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916ce John Petrucci Artist's Choice Grand Symphony Acoustic-Electric Guitar 2016

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Overview

Special body design perfect for electric players looking to transition to acoustic, with hot hide glue construction and beautiful appointments.

Here's your chance to be one of only 50 people in the U.S. to own a limited edition, signed guitar designed specifically for the legendary John Petrucci.

Whether you're a die-hard fan of John Petrucci and his progressive metal band Dream Theater, or merely recognize his name from countless "Greatest Guitar Players" lists, you probably know that most of the attention has centered on his virtuosic playing. So you might be surprised to learn that much of Dream Theater's latest album – the two-disc, 34-song rock opera The Astonishing – was refined specifically on his Taylor 916ce, which he also plays live.

"The most organic way to score the music to the story was to pick up the acoustic and get down to the heart of the matter," says Petrucci. It was the game-changing impact of discovering Taylor acoustics years ago that ultimately led him to the 916ce, which he used exclusively for the acoustic tones on The Astonishing. Petrucci was drawn to Taylor instruments because of the "combination of all the elements. Yes, the neck felt amazing, but also the immediate sound of the guitar, as soon as you play one chord. The way that it resonates and speaks, and of course the level of quality and beauty of the instrument is something that stands out. It's the combination of those things, they all made an impact on me." Petrucci also favors the armrest feature found on Taylor's 900 and Presentation Series guitars.

"As an electric player I've always been very sensitive to the way that my forearm sits on the guitar. It makes that transition, as an electric player, that much smoother, that much easier."

The John Petrucci Artist's Choice 916ce represents the lavish redesign of Taylor's most sophisticated class of rosewood guitars, blending the same voicing enhancements first introduced on Taylor’s iconic 800 Series with a finely calibrated aesthetic makeover. The result is a luxurious look that delivers premium-grade tonal complexity. Impeccably rendered appointments strike an elegant balance between wood and abalone shell trim, with ebony binding and koa purfling framing colorful abalone. The contoured ebony armrest embodies the highest levels of woodworking, enhances the playing comfort, and bolsters the tonal output by reducing the damping effect one’s strumming arm might otherwise have on the top. The three-way harmony of looks, feel and sound makes any 900 Series guitar hard to put back in its case. This limited edition collector's set includes an un-modified, hand-numbered Taylor 916ce guitar dubbed "Artist's Choice" on its interior label which is hand-signed by John Petrucci, a collector's 4-disc vinyl box set of The Astonishing autographed by John (comes with free digital download), a Dimarzio JP-logo guitar strap, and a set of Ernie Ball Earthwood medium gauge 80/20 bronze acoustic guitar strings. Limited to 70 pieces worldwide (50 domestic, and all here).

Body Shape
Compared to the Taylor Grand Auditorium, the Grand Symphony has a bigger, rounder lower bout measuring 1/4 in. wider than the Grand Auditorium, and slightely wider "waist" area. The bigger sound board (top) means more tonal output. Expect a meaty lower midrange and strong treble shimmer. A GS is best if you want a guitar with a robust low end, strong volume when strumming or flatpicking, and clear articulation in response to light fingerpicking attack. Its tonal pallette is a great fit for players looking for depth and richness.

Tonewoods
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. Sitka Spruce is the most prevalent guitar top wood of the modern era. It blends stiffness and elasticity in just the right proportions which translates into broad dynamic range with crisp articulation. Solid Indian rosewood back and sides complement the Sitka top with sound that's made it one of the most popular tone woods ever. Rosewood produces the strongest bass response among the tone woods commonly used for guitars, with a slightly scooped midrange. Rosewood's sweeping frequency range - deep lows that assert a throaty growl with sparkling highs - rings out with bell-like, high-fidelity clarity. It yields a full-range acoustic voice with complex overtones and extended sustain.

Electronics
Taylor's ES2 is a revolutionary pickup design that delivers the latest in Taylor’s ongoing innovation in acoustic guitar amplification. The heart of the Expression System 2 is Taylor’s patented behind-the-saddle pickup, which features three uniquely positioned and individually calibrated pickup sensors. Because the pickup doesn't sit under the saddle, the bottom of the saddle comes in full contact with the bridge, allowing all the nuance of the guitar's tone to come through clearly whether playing acousticly or plugged-in. The location of the sensors enables a more dynamic range of acoustic sound to be captured than ever before while playing plugged-in. Together with Taylor’s custom-designed “professional 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. The Taylor Expression System 2 operates through a proprietary 9-volt battery compartment and easy-to-use volume, and active bass and treble controls.

Other Features
Custom-calibrated wood thicknesses and bracing for each body shape, 3.5-mil finish thickness, protein glue (bracing and bridge), handmade ebony armrest, paua/koa trim (on top, back, sides, fretboard/extension, peghead and armrest), single-ring paua rosette edged with koa and ebony, abalone/pearl "Ascension" fingerboard inlay, ebony binding.

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.

Features

Body
  • Body shape: Grand Symphony
  • Cutaway: Single
  • Top wood: Solid Sitka Spruce
  • Back & sides: Solid Indian Rosewood
  • Bracing pattern:
  • Body finish: Gloss 3.5
  • Orientation: Right handed
Neck
  • Neck shape: Taylor Standard Profile
  • Nut width: 1.75 in. (44.45 mm)
  • Fingerboard: Genuine African Ebony
  • Neck wood: Tropical Mahogany
  • Scale length: 25.5 in.
  • Number of frets: 20
  • Neck finish: Satin
Electronics
  • Pickup/preamp: Yes
  • Brand: Taylor
  • Configuration: Behind-the-saddle transducer with Adjustable Sensors
  • Preamp EQ: 2-band
  • Feedback filter: Phase
  • Tuner: No
Other
  • Headstock overlay: Genuine African Ebony
  • Tuning machines: Gotoh Gold
  • Bridge: Genuine African Ebony
  • Saddle & nut: Micarta "Wave"/Tusq
  • Number of strings: 6-string
  • Special features: See "Other Features" below
  • Case: Hardshell Case
  • Accessories: None
  • Country of origin: United States

Order this special guitar today and be in an exclusive Taylor guitar club.

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