Taylor 717e Grand Pacific Builder's Edition V-Class Review

NEVER thought I'd buy a Taylor

In 1977, I walked into a music store in Omaha to look at Martin D-35s. The first two I tried, after hitting a few chords, were just not for me! But the third? One G chord and the heavens opened up and I heard angels singing. Needless to say, it went home with me and I have played it through the last 44 years. But a cracked neck and a neck replacement later, it is still beautiful,… read more but not quite the same. Time to add a new acoustic! First call? Dave Brow and Sweetwater. Now, I was extremely skeptical about buying an acoustic guitar online. After researching guitars half this price I realized I was not willing to settle for good, not great tone. In my search for a QUALITY sitka/rosewood combo I came across the Taylor Grand Pacific 717e in Natural. Now, of all the brands in the world, I NEVER, EVER thought I would buy a Taylor, but I did! After nervously waiting for the delivery (and reassured by Sweetwater's great return policy!), I opened it up. And man, was Dave ever right (and he's a bass player, go figure)! The Grand Pacific 717e is beautifully built, plays like a dream, and from the first chord, well, let's just say I heard those angels sing again. It has such a beautiful, full, rich, even and articulate sound. (My wife, the Diva, said it sounded like I had been playing it for years!) SO COMFORTABLE to play, and it has already made me a better guitar player in just these first few hours. And as Bob Taylor once said, "The worst your new guitar will ever sound is the first day you play it", so I can't even wait to hear this one in a few weeks/months/years! The ES2 system does the guitar justice, although it picks up finger and pick noise, which is also helping me to be a little more deliberate and accurate in my playing. The TL/DR version... Dave Brow rocks, Sweetwater rocks and if you never considered a Taylor guitar before, consider the Grand Pacific 717, it is AWESOME. (Oh, and as always, your mileage may vary!)

---

Cancel Comment

RESONANCE!!!

I went to Sweetwater to try out guitars even though I was pretty convinced I was going to leave with a Taylor 818e. I played Gibsons, Martins, Guilds and Taylors. Once I played one of the 717e's I was blown away. It sounded so clean and the resonance was amazing. Love the guitar acoustically and plugged in direct.

---

Cancel Comment

Holy Grail of Sustain and Intonation

Grand Pacific 717e … I own many guitars some of which are a Taylor 814 CE with the old Fishman Blended system in it. It's my workhorse. Well the frets are seeing a lot of fret wear, so I thought that would be a great reason to begin looking at another gig guitar. An acoustic electric. I have a Martin D41 that has the amazing warmth, but no electric capabilities at the present… read more moment. So, enter the GP 717e. I love this guitar. The V shaped bracing is amazing in the fact that the intonation is close to perfect anywhere on the neck. Speaking of the neck, I love the compound neck as well... almost plays itself. And the sustain is so pure with so many overtone harmonics that appear in each chord. Trust me, I've playing for 49 years. Get this, my wife even noticed. Acoustically, The GP falls between my 814 CE and my Martin. Not too bright but yet not too warm. I also love the finish… this guitar begs to be held, to be played. And yes… I'm guitar poor. But I think I've found the Holy Grail. Thanks Andy Powers. And thanks Sweetwater. Even get compliments of the case. Over the top.

---

Cancel Comment

What balance in an instrument that just begs to be played

Visiting a friend a few days ago, he said, "Let me show what I got" He brought out a new Taylor 717e and handed it to me. I looked it over, loved the wild honeyburst finish and started picking it. My fingers slipped so easily along the frets and the sound? I can say, I have a Moonstone J99 Eagle built by my late friend Steve Helgeson in Eureka, Ca and I love it but this...sound… read more was so well balanced. Putting the pick down and finger picking it still had plenty of volume without finger picks and still that nicely balanced sound. We played for a couple hours. I wasn't going to put this one down and he had another Taylor to play leads. I'm not sure I can afford this guitar but if I can work it out, there's no doubt what my next one will be.

---

Cancel Comment

Taylor 717e Pacific Builders Edition’s

This guitar is amazing! You will not regret buying this guitar.

---

Cancel Comment

From Gibson to Taylor

My whole guitar playing experience has been with a Gibson SJ200 and J35.And for years I have been totally satisfied with these two Gibson's. But for many years my finger style concentration has found Gibson lacking on the two guitars I've been playing. So, I began to explore other guitars. I found in looking at Taylor I like the innovation and use of high quality tone woods. In… read more my research for a quality finger style guitar, I settled on the Taylor 717e. In my area there is no place to play a Taylor before purchase. So I had to rely on YouTube. I didn't make a mistake. After several weeks of playing the Taylor 717e I am totally satisfied with my decision. It is so much easier to play than my previous guitars. Fingerpicking is a joy. The sound/tone is so warm and inviting and its playability just keeps me excited for hours and hours of playing. I've paired the Taylor with a Marshall AS50D and that has given the Taylor such a wonderful sound that words just cannot describe it. I realize the Taylor Builder's Edition is a bit pricey, but you will not be disappointed if you go with this model.

---

Cancel Comment

Taylor 717e Grand Pacific Wild Honey Burst

I have not purchased a new acoustic guitar since 1987. That guitar is still in my possession however I wanted to add a new high end acoustic/electric. Everyone that I spoke to kept telling me you have got to try one of the Taylor V-Braced instruments. Well folks not only is this a beautiful instrument, it plays extremely well, sounds amazing, sustains incredibly well and the sound… read more just projects outward in a different way. I can strum, finger pick and play leads flawlessly. And I am blown away at the setup from Sweetwater - my gut tells me Taylor guitars make it very easy for the Sweetwater team, I barely had to adjust the tuning and we are in the midst of an extremely hot/humid moment in the weather. I know that this Taylor 717e will be with me for a long time and I suspect that it will sound better over time as it ages as well. Thanks to Wayne Davis for helping me on this transaction - if you haven't tried one of these V-braced guitars do it.

---

Cancel Comment

Best Acoustic Electric I’ve ever played!

Beautiful guitar! My first Taylor! I've had similarly priced Gibsons and Martins, but this guitar beats them all, hands down! Easiest to play, sounds better, and this guitar is a masterpiece!! Couldn't be happier!

---

Cancel Comment

A Beautiful Guitar

I just received this Taylor 717e Builders Edition in Wild Honey Burst and let me tell you this guitar sings! It was hard for me to purchase an acoustic guitar with never playing this model, so I watched every video I could on these Grand Pacific guitars and I am so glad I followed my gut on this and went with the Grand Pacific. This guitar has exceeded all my expectations! Also,… read more this guitar is more beautiful in person, the satin finish is awesome. I highly recommend this guitar.

---

Cancel Comment

Beautiful

The 717ehb is a quiet beauty. Impressive workmanship but not flashy. No brashness. Smooth and easy to play. The sustain is amazing. The intonation is truly there all the way up the neck. But it is subtle and you must have the ear to appreciate. You need a quieter venue. (I have not plugged her in yet.) I do not play her around those who don"t appreciate the tone. I use a Taylor… read more GS Mini for the wild crowd. This is guitar is like my wife. Hands off! You get your own!

---

Cancel Comment