This weekend was the long awaited unveiling of the Liberty Tree Guitar. They had three of them, two with 2-piece backs and one with a 3-piece back (not pictured). The Factory has begun production of the 400 that will begin shipping at the beginning of April 2002. This Tulip Poplar/Sitka Spruce Grand Concert has similar tonal qualities of walnut ... though I think it has a bit more bass than a walnut of the same size.
They also had the complete line of Nylon String guitars they are introducing this year. Generally following the wood combinations of the steel string series, the NS-32 is Sapele/Sitka Spruce, the NS-42 is Ovangkol/Sitka Spruce, the NS-62 is Maple/Engelmann Spruce, and the NS-72 is East Indian Rosewood/Western Red Cedar. It would be interesting to learn why the NS-62 has an Engelmann top when the 600 series features a Sitka top.
Since NAMM, Taylor has changed the model names (formerly NS-3, NS-4, NS-6, and NS-7) as well as the bridge design. The NAMM Show models feature a bridge with a more classical guitar look, but the guitars currently in production have a new design, featuring a double hole system.
NS-32 and NS-42
NS-62 and NS-72
... And then, there were two Brazilian Rosewood Nylon Strings (need I say more?), one with a Cedar top and one with an Engelmann Spruce top! I especially liked the rich bass of the Brazilian Rosewood/Engelmann Spruce. Taylor is planning a limited run (of 50, if I remember correctly) later this year.
If you would like to see some pictures taken of these guitars during production, go to the next page.
I also played some pianos at L Bösendorfer Klavierfabrik and looked at the guitars at Fender Musical Instruments (in particular the Traveler Guitar) and Godin Guitars.
