Taylor Guitars
Taylor Guitars ( Taylor Listug, Inc. dba Taylor Guitars ) is an American manufacturer of acoustic and electric guitars. The company was founded in 1974 by Bob Taylor, Kurt Listug and Steve Schemmer and in addition to its headquarters in El Cajon, California another production plant in Tecate, Mexico. Taylor Guitars is one of the leading guitar manufacturers in the premium segment.
Company History
Bob Taylor began in 1972 at the age of 18 years with his work in the American Dream, a music store. As the company owner Sam Radding in 1974 decided to leave the company, Bob Taylor, Kurt Listug and Steve Schemmer bought on this, which laid the foundation was laid for Taylor Guitars. First, the company in Westland Music Company was renamed, but had a more compact name because of the size of the lettering for the guitar head forth. It was decided, therefore, to call the company Taylor, especially since Bob Taylor was the real guitar-maker. Listug took over the financial and economic issues, while Taylor was responsible for the design and production. In 1976, the company decided, his instruments on a nationwide retailer network to sell.
Taylor initially focused on the construction of acoustic guitars and combined from the outset high-quality materials and fine woods with precision craftsmanship. Very soon the company was considered a producer of instruments with exceptional sound and playability. And the use of innovative and computer-aided manufacturing techniques and design features such as the patented and since 2001 fitted as standard NT neck. Special pickup systems made the products very popular especially for live operation at hobby musicians such as professional artists. When Taylor Guitars in 1981 ran into financial difficulties, it saved itself by taking out a bank loan and the further expansion through the acquisition of better production machines. 1983 Schemmer was paid and left the company.
Taylor Guitars is today with over 700 employees of the leading guitar manufacturers in the premium segment. The instruments are sold internationally in more than 60 countries, including a private shipping and logistics center in the Netherlands. 2008 Taylor Guitars entered into a strategic partnership to increase the awareness of the brand Taylor in Europe with the competitor Fender.
Models
Over the years, Taylor has developed a wide range of models and series, the most diverse requirements. In addition to Western guitars with steel strings concert guitars are made with nylon strings. There are different body sizes with and without cutaway. Later, production was expanded to include the manufacture of high quality electric guitars and semi acoustic Archtop guitars. In the course of product development, Taylor Guitars also in the medium price segment ago, so-called Baby Taylor with 3/4-Korpus.
The fact that many prominent bands and guitarists, including Taylor Swift, Peter Maffay, Prince, David Gilmore, Lenny Kravitz, The Rolling Stones or Leo Kottke, play Taylor guitars, led not only to support a whole range of Signature models special quality and features, but in addition to an equipment and support program for musicians, is divided by Featured Artists and Supported Artists, comparable to the endorser - party applications.
Model codes
The different models and series featuring Taylor Since 2013 uniform using a multi- digit code. The first site provides information about the serial type of the instrument, for example, standard series 100-900, Presentation or KOA - series (PS, K) and more. The second digit indicates whether it is a 6-string ( 1) or 12-string ( 5) is a guitar while the third body shall document the body shape. A distinction is made here:
- 0 = Dreadnought (DN)
- 2 = Grand Concert (GC)
- 4 = Grand Auditorium ( GA)
- 5 = Jumbo ( JB)
- 6 = Grand Symphony (GS)
- 8 = Grand Orchestra (GO)
An optional addition is found in a letter code that indicates whether the instrument has a cutaway ("c" ), equipped with a pickup is ( "e" ) or nylon-string features ( "N"). For example, the model number is for a 6- string acoustic guitar from the 400 series dreadnought body, cutaway and pickup 410ce. Also special design and material characteristics can be identified by a code. So is "K" for the use of KOA wood, "SB" and " BLK " for a sunburst or black finish paint. A coding "GB" in the meantime no longer used refers to the standard delivery of the instrument, especially in the lower price range, with a Taylor gig bag, a sturdy carrying case.
Build-to -Order
A special feature in the industrial guitar is the ability to give instruments their own ideas through an authorized dealer in order. The customer may be, of all available woods, materials, construction methods, processing characteristics, pickups, tuners, design selection, inlays, etc. operate and can thus make a very individual guitar. This applies to both acoustic and semi-acoustic, and electric models.
Sustainable Production
The company Taylor Guitars is a ecological and environmentally conscious production methods in instrument. The basis is the responsible use of forests and raw materials, from cultivation to clearing and transport to the processing, the company can be assure of the raw material suppliers and dealers along the supply and supply chains in respective partnership agreements. Added to this is a more effective processing with a corresponding reduction of waste materials, the development of environmentally friendly synthetic materials, and the recycling of raw materials. Taylor Guitars has thereby a close partnership with the globally operating environmental organization Global Green Wood.
Sources and links
- Guitar Guide: Taylor Guitars
- Taylor 918e Review on Accoustic Guitar.com
- Bob Taylor, Cofounder and President of Taylor Guitars Writes New Book about Life, Passion and Business
- The Californian: Taylor Guitars - the whole and hum of its parts