918e Grand Orchestra ES2 Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Indian rosewood' high-fidelity voice covers an extended musical spectrum that ranges from a deep throaty growl to clear, sparkling trebles. Paired with the Grand Orchestra shape, the tonal power and overtones produce a level of complexity that serves up a feast for the ears. First Edition models feature several additional premium touches: AA-grade Indian rosewood back and sides, a Sitka spruce top braced with Adirondack spruce (which helps yield extra sonic horsepower), a custom label, and a case emblazoned with a customized First Edition nameplate. Taylor's 900 Series appointments include the elegant Cindy inlay scheme with Expression System electronics.

Grand Orchestra (GO)
Body Length: 20-5/8" / Body Width: 16-3/4" / Body Depth: 5"
The Grand Orchestra body 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 that' brimming with power and rich detail, the Grand Orchestra won™t disappoint. From big cowboy chords to lush fingerstyle arrangements, the Grand Orchestra might be the most expressive and versatile big guitar you ever play.

No Cutaway Style
There' a lot to be said for the clean, traditional look of a non-cutaway acoustic guitar, which is why we offer a line of non-cutaway models. If you don™t plan to play in the upper register, or simply prefer the symmetrical hourglass contours of a guitar, a non-cutaway model is a great option.

Indian Rosewood
Origin: East India
One of the most popular and traditional guitar woods of all time, rosewood takes the basic sonic thumbprint of mahogany (which has a strong midrange) and expands it in both directions. Rosewood sounds deeper in the low end and brighter on the top end (one might describe the treble notes as zesty, sparkly or sizzly, with more articulation). If you look at its frequency range visually, rosewood would appear to be more scooped in the middle, yielding less midrange bloom than mahogany. Like mahogany, rosewood' vintage heritage has helped firmly establish its acoustic legacy. It' a great sound in part because we know that sound. In some music circles in which preserving the traditional sound helps bring a sense of authenticity to the music ” certain strains of Americana, for example ” rosewood has an iconic status. Also like mahogany, rosewood is a versatile tonewood, which has contributed to its popularity. One can fingerpick it, strum it and flatpick it. It' very consistent, so players can usually rely on it to deliver.

Expression System 2
The Taylor Expression System 2 (ES2) is a revolutionary pickup design that delivers the latest in Taylor' ongoing innovation in acoustic guitar amplification. The heart of the Expression System 2 is Taylor' proprietary behind-the-saddle pickup, which features three uniquely positioned and individually calibrated pickup sensors. The location of the sensors enables a more dynamic range of acoustic sound to be captured than ever before. Together with Taylor' custom-designed œprofessional audio-grade preamp, this system produces exceptional amplified tone and responsiveness. On stage through a PA, plugged into your favorite acoustic amplifier, or direct into recording software, the Expression System 2 faithfully conveys the voice of your Taylor guitar.

Behind the ES2 Design: Rethinking the Piezo Pickup
For decades, piezo-electric transducers have been positioned under the saddle of a guitar based on the long-held belief that the string and top vibration cause the saddle to œbounce up and down. But Taylor' electronics team, led by developer David Hosler, discovered that the vertical movement is actually heavily restricted, and that the saddle gets œlocked down due to the string tension' downward pressure. That' why a traditional under-saddle pickup with piezo-electric crystals often responds with a sound often characterized as thin, brittle, brash or synthetic, especially with more aggressive playing.

The saddle' natural range of movement as the guitar is being played is actually back and forth like a pendulum. That revelation led Taylor' design team to relocate the crystals from under the saddle to behind it. The new positioning enables the crystals to respond more naturally to the guitar' energy as it is transferred through the saddle. Three pickup sensors are installed behind the saddle, through the bridge, with three tiny Allen screws that calibrate the position of the sensors in relation to the saddle.

Like the original Expression System, the ES2 features the same volume and tone control knobs. The preamp is similar but with a slightly different gain structure. As a result it will be about 25 percent hotter, which is more in line with other pickups. This makes it plug-and-play friendly both for artists and live sound mixers.