Taylor Guitars AB-1 Acoustic Bass

Made in 1996; volume, bass, treble controls; piezo bridge pickup; imbuia back/sides/soundhole/peghead/bridge; sitka spruce top; mahogany neck; ebony fretboard; satin finish; chrome Grover tuners; 34" scale length; 24 frets; Venetian cutaway; Fishman ABGP-2 pickup/preamp; gig bag.

This bass plays and sounds like a dream. I bought it primarily to play in coffeeshops, etc. 'unplugged' with other acoustic players. When I am able to plug in, I use a Crate (CA112). The combo give a very rich, warm sound -- somewhere between acoustic and electric. When recording with it, it has a nice long sustain (the "mwha" factor, as it has been described). I have done a bit of limited recording with it using my home PC rig (Sonar/Soundblaster) -- it records very evenly and predictably.

The fit and finish are top notch. The action seems high, but this is because I also play 6-string guitar and am used to a low action (Taylor 414KCE). It has a very 'electric bass' kind of neck -- skinny and light. If you currently play electic, this bass should feel right at home. For a 5-year-old instrument, it looks new -- the frets, fingerboard, tuners, etc. all have held up very well with no oxidation, loose tuning pegs, etc.

I am currently playing out with this instrument, and it looks like a 'keeper' for live gigs. The instrument feels like it is built like a tank. Keep this in mind if you prefer gear such as Fender Lite products -- the Taylor is a Big Boy. The hardware and finish look like they can take live use. I feel that I can depend on this instrument, given normal care. I would gig with it without a backup (cost not withstanding).

My only interaction with Taylor was sending in the reg card on my 6-string, reviewing the Taylor web site for tidbits of info, discussing Taylors with a local acoustic guitar store owner, and reviewing their quarterly newsletter. I follow their guidelines for setup and humidification. I have only owned the AB1 for about a month, so it has yet to be seen what the repair work will be like. Keep in mind that this instrument is a collaboration with the guitar luthier Steve Klein -- I have been in contact with them via their web site (www.kleinguitars.com) and they have suggested 'voicing' the braces (apparently to get even more "mwah" factor). I presume that both sources will continue to give good customer support, at least on par with the other instrument manufacturers.

I really 'lucked' into the purchase of this instrument. They appear to be running at the $1500 and above price point. I really did not know what to expect from the dealer -- it being my first purchase from them. I Highly recommend them, BTW -- they provided top-notch service and value! If the instrument were lost or stolen, I would cry like a baby, then go into denial, then acceptance, then cry like a baby again, and repeat that cycle until I got over it. Then I would review my insurance policy (you all have these, right?) and see what the adjuster had to say. In any event, I would search high and low for another value deal like I got, then cry again knowing that it does not exist, etc. I can honestly say that anyone who pursues getting a Taylor bass (any model - AB1, AB2, AB3, or AB4) will be very pleased. That being said, you should probably try it out before you buy, as it is a large instrument, and takes some getting used to. For my situation, needing to be able to play acoustically, it has worked out very well. Thanks Taylor/Klein!

I'm the relatively new ownerof a Taylor AB-1. I'm primarily an electric bass player (Alembic and Les Paul Signature) and wanted a practice instrument, and one that I could play with an acoustic guitarist. I tried acoustic basses from lots of other manufacturers, but found that they shared a number of flaws: little volume, poor action, and weak bass sound. The Taylor is a fabulous instrument. The bass is US made,has a long-scale (34") neck and plays JUST like an electric. - no compromises here. The bass has a Fishman pickup under the bridge, and has an excellent, acoustic-sounding presence. The electronics aren't fancy (just volume, bass & trebel) but they get the job done.
The woodworking is superb (mahogany neck, Brazilian Walnut (Imbuia) body and Sitka Spruce soundboard) and the design and craftmanship are the best I have run across. The finish is satin, and the neck contains an inlaid signature of the bass' designer, Steve Klein. The design, with the offfset sound hole, is clever, unusual and effective. There's lots of bass sound here. The tuners are chrome Grovers.
In addition, the Taylor web site is a great source of information on care of the instrument, its construction and lots of other stuff.

The bass sounds like a bass, not just a lower-sounding guitar. I'm mostly using it unplugged, but is sounds great amped (I have a SWR Workingman's 12 which is a good combination. The bass' tone controls aren't fancy, and I find that I usually boost the bass a little, and cut the treble all the way back, but I do not detect any flaws in the design - its just my preference.
This is the only acoustic bass which is of a reasonable size (it is very large - bigger than a jumbo guitar) which actually sounds like a bass. Its not super deep, but the physics of the design don't make that possible. Its a very good compromise.

I can't imagine better. The fit and finish are superb, and the bass looks hand made, even though its made at the Taylor factory. The action is excellent - very low (probably not great for finger popping, but that's not my style).

No problems yet, and none are expected. As an acoustic instrument (and one which is made from solid wood instead of laminates) it will take more care and attention than I am used to giving my electrics. This is my first acoustic instrument, and I'm a little intimidated by the care and attention it will need, but the Taylor web site gave a lot of information and reassurance.

I've gotten some additional information from the Taylor marketing folks on the bass' history and manufacture, and they've been prompt and helpful. I haven't needed any customer support, and hope not to (again, the web site provides a lot of information, reducing the liklihood of support and assistance).

I've been playing non-professionally for (good lord) 29 years. I currently play an Alembic and Les Paul '74 signature (Jack Casady-style) bass. If the Taylor were to be lost or stolen, I would run out and get another immediately. I wish that the body could be smaller, but the laws of physics just don't allow it. I'm delighted with the bass. It's not inexpensive, but its the same price as a Martin, for instance, and, for me, a much better bass (the Martin just felt like a guitar with 4 strings, while the Taylor feels plays like an electric bass).