Taylor Builders Edition 517e Grand Pacific

review
TAYLOR BUILDER’S EDITION 717E & 517E GRAND PACIFIC
100
Guitarist april 2019
What We Want To Know
So, it’s another dreadnought, then?
Well, yes, but this round-shouldered
Dreadnought range is quite a
departure for Taylor. Andy Powers
told us that it was inspired by the early
country music his father listened to
and it does have a slightly softer, more
vintage vibe than Taylors to date.
But doesn’t Taylor already have
a dreadnought?
Yes, but aside from the entry-level 110,
it’s now a discontinued model.
So, are these just more high-end
guitars we can’t afford?
Our two Builder’s Edition models
are serious investments, but Taylor
has also launched the standard
317 and 317e at £1,919 and £2,099
respectively with sapele back and
sides, and Sitka spruce top. No doubt
more standard models will follow
during the year.
Having started as a tentative experiment
in Taylor’s high-end range of instruments,
V-Class bracing is now starting to filter
throughout the catalogue and, judging from
what we have before us today, inspiring new
models in the line. Dreadnoughts without
X-bracing? Well, why not? But enough
about what lurks under the bonnet of this
russet-hued duo, let’s line ’em up and see
how they sing.
At first glance, it’s hard to tell our two
guitars apart thanks to the deep-brown
Wild Honey Burst finish (Natural is
optional) over the torrefied spruce tops.
A
s far as Taylor’s V-Class bracing is
concerned, the jury has given its
verdict and found it to be a decisive
step forward for the acoustic manufacturer,
adding subtle nuancing to the models that
have presented themselves to these ears so
far, at least. Far from being an evolutionary
leap from the more established X-bracing
developed by Martin, V-Class seems to
be taking its place alongside its forebears
on equal terms and thriving accordingly.
Prejudicial ears will always favour the
familiar, of course, but open-mindedness
is often rewarded.
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TAYLOR BUILDER’S EDITION 717E &
517E GRAND PACIFIC
£3,539 & £3,359
CONTACT Taylor Guitars PHONE [phone] WEB www.taylorguitars.com
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