Taylor Custom Grand Symphony #11096 Acoustic-Electric Guitar Natural

One-off model from NAMM show floor with solid tonewood pairing, beautiful appointments.

This Custom Taylor Grand Symphony acoustic-electric guitar (#11096) was originally presented at the 2019 NAMM show in Anaheim, California, where Taylor displays its most ornate, exotic and unique custom instruments. The special features of this Adirondack/bocote (body) instrument include: a premium Adirondack top, ebony binding, an abalone/paua rosette, abalone trim on the top, back and sides, ebony bridge pins with abalone dots, and a Tropical Vine fingerboard inlay made of Paua and mother-of-pearl.

Body Shape
Compared to the Taylor Grand Auditorium, the Grand Symphony has a bigger, rounder lower bout and slightly wider "waist" area, and the bigger soundboard (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.

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. Sitka Spruce is the most prevalent guitar top wood of the modern era. It blends stiffness and elasticity in just the right proportions which translate into broad dynamic range with crisp articulation. Adirondack is even more dynamic than Sitka, with a higher ceiling for volume. The payoff is the ability to drive top hard and hear it get louder and louder without losing clarity; it’s hard to outplay it. Another sonic nuance that Bob Taylor loves about Adirondack is "an undeniable sweetness in every note, especially in the mids." Adirondack is a great fit for aggressive flatpickers or strummers. Bocote is a beautiful wood that comes from Mexico and is found in the same areas as cocobolo. It shares tonal similarities with cocobolo too. Visually, rather than cocobolo’s rusty red colors, bocote has the dark veins mixed with olive and dusty brown tints.

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.

The Taylor Difference
DifferenceWhat sets Taylor Guitars apart? Unmatched build quality, the most stable, playable and serviceable necks, a vast array of tonal options, eco-conscious and ethically-sourced raw materials, and a lifetime of service and support.