Taylor Guitars expands their Grand Orchestra shape collection with two new models – the 718e and 818e.
The gutiars feature a rosewood body and spruce top configuration, providing more tonal options for those who want the Grand Orchestra shape.
The Grand Orchestra shape was introduced by Taylor earlier this year. It was the result of reinventing the Jumbo model to improve on the tonal characteristic of dreadnoughts. Guitars that come in this shape are longer, have a tighter waist and feature a wider bottom, these design changes help the guitar provide improved overtones, balance and more volume.
Taylor used a hybrid parabolic and scalloped bracing scheme especially for the Grand Orchestra shape. This is said to improve the balance and responsiveness, which are normally compromised because of the loud volume of big-bodied guitars. This means that both strummers and fingerpickers will appreciate the guitar’s response to both gentle strokes and aggressive attacks.
This new shape joins the other proprietary Taylor designed guitar shapes including the Grand concert, Grand Auditorium and Grand Symphony. Models that end with the numeral “8”, like the 718e and 818e, means that they come with this unique body shape.
The Taylor 718e comes with a vintage sunburst finish on the top and neck. It comes with various eye candies that include a three-ring soundhole rosette, Ivoroid Heritage Diamonds fretboard inlay motif and Ivoroid binding. Taylor crafted the bridge and fretboard from genuine ebony wood to complete the guitar’s sound and look. The Taylor 818e ups the ante with its visual appointments including a curly maple binding for both the body and the soundhole and an abalone rosette. It comes with an all-gloss finish that gives the guitar its elegant look. Both models come equipped with Taylor’s proprietary Expression System acoustic pickup, for plugging into amps or PAs.
Andy Powers, Taylor master builder, had this to say about the spruce and rosewood combination: “The rich “coffee and cream” combination of Indian rosewood with Sitka spruce tops yields exceptional sonic color and bloom”. He describes the sound of these guitars as “having a high-fidelity, piano-like attack.” He further elaborates, “There are overtones from every note. These add rich complexity to the fundamentals. They contribute a quick and clear articulation to the attack of the notes, making those low frequencies in particular more noticeable.
Like the other recently introduced Grand Orchestra models, the 718e and 818e will have a special release of 100 First Edition models. These first editions are said to have premium-grade tonewoods and appointments, notably Adirondack spruce for the bracing, and a bone nut and saddle.
The Taylor 718e (First Edition) guitar is now available online for $2,699, while the Taylor 818e (First Edition) is priced at $3,049. These first edition guitars come with a custom label and they ship in a Deluxe “First Edition” hardshell case. You can also avail of a custom GO First Edition guitar strap, a numbered certificate of authenticity, and a special commemorative booklet, after you register your instrument. More information about these instruments will soon be available at Taylor Guitars.
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I’ve really been impressed with Taylor’s new guitars. I think they have been doing a really good job in the past few years. Both of these look pretty good. Can’t wait to play them.