Taylor Guitars at NAMM 2026: Next Gen Guitars, Action Control Neck & Gold Label Collection | A Brand Highlight Conversation With Jim Kirlin from Taylor Guitars From NAAM 2026

Innovation and Tradition: Taylor Guitars at NAMM 2026

Walking into the Taylor booth at NAMM 2026 felt like stepping into a sonic candy store. Jim Kirlin's words, not mine—but he's right.

I sat down with Jim to talk about what Taylor is bringing to the table this year, and it comes down to two distinct directions: the Next Generation Grand Auditorium series and the Gold Label Collection. Modern innovation on one side, vintage inspiration on the other.

The Next Gen guitars build on Taylor's flagship Grand Auditorium—that versatile middle-size body that works for everything from fingerpicking to strumming. But they've added three significant upgrades.

First is the Action Control Neck. It's a patented design with a long tenon joint that enhances resonance and tonal transfer between neck and body. More importantly, it lets players adjust string height in seconds through the sound hole. Climate changes, different venues, personal preference—you can dial it in on the fly. That's the kind of player-centric thinking that removes obstacles from the playing experience.

Second is Scalloped V-Class Bracing. Andy Powers introduced V-Class back in 2018, and this evolution adds warmth and low end while maintaining that clear, balanced Taylor articulation. You get more of everything without losing what makes a Taylor sound like a Taylor.

Third is the new Claria Pickup system. It's discreet—sound hole mounted with volume, mid contour, and tone controls. The goal was simplicity. Plug in, play, express yourself. No fussing with complicated setups depending on the venue. Just reliable amplified sound wherever you are.

Then there's the Gold Label Collection—a completely different approach.

These are non-cutaway guitars with traditional styling inspired by instruments from the 1930s and 40s. Andy Powers designed them to broaden Taylor's tonal palette and reach players who've never been drawn to the brand before.

The new square shoulder dreadnought caught my attention. Deeper body dimensions than a traditional Taylor dread, with serious lung capacity inside. You strum those chords and feel the low end push back. Fan V-Class Bracing gives it projection and response that traditional dreadnought fans will appreciate.

There's also round shoulder dreadnoughts and super auditoriums—the latter based on the Grand Auditorium but with all the curves pushed out for more air mass. Many feature torrified tops that give them an aged, played-in character right out of the case.

The headstock shape is different. The logo styling is older. It's Taylor paying respect to tradition while still building with modern precision.

What struck me most was how intentional both directions are. Taylor isn't abandoning their modern sound—they're expanding what's possible. Next Gen for players who want cutting-edge innovation. Gold Label for players who want vintage warmth and resonance.

Two paths. Same commitment to removing obstacles and inspiring players.

That's 50 years of guitar making at work.

Sean Martin interviews Jim Kirlin from Taylor Guitars at NAMM 2026 for ITSPmagazine.

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GUESTS

Jim Kirlin
Editorial Director at Taylor Guitars

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