Thanks to his love for Tom Verlaine and Television, Carlos Arévalo has been hunting for an early- to mid-’60s Jaguar for some time when he ran across an online listing from actor Scott Whyte (City Guys, That '70s Show, and Full House) advertising the above 1965 Fender Jaguar. They met in person, the price was right, and (to Carlos’ desires) the neck lacquer was gone. For Chicano Batman's new LP Invisible People, he used this Jag to lay it down on “I know It,” “Invisible People,” and “Pink Elephant”. All of his guitars take Ernie Ball Regular Slinkys (.010–.046).
Cruising Chicago Music Exchange’s website he caught a glimpse of this slab board 1962 Fender Jaguar. While the slab designation makes it a highly rare instrument (supposedly only two months of production in ’62 for Jags), it’s a refin so he made a call, asked how worn the neck was (real slick), and handed over his credit card information. Carlos says this Jag is a bit warmer, whereas the ’65 sunburst is brighter.
Carlos took notice of Ernie Ball Music Man’s guitar game after seeing his contemporaries Omar Rodríguez-López and Annie Clark (St. Vincent) secure signature deals. Further exploring his interest in the new guitars was the band’s aim to make a modern-sounding record with 2020’s Invisible People, so Carlos thought it’d make sense to play some modern instruments.
While it shares the same scale length, includes a vibrato, and has a remarkably smooth neck (with added gunstock oil and wax finish) like his vintage Jags, the StingRay has a different bite because of its buckers. Carlos does comment that they sound underwound and can easily mimic a single-coil’s skanky rhythms and crispy chords.
Looking for something a little visually striking, Carlos was drawn in by the hard-angle offset silhouette of the Ernie Ball Music Man Albert Lee HH. Before taking one home from the EBMM showroom, he had two requests—a gold sparkle finish and a vibrato. They delivered and he left one guitar richer. These EBMM humbuckers are the hottest set he’s ever played through so he often finds himself in the second or fourth position for a more dulcet domain.
The band was primed to tour behind Invisible People this spring and his onstage artillery was going to be some handwired AC30s. Considering he doesn’t want to drive his family insane, he’s been rocking and rolling through this AC10 for online performances (like their recent jam for NPR’s Tiny Desk) and Instagram live sessions.
Here’s a rare bird—a transition period 1964 Fender Princeton. The circuitry is late brownface-era (using 7025/12AX& dual triode preamp tubes and 6V6GT power tubes) with a chewy tremolo that’s cloaked in a black-panel cab and chassis.
This black-panel combo is an all-original, non-reverb 1965 Princeton. Carlos says this one is a bit cleaner and has a scooped Deluxe Reverb sound from the mid ’60s. He really enjoys recording with both these low-watt Princetons revealing their sweet spot is between 4 and 5 on the volume.
While visiting family in Virginia, he was jonesing to play so he ventured out to the nearby Guitar Center to pluck some strings. After finding a worthy 6-string, he plugged into this ’90s Tone King Imperial MKI. He couldn’t leave without it so he signed on the dotted line and crossed his fingers until it showed up in California. of its “great highs, full mids, overall warmth, and great lows.”
After opening for the Arcs (side band for Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys) in Austin and hearing Dan’s huge fuzz tone, Carlos approached his tech, Dan Johnson, and found out the culprit was an EarthQuaker Devices Terminal. He bought one the next day. Adding some more fuzz flavors, he put in an Electro-Harmonix Ram’s Head Big Muff. A MXR Sub Machine Fuzz provides growling sub octave (down one or two) and the octave-up fuzz (MXR’s La Machine Fuzz circuit) is yet another shade of scuzz. Next up are a dynamic duo of digital delights by Boss—DD-200 (Digital Delay) and a MD-200 (Modulation). Up top he has a Catalinbread Topanga, Stacks FX Lil Masher, Ibanez Analog Delay Mini, and an Analog Man King of Tone. A Boss TU-2 Chromatic Tuner keeps everything in check, while a Voodoo Lab Pedal Power MONDO brings the pedals to life.
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Kurt Listug (left) and Bob Taylor (right) share a lighthearted moment.
A Limited-Edition 50th Anniversary Collection
Three standouts in Taylor’s new 50th Anniversary Collection.
To kick off the celebrations, Taylor has introduced the first wave of models from its limited-edition 50th Anniversary guitar collection. These instruments, featuring exclusive appointments and designs, are crafted to honor Taylor’s tradition of innovation and excellence. Throughout the year, additional models will be released, each representing a chapter in Taylor’s journey over the past half-century.
In addition to the guitar collection, Taylor has launched a detailed timeline on its website that chronicles the company’s major milestones, innovations, and breakthroughs. This interactive resource allows fans and guitar enthusiasts to explore the evolution of Taylor Guitars and learn about the advancements that have set the company apart in the industry. From pioneering guitar designs to their commitment to sustainability, Taylor’s history is a testament to the company’s enduring passion for quality and innovation.
American Dreamers: A Podcast Miniseries
One of the most exciting parts of Taylor’s anniversary celebration is the release of American Dreamers, a podcast miniseries that offers listeners a unique glimpse into the history of the company through candid conversations with co-founders Bob Taylor and Kurt Listug. The podcast, hosted by Taylor’s Director of Sales, Dave Pelletier, dives deep into the personal and professional lives of Bob and Kurt, tracing their early beginnings and exploring the journey that led to the creation of Taylor Guitars.
The podcast starts with Bob and Kurt’s childhoods in San Diego, where they developed an interest in music and craftsmanship. Bob recalls how, during his teenage years, he became obsessed with making guitars, a passion that would later define his career. In American Dreamers, listeners get to hear the story of how Bob and Kurt first met at the American Dream guitar shop in Lemon Grove, California, when they were just 19 and 21 years old. The shop, with its free-spirited, hippie vibe, was a hub for musicians and guitar enthusiasts in the area. It was here that the seeds of their partnership were planted, leading to a business venture that would last over 50 years.
Bob Taylor (left) and Kurt Listug (right) circa 1973 – on the cusp of launching Taylor Guitars.
The Journey from a Small Shop to a Global Brand
In the inaugural episode of the podcast, titled “Episode 1: The Road to the American Dream,” Bob and Kurt reminisce about those early days, sharing the challenges and triumphs they faced in launching their own guitar company. After meeting at the American Dream shop, the duo eventually decided to buy the business and turn it into something even greater—a company dedicated to creating innovative, high-quality guitars.
Throughout the podcast, Bob and Kurt reflect on the pivotal moments that shaped the company’s growth, including their decision to implement groundbreaking guitar designs and their commitment to sustainability in later years. Taylor Guitars became known for its patented bolt-on neck, a feature that improved playability and ease of maintenance, as well as its forward-thinking use of responsibly sourced tonewoods. These innovations have solidified Taylor’s place as a leader in the guitar industry, setting new standards for craftsmanship and environmental responsibility.
Bob Taylor (left) and Kurt Listug (right) enjoy some of their new instruments in 1985.
American Dreamers isn’t just a historical retelling; it’s a treasure trove of insights for fans of Taylor Guitars and those interested in the art of guitar-making. The conversations between Bob, Kurt, and host Dave Pelletier offer a rare behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to build a successful guitar company from the ground up. For aspiring entrepreneurs, guitar enthusiasts, and anyone curious about Taylor’s success, this podcast provides invaluable lessons in creativity, perseverance, and the spirit of innovation.
A Year of Reflection and Looking Ahead
As Taylor Guitars celebrates its 50th anniversary, the company is using this moment to both reflect on its past achievements and look ahead to the future. The limited-edition anniversary guitar collection and the American Dreamers podcast are just two ways Taylor is commemorating this milestone year. By sharing the personal stories of its founders and showcasing the craftsmanship that has made its guitars world-renowned, Taylor is giving fans and musicians an opportunity to connect with the brand on a deeper level.
New episodes of American Dreamers will be released periodically throughout the year, and listeners can tune in on their favorite podcast platforms or watch video versions of the interviews on Taylor’s website. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Taylor Guitars or someone interested in the art and business of guitar-making, this podcast promises to be an engaging and informative series that highlights the passion and dedication that have driven Taylor’s success over the past 50 years.
Be sure to follow or subscribe to American Dreamers to stay up to date on the latest episodes and visit Taylor’s website to explore the full range of anniversary guitars and learn more about the company’s 50-year journey.
