Going home...

No, we're not heading for home.  Still having fun in San Diego.  The weather has turned (yesterday, I was sitting in the sunshine, in the hot tub); a bit of precip and cooler.  The local weather weasels are calling it "winter weather"... I sure wouldn't go that far.  It was in the upper 50s; a light jacket and we were good to go.

Today, we were going to where some of my guitars were created: a tour of the Taylor Guitar factory.  Taylor has become the largest producer of high end acoustic guitars... they are beautiful, and they play like buttah.  ;-)  I have heard that they are highly mechanized, taking some of the "romance" out of the guitar building process.  There is a consistency in the playability of Taylor guitars that I haven't seen in any other brand.  They must be doing something right.

Our plan was to get there plenty early and find someplace to have lunch before the 1:00 tour.  That plan worked out just right: we went to Phil's BBQ... oh my goodness, mighty fine BBQ, good portions, and very nice service.  The only downside: I needed a nap before heading to Taylor... and there just wasn't time.

We pulled into the factory's visitor parking, and followed the signs for the tour...

We signed in for the tour and had time to browse through the displays...

OK, better than a "display", you are welcome to take down any of these fine instruments and give 'em a play.  It was the opportunity to play some models I haven't tried before, including the new Grand Orchestra models (very nice) and one I've wanted to play for quite a while: an 812ce 12 fret (even nicer).  Nothing that makes me want to swap off my 814, but certainly something for every taste here.  There is also a store, with t-shirts, straps, caps, and all sorts of Taylor accessories.

Before long, our tour guide, Mike Dwyer, came in, introduced himself, and got us ready for the tour: safety glasses, a Taylor pass, and a set of headphones that plugged into a clip-on receiver so you could hear what Mike had to say, even in the noisy parts of the factory.

Our first stop was into the wood storage area - woods from all over the world, selected for the different tones they give...

Into the production area, where they were gluing up tops...

Definitely, plenty of machines at work here.  Lazer cutting, computer controlled for inlays for the headstock and neck...

Putting rosette trim around the sound hole...

Lazer cut, but assembled by hand.  This was just the beginning of all the hand work we were going to see.  Next, it was on to buffing - this was a pretty impressive machine...

That robot gives it just the right amount of pressure to get a beautiful buffing on the sides.  We were told the machine is called... Buffy.  When she was first installed and they were getting her "tuned in," apparently, she broke a lot of guitars.  During that time, she was known as: Buffy the guitar slayer. (rimshot)

While viewing Buffy, we heard the announcement for break time.  Nice productivity enhancements...

Pingpong tables, guitars for employees to play, and an on-site chiropractor.  From all I could see, people looked happy and productive.  The factory was clean and organized.  I was impressed.  And, time to move on.

On to the headstock production area...

Machines that do the truss rod cuts in the neck, and neck shaping...

CNC machines enclosed in glass; computerized control of essential fit cuts.  And more hand work...

Installing frets...

An overview of that area...

Onto the area where the sides are bent...

Again, machines to do the precise bends, lots of hand work to assemble.  And for those who are lusting after the new Grand Orchestra body style, here are the controls for that model...

There's more to it than pressing the button - you have to know how much to wet the wood, make sure the temperature is correct, fit the wood in there, and let the machine do its thing.

On to bracing, and lots more hand work...

Every one of those supports makes a difference in the sound and projection.  It is an evolving process, and differs from one model to another.

Binding and final sanding...

Computer controlled polyester finish applied by machine...

The photo doesn't show it off well - there is a robot arm that moves the guitar under the spray nozzle; almost no waste and a beautiful smooth finish.

Final assembly...

Another inspection, then they get strung, tuned up, and tested.  Off to shipping... to Taylor dealers all over the world, and finally into some happy owners hands.

It was a very impressive tour.  A great combination of machines for the repeatability and consistency Taylor is famous for, but plenty of hand assembly, finishing, and inspecting.  Production was much higher a few months ago while they geared up for a European distribution center.  Currently, they are making 120 to 150 guitars per day.

Back to the Taylor store and display area after the tour.  I played a few more guitars, we found a couple shirts as mementos.

Back to our rolling home, I had to get out my 814... yeah, I still like it better than anything else I played today. :-)