Taylor: The Sounds & Players of the Acoustic Juggernaut

When it comes to the heavy hitters of acoustic guitars, few names resonate the way Taylor does. From its origins in California to modern-day innovations, Taylor Guitars has become known for precision craftsmanship, innovative ideas, and a bright tonal profile.

Much like the way the Martin D-28 is the benchmark for classic dreadnought power, Taylor has carved out a distinctive legacy – one built on innovation and sustainability. Here, we explore the sounds that define Taylor acoustic guitars and the musicians who bring that sound to life.

What Makes a Taylor acoustic guitar special?

Taylor Guitars was founded in 1974 by Bob Taylor and Kurt Listug, following their acquisition of a small San Diego guitar workshop. Over time, the brand has grown into one of the largest and most influential acoustic guitar manufacturers in the world, producing over 150,000 guitars every year for players around the globe. 

But Taylor’s rise is not just about scale – it’s about their approach to what an acoustic guitar is. Their unique take on what makes an acoustic guitar playable, sustainable, and sonically balanced has led to the pioneering of several technologies in their guitars ahead of competitors, such as:

This unique neck construction changes from traditional glued-in designs by creating a three-piece neck using a single consistent piece of wood, which improves stability and durability.

This is supported using a bolt-on assembly approach that allows for long-term adjustability a glued-in neck otherwise wouldn’t, making setups simpler and costly neck reseats a thing of the past.

  • CNC construction

Taylor was the first company to use CNC (computer numerical control) machine technology in acoustic manufacturing, which is now a mainstay in nearly all guitar-building worldwide. The incredible accuracy and repeatability of CNC machining ensures high consistency and reduces the likelihood of errors during construction.

  • Expression System pickups

This patented system uses a three-phase pickup system behind the saddle to capture the sonic characteristics of your guitar with superb clarity.

Taylor offers a range of different bracing methods to reinforce the body of their guitars. Each offers different tonal characteristics and resonance response from the acoustic, and it’s worth exploring the options yourself.

Taylors are often celebrated for their balance, clarity, and responsiveness, and are generally considered to be a very modern sounding acoustic against competitors. You’ll want to sit down and spend some time with a Taylor to make sure it’s the right sound for you, but frankly you’ll want to do that for any acoustic you look to buy.

What guitarists use Taylor acoustics?

Given the markedly modern sound of Taylor guitars, and the strong US heritage that underpins the brand, it’s no surprise that Taylor has resonated with a range of contemporary artists across the US and beyond.

The Zac Brown Band’s Chicken Fried (2005)

The country anthem that took the world by storm, led from the first note by a Taylor classical guitar. We’ve outlined the main chord progression for the chorus, which is repeated multiple times throughout the song and serves as the main chord progression.

It’s a I-V-IV progression in the key of F#, though this song is played in Eb standard (standard guitar tuned down a half-step), so keep that in mind and can be considered to be played in the position of G.

You can see Taylor taking centre stage during a live performance of Chicken Fried below. Tons of fun to play and a true country classic in the modern era.

Taylor Swift

She might not be the poster child for acoustic virtuosity, but it’s hard to argue with the numbers. Taylor acoustic guitars have been heard billions of times worldwide through Swift’s extensive music catalogue.

The happy accident of having her name across the headstock is just icing on the cake, but she’s proudly played Taylor’s the majority of her career. She even has a signature model aimed at the affordable market, which is a nice touch and not something you see very often with signature instruments.

The Last Note

Taylor Guitars has continued to drive innovation in the world of acoustic guitars. They push the boundaries of construction and design, and work tirelessly to deliver quality instruments that can serve the needs of the players.

While Taylor hasn’t got the storied history of Martin or Gibson, they’re no less an important part of the industry and absolutely worth your time to pick up and try. We’re pretty confident you might just find your next favourite acoustic.

Come try any of the used Taylor acoustic guitars we have in stock at GuitarGuys.