Taylors were the holy grail of guitars to me when I was first getting into guitar. Most likely because they were the most expensive guitars my local guitar shop carried (well, aside from the guitars the shop owner and his son build). My friend and I would talk about which Taylors we would get if we were to get better at playing and start making it as local singer/songwriters. A number of the popular local folk artists played and recorded with Taylors from what I could tell, and that only reinforced my perception of Taylor as
the guitar for an accomplished acoustic guitar player.
Another aspect of Taylor that I loved -- especially as an aspiring designer in my late high school and early college years -- was the Taylor brand. The attention to detail in the typography and photography and copy and art direction in those years when I was wishing I had a Taylor (2000 to 2006 or so) was pretty fantastic. I would pour over catalogs and magazine issues that I would pick up at guitar shops. The catalog from 2004 or so was a great piece of design by any standard, to say nothing of Taylor's place in the industry. I feel like the quality has slipped a little bit in recent years in terms of design and typography and overall brand consistency, but they're still head and shoulders above anyone else.
Another aspect of the Taylor brand that I've come to appreciate is their transparency -- from customer service to their company values right down to the factory tours they give. I think the company really reflects Bob Taylor as a person and it has made me more likely than not to buy another Taylor despite the fact that I tend to favor more of a vintage look and sound these days.
Last but certainly not least is the quality and playability of the guitars. Once I felt I could play well enough and could maybe afford to buy a Taylor, I was ready to take them off the wall at my local guitar shop(s). That was it. From the balanced, beautiful sound to the consistent and precise craftsmanship, I was sold. And what I love about Taylor guitars is that their lower-priced guitars are every bit as good as their expensive models in terms of tone and fit/finish -- it really all depends on extras like woods, finishes, appointments, et cetera.
When I first got into Taylor guitars I didn't think I'd buy any other brand. Then I went to the opposite extreme for a while thinking I would never buy another Taylor. I have to admit they're luring me back by staying true to the points I've made above. That and they're doing some really nice vintage-inspired looks and sounds here and there that are really tempting the side of me that has been looking at other guitar brands.
In short, I love what Taylor does as a company, as a brand, and as a guitar maker and it's only a matter of time before I end up with one or two more of their guitars.
