Taylor Guitars 510

The guitar was hand made in 1981 by R Taylor In Santee, California. It has no electrics but I have a strat for that. I think it's Mahogany with spruce (reddish sides & back with a nice blond top). I think the bridge is shaved bone. It came with the original case. The guitar is as light as a feather but the case weighs a ton.

The rosette is a decal not pearl or abalone - thus a 9.

Bob did good on this 510. This older 510 is perfect for the delta blues with a modern edge. It does bluegrass and light rock pretty good too.

It sound more like a older, aged Martin than the current Taylors: think of an old Martin HD28 but with much more even balanced and colored tame bottom end. It has the thump, but it is not overpowering.

As of 2008, it is 27 years old. It produces the most even balanced, perfect tone I've ever heard from any guitar. However, it is not boring, it has a personality and responds to your playing. Each string complements one another and the whole works with the wood in an unmatched way.

It looks like it was setup by a pro. The outside height of the low E string at bottom fret by sound hole is less than 1/8" high.

I think the neck is wider than the current Taylors. The fret board goes from 1 5/8" to 2 1/4" wide. It feels more like an old Martin HD28 then an 810. I haven't played the current 510 offering so can't compare.

This guitar is able to handle anything I throw at it and ask for more. In fact, it can take a very aggressive strumming and picking with no buzz but beautiful sound.

The finish, at one time, was beautiful. I bought it used from a guy who gigged it hardcore so there are a few battle scars.

I've been playing on and off for 35 years. If you ever get a chance to try an older 510, give her a try. The Taylor name will draw you in, the tone will steal your heart.

Not sure of the year, but it is used. Previous owner didn't keep it properly humidified, Taylor refurbed it to perfect condition.

Tone - tone - tone - tone. Did I mention the tone? I played it alongside Martins and Larivees, even a couple of higher-end Washburns. Nothing else could touch it. Nice deep bluegrassy sound, but versatile enough to play just about anything. I'm all over the board for styles that I play and this guitar has handled everything I've thrown at it. By the way, it has great tone.

Plays perfectly, especially for a ham-fisted chord basher such as myself. I have smallish hands, so the electric guitar style neck is a big plus. No dead spots or buzz anywhere on the neck. Intonation is perfect. I'm no luthier, but the and finish appears perfect throughout.

My guitars are babied and played only in my climate-controlled office, so I'm not too concerned about durability. I would have to imagine that reliability/durability would not be an issue, even if I was gigging with it.

I've never had to deal with Taylor, so I don't have any comment here.

I've been playing for about 35 years. This is the first PREMIUM quality acoustic I've owned, and probably the last, barring any unforeseen loss or damage. Nothing I've ever touched can even come close. If it were stolen or lost, I would replace with same model - after a respectable mourning period, of course. You can spend a lot more on an acoustic guitar, but why?

I bought Taylor 510 at a guitar shop in Ithaca, NY Jan 2007. This Taylor #510 was made in 1995. It has grossy Sprouce top and Mahogany side and back with no electronic on Dreadnote body.
I have Martin HD-28 with rosewood back and side so I looked for another guitar with different sound quality coming from Mahogany back and side.

I started to play an acoustic guitar since 2005 after 30 years. I got 1999 model Martin HD-28 and I am satisfied with the HD-28 sweet tone.
I met 11 years old Taylor 510 at a guitar shop in Ithaca NY suprising me on its sound. It sounds great in deep bass and sharp high note with well-aged wood materials. It is very bright in tone but not cheap-jack. I like Martin's tone however frankly speaking, the sound from Taylor 510 is better than Martin. I tried another 510 in the guitar shop and I found it was not as good as my 1995 Taylor 510, probably because of its young age wood.

The neck of 1995 Taylor 510 seemed to be thinner than current model. It is comfortable to play. The action is also good and low enough strings height. Comapring Martin HD-28, the playability of this guitar is almost same with no complaint.

I am not sure this guiar will work for long time in future but it look there is no critical problem that concern me about its reliability so far. It is alomost 12 years old and I do not see any quality problem. All feature seems to be solid.

It has been just 1 month since I got this guitar so I do not know Taylor's customer support. I expect it is as good as we expect.

I am totally satisfied with Taylor 510.
In Japan, Taylor is not more popular than Matin but I am now aware of the presence of Taylor Guitar as a competitive guitar manufacturer with Martin.

Very well made. Very even sound for recording.

Great sound.

Very nice neck. Easy to play.

I had it for years, No complaint what so ever.

Haven needed Customer support. People at Taylor are friendly though.

Some of the best acustic guitar I've played.

Made in Lemon Grove California, the guys at Taylor were very helpful in dating this one by the serial number. Built in 1981 it was the seventh guitar built in Taylor's seventh year of production. Others have commented on the particulars, so I'll say only that I have looked at a few new 510's and the necks are much chunkier on the new ones, than on mine. The neck on the 1981 is more like a good electric guitar and very nicely 'sprung'. Every thing is stock on this except that I have added a Martin thinline pickup.

I bought this guitar about 10 years ago, because when I picked it up and strummed it I could not put it down. The guys in the shop were raving about the neck, but what I found was TONE. It does not like being thrashed, the sound tends to get a bit brittle if you do, but having said that you don't really need to, it projects so well, even in a large room. I have always played 'ambient rhythm' and finger style, mostly for accompaniment, and I use DADGAD tuning a lot [I was/am a big fan of Pierre Bensusan but could never match his technique, THEN I heard Michael Hedges play like I had always been trying to]. This is an excellent guitar for any of my styles of playing, in fact I would probably have to say that the guitar has shaped my style. I am a registered music therapist and I compose Christian mantra/chant pieces for prayer and pastoral meditation services. This guitar is perfect for playing in sensitive settings.

The action is fantastic, and there were no flaws I could detect although I bought it second hand. The finish [nitro I think]is excellent but it mars fairly easily - the guitar definitely looks well played now. If anything the neck is almost too thin for fingerpicking, but that's partly just me, never having had the hands of the really great players.

Notwithstanding the comments about the finish, I cannot think of anything else to complain about. This is the only acoustic I gig with although I have a few others. No need for a backup.

The company were very helpful in identifying the guitar, and I have not had any reason to ask for their support since.

I have been playing for 30 years. I play this acoustically, or through a Fishman preamp [external - I would NEVER cut a hole in this], and a Roland Bass chorus pedal into the clean channel of a Roland JC 120. My other two 'gigging' guitars are a G & L ASAT 'thinline' style,'Wayne'.[1930's Australian] resonator guitar for slide, which I play through a Tech 21 Tri OD into the right/chorus channel of the JC 120.

Solid spruce top, solid American mahogany back, sides and neck, ebony bridge, ebony fingerboard with diamond snowflake inlays, abalone inlay around soundhole, Grover Rotomatic tuning keys.

I play rock (in the genre of Dave Mathhews and the like), old folk, country and bluegrass (with my family). This guitar is the best sounding mahogany guitar I have ever heard. The bass is tight and strong, but not overpowering. The trebles are clear and distint with a pleasent ring.

Good setup, but the D string slot in the nut was cut too low and I had to replace the nut. The finish has an "orange peel" and the body seams were not as good as I felt they should have been. For an acoustic guitar, the action has no equal. The factory Fishamn picup sounds great and is problem free

I have had this guitar about 1 year and have played it in various situations. It seems very durable and I would not hesitate to use it as a stand alone instrument.

I bought the guitar used, so the waranty does not affect me. However, I have called the factory about the nut and they sent a new nut at no charge.

I have been playing about 32 years. I currently own an Ovation Custom Legend 6 and 12 string, A 1965 Gretsch Double Anniversary, a Ibanez Soundgear fretless 4-string bass, and a 1991 Les Paul Studio. I would most definitely buy another 510 if it were lost/stolen. I love the sound. I blows my cousin's 1969 D-18 totally away. I think the finish could have been better. The guitar is a 1994 model, and I love the way the top has aged, it is a beautiful grain. I was interested in a mahogany guitar when I was shopping, I like the sound of them better than rosewood. I had played Martins, Gibsons, and none of them compared to the Taylor. The neck and action has no parallel, and the sound (to me) was far superior. I could not afford a new one, but the one I bought sounded even better than the new ones in the stores. I have never regretted buying it.

Englemann top, mahogany back and sides

My 510 is a dream. It was made back in 1990, and each year the sound has improved. It started out as some have said, a bit subdued, but now the base has grown so wonderfully. A good solid top, especially englemann, needs to be broken in and seasoned. Studies have shown that the more a guitar is played and vibrated, the richer the tone will become. Very true in the case of the 510. I have also seen the color of the top turn darker, and the silking and grain become more pronounced. No Joke, when I play this guitar it resonates right into my chest cavity. I have kept the humidity very constant, and it is played a minimum of six solid hours per week. Again, the base is so deep, resonant, and rich, I swear I could use it as a bass guitar. I will NEVER, EVER sell this guitar.

sweet action and great finish. The wood grain is gorgeous. Nice silking on the top, and figured mahogany back AND sides.

This guitar is a trooper.

Taylor is awesome. Great customer care.

I've been playing 22 years. This is the fifth and final Taylor I have owned. My previous models were 2 diff 12 strings, a concert size rosewood, a maple...but I found this 512 sitting used in a shop and just fell in love with it....made a nice "rumble" when I strummed it and it was love at first strum!!

My 510 was made about a year ago. It's the basic fare...Engleman top, mahogany sides and back. I bought it new to have a dreadnought in my collection. Recently, I had a L.R. Baggs Dual Source installed in it.

The sound is bright, but not powerful. It is very well intonated and clean sounding. I would probably prefer a guitar not so retentive...it seems to be holding something back. It's a good guitar, but when I hear the full sound of a Langejans, I'm just slightly envious.

The action is superb...couldn't be better. When the Baggs was installed, the luthier took it down a bit more for me. I think overall, the finish and fit are good. Engleman doesn't bookmatch well like Sitka does. On many Engleman tops (including other brands), I've noticed that one half is darker than the other. If you turn the guitar, this will reverse itself.

Too new to tell, but I suspect it is a durable guitar. Keep them humidified.

Taylor is excellent to deal with.

I've been playing for around 33 years. I own another Taylor too. I'd probably get another Taylor, but then again, I might consider having a Langejans built.

2001 510 dreadnought -- begun 2/12/01 (1st guitar begun that day - Monday)
1& 3/4 neck, koa rosette, rosewood binding, solid Engelmann spruce top, mahogany sides and back -- satin finish on neck, otherwise gloss, include Taylor luggage case (red fur) pictures at http://prsmccarty.tripod.com/500

GREAT!!! bright and balanced...pick or fingerstyle.....

Teched by guitar store...everything is perfect

don't know.....

don't know

30 years of trying, own Ovation AE, Ibanez AE18NT, Ibanez ZF50, Hagstrom semi-hollow body electric, EPI LP Standard, Washburn acoustic 12,

Taylor 510 is pick of the litter at home....TAS makes me want a 714, but that's a few years hence....510 is a high quality product

1994 solid Sitka-spruce top, mahogony sides & back.

Beautiful sound, rich, yet balanced., especially when fingerpicking

Thoroughly an enjoyable guitar to play. Responsive, clean sound up and down fretboard.

This is a big question mark? Just recently I've been having some major concerns about the top in front of the bridge, where it seems to be dipping in too much. Also, there is separation of the tortoise shell binding especially on the bottom of the guitar. I'm keeping the humidty around 45-50%, by the way. If anyone has any similar experience, please write in. I bought it used a year ago and at that time it appeared to be fine, both inside and out.

Taylor is great at responding via e-mail to questions I've had in the past. I now have the guitar at a shop (not a Taylor-authorized repair shop) however. My major concern is that it is a second-hand guitar therefore no warranty.

Been playing for 25 yrs. I wished I had actually met the previous owner rather than buying it second-hand through a store. I might have gotten a better sense of whether he took care of the guitar or not. Next time, I'm going to buy new, probably a Martin D28. As good as Taylor is, I'm concerned that this one might be too fragile. Otherwise, it's been a real sweetheart in both tone and action. I'm not knocking Taylor, I maybe found a dud by mistake (it can happen).