Taylor ES2 Expression System 2 User Manual

Taylor ES2 Expression System 2 User Manual

The Taylor Expression System 2 (ES2) is a revolutionary pickup design that delivers the latest in Taylor’s ongoing innovation in acoustic guitar amplification. The heart of the ES2 is Taylor’s patented behind-the-saddle pickup, which features three uniquely positioned and individually calibrated pickup sensors. The location of the sensors enables a more dynamic range of acoustic sound to be captured than ever before. Together with Taylor’s custom-designed “professional audio”-grade preamp, this system produces exceptional amplified tone and responsiveness. On stage through a PA, plugged into your favorite acoustic amplifier, or direct into recording software, the ES2 faithfully conveys the voice of your Taylor guitar.

The ES2 also operates through a proprietary 9-volt battery compartment and easy-to-use volume and tone controls

Connections

The ES2 is designed to be plugged in using a standard 1/4″ guitar cable, which will work in every circumstance: with an acoustic guitar amplifier, a standard direct box, or any other guitar-ready application.

Note
The ES2 is designed with different circuitry than previous versions of the Expression System and will not work with a balanced TRS jack. To convert to a balanced signal for long runs to a mixer or snake, plug into a DI (Direct Input) box.

Tone Controls

Three soft-touch knobs allow for simple, accurate control of your guitar’s amplified tone. Adjusting the Bass, Treble and Volume gives you the ability to shape your tone considerably. Experiment with different control settings to find what works best for you.

All three controls feature a center detent — a small “bump” you can feel when rotating the knob to the center position:

• Bass and Treble: Center position = flat (no cut or boost)
• Volume: Center position = half of maximum output

Control arrangement (from front to back of guitar):

• Position: Control
• Closest to front: Volume
• Center: Treble
• Closest to back: Bass
  

Tone-Shaping

The ES2 opens up new frontiers in sound and enables you to create a wide range of tones using simple adjustments of the onboard controls. The built-in equalizer reacts to subtle changes in Bass, Treble and Volume, emphasizing individual characteristics of the guitar’s natural sound.

• Turning Bass or Treble clockwise past center detent: adds bass or treble
• Turning Bass or Treble counter-clockwise from center detent: reduces bass or treble

NOTE
Midrange tip: Turning both Bass and Treble up past the center detent creates a dipped midrange. Turning both Bass and Treble down while increasing the Volume control boosts the midrange.

Plugging In

Follow these steps to set the correct volume and tone levels when you first plug in:

1. Turn all three controls on the guitar to the center detent position. In this position Bass and Treble are flat, and Volume is at the midway point.
2. Turn the volume knob on your amplifier or mixer all the way down. Then plug in the guitar.
3. Set the tone controls on your amplifier or mixer to flat or a neutral position.
   NOTE
   Some acoustic guitar amplifiers do not have an active EQ. If so, setting all tone controls to the  same number is a good starting point.
4. Slowly raise the amplifier or mixer volume to a comfortable level, then adjust the tone controls on your guitar to suit your personal taste.

Battery Usage

The ES2 requires one 9-volt battery. Taylor recommends Duracell® for optimal performance and long life. A new battery provides approximately 30–40 hours of plugged-in use.

The ES2 conserves battery life using an automatic on/off system:

• Inserting a cable activates the preamp
• Removing the cable returns the system to off mode

An LED battery life indicator is located inside the soundhole on the preamp circuit board.

If your amplified tone begins to sound distorted, the battery most likely needs to be replaced.

To change the battery:

1. Release the clip on the battery carriage (located along the tail line of the guitar) by pushing it toward the input jack.
2. Remove the battery.
3. Insert a new 9V battery, paying close attention to the positive/negative orientation shown inside the carriage.

Tip
Batteries can leak if left unused for long periods of time. When you replace your battery, write the date on it with a permanent marker to track how long it has been in the guitar.

Phase Switch

A phase switch is included on the preamp to help reduce low-frequency
feedback in live situations. The switch is accessible through the sound hole of the guitar and is located on the side of the circuit board. If low-frequency feedback becomes an issue during live performance, changing the phase on either your amplifier or the guitar will help resolve the problem.

Pickup Adjustments

The ES2 uses three uniquely positioned, individually calibrated pickup sensors located behind the saddle. The individual pickup pressures are factory set and will likely only need to be adjusted if the saddle is being removed or replaced.

Pressure on each sensor is controlled by turning the adjustment screws visible behind the saddle. The small circles behind the bridge contain tiny adjustable arms — turning the adjustment screws moves the arms forward or backward, increasing or decreasing the pressure of the pickup sensors against the lower rear portion of the saddle.

Important
The saddle should not be removed or replaced without first loosening the adjustment screws on top of the pickup housings. Failure to do so may damage the pickup.

Removing the Saddle

1. Loosen the pickup sensors by turning the pressure adjustment screws on top of the housings counter-clockwise turns. This backs the sensor arms away from the saddle so it can be removed cleanly. Use a .050 hex key (Allen wrench).
2. Remove the saddle from the slot.
3. After placing the saddle back in the slot, reset the pickup sensors by turning the screws clockwise 1

Fine Adjustment

Very light pressure on the sensors is all that is needed for the system to work well. Changing the tension slightly will alter the timbre and volume of the pickup. Approximately one full turn of the tension screw is the maximum recommended pressure variance.

To fine-tune the pickup pressure by ear:

1. Plug the guitar in and turn the volume up.
2. While plucking sets of two strings at a time (E/A · D/G · B/E), turn the adjustment screw associated with those strings counter-clockwise one full turn until the sound of those strings diminishes. This loosens the pressure on the sensor.
3.  Turn the screw back clockwise 1 turn at a time while plucking the strings, until the sound returns. Repeat for the remaining string pairings.

Additional note:
The pickup system is held in place by the pressure of the sensors against the saddle. If the pickup is accidentally pushed out during saddle replacement, it can be reinserted by pushing it up through the three pickup holes from underneath the bridge. The top of the pickup housing should be flush with the top of the bridge.