Taylor Guitars 810

I bought a two year old Taylor 810 used for less then a grand. Less then I paid for my Martin OOO. The attention to detail is amazing. Spruce top, Indian Rosewood sides and back, all solid wood. Ebony fingerboard with perfect frets. I've always had to make some adjustments to my guitars and all this one needed is to lower the saddle a smidge to fit my playing style. No electronics so I installed a Fishman Aura Ellipse system which is basically an undersaddle pickup with the Aura preamp onboard. One thing that blew my mind was that the end pin hole was already drilled for a Fishman switchjack and under the saddle was predrilled for the pickup. Talk about a user friendly guitar.
Now for the sound... I get chills everytime I play it. I've had Godins, Larrives, Martins and tons of jap guitars and this one simply works. It loves to be played so as to let each note ring and still it is happy to be strummed to Pearl Jam.

I play a varity of music from folk to R&R. That said, this guitar brings it all on. It's clear, articulate and very rich. Something else that I like is that it can change it's mood by which pick I use, something that my Martin won't do as readily. The Martin is mahogony whereas the Taylor is rosewood so that comes into the equation.

I bought it used but I'm under the assumtion that the previous owner played it a few times and sold it to me. That said, I can not find a single flaw. The action is dead on... adjusted only for my preferences. The top, back and sides are perfectly matched.

I bought this guitar for the idea of selling it on e-bay for twice what I paid for it. That's not going to happen. I think an instument like this should be shared so I'll go ahead and perform again.

For kick and giggles, I just called Taylor to ask them about the pickup system I installed and was recieved with promptness and professional assistance. And no, they didn't play me to say that.

I've played guitar for 40 years, professional for ten. I dropped out two years ago and now I have a guitar that inspires me to go back on stage. I play thru a Mackie mixer to JBLs and the typical effects between. My backup guitar is my Martin, although I doubt I'll need it. My last time performing I was playing a Taylor T5 which never let me down. I'm certain this one won't either.
In terms of value, I can't afford to shell out what this guitar goes for new, but, if I could, having played it, I would.

Got my 810 at the hollywood Guitar center in 1994... It was one of six they had at the time... It played and sounded better than the others... I don't know what is different, but it feels very different from any I have tried since... I had a bone nut and saddle made and that did improve the overall tone. It has opened up with age and now blows away my friends Martin d-35 and collings h2... We record all three with same strings and in same conditions then ask our mutual friends which one sounds best... The Taylor is always the first choice.

2007 model. This is my second Taylor 810. I sold a 2000 model a few years ago and missed it so much I bought a new one. They appeared to return to the gold plated tuners, but the abalony and pearl inlays are as they were. This one is so much nicer than the one I had! One of the notable improvements is the binding. Instead of the white binding I was used to, it has flamed maple bindind. I looks amazing.

This guitar has a nice, balanced tone. I know that as it opens up it will only get better. The revoicing of the braces makes the guitar sound better on the lower notes. I use the Elixir medium nanoweb strings, the same as the factory.

This is a well made guitar. Very nice fit and finish. It feels well made when you hold it. The factory action was great. I found no need for any adjustments on the action. It feels very easy to play, and not a hint of string buzz using medium strings.

This guitar should last a good long time. I plan to play it for decades, enjoying as it gets better with age. This is my go to guitar for public playing.

It has a lifetime warranty for the original owner. I live near a Taylor authorized service dealer, which means I could have warranty work done easily if it were needed. I hear that Taylor is very good about its warranty service. They stand behind their product, but I don't expect to ever need to use it.

If you are looking for a classic American guitar, this is a good choice. It is attractive, feels good to hold, and it sounds great. It is quality made and built to last. If only a lot of other things in this world got better with age.

Made in February 2006. No electronics and no cutaway. Typical Taylor
excellent attention to detail. Nice matching on the wood. I give it
a high rating because of the quality of its appointments, however few.
Just enough mother of pearl to set it off and the angelic fret position
markers are very attractive. The rest of the guitar is pretty conservative. I would say that the shape of the guitar and the headstock
make for a very pretty guitar, whereas my martin HD-28 has an almost
identical body shape, but the headstock is typical and plain. The Taylor
is very pretty from an artistic standpoint.

I played three 810's and a K-10. I wasn't inclined to spend the extra
for the K-10, and the tone wasn't what I was looking for anyway. I play
fingerstyle and this 810 makes me sound better than I am. Sort of like
a wife, who makes you want to be a better man (a la Nicholson). The separation of the strings and the basic set-up is perfect for me. My
fingers hit what they are going for in a way that they aren't used to.

Set-up was excellent from the factory. Action was close, but no buzzing.
The neck is the straightest I have even seen. The top wood is very clear of blemishes. I have been playing a 710CE (short scale) and was having
problems with my playing in that I was not forming chords properly
and reliably. I have been playing for forty years and thought it was age. I now think the scale was cramping my hands, because I can play
longer and my voicings are more clear than with the 710. Weird.

The guitar seems very stable and holds its tuning. I am not always
re-tuning and even when I have carried it outside and back into the
house, the temperature extremes didn't effect the tuning much, if
at all. I think I just got a really good one.

Haven't dealt with them, yet.

Normal pricing was $2350 for this guitar, but apparently Guitar Center
is closing them out. There was another 810 on the wall listing at $2350,
but it scanned at $1950, as well. For this reason, I felt that it was my
fate to liberate this guitar, in addition to a set of strings that was
my original plan. (Case included, BTW). This guitar is really what I
have been looking for. Get 'em while you can!

early 90's, best rosewood I have seen in 30+ years of playing. Nice nice, nice! I did add a fishman p/u for studio and to help our sound man share the sound of her.Usual straight neck, smooth action. This was bought to replace a D-35 that got murdered in a tragic accident. I for sure love the way my Taylor plays, sounds, holds up under stress ie "brisk" rock & roll.

Sound kicks !! Totally beats my D-35. From old gospel to "brisk" contemporary, this guitar is super! Even guys I play with say the 810 sounds much cleaner and has more bottom than the martin. Great for finger picking as well as straight lead. No probs with the fishman with feedback, no whine or crying.

No adjustment, no settling, no problem from day 1 until now. 15+ years, except for the pickguard is just now starting to lift a little on the lower bout, but not enuf to be a problem.

I have never had a moment's worry about this guitar being ready to play or work!

I only had a question no real problem, and it was handled over the phone first time I called.

I have been playing for 45+ years, and this is the last guitar I expect to own. I have several others for students and relatives that play, and only myself and my grandson play my Taylor. In fact, it is already in my will for him to inherit her. He is three, will be four in a month and already has a big baby taylor. If something happened to her,I would really have to look hard to replace her, but would definitly look at Taylors first.

Made 4/04, bought 10/04 @ Guitar Center Fort Worth, TX.
This is the dreadnought by witch I judge all others. This was purchased with insurance money to replace my 2003 510ce that was run over by my drummer. We had passed through there months before the accident, but the minute I knew I was getting a new guitar, I called the store and asked if they still had it. I had played vintage Gibsons, a Martin D-45 and others, some Larivee's, Tacomas and a Bourgois (however you spell those), and this one guitar stood out in my mind. The revoicing and new Taylor tuners are great.
I wanted the full dreadnought this time, and adding my own electronics was cheaper (though I loved my ES).

Ridiculously amazing. The rosewood is awesome. I can't stand to play any other guitars now. We've been recording with it using an X-Y matched stereo condensor mic setup with a room mic, too, and it blows the acoustic sounds away on most of the CD's we've been A-Bing. I also installed an L.R. Baggs iMix system, which I run through their Para-Acoustic D.I. It's so flexible, and now it sounds amazing plugged in, too. (down with stupid Fishman)

Flawless. The figuring on the back makes every Martin I've ever seen envious. The Abalone rosette and Pearl inlays are perfect, too. The top has great grain, too. It's action is amazing. It has 13's, but it's still easy to play up on the neck, chording. Taylor's workmanship raises the bar!

As long as my drummer stays away from this one, I plan on passing this guitar to my kids (and the first one's still in the oven). I'm actually using the original Taylor case from the 1st guitar, because it survived!!!

They're so nice and helpful.

amazing

Revoiced Dreadnought 810 2004 model--they moved the X brace forward towards the sound hole and revised an interior brace in the lower part of the body to balance the tone out. Nice inlay, cream-toned spruce top,
ebonoied buttons, plastic binding, 1 3/4" nut width, no electronics(why not?)--so I am giving it an '8'. Strap button at the base of the neck, not standard on previous 810's.

Bought this model w/o a case

Nice balanced tone, with more bass, but not muddy bass. Taylors are known for their midrangy tone---the sound engineers dream. The previous 810's sound that way--great for recording, not so full of sound unplugged. The revoiced 810's have a sound that you can enjoy in your living room w/o being plugged in, and it suits my styles of fingerstyle and strumming folk/rock tunes. Sometimes Martins are too bass heavy and miss the higher ranges; the 810 fills out very well. It's interesting after all the Taylor hype in the past about how their guitars don't need more bass---they've responded wisely to the marketplace and added more bass to this model!

Original action was, as they say, a "flat neck"---set up for fingerstyle. I had my luthier adjust the relief just a tad to accomodate strumming; now no more buzz on the low 'A' or 'E' chords. I like the wider neck, but it seems a little too slippery---how do you get a finish that gives a little more resistance(I'm being very picky)? Other than that, the workmanship is flawless, although I wish the ebonoid buttons were real ebony. I do miss the gold tuners as on previous models.
Taylors are known for their consistency in quality, and this model is no exception--they truly pay attention to all the details and they did in this case.

No doubt will withstand live playing, judging from the clientele that use Taylor. Gibsons seem to be built more like a battleship, but I have no doubt that this instrument will last.
Strap buttons seem solid, as they have added one at the base of the neck.

I love their newsletter and have called them in the past, with great responses. Their authorized dealers(Dusty Strings/Seattle) are first rate. Taylor knows how to do Customer Service...

Been playing 25+ years; I wish it has electronics already with it(I will probably put a RTBaggs System or BBand pickup in it). Been playing Gibson, Martin, Breedlove, Taylor--they all have their pros and cons and individual voices. Like I said earlier, the 810 is a piece that will sound great plugged AND unplugged in your room; they finally got it right with this revoiced model.

Revoiced model - Standard 810 features -
Taylor seems to use top quality woods and they appear to put a lot of work into clean, flawless construction.

I kept my Taylor for all of two weeks (everything always sounds better in the guitar shop ;^) ). I absolutely hated the sound... The sound was too thin, with no bass response at all. I traded the guitar in on a Martin HD-28, which is in the top-five of best sounding acoustic guitars I've ever played (Collins H2A taking the top spot)... I'm sure Taylor guitars have the ideal sound for some style of music but, for bluegrass/folk, quite simply, Taylor's are a joke... I think I would have been gang beaten had I taken my Taylor to a bluegrass jam.

Action-wise, there are few acoustic guitars which play better than Taylors. The action is beautiful. However, I wonder if the action isn't set too low for an acoustic guitar? There is a fine line one has to walk when setting up acoustic guitars.. Much tone can be lost if the action is set too low.
Finish-wise, Taylor guitars are beautifully built... I'm not a fan of the bolt-on necks though. While this does make neck resets tons easier, I feel the dove-tail construction is much more solid. I also feel that the dove-tail construction creates a guitar that ages as though it was one solid piece.

Overall, Taylor builds beautiful guitars, with their own unique sound; a sound I feel that leaves much to be desired. If Taylor's had the sound I was looking for then they'd be a 10. However, I feel they just sound thin and have too much high end... Basically, the low-E of my 810 had less bass than the open A of my HD-28... In short, do yourself a favor and buy a Martin HD-28!

This is a 2004 model. I was going to buy the 710, but the place I went to didn't have any of the 700 series in stock. The 810 is a beautiful guitar. The ebonoid buttons on the gold-plated tuners look sharp. I think that a wood-binding would look nicer than the white plastic binding, but I'm not complaining too much about it. The case is really nice and plush and snug. The rest of the specs, I am not going to repeat...

This guitar has an amazing sound. The projection, the sustain, the overtones is amazing. It has a nice clean and well-balanced tone, though it's not all that bassy. (I don't mind.) This guitar sounds good fingerpicking, flatpicking, or just plain strumming. It's very versatile like that. 15 minutes can easily turn into a few hours with this guitar. (I use medium gauge Elixir Nanowebs.)

The action was alright. I had to get the saddle sanded down to get it perfect. The craftmanship is nice and tight and almost perfect (there was a tiny-weeny bit of slop on the inlay on the 3rd and 5th frets). I wish that the binding wasn't plastic and it would be nicer if the mahogany neck was solid rather than being 3 pieces. However, they used some top-quality wood on the top back and sides. The grain on the spruce top is flawless. The grain is tight, even, and consistent. It also has a nice sheen to it when you hold it at a certain angle. The rosewood is nice and dark. The grain is even with streaks of dark blonde, dark brown, reddish brown. It is absolutely stunning.

I hadn't had this guitar for very long yet, so I can't say too much here. It being a solid guitar and me living in Florida (which is an awful place to have a solid guitar), I keep a very close eye on it. I am kind of uneasy about keeping 13's on it. (My top came up on my Alvarez when I put 13's on it.) I was told that it is tough enough for mediums, so I am taking my chances. If the top does start pulling at the bridge, then I will invest in getting a bridge doctor installed.

Never dealt with them.

I've been playing for 10 years now. The guitars that I've owned include a Larrivee D-03R, an Alvarez PD100S, a Alvarez-Yairi CY116 and some lower-end guitars. My Taylor 810 is my all around favorite. If it is ever to be lost/stolen, I will replace it with the exact same thing. I absolutely love the sound and the playablity. When I played it against its Martin equivalent, the neck on the Martin felt like I was playing a 2x4. The plastic binding is kind of bleh, and I know that the gold plating will fade over time, but it's still a wonderful guitar.

1995 model, standard features (solid EI rosewood back and sides, top quality Sitka spruce top, etc.) with the exception of custom engraged tuner buttons, bridge pins and truss rod cover. No electronics, no cutaway. Unlike some other reviewers I do not mind the white plastic binding. It is attractive and very ding-proof. I have owned guitars in the past with wood binding -- very beautiful but easily damaged. This is far more durable.

9+ years of playing and aging has benefitted the guitar tremendously. When new what drew me to the Taylor 810 was the incredible E to E balance, top to bottom, and playability like no other acoustic I had tried. It did have a somewhat "compressed" tonaly quality at the time, with a definite emphasis in the mid-range. Now, in 2004, the overall sound has blossomed. Bass is full and rich, not boomy, and the balance has been maintained. It is a wonderful sounding instrument, all in all. It does not have the volume or fullness of a comparable Martin dread, but then again it doesn't pretend to. Newer Taylors have been revoiced (apparently) to compete with Martin. Haven't played one yet so I can't comment, though second hand opinions seem to rate the new ones highly.

Action, fit and finish are all top-notch. No flaws that I can tell. Woods are beautiful and the top has mellowed in color nicely. This is one of the things that drew me to the guitar initially -- the action, fit and finish was superior to other guitars in its price range, including the Martin D-28, which I was originally planning to buy.

Guitar has been reliable and durable in all respects. Never had any problems with it live. Finish (one of the early UV models I think) has held up well. I have humidified the guitar and otherwise maintained it properly per Taylor's tech sheets and instructions.

Taylor is a joy to deal with. I have contacted the company numerous times over the years since my purchase and they have always been prompt, courteous, customer-service friendly and helpful. Someone has trained these folks well!

Been playing for 35 years. I own a variety of other guitars, acoustic and electric. Playability, matured sound, wonderful balance, and its own voice.

Rosewood back and sides Spruce top nice finnish. Nothing to fancy but i dont soppose it is sopposed to be. This is a little fancier then some Martins in the same price catagory but over all i would definately choose the Martin, see below.

This is a pretty good guitar all and all, although i do like the sound on Martin D-28's and D-35's better which is Martins equivelent to this guitar. I picked up my Martin D-28 for about 400 dollars less and it sounds every bit as good or better. For this reason I am not impressed by the Taylor tone, someone on down said that Taylor has beating Martin at there own game but it seems almost the same to me, with the Martins having a more distinctive sound that somepeople love and some hate.

The action on this taylor is one thing that i do really enjoy about this guitar, set up very very nicely from the shop, this is one catagory where this guitar is beating the Martin which comes with a high action so that you can adjust it.

This guitar seems a little more fragile then i expected, I will mainly use and play this guitar at home so as not to bang it up to bad. There are some concerns with the hardware it seems as if it will chip off, I am saying this from seeing a friends do this. There are some glue marks on the inside as well that i am not impressed with.

I have not had dealings with taylor.

I have been playing for 10 years and have played a ton of acoustics, this is a nice acoustic and I do not regret that i bought it, unlike the taylor 710 which I dreaded and hate that I own. This is a decent guitar although I have to say it is just a lamer copy of a Martin guitar. Taylor is getting better about making guitars, but for now ill stick with Martin.

This is a 1999 but I bought it in 2000. I think this may be the last year before the NT necks, but the neck is still more playable than other brands. As others have said, all solid, rosewood sides and back, ebony fingerboard and bridge, sitka top, gold plated Grovers. The case is the nice red plush one, the last year they made these. Also the '99 has a nice red pinstripe up the middle of the back seam, which I really like, it compliments the rosewood, and the next year they just used plain white. But the next year they put a strap button on the neck which this one doesn't have.

I'm a fingerstyle guitarist and the sound really jumps out, is very bright, with really good sustain. I think you get a bright bronze sound with phosphor bronze strings. The Taylor guitars seem to have a lot of mass to me (more than Martins or Larivees) which makes them ring longer. However, you need to use 13's (medium guage), absolutely, to drive the top properly. Other guitars of the same size will respond to lights but not the Taylor. Elixir's and other coated strings sound dead and not bright enough for me so like many others I put on stock D'Addario EJ17's. Only problem is the strings (particularly the G string) catch a bit in the nut, the slots need to be filed out ever so slightly if you switch to non-coated strings. I bought this at Guitar Center Denver which had the thing hanging on the wall in a too-dry room. Therefore the guitar had a buzz but I took a chance and bought it anyway, and after some good humidity therapy and action adjusting, it has been fine. The guitar is sensitive to humidity (as a fine guitar) so you have to be careful. In general I think the sound is very alive and tops Martins, Collings and most Larivees. However not all are alike, I have played a few Taylors with sound I didn't like. Try before you buy. I use a plastic thumb pick and metal fingerpicks which adds to the brightness of the sound. I don't have a problem with the bass being thin as others have said. To me the guitar has great balance without muddiness.

Lives up to the Taylor reputation of being playable really fast with great accuracy. The fingerboard is truer than any other guitar I've played and the thin neck makes it play fast. The action does tend to move with humidity (see above) so watch that carefully. I keep an eye on the action and adjusted it precisely. The truss rod adjustor seems to get too loose if you try to adjust the action up too much, the guitar is made for a low action (as others have said) so don't use light strings and keep an eye on the humidity. In my opinion high-end Martin's have a more flawless finish, the Taylor seems to have some separation for example where the binding meets the wood and where the neck meets the body.. just the slightest amount. But it is still much better than many other guitars. The plastic binding DOES look cheesy as others have mentioned but doesn't bother me too much, it still sounds great. Plus if you knock it on the edge it will probably take the abuse a bit better. The case is really super quality.. fabulous.

It is a really fine guitar so don't knock it about. I've hit it a couple of times but got no dings, the finish seems to be really well made. The tuners have a bit too much play for my taste, they tend to be loose. I think though the guitar is solid and would travel well. Be prepared for the guitar to have its action move if you go in and out of hot/cold/dry/warm.

I've tried them a few times and they got back very promptly with complete answers. I complained about the buzzing and to be honest they blew me off a bit, but I got it straightened out. In my opinion Taylor as a company is a bit too egotistical (just look at their magazine ads for crying out loud.. totally obnoxious :-) ) and snotty but I feel confident if I had a problem they'd come through.

I've played for almost 30 years and have had an Aria and an Alvarez-Yairi and this easily tops the others. I would definitely buy this guitar again if I lost it. I like the sound, looks and playability the best. I think in the price range it easily has the best action and tone of any other guitar. My only complaints would be the binding and the somewhat delicate nature of how it holds up under humidity changes.

1999 Model. No need to repeat everyone else!

Perfectly suits my needs! Light/Heavy Strumming. Flatpicking. All get a great sound.... Tone can be shaped depending on your own personal touch, which is something lower grade acoustics dont do. Just needs a tad more volume and bass respnse.

Taylors have generally low action which leads to a bit of a string buzz if i drop the low e to a flat or down to d. Tuners seem to have different resistance and torque to them. Otherwise, this thing is great.

Its reliable and druable as long as you treat it excellent!

Taylor employees are great, and taylor owners are even better!

After seraching and searching...... this thing comes as close to perfect as anyone can to makign a guitar which suits the needs of my eyes and ears.

2002 Model, you know the rest.

You know what they say about sound being a subjective thing, well I totally disagree with the last reviewer. This is my 4th Taylor, I've owned a 410, 414, 514CE and now this 810, and it is easily my favorite. Mine is brand new and barely broken in and it sounds wonderful. I guess it all boils down to what you looking for. For the most part I'm a strummer, but do a little flat picking and fingerstyle as well. The best word to describe the 810 is versatile. It performs well for any style. No it's not as loud as some guitars and doesn't have that booming bass that some like. But, what it does have is a well balanced, beautiful lush tone. This baby sustains for days and has overtones galore. Note seperation is also outstanding. The bass is there and accurate, not too much or too little, just right IMO. As far as volume goes, hey, what are people looking for? If you are playing it unplugged you can easily play it at a volume too loud for you to match with your voice. And, if not playing unplugged, then volume is not an issue and a booming bass is actaully much harder to control when amplified. To each his own, but I like the 810 better than any dread I've played or heard, with the exception of a Breedlove which was more than twice the price of the Taylor and certainly not twice as good. Taylor is actually changing the bracing to add the bass and volume that some want, this is why I hurried to get mine. I love them just as they are. BTW, I've noticed many stores using 12 or even 11's on the 810's to make them even easier to play. Problem is they just don't sound as good as the 13's which are recommended for this guitar. If you audition this guitar make sure it has the right strings. Smaller strings can indeed make it sound a bit thin and may be what some of the others have witnessed.

What can I say that hasn't already been said. Everyone knows this is Taylor's strong suite.

New, but based on Taylor's track record shouldn't be a problem. This guitar is heavy and built like a tank.

I've dealt with Taylor many times over the years and they are always very responsive and eager to help. Ask anyone who has ever had a problem with their Taylor about the support they've received. I know for a fact Taylor has some of the best customer support in the industry.

I've owned many acoustics and am always on the look out for something better. However, I seriously doubt this guitar will ever leave my house, I like it that much. Like I said earlier, people look for different things in a guitar and this one fits the bill for me. The 810 is the guitar that made Taylor famous and for good reason.

1996 Taylor 810
Stock...you know what it is, there are no features!

When I bought this, it was the be all end all of guitars for me. However after 5 years my ear has gotten better and this guitar has not. Its thin, weak and does not have much volume. The set up is the real reason for the lack of volume, the action is sooooo close that you can not get the strings to ring. There is a give and take here. All in all it just sounds ok and compaired to Taylors other lines that are less expensive your better off Trying to find and older 510 for volume or 710 for the rosewood. The market has come a long way over the past ten years. Taylor was setting the standard for a while but the industry has caught up and Taylor is not hold ground for me any more. Martin makes really great sounding guitars, as do many little builders. Taylor makes way tooooo many guitars now to have time to spend making sure they sound right. Best to stick with old taylors. 96 or younger and better pre 90 if you can find them

Very well built and much better then what I have seen latley in the stores. They again are building too many instruments to keep the quality where I would spend my money on

ITs a well made instrument...you can not knock that. They have the best cases also

Always has been good, but they are not small anymore and therefor you lose some thing with the growth

As a whole Taylor does not offer much value anymore. The best guitars for the money that they make are the 310-410 guitars...the old 510 and 710 were nice but they have changed all woods and finishes so who knows...what I do know is that new taylors sound thin and wimpy with no real punch. They are nice finger guitars but for flatpickin, forget it....

There are tooo many other guitars to look at in this price range to spend 2000.00 on a taylor. even some Seagulls sound better then a few of the high end taylors. These guitars are way overrated now...the old lemongrove have something to offer...

Made in El Cajon, USA
20 Frets i think
All solid wood (East Indian rosewood/sitka spruce), ebony bridge, fingerboard, pearl fingerboard inlays, white body,neck and headstock binding, abalone soundhole ring
Grover tuners (gold)
Gloss Finish (UV), satin neck
Dreadnought
Neck is a very fast "V" shape
Came with tech sheets, nice hardcase, wrench

I like flatpicking/hand strunmming, so of course this dreadnought is well suited to my style. Many have said that Taylors sound thin...mine certainly does not, it is not very bassy, but like between balanced and bassy...the one gripe with the sound is that at the 1st,2nd and 3rd frets the base E string is dead...open and in other positions it is full rich and deep..just not those frets. Medium strumming produces a sweet, lyrical tone, and fingerpicking also produces a smooth full tone. When you really hit it, like you would a jumbo, it can sound raw...but the best players strum in a controlled way....with elixirs the sound is a bit dead i think...i prefer d'addarios....medium guage is about right...overall, a great guitar for the player who started on an electric. The sound is great.

This is where Taylor really proves it is the best production guitar around...The action was low, but i couldnt find any buzzing, even when really going at the strings. The neck shape is a little like an older strat, and the finish on the neck is ultra smooth..not like a fender satin, which can get sticky, this is always super fast. Another Taylor benchmark is there construction techniques, and of course my guitar is no exception. The only flaw is a little filler on the 9th fret inlay if you look at it in the right light..so i dont care. Sitka is really nice, with modular rays ~(silking)~ and lots of grain per inch. Ageing to a nice honery colour as summer approaches. Rosewood is also evenly grained and a dark chocolaty colour....
no flaws....a perfect 10

not gigged (i dont think i will) as i have electro that are more expendable...grovers are solid (though im not too keen on the gold plate..other like the gold though..personal preference).
Finish is very hard, ive dinged the top, but the finish is unaffected, and it stands up to the local weather effortlessly. Comes with 2 strap buttons, both of which are solid (again, gold is not my thing). If i got a pickup fitted, i know it would be reliable, bt at the moment its home use only.

not dealt with them

i have a few other relativly cheap (especially compared to this) guitars, and none of them come close to the sound and fell of the 810. if i could raise the money, i would buy another if stolen. dislike the goldness, love the zinghy, rich tone. Only real dislikes are the cosmetic things like the gold...at the time i also liked abalone, now ive devoluted in my appreciation of decoration, and i would prefer something simpler...no complaints though. overall....i got what i wanted..a pro sounding and feeling guitar.

I bought my 1997 Taylor second-hand in December 1998 from Open Tuning Guitars here in Paris for 8000 French francs (~1200 euro). All the features are covered in other reviews. I paid another 2000 francs for an L.R.Baggs Dual Source mic/preamp, which excels at recording and is beautifully unobtrusive. I wish the tuners were not so mushy and the binding not so white, but the woods and construction are top-notch.

I am not an acoustic guitar expert. I used to have an old Gibson B15, a small-scale beginner's model made entirely of mahogany with a rosewood fingerboard. Not a great instrument, but its midrange drone was cool for slide.

I lived without an acoustic for about five years until I found the Taylor. I was shopping for a guitar that had a responsive, balanced tone that would sit in a mix well. I also wanted a guitar that didn't make me fight for my music. I tried entry to mid level Martins, some Gibsons and Guilds and a second-hand Breedlove that was really beautiful. I found the Taylor more playable than the Martins, and I liked its tone much more than the Gibsons and Guilds. The Breedlove had deep bass and shimmering highs, but was a bit too boomy when strummed. I spent about a week revisiting the different models I liked and kept coming back to the Taylor. The fact that it was practically brand-new and less than half its original price won me over.

Since then, the 810 has grown on me, turning me into a much better player and inspiring me to write different kinds of songs from all the other stuff I did before. It has become such a sweet instrument, it just begs to be played with, pluck it gently, strum it silly, it has such a versatile voice. Recorded, it always delivers, especially when double-tracked with a capo and alternate chord voicings.

Taylors are known for their effortless action, and mine is no exception. When I got it the bridge was a tad too high, but the guy at the shop filed it down. He did it very quickly and roughly and got me in a panic, but it has always had excellent intonation, so no complaints on that score. The guitar is immaculately built, but over the years I've christened it with a few slight dings here and there. I just can't seem to refrain from wandering around the apartment when I strap the thing on. The cosmetics are not overstated, the inlays precise, the abalone discreet and the gloss finish classy. The binding is too plasticky-looking.

I don't play out live. The guitar is either in my hands or hanging on a hook on the wall. It feels sturdy yet light, as if it had something close to perfect geometry. The finish has held up well despite my occasional clutziness.

Never dealt with them.

I have been playing for over twenty years. I started on electric and still love to crunch. I spend most of my energy trying to write and record my own material, mainly in the pop-rock vein. This guitar has broadened my songwriting skills and enhanced my palette of sounds. I use it as sonic glue it practically every song I record, it always bring a warm, earthy chime to a mix. It has made me give all my Jim Croce records countless re-listenings as I figure out how to emulate all that delicate fingerpicking. (If only I could sing like him!) The best part is that it just keeps getting better all the time. A great investment.

Feature: The Taylor 810 I own was made in 1994. It is a larger dreadnaught than the 810 currently being marketed. It has the customary sitka spruce top and solid rose wood back/sides with gold finished tuning pegs.

Sound: Since sound of 1994 is not exactly the sound of 2001. It has a much fuller sound and highly suitable for flat picking. I would prefer a fuller resonance in the 1st, 2nd & third string such as that offered by the Santa Cruz Tony Rice Model...however that could throw the balance of the off..and if 7 years of playing this instrument is any example that maturation will come I'm sure. The Taylor 810 has a rich full sound...it doesn't sound like a Martin or Gibson..because its a Taylor...if you want a guitar that continues of ring after you set it down..the Taylor 810 is that type of guitar..When it comes to sound, players like Steve Kaufman, a champion flat picker who could probably play any guitar on the market; chooses to play a Taylor 810 cutaway (with an engelman spruce top)...I play a bit of bluegrass and the audience might over look any picking error and simply ask what kind of guitar it that?..sound? After 7 years it just gets better but like any acoustic instrument ..it has to be played!

Action, Fit & Finish: The action is a bit low which accounts in part for its playability...fit & finish are second to none...I've never seen a guitar that displayed finer workmanship...I've been to El Cajon, California and seen them being crafted...its quite an experince!

Reliability/Durability: The Taylor 810 will withstand live playing. As a solo instrument, its nothing less than spell binding in the hands of an artist like Dan Crary...It doesn't quite have the punch of a Martin (I own a 1983 HD28)in a bluegrass band..but then again thats not its best environment..It stand up well without a microphone .

The Taylor Company is outstanding in its support and helpfulness. It had the frets dressed locally (not warranty)..You couldn't ask for a more friendly and supportive crew.

This is a new 2001 model 810 dreadnought. It has beautiful rosewood back and sides, Mahogany neck, the standard Sitka Spruce top, ebony bridge and fingerboard. The finish is glossy and it shines. The overall look of the guitar is very attractive- like a dolled up D-28. This review may turn out to be a comparison to Martin, but I'll try to stay calm.

Taylor Guitars are beautiful instruments, and all are made for different applications. This one is made to sound good at a lot of different ranges. The lows, however, are not what I was looking for. Get to the D string and you really have what this guitar was built for. I expected a little better bass response because of the rosewood and lack of gashes cut out for electronics, but you win some and you lose some I guess. I bought this guitar with Light Elixirs on it and I replaced it was D'Addario mediums. I had the action raised because I attack any guitar I play. Then my fingerstyle stuff doesn't suffer either. Anyway, in standard tuning, this guitar sounds decent. I prefer a good D-35 anyday (yes I have one too). Drop it do Eb and you have a rattler. However, if you don't get down and dirty with the low E string, you have a pretty well balanced axe. Put this guitar up to a recording mic in the studio, and you have it's best application nailed. I supposed that's what it was designed for, because it doesn't have electronics. Highlight: even tone, and it shines in open E....lowlights: lack of punch and overall brashness. It says, "listen to me if you want" rather than "you'd better listen to me, dammit!"

I think Taylors in general have their action too low. It's a guitar with a neck and action designed for people who play electrics and want a thin neck, clear mids and highs and a nice cool tone. I had the action raised after I got it. The bookmatching and overall construction of this guitar is second to none. It absolutely blows my Martin out of the water in that respect. It looks like it was given hours upon hours of attention so that it looked just perfect.

I had a 410CE a few years ago and it was about as durable as a utility infielder. It was great live and the finish was very sturdy, as was the whole guitar. This guitar seems to be no exception.

Nothing but good things from Taylor customer support-ever.

For what dealers charge for this guitar, I think you should get more for the money. AS is right now, I'm going to trade this guitar for something else- probably a 1983 Martin D-35 anniversary. I like it, but I don't love it. It's a good guitar, but just not for me. I like my D-35 a LOT better. If you play percussive rock, like a well balanced low sound with unobtrusive bass, and like to play in lower than standard tunings, get a high end Martin. If you like the sound of an acoustic and want to back up your great electric playing on your album, get this 810. It's a good guitar, but I'd rather have a Martin. I guess that's what I'm going to do. I just got this guitar because I got an unbelievable deal on it. Hell, I couldn't get a 410 for what I paid for this.

the 810 is an all solid wood beauty with an ebony fretboard[i believe the ebony delivers better sound and value {last forever!}and bob and kurt put ebony on ALL guitars in their line up!!].it has a spruce top and rosewood back and sides,gold grover tuners and tusq nut and saddle.gloss finish...i think its some special process that taylor invented....mine has the 'NT' neck...wich means the entire fingerboard is solid!and you dont have to tear the fretboard off the top of the guitar for any adjustments made to the neck down the road 20 years from now!!this is one of the reasons i got a taylor[new style]taylor offers a FREE video on thier web site showing this ,in my opinion,revolutionary design!the case is well built and has already had kids jumping on it with NO damage!!![yes,i about had a heartattack!!!...lol]the plastic binding is kinda cheesy on an axe in this price range...but then thats how you can get a guitar that feels'handmade' for under 2 large!!

sound is tony the tiger......"GGGRRRRRRREEEEAAATTTT!!!"comparable to a 28 series martin and up!i feel this box can be a very versatile instrument for finger and flat pickers alike.the beauty is the sound only gets better with age and use!!!it has a clarity of sound for a guitar that also can BOOM.and it does sound good...even with old strings[i use med. elixers ]

set up was pretty good...i had the action raised up a bit-there was a very slight buzz[but then i bang the hell out the guitar anyway..lol]intonation was exelllent...and i look at adjustments as a personal thang anyways.all the frets were super and the finish was superb...the only thing is the plastic business,but it doesnt really get in the way of a person enjoying this fine axe!!

this box will stand up to some abuse,and it stays in tune!i have heard that the gold will wear off the tuners eventually if your swaet is highly acidic,but i dont see any signs of that on mine.[i guess beer neutrilizes the acid..lol].as this is my first 2 thousand dollar guitar i do try and be carefull with it...no buttons or pins in or on my shirt etc.

support is wonderfull!!i contacted them a few times and their replies were PROMPT!!i get stuff in the mail from them all the time[wood and steel..workshop notices etc]..warranty is lifetime to the original owner...the really stand behind their product!and everyonr that i dealt with was super friendly and courteous!!!

been playin for 10 years[i still suck..lol],if it was lost or stolen i would be heartbroken and i would get another!and i would consider violence on the rat bastard that stole it!!i compared it to the martin line and some larrivees[ended up gettin a larrivee as well]but for the price and sound and adjustability[you gotta see the new neck video....those cats are geniuses]it was TAYLOR all the way!!the supplied case is heavy duty as i mentioned before and the plastic binding is the only hang up i have with it,but after you play it awhile you do get over it.

2000 model 810 dreadnought, made in El Cajon, CA. Rosewood back and sides, Sitka Spruce top, Mahogany neck, ebony fingerboard and bridge. All solid wood. Gloss finish. Came with Taylor hardshell luggage. Very simple, yet classy and elegant design.

I'm mostly a bluegrass/country player, play in a lot of unamplified jam sessions. This guitar is perfect for the style, (and I expect any other style, really). Nice bass response, (but not overly boomy), with nice bright highs and clean mids. This guitar seems to be capable of a lot of different sounds, from pretty and bell-like to really booming if you want it to be. I disagree with the contention written by another poster that the sound is not "special." Being an extremely well built solid wood guitar, it definitely has some personality, and the sound will continue to get richer and more reflect the playing style of its owner the more it is played. Quite simply, it consistently sounds fantastic, and is certainly the equal of most other high-end guitars.

Needed a rod adjustment to suit my taste, which I had done before I took it home. Played very easy with nice action, I just wanted a little higher action to minimize buzzing when I flatpick hard. Finish is immaculate, bookmatching perfect, and the grain on the Spruce top is exceptional. Like some others here, I think maybe a nicer binding would have been appropriate in this price range, but the more I look at it, the more I appreciate its simple elegance. The binding is a minor thing.

I think this guitar will stand up well to most playing situations as long as you act responsibly with it. Like any guitar, if you're really rough with it, it will suffer. Take a reasonable precautions, and it should be fine.

Fantastic! I've called with tech questions several times and have always got to speak to someone. Always helpful.

Been playing off and on for around 20 years. Recently back into it heavily. Traded a Martin towards this one. If it were stolen, I would be heartbroken, and would definitely try to get another one. I compared this to other Taylors, Martins, Gallagher (a used one), and Alvarez. This one had the best, most-balanced sound. I can't pick a favorite feature, I like everything about it, but I guess the sound did the trick, (with its classy, clean appearance a close second).

this a 1995 taylor 810 dreadnought, with rosewood back and sides, spruce top, mahogany neck, bound ebony fingerboard. it has gold grover tuners. nice soundhole and fret marker inlays. i had a ivory bridge saddle made for it, which is really a must. plastic nut is fine, though. mine came with a wood case, which is incredibly sturdy but also weighs a metric ton.

the taylor dreadnought sound is extremely well-balanced and even all through the tonal register. this is basically their trademark - that and their necks. it does not sound like a Martin or a Gibson, nor is it designed to. it doesn't have the depth of a Martin, but it also doesn't have the boominess. the even tone "curve" makes this a superb recording guitar. no...a SPECTACULAR recording guitar. versatile is the word here. this is a great rhythm guitar, strumming with pick or no pick, chicken-picking, flatpicking, sounds great fingerpicking - notes are clear and distinct, not muddy. and leads sound great. i do a lot of guitar/vocal demo work here in town and people sometimes want a lot out of just an acoustic guitar. most of this is in the fingers, but the 810 is the most versatile acoustic i've played.

one other thing: people are always whining that taylors and other newer acoustics don't sound like old Martins and Gibsons. Well, this is because THEY AREN'T OLD. Any well-made solid-wood acoustic is going to sound better after thirty years- the wood and glue settle in, the whole thing becomes like one piece of wood instead of a couple hundred glued together. i've already noticed my 810 has warmed up and sounds better than it did five years ago. it's going to sound phenomenal in another twenty.

the guitar was set up by a luthier friend who also made the bridge saddle for me. the neck is amazing. taylors play better than other acoustics. that's why martin started copying their neck designs. i don't like the grover tuners - they stick and aren't uniformly smooth. however, the grovers on other taylors i've played are fine. i'm going to try schallers. basically, the finish and construction are top-notch. this guitar was made before taylor's production really exploded, but they have maintained high quality.

if you can, try some different string gauges. heavier is always supposed to be better, but i've found that if i use any gauge heavier than .012's, the tone gets dark and loses some life.

this guitar is tough and well-made. like all solid-wood guitars, it is susceptible to humidity and pressure changes. like taylor says, keep it in the case WHENEVER you're not playing it, and it'll last forever. it's got a few dings and dents. so do i.

i went to the factory in El Cajon (which i think means "The Box" in spanish) in 1997. everybody was really nice. i have not had them service my guitar.

i've been playing for 15 years. i have two teles, a 335 copy, a mandolin, a lap steel, a bunch of tube amps and effects and a POD. the taylor is my only acoustic. it's the bomb. i would buy it again.

This is a 2000 Taylor model 810. It is a 6 string dreadnaught with a 25 1/2" scale length. It has a solid sitka spruce top with Indian rosewood back and sides. The neck is mahagony. It has the new neck design which allows more of the neck to go into the body of the guitar. More info on this new design is available in a VHS tape from Taylor. The soundhole rosette is abalone. It has progressive pearl diamond inlays on the fretboard. The fretboard and bridge are ebony, the headstock has Indian rosewood overlay and is dovetailed onto the neck; also part of the new neck design. This guitar has a Tusq nut and saddle, gold plated Grover tuners, adjustable truss rod and white PLASTIC binding. Everything is top notch except the binding. It has no electronics.

The guitar is very balanced in tone. The intonation is excellent. It has a great voice in my opinion and ranks right there with comprable Martins, Larivees, and other mid to high in dreadnaughts. The 2000 model seems to me to have more sustain and a brighter voice than previous years. Maybe the new neck design really works!

Well here is the rub, kind of. I got my first 810 and was not happy with the frets or the bridge. The bridge had large cracks in it and the frets were sharp. Why did I buy it? My wife bought it for me for Xmas 99, sight unseen, as it was the only 810 in our state at the time! However upon recieving it and notifying the dealer of the defects, the best of Taylor kicked in, it's service and staff. The factory couldn't have been better. They apologised and arranged for a new guitar to be made a shipped to me. They kept me informed via e-mail as to the progress of the new guitar and within 3 weeks I had my new 810. The new guitar is flawless in action, fit, and finish. I have to rate the new guitar a 10 but the first was a 6 so we'll say 8.
PS: I DO NOT like the plastic binding at all and think Taylor could do better on the binding. It's a $1600.00 guitar!

From research and talking with other owners I think the guitar is both reliable and durable, but if anything does go wrong, then there is the excellent service from the factory. So no worries in this catagory

In a 2 words "The Best"! I have had to deal with other guitar mnfgrs and never had as good an experience as I had with Taylor. Taylor stands head and shoulders above other guitar companies I've dealt with on customer support.

I've been playing for 25 years or so and own 5 other acoustic guitars. The Taylor is now my favorite acoustic. If it were lost or stolen I would be very sad and rush out to get another! I played comprable models from varios companies and the Taylor was the one for me . And I told my wife :-) These guitars ARE being mass produced so play a few before you buy and get the best one you can. I would not hesitate to recommend this model Taylor to anyone interested in owning a great guitar.

This is fairly new, "standard" Taylor 810 Dreadnought with a fine ringed Sitka spruce top. Very dark Indian rosewood B&S. Ebony FB, etc. Gold plated tuners. All solid wood. Standard 810 features. This Taylor 810 was chosen over a Takamine, Gibson, Laravee, Martin, and Guild in the same catagory. To me it was the better "over-all" unit, though not the best in all aspects. But that should be reasonable -- and also "subjective" I might add.

The 810 has a good balanced sound, and I desire that, but I find nothing we can call "special" about the tone. I do not mean that to be a crticism, though. The 810 I now own has a good quality sound board. I've had the priviledge to play numerous guitars that have special tones or voices, as have most of us who have been playing for 30 years. The 810 has a "normal" voice in all registers. The intonation is pretty acurate, as not many guitars can be perfect. It has good dynamics and projection. I always test the 6th string at the 22nd fret (or the last fret) for deadness as one of my sound board and bracing tests when I examine a guitar. The 22nd fret is not a thumping dead clunk, but actually produces a "tone" that rings. This is good. The Taylor passes this test. The over-all sound is "clean".

As you should know, the Taylor is now pretty much of a production guitar, and as such, we must give Taylor Guitars the credit it is due for being able to pound out consistant quality throughout the production of a few thousand guitars per day. The Action, Fit, and Finish are all quite acceptable. Very little buzzing. You need to hold it and look at it. The "plastic" binding does seem rather a cheap issue on this instrument. At a LIST price of $2,669.00 it could have better binding.

I can not comment on the reliability. I don't bang my guitars around. However, in my hands, it feels as substantial as any good guitar should feel.

I understand Taylor support is very good. This is important. I've never used them.

What is the actual value of a guitar? It can be subjective. The Taylor 810 is generally "a very good quality" instrument in it's class. I would never pay the LIST price of $2,669.00 for it. Street price is about $1,650.00 new from a dealer. I think it is worth this street price compared to other guitars in the same niche. It is a "commodity" instrument. I have played $3,000.00 to $7,000.00 guitars that would stir your soul, but this instrument is not one of them. It is not special. We all must remember that there is a big difference bewteen a $1,600.00 guitar and a $4,000.00+ instrument, and a big difference between an $600.00 unit and this price catagory. It's all in the wood and the production craftmanship. This is just a very well made, evenly balanced instrument, made of good quality material that seems like it will serve the player well over the years. It can be your stage acoustic guitar if you want it to be. But if you are a professional or just a long time player, and you really want that special sound, you need to be looking at Tayor's top-of-the-line instruments, and shell out the extra bread. I think Taylor guitars, along with many other guitars today, are generally over-priced at the List price level -- except their finest pieces with the finest woods.

All solid woods, Spruce top, Indian Rosewood back and sides, solid mahogany neck. Headstock has Rosewood overlay with Taylor logo inlay. The guitar is bound top to bottom with an Abalone soundhole inlay. 20 frets, 14 clear of the body. High gloss finish.

This is the best sounding acoustic guitar I have ever heard. I've played many but his one has a balanced sound like no other. It doesn't have the deepest bass or the most bell like highs but overall sounds the best. However it must be used with a plectrum. Finger style gets lost due to it's size. For a unique and interesting sound try using a wooden pick. This is a 1996 model, before Taylor changed the shape of their Dreadnought guitars. It is aging nicely and gets richer sounding almost daily.

Guitar had a neck reset by Taylor to correct a factory defect in setup. Been wonderful ever since. The origianl problem was the neck angle that caused the high string (1st) to slip off the fret board regularly when playing. Players and non players alike could see just looking at the fretboard that the neck was mis-aligned, so could Taylor. Everyting else about this guitar is stunning. The woods, the finish and craftsmanship are outstanding.

Been a great guitar and is a joy to play.

Taylor has been wonderful to me and as such I bought a Baby to travel with. It's going to my granddaughter soon as a beginners guitar. They are the nicest bunch of people to deal with and I recommend their products to anyone that will listen.

I own several guitars and I love the Taylor the best. I own a Martin, Larrivee and Fender acoustics and always go back to the Taylor fro clraity and richness of sound.

1990, El Cajon CA, solid spruce top, purchased with passive piezo pickup of unknown make - later replaced with LR Baggs Dual Source pickup, Solid rosewood back and sides, ebony fingerboard, dreadnaught, Schallar tuners,abalone rosette and fret markers, thin neck - relatively low action from factory, solid Taylor(plywood) case with velvet lining, came with a sound hole humidifier and Taylors lifetime warranty, Very tastefully appointed - beautiful fit and finish but not overdone

Awesome overall sound for lots of styles. With different string combinations and styles you can get whatever you're looking for from super bright highs and mids to deep rumbly lows. Currently playing on John Pearse bronze strings for nice balanced more mellow sound. When I jam with buddies this guitar really stands out with lots of puch and volume (it's loud!)- and nice balance. After playing for a few minutes everyone stops, comments on the sound and wants to know what kind of a guitar it is. Excellent played acoustic or live. The only thing I've ever played that comes close is the upper end Martins (D-28s and up) Larrive's and a few of the boutique handmade instruments that are out of reach moneywise.

This thing came from the factory virtually perfect. At the time I bought it there were no guitars available that even came close to the fit and finish of a Taylor. With more high end makers now I've noticed the overall quality of high end guitars is going up. I've played this guitar for 8 or 9 years now and it still looks new. I've had no problems with the finish or anything else for that matter.

This guitar has stood up well to the test of time and lots of playing. I take care of my gear but I have accidently banged this one around a little and it still looks great (just like new) The finish is pretty tough. I play this guitar live in a large church and it does fine. I gig with it without a backup and the only thing I worry about is the pickup settings and battery. In 9 years of playing the only maintenance I've had to do is a couple setups to fix buzzing frets. This is my own fault though as I keep the action as low as possible so minor changes in humidity can make it buzz. One of the tuners is a little loose and won't tighten (stripped I think)but it still works fine so I haven't had it replaced yet

Taylor is super to work with. I've called them a couple times on setup issues and they sent me tech sheets and a new saddle at no charge. I'm confident they'll take care of me if I ever have a problem.

Been playing for around 24 years - still learning. Also own two Yamahas - an CJ 830, and a high end 12 string - I play the Taylor almost exclusively. If it were stolen I would try to get another one but probably couldn't afford one at today's prices. I love the sound and balance of this guitar - and its a beautiful piece of art to look at. The Taylor neck and playabilty are legendary and for good reason. The LR Baggs Dual Source I recently installed was a very nice addition

Taylor dreadnought 6-sting, rosewood back and sides, solid spruce top, bound mahogony neck, scalloped bracing, bound peghead, with gold grovers. No stock pickup in non-cutaway models.

Sounds they way old Martins sound- great, except it plays better. Projects great with warm bass and nice sparkly highs. I've NEVER played an acoustic that sounds better! Still sounds great after strings are old.

Action is perfect, frets are excellent, plays great, and workmanship is perfect. This guitr is flawless. The folks at Taylor should be proud.

Had active Fishman II installed. This guitar is as good as acoustics get! Solid as a rock and dependable. It's a true work of art. Taxes, death, and my Taylor 810.

Never dealt with them, never had to. I can't imagine that a company that makes a guitar like this would be anything less than professional on the phone.

If dreadnoughts are your acoustic then the Taylor 810 is your guitar. I traded my Martin HD-28 in for it. I've tried more expensive models too: D-45, Larivee, Gallagher, and Gibson. None were better, only more expensive.
Taylor has beaten Martin at their own game in my opinion.

1997, American made standard dreadnought acoustic guitar. Solid wood all the way around, Sitka spruce top, Indian Rosewood back and sides,mahogany neck, ebony fretboard w/ pearl inlays. Nice gold Grover tuners, and abalone surrounding the sound hole. Ebony Bridge. This is THE Taylor guitar, as it is the original model which is an obvious Martin D-28 copy, with a few additons such as white plastic binding, gold hardware, pearl inlays, and abalone around the soundhole. It also has the Martin-type scalloped bracing. All of that looks very nice, but has little to do with how the guitar performs or sounds. Also, the case that came with my guitar, which I understand Taylor no longer includes with their guitar, is an extremely nice one. SOLID built, crushed velvet lining, and a tight, tight, tight fit. You could put the guitar in the case and throw it off the roof and it wouldn't damage the guitar. I give it a 10 because its an acoustic, what more features do you want in a traditional acoustic guitar?

This guitar most faithfull reproduces that rich, deep, mellow, yet bright, sound that old Martin guitars have. I should know, I have a 1928 000-28 Martin. These guitars sound almost identical, with the Martin being more mellow, as it's about 70 years older. I played this guitar a great deal before I bought it, and even A/B'd the guitar with a Martin D-45 (the daddy of all guitars) and the sounds were virtually the same with the D-45 being louder, but not much. However, a Martin is more of a bluegrass guitar, and they are going to be louder than the Taylor which is built around being versital. I think the sound quality between Martin and Taylor is a draw.

The action on the guitar sets it apart from a Martin somewhat. The action can be set up low, low, low for an acoustic and have little or no compromise in sound quality, and no frett buzz, depending on how adept you are at truss rod tweaking. If this guitar had a cut away, one could amplify and distort it and be able to shred. In some ways it plays easier than my G&L Legacy. However, if this guitar isn't set up properly, it plays like total crap and is hard as hell to fret, but any guitar is like this.

I cant really comment on this. Its an acoustic guitar, so if you don't bang it around it will last, if you do bang it around, it won't last. Pretty simple. It's built solid, but still feels fragile to me.

Life time warranty, and that even covers finish flaws that develop over time. Thats pretty impressive, most guitar manufacturers wouldn't even consider a guarantee on their finish.

If this guitar were stolen I'd probably get another one, or a D-28, depends on what mood I'm in. Overall this guitar gets a 10, because for a traditional all around guitar this one could not be beat for sheer beauty, sound quality, and playability.