About the First Taylor Signature Model (1986)
1996 Taylor DCSM Longneck
1952 Gibson J-200
1925 Gibson Mastertone
1982 Taylor A-55 Custom 12-String
1920s Martin OM-28
1997 Gibson F-5 Mandolin
Custom Mossman

About the First Taylor Signature Model (1986)

Taylor introduces the Dan Crary Signature Model (DCSM) at the Winter NAMM show

In January [1986], we introduce our Dan Crary Signature Model (DCSM), which represents Bob's first collaboration with an artist to develop a specific type of guitar as an alternative to our regular line. Unlike other Taylors, the DCSM features non-scalloped bracing, and is our first guitar with a rounded cutaway. Taylor's long-range intention is to develop a series of guitars in conjunction with artists. We decide to call them "Signature" models, rather than try to fit them into an existing series, where they wouldn't belong.

"My personal road instrument for years was a Mossman 'Great Plains' model," Crary recalls. "One day, Bob asked me if I'd be interested in playing a Taylor guitar. I said that I thought Taylors were great guitars, but that he tended to emphasize scalloped-braced six-strings, which were not the kind of guitars I played. A scalloped-braced guitar is very mellow and 'thumpy'-sounding, although as it dries out over the years, you get some treble overtones back.

"I was looking for a guitar that started with more high overtones throughout the whole range of the guitar. The reason I wanted that kind of balance - where you've got treble and bass overtones when you're high up on the first string or low down on the sixth string - is because I usually play over sound systems and microphones. A scalloped-braced guitar has a beautiful, rich sound when you're sitting with it in your lap, but microphones don't hear it the same way; the average dynamic microphone will turn that bass-heavy tone into distortion. A microphone likes a balanced tone, so you can get a lot of gain without distorting the EQ [equalization].

"So, Bob and I worked from the assumption that a 'pro' guitar is going to be played in front of a stage microphone. Sound technicians - of both the studio and stage variety - absolutely loved the Dan Crary Signature Model. They'd listen to it and say, 'Hey, this is great - I don't have to do this or that, because it sounds good even EQ'd flat.' We tried to create a guitar that was better for 'pros' to play."

[Note: The DCSM was produced by Taylor Guitars from 1986 to 2000. All information on the DCSM provided by the Taylor Guitar History & Archives, courtesy of John D'Agostino, Lonny Brooks, Marie Montalvo and Glen Wolf at Taylor Guitars.]