Taylor Guitars Expression System

Pickup features: 3 internal pickups
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Taylor 710ce
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: na
Other pickups on guitar: na
Artists using this pickup: lots
You musical style(s): bluegrass, folk, rock
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: plenty loud
Tone: balanced
Sonic evaluation: I bought this guitar because I figured with the three pickups (one under the fretboard that responds to vibrating steel, and two soundboard transducers, no piezo), it should sound pretty good. Intially I was disappointed. There is a "hot" D# (4th fret on the B string) and the upper strings sound a bit quacky. But after playing some others, I think none of them sound as good a micing. But micing is impractical. So there you go, it is as good as it gets. The treble bass and volume knobs are a thing of beauty. The guitar is gorgeous.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: You can't isolate pickups, That is preset and no adjustment. You use all three in the balance that Taylor set.

Comments: I'd probably try a Martin. Not sure it would be any better though. Or maybe a Taylor 810ce. I think accurate sound reproduction with pickups on an acoustic guitar is an unsolved problem.

Pickup features: active magnetic and sensor
Impedence or other specs: Balanced output

Model of guitar or bass: Taylor 310 CE L3
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: none
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s):
Reason for pickup change: To get a great sound at loud volumes w/o feedback

Perceived output level: During the first 2 weeks it sounded great as it should have. After that is has a high gain output, distorts and is loud.
Tone: It was clean and balanced but is now distorted and overdriven.
Sonic evaluation: I used it through a EON 15 PA system and a SWR California blonde. It sounded good for the first 2 weeks. After that, it started to overdrive with distortion. Attempted contact with Taylor Guitars, no response. I took it back and the Lutier said they have been replacing at least one per month with the same problem.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: finger picking, and struming.

Comments: I would try to get one that works right the next time. I have a b-band system in my 414 and it has never had any problems. I had varous Fishman products without any problems. I like the way it sounded brand new and hate the way it sounds now. I wish it had the ability to adjust the gain on the preamp. Currently the guitar is in repair. We will see if the new one is any better. Seems like the higher end Taylors with Expression Systems do not have these problems. What's up with that? This Guitar cost me over $1500 for a 310 series. Is it worth it? What do you think?

Pickup features: Active Magnetic
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Taylor 814CE
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Rock and Roll -- Worship Band.
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: about as hot as the Fishman blender on my LKSM 6
Tone: Beautiful bass tones, a little harsh in the upper mids and highs.
Sonic evaluation: I am running this guitar straight into the house PA. The native eq of this thing was so out of control, i tried a Boss Eq pedal. that cleared up most of my eq problems for solo acoustic stuff.
When the band cranks up, however, this guitar is UNUSABLE. I love taylor guitars... i am extremely brand loyal. But this new pickup system does not work for me with drums, electric guitar, and bass. it does not blend well and sounds unbelievably harsh. I am currently having a fishman installed under the saddle for this purpose.
don't get me wrong, it sounds beautiful when i'm by myself (especially fingerstyle). it just sounds terrible with a band behind me.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: IMHO, this pickup system is not a good match for rock and roll.

Comments: I am the worship leader for a church with about 3500 in attendance every weekend. Our worship style is straight up rock and roll. I love my LKSM6 with the Fishman system in it. I love the 814 with the ES, too. However, the ES just will not work for full band situations. It is beautiful for solo, singer songwriter stuff. It just won't work with a band. I would love to know if anyone has found a solution to this guitar's eq/preamp issues in a band setting. i have almost tried everything. i love the guitar and want to use it, so i am putting in a fishman under the saddle that I can trust. Email me if you've found something that works for the ES in a band-thru-the-PA situation.

Pickup features: magnetic active
Impedence or other specs: two AA batteries

Model of guitar or bass: Taylor 412 CE LTD
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s):
Reason for pickup change: came with guitar

Perceived output level: normal
Tone: balanced
Sonic evaluation: I have used Highlander, LR Baggs I Beam, Yamaha 41, Fishman Blender, Seymour Duncan Tube, Barcus Berry, Polytone Mike, DiMarzio Humbucker, Sunrise, FRAP, and probably some others...trying to get a good sound out of an acoustic guitar. I believe this is, marginally, the best. I-Beam and Highlander are close seconds. It really sounds very close to perfect through my Ultrasound 50 amp. The volume control is not very sensitive, making transitions from chording to single note volume levels problematic.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: very eclectic styles

Comments: OK...this thing sounds great. BIG PROBLEM: When I got it, it buzzed like a 45 year old telecaster. Taylor customer service tried to convince me that this was in some way my fault. I may have dimmers in the house somewhere...I might not be grounded correctly. It is, after all, a magnetic pickup, however unusually configured. Never mind that I have a house full of electric and amplified acoustic guitars and this was only one behaving this way. Well, they eventually agreed to accept it for repair (I paid the shipping both ways, however). They replaced the pre-amp (with an "upgraded" pre-amp) and replaced at least one of the "sensors"...result, problem solved, sounds great. The point is they had to know that the early ES guitars were making this awful buzz, and instead of doing some kind of recall, they waited until the customer complained...and even then they had to complain long and loud to get help. Obviously they knew they had to develop this pre-amp "upgrade" to make it work right. If yours has a serial number before 2004, you should demand the upgrade. It's probably the best acoustic pickup ever, but Taylor should be both proud of the pickup, and ashamed of the way they've dealt with this matter.