Manan began his solo career in 2013 with the instrumental “Dear Mother,” and is known for his unique guitar style that combines Bass-line, Melody, Harmony, and Rhythm simultaneously. His debut album, Mix Mood, was released in 2018.
With over 100 live shows globally, he has performed at major events like The NAMM Show, Zihuatanejo International Guitar Festival, and TEDxGateway. Manan’s accolades include winning best acoustic guitar at the 6 String Theory International Music Competition and Best Singer-Songwriter at the Bandstand Revival People’s Choice Concert. He has also been recognized by prominent artists such as Kaki King and Jon Gomm.
Let’s delve into Manan’s story and explore his reasons for selecting a Taylor acoustic guitar as his preferred instrument.
Q. What initially attracted you to Taylor acoustic guitars, and how did you first become acquainted with the brand?
Manan: I was looking for an upgrade that would resonate well with my style of playing i.e. Percussive Fingerstyle. When I was invited to perform at the NAMM show, in LA in 2017 I took it as an opportunity to explore all the world-class Guitars showcased over there, that’s when I ended up getting myself a Taylor after thoroughly checking out pretty much every single Acoustic Guitar displayed in the exhibition. The action, feel, bass, sound projection, and even the percussive hits just felt right to my liking.
Q. Tell us about your guitar. Can you describe the specific qualities or features of Taylor guitars that made you choose them over other acoustic guitar brands?
Manan: My style of playing utilizes the whole body of the guitar so I mostly use the Taylor Big Baby for my live shows especially because of its compact size but with the sound and feel of a standard full-size guitar which makes it perfect to travel with. I have been using this Guitar for almost 8 years now and by far this is the longest-surviving guitar I have owned. All my previous guitars would not last for more than 2 years and would break either while traveling or with my somewhat aggressive style of playing so I would need to give them frequently for fixing, but my Taylor has never even cracked and has survived in various harsh conditions while still maintaining a stable tuning and an excellent projection.
Q. How do you feel Taylor’s commitment to innovation and craftsmanship influences the sound and playability of their guitars?
Manan: I feel Taylor makes their guitars while keeping various styles and genres of guitar players in mind. I keep shuffling between different genes, techniques, and styles of playing during my live shows so having just 1 guitar to pull it off with such ease is bliss.
In addition, it’s super comfortable to play due to the slim neck profile and smooth fretboard. The action (string height) is set low, making it easier to do a lot of tapping, shredding, sweep picking, and other advanced techniques. Taylor also has the NT (New Technology) neck joint, which enhances stability and sustain especially in alternate tunings which I use a lot.
Q. Did you have any specific criteria or preferences in mind when selecting your Taylor guitar, and if so, how did the brand meet or exceed those expectations?
Manan: My style of playing is not just limited to the fret-board, it utilizes the whole body of the guitar so the first thing I look for is that the top of the guitar body needs to be matt or raw finish without any extra coating as it makes the percussive hits sound boxy or something like hitting a table. The raw matt finish makes the percussive sounds more organic like a proper standalone percussion. The next is the balance of the sound projection from the strings. The bass, mid, and treble should have the perfect balance when strumming or finger-picking so in the end it needs to emulate a whole band. It’s quite rare for me to find a guitar like that and I was thinking of getting one custom-made but fortunately, I came across the Taylor Big baby guitar which has all the qualities and on top of that it’s not too big, easy to travel with and extremely durable for a raw matt finish.
Q. Taylor guitars are renowned for their consistency and reliability. Can you share any experiences or anecdotes that highlight the durability and longevity of your Taylor instrument?
Manan: I have been using the Taylor Guitar for almost 8 years now and by far this is the longest-surviving guitar I have owned. It has never even cracked and has survived in various harsh conditions while maintaining a stable tuning, projection, and perfect intonation throughout the fretboard.
Q. Many musicians value the aesthetic appeal of their instruments. What are your thoughts on Taylor’s attention to detail and craftsmanship in terms of the visual appeal of their guitars?
Manan: It feels premium to hold and to even look at. The slim neck profile, smooth fretboard, perfect action, and the unique structure of Taylor’s headstock not only make it extremely comfortable to play but also make the performer look good on stage.
Q. Taylor guitars offer a wide range of body shapes and sizes. How did you decide on the specific model that best suited your playing style and preferences?
Manan: I always prefer a raw matt finish guitar as it has an enhanced and clearer percussive sound that’s why I went for the Taylor Big Baby. The body feels premium and durable plus it’s a compact-sized guitar with a big well-balanced sound so it’s perfect for traveling.
Q. Taylor guitars are often praised for their playability and ease of maintenance. Can you share any insights into your own experiences with the setup and upkeep of your Taylor instrument?
Manan: As a live performer, I have to travel to a lot of places with different climate conditions but my Taylor handles it really well. It never requires heavy maintenance and is always stable in different tunings during my set.
Q. In your opinion, what sets Taylor guitars apart from other acoustic guitar brands on the market, and why would you recommend them to fellow musicians?
Manan: I mostly keep my action and tuning lower than that on a standard guitar. It’s amazing how well my Taylor handles it without creating any buzzing sound while maintaining an excellent projection and perfect intonation throughout the fretboard. The sustain, stability, and comfort of playing are the reasons I would strongly recommend it to fellow musicians.
Q. Finally, as a proud owner of a Taylor guitar, what advice would you give to someone who is considering investing in their first Taylor instrument?
Manan: You can never go wrong with any Taylor guitar but if you do a lot of percussive fingerstyle playing or mostly finger-picking then definitely go for the solid spruce or Sitka spruce top with raw Matt finish, having said that It’s essential to try different guitars and find the one that resonates with you.
