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Taylor Acoustic Guitar Buyers Guide
Taylor Acoustic Guitar Buyers Guide
Table of Contents
3 Introduction
14 Playing Comfort
15 The Body
16 The Neck
18 5 Signs of a Quality Guitar
The Front
The Back
Interior Bracing
Steel-string vs. Nylon-string
Aesthetic Appointments
Plugging In: Acoustic Pickups
31 Body Shapes
44 Tonewoods
45 How Tonewoods Flavor a Guitars Voice
46 Hardwoods vs. Softwoods
47 Solid Wood vs. Laminate Construction
47 Why Solid Wood Guitars Sound Better with Age
49 Visual Tone Chart
50 Popular Back and Side Woods
51 The Classics: Rosewood, Mahogany & Maple
55 The Modern Alternatives: Ovangkol, Sapele
58 The Exotics: Koa, Macassar Ebony
61 Layered Woods
62 Top Woods
63 Spruce
65 Cedar
66 Hardwood Tops
67 Fretboard Woods
83
86
87
88
98
101
104
105
S E CT I O N
Introduction
Why a Good
Guitar Matters
Why Your Search
is Unique
Introduction
3
4
Introduction
Generally speaking,
the stronger and louder
the sound youre
looking for, the bigger
guitar youll need.
Identifying your playing needs will help you narrow your search
S E CT I O N
10 questions to
help you define your
player profile
General
recommendations
based on different
playing styles
Bright vs. dark tone
66
The Player
A guitar is a very
personal extension
of the person playing
it. You have to be
emotionally and
spiritually connected
to your instrument.
Im very brutal on my
instruments, but not
all the time.
Eddie Van Halen
The Player
Generally speaking,
the stronger and louder
the sound youre
looking for, the bigger
guitar youll need.
The Player
The Player
10
The Player
10
11
The Player
Bright Tone
Dark Tone
Bright tone can come from using thin picks or from where you strum the guitar
in relation to the soundhole. The closer to the bridge you get, the brighter and
thinner the attack will sound.
Dark tone can come from using heavier picks. They tend to cross the string with
a darker thud sound, compared to the brighter flap of lighter picks. (In fact,
the pick material and thickness have a major influence on your sound.) A player
with a darker style sometimes wraps around the guitar body more, which pushes
the strumming hand on top of, or in front of, the soundhole (closer to the neck).
The closer to the neck you play, the darker and rounder your attack will sound.
(Good guitarists know how to use these positioning nuances to add variety to
their playing.)
If you have a bright playing style, you might aim for a guitar with a warmer sound
to counterbalance the brightness. A larger body shape can also help by naturally
adding some fullness to the low end to offset the brightness.
Believe it or not, your posture can affect the degree of brightness or darkness
of your playing. The more upright you sit, the more likely youll be to pull your
shoulders back, causing you to strum farther back behind the soundhole
(closer to the bridge).
To offset the round tone, you probably would be well served with a wood pairing
like rosewood and spruce wood because of the added top-end clarity and
tightening of the low end. Whats more, darker players tend to be softer players,
in which case a small- to medium-size guitar body might respond better.
12
The Player
13
3
S E CT I O N
S E CT I O N
Playing Comfort
14
Playing Comfort
The Body
Guitars come in a range of body sizes, from small and intimate to big
and curvy. Youll want to consider how a guitars overall body dimensions
feel against your body when you hold it. Here are a few things to consider:
15
Playing Comfort
The Neck
One of the most important contributors to a comfortable playing experience is
the feel of the neck. The more comfortable a neck feels in your hands,
the easier it will be to form notes and chords. Youll also be less prone to
experiencing hand fatigue with extended playing. Because the size of peoples
hands can vary considerably, the feel of the neck is important.
Here are 5 neck attributes that will influence the playability:
The Profile
The Width
This refers to the shape of the back of the neck, which will rest in the palm
of your fretting hand when you play. Some guitars have chunkier profiles,
while others feature slimmer dimensions. A slimmer profile tends to be
easier to play.
This is typically measured at the nut, where the neck meets the headstock.
The wider the neck, the wider the spacing between each string.
A narrower neck width, such as 1 11/16 inches, makes it easier to
form barre chords. Players with small hands might prefer this.
A medium width, such as 1-3/4 inches, offers a balance of compact
spacing with enough room to cleanly fret individual strings.
Nut
16
Playing Comfort
The Neck
3
Action
Intonation
This refers to how high above the fretboard the strings are. Guitars with
lower action tend to be easier to fret. If the action is too low, the strings
will buzz; if its too high, the strings require more pressure to fret, especially
as you slide up the neck toward the body. If youve had a bad experience
playing a cheap guitar, chances are it had high action and was hard to play.
When an instrument is properly intonated, all the open strings and every
fretted note on the fretboard sound at their correct pitches. In other
words, the instrument is in tune with itself all along the fretboard.
This creates a pleasant, musical uniformity that makes the playing
experience easier and more enjoyable, because you dont have to play
around any weak, off-pitch or dead spots on the fretboard.
Scale Length
Saddle
Scale Length
Nut
17
Playing Comfort
Signs
of a
Quality
Guitar
It stays in tune
The neck is comfortable
and easy to form chords
It has good intonation
all the way up the neck
The sound is clear and
consistent along the
tonal spectrum
It produces a pleasing
level of volume and
sustain
18
S E CT I O N
19
Player
This is all about you and the nuances of how you play. Think of it this way: If a
group of guitar-playing friends are hanging out and they pass around the same
guitar, each playing a tune, chances are the guitar will sound a bit different in
everyones hands, because of each persons unique playing style.
Body Shape
As mentioned earlier, different guitar body dimensions tend to produce
distinctive tone profiles.
Tonewoods
These sonically flavor or season the guitars sound.
The next three sections will explore each of these key ingredients in depth.
20
Balancing the
Tone Equation
In terms of getting the best sound, the key is for you to choose a guitar with a
body style and tonewoods that are most compatible with the way you play. For
example, if youre a lively acoustic rock strummer who likes big, long-sustaining
chords, tonally speaking, a small-bodied guitar probably isnt the best option for
you because it wont be able to handle that playing energy. Youll probably want
a bigger guitar, along with woods that produce rich sustain.
In the next section, well take a more in-depth look at each part of the tone
equation to give you some options.
21
Getting a handle on the material components of a guitar will give you a great foundation for differentiating models
S E CT I O N
How a Guitars
Components Work
Together
The Front
The Back
Interior Bracing
Aesthetic
Appointments
Pickups
22
Design Ingredients
That Influence a
Guitars Sound
Taylor guitar body interior view with the soundhole above. The internal bracing for the top,
back and sides is visible.
23
The Front
For a more detailed explanation of the function of these components, see our index of guitar features beginning on page 110.
Lower bout
Upper bout
Waist
Rosette
Soundboard
Strings
Frets
Inlays
Fretboard
Nut
Peghead
Bridge
Bridge pins
Saddle
Cutaway
Soundhole
Finish
Tuning machines
Pickguard
Sides
Binding
Purfling
The Definitive Guide To Buying An Acoustic Guitar
24
The Back
Back
Heel
Heel Cap
Neck
25
Interior Bracing
Theres often a lot going on under the hood
to influence a guitars sound. The bracing
is designed both to offer structural support
in response to the string tension, while also
optimizing the movement of the top, back
and sides for tonal purposes.
Bracing patterns may vary based on the
body geometry or particular tonewoods
used for a guitar.
Top Bracing
Back Bracing
26
Taylor 714ce
Steel-string
Taylor 714ce-N
Nylon-string
27
Taylor 512ce
Steel-string
Taylor 512ce-N
Nylon-string
No, because the construction of each type of guitar, especially features like
the internal bracing, is very different in order to accommodate the differences
in tension between steel and nylon strings. Because nylon strings have less
tension, nylon-string guitars are built and braced in a different, much lighter way.
Putting nylon strings on a steel-string guitar wouldnt produce enough tension
(and energy) to activate the top and get a good sound. The strings would also
be cramped, and the saddle would not be correct. Steel strings on a nylon-string
guitar would add too much tension for the more delicately designed nylon-string
guitar to handle and would end up damaging the guitar.
28
Aesthetic Appointments
A guitars cosmetic details reflect the builders design aesthetic. And yours.
From a guitar bodys curves to the look of exotic woods to its package of
decorative appointments, the visual elements of a guitar undeniably play into
our attraction to it. If youre simply trying to find the best-sounding guitar for
your preferences, you might pay less attention to these things, but for most
people, a guitars visual aesthetic contributes to the way they perceive it.
If the visual artistry enhances your appreciation of it, embrace it. After all,
a guitar provides a multi-sensory experience.
Woods
Inlay Areas
Inlay Materials
Wood, mother-of-pearl,
abalone, ivoroid
Cocobolo
Body Bindings
and Purflings
Fretboard
Rosette
Mother-of-pearl
Abalone
Finish
Color Treatments
Wood binding
Plastic binding
Gloss
Satin
Sunburst
Custom stain
29
Plugging In:
Acoustic Pickups
If you want to plug in and amplify your sound, a pickup is
a feature worth considering.
These days, many acoustic guitars come equipped with onboard pickups. Having
one enables you to plug into an acoustic amp or PA system and enjoy an amplified
acoustic sound. A pickup is also useful for plugging into a interface for recording
software to record a direct track as an alternative to playing into a microphone.
Even if youre a beginner and dont plan to plug in right away, it might be worth
considering getting a guitar with a pickup for some point down the road.
While you might not crave the heavy distortion or other crunchy effects often
associated with a wailing electric guitar, adding effects like reverb, delay and
other flavors gives you a whole new sonic palette with which to experiment.
30
Shape matters discover the best shape for your playing preferences
S E CT I O N
Body Shapes
31
Body Shapes
32
Body Shapes
Small
Body
33
Body Shapes
Small Body
Taylor Shape:
Fingerstyle players
Taylors smallest full-size shape has compact dimensions all around, which make
for a physically comfortable, lap-friendly playing experience. The Grand
Concerts slight waist and shallower body depth help produce a balanced
sound across the tonal spectrum, with the kind of note definition that
fingerstyle guitarists and session and stage players tend to appreciate.
The smaller body also means the guitars voice wont take up too much sonic
space in a mix with other instruments.
Grand Concert
812ce
Taylors Grand Concert models feature a shorter scale length (24-7/8 inches
compared to 25-1/2 inches on other models), which makes it easier to form
chords, and the reduced string tension also makes it easier to bend the strings.
This makes the GC a good match for people with smaller hands, older
players, people with hand ailments, and really anyone looking to
reduce the stress on their fretting hand.
34
Body Shapes
Medium
Body
35
Body Shapes
Medium Body
Taylor Shape:
Grand Auditorium
814ce
36
Body Shapes
Medium Body
Taylor Shape:
Acoustic/roots-rock players
looking for a full-voiced sound
The Grand Symphonys dimensions are slightly up-sized from the Grand
Auditoriumexpansions include a higher and wider waist, and a bigger, more
rounded lower bout. The result is a more potent all-around sound with
a deeper, more piano-like bass, thicker trebles, and increased volume
and low-end sustain, all without disrupting the tonal balance and clarity
of the guitar. Consequently, the GS can really be driven dynamically.
The lower mids have an extra roundness and girth that add richness
and complexity to the voice. Those who find the Grand Auditorium to be a
little bright for their ears will enjoy the greater depth and resonance of the GS.
Grand Symphony
816ce
37
Body Shapes
Medium Body
Taylor Shape:
Dreadnought (DN)
General Sound Profile:
This classic body is one of the most traditional and recognized shapes in the
acoustic guitar world. Due to its wider waist, the Dreadnought tends to sit
slightly higher in a players lap, making it feel more like a large body. (After all,
its name comes from an early 20th century battleship). The extra width helps
produce a loud, robust voice, especially on the low end, along with a
snappy quality in the midrange that will appeal to traditional strummers
and flatpickers. Its ability to handle a driving attack has given it something of a
workhorse personality in the guitar world.
Dreadnought
810ce
38
Body Shapes
Large
Body
39
Finding
Body
Shapes
Your Fit
Large Body
Taylor Shape:
Among large guitar bodies, the Jumbo shape is perhaps the best known.
Gibson borrowed the outline of its archtop electric guitars to create the footprint
for their Jumbo acoustic shape in the late 1930s, and Guild also made a number
of Jumbo-style guitars. For years, Taylor made its own version of a Jumbo.
The shape evolved into our Grand Orchestra (GO). The new guitar dramatically
improved the capabilities of a big-body guitar to make it a more versatile instrument.
Grand Orchestra
818ce
40
Body Shapes
Sub-Compact
& Travel
41
Body Shapes
Sub-Compact/Travel
Portability has always been part of the appeal of a guitar, and in recent years
guitar makers have scaled down their designs even further to accommodate
peoples active lives and their desire to have a guitar on hand when they travel.
There is also a demand for guitars that are downsized to be more comfortable
for children to play.
Baby Taylor
GS Mini-e
Mahogany
Baby Taylor
The -size mini-Dreadnought offers impressive playability and musicality, broadening
its identity beyond simply being a childrens guitar. It offers a legitimate musical
instrument for players at every level. Adult players buy them for their kids but also
embrace the Baby as a slide guitar, songwriting guitar, an alternate tuning guitar, etc.
Its popularity helped establish the travel guitar category.
GS Mini
Taylors next-generation version of a scaled-down guitar after the Baby Taylor was
designed to create a bigger, richer guitar sound, yet still retain the compact feel of
a travel-friendly guitar. The guitar borrowed from Taylors shapely Grand Symphony
body style and incorporated many of Taylors latest design ideas. Right out of the
gate, the guitar was major success, yielding a full-size voice in a comfortably
intimate package that suited both an active lifestyle and relaxed couch strumming.
More than 125,000 GS Mini models have been made.
42
Body Shapes
Cutaway or Non-Cutaway?
Some acoustic guitar bodies feature a cutaway on the treble-side upper bout
of the guitar. This gives players greater access to the frets near the soundhole
and broadens the playing range of the instrument.
Which is better?
Our opinion is that the access to the upper register offered by a cutaway far
exceeds the negligible tone loss. If you want to be able to reach those high
notes or simply like the aesthetic of a cutaway, go for it.If you dont plan to
venture that far up the neck, or simply prefer the aesthetic symmetry of a
non-cutaway, opt for that.
Cutaway
Non-Cutaway
43
S E CT I O N
Tonewoods
How tonewoods
flavor a guitars
sound
Commonly used
guitar woods and their
unique tonal properties
The types of playing
styles that match up
well with each
44
Tonewoods
45
Tonewoods
46
47
Tonewoods
Comparing Tonewood
Sound Profiles
Ahead weve compiled general sound profiles for some of
the commonly used woods in the acoustic guitar industry.
The more you get into the realm of boutique builders and
individual guitar makers, the more youll find other exotic
species, some of which youve probably never even heard of.
These tone profiles are merely meant to be a general reference, especially since
other variables factor into the overall tone of a guitar, things like:
The climate conditions that shaped a particular trees growth patterns
The interaction of the top wood with the back and side woods
The guitars body dimensions
Bracing and other construction nuances
Your playing style and ear
While modern technology has brought high levels of production consistency to
guitars (especially at Taylor), each individual guitar ultimately is crafted from a
different set of tonewoods, which means that each will often present its visual and
sonic character in slightly different unique ways. The proof, we like to say, is in the
playing. And thats all part of the fun of sampling guitars tuning in to the unique
character traits of each. Like food, it often comes down to your personal tastes.
The guitar is a
small orchestra. It is
polyphonic. Every string
is a different color,
a different voice.
Andres Segovia
48
Tonewoods
Tone Chart
One of the most common ways to
describe a woods tonal properties
is in terms of its frequency range,
which is often broken down into
low-end frequencies, midrange and
high-end frequencies. Picture it as
a visual spectrum, as weve done in
the chart to the right, with the lower
frequencies on the left and the higher
frequencies on the right.
The graph line for each wood visually
depicts its general tonal range.
Rosewood and ovangkol, for example,
tend to resonate with more low-end
frequencies, whereas koa and maple
tend to sound brighter from having
more top-end frequencies. Note also
rosewoods scooped mid- range
and ovangkols fuller midrange.
The dotted lines for koa denote the
expansion of low-end frequency range
as the guitar opens up after a period
of playing it.
Low
Frequency
Midrange
Frequency
High
Frequency
Mahogany
Rosewood
Maple
Koa
Ovangkol
Sapele
Macassar Ebony
The chart is only meant to provide a general reference for wood tones relative to each other.
Keep in mind that this is not based on any scientific measurement of frequencies and is based
on our collectiveand subjective experiences with these woods. Acoustic tone will always
occupy some gray area, based on the uniqueness of each set of wood and other variables.
49
Tonewoods
The Modern
Alternatives
Ovangkol, Sapele
The Exotics
Koa, Macassar Ebony
Layered Woods
Laminate construction with
an appealing outer veneer
50
Tonewoods
The Classics
51
Tonewoods
Indian Rosewood
Tonal Properties
A rich, musical tone with ringing overtones that add complexity and sustain
Broad frequency range with deep lows, bell-like highs, and a slightly
scooped midrange
One of the most enduring and popular tonewoods
52
Tonewoods
Tropical Mahogany
Tonal Properties
Its tonal character comes through its meaty midrange, featuring a strong
fundamental focus often described as punchy, woody, or dry, without
a lot of ringing overtones
Has a more controlled response that responds well to a strong playing
attack; it can help even out the harshness of a heavy strummer
Clear and direct tonal character makes it a great option for playing with
other instruments
Sometimes referred to as an earthy, low-fi sound in contrast to rosewoods
richer, high-fidelity characteristics
Mahogany guitars have been featured on many roots music recordings over
the years, from country blues to folk to rock
53
Tonewoods
Maple
Tonal Properties
Revered in the bowed instrument world for centuries for its linear,
transparent response; very reflective of the player rather than imposing
its own personality
Traditionally known for having a clean, bright and focused tone,
with a quick attack and fast note decay that cuts through a mix well
Taylors maple guitars were revoiced to produce more warmth, complexity,
volume, sustain, responsiveness and overall versatility, while retaining
maples naturally clear qualities
54
Tonewoods
The Modern
Alternatives
55
Tonewoods
Sapele
Tonal Properties
Alternative to mahogany, with extra top-end sparkle
Consistent and balanced output across the tonal spectrum
Compatible with a diverse range of playing styles
56
Tonewoods
Ovangkol
Tonal Properties
African relative of rosewood, sharing many tonal qualities including
a wide tonal spectrum from lows to highs
Slightly fuller midrange a treble than rosewood, resembling koa
Popular choice among players at every level
57
Tonewoods
The Exotics
58
Tonewoods
Hawaiian Koa
Tonal Properties
Prized for its exotic visual appeal; guitar sets are often beautifully figured
Fairly dense tropical hardwood that shares some of the same tonal
properties as mahogany, i.e., namely a strong midrange but with extra
top- end brightness and chime
The more a koa guitar is played and the wood ages, the warmer and
sweeter its voice gets
59
Tonewoods
Macassar Ebony
Tonal Properties
Dense hardwood produces a clear, focused sound with good
projection and volume
Strong bass and lower mids, clear highs, and a slightly scooped
midrange like rosewood
Rich overtones complement slower, softer playing
Also responds well to aggressive playing
60
Tonewoods
Layered
Woods
61
Tonewoods
Top Woods
A guitars top, or soundboard,
is a vital part of its tonal equation.
Its the first filter and generator
of sound from the vibrating
string energy. The top resonates
together with the strings, saddle,
bridge and the rest of the body
to produce a complex range of
tones. Think of the top as the
equivalent of a speaker driver.
62
Tonewoods
Sitka Spruce
Tonal Properties
The most commonly used wood for tops because its light and stiff
in the right ways, especially when quartersawn
Its lighter weight gives the top the freedom to move, which helps translate
the players picking or strumming into clear acoustic tone
Generates a broad dynamic range
Accommodates numerous playing styles, from aggressive strumming
to light fingerpicking
63
Tonewoods
Adirondack Spruce
Tonal Properties
Once commonly used for guitar tops but currently limited in availability
Produces a robust output and has a higher volume ceiling than Sitka,
allowing it to be driven more aggressively for greater volume without
distortion
The midrange tones tend to have a slightly richer, sweeter quality
64
Tonewoods
65
Tonewoods
Hardwood Tops
A hardwood-top guitar, such as an all-koa or mahogany-top
model, produces a natural compression, so it wont yield
as quick a response as a spruce-top guitar will. There
tends to be more of a controlled, sustaining roll-in effect
to a note.
A mahogany-top guitar will produce strong fundamentals,
with clear and direct focus
Its natural tonal compression will help even out the response
of an aggressive strummer
An all-koa guitar will sound similar to mahogany but with a touch
more shimmer and chime in the upper register because of its slightly
denser nature
Players with a strong picking or strumming can often dig in
on a hardwood top guitar without overdriving it
66
Tonewoods
Fretboard Woods
True to its name, a guitars slotted fretboard hold the frets
in place. In the acoustic guitar world, ebony is widely used
due to its density.
At Taylor we use ebony for all of our fretboards because it holds frets
extremely well and its density provides resilience in the face of the rigors
of fretting the strings.
Some guitar makers use rosewood fretboards (even more so in the electric
guitar world), but because it has a lower density we find it to be less resilient
than ebony. Inexpensive guitars sometimes incorporate fretboards made of
Richlite, a composite material.
67
How to find, try and buy the right guitar with confidence
S E CT I O N
Acing the
Shopping Experience
68
Ask around.
Visit stores.
Find out where other local musicians buy their gear. Between traditional
word-of-mouth recommendations and small business review sites like Yelp,
you should be able to get a sense of which stores are popular and why.
You can usually get a good sense of the vibe and philosophy of a store and its
staff by spending time there. Even if you feel a little intimidated because youre
not a gear expert, if its a good store, the staff should make you feel comfortable
there. For more tips, see our section, 8 Tips for Test-Driving Guitars.
69
A great dealer will carry a broad array of guitar brands and models at
different price points. It makes the store a more appealing destination
point and gives you more options to compare. The best-performing
dealers always stock a robust selection of models.
A good dealer wants a happy, long-term customer, and its return and other
service policies will help you gauge their level of customer support.
While a slick website isnt a sure sign of a great dealer, the website gives
you a basis for how the store operates and engages with customers.
Many share their history and story there, and a good dealer will usually
feature up-to-date product information on their site.
If you want to support your local independent businesses, find out how
the store interacts with the local music scene, either through their lesson
program, sponsored events, etc.
70
71
If you plan to buy online, look for reputable retailers who are
authorized dealers for the brand you want.
They will tend to have the best selection, their staff will typically be knowledgeable
about the product specs for the brands they sell, and they generally offer helpful
customer support.
If youre interested in
a specific model and a
local dealer doesnt have
it, many are willing to
order it for you.
72
Here are 4 tips as you consider your budget and financing options:
73
Tips for
Test-Driving Guitars
If youre fairly new to the guitar, going to a music store can feel a little
overwhelming. But a good music store knows how to create a welcoming
environment, and if youre thinking about buying a guitar, youre the one
in the drivers seat. With a little planning, test-driving guitars should be
a fun experience. Here are 8 tips to help you get the most out of your visit
to a music store.
74
Take notes.
Some guitars feel perfect for fingerpicking. Others make barre chords
almost effortless. Some are so smooth you can solo for hours. Ultimately,
let the guitar take you where it wants to. But it helps to demo each guitar
the same way. If you know how to play, strum some chords (using the
same pick each time), play a single-note melody, fingerpick. These three
different approaches will allow you to assess the guitars versatility.
Limiting the variables between two guitars makes it easier to decide which
you prefer. If you want to compare different tonewoods, play models with
the same body style to lend consistency to that part of the equation. Or if
you want to compare different body shapes, play models that have the same
wood pairings. That way, youll get a better idea of what is responsible for
those tonal differences.
It might sound nerdy, but writing down what you hear and what you like
about a guitar really helps when trying out instruments. After playing three
guitars you might find yourself asking, Wait, which one was brighter?
Which one had the wider neck? Which one felt good against my body?
Take notes and refer back to them. This will especially come in handy if
you visit a store on different occasions and want to refer back to your
previous playing sessions.
Your phones Voice Memo app can be a really useful tool for comparing
the tone profiles of different instruments. Its like having a second set
of ears, and it captures the sound of each instrument from a different
listening perspective. Just be sure to position the phone in the same spot
to have a consistent source point for your evaluation.
75
Your 30-minute lunch break isnt enough time to shop for a guitar. Instead
plan to spend at least an hour or more in a music store. You want to look,
play, make notes and ask questions without being hurried. And dont feel
like you need buy the first time you walk in, although, if you find what you
want, go for it. In your ensuing visits, try the same (and other) instruments
every time. Even if you arent looking to make a purchase, this will get you
in the habit of being comfortable in the store, getting a feel for different
instruments, and slowly educating yourself about guitars in general. The
more test-driving experience you have, the more discerning youll become.
76
DONT: Ask to borrow a pick and then put it in your mouth (ew), do a pick
scrape, and walk out of the store with that pick in your pocket.
DONT: Plug into an amp and crank it all the way up when there are lots
DONT: Plug (or unplug) into an amp that is already turned on with the
volume up.
77
DONT: Sample a guitar with a heavy hand. Remember, you dont own it yet.
DONT: Change the guitar to a different tuning to play it and then leave the
guitar in that tuning when you are finished.
DO: Return the guitar to standard tuning when
you are done.
DONT: Wear a big belt buckle. It could damage the guitar. This goes for
to help.
DO:
78
79
In our experience,
its the long, slow lack
of humidity that does
more damage than
anything else.
80
A playing demo to show how guitar shapes and woods affect tone
Helpful tips on how to find the right guitar for your particular needs
A chance to test-drive the latest Taylor models
The opportunity to ask questions
Our staff is super friendly and genuinely loves helping people find a guitar
that will inspire them for years to come. Youll come away with a much better
understanding of what to look for in a guitar, and have a great time in the
process.
For the latest Taylor Road Show tour dates,
visit taylorguitars.com/events/road-show
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S E CT I O N
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Why a Taylor?
We all crave an instrument that inspires us. Thats why people love
picking up a Taylor. It puts inspiration within reach of anyone, anytime,
from beginners to pro musicians. For years, Bob Taylor and his
development team have worked painstakingly to remove the obstacles
to a good playing experiencetuning issues, high action, murky tone,
and lack of serviceability, among others.
Manufacturing Precision
Superb Playability
Led by Bob Taylor, our world-class operation has set the standards for
modern-day, precision guitar craftsmanship. The result is industry-leading
consistency in the build quality of our guitars.
Taylor guitars are known for their overall clarity and balance across the
tonal spectrum. The clear articulation makes our guitars easy to record
and mix with other instruments in the studio and on stage.
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Model Options
The Taylor product line gives players a rich musical palette to explore.
Beyond our robust selection of acoustic models, weve built additional
flexibility into our line with an array of standard model options, while
our extensive Custom program makes designing your dream guitar a
convenient reality.
Sustainability
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The majority of Taylors acoustic guitars are offered in three model variations:
Cutaway body with onboard electronics (e.g., 814ce)
Non-cutaway body with onboard electronics (e.g., 814e)
Non-cutaway body with no onboard electronics (e.g., 814)
614ce
Taylor nylon-string models are integrated into the 200-900 Series and are
designated by the letter N at the end of the model name. For example, a
nylon-string Grand Auditorium with a cutaway and electronics within the
600 Series is a 614ce-N.
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Guitars by Series
Heres a basic breakdown of the distinguishing features of each series in descending order,
starting with our ultra-premium offerings and ending with our most affordable options.
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Presentation Series
Back/Sides: Macassar Ebony
Top: Sitka Spruce
The entrancing appeal of Taylors
Presentation Series begins with
richly striped Macassar ebony back
and side sets, paired with top-shelf
Sitka spruce that boasts consistently
even grain structure. Each guitar
demands the highest levels of
craftsmanship, and it shows in the
harmony of intricate appointments
that adorn them. Ebony binding flares
smoothly into a contoured armrest
that heightens playing comfort, while
paua inlay artistry adds elegant
sparkle to the fretboard, bridge and
body. Each model we make renews
our commitment to a detail-rich
design aesthetic.
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Koa Series
Back/Sides: Hawaiian Koa
Top: Hawaiian Koa
Hawaiian koas evocative natural
beauty is unparalleled, especially
the figured sets we select for our
Koa Series. Our models showcase
koas rich character upfront with a
koa top (Sitka spruce and cedar are
available as options), and the overall
aesthetic is enhanced with a shaded
edgeburst finish on the top, back,
sides and even neck. An all-wood
appointment package features our
fluid Island Vine fretboard/headstock
inlay in maple and blackwood, with
Hawaiian plumeria flowers doubling
as fret markers, along with rosewood
binding, maple top trim, and a
rosewood/maple rosette. One of the
most rewarding traits of an all-koa
guitar is the way its tone sweetens
over time and with extended play.
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900 Series
Back/Sides: Indian Rosewood
Top: Sitka Spruce
Among the three classes of rosewood
guitars in the Taylor line, the 900
Series models project an aura of rich
sophistication. It begins with Indian
rosewood thats been graded for
consistently straight and tight grain,
often displaying a rich range of color
variegation. The 900s also boast an
array of tone-enhancing touches,
from Taylors Advanced Performance
bracingcustomized for each body
shapeto optimized wood thicknesses,
ultra-thin gloss finish, and protein
glues that enhance the tonal transfer.
Distinctive aesthetic features include
ebony binding that flares into an
ergonomic contoured armrest on the
lower bout; a paua rosette outlined
in koa and ebony; paua and koa
trim around the edges of the body
and neck, including the fretboard
extension; fretboard inlays of
Mother-of-pearl and pink abalone;
and a striking striped ebony pickguard.
Other premium touches include a
bound soundhole and gold Gotoh
tuners. From top to bottom, the 900s
radiate impeccable craftsmanship.
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800 Series
Back/Sides: Indian Rosewood
Top: Sitka Spruce
Taylors flagship rosewood/spruce
series was completely reconceived
for 2014 in celebration of Taylors
40th anniversary year, and showcases
a comprehensive array of tonal
enhancements that uniquely optimize
the tone profile of each body shape.
Voicing refinements include
custom-calibrated bracing and
wood thicknesses for each shape;
protein glues that enhance the tonal
transfer; thinner finish to reduce the
tonal dampening on the wood; and
customized string sets for the Grand
Concert and Grand Auditorium.
Among the fresh aesthetic strokes
are rosewood purfling that outlines
the top and frames the abalone
rosette; a rosewood pickguard;
a new Element fretboard inlay; and
a marbled ebony fretboard. Inside
and out, the new 800 Series reaffirms
Taylors ongoing commitment to
improving the acoustic experience
with better-playing, better-sounding
guitars. The Grand Auditorium 814ce
is one of the best-selling acoustic
guitars in the entire industry.
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700 Series
Back/Sides: Indian Rosewood
Top: Sitka Spruce
Rosewood fans who crave a vintage
acoustic vibe will be naturally drawn
to our 700 Series. The rosewood
we select for these models leans
toward rich chocolate hues that
feature a slightly wider grain structure.
Our aptly named Vintage Sunburst
finish saturates the top in a warm,
gradual fade that blends well with the
rosewood sides and faux tortoise shell
pickguard. Creamy ivoroid outlines
the body, fretboard, headstock and
soundhole, and also is used for the
neo-traditional Heritage Diamonds
fretboard inlay. Think of a guitar thats
an old soul at heart, but with all the
modern Taylor touches effortless
playability, clear, balanced tonethat
make our guitars so rewarding to play.
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600 Series
Back/Sides: Maple
Top: Sitka Spruce
Maple guitars are known for their
clear articulation and a level of
transparency that enables the guitars
to easily take on the personality
of the player. Although maple has
traditionally been characterized
as a bright-sounding guitar wood
with quick note decay, Taylor has
brought significant tone-enhancing
refinements to the 600 Series to
elicit greater warmth, complexity and
responsiveness. A specially roasted
spruce top helps produce the more
seasoned sound of an older, played-in
guitar, while attractive visual touches
include a hand-rubbed Brown Sugar
stain that highlights the rich figure of
the maple back and sides.
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500 Series
Back/Sides: Mahogany
Top: Mahogany
In addition to spruce tops, our 500
Series also features mahogany-top
models. The natural compression
of the mahogany top produces a
focused midrange punch, can handle
the liveliest of pickers and strummers,
responds well to players with a strong
rhythmic attack, and because of its
strong fundamental tonal character,
behaves well with other instruments
in a stage or recording context.
Smaller-body models like the Grand
Concert (standard or 12-Fret) make
a great choice for snappy blues
fingerpicking, while an all-mahogany
Dreadnought will hold up to rootsy
flatpickers. Throwback appointments
include a black pickguard, ivoroid
binding, and our Heritage Diamonds
fretboard inlay in ivoroid.
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400 Series
Back/Sides: Ovangkol
Top: Sitka Spruce
Year after year, Taylor 400 Series
owners testify to the tonal properties
of their ovangkol-bodied guitars. We
relate its tone to that of rosewood
in terms of its frequency range, with
perhaps a bit less ringing complexity
but a slightly fuller midrange
presence. Its blend of clarity, balance
and sustain give it an expressive
versatility that resonates with many
different types of players. Visually, its
appearance can exhibit golden brown
hues with a wide range of variegation
and, occasionally, wispy tendrils of
figure. Understated appointments,
including white binding and
progressive pearloid dots, dial down
the flash in favor of a clean, modern
look that fits any musical setting.
If youve been looking for a new
tonewood discovery and havent tried
ovangkol, its worth a test-drive.
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300 Series
Back/Sides: Sapele
Top: Sitka Spruce or Mahogany
The premium-sounding solid wood
Taylor experience starts with our
sapele 300 Series. While the
African hardwood shares some of
mahoganys tonal characteristics,
its higher density yields a more
pronounced treble, which contributes
to a brighter overall sound. The
series features a mix of spruce- and
mahogany-top models, in this case for
three body shapes: Grand Concert
(322), Grand Auditorium (324),
and Dreadnought (320). The amber
hues and rich grain of both woods
match well, and the compression of
hardwood tops produces a warmer,
throatier soundless crystalline than
a spruce topthat balances well with
sapeles zesty highs. High-contrast
appointments on the mahogany-top
models include black binding with
white top edge trim, a white 3-ring
rosette, and a black pickguard.
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99
200 Series
Back/Sides: Layered Rosewood
Top: Solid Sitka Spruce
100 Series
Back/Sides: Layered Sapele
Top: Solid Sitka Spruce
Our 100 and 200 Series guitars
are kindred spirits, linked by our
desire to make the Taylor experience
broadly accessible to all types of
players without compromising on the
essentials of a great guitar: playability,
tonal clarity and workmanship. These
qualities can make all the difference
to a player who is near the front end
of the guitar journey, or anyone trying
to progress to the next level. These
guitars feature a slightly narrower
1-11/16-inch neck than our standard
neck width of 1-3/4 inches. These
two series also are limited to two
body style options: Grand Auditorium
and Dreadnought, with an optional
cutaway and pickup.
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GS Mini
Back/Sides: Layered Sapele,
Koa or Rosewood
Top: Solid Sitka Spruce or Mahogany
We think the world would be a better
place if everyone had a GS Mini.
Since its debut in 2010, our
modern-day parlor guitar has wowed
the world with its fun-size appeal,
packing a grown-up guitar voice into
a scaled-down form that fits perfectly
into everyday life. As active or relaxed
as you want to be, having a Mini on
hand is like having your songwriting
muse on instant demand. A 23-1/2
inch scale length puts more notes
within easy reach, while the full-size
soundhole helps surround you with
great tone. Both the original spruce-top
and the mahogany-top models come
pre-fitted for our easy-to-install
ES-Go pickup. Additional models
include the GS Mini-e RW, featuring
layered rosewood back and sides
with a solid spruce top, and the GS
Mini-e Koa, featuring layered koa back
and sides with a solid koa top. Both
models include Taylors our ES-T
pickup for instant plug-and-play fun.
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Baby Series
Back/Sides: Layered Sapele or Koa
Top: Solid Sitka Spruce, Mahogany
or Koa
From the moment of its birth, our
original portable picking partner, the
3/4-size Baby Taylor, declared that
it was more than just a starter guitar
for kids. It was immediately embraced
by adult musicians and travelers as a
legitimate instrument and has inspired
endless creative uses because of
its portability and playfulness. From
acoustic lap slide to Nashville highstrung guitar to godsend for people
with hand ailments, it gave many folks
the creative spark they were craving.
Our little Dreadnought has given
thousands of kids a wonderful outlet
for learning to express themselves
through music, and along with its
up-sized sibling, the Big Baby, it is
still going strong. Standard models are
now available with an optional acoustic
electronics package, featuring the
Expression System Baby (ES-B)
pickup, which incorporates piezo
design elements from the Taylor ES2.
The pickup is powered by an onboard
preamp unit that includes a built-in
digital chromatic tuner, low battery
indicator, and Tone/Volume controls.
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Nylon-String Guitars
In addition to steel-string acoustic guitars, the mellow-toned character and
rhythmic textures of nylon-string acoustics offer players another distinctive
sonic palette to explore. A traditional classical-style neck has a much different
feel marked by a width of two or more inches and a flat fretboard.
Taylors hybrid-style nylon-string guitars were designed to be inviting and
comfortable for steel-string players. The radiused fretboard makes fretting
easier, and the slimmer neck profile makes for a smooth crossover from a
steel-string. If you find it difficult to play a steel-string acoustic, you might
consider the lighter string tension of a nylon-string guitar. Other modern
amenities of a Taylor nylon-string include a cutaway and onboard electronics.
Taylors nylon-string guitars are offered in two body styles: Grand Concert
and Grand Auditorium.
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Custom Options
As you become clearer on what features youd like with your first or next acoustic
guitar, you might gravitate toward certain custom options. In addition to the
standard models that make up a guitar companys line, many also offer additional
flexibility through standard model options or a full-blown custom program.
Custom Orders
A custom program usually offers a broader array of options and enables customers
to select their specifications from a variety of categories. For some customers, this
enables them to essentially design their dream guitar from the ground up to reflect
their personal preferences to the fullest. A custom program usually offers additional
species and grades of woods, along with a rich menu of appointment options.
Taylor offers a robust custom program through our authorized dealer network.
Over the years, weve made thousands of custom guitars, we know what works
and what doesnt, and were happy to help customers design a guitar that theyll
love. One important consideration is the turnaround time for a custom order.
Typically, the smaller the guitar company, the longer the wait. Because of Taylors
size and manufacturing sophistication, our turnaround time is much shorter.
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Tonewood Sourcing
and Sustainability
As with any consumer product that relies on natural resources, responsible
sourcing and sustainability have become important considerations for customers
as they make buying decisions.
Taylors commitment to conservation-minded tonewood consumption has led
to some industry-leading initiatives. One is a pioneering mahogany sourcing
partnership with remote forest communities in Honduras. The well-managed
program has become a model of sustainable social forestry and enabled
communities to improve their quality of life while properly managing the forest
resources around them for the long-term future.
In Cameroon, Taylor has been the co-owner of an ebony mill since 2011. Bob
Taylor has used Taylors manufacturing expertise to upgrade the harvesting and
milling efforts there, improving working conditions for employees, introducing
better tools and machines, and training employees to improve the mills processing
capability. Ultimately, this is helping Cameroonian communities to build a better
economy through responsible management of an important natural resource.
Taylors work there was honored in 2014 with the American Corporate Excellence
(ACE) Award from the U.S. Department of State.
Other forward-thinking sourcing programs currently being explored by Taylor
involve the planting of certain desirable tonewood species for future generations
to be able to use.
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S E CT I O N
10
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Talking Tone:
How Guitar Players Describe Acoustic Tone
Like wine lovers and foodies, guitar players wield colorful lingo to describe tonal
flavors. The good news: Guitar talk actually translates into definable qualities of
sound. The bad news: Our ears, like our taste buds or senses of smell, are wired
in a multitude of different ways, so we dont always hear tone in the same way.
In the end, using words to describe sounds is, at best, an approximation, since
sounds dont always neatly translate into words. Dont get hung up on the lingo.
Understanding a few basic terms will take you a long way.
Meaty: Lots of midrange, with a full low end. Also referred to as fat, full, rich, thick.
Buttery: Warm, rich notes, that melt away rather than decay.
More commonly used regarding chords.
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Fretboard: The part of the neck into which frets are inserted and on which
the strings are pressed when the guitar is played.
Back: The thin, wide wood behind the guitar, opposite to the top.
Frets: Raised metal bars inserted into the fretboard, against which the strings are
pressed to change their pitch.
Body Binding: Strips of fiber, plastic, or wood glued around the edges of the
body. The purpose of binding is to protect and decorate the edges of the guitar.
Heel: The end of the neck the joins the body. The neck is attached to the
body at the heel and the extension using three bolts.
Braces: The strengthening bars glued to the top and back of the guitar to
provide stability and to control how the guitar vibrates. The size, shape, and
placement of the braces play a vital role in determining the tone, volume, and
balance of the guitar.
High Angle: The plane of the frets aimed above the surface of the bridge.
Raising the angle lowers the action.
Bridge Pins: Small plastic or ebony pins that hold the strings in the bridge
of the guitar.
Bridge Plate: Part of the bracing for the guitar top. The bridge plate, or pin
plate, is a thin piece of maple or other hardwood that is placed directly under
the bridge to support the top under string tension.
Endpin: A knob or button inserted through the tailstrip and tailblock that allows
the player to attach a strap to the guitar.
Fretboard Binding: Strips of fiber, plastic, or wood glued around the edges
of the fretboard. The purpose of binding is to protect and decorate the edges
of the guitar.
Fretboard Inlays: Decorations of wood, shell, or other materials set into
hollowed-out areas called pockets in the fretboard.
Heel Block: A wooden block (usually made of mahogany) used to join the
two sides of the guitar body together at the neck joint, opposite the tailblock.
Kerfing: Strips of wood, triangular in cross-section, slotted with a saw to make
them flexible, and wrapped and glued to the inside edges of the guitar sides.
Kerfing increases the glue surface where the top and back are glued to the sides.
Label: A sticker placed on the back inside the guitar body, that has the model and
serial number printed on it. The label is visible through the soundhole of the top.
Low Angle: The plane of the frets aimed below the surface of the bridge.
Lowering the angle raises the action.
Lower Bout: The widest part of the guitar body, below the waist. The
dimensions of the lower bout play a role in the bass response of the guitar.
Neck Angle: The alignment of the fret surface relative to the top of the guitar.
On a Taylor, the neck angle is set so that the plane of the frets aligns with the top
surface of the bridge.
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Nut: A bar, usually of bone or plastic, placed between the fretboard and the
peghead veneer. The nut provides a bearing surface for the strings and holds
them at the correct height above the fretboard and the correct distance from
one another.
Peghead Binding: Strips of fiber, plastic, or wood glued around the edges
of the peghead. The purpose of binding is to decorate and protect the edges
of the guitar.
Saddle: The narrow bar of hard plastic or bone set into the bridge to
provide a bearing surface for the strings, and to transmit string vibration
through the bridge and into the body.
Shaft: The straight section of the neck between the peghead and the heel.
Side Dots: Small round inlays on the side of the fretboard that mark positions
on the neck. Single side dots are inserted at the 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 9th frets.
Double side dots are inserted at the 12th fret.
Peghead Veneer: A thin piece of wood, often Indian rosewood or ebony, glued
over the peghead as a decorative cover.
Sides: The thin bent panels of wood that connect the top to the back
of the guitar. The sides are made of the same wood as the back of the guitar.
Peghead: The section of the neck that holds the tuners. The peghead on a
Taylor guitar is cut from the shaft and glued back on at an angle using a scarf joint.
Sticker: An adhesive label with the Taylor logo that attaches to the
heelblock to cover the heel bolts.
Strap Pin: A knob or button that is screwed into the heel of the neck
and used to hold one end of a guitar strap.
Tailblock: A wooden block (usually made of mahogany) used to join
the two sides of the guitar body together at the butt or tail of the guitar.
Tailstrip: A piece of wood that is inlaid where the two sides meet at
the bottom of the guitar.
Purfling: Thin strips of fiber, plastic, or wood set between the binding and the
wood of the top, back, or sides. Purfling is typically arranged in alternating black
and white, or white and color patterns.
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Tie Bridge: On the nylon-string guitar, the strings pass through holes in the
bridge itself and are tied in place. This type of bridge is called a tie bridge.
Look for this obvious clue to identify a nylon-series model.
Top: The front surface of the guitar body that has the soundhole cut into it and
the bridge attached to it.
Truss Rod Cover: The small piece of wood or plastic screwed to the peghead
to cover the truss rod opening.
Truss Rod: A metal bolt set into the neck of a guitar to counteract the
forward-bowing force of the guitar strings. The tension on the truss rod
determines the amount of relief in the neck. The truss rod is not designed
or intended to raise or lower the action of the strings.
Tuner: A mechanical device attached to the peghead of the guitar, used
to adjust the tension of the strings. The string winds around the tuner and
can be tightened or loosened to change the pitch.
Upper Bout: The part of the guitar body between the waist and the neck.
The upper bout plays a role in the treble response of the guitar.
Waist: The inside curve in the sides of the guitar body between the upper
and lower bouts. The waist plays a role in the midrange response of the guitar.
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Taylor Guitars
Were here for any questions you may have.
Customer Service
North America
1-800-943-6782
Customer Service
Europe
+31 (0) 20 667 6033
www.taylorguitars.com
To locate the Taylor dealer nearest you, visit:
www.taylorguitars.com/dealers
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