Choosing the Best Taylor Guitar
Learn the features to look for and how to choose the best Taylor guitar for your budget and situation, along with our Top 5 recommendations!
Acoustic guitars have been an integral part of music for centuries, but none more so than Taylor Guitars. These exceptional guitars have become synonymous with top-notch craftsmanship, unparalleled sound, and innovative design.
Designed to suit everyone from beginners to seasoned professionals, Taylor Guitars are renowned for their solid sitka spruce tops, solid mahogany backs and sides, and their unique Taylor guitar body shape.
Reviews across the globe, from publications like Guitar World to online forums, praise the distinct Taylor Guitars sound and exceptional quality of Taylor acoustic guitars.
When looking for the best Taylor acoustic guitar, there's something for every level of musician.
Overview of the Best Taylor Acoustic Guitars
The history of Taylor Guitars dates back to 1974 when Bob Taylor and Kurt Listug founded the company in California. The two friends shared a passion for music and acoustic instruments, and they set out to build high-quality guitars that would meet the needs of professional musicians and hobbyists alike.
From the humble beginnings of a rented workspace and a few basic tools, Taylor Guitars quickly established itself as a leading player in the acoustic guitar industry. The company prided itself on using the finest materials, such as solid sitka spruce for the top, and employing cutting-edge acoustic guitar design techniques to produce instruments with a natural tone that stood out from the competition.
One of the hallmarks of Taylor Guitars is their wide variety of guitar body shapes, including the Grand Auditorium, Dreadnought, and Baby Taylor. Each design offers a unique set of features that cater to different playing styles and musical genres.
Despite being relatively new compared to other guitar companies, Taylor Guitars has gained a reputation as one of the best acoustic guitar brands on the market. Many professional musicians and music enthusiasts praise the company's dedication to excellence, the quality of their guitars, and the Taylor brand's innovation in acoustics. The Taylor Expression System, for example, is a proprietary pickup system that captures the natural sound of the guitar and amplifies it with utmost clarity.
Over the years, Taylor Guitars has expanded on its line of acoustic guitars to include acoustic-electrics as well as nylon-stringed guitars. The Taylor 814ce, in particular, has become a highly sought after model for musicians who value a high-quality sound, complemented by the wood's natural texture and color.
Taylor Guitars continues to innovate in the field of acoustic guitar design, introducing new models like the Taylor GS Mini and the Taylor Academy, which cater to budget-conscious consumers without sacrificing quality. These models have gained a following of their own and are widely considered the best budget acoustic guitars on the market.
Overall, Taylor Guitars has become synonymous with quality and is recognized as one of the best acoustic guitar manufacturers in the world. The company's dedication to innovation, quality materials, and exquisite design has brought the love of music to millions of people worldwide.
Buyer’s Guide to Taylor Guitars
When it comes to choosing an acoustic guitar, Taylor guitars are among the best options available in the market. These guitars come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials that offer different features and benefits for guitar players.
One key factor to consider when choosing a Taylor guitar is the body shape. The body shape of a Taylor guitar can significantly impact the overall sound and feel of the guitar. The grand auditorium body style, for example, is versatile and suitable for a wide range of playing styles, while the dreadnought guitar is known for its strong, bold sound. The grand concert body shape is more compact and offers a more focused sound suitable for fingerpicking and more intricate playing styles. Each body shape offers a unique playing experience and should be considered based on individual preferences.
Another significant factor to consider is the type of wood used in the construction of the guitar, specifically the top. The solid sitka spruce top is a popular choice for its excellent responsiveness and tonal balance. Solid mahogany is also a common choice for its warm and rich sound. The ebony fretboard and bridge provide excellent clarity and sustain, while the tropical mahogany neck offers durability and strength. West African ebony is a premium choice for the fretboard and bridge, providing exceptional tonal quality and playability.
When choosing a Taylor guitar, it's crucial to consider the guitar's playability and sound quality. Most Taylor models offer excellent playability, making it easier for beginners and seasoned guitar players to produce rich and vibrant sounds. The guitars' sound quality is undoubtedly among the best in the market, with lush, deep tones that resonate strongly.
Taylor acoustic electric guitars offer added versatility, allowing guitar players to amplify their sound and use in various settings, such as recording studios and live performances. The Expression System 2 is Taylor's own pickup system that offers a high-fidelity sound when amplified.
Finally, Taylor guitars come in a range of sizes, from small to full-sized guitars, with the Baby Taylor as a great option for young players or players with smaller frames. The Big Baby Taylor is a popular option for a larger sound from a smaller guitar body.
When looking for the best Taylor guitars, it's crucial to consider the guitar's features and benefits, such as body shape, type of wood, playability, and sound quality, and choose the one that fits individual tastes and preferences.
Taylor acoustic guitar reviews (like this one!) can also provide helpful insights in determining which models offer the best value and quality.
We've picked out our favorites Taylors here to get you started...
Taylor BT2 Baby Taylor
Why it Rocks
The Taylor BT2 Baby Taylor is a 3/4-size dreadnought acoustic guitar that's perfect for beginners and those looking for a portable instrument. It is known for its impressive sound, coming from a relatively small body.
The BT2 features a tropical American mahogany top and layered sapele back and sides. This combination results in a warm, well-rounded tone with slightly less brightness compared to its spruce-top counterpart, the BT1. The neck is made of maple, and the fingerboard is crafted from ebony, providing a smooth playing experience.
What Else
Weighing just around 10 lbs., and measuring 16 x 38 x 7 inches, it's a right-handed guitar that is easy to hold and play, particularly for younger players or those with smaller hands. Despite its size, the BT2 delivers a strong fundamental sound with clear and direct focus. The arched back of the guitar also helps generate more volume from this small-bodied instrument.
Many reviews praise the BT2 for its comfortable feel, easy playability, and portability. Its quality construction and sound make it not just an excellent choice for learners but also a great travel guitar for more experienced musicians.
Taylor GS Mini
Why it Rocks
The Taylor GS Mini is a marvel of a guitar, designed to offer the joy and sound of a full-bodied instrument in a compact, travel-friendly size. This scaled-down version of Taylor's Grand Symphony model is known for its remarkable features and surprising tonal richness.
One of the most significant characteristics of the GS Mini is its comfort and playability. The smaller size doesn't compromise the comfortable neck design and easy-to-play fingerboard which are signature traits of Taylor guitars. It's a preferred choice not only for younger players or those with smaller hands but also for experienced musicians looking for a portable practice or travel instrument.
The GS Mini's top is made from solid Sitka spruce, a high-quality wood known for its dynamic range and clarity. Depending on the model, the back and sides may be constructed from layered sapele, rosewood, or koa. These woods lend the GS Mini a beautiful aesthetic and contribute to its overall tone - warm and balanced for sapele, rich and complex for rosewood, and bright and focused for koa.
In terms of sound, the GS Mini stands out for its impressive volume and tonal richness. Despite its small size, it produces a big sound that can fill a room, making it suitable for both practice sessions and performances. The well-defined midrange is complemented by crisp highs and robust lows, resulting in a well-balanced sound.
What Else
The GS Mini comes equipped with Taylor's patented NT neck design, which ensures a straighter, more stable neck. Some models also feature the ES-B pickup system, including an onboard preamp with tone and volume controls, as well as a built-in digital chromatic tuner.
With its combination of portability, playability, and powerful sound, the Taylor GS Mini has earned rave reviews from guitarists around the world. Whether you're a beginner just starting your musical journey or a seasoned player seeking a reliable companion for your travels, the GS Mini is a worthy contender.
Taylor Big Baby Taylor
Why it Rocks
The Taylor Big Baby Taylor, often referred to as the "BBT", is an acoustic guitar that strikes a perfect balance between size, sound, and affordability. This 15/16-scale dreadnought guitar embodies the quality craftsmanship of Taylor Guitars while offering a more accessible price point and portable design, making it a popular choice among players of all levels.
One of the defining features of the Big Baby Taylor is its unique size. It's slightly smaller than a full-size dreadnought but larger than the GS Mini, making it an ideal in-between model for those seeking a comfortable, easy-to-handle guitar that doesn't compromise on sound.
The BBT features a solid Sitka spruce top, renowned for its broad dynamic range and crisp articulation, paired with layered sapele back and sides. This combination of woods results in a bright, well-balanced tone with plenty of volume. The guitar's neck is made of maple, providing stability and a smooth playing experience, while the fretboard is crafted from West African Crelicam ebony, known for its durability and sleek feel.
In terms of sound, the Big Baby Taylor delivers a surprisingly full-bodied tone, considering its smaller size. It produces clear, resonant notes across the entire frequency spectrum, with a particularly impressive bass response for its size. Whether you're strumming chords or picking out melodies, the BBT responds beautifully, making it a versatile instrument suitable for a wide variety of music styles.
What Else
The BBT also comes equipped with Taylor's patented neck joint design, the NT Neck, which ensures a stable, straight neck and accurate intonation. The guitar's satin finish not only enhances its aesthetic appeal but also contributes to the overall resonance and tone of the guitar.
In summary, the Big Baby Taylor is a testament to Taylor's commitment to quality and innovation. It offers a fantastic option for those seeking a travel-friendly guitar, beginner players, or any guitarist who wants a great sounding, comfortable instrument at a reasonable price. Its blend of size, playability, and tonal richness make it a stand-out in its category.
Taylor Academy 12
Why it Rocks
The Taylor Academy 12 is a Grand Concert acoustic guitar that's designed with comfort and accessibility in mind, catering to new players while also being suitable for guitarists of all ability levels. This model has been crafted keeping in mind a broad appeal, making it suitable for a range of music preferences.
One of the key features of the Academy 12 is its compact size. It's intended as a fingerstyle guitar and the smaller body size adds an extra layer of playing comfort. This makes it ideal for players who prefer a more intimate and comfortable playing experience, or those with smaller hands.
The construction of the Academy 12 uses quality materials. The top is made from solid Sitka spruce, providing a bright and loud volume. The back and sides are made from layered Sapele, adding a robustness to the sound. The neck is hard rock maple, featuring a slim shape and a 15-inch radius, making it comfortable to hold and play. The fingerboard is made of ebony, known for its smooth feel and durability, and it features simple dot inlays.
In terms of sound, the Academy 12 is noted for its brightness and volume, especially when compared to models like the Taylor GS Mini. Despite its compact size, it doesn't compromise on sound projection. This makes it a versatile choice for both practice and performance.
What Else
The Taylor Academy 12 is part of Taylor's Academy series, which are manufactured at the company's secondary factory in Tecate, Mexico. Despite being a more affordable option within the Taylor range, these guitars maintain the high quality and craftsmanship that Taylor is known for.
Overall, the Taylor Academy 12 is praised for its amazing playability and sound right out of the box. It's a less expensive option that doesn't compromise on quality, making it a great choice for those looking to invest in a reliable, high-performing acoustic guitar.
Taylor 814ce Acoustic-Electric
Why it Rocks
The Taylor 814ce Acoustic-Electric guitar is a testament to Taylor's commitment to innovation, quality, and superior sound. This model, part of Taylor’s esteemed 800 Series, is a Grand Auditorium cutaway that features a blend of classic tonewoods and modern electronics, making it a versatile choice for players of various styles.
The 814ce is built with a solid Sitka spruce top and solid Indian rosewood back and sides. The spruce top contributes to the guitar's dynamic range, while the rosewood adds depth and complexity to the overall tone. The result is a rich, well-balanced sound with impressive articulation across all frequency ranges.
The guitar's neck is made from tropical mahogany, which is known for its durability and stability. The fingerboard and bridge are crafted from West African Crelicam ebony, a dense wood that adds to the instrument's overall sustain and tonal clarity.
One of the standout features of the 814ce is its advanced performance bracing, which optimizes the guitar's resonance and projection. Additionally, the use of protein glues for the bracing and bridge enhances the transfer of vibrations and contributes to the guitar's robust sound.
The 814ce comes equipped with Taylor's Expression System 2 (ES2) electronics, a revolutionary pickup design that delivers an amplified acoustic sound that is true to the guitar's natural voice. The ES2 uses a three-section proprietary pickup located behind the saddle, which captures more of the guitar’s dynamic properties. Volume, bass, and treble controls on the upper bout give you easy access to adjust your tone.
What Else
Aesthetically, the 814ce is a beauty to behold, featuring a gloss finish, mother-of-pearl Element fretboard inlays, and maple binding and back strip. Its Venetian cutaway allows for easy access to the higher frets, making it a great choice for soloing and intricate chord shapes.
In summary, the Taylor 814ce Acoustic-Electric guitar is a premium instrument that combines exceptional craftsmanship, superior tonewoods, and innovative electronics. It's a versatile, high-performing guitar that caters to both the discerning professional musician and the passionate hobbyist.
FAQs About the Best Taylor Guitars
1. What is Taylor guitars known for?
Taylor guitars are known for their high-quality acoustic guitars that are prized for their excellent sound and build quality. They have become a standard-bearer for high-end acoustic guitars worldwide.
2. What are the best Taylor acoustic guitars for specific situations?
The best Taylor acoustic guitars to buy would depend on your playing style and preferences. However, popular choices include the ones in this article, of course.
3. What type of wood is used for the top on Taylor acoustic guitars?
Most Taylor acoustic guitars feature a solid Sitka spruce top, one important aspect that helps produce the hallmark Taylor sound. This type of wood is chosen for its strength, resonance, and clarity.
4. What are the main features of a Taylor guitar?
Taylor guitars feature a number of key characteristics, such as the solid Sitka Spruce top and Indian rosewood back and sides that help shape the guitar's tone as well as the grand auditorium body shape that provides a versatile playing experience. Other features include a tropical mahogany neck, ebony fretboard, and bridge.
5. What is the Taylor grand auditorium body shape best suited for?
The Taylor grand auditorium body shape is best suited for players who want a versatile guitar that can handle a range of music styles, including fingerpicking, strumming, and flatpicking.
6. Do Taylor acoustic guitars come with good quality strings?
Yes, Taylor acoustic guitars come equipped with high-quality Elixir strings that are known for their tonal clarity, longevity, and projection.
7. Where are Taylor acoustic guitars made?
Taylor guitars are made in the United States at their factory in El Cajon, California, which employs skilled luthiers who combine the latest technology with a deep reverence for traditional guitar building.
8. How do Taylor acoustic guitar reviews generally rate the guitars?
Taylor acoustic guitar reviews are generally positive and laud the guitars for their high-quality sound, gorgeous designs, and flawless construction. Many musicians have praised the guitars' playability and tonal range, arguably measuring up to even the best Martin guitar.
9. What makes the Taylor Builder's Edition line of guitars special?
The Taylor Builder's Edition line of guitars is a special series designed in collaboration with master luthier Andy Powers. These guitars feature unique wood pairings, enhanced playability, and innovative engineering to achieve a new level of sound and responsiveness for acoustic guitars.
10. Are Taylor acoustic guitars worth the investment?
Yes, Taylor acoustic guitars are worth the investment for anyone serious about playing and owning a quality guitar that produces a high-quality sound. With excellent build quality, premium materials, and meticulous attention to detail, Taylor guitars are a top choice for serious players worldwide.
Summary of Taylor Guitars
In conclusion, Taylor guitars are among the best acoustic guitars in the market. The Taylor brand offers a wide range of guitar body shapes, including the grand concert and grand auditorium, which are known for their versatility and fantastic sound.
Taylor guitars are perfect for both beginners and experienced guitar players thanks to their excellent sound and easy-to-play design, making barre chords a breeze.
Taylor guitars are worth the investment for any guitar player looking for a quality guitar - once again, here are our favorites:
Best Budget Option: Taylor BT2 Baby Taylor
Best for Portability: Taylor GS Mini
Best for Versatility: Taylor Big Baby Taylor
Best for Beginners: Taylor Academy 12
Best Overall: Taylor 814ce Acoustic-Electric
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