Taylor 517e Grand Pacific Builder's Edition V-Class Review

Awesome

Sure is a very articulate playing instrument and sustain for days. I'm so pleased with this purchase. Robbie Resnick was also wonderful to work with and has been for the many years and purchases we've worked through together

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Dead Solid Perfect

I have been playing guitar since I was a kid, starting out learning Hank Williams on my dad's Gibson. The first acoustic I ever bought was an Ibanez 1979 Artwood dreadnought that I saw Jimmy Messina playing at a show. I have since learned that I got lucky, and got a really special guitar in that purchase. In 1988 I traded both in on a Gibson ES-335 Dot Blonde Custom Shop Edition… read more that I have played ever since. In all that time, I have been trying to find another acoustic with a response and sound that I liked as much as I did with that first Ibanez - but one that also played as well as did that epic Gibson. I was a grandpa twice over before I found what I was looking for, but not without the help of my Sweetwater Sales Engineer Extraordinaire - Mitch Dazey. The Taylor 517e Builder's Edition V-Class, Wild Honey Burst pictured is everything I have always wanted in an acoustic. I love playing finger style, but I wanted an acoustic with enough punch and body to match the passion I feel when I am playing. This guitar is special like that. I researched the Grand Pacific concept, and that of the V-Class Bracing. The engineering of it just makes sense, as does the use of a Torrefied Spruce top to get me just the right sound. I love the Silent Satin finish. The Compound Carve of the neck is dead solid perfect for playing in comfort and with expression. Everything put into this guitar shows and merits it's Builder's Edition caliber. The Grand Pacific design is for me like the kind of guitar I wasn't sure you could get anymore. Mad props to Mitch for hearing me out and steering me to this guitar. I am not a guy who has ever wanted a stable of guitars. I really only ever wanted two. With this purchase, I got the one I was missing. Read and listen to the reviews. Do your own research, but this Taylor is unlike any other I have ever played or heard. Another note about Sweetwater. In the process of buying this guitar, I actually purchased another brand, which didn't come close to working out once I unboxed it. Sweetwater never even blinked when I said that I was going to be sending it back. What Sweetwater, and Mitch specifically, did is why I buy from them. Mitch processed the return on the spot when I called, but then also followed up to find out what I thought had been missing. When I tried to solve the missing ingredients problem by throwing money at more expensive guitars, Mitch actually took issue and dialed me back. Sweetwater has done that with me more than once as well. They listen and their guidance is spot on. Also, I love how they always find a way to cut me a little bit better of a deal, or throw in an extra or two when I call instead of just ordering online. If I receive something that doesn't work for me, they are easy to work with on returns. So if you are wondering whether Sweetwater is worth dealing with, the answer is absolutely. And a word on Taylor. The first version of this guitar that I received from Sweetwater had a minor inconsistency in the material on the fingerboard. You couldn't even feel it and needed a magnifying glass to see it, but I shot a macro photo of it and sent it to Taylor Customer Service along with my concern that given time it might become an issue. They got back to me a few hours later saying "Probably not, but either way, this isn't the level of quality we are going for in our Builder's Edition guitars." They ask that I contact Mitch and let him know that they wanted to swap it out, saying "Sweetwater won't have any problem with this anyway, but just let them know that we want to get this one back." Once again, Sweetwater was great to work with. I called in. Mitch got the return going, and connected me to a Tech Support Specialist who helped me pick out another guitar, even going to the trouble to review all of the photos of the guitar with me just help 'make my order right'. Needless to say, I am really glad that I found Sweetwater, glad that I went with Taylor, and am loving the last few months with the acoustic I have always wanted. Thanks for reading and happy trails all.

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Great new design..sweet tones

Taylor has always made great guitars. But this new Grand Pacific is special. The second you strum your favorite chord you can feel and hear the fullness and articulate tone of this instrument. S2 electronics are better than S1. I was considering a J45 but am happy to stick with Taylor.

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Taylor Grand Pacific 517e

Fine instrument. Well constructed. Fine tone woods. Action out of the box seems low as their is some minor fret noise. Very comfortable to play. Like the contoured neck. Like the slope shoulders and the overall sound of this guitar.

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Great Guitar

I've had mine for about a month. I was very disappointed right out of the box, but after I changed to a lighter gauge string it's now one of my favorites. The tone is focused, rounded, and balanced when played with a pick and one of the best all-around acoustic guitars I"ve played. Fingerpicking brings out full-bodied, weighty notes. It's a Great Guitar and all the playability of… read more a Taylor with a new sound (after the string change).

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