Old ES system (In a 2002 Taylor 314ce)

[nuggy]

Hey there fellow guitar freaks!!

I'm about to purchase a 2002 Taylor 314CE and was just wondering what the old ES systems are like? I'll primarily be playing it at church, nothing fancy just the usual plucking and strumming

Just wondering what the brain trust thinks of the old ES system because I have heard mixed things about it!

[Acousticado]

I own a 2002 814c that I ordered new back then without electronics, and then I installed a PUTW system myself…no holes. I could be wrong, but I don't recall the ES being available at that time, just the barn door Fishman. Even if the ES would have been available, I wouldn't have opted for it because I don't want holes in my guitars. When the ES was introduced (can't remember the year), I seem to recall that it wasn't all that well received, and there were problems. Others here will surely know more about that.

[SLJ710]

I am the original owner of a 2003 455RCE with the Original ES system. I have had it repaired twice under warranty. I play through an Ultra Sound DS4 acoustic amp. Unless you are very particular, I think the Original Es system will serve you well. Keep in mind that it plays best using the included cable which require being plugged into the same type of jack as a microphone. I believe you need "phantom" power, or some such thing. I am able to tweak an acoustic sound I like.

If you do not have that type of connection there is an adapter that you can get that will allow you to plug into a 1/4 inch jack.

Just make sure it works and find out if there were any repairs done.

Oh it also works on two AA batteries that don't last as long as a 9V. They are however easy to replace.

[44Runner]

Unless it was sent back to the factory for an upgrade the ES was not available in 02. I THINK 03 was the first year. The guitar should have the Fishman system in it which is a great system. I have it in my 810CE and have no complaints.

[nuggy]

Taylor's serial number dating puts the guitar birthdate in September 2002 if I'm not mistaken. Would the fishman system have the same knob controls as the ES? Sorry if that's a stupid question!

[mrgraveline]

Built on Oct 20th 2009... 11 digit serial. 9 volt ES system. congrats!

[Acousticado]

Originally Posted by nuggy

Taylor's serial number dating puts the guitar birthdate in September 2002 if I'm not mistaken. Would the fishman system have the same knob controls as the ES? Sorry if that's a stupid question!

Just curious why you think this guitar is an '02. Based on the serial number and Taylor's explanation of how serial numbers breakdown (http://www.taylorguitars.com/blog/ta...my-guitar-made, the guitar pictured appears to be a 2009, 10th month (October), 20th day.

[nuggy]

I'm an idiot! This is why I have you guys!!

Okay, well then let me alter the original question haha, how is the ES in this model? I've heard great things of the most recent ES but still mixed things about anything pre-2011

[JLed79]

I have that ES in my '06 814ce. In my experience, it takes a bit of tweaking, but it can sound very nice. I have the newer ES in another guitar, but after almost a year of having it I've still never plugged it in lol.

[nuggy]

Originally Posted by Acousticado

Just curious why you think this guitar is an '02. Based on the serial number and Taylor's explanation of how serial numbers breakdown (http://www.taylorguitars.com/blog/ta...my-guitar-made, the guitar pictured appears to be a 2009, 10th month (October), 20th day.

I thought it was a 10 digit serial which is awfully complex an annoying where the year is made up of the 2nd digit (in this case -0) and the 7th digit (2) hence '02. But I was wrong anyways! So silly of me

[nuggy]

Originally Posted by JLed79

I have that ES in my '06 814ce. In my experience, it takes a bit of tweaking, but it can sound very nice. I have the newer ES in another guitar, but after almost a year of having it I've still never plugged it in lol.

Did you mean you've got the "02 ES" I mistakenly thought I had? Or the '09 ES, which I now know I actually do have.

Gosh this is confusing I should start a new thread huh?

[Fro]

Originally Posted by 44Runner

Unless it was sent back to the factory for an upgrade the ES was not available in 02. I THINK 03 was the first year. The guitar should have the Fishman system in it which is a great system. I have it in my 810CE and have no complaints.

FWIW, I had an '02 414ce that was bought new with the ES.

[Coffeeaddict]

Originally Posted by nuggy

Did you mean you've got the "02 ES" I mistakenly thought I had? Or the '09 ES, which I now know I actually do have.

Gosh this is confusing I should start a new thread huh?

The ES2 is only in the redesigned 800 series and some limited editions - the 500 series from last fall and the current spring 400 series and the 320 baritone.

[JLed79]

Originally Posted by nuggy

Did you mean you've got the "02 ES" I mistakenly thought I had? Or the '09 ES, which I now know I actually do have.

Gosh this is confusing I should start a new thread huh?

The same ES you have. There was no ES in 2002. They didn't come out until 2003 and that generation remained in all models until 2011. So the ES in my 2006 is the same system in the 2009.

[JLed79]

Originally Posted by Coffeeaddict

The ES2 is only in the redesigned 800 series and some limited editions - the 500 series from last fall and the current spring 400 series and the 320 baritone.

Actually that's the ES3. When they switched to the 9 volt battery marked the beginning of the ES2 timeframe.
Really there are far more than 3 generations. After talking with a rep at a road show a couple years ago he told me the system in my '06 was the 5th or 6th generation. Apparently they make many tweaks along the way, but don't advertise that or market them as such. Officially there are 3 generations of the ES. In reality, by now I'm sure there are probably closer to 10-12.