500 Series 2013 520e Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Taylor's mahogany-top 500 models, like this 500 Series 2013 520e Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar - with their focused midrange punch - have made a big impression on players. The natural compression of the mahogany top can handle the liveliest of pickers and strummers, and responds well to players with a strong rhythm attack. And because of its strong fundamental tonal character, it behaves well with other instruments in a stage or recording context.

This 500 Series 2013 520e Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar comes with a deluxe hardshell case made by Taylor for optimal fit and protection.

Body Shape
The dreadnought is one of the most traditional acoustic guitar shapes. Taylor's version has been refined to blend its trademark robust low-end tone with a snappy midrange and brilliant treble notes, producing a pleasing balance of power and articulation. If you're a flatpicker or strummer who likes to dig in on lead or rhythm, the dreadnought should serve you well.

Tonewood 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. 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
The Taylor Expression System (ES) — a groundbreaking concept in acoustic guitar amplification. It combines a state-of-theart pickup system with a “professional audio”- quality preamp. Taylor Guitars developed proprietary sensing technology for the ES, utilizing the guitar’s entire soundboard to create a network of magnetic, surface-sensing microphones. A strategically-placed Dynamic Body Sensor captures vibrations in the top of the guitar. A patented Dynamic String Sensor mounted beneath the fretboard measures string vibrations and converts them into an electronic signal. The advanced design is seamlessly integrated into your guitar, allowing for total control with three unobtrusive, side-mounted knobs. Your guitar’s natural tone will sing loud, clear and true. The Taylor ES is designed to be plugged-in using a standard quarter-inch guitar cable, which will work in every circumstance: with an acoustic guitar amplifier, a standard direct box, or any other guitar-ready application. The ES also is designed to be “Pro Ready,” which means it can be plugged directly into a “balanced line level input” such as an input on a mixer using a TRS to XLR cable. The result is a higher signal level, which translates into the ability to drive long cable distances without any frequency loss, due to the low impedance of the system. With this application, you can plug directly into a stage snake or recording/mixing console without the use of a direct box.

The Taylor Difference
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.

All solid tropical mahogany
Genuine West Africa ebony headstock overlay, bridge and fingerboard
Expression 1 electronics with 2-band EQ 
Elixir Phosphor Bronze Medium Gauge Strings
Includes hardshell case