‘The Taylor Guitar Book: 40 Years of Great American Flattops’

“The Taylor Guitar Book” is full of photos representing Taylor’s entire history alongside a narrative of the company’s path to success, a detailed reference listing of current and past models and fresh insights from key members of the Taylor team. – Courtesy Photo

By Terry Miller

1974 was an incredible year not only in music but for one of the loves of my life, my British MG roadster, the last of the breed of chrome bumper MGBs. I also recently discovered that it also is the founding year for Taylor Guitars, the book I just finished salivating over, even though I am a drummer. I am a musician so I love all musical instruments – with the exception of a badly out of key set of bagpipes. It was a conscious choice to play an instrument of indefinite pitch … in fact it was solely done to annoy drive my parents (and neighbors) crazy with my non-stop practicing. But I always love picking up a fine guitar.

I digress, but that is part of the fun of a review … one can get away with it.

Man what beautiful guitars these Taylor babies are!

The latest Backbeat Books release, “The Taylor Guitar Book,” “tells the complete story of one of the most important guitar manufacturers in the history of the instrument. From its beginnings as one of the first modern small-shop steel-string guitar brands in North America to its position as an undisputed market leader, the Taylor company provides a unique tale of innovation and entrepreneurship,” according to the publishers’ press release.

As I have discovered with Backbeat Books, they do not let you down, really. There is quality in not only content, but also the printing. Absolutely superb printing quality seems to be one of Backbeats’ trademarks … if you will pardon the pun … they are Taylor made!

Taylor not only successfully introduced non-traditional design elements (such as bolt-on necks) to the instruments, but also pioneered high-tech manufacturing techniques, including the use of computer-controlled CNC machinery, laser cutting, and modern finishes. In the process, the company influenced virtually every other maker of guitars during the last 40 years. Taylor has set new standards in consistency and quality control, even building its own cases and electronics.

Now in its fifth decade, Taylor continues to innovate with hits most recent effort focused on environmentally friendly manufacturing and the use of sustainable woods.

“The Taylor Guitar Book” is full of photos representing Taylor’s entire history alongside a narrative of the company’s path to success, a detailed reference listing of current and past models and fresh insights from key members of the Taylor team.

Founded in 1974, growing from a small custom shop to the only new brand to have challenged the traditional big three of American acoustic guitars (Gibson, Guild, and Martin), Taylor has effectively changed the marketplace for acoustic steel-string guitars and influenced every other maker of acoustic stringed instruments.

The author Teja Gerken is a guitarist, journalist, educator, and video producer based in the San Francisco Bay Area. He owns a 1994 Taylor 712c and a 1999 Taylor 355. For more information, visit www.tejagerken.com.

The author Teja Gerken is a guitarist, journalist, educator, and video producer based in the San Francisco Bay Area. He owns a 1994 Taylor 712c and a 1999 Taylor 355. – Courtesy Photo

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