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The Eras Tour | Acoustic section

Taylor Guitars ‘Grand Auditorium Custom Guitar’

This particular guitar I’ve talked about a lot over the years and is the most nostalgic in Taylor’s guitar collection. While this is a new version of it (you can tell by the application of the wood on the guitar’s face), Taylor retained all the signature customizations she made to the koa wood series she owned as a teenager that make it very distinctive as hers including the byzantine inlays on the neck and a Florentine cutaway.

Photo by Kevin Mazur via Getty Images


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The Eras Tour | folklore section

Gibson ‘Hummingbird Acoustic Guitar’ - $3,999.00

During her folklore set, Taylor pulls out one of Gibson’s most distinctive styles - the Hummingbird which is easily recognizable by its graphic pickguard. While she’s had this one in her guitar arsenal since 2012, it doesn’t make many appearances.


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Performing at The 1975 | London, England | January 12, 2023

Gibson ‘J-180 Acoustic Guitar’ - not available (similar)

Taylor has owned and played the acoustic J-180 style from Gibson since approximately 2015. She debuted a black version in 2015 and this matte white version in 2017.

Taylor appears to have a soundhole cover placed here - which helps with sound in the live setting on stage and is covering the first distinctive decorative ring around the soundhole.


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“Anti-Hero” music video | October 21, 2022

Taylor Guitars ‘Koi Living Jewels’ - $9,500.00 (limited edition, no longer available)

I am feeling feelings seeing this guitar come back into circulation.

Also worn: Speak Now Tour


folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions | November 24, 2020

Silvertone ‘1959 604 Acoustic Guitar’ - no longer available

During the acoustic session at Long Pond, Taylor played this acoustic guitar that was gifted to her by her folklore collaborator Aaron Dessner. Aaron picked up the guitar originally from the Old Style Guitar Shop in Los Angeles and had it refitted with a rubber bridge.

You can see Aaron playing the guitar himself previously on stage here.

Worn with: Free People dress and Cole Haan oxfords


Performing “cardigan” / “august” / “willow” | March 14, 2021

Gibson ‘J-180 Acoustic Guitar’ 

Taylor has long favoured this particular acoustic body for years dating back to 2015 at that year’s iHeartRadio Music Awards and at the F1 Grand Prix in Austin in 2016. 

She also used this guitar in her debut performance of “betty” at the ACMs last year and auctioned off her exact guitar to Christie’s (autographed version pictured, source) to benefit the ACM’s COVID-19 response fund.

Worn with: Art Tribute guitar strap and Etro gown


Reputation Tour | “Summer of ‘69” ft Bryan Adams | Toronto, Canada | August 4, 2018

Fender ‘American Professional Telecaster Deluxe Shawbucker in Candy Apple Red’ - $1,449.00

Taylor debuted a brand new bright red Fender electric during her performance with Canadian legend Bryan Adams. 


AT&T Taylor Swift Now commercial (x) | September 7, 2017

Gibson ‘Custom J-180 Acoustic Guitar’ - not available for purchase

From the limited knowledge I know about guitars, this appears to be the same body as the Gibson acoustic that Taylor strums in her latest commercial with AT&T. 

Given the star fret inlays and all-white paint job, my best guess is that Taylor’s guitar is a custom. 


Formula 1 Grand Prix performance | Austin, TX | October 22, 2016

Gibson ‘J-180 Acoustic Guitar’ - $3049.00 (Bille Joe Armstrong version)

Worn with: Jessica Jones bodysuit and Stuart Weitzman booties

Also worn: Performing “Ghost Town” w/ Madonna


Performing “Ghost Town” with Madonna | iHeartRadio Music Awards | March 29, 2015

Gibson ‘J-180 Acoustic Guitar’ - $3,049.00 

During last night’s performance I was quite intrigued by what seemed like a new addition to Taylor’s guitar roster (looking forward to seeing what she brings to the table instrument-wise on the 1989 World Tour!).

While it’s common knowledge that Taylor’s preferred acoustic guitar brand is Taylor Guitars it’s also not out of the norm for her to pick up a Gibson. But this one is apparently actually Madonna’s and Taylor borrowed it for the performance. 

Note: I’m no guitar expert. It has been noted that Madonna has played the Everly Brothers LImited Edition version of this guitar. 

Worn with: Greg Lauren dress, Wolford tights and Christian Louboutin boots


Performing “Jump Then Fall” | Dancing With the Stars | October 27, 2009

Taylor Guitars ‘Grand Auditorium Custom Guitar’ - $9318.00+

Taylor owns two versions of this guitar and has been playing this series since the beginning of her career. For more info on distinguishing between the two of them check out this post. Above, Taylor is playing the first, original, version of this guitar. 

Worn with: TopShop dress

You can check out all the times Taylor has played her Original Koa here and her New Koa here.


“Ain’t Nothing ‘Bout You” | Brooks & Dunn Tribute Concert: The Last Rodeo | April 19, 2010

Taylor Guitars ‘Grand Auditorium Custom Guitar’ - $9318.00+

Taylor has been playing this guitar since the very beginning of her career. As discussed in this post, Taylor owns two versions of this guitar that are easily distinguished from one another. The original, which she’s playing above, has an identifiable ‘v’ pattern in its wood inlay. The new version which she plays now has a horizontal inaly.

Worn with: Jenny Packham dress and Everybody boots

You can check out all the times Taylor has played her Original Koa here and her New Koa here.


Elle magazine | April 2010

Taylor Guitars ‘Grand Auditorium Custom Guitar’ - $9318.00+

As mentioned in this post, this is the original, first version of Taylor’s custom koa guitar that has been with her since the beginning of her career. It has rarely been seen since this photoshoot as Taylor now uses a second version of this custom guitar - including on the current RED Tour.

The two customs differ only by the colour of their tuning pegs and by the pattern of the wood. The Original Koa - seen here - has a ‘v’ pattern whereas the New Koa she uses (linked above) has a straight, horizontal pattern.

Worn with: Chloé dress

Check out the rest of Taylor’s photo spread in Elle here.

You can check out all the times Taylor has played her Original Koa here and her New Koa here.


Arriving at LAX airport | Los Angeles, CA | February 12, 2014

Taylor Guitars ‘Gig Bag’ - $50.00 (similar)

With a gig bag this small, Taylor is no doubt carrying a Baby Taylor guitar - an acoustic that is ¾ the size of a normal Dreadnought acoustic. It’s possible she’s even carrying her own Taylor Swift for Taylor Guitars baby Taylor (say that three times fast) but it’s impossible to know as she’s only carried this baby gig bag at airports.

Check out the multiple times Taylor has carried this gig bag here.

Worn with: Ann Taylor top, Rag & Bone booties and Dolce & Gabbana bag


Keds ads | Spring 2014

Gibson ‘J-200 New Vintage Acoustic Guitar’ - $5049.00 (starting price)

When Taylor isn’t strumming her preferred Taylor Guitars she’s usually rocking out on a Gibson electric. In this case, she’s picked up a Gibson acoustic guitar.

From what I can tell of the screencaps taken from the behind-the-scenes video, this her acoustic guitar from this Keds ad. Distinctive by its Moustache bridge, crown inlays and the shape of the pickguard as well as the similarity of the apparent designs from the blurry BTS screenshots.

Worn with: Michael Kors top and Keds sneakers


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