The Taggart interface is a handmade interface that is made exclusively by John Taggart (taggguitars.com). It is a wooden interface that fits onto the plastic belt strap of your strap and then sits snuggly atop a cymbal stand.
John is a luthier and professional guitar tech (currently with Fleetwood Mac) who worked closely with the cats from Heartstrings to create the template for the Taggart interface. They can be purchased directly through him.
While Kevin has accurately listed the benefits / limitations of the interface, here are a couple more that I have identified over time.
CONS
* If you use a pedalboard, you may not have a good time. Pedals or pedalboards will need to be placed around, under and to the side of the stand.
* Sway. There is a small amount of sway, I was able to adapt to this after about a day or two of playing.
* Not for clumsy people. If you kick things over with any frequency, you will need to be careful using the interface. In the the 4 years that I have had mine, I have not pitched the Stick once (and I am pretty clumsy).
* One more thing to carry. As is you didn't have enough
* Adapter for cymbal insert is less than perfect. Hard to explain but the insert for the cymbal stand doesn't hold the position of the stand as much as I might like it to. It simply means the occasional readjustment when you play
PROS
* The unit is light, well built and dependable. The interface is easy to use and very portable.
* You can walk up on your instrument without having to put on a belt, adjust it, pick up the instrument and then put on the shoulder strap.
* You can make adjustments to your rig, pedals, etc without being strapped into your instrument.
*Unplug. You are able to walk away from the instrument without having to first zero out a volume pedal, unplug a cable or take the instrument off and then set it down. Priceless.
* Easy on the back. If one has problems with posture or a bad back, this is a good option, just be mindful of your left hand position (30 degrees and elbow up)
* When the notion to play hits, you are on the instrument and playing in the same amount of time it takes to turn on your amp.
I respect those who like to have the instrument right up against them, it is pretty cool to feel the strings vibrate against you when playing. I believe that Emmett feels the same way - the inspiration has less distance to travel when the instrument is right up against you.
Ease of use, portability and convenience factors of the Taggart interface were the defining characteristics for me.
I have more time in my day to play music now that the instrument is so accessible. Multi-tasking with the Stick is easy, especially in live situations where I am simultaneously configuring live sound, working with other musicians or any other task that would require me to take off the instrument to complete.
So glad to see you were able to round one of these up Kev. I will be curious to see your comments over the next few weeks and months as you try it out.
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and blast it in the morning though. Also, the instrument always stays in the same spot, which is important I think..
