The Taylor GTe Blacktop impresses with its compact Grand Theater construction, which, in combination with solid tonewoods and a special bracing, produces an exceptionally warm and balanced sound. At the same time, the shortened neck offers optimal playability on the entire fingerboard, which is equipped with 20 frets. and to be able to tune the guitar quickly and precisely, solid die-cast tuners are inserted into the headstock. Moreover, the finely tuned Hardware guarantees perfect sound development over the entire 613 mm scale length. Visually, the instrument is enriched by delicate decorations in the form of fingerboard inlays and a single-ring soundhole rosette. The appearance is rounded off by the gossamer-thin matte finish. The scope of delivery includes a sturdy Taylor Aerocase.
A compact guitar with great sound characteristics thanks to the new C-Class bracing and solid tonewoods
Structure and woods
In order for the compact body to produce a loud and defined sound, the black lacquered top is made of solid spruce and equipped with advanced C-Class bracing. This, in combination with the thin finish, ensures a very almost attack and a long-lasting tone. Solid walnut back and sides enrich the sound with warm and wide-ranging bass frequencies, making the guitar suitable for assertive strumming in addition to fine Pickings despite its small size. The flat mahogany neck is fitted with a eucalyptus fingerboard that is very comfortable to use in all positions.
Hardware and design
The bridge inlay is made of micarta and is precisely matched to the 43.6 mm wide nut made of black TUSQ, so that the 6 steel strings intonate extremely cleanly over the entire length. At the same time, the guitar can be tuned quickly and precisely with the help of the in-house nickel tuners. The fretboard features 4 mm Italian acrylic dot inlays for orientation, tastefully matched to the corresponding company logo on the headstock. The soundhole is rimmed with a maple soundhole rosette which, like the large black pickguard, perfectly matches the black lacquered top wood.
The body is made of coarse-grained walnut and in combination with the spruce top creates a balanced sound pattern
Electronics
To complete the functionality of the instrument, the Taylor Expression System 2 is built into the body. Three piezo elements are used to pick up each pair of strings directly so that the acoustic sound is passed on to the amplifier in its full, undistorted form. In addition, the treble, bass frequencies and volume of the output signal can be individually adjusted via a preamp in the frame. The active pickup system is powered by a 9V block battery, which is stowed in a compartment directly at the jack.
Taylor - The epitome of fine quality
As one of the largest guitar manufacturers, Taylor is truly an authority in the production of first-class instruments. Thus, professional manufacturing by skilled craftsmen results in the very finest products for life, whose value is always maintained - or even increased! This is due in equal part to exquisite tonewoods, which do not warp due to long storage and selected quality and as a result can hardly be surpassed in terms of high quality. Only spruce, mahogany, cedar or Koa of proven quality are used for the tops. By the way, careful production in combination with the best materials does not only apply to guitars. Guitar bags and all accessories are also of first-class quality. Finally, a conscientious final inspection does not let even the smallest defects pass and ensures absolutely flawless guitars even before shipment.
And that's not all: Taylor also attaches great importance to environmentally conscious actions.
Ebony & Koa: Sustainability at Taylor Guitars
Uncontrolled clearing of forests and overexploitation lead to massively endangered wood species, which can no longer regenerate due to the high pace of mining. These include ebony and koa in particular, whose dwindling stocks and the resulting ecological problems have prompted a rethink at Taylor Guitars.
Sustainable ebony cultivation in Cameroon
Because ebony is hard, supple texture makes it particularly finger-friendly, it has long been the preferred choice for making fingerboards. Its attractive appearance is also extremely popular for bridges, headstock rests, bridge Pins and Bindings. However, high demand and a thriving black market outstripped stocks, landing ebony on the Red List of Endangered Species in 1994. Moreover, only the jet-black heartwood, which makes up only a fraction of the tree, was used, resulting in a disproportionately large amount of waste in production. In order to protect the forests, Taylor has therefore been working since 2011 with the Crelicam Wood Mill in Yaoundé in Cameroon to promote controlled consumption by processing waste products. Thus, not only black ebony elements are found in Taylor guitars, but also the different coloured, more clearly-grained parts of the tree. This complete recycling is an effective method of preserving stocks and successfully counteracts their dramatic decline and the negative ecological effects that accompany it.
"We need to use the ebony that the forest gives us" - Bob Taylor
In video: Taylor Guitars - "The state of ebony"
Siglo Tonewoods Project
Koa acacia populations have also suffered severe losses over the last 20 years. Unsustainable forestry as well as overexploitation led to a decline that can only be stopped by proactive action and reforestation. Therefore, Taylor Guitars together with Pacific Rim Tonewoods founded the Siglo Tonewoods project, which aims to rebuild the Hawaiian virgin forest. This is a large cultivation area for koa acacia and other species, which allows the use of koa wood on a controlled scale.
