Who owns a 20 year old Taylor?

[Bob Womack]

My wife bought me a lovely 1999 K14c, koa/cedar, pre-NT. It was started on the last day of production of the year. It is in near-new condition, with the exception of needing a refret. So in three months it will be twenty years old.











Bob

[Athens]

I didn't know this thread existed until I saw it mentioned in a different thread. Cool!

Presented for your enjoyment is my 1995 612 C Custom. I don't know the lineage as I bought it at a local GC. I had a good relationship with the manager at that store and he dragged me into the acoustic room one day saying " You have to see what just came in on trade....". Love at first strum.

This is basically the "Cottonball" 612, for those of you who know that story. All that's missing is the cottonball in the center of the inlay.

The wires you see in the soundhole were from the UST that I immediately removed and replaced with a K&K mini. Also, sorry about the obnoxious wall color in the photos. I was renting at the time and had no say in the matter.

This is a sweet guitar and I'm having a custom casket made when I die. She's going with me.

[stevemc]

I have three that are 20 years or older (see signature). I didn't buy any new though, I really couldn't afford a new Taylor 20 years ago. The one I've owned the longest is the 1997 514CW I bought in 2002.

[Bridgepin]

I have a 1998 810 LTD with the pearl border like a Martin D-41. Great guitar

[vindibona1]

This thread was started in 2011... Wow.

While not the original owner, quite recently I picked up a 1995 910. I haven't quite dialed in the sound, but it's a special instrument. I never had a guitar with any sort of bling before. This one has an EMG piezo pickup put in by the previous owner.

[Charmed Life Picks]

By the way: Someone who knows the history better than me: What year did Taylor officially begin shipping guitars?

[Digits_Only]

I've got an '89 814c spruce over rosewood. Great flatpicking guitar.

[ross748]

The first custom-built guitar I ever owned. 2000 612 C, Sitka top, heavy pillow maple back and sides, lightly flamed maple neck, Ivroid body, and neck binding. Schaller chrome mini tuners with ebony buttons, shark tooth fretboard inlays.

[Ruppster]

I have a 29-year-old Taylor 612ce, and the sides and back are just beautiful. Am I the only one who prefers the Fishman barn door electronics to the Expression systems?

[Athens]

Originally Posted by Charmed Life Picks

By the way: Someone who knows the history better than me: What year did Taylor officially begin shipping guitars?

It depends on your perspective. Bob Taylor, Kurt Lustig and a third employee, Steve Schemmer, worked at a guitar maker named American Dream and bought it from the owner in 1974 They renamed it the Westland Music Company but they soon renamed it Taylor Guitars. The Taylor web site says they've been making guitars since 1974, so not sure if that's under they Taylor name or if they're folding the Westland company into that.

Makes me wonder if anyone on this forum has a 1974 or later "Westland Music Company" guitar and if Bob Taylor's name is on the soundhole label.....?

[Charmed Life Picks]

Originally Posted by Athens

It depends on your perspective. Bob Taylor, Kurt Lustig and a third employee, Steve Schemmer, worked at a guitar maker named American Dream and bought it from the owner in 1974 They renamed it the Westland Music Company but they soon renamed it Taylor Guitars. The Taylor web site says they've been making guitars since 1974, so not sure if that's under they Taylor name or if they're folding the Westland company into that.

Makes me wonder if anyone on this forum has a 1974 or later "Westland Music Company" guitar and if Bob Taylor's name is on the soundhole label.....?

Athens, thanks. I knew someone on here would have the answer.

I'm trying to remember if I have this story right. Was it true one of the Taylors was teaching wood shop at a high school or something, or am I way out to lunch?

Thanks Much, Athens,
Scott

[guitar george]

This has mostly been covered in previous posts, but, this is what it says on this website: https://sixstringacoustic.com/the-hi...taylor-guitars

"The Early History Of Taylor Guitars

The company was originally started in El Cajon, California and was owned by Sam Radding and named American Dream, a guitar making shop. In 1972 they hired a young 18 year old by the name of Bob Taylor. Taylor worked for American dream for 2 years before Radding decided to sell his business.

Taylor along with two other co-employees, Steve Schemmer and Kurt Listug, decided to buy the business and called it Westland Music Company. They began to design and produce their own style of guitars.

The new owners decided that Westland Music Company was too long of a name and logo to put on the head of their guitars. At first considering Listug as their new brand, they reconsidered and decided that Taylor would be a more suitable name for the American guitar market.

As the new partners settled into business Listug took control of the company’s business responsibilities while Taylor focused on guitar design, innovations and production.

In 1976 the company expanded from a simple guitar making shop into retail stores and began their growth path that has today grown to a worldwide name brand with two state of the art factories and over 900 employees that produce hundreds of top line guitars every day."

There is more history on that website.

[David M123]

Originally Posted by Charmed Life Picks

By the way: Someone who knows the history better than me: What year did Taylor officially begin shipping guitars?

Depends on how you define "shipping".

As I understand it, in the early years, Bob Taylor built the guitars with a constantly changing cast of helpers, while Kurt Listug, as the marketing end of the business. drove around the country with a station wagon filled with guitars and got music stores to accept them (on consignment?).

I'm pretty sure that's how my '83 wound up at the music store in Bryn Mawr, PA where I bought it.

[larstusor]

I've got a 1987 855 that came out of Lemon Grove. I've owned and played this guitar for well over 20 years but I'm not the original owner. It never disappoints. I had also picked up a 1987 812 that came out of Santee. It had a 1 7/8" neck (!) and had buttery smooth tone. I should have kept that one too. It seems that 1987 was a transitional year for Taylor with them changing factories yet the tone and play-ability of those two guitars were/are equally fantastic.

[Charmed Life Picks]

Originally Posted by KHH

I bought my Taylor 410 twenty years ago. When I asked the sales clerk to see the "high end" guitars, I was thinking of buying a Martin. I had never heard of Taylor guitars, and then I only played once a month or so for friends and family. I remember as the clerk was listening to me strum the Taylor, he commented, "Are you sure you don't want a nice yamaha or ovation?" (He thought that maybe my skills weren't suited for such a nice guitar.) Having fallen in love at first sight and sound, I told him that the guitar would inspire me to improve. For the past 20 years, barely a day goes by, when I don't pull out my guitar and play. My 410 is mahogany and has a pinless bridge. Last week, I installed a colosi bone saddle, and it has greatly improved the tone. Currently I play in a Celtic band, and am the music leader in my church. This Taylor has enriched my life incredibly.

]

Great story. Thanks for the share.

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