American Dreamers: 50 Years of Taylor Guitars

Episode 8: The 2010s Pt. 2

Air date: Dec 5, 2024

In this episode of our 50th Anniversary podcast, Bob Taylor and Kurt Listug dive back into the history of Taylor Guitars during the 2010s. Together, they reflect on the pivotal moments that shaped their approach to innovation, sustainability and leadership. They share their experience meeting Andy Powers and how he exhibited the qualities they sought in a successor. Plus, they discuss the unique challenges of designing electric guitars, how the company balances musicality with environmental responsibility, and the redesign of the 600 Series and 800 Series. Don’t miss this enlightening conversation!

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Episode 7: The 2010s Pt. 1

Air date: November 20, 2024

In this episode of our 50th Anniversary podcast, Bob Taylor and Kurt Listug take us back to the early 2010s—a transformative era for Taylor Guitars. Discover how the GS Mini became a global sensation, redefining the small-bodied guitar market with its blend of sound, affordability, and portability. Bob shares the story behind its design and why it’s his proudest accomplishment in guitar building. The episode also dives into Taylor’s acquisition of the Crelicam ebony mill in Cameroon, a bold move that sparked the company’s sustainability journey. Learn how embracing colored ebony revolutionized guitar manufacturing and why Bob and Kurt believe in the long-term impact of this courageous decision. Don’t miss this fascinating conversation! 

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Episode 6: The 2000s Pt. 2

Air date: September 30, 2024

In this episode of our 50th Anniversary podcast, Bob Taylor and Kurt Listug once again look back on Taylor Guitars’ journey through the 2000s. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at the evolution of Taylor Guitars. Discover why the introduction of nylon-string models allowed Taylor to tap into a broader market. Bob explains the trial-and-error process behind the development of the ES and ES2 pickup system as well as the struggles they faced with different electronic solutions. They also reflect on the fine balance between artistry and business, sharing insights on how the company competes with itself by continually innovating, even as it faces competition from other brands. 

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Episode 5: The 2000s Pt. 1

Air date: September 19, 2024

In this episode of our 50th Anniversary podcast, Bob Taylor and Kurt Listug revisit Taylor Guitars’ journey into the early 2000s. They explore the evolution of the NT Neck, the challenges of scaling up production and the opening of a new manufacturing facility in Tecate. They also reminisce about the historic Liberty Tree guitars and their release of elaborately designed and inlaid guitars like the Gallery Series Living Jewels Guitar, featuring inlays of koi fish, and the Cujo Guitar. Plus, learn about how they forged a relationship with a young Taylor Swift and the Swift family.

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Episode 4: The 90s

Air date: June 3, 2024

Join Bob Taylor and Kurt Listug as they retrace Taylor Guitars’ journey through the 1990s. It was a decade of pioneering innovation and tremendous growth for the company. In part 4 of our historical podcast, Bob and Kurt reminisce about the inspiration for Taylor’s brand identity, the invention of the Grand Auditorium body style, the artists who inspired them, and how computer-controlled machines enabled them to design and build guitars in a whole new way.

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Episode 3: 80s Rock

Air date: April 29, 2024

After a tumultuous start and some early setbacks, Bob Taylor and Kurt Listug persevered into the '80s—a decade in which the music scene was not particularly friendly to acoustic guitars. As the acoustic market languished, Bob and Kurt found ways to keep their fledgling operation on its feet and growing, seizing unexpected opportunities to support the business when conditions were less than ideal. But it wasn't all cloudy skies. As Bob and Kurt discuss in the third episode of our oral history podcast, Taylor began making guitars for artists, building guitar cases in house, Bob introduced the Grand Concert model, and the company reached a milestone with its first million-dollar year.

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Episode 2: The Early Days

Air date: March 28, 2024

In the second episode of our oral history podcast, Taylor Guitars co-founders Bob Taylor and Kurt Listug dive into the challenges they experienced in the first years of the company's existence. Though they faced financial obstacles, long night shifts and literal floods, there were also successes to celebrate, like signing their first distribution deal and seeing their guitars in the hands of household names like Neil Young. Bob and Kurt recount the lessons they took away from those difficult days as well as the early wins that helped them build momentum as manufacturers of quality guitars and forge a foundation on which the company could grow.

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Episode 1: The Road to the American Dream

Air date: March 13, 2024

In the first episode of this oral history podcast, Taylor Guitars co-founders Bob Taylor and Kurt Listug reminisce about growing up in San Diego, California, their passion for music and making things, and how their paths first crossed at the hippie-vibed American Dream guitar shop. Bob recalls his obsession with building guitars as a teenager, and he and Kurt reveal the foundation of their successful and enduring partnership, which began when Bob was just 19 and Kurt was 21.

Listen or watch our first episode today!