U N D E R S TA N D I N G T H E TAY L O R E X P R E S S I O N S Y S T E M
TAY L O R G U I TA R S T E C H S H E E T / P A G E 2
O f
2
most likely needs to be replaced.)
To change the battery, release the clip on the bat-
tery carriage (located along the tail line) by pushing it
toward the input jack. Remove the battery and replace
with a new one, paying close attention to the positive/
negative orientation shown inside the carriage.
TIP: Batteries can leak if left unused for long periods
of time. When you replace the battery, write the date on
it with a permanent marker to track how long the bat-
tery has been in the guitar.
Feedback Resistance
The heart of the ES is a pair of proprietary magnetic
pickups. A body sensor is affixed to the underside of
the soundboard and can best be described a surface-
mounted microphone. The ES is not, however, subject
to the usual feedback problems you might encoun-
ter when playing into a microphone. The system is
uniquely suited to work at high sound pressure levels
(SPLs), resisting feedback even at high volume levels.
If you are accustomed to using a soundhole plug to
prevent feedback, it should not be necessary to use
one with the ES.
Tone-shaping Control
The ES opens up new frontiers in sound, and will
enable you to create a wide range of tones using sim-
ple adjustments of the onboard controls. The built-in
equalizer reacts to subtle changes in bass, treble and
volume, emphasizing individual characteristics of the
guitar’s natural sound.
NOTE:
The absence of a midrange control knob does
not mean there is no mid-band control. It’s easy to boost
or cut the mids simply by turning the Bass and Treble
knobs past the center detent in either direction, then
adjusting the volume. By turning both the bass and
treble up, the midrange is effectively dipped; turning
them below the center detent boosts the mids.
Pickup Sensor Flexibility
The Taylor ES gives you the ability to voice the gui-
tar differently for various performance applications
(different types of venues, band configurations, etc.).
By turning off the body sensor, you can create differ-
ent voicings for different levels of sensitivity and tone.
Switching off the body sensor allows you to play solely
on the neck pickup if you desire.
The body sensor switch is easily accessible inside
the soundhole, on the edge of the preamp circuit
board. When the switch is positioned toward the back
of the guitar, the sensor is on. Moving it toward the
front of the guitar turns it off.
Fused String Ground
Protection
The ES is equipped with a fused string ground, a
patented safety feature designed to protect the player
from venues or other amplified settings where there
may be improper electrical ground. A grounding plate
affixed to the underside of the bridge plate is wired to
a fuse, which removes the player from the circuit path
in the event of a current seeking ground. If current is
traveling through the ground, the fuse will blow, but
the player will remain unharmed. The ES will continue
to work, but the strings will no longer be grounded,
leaving the guitar potentially more susceptible to an
electrical hum. A blown fuse should be replaced by an
authorized Taylor repair technician.
Dynamic String Sensor
(not visible)
Preamp Circuit Board
Input Jack and
Battery Compartment
Dynamic Body Sensor
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, Ca 92020-1096 • 800-943-6782
Copyright 2010 Taylor Guitars. All Rights Reserved.
A body sensor on/off switch is located on the preamp circuit
board and is accessible through the soundhole
LED Battery
Life Indicator
Fused String Ground
