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Taylor American Dream AD21e Acoustic-electric Guitar - Shaded Edgeburst

6-string Acoustic-electric Guitar with Mahogany Top, Sapele Back and Sides, Mahogany Neck, and Eucalyptus Fingerboard - Shaded Edgeburst
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Taylor American Dream AD21e Acoustic-electric Guitar - Shaded Edgeburst
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A Diminutive Mahogany-topped Acoustic That Truly Sings

Chat with acoustic guitar enthusiasts around Sweetwater and they’ll tell you there’s nothing like a Taylor. And the American Dream AD21e Acoustic-electric guitar really brings the best of the company's engineering to the forefront. Replete with a solid mahogany top, sapele back and sides, and C-Class bracing, this guitar sings with a warm natural sound that’s sure to be beloved by guitarists of ranging styles. The compact Grand Theater body shape lends itself to easy transportation and comfortable gigging while exuding a powerful voice that belies its diminutive size. Lastly, Taylor’s ES2 electronics tie it all together by bringing your mahogany beauty to the studio and the stage with incredibly clear sound.

Meet the Grand Theater

In 2020, Taylor debuted the Grand Theater body shape. Sized between the uber-comfortable GS Mini and Taylor’s classic Grand Concert body style, the Grand Theater offers the perfect blend of power and comfort. It’s capable of a full-sized guitar’s acoustic performance with the comfortable playability of a travel-sized guitar. It has a 24-1/8-inch scale length that gives the strings a softened feel akin to playing down-tuned with a capo on the first fret. You’ll love the feel of the body and the sprightly playing experience. Whether it becomes your go-to stage companion, studio workhorse, or favorite daily driver, the American Dream AD21e is ready for a lifetime of playing.

C-Class bracing coaxes a big sound out of a small body

If you ask Taylor master builder Andy Powers, a guitar is only as good as its bracing pattern. And with the limited size of the Grand Theater body shape, a new bracing pattern is required to help it reach its full sonic potential. This small guitar introduces C-Class bracing, a proprietary bracing pattern developed to bring out a surprisingly robust bass response despite its size. C-Class bracing uses an asymmetrical, cantilevered design that strikes the perfect balance between stiffness and flexibility. Like Taylor’s groundbreaking V-Class architecture, the American Dream AD21e’s C-Class bracing increases sustain, improves volume, enhances projection, and sharpens intonation. When you hear it for the first time, you won’t believe that a guitar this small can sound so big.

It’s all about mahogany

Whether you’re gigging, playing in a worship group, or writing a song, mahogany can provide you with warm natural tones that inspire and enthuse. The American Dream AD21e features a solid mahogany top fit with sapele back and sides — a tonewood that’s so similar in look and tonal profile to traditional mahogany that many manufacturers simply bill it under the “mahogany” label. The AD21e’s woody, open sound lends itself to a wide range of styles, from fingerpicking to rhythm. Given its mellow response, it also shines well in the hands of players who favor a lighter touch. And of course, this wood will also charm your audience with its radiant looks.

Plugging in has never sounded this good

The Taylor American Dream AD21e is a bona fide studio and stage workhorse, thanks to the onboard ES2 electronics. ES2 electronics take advantage of Taylor’s proprietary pickup design. It has a 3-section pickup mounted in the bridge, behind the saddle. Because of its position, the pickup delivers a clear, lifelike acoustic tone each time you plug in. For tone tweaking and sound shaping, the ES2 system has a master volume control and a pair of tone controls. The ES2 electronics and the character of the American Dream AD21e combine to create a potent tonal combination that will leave you and your audience stunned.

Taylor American Dream AD21e Acoustic-electric Guitar Features:

  • A small-bodied acoustic-electric made with sustainable materials
  • Grand Theater body shape is inviting and comfortable
  • C-Class bracing facilitates a strong bass response while increasing sustain
  • Mahogany top paired with sapele back and sides provides warm, natural tones with an even response through it's range
  • Eucalyptus fingerboard provides the snappiness of ebony in an eco-friendly package
  • Condensed scale length softens string feel for an agile performance
  • ES2 electronics produce a lifelike plugged-in tone

Why Buy Your Guitar from Sweetwater?

See how Sweetwater goes to great lengths to give you the very best online guitar buying experience. From our online Guitar Gallery that allows you to see and select the exact instrument you want to our 55-point Inspection process and our in-house guitar techs, we take the guesswork out of buying your next guitar online.

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Tech Specs

  • String Type: Steel
  • Number of Strings: 6
  • Left-/Right-handed: Right-handed
  • Body Shape: Grand Theater
  • Back & Sides Wood: Sapele
  • Top Wood: Mahogany
  • Top Finish: Satin
  • Color: Shaded Edgeburst
  • Body Bracing: C-Class Bracing with Relief Rout
  • Neck Wood: Mahogany
  • Fingerboard Material: Eucalyptus
  • Fingerboard Inlay: Faux Pearl Dots
  • Number of Frets: 20
  • Scale Length: 24.125"
  • Nut Width: 1.718"
  • Nut/Saddle Material: Tusq Nut, Micarta Saddle
  • Tuning Machines: Taylor Nickel
  • Electronics: Taylor Expression System 2
  • Strings: D'addario XS Coated Phosphor Bronze Light, .012-.053
  • Case/Gig Bag: Softshell Case
  • Body Length: 18.5"
  • Body Width: 15"
  • Body Depth: 4.25"
  • Manufacturer Part Number: AADS036011003021334

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Customer Reviews

Write your review
Rated 5/5

Fantastic Sound and Playability

I was shopping for a midrange acoustic guitar for playing in church and some outdoor events. Usually I stay away from mahogany guitars because they are so dark, but after playing this guitar I was happy with the sound. It's very balanced across the lows mids and highs. It projects well when fingerpicked but isn't harsh when strummed. Overall, I'm happy with the sound and value and I plan to use it extensively for live performances and recording. Nice to have a guitar that sounds quite good but isn't going to cause me anxiety every time I take it out of the case. Perfect balance!
Music background: Worship Leader, Music Producer

As one of the nation's top Taylor Guitars dealers, Sweetwater receives regular on-site training from Bob, Andy, and the rest of the Taylor crew. We're also, many of us, Taylor players ourselves, and we're happy to steer you in the right direction once you're ready to make the leap. New to Taylor? Our Find Your Fit guide simplifies Taylor body shapes, woods, and series. Longtime player? Our Taylor Custom Shop, annual limited editions, and in-house mods offer a level of exclusivity you won't find in stores. Whatever your pleasure, Sweetwater's climate-controlled warehouse and 55-point Inspection ensure your Taylor guitar arrives ready to play just as the manufacturer intended.

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