Taylor Guitars Expression System V1 and V2

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Taylor Guitars first shipped guitars with the Expression System (ES1) electronics in 2003.

Notable Differences Between ES1 and ES2:

  1. Pickup Design and Placement:

    • ES1: Features a magnetic pickup/dummy coil under the fingerboard extension and two body sensor pickups on the underside of the guitar’s top. This system captures a combination of string and body vibrations but is considered less dynamic compared to later systems.
    • ES2: Introduced in 2014, it uses a patented behind-the-saddle pickup with three individually calibrated piezo sensors. These are positioned to capture the saddle’s back-and-forth motion, resulting in a more dynamic and natural sound compared to traditional under-saddle piezo systems, which can sound thin or brittle.

  2. Sound Quality:

    • ES1: Produces a warm, organic tone but is less responsive to dynamic playing and can be prone to feedback in some settings. It’s considered obsolete, with replacement parts scarce.
    • ES2: Offers a broader dynamic range and a more authentic acoustic tone, reducing the “synthetic” quality often associated with piezo pickups. It emphasizes the guitar’s natural sound, suitable for various playing styles and genres.

  3. Preamp and Controls:

    • ES1: Uses a preamp with a AA battery box (in early versions) and a CAT5 signal cable. It has basic volume and tone controls, with one or two switches to toggle dynamic top sensors for high-end presence.
    • ES2: Features a professional audio-grade preamp powered by a 9-volt battery, with three soft-touch knobs for volume, bass, and treble, each with a center detent for flat settings. It includes a phase switch to combat feedback. The design is less invasive, with only knobs exposed on the guitar’s upper bout.

  4. Battery System:

    • ES1: Early models used two AA batteries; later versions (e.g., ES1.3) adapted to maintain compatibility with AA battery boxes.
    • ES2: Uses a single 9-volt battery with an automatic on/off system (activated by plugging in a cable) and an LED battery life indicator. It provides 30-40 hours of plugged-in use.

  5. Upgradability:

    • ES1: Can be upgraded to ES2 in guitars already equipped with earlier Expression Systems (ES1.1, ES1.2, ES1.3, or ES-T), but this requires professional installation, including drilling the bridge for sensor placement.
    • ES2: Not compatible with ES1 electronics due to different circuitry and preamp design. It’s a complete redesign, not just an upgrade.

  6. User Reception:

    • ES1: Generally well-received at the time for preserving the “Taylor-ness” of the guitar’s tone but less favored today due to limited dynamics and availability of parts.
    • ES2: Mixed reviews; some praise its clarity and versatility, especially with quality amplification, while others find it harsh or overly sensitive to string noise, preferring alternatives like LR Baggs systems.

In summary, the ES1 (2003–2009) was groundbreaking for its time but is now outdated, while the ES2 (2014–present) offers a more advanced, dynamic, and natural-sounding amplification system, though it has critics for its tonal character in certain setups.

Is the ES2 Used Throughout the Taylor Lineup After 2014?

Yes, after its introduction in 2014, the Taylor Expression System 2 (ES2) became the standard pickup system for most steel-string acoustic-electric guitars across Taylor’s lineup, from the 100 Series to the 800 Series and beyond. However, there are exceptions:

  • Lower-End Models: The Baby Taylor, GS Mini, and Academy Series use the ES-B system (introduced around 2015), a simplified version of the ES2 with a behind-the-saddle pickup but a different preamp design, often powered by CR2032 or 9-volt batteries and featuring an onboard tuner.
  • Nylon-String Models: Models like the 214ce-N use the ES-N system, tailored for nylon-string guitars to capture their distinct tonal characteristics.
  • Non-Electric Models: Some models, particularly in the American Dream Series and certain custom or high-end configurations, are available without electronics.
  • Custom and Limited Editions: Some Builder’s Edition or limited-run guitars may omit electronics or use alternative systems, but ES2 is standard for most acoustic-electric models post-2014.

By 2014, Taylor phased out earlier systems like the ES1 and ES-T for new production, making ES2 the default for steel-string acoustic-electric guitars across most series.

Is the ES2 the Same Across the Line from the 100 Series to the 800 Series?

The ES2 system is fundamentally the same in design and functionality across Taylor’s lineup, from the 100 Series to the 800 Series, but there are subtle differences in implementation and performance due to the guitar’s construction and materials:

  1. Core Design:

    • Across all series, the ES2 features a behind-the-saddle pickup with three individually calibrated piezo sensors and a professional audio-grade preamp. It includes three soft-touch knobs (volume, bass, treble) with center detents and a phase switch to reduce feedback. The system is powered by a 9-volt battery with an automatic on/off mechanism.
    • This design is consistent whether on a 114ce (100 Series) or an 814ce (800 Series).

  2. Tonewood and Bracing Impact:

    • While the ES2 hardware is identical, the amplified sound varies due to differences in tonewoods, body shapes, and bracing. For example:
      • 100 Series (e.g., 114ce): Features solid spruce tops with layered walnut or sapele backs and sides, producing a bright, clear tone. The ES2 captures this with good projection but may sound less rich compared to higher series due to layered woods.
      • 800 Series (e.g., 814ce): Uses solid Indian rosewood and Sitka spruce with V-Class bracing, delivering warmer lows, pristine trebles, and a more complex tone. The ES2 enhances these qualities, providing a more refined amplified sound.
    • Higher-end series (e.g., 500–800 Series) often have V-Class bracing (introduced later, around 2018), which improves sustain and intonation, indirectly enhancing the ES2’s output.

  3. Build Quality and Appointments:

    • The physical integration of the ES2 (e.g., preamp placement, knob aesthetics) is consistent, but higher-end models like the 800 Series may feature more refined aesthetic appointments (e.g., abalone inlays, gloss finishes) that complement the electronics’ placement.
    • The ES2’s performance is optimized for each series’ tonal profile, but the core electronics remain unchanged.

  4. User Experience:

    • The ES2 is designed to be plug-and-play friendly across all series, working well with acoustic amps, PA systems, or recording interfaces.
    • Some players report that the ES2 sounds better on higher-end models (e.g., 800 Series) due to superior tonewoods and bracing, but others criticize its tonal consistency across the board, citing a harsh or overly bright sound, especially in lower-end models like the 100 or 200 Series.

  5. Exceptions and Variations:

    • The ES-B system, used in entry-level models like the GS Mini, shares the behind-the-saddle pickup design but has a simpler preamp with fewer controls (e.g., single tone knob or three-band EQ in later versions).
    • In rare cases, custom shop or older transitional models (e.g., pre-2014 100/200 Series with ES-T) may differ, but post-2014, ES2 is standard for steel-string acoustic-electrics.

Summary

The ES2 is the standard pickup system for most steel-string acoustic-electric Taylor guitars from the 100 Series to the 800 Series post-2014, with the same core design (behind-the-saddle pickup, three piezo sensors, 9-volt preamp). However, its amplified sound varies due to differences in tonewoods, body shapes, and bracing (e.g., V-Class in higher series). Lower-end models (Baby Taylor, GS Mini, Academy) use the simpler ES-B system, and nylon-string models use ES-N. While the ES2 is consistent in hardware, its performance is perceived as more refined in higher-end series due to superior materials and construction.