Taylor Swift, a name synonymous with contemporary music, is not just a singer-songwriter; she’s a cultural phenomenon. Before stadium tours and record-breaking albums, it began with a guitar and a song. For fans and guitar enthusiasts alike, the question arises: what guitars does Taylor Swift play? Her musical journey, especially showcased in the monumental Eras Tour, offers a fascinating look into her evolving guitar collection, featuring both cherished acoustics and striking electrics.
The Eras Tour, a sprawling retrospective of Swift’s career, isn’t just a concert; it’s a journey through her musical evolution. For guitar aficionados, it’s a masterclass in her instrument choices, revealing the guitars that have shaped her sound from her self-titled debut to her latest hits. This tour highlights not only her musical eras but also the eras of her guitars, many of which are custom creations or rare finds. Let’s delve into the world of Taylor Swift’s guitars, exploring the Taylors she treasures and the Gibsons that have become central to her sound, and how you can capture a piece of that magic.
Taylor Swift with her blue Gibson J-180 acoustic guitar
Taylor’s Enduring Love for Taylor Guitars
It’s almost a given that Taylor Swift, with a name that resonates with a renowned guitar brand, would be associated with Taylor Guitars. Since her early career, these Californian acoustics have been a constant companion. Taylor guitars aren’t just instruments for her; they’re sentimental pieces that have accompanied her through every stage of her career. The Eras Tour has seen the return of some of her most iconic Taylor guitars, reaffirming their special place in her musical history. Among these are her custom red Taylor 614ce, a staple of the Red Tour, and the dazzling diamante-encrusted GS6 from the Fearless era.
Taylor Presentation Series PS-24ce Grand Auditorium: A Sentimental Favorite
Taylor Swift playing her custom Taylor PS24 Grand Auditorium acoustic guitar
Perhaps the most emotionally resonant guitar in Taylor’s collection is her custom Taylor Presentation Series PS-24ce Grand Auditorium. This exceptional instrument, crafted from flamed koa, features a unique soundhole cover that matches the body and her name elegantly inlaid on the fingerboard in a ‘Byzantine’ style font. Based on Taylor’s top-tier Presentation Series PS-24ce Grand Auditorium, this custom model stands out with its unconventional Florentine cutaway, distinguished by its sharp point, setting it apart from standard Grand Auditorium designs. It also boasts an ebony peghead and bridge, reliable Gotoh tuners, and refined ivoroid binding.
First seen around 2007, this guitar has clearly become more than just an instrument; it’s a symbol of her journey. Throughout the Eras Tour, it’s not only been played for several key songs but also proudly displayed on stage, a testament to its significance in her career.
Get the Sound: For a similar aesthetic and tonal quality without the custom price tag, the Taylor 214ce offers a Grand Auditorium body style and koa top, providing a comparable playing experience and sound profile.
Taylor Grand Symphony “Living Jewels” Series: The Koi Guitar
Taylor Swift with her "Living Jewels" Taylor Grand Symphony acoustic guitar featuring koi fish inlays
Known as the “Living Jewels” or “Koi Guitar,” this instrument is a visual and sonic standout on the Eras Tour. This unique guitar, first used around 2011-2012 during the Speak Now Tour for songs like Last Kiss, also made an appearance in her 2022 Anti-Hero music video. Its significance is further underscored by its display at the Country Music Hall of Fame before being brought back into service for the Eras Tour in 2023.
This guitar is part of a limited series designed by Pete Davies Jr. around 2000, with only about 100 made featuring different designs. Taylor’s version showcases exquisite koi fish inlays on the body and fretboard, making it a true work of art.
Get the Sound: While the “Living Jewels” series is exceptionally rare, achieving a similar tone can be done with a standard Grand Symphony model, which typically features a spruce top and maple back. For a comparable design in a smaller size, the popular Taylor GS Mini line, including Taylor’s signature GS Mini model, is an excellent alternative.
The Gibson Era: A New Chapter in Acoustics
Taylor Swift playing a pink Gibson J-180 acoustic guitar
While Taylor guitars remain close to her heart, the Eras Tour marks a noticeable shift towards Gibson acoustics as her primary instruments. This tour has unveiled a range of new, custom Gibson guitars, each uniquely colored and customized to reflect the distinct eras of her albums highlighted in the show. Though these specific models aren’t commercially available yet, their prominence on the Eras Tour has rapidly elevated their iconic status. Each guitar tells a story, mirroring a chapter in Taylor’s illustrious musical journey.
Gibson J-180: Reimagining a Classic
Taylor Swift with her crystal-covered Gibson J-180 acoustic guitar
Among the custom Gibsons, the J-180 stands out. While Taylor has brought out guitars from her past for the Eras Tour, she’s also introduced new instruments that pay homage to those periods but are tailored to her current sonic preferences. The Gibson J-180, derived from the iconic SJ-200 model introduced in 1937 and favored by artists from The Everly Brothers to Billie Joe Armstrong, is central to this.
Swift recreated her crystal rhinestone-encrusted Taylor GS6 from the Fearless Tour, this time using a Gibson J-180, a slimmer version of the J-200. After retiring the GS6 around 2013, this new J-180 was adorned with approximately 5,400 Swarovski crystals by Taylor and her family just before the tour. Like the original GS6, which was also customized by Taylor and her mother, this new guitar is a personal touchstone. A distinctive feature is a “13” rhinestone inlay behind the bridge, Swift’s lucky number.
Taylor’s affinity for the J-180 shape is evident in her collection, which includes pink, powder blue, and a black version auctioned for charity in 2020. These J-180s are recognized for their star inlays on the fretboard, a departure from traditional dot or block markers.
Get the Sound: Although Gibson doesn’t currently produce the J-180, the standard J-200 is the closest available model. For a more budget-friendly option that captures the essence, the Epiphone J-200 is a highly recommended alternative.
Gibson J-45: Understated Elegance
Taylor Swift playing a black sparkle Gibson J-45 acoustic guitar
While the J-180 might be her favorite, the Eras Tour also features Taylor playing two Gibson J-45 models: one in deep red and another in black sparkle. In contrast to the J-180s, these J-45s feature standard dot inlays, presenting a more classic and restrained aesthetic. However, as with most of Taylor’s guitars, these J-45s are custom builds, evidenced by their unique finishes and the absence of pickguards.
Get the Sound: The Gibson J-45 remains in production, available in Cherry Red and Black, though it represents a significant investment. A more accessible alternative is the Epiphone J-45, which offers a similar vibe at a lower price point.
Gibson Hummingbird: A Stock Classic
Taylor Swift playing a Gibson Hummingbird acoustic guitar
Amidst the customized guitars, Taylor’s Cherry Sunburst Gibson Hummingbird stands out as remarkably stock. Aside from a soundhole plug to minimize feedback—a common feature in her stage guitars—this Hummingbird is virtually identical to models available in stores, complete with the iconic hummingbird pickguard design.
Get the Sound: Taylor’s Hummingbird appears to be a standard model from Gibson’s Original Collection, readily available for purchase. For a more affordable option, the Epiphone Inspired By Hummingbird offers a similar look and feel, even in the correct Cherry Sunburst finish.
Taylor’s Electric Guitar Moments
Taylor Swift playing a red sparkle Les Paul electric guitar
The Eras Tour primarily showcases Taylor’s acoustic prowess, with electric guitar duties largely handled by her band. However, Taylor has a history with electric guitars, having used various models over the years. These include a red-sparkle Les Paul Standard, a similar model with mini-humbuckers, a Les Paul Studio with a red diamante finish, and even a Taylor T5 and a Johnny Marr Jaguar in earlier days.
The Red Sparkle Les Paul Studio made a memorable appearance on the opening night of the Eras Tour, though other electrics are yet to feature. These guitars are generally stock in terms of specifications.
Get the Sound: Taylor’s electric guitar preference leans towards Gibson-style single-cut models, particularly the Les Paul. While her guitars are custom, the Gibson Les Paul Modern Lite in a matte red finish offers a similar aesthetic and playing experience reminiscent of Taylor’s style.
Taylor Swift playing a Gibson Les Paul electric guitar with mini-humbuckers
Taylor Swift’s guitar collection is as diverse and captivating as her musical journey. From the sentimental Taylor acoustics that marked her early career to the custom Gibson acoustics defining her current sound, and the electric guitars that add another dimension to her music, her choices reflect her evolving artistry. Exploring Taylor Swift’s guitars offers not just a glimpse into her gear, but also into the instruments that have shaped the sound of a generation.
