Taylor Guitars 110GB

New, made in El Cajon, CA in 2003. The specs have been thoroughly covered in previous reviews. I give it a 10 solely based on the fact that after playing it (and I've been playing for nearly 30 years), I don't think you can buy a better AMERICAN made acoustic guitar.

I've played Martin guitars all my adult life and was looking for a quality beater (gee, what an oxymoron) to travel with. I have to be honest. The Martin X series can't compare to the tone and projection of this guitar, and the 110-GB isn't made of sawdust with a computer generated finish of your favorite wood grain applied. For the price range, you can't find a better guitar.

This guitar was purchased from my local music store. They had one on display that was pretty scratched up, and another in the factory sealed box. This one came out of the box relatively in tune, and this is the first new guitar I've ever purchased (I have 10 currently)that was perfect right out of the box.

I'm sure it will withstand live playing, but it looks like Taylor did cut corners to contain costs by not using back braces, instead using an arched back, so I'm unsure about the "sturdiness" of the guitar. The finish is a little thin. I've only owned it a short time, so time will tell. It is very dependable. Stays in tune, and I've already gigged with it without a backup. I'm giving it an 8 due to no back braces and the thin finish.

Haven't had to deal with Taylor to this point.

I've been playing nearly 30 years. Own three 5 string banjos (2 resonator, 1 open back), a banjitar ( a cheap one, save your money and get the Deering B6), a mandolin, ukulele, mountain dulcimer, and 10 acoustic guitars of varying quality. I researched this guitar for several months before my purchase, and played dozens of the same model, and other brands for comparison. I was confident in my purchase and had no questions before purchasing. If it were stolen or lost, I would definitely purchase again. The three things I love about this guitar equally are 1) The tone/projection, 2) Set-up/playability, and 3) Its American made. I noticed Taylor doesn't promote this guitar very much on their website. I think that they probably know that if they did, people would save their money and refrain from purchasing their higher end models, and just buy the 110. Its that good!

I wanted to relate my experience searching Southern California and the SF Bay Area for a truly outstanding yet affordable guitar--with an acoustic pickup.
I tested a Norman with a sadle and mic pickup combo--$700 at Sam Ash, Santa Monica. Not bad. Kind of plain to look at, with that boomy
Seagull sound. Nope.
Low end Martins--Nope. Ibanez Artwood? Very nice! at MCabe's. No pickup? Nope.
I had avoided Taylors, asuming they were all way too pricey. Then became aware of the 110 and 214. That, I could afford.
It became a matter of comparing them in different stores.
Gryphon wanted $519 and the desk guy said that excluded the gig bag. Guitar Center, San JOse, included the gig bag and were willing to give m $200 in trade for an Alvarez AJ80-12, but their 110 had definite warpage, poor volume and an adjuster inside the soundhole. Pass.
Guitar Showcase had a couple 214's and a 110. I took the 214-L3. At home, the saddle pickup sounded unbalanced and thumpy on the bass strings. I brought it back and went with my first intuition: a 100, $499 with gig bag, and traded the Alvarez for $150 in credit. The salesman said Korean 12's were everywhere, so could not give me more than that. So, for virtually $350, I got a Taylor! I stuck a K & K Big Shot on the bridgeplate for atemporary pickup, and gigged with it.
It was remarkable. The Elixirs really sing on this---the unbraced back projects a solid, un-boomy bass and volume that you gotta hear.
SPECS: 20 frets, Sapele except for Sitka top and Mahobany neck--NT neck has visible dovetail at base of headstock. Nothing fancy. Black wood fiber binding, also fiber rosette. Black pickguard.
Great playability, and balanced tone. Shimmering treble tones.
Nice winders--stays in tune.

Totally there for any style--picking or fingstyle. Rich, solid, magical. I use a Fender Acoustasonic Jr.
I experimented with single use of pickups and combinations: a GHS miniflex, Fishman Rare Earth, AKG ondesor on a mic stand, and K & K Big Shot bridge transducer. The AKG was fine, but not as practical sl the transducer, so the K & K windsit! I will install their Pure Western pikup when it comes in the mail. Check them out: all the sound and no batteries required! No preamp, either.
The sound of this is what I have looked for all my playing life.
My only criticosm is that Taylors Enhanced Series new pickups are
not really that much better than piezo under the saddle--in short, not good enough. It doesn't get the acoustic sound of the guitar, in my opinion. I only tried one, though--the 400 series. Not impressive.
The 110 should be available in a deluxe configuration: a great pickup, tranducer with mic, and a Venetian cutaway.
I'd buy that!!!

Beautiful Sapele, flawless Sitka spruce, flat, perfect neck. Slight sharpening of note at fret one--like all gutars, it needs a ZERO FRET---like my old EKO 12 string. But for the money, I can live with that.Nothing looks inferior on this--it is all tops.

Yes. It survived a hoard of 12-year-old boys taking over the bandstand on a breaK! So, yes, it's tough enough for the road. I think the back and sides are laminates, and that's a plus for durability and changes in humidity, isn't it?
I like the strap button on the heel of the neck. Really practical.
No backup needed.

Best reputation in the businees at Taylor!

40 years and still gigging. I own several acoustic and electric amps in varying wattages.
I have my eyes on a 410ce--but that will wait until I raise the bucks.
I would definitely buy a 110 again. I love the sound, ease of playing and guarantee and support of a company like Taylor!