The essence of Taylor acoustic guitars can be summed up thusly: overbuilt.
Taylor guitars are overbuilt because once the guitar leaves the factory they never want to see it again, i.e., never return for warranty work.
The guitars are over-braced, the necks are bolted on, and the result is a guitar that sounds harsh and brittle but that will hold up to the rigors of the road. Collins more or less falls into this same category: bolt-on, neck-heavy, overbuilt guitars for pros on the road.
If I was a touring singer songwriter type I would definitely play a Taylor: they are ridiculously easy to play, are durable, and if something goes wrong, it can be repaired by a local dude.
But Taylor guitars sound like shit. Live, their biting tone is a plus but if you're writing songs or recording they are, basically, horrible instruments. Taylor instruments are the exact opposite of, say, Martin or Santa Cruz Guitars that are light, resonant, and euphoric.
True, Taylor attempted to overcome this reputation by designing new lines for vintage-minded players but those do not represent the essential Taylor design and manufacturing philosophy.
So, if you want a durable, easy-playing guitar go with a Taylor; if you like a beautiful acoustic timbre go with something else.
Taylor guitars are overbuilt because once the guitar leaves the factory they never want to see it again, i.e., never return for warranty work.
The guitars are over-braced, the necks are bolted on, and the result is a guitar that sounds harsh and brittle but that will hold up to the rigors of the road. Collins more or less falls into this same category: bolt-on, neck-heavy, overbuilt guitars for pros on the road.
If I was a touring singer songwriter type I would definitely play a Taylor: they are ridiculously easy to play, are durable, and if something goes wrong, it can be repaired by a local dude.
But Taylor guitars sound like shit. Live, their biting tone is a plus but if you're writing songs or recording they are, basically, horrible instruments. Taylor instruments are the exact opposite of, say, Martin or Santa Cruz Guitars that are light, resonant, and euphoric.
True, Taylor attempted to overcome this reputation by designing new lines for vintage-minded players but those do not represent the essential Taylor design and manufacturing philosophy.
So, if you want a durable, easy-playing guitar go with a Taylor; if you like a beautiful acoustic timbre go with something else.