Compared to another large names within the international acoustic guitar market, Taylor continues to be the brand new child on the block—an organization that challenged conventional constructing strategies and expectations for a way a flattop ought to play and sound. But greater than half a century has handed since its founding, and its headstock has lengthy been at residence among the many guitar institution’s greatest marques. When your model constructed its repute on defying conference, can you actually get set in your methods?

The brand new Gold Label sequence suggests not. Characterised by the corporate as having “an outdated soul,” the gathering debuts two physique kinds: the reimagined, deeper-bodied Grand Pacific and the all-new Tremendous Auditorium. Each fashions are available in pure or sunburst finishes with Honduran rosewood again and sides, whereas the Tremendous Auditorium can also be out there in koa, all paired with a torrefied Sitka spruce prime for an aged-in really feel and enhanced responsiveness.

For this overview, I hung out with the 814e Koa SB, a Tremendous Auditorium mannequin. From the primary chord, it had the refined playability Taylor is understood for, paired with a hotter, fuller voice—rounder and deeper than I often affiliate with the model, but nonetheless clear and balanced.

Form Shifting

The obvious distinction between the Gold Label sequence and different Taylors is the brand new physique form. Comparable in proportion to the Grand Auditorium, the Tremendous Auditorium is barely longer with a wider decrease bout, impressed by classical guitar curves. The non-cutaway design provides to the normal vibe and offers the guitar a extra substantial visible presence onstage or within the lap. Inside, a variant of Taylor’s V-Class bracing makes use of a fan-like sample within the decrease bout, set with conventional sizzling cover glue for improved power switch.

Additionally new is a long-tenon neck joint designed to boost wooden coupling and low-
finish resonance, aiming for the heat of a dovetail whereas staying glueless for exact adjustment and simpler restore. This design incorporates Taylor’s new Motion Management Neck, which helps you to fine-tune the string top in seconds with a easy flip of a screw by way of the soundhole. It not solely maintains optimum playability as circumstances change but additionally contributes to the guitar’s energetic, resonant really feel. 

The Gold Label felt gentle and effectively balanced for an enormous guitar, with not one of the shoulder fatigue I generally get from bigger bodied devices. Its satin-finished mahogany neck with West African Crelicam ebony fretboard felt immediately acquainted, because of the shallow profile that makes Taylors so well-liked with electrical gamers, together with a 1.75-inch nut width that gives comfy string spacing. The 25.5-inch scale provides articulate assault, and the low motion and fretwork are predictably wonderful, encouraging lengthy taking part in classes with out pressure.

Appointments are elegant however restrained: mother-of-pearl inlays, grained ivoroid binding, a sunburst gloss end with purfling offsetting Honduran rosewood and black inlays, and a fake tortoise pickguard engraved with a Continental motif echoing the inlays. 

The Honduran rosewood “curve wing” bridge homes a micarta compensated saddle and bone pins with abalone dots; the nut is Tusq. Gotoh 510 tuners in vintage chrome function ebony buttons—a refined contact that ties the look collectively. Even the Taylor Deluxe Hardshell case will get a tweak, with a British Cocoa vinyl exterior and Graphite inside that appears sharp and feels rugged.

Sound Engineering

Taylor got down to improve the low finish, enhance maintain, and increase dynamic vary—and delivered on all three. However it’s not merely a matter of louder lows or longer notes. There’s extra physique throughout the spectrum, from bass by way of higher mids, tying the registers collectively with out sacrificing element. The place some large guitars have a indifferent thump within the bass, the Gold Label’s lows really feel totally built-in and musically linked to the treble.

The guitar responds superbly to the touch. Fingerstyle taking part in could be heat and rounded with the pads or crisp and detailed with the nails. Plucking up on the string (simply wanting snapping) makes it communicate with authority; snapping produces a punchy tone much less metallic than you’d anticipate from a flattop. The instrument appears to reward dynamic variation—digging in with the proper hand yields a satisfying growl, whereas a mild stroke coaxes out a candy, singing high quality.

Chords stay clear, with beautiful thirds and tenths that some guitars blur, even beneath heavier assault. Arpeggios present the identical low-to-high steadiness throughout the neck. My go-to G chord scale check—with the G string open and the D and B strings altering by way of variations—sounded excellent, with each be aware ringing true.

With a flatpick, the guitar is articulate, clear, and powerful—equally adept at single-note leads and full, brassy chords. I have a tendency to check a guitar’s headroom by working steadily from a medium strum to the heaviest assault I can muster. Many guitars finally flatten out or lose readability; the Gold Label saved giving me extra quantity and harmonic complexity with out breaking apart. The vary from wealthy and responsive at a lightweight contact to room-filling at full strum is as extensive as I’ve skilled from a Taylor.

Maintain impresses not a lot for a way lengthy it lasts, however for the place it lives—nearer to the physique of the be aware than simply within the shimmering overtones, particularly within the lows and low mids. Play an E on the D string, let it ring, or hammer it on with out plucking, and also you’ll hear it.

The Gold Label comes outfitted with L.R. Baggs Ingredient VTC electronics, with discreet quantity and tone controls hidden within the soundhole. A lot of the guitar’s harmonic maintain carries by way of when amplified, retaining its acoustic timbre and character.

The Backside Line

Taylor calls the Gold Label sequence a tribute to early- and mid-Twentieth-century flattops, not like something the corporate has produced. I wouldn’t go that far—the playability, practicality, serviceability, and readability are pure Taylor, whereas the fuller tonal spectrum and added heat set it aside. When you already like Taylors, this one’s price including to your assortment. And for those who’ve discovered them too clear or vibrant, the Gold Label’s tone simply may change your thoughts.

Specs

BODY Tremendous Auditorium measurement; torrefied Sitka spruce prime; fanned V-Class bracing with tonal rout; Hawaiian koa again and sides; grained ivoroid binding; customized single-ring rosette with certain soundhole; Honduran rosewood bridge with white micarta saddle and bone pins; ivoroid/tortoise engraved pickguard; gloss Golden Brown sunburst prime, pure gloss again and sides

NECK Neo-tropical mahogany; long-tenon bolt-on, standard-carve profile; 25.5″ scale; West African Crelicam ebony fretboard with mother-of-pearl Continental inlays and ebony binding; 1-3/4″ white Tusq nut; West African Crelicam ebony peghead veneer with matching inlay; paddle peghead; Gotoh 510 vintage chrome tuners with ebony buttons; satin neck end, gloss peghead end

OTHER L.R. Baggs Ingredient VTC electronics; D’Addario XS Coated Phosphor Bronze Gentle strings (.012–.053); Gold Label hardshell case 

MADE IN USA

PRICE $4,999

taylorguitars.com