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Taylor 2014 500 Series 516ce Grand Symphony Acoustic-Electric Guitar

With exceptionally warm and articulate tones, tropical mahogany has established itself among the tonewood elite. Many consider these striking all glo...Click To Read More About This Product

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Quality build with premiere woods and electronics make the Taylor 516ce an all-around triumph.

With exceptionally warm and articulate tones, tropical mahogany has established itself among the tonewood elite. Many consider these striking all glossy guitars the ultimate fingerpickers. Plugged in, the Taylor 516ce Grand Symphony Cutaway ES2 Acoustic-Electric Guitar will sing out the subtlety of your style loud and clear.

Body Shape
Compared to the Taylor Grand Auditorium, the Grand Symphony has a bigger, rounder lower bout and slightely wider "waist" area, and the bigger sound board (top) means more tonal output. Expect a meaty lower midrange and strong treble shimmer. A GS is best if you want a guitar with a robust low end, strong volume when strumming or flatpicking, and clear articulation in response to light fingerpicking attack.

Tone Wood Pairing
A guitar's top is the primary filter and distributor of vibrating string energy through the guitar, which means it has a huge impact on its sound. Sitka Spruce is the most prevalent guitar top wood of the modern era. It blends stiffness and elasticity in just the right proportions which translates into broad dynamic range with crisp articulation. Tropical mahogany is known for a meaty midrange featuring a strong fundamental without adding a lot of ringing overtones. It responds well to players with a strong attack who like dry, earthy, lo-fi sounds. It has a natural compression that smooths out strumming and picking technique. Mahogany's clear and direct tonal character makes it a great option for playing and standing out among other instruments.

Electronics
Taylor's ES2 is a revolutionary pickup design that delivers the latest in Taylor’s ongoing innovation in acoustic guitar amplification. The heart of the Expression System 2 is Taylor’s patented behind-the-saddle pickup, which features three uniquely positioned and individually calibrated pickup sensors. Because the pickup doesn't sit under the saddle, the bottom of the saddle comes in full contact with the bridge, allowing all the nuance of the guitar's tone to come through clearly whether playing acoustically or plugged-in.

The location of the sensors enables a more dynamic range of acoustic sound to be captured than ever before while playing plugged-in. Together with Taylor’s custom-designed “professional audio”-grade preamp, this system produces exceptional amplified tone and responsiveness. On stage through a PA, plugged into your favorite acoustic amplifier, or direct into recording software, the Expression System 2 faithfully conveys the voice of your Taylor guitar. The Taylor Expression System 2 operates through a proprietary 9-volt battery compartment and easy-to-use volume, bass and treble controls.

What sets Taylor Guitars apart? Unmatched build quality, the most stable and playable necks, a vast array of tonal options, eco-conscious and ethically-sourced raw materials, and a lifetime of service and support.

FEATURES
Body
  • Body type: Taylor Grand Symphony
  • Cutaway: Yes - Venetian
  • Top wood: Solid Sitka Spruce
  • Back & sides: Solid Tropical Mahogany
  • Bracing pattern: Taylor Standard II with Relief Rout
  • Body finish: Gloss 6.0
  • Orientation: Right-Handed
Neck
  • Neck shape: Standard Taylor Profile
  • Nut width: 1-3/4" (44.5mm)
  • Fingerboard: Genuine African Ebony
  • Neck wood: Tropical Mahogany
  • Scale length: 25-1/2"
  • Number of frets: 20
  • Neck finish: Satin
Electronics
  • Pickup/preamp: Expression System 2 Professional Audio-Grade
  • Brand: Taylor
  • Configuration: Behind-the-Saddle Transducer with Adjustable Sensors
  • Preamp EQ: Volume, Bass, Treble
  • Feedback filter: Onboard Phase Switch
  • Tuner: None
Other
  • Headstock overlay: Genuine African Ebony
  • Tuning machines: Taylor Nickel Tuners with Nickel Buttons
  • Bridge: Genuine African Ebony
  • Saddle & nut: Micarta "Wave" Saddle; Tusq Nut
  • Number of strings: 6
  • Special features: Genuine Ebony Bridge Pins
  • Case: Taylor Deluxe Hard Shell Case
  • Accessories: None
  • Country of origin: USA

Enjoy improved Taylor tone with ES2 electronics. Order today.

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