Sustainability: Reforestation, From Politics to Planting
June 14, 2018 - by Scott Paul - ArticlesWith Taylor embarking on reforestation efforts in Cameroon and Hawaii, Scott Paul explains the politics of forest restoration and why Taylor’s timing might be ideal. I arrived in Washington, D.C. in 1993 and began my professional career working in…
Announcing the Taylor Guitars Ebony Project
May 7, 2018 - by Taylor Guitars - ArticlesTaylor’s Multi-part Digital Experience Chronicles its Work in Cameroon to Create a More Sustainable Model of Ebony Sourcing, Including an Innovative Planting Initiative to Safeguard Ebony’s Future - Our Ebony Project El Cajon, CA, Apr 25, 2018 - Taylor…
5 Acoustic Guitar Features that Set Taylor Apart
October 19, 2017 - by Colin Griffith - ArticlesThere’s more to each Taylor guitar than a model number and great sound. We care about every detail, because it’s the little things that match up a guitar with its perfect owner. Beyond the tonewoods and body shapes, we’ve spent…
A Guide to the Taylor Acoustic Guitar Line
September 22, 2017 - by Colin Griffith - ArticlesOur line of acoustic guitars is organized in two ways: by shape and by tonewood. At Taylor, we like to think about our guitars as being defined by their shape, with the wood adding the flavor and texture that gives…
Acoustic Guitar Cutaways vs. Non-Cutaways
July 19, 2017 - by Aaron Dablow - ArticlesOne of the most rewarding aspects of being a part of Taylor’s sales team is visiting music stores to host events, where we talk with people about the properties that distinguish acoustic guitars. One of the most-asked questions my colleagues…
8 Travel And Guitar Care Tips For Summer
May 19, 2017 - by Jim Kirlin - ArticlesTraveling with a guitar? Whether your summer plans include a vacation or staycation, the warmer weather can impact the condition of your guitar. Here’s how to keep your guitar healthy wherever you both end up. 1. If traveling by car,…
20 Acoustic Guitar Terms You Need To Know
December 7, 2016 - by Taylor Guitars - ArticlesTalking about acoustic guitar tone can leave you feeling a bit foggy if you’re not familiar with the acoustic guitar terms most commonly used to describe it. That’s why we’ve compiled this quick, handy guide for some of the top terms…
10 Questions To Help You Find Your Guitar Player Profile
November 21, 2016 - by Taylor Guitars - ArticlesWhat’s Your Guitar Player Profile? It’s all about you. The guitar you choose should respond well to your playing style and other aesthetic preferences, both in terms of sound and looks. If you’re a beginner and haven’t defined your playing…
A Guide To Taylor Acoustic Guitar Model Numbers
November 14, 2016 - by Taylor Guitars - ArticlesIf you’re new to the Taylor Guitars acoustic guitar line, you might need a little help decoding our model numbering system. We’ve got you covered. The Taylor acoustic guitar model numbers are organized by series, and each series is defined by particular…
8 Tips for Trying Out and Choosing an Acoustic Guitar
November 11, 2016 - by Taylor Guitars - ArticlesFor some people, going to a music store can be intimidating. Whether it’s a vast selection of instruments, the cacophony of acoustic and electric guitars being played in a crowded store, or just a touch of I’m Not Worthy syndrome as…
5 Guitar Playing Resolutions For The New Year
January 4, 2016 - by Shawn Persinger - ArticlesDo you want to make 2016 your best guitar playing year ever? Here are five resolutions that you can add to your practice routine – and actually stick with long after you’ve given up all the others. 1. Practice less,…
Using A Guitar Humidifier And Other Guitar Humidity Tips
October 19, 2015 - by Jim Kirlin - ArticlesDry conditions can lead to guitar damage. A guitar humidifier will protect your Taylor and keep it playing and sounding its best. We’ve all felt the depleting effects of dry conditions on our bodies. Think of a long flight spent…
6 Guitar Care Tips For Fall
November 10, 2014 - by Jim Kirlin - ArticlesWith the weather getting progressively cooler in many regions during the fall months, it’s important to maintain a healthy relative humidity (RH) level for your guitar(s). The ideal humidity range for an acoustic guitar is 45-55 percent. Keep in mind…
5 Tips For Traveling With Your Taylor
July 29, 2014 - by Jim Kirlin - Articles1. Know your airline policy. In the U.S., the federal Transportation Security Administration (TSA) permits you to bring your guitar as a carry-on or checked luggage. Here’s a link to the TSA website’s musical instrument page for more details. You…
FAQ: Guitar String Types And Gauges
February 28, 2014 - by Taylor Guitars - ArticlesQ: What guitar strings does Taylor install on its guitars? Does the gauge matter, or should I use whatever feels best to me? A: Strings are extremely important - Since June 1, 1999, we've been installing Elixir Strings on all steel-string…
FAQ: Why Does My ES Go Hum?
July 23, 2013 - by Taylor Guitars - ArticlesA constant hum is usually a sign that there is a not a solid ground connection at the amplifier or audio device the guitar is plugged in to. If touching the metal end of the cable or the jack itself…
Upside Down Truss Rod Cover
July 9, 2013 - by Bob Taylor - ArticlesAfter I had tweaked the action on my Tasmanian [blackwood] Build to Order guitar, my son walked by and told me I had put the truss rod cover on upside down. He said, “Obviously the designer wanted the scalloped end…
The Worst A Guitar Will Ever Sound
June 14, 2013 - by Bob Taylor - ArticlesQuestion: I’ve heard that the worst a guitar will ever sound is the day you take it home. This is due to the fact that, as a guitar ages, the wood hardens, giving it a better tonal quality over the…
Changing Strings
June 10, 2013 - by Bob Taylor - ArticlesQuestion: I have a Taylor 514ce using your recommended [Elixir] strings. To my unrefined ear, how do I know when it is time to change strings? -- Stanley J. Answer: Stanley, one of the best ways to know is to train…
Tone Talk: Rosewood, Mahogany And Maple
April 25, 2013 - by Taylor Guitars - ArticlesWe love to share our perspective on tonewood nuances with guitar enthusiasts. The better your understanding of the unique sonic characteristics that distinguish different woods, the easier it is to find the right type of guitar for your playing style…
Fast Neck
April 24, 2013 - by Bob Taylor - ArticlesQuestion: I own three Taylors: a 210e, a 414ce and a DN8e. The frequency of use is in that order. The back sides of the necks on the 210 and 414 behind the first and third frets feel a little…
The Craft: Back To The Beginning
April 5, 2013 - by Taylor Guitars - ArticlesThe Craft Editor’s Note: We’re pleased to introduce a new column by Taylor luthier Andy Powers. Each issue he’ll be sharing ideas that have inspired Taylor’s latest guitar designs. Beginnings are complicated for me. The concept of a starting point…
Electrostatic “Charging”
April 1, 2013 - by Bob Taylor - ArticlesQuestion: I recently took the factory tour and enjoyed it. The electrostatic “charging” of the guitar to attract the [finish] intrigued me. Since wood is an insulator and not a conductor of electricity, how can you charge the guitar body?…
Fretboard Oil
March 29, 2013 - by Bob Taylor - ArticlesQuestion: On guitar chat forums people rave about the merits of using lemon oil to clean their guitar fretboards. Other people respond by saying that lemon oil is actually bad for the guitar. Can you shed some light on this? -- Claudio…
Under My Skin
March 6, 2013 - by Taylor Guitars - ArticlesI wasn’t planning to buy a Taylor. Instead, I was simply trying to replace my old Fender that I’d played for nearly 20 years. But when I was in the music store, I asked the salesperson, “OK, so let’s assume…