• The new Chinese-built Tyler guitars aim to deliver boutique feel and tone at a more accessible $ 1,799 price point.
• Production is handled by Yako, a respected factory with a history of highend guitar manufacturing.
• Each guitar undergoes strict multi-stage quality control at the factory and then in Beijing for international distribution and Los Angeles for domestic distribution.
• Core specs mirror U. S. models— including North American tonewoods, 25.5” scale, and Tyler-style pickups.
• Initial models include the MK1 bolt-on and M1 set-neck, preserving James Tyler’ s iconic shapes, the Studio Elite and Mongoose, respectively.
• Early dealer feedback at NAMM 2025 was overwhelmingly positive, with strong preorders from skeptics.
• The line serves as a gateway for new players to experience the Tyler feel and eventually move up to U. S. made builds.
For decades, James Tyler Guitars has stood at the forefront of the boutique guitar world— synonymous with exceptional craftsmanship, tonal excellence, and a willingness to reimagine classic forms. But as the global guitar market continues to shift, the company is taking bold new steps. One of the biggest: launching a new line of Chinese-built instruments that stay true to the Tyler spirit at a more accessible price point.
We caught up with longtime Tyler team member and now general manager Rich Renken to talk about the company’ s evolution— from ownership changes to offshore production— while keeping the legacy intact.
[ WM ] Let’ s talk about the new overseas line. How did the idea for a Chinese-built Tyler come about?
[ Rich Renken ] A few years ago, Jim Tyler sold the company to Ian, the owner of Wild West Guitars. Ian’ s originally from China and comes from a background in large-scale audio system
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