Bob Taylor's approach to guitar building is a simple one: "Use what works best." Whether it's a hand chisel or the latest computerized machinery, precision, consistency, and speed are our aim. In 1989 Taylor was the first American acoustic guitar manufacturer to recognize the advantages of Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) milling machines, forever changing the course of not only our production but also the industry's as a whole.

In the early years, the sleek and fast Taylor neck was one of the features that put the company on the map. They were carved by hand with skill and care, yet it was nearly impossible to match the same precise tolerances on each one. With CNC machines, we were able to program the design of our very best neck and replicate it time and time again. Better, more consistent necks in less time was the result.

CNC machines were also instrumental in the design of our NT Neck, nearly a decade later. The precise milling required to execute this revolutionary design was now possible thanks to the razor-thin tolerances that these machines achieve. CNCs have also enabled Taylor Guitars to design more intricate and interesting inlays. As Bob Taylor once said, "It has exploded our creativity."

You're likely to find a CNC machine in most guitar manufacturing facilities today, big and small.