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Learning to play guitar (or any instrument) is one of the most wonderful journeys of the human experience. It can be a long, difficult and sometimes even frustrating road – and to set out on your own musical adventure on an uncomfortable, poor sounding guitar can only compound the situation – greatly increasing the chances of giving up before you even get going! With a Sitka spruce top framed subtly by sapele back and sides - the Academy series of guitars was conceived to provide the beginner guitarist with the best possible playing experience, and the most level possible playing field to hone their skills and master their craft – incorporating some of the features that you see on more high-end models, such as a built-in armrest that’s as conducive to playing comfort as it is aesthetically pleasing. Seasoned players also will appreciate the Academy 10e for it’s easy playability – with a shorter scale length that reduces string tension, making the smooth action neck slinky on the fretting hand and concert / studio ready electronics. With the Academy series - all the classic Taylor hallmarks of build quality, craftsmanship, stability, playability and reliability - as you develop and grow as a musician.
Like a broken-in pair of jeans or boots, few guitar shapes rival the Dreadnought in terms of comfort and familiarity. As the years go by and smaller guitars become more and more popular, the broad waisted Dreadnought is right at home on the laps of countless guitar players. Some of your favorite classic songs were most likely recorded and/or performed on this legacy body shape that has endured for more than a century.
Layered sapele, used for Taylor backs and sides, incorporates three layers of climate resilient wood, featuring a middle core of poplar with a striking outer veneer of Sapele. Though not as tonally complex as its solid-wood counterpart, layered sapele is a strong, stable body wood that ensures vibrant tone and long-lasting durability.
Sitka Spruce is the most commonly used wood for guitar tops. Sitka generates a broad dynamic range and accommodates numerous playing styles from aggressive strumming to fingerpicking. As a guitar soundboard, Sitka spruce is the tonewood standard of the modern era. It’s used on 85-90 percent of the guitars that Taylor makes. Its combination of strength and elasticity translates into a broad dynamic range, yielding crisp articulation and allowing for everything from aggressive strumming and flatpicking to fingerpicking.
This version of our ES-B electronics incorporates Taylor’s Expression System® 2 piezo design elements and features a multifunctional onboard preamp with a built-in digital chromatic tuner and active tone-shaping EQ control. The preamp/tuner unit features an LED display for tuning and low battery indication, along with a Volume control and 3-band EQ. The preamp/tuner is powered by a 9v battery. With an alkaline battery, battery life expectancy when using the preamp only is over 500 hours, and when using the tuner is over 50 hours. Plugging in the guitar will activate the battery. A low battery indicator on the LED display (located on the preamp circuit board) will light up when the battery reaches 4.5 volts.