Since 1974, Taylor have been manufacturing guitars from El Cajon in California, and since 2012, also in Tecate in Mexico. They are the second most successful manufacturers of acoustic guitars in the United States and now have over 700 employees.
Every weekday, at 1pm, it is possible to take a free tour of the factory in El Cajon, where a guide will take you through the process of guitar construction, right from selecting the correct woods for the manufacturing process to the completed finished product. The knowledgeable staff will be able to help you understand the differences in types of wood and the sound produced by each, the technical process of converting the raw material into the shape of the body, and also tell you all about the history of the company. Premier Guitars also published in 2008 a four part tour of the factory which has been narrated by Bob Taylor himself.
Taylor Guitars was founded by Bob Taylor and Kurt Listug, originally calling their company the “Westland Music Company”, but later changing the name to “Taylor” so that it could more easily fit onto the head of the guitars, and because “Taylor” sounded more American than “Listug”. They have become innovators in the world of acoustic guitars, often sought after for their top quality products and ethical manufacturing. They are used by artists such as Jason Mraz and Taylor Swift (although the latter could arguably be because of a naming coincidence instead of solely because of quality).
Bob has also dedicated part of his successful career to the development of a sustainable forestry trade, in particular with ebony. He recognises the changes in our planet and in climate conditions and wants to ensure that the materials he selects for his products are encouraging a better future for the environment, the consumers of his products, and also for the families and communities involved with gathering the raw materials he requires for production. Bob even runs a world forestry tour blog which highlights his efforts to raise awareness of this.
As well as offering tours of the factory, Taylor provide live musical streams of their featured artists on their Facebook page. Daria Musk is a popular artist who has gained more exposure through these live streams. They also release videos every Tuesday of artists showcasing their talent on Taylor guitars, sometimes relatively unknown to help boost popularity among those talented musicians who are struggling to gain recognition for their efforts.
As well as this, Taylor Guitars often goes on tour to showcase their new products with talented performers demonstrating the amazing sound qualities and features of their guitar range. They are often represented at musical events, or they take over music shops and other venues to host these evenings. A full list of upcoming events, of everything from the live streams to physical gatherings, can be found on both the Taylor website and on their Facebook page.
After playing a Taylor guitar, it's hard not to argue that they are some of the best in the world, and with roadshows, live streams, and product releases happening all the time, they are a fantastic brand to follow.