Taylor Guitars: Iconic Sound & Craftsmanship

Table of Contents

Introduction to Taylor Guitars

Taylor Guitars was founded in 1974 by Bob Taylor and Kurt Listug in El Cajon, California. From the beginning, Taylor aimed to build high quality acoustic guitars through innovation and consistency. Today, Taylor is respected worldwide for their excellent craftsmanship and signature sound.

The company started modestly in a small shop, but quickly grew due to their attention to detail and quality control. While other major guitar brands had been outsourcing production overseas, Taylor insisted on keeping manufacturing in the United States. They brought in cutting-edge technology like computer mills and lasers to boost efficiency while maintaining expert hand-craftsmanship.

Over the decades, Taylor has introduced numerous innovations to acoustic guitar design. They’ve experimented with new tonewoods, bracing patterns, neck shapes, body styles and electronics. Models like the Grand Auditorium and Grand Pacific represent Taylor’s original body shapes. Their ES2 pickup system set a new standard for amplifying acoustic guitars cleanly.

Today, Taylor offers acoustic guitars across a wide range of prices. Their lineup includes affordable 100 and 200 series models ideal for beginners and intermediate players. The 300 and 400 series represent excellent mid-range instruments. For pros and serious hobbyists, Taylor’s premium 500 and 600 series boast all solid-wood construction and top-notch appointments. Custom options are also available through TaylorWare and the Custom Shop.

Taylor’s Acoustic Guitar Series

Taylor categorizes their acoustic guitars into series that are differentiated by materials, features, and pricing. This helps guitarists easily identify the models that fit their needs and budget.

The 100 Series is Taylor’s most affordable line of all solid wood acoustic guitars. Models in the 100 Series feature layered walnut back and sides paired with a solid Sitka spruce top. This combination delivers Taylor’s signature balanced tone at an entry-level price point under $1,000. The 100 Series is ideal for beginner and intermediate players.

Stepping up, the 200 Series uses layered maple back and sides with a solid spruce or mahogany top. The 200 Series adds premium appointments like armrest bevels and narrowed nut widths for improved comfort and playability. Models in the 200 Series range from $700-$900, providing excellent value with Taylor’s signature sound.

The 300 Series incorporates Taylor’s proprietary tropical mahogany back and sides which adds warmth and sweetness to the tone. The 300 Series is the first to incorporate Taylor’s groundbreaking V-Class bracing system, which increases volume, sustain, and tuning stability. Prices range from $900-$2,000.

At the premium end, Taylor’s 400 to 900 Series utilize solid wood back and sides ranging from Indian rosewood to figured maple. These series offer Taylor’s most refined appointments, electronics, and design innovations. The Grand Auditorium and Grand Concert body styles are most prominent in these lines. Prices span from $2,000 up to over $8,000 for the highest-end models.

The Presentation Series represents Taylor’s most exclusive limited-run guitars featuring premium tonewoods, inlays, and finishes. Most Presentation models are Grand Auditorium or Grand Symphony body shapes with prices starting around $5,000.

This overview of Taylor’s guitar series demonstrates how their product line caters to players across the budget spectrum while retaining Taylor’s commitment to quality, playability, and innovation. Each series has its own unique sound, features, and aesthetic.

Popular Taylor Models

Taylor offers several popular acoustic guitar models that are great options for players at various skill levels. Here are some of their most sought-after guitars:

Taylor GS Mini

The Taylor GS Mini is a 3/4-size acoustic guitar with a 23.5" scale length. It produces impressive volume and tone for its compact size, making it great for travel or players with smaller hands. The solid sapele top and layered walnut back/sides provide a balanced, articulate sound. The GS Mini is a top choice for beginners looking for their first real acoustic guitar.

Taylor 114ce

The Taylor 114ce is a full-size Grand Auditorium guitar with a 25.5" scale length. It has a solid Sitka spruce top and layered walnut back/sides. The 114ce is known for its dynamic range, rich overtones, and excellent intonation up the neck. The onboard ES2 pickup system provides natural amplified tone. The 114ce is ideal for intermediate players ready to invest in their first all-solid-wood Taylor.

Taylor 214ce

The Taylor 214ce is similar to the 114ce but steps things up with layered rosewood back/sides. The rosewood adds warmth and sweetness to the tone. The 214ce has clear articulation and balanced bass, midrange, and treble. Its versatile sound works for all playing styles. The 214ce is a great choice for intermediate players who want an all-solid-wood Taylor with a rich, full voice.

Premium Taylor Guitars

Taylor’s premium guitar models represent the pinnacle of their craftsmanship and innovation. These high-end guitars are built with the finest tonewoods and appointments to deliver exceptional sound, playability, and visual aesthetics.

The Presentation Series sits at the top of Taylor’s lineup, with the Grand Auditorium, Dreadnought, and Grand Symphony body shapes available. Everything about these guitars is built to the highest standards, from the immaculate bookmatched figured maple binding to the Italian acrylic and abalone inlays. Models like the Presentation Koa and Maple guitars exemplify Taylor’s obsession with detail and quality control.

For players seeking the ultimate in customization, Taylor’s Custom Shop allows you to truly make their acoustic your own. You can select your preferred body shape, tonewoods, aesthetics, and more. Options like beveled armrests, rounded neck heels, and unique inlay designs let you craft a Taylor that’s one-of-a-kind. The expertise of Taylor’s master luthiers ensures your custom guitar will meet your vision while retaining Taylor’s signature sound and playability.

Other unique high-end Taylor offerings include their 12-string models, like the 150e and 562ce 12-strings, along with baritone and nylon-string guitars. Models like the 914ce and 916ce nylon-strings offer a different sonic flavor with Taylor’s renowned attention to detail and craftsmanship. For players seeking exotic tonewoods, the Koa Series pairs Hawaiian Koa with spruce or mahogany tops for a warm, rounded tone perfect for fingerstyle playing.

From stock high-end guitars to full custom builds, Taylor’s premium models deliver an exceptional playing experience matched with next-level aesthetics and tone. Discerning players who appreciate fine craftsmanship will find their new musical soulmate in Taylor’s upper echelon.

Taylor Acoustic-Electric Guitars

Taylor acoustic-electric guitars take their expertly crafted acoustic models and add the versatility of built-in pickups and preamps, allowing players to amplify their sound for live performances or recording. Taylor uses their proprietary Expression System 2 (ES2) to amplify their acoustic-electric models. The ES2 features three uniquely positioned and individually calibrated pickup sensors to accurately capture the guitar’s natural sound.

Popular Taylor acoustic-electric models include:

Taylor 114ce: An affordable mid-sized dreadnought with layered rosewood back and sides and a solid Sitka spruce top, equipped with the ES2 system. Ideal for players looking for an amplified Taylor option on a budget.
Taylor 214ce: A step up from the 114ce, with a solid rosewood back and sides paired with the Sitka spruce top. The V-Class bracing provides excellent resonance and sustain. The ES2 preamp provides clear amplified tone.
Taylor 324ce: A mid-priced grand auditorium model with a solid spruce top and solid rosewood back and sides. The ES2 system captures the warm, rich tones of the all-solid-wood body.
Taylor 714ce: A premium grand auditorium with solid Indian rosewood back and sides and a solid Lutz spruce top. The ES2 preamp brings out the crisp highs, warm lows, and balanced mids.

The ES2 preamp allows players to shape their amplified tone with simple bass, mid, and treble controls. Most models also have an onboard tuner. With the ES2 system, Taylor acoustic-electric models produce excellent amplified tone comparable to their all-acoustic counterparts.

Taylor Guitar Craftsmanship and Materials

Taylor Guitars is renowned for their meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail throughout the guitar-building process. Each Taylor guitar goes through many skilled hands from start to finish, with master luthiers overseeing every step.

The process begins with the selection of the perfect tonewoods to be used. Taylor sources premium tonewoods like Sitka spruce, mahogany, and rosewood from sustainable sources around the world. Their wood experts carefully hand-pick each top, back, and side set for visual appeal, resonance, and tonal characteristics.

Once the materials are chosen, the guitar body and neck take shape in Taylor’s state-of-the-art factory. Taylor employs innovative tools and techniques like CNC machining along with traditional hand-carving skills to craft each component. Necks are shaped for optimal feel and playability. Bodies are built for balanced and nuanced tone using Taylor’s proprietary bracing patterns.

Throughout the building process, Taylor’s luthiers check tolerances and fit using specialized tools like Plek machines. This attention to detail ensures every guitar body is precision-built for perfect string alignment and effortless playability. They also inspect each guitar’s aesthetics closely, making adjustments by hand to achieve flawless beauty worthy of the Taylor name.

Some of Taylor’s most innovative features include their patented NT neck system for stability, ES2 pickup systems that faithfully amplify acoustic tone, and V-Class bracing that allows their guitars to play and sound louder. Taylor is never content to rest on past achievements, always pushing to improve their guitars through clever engineering and design.

From start to finish, Taylor Guitars are built by people who take pride in their work. Their culture of guitar craftsmanship combines cutting-edge technology with a human touch to produce instruments cherished by musicians worldwide.

Taylor Guitar Tonewoods

The specific tonewoods that Taylor chooses to craft their guitars with have a significant impact on the instrument’s resonance, sustain and overall tonal character. Taylor primarily uses solid wood tops, backs and sides on their acoustic guitars.

The most common tonewoods found in Taylor acoustics include:

Sitka Spruce – This lightweight and responsive spruce is the most prevalent acoustic top wood. Its stiffness and strength produce bright, articulate treble notes and good volume projection. Sitka spruce amplifies the tonal qualities of the back and side woods.
Mahogany – Known for its warm, balanced sound, mahogany backs and sides add a touch of sweetness to Taylor’s mahogany-topped guitars. It offers clear mids and lows with more mid-range emphasis than rosewood. Mahogany pairs well with spruce tops.
Indian Rosewood – The most sought-after back/side wood, Indian rosewood contributes deep lows, shimmering highs and great sustain. Its complex overtones enrich the core tone. Rosewood has become increasingly scarce and costly.

The unique combination of spruce, mahogany and rosewood in Taylor’s acoustic guitars produces their lively and balanced tonal response. The choice of specific tonewoods in each Taylor model gives them slightly different sonic personalities while retaining Taylor’s signature acoustic sound.

The Taylor Acoustic Guitar Sound

Taylor Guitars are renowned for their bright, balanced, and clear acoustic guitar tone. There are several factors that contribute to Taylor’s signature sound profile:

Taylor uses modern bracing patterns like their patented V-Class bracing that allows their guitar tops to vibrate freely, producing excellent volume, sustain, and articulation. This gives Taylor guitars a very open and responsive sound.
The combination of tonewoods Taylor selects, such as Sitka spruce for the top and tropical mahogany for the back and sides, impart a balanced tonal spectrum with crisp highs and tight low end.
Taylor guitar body shapes like the Grand Auditorium and Grand Pacific are designed for balanced tone and articulation across the tonal range.
Taylor guitars tend to have a scooped midrange that highlights the treble and bass frequencies. This gives their guitars clarity and "chime" while avoiding muddiness.

Compared to Martin guitars, Taylor guitars have a brighter and livelier tone profile. Martins are known for their strong midrange and bass, which lends itself to a more traditional folk and country voicing. Taylor guitars have more sparkling highs and defined lows for a modern, articulate sound.

The choice of tonewoods has a significant impact on the sound of a Taylor guitar. For example, mahogany back and sides will produce a smooth, balanced sound with emphasis on the midrange. Rosewood backs and sides will yield more complex overtones, sparkling highs, and a prominent low end. Maple backs and sides will impart a bright, focused sound. Taylor offers many different wood pairings to suit different tonal tastes.

Buying a Taylor Acoustic Guitar

When choosing a Taylor acoustic guitar, there are several factors to consider based on your needs and budget. As a globally recognized leader in acoustic guitar manufacturing, Taylor offers models suitable for players of all levels.

For beginners or intermediate players, Taylor’s 100 and 200 Series models offer great value and easy playability. The affordable Taylor GS Mini is a top choice for new players, with its compact size and comfortable neck profile. The full-size Taylor 114ce and Taylor 214ce are ideal mid-range options with quality tonewoods and built-in electronics for plugging in.

More advanced players can explore Taylor’s 300, 400, and higher series for premium features and tonewoods like rosewood and Hawaiian koa. The Taylor 714ce and Taylor 814ce are two of Taylor’s most popular high-end models. For a fully customized instrument, Taylor’s Presentation Series offers made-to-order guitars with personalized inlays and appointments.

Taylor guitars can be purchased directly through Taylor’s website or one of their many authorized dealers worldwide. Reputable online retailers like Sweetwater and Guitar Center carry a full selection of Taylor models. Visiting a physical guitar store allows you to test out different Taylor guitars in person to find the right fit. Be sure to comparison shop for the best Taylor pricing.

Taylor Guitar Accessories and Maintenance

Owning a Taylor guitar requires proper care and maintenance to keep it sounding its best. Here are some essential accessories and tips for getting the most out of your Taylor acoustic:

Essential Accessories

Guitar case: A quality hardshell or padded case protects your Taylor from dings, dust, and other damage when transporting or storing it. Taylor’s cases are optimized to fit their guitars.
Humidifier: Because wood is sensitive to climate changes, a humidifier maintains optimal humidity inside your Taylor’s case to prevent the top from cracking or warping.
Guitar strap: While not required, a comfortable strap makes playing your Taylor easier, whether standing up or sitting down. Leather and suede straps pair nicely with Taylor’s style.
Capo: A capo clamps onto the neck to shorten the length of strings, allowing you to play in different keys using the same chord shapes. It’s an indispensable tool for Taylor players.
Strings: Fresh strings make a huge difference in tone and playability. Coated Elixir and D’Addario strings retain brightness longer on Taylor guitars.

Guitar Care and Maintenance

Clean it: Wipe down your Taylor’s body, neck, and strings regularly with a microfiber cloth to remove dirt, oil, and grime that can degrade the wood. Polish it every few months.
Check the neck: Adjust the truss rod if you notice the neck becoming significantly more concave or convex over time, to maintain consistent relief and playability.
Change strings regularly: Old strings lose their vibrancy. Every few weeks to months, depending on playing frequency, replace them to revive your Taylor’s sparkling tone.

Setup for Optimal Sound

Action height: Lower action (string height) increases playability but can cause buzzing. Find ideal action by adjusting the bridge saddle height to suit your style.
Intonation: Adjust the saddle position so notes fretted up the neck stay in tune with the harmonics, ensuring smooth and in-tune performance across the fretboard.
Neck relief: Add a slight concave bow to the neck via the truss rod to prevent buzzing on lower frets while preserving higher fret action.

With the right accessories and regular care, your Taylor will age beautifully, sounding better with each passing year. Maintaining excellent playability maximizes the joy your Taylor guitar brings you. Treat it well and it will reward you with many years of inspiring musical expression.