Lindsay Love-Bivens is Taylor’s Artist and Community Relations Manager.

Volume 100 . 2021 Issue 2

Deep Roots: The National Museum of African American Music

In honor of African-American Music Appreciation Month, Taylor’s Lindsay Love-Bivens and GRAMMY-winning artist Judith Hill visited the newly opened Nashville museum, which celebrates the pioneering influence of African-American artists on American music genres.

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Gabriel O’Brien is a cinematographer and audio engineer, as well as a longtime Taylor player. One of the administrators of the Taylor Guitars Owners Group on Facebook, he owns 10 Taylors and sold many more while formerly working as the sales manager at Larry’s Music Center in Wooster, Ohio. He is the owner of Upperhand Studios. His spirit animal is a taco.

Volume 98 . 2020 Issue 3

An Introduction to Recording Acoustic Guitar

Looking to do some recording at home? Here’s how to get a great sound from your acoustic guitar.

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Michael Natter is best known for his collaboration with Grammy-winning singer-songwriter (and Taylor artist) Jason Mraz. Their hit single, “I Won’t Give Up,” is one of four co-writes from Mraz’s platinum-selling Love is a Four Letter Word album. Michael’s wife, Nancy, joined Michael to co-write the title tracks on the debut albums for X Factor winners Alex & Sierra (It’s About Us) and American Idol winner Nick Fradiani (Hurricane). The Natters teamed up again with Mraz on two cuts from his Yes! album.

Volume 97 . 2020 Issue 2

Song Publishing and Placement

Part three of our songwriting series offers a primer on how songwriters can find markets for their music.

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Josquin Des Pres is a musician, songwriter, and music entrepreneur whose credits include co-writing numerous songs with Bernie Taupin (Elton John) and with songwriters Winston Sela, Michael Natter and several American Idol finalists. Des Pres has also composed songs and themes for over 40 television shows, produced more than 60 CDs for major and independent record labels, and written several books about the music industry.

Volume 97 . 2020 Issue 2

Song Publishing and Placement

Part three of our songwriting series offers a primer on how songwriters can find markets for their music.

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Shawn Persinger, a.k.a. Prester John, owns a Taylor 410, two 310s, a 214ce-N, an 8-string baritone, and a GS Mini Bass. His music has been described as a myriad of delightful musical paradoxes: complex but catchy; virtuosic yet affable; smart and whimsical. His book The 50 Greatest Guitar Books has been hailed as a monumental achievement by readers and critics.

Volume 100 . 2021 Issue 2

Open Minor Tunings

Want an easy way to broaden your musical range with open tunings? Try open minor.

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Volume 99 . 2021 Issue 1

Best Practices

With more people embracing the guitar in recent months, learning how to practice is important. So is making time to have fun.

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Bob Taylor is co-founder and president of Taylor Guitars.

Volume 104 . 2023 Issue 1

When Impatience Is a Virtue

After five decades in the guitar business, Bob has learned that while some things are worth waiting for, responsiveness and urgency are key drivers of innovation.

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Volume 103 . 2022 Issue 3

Andy in the Passing Lane

Bob reflects on shifting into a supporting role as Andy Powers leads the company forward.

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Volume 103 . 2022 Issue 2

Planting a Guitar Garden

Bob reflects on the efforts underway in Hawaii to grow guitar-grade koa for the future.

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Volume 102 . 2022 Issue 1

Guitar Scales

During a time of increased demand for guitars, Bob explains why Taylor’s production capability is good for everyone.

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Volume 101 . 2021 Issue 3

Investing in the Inevitable

Adapting to change is one of the most important skills we can master, both in business and in life.

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Volume 100 . 2021 Issue 2

Making Things That Last

Bob ponders the duality of things that endure, contrasting our plastic problem with the company’s transition to employee ownership.

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Volume 99 . 2021 Issue 1

Better Days Ahead

Bob reflects with bittersweet emotions on an unprecedented year.

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Volume 98 . 2020 Issue 3

Manufacturing Complex

Bob shares some real-world perspective on the business ecosystem of manufacturing and creating a new guitar series during a pandemic.

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Volume 97 . 2020 Issue 2

A Matter of Trust

Bob explains why Taylor’s efforts to build trust with our partners matters, especially during challenging times.

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Kurt Listug is co-founder and CEO of Taylor Guitars.

Volume 104 . 2023 Issue 1

Rising to the Challenge

Kurt reflects on Taylor’s response to the unique challenges of the past three years and sets his sights on the year ahead.

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Volume 102 . 2022 Issue 1

Another Grand Design

A decade after the Grand Concert put Taylor on the map, the Grand Auditorium was born. The rest is history.

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Volume 101 . 2021 Issue 3

Concert Overture

Kurt reflects on developing the guitar shape that put Taylor on the map.

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Volume 100 . 2021 Issue 2

Smooth Transition

Why employee ownership is the best recipe for Taylor’s continued success.

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Volume 99 . 2021 Issue 1

Future-Proofing

Closing out a year unlike any other, Taylor looks ahead to new challenges and opportunities.

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Volume 98 . 2020 Issue 3

Fighting the Good Fight

It’s anything but business as usual at Taylor, as we continue to adapt to a changing world.

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Volume 97 . 2020 Issue 2

Catalyst for Creativity

The disruption of recent events has spurred Taylor to respond with an outpouring of creative ideas.

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Colin Griffith is a content writer at Taylor Guitars and a regular contributor to Wood&Steel.

Volume 104 . 2023 Issue 1

Native Roots

Guitarist Stevie Salas, RUMBLE and the Native American musicians who helped build rock ‘n’ roll.

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Volume 103 . 2022 Issue 3

Soundings

Sara Niemietz and Linda Taylor’s Superman, the Latin Alternative Music Conference, Taylor Soundcheck with Liv Slingerland, Vinyl Confessions with Maggie Baugh, and more.

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Volume 103 . 2022 Issue 2

Soundings

GS Minis at the Olympics, Billie Eilish & FINNEAS on tour, Steve Poltz, New Rules, the Wood&Steel Playlist and more.

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Volume 103 . 2022 Issue 2

Support System

How our artist relations team has grown and evolved to support the ever-changing needs of musicians

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Volume 103 . 2022 Issue 2

Posture, Seventh Chord Inversions and Voice Leading

In these video lessons, Nick Veinoglou shares more tips to help you level up your playing.

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Volume 103 . 2022 Issue 2

Taylor Notes

A Fast Company innovation award for Taylor, planting urban trees across California, and mid-year updates to the Taylor line.

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Volume 101 . 2021 Issue 3

Soundings: Lost and Found

A news roundup from the Taylor community: Guitars 4 Vets, recovering a lost guitar, remembering Nanci Griffith, and artist updates from Nashville and beyond.

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Volume 101 . 2021 Issue 3

Growing in Place

How artists found inspiration in isolation by looking inward

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Volume 100 . 2021 Issue 2

Soundings: Going with the Grain

Rounding up the latest news from the Taylor world, including limited-edition timepieces, reactions to the Taylor GT, and a special artist Q&A.

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Volume 100 . 2021 Issue 2

The Way Forward

Around the world, artists and their fans found ways to keep music flowing in a time when virtually every other part of life ground to a halt.

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Volume 99 . 2021 Issue 1

Recurring Dream

Originally conceived as a limited-time release during the pandemic, our American Dream Series has earned a permanent place within the Taylor line.

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Volume 99 . 2021 Issue 1

Artist Spotlight: FINNEAS

The GRAMMY-winning artist/producer comes up for air during a fertile creative stretch to share why a good acoustic guitar is an indispensable songwriting tool and what he likes about the new Taylor GT.

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Volume 98 . 2020 Issue 3

New Model Spotlight: 326ce

Urban Ash and mahogany infuse our redesigned Grand Symphony with an inspiring new sonic personality.

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Volume 98 . 2020 Issue 3

Adding Curve Appeal: 800 Series Update

We’ve upgraded select models from our flagship 800 Series to feature an armrest as we streamline our rosewood guitar offerings.

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Volume 98 . 2020 Issue 3

Sound, Feel and Focus: 3 Ways to Improve Your Playing

Music director, songwriter and guitarist Nicholas Veinoglou kicks off a new video instruction series with three foundational tips.

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Scott Paul is Taylor’s Director of Natural Resource Sustainability. Explore previous articles from Wood&Steel about Taylor’s sustainability-focused efforts below.

Volume 104 . 2023 Issue 1

Conventional Wisdom

After attending the recent international conference for the CITES convention in Panama, Scott Paul reports on how the growing focus on tree species could impact the future of musical instruments.

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Volume 103 . 2022 Issue 3

Branching Out

As Taylor’s urban wood initiative expands to include red ironbark, Scott Paul explains the value of our work with West Coast Arborists and how eucalyptus trees became so prolific in California.

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Volume 103 . 2022 Issue 2

Fast Times at Taylor Guitars

Amid a rapidly changing landscape, it’s more important than ever to adapt and innovate.

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Volume 102 . 2022 Issue 1

Plastic Surgin’

We take a deeper dive into the growing problem of global plastic pollution as we search for ways to reduce our own plastic use.

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Volume 101 . 2021 Issue 3

The Ebony Project: Growing Into Phase 2

A decade after buying an ebony mill in Cameroon, our efforts to ensure an ethical ebony supply chain have led to new scientific discoveries and a scalable community planting program that’s on the verge of doubling in size.

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Volume 100 . 2021 Issue 2

No Finish Line

Our drive to develop better and more eco-friendly guitar finishes demonstrates that environmental stewardship will always be an ongoing effort.

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Volume 99 . 2021 Issue 1

Seeds of Change in a Changing World

In an age of climate change, growing the right tree in the right place is more important than ever. Here’s why.

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Volume 98 . 2020 Issue 3

Growth Potential

With two planting projects in the works, Taylor’s collaboration with partners like West Coast Arborists sheds light on the challenges and benefits of creating a circular economy around urban trees.

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Volume 97 . 2020 Issue 2

Three Part Harmony

Our innovative efforts to preserve the future of ebony, koa and urban trees reveal three profoundly different approaches. Yet all are linked by our commitment to improving local ecosystems and the communities that rely on them.

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Additional Articles

Volume 96 . 2020 Issue 1

Seeing the Urban Forest for the Trees

Scott Paul explains the value of urban trees and how Taylor’s collaboration with a California-based arborist can support the regreening of city and suburban areas.

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Volume 95 . Fall 2019

Reliable Sources

A closer look at the history of wood selection for guitars and how things have changed.

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Volume 95 . Fall 2019

Rosewood and CITES

In August of 2019, CITES voted to exempt rosewood musical instruments from requiring CITES permits. Scott Paul was there and explains what it means for instrument makers and owners.

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Volume 94 . Summer 2019

A Fresh Assessment

Scott Paul traces the technological progress that has enabled the status of wood species to be assessed more accurately and reveals why that’s good news for ebony. Plus, our ebony initiative in Cameroon reaches a new milestone.

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Volume 93 . Winter 2019

Tracking Progress

Scott Paul shares an update on our work with The Ebony Project in Cameroon, koa reforestation in Hawaii, and the protected status of rosewood.

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Volume 92 . Fall 2018

Is Our Wood Good?

Are Taylor guitars ethically made? Scott Paul explores this important question based on the different materials that go into a guitar.

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Volume 91 . Summer 2018

Reforestation: From Politics to Planting

Scott Paul explains why forest restoration and reforestation are becoming major themes within international forest policy circles and how Taylor fits into the conversation with ebony and koa reforestation projects.

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Volume 91 . Summer 2018

An Ebony Plan Takes Root

Jim Kirlin chronicles Taylor’s six years of work to transform an ebony mill in Cameroon, learn about ebony ecology and developing a planting program. Plus: A preview of Taylor’s new ebony guitar slides.

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Volume 90 . Winter 2018

CITES Regulations and a Public-Private Partnership

Scott Paul reports on Taylor’s efforts to amend CITES rosewood regulations and a new public-private partnership agreement with the government of Cameroon to support the replanting of ebony.

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Jim Kirlin is Taylor’s Editorial Director and Editor of Wood&Steel.

Volume 104 . 2023 Issue 1

Dreaming in Color

A tobacco sunburst and firestripe pickguard add an artful vintage look to a trio of new walnut/spruce American Dream models

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Volume 104 . 2023 Issue 1

Where Songs Are Sacred

At Nashville’s storied Bluebird Cafe, songwriting is always the star of the show.

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Volume 103 . 2022 Issue 3

Keepers of the Trees

Ever wonder how a city’s tree population is managed? We talked to West Coast Arborists to find out.

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Volume 103 . 2022 Issue 3

Guitar Tasting with the Pros

We invited some discerning players to test-drive our new 500 Series guitars. Here’s what they had to say.

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Volume 103 . 2022 Issue 3

Powers Trio

As Chief Guitar Designer, President and CEO, Andy Powers is poised to lead the next generation of Taylor innovation.

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Volume 103 . 2022 Issue 3

Urban Renewal

We’re thrilled to unveil another inspiring urban tonewood, red ironbark, as the rich new voice of our retooled 500 Series.

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Volume 103 . 2022 Issue 2

Koa’s Many Colors: Meet the All-New Koa 700 Series

A gorgeous grade of Hawaiian koa, ultra-thin matte finish and a vibrant voicing reveal an enticing new look, feel and sound

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Volume 103 . 2022 Issue 2

Seeding Koa’s Future

Together with Pacific Rim Tonewoods and other important partners in Hawaii, we’re striving to develop successful models for koa reforestation and growing instrument-grade wood for future generations.

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Volume 103 . 2022 Issue 2

Review Roundup

What critics are saying about the new American Dream Flametop, AD22e and our latest GT models. Plus, which Taylors made the latest “Best Guitars” lists.

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Volume 102 . 2022 Issue 1

Tone Talk

In an in-depth conversation, Taylor master luthier Andy Powers reflects on the evolution of Taylor guitar design and the many factors that contribute to an acoustic guitar’s musical personality, including the player.

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Volume 102 . 2022 Issue 1

New for ’22

A smokin’ flametop Grand Pacific leads the parade of new Taylor models, plus the GT family grows

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Volume 101 . 2021 Issue 3

Small Bodies, Big Appeal

From the Grand Concert to the Grand Theater, Taylor’s innovative small-body guitar designs have made the playing experience more accessible, more expressive and more fun.

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Volume 101 . 2021 Issue 3

Spanish Mission

Our Spanish supply partner, Madinter, has grown into a respected name in the music industry and a passionate leader in ethical sourcing practices.

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Volume 101 . 2021 Issue 3

In the Pocket

Taylor’s adventures in inlay design reveal a colorful history, a commitment to craftsmanship, and an affinity for aesthetic balance.

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Volume 100 . 2021 Issue 2

Bad Wrap: Inside a Growing Plastic Problem

Developing more sustainable business practices starts with identifying areas for improvement. Our use of plastic stretch wrap is one of them.

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Volume 100 . 2021 Issue 2

Keeping Good Company

Inside Taylor’s transition to employee ownership

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