Taylor Guitars are renowned for their exceptional tone and playability. There are several key factors that contribute to the acclaimed Taylor acoustic guitar sound. From innovative design principles to premium tonewoods and master craftsmanship, Taylor pays meticulous attention to every detail that affects the sound of their instruments. In this article, we’ll explore the reasons why Taylor guitars have such a magical, musical voice that musicians and listeners love.
Sustainability and Wood Selection
Taylor Guitars sources premium solid tonewoods from sustainable sources across North and Central America. They use naturally fallen old-growth trees as well as responsibly forested younger trees to ensure an ethical and renewable supply of tonewoods for guitar production. This allows Taylor to hand-select the very best wood for their needs. Here are some of the exceptional tonewoods Taylor uses in their instruments:
Sitka Spruce
Sitka spruce is the most common top wood used on Taylor guitars. It is lightweight and strong, with an evenly tight grain structure. This gives Sitka Spruce tops excellent resonance, volume, and dynamic range. The trees grow mostly in Alaska and Canada’s Pacific Northwest forests. Taylor only uses Sitka Spruce from older trees that meet their stringent quality guidelines.
Mahogany
Mahogany is Taylor’s standard choice for guitar backs and sides. It has an attractive reddish-brown coloration and an open, resonant quality. Honduran Mahogany is a popular species used by Taylor and other high-end acoustic makers. Its rich overtones and strong midrange complement the bright sparkle of a spruce top. Mahogany is an excellent all-round tonewood.
Tropical American Hardwoods
Exotic tonewoods like Indian rosewood, cocobolo, and African ebony are occasionally used by Taylor for back and side sets. These dense tropical hardwoods add complexity and overtones to the guitar voice. Although expensive and scarce, these rare woods create instruments with exceptional power, clarity, and sustain.
Other Tonewoods
Taylor also uses maple, sapele, urban ash, blackwood, koa, walnut, and other premium tonewoods on select guitar models. Each wood species brings out different tonal qualities in the finished instrument. Careful wood selection allows Taylor to create guitars tailored for specific musical needs.
Innovative Bracing Patterns
The bracing system underneath the guitar top strongly impacts the sound. Taylor has engineered patented bracing patterns that enhance tone and volume while retaining structural integrity.
X-Bracing
Taylor’s standard X-brace design efficiently transfers string vibrations into the top. The braces are positioned to allow the top to vibrate freely and produce full sound across all frequencies. This gives Taylor guitars their balanced tone and excellent projection. The X-brace was pioneered by American luthier C.F. Martin in the early 1900s.
NT (Natural Technology) Neck Reinforcement
Taylor’s NT neck system uses a second small brace below the fingerboard to strengthen the neck joint. This added support prevents distortion and allows the guitar top to vibrate more freely. The result is increased sustain, resonance, and tonal clarity.
Forward-Shifted X-Brace
Some Taylor models shift the X-brace slightly towards the soundhole for a louder, punchier sound favored by stage performers. This also reduces boominess on guitars with rosewood backs and sides.
Beveling Brace Edges
Carefully beveling the braces before gluing thins the edges and minimizes top damping. This technique enhances guitar responsiveness across all frequencies.
Relief Rout
Some Taylor models have a relief rout or chamber carved into the underside of the top. This removal of material frees up the top to vibrate more freely and loudly.
Playability Innovations
In addition to great sound, Taylor guitars are renowned for their easy playability. Taylor’s passion for continuous improvement has led to several patented design innovations that make their instruments effortless and enjoyable to play.
Taylor Neck Profile
The Taylor neck has a slim, fast feel along the back with a slight V-shaped contour. This tapered shape fits comfortably in the hand. Taylor necks also have a medium scoop at the underside of the neck near the body that improves grip. Overall, the Taylor neck profile provides smooth, easy playability across the fretboard.
Taylor ES2 (Elliptical Soundhole)
Most Taylor round soundhole guitars incorporate an elliptical (oval) soundhole rather than a traditional round soundhole. The elliptical shape minimizes forearm contact while strumming, reducing player fatigue. It also provides more evenly balanced tone and volume across all strings.
Taylor GC Series Neck
Taylor’s Grand Concert body shape is mid-sized, providing comfortable access to upper frets. The 25.5″ scale length and articulate GC neck profile facilitate intricate fretting and fast leads. This makes the GC a versatile stage guitar.
Cutaway Body Styles
Taylor’s cutaway guitar designs allow easy access to high notes on the fretboard. Popular cutaway models include the Grand Auditorium and Grand Symphony. The cutaway feature is beneficial for lead playing.
Onboard Electronics
Many Taylor models have built-in pickup and preamp systems, including models equipped with Taylor’s proprietary ES2 pickup. The electronics provide amplified stage and studio versatility with no impact on unplugged acoustic tone.
Meticulous Craftsmanship
Skilled workmanship translates design into musical reality. Each Taylor guitar goes through many expert hands in the factory as it gets transformed from raw wood into finished instrument. Here’s an overview of Taylor’s craftsmanship:
Precision Machining
Taylor uses advanced CNC (computer numeric control) equipment to cut guitar components like necks and braces to exactly programmed dimensions. This level of precision optimizes tone, playability and structural integrity.
Hand Shaping
While technology aids precision, fine skill comes from experienced hands. Taylor craftspeople carefully shape each guitar by hand for comfortable contours and profiles. This personal attention optimizes each guitar’s unique voice.
Fretwork
Taylor frets are dressed by hand using special files. The ends are smoothly rounded for ease of play. The nut slots are cut to precise depths to optimize string tension and resonance.
Finishing Process
Taylor uses thin, hand-sprayed urethane finishes. This allows the natural wood grain and tone to shine through beautifully. The finishes are also durable and enhance the guitar’s voice.
Plek Setup
Each Taylor guitar is optimized for superb playability using the PLEK digital setup system. PLEK uses digital analysis for perfect string heights, fingerboard radius, intonation, and more. This ensures every Taylor plays exactly right when it leaves the factory.
Quality Assurance
With keen eyes and ears, Taylor technicians inspect each completed guitar thoroughly before approving it for shipping. This quality control process maintains Taylor’s high standards.
The Taylor Tone Spectrum
While sharing fundamental design principles, each Taylor series has unique sound characteristics that offer diverse musical voices for players.
100 Series
Taylor’s most affordable solid wood guitars. Built in Mexico using quality USA parts. The 100 Series has a balanced, articulate sound with excellent playability. Great for beginners through intermediate players. Models include the 114ce and 110e.
200 Series
Made in the USA, the 200 Series has slightly more complex construction with added appointments. These guitars blend power, richness, and sustain in a very musical way. Models include the 214ce, 210ce, and 224ce.
300 Series
Taylor’s mid-level solid wood guitars, made in California. The 300 Series boasts exceptional tonal clarity and responsiveness. Models include the sunburst 312ce, all-mahogany 317e, and 12-string 356ce.
400 Series
Taylor’s premium line of solid wood acoustic-electrics, made in the USA. With gorgeous tonewoods and refined bracing, 400 Series guitars have a sophisticated, nuanced voice. Models include the 412ce, 417e Grand Pacific, and 410ce-N nylon-string.
500 Series
The pinnacle of Taylor’s USA-made acoustic offerings. Built from rare, resonant tonewoods like koa and maple. The 500 series provides immaculate craftsmanship, crystal-clear articulation, and incredible dynamic range.
600 Series
Taylor’s premium line of all solid-wood electrics like the T5z and hollowbody 614ce. Loaded with proprietary Taylor tone innovations, the 600 series offers incredible amplified versatility rooted in acoustic quality.
700 Series
Taylor’s limited edition and presentation-grade guitars. Exotic tonewoods, elaborate inlays and appointments. The 700 Series offers Taylor craftsmanship in its most rare and refined form, for discerning collectors.
800 Series
Taylor’s USA-made 12-string guitars. Jumbo and Grand Auditorium body styles with clear, balanced 12-string tone and impeccable playability. Models include the 810e, 812ce, and 816ce.
900 Series
Taylor’s line of premium mahogany guitars. With all-mahogany construction, the 900 series has a focused, earthy midrange punch with strong articulation. Models include the 912ce and baritone 916ce.
In Summary
Taylor Guitars have earned a sterling reputation by meticulously crafting superb acoustic instruments capable of a wide range of musical voices. Their innovative designs, premium materials, and masterful workmanship all contribute to the celebrated Taylor tone that inspires guitarists worldwide. From discerning wood selection to playability enhancements to precision construction, Taylor obsesses over every detail that can improve the guitar playing experience. This passion shines through in the rich, balanced, nuanced sound that Taylor instruments are known for. With sustainable sourcing, ethical business practices and commitment to quality, Taylor Guitars are built to last a lifetime – and sound better every year as they mature. For these reasons, Taylor guitars continue to be a top choice for acoustic players at all levels.
