In 1974, Bob Taylor and Kurt Listug based Taylor Guitars after shopping for out the American Dream, a small guitar-making workshop in San Diego the place they each labored as luthiers. On the time, they doubtless by no means imagined their model would change into one of the vital famend names within the guitar world.

However fast-forward a half century, and Taylor Guitars has launched a sequence of particular limited-edition fashions to have a good time the corporate’s Fiftieth anniversary, beginning in January 2024. The anniversary lineup consists of 18 guitars that revisit a number of the model’s most iconic designs, mixing the character of the originals with trendy improvements like V-class bracing and the ES2 pickup system. 

Every mannequin additionally options distinctive particulars, together with gold tuner buttons, ebony bridge pins with acrylic dots, and a commemorative Fiftieth-anniversary label. Taylor is producing restricted portions of every mannequin. I reviewed two of them—the 614ce six-string and the 858e jumbo 12-string, each priced at $3,999—and located them spectacular throughout.

614ce LTD

The 614ce LTD is a Grand Auditorium mannequin and includes a two-piece again and sides made of massive leaf maple, with a Sitka spruce high and a maple neck. Whereas Taylor describes the 614ce LTD as being impressed by a few of its earlier designs—they launched the Grand Auditorium physique form in 1994—the V-class bracing and ES2 pickup system add a contemporary contact.

Probably the most putting visible characteristic is the gloss white/edgeburst end on the highest and again, which creates a sublime, elegant look. The opaque white end on the neck, together with the high-gloss end, produces a easy really feel that makes enjoying appear easy. One other notable characteristic of the 614ce, in addition to the 858e, is the wooden used for the fretboard binding and bridge, that are product of West African Crelicam ebony—Crelicam is the corporate co-owned by Bob Taylor to make sure the sustainable, accountable manufacturing of ebony.

Maple has a fame for being shiny, however the 614ce LTD is voiced to provide a heat and balanced tone. The sound is evident, however with loads of low finish. To my ear, the maple on this instrument provides only a contact of heat and resonance, supplying a touch of a jazzy tone whereas sustaining readability and clear separation between notes. Plugged in, the ES2’s behind-the-saddle design delivers an impressively pure tone that displays the guitar’s sonic character. 

I discovered the 614ce LTD to be a enjoyable guitar to play. The glossy really feel and snappy but balanced tone have been an excellent match for quite a lot of types, from strumming to fingerstyle. The guitar usually pushed me towards extra aggressive, up-tempo tunes that took benefit of the very good playability and clear tone, together with the additional entry supplied by the cutaway.

858e LTD

Taylor has lengthy been recognized for making distinctive 12-string guitars, and the 858e LTD actually upholds that legacy. The corporate’s jumbo physique 855 mannequin obtained a lift again in 1979 when Neil Younger appeared enjoying one within the documentary Rust By no means Sleeps, and once more when Leo Kottke started enjoying Taylor 12-strings within the mid-’80s, partly drawn to their wonderful playability.

The 858e LTD is a large-body, non-cutaway 12-string guitar impressed by these earlier fashions however now based mostly on Taylor’s Grand Orchestra physique form, a big guitar measuring 16-3/4 inches on the decrease bout and 5 inches deep on the soundhole. The 858e LTD additionally incorporates Taylor’s trendy building options, like V-class bracing and an ES2 pickup system. One particularly attention-grabbing change from Taylor’s earlier large-body 12-strings is using solely six bridge pins, with every pin holding each strings in every course.

One would possibly anticipate such a big guitar to provide an equally giant sound, and the 858e doesn’t disappoint. The guitar produces a sound that may solely be described as big—each loud and full. There may be loads of low finish but additionally the high-end shimmer anticipated from a 12-string. The low motion makes the playability almost as straightforward as a six-string whereas nonetheless avoiding buzzing. Like most 12-string guitars, the 858e LTD includes a considerably wider fretboard, measuring 1-7/8 inch on the nut width, which gives the extra area required for the double programs.

The 858e makes an incredible rhythm instrument, producing a wall of sound when strummed, however I discovered it equally fulfilling to fingerpick. The guitar can ship aggressive, percussive Kottke-esque sounds in addition to delicate and ethereal textures when performed extra gently.

It was attention-grabbing to match the 858e LTD aspect by aspect with my very own 655ce maple-bodied Taylor 12-string. Whereas each sound wonderful, the mix of the rosewood physique and bigger measurement made the 858e LTD appear only a bit louder, fuller, deeper, and extra shimmery, all on the identical time.

Whereas reviewing the 858e LTD, I used to be requested by a neighborhood theater group to report a backing observe that captured the texture of the strummed introduction to the Eagles’ “Take It Simple.” When double-tracking a number of six-string guitars did not create a sound as massive as I hoped for, I pulled out the 858e, which promptly and simply dealt with the duty.

I used to be particularly impressed with the intonation on the 858e. Twelves are notoriously troublesome to tune—in spite of everything, you will have twice as many strings to cope with! However I discovered that not solely was the 858e straightforward to tune, even when switching to alternate tunings, however the intonation over the complete vary of the guitar was exceptional.

The Backside Line

The Fiftieth anniversary fashions are an ideal encapsulation of Taylor Guitars’ accomplishments over 5 a long time. The corporate has lengthy set a typical for playability, high quality, and consistency—whereas consistently elevating the bar. The 614ce LTD and 858e LTD mix a glance again at traditionally attention-grabbing and standard fashions with the present cutting-edge in building, which Taylor continues to push ahead. Each fashions appear only a bit sleeker and extra polished than the already wonderful examples I’ve been acquainted with over time, whereas amplifying the most effective qualities of the model’s sound.

Specs

614ce LTD 

Physique Grand Auditorium form; Venetian cutaway; Sitka spruce high with V-Class bracing; massive leaf maple again and sides; ebony bridge with Micarta saddle; inexperienced abalone rosette; fake tortoise binding; gloss white/edgeburst end

Neck 25.5″-scale onerous maple neck; dual-action truss rod; ebony fretboard; ebony binding; inexperienced abalone wing inlays; 20 frets; 1-3/4″ black Tusq nut; Taylor tuners with gold buttons

Different Taylor Expression System 2 electronics; D’Addario XS coated phosphor bronze mild strings (.012–.053); deluxe hardshell case

Made in United States

Worth $3,999 road 

858e LTD

Physique 12-string Grand Orchestra form; Sitka spruce high with V-Class bracing; Indian rosewood again and sides; ebony bridge with Micarta saddle and double-mounted string anchoring system; inexperienced abalone rosette; tortoise pickguard; white binding; gloss end

Neck 25.5″-scale neo-tropical mahogany neck; dual-action truss rod; 15″ radius ebony fretboard; white binding; mother-of-pearl progressive diamond inlays; 20 frets; 1.875″ black Tusq nut; Taylor tuners with gold buttons

Different Taylor Expression System 2 electronics; D’Addario XS coated phosphor bronze mild strings (.010–.047); deluxe Western Floral hardshell case 

Made In United States

Worth $3,999 road

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