Under the Hood: Taylor Guitars

Taylor Guitars’ American Dream Series

By Brian Berk

It was a dream 46 years in the making: nought body style, which also fits into the warmth and clear low-end power that make Taylor Guitars has debuted its American series’ “workhorse” identity. All models are the Grand Pacific a “Swiss Army knife Dream Series, named after the guitar shop available with and without electronics. instrument.” where Taylor was founded in 1974. First up in Taylor’s dream-turned-reality According to Taylor Guitars, “Anyone

Even though we continue to face the is the AD17 and A17e, the first Grand looking for a solid-wood Taylor experience COVID-19 global pandemic, manufacturer Pacific models to feature ovangkol back and with throwback aesthetic character will find innovation has not ceased. In fact, one could sides (with a spruce top). This construction themselves drawn to this guitar.” argue people have had more time to think combines the tonewood’s rosewood-like The D17 Blacktop and AD17e Blacktop about manufacturing with fewer outside properties (plus a full midrange); the body carry a street price of $1,499 and an MSRP distractions. El Cajon, Calif.-based Taylor shape’s warm, seasoned voice; and the of $1,699. Guitars challenged itself to create a series of enhanced power, sustain and intonation of Last, but certainly not least in Taylor U.S.-made, solid-wood guitars distilled down V-Class bracing, making this an incredibly Guitar’s American Dream lineup, is its to the essential elements of premium musiversatile workhorse with expressive musiAD27 and AD27e. Fans of mahogany-top cal performance — featuring Taylor’s wellcal range. Visually, Taylor Guitar’s Urban dreadnought-style guitars will love what known playability and V-Class bracing — yet Sienna color treatment adds depth to ovangthis solid-wood AD27 has to offer as a designed so they won’t break the bank. Thus, kol’s natural variegation, while understated jack-of-all-trades musical tool, stated the the American Dream Series was born. appointments, including a thin matte finish, manufacturer. Voiced with V-Class brac

The American Dream series embodies the emphasize a workmanlike aesthetic. ing, this Grand Pacific’s warm, seasoned principles of innovation, craftsmanship and Street price for these models is $1,399, voice boasts clear, powerful lows and a resourcefulness Taylor has always turned to with an MSRP of $1,599. meaty midrange, with additional focus and during challenging times, stated Taylor GuiSecond in the American Dream Series evenness across the tonal spectrum from tars. “In 1974, Kurt Listug and I started Taylor lineup is the AD17 Blacktop and AD17e the hardwood mahogany top. Urban Sienna Guitars right after we bought a little guitarBlacktop. “The AD17 makes a striking stain and a matte finish support the rootsy making shop for $3,000,” recalled Bob Taylor, impression — bold and yet understated — aesthetic, while clean appointments support co-founder and president of Taylor Guitars. with its matte-black spruce top and black the handsome but unpretentious vibe. “It was called The American Dream. I was 19, pickguard,” stated Taylor Guitars. The Street price for these models is $1,399, Kurt was 21. Back then, times were tough, thin two-mil finish also helps optimize the with an MSRP of $1,599. but we had a dream. Our problems seemed sonic output of the body, woods and V-Class According to Taylor Guitars, the American insurmountable. We had to think, get creative, architecture, delivering a blend of seasoned Dream Series offers the lowest-priced, U.S.- adapt and learn. It felt like we were trying to made, all-solid-wood guitars in its proddo the impossible every day. And so far, 2020 uct line. The series sits between its 200 has sort of felt like 1974 all over again.” DLX and 300 Series and marks the new

For the new series, master guitar deentry point to the company’s Americansigner Andy Powers and Bob Taylor made, solid-wood guitars. intentionally chose wood with natu“I remember what it’s like to not be rally occurring cosmetic character able to afford something that would that fits the functional, workhorse serve me well,” concluded aesthetic of these guitars. The Andy Powers. “In many series debuted with three models, ways, this series is like each of which features Taylor’s new building a guitar for my Grand Pacific round-shoulder dreadyounger self.”