Taylor and Clint Black Team Up to Create Limited Edition Guitar
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July 20, 2001
"You couldn’t pay me a million dollars to put my Taylor down and play another guitar," says country superstar Clint Black. "It’s just the way I am. I could drive any kind of car I want, and I will always own a Porsche. And I will always own a Taylor!"
Black’s enthusiasm for his Taylor guitars (Clint and his guitarist-collaborator, Hayden Nicholas, own several Taylors between them) has led to the creation of the Clint Black Signature Model (CBSM). The Limited Edition CBSM is an acoustic-electric Grand Concert 6-string with a Venetian cutaway, back and sides of East Indian rosewood, and a top of Engelmann spruce, edged with Presentation Series-style abalone and Ivoroid binding.
Black was personally involved in every aspect of the CBSM’s design, which uses his long-time favorite Taylor model, the 912c, as a starting point. The CBSM has the words "These Times" inlaid on the fingerboard (in Black’s own handwriting) and corresponding musical notes, on a musical staff wrapped around a large feather quill. The snippet of lyrics is from "When I Said I Do", which Black feels is his best work.
In recent years, Black has propagated a love of Taylor instruments by making a special gift of his koa K22 to good friend Eric Idle of Monty Python fame. Singer-songwriter Stephen Bishop also found his way to a Taylor of his own after playing a koa K14 at Black’s house.
"After touring the Taylor factory and learning how they make guitars, I had the privilege of designing one of my own, with their help," Black says. "I don’t believe there is anything out there to rival the inlay we came up with, and the sound and feel are exactly what I love about the 912c."
Each Clint Black Signature Model will have a custom sticker inside, featuring Black’s and Bob Taylor’s signatures. Only 100 CBSMs will be made. For more information, visit their web site at www.taylorguitars.com. | 
