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Taylor & Ng Made Mugs In 1978 What Were The Animals?

Best Taylor Guitars 2022: Our Pick Of The Finest Taylor Acoustic guitars You Can Buy Today
(Image credit: Taylor )

Curating a list of the all-time Taylor guitars was never going to be an easy task – there are just so many. Since information technology was founded by Bob Taylor and Kurt Listug in 1974, Taylor has become one of the world'due south most respected guitar manufacturers, with a reputation for innovation, loftier build standards and an industry-leading commitment to the use of sustainable tonewoods. Now, under the leadership of design guru Andy Powers, the Californian company is soaring to fifty-fifty greater heights.

Our guide to the best Taylor guitars available today reflects the firm'southward desire to improve and refine its craft, offering players a wide option of models for home, stage and studio.

  • Our option of the best acoustic guitars overall
  • Pair your Taylor with i of the all-time acoustic guitar pedals

Best Taylor guitars: Product guide

Best Taylor guitars: Taylor Builder's Edition 517e

(Prototype credit: Taylor )

1. Taylor Builder's Edition 517e

A different kind of dreadnought

Specifications

Launch price: $2,899/£2,100

Type: Chiliad Pacific round-shouldered dreadnought

Scale length: 25½"

Elevation: Torrefied Sitka spruce

Back & sides: Tropical mahogany

Neck: Tropical mahogany

Fingerboard: Due west African Crelicam ebony

Frets: 20

Electronics: Taylor Expression Organisation 2

Tuners: Taylor Nickel

Left-handed?: No

Finish: Silent Satin

Reasons to buy

+

Super end and feel

+

Advanced V-Class bracing and compound carve-cervix contour

+

Balanced sounds with a rounded tonality

Reasons to avoid

-

Some dreadnought fans will adopt a boomier depression stop and hi-fi trebles

When Taylor launched its Architect's Edition 517e Yard Pacific in 2019, it came equally a surprise to many. Hither was a vintage-expect, round-shouldered dreadnought that had been brought kicking and screaming into the 21st century past Andy Powers' innovative V-Class bracing (read more about that in our buying advice at the lesser of the folio).

The torrefied Sitka spruce height and Silent Satin stop help to deliver a mature, broken-in voice that comes without those tactile 'squeaks' y'all normally wait from a new gloss guitar. Meanwhile, the compound carve-neck contour transitions from a subtle 'V' at the nut to a rounded 'C', providing superb condolement and facilitating higher fret work.

That V-Course bracing provides wonderfully consistent sustain across the fretboard, along with pristine intonation that means there'south less chance of hitting a sour notation while fingerpicking.

Best Taylor guitars: Taylor Builder's Edition 324ce

(Paradigm credit: Taylor )

two. Taylor Builder's Edition 324ce

Sustainability meets premium features

Specifications

Launch price: $2,999/£2,172

Type: Grand Auditorium electro cutaway

Scale length: 25½"

Peak: Solid mahogany

Back & sides: Urban Ash

Neck: Mahogany

Fingerboard: Due west African Crelicam ebony

Frets: xx

Electronics: Taylor Expression System ii

Tuners: Gotoh 510

Left-handed?: No

Terminate: Silent Satin

Reasons to buy

+

An impressive debut for Urban Ash

+

Builder's Edition appointments enhance playability

+

Potent midrange tonality

Reasons to avoid

-

Some may find it pricey for a guitar made from reclaimed tonewood

Taylor'south trailblazing commitment to using sustainable tonewoods in its guitar building is a cornerstone of its identity, and the 324ce showcased a new chapter in that story, being constructed from Urban Ash – Shamel ash from damaged copse found in urban Californian areas.

The manufacturer has described Urban Ash equally being similar to coveted Honduran mahogany, and, true to the comparison, in that location's a stiff mid vocalization on this M Auditorium, with excellent sustain clarity when fingerpicking.

The Builder's Edition appointments are subtle rather than showy, but they definitely affair, the upper-tour armrest and chamfered body/fingerboard edges adding condolement, and the Gotoh 510 tuners' 21:1 ratio offering outstanding precision.

Read the full Taylor Builder'southward Edition 324ce review

Best Taylor guitars: Taylor GS Mini-e Koa

(Prototype credit: Taylor )

3. Taylor GS Mini-e Koa

A benchmark for travel guitars

Specifications

Launch price: $799/£579

Type: Scaled-downwardly Grand Symphony

Scale length: 23½"

Top: Solid koa

Back & sides: Koa laminate

Neck: Sapele

Fingerboard: West African Crelicam ebony

Frets: 20

Electronics: Taylor ES-B

Tuners: Taylor Chrome

Left-handed?: Yes

Finish: Varnish

Reasons to buy

+

Great portability for travel

+

A big sound from a small body

+

ES-B system makes it giggable

Reasons to avoid

-

There'south still no cutaway GS Mini blueprint

Over a decade after its introduction, the GS Mini remains the standard for travel guitars, delivering projection that belies its scaled-downwardly dimensions.

A nifty choice for those who want a go-to home and away audio-visual (a high-quality gigbag is included), the GS Mini-e Koa offers easy playability combined with stunning figured grain.

Its versatility is farther boosted by its ES-B pickup/preamp combo, which comes with a handy onboard tuner – platonic for gigging guitarists.

Best Taylor guitars: Taylor AD17e Blacktop

(Prototype credit: Taylor )

4. Taylor AD17e Blacktop

Amazing value for a pro-spec guitar

Specifications

Launch price: $1,699/£1,230

Type: One thousand Pacific round-shouldered dreadnought

Scale length: 25½"

Top: Solid Sitka spruce

Back & sides: Solid ovangkol

Neck: Mahogany

Fingerboard: Eucalyptus

Frets: xx

Electronics: Taylor Expression System 2

Left-handed?: No

Finish: Matte black

Reasons to buy

+

Offers a pro spec at a competitive toll

+

A great all-rounder

+

Expression Organization 2 captures the strengths well

Reasons to avoid

-

Blacktop look may not appeal to fans of traditional aesthetics

While The Everly Brothers and Johnny Cash brought black audio-visual finishes to the fore, they're a rare sight in the Taylor line-up. However, there's much more than to admire with this One thousand Pacific dreadnought than stealthy looks.

The American Dream series is where you'll notice Taylor'due south most affordable solid-wood acoustics. Despite its value, though, the AD17e Blacktop offers a professional spec, its V-Grade bracing delivering a wonderfully detailed single-note response in the higher frets, along with a strummed grapheme that recalls Gibson'south J-45.

Add in a deliciously sweet high finish, and you have an acoustic guitar that you won't be able to put down.

Best Taylor guitars: Taylor GTe Urban Ash

(Prototype credit: Taylor )

five. Taylor GTe Urban Ash

A new medium

Specifications

Launch cost: $1,599/£one,158

Type: Reduced-scale M Theater

Scale length: 24⅛"

Acme: Solid Sitka spruce

Dorsum & sides: Urban Ash

Neck: Tropical mahogany

Fingerboard: Eucalyptus

Frets: 20

Electronics: Taylor Expression Organization 2

Tuners: Taylor Nickel Mini

Left-handed?: No

Finish: Matte

Reasons to buy

+

This new scale feels great and could become a preference for many

+

C-Grade bracing offers superb response across the fretboard

+

An easy player

Reasons to avoid

-

A cutaway option would brand sense, also

Featuring an adjusted version of the V-Course bracing organisation – chosen the C-Course – the GTe Urban Ash is a higher-end and larger successor to the GS Mini; a mid-sized audio-visual that falls somewhere between that travel guitar and a full-fatty Taylor.

The new 24⅛" scale length works very well. Compact but wonderfully playable, it could well become the favorite audio-visual guitar size for many who try it. The C-Class bracing means that the compromises of higher fret tonality you often get with smaller acoustics don't utilize hither – and information technology really inspires your playing, with wonderful treble resonance and no hint of dead spots.

Elsewhere, the inclusion of Urban Ash and eucalyptus showcases Taylor's sustainable approach to guitar edifice, the scale is akin to playing with a capo on the beginning fret, while the clear midrange and strong EQ residual offer a compelling combination.

Read the full Taylor GTe Urban Ash review

Best Taylor guitars: Taylor 512ce 12-Fret

(Image credit: Taylor )

6. Taylor 512ce 12-Fret

The fingerstylist'south dream

Specifications

Launch price: $two,799/£2,027

Type: Grand Concert

Calibration length: 24⅞"

Superlative: Red Western cedar

Back & sides: Tropical mahogany

Neck: Tropical mahogany

Fingerboard: West African Crelicam ebony

Frets: 18

Electronics: Taylor Expression System 2

Tuners: Taylor Slot Caput

Left-handed?: Yeah

Finish: Gloss

Reasons to buy

+

Dimensions feel great for fingerpicking

+

Detailed tonality, with good projection for the size

+

Additional options available

Taylor designed this Grand Concert model, complete with a slotted headstock, for fingerstyle guitar players, and if that's your preferred mode, it's one of the very best options in the current line. The company also offers a range of special finishes, including Sitka spruce, Tobacco and Honey Sunburst – though you'll demand to pay more for these.

Even the standard selection represents a significant investment, though yous'll be rewarded with an intimate playing experience, thanks to the body size – which sits between parlor and jumbo – and the comfortable satin terminate neck.

The tonality feels rich and mature with a book that will surprise. Single notes have a bell-similar resonance and clarity, while chords are articulate and full, with the brusque-scale feel bringing dandy satisfaction while fingerpicking.

Best Taylor guitars: Taylor Academy 12e-N

(Paradigm credit: Taylor )

7. Taylor University 12e-N

A classical classic

Specifications

Launch cost: $749/£542

Type: Grand Concert

Calibration length: 25½"

Top: Lutz spruce

Dorsum & sides: Sapele laminate

Neck: Mahogany

Fingerboard: West African Crelicam ebony

Frets: 17

Electronics: Taylor ES-B

Tuners: Classical Nickel

Left-handed?: Yes

Finish: Varnish

Reasons to buy

+

Classical tones with steel-string, acoustic-style cervix

+

A friendly experience if you're new to nylon strings

+

ES-B does a fine job

Reasons to avoid

-

It has a lot of contest in this price range

If you lot'd similar to start playing classical with an fantabulous foundation guitar, then the 12e-N is hard to beat. Part of the Academy range aimed at providing new players with a positive first feel, its playability is something that all guitarists could do good from – though it comes in a relatively utilitarian package by Taylor'south standards.

The Yard Concert shape works beautifully with classical nylon strings, just the neck is narrower than the usual classical fare, making this a good selection for those looking to make the transition from an electrical or steel-cord acoustic. A sparse satin varnish helps to enhance the resonance, though it leaves the body more susceptible to knocks.

The open midrange reveals a Latin-fashion voicing that's ideal for clear complex chords, and even flamenco when played harder. Taylor ES-B is the company's entry-level preamp arrangement, simply offers a balanced and clear representation of the 12e-N'due south acoustic strengths, with a low end that doesn't require taming.

Best Taylor guitars: Taylor 562ce

(Image credit: Taylor )

8. Taylor 562ce

Shimmer me timbers

Specifications

Launch price: $2,999/£two,172

Type: One thousand Concert 12-string cutaway

Scale length: 24.8"

Top: Mahogany

Dorsum & sides: Mahogany

Cervix: Mahogany

Fingerboard: Ebony

Frets: xviii

Electronics: Taylor Expression Organisation 2

Left-handed?: Yeah

Finish: Shaded Edge Burst

Reasons to buy

+

A genuinely fresh accept on the 12-string acoustic that sounds fantastic

+

Smaller trunk is very comfortable

+

Classy, understated looks

Reasons to avoid

-

A meaning investment if you just play 12-string occasionally

Taylor eases the transition to 12-string here, choosing a 12th-fret neck join then that the bridge tin sit down further back on the guitar'southward trunk for greater resonance.

Two strings share a peg to keep the span compact and the break angle across the saddle consistent. It'southward said to help the pairings reply in a more than uniform style that benefits tuning and response.

The 562ce's lap-friendly Grand Concert torso is a treat to hold, while the guitar'southward V-Class bracing helps to deliver a harmonic shimmer that'south tonic for the ears. It's a wonderful, carefully engineered sound past Andy Powers – though information technology doesn't come cheap.

Best Taylor guitars: Ownership advice

Inside a Taylor guitar showing the V-Class bracing

(Image credit: Taylor )

To further understand why Taylor audio-visual guitars are amidst the very best on the marketplace, let'southward dwelling in on some of the visitor's unique features:

V-Class bracing

Bracing is the name given to an acoustic guitar's internal framework, and it can accept a significant effect on the sound. The manufacture of steel-cord guitars has traditionally been dominated by X-shaped bracing, but in 2018 Taylor revealed a new arroyo called V-Class. Andy Powers' V-shaped bracing changes the mode the guitar top vibrates, resulting in "a more orderly rocking motion across both sides of the height" for greater sustain and notes that are "more in tune with each other". Taylor'southward claims of improved sustain are undeniable to united states of america, with the higher register especially benefiting from sweeter clarity and resonance.

V-Class bracing has now been introduced to existing Taylor lines in the 300 series and above, too every bit new designs.

Expression System ii

While many guitar companies use 3rd-political party preamps and pickups for their electro-acoustic models, Taylor decided to develop its own. The consistently strong functioning of the current Expression System 2 adds to the versatility of its instruments.

Expression Organisation ii uses three adaptable pickup sensors under the guitar saddle, every bit opposed to the traditional single piezo sensor. These work together with Taylor'southward preamp, offer volume, treble and bass to provide onboard tone-shaping for players.

The ES-B system found on models including the GS Mini-e and the University series includes a digital chromatic tuner, but features only tone and book controls.

Taylor headstock with stone wall in background

(Prototype credit: Taylor )

Shapes

A guitar'southward shape and size can make a real difference to its sound and playability. Taylor offers 5 distinctive shapes that are unique to the visitor and should be considered as function of any buying determination:

Grand Theater: Taylor's most meaty body shape, this is used for the GTe Urban Ash, the GT 811e and the GT K21e

Grand Concert: Sitting somewhere between the reduced-scale Grand Theater and the M Auditorium, this is Taylor'south most compact full-scale body shape, and is ideally suited to fingerstyle

Grand Auditorium: Earlier the Grand Pacific arrived in 2019, this was Taylor's main 'all-rounder' body shape

K Pacific: Taylor's take on a traditional round-shouldered dreadnought, the Chiliad Pacific'southward balanced tone is ideal for strumming

Thousand Symphony: This shape now includes a soundport cutaway, while its curves are the ground for the reduced-sized GS Mini

Grand Orchestra: Taylor's largest torso shape, the One thousand Orchestra lends itself to low-end response and louder volume

Sustainability

Taylor is a wise pick for those who are concerned about the impact their guitar purchases have on the environment. The manufacturer is committed to sourcing sustainable tonewoods, and in 2011 became the joint owner of the Ebony Project, a scalable replanting initiative in Cameroon, Africa, that provides employment for an unabridged community.

More than recently, Taylor formed a partnership with West Coast Arborists Inc., a tree maintenance and management service based in California. The collaboration sees the guitar manufacturer recycling wood from ash copse that have been felled in urban Californian areas due to age, safety and other factors.

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Rob is the Guitars Editor for MusicRadar, handling news, reviews, features, tuition, advice for the strings side of the site and everything in betwixt. Before that he worked on guitar magazines for 15 years, including Editor of Total Guitar, and is a regular contributor to Guitar Actor and Guitar Earth.

Source: https://www.guitarplayer.com/gear/best-taylor-guitars

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