How Taylor Guitars V-Class Bracing Works

[@RU-HDD-4-HVN]

While working many years in music retail I had the privilege of unpacking and selling boat loads of Taylor guitars for years. Taylors are the most consistent in their manufacturing process. Taylor is about the only guitar that I would ever consider buying without having to play it first. I don't ever remember having to send back a product just unpacked from the box in all my years of selling Taylors. Where precision meets tone.....you'll find a Taylor guitar. ":^) p.s. Funny true story........ One year a long time ago at NAMM I met Bob Taylor and took him aside for a moment to let him know what I really thought of his guitars (that I loved so much). I said to him in a wondering sort of way "I don't know what it is about your guitars but there is something very special about them". He looked kindly at me and said with a funny grin....... "I do.... and I'm not telling". It about floored me that his comedic timing kicked in with a great sense of humor and truth as well. My respect grew for him from that day on. ":^)

[@Bloodray19]

I work in a music store, and unpacked a bunch of Yamaha F310s. It's so funny, how there is a HUGE diferrence in sound between two guitars. Even if the serial number is just one apart. Unpacked one, is sounded like a stepstool with strings, unpacked the next one, it sounded amazing for it's price

[@jimcarter6669]

My Carlos from 1982 has V bracing. It sounds great. Not overly easy to play.

[@justinkearl2212]

I'm pretty positive that any guitar you have from 1982 has X-bracing, as Taylor invented it only a year or two ago.

[@justinkearl2212]

Taylor invented V-bracing, that is.

[@tuneyouup]

@@justinkearl2212wrong

[@tylerkolb2277]

Intonation is SUCH an important thing. It's a little heart breaking playing an Emajor in perfect tune but then hearing the Gmajor not line up so perfectly. I havent played one of the v class guitars but I am super excited to see how well it works!

[@tylerkolb2277]

@jackofalldaves considering most of this went over my head, i'll assume you are correct. In doing so, I found your comment to be very interesting!

[@iAmDislikingEveryShort]

Bracing has litteraly nothing to do with intonation and no stringed instrument is perfectly in tune not even piano with individually tuned notes. Even with perfect tuning the chords in 12 tone equal temperament cannot all be in tune, you'll need to adjust tuning for every chord combination.

[@marcscordato4385]

I’ll give Taylor the benefit of the doubt that all its claims about V class are true. But in the end it’s about the sound and it’s nearly identical sound to an X brace . I own Taylor’s but I just purchased a 00015 SM Martin the bracing is not scalloped it’s not forward shifted but it sounds amazing in the end that’s really all that matters .

[@aaronlarsen7447]

They just flipped Martin's A shape upside down to make a v. It sounds more like a Martin, because it's pretty close to the same thing. I don't see anything wrong with this design, but I can't say it's better. These designs have been worked on for a very long time.

[@Makimaxiboss]

But V bracing already exist, for about 100 years, it was represented by martin guitars about 1930s

[@tango-bravo]

Having played many Martin, Gibson and Taylor top level acoustics over the years I will say this: Taylor’s almost always seem the “easiest” to play. The actions are super smooth and the overall feel is just right. When it comes to tone, I’ve always preferred the Martins over the Taylor’s. Wood selection aside, the Martins tend to have a heavier, darker sound compared to the more clear and metallic tones in Taylor’s. I suppose it depends on the player and what sound you are looking for, but a “perfect” guitar for me would be one that plays and notes out like a Taylor but sounds like a vintage Martin. I have always like the look and feel of Gibson guitars, but I was never wild about the sunburst finishes or crazy pick guards and bridges they used on some of their acoustics. I’ve found the tone and playability on modern Gibson’s to be hit or miss.

[@RTaz-qu8lj]

I also am a Martin guy for its deep bass sound. However, years back I bought a Taylor GS with rosewood back and cedar top. This has the bass sound of a Martin and easy playability and treble clarity of a Taylor. Fantastic guitar!

[@R.L.Humpert]

Gotta love Taylor guitars and of course the best costumer care Store in the world at sweetwater. Thoughts on the 324ce? It’s warmer but has that boom to it too. Just was wanting your thoughts if I did good getting the regular 324ce because it to me is fantastic but I get the comments from others that the v class I just a passing gimmick.

[@lloydtownsend2625]

I love Taylor guitars!

[@scottfishkind5335]

I have a Big Baby Taylor, certainly a lower end model but a fabulous guitar! In general I love Taylor's playability, consistency, and overall sound! I was so excited to try the V class bracing and when I did it was completely underwhelming! I find the X-braced guitars I own (Breedlove, Walden, Yamaha, and of course my Big BabyTaylor) and others that I've played, more appealing to my ears. There seems to be more complexity of tone. The V- class sounded thin and unidimensional to me, it was a real letdown considering all of the hype. Perhaps my expectations were unrealistic. That being said, personal preference is what it is, if one prefers the V- class bracing then that is the sound that appeals to you and no one has a right to question that!!

[@nellatrab]

V braced guitar sounds weak! PLEASE READ THIS! First of all V bracing patterns have been used and tried by many luthiers for years albeit in many variations, but basically the main V braces...it is nothing new. Having compared many Taylor V class guitars there are some drawbacks...placing so many braces within the largest vibrating part of the bout can mute some of the frequency vibrations patterns. The Taylor bracing change when measured for displacement, velocity, and acceleration did show some degradation in the lower bout vibration patterns as compared to X pattern bracing. Sustain was sometimes increased only in certain examples. We found no further accuracy of intonation due to V bracing vs X bracing. Notes high on the neck were not perceived to be any more forthcoming, clearer or vibrant as stated here. We did find that some guitars in both V and X bracing due to wood selection and builders had superior up the neck clarity and resonance, but only as I said due to wood grains and torrification treatments. We tested several top brands, which included Martin, Taylor, Eastman, Yari, Yamaha, Mc Pherson, Goodall, Bourgeois and Breedlove and a few other small luthiers examples. I surmise that Taylors need to change there bracing pattern may have to do with business and not so much about making a better guitar. It appears that the V class bracing is also less expensive to manufacture mechanically. Taylor's have always been known for a sort of vanilla tone due to it's manufacturing process. And, that much of the information spoken here is the interpretation of a dream that one man has. The addition of inspiration from the ocean probably has nothing to do with the scenario. By the way when CF Martin started experimenting with fan bracing back in the 1840's he had moved several of the braces according to the Spanish style fan bracing into a Vs both reversing the V at the top and bottom to accommodate the new style bridge pin design, settling on the X brace pattern which he surmised sounded better freeing up the top, also adding strength to the top. If you watch the Martin Museum Tour right here at 7.12 minutes you can see one of his experimental V braced tops on the workbench from the 1800's! Finally, I urge all of you to do your own comparisons not on You Tube, but only in person with reasonably like woods, sizes and environments braced with Taylor V and other X braced guitars to see what you feel.

[@silverpairaducks]

The pleated top on selmers kinda does the same thing

[@soundknight]

Lattice brace guitars in classical been doing the same thing for 40 years

[@garrett3108]

Er, not quite. Lattice is extremely different in structure to X or V bracing, though it shares some properties with V, they're structured completely differently. Same end goal, different concepts.

[@rmzzz76]

Back when Taylor launched V-Class bracing there was window of opportunity to do direct showroom floor comparisons of a 800 series X to V class and A-B test them. I took a tuner with me, tuned each guitar to stand pitch then performed test of the intonation on all strings in: open, 5th and again at 12th fret, looking for cents of variation. The V-Class edition was no better, both guitars within acceptable range. Acoustic guitars are not pianos, they will never deliver perfect intonation. If you have access to both an X braced and V-class braced edition of the same Taylor model I encourage you to perform this test for yourself. You'll see the claims Andy Powers is making here, specific to V-Class bracing and intonation not realized... If you hear his careful wording, you'll note the claim is that it "gives a builder the ability to improve intonation" I suppose he could split-hairs on the actual claims, but look... Taylor must show innovation to be relevant. Innovation is their niche. I'm not a fan of V-Class bracing, I've tried to like it, I think I've found one model where I preferred it over the X-braced version... But it's clearly not going away.

[@cbayardelle]

The x brace Taylor sounds full, the v is bright needs bass

[@jspendleton3898]

I have trouble appreciating the sound of Taylor guitars. If the v class design is so tunable, I wish they'd offer a series in tuning to a sound that I would enjoy.

[@Tfsmb]

For anyone that comes across this video, whats your favorite taylor guitar

[@micpep]

Why is Rich holding a guitar???

[@coffeecupwithtea]

Where did you get that flat cap?!?!?

[@R.L.Humpert]

I was just told my 324ce is just a v class gimmick! I paid a lot for this guitar why would a guitar company claim that about Taylor’s?

[@tanukibrahma]

My Collings OM-2H has power, evenness, and volume without V-Class bracing -- so apparently V-Class isn't needed for those things.

[@dougdavis8986]

Just think what it might have with v-class bracing!

[@itsthem5699]

My dashboard pillow has great kinetic forgiveness and has never broken my neck so apparently airbags aren't needed for those things.

[@gunzrloaded]

The guitar has an excellent sound....!!!

[@johnjones-uc3ni]

I've heard thousands of x braced guitars, some with complex overtones. I personally think the overtones sound great. V bracing us a fad. Just like Taylor's disastrous T5 electric hybrid.

[@keybreakthrough8592]

This is interesting!

[@doculab3d]

Where's the cream filling? Nothing against Taylor Guitars, but his words are fluff.

[@Beto_garza10]

No bro, if you know physics and effects of sound displacement, this makes perfect sense. I personally own a 717 and intonation, sustain and dynamic range is better than anything I’ve played on. Andy Powers is someone who really gets it from a musicians perspective.

[@jocika022]

in V bracing the wood is even less pronounced. Future guitar is going to be plastic but technicaly perfect.

[@andrewmvenegas]

And hearing the “difference” is where? Lame.

[@ShivjotRangi]

First comment :) All Taylor Guitars sounds great

[@tuneyouup]

Anything for a buck the ca. way

[@tuneyouup]

He should sell cars

[@iAmDislikingEveryShort]

Ok.... This guitar sounds bad

[@truthof7382]

Uh it doesn’t. Glad the intonation is better with V bracing,because the sound the guitar makes sure isn’t.

[@FishTillYouDrop]

It works by ruining any Taylor it touches.

[@josephramosreyes8050]

taylor is doing to much innovation on their guitars for higher prices of their guitars...the sound does not improved it's just changed...like an iced cream with different flavors but still an iced cream...