TLDR: These two Taylors with darker than usual tops don’t sound like any other Taylor, or even any other acoustic I’ve ever played. What’s up?

In 2004 I needed an acoustic, but instead of constantly cycling through different guitars like I did with electrics, I wanted to find the right one, buy it, and be done with it. I went to every guitar shop anywhere near me and played 200+ acoustics, then went on vacation 6 hours away and stopped at every guitar shop I could find, and played a few hundred more. 

Eventually I stopped at Metro Music in Montgomery, Alabama. From what I remember, they had somewhere around 80-100 acoustics all in one room. Since we were traveling, I would just pick one up, strum a couple chords, put it back, and move to the next. I wasn’t even looking at what they were or the prices, just strumming and moving along. 

About halfway in, I pick one up, strum an E, and immediately fall in love. I had played hundreds of acoustics, and none of them had sounded anything like this, not even close. I didn’t care what it was or what the price was, I had to have it! 

It ended up being the cheapest guitar Taylor made at the time, a 110e. Satin finish, laminated back and sides, I couldn’t believe it. It has the same Sitka spruce top that all the others had, but it was much darker, and didn’t sound anything at all like the rest. Side note: it was supposedly the last new Taylor in Alabama that still had the Fishman system in it. 

I bought it, and I’m still playing it 22 years later. I’m lucky enough to work with a very long list of incredible musicians on a regular basis, and every one that has played this one has been completely shocked by it. Even guys who hate Taylors love it and try to buy it from me. 

I’ve spent 22 years trying to find another acoustic that sounds anything like this one, and a couple weeks ago I picked one up that was going to be either for my kids or to flip, but when I threw some fresh strings on it and started playing it, it sounds like mine! It’s a 2007 110ce, and the top is dark just like mine. 

I even contacted Taylor to ask about them, because I know some other manufacturers will experiment with changes on cheaper models and ship them to dealers. Taylor says they don’t, and these are in their system just like other 110s. 

I know every individual piece of wood is different, and even 10 guitars made from the same tree will sound like 10 different guitars, but these two are drastically different from any other Taylor I’ve ever heard. Do any of you guys have special insight into what’s going on?

I included my wife’s 312ce with the same Sitka spruce top for reference. 

What makes these two different?