On our 700 Series we take the classic tonewood pairing of rosewood and spruce and conjure a rootsy Americana vibe. Standard appointments include a warm Vintage Sunburst top, ivoroid binding and rosette, along with ivoroid Heritage fretboard inlays, which bridge the past with the present.

Visually and sonically, our maple guitars command a striking stage presence. The bright, focused tone makes these guitars a favorite for performance, recording and any band setting, while a variety of color and sunburst options serve to enhance the natural figure in the maple sets we choose. Other signature touches include crisp white binding and our Twisted Oval fretboard inlay motif.

Big Leaf Maple/Stika Spruce
The 656ce Maple Grand Symphony 12-string Acoustic-Electric is constructed of big leaf maple back and sides with a stika spruce top so it has a crisp, bright tone that cuts through on stage.

Grand Symphony (GS)
Though you might see similarities to a Grand Auditorium, the GS body of the 656ce is unique in both sound and shape. Significant changes in its geometry yield a deeper, more piano-like bass. A wider lower bout and higher, wider waist return ample volume and low-end sustain, in symphony with fuller mids and balanced highs.

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.

Check out this amazing special edition SL1 Soloist from the legendary Jackson Custom Shop! The soloist's sleek body shape is enhanced by an eye-popping Silver Sparkle finish and abalone shark-fin inlays. The 12"-16" compound radius ebony fingerboard and quartersawn maple neck has 24 jumbo frets and and 25.5" scale length offering amazing speed and playability, while the Seymore Duncan pickups (HSS configuration) give it the tone match it's looks. Other features include an alder body, Floyd Rose Original double-locking 2-point tremolo, Gotoh tuners and black hardware. Deluxe Jackson Hardshell case, Custom Shop certificate of authenticity, strap and picks included!

Check out this striking special edition RR24 Rhoads from the legendary Jackson Custom Shop! The beautiful guitar features high end appointments including gold hardware, ablone shark fin inlays and a gloss black finish with white pinstripes on the bevels. A compound radius ebony fingerboard, quartersawn neck-through-body maple neck, and 24 jumbo frets give the guitar the smooth and fast playability to match it's appearance, while the double locking Floyd Rose tremolo keeps you in tune now matter how aggressive your playing. The single EMG humbucking pickup runs through a master volume and a killswitch giving you a simple but effective control layout. Only 10 of these amazing guitars were made so don't miss out on your chance to get one today! Deluxe Jackson Hardshell case, Custom Shop Certificate of Authenticity, strap and picks included! Only 10 of these incredible instruments were made; don't miss out on your chance to own one today! Deluxe Jackson Hardshell case, Custom Shop certificate of authenticity, strap and picks included!

Check out this amazing special edition SL2Q Soloist from the legendary Jackson Custom Shop! This beautiful guitar has an alder body capped with a AAA Quilt Maple top finished in transparent red, with a reversed headstock and single abalone shark fin inlay at the 12th fret of an otherwise blank ebony fingerboard completing the look. A fast, oil finished quartersawn maple neck with a 25.5" scale length, 12"-16" compound radius fingerboard and 24 jumbo frets makes the guitar play every bit as good as it's looks. Completing the package is a pair Seymore Duncan humbucking pickups and a double locking Floyd Rose Original Tremolo, making the guitar scream without ever going out of tune. Only 10 of these amazing guitars were made so don't miss out on your chance to get one today! Deluxe Jackson Hardshell case, Custom Shop Certificate of Authenticity, strap and picks included!