T RASH OR TREASURE
ZACHARY R. FJESTAD
Taylor 855
Hey Zach,
I have a 2002 Taylor Model 855 (12-string)
that I bought new, and I really enjoy playing
it. I’ve noticed that Taylor no longer offers
this model, and I’d like to find out exactly
what woods were used when it was built. I’d
also like to know what the guitar originally
sold for and what it is worth today.
Thanks!
John in Columbus, Ohio
Hey John,
I’ve played the 855 and the thing booms like a
cannon (in a good way!). I’m glad you inquired
about this guitar, since Premier Guitar is focusing on “green guitars” this month, and Taylor
Taylor 855
is one of the industry leaders when it comes
to responsible guitar building. Let’s take a
look at Bob Taylor and Taylor Guitars, the 855
12-string, and how Taylor is practicing responsible guitar building today.
The history of Bob Taylor is truly a tale of
innovation, patience, and success. It all started
when Taylor decided to build guitars instead
of attending college; he actually built three
guitars before he graduated high school. In
fact, the first guitar Taylor built in 1972 was a
12-string similar to an EKO Ranger 12-string.
After graduation, Taylor went to work at the
American Dream, which was a three-part guitar shop with a retail store, a workshop, and a
repair center. In 1974, Taylor, along with fellow
American Dream employees Kurt Listug and
Steve Schemmer, bought the company and
renamed it Westland Music Company. They
also began branding their guitars “Taylor” in
1974. The rest of the 1970s was spent generating interest and establishing dealers for
Taylor. By the 1980s, Taylor was well on its way
and hasn’t looked back since.
Instead of branding their guitars with a “D” or
“J” for dreadnought and jumbo, respectively,
or using a cheesy model name, Taylor decided
to use a numbering system that actually made
sense. Guitar model numbers consisted of
three digits. The first number indicated the
type of wood and appointments, the second
number indicated if it was a six-string (number
under five) or a 12-string (number over five),
and the third number stood for the body
shape. The 800 Series was Taylor’s standard
line in the 1970s, and the 700 and 900 Series
followed shortly thereafter. Today, Taylor has an
entire line of guitars ranging from 100 Series
models all the way up to 900 Series models.
The 855 featured a solid Sitka spruce top,
solid Indian rosewood back and sides, an
abalone soundhole rosette, tropical American
mahogany neck, ebony fingerboard, gold-plated tuners, and an ebony bridge. The jumbo
body shape is unique to Taylor, and although
this guitar had been in production for several
years, the body shape did change slightly in
2000. Taylor also made subtle changes over
the years, but the general specifications have
remained the same. The 855 was discontinued
in 2006, but the 855 Cutaway Electric is still in
production. Taylor also introduced the Grand
Symphony (GS) Series in 2006, which is similar to the jumbo body shape and includes a
regular 12-string guitar. The 855 last retailed
for $3558 and sold new in stores for around
$2700. Today, used models in excellent condition bring between $2000 and $2300 in the
used marketplace. I’ve also seen a picture of
Neil Young playing an 855 in the 1970s!
Responsible guitar building is very important
to many guitar manufacturers, and Taylor takes
this issue very seriously. Granted, guitars take a
lot less wood to build compared to lumber and
furniture, but it is still the responsibility of the
manufacturer to ensure there are trees available
for years to come. Taylor doesn’t build specific
“certified wood” guitars, but instead uses
these woods in all of their guitars wherever
applicable. For example, in 2001, Hurricane Iris
ripped through Belize, leaving thousands of
dead mahogany trees in its path of destruction.
Years ago, these trees would be left for dead,
but Taylor realizes the importance of using what
is available and not necessarily convenient. By
2004, Taylor had harvested many of these trees
for use as mahogany necks in their guitars.
They also are adamant about replanting in
place of what they harvest.
With Taylor’s combination of innovation and
responsibility in guitar making, I see them
having a bright future and your guitar being a
treasure for many years to come. The bottom
line when it comes to guitars is whether it
plays well and sounds good, and Taylor nails
both of those right on the head.
Sources: Taylor Guitars: 30 Years of a
New American Classic, by Michael John
Simmons and Taylor’s Wood & Steel Volume
41, Summer 2004
Zachary R. Fjestad
Zachary is the author of the Blue Book of Acoustic
Guitars, Blue Book of Electric Guitars, and the Blue
Book of Guitar Amplifiers.
Questions can be submitted to:
Blue Book Publications
Attn: Guitar Trash or Treasure
8009 34th Ave. S. Ste #175
Minneapolis, MN 55425
800-877-4867
bluebookinc.com
guitars@bluebookinc.com
