The Grand Orchestra has long stood at the top of the Taylor range of body shapes in terms of size and big, powerful sound. Now, the jumbo-esque shape takes on new life thanks to new revoicings by Andy Powers, launching with this 818e. Built with solid Indian rosewood for the back and sides with a solid Sitka spruce top, the 818e is among the first Grand Orchestra guitars to feature V-Class bracing. Rosewood and spruce interplay here to produce rich low-end warmth, slightly scooped mids, and clear, articulate treble notes, while the new bracing allows rosewood’s natural overtones to bloom and resonate as notes sustain. The large body shape provides serious headroom and projection for bold strummers, but the new enhancements also make the 818e incredibly soft-touch-sensitive, making it an ideal choice for fingerstyle players and flatpickers as well. The 818e’s memorable musical character is complemented by a set of luxurious appointments, including maple binding, a single-ring rosette in shell and paua, nickel tuners, Mission inlays in mother-of-pearl and abalone, and a new Antique Blonde top finish treatment that adds a charming glow. It ships without a cutaway to preserve a more traditional look and feel, and includes built-in ES2 electronics to provide clean amplified tone. It also includes a deluxe hardshell case with a Western Floral pattern.

Highlights

Scale Length: 25-1/2"

Nut & Saddle: Tusq

Bracing: V-Class

Truss Rod Cover: West African Crelicam Ebony

Pickguard: Rosewood

Number of Frets: 20

Tuners: Taylor Nickel

Case: Taylor Deluxe Hardshell-Western Floral

Brand of Strings: Elixir Phosphor Bronze Medium

Body Length: 20 5/8"

Body Width: 16 3/4"

Body Depth: 5"

Body

Binding/Edge Treatment: Pale Non-Figured Maple

Top Finish: Gloss

Back Config: 2-piece No Wedge

Backstrap Finish: None

Rosette Size: None

Bridge Inlay: None

Back/Side Finish: Gloss

Armrest Binding: None

Backstrap Wood: None

Rosette Mat.: None

Stain/Sunburst: Antique Blond

Wedge: None

Armrest: no

Neck

Neck Width: 1-3/4"

Fretboard Inlay: Mission

Fretboard Binding/Edge Treatment: West African Crelicam Ebony

Heel Cap Binding: None

Type of Neck Joint: Scarf

Neck/Heel: Tropical Mahogany

Fretboard Wood: Ebony

Neck Finish: Gloss

Heel Length: 3-1/2"

Peghead

Peghead Finish: Gloss

Peghead Binding: West African Crelicam Ebony

Peghead Type: Standard

Peghead Purfling: Koa

Headstock Overlay: Indian Rosewood

Peghead Inlay: None

Peghead Logo: Taylor Mother of Pearl

Other

Bridge Pins: West African Ebony with Green Abalone Dots

Buttons: None

Fingerboard Ext: None

Edge Trim: None

*Models are subject to change without notice