I've just finished recording John Sherman and Carol Barney playing tasteful guitar duets of some lovely (and occasionally lively) Irish tunes, and both were playing Taylors. Recorded them through AKG 414s and they sounded splendid. Neither used directs. The CD will be available soon (I'll let you know when) and you can judge for yourselves!

On the other hand, I sat in the "expensive" room at McCabe's a few years ago and played a variety of Martins, Taylors, etc. Didn't find an instrument that tempted me to replace my Laskin as the primary instrument at our gigs. I've also played a couple of nice instruments from Santa Cruz. Same reaction. But (Rick will tell you) I hardly put an instrument through the mill. When he plays my loaner Larrivee, I find it possesses chords I never knew were in there!

Sandy "Never above the fifth fret, and rarely above the third!" Paton