Suppose Taylor never existed...

[bandit59]

The very thought has forced me to pour a large Jack Daniels to calm my shattered nerves! I was looking at guitars a while ago with the vague notion of buying something decent at last when the salesman handed me a BBT , I'd never even heard of Taylor before but it actually changed my perception of guitars. I'd played Martins before & thought they were good but nothing had grabbed me the way even an "entry level" Taylor did. As for what I'd play otherwise, I spent a little time a couple of weeks ago with a Gibson Songwriter which was absolutely stunning.

[cigarfan]

Banish the thought!

... but since you asked, I'd carry a Gibson J-45 TV and a Martin 000-28EC. Then give one of the up and coming luthiers a chance to build something really special. After that maybe a Bourgeois and a Goodall. Then, after that ...

[Giraku]

PRS followed by Martin.

[michaelw]

PRS followed by Martin.

would it be the angelus, tonare grand or one the private stock signature models ...
or, PRS for an electric

just curious

[Satsuki]

Then We would not be posting on this forum.

[not darth]

Well, when I first decided I was going to buy a quality acoustic, I very seriously had a few Guild's on my mind.  That's what I was first looking at when I went to The Podium.  But, after playing a few Taylor's that is what I ended up with.  So, probably a Guild. 
(I still think they make a durn fine 12-stringer.)

The other possible answer is a guitar from a small luthier, such as the Kennedy that I now have in addition to my GSLJ.  The little OM is truly an amazing instrument!

I almost bought one of the Podium-special all mahogany Martin's before I made my mind up on the Kennedy, so that's another option as well.

-K

[not darth]

Forgot to add...
Was also considering one of the Seagull's.  In particular their Peppino D'Augustino model.  Still think it'd be a nice git, but I really wanted to hold/examine/play anything before buying, and since I couldn't find one within a hundred miles it was disqualified.
-K

[ataylor]

I'd probably have bought a really nice Seagull when I got my Taylor and I'd probably find myself looking at Gibsons and Martins down the road the more I got into folk music, as has been the case for me anyway.

That said, Taylor is keeping me interested with the 12-fret and some of their dreadnought revisions (deep body option, talk of vintage voicing, etc).

[Giraku]

PRS followed by Martin.

would it be the angelus, tonare grand or one the private stock signature models ...
or, PRS for an electric

just curious

Angelus Custom is my next target.

[Gutch]

Played the PRS acoustic tone and was beyond disappointed with the tone. Very muddy Gibson-esque and surprisingly mundane considering the price tag.  For the price asked, one can seriously consider a Kent Hamblin, Simon Fay, or some other midrange custom builder. 

Frankly, if Taylor didn't exist, I think I'd be a Jean Larrivee owner.  Breedlove or Collings are right there with Larrivee. 

[ewalling]

With no disrespect to Taylor, there are so many excellent guitars at very reasonble prices around now that it wouldn't trouble me. I recently bought a gorgeous little Japanese-made Takamine, the tf87pt, online that cost the same as a 3-series Taylor without electronics. This one, in the Takamine New Yorker size, has a solid cedar top with solid koa back and sides. It also has Takamine's cooltube, but right now it's the acoustic sound that I'm enjoying. I do really like my GC3, but there's no shortage of great options for us at the moment.

[sachi]

Before I got my first Taylor I really had no interest in anything but Martin. The 110 – even though I did not keep it – and in particular my GC-5 showed me that other makers could offer something different and enjoyable. If it had not been for Taylor, I probably would have had no interest in anything but Martin. As it is, though, I now am intrigued by all sorts of possibilities!

That's a good thing, no?

[Brian]

Good question.  I like trying and learning about different guitars, Taylors included.  I recently discovered the Gibson J-45 which (to me) is just an incredible guitar, so I'd have to say that's what I'd be playing.  I'm really glad I decided to try one out.  Good tone to my ears, I find it easy to play and it's a good looker with some mojo to boot. 

That said I definitely like Taylor guitars and will always have at least one around (well actually at least two because I like having a larger Taylor and a GS Mini).  The minis continue to amaze me.

-Brian

[mgap]

I can not imaging not having a Taylor.

I do have a Martin M-36 and its a good guitar, I have had Takamine's and there ok.  Maybe a guitar made of carpet fiber, I don't know, maybe I would still be playing electric only.

[cigarfan]

Maybe a guitar made of carpet fiber ...

Now that's something you don't see everyday! May sound a little muffled.