Description
A Revolutionary Dreadnought with Vintage Appeal
The Taylor Builder’s Edition 517e Wild Honey Burst blends vintage-inspired aesthetics with cutting-edge design, redefining what a dreadnought can be. With its Grand Pacific body shape, torrefied tonewoods, and player-centric features, this guitar delivers a rich, warm tone with seamless note blending, reminiscent of a seasoned acoustic instrument. Add Taylor’s signature V-Class bracing and proprietary Expression System 2 (ES2) electronics, and the 517e ensures an unparalleled acoustic and amplified experience.
Classic Tonewoods with a Modern Twist
The 517e pairs a torrefied Sitka spruce top with neo-tropical mahogany back and sides, resulting in a tone that is as warm and woody as it is clear and articulate. The torrefaction process enhances the top’s responsiveness, imbuing it with the open, seasoned character of a vintage guitar. Meanwhile, the mahogany body delivers a dry, focused sound, adding a touch of organic warmth to every note.
Revolutionary V-Class Bracing
Taylor’s V-Class bracing revolutionizes the 517e’s tonal dynamics by providing improved volume, sustain, and intonation. This innovation allows every note to ring true, whether you’re fingerpicking delicate melodies or strumming with vigor.
Premium Builder’s Edition Features for Maximum Comfort
The Builder’s Edition designation means this guitar is designed with the player in mind:
- Chamfered body edges offer supreme comfort, even during extended playing sessions.
- A compound-carve neck profile adapts to your hand’s natural position along the fretboard, making transitions effortless.
- Contoured fretboard edges and a rounded heel provide a silky-smooth fretting experience.
- The refined Curve Wing bridge enhances playing comfort for your picking hand.
Vintage Styling Meets Modern Functionality
The 517e’s Wild Honey Burst satin finish gives it a well-loved vintage aesthetic, while its West African ebony fingerboard with grained ivoroid arrowhead inlays adds a touch of understated elegance. Taylor nickel tuning machines ensure stable performance, and the black graphite nut and Micarta saddle deliver precision tuning and tonal consistency.
Expression System 2 Electronics for Stunning Amplification
When you’re ready to take your sound to the stage, the ES2 electronics capture the guitar’s full tonal range with remarkable accuracy. The system’s behind-the-saddle pickup design ensures natural, transparent sound reproduction. Onboard controls include volume and a 2-band EQ for quick and easy sound adjustments.
Key Features:
- Body Shape: Round Shoulder Grand Pacific for warm, blended tones
- Top Wood: Torrefied Sitka spruce for vintage-inspired response and enhanced dynamics
- Back & Sides Wood: Neo-tropical mahogany for woody warmth and clarity
- Bracing: V-Class bracing for superior sustain and intonation
- Neck: Tropical mahogany with a compound carve for ergonomic playability
- Fingerboard: West African ebony with subtle grained ivoroid arrowhead inlays
- Finish: Wild Honey Burst Silent Satin for a timeless, understated look
- Electronics: Taylor ES2 system for authentic amplified tone
- Hardware: Taylor nickel tuners with a black graphite nut and Micarta saddle for stability
- Strings: Elixir Phosphor Bronze Medium for long-lasting tone
- Case: Deluxe hardshell case included for protection
Elevate Your Playing Experience
The Taylor Builder’s Edition 517e Wild Honey Burst is not just a guitar — it’s a statement of craftsmanship, innovation, and style. Perfect for professionals and discerning players, this instrument delivers a playing experience that feels as good as it sounds. Whether on stage, in the studio, or at home, the 517e is your perfect musical companion.
