No matter what level of experience you have, you always want the best quality guitar to strum your sweet tunes on. Many brands do an excellent job of producing high-quality sounding guitars, both electric and acoustic, so you may be a little gun shy at making an ultimate decision.
One guitarist may tell you Fender is the best! You may hear Ibanez is the best! Alternatively, you may hear a name that you are unfamiliar with (unless of course you are a guitar aficionado), and that name is Taylor.
In this guide, we are looking at this company and just what makes their guitars a cut above the rest. So, get excited and let us introduce you to the best Taylor guitars on the market today, as well as the company itself.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Taylor Guitars
- OUR TOP PICK: Taylor GS Mini Mahogany GS Mini Acoustic Guitar
- Taylor 114ce 100 Series Acoustic Guitar
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Taylor BT2 Baby Taylor Acoustic Guitar
Table of Contents
Who is the Taylor Guitar Company?
This company, founded in southern California during the 70s by Bob Taylor, has been played by many famous artists and for good reason. Taylor strives to craft guitars that have excellent playability and spectacular sound quality. This innovative company started by building acoustic guitars and eventually found their way into the electric guitar world in the early 2000s.
This meant that the company was expanding the versatility of their brand. Taylor's high-quality guitars can range from budget-friendly to high end, and each has its own unique sound and performance capability, but they all have the Taylor stamp of excellence. After all, musicians like Tony Iommi and Jason Mraz wouldn't pick up any old guitar. No! They choose Taylor.
How Do Taylor Guitars Compare to the Competition?
There is a lot of competition in the musical instrument industry, and many may ask, why Taylor? What makes them so much better than brands like Ibanez or Fender? Well, in the end, that decision boils down to the player's needs and style; that said, Taylor guitars have a few things that make them stand out above the rest.
Built for Players
Every aspect of these guitars is built for the player. From the materials they are crafted with to the design of the guitars themselves, these well-crafted guitars are an excellent option for any player who wants to invest in a guitar that will stand the test of time and sound great doing it.
Gets Better With Age
The process that Taylor uses to finish their guitars takes those high-quality tonewoods used in the construction of each guitar and makes it that much better. They take the time to let the wood dry out just a bit, which helps improve the sound quality.
It's All in the Woods
Taylor takes their time choosing their tonewoods for both the sound quality and look. They often use high-quality tonewood from afar like African Ebony or Indian Rosewood to craft their masterpieces. By paying close attention to the starting material, they ensure a quality product every time.
These are just a few of the reasons that Taylor is in the upper class of guitar brands across the globe.
What Makes a Great Taylor Guitar?
Taylor produces guitars in all styles, shapes, and sizes, and it may be hard to determine how to decide which one is the right one for you. So, to help you be able to discern which one is the right one for you, we have analyzed several of the core features you should look at to find the best Taylor guitar (or any guitar for that matter).
Shape
There are several body shapes to choose from when you are looking for a Taylor. Each will feel different in your hands, and each design has a different sonic profile. Here is a brief idea of some of the shapes:
Grand Concert: This one doesn't have a lot of low-end rumbles and focuses the sonic profile by pushing the notes.
Grand Auditorium: This guitar shape pushes the notes with a very even tonal spectrum. It is a more compact design, which makes it one of the most popular options.
Dreadnought: It is a large design, but extremely comfortable to handle and has a punchy sound profile.
There is also the Grand Orchestra and the Grand Symphony to choose from as well.
Tonewoods Used
When researching the right choice for your musical needs, you will want to pay close attention to what tonewoods are used in the overall construction. From the neck to the fret to the back material, the quality and wood used in construction will make a significant difference in your overall sound quality.
Length
The length of your guitar needs to be perfect so that you have smooth playability. So, making sure it fits your build and age makes a big difference in your overall performance.
Comparison of the Best Taylor Guitars
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Review of the Best Taylor Guitars
Now you know a little bit about the company, what makes it so great, and what you should look for when you are out hunting for the best Taylor guitar, it is time to dive into our carefully crafted list of the best Taylor guitars on the market today. Here are the ones that sing to us the most:
Best Overall:
Taylor GS Mini Mahogany GS Mini Acoustic Guitar
No products found.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Though the thinner neck makes this instrument easier and faster to play, many recent buyers also feel that it requires proper finger placement to not incur a bit of string buzz. Other than that, recent buyers love this sleek-looking, amazing, and productive instrument from the team at Taylor.
Why it Stands Out to Us
When you pick up a guitar, it should feel good in your hands and have a sound quality that resonates through your music to your audience. That is precisely what this instrument does and is why we chose this as our best overall Taylor guitar.
Who Will Use This Most
This model is suitable for any guitarist at any level really, but those with smaller hands or a smaller frame may find they get more use from this mini than other guitarists out there. Because of the thinner neck and compact size, it will feel good in their hands and give them better playability for sure.
Bottom Line
If you are looking for a guitar that looks good and sounds better than most, this mini acoustic is a great choice. Designed with Taylor's finely tuned attention to detail from beginning to end, you will love the overall sound quality. Even though this instrument may be a little more expensive than you expected, you will be investing in a long term guitar that will ride the road with you for quite a while.
Runner-up:
Taylor 114ce 100 Series Acoustic Guitar
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PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
The finish on this Taylor is a superb addition, and for the cost, does its part to protect the instrument from scrapes and scuffs; still, some have taken issue with its durability after excessive use. Other than that, they love the sound and quality of this fantastic guitar from the folks at Taylor. They feel that even without a few niceties built in (like a tuner), overall this is a great guitar.
Why it Stands Out to Us
In the end, the thing that makes this a stellar choice in our mind is the sound quality. Even with the few issues that we noted above, this guitar still produces sweet tones in a full spectrum of sounds.
Who Will Use This Most
Any guitarists that want all the excellent sounding quality of the min acoustic above but with a somewhat more affordable price tag will love this guitar. This guitar is excellent for them as well as any beginning player looking for a comfortable fretboard that will give them the ease of use and durability to make this investment worth it.
Bottom Line
Our runner-up has a tone of great similarity to our first-place selection, but offers a much more reasonable price point for some. If you want a guitar that gives you everything you expect from Taylor guitars with a slightly less "break the bank" feeling, then look at the Taylor 114ce. You won't be sorry!
Best for the Money:
Taylor BT2 Baby Taylor Acoustic Guitar
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers love this Taylor-made instrument and the quality you get for a more budget-friendly price. With great action and compact size, this model has everything they want. There is, of course, some issues with the table quality and the upkeep schedule needed to maintain this, but overall this is a 5-star guitar on a 2-star budget.
Why it Stands Out to Us
If you are a young player and want a high-quality guitar, you often don't have the budget for the ones everyone tells you that you should get. Taylor has helped you out with that, and that is what we noticed first off. The high-quality sound for a budget-friendly price makes this an excellent choice for any guitarist.
Who Will Use This Most
This guitar is perfect for young guitarists just getting into the field. Die to its small size and easy portability, and they will be able to take it with them everywhere they go. This means they get more practice in, and that will lead to faster learning.
Bottom Line
Best for the money is not a shabby win for sure! Making sure that anyone that wants to get their inner thoughts out in song can do just that and that is what the BT2 from Taylor does for guitarists of the world. Crafted to produce quality sound, this budget-friendly guitar is easily one of the best out there today.
Best Taylor Acoustic Guitar:
Taylor Guitars Big Baby Taylor, BBT
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers love this guitar, especially for its portability. With its ease of travel mixed with the fantastic sound quality produced with high-quality tonewoods, those who have purchased this tend to rave about it. Though some have had issues with string buzz and volume levels, they still feel that it is a worthy investment.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The acoustic sound produced by this instrument is outstanding, such a marvelous sound that it alone convinced us place this on or list. With a vast tonal range and sound depth, this acoustic guitar is a great choice for any guitarist.
Who Will Use This Most
This guitar is great for the traveling musician that wants excellent quality sound. Built with a slightly more compact design than other models, the Big Baby offers everything you want and so much more. The traveling live performer will get ample use of both the straight acoustic design as well as the electrical acoustic option that comes with the inclusion of a jack.
Bottom Line
Finding the best quality acoustic guitar is one thing, but finding it with the capability to use through an amp as well gives this model a versatility that is a head above many of its competitors. This, combined with the ultimate sound quality and portability, makes this one of the best Taylor guitars hands down.
Best Taylor Guitar Under $1000:
Taylor Academy Series Academy 12e Grand Concert Acoustic-Electric Guitar
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PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers love this guitar. In fact, you will be hard-pressed to find a negative statement about it. The sound quality, the price, and the overall construction seem to have struck the right chord with most of the people who own one of these guitars.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Once again, the investment you make when purchasing a new guitar is quite essential. You want your money to go the furthest possible, and that is what sticks out with their model; to us, the quality of this guitar is on par with much higher-end guitars from both Taylor and other brands. So, if you want a sweet sound on a budget, then this guitar is a fantastic choice.
Who Will Use This Most
This guitar is a solid option for any guitarist, no matter their hand size or experience. Still, if we had to say who might get the most out of this model, we would say the beginning to intermediate player. To one who is not taking it on the road, it is just a basic guitar with no pizazz whatsoever.
Bottom Line
If you want a guitar that will give you great sound at an excellent price for your studio work or your guitar lessons, we think this may be the best choice for you. It lacks the frills and style of many of Taylor's other models, but its functionality is beyond reproach.
Conclusion
These guitars are finely crafted pieces of art that last a long life and get better with age. So, choosing Taylor is a wise choice. We hope that giving you a little insight into this brand and creating a list of the best options has helped you feel more ready than ever to make your choice. Now, all you must do is get out there and make some toes tap with your awesome music.
