The Grand Pacific is a new Taylor shape introduced in 2019 to deliver a new Taylor sound. Built on the innovative V-Class bracing platform, the Grand Pacific is a fully realized example of how body shapes and tonewoods can be sculpted to create distinct and highly desirable tonal palettes. The Builder's Edition 517 Grand Pacific acoustic guitar further showcases Taylor's pursuits to create the most player-friendly guitars in both sound and feel: a compound carve neck profile, rolled fretboard edges, chamfered body edges, and new Curve Wing bridge shape. The Grand Pacific is a unique entry to the dreadnought category, possessing clear low-end power, tonal consistency and sweeping versatility. The Grand Pacific 517 acoustic ships in a luxurious hardshell case with Western floral pattern, made by Taylor for optimal fit and protection.

Tonewood Pairing
V-Class bracing helps create an even clearer delineation between the tonal character of each wood. 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. The Sitka spruce top on this Grand Pacific features a special seasoning process called "torrefaction", a method of roasting the wood to produce an aged tonal character with greater acoustic resonance and responsiveness. Mahogany, as a general rule, imparts a sound that can be described as "dry" and lives near the other end of the spectrum from rosewood. The “dry” attribute is characterized as clear, woody, and fundamental-strong. The note you play is the note you get - a wonderful thing for many players and musical applications.

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 acoustically 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.

V-Class Bracing
Taylor's V-Class bracing is a fundamental innovation in acoustic guitar design. It marks an important evolution beyond traditional X-bracing, introducing an entirely new platform for acoustic performance. It is essentially a "sonic engine" that optimizes the response of an acoustic guitar in three key ways: by boosting volume, sustain, and by largely resolving the intonation (in-tune-ness) issues that have long plagued acoustic guitars. V-Class bracing creates purer, more orderly notes that don't cancel each other out or sound "off". They have clearer, more consistent response, and the whole fretboard is brought into greater sonic alignment for a more musical playing/listening experience. Guitars with V-Class bracing are easier to tune; the pitch sounds purer and more solid, and electronic tuners can more easily locate notes for quick, precise tuning. Other benefits: harmonics ring more uniformly down the neck, notes are louder with more projection and sustain, and notes are more consistent, i.e., upper register notes don't get choked out or swallowed. Fewer "sour" sonic qualities exist with chords; a more agreeable relationship is created between notes as they ripen, bloom and decay.

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.