Taylor 818e Grand Orchestra ES2 Acoustic-Electric Guitar

A redesign for 2014 makes this great-sounding Grand Orchestra even better.

The flagship series of the acoustic/electric line traces back to Bob Taylor’s first rosewood guitars, which helped establish a modern acoustic guitar sound. This year's model benefits from a major redesign that includes optimized dimensions, different glues, a thinner finish, better strings and the new Exprssion System pickup and preamp. Contemporary appointments include curly maple binding and a pearl fretboard inlay, which together add a splash of refined style. Taylor's biggest, most complex voice is also balanced and responsive The newest shape to join the Taylor family unleashes the boldest, richest voice available in a Taylor guitar. Just as the Grand Symphony yields a deeper, more powerful voice than the Grand Auditorium, the Grand Orchestra stands out as a more robust alternative to the Grand Symphony. The GO shape features a slightly bigger footprint and a deeper body, which helps produce a potent low-end response. Under the hood, a new bracing scheme optimizes the movement of the soundboard to produce louder, more complex tone with incredible sustain. What separates the Grand Orchestra from other big-bodied guitars is how balanced the tone is from top to bottom, especially given its brawny bass. And unlike other big-body guitars that require an aggressive attack to get the top moving, the GO is responsive to a light touch, rewarding players who have a dynamic playing style. If you crave a guitar sound that’s brimming with power and rich detail, the Grand Orchestra won’t disappoint. From big cowboy chords to lush fingerstyle arrangements, the Grand Orchestra might be the most expressive and versatile big guitar you ever play. Expression System 2 The Taylor Expression System 2 (ES2) is a revolutionary pickup design that delivers the latest in Taylor’s ongoing innovation in acoustic guitar amplification. The heart of the Expression System 2 is Taylor’s proprietary behind-the-saddle pickup (patent pending), which features three uniquely positioned and individually calibrated pickup sensors. The location of the sensors enables a more dynamic range of acoustic sound to be captured than ever before. Together with Taylor’s custom-designed “professional audio”-grade preamp, this system produces exceptional amplified tone and responsiveness. On stage through a PA, plugged into your favorite acoustic amplifier, or direct into recording software, the Expression System 2 faithfully conveys the voice of your Taylor guitar. Behind the ES2 Design: Rethinking the Piezo Pickup For decades, piezo-electric transducers have been positioned under the saddle of a guitar based on the long-held belief that the string and top vibration cause the saddle to “bounce” up and down. But Taylor’s electronics team, led by developer David Hosler, discovered that the vertical movement is actually heavily restricted, and that the saddle gets “locked down” due to the string tension’s downward pressure. That’s why a traditional under-saddle pickup with piezo-electric crystals often responds with a sound often characterized as thin, brittle, brash or synthetic, especially with more aggressive playing. The saddle’s natural range of movement as the guitar is being played is actually back and forth like a pendulum. That revelation led Taylor’s design team to relocate the crystals from under the saddle to behind it. The new positioning enables the crystals to respond more naturally to the guitar’s energy as it is transferred through the saddle. Three pickup sensors are installed behind the saddle, through the bridge, with three tiny Allen screws that calibrate the position of the sensors in relation to the saddle. Like the original Expression System, the ES2 features the same volume and tone control knobs. The preamp is similar but with a slightly different gain structure. As a result it will be about 25 percent hotter, which is more in line with other pickups. This makes it plug-and-play friendly both for artists and live sound mixers.



Features
New for 2014

Advanced performance designs deliver greater warmth, midrange, balance and sustain
Optimized dimensions help bring out the best of each body shape
The strategic use of animal glues enhance the transfer of tone between important guitar components
A thinner finish proves less equals more when it comes to sound
Custom strings made by Elixir
New Expression system
Elegant appointment package
Includes case



Enjoy improved Taylor tone with ES2 electronics. Order today.


818e Grand Orchestra ES2 Acoustic-Electric Guitar Specifications:


Shape: Grand Orchestra
Number of Strings: 6
Scale length: 25-1/2"
Body Length: 20-5/8"
Body Width: 16-3/4"
Body Depth: 5"
Neck Width: 1-3/4"
Bracing: CV Bracing with Relief Rout
Fretboard Inlay: 800 Series
Binding: Curly Maple
Bridge Pins: Ebony with Abalone Dots
Truss Rod Cover: Indian Rosewood
Top Finish: Gloss
Pickguard: Tortoise
Number of Frets: 20
Back Config: 2-piece No Wedge
Backstrap Finish: None
Buttons: Gold
Fingerboard Ext: None
Heel Cap Binding: Curly Maple
Peghead Finish: Satin
Peghead Binding: Curly Maple
Peghead Type: Standard
Rosette Size: Single Ring
Type of Neck Joint: Scarf
Back/Side Wood: Indian Rosewood
Top Wood: Sitka Spruce
Electronics: Expression System
Cutaway: None
Nut & Saddle: Bone
Neck/Heel: Tropical Mahogany
Fretboard Wood: Ebony
Headstock Overlay: Indian Rosewood
Bridge Inlay: None
Tuners: Taylor Gold
Back/Side Finish: Gloss
Neck Finish: Satin
Case: Taylor Deluxe Hardshell Brown
Armrest Binding: None
Backstrap Wood: None
Brand of Strings: Elixir Medium
Edge Trim: None
Fretboard Binding: Curly Maple
Heel length: 3-7/8"
Peghead Inlay: None
Peghead Logo: Taylor Mother of Pearl
Rosette Mat. : Abalone
Stain/Sunburst: None
Wedge: None



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