Koa Series GS-K Acoustic Guitar

The Taylor GS-K Koa Grand Symphony Acoustic guitar has a Sitka spruce top and exotic Hawaiian Koa back and sides. Hawaiian koa is a rare and exotic tonewood is prized for its stunning golden hues, bold grain figure, and sweet tone. Other features of the GA-S include abalone trim around the top and soundhole, figured Ivoroid binding, and gold-plated tuners.

Introduced in 2006, the Grand Symphony body style marked an innovative new direction for Taylor guitars. Though there are similarities to the grand auditorium, the grand symphony is unique in both sound and shape. Significant changes in its geometry yield a deeper, more piano-like bass. A wider lower bout and higher, wider waist return ample low-end sustain, in symphony with fuller mids and balanced highs ” and plenty of volume.

When people talk about "the Taylor sound," knowingly or not they're probably describing the Grand Auditorium. Introduced in 1994 as a limited edition to commemorate Taylor's 20th Anniversary, the GA would go on to establish itself as a definitive Bob Taylor original.

Tonally, the guitar embodied the signature qualities of balance, clarity, and versatility that became hallmark Taylor traits. Visually, the shape gave the world an equally balanced and refined aesthetic of smooth curves. In both respects, the GA was at once big enough and small enough to cover a lot of ground.

The goal, he says, was simply to make a guitar that was big like a dreadnought, but without a dreadnought's traditionally boomy sound. "I was looking for a good, clear tone that had volume when you played fingerstyle, but then when you strummed didn't have too much bass."

Play a GS-K if: You want the Swiss Army Knife of acoustics, capable of handling everything from fingerpicking to medium strumming to moderate flatpicking.