“We’re not going to import loads of low-end guitars, slap our name on and sell them. We actually design the musical experience to be a great one”: Andy Powers on the evolution of Taylor acoustics, and the promise and challenge of exploring new tonewoods

Andy Powers plays a Taylor Gold Label 814e.

As the CEO and president of Taylor Guitars, which has been in the upper echelon of acoustic guitar-making since 1974, Andy Powers has a lot on his plate. And while the business side of things is paramount, Powers’ passion is forever centered around the making of the instruments.

“It stems around trying to create an instrument that feels inspiring to a player,” Powers says. “It could be inspiring in familiar, fresh and new ways. But I want somebody to feel joy when they pick up the instrument.”