“When I was a young teenager, I loved the idea of playing guitar. At the same time, I was learning how to make things in school ’shop classes…” says Bob Taylor, co-founder of Taylor Guitars. “In my 11th grade high school woodshop class, I made my first guitar as a solo project. I was hooked and never thought again what I’d do with my life. It was settled in my mind.”
And so it was that the seed was sown and a life in guitar making was set. It all began in 1973 when Bob took a job at the American Dream music shop in San Diego, owned by Sam Radding. One year later, Sam was set to sell the business and Bob grouped together with his co-workers Kurt Listug and Steve Schemmer to buy the business. Initially, they renamed it the Westland Music Company, changing to Taylor Guitars two years later. Since then, Taylor guitars have found their way into the hands of some of the world’s finest players and the brand has become synonymous with the highest-quality instruments available today.
In 2011, Andy Powers joined the company as master guitar builder, introducing new body shapes and, most importantly, the revolutionary V-Class bracing in 2018. “Growing up as a guitar enthusiast in San Diego, it would be impossible for me not to feel admiration for Taylor guitars,” Andy, now CEO of the company, tells us. “Initially, like many other players, I appreciated the slimmer neck-carve style and low string height, as those fit
