Tacoma Guitars
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Musical instruments |
| Founded | 1991 |
| Founder | Young Chang (subsidiary) |
| Defunct | 2008 |
| Fate | Manufacturing ended; facility shut down |
| Headquarters | Tacoma, Washington , United States |
Area served | United States |
| Products | Acoustic guitars, bass guitars, mandolins, electric guitars |
| Parent | Young Chang (1991–1999), Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (2004–2008) |
Tacoma Guitars was a U.S.-based maker of musical instruments, established in 1991 as a subsidiary of the South Korean firm Young Chang. Situated in Tacoma, Washington, the company focused on producing acoustic guitars, bass guitars, and mandolins. In 2004, Tacoma became part of the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation portfolio; however, manufacturing ended following the shutdown of the Tacoma facility in 2008.
History
The origins of Tacoma Guitars trace back to Young Chang America's timber processing activities in Tacoma. J. C. Kim, who managed the sawmill, persuaded Young Chang to open a guitar factory nearby. Initially, this factory manufactured approximately 100 guitars each month for another brand. By 1997, Tacoma introduced its own lineup—the Papoose and Chief—at the NAMM Show, marking its transition to large-scale production under its own name.
Tacoma created unique guitar series characterized by traditional round sound holes alongside the paisley-shaped sound hole debuted on the Papoose model, known as the Wing Series. Due to an economic slump in Asia, Young Chang divested Tacoma to Kim in 1999.
In October 2004, Fender purchased Tacoma for an estimated $2–4 million and incorporated it as one of Fender's divisions. Four years later, Fender closed the 44,000-square-foot manufacturing plant in Frederickson and terminated 70 jobs, relocating production to Fender’s existing Connecticut facilities to capitalize on operational efficiencies. According to former Tacoma CEO Ferdinand Boyce, automation advancements played a role in Fender’s decision. Following this closure, Tacoma guitar production was discontinued permanently.
Design features
Tacoma guitars are recognized for several signature design traits—most notably their distinctive paisley-shaped sound holes and bolt-on neck construction.
Paisley soundhole
A number of Tacoma models showcased the distinctive paisley soundhole, positioned on the upper bout’s left side and crafted by esteemed luthier George Gruhn. This unconventional placement moved the soundhole to a less stressed area of the guitar top, which bolstered structural integrity by allowing reduced bracing while enhancing resonance. Guitars equipped with this feature were marketed as part of the Wing Series.
Voiced bracing support
The Voiced Bracing Support system employed by Tacoma minimized internal bracing to retain structural stability without compromising tonal performance. The Wing Series utilized A-frame bracing as an alternative to the conventional X-frame design. For models with standard round soundholes, a modified X-frame was implemented featuring two additional cross-braces outside the X to increase soundhole rigidity and stability while maintaining flexible edges for better resonance. The braces were carefully shaped—thinner and broader near their edges and thicker with a narrower profile at their centers—to optimize acoustic output.
Bridge
Tacoma incorporated asymmetrical bracing beneath the bridge to improve individual string response. Their bridges featured smooth curves devoid of sharp corners, promoting efficient vibration transfer from bridge to guitar top.
Bolt-on necks
Most Tacoma instruments employed bolt-on neck construction without exposing screw plates externally, facilitating easier maintenance and streamlined manufacturing processes.
Papoose
The P1 Papoose, designed collaboratively by Terry Atkins and George Gruhn, was Tacoma’s first model release. It boasts a short 19.1" scale length and is tuned a perfect fourth higher than standard tuning (to A), equivalent to placing a capo on the fifth fret of a traditional guitar. This model introduced both the paisley-shaped soundhole and the Voiced Bracing Support system. It was offered in both six-string and twelve-string (P112) configurations.
Papoose Electric
Tacoma manufactured solid body electric guitars inspired by the Papoose's dimensions. The SP1 model came with a solid mahogany body, a bridge-mounted Duncan Designed humbucker pickup, and an integrated headphone amplifier. Production of the Papoose electric concluded by late 2006.
Chief
The C1C Chief marked Tacoma's initial full-scale Wing Series guitar, equipped with standard tuning and a 25.5" scale length. Its body shape was rounded, resembling that of a "jumbo" guitar.
Archtop
Tacoma’s archtop lineup, derived from the Chief, included models such as the AJF22CE5 (natural satin finish) and AJF28CE5 (high gloss), available in natural and tobacco sunburst hues with options for custom orders. These AJFs were crafted with CNC-carved solid Sitka spruce tops and solid maple for the backs and sides. While early versions featured bolt-on necks, Tacoma transitioned to traditional glued mortise and tenon neck joints in later productions. The AJFs incorporated ebony bridges paired with composite tailpieces and EMG-designed passive humbucking pickups. Volume and tone controls were subtly embedded within the pickguard.
Roadking
The Roadking collection consisted of Dreadnought-style Wing Series guitars, such as the RM6C Roadking (25.5" scale), RM6 (non-cutaway), the 1998 DM8C Roadking (cutaway with solid mahogany back and sides, Sitka spruce top, rosewood fretboard, and pinless bridge), and the 1999 DR8C Roadking. Spruce tops were standard across models, with options for mahogany or rosewood available. Occasionally, koa wood versions appeared as likely custom orders. Customers purchasing directly from the factory could extensively customize woods and features.
Thunderhawk Baritone
The acoustic baritone guitars BM6C Thunderhawk and BF28C Thunderhawk featured 29" scale lengths and were tuned to "B."
Thunderchief Bass
The acoustic bass guitars CB10C Thunderchief and CB28C Thunderchief boasted large bodies with rosewood or ebony fingerboards respectively, both having 34" scale lengths. Five-string variants included the CB105C and CB285C. A similar model was later produced under the "Olympia by Tacoma" label in Asia, offering a more affordable option while retaining playability.
Conventional Models
In addition to the paisley-hole Wing Series guitars, Tacoma also produced traditional instruments across multiple series, each distinguished by specific woods and decorative details.
55 Series
Featuring maple bindings, rosewood backs and sides, abalone floral inlays, and hand-rubbed UV gloss finishes, the 55 Series included Dreadnought and Jumbo body styles.
28 Series
The 28 Series presented gold tuning machines, abalone trim, and hand-rubbed UV gloss finishes. It comprised Dreadnought models (DM28), cutaway versions (DM28C), 12-string models (DM2812), rosewood back and sides variants (DR28), Jumbo cutaway (JK28C), 12-string Jumbo (JF2812), Little Jumbo cutaway (ER28C), as well as a parlor-sized model (PM28).
14 Series
The 14 Series showcased ebony fingerboards and bridges combined with hand-rubbed UV gloss tops, including both Dreadnoughts and Little Jumbo cutaway styles.
9 series
The 9 Series featured guitars built entirely from solid materials, showcasing mahogany for the backs and sides, complemented by satin finish coatings. This lineup included various body styles such as Dreadnought, Jumbo, and Little Jumbo with cutaway designs.
Mandolins
Within Tacoma's Wing Series mandolins, the tops were crafted from spruce, while the backs and sides were available in mahogany (M1), Indian rosewood (M2), or maple (M3) options.