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500 Series 2013 518e Grand Orchestra Acoustic-Electric Guitar

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Overview

A big-bodied guitar with balanced tone and Expression system electronics.

On the Taylor 500 Series 2013 518e Grand Orchestra Acoustic-Electric Guitar, the rich midrange of mahogany, together with the enhanced lows and highs that the Grand Orchestra shape produces, creates a big, round voice that blends power, warmth and complexity. It features Tropical mahogany back and sides, a Sitka spruce top and Expression System electronics.

Grand Orchestra (GO)
Body Length: 20-5/8" / Body Width: 16-3/4" / Body Depth: 5"
The newest shape to join the Taylor family unleashes the boldest, richest voice available in a Taylor guitar. Just as the Grand Symphony yields a deeper, more powerful voice than the Grand Auditorium, the Grand Orchestra stands out as a more robust alternative to the Grand Symphony. The GO shape features a slightly bigger footprint and a deeper body, which helps produce a potent low-end response. Under the hood, a new bracing scheme optimizes the movement of the soundboard to produce louder, more complex tone with incredible sustain.

What separates the Grand Orchestra from other big-bodied guitars is how balanced the tone is from top to bottom, especially given its brawny bass. And unlike other big-body guitars that require an aggressive attack to get the top moving, the GO is responsive to a light touch, rewarding players who have a dynamic playing style. If you crave a guitar sound thats brimming with power and rich detail, the Grand Orchestra wont disappoint. From big cowboy chords to lush fingerstyle arrangements, the Grand Orchestra might be the most expressive and versatile big guitar you ever play.

Expression System
Natural Sound Made Simple
People love the clear, full acoustic tone of their Taylors. Why should it be any different when they plug in? Thats why we spent several years developing our own onboard acoustic pickup and preamp. Taylors ground-breaking Expression System (ES) was designed to naturally amplify the warm acoustic sound of your guitar.

The ES is an all-magnetic acoustic guitar pickup system that works like a microphone to produce a pure signal and a warm, natural acoustic sound. When you plug in, you'll hear the sound of your guitar, not the sound of the pickup. No complicated controls. No tone simulators. Just a clean amplified acoustic guitar sound supported by three simple controls ” volume, bass and treble.

Breakthrough Technology
Years of research brought us to a simple realization: Nothing sounds as true and musical as a microphone. With that as a starting point, Taylors David Hosler led the team responsible for the Expression System's breakthrough technology. Utilizing a unique Dynamic Body Sensor mounted to the soundboard, a Dynamic String Sensor embedded beneath the fretboard, and a discrete preamp, the advanced ES technology is unlike any other guitar pickup system.

Integrated Design
The ES was designed in-house, alongside our acoustic guitars, which allowed us to build the ES seamlessly into the design of the guitar, for an integrated pickup system unlike any other. From the design and location of the body and string sensors to the voicing of the preamp, the ES is fully optimized for the Taylor sound. The elegant design, including the non-intrusive control knobs, also preserves the aesthetic of a Taylor guitar.

Features

  • Versatile Grand Orchestra body shape
  • Sitka spruce top
  • Tropical mahogany back & sides
  • Expression System electronics
  • Includes hardshell case

Enjoy signature Taylor style and sound. Order today.

Specs

500 Series 2013 518e Grand Orchestra Acoustic-Electric Guitar Specifications:

  • Shape: Grand Orchestra
  • Number of Strings: 6
  • Back/Side Wood: Tropical Mahogany
  • Scale length: 25-1/2"
  • Top Wood: Sitka Spruce
  • Body Length: 20 5/8"
  • Electronics: ES
  • Body Width: 16 3/4"
  • Cutaway: None
  • Body Depth: 5"
  • Nut & Saddle: Tusq
  • Neck Width: 1-3/4"
  • Neck/Heel: Tropical Mahogany
  • Bracing: Grand Orchestra Bracing
  • Fretboard Wood: Ebony
  • Fretboard Inlay: Century
  • Headstock Overlay: Ebony
  • Binding: Ivoroid
  • Bridge Inlay: None
  • Bridge Pins: Ebony
  • Tuners: Taylor Chrome
  • Truss Rod Cover: Ebony
  • Back/Side Finish: Gloss
  • Top Finish: Gloss
  • Neck Finish: Satin
  • Pickguard: Tortoise
  • Case: Taylor Deluxe Hardshell Brown
  • Number of Fret: 20
  • Armrest Binding: None
  • Back Config: 2-piece No Wedge
  • Backstrap Wood: None
  • Backstrap Finish: None
  • Brand of Strings: Elixir Medium
  • Buttons: Chrome
  • Edge Trim: None
  • Filler (Body): Brown
  • Filler (Neck): Brown
  • Fingerboard Ext: None
  • Fretboard Binding: Ivoroid
  • Heel Cap Binding: Ivoroid
  • Heel length: 3-7/8
  • Peghead Finish: Satin
  • Peghead Inlay: None
  • Peghead Binding: Ivoroid
  • Peghead Logo: Ivoroid
  • Peghead Type: Standard
  • Rosette Mat.: Ivoroid
  • Rosette Size: Single Ring
  • Stain/Sunburst: Medium Brown Stain
  • Type of Neck Joint: Scarf
  • Wedge: None
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