Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Taylor Guitars

    4.4 (70 reviews)
    Closed Closed

    Taylor Guitars Photos

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Taylor Guitars

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Guitar backs display.
    John O.

    I throughly enjoyed my visit to Taylor Guitars. They offer a factory tour at 1 pm every weekday (except for holidays). The tour lasts about 2 hours with everyone wearing radios and headphones so the docent can be heard. My tour ended up including 35 people, and in spite of the size, the tour moved along easily and everything could be seen and heard. The showroom itself was amazing. All of the guitars are available to be played, and they have a couple of sound rooms available as well. One part of the showroom has all of the guitars that are made at the El Cajon factory for sale, while another part of the showroom is focused on education about woods, design, and history. Of course, the showroom includes various paraphernalia like t-shirts, guitar straps, and picks. I found the staff friendly, and the docent who gave the tour regaled (or assaulted) us with his wit. Overall, my visit was enjoyable. I'm looking forward to returning, if only to play with all the guitars.

    Guitar fronts
    Jeremy M.

    Came here for their tour to see how the guitars were made and I definitely had a blast! From every week day Monday to Friday at 1:00 PM they have a tour which take visitors around the factory to show how Taylor Guitars are made. I went with my family and it was pretty cool, they supply you with clear protective eye glasses/goggles so that your eyes are protected in case anything may get to you when you're upfront at the waxing/buffing areas. They also supply you with a pair of head phones connected to a portable module that allows you hear the tour guide whom is hooked up to a mic if he is too far away to hear. One thing I suggest is try to go on a day that is not TOO hot. Majority of the time you're in the factory but at some brief moments you are outside (when you look at how the wood is air dried) which may kind of get uncomfortable when it is hot. Overall I had a great experience and also got to try out many guitars. Until next time! :D

    Will M.

    I'm seeing that the negative reviews here are complaining about Taylor's CNC process, prices, thin necks, and overall hype. Some of these points are just absurd or silly. With that said, I have owned a big baby taylor in the past, and I currently have a Taylor 414ce ltd. However, my taylor is not my favorite guitar (It's an elitist J200) and I don't feel like I'm being biased with this review. Taylor's CNC process is designed so that you can get quality instruments with good quality control. This is different from Martin's construction where most of the guitar parts are handmade, but this shouldn't be a negative or positive hit to taylor because in the end you get a well made guitar regardless of whether or not its machine or handmade. Taylor's prices for their guitars have also been rising over the past couple of years and can understand how that may be off putting to some people. In fact, the differences between the 400 series and lower vs the 500 series and up seems to be a little bit strange when you consider the limited edition models. For example, a 414ce ltd with rosewood back and sides cost about $1000-$1300+ less that an 814ce with the same woods. The only difference being the extra appointments or "bling." I don't think that warrants a price increase along those lines especially since everything else (the more important stuff) is the same. However, with that said, the 300 and 400 series instruments are great instruments for the price. The higher series are also good instruments, but I think its a better deal to just get a limited edition of the lower series that has the same woods. The thin necks as a compliant is rather silly. Taylor's thin neck design was one of its attractive features that lead to it's current success back in the 70's and 80s. There is some debate whether the current bolt on necks they use are worse than the traditional dovetail joints from a sound perspective, but from an engineering perspective, the bolt on neck makes it easier for luthiers to perform neck resets in the future. The most understandable thing about the complaints is the hype about taylor. As a teenager I fell into the hype machine with Taylor's excellent marketing team - Lots of new artists were playing them, they were marketed as a new guitar company focused on innovation, they advertised as developing new technology that would revolutionize the guitar world such as their ES, NT necks, T5 hybrid and etc. As a teen, I was convinced they were the best guitars more from their marketing rather than using my ears. However, with that said, taylor does make great quality instruments with a very unique signature tone that focuses on the highs rather than the low tones. I still like my taylor but have since discovered that the best guitar tone for me is the Gibson J200 tone - and that seems to be the heart of all negative reviews whether its taylor or someone else. There is no "best" guitar since sound is all subjective, you've got to pick the guitar that speaks to you personally in the end. The only way to honestly rate a guitar company is by their construction and quality. I personally am not a big fan of the booming martin sound, but I will definitely say that they are well crafted from people who love their work. So give taylor a play at your local guitar store to see if it speaks to you. *PS - someone here mentioned that a better option would be to go through an independent luthier instead. As expensive as taylors, martins, gibsons, larrivees and other high quality mass produced companies are, buying a guitar from Goodall, Olson, Ryan, Mayes and other independent luthiers is out of the pockets of most people.

    Andi T.

    I'm not a guitar player myself, but I do enjoy being seranaded... My nephew works here and suggested we take the tour. (Of course, they saved him and the other "benders" for last!) The tour was fascinating. The guide was friendly, the set up was ingenious (we all wore headsets so the guide didn't have to yell), and I learned a LOT. I was impressed with how close we were able to get to the "action," how much of the work is done by human beings, and how much work goes into making a guitar. You should definitely take the tour. (Your young kids should not -- it's over 2 hours and there's so much stuff they could get into.) Now, if only they gave out free guitars at the end...

    My beautiful 2008 714ce :)
    Nick K.

    In this day and age where companies are looking to cut costs and outsource everything, it's refreshing to know that there are people that still care about doing things the right way. Taylor Guitars, to me, is a company that still does the "Made in USA" moniker with pride. Even their telephone system is answered by real people in their El Cajon headquarters, rather than an automated machine or a bunch of people in a distant foreign land i've been playing guitars for 14 years and i discovered Taylors through a friend in church who owns a '93 610 model. After playing with them synthetic Ovations, i thought, "Wow... it sounds and plays different"! Back then, i had no idea with the difference between an all solid-wood guitar and those that have laminates, or those even with synthetic materials. i thought all guitars are the same. i couldn't be more wrong My first ever Taylor was a used '99 310 bought sight unseen from eBay. It is one of the more "lower-end" Taylor models, but it was made with the utmost care and efficiency. It was an affordable all-wood guitar and it gave me many good memories and many good years of playing. It got stolen a whilst back :( After being guitarless for five years, i decided to splurge and buy myself a 714ce. Buttery-smooth action, great intonation and just a killer combo of Western Red Cedar and Indian Rosewood... Still have my trusty 714ce and she is sounding better and better as time goes on Now, since my first Taylor, i have become more familiar with the world of acoustic guitars and i have tried many great "hand made" luthiers. They're awesome guitars in their own right and if i had a big bank account, i would definitely think of getting one. However, i'm just your average guy with little disposable income and i sure as hell cannot spend thousands of dollars at a whim. Taylors are plentiful and i consider them affordable for those looking to get a decent all-wood, American guitar. If i lost my 714ce or it got damaged somehow, i could go find another one just like it and be happy once again i also love their hour-long tours of the factory. i've taken five tours already and each time, there's always something new to see i appreciate Taylor Guitars for their innovation and for their desire to be better stewards of the natural resources they consume in order to give us such beautiful instruments

    Taylor 914ce
    Thee G.

    Mark the sales manager here was amazing and was super helpful in assisting me to purchase the right guitar. Even after two full days from open to close of me playing and looking at the guitars I was never pressured to purchase the entire time. Mark states it is more about the experience and not the sales experience. I would definitely recommend to purchase your next guitar here at the Taylor Guitar Factory. You guys made a lifelong Taylor player.

    Taylor poster.
    Gladys C.

    Awesome free tour! Informative and friendly guide. It's incredible to see how much are still hand done and learn about how they have created machines inhouse to expedite efficiency. Don't bring your kids under 15. You are walking through an actual factory with active machinery.

    See all

    Photo of Kelly I.
    366
    41
    122

    3 days ago

    Our tour was so good!!! Informative, fun and the artisans are amazing They have a great shop and a "try me" wall of guitars

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of John O.
    304
    35
    11

    6 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jason M.
    586
    10
    19

    7 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Pretty guitars but quality sound is missing big time. Go to show room and you will see what I mean!!! No quality

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    17 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Andi T.
    407
    1084
    328

    16 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tammy E.
    473
    3505
    5222

    11 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Thee G.
    0
    21
    22

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Will S.
    3203
    1169
    9005

    9 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mike R.
    1171
    14
    24

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of L L.
    34
    949
    4699

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of matt t.
    21
    37
    0

    17 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    18 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Darow H.
    31
    104
    12

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Adam C.
    238
    29
    1

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Adam E.
    14
    96
    53

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Taylor Guitars

    Review Highlights - Taylor Guitars

    The factory tour began on schedule and included a headset that was wired in with the tour guide's microphone.

    Mentioned in 11 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Guitar Stores 684 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Santee Music Academy - My trophy's I won here so far

    Santee Music Academy

    (26 reviews)

    $

    Santee Music Academy is truly the best! Our son looks forward to every single session, and we can…read moresee how much he's grown since starting here. The atmosphere is absolutely amazing. Very positive, welcoming, and full of energy. Watching the kids learn music and explore different instruments is honestly inspiring, and what stands out most is how excited everyone is just to walk through the doors. Adults and kids alike feel at home. The staff is professional, patient, and genuinely passionate about teaching. You can tell they love what they do, and it shows in every lesson.I highly recommend Santee Music Academy to any family looking to introduce their child to music or take their skills to the next level. Fantastic place, fantastic people!

    All three of my kids attended Santee music academy (ages 6, 6, & 9) and all of the teachers were…read morewell prepared for each session and kept the lessons engaging. My 6yo son loved his lessons with Joey and I highly recommend him for drums (I'm sure he's excellent at guitar also). He learned a ton in a short amount of time and Joey even played the guitar while my son drummed live at his first recital. Joey was very passionate about teaching and was always excited when my son finally nailed a section of song he had been working on. Santee music academy has great teachers. The only reason we stopped going is because sports with three kids resulted in too many conflicts and our goal was to expose them to music at a young age and then see if they want to come back to it in the future under their own desire.

    Taylor Guitars - guitarstores - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...