out with a $ 3,000 guitar . Mine was an $ 18 Stratocaster copy by Telestar and I was thrilled to receive it for Christmas and still have it . Point being what Taylor , and some other instrument manufacturers are doing , is elevating the quality , sound and playability of entry level and intermediate guitars .
Taylor ’ s Grand Pacific shape is close to a Jumbo body shape but not as big and awkward to me . The 117e is understated with its matte finish and lack of typical Taylor bling . But thanks to the Torrefied Spruce top and layered Sapele back and sides it delivers in sound quality . Big full notes , lush bass and enough mids and treble to satisfy most players . I would compare it to a Dreadnought shape on steroids , but a bit more compact .
The Sapele sounds very close to Mahogany which is rich and full . The back of the body has a slide curve which also helps push the sound forward from the body , along with the C-Class bracing .
The ebony fingerboard and bridge are tasteful and pair nicely with the smaller Italian acrylic fret markers . Black binding on the front and back provide a nice separation visually with the woods . This is an understated instrument visually , but not tonally .
I ’ m usually a cutaway fan for more access up the neck for chords and solos , but the Taylor 117e being a non-cutaway gives it a richer sound . The 1.687 ” width nut is full but not too large and it took capos exceedingly well .
Testing out instruments at home is enjoyable with a variety of amplifiers and pedals , but the real test is in a live setting . Playing the Taylor 117e with the church Praise team I rolled back the bass EQ to drive more middle and higher frequency , so I didn ’ t compete with the Praise team leader ( who also plays a Taylor ). With the 117e I was able to deliver more of the pick through guitar parts and nuances to the songs and not just blend in or double the other acoustic parts .
My sound team folks gave the Taylor 117e two thumbs up . There was no hand fatigue with the 117e , and it was simple to dial in the tone that I was seeking for the worship songs . The guitar was not a showstopper visually , but sonically it was . Priced at only $ 899 , the Taylor 117e is more of an intermediate guitar than a beginner guitar .
The Grand Pacific has its own unique voice that is somewhere between a Dreadnought and a Jumbo , but is neither . I ’ m a fan of this sound and with the thin Taylor finish the guitar sings and vibrates with you whether it is played acoustic or plugged in .
This guitar is built in Taylor ’ s Tecate , Baja California , Mexico factory and the workmanship is spot on . If you ’ re looking for a cosmetically tricked out Taylor guitar with neck inlays , fancy wood , custom fretboard inlays and a wooden pickguard then this guitar isn ’ t for you . On the other hand , if you ’ re looking for a workhorse guitar that sounds full and resonant and doesn ’ t need to be babied or protected from playing harm or damage then the Taylor 117e is perfect . I would buy the 117e just for travel and church retreats and the embroidered Taylor gig bag affords plenty of protection .
Did I mention the Taylor 117e is under $ 1,000 also ?
$ 899 www . TaylorGuitars . com
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