Taylor acoustic electric guitars are known worldwide for their beautiful sound and expressive range. Taylor’s solid wood acoustic electric guitar line encompasses a rich range of woods and tones, offering something to inspire every type of player. Many famous musicians have chosen Taylor acoustic electric guitars as their guitars of choice. Prices for Taylor acoustic electric guitars start at around $1,000 and can reach $5,000 or more.
Taylor Guitars is a guitar maker based in El Cajon, California, specializing in hollow-body acoustic guitars, acoustic electric guitars, as well as semi-hollow and solid body electric guitars. The company was established in 1974 by Bob Taylor and Kurt Listug and is still operated by Bob Taylor today. Bob Taylor and Kurt Listug expanded their small shop into a major guitar manufacturing company while maintaining creative control and ownership. Kurt Listug became the businessman of the partnership while Bob Taylor concentrated on guitar design and production. As of 2008 Taylor Guitars has more than 550 employees. The factory is located in El Cajon, California with worldwide distribution. A second plant has been opened 40 miles away in Tecate, Mexico where the entry-level guitars of the Taylor line (the Baby, Big Baby, 100, and 200 series) are made along with the Taylor guitar cases. All other Taylor guitars are made in El Cajon, California. Taylor’s corporate office is also located in El Cajon, California.
Taylor acoustic electric guitars can be played solo, like a regular guitar, but have the option of being plugged in like an electric guitar, leading to true versatility of sound. With a Taylor acoustic electric guitar, the way you play is totally up to you.
A great feature on Taylor acoustic electric guitars is the Expression System Transducer. Inspired by Taylor’s Expression System technology, the Expression System Transducer, or ES-T, is a single-source, under-saddle transducer with individual elements for each string. The ES-T has an onboard preamp and the same active controls found on the full Expression System. Featuring a custom-voiced equalizer and dynamic response, the system is powered by a 9-volt battery, with a battery life LED power indicator (which is lit when the battery is being used). The pickup also has a Phase switch for feedback control, which is located on the preamp board inside the soundhole.
Starting in January 1999, Taylor acoustic electric guitars began to be made with a patented bolt-on neck called the NT (new technology) neck. It differs from other acoustic electric guitar necks, whether bolt-on or glued, by supporting the fretboard all the way to the 19th fret with a continuous piece of wood. After time, some guitars require the neck angle to be realigned (referred to as a neck reset). This process is greatly simplified by allowing the replacement of different sized neck spacers to return the neck to the required angle. Prior to 1999, Taylor Guitars had a simpler bolt-on neck. These guitar necks allow for simple adjustment later if needed. Traditional (non-Taylor) guitars with a glued neck with a dovetail would need to be disassembled to be adjusted.
Taylor acoustic electric guitars can be purchased directly from the Taylor store as well as at music instrument stores or secondhand music instrument shops. There is also a wide selection of Taylor acoustic electric guitars to be found online.