Makin Music - Taylor Guitars Factory Tour

Season 1, Episode 39: Guitar Showcase's Dan Aronie joins Taylor Guitars' Production Manager Chris Wellons for a start-to-finish look at Taylor's ultra modern production facilities in El Cajon, California. Some live footage of Doyle Dykes playing his signature Taylor and Marc Seal playing a T-5 add the finishing touches to a great show!
Makin' Music was a local multi-season TV show aired by Guitar Showcase in the early 2000s. For more episodes, check out our full playlist!
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[@jpmojojack]

I remember Dan! I practically lived at Showcase growing up. What a nice guy and a wealth of information he was!

[@blakeh946]

Thanks for the many years of Taylor Guitars being one of our biggest accounts. The company purchases a lot of veneer from our south GA mill.

[@HotTagProductions]

LOVE seeing this, thanks!

[@danbirch1518]

Awesome! It is amazing how much work goes into this product, so we can just strum a chord!

[@eddieparent6132]

I just purchased a 214ce and I can't wait to get it in my hands on it.

[@msaintpc]

Love the background music.

[@aaronlturner]

I own an 814CE and I love it. I am impressed with the process, and the people who lead Taylor.

[@Larrymarx]

Tnx for the tour "Awesome"!

[@jemsar2]

That was so awesome!

[@VoodooDewey69]

Wow totally amazing , I have a whole new perspective of taylor guitars after watching this video !

[@billyhuynh6554]

this is so good to making guitar to combined tech and hand make ,also fast and corrected .That is absolutely brilliant made by Taylor guitars

[@rainbows99]

Love this

[@terencebarrett2897]

absolutely brilliant workmanship and very interesting,and skill full,and top marks for the robots too ,thanks a great video

[@wakjoko997]

Awesome tour,,and very good guitar

[@meidhyalamsyah26]

I love the process and I wish I can own this Taylor guitar

[@jingles53]

So much hype over hand made versus machine made. I worked at Guild guitar 40 years ago; they built them quickly and out the door they went. They were checked carefully before shipping, but you would be surprised how fast guitars can be made . As for machines being part of the process, they insure tighter tolerances so everything fits correctly without having someone hacking away until the parts go together. This leads to consistent building along with better playability. And yes, they do need to produce enough guitars to put into the marketplace in order to stay profitable and remain in business. Some like to think of guitar building as an almost religious experience; it is not. There are some luthiers who give classes allowing each student to make their own instrument.That would be the way to go if you need that feeling of spirituality while joining together all the pieces that go into the instrument. Just my opinion, for whatever it is worth.

[@jsvanilla]

James Engel goodall

[@ThunderAppeal]

Perfect way to put it. There are so many things that are crafts, that can be turned in to art which is just as valid but when someone goes looking for a religious experience thats too weird. I'm a car guy but watching people worship cars as anything more than a machine meant to be used and appreciated becomes sickening to watch. People like that make life suck.

[@el34glo59]

Building by hand, from start to finish is a different experience. Idk about religious but it's something else. Turning trees into a guitar. Fine tuning it. Comparing Taylor or guild to that isn't the same thing. Sorry

[@axtas]

Im so excited, I just bought a rare Taylor 714ce with Koa sides and back. 2008 limited edition Fall. Only 100 guitars of this model were made and apparently mine was the 14th one. I can't wait till it gets here.

[@garychen483]

Wow 🤩 , very nice 👍 I love Taylor guitars and I have two. Great guitars!

[@mr.niceguy1018]

Great video!!! Working my way from an Oscar to a Taylor. Taylors play so well, bit more maintenance but its worth it for the sound and quality of the guitar!!

[@cristianmorana1718]

I love Taylor guitar❤️😘

[@TheKassie1987]

Very goodlooking pickup winder there!

[@HamzaSaeedchannel]

awsome so good

[@DJMikeron]

Great Video. I Want a Taylor Guitar.

[@spacep0d]

Fantastic tour. Too bad it wasn't in HD but hey, really great to see this factory and how they make Taylors!

[@vandigital1]

Loved every second of this ! Are the people happy there making these beautiful instruments?

[@vuminhteo]

Very good

[@pete1342]

I like my Taylor. The major reason being that if I ever want the neck reset, I can drop it off, go eat lunch, and when I get back, its done to my satisfaction with no major surgery required, as there would be with ANY set neck guitar.

[@TorchwoodLuthiers]

The gristleman on the intro!!

[@caroltubeyou]

As the owner of a 1979 Taylor jumbo body i am finding this very interesting and wonder what it was like back in the early days when my guitar was being built. It's a precious instrument, for sure.

[@byronpittser6652]

That was interesting thank you for taking the time and trouble

[@JayPooler]

I just brought a Taylor Willcutt limited edition 414ce only 10 were made .. lutz spruce top big leaf maple sides and back its a burst finish ..its brassy sounding and a ease to play I upgraded from a 110 which is also nice but that has a spruce top and laminated mahogany sides..a Christmas present from my wife I now have tit tuned a 1/2 step down for those 1/2 stepped down tunes..

[@Strato13]

Beautiful guitars, very interesting walk through, they have hard working folks at Taylor Guitars. I've considered Taylor Guitars, currently playing with an Ibanez AC349 Left handed version, and currently wanting a Martin 000-10E. Surprisingly, Taylor mid entry level guitars are more expensive than mid entry level Martins. Since I am fairly new to the world of acoustic guitars, I wouldn't have thought that. However, I still want said Martin because of the darker wood, look of that guitar, and it's friendly price point of $799.

[@bigdawg9836]

I bought a Taylor 710 in 96. I kept it at proper humidity levels and in the case whenever it was not being played. One year after I purchased it two large cracks in the front poly finish appeared and they are very noticeable. Never bought another Taylor product. Still have the 710 but its resale value is shot.

[@jsphillip60]

Big Dawg That's unfortunate. I bought my Taylor 514C in 1996. Never had any issues whatsoever. That guitar just sounds better and better, and I've put it through Hell and worse.

[@mmypainting]

I just bought a 314 so I'm finding this interesting , thanks.

[@robertblanks9602]

The robotics are breathtaking 🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯

[@CowboyStag]

More notes faster. Thank you I needed that

[@PaulAdamssongs]

Love my Taylor. It looks like you are not gluing the neck to body? Just attached by bolt? Is the fretboard glued to the top?

[@narq5099]

A sneak peak into the birth of my guitar (or one just like it).

[@maccarnold]

I caught the video a few minutes later and I really thought that Howard Stern was doing the interview.

[@pengmachima]

สุดยอด

[@rogerhutchinson5095]

what is the nominal string height at the 12th fret for the 210 model?

[@Twoosy]

Anyone know how many layers of wood are used on their line of laminated back/side models?

[@fredfred256]

I bought yesterday night a Big Baby Taylor guitar

[@brandongard2724]

Those are made in Mexico

[@brunohartmann3198]

5:23 Famous tee

[@MrShowked]

What is the genre of those background songs?

[@dydy5905]

TERBAIK 💪💪💪

[@nanocardozo6426]

por favor, le podrian poner subtituloss???? :D desde mexico

[@dgale1023]

Are they still made like that or are they automated? And is this just for top price Taylors or all of them? Thanx

[@strat123]

Hey Dan

[@p.s8950]

Well call me an infidel, but I personally appreciate what Taylor has developed in a mass production facility more than the concept of a luthier spending crazy time and effort to produce 1 hand made instrument which though might have sentimental value, it can't possibly have the quality and precision of a robotic made unit. Time, money and the human attention to detail see to that. To further assure my sentence to the gallows, I own a carbon fibre Rainsong guitar as part of my collection.

[@johnvweber]

watch the Goodall video if you care to learn about handmade quality.

[@caroltubeyou]

oh Dan, Dan, DAN! at about 17:06 you say that they are winding the pickups 'on premise". I know you mean 'on premises'. What you are saying with 'on premise' is that they are working on the pickups on the premise that someone might actually want to use them. With love from your English teacher.

[@misterbracks]

the reason they are obviously expensive is the cost of all those room-sized machines and mega robotics. you are not necessarily paying all your money for just nice wood and a bit of time in the making. the real worth of these guitars is to see what you would get selling it on just after buying it ! Like most things these days, you're really just paying for the building it was made in; the staff wages. the electric, rent, etc etc.

[@demef758]

Care to identify an instrument, past or present, that does NOT have the cost of a building, staff wages, machine costs, etc., built into it?

[@cavebeastdemon3631]

Let’s get real here... What you say is true but we are also paying for the CEOs yacht, Mercedes and collector cars, two, three or four homes, a private airplane, etc, etc. The poor Mexicans who work for him get to live in trailers if they are lucky! Merry fucking Christmas! The guitars may be good quality but fuck these mother fuckers and the factories they own!!!!

[@tom20152]

If the guitar was built without machines and robotics, It would cost more.

[@cm6534]

@@demef758 the skin flute

[@bobtheblindbedroomguitaris8742]

Thanks for your video it's really cool to see how different companies manufacture their guitars they're all different maybe the same in some ways but my first thought was like where is the craftsmanship where are the people doing the actual Hands-On work and then my brain lights up and says you know the truth true thing at least in my mind is that a person could not make these guitars probably as accurate and as detailed and as quickly as these machines do I mean they have to take so much of the tolerances higher tolerances that would have to be you know in other words have done by hand they couldn't meet the tolerances in the and the way they produce these guitars if they have people doing mostly Hands-On work so really you're getting a better guitar a more accurate and detail guitar with less inconsistencies it's just common sense to me so yeah it's Taylor making great guitars apparently they are and I was surprised at how much of the work can be done robotically you know there's no need for a lot of Hands-On work anymore at least on acoustics from what this video shows me so thank you sincerely yours, Bob the blind bag and guitars

[@arthur703]

👍

[@danilobaccaro4627]

TOP

[@fundybastard2292]

I think less of my 214 now , just watched the Goodall video also so that didnt help .

[@hagnaanaun9157]

very nice video, what kind of paint for a final touch?

[@lawrencebond8371]

I've had a go on a couple of Taylor guitars. Both reminded me of those 1970s Eko Rangers. Lovely feel and action but a sound like quarter-inch plywood!

[@DrDobbe]

How come Greg Koch isn't credited on opening music credits???

[@Xcorgi]

One of the last few "made in America" companies. It's great to see but a shame to know there are so few left. So few in fact that the TV show Made In America only ran for one season. There just weren't that many companies left that manufacture ANYTHING in America anymore.

[@tgers1]

taylor also have a plant in Mexico...

[@aztec4086]

Xcorgi You are right. Other than farmers crops there isn’t much. We are good at manufacturing dollar bills We can’t make TVs, refrigerator, computers and such? Problem is any time you make something there are so many hands in it you don’t have anything left. What’s the incentive?

[@brandongard2724]

The plant in in tecate Mexico

[@KenoPotato01]

I didnt see the installation of the bridge, which I think is also important thing to see.. anyway, such a great video. Thnks :)

[@JamesCecilWilson]

POV: You're here for the class assignment

[@marujoferri646]

Look at 25:53 the broom-guy 😂😂😂

[@bammbamm1961]

Great Video, exceptional product... But guys, just a safety comment at Minute 14:00 - 15:30. I could not tell what the operator was doing, but the camera picked up some "UV light leak" - please make sure your operator is wear UV goggles OR cover the window to prevent Macular Degeneration.

[@dandunning7731]

Yep, I understand why these beautiful guitars cost so much now.

[@Plumcraziness]

Although they don't have the same recognition (unjustly) as the big makers, check out the "Godin Acoustic Guitar Factory Tour" on Premiere Guitar's channel. The level of detail they put into even their most affordable instruments makes this look like a dog and pony show. The level of care and innovation is a cut above at the Godin factory IMHO. It's not even close. Not only that, but I'd take a Godin/Simon&Patrick/Art&Lutherie/Norman/La Patrie over a similarly priced Taylor guitar everyday of the week and twice on Sunday. Better design theory, better attention to detail and implementation in the guitar's actual construction, and EVERY guitar Godin makes is made in Québec, Canada - regardless of price. Same goes for the lumber they use. They use all Canadian timbers (with the exception of rosewood, ebony, etc.). A $400 Godin easily beats a $1,000 Taylor everyday of the week. Let alone the Godin factory's more expensive offerings.

[@bobbrewer8107]

Plumcraziness l9

[@jerryhubbard4461]

I can see the difference in a Taylor and Martin. Both are great guitars but Martin uses more hand crafted work vs the Taylor being automated. I go with Martin.

[@Nlav26]

Automation means repeatable product. Hand crafted does not equal better. In my opinion, that is a huge misconception when it comes to manufacturing. As long as the assembly and quality checks are done by hand, I don't see what the issue is.

[@christopherbrodie1563]

And thats why gibsons quality control is terrible

[@stevematthews4214]

I have just bought a Taylor 414ce I tried a Martin 1st which was CRAP! the 414ce was by far the superior guitar.

[@chardmb]

Uh oh the wet paint scraped off of the spray hose 11:51

[@nicolasrivera5310]

Everything is so mechanized and automated at Taylor, i like it and i don't...if it makes any sense.

[@monzo9999]

I got my 110ce from Hong Kong (legit guitar not fake) and it beats the crap out of any guitar I've played with its superior tone

[@dailytimes6787]

Didn't know tom green made guitars

[@danbremer7010]

Cody O my bum is on the Taylor.

[@Mark-ro5zg]

Not one person wearing safety glasses. Not even the guy painting or the woman soldering. I wonder if this is still the policy in 2017. I've worked as an electronic tech for 12 years in a large company and everyone has to wear safety glasses when in the production areas.

[@Nlav26]

Good point, no way that's allowed today. At least they're wearing masks when painting. I watched the Gibson tour video and not one person that was painting was wearing a mask. That's just stupid.

[@xcorp21]

I got a baby Taylor guitar, but Its busted cracked from the topface ,, someone knows if they restore or reshape reconstract the top face of my baby in the factory?

[@brandongard2724]

Just mail it back. They’ll clean it up and give it back

[@xcorp21]

@@brandongard2724 but they make an evaluation estimate of how much first, right? U have to send a pic of the guitar?? An isit in Tecate Mexico or in California?? Sorry if im asking but it seems like u already done this ,, and i apreciated a lot ,,thanks for your advice,,, c ya. .n tx again....

[@leroyox]

i agree , sorry about that.

[@michaelluczak3019]

I never saw or heard a bad Taylor.

[@moizesisraeldasilva9498]

Olá sou brasileiro quero me tornar um Luther!!! Como que eu faço???

[@fernandoizelli7598]

Pode começar procurando dois grandes cursos que acontecem atualmente no Brasil. Luciano Borges: violamineira.blogspot.com.br/ Miguel Cardone (Musictools): luthierexpress.blogspot.com.br/p/blog-page.html

[@10bbremer]

Now we are in shipping. What's going on here? Uh...shipping.

[@ronaldsilverblatt6207]

8

[@azziansrock]

I didn't like that waste wood for the sides. just seemed like to me you could get just a little more sides, but idk I'm just a kid

[@jamesdavies1179]

I watched the Martin & Taylor tours back to back, it's night and day Martin is still a very much a hand made guitar at its high end where as this is just depressing where is the love and craftsmanship? Seem like Taylor value speed and technology over hand crafting a piece of art. Seems to me the Taylor prices are high for so little hand labour Just my 2 cents.

[@leroyox]

i agry with MortandHarley , full automation is supposed to decrease selling prices like the chineese do ...

[@briarfox637]

And they're expensive why? Most of the work is done on machines.

[@allanvaldez2033]

Good question. Our church owned a second-hand Takamine acoustic guitar. Great sound indeed! But when i saw the video of Greenfield guitar. My thinking was changed and started comparing every branded guitar. Whew! breathtaking MAN. I would recommend the Greenfield guitar. Greenfield guitar are worth expensive due to their handwork and their passion and creativity rather than this machine-made guitar. I have watched the whole video on how they make guitars. Amazing handwork and well detailed geometry. So inspiring... For me, Greenfield guitar are the best!

[@EricnotErick]

Precision machinery is expensive

[@kenturpin1554]

I really really love the sound of Taylor but dang I hate the robot part of the process at least it's not all automated like Gibsons are

[@330rocket]

Not one person had safety glasses on

[@smokinvaper1785]

I noticed the same thing! A manufacturing environment and minimal safety equipment. Dude spraying the sunburst did have on gloves and a respirator but no glasses. I wonder if their workman's comp company saw this video if they would have a thing or two to say.

[@neilmchardy9061]

Smokin Vaper I couldn't agree more, health and safety seems to be a minimal requirement in American manufacturing. In the uk and Europe we have very strict health and safety regulations. This comment is no criticism of the product which is lovely.

[@fredfred256]

I believe I paid for a right price 1,750 Dirhams as you can see the process it’s too long with a great finish product

[@tt55k]

I prefer hand made guitars, by one person from start to finish . The soul of the maker touches the guitar and it makes a special guitar .

[@jdplatt7120]

What a load of bollocks

[@cm6534]

I prefer guitars made out of hands

[@JDNicoll]

Here’s a Taylor put to good use: m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/qqWneX5vhsSnZq8

[@evilwarcow]

81 people were from United Airlines.

[@Rocadamis]

Hmmm... disappointing that the quality control didn't include actually PLAYING the guitar before sending it out.

[@jasoneyes01]

Taylor is a production shop atmosphere. You need to slow down if you want to produce truly timepiece guitars. Guitar construction should never be rushed. Obvious difference between a Martin or Gibson.

[@leesamuelson]

nothing rushed about it. the machining part is more precise than hand cutting etc. Martin and Gibson use a lot of modern machining now too. the assembly is still by hand at Taylor too. it still takes time to put a guitar out it is not done in a few hours or days like it seems. from start to finish is a little while. Taylors are more consistent that Gibsons( which you have to play several to find ONE decent one) Martins are better than they were but can still be hit or miss. their side bender is much better than doing it by hand where they used to BREAK sides often -- the other manufactures don't tell you about that stuff . waste of wood. I have played several brands and my 2014 814ce will hold its own and more against any other brand in its price range. plus have playability much longer for the life of the instrument.

[@Burps___]

Jason Burt Martin, according to their own videos, makes 50,000 guitars annually in Nazareth,. PA, and another 50,000 guitars annually in their Mexico plant. That's 275 guitars a day (about one fully completed guitar in under 6 minutes), 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year. Average selling price, according to Martin: $2000 per guitar. Yeah, they're pumping them out like stuffed animals at the county fair.

[@dannyberry8725]

At the Gibson factory in Nashville at peak capacity they can build about 700 in a day.

[@jcat3409]

I thought all Taylor guitars got plecked??

[@mr1bienvenu1]

Funny thing is, is that most of these people building these guitars don't know how to build a guitar. They only know how to do maybe a few individual jobs. Doesn't matter these are still great guitars.

[@el34glo59]

They're masters at their particular job.

[@mikemartin6554]

too bad it's not in HD...

[@mahekm6977]

Who thought that Taylor Guitar was owned by Taylor Swift ? I am one of them who thinks ...

[@TheJoker3031]

+Mahek Mahapule I didn't

[@daveyboy8907]

+Mahek Mahapule o my ..

[@mahekm6977]

+Joji's Creations I am the only one 😮😔

[@nicolecabello8384]

+Mahek Mahapule you're the only one😂

[@LyleStyle87]

... How dare you.

[@quintas66]

Tape it off with tape.

[@asandiegoguy]

I bought a Martin HD 28V from a distributor 20 years ago and it remains a disappointment. I’m a fan of Martin guitars but I think mine is a dud. But I have yet to pick up a Taylor that I wouldn’t want to own. I have a 714ce and a 312ce 12 fret. Each is a musical masterpiece imo. But if I were in a bluegrass ban or a badass flat picker, I would be looking to dump the HD 28V for something better. I keep waiting for it to “open up” as I was assured it would.

[@cm6534]

That's bullshit! There should be one 109yo man in there hand crafting those guitars and applying the finish with a small paint brush and when it's finally completed he should give it a kiss and maybe shed a tear as he sends it out to the masses.

[@rickdougherty8058]

The are making them cheap ,thinner tops ,that crack ,and more expensive 314 is now the price of what a 714 or an 814 use to be, and of course those have gone up in price, and thinner pieces of wood to save money and crack because of it,,all in the name of making more money,

[@naiman4535]

That's amazing automation that Taylor has, unlike Martin, which seems to have a more traditional, make it by hand approach. So, that's 200 guitars per day leaving the factory - and if you average the price per guitar at even one grand a pop, that's 200 grand per day - kaching! I think that's enough to pay the rent and make payroll...

[@Dhumm81]

This appears to be a fairly honest advertisement for Taylor, though not a very good one IMHO. "World class" mass production factories like this are engineering marvels, but unfortunately they're only good at producing one thing: profits for owners/shareholders. Waste of an amazing facility.