Taylor Guitar Factory Tecaté, Mexico: Guitar Production
Вставка
- Опубліковано 20 лют 2021
- I am a purveyor of stringed musical instruments (among others things). This is a video of the Taylor Guitar Factory in Tecaté, Mexico. While I did not add in narration to the video, I tried to format and edit in a way that the story tells itself. From wood storage and processing to tops, backs, sides, necks, fretting and polish.
#guitar #acousticguitars #guitars #taylorguitars #taylortecate #luthiery #guitarfactory
That is a production facility to be proud of. Skilled luthiers making a good living building some of the very best quality instruments that you can buy in a spotlessly clean facility.
🤣😂
Lol
I am grateful to all of these hardworking people for their great quality control and care with each aspect of the creation process. Muchas gracias. I just bought one and based on videos they sound amazing - and even more so over time.
I have one of these guitars, it sounds incredible, perfect finished, i'm proud to play acoustic Taylor.
Who knew the world wanted so many guitars!
Yeah...where do they all go?
And that's just one factory amongst many others from other brands.
Just got my Taylor 114ec made in Tecate. Great work to all of the hardworking people who put this instrument in my hands 🙌
Impressed with the love and care that goes into each guitar…😏
I love what these guys do at the Mexico factory such great quality my GS Mini is 7 years old now and love it thanks Tecate.
Pooooiiiuuuyyttrrrdrtyu
It's nice to see where my GS mini came from, and the people who made it. I've had a few of battered old patched up guitars in the past, so I realy felt the joy of being able have a new Taylor. I love how it sounds, feels and looks.
Wow, I remember visiting Bob at the original Westland Music shop in Lemon Grove in the early 70's, when he was making American Dream guitars, before he was putting his name on the headstock. Late afternoon with sun coming through some upper windows and Bob waxing poetic on tone wood. Makes me feel old.
Thank you very much for assembling my guitar. Unfortunately, I couldn't see exactly when mine was on display.
100% employee owned! I’m glad I bought my guitar from them. Big baby over here.
I found this very interesting. I love Taylor’s.
That's the few pieces of wood that will make up the guitar that will inspire and make music for the next most popular musician of our day...
I owned a gsmini-e koa. I love how it sounds, how it feels and also how it was made. Breaking out of the traditional way ( hit or miss ) in quality, I believe taylor makes innovations towards perfection with less human error. Machines can be maintained in good condition better than humans. Through the process may leave a lot of carbon footprints along the way, its best that the manufacturer should also consider taking care of nature...
Just got a Taylor 224ce-K DLX SPECIAL EDITION. It's gorgeous and sounds amazing. Awesome to see where it came together.
The idea for that exact guitar came from discussions on this trip.
@@BradleyJohnson13 That's awesome! It's quite the piece. I added Gotoh gold tuners and mother of pearl inlay ebony bridge pins and this is my favorite guitar to pick up and play by a good amount. Such a great guitar.
@@tb1235 glad to hear that. The idea for that instrument came from when we saw that they simply could not build the standard 224CE fast enough to keep up with demand. The edge burst, clear coat and polish on the standard is time consuming. We saw some extraordinary koa coming of the line randomly and asked if they could select those special pieces, not put the edge burst and do a hand rubbed finish on it. Of course, it totally worked and continues to. What’s also interesting is that due to the how random the wood grain figuring is in koa, it is impossible to know how many can be built. It’s totally up to the folks there to keep an eye for the truly special pieces to get to customers. Pretty cool.
Bought my daughter's guitar made there. Surprisingly well made and good setup off the shelf for $700.
Great video !!
I have a 114 which I bought brand new in 2008 which will have been built at this Tecate factory so I found this very interesting and informative - thanks. By the way, my 114 is by far the best acoustic guitar I have ever played. I have several buddies who also play who have agreed with me on this and offered to buy it from me. No sale!!! :)
So many times I hear that "low end" Taylors sound better than the upscale models. My 214ce-K is my first acoustic so I don't have a lot of knowledge, but I know I love it. For people that might hate the Taylor sound, I would respond, "it's my first acoustic and I love the way it sounds". It's tough for a Lefty to find any quality guitars at times so I applaud Taylor, (and Martin) for making lefty models available throughout the line.
@@teleguy5699 If you love the way it sounds and you love it, then you have a great guitar there my friend. Enjoy. 👍
I've been playing for 38 years since I was 15 and learned on acoustics for several years and played dozens of them over the years and my 114 is mine and everyone else who plays it's favourite acoustic. 😀
@@itwasnt3369 That's awesome! I just had surgery and can't wait to get back playing.
@@teleguy5699 I wish you a speedy recovery. 👍
@@itwasnt3369 Thank you my friend! 😊
I had a used USA 317e which I returned due to some issues which a luthier was unable to fix. The low G would not sustain, put a capo on it and the issue followed the note. Picked up a new Academy 10e and WOW. I cannot believe how great this guitar sounds and plays. Still trying to understand how it can produce the sound and tone out of it! The guitar plays itself, I swear!
Amazing Video!!!
Show de bola os violões Taylor.
Very cool!!!
cool to see the people who actually buildt my guitar, working on the same exact model.
Meraviglia!!!!❤!!!!
Great people doing a great job.
I LOVE this video & everything you’re doing on your very fine channel Sir. 999 Subs! Yew!!!
Excellent video! It’s great to see how much quality and thought goes into every last Taylor… no matter the price or country of manufacturing!
I agree. Their Mexico factory is very impressive. Very clean and a lot of attention to detail.
Seagull
@@BradleyJohnson13 But not the same quality as opposed to guitars made in the US or Canada!
@@thomasgood3472 I have made no claims, nor have I implied that Taylor’s Tecaté made guitars are equal to US made or even Canadian made. Taylor also doesn’t make that claim, as indicated by the price points of their Mexican made instruments. Personally, I like Mexico. I like their people and I like Taylor’s Mexican operation. I I think it’s quality product for the price and I have seen the pride they put into their work. I have also seen US made instruments that are not as well built as Mexican Taylors.
It all depends on where you choose to spend your money. If you prefer US made instruments, cool. Buy them and support the builders you love and respect. I also feel that people have the right to like what they like, even if others disagree. That’s freedom of choice. Whatever your into is your thing, and I dig that. I don’t have to do the same thing, but if you dig it, then that’s all that matters
I think some put too much stock in American made. Today's work force in the United States sucks for the most part, from what I've seen at least. A lot of Americans seem over privileged and have no pride in their work as compared to past generations, there are exceptions I would imagine.
I finally own a GS MINI (Rosewood)..although it's a used guitar i'm really happy with it..
Hermosas guitarras.🎸
Son hermosas pero cariñosas 😅
Impressive
Is there that many people buying guitars?
Nice craftsmanship
I bought a Taylor 110e , it's sound is comparable to $5,000 Martins . Excellent quality - about $1,100 in Canada .
Having 5 Taylor's and previously owning 2 Martin's I can believe that. To my ears Taylor guitars have a fuller, richer sound whereas Martin's have a softer, mellow tone. Taylor's are easier to play due to thinner necks and a lower action. Not so keen on their 562 12 string though as I find it too tinny. Far be it for me to question Andy Powers building skills but I think a 12 string is better suited to a bigger body size.
@@trevorwilliams632 I Agree my next guitar will be a Yamaha Red Label FG series
très intéressant, merci !
Nice to see so much of the actual hands on work. After buying a 214ce dlx it’s cool to see what went into your item. I still feel the American factory is only higher because of bloated salaries. Damn shame America has become so expensive and most workers are unhappy.
My 15 year old Taylor 314ce says made in USA. It's the best sounding acoustic guitar I've ever owned. And I've owned many over the years.
American Dream, GT, 300 series and up are all US-made. GS Mini, Baby, Big Baby, Academy, 100 and 200 series are made in Tecate.
After watching this I don't think I'll ever buy a new Taylor. Not even a new Martin and I've been on their factory tour. I like the way they build more hands-on in Japan at the Yairi factory or even the more mechanized Takamine factory.
But certainly you understand most people don't have thousands of dollars to drop on a guitar. An ass for every seat, they say. Speaking for myself, I own one American and one canadian guitar but my next one - well, the factory is shown above!
had the same feeling too and i just bought a GS mini from thomann
Yeah, everybody likes the way hand built things are made 😂😂. It’s a matter of price, doofus.
100/200 series are made there I think 300+ is all done in US. I have a 214 and love it.
Yes, that is correct
@@BradleyJohnson13 and the 200 is pretty dang nice in fit, finish and sound. The 100 is bare bones, but it still sounds nice and brings the price to a range where many more can afford it.
The production line is tight and efficient I think Mexican made guitars are equal to USA made guitars I wouldn't think twice to buy a Taylor from this factory.
Agree!
I own a 214ce and GS Mini Koa Plus. Never felt the need to upgrade. They sound great, play great, are extremely stable, and are very good quality professional-grade instruments.
I just lucked out on a used 214CE from a local top Taylor dealer - it is a fine guitar.
I should mention that - earlier (20 years plus back), the Fenders made in Mexico (Strat) were not up to the level of the American ones. This may or may not be the case now.
I also own a G&L "import" w/American electrics - indonesia made and every bit as good as my American Strat.
I think the key here is keeping up to date and putting your hands on some of the instruments. When the shop put the G&L into my arms it was instantly obvious that it's was made to a high standard.
I’vve taken the factory tour at their El Cajon facility and it is great and very informative
I like my 324 builders edition 🤣🥰
Taylor is the bench mark.
what is the sheet glue they use in lamination?
I'm not sure. Apologies
Probably PVA wood glue
Esse tanto de instrumentos e eu não consigo comprar um por ser caro de mais
I can't help notice all the workers are on their feet.How often do they get breaks?
I’m not entirely certain, but I have seen a large break room, so I guess offer enough to where they aren’t fatigued
You can’t build most things seated. Taylor puts a lot into worker care and safety.
Thanks for noticing this. Everyone here seems to think anything made in Mexico is “lazy”. All these keyboard warriors couldn’t get off there fat asses to do 1/4th of the effort needed to create these beautiful guitars.
Lol...like I said...spoiled entitled Americans of today. I am a retired American and have never had a job where I could sit except for on lunch break. I couldn't imagine what he would think about building tires in a tire factory or loading semi trailers by hand all day for 12 plus hours a day. I chose more physical work as I found it more enriching to me. I have worked in management but definitely preferred the more physical labor with less mental stress.
I hope this is their lower price line..im not paying 3 grand for made in Mexico anything!
Yes, this is where they make GS Mini, Baby, 100 and 200 series instruments. Everything else is in El Cajon.
What do you have against mexico?
Yes...he would rather pay double for a sub par Taylor just because it was made in America by a generation that is disrespectful, entitled and for the most part have no work ethic.
Great video! My Mini was made a week after this was posted! It really is a FACTORY and although these workers do a fantastic job at what they do it's sad to see guitars produced in this sterile way. This is why my e-koa will be my last Taylor. My next guitar will be a hand built one of a kind
Yes if want a hand built one of a kind, try Greenfield guitar. Hand built just for you if you have enough money and lead time. Check it out. He's amazing.
I was thinking how much more perfect they are when made this way.
Also affordable is good too. 😅
Not all have that option and it's good to know if your price range is in this bracket, you get a quality instrument. Think of how many future guitar players go this route. It would be crazy to buy a custom built guitar if you never had a guitar in your hands, nevermind have played one.
I hope Levi Jeans Heco in Mexico is nothing to go by!
Can I contact you about the possibility of using a couple of shots from your video in a documentary I'm making?
Certainly
Great! How can I reach you?@@BradleyJohnson13
Mi trabajo
no plek?
Tecaté Baja California.............
plywood veneer backs , who knew
Everyone. The Tecate-made Taylors have always been layered wood.
Plsss I want guitar ❤️❤️
Ustedes me pueden vender ese material para hacer guitarras
Sad to see such a wonderful instrument made in such a mass production , with so little love
and the price....
All instruments made in any quantity are mass produced. Martin, Gibson, Taylor. Unless you’re buying a $10,000+ one off hand built guitar they’re made in factories.
@@gabrielobrien21 Disagree. There are quality issues in Mexico.
@@thomasgood3472 you can disagree if you want but it doesn't change the fact that all guitars are mass produced in factories if they come from any major brand.
@@thomasgood3472 Somewhere in Mexico there are quality issues? Wow.
My VW is made there. Plenty of Toyotas. The Mexican Fenders have gotten better and better.
In a factory like this, it's the setup and management and end-stage QC that makes the product - along with the initial design. That said, these are lower-end Taylors. I checked some out and they sound amazing, But as far as the "luxury" component, you don't get as much of that for $599
Hope they sell those guitars in Mexico only.
Yea you not qualified to have on keeping use made in china
@@juanokita4401 Only guitars made in the US and that's what I always purchase!!
@@thomasgood3472 You must be very wealthy. Most people can't afford 3-5K for a guitar.
I'll take a Japanese or Chinese made Yamaha that's solid wood, has mahogany binding with tusq saddle and nut and excellent electronics vs a comparably priced Taylor with plastic binding, saddle, nut and bridge pins, veneer back and sides.
@@Droneflyersthe 214ce in this video is 2k…not cheap
wow''', no wonder they're so expensive'
I've got one from that place, 114ce, it's a nice Guitar got it for half price. Can't say it's worth the full price, 50% of the price is the brand name. The factory there resembles the Chinese ones... That cost half or less for better woods and better quality - see Cort factory for example
Taylor uses better wood, pays their workers well, and puts a ton of money into making guitars sustainably and making sure their wood is all ethically sourced.
Yamaha Japanese and some Chinese built use high quality woods and they offer solid wood top back and sides on some models. The Japanese made AC5R Yamaha for example is all wood with mahogany binding, tusq saddle and nut and quality electronics. A Taylor at a little higher price point will have a solid top with veneer sides, plastic binding and basically a plastic saddle, nut and bridge pins. I'm looking at either a Yamaha AC5R or Taylor 224ce-k. The only reason I'm considering the Taylor is because it is a beautiful guitar that is well made albeit with materials not as upscale as the Yamaha. I'll try both and will ultimately have to go with sound over looks.
@@jameswilliford5478 Soundwise Yamaha will win this one. Namewise Taylor has something over Yamaha. The decision is yours. In this price point there are some overwhelming options out there, All-Solid wood. Cort Gold series, Epiphone Masterbilt, Recording King Reserve tonewoods, Alvarez Masterworks...and more
@@jameswilliford5478 I have zero brand name loyalty and, based on reviews and even factory tours, played a number of Yamahas in the shop. The Taylor - in the same shop and room, sounded much better to my ears.
Granted, it might be that the bright sound of a Taylor tempted me more...
The Taylor (I ended up with 214CE used - about a decade old) is definitely a step above my Seagull S6, so I am satisfied.
Good luck depending on Chinese slave labor going foreword. Xi has different ideas and it doesn't include capitalism.
hello sir i hope you are well i asked you a favor i would like you to pass all these pictures to the american guitar manufacturing company the taylor guitar company because i would really like to work with him please please help me to circulate the message and picturesthank you I am African and I live in Cameroon and I have been making guitars for more than 13 years
Where's all the f wood come from where.
I’m not sure
Taylor is huge on sourcing wood ethically. Pacific Rim Tonewoods supplies their maple, Sitka spruce, and other things. They get ebony from their own ebony mill in Cameroon. You can read about it on their website. Koa from Hawaii, rosewood from Indian tea plantations, mahogany from Honduras and Brazil.
Why did you add the accent mark to the final e? Pretty sure it's not supposed to be there. I hate it when ignorant people do that.
figure that they don't make them here
Not more than US$ 120.00 a piece for Taylor axes made in Mexico.
Oh yeah why is that? Is it because you're an ignorant racist who hates Mexicans so much you can't be honest with yourself and admit Mexicans work harder?!?
@@randolphcirilo4800 Mexicans working hard? Mafia infected country.
Dork
luthier industriel ! je hais vraiment cela ! c'est juste à l'opposée de ce qu'est la musique et la lutherie !
Any other way and the price and quantity available would have kept the talent of many brilliant musicians silenced. At least by mass production there are more available to get into the hands of the people without having to wait for years to have one available or for the cost to make it unobtainable.
These are more "hand made" that the ones made in the US.
I'm wondering what the salary of a worker in this factory is. Or can Mexicans be paid much less than the same workers in USA ?
after watching this, i feel like my $700 GS mini is not worth it. Its like some sheets of plywood being glued together and varnished.
lol you’re clueless. $700 is cheap for a guitar. Some of these guitars in this video are $2000
They are worker not luthier
You get more value for money for Japanese made axes as opposed to Mexican ones.
Name the brands and prices? I looked at Japanese Yamahas - and...beside the fact that they import many of the parts for those from their Chinese shops (then assemble them in Japan), they are 2K to 5K+.
These are $499 to $1200.
Japanese high end guitars made mostly by hand are great! It's just that very few can afford them!
Yamaha AC5R $1699...all solid wood, mahogany binding, tusq saddle and nut, excellent electronics. Taylor 224ce-k...beautiful, but $1799 laminate sides, plastic binding, plastic saddle, nut and bridge pins, electronics not as good as Yamaha (in my personal opinion).
@@jameswilliford5478 The 214ce-K is $1,000 with tusq saddle and nut and the electronics is subjective. They use their high end equipment on all models. You pick the one pricey model to make a false argument. Plus, what is most important to me, they don't make left hand models.
que?
Taylor Guitars! I had no idea. This coming from a guy that made his living working a production line job for 30 years. I always thought of a Taylor as being hand made one at a time, not 700 (or more) of them in various stages on the production line, moving from one stage to another. Looked like one step up from a Southeast Asian sweatshop. I no longer have the desire to own a Taylor Guitar.
Welcome to the modern world...
700 per day. I think that makes them the biggest guitar manufacturer on Earth. If you have never played one you must.
Taylor makes more like 900+ a day now. They’re the most ethical builder on earth. They pay workers well, go to great lengths to properly source wood, and are making the most environmentally conscious guitars there are. Clearly you haven’t seen overseas factories. This place is super clean, loads of air control and worker safety. All guitar brands - unless they’re hand built $10,000+ guitars are factory made. Martins and Gibsons have always been factory made since day 1.
Any guitar that is mostly hand-made will start at 3K (overseas hand-made) and go up to double or triple that price. Even some hand-made Yamahas (Japan) are built with wood and parts that come from the automated factory in Japan.
Figure it this way,. A hand built guitar takes 100 hours. At $60 a hour for a craftsperson, that's $6,000 beside the materials and/or any profit and other costs.
I'll take the mass produced model.
Even the American Taylor plant is highly automated. What you see as a negative can actually be an advantage. Once the formula for getting a fine sounding guitar is locked in, why subject it to the mistakes that a single human might make?
This, of course, is for stuff that is
Is it a Nike factory? No, Taylor guitars! The word manufacture was wrong...
The most expensive laminated guitars in the world.
That would be Yairi probably. Most of their guitars were laminated till about 20 years ago when market pressure pushed them to make more solid wood guitars.
Martin laminates are the same price. gtfoh
Taylor makes too many guitars.
Too many models but they still manage to sell them.
Je connais le son de ces guitares , mais je hais cette fabrication industriel de profits avec des ouvriers sous payés !
Laminated plastic with mother of plastic binding ..no tks.
Too costly.instead using fender is better, affordable and good sound
Fender acoustics are made mostly in Indonesia.
I bought a left handed GS Mini Mahogany. I waited for 3 months. And they gave me one with an bulging airpocket in the layered wood at the back, because the veneer had a minor crack. Terrible. I was shy and didn’t want to cause trouble with the shop and have to wait a few more months so I still took it. Shouldn’t be fooled. Taylor guitars are overpriced xxxx.
Definitely agree...some Taylor's are beautiful, but I'll take a Japanese or Chinese made Yamaha at a lower price that uses all solid wood, tusq nut and saddle, mahogany binding and excellent electronics vs a Taylor at a higher price point that has plastic binding, laminate sides, plastic nut and saddle. I love the look of the Taylor 224ce-k, but will probably have to go with a Yamaha AC5R for quality of materials and build.
@@jameswilliford5478 I bought a yamaha guitar and it warped within a year just sitting in my air conditioned home.
Come a looooong way from making a few guitars in a garage
Wow. These guitars should sell for $149 on QVC.
You still couldn’t afford it.
Person whose channel is supposedly about sustainable life making this comment about the most sustainable guitar company on earth.🤦🏻♂️
The only way you can make any instrument that cheap is make it in unsafe conditions with no care for the workers or environment and pay workers pennies a day overseas.
Is that you Esteban? 😆
Говно ваша гитара
Not impressed a lot better guitars for the money good for guys paying for a name and reputation of u s made guitars
These are not Taylor’s US made guitars, clearly. So what, specifically is a better guitar for the money? Not to imply these are the best for the money. I actually am curious which is better, in your opinion, between 500 and 1500 that is not made in the US?
@@BradleyJohnson13 furch
@@BradleyJohnson13 seagull
@@raymondstebbins5904 that’s fair response. Thank you. North American made. Not US made, but North American, if that means something to the consumer. Great quality, playability for the money. I would say that based on current production capabilities, Seagull, or anything coming from Godin, is in short supply in the US. As are Mexican made Taylors. I suppose it boils down to taste and brand preference.
@@raymondstebbins5904 Furch is not really a fair comparison, IMO.
bloody reduce the price a bit man its way too over priced ,,,
Wouldn't buy anything made in Mexico.
What do you have against Mexico?
@@reycastro1873 This guy has made multiple xenophobic comments. It's best to ignore.
@@teleguy5699guy is a clown. You can tell the employees are great at what they do lol. Literally no different than anywhere else if QC is high
@@chexnfx7161 Exactly.
Junk
Old video but still a really good looking guitar. Its sad that its laminated but if you want an affordable guitar theres no way around that. By no means does it sound terrible, but once you’ve invested a few years into practicing then up the game and get real wood and you’ll learn to appreciate it. It was the process for me and i can say that after 10 years of playing with your typical generic starter guitars i finally invested in a martin D12 followed by a d28 last year & you learn to appreciate the rich tone and craftsmanship.
Too fast,, making junk...
I just played a few in a music shop...they sound great. No doubt the $599 models are not finely crafted at all levels like a 3K + guitar, but you get the sound - which I think is better than most.
Your average person just does not have 3-5K to drop on a guitar.
Doubtful...I saw no junk...don't know what video you were watching.
Sadly their is a lot of racist overtones on this benign factory guitar tour.
And I thought I had a boring job working in a factory when I was young. Cannot imagine putting a label on at that one point!🥱
I can't believe this guitars are laminated and not solid wood after watching this video they are way overpriced
Wrong