From acoustics to electrics, we have a Taylor

for every type of player. Our 2009 Guitar Guide

leads you on a scenic tour of our product line.

Why do we play guitar? We each have our own answer, but it comes down to
some sense of well-being we get from vibrating strings and wood. Maybe its to relax
and relieve tension. To connect with others. To find out who we are. To earn a living. The
question may be philosophical, but its not a bad place to start as we ponder which type
of guitar to play.
If theres a simple piece of advice we can give you, its this: Buy the best guitar you
can afford. By best we mean a guitar thats easy to play, has proper intonation, and
sounds great. Weve got you covered there. Beyond that, look for one thats compatible
with the kind of sound youre looking for. In our previous features on shapes and woods,
we shared some basic guidelines to help you understand what factors give each Taylor
model a unique personality. (See our newly re-designed shapes and woods features at
taylorguitars.com.) If you remember that shapes have sounds, that woods have unique
tonal flavors, and that you have your own personal way of playing and hearing those
shapes and woods, youll be primed to find the right guitar one that will be your
faithful muse.
As part of our Guitar Guide, we include some test-driving tips to help you properly
audition a guitar, plus the complete specifications for all models. And if you ever have
any questions along the way, feel free to call our newly established Inside Sales and
Customer Relations representative, Ben Benavente (1-888-2TAYLOR). Think of him as
your Taylor guitar concierge. Hell answer all your guitar questions and help you locate
a particular model at a dealership if youre on the hunt. Now promise not to slack on
that New Years resolution to play more guitar this year.

Chefs like to eat; guitar makers like to play. We rounded up Bob Taylor and a few of his
boys from the product development team for a photo shoot at Bobs house to celebrate
the pleasures of jamming with friends. Everyone was invited to bring one of their favorite
Taylors. From left: VP of Marketing Brian Swerdfeger with a GC8 prototype that currently
lives in his office; VP of Quality Assurance, Customer Service & Repair David Hosler
with a T5C2; Bobs longtime design partner Larry Breedlove with a GA5; and the man
himself, picking on an 810ce. Get these guys together and it usually doesnt take long
to coax a smile and a song out of them. Photo by Bil Zelman
Th e pr e s e ntati on S e r i es Back/Sides: Choice of master-grade
Madagascar Rosewood, Cocobolo,
With each tonewood we use, the best of the best represents a slim fraction of
Walnut, Maple, Macassar Ebony,
what exists in the world. One set in a thousand might be too much to promise.
Hawaiian Koa or Brazilian Rosewood
But this master-grade wood always finds its way into the Presentation Series. (limited availability)
We hand off these rare natural materials to our very finest guitar makers, who
Top: Choice of premium Sitka Spruce,
pour their hearts into each guitar, using their advanced skills sometimes to Western Red Cedar, Engelmann
infuse a guitar with exquisite appointments, and other times to abide by the Spruce, Sinker Redwood (limited
simple idea that less is more. It all depends on how you want yours made. availability), Adirondack Spruce,
Either way, the Presentation Series is your guitar dream brought to life. Walnut, Hawaiian Koa
Fretboard Inlay: Green Heart Abalone Models:
Byzantine (other options available) PSDN, PSGA, PSGC,
PSGS, PSJM, PSGA-12,
Binding: Ivoroid with
PSGS-12, PSJM-12
Green Heart Abalone
Rosette: Green Heart Abalone
Additional Premium
Appointments: Bone nut/saddle,
abalone peghead and bridge inlays
Optional Venetian/Florentine cutaway
and ES pickup
 His name is Russ Lewark, but his online friends know him as
Koaguitarman. Russs first koa love was an all-koa K20c. He found
the woods tone to be the ideal acoustic voice for him. I play a lot
of ragtime, jug band, folk-rock a little bit of a lot of different
genres, he says. Koa will take the softer folk fingerstyle and
the strong fingerpicking of ragtime and jug band. It also comes
through when softly flatpicked or even with bluegrass-style picking.
Its my tonewood of choice. Russ currently owns 14 koa Taylors.
Photo by Bil Zelman

Th e koa S e r i es
Ask any Hawaiian koa lover the tropical hardwood speaks in a special Back/Sides: Hawaiian Koa Binding: Curly Maple Models:
way that no other wood can. We treat it with reverence ourselves. Visually, K10ce, K12ce, K14ce,
Top: Abalone-trimmed Sitka Spruce Rosette: Abalone K16ce, K20ce, K22ce,
its harmony of color, grain and figure immediately invites us in. Tonally, it or Hawaiian Koa
Additional Premium K24ce, K26ce, K54ce,
rewards the player over time, as its initially bright voice opens up to reveal K56ce, K64ce, K65ce,
Fretboard Inlay: Appointments: Maple-bound rosette
a mellowing sweetness in the midrange. Despite the cost and limited Abalone Koa Series K66ce
availability of this cherished Hawaiian native, we remain deeply committed
to koa. We buy the best logs we can and build guitars that we hope will
inspire a lifetime of playing because the more you play one, the deeper
youll fall in love.
Indian rosewood is an enduring classic thats loved
by traditional flatpickers and modern fingerstyle players alike.
For Bob Taylor, the personal connection hearkens back to the
first guitar he ever made. Its appeal is as broad as its sonic
range, which yields deep lows, sparkling highs and controlled
midrange overtones, all of which together give players impressive
articulation. Rosewoods variety of visual colors including
mocha browns, rich purples and fiery reds have inspired us
to give it a distinctive personality in each of three series.

Our 900 Series showcases our most beautiful grade, featuring

tight, straight grain, a range of colors, and premium appointments
that together embody vintage elegance for the modern world.
Our maple-bound 800 Series has progressed from its no-frills
Dreadnought roots into a more contemporary look thats stylish
but not too pretty to be played hard. Our 700 Series goes
for an earthier, dressed-down feel, featuring thicker ribbons
of rosewood grain and simple inlay work. Paired with either
an Engelmann spruce or cedar top, it responds with vintage
warmth. The best thing about rosewood might be that it offers
something for everyone.

Th e 9 00 S e r i es
Back/Sides: Additional Premium
Indian Rosewood Appointments:
Gotoh tuners, bone
Top: Sitka Spruce
nut/saddle, peghead
Fretboard Inlay: Pearl and bridge inlays
Binding: Ivoroid
Models:
Rosette: Abalone 910ce, 912ce,
914ce, 916ce
Sunburst Options:
Tobacco (top only)

Th e 8 00 S e r i es
Back/Sides: Rosette: Abalone
Indian Rosewood
Sunburst Options:
Top: Sitka Spruce Tobacco (top only)
Fretboard Inlay: Pearl
Models:
Binding: Curly Maple 810ce, 812ce, 814ce,
815ce, 816ce, 854ce,
855ce, 856ce

Th e 700 S e r i es
Back/Sides: Binding:
Indian Rosewood Indian Rosewood
Top: Engelmann Spruce Rosette: Abalone
(710ce, 712ce),
Sunburst Options:
Western Red Cedar
Tobacco (top only)
(714ce, 716ce)
Fretboard Inlay: Models:
Pearl Dots 710ce, 712ce,
714ce, 716ce
TAY LO R I N N O VAT I O N

The Expression
System Pickup
Traditional under-saddle,
piezo-style acoustic pickups that
had been used for years never
really managed to capture the
natural, full tone of an acoustic
guitar, let alone the nuances of
the player. Instead, the ampli-
fied tone was often thin, brittle
and distorted, or quacky. The
condenser mics that were often
mounted inside the soundhole
and used to round out the sound
were highly prone to feedback.
Beyond that, the EQ controls of
an onboard preamp essentially
provided little more than artificial
coloring of a fundamentally
flawed pickup tone.
The Taylor Expression System
was developed at Taylor with
input from pro audio icon Mr.

Rupert Neve. It combines three

magnetic sensors two body
sensors affixed to the underside
of the top and one neck pickup
imbedded beneath the fretboard
extension with a studio-quality
preamp. The ES uses the guitars
soundboard to create a network
of magnetic, surface-sensing mi-
crophones. The preamp cleanly
boosts the signal and eliminates
noise. When the controls are set
flat, the pure tone of the guitar is
not colored in any way. The end
result is that the natural tone of
the guitar and the nuances of the
player are captured in a trans-
parent way, and the pickup is
highly feedback-resistant. Three
soft-touch roller controls on the
upper shoulder offer plenty of
real frequency control without
physically intruding on the visual
beauty of the guitar.
Th e 6 00 S e r i es
Our wood experts are always on
the hunt for figured maple, and they
never fail to come through. And as if
a set of quilted or tiger-stripe maple
wasnt already transfixing enough,
maples blonde complexion plays host
to a fiesta of vibrant color finishes that
create a hypnotic, 3-D effect. We ex-
periment with colors until we get them
right, and offer a range of options,
including sunburst and edgeburst
treatments, with crisp white binding
to detail each body shape. Looks
aside, maples bright, focused tone is
a loyal friend of recording engineers
and front-of-house sound mixers alike.
Whether you want a small or a big
voice, on its own or with a band, our
600 Series guitars ensure that your
Taylor will be seen and heard clearly.
Back/Sides: Big Leaf Maple Colors/Bursts: Aged Toner, Amber, Models:
Black, Blue, Blue Burst, Cherry Black 610ce, 612ce, 614ce, 615ce,
Top: Sitka Spruce
Sunburst, Cherry Sunburst (or optional 616ce, 654ce, 655ce, 656ce
Fretboard Inlay: top only), Green, Honey Sunburst,
Pearl Leaf Pattern Natural, Orange, Purple, Ruby Red,
Ruby Red Burst, Tobacco Sunburst
Binding: White
(or optional top only), Transparent
Rosette: Abalone Black
Th e 5 00 S e r i es

Our mahogany guitars

really let your fingers sing.
And it doesnt get much
sweeter than a mahogany/
cedar combination. Our
514ce remains one of our
most popular models, and
the newer, bolder-voiced
516ce is a six-string
revelation for its blend
of power and clarity.
Roots-rockers, blues
players, singer-songwriters,
fingerstylists, DADGAD
lovers, simple strummers
you name it respond
viscerally to the organic
tonal quality of mahogany.
With their meaty midrange
overtones, our 500 Series
guitars are loaded with
songwriting inspiration.
Tangy licks, melodic, ringing
chords, great dynamic
range theyre all there.

Back/Sides:
Tropical Mahogany
Top: Engelmann Spruce
(510ce, 512ce),
Western Red Cedar
(514ce, 516ce)
Fretboard Inlay:
Pearl Dots
Binding:
Indian Rosewood
Rosette: Abalone

Models:
510ce, 512ce,
514ce, 516ce
 Playing for Keeps:
How to Find the Right Guitar
A systematic approach to sampling different guitars will make
your search easier. We recommend that you be consistent in
the way you play each guitar you test-drive this will allow the
tonal nuances created by different shapes, woods and other
construction variables to come through more clearly. Your
checklist can include as many considerations as you want, but
here are a few essentials to consider: ergonomics, playability,
intonation and tonal compatibility with what youre trying to do.

Know what kind of tone you want. Factor in your playing

technique, which includes how light or aggressive your attack is.
Do you plan to strum, flatpick, fingerpick or some combination
of them all? If youre a beginner and arent sure, consider a guitar
that offers a lot of tonal versatility, like a GA. Will you be playing
solo or with a group? Do you like a guitar with a lot of acoustic
bloom or do you want to keep the overtones under control?
Will this be an all-purpose axe or serve a specialized role?

Find your comfort zone. Consider how the size and shape of
Taylor web developer and accomplished singer-songwriter
the guitar physically feel against your body how the neck fits in
Cindy Santini with a 514ce at Lestats Coffee House in
your hands and how your strumming arm feels draped over the
San Diego, a popular local venue, where shes performed.
lower bout. If youll be playing it while standing up, try it that way.

Andaction! Is the action low enough that you can form clean-
sounding chords without having to clamp down hard? Also, try
playing a moveable chord shape up the neck toward the body to
see how the action feels there, and to check the intonation.

Play a progression of simple chords. For each guitar you sample,

play the same series of chords in the same order, with the same
pick, and with the same attack.

Try different dynamic levels. Play harder and softer on each

guitar to assess the scope of the guitars dynamic range.

Try at least three different types of picks (medium, heavy,

plastic, tortex etc.). A certain type of guitar might match up better
with a thicker or thinner pick.

Bring a guitar buddy with you. Have him or her play while you
listen to gain a sonic perspective from the other side of the guitar.

But dont rely on your buddys opinion. He or she will sound

different from you. Use your own hands and ears.

Consider bringing a handheld recorder to capture and evaluate

the tonal distinctions.

Sample a variety of shapes and woods. You never know you

might naturally be drawn to the aesthetic appeal of a certain guitar
shape or wood, but actually sound better playing a different model.
th e 4 00 S e r i es
Back/Sides: Ovangkol
Top: Sitka Spruce
Finish: Satin with Gloss Top
Fretboard Inlay: Large Pearl Dots
We dont think your guitar should compromise your music. That said, we fully understand
Binding: White
that you may be budget-minded. Our ovangkol 400 Series and sapele 300 Series serve up high-end,
Rosette: 3-Ring
performance-ready guitars at our best price for an all-solid-wood guitar. Our 400/300 Series
models are the choice of plenty of gigging performers, worship musicians, beginners and
Models:
410ce, 412ce, 414ce, discerning others who crave the simple pleasures of a killer guitar: playability, balanced tone
454ce, 455ce
 th e 3 00 S e r i es
and a quality pickup that conveys the nuances of your playing. Maybe this is your first foray into a
Back/Sides: Sapele Binding: Black
solid-wood Taylor experience, and you want to bolster your chops before you step up. Or maybe
Top: Sitka Spruce Rosette: 3-Ring
you just love the way ovangkol or sapele responds to your hands. As woods they might not be
household names, but pick up one of these guitars and youll be impressed by how good it makes Finish: Satin with Gloss Top
Models:
you sound. Fretboard Inlay: Large Pearl Dots 310ce, 312ce, 314ce,
315ce, 354ce, 355ce
 Just because we make
high-end guitars doesnt
mean we dont believe in
affordable ones. And we
dont think you have to
sacrifice great tone and
playability when youre
looking for extra value.
Our rosewood laminate
200 Series and sapele
laminate 100 Series guitars
are the real deal, crafted
to deliver the complete
Taylor experience, and,
with laminate back and
sides, are extra resilient.
Both series offer optional
cutaways and stage-ready
electronics in the form of
our great-sounding ES-T
transducer pickup. You can
feel good in knowing that
when you buy a Taylor at
any level, you get precision
craftsmanship, great tone,
and our same high standard
of customer service.

th e 200 S e r i es
Back/Sides:
Rosewood Laminate
Top: Solid Sitka Spruce
Fretboard Inlay:
Pearloid Dots
Binding: White
Rosette: 3-Ring

Models:
210, 210e, 210ce,
214, 214e, 214ce

th e 100 S e r i es
For some young adults, getting a drivers license is a rite of
passage. For others, getting their first Taylor is. The 100 and 200 Back/Sides:
Series are perfect for young players who are ready to take things Sapele Laminate

to the next level. With the easiest playability and best intonation Top: Solid Sitka Spruce
in the industry, family porch jams never sounded so good. Here, Fretboard Inlay:
14-year Taylor veteran Ben Benavente (left), currently our Inside Pearloid Dots
Sales & Customer Relations rep, looks on as his son Mason finds
Binding: Black
a groove. Watch out, Dad youre about to get upstaged.
Rosette: 3-Ring
Photo by Bil Zelman
Models:
110, 110e, 110ce,
114, 114e, 114ce
 After years of concerts with inconsistent and problematic live
acoustic nylon-string sound, my Taylor NS74ce has solved all
my problems. With its onboard electronics dialed in, I rarely
have to touch anything, knowing that it will be consistent from
venue to venue. Its now stress-free, plug-n-play, every time.
Sound engineers love it, as well!

Wayne Johnson, three-time Grammy Award-winning guitarist

th e NYLON S e r i es Neck Width: 1 7/8 Inches NS72ce/NS74ce NS32ce/ NS34ce

Back & Sides/Top: Back & Sides/Top:
Rosette: Mexican Cypress
The same hallmarks of quality that define Taylor acoustic/electric Indian Rosewood/Cedar Sapele/Sitka Spruce
Strings: DAddario Pro-Art Extra
steel-strings were applied to our Nylon Series to give players a smooth Binding: Indian Rosewood Binding: Black
Hard Tension
passage to a nylon-strings tonal flavors without having to adjust to a Peghead Veneer: Indian Rosewood Peghead Veneer:
wide-neck classical guitar. Comfort and playability, clear, balanced tone, a Electronics: Fishman Prefix Pro
Indian Rosewood
(NS32ce/34ce), Fishman Prefix
cutaway for access to the upper register, and electronics for easy gigging NS62ce/NS64ce
Pro Blend (NS72ce/NS74ce,
make for an inviting and unique nylon experience that feels familiar to our Back & Sides/Top:
NS62ce/NS64ce)
steel-string customers. A choice of two body shapes and three different Big Leaf Maple/Engelmann Spruce
Tuners: Ping Classical Gold with
wood pairings offers a rich variety of tonal nuances to suit every type of Binding: Indian Rosewood
Ivoroid Buttons
player. If youre looking for some fresh inspiration, take one for a spin. Peghead Veneer/Bridge: Cocobolo
 Wood&Steel editor Jim Kirlin, clearly hard at work with
a Baby Taylor on Coronado Beach in San Diego, as the
iconic Hotel del Coronado reflects another inspiring
sunset. Its a tough job, but he does it all for you.

Th e BABy Taylor
Part of an acoustic guitars appeal is its portability. Wherever you might Baby Big Baby
be headed, the compact Baby Taylor makes the perfect musical companion. Size/Shape: 3/4-scale Dreadnought Size/Shape: 15/16-scale
Its debut over a decade ago set a new benchmark for players on the go, (22 3/4-inch scale length) Dreadnought
giving them a legitimate musical instrument thats resilient and can truly Back/Sides: Sapele Laminate Back/Sides: Sapele Laminate
carry a tune, all the way up the neck. Its also perfectly kid-friendly. If you Top: Solid Sitka Spruce or Mahogany Top: Solid Sitka Spruce
want a bigger sound thats still super-portable and affordable, the Big Baby
Fretboard Inlay: Pearloid Dots Fretboard Inlay: Pearloid Dots
is simply a killer guitar. Its the kind of guitar you can leave around the house
or the office, or have on-hand on those days when youre supposed to be at Rosette: Laser-etched Rosette: Laser-etched
the office. Dont be surprised if it secretly becomes your go-to guitar.
Th e
ACOU STI C LINE
Because each Taylor
body shape yields a
distinctive sound, we
designed a line of pure
acoustic Taylors around
our shapes, allowing us
to use different wood
pairings to distill down to
the pure essence of tone.
Initially inspired by the bold
voice of our newest shape,
the Grand Symphony (GS),
we now offer more than
30 Acoustic models in four
shapes: the GS, the versa-
tile Grand Auditorium (GA),
the traditional Dreadnought
(DN), and our small-body
Grand Concert (GC). All
of our Acoustic models are
unified by the same clean,
understated appointments
that keep the emphasis on
shapes and woods. All are
designed as non-cutaways
and come without pick-
guards (available as an
option). For live perfor-
mance, the optional Taylor
Expression System
captures that essential
acoustic sound youve
been hearing unplugged,
and shares it with the
world. And its stealthy
design aesthetic will never
compromise the true
acoustic look you crave.

Standard Appointments
Fretboard Inlay:
Abalone Dots (5 Series & up)
Pearl Dots (3 & 4 Series)
Binding:
Ivoroid (5 Series & up)
Cream (3 & 4 Series)
Rosette:
Abalone (5 Series & up)
3-ring (3 & 4 Series)
g ran d sym ph ony
Tone Profile: Deeper, thicker and louder across the tonal spectrum,
without sacrificing clarity or responsiveness. The most robust tone of the
Taylor shapes, and ideal for hearty strumming or flatpicking. Full, round
bass, meaty midrange, and strong trebles.

Models:
GS-K, GS8, GS8-12, GS7,
GS6, GS6-12, GS5, GS5-12
(GS6 shown)

g ran d AU DITORI U M
Tone Profile: Taylors original signature body shape defines tonal balance,
clarity, and overall versatility that modern, multifaceted players appreciate.
Perfect for players who enjoy a mix of strumming, picking and fingerstyle.
Offers a great blend of character and articulation that fit into a mix.

Models:
GA-K, GA-K-12, GA8, GA8-12, GA7, GA6,
GA6-12, GA5, GA4, GA4-12, GA3, GA3-12
(GA4-12 shown)

g ran d con ce rt
Tone Profile: The body contours help control overtones, yet both the
volume and bass response are impressive. Together, the shorter scale
length and slotted peghead (on gloss models) yield a warm, slightly
woodier sound. Great for fingerstylists and other players who prefer the
comfort of a small-body guitar.

Models:
GC-K, GC8, GC7, GC6, GC5, GC4, GC3
(GC8 shown)

d r ead n ou g ht
Tone Profile: Our most traditional body style blends a potent, vintage
acoustic sound with Taylors trademark tonal consistency. Great for
strummers and flatpickers who like to really drive the top.

Models:
DN-K, 910 Legacy,* 810 Legacy,** DN8, DN5, DN4, DN3
(DN5 shown)

*Features Cindy fretboard inlay and abalone-edged top

**Features 800 Series fretboard inlay and white binding
40

t5
Three years since its breakthrough launch, our award-winning Body: Sapele Hollowbody Scale Length: 24 7/8 Inches Models:
electric/acoustic T5 has clearly come into its own. A full-range performance T5-C5, T5C5-12, T5-C4,
Top: Sitka Spruce, Maple, Koa, Fretboard Inlay: T5 Artist (Custom),
T5C4-12, T5-C3, T5C3-12,
guitar, the hollowbody hybrid boasts proprietary humbuckers and an Macassar Ebony, Cocobolo, Walnut Micro Dots (Standard)
T5-C2, T5C2-12, T5-C1,
Expression System-inspired body sensor, allowing players to switch
Color Options: Natural, Red, Blue, Binding: Multi-layer White with T5C1-12, T5-C, T5C-12,
between amplified acoustic and electric tones or blend them together Black (translucent black optional) Black Pinstripes T5-S, T5S-12, T5-S1, T5S1-12
with an A/B/Both box in a way that no other guitar can. Its unmatched with Edgeburst
Nut/saddle: Bone
versatility has spawned its own category in the guitar world and inspired Sunburst Options:
artists of virtually every genre by giving them a multifaceted tool that Tobacco, Honey, Cherry
enhances what they can do in the studio or on stage.
t3
The newest addition to our electric line, the T3 embodies our passion for expanding the range of tones Body: Sapele Semi-hollowbody Models:
available to the electric player. Inspired by both the T5 and the SolidBody, weve taken the classic semi-hollow- T3, T3/B
Top: Quilted Maple
body sound and applied our signature Taylor design touches, blending our high-fidelity Style 2 pickup with a
Scale Length: 24 7/8 Inches
unique coil-splitting application to give players killer humbucker and single coil sounds in one guitar. Our push-
pull tone knob brings two modes of tone control that include a fresh voice: a warm, fat, mellow vintage tone. Fretboard Inlay: Mother-of-Pearl Dots
Weve also paired a Bigsby tailpiece with a metal roller bridge, giving players a high-performance vibrato bar Binding: Multi-layer White with
without the pitch issues. And if vibrato bars arent your thing, go with the stop tailpiece. Either way, we love the Black Pinstripes
look and sound of this guitar, and think you will, too. Tailpiece: Bigsby Vibrato or
Stoptail with Roller Bridge
th e s oli d b ody
We celebrate the Taylor
SolidBodys first birthday proudly,
having made a potent impact on
the electric guitar world in 2008.
Loaded with all-original design
ideas, the SolidBody re-imagined
what a great electric guitar could
be, in a completely fresh way.
Proprietary humbuckers fused
power with a vintage, high-fidelity
sound. An innovative aluminum
bridge design marked an advance
in lock-down intonation. Sleek
ergonomic touches added a new
level of comfort to the electric
playing experience. A noiseless
single coil solved an age-old prob-
lem. And our new modular pickups
gave players not only the flexibility
to choose between High-Gain and
High-Definition electric flavors, but
to switch out the pickups with in-
credible ease. Were in the electric
world for the long haul and hope
you join us.
Pickups
Style 1 Humbuckers
(Classic, Custom)
Style 2 Humbuckers
(Standard)
Style 3 Noiseless Single Coil
(Classic SC)
Also available as after-market
HD (High Definition) and HG
(High Gain) pickups through
TaylorWare
Classic
Body: Swamp Ash
Neck: Maple
Scale Length: 24 7/8 Inches
Fretboard Inlay: Pearl Dots
Colors: Translucent White,
Translucent Red, Black, Natural
Standard
Body: Sapele
Top: Tamo Ash
Neck: Sapele
Scale Length: 24 7/8 Inches
Fretboard Inlay: Pearl Dots
Colors: Aged Cherry Sunburst or
Natural with Shaded Edge
Custom
Body: Sapele or Mahogany
Top: Walnut or Hawaiian Koa
Neck: Sapele or Mahogany
Scale Length: 24 7/8 Inches
Fretboard Inlay: Progressive Diamonds
(Walnut top) or Koa Series
Colors: Shaded Edge
Models:
Classic, Classic SC,
Standard, Custom Koa,
Custom Walnut
Opposite page: Classic
Single Coil in Trans White
Above (L-R): Standard in
Natural, Standard in Aged
Cherry, Custom Walnut,
Custom Koa
TAY LO R FAQ s

Does a cutaway
diminish the tonal
output of a guitar?

Conventional wisdom
would suggest that it
would, since a cutaway
does remove real estate
from the soundboard and
slightly diminish the overall
air volume in the cavity of
the guitar. But in reality,
the tonal difference is The DDSM is the perfect guitar for me as a
negligible, because the
performing fingerstyle guitarist. The distance
soundboard area in the
between the strings at the bridge is slightly
upper bout where a cutaway
would be located doesnt
wider; each string has its own voice because of
move much anyway. In the hexaphonic pickups; the shallower 16-inch
fact, the relief rout that we body is comfortable to hold and really adds to
cut on the underside of feedback control. The short-scale neck makes
our guitar tops to enhance playing much easier and even adds sweetness
movement doesnt extend
to the tone. But the number one reason I love
into that region. Tonal
output is affected more by
the DDSM is that I can walk out on stage with
the degree of tapering in an orchestra or a band or even just by myself
the waist of a guitar body and not have to think about anything else but
than by the cutaway. playing the guitar.
Doyle Dykes

Does a slotted
headstock affect
tone?

Yes, the reduced mass

does slightly affect the
tone, but the biggest
difference is the increased
string angle over the nut.
The tighter tension on the
nut makes the notes more
staccato they pop out a
bit brighter and decay a
bit more quickly, making
the individual notes sound
more distinct. th e s i g natu r e s e r i es ddsm
Doyle Dykes Signature Model Peghead Inlay:
What defines true signature artists is that they do the defining. Pearl / Abalone Rose
Our Signature Series evolved out of the personal relationships Back/Sides: Big Leaf Maple
Binding: Ivoroid with
that Bob Taylor developed with two of the worlds most expressive Top: Sitka Spruce Abalone-edged Top
guitarists Doyle Dykes and Leo Kottke both of whom discovered
Colors: Black, Translucent Black, Rosette: Abalone
renewed musical inspiration in Taylor guitars. As stylistic trailblazers Natural, Orange, Brown Sugar
Electronics: Expression System
with a clear musical vision, each had his own ideas about the type
Fretboard Inlay: Offset Pearl or L.R. Baggs DDSM Hex
of Taylor that would help them articulate their signature tone. If only Chet-style Markers
it were that easy for the rest of us. Scale length: 24 7/8 Inches
 TAY LO R I N N O VAT I O N

The NT Neck

Straight, stable necks are

DDSM DDSM the goal of every guitar builder,
Brown Sugar Black but maintaining stability when a
guitar is exposed to changes in
humidity has long been a chal-
LKSM
lenge. With traditional neck as-
sembly methods, a substantial
change in humidity could cause
a guitar top to swell or shrink,
leading to a hump at the 14th
fret, where the neck comes to-
gether with the body. Intonation
problems would often follow.
With Taylors patented NT
neck design, the neck is milled
so that it extends past the 14th
fret (where the heel butts up
against the body), supporting
the fretboard to the last fret.

DDSM DDSM
Orange Natural

A computer mill is used to

rout precision pockets in the
guitar body to house the neck
extension. As a result, the neck
fits cleanly into the body, inde-
pendent of the soundboard. To
ensure dead-on accuracy with
lk s m
the setting of the neck angle,
Leo Kottke Signature Model LKSM, LKSM-6
precisely milled spacers are
Back/Sides:
placed into the body pockets to
In the late 80s, a Taylor mahogany 555 would lure Leo Kottke back to the 12-string after years of hand problems. Tropical Mahogany
micro-adjust the neck angles
Of course, in classic Leo fashion, he christened it by using a pocket knife to whittle down the braces. When Bob Taylor Top: Sitka Spruce
accuracy to .001 inch. Such
later got wind of Leos tinkering, he gave him a call, and the two hit it off.
Binding: Indian Rosewood consistent accuracy delivers
One of the things that sold me on the idea of working with Bob and trying this 12-string was that Bob is the first
Rosette: 3-Ring exceptional playability and spot-
person Id run into who can talk as long as I can about guitars, Leo would later say. I wanted less wood than is common
on intonation all the way up the
for a 12-string. I also wanted it built to be tuned down, instead of up to pitch I think the real virtue of the 12-string is that Tuning Pitch: C-sharp
neck. No other guitar neck is as
it can just explode out of the bottom. So thats what we aimed for.
stable as a Taylor.
Models and specifications are subject to change without notice.
Dimensions by Shape
2009 Specifications GA GS GC DN JM BABY BIG BABY T3 T5 SB

Overall Length
6-String 41 41 40 1/2 41 42 33 3/4 40 1/4 41 3/16 40 3/4 38
12-String 41 41 43 40 3/4
Body Length 20 20 19 1/2 20 21 15 3/4 19 1/2 20 20 17 2/5
Body Width 16 16 1/4 15 16 17 12 1/2 15 16 16 13 13/20 *DDSM body
Body Depth 4 5/8* 4 5/8 4 3/8 4 5/8 4 5/8 3 3/8 4 2 1/3 2 2/5 1 3/4 depth is 4 1/8

Scale Length

Standard 25 1/2 25 1/2 25 1/2 25 1/2 25 1/2 22 3/4 25 1/2
Short 24 7/8 24 7/8 24 7/8 24 7/8 24 7/8 24 7/8 24 7/8 24 7/8
Frets 20 20 20 20 20 19 20 21 21 22
Neck Width
6-String 1 3/4 1 3/4 1 3/4 1 3/4 1 3/4 1 11/16 1 11/16 1 11/16 1 11/16 1 11/16
12-string 1 7/8 1 7/8 1 7/8 1 11/16
Strings / Gauge
Acoustic Electric
GC, GA, Baby, Big Baby, & All 12-string Models: Elixir NANOWEB Light Gauge (.012-.053)
T3, SolidBody: Elixir NANOWEB Electric Light Gauge (.010-.046)
GS, DN & JM: Elixir NANOWEB Medium Gauge (.013-.056) T5: Elixir NANOWEB Electric Medium Gauge (.011-.049)
Nylon Series: DAddario Pro-Art Extra Hard Tension T5 12-string: Elixir NANOWEB Electric Light Gauge

Models by Shape
GA GS GC DN JM BABY BIG BABY T3 T5 SB

PSGA PSGS PSGC PSDN PSJM BT1 BBT T3 T5-S SB Classic

PSGA-12 PSGS-12 K12ce K10ce PSJM-12 BT2 T3/B T5S-12 SB Classic SC
K14ce K16ce K22ce K20ce K65ce T5-S1 SB Standard
K24ce K26ce 912ce 910ce LKSM T5S1-12 SB Custom Koa
K54ce K56ce 812ce 810ce LKSM-6 T5-C SB Custom Walnut
K64ce K66ce 712ce 710ce 815ce T5C-12
914ce 916ce 612ce 610ce 855ce T5-C1
814ce 816ce 512ce 510ce 615ce T5C1-12
854ce 856ce 412ce 410ce 655ce T5-C2
714ce 716ce 312ce 310ce 455ce T5C2-12
614ce 616ce GC-K 210 315ce T5-C3
654ce 656ce GC8 210e 355ce T5C3-12
514ce 516ce GC7 210ce T5-C4
414ce GS-K GC6 110 T5C4-12
454ce GS8 GC5 110e T5-C5
314ce GS8-12 GC4 110ce T5C5-12
354ce GS7 GC3 DN-K
214 GS6 NS72ce 910 Legacy
214e GS5 NS62ce DN8
214ce GS5-12 NS32ce 810 Legacy
114 DN5
114e DN4
114ce DN3
GA-K
GA-K-12
GA8
GA8-12
GA7
GA6
GA6-12
GA5
GA4
GA4-12
GA3
GA3-12
NS74ce
NS64ce
NS34ce Models and specifications are subject to change without notice.
DDSM

46
Standard Features

Presentation Koa Series Acoustic Koa 900 Series 800 Series Acoustic 8 700 Series Acoustic 7 600 Series Acoustic 6

Back / Sides Choice of: Hawaiian Koa Hawaiian Koa Indian Rosewood Indian Rosewood Indian Rosewood Indian Rosewood Indian Rosewood Big Leaf Maple Big Leaf Maple
Brazilian Rosewood,
Madagascar Rosewood,
Hawaiian Koa, Cocobolo
and other master-grade
woods

Top Choose from a variety Sitka Spruce or Sitka Spruce or Sitka Sitka Sitka Engelmann Spruce / Western Sitka Sitka
of premium woods Hawaiian Koa Hawaiian Koa Spruce Spruce Spruce Western Red Cedar Red Cedar Spruce Spruce

Neck Tropical Tropical Tropical Tropical Tropical Tropical Tropical Tropical Hard Rock Hard Rock
Mahogany Mahogany Mahogany Mahogany Mahogany Mahogany Mahogany Mahogany Maple Maple

Soundhole Single Ring Single Ring Single Ring Single Ring Single Ring 3-Ring 3-Ring 3-Ring Single Ring 3-Ring
Rosette Abalone Abalone Abalone Abalone Abalone Abalone Abalone Abalone Abalone Abalone

Fretboard Ebony Ebony Ebony Ebony Ebony Ebony Ebony Ebony Ebony Ebony

Fretboard Green Heart Abalone Abalone Abalone Pearl Pearl Abalone Pearl Abalone Pearl 600 Abalone Dots
Inlay Byzantine/other options Koa Series Dots 900 Series 800 Series Dots Dots Dots Series Leaf

Top Inlay Green Heart Abalone Abalone Abalone Abalone None None None None None None
w/neck extension

Headstock Ebony Ebony Ebony Ebony Indian Indian Indian Indian Ebony Indian
Overlay w/ Pearl Inlay Rosewood Rosewood Rosewood Rosewood Rosewood

Ivoroid w/Green Heart

Binding Curly Maple Ivoroid Ivoroid Curly Maple Ivoroid Indian Rosewood Ivoroid White Ivoroid
Abalone

Bridge Ebony Ebony Ebony Ebony Ebony Ebony Ebony Ebony Ebony Ebony
w/Abalone inlay w/ Pearl Inlay

Bridge Pins Ebony w/Green Heart Ebony w/ Ebony w/ Ebony w/ Ebony w/ Ebony w/ Ebony w/ Ebony w/ Ebony w/ Ebony w/
Abalone Dots Abalone Dots Abalone Dots Abalone Dots Abalone Dots Abalone Dots Abalone Dots Abalone Dots Abalone Dots Abalone Dots

Nut / Saddle Bone Tusq Tusq Bone Tusq Tusq Tusq Tusq Tusq Tusq

Tuning Taylor Gold Taylor Gold Taylor Gold

Machines / Gotoh Taylor Gold Taylor Gold Gotoh Taylor Gold or Taylor Slot Taylor Gold or Taylor Slot Taylor Gold or Taylor Slot
Buttons Head (GC) Head (GC) Head (GC)

Truss Rod Ebony Ebony Ebony Ebony Indian Indian Indian Indian Ebony Indian
Cover Rosewood Rosewood Rosewood Rosewood Rosewood

Back / Side Gloss Gloss Gloss Gloss Gloss Gloss Gloss Gloss Gloss Gloss
Finish

Top Finish Gloss Gloss Gloss Gloss Gloss Gloss Gloss Gloss Gloss Gloss

Neck Finish Satin Satin Satin Satin Satin Satin Satin Satin Gloss Gloss

Optional Optional Optional Optional

Expression Expression ExpExpression Expression Expression Expression
Electronics Expression
System System System System
Expression Expression
System
Expression
System
System System System System

Pickguard Tortoise (Amber)

None None None None Tortoise None Tortoise None None
None (colors/bursts)

Taylor Deluxe Taylor Deluxe Taylor Deluxe Taylor Deluxe Taylor Deluxe Taylor Deluxe Taylor Deluxe Taylor Deluxe Taylor Deluxe Taylor Deluxe
Case Hardshell (Brown) Hardshell (Brown) Hardshell (Brown) Hardshell (Brown) Hardshell (Brown) Hardshell (Brown) Hardshell (Brown) Hardshell (Brown) Hardshell (Brown) Hardshell (Brown)

Models PSDN, PSGA, K10ce, K12ce, GA-K, GA-K-12 910ce, 810ce, 812ce, GA8, GC8, GS8, 710ce, 712ce, GA7, GC7, GS7 610ce, 612ce, GA6, GC6,
PSGC, PSGS, K14ce, K16ce, GC-K, GS-K 910 Legacy 814ce, 815ce, DN8, 810 Legacy 714ce, 716ce 614ce, 615ce, GS6, GA6-12
PSJM, PSGA-12, K20ce, K22ce, DN-K 912ce, 816ce, 854ce, GA8-12, GS8-12 616ce, 654ce,
PSGS-12, PSJM-12 K24ce, K26ce, 914ce, 855ce, 856ce 655ce, 656ce
K54ce, K64ce, 916ce
K65ce, K56ce,
K66ce

47
 Standard Features

500 Series Acoustic 5 400 Series Acoustic 4 300 Series Acoustic 3 DDSM LKSM Nylon Series

Back / Sides Tropical Mahogany Tropical Mahogany Ovangkol Ovangkol Sapele Sapele Big Leaf Maple Tropical Mahogany Indian Rosewood
(NS72ce, NS74ce)
Big Leaf Maple
(NS62ce, NS64ce)
Sapele (NS32ce, NS34ce)

Western Red Cedar (70s)

Top Engelmann Spruce / Sitka Spruce (DN) / Sitka Spruce Sitka Spruce Sitka Spruce Sitka Spruce Sitka Spruce Sitka Spruce Engelmann Spruce (60s)
Western Red Cedar Western Red Cedar Sitka Spruce (30s)

Neck Tropical Tropical Tropical Tropical Tropical Tropical Hard Rock Maple Tropical Tropical
Mahogany Mahogany Mahogany Mahogany Mahogany Mahogany Mahogany Mahogany

Soundhole 3-Ring 3-Ring 3-Ring 3-Ring 3-Ring 3-Ring Single Ring 3-Ring Mexican Cyprus & Myrtle
Rosette Abalone Abalone Abalone Geometric Pattern

Fretboard Ebony Ebony Ebony Ebony Ebony Ebony Ebony Ebony Ebony

Fretboard Pearl Dots Abalone Dots Large Pearl Dots Pearl Dots Large Pearl Dots Pearl Dots Pearl DDSM None None
Inlay

Top Inlay None None None None None None Abalone None None

Headstock Indian Indian Indian Indian Indian Indian Ebony w/ Pearl / Indian Indian Rosewood (30s, 70s)
Overlay Rosewood Rosewood Rosewood Rosewood Rosewood Rosewood Abalone Rose Inlay Rosewood Cocobolo (60s)

Binding Indian Rosewood Ivoroid White Cream Black Cream Ivoroid Indian Rosewood Indian Rosewood (60s, 70s)
Black (30s)

Bridge Ebony Ebony Ebony Ebony Ebony Ebony Ebony Ebony Ebony (30s, 70s)
Cocobolo (60s)

Bridge Pins Ebony w/ Ebony w/ Ebony w/

Ebony Ebony Ebony Ebony Ebony None
Abalone Dots Abalone Dots Abalone Dots

Nut / Saddle Tusq Tusq Tusq Tusq Tusq Tusq Tusq Tusq Tusq

Tuning Taylor Chrome Taylor Gold or Ping Classical Gold w/

Machines / Taylor Gold (514ce, Taylor Slot Head (GC) Taylor Chrome Taylor Chrome Taylor Chrome Taylor Chrome Taylor Gold Taylor Gold Ivoroid Buttons
Buttons 516ce)

None (32, 62, 72)

Truss Rod Indian Rosewood Indian Rosewood Indian Rosewood Indian Rosewood Indian Rosewood Indian Rosewood Ebony Indian Rosewood
Indian Rosewood (34, 74)
Cover Cocobolo (64)

Back / Side Gloss Gloss Satin Satin Satin Satin Gloss Gloss Gloss (60s, 70s)
Finish Satin (30s)

Top Finish Gloss Gloss Gloss Gloss Gloss Gloss Gloss Gloss Gloss

Neck Finish Satin Satin Satin Satin Satin Satin Gloss Satin Satin

Electronics Expression System Optional Expression System Optional Expression System Optional Expression System None Fishman Prefix Pro (30s)
Expression System Expression System Expression System or Baggs / DDSM Prefix ProBlend (60s, 70s)

Pickguard Tortoise None Tortoise None Tortoise None None None None

Case Taylor Deluxe Taylor Deluxe Taylor Hardshell Taylor Hardshell Taylor Hardshell Taylor Hardshell Taylor Deluxe Taylor Deluxe Taylor Hardshell Black (30s)
Hardshell (Brown) Hardshell (Brown) (Black) (Black) (Black) (Black) Hardshell (Brown) Hardshell (Brown) Deluxe Brown (60s, 70s)

Models 510ce, 512ce, GA5, GC5, 410ce, 412ce, GA4, GC4, 310ce, 312ce, GA3, GC3, DDSM colors: LKSM NS32ce, NS34ce
514ce, 516ce GS5, DN5, GS5-12 414ce, 454ce, DN4, GA4-12 314ce, 315ce, DN3, GA3-12 Natural LKSM-6 NS62ce, NS64ce
455ce 354ce, 355ce Black (opaque) NS72ce, NS74ce
Black (translucent)
Orange
Brown Sugar

48
Standard Features The Electric Line / Standard Features

200 / 100 Series Baby Taylor SolidBody T5 T3

Back / Sides 200 Series: Sapele Laminate Body Swamp Ash (Classic) Sapele Sapele
Rosewood Laminate Sapele (Standard, Custom Walnut)
Tropical Mahogany (Custom Koa)
100 Series:
Sapele Laminate Sitka Spruce (T5-S, T5-C); Figured Maple
Tamo Ash (Standard)
Top Walnut (Custom Walnut)
(T5-S1, T5-C1); Koa (T5-C2); Quilted Maple
Cocobolo (T5-C3); Walnut (T5-C4);
Koa (Custom Koa)
Macassar Ebony (T5-C5)
Top Solid Sitka Spruce BT1, BBT: Sitka Spruce
BT2: Tropical Mahogany Neck Sapele (Standard, Custom Walnut)
Tropical Mahogany (Custom Koa) Tropical Mahogany Sapele
Neck Sapele Sapele Maple (Classic)

Fretboard Ebony (Standard, Custom) Ebony Ebony

Soundhole 3-Ring Laser Etched Indian Rosewood (Classic)
Rosette
Fretboard Pearl Dots
Inlay (Classic, Standard) Pearl Dots (T5-S, T5-S1)
Fretboard Ebony Ebony Pearl Progressive Diamonds Pearl T5 Artist (T5-C, T5-C1, Pearl Dots
(Custom Walnut) T5-C2, T5-C3, T5-C4, T5-C5)
Fretboard Koa Series (Custom Koa)
Inlay Pearloid Dots Pearloid Dots
Headstock
Overlay Ebony Ebony Ebony
Top Inlay None None

Fretboard None (Classic) White White

Headstock Indian Rosewood Lexan Binding Black (Standard, Custom)
Overlay
Chrome Roller-style w/Stop Tail
Bridge Taylor Hardtail Aluminum, fully adjustable Ebony (T3) or Bigsby Vibrato (T3/B)
White (200s)
Binding None
Black (100s)
Nut Bone Bone Tusq with Teflon
Bridge Ebony Ebony
Tuning Taylor Chrome (T5-S, T5-S1 and blue bursts)
Machines / Taylor Chrome Taylor Gold (T5-C, T5-C1, T5-C2, T5-C3, Taylor Chrome
Black Black
Bridge Pins Buttons T5-C4, T5-C5)

Nut / Saddle Tusq Tusq Back / Satin (Classic Natural, Standard Natural) Gloss Gloss
Side Finish Gloss (All other models)
Tuning
Machines / Chrome Chrome
Buttons Top Finish Satin (Classic Natural, Standard Natural) Gloss Gloss
Gloss (All other models)

Truss Rod Rosewood None Neck Finish Satin (All Classics, Standard Natural) Gloss Gloss
Cover Gloss (All other models)

Electronics Taylor Style 1 (3/4 size) Humbuckers

Varnish (100s) (Classic, Custom); Taylor Style 2 (full)
Back / Side Varnish
Satin (200s) Humbuckers (Standard); Taylor Style 3 T5 Electronics w/ Five-Way Switch T3 Electronics w/Coil-splitting
Finish
Single Coils (Classic SC) Capability

Varnish (100s)
Top Finish Satin (200s) Varnish
Pickguard White Pearloid (Classic Trans White/Red)
Black Pearloid (Classic Black) None None
Varnish (100s)
Neck Finish Varnish Tortoise Shell (Classic Natural)
Satin (200s)
None (Standard / Custom)

Taylor ES-T
Electronics None Case Deluxe Hardshell Taylor T5 Hardshell (Black) Taylor T3 Hardshell
(E and CE models)

Pickguard Tortoise Tortoise (BBT) Color / Burst Classic: Translucent White, Translucent Natural, Red, Blue, Black (Translucent Black Natural or Red w/ Edgeburst;
Options Red, Black, Natural; Standard: Aged Optional) w/ Edgeburst; Sunburst Options: Sunburst Options: Tobacco, Honey
Cherry Sunburst, Natural w/ Shaded Tobacco, Honey, Cherry
Gig Bag (100 Series) Edge; Custom: Shaded Edge
Case Gig Bag
Black (200 Series)

Models 110, 110e, 110ce BT1 (Sitka) Models Classic, Standard, Custom Walnut, T5-S, T5S-12, T5-S1, T5S1-12, T5-C, T3, T3/B
114, 114e, 114ce BT2 (Tropical Custom Koa T5C-12, T5-C1, T5C1-12, T5-C2, T5C2-12
210, 210e, 210ce, Mahogany) T5-C3, T5C3-12, T5-C4, T5C4-12,
214, 214e, 214ce BBT (Big Baby) T5-C5, T5C5-12

49