Builder's Edition 517e

A complete re-interpretation of the traditional dreadnought and with a sonic character completely unlike anything else in the Taylor line - the unique round-shoulder silhouette of the 517e Grand Pacific, crafted by Master Builder Andy Powers - incorporates revolutionary V-class bracing to dramatic effect to deliver something that completely unexpected, both sonically and visually. In a slight deviation from the traditional Cedar / Mahogany heritage of the 500 series family -Tropical Mahogany back and sides with a solid Sitka spruce top are combined create a rich, focused sound with a delightful layering and blur of notes that is perfectly captured by the onboard ES2 electronics. The Builder’s Edition 517e is the perfect guitar to contrast other guitars or stringed instruments, whether in a recording or ensemble environment – and the curvaceous lines only add to the mystique that you simply must play, and feel – to believe. With unbelievable playing comfort, warm, organic tone and understated elegance - whether you’re a traditionalist hankering for classic looks, or chasing the allure of something completely different with a seductively bold and versatile tone profile – The Builder’s Edition 517e lobs a hand grenade into the tea party of traditional dreadnaught values.

Grand Pacific

A complete re-interpretation of the traditional dreadnaught, with a sonic character completely unlike anything else in the Taylor line, the unique round-shoulder silhouette of the Grand Pacific – brainchild of Taylor Master Builder Andy Powers is a veritable cauldron of tone. Lush washes of colour, a distinct blurring of notes and profound warmth – all encouraged by the revolutionary V-Class bracing system. Whether you’re a traditionalist hankering for classic looks, or chasing the allure of something completely different - with a seductively bold and versatile tonal profile, excellent playing comfort and classic Taylor playability, the Grand Pacific will scratch your itch.

Neo-Tropical Mahogany

Mahogany is known for its strong midrange, with a fundamental focus and controlled overtones that give a mellow, played-in sound. Responding well to players with a strong attack who like dry, earthy tones, its density and inherent strength add a degree of natural compression, creating a volume ceiling that smoothes over and tames harsh transients. Mahogany's clear and direct tonal character makes it a great contrast to other, more dominating instruments, or when playing in an ensemble.

Sitka Spruce

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.

ES-2 Pickup

If you need to amplify your sound, you'll love the revolutionary onboard ES2 pickup system. The 3 individual sensors located behind the saddle combine with the pro-grade preamp to deliver an unmatched dynamics, perfect for live or studio.

V-class Bracing

Bracing is the internal framework of an acoustic guitar that plays a vital role in the way the instrument shapes the sound. Although X-bracing has been standard in acoustic guitars for over a century, it creates an innate conflict between two key elements of a guitar's sound: volume and sustain. The guitar's top (its soundboard) contributes significantly to both. The flexibility of the top generates volume (projection), while its stiffness generates sustain. And with X-braced guitar tops, here's where the trade-off comes in: when something is made stiffer, its flexibility is reduced (and vice versa). V-Class bracing changes all that. With Taylor's V-Class bracing, an acoustic guitar top can be both stiff and flexible — for more volume and sustain. V-Class bracing provides stiffness parallel to the strings for more rigidity and hence sustain. Flexibility on either side generates the air movement necessary for robust projection - so it's the best of both worlds. This groundbreaking innovation also improves intonation, not only producing notes that are louder and with longer sustain — but more in tune with each other. V-Class bracing also boosts volume evenly across the tonal spectrum, increases sustain, and improves the natural intonation of the instrument by creating a more synergistic response from the soundboard. This fosters a more harmonious relationship between the notes you play, helping chords to ring out in cohesive splendor. Pick up a Taylor with V-Class bracing and experience it for yourself.

Body

• Binding Edge Treatment : Sapele
• Back Config : 2-piece No Wedge
• Rosette Size : Single Ring
• Back/Side Finish : Silent Satin
• Stain/Sunburst : Wild Honey Burst Top, Blackwood Stain Back, Sides, Neck
• Armrest : No
• Top Finish : Silent Satin
• Rosette Material : Black Sapele/Maple

Neck

• Neck Width : 1-3/4"
• Fretboard Binding/Edge Treatment : West African Crelicam Ebony
• Type of Neck Joint : Scarf
• Fretboard Wood : West African Crelicam Ebony
• Heel Length : 3-1/2"
• Fretboard Inlay : Arrowheads, Grained Ivoroid
• Heel Cap Binding : West African Crelicam Ebony
• Neck/Heel : Tropical Mahogany
• Neck Finish : Satin

Peghead

• Peghead Finish : Satin
• Peghead Type : Standard
• Headstock Overlay : West African Crelicam Ebony
• Peghead Logo : Grained Ivoroid
• Peghead Inlay : Arrowheads, Grained Ivoroid

Other

• Bridge Pins : West African Crelicam Ebony
• Buttons : Nickel
• Scale Length : 25-1/2"
• Bracing : V-Class Bracing
• Tuners : Taylor Nickel
• Strings : Phosphor Bronze Medium
• Body Width : 16"
• Nut & Saddle : Black Graphite, Micarta Saddle
• Truss Rod Cover : West African Crelicam Ebony
• Number of Frets : 20
• Case : Taylor Deluxe Hardshell-Western Floral
• Body Length : 20"
• Body Depth : 4 5/8"