Taylor 210ce Acoustic Lives Up to its Name

Taylor guitars are known for their excellent construction, quality materials, wonderful playability and tremendous sound.  In June of 2011 I bought a Taylor 210ce for $1,000, with a hard gig bag case included, and I couldn't be happier.  Let me tell you why.

This guitar plays magnificently.  I know what you are thinking-- this guitar is not one of their high priced, made in USA versions with the solid wood sides and back.  No, but it is a great instrument!  Taylor makes quality guitars and the plant in Mexico is right in step with the California shop just across the border.  The guitar neck is very comfortable and allows for quick and smooth changes.  I am able to get up in the high notes with a cutaway that gives you the freedom to bend strings playing blues runs.  It came with medium strings and I went ahead and tried light gauge.  I found that mediums play like lights, and yet give you a greater volume and solid, brassy notes that ring out.  I recommend the medium and you won't have a problem with the action on this great neck.

These 210ce guitars are build very well.  This guitar is airtight in its construction.  The joints are all well designed and put together, and the fit and finish are as great as their $3,000 models.   Examine the guitar and you come away knowing it was constructed with pride and expertise.  It looks fantastic.  I love the resonant sound that comes from a chamber that is constructed without bracing on the inside of the back, allowing more room for sustain and tone (this design reminds me of the Guild D25 arch back accoustic they made in Rhode Island in the 1970's).

The tone woods sound beautifully.  This guitar does have laminated rosewood sides and back.  Do not underestimate the value of the rosewood, because, though it is in a veneer state, the rosewood is a factor in the sound character of this guitar.  It possesses a full, warm sound that rivals the 310 or 314ce.  In my opinion, it sounds better than the 314ce, which I have played.  It projects loudly and has a brilliant clarity to each note and an overriding sustain to a strummed chord.  The solid spruce top is a carefully selected piece of wood with a tight and beautiful grain.  I haven't seen a better looking and sounding spruce top on either my Martin D28 or Guild D55, both of which are much higher priced instruments.

The electronics in this guitar sound great and allow for the natural woodiness to shine through.  The Taylor system amplifies the guitar in a way that does not compromise its clarity or sustaining warmth.  I am proud to play this guitar on stage through an acoustic amp or a PA system. 

The case is very nice, and though it is a bag, it has a hard construction where it counts so it reduces weight while stylishly protecting this beautiful instrument it carries.

The machines or tuners are the best I have on any of my axes-- it holds tune quite well.  No, let me rephrase that-- it stays tuned in a surprisingly satisfying way!  I think this is one of the best reasons to buy and use this guitar to perform.  This guitar's tuning doesn't slip and I attribute that to quality construction, coupled with the excellent tuners possessing a favorable gear ratio.  I can't emphasize tuning enough in recommending this guitar.

I love the dreadnought shape and its sound.  It is big and full, while not getting muddy in the low end.  It remains clear and it provides very nice single note leads.  The sustain is inspiring as you accompany lyrics with chording.  The sound is particularly tasty when finger picking.

My Taylor 210ce sits here on the left next to my Fender Strat.

I am a happy Taylor 210ce owner.  Though I have several USA-made high end guitars, the Taylor is my every day practice instrument and sounds like a winner on stage.  When I don't want to risk taking my more expensive guitars, I don't give away quality or sound to happily take my Taylor to a gig or jam session.  I give it an excellent rating.  -- Guitar Man

Why the California Reference in "Sweet Home Chicago?"

Now you have had the chance to listen to Robert Johnson's version of Sweet Home Chicago.

Johnson sings, "Back to the land of California, To my sweet home Chicago."  Now, I ask you: Why does Robert Johnson sing the line about California?

I did some research and found that the song is an adaptation of an old blues number by a blues man named Kokomo in the 1930's.  But in adapting this song and writing his own lyrics Robert Johnson clearly used the phrase of his own I quoted above with the reference to California.  Chicago is not in California!  What did he mean?

There are two options:  First, California represents the "land of milk and honey", or the promised land if you will.  Second, it could be that Johnson's geography training just left him lacking on his knowledge of the location of California and he associated it with Illinois in some way.  This is also a reasonable assumption, because with Johnson's tremendous talent, he was also a very young man at this point.

Reference:  http://blueslyrics.tripod.com/lyrics/robert_johnson/sweet_home_chicago.htm

Give the song a listen again as played by Clapton.  Awesome version!  -- Guitar Man