Long before Taylor Guitars was a household name, Bob Taylor was just a plucky high schooler building custom acoustic instruments out of San Diego’s American Dream guitar factory. When, in 1974, American Dream owners Sam and Gene Radding announced they’d be closing up shop, Taylor and fellow craftsmen Kurt Listug and Steve Schemmer reached deep into their pockets to pool together enough money to buy the factory and tooling. And, within a year, the Taylor guitar company was born.
The Taylor American Dream series of solid-wood guitars looks back to this electrifying stage in Taylor Guitars’ history. These affordable, American-built instruments carry all the hallmarks — the beloved bodies, cutting-edge bracing and electronics, and effortless Taylor playability — that have endeared the Taylor brand to players across the globe.
Sweetwater takes a look at Taylor’s exciting, new American Dream acoustic guitars to discover what this series is all about.
American-made, Affordably Priced
The American Dream series marks the first time in this century that players can get their hands on an American-made Taylor at a price this sweet. “This series is like building a guitar for my younger self,” says Taylor partner and Master Guitar Designer Andy Powers. “I remember what it’s like to not be able to afford [guitars like these].” Each model begins with Taylor’s round-shoulder Grand Pacific dreadnought body style to serve up style, comfort, fullness, and projection in live and studio settings. Chamfered (rounded) body edges make the AD17, AD17 Blacktop, and AD27 supremely comfortable to hold against the body and strap on onstage.
Lived-in Solid Tonewoods
Bob and Andy insisted on using solid woods with naturally occurring cosmetic character to represent the American Dream series of guitars. “These guitars have as much Taylor character as any guitars we’ve ever made,” says Bob. Guitars are available with working-class solid spruce or mahogany tops and beautiful solid ovangkol or sapele back and sides. The satin finish, reminiscent of Taylor’s Builder’s Edition, gives the American Dream acoustic a beautiful look while helping to keep costs down across the line.
V-Class Bracing
Incredibly, Taylor’s game-changing V-Class bracing — a premium upgrade on top-tier Taylors — comes stock on every American Dream acoustic guitar. “In an ‘X’ pattern,” says Bob, “there’s always a compromise between the stiffness [sustain] and flexibility [volume].” But Taylor’s V-Class bracing has changed the way Taylor tops project, resonate, and intonate for the better. Says creator Andy Powers: “There’s no fight between the notes you play and the way the guitar responds. You have stiffness parallel to the strings to get the sustain and rigidity you want. You have flexibility on either side to get the air movement you want. The body is very able to represent every frequency the string throws at it, rather than distorting that with its own resonances.”
Optional ES2 Electronics
Taylor’s Expression System 2 (ES2) electronics are available as an affordable upgrade on every American Dream acoustic guitar. This pickup system has been hailed by players across genres for its ability to translate the punch, soul, sustain, and sweetness of a miked acoustic with plug-and-play convenience. Three pickup sensors behind the saddle serve to eliminate the plasticky quack of traditional under-saddle piezo systems. And a pro-grade preamp and onboard shoulder controls serve up a sweet tone into your stage PA or audio interface.
Interested? Buy Yours Today
No matter what your budget, Taylor’s American Dream acoustics pack loads of value for the money. Whether it’s your first Taylor or an addition to your Taylor wall, these guitars represent the best the Taylor brand has to offer, all at a great price. Interested in getting your hands on one? Buy your American Dream Taylor guitar through Sweetwater today.