerpicking as well as slack key. The only thing I'd advise is going up a gauge to keep the strings from going flabby when slacked. It travels very well on planes, and I got the hard case so I don't have to worry about what it encounters in the overhead bins, the way I did when it lived in a gig bag.
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cpatch
Ahonui
USA
2187 Posts |
Posted - 08/13/2002 : 7:08:47 PM
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Has anyone compared the Baby Taylor to the Larrivee Parlor?
Craig |
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marzullo
`Olu`olu
USA
923 Posts |
Posted - 08/13/2002 : 9:27:58 PM
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quote:
Has anyone compared the Baby Taylor to the Larrivee Parlor?
i like the larrivee parlor better. it has a little larger body which, to my ears, gives it a noticably fuller sound. my parlor is also a dream to play; only my rainsong is easier for me to barre, slide, and hammer-n-pull high up the neck. on the other hand, the baby taylor is more portable, almost as much as a martin backpacker but with a much fuller sound.
go try several of both and see what you think. maybe you'll fall in love with the tacoma papoose.
aloha,
keith
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kihoalukid
Lokahi
USA
289 Posts |
Posted - 08/13/2002 : 9:29:38 PM
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seems i recall reading somewhere that rev kamakahi is playing a
baby t throughout the hui aloha album, in the cover photo it appears
thats what hes playin, wish i could make my baby sound like his haha
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Admin
Pupule
USA
4551 Posts |
Posted - 08/14/2002 : 01:37:48 AM
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Kihoalukid - you're right about Dennis Kamakahi. I recall reading in the liner notes that he recorded with a Baby Taylor for many songs. If anyone is curious, check the Hui Aloha liner notes.
Personally, I also prefer the Larrivee parlor, but I have never actually played a Baby Taylor. I heard one or two played though and feel the Larrivee has a fuller sound which would be logical as the Larrivee is a larger instrument as Keith has pointed out. Agree with Keith again in that you need to try them to see what works best for you.
Andy
Ps. Russell, how was GK's workshop in Virginia? |
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Russell Letson
`Olu`olu
USA
504 Posts |
Posted - 08/15/2002 : 11:50:49 AM
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I'll post a longish report over on the "lessons" section.
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marzullo
`Olu`olu
USA
923 Posts |
Posted - 08/15/2002 : 12:57:29 PM
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quote:
seems i recall reading somewhere that rev kamakahi is playing a baby t throughout the hui aloha album, in the cover photo it appears
thats what hes playin, wish i could make my baby sound like his haha
he does make it sing, doesn't he? he is so good, without being overly fancy. i love that album. it was because of that album that i started trolling for a baby taylor... i fell in love with the larrivee parlor when i tried 'em out.
aloha,
keith
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cmdrpiffle
`Olu`olu
USA
553 Posts |
Posted - 08/24/2002 : 02:07:48 AM
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Must admit, I recently heard a couple of those little taylors at the aloha camp last week........factory perfect, and a really nice sound....and....carry on approved baby!, 'Taylor, fits in the overhead bin'
piffle |
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Julie H
Ha`aha`a
USA
1206 Posts |
Posted - 08/29/2002 : 02:35:44 AM
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One of the problems I encountered as a "smallish" female was finding a guitar I could get my arms around without my neck and shoulder freaking out. Keoki Brown allowed me to try out his Baby Taylor at Aloha Music Camp August 2001, and I had been searching for one ever since. Finally bought one in Santa Cruz and the salesman was able to track down a hard case for it. I LOVE IT. I can actually play the thing. Took it to George Kahumoku Jr.'s workshop on Maui in June, and Aloha Music Camp this August. I didn't let the conversation between Keola and the boys about "size does matter" bother me. I know what's right for me. Sheesh! Let them waste them comparing instruments, I'm busy playing. Heehee. Aloha, Julie
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