Among the first generation of our Grand Pacific dreadnought guitars, the mahogany/torrefied spruce Builder’s Edition 517e dramatically expands the Taylor line’s sonic palette with a new flavor of acoustic tone that may surprise players who think they know the Taylor sound. An exciting new entry into the dreadnought category, this round-shoulder Grand Pacific resonates with a finely-honed balance of low-end power and clarity across the middle and upper registers, producing warm, rounded tone in which notes blend seamlessly together to create a seasoned sound. Back and sides of neo-tropical mahogany flavor the sound with dry, woody character, coupling beautifully with the dynamic response of the torrefied Sitka spruce top. The Builder’s Edition stamp means that the 517e is detailed with premium features designed to maximize player comfort, including chamfered body edges and a new compound-carve neck profile that compensates for the change in your hand position as you move along the neck. Subtly contoured fretboard edges and a rounded, ridgeless heel add to the guitar’s pleasing fretting-hand feel, while a refined bridge shape brings extra comfort to your pick hand. Under the hood, V-Class bracing enables the guitar to pump out stunning projection and sustain, plus nearly perfect intonation, which means you won’t have to contend with sour notes on the fretboard. And with our proprietary onboard ES2 electronics, the guitar’s many tonal virtues will shine for amplified applications. Between its sound and feel, the Builder’s Edition 517e once again raises the bar on the Taylor playing experience.
Highlights
Scale Length:25-1/2″
Nut & Saddle:Black Graphite, Micarta saddle
Truss Rod Cover:West African Crelicam Ebony
Case:Taylor Deluxe Hardshell-Western Floral
Brand of Strings:Elixir Phosphor Bronze
Binding/Edge Treatment:Sapele
Back Config:2-piece No Wedge
Back/Side Finish:Silent Satin
Rosette Mat.:Black Sapele/Maple
Stain/Sunburst:Blackwood Stain Back/Sides/Neck, Natural Top
Armrest:no
Neck Width:1-3/4″
Fretboard Inlay:Arrowheads, Grained Ivoroid
Fretboard Binding/Edge Treatment:West African Crelicam Ebony
Heel Cap Binding:West African Crelicam Ebony
Neck/Heel:Tropical Mahogany
Fretboard Wood:West African Crelicam Ebony
Headstock Overlay:West African Crelicam Ebony
Peghead Inlay:Arrowheads, Grained Ivoroid
Peghead Logo:Grained Ivoroid
Bridge Pins:West African Crelicam Ebony
Buttons:Nickel