"TAO YAMAKAGE" TAO GUITARS

From Tao Guitars: 

The Eponymous « Tao » Guitar

This guitar was there from day one when the brand was created and named, as an idea of building an instrument that would settle the guiding lines of the shapes of things to come, a guitar that will represent the willingness of being innovative by design.

We made the deliberate choice of going the opposite way of what we were previously known for, by choosing a more natural feel & appearance, showing wood grain and working with a maximum of natural elements, a choice that is both visual and a willingness to find a new unique tonal voicing. The body is carved out a single piece of a selected Mahogany; the neck is made out of European quartersawn flame maple with an Indian rosewood fingerboard.

The hardware is kept to a bare essential; the bridge is made out of ebony with six individual brass saddles that run through the bridge to connect directly to the mahogany body, the bridge also discretely integrate a coil tap button.

The pot buttons are hand turned out of ebony, with lining patterns that reminds vintage oriental teapot, lightly recessed in the body for a stone on sand appearance.

The body comes decorated with a “Bashimen” (literally pickguard in Japanese).

The Shamisen inspired headstock is carbon layered on his back for added stiffness, this design allows a straight to tuners string path, finished in deep translucent black the highly flame maple neck is adorn by recessed polished brass side dots who ads both a sleek look and a sensitive feel, the Indian rosewood fingerboard is darkened for color unity.

The neck allows full acces, his deep cut asymmetric heel enhance with our custom fretting makes this guitar a effortless playing experience.

Concerning the electronics, we decided to collaborate with Benedetti pickups in France to come down with the tailor made “Tsurugi” (double blade sword), we were looking for a pickup that could emphasis the natural acoustic sound of the guitar and that’s exactly what Benedetti delivered, both warm, clear & transparent that just let the woods express themselves for a unique tone full equation. These pickups are hidden behind some handmade wood covers finished with the “Shou-sugi-ban” technique (charred wood) used in traditional house making , the pickups height can be adjust through the little brass rings on the sides ,the red paper wire in the middle just complete the overall styling .