Taylor Guitars Unveils "Expression System" Pickup and PreampJan 16, 2003 
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Taylor Guitars is unveiling its "Expression System" acoustic guitar pickup and preamplifier combination at Winter NAMM. The electronics package was a collaborative effort between Taylor and legendary audio designer Rupert Neve. The Expression System's triple-sensor design amplifies the sound of an acoustic guitar without adding the characteristic sound common to piezo-electric pickups. David Hosler, manager of Taylor's Final Assembly and Repair departments, developed the Expression System pickup after experiencing "many sleepless nights" due to increasing frustration with the sound quality and manufacturing consistency of most commercially-marketed pickups. Hosler began looking into creating a new pickup design, studying patents held by pickup manufacturers, speaking with inventors and "chasing down a variety of rabbit holes." Says Hosler, "Looking at the patents was a way to get inside each inventor's head and understand the thought process that led to their design decisions. What seemed to be lacking in many cases was an accurate understanding of how a guitar vibrates and produces sound in the first place, so we began looking into that." A preamplifier created especially for Taylor by Rupert Neve compliments Hosler's pickup design. Neve designed the Expression System preamp using sophisticated, high-end electronic components of the caliber found in professional mixing consoles. When coupled with Hosler's pickup, the resulting "system" yields what Bob Taylor calls "a significant step forward in sound quality for the amplified acoustic guitar." The Expression System will be available on select Taylor acoustic-electrics starting in January 2003. For more information, visit their web site at www.taylorguitars.com. |
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