Taylor Guitars Celebrates 35th Anniversary

by Staff.

Taylor Guitars of El Cajon, California, has announced the introduction of limited edition models in celebration of its 35th anniversary. Founded in 1974 by Bob Taylor (who at the time had not yet turned 20), Kurt Listug and Steve Schemmer and originally named Westland Music Company, by the end of its inaugural year the company could boast three employees, the production of six instruments, and having overcome several hurdles, including its original facility.

"That place was so bad," says Listug. "The roof leaked like crazy, and whenever it rained, the place flooded. It rained hard the night before we opened [October 15, 1974], so we spent the entire morning of our first day in business trying to get as much water out of there as we could." Bob Taylor recalls the spirit of the company's early days: "When it flooded, we'd take all the sawdust that we'd already swept up, and sprinkle it around the floor to soak up the water. It made the place even more of a pig sty. But it was fun. What did we know? We were just kids. Somehow, we'd skirted having to get real jobs. We didn't have a boss, we were making guitars. What could be better?"

What could be better is a successful 35-year-run that today finds Taylor Guitars with over 550 employees, state of the art manufacturing facilities in both El Cajon and Tecate, Mexico, global distribution, and a healthy reputation for producing quality acoustic, acoustic-electric and electric guitars. In commemoration of its 35th anniversary, Taylor Guitars has announced that it will create limited edition anniverary models and premium versions of existing models, with the first series to be released, the solidbody XXXV-SB-K (koa), solidbody XXXV-SB-QM (quilted maple), the semi-hollowbody XXXV-T3-C (cocobolo) and the semi-hollowbody XXXV-T3-K (koa), highlighting its electric guitar line.

According to Taylor Guitars:

Both SolidBody anniversary models feature a body crafted from mahogany, a sloping venetian cutaway, and a single fretboard inlay of "35" between the 11th and 12th frets. Complete with an ultra-adjustable bridge, easy-rolling control knobs and a shaded edgeburst, these guitars come ready to rock with Taylor's Style 1 HD (high-definition) pickups for pure electric power.

The 35th Anniversary edition of the much-raved-about T3 gives players a choice of fiery-orange colored cocobolo (XXXV-T3-C) or rich, sparkling koa (XXXV-T3-K). These limited edition models feature bodies and necks crafted from sapele, ebony peghead overlays, chrome hardware and will feature the "35" anniversary inlay between the 11th and 12th frets. Introduced earlier this year, the T3 features Taylor's Style 2 HD pickups, three-way pickup switching, and coil-splitting that gives players a spectrum of humbucker and single coil sounds in one guitar. On the T3/B, an authentic Bigsby vibrato tailpiece is paired with a roller bridge for smooth functionality and an added dimension of sound. Both XXXV-T3 anniversary models will be produced in ultra-limited quantities.

The XXXV-SB-K and XXXV-SB-QM along with the XXXV-T3-K and XXXV-T3-C will be offered at a suggested list price of $3798, and the XXXV-T3/B-K and the XXXV-T3/B-C at $3998. All 35th Anniversary models, including those yet to be announced, are expected to be available in North America in early fall and internationally in winter.

Related Links
Taylor Guitars 35th Anniversary on the Taylor Website
Bob Taylor Interview (2006)

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