Do Taylor Guitars All Sound The Same?

I’ve been spending some time with a Taylor 314ce LTD limited edition guitar that Taylor Guitars have launched to celebrate their 50th anniversary. Sapelle and torrified sitka - very nice!
Taylor are no longer the young upstart that came out of nowhere to know the complacent Gibson and Martin companies off their perches in the 1980s. My time with this guitar got me thinking about the success of Taylor Guitars in this video.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments and drop me a super thanks.
Until next time, stay tuned
Michael

[@DavidHunter711]

i've had my Taylor since 1998. It keeps getting better and better. I love it.

[@MichaelWatts]

Nice!

[@bogart5131]

perhaps it would be better if they incorporate some tone in the electronics like transacoustic.... what do u think?

[@JohnnyApp1eseed]

My favorite guitar by leaps and bounds is my Taylor Gs mini. From feel to sound

[@j_jguitar]

Wow that guitar sounds amazing. I’m a huge Taylor fan

[@KirbyJane]

Sounds incredible! Really great playing.

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you so much!

[@leeweber4280]

I bought my Taylor 812c in 1995 because of its seeming lack of personality - I realized that the personality needed to come from my technique. It is an "instrument" in the sense of a scientific instrument or a surgical tool. Back then I was also very impressed by the wood on the Taylors I saw in the shops, beautiful and consistent.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@leeweber4280 very cool Lee - I remember those 90s Taylors very fondly

[@snarshmallow]

I’ve always loved the semi baritone Taylors especially for their bass string sounds. Great video thank you

[@MichaelWatts]

Yeah I like those too!

[@Nashjersey]

Great video Michael! The 314ce anniversary edition sounds amazing. A surprising amount of sustain as well. I love your playing. Bill Neale 🎶

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you so much for watching Bill!

[@ozarkpipertony8396]

Love the mellow yet resonant sound that separates this guitar from many other Taylors.

[@TheCurtissJohnson]

I'm a long time fan of Taylor Guitars growing up in San Diego. I met Bob at the shop where he worked at, American Dream Guitars in 72-73, probably. A high school freshman, I would get strings there for my first guitar an Ovation. (Wish I still had that guitar!) It was several years before I owned a Taylor, but quite a few have passed through my hands since then. I always loved them because they played so easily, much like electrics. There is definitely a Taylor voice, but I love it. Yes, more top end and shimmer than my Martins, but balanced across the spectrum. I found you could coax more punch out of the bottom end and piano like tones by playing with heavier picks or finger/finger nail attack. I currently own two Taylors, both newer Andy Powers developed V-Class instruments. A Maple B/S 12 fret 612ce and a 324 Builders Edition with Urban Ash (Shamel Ash) B/S. Incredible guitars and V bracing does make a big difference over older Taylors. Cudos to them as well for their sustainabilty programs and their stewardship of forests and tonewoods. The Shamel ash tree down the street from me growing up could be in my 324 BE now!

[@MichaelWatts]

Very cool! Thanks for sharing Curtiss!

[@some_offense]

Thank you !!

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you l!

[@aficionadolurecompany700]

I own a Taylor GC3 from 2012. I am pretty pleased with it. Taylor's have great playability, and sound lovely.

[@MichaelWatts]

I like the GC3 model!

[@joebleibaum]

Hi Michael, thank you for the video on Taylor guitars. The shift to a warmer sound is due to a change in strings. Over the years Taylor went from Elixir 80/20 Bronze Polyweb to Elixir Phosphor Bronze Nanoweb to D'Addario XS. The D'Addario XS are audibly warmer, than Elixir Nanoweb strings. Due to this I've been stringing my Taylors with D'Addario(first XT, then XS) way before Taylor went from Elixir to D'Addario.

[@MichaelWatts]

That’s certainly one aspect of it Joe! The new bracing patterns and especially the AD series do push things more into warmer territory - thanks for watching!

[@craigzimmermann6600]

Hey Michael - sounds great as usual! Yeah, I agree (as a Taylor 714ce owner), Taylor does have it's own voice even across construction and wood types. I think the thing that effects them sounding somewhat different (one "Taylor" vs another) the most is the pickup systems when plugged in (ES-1, ES-2, etc.). I like their acoustic sound and how they sound (mine at lest) mic'ed.

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you for watching Craig!

[@thrasher3222]

I have this 314ce LTD 50th Anniversary Edition, I traded in my Martin OM-CPA4 for it and I could not be happier with the Taylor, it's a beautifully crafted and voiced instrument. As far as "all Taylor's sound the same" goes, I played a good Half dozen Taylor's at the guitar store before settling on this one, and I can tell you that they all sound and play differently, some more noticeably than others, but every one was different. I thought the 50th Anniversary LTD was the best playing and had the best tone and voice of any of them. Don't get me wrong, it's not that I don't like Martin, not at all, I just like the Taylor much better.

[@kristopherk5454]

Don’t forget the comfy Taylor neck.

[@MichaelWatts]

That is true

[@user-ki8tz2on7t]

I bought a 224ce Koa last year. I love the sound, the tone separation especially; when you play a chord, you hear the individual notes as well as the overall chord. Probably the best £1500 I've ever spent...and they threw in a Baby Taylor (for the wife). I'm a happy bunny, and I'm going to get a 12-string next 😎

[@GySgt_USMC_Ret.]

Nice playing, Michael. Last year, I purchased a 614ce Builders Edition WHB. A few weeks ago, I purchased a 652ce Builders Edition WHB. Fair winds and following seas to all.

[@MichaelWatts]

Thanks for sharing! All the best

[@keestoft250]

I'm always excited by Taylor's willingness to identify themselves as a future focused builder. I commend them for their policy of all models across the catalogue available in left hand at no extra cost. I'd love to hear you play the all maple AD27 flame top slope shoulder dread.

[@MichaelWatts]

Funnily enough I reviewed that one for guitar.com and I quite liked it

[@leelossi1257]

Michael....your fantastic playing brings out the best in these magnificent guitars! I'd love to hear you play a driftwood guitar from Florida.

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you Lee! I’ve never knowingly been in the same room as a Driftwood guitar but I’ll keep an eye out and let you know

[@silverman169]

Based on KZbin videos, I was expecting Taylor to be bright sounding when i first tried them. But in real life they actually sound quite balanced and articulate. As primarily an electric player, the necks are such a seamless transition!

[@ellenrik]

I don't own a Taylor but do play with someone who does and it adds a nice complimentary sound to the group, just different enough to make things interesting. I know much of that has to do with individual style but I can hear the voice difference and I choose several other brands to play to highlight this. Great sounding guitar Michael.

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you so much for watching! They do sit well in the mix!

[@ricardosotosan2279]

I have a 2016 Taylor 614ce with the X-brace. I prefer it over the V class. That's my experience with Taylor so far. I string my Taylor with Santa Cruz parabolic tension strings and it gives it a more mature sound than with the elixirs. Hey Michael Watts I appreciate your guitar content!

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you very much for watching Ricardo!

[@danielhammond2226]

Dang it< when I saw the thumb nail, I was expecting to get a side by side comparison of a few Taylor guitars. I love the sound of Taylors myself and own the model 514-CE.

[@PhilTaylorGuitar]

Enjoyable video Michael. I think the 517 & 717 slope shoulder Taylor guitars sound different but ive not heard them in the flesh. I'm not sure i could ever own one though simply because my name on the headstock is a bit too country and western for me 😊

[@MichaelWatts]

If anyone can pull it off it’s you Phil!

[@rosewoodsteel6656]

I own two Martins and two Taylors. I enjoy and play them all.

[@MichaelWatts]

Nice

[@architypeone8646]

I think that 314 you are playing sounds lovely, but Michael, you could make a broomstick strung with baling wire sound good! I own a 2009 Taylor 414ce limited with Tasmanian Blackwood and Sitka top and it has a beautiful tone. It struck my ear immediately when I first played it in the guitar shop as a different sound than any of the other guitars I had tried in my search across several brands. Since then I have had several people say, "That doesn't sound like a Taylor!" It has mellowed some over the years, but it just gets better to my ear. I respect Taylor Guitar's philosophy and the way that Bob Taylor, Kurt Lustig and Andy Powers have led the entire guitar industry to being more aware of the limited resources available to build with, and streamlined production techniques to ensure consistent high quality instruments. I recommend reading Bob Taylor's book, "Guitar Lessons". It is an interesting read, not just on making guitars, but should be required reading in business schools on how to build any successful business

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you that’s very kind! Good points there and I still ah e to read that book!

[@scottfishkind5335]

Nice presentation as always Michael! To me, Taylor guitars has done many positive things for the industry. Growing up in the 70s, unless you had a small fortune, you could not get a decent instrument . Taylor really set the bar for consistency via technology which has become an industry standard at all levels. You can get a $200-600 Yamaha, Cort, D’Angelico, Recording King, Walden, Eastman, Breedlove etc guitar now that is actually extremely playable and sounds pretty darn good. That didn’t exist back in my youth for acoustic guitars. They were all but unplayable and sounded terrible!. However other companies have surpassed Taylor in my opinion by producing equal or better instruments at more affordable prices. For years I dreamed about getting a high end Taylor, I had a Big Baby Taylor. But when the time came for me to purchase my dream guitar they were not even in the conversation. In the end I purchased a Furch Yellow Master’s Choice Gc-CR and the difference in overall total quality is palpable. Not to mention the fact that it was about half the price of a “comparable” Taylor. But in my opinion, Taylor’s are not comparable because Furch are more like boutique quality instruments which have so many better features such as hand voicing, superior pick up systems, Gotoh 510 Tuners, and extremely high-grade tonewoods. Taylor’s V-Class bracing is a great selling gimmick (and wild claims that it impacts the intonation) but does not make for a great sounding guitar in my opinion. I was so excited the first time I was going to play a V-class Taylor, based on all the hype and assertions made by Andy Powers, but I was completely disappointed! It sounded extremely thin and cheap to me! All that being said, I do appreciate the great innovations Bob Taylor in particular, has brought to the table, in terms of Taylor’s use of technology to create consistent instruments.

[@mimeeks3]

I thoroughly enjoy all of the Taylor guitars I have, but I do have to agree that sometimes they do sound a little sterile, especially when new….

[@rikukiviharju7537]

Should be applauded for the bolt on necks

[@MichaelWatts]

That is definitely true!

[@cugir321]

You are right! Yamaha is starting to do bolt on's....I think the FG5 is a bolt on. Wish the LL-56 and 36 were.

[@dalehamon4295]

Does this have the X brace or the V brace. I just bought a Taylor ad22e with the V bracing and I am very happy

[@MichaelWatts]

This is V class apparently

[@smandez2023]

I love Taylor. I have a cheapo Academy 12 that has great tonal quality. Just makes me want another, all- solid next time though.

[@MichaelWatts]

Great value guitars! Enjoy it!

[@smandez2023]

@@MichaelWatts Thanks! Yeah, this one is a keeper and I'm not known for holding onto guitars. The arm bevel is sublime for a $600 guitar. The review you did of the AD12 was fantastic! I've been eyeing that guitar ever since. Soundied so good in your hands Michael.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@smandez2023 thank you!

[@Taylor314ce]

I feel like the sapele back and sides and the mohaganyesque guitars help me to explore more because it isn't so rich with overtones ...that you move on to new ideas...or try new things.

[@MichaelWatts]

I’d agree with that

[@JoshuaC923]

Great guitars, playability is great, i also love their 'house sound' more than Martin. I feel they are quite similar to what PRS is doing. Both have great playability, great bang for their buck lower end models. Both brands also labeled by many as "soulless" and "sterile"

[@MichaelWatts]

Haters gonna hate etc

[@andrewbowen6875]

The twelve string models have had some high praise. Leo Kokte and Neil Young

[@MichaelWatts]

That’s because they are very good indeed! And I love the LK signature model

[@pankajjoshi2032]

How is v-bracing? I'm was thinking 912CE BE but not down to 00-28 or 000-28E? Thank you.

[@MichaelWatts]

Yeah... it does the job. I wouldn't describe it as a revelation exactly.

[@fernandofernandezescalante2554]

Beautifully sounding instrument… or is it the fingers that make it sound like that, Michael?

[@MichaelWatts]

I couldn’t possibly comment…

[@jeffhildreth9244]

In a nut shell, Taylor's success was reduce warranty, material and labor costs and remove all negatives from guitar ownership and playability. In Taylor's own words, "tone is subjective."

[@svendwithfelt9848]

In your hands - wouderfull

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you Svend!

[@snowfiresunwind]

Would love to hear your thoughts on Furch guitars Michael. Reviews I read of them are very impressive - and they are often compared against Taylor.

[@MichaelWatts]

I haven’t played one for years but I have good memories!

[@ambientlands]

There is actually something nice about their sound. It's a very listenable voice... a Chardonnay perhaps, hehehe. The good ones seem to keep a little meatiness in the trebles. Occasionally they are a little thin in those trebles, but to be fair it seems less common these days. As you say, they are perhaps warmer in recent years. All the best mate.

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you very much! See you soon I hope!

[@SongwritersdB-fh5ml]

Can you say a little about which mic you are using in this video to get such a great recorded sound? I am a recording engineer....Thanks!

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you! I use a matched pair of Gefell M300s with no EQ, reverb or any other effects

[@RJVB]

Doesn't the 3xx series usually have regular mahogany B&S? And this one, regular or quilted sapele? I've been discovering the latter can sound surprisingly like maple...

[@MichaelWatts]

That’s right, this LTD is sapele on the back and sides with a torrified Sitka lid

[@CameraLaw]

Your gorgeous voicings say everything I could possibly say about Taylors. All of their guitars allow complex chords to ring out crisply and blossom with harmonic brilliance. Maybe not a campfire sound. And certainly not a favorite of web trolls. I just purchased my second one, a 12 string jumbo made in ‘93 and she puts a goofy grin on my face. Every. Damn. Strum. I call myself a went-for-a-Martin-came-home-with-a-Taylor sort of guy. Cheers!

[@MichaelWatts]

Ha ha! Yeah those 12 strings are great!

[@77guitarts22]

I'd say the Taylor success was in the different newer design, brand recognition and in the innovation they presented compared to the competition. They've lost many fans with the implementation of the ES2 system, though... I've got a no electronics AD17 and I consider it a best buy All-Solid Taylor

[@MichaelWatts]

I always think I miss the Fishman prefix blend. Until I play one…

[@1man1guitarletsgo]

I think we all have our preferences and prejudices. Taylor's engineering and build quality are superb, and I really want to like them, but virtually every one I've played has been underwhelming. My go-to acoustic guitar brand is Crafter, of which I currently own five different models; all made in Korea. They're certainly a lot cheaper than Taylors, but I just like them. I also have an all-solid Tanglewood dreadnought, and that is spectacular. Where a Taylor might have the edge over these is the bolt-on neck, for its ease of adjustment.

[@gonshocks]

I like some Taylors but I think I'll stick with my "Woody, muddy, dead string" Martins.

[@jeffhildreth9244]

I wanted to like them. I played many over the years and one stood out. Maple backs and sides, full body used trade in for a Martin. Should have bought it. Never played another that could match it. Perhaps another like the one that got away will pass my way. Taylor was successful because of slick manufacturing methods, advertising , removing all purchase obstacles such as playability and bolt on necks that reduced hassles and warranty costs. They increased their sales when they made adult width nuts (1 3/4). I bugged them about this for years. One thing that is a huge standout above Gibson, and Martin in particular... customer service.. excellent. Anyone recall the 4 piece tops, pin less bridges and paint grade necks with finger joints. ?

[@MichaelWatts]

All very good points Jeff! Sorry about the one that got away!

[@jeffhildreth9244]

@@MichaelWatts The bummer was I had gone there specifically to get another guitar as Martin had screwed me over for the last time. No more new Martins after 15 of them since 1961. A friend managed a very fine guitar shop locally, Martin dealer. He suffered with me on two recent butchered , expensive , custom Martins. As I walked in the door he said " I know you don't like Taylors but you have got to play this one". As mentioned maple, sitka spruce ( I don't like or play cedar). Beautiful condition 8 series I believe. Nothing garish, no inlays of gender impaired genies flying up and down the fingerboard, exuded class. I played it, loved it but could not get off my bias of guitars made with only 7 hours of human intervention as bragged by Taylor himself. I had dreams of giant pneumatic cookie cutters coming out of the sky and stamping out tops. It was a remarkable guitar in spite of the hideous Elixer strings, I knew there was more to that guitar with better quality strings. As it was, celestial. Like a fool, I passed. I drove home.. as soon as I got there I was on the phone to the shop to buy the guitar. Sold, 15 minutes after I left. As I posted prior, I have never played another Taylor that was of that quality and tone. You snooze, you lose.

[@RJVB]

@@jeffhildreth9244 Probably rather a 6 series. The 12-fret 612ce is about as perfect as it can get in my ears for a series-built guitar (in the demos, never yet got to try one). And that's really an instrument I'd like to hear played by Michael!

[@jeffhildreth9244]

@@RJVB This afternoon I will be checking out an 612CE in mint condition. we'll see if it is anything like the 6.

[@bogart5131]

it sounds good un plug and perhaps if plugged in but the electronic system is so dull unlike the one with transacoustic of that of yamaha. some songs need some effects like chorus and taylor cant bring that unless u buy separate pedal or chorus.

[@jasonwilson9406]

Man I love mine but to be fair, I've never played a Martin.

[@roderickmathison5245]

The necks are so much easier than a Furch or (heaven forbid) a Lowden.

[@regalite3]

I have owned six Taylor guitars. two were absolutely unplayable dead sounding just not right. I still have two, and there are excellent instruments. I’ll put them up against Martin or Gibson of equal $$ value

[@MichaelWatts]

Two out of six ain’t bad!

[@AircraftFuelerEddie]

I'm not a big fan of Taylor, but props must be given where they are due: They have their own SIGNATURE SOUND. Very few builders can make that distinction. In fact, i can only think of one other guitar maker who can make that claim. And it's my favorite guitar maker of all time, OVATION❤❤❤❤ The voice is unmistakable... Gibsons, Martins, Gretschs, Fenders... as great as they are, they have a difficult time distinguishing themselves as far as sound... They sound great, but they sound like most other high end guitars in the world. Some slightly better than others, but no game changers. Taylor, on the other hand, like Ovation, has their own distinct voice, and you have to commend them for that, even if you hate them...🫡🫣😬❤

[@robertnewell5057]

So this is the first guitar I ever heard you play that you don't sound like you on. There isn't the same dynamic or tonal range, and very 'stringy'. If this is an example of Taylor at it's best I won't be in the market. I also heard one of their hybrids live and it was awful, so I'm afraid that's 2 strikes. Other than that, I take what you say about there being nothing wrong with them having a distinct voice. It is, however, interesting that they came to the fore at just the time Martin and Gibson were making some of their least realiable instruments and had yet to go anywhere downmarket. When I was a kid (!), Yamaha had been pruducing fine insturments at all price points for many years. Finally, Taylor's production philosophy is very different from Martin, in particular, in terms of the level of modern tech they use. Good for the customer, I guess.

[@davidheenan7432]

A limited edition. Only making 1,974!!😂 if a single luthier builds 24 guitars a year that’s 82.25 years of continuous guitar building!

[@MichaelWatts]

Well Taylor make around 300 guitars a day so yeah, it’s pretty limited by their standards

[@davidheenan7432]

@@MichaelWatts 😂 Yup

[@lhvent]

I find Taylor Guitars to be very nice. The issue for me is the price. It is out of reach for me.

[@MichaelWatts]

They do have more entry level options of course

[@lhvent]

I love my Yamaha FG830 and LL6M A.R.E. They play so well . I also have some Alvarez guitars. I do think Taylor is making some great slope shoulder models.

[@77guitarts22]

Similar to Taylor but lower priced would be Eastman guitars, they sound awesome also... Hand built, striking woods, loud and easy to play

[@mooseymoose]

Do they all sound the same? Broadly yes they all sound like guitars and not trumpets or cats or something. 🤤

[@MichaelWatts]

That’s the sort of incisive response I needed from you Moosey!

[@cugir321]

I'll tell you why Taylors became popular before I watch your video. They used Elixirs before anyone else had a clue. At least 15 years before everyone else. It made them sound richer and fuller then comparable guitars. The elixirs make them sound brighter....put martin strings on them and see what happens. Elixirs will make a turd smell good. The D'addario XS are close sound wise....they are different then Elixirs. Don't last as long but close. Feel better to play. The secret with Taylor is when they shipped them out with Elixirs (Before the other guitar companies got a clue..it took years) they rang for 4 months....all the other guitars went dead in a week or so at a guitar center type place....they never replace the strings....people were fooled by the elixir strings...the average customer would say what a great guitar. The other guitar companies were fools for not using strings that last at the guitar center types.

[@MichaelWatts]

Ha ha ha yeah that is very true and it’s been a pet theory of mine too for a while. Now they’re using D’Addario though… not my choice but hey.

[@cugir321]

I just put elixirs on one last night....they do have more tone but the XS play better,,,feel more natural. I hate the XT's....windings are too rough and they don't last more then a couple weeks. I haven't been buying the XS because they're just too damn expensive. 20.00 USD is too much...Elixirs would be wise to not raise their prices. Has anyone tried the Flexible core martins in Medium? I just bought a set....hoping they last at least a month but I'd bet that's dreaming. I usually replace the E and B strings every couple weeks. It works great with the Elixirs...keeps them going for months. Musicians friend has 12 packs of strings for 3.50. I hit the windings with a drop of soldier and they're no different then the expensive ones if I change them every couple weeks. They will start breaking if I leave them on for a month. I play alot per day@@MichaelWatts

[@jed1166]

So, if I put Elixirs on a $149 Chinese built Epiphone Starling, it will sound like a Taylor 717?

[@MichaelWatts]

@@jed1166 it might!

[@LegsON]

​@@jed1166Suck it and see.

[@davidhiser2266]

You can quit playing after every paragraph. We get it. You can play. Give us the info on what made them successful.

[@MichaelWatts]

Well… I guess my point is that it’s all about the sound. And I could tell you about that in detail but it’s quicker to show you. I thought anyway.

[@DCayce]

Of course all Taylors sound the same. Same way all cars drive the same. Kind of a dumb-ass question.