Taylor introduces new Doyle Dykes signature model
(John Gorbe | Posted 2011-01-14)
In 1986, flatpicking pioneer Dan Crary sat down with guitar maker Bob Taylor to create the Dan Crary Signature model. In 1990, Leo Kottke teamed up with Bob to create the Leo Kottke Signature 12-string. These models are still going strong today due to Taylor’s dedication to excellence and love of their craft. In 2011, we have the latest Signature model: The Doyle Deluxe (DDX) Signature.
Dykes was an electric guitarist who backed a number of country artists, including Hee Haw star Grandpa Jones, for nearly 30 years. But in 1995, after a visit to the Taylor factory, Doyle began playing acoustic guitar, and soon became a Taylor clinician. In 2000, Taylor produced the first Doyle Dykes Signature guitar, the DDSM. At Summer NAMM 2010 in Nashville, Dykes put on a clinic that left everyone in awe, and he spoke about the new guitar Taylor was making for him.
The DDX is based on the company’s popular 200 series acoustic/electric guitars. It features a Grand Auditorium shape, maple laminate back and sides and a solid sitka spruce top, all covered in a gloss black finish. Similar to the DDSM, the DDX features Doyle’s Chet Atkins-style fretboard inlays on the bass side. The scale length of this guitar is 25½ inches, longer than the DDSM (24-7/8 inches). A narrower, 1-11/16 inch neck and Doyle’s signature with the word, “Deluxe” is displayed on the headstock.
The DDX also features the ES-T (Expression System Transducer) pickup, which is an under-saddle, single-source transducer with an onboard preamp mated to the same active controls installed with the full Expression System available on other Taylor models.
The Expression System incorporates three different magnetic sensors. Two of these sensors are strategically placed under the soundboard and one is mounted beneath the fretboard extension. Taylor says this placement allows pure replication of the guitars natural, unamplified tone, even when amplified.
The Doyle Deluxe comes in a hardshell gig bag and will be offered at a suggested retail price of $1998 and will be available in late spring 2011. .
From a press release.
