One of the top acoustic guitars manufacturers is Taylor Guitars. They make top-quality acoustic instruments for today’s players. In addition, many of their models come with pickups, so they’re ready for the stage or recording.
Quick Answer: Best Taylor Acoustic Guitars
- 1. Best Taylor Acoustic Guitar Overall: Taylor 814 CE
- 2. Taylor Academy 12 Acoustic Guitar
- 3. Taylor 210CE Plus Acoustic Guitar
- 4. Taylor 362CE 12-String Acoustic Guitar
- 5. Taylor 412CE-R Acoustic Guitar
- 6. Baby Taylor BT1 Acoustic Guitar
- 7. Taylor GTe Urban Ash Acoustic Guitar
- 8. Taylor American Dream AD17
- 9. Taylor K24ce Acoustic Guitar
- 10. Taylor TS Taylor Swift
I’ve played acoustic guitar for most of my adult life. I’ve always been impressed with the build quality and easy playability of Taylor acoustic instruments. This best Taylor acoustic guitars guide will help you find a great Taylor.
These guitars are suitable for all playing abilities. Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate or advanced guitarist, you’ll find high-quality guitars. I hope this guide helps you find a great guitar.
About Taylor Acoustic Guitars
Taylor was founded in 1974 by Bob Taylor and Kurt Listug. The company is based out of El Cajon, California. They make regular acoustic guitars and acoustic/electric guitars for today’s players.
The build quality of a Taylor is exceptional, and the instruments are suitable for many different guitar styles. Whether you’re a strummer or a dedicated fingerpicker, you’ll find a Taylor guitar to meet your needs.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Taylor Acoustic Guitar
Here’s what you should keep in mind before you order a Taylor guitar. This section looks at several different Taylor models to help you pick a great one.
Size
Most Taylor guitars are full-size instruments, but they have a few smaller body options with the Baby Taylor lineup. These are great for younger players or those that don’t like full dreadnought-style acoustic guitars.
The Overall Tone & Sound
Taylor guitars have an exceptional tone and sound. These guitars are well made, and most have electronic systems, so they’re ready for any acoustic amplifier.
Price
Here’s what you need to know in terms of the price of a Taylor guitar. These instruments can cost quite a bit, but you’ll get a great tone and easy playability.
- Beginner: $400-750
- Intermediate: $750-$1500
- Advanced: $1500+
Types of Taylor Acoustic Guitars
Taylor has an extensive lineup of acoustic guitars for all styles and playing abilities. Here’s what you can expect when you purchase a Taylor guitar.
Academy Series Taylor Acoustic Guitars
The Academy Series is a lineup of basic guitars for beginners. These instruments all sound great and have easy playability. They’re the right choice for a new player.
GT Series Taylor Acoustic Guitars
These instruments have a smaller body size but a big acoustic tone. They’re the right choice for players who prefer smaller-sized acoustic guitars over the bigger dreadnoughts.
100-200 Series Taylor Acoustic Guitars
The guitars in the 100-200 Series are excellent affordable instruments with sitka spruce tops for those with limited budgets. You’ll get the same great Taylor tone you expect at a lower price point.
300-400 Series Taylor Acoustic Guitars
These guitars have dreadnought cutaway designs and excellent electronics. These guitars are the right choice for the advancing intermediate player that wants a high-quality acoustic guitar.
500-600 Series Taylor Acoustic Guitars
These instruments use high-quality wood and have a superb tone. You’ll get a cutaway dreadnought design along with an electronics system. They’re ideal for recording or playing live.
700-900 Series Taylor Acoustic Guitars
These premium guitars cost a lot but offer superior performance, excellent tonewoods, and electronic systems. They’re the right choice for any professional.
Koa/Presentation Series Taylor Acoustic Guitars
These instruments are top of the line with amazing looks, superior wood, easy playability, and everything you expect in a high-end acoustic guitar.
American Dream Taylor Acoustic Guitars
These are affordable guitars for any intermediate player. They’re made with solid tonewoods and offer excellent performance at an affordable price.
10 Best Taylor Acoustic Guitars
This guide to the ten best Taylor acoustic guitars looks at several Taylor models. These instruments are ideal for all players. You’ll get a guitar that will be with you for years to come. Let’s look at some models.
1. Taylor 814 CE Acoustic Guitar
- Type: Grand auditorium dreadnought
- What’s included: Guitar, hardshell case
- Pickups: Expression System 2
- Material & finish: Ash, rosewood, mahogany, ebony, spruce, gloss finish
- Best for: Professional players
The Taylor 814 CE acoustic guitar is a superior guitar for today’s player. It’s got a deep cutaway for easy fret access. In addition, the Expression System 2 electronics are ready for the stage or your recording studio.
The V-class bracing improves the overall tone of your guitar and gives you better string intonation. Notes sustain longer for more clarity as you play. The dual-action truss rod keeps the guitar neck stable and straight.
✅ Deep cutaway
✅ Expression 2 electronics
✅ Easy playing
✅ Huge tone
❌ Expensive
❌ EQ could be positioned better
Why I Recommend It
This guitar is quite expensive but well worth it. I love the radius armrest on the side so your arm won’t fatigue when playing longer passages. The mahogany neck is smooth, and the cutaway makes solos simple.
There’s a TUSQ nut and a Micarta saddle, so the guitar stays in tune longer. This instrument has a huge tone, and it’s suitable for all guitar styles. It’s a professional guitar that you’ll love for many years.
2. Taylor Academy 12 Acoustic Guitar
- Type: Small-sized dreadnought
- What’s included: Guitar, gig bag
- Pickups: N/A
- Material & finish: Sitka spruce, sapele, maple, ebony, varnish
- Best for: Beginners that want an easy-to-play acoustic guitar
The Taylor Academy 12 is a solid beginner guitar that’s a cut above other offerings. It’s got an easy-playing neck and a solid tone, and it holds its tune thanks to a Nubone nut and Micarta saddle.
The grand concert body shape makes it simple to hold for beginners or those that are uncomfortable holding larger dreadnought acoustics. This is one of the best cheap Taylor guitars that you can buy.
✅ Easy to play
✅ Solid wood
✅ Good tone
✅ Included gig bag
❌ No electronics
❌ A bit small for some
Why I Recommend It
You get a lot of guitar for under $600 with the Taylor Academy 12. This is a comfortable guitar to play, making it ideal for beginners who struggle with larger-sized instruments. It’s got good intonation and a dependable tone.
I’m impressed with the Taylor Academy 12, as most guitars in this price range don’t have the tone that this one does. It’s ideal for strumming and especially fingerpicking. New players will have a lot of fun with the Taylor Academy 12.
3. Taylor 210CE Plus Acoustic Guitar
- Type: Cutaway dreadnought
- What’s included: Guitar, gig bag
- Pickups: Expression System 2
- Material & finish: Sitka spruce, rosewood, mahogany, ebony, gloss finish
- Best for: Intermediate guitar players
The Taylor 210ce offers an exceptional acoustic/electric tone thanks to the Expression System 2 pickup. The piezo electronic sensors respond to the natural tone of the guitar and give you unique amplified tones.
The cutaway gives you easy access to the higher frets across a smooth ebony fingerboard. It’s got a forward shifted pattern bracing for better sound and a longer life. This is the perfect guitar for the intermediate player.
✅ Cutaway design
✅ Good electronics
✅ Easy playing
✅ Superior nut/saddle
❌ A bit expensive
❌ Controls a bit hard to access
Why I Recommend It
The Taylor 210CE Plus will give you an exceptional tone whether it’s plugged in or played acoustically. I like the solid sitka spruce top, which sings no matter what you’re playing on the guitar. It’s got an excellent mahogany neck.
The Micarta saddle and Nubone nut help keep the guitar in tune, and these are a lot better than the cheaper plastic ones you find on many guitars, even at this price. This guitar will keep the intermediate player busy for a long time.
4. Taylor 362CE 12-String Acoustic Guitar
- Type: Dreadnought cutaway
- What’s included: Guitar, hardshell case
- Pickups: Expression System 2
- Material & finish: Mahogany, Tasmanian blackwood, ebony, gloss finish
- Best for: Intermediate/advanced guitar players
Get an amazing tone with the Taylor 362CE 12-string acoustic guitar. It has excellent electronics and a unique, attractive color that makes it stand out in the crowd. The wood is exceptional and makes good tones.
You can keep your guitar in tune for longer with a TUSQ nut and Micarta saddle. The V-class bracing gives the guitar improved intonation and a better sound than other instruments. The 362CE is a pleasure to play.
✅ TUSQ Nut/Micarta saddle
✅ Excellent wood
✅ Deep cutaway
✅ Superior tone
❌ Expensive
❌ Hard to access EQ
Why I Recommend It
The 362 CE is an amazing 12-string guitar. I love the easy access to all of the frets, thanks to a deep cutaway. This guitar sings whether you’re strumming chords or playing solos. The neck is smooth, and you’ll get effortless playing.
I’d prefer the electronics side-mounted instead of near the heel, but this is only a minor annoyance. The Expression System 2 gives you superior tones when it’s plugged into any amplifier.
5. Taylor 412CE-R Acoustic Guitar
- Type: Dreadnought cutaway
- What’s included: Guitar, hardshell case
- Pickups: Expression System 2
- Material & finish: Sitka spruce, Indian rosewood, mahogany, ebony
- Best for: Intermediate/advanced players
The Taylor 412CE-R gives you excellent tones, thanks to a solid sitka spruce top. It’s got V-class bracing, which improves the overall sound and intonation of the guitar. The Expression System 2 electronics provide an excellent amplified sound.
The grand concert shape makes the guitar easy to hold, and the rosewood fingerboard means that your fingers move up and down the fretboard with ease at all positions. This is the perfect guitar for any serious player.
✅ Deep cutaway
✅ Good case
✅ Excellent electronics
✅ Good tones
❌ Expensive
❌ EQ positioning could be better
Why I Recommend It
The 412CE-R is a nice guitar for fingerpicking or soloists because of the fantastic access to all the frets. I love the playability of the 412CE-R, as I tried a few out recently. These are amazing for players looking for a quality guitar.
I like the side-mounted input jack as most guitars have this on the endpin. I find the side mount easier to use. I wish the electronics system were located here. This guitar pretty much does it all, and it’s a solid pick for today’s player.
6. Baby Taylor BT1 Acoustic Guitar
- Type: Small dreadnought
- What’s included: Guitar, gig bag
- Pickups: N/A
- Material & finish: Spruce, walnut, mahogany, ebony, gloss finish
- Best for: Beginners or those that want a small-sized guitar
For younger players or those on a budget, the Baby Taylor is an excellent guitar. It’s made with solid wood for a good tone. The smaller body size makes it easy to hold and play, so it’s ideal for new students.
It’s got a smooth ebony fingerboard for easy chords and single notes. The guitar is smaller, so it’s perfect for any player to take on travels when space is limited. The Baby Taylor BT1 is a simple guitar for those starting out.
✅ Good tone
✅ Solid wood
✅ Easy to play
✅ Gig bag
❌ Case could be better
❌ Won’t appeal to all players
Why I Recommend It
I like the Baby Taylor because it’s affordable and easy to play. Younger children or first-time adults will have a lot of joy playing this guitar. It’s got a good sitka spruce top, which improves the tone of this instrument.
This guitar may cost a bit more than a starter guitar, but that added cost is well worth it. The baby Taylor holds its tuning well and is accessible on younger fingers. I’d recommend this nice guitar to any beginner.
7. Taylor GTe Urban Ash Acoustic Guitar
- Type: Grand theater dreadnought
- What’s included: Guitar, hard case
- Pickups: Expression System 2
- Material & finish: Spruce, ash, mahogany, eucalyptus, satin finish
- Best for: Intermediate guitar players
The Taylor GTe Urban Ash is a nice mid-range acoustic guitar for today’s player. It features a solid spruce top that gives the guitar a lot of resonance and punch. The smaller body size makes the guitar easy to hold and play.
The Expression Electronics system lets you plug the guitar into any amplifier to get solid, dependable tones night after night. The C-bracing improves sustain and gives the guitar an improved bass response.
✅ Good electronics
✅ Solid tone
✅ Easy playing
✅ Easy to hold
❌ Expensive
❌ No cutaway
Why I Recommend It
The Taylor GTe Urban Ash is an excellent guitar for the intermediate player. I love the smaller body size, as it’s comfortable when you’re sitting down. If you want to play some fingerstyle, this guitar will suit you well.
The 24″ scale length makes the strings easier on the fingers, as they feel softer. However, you’ll still get the same big acoustic sound you want out of this guitar. I also like the eucalyptus fingerboard, which is as smooth as rosewood.
8. Taylor American Dream AD17
- Type: Dreadnought
- What’s included: Guitar, gig bag
- Pickups: N/A
- Material & finish: Spruce, mahogany, ovangkol, eucalyptus, gloss finish
- Best for: Intermediate guitar players
The Taylor American Dream AD17 is a solid acoustic guitar with a good tone, thanks to the spruce top. It’s got Taylor’s V-class bracing, which gives the guitar more sustain and a longer life.
This guitar is easy to play and gives the intermediate player a dependable acoustic guitar. The player won’t have any trouble getting a good tone out of this guitar each time they pick it up.
✅ V-class bracing
✅ Solid spruce top
✅ Good neck
✅ Good nut/saddle
❌ A bit expensive
❌ No electronics
Why I Recommend It
I like this guitar because you get a lot of great tones for under $1500. This is a solid and well-built Taylor that’s suited for any intermediate player. I like the eucalyptus fingerboard, as it’s smooth and feels like rosewood.
The ovangkol wood on the sides and back gives the guitar some nice midrange tones. The mahogany neck feels great and provides effortless playing up and down the fretboard. You’ll love playing this guitar.
9. Taylor K24ce Acoustic Guitar
- Type: Cutaway grand auditorium dreadnought
- What’s included: Guitar, case
- Pickups: Expression System 2
- Material & finish: Koa, maple, mahogany, ebony, gloss finish
- Best for: Professional guitar players
The Taylor K24ce is a top-quality guitar for serious players. The Expression System 2 electronics give you superb amplified tones every night. The deep cutaway makes it effortless to play solos high up the neck.
The neck is solid mahogany, and it’s got a smooth ebony fingerboard. The guitar sounds great no matter what position you’re playing in. The Hawaiian koa wood has a unique look that makes this instrument stand out.
✅ Solid tone
✅ Good electronics
✅ Attractive neck artwork
✅ Deep cutaway
❌ Very expensive
❌ EQ system needs better positioning
Why I Recommend It
The Taylor K24ce is an impressive guitar. I love the detailed fretboard design, which is quite striking. The tone you get out of this guitar is huge, and it’s well suited to any guitar style. It sounds great plugged in or played acoustically.
The grand auditorium size gives the guitar a narrower waist, so it’s much easier to hold when you’re playing longer passages. The koa wood sounds amazing, especially if you love fingerpicking. This guitar has it all.
10. Taylor TS Taylor Swift
- Type: Small dreadnought
- What’s included: Guitar, gig bag
- Material & finish: Sitka spruce, layered sapele, mahogany, ebony, gloss finish
- Best for: First-time beginners
The Taylor TS Taylor Swift is the ideal guitar for younger players. The 3/4 body size makes it comfortable to hold and play. In addition, the solid wood construction gives the guitar a pleasing tone to inspire new players.
The ebony fretboard is smooth at all positions, and the guitar stays in tune well thanks to solid machine heads. This instrument is a big improvement over many other starter guitars you’ll find on the current market.
✅ 3/4 size for beginners
✅ Good tone
✅ Solid wood
✅ Easy to play
❌ May not appeal to some
❌ Not as loud as some guitars
Why I Recommend It
The Taylor TS BT is a great guitar for beginners. Since it’s 3/4 in size, there’s less string tension, so the guitar is easier on the hands. The smaller size is also easier to hold for younger players, yet the guitar has a nice tone.
It’s got a TUSQ nut and a Micarta saddle, which most beginner guitars don’t have. You get good intonation and sound out of it. This is one of the best cheap Taylor acoustic guitars under $400.
Taylor Acoustic Guitars Aesthetics & Build
Here’s a little more about the build of Taylor acoustic guitars. I’ve always been impressed with Taylor, as they use top-quality wood and have great electronics and a cutting-edge tone.
Material
Taylor uses premium wood in their guitars. Here’s what you can expect when you purchase a Taylor guitar.
- Spruce: Often used in guitar tops, as it has a rich tone
- Mahogany: Often found on the side, back, or neck of an acoustic guitar. This wood has a solid and dependable tone.
- Maple: This hardwood is used for guitar necks, as it resists warping and is comfortable on the hands as you play.
- Rosewood: This smooth wood is used for guitar fingerboards.
- Ebony: A wood that’s similar to rosewood with the same smoothness for fingerboards
- Koa: Used in some high-end Taylor guitars. This wood has an excellent tone.
Finish
There are several different finishes you can expect to find on acoustic guitars. Here’s a rundown of the basics.
- Varnish/gloss: This is a shiny finish with good durability.
- Satin: This finish is smooth with less shine. It allows you to feel the wood.
- Polyurethane: A hard and glossy finish that has a long life and excellent shine
- Nitrocellulose lacquer: A common guitar finish with excellent shine and a long life
- Polyester: A modern finish with good shine and a long life
Color
Most Taylor acoustic guitars are natural wood grain. You will find a few colors, such as black or a burst color, but most are natural wood, as this tends to look the best.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Here are some frequently asked questions that people ask about Taylor guitars. Make sure you have a good understanding of what you’re getting before you buy.
How Much Do Taylor Acoustic Guitars Cost?
Here are some of the average prices you can expect to pay for a Taylor. These guitars are a bit more expensive than other brands, but the quality is there, so you get what you pay for.
- Beginner: $400-750
- Intermediate: $750-$1500
- Advanced: $1500+
Do I Need a Pickup?
Beginners probably won’t need a pickup, but intermediate and advanced players will probably want one. Taylor guitars come with Expression System 2 electronics, which sound great and give your guitar excellent amplified tones.
What Are the Best Taylor Acoustic Guitars?
Here’s a list of what I consider to be the three best Taylor acoustic guitars for beginner, intermediate, and advanced players. Taylor makes great guitars, and these are all standouts.
Baby Taylor BT1 Acoustic Guitar: Best for Beginners
The Baby Taylor BT1 is a beginner guitar that features a solid spruce top, which gives it a great tone. This one costs a bit more than some beginner guitars, but you get an easy-to-play guitar that has an amazing tone for its price.
Taylor Academy 12 Acoustic Guitar: Best for Intermediate Players
The Taylor Academy 12 is a smaller-sized dreadnought that has a pickup system, so it’s ready for recording or live performances. The body is comfortable for playing intricate guitar passages such as fingerpicking.
Taylor 814CE Acoustic Guitar: Best for Advanced Players
The Taylor 814 CE is the flagship guitar from the company. It’s got a superb tone and a deep cutaway for easy access to all of the frets. In addition, the Expression 2 pickup system gives you excellent amplified tones when you need them.
Where Are Taylor Acoustic Guitars Made?
Taylor guitars are made in the USA and Mexico. The lower-cost Taylors are made in Mexico, while the more expensive models are made in the USA.
What Is the Best Sounding Taylor Acoustic Guitars?
The Taylor 814CE is probably one of the best-sounding Taylor guitars for its price. The guitar is easy to play, sounds great, and is ready for an amp. This instrument is made to last and gives you the performance that you want.
Where to Buy Taylor Acoustic Guitars
Here’s a list of a few places where you can pick up a Taylor acoustic guitar. I like to shop online, but you still have other options to purchase a great guitar.
Amazon
I like shopping on Amazon for music supplies as they have a huge selection. They have fast shipping times, and I love reading reviews on the products prior to ordering, so I have a better idea of what I’m buying.
Online Music Retailers
Guitar Center and Sweetwater are two other locations online where you can pick up a Taylor guitar. They have a huge selection, fast shipping, and good customer service.
Your Local Music Store
You may want to go to your local music store to try out a few Taylor guitars. Your local store may not have every Taylor model in stock, so you have to keep that in mind.
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In Conclusion
Thank you for reading my best Taylor acoustic guitars guide. Taylor makes exceptional acoustic guitars. They sound great and are easy to play, and many have an advanced electronic system for plugged-in tones.
Please comment, like, and share this article. I want to hear from you about Taylor guitars or music in general. Have fun playing your new Taylor guitar.