Taylor
Taylor Guitars: The American Dream
In the early-70's, two teenagers, Bob Taylor and Kurt Listug, partnered up to follow their dream of starting an acoustic guitar company. Along with their only employee, Steve Schemmer they were able to borrow enough money to purchase a small guitar shop in Lemon Grove, CA. Initially this shop was called The Westland Music Company because that sounded "big and important" to the young luthiers who would initially sell their guitars directly from the factory with a whopping total of 6 instruments sold their first year.
A pivotal moment in the design and ultimate success of the Taylor brand happened in 1973 when Bob Taylor, who had taken on a neck reset job on a friend's Guild realized it was too much work to do it via the standard method (Guild acoustic necks are notoriously labor intensive to reset). Deciding the Guild's owner wouldn't mind, Bob cut off the neck's dovetail section and reattached the neck via internal bolts. Not only were both Bob and his friend pleased with the results, but this innovative method, originally utiized merely as a shortcut and which was initially panned by the rest of the acoustic guitar making world, became a technique that would, in many ways, define the company by setting a course for innovative methods and designs for the next quarter century,
After a few very lean years of learning how to buy wood, experimenting with various body shapes and designing what would become one of the most famous headstock's in the world of acoustic guitars, in 1975 the small team that was the still relatively unknown Taylor Guitars hit on their first fully realized design; the guitar that would become the 810 model. This was the first guitar that actually had a specific shape, set of tone woods and cosmetic appointments. The sale of the first 810 along with another, experimental, piece allowed Taylor to stay in business for a few more weeks. Things were that tight, but by the end of 1976 Taylor had built and sold 36 instruments.
In 1976, Listug took to the road and began finding dealers willing to take on an unknown acoustic guitar brand that clearly showed promise and by the end of '76 Taylor had sold a whopping 168 guitars. What had seemed like a lengthy struggle to the small team that began Taylor Guitars appeared to the guitar world to be an overnight success. Suddenly there was a viable, affordable alternative to Martin Guitars. Taylor's unique, low-profile necks and lower action was particularly appealing to electric guitar players who began to discover an acoustic instrument they felt more comfortable with versus the classic high-action, big neck Martin guitars that were so popular amongst acoustic-only bluegrass and folk musicians.
Throughout the late 70's Taylor developed more and more of what would become their most successful models, distribution grew as more shop owner's heard about this new line of guitars that was rapidly being accepted by top name players including Neil Young.
And the rest, as they say, is history! For a complete and detailed timeline of Taylor's history, visit TaylorGuitars.com and click on the "About" tab. This lengthy read is a fascinating and detailed story of a true American Success story based on the dream of a couple of teenagers determined to turn their passion into a lifelong career.
DN3 |
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| MSRP: $1498.00 |  |
AVAILABILITY: In Stock |
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A classic Dreadnought with an entry level price, but a high-quality sound. One of our best sellers for folks who want Taylor build quality, playability and tone without paying for a lot of cosmetic extras. Specifications:
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310CE |
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| MSRP: $2098.00 | |
AVAILABILITY: In Stock |
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An incredible value for the performing guitarist who wants the big, bold sound of a dreadnought. Cutaway for easy upper fret access and excellent Taylor Expression electronics package. Specifications:
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314CE |
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| MSRP: $2238.00 | |
AVAILABILITY: In Stock |
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An excellent fingerstyle, performance guitar at a great price. All of the Taylor build quality, playability and tone at a very reasonable price. May also be used for lower to moderate volume flatpicking, but the Grand Auditorium shape is nicely balance from lows to highs making this body style ideally suited for fingerstyle guitar. Specifications:
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416CE Limited |
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| MSRP: $2898.00 | |
AVAILABILITY: In Stock |
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This wonderful Limited Edition guitar brings the 16 series feature set to the 400 series at an incredible price! Beautiful Tasmanian Blackwood back and Sides with Maple mini-wedge. Flame Maple binding and heel cap. Upgraded touches not usually found at the 400 series level such as all Gloss finish, Mother of Pearl Diamond fingerboard inlays and Abalone rosette. Specifications:
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714CE Limited |
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| MSRP: $3778.00 | |
AVAILABILITY: In Stock |
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The 714CE Limited offers beautiful Madagascar Rosewood back and sides with matching Madagascar Rosewood backstripe trimmed with maple and ebony. It's a gorgeous piece with upgraded woods for the same price as the standard 716CE making this guitar a great value. Specifications:
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716CE Limited |
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| MSRP: $3778.00 | FAT PRICE: $2645.00 | AVAILABILITY: In Stock |
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The 716CE Limited offers beautiful Madagascar Rosewood back and sides with matching Madagascar Rosewood backstripe trimmed with maple and ebony. It's a gorgeous piece with upgraded woods for the same price as the standard 716CE making this guitar a great value. Specifications:
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816ce |
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| MSRP: $4058.00 | |
AVAILABILITY: In Stock |
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A truly gorgeous and beautiful sounding GS sized guitar. Specifications:
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GC8 with Expression System |
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| MSRP: $3598.00 | |
AVAILABILITY: Sold |
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This short scale, slot-head style is my all time favorite from Taylor offering a warmer richer tone with incredible sustain and excellent harmonic content inside the box. Specifications:
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GS Custom "Built To Order" |
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| MSRP: $4396.00 | |
AVAILABILITY: In Stock |
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Custom, Built-to-Order GS with sensational depth and a huge, rich sonic signature! Specifications:
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GS Custom "Built To Order" |
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| MSRP: $5170.00 | |
AVAILABILITY: Sold |
| ADDITIONAL INFO: Nicely spec'd Dave! Enjoy! | ||
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Custom spec'd by one of our clients via Taylor's Built-To-Order program and therefore pre-sold on arrival, but too lovely to not post! Specifications
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GS-K with Koa Top Option |
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| MSRP: $4498.00 | |
AVAILABILITY: In Stock |
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Gorgeous, exotic Koa with amazing flaming....check out the figuring on that back!! Offering a tight and focused tone with excellent detail, definition and clarity Specifications:
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Cocobola GSce Fall Limited |
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| MSRP: $4998.00 | |
AVAILABILITY: Sold |
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Specifications:
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Previously Owned T5-C1 Tobacco Sunburst |
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| MSRP: $N/A | FAT PRICE: $1799.00 | AVAILABILITY: Sold |
| ADDITIONAL INFO: Previously Owned | ||
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2005 Taylor T5 is flawless condition. This guitar looks as if it has never been played. Specifications:
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