Take a Trip with the Taylor 117e Grand Pacific!
When you’re looking for dreadnought-like power with a compact feel, the Taylor 117e Grand Pacific is the way to go! This dreadnought-inspired guitar’s workhorse feel is supported by versatile tonewoods and sophisticated design. Mature Grand Pacific presence and sumptuous playability make it ideal not only for singer/songwriters, but also for studio sessions that demand signature Taylor clarity with a hint of additional power. Discerning guitarists at Sweetwater affirm the 117e is a riveting instrument to hear and hold: a solid top made from torrefied Sitka spruce fuels unfettered musical projection with impurities removed for superior tonewood performance. Pair that with a sapele body and a hard-rock maple neck, and you’ve found yourself one spectacular alternative to old-school dreadnought design.
Note: This guitar will ship with either a crelicam ebony or eucalyptus fingerboard, subject to availability from Taylor. Please call your Sweetwater Sales Engineer with any questions.
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Spruce, sapele, and maple
The 117e upgrades Sitka spruce’s prized sound through torrefaction— a process similar to roasting — that removes water and naturally occurring sugars to produce a lightweight top that vibrates better than raw Sitka spruce. Layered sapele back and sides form the 117e’s body. Sapele is often compared to mahogany. Its richness and sustain highlight details in your playing style, and sapele fits seamlessly into practically any style of music. Paired with a smooth, hard-rock maple neck, it’s a recipe for sophisticated tones and empowering playability.
Grand Pacific dreadnought design
The 117e’s slope-shoulder Grand Pacific design is inspired by the Laurel Canyon acoustic scene that Taylor builders grew up near during the '60s and '70s. It's a slight departure from the traditional dreadnought shape with big results that are hard not to love. The Grand Pacific's sloped shoulders offer a smooth top end with full, balanced bass that pairs well with the human voice while an enlarged lower bout supplies ideal resonance for recording and gigging with personality.
Proprietary C-Class Bracing
Taylor’s original C-Class bracing gives this Grand Pacific a wonderfully balanced sound that feels right at home in Taylor’s lineup. Initially developed for the Grand Theater body shape, C-Class bracing is cantilevered and asymmetrical, with an optimized response inspired by Taylor’s acclaimed V-Class bracing. Borrowed V-Class elements let C-Class bracing heighten your soundboard’s response with greater dynamic sensitivity. What’s more, C-Class bracing adds warmth, maturity, and focus to your bass strings by reigning in low-end woody frequencies, making it a natural addition to any Grand Pacific shape.
Expression System 2 electronics
Need to plug in? Then you’re going to love the 117e’s built-in ES2 electronics! The ES2 system features a revolutionary segmented pickup located behind the bridge saddle; this pickup position delivers remarkably accurate and clear sound production that’s authentic to your playing. Each ES2 system features a handy master volume knob for fast level adjustments, in addition to a 2-band EQ for independent treble/bass adjustments to get the sound you need. Plus, the ES2 system also has a built-in phase switch, which offers essential feedback suppression whenever the system is active.
Taylor 117e Features:
- Taylor’s dreadnought-inspired Grand Pacific shape paired with stage-ready electronics
- Solid torrefied spruce top delivers top-notch tone with boisterous projection and a responsive feel
- Layered sapele maple back and sides vibrate with mahogany-like presence and sustain
- Grand Pacific slope-shoulder dreadnought body yields powerful volume and sophisticated low-end warmth
- Easy-playing maple neck supplies sought-after Taylor playability
- ES2 electronics system with 2-band EQ ensures sophisticated plugged-in tone that's authentic and full
