New Year, new toys.
The holidays are behind us, but it’s always a good time to pick up a Taylor.
I am shopping for a new player
I am shopping for an advanced player
A Taylor for Every Budget
Rule of thumb: Buy the best guitar you can afford with your budget. Most stores offer special financing during the holidays to help you get more guitar for your money. Here's what you'll get when you use your budget to buy a Taylor:
Playability
Cheaply made guitars are harder to play and don't stay in tune. Taylor guitars feature an easy-playing neck that will encourage players to stick with it.
Appealing Features
Look for useful features like like a good onboard pickup and high-quality aesthetic touches, including inlays and binding, which demonstrate attention to detail.
Lasting Quality
Taylor guitars are built to last, thanks to high-quality woods that sound better over time as the guitar is played. Avoid guitars that you'll have to replace quickly.
Sustainability
We use sustainable materials and work to replant forests around the world. Buying a Taylor supports sustainable practices for today and a healthier planet tomorrow.
Acoustic Guitars for Beginners
A good entry-level guitar should have a comfortable body size and a playable neck that makes it easy to form chords. Here's how to find a guitar that a beginner will love playing.
Taylor Recommends
Academy 12e $649
Part of our series of beginner guitars, this manageable Grand Auditorium acoustic-electric boasts a solid top and a carved armrest to help players stay comfortable while they practice. $649.
Baby Taylor $329
Popular as a travel guitar and a beginner instrument for especially young players, the Baby Taylor is convenient for players on the road and children who dream of making music.
GS Mini-e $599
This short-scale acoustic has a big sound to go with its small profile and price tag. Perfect for jamming, practice time, and home recording, it’s a favorite of college students and traveling musicians.
214ce DLX $1,199
With enough features to satisfy a pro at an accessible price point, the 214ce DLX delivers a rich, versatile sound complemented by useful appointments like ES2 electronics and a hardshell case.
Getting the Best Guitar for your Money
In these videos, Taylor’s Billy Gill explores the features and guitar models that you’ll find with a budget of $500, $1,000, or $2,000.
How to Find the Right Beginner Guitar
Look for a comfortable body.
Look for a guitar that fits the player. We build guitars in several body sizes, including the comfortable and versatile Grand Auditorium (models ending in 4).
Check for a slim, playable neck.
The Taylor neck provides a slim profile that allows the player to fret strings without hand strain. We also design our guitars with low action, meaning that the strings are closer to the fretboard than you’ll find on most guitars.
Buying a Guitar for a Guitarist
If you’re buying for a seasoned guitar player, maybe it’s time to look for the next instrument that they’ll treasure forever.
Unforgettable Gifts
814ce Deluxe $3,999
An upgraded twist on our flagship guitar, the 814ce DLX performs well across a range of styles. Its balanced, clear tone with articulate high notes and a punchy midrange make it an excellent choice for fingerstyle players and strummers.
T5z Classic Deluxe $2,199
This electric-acoustic hybrid utilizes a narrow body and our signature neck profile to deliver a smooth, electric feel, while the three-pickup configuration gives you five tone options so that you’re ready for any musical situation.
714ce $2,999
A favorite performance guitar of pro players, the 714ce boasts a rich sound from a combo of solid spruce and Indian rosewood. This guitar is perfect for live performance, recording, or at-home playing.
322e 12-Fret $2,049
Perfect for fingerstyle players and those who enjoy the feel of a slightly shorter neck, the 322e 12-fret will bring classic looks and a bright, articulate sound to the lucky person who unwraps it this year.
What to Look for in a Premium Guitar
Here, Billy Gill explains the benefits and features of high-end guitars that sell for $1,000, $2,000, or $3,000 and up.
What’s Important to an Experienced Guitarist?
Sound Quality
An experienced guitar player will appreciate the rich sounds of tonewoods like rosewood, Hawaiian koa, and Macassar ebony, which look as beautiful as they sound.
Unique Acoustic Guitars
An experienced player probably has a couple 6-string acoustics, but you can still give them something special: 12-string, baritone, 12-fret, and nylon-string guitars provide new sounds and broader musical horizons.
TaylorSense
Help them take care of their new guitar with TaylorSense, our integrated guitar monitoring system. Built into a concealed battery box, TaylorSense detects the relative humidity, temperature, and impact status of your guitar, providing updates wirelessly to your smartphone.
Accessories and Add-Ons
There’s no bigger bummer than opening a brand-new guitar and discovering that you don’t have what you need to play it. By adding just a few key items, you can make sure that your gift is as special and meaningful as your loved one deserves.
Digital Tuner
All music stores sell tuners, and they’re essential for beginners who aren’t experienced enough to tune their first guitar by ear.
Extra Strings
First-time players break strings—it just happens. Grab an extra pack before you leave the store.
Guitar Humidifier
A dry climate can cause an acoustic guitar to warp and crack, leading to expensive repairs and lost playing time.
Apparel
Head to the TaylorWare store or grab some Taylor apparel at your local guitar dealer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy a nylon-stringed guitar for a beginner?
We don’t recommend it. Nylon strings are softer than steel strings, but guitars with nylon strings have very wide necks that are difficult for beginners.
Should I buy an electric or acoustic guitar first?
It depends on the gift recipient. Are they obsessed with hard rock and heavy guitars? If so, electric might be the way to go. However, acoustic guitars are perfect for beginners, since they’re portable and don’t require an amp. That means your giftee can easily take it to lessons, to school, or to a friend’s place to jam with others.
I need a guitar for a beginner. What features should I look for?
Start with a guitar with a comfortable neck (like a Taylor!), a solid top, and a body size that isn’t too big for the recipient. A guitar that fits those three criteria will probably be great for a beginner, and will likely last a long time before you need to upgrade.
Do new guitars come with cases?
All Taylor guitars come with either a padded gig bag or a hard case, but many other brands don’t offer this convenience. If the guitar doesn’t come with a case, we recommend a hard case to protect your guitar from impact and climate damage.
Where can I find lessons?
Ask the salesperson if the music store offers a free lesson with the purchase of the guitar, or if they offer scheduled lessons in store. A chord chart is a great place to start for a new guitarist, and most stores will be able to provide references for local instructors if you ask.
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