Taylor

Instruments currently built in El Cajon, CA since 1987 and in Tecate, Mexico since the mid-1990s. Distributed in North America by Taylor Guitars of El Cajon, CA and in Europe by Fender Musical Instrument Corporation (FMIC) located in Scottsdale, AZ. Previously produced in Lemon Grove, CA between 1974 through 1987.

Founding partners Bob Taylor, Steve Schemmer, and Kurt Listug were all working at the American Dream guitar repair shop in Lemon Grove, California, in the early 1970s. In 1974, the trio bought the shop and converted it into a guitar building factory. The company went through early growing pains throughout the late 1970s, but slowly and surely the guitars began catching on. In 1983, Listug and Taylor bought out Schemmer's share of the company, and re-incorporated. Fueled by sales of models such as the Grand Concert in 1984, the company expanded into new facilities in Santee, California (near El Cajon) in 1987. In 1989, Taylor bought their first CNC machine. In 2007, Taylor reorganized their guitar line to distinguish their acoustic, acoustic/electric, and electric lines from one another. All cutaway electric models remain in the number series, while acoustic models were renamed and organized according to their body shape. Taylor also has a complete custom shop open.