The Taylor Academy series is an acoustic guitar developed with a focus on playability by a top-tier brand. It's said that about 90% of those who start playing the guitar give up within the first year. Using the easy-to-play Academy series can reduce that risk.
However, drawbacks include its slightly higher price for a first guitar and a crisp sound that lacks richness.
● If you’re looking for an easy-to-play acoustic guitar
● If you’re serious about starting the guitar
● If you usually play an electric guitar but want an acoustic guitar that’s easy to play
This article introduces the Taylor Academy series, which is recommended for the above-mentioned individuals.
According to the world’s largest guitar brand, Fender, only 10% of people continue playing the guitar after their first year. Many of those who continue for a year tend to enjoy the guitar for many years afterward.
One reason for this drop-off is that beginners often start with hard-to-play guitars. Specifically, guitars priced below $200 or unadjusted second-hand guitars fall into this category. Even experienced players find it challenging to play low-quality guitars, so they’re not suitable for beginners.
The Academy series, developed by the top-tier brand Taylor, ensures that beginners don’t quit due to the guitar being hard to play. It’s designed to be stress-free and easy to play. It’s also suitable for those who usually play electric guitars.
One element of playability is the “ease of pressing the strings.”
To make strings easier to press, you can
Lowering the string height is impossible with cheap guitars. The guitar needs to be perfectly crafted without any warping. Even a slight misalignment of less than 1mm can make the guitar hard to play for beginners. Cheap guitars can’t afford the time to perfect each piece, and they’re not made by craftsmen capable of such delicate work.
The cost of a guitar is significantly influenced by these labor costs. On the other hand, a major brand like Taylor has excellent quality control, ensuring that their guitars are free from warping. This means that the playability characteristic of Taylor is realized at this price point.
The tension of the strings is reduced by shortening the scale. While the standard guitar scale is approximately 650mm, the Academy series is 632mm. By shortening the scale, the string tension is reduced, but it’s still a full-sized guitar. The tuning is also stable.
Other features enhancing playability include a smooth finish that feels good in the hand, a comfortable neck shape, and meticulously finished frets without any snags. All these features reflect the trusted Taylor quality.
The armrest is a structure where the part where the right arm rests is cut diagonally. Beginners, who tend to exert more force, might find guitars without this feature uncomfortable or even painful after playing for a while. But, with the armrest, your arm won’t tire as easily when picking.
However, armrests, which are labor-intensive to produce, are usually only found on high-end models. In Taylor’s case, they are adopted in the 800 series, models priced over $4,000. This alone feels like a great deal.
While the Academy series, specialized for playability, is recommended for beginners, it’s priced around $700. For absolute beginners, especially students, this might be a high hurdle.
Based on in-store experiences, roughly 1 in 20 people start with a guitar in this price range. Once they try it, even beginners can appreciate its high quality, so they think, “If I’m going to start, I might as well start with this.” Some also buy a slightly more expensive guitar to eliminate the option of quitting. And indeed, these individuals rarely quit.
Due to the slightly smaller body and a change in neck material to hard rock maple around June 2019, the guitar has a brighter and clearer sound. Compared to the sound of a typical guitar, it lacks the depth in the bass and overall warmth.
This isn’t necessarily a negative point but rather a characteristic of its sound. Especially when compared to the powerful sound of larger-bodied acoustic guitars, it might sound inferior. Sound preference varies from person to person, so prioritizing ease of play with the correct pitch might not be an issue.
Electric guitarists might even prefer its clear sound for 16-beat rhythm playing. The sound in this video is close to the actual sound. It sounds good.
| Specification | Academy10 | Academy12 | Academy-N |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body Shape | Dreadnought | Grand Concert | Grand Concert |
| Top | Sitka Spruce Solid | Sitka Spruce Solid | Lutz Spruce Solid |
| Side/Back | Sapele Plywood | Sapele Plywood | Sapele Plywood |
| Neck | Maple | Maple | Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Ebony | Ebony | Ebony |
| Nut | Nubone | Nubone | Nubone |
| Saddle | Micarta | Micarta | Micarta |
| Scale | 24 7/8″ (632mm) | 24 7/8″ (632mm) | 25 1/2″ (648mm) |
| Nut Width | 1 11/16″ (42.8mm) | 1 11/16″ (42.8mm) | 1 7/8″ (47.6mm) |
| Without Pickup Market Price | $699 | $699 | $749 |
| With Pickup Market Price | $849 | $849 | $899 |
The Academy series consists of six models. There are two body shapes, with or without pickups, and a nylon-stringed version, the Academy12 Nylon, and its pickup-equipped model.
The Academy 10 is a dreadnought, and the Academy 12 is a grand concert. The body is a size smaller than the standard, making it easier to hold.
The Academy 10 has a more voluminous sound, while the Academy 12 has a clearer sound. However, the Academy 12’s body has a waist, making it more compact and easier to hold, which many find more comfortable. Most beginners prefer the size of the 12 over the sound differences.
Then there’s the presence or absence of pickups, with models ending in “e” having pickups. Having a pickup allows you to connect to an amp for louder sound, and use it for live performances or recording with a clear sound.
The pickup, ES2, is the same as the one used in Taylor’s high-end models. Additionally, it has a built-in tuner, which is handy even when playing at home.
As the name suggests, the Academy12-Nylon uses nylon strings instead of steel strings.
It’s not a guitar typically used for general strumming and singing; it’s for those who want to try their hand at classical guitar.
While it shares features like the armrest and a comfortably sized body, its scale length is the same as a regular guitar, so the string tension is slightly higher.
The Academy series is an acoustic guitar specialized for playability, boasting top-tier brand quality.
Recommended for:
