What Guitar Does Taylor Swift Play? Her Complete Gear Collection (2026)

Taylor Swift owns over 100 different guitars—more than most guitar shops. From crystal-studded Gibsons on the Eras Tour stage to the vintage Taylor acoustic she’s had since 2007, every guitar in her collection tells a story. But if you’ve ever watched her perform and wondered: what guitar does Taylor Swift actually play? Here’s the definitive breakdown of her most iconic instruments.

Taylor Swift’s Acoustic Guitars

Acoustic guitar is Taylor’s foundation. She built her entire career on it, from her Nashville debut to sold-out stadiums. Here are the acoustic guitars she reaches for most.

1. Gibson J-180 — Her Eras Tour Workhorse

The Gibson J-180 (also known as the “Everly Brothers”) is the guitar you’ll see Taylor play the most on the Eras Tour. It’s a jumbo-sized acoustic with distinctive star-shaped fretboard inlays and a powerful, booming sound that cuts through a stadium mix.

What makes Taylor’s J-180s special? She has multiple custom versions—one drenched in over 5,000 Swarovski crystals for the “Fearless” era, a powder blue version for “Lover,” and a pale pink one that matches the dreamy Lover stage design. She also uses a clean black version for stripped-down performances like her NPR Tiny Desk concert.

• Body: Jumbo
• Top: Sitka Spruce
• Back & Sides: Maple
• Signature Feature: Star fretboard inlays, powerful projection
• Price Range: ~$2,500-3,500 (stock version)

2. Gibson J-45 — The “Red” Era Guitar

The Gibson J-45 is widely considered the workhorse of acoustic guitars—it’s the best-selling acoustic Gibson has ever made. Taylor uses custom J-45s in deep red and black sparkle finishes (both without pickguards) during the “Red” era section of the Eras Tour. The J-45 has a warmer, more balanced tone compared to the boomy J-180, making it perfect for the more mature, emotionally complex songs from that album.

If you’ve ever heard “All Too Well (10 Minute Version)” live, that rich, warm, full-bodied acoustic tone? That’s the J-45.

3. Gibson Hummingbird — For Folklore & Evermore

For the folklore and evermore sections of her set—the stripped-back, indie-folk songs—Taylor reaches for a stock Gibson Hummingbird in Heritage Cherry Sunburst. The Hummingbird is one of the most beautiful acoustic guitars ever made, with its iconic hand-painted hummingbird and floral pickguard. Its bright, articulate tone and tight low-end are perfect for fingerpicking-heavy songs like “cardigan” and “willow.”

4. Taylor PS-24ce Grand Auditorium — Her Sentimental Favorite

Before she was a Gibson player, Taylor Swift was (unsurprisingly) a Taylor Guitars player. Her Taylor Presentation Series PS-24ce is one of the most personal instruments in her collection—she’s had it since 2007, and it’s appeared on nearly every tour since.

This is a custom-built guitar with a stunning flamed Koa body, Florentine cutaway, and intricate Byzantine inlay work on the fretboard. The Grand Auditorium body shape is slightly smaller than a dreadnought, making it comfortable for stage performance while still delivering rich, balanced tone.

Fun fact: Taylor Swift is one of the reasons Taylor Guitars became a household name. Her constant visibility with the brand during her early career created an entire generation of guitarists who wanted a “Taylor” guitar.

5. The “Koi Guitar” — Taylor Grand Symphony Living Jewels

Perhaps the most visually stunning guitar in her collection: the Taylor Grand Symphony “Living Jewels” Koi Guitar, crafted by master luthier Pete Davies Jr. This one-of-a-kind instrument features incredible koi fish inlays on both the fretboard and body. It originally appeared on the Speak Now Tour, showed up in the “Anti-Hero” music video, and was even displayed at the Country Music Hall of Fame before returning to the Eras Tour lineup.

Taylor Swift’s Electric Guitars

While Taylor is primarily known as an acoustic player, she absolutely shreds on electric guitar too—especially during the high-energy pop-rock sections of her shows.

6. Gibson Les Paul Special — Her Sparkle Machine

Taylor’s Gibson Les Paul is impossible to miss on stage because it’s covered in custom red sparkle and diamante embellishments. She’s used various customized Les Paul models across the Fearless, Speak Now, Red, and now Eras tours. The Les Paul delivers thick, warm humbucker tones perfect for the heavier arrangements of songs like “Bad Blood” and “Look What You Made Me Do.”

A red sparkle Les Paul Standard was spotted on the opening night of the Eras Tour, cementing it as one of her signature instruments.

7. Fender Johnny Marr Signature Jaguar

An unexpected but brilliant choice: Taylor plays a Fender Johnny Marr Signature Jaguar in Olympic White. This is the signature model of The Smiths’ legendary guitarist, featuring custom-wound Bare Knuckle single-coil pickups that deliver jangly, chimey tones. She’s used it for performances of “Wildest Dreams” and other 1989-era tracks where she needs that breezy, indie-pop shimmer.

The Jaguar is a fan-favorite choice because it shows Taylor has genuine, deeper-cut guitar taste—choosing a Johnny Marr signature model is something a serious guitarist would do.

How to Get Taylor Swift’s Guitar Sound on a Budget

Taylor’s custom Gibsons cost thousands, but you can get remarkably close to her sound without the celebrity price tag:

For Her Acoustic Sound

• Under $300: The Yamaha FG800 (our #1 pick) delivers a similar bright, powerful tone with its solid spruce top. It’s the best beginner acoustic for aspiring Swifties.
• Under $500: The Taylor 114e or Gibson G-45 get you into the same tonal ballpark as her stage guitars.
• The Exact Vibe: An Epiphone J-45 Studio (~$400) is the budget version of her Red-era guitar, same shape and similar tonewoods.

For Her Electric Sound

• Under $200: An Epiphone SG Special or Squier Classic Vibe will get you into the right territory.
• For 1989-era jangle: A Squier Classic Vibe Jaguar (~$450) captures that Johnny Marr Jaguar shimmer at a fraction of the cost.
• Add a pedal: Pair any of these with a Boss DS-1 distortion pedal (~$49) for the heavier tracks like “Bad Blood.”

Taylor Swift Guitar Fun Facts

• Taylor owns 100+ guitars, making her collection one of the largest among active touring artists.
• She started playing guitar at age 12 after being inspired by Shania Twain.
• Her very first guitar was a 12-string acoustic—unusually challenging for a beginner.
• She writes nearly all her songs on acoustic guitar first, then translates them to full-band arrangements.
• Many of her custom guitars are one-of-a-kind pieces that don’t exist anywhere else in the world.
• The Swarovski crystal J-180 reportedly weighs significantly more than a standard version due to the 5,000+ crystals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Taylor Swift play guitar or just sing?

Taylor Swift is a legitimate, self-taught guitarist who has been playing since age 12. She plays guitar on stage at every show and writes most of her songs on acoustic guitar. While she’s primarily known as a vocalist, her guitar playing is an essential part of her identity as an artist.

What was Taylor Swift’s first guitar?

Taylor’s first guitar was a 12-string acoustic guitar. She later switched to 6-string models and became closely associated with Taylor Guitars during her early career before transitioning primarily to Gibson acoustics.

Why did Taylor Swift switch from Taylor Guitars to Gibson?

While Taylor still plays her sentimental Taylor PS-24ce on tour, she gradually shifted to Gibson acoustics (J-180, J-45, Hummingbird) because their warmer, richer tone better suits her evolved musical style. The jumbo Gibson body also projects better in stadium settings. She hasn’t abandoned Taylor Guitars entirely—she just expanded her palette.

What strings does Taylor Swift use?

Taylor Swift has been spotted using Elixir Phosphor Bronze strings on her acoustic guitars. Elixir’s coated strings last longer under stage lights and heavy touring conditions, making them a popular choice for touring musicians. (If you want that same bright Taylor tone, check out our guide to the best guitar strings for beginners and learn how to tune your guitar by ear to keep your Taylor sounding perfect!)

The Takeaway

Taylor Swift’s guitar collection is as carefully curated as her albums. Every guitar serves a purpose: the crystal J-180 for spectacle, the J-45 for emotional depth, the Hummingbird for indie intimacy, and the Les Paul for rock energy. Starting your own guitar journey? You don’t need a $3,000 Gibson—check out our 7 Best Acoustic Guitars Under $300 to find your perfect first guitar, or browse our Best Guitar Pedals Under $50 to start building your own sound.

Want to learn some of Taylor’s songs right now? Check out our Chords Directory and start strumming!

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