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Meet Taylor’s most affordable US-made acoustics: the American Dream Series
Two new Grand Pacific dreadnoughts that have Taylor’s premium acoustic experience at their core.
L-R: AD17 Blacktop, AD17 Natural, AD27 / Image: Taylor Guitars
Taylor’s newly announced American Dream series represents its most affordable solid-wood US-made acoustics to date, complete with the tonal and intonation benefits of V-Class bracing.
Named after the company’s first workshop, purchased in 1974 by a 19-year-old Bob Taylor and a 21-year-old Kurt Listug, the American Dream series was envisaged as a means to offer players a more affordable premium acoustic guitar amid these challenging times. Taylor says Bob Taylor and master guitar designer Andy Powers “intentionally chose wood with naturally occurring cosmetic character that fits the functional, workhorse aesthetic of these guitars.”
The series comprises three Grand Pacific dreadnoughts, all with optional electronics: the AD17, AD17 Blacktop, and the AD27.
AD17 and AD17 Black Top
These are the first Taylor Grand Pacific models to use ovangkol for the back and sides. Matched up with a spruce top and a mahogany neck, it’s a combination which is said to deliver a full-sounding midrange. Meanwhile, Taylor’s V-Class bracing delivers impressive sustain, better intonation and clarity, making either AD17 a workhorse guitar suitable for both live and studio use.
The AD17 comes with an Urban Sienna colour treatment to accentuate the variegation of the ovangkol back and sides, as well as a thin matte finish. Meanwhile, the Blacktop edition gives off a visually striking, two-tone look. Both versions are available with or without Taylor’s Expression System 2 electronics.
AD27
The AD27 is a robust musical tool that’s built for fans of mahogany-topped dreadnoughts. This American Dream model sources its top wood from Central and South America, where the mahogany is renowned for its rich dark colour, powerful low-end and midrange depth. Its back and sides are a matching dark figure solid sapele.
Taylor again emphasises stripped-back charm with an Urban Sienna stain and matte finish, and like the AD17, this model features V-Class bracing and is available with or without the ES2 pickup system.
Pricing
The AD17 is priced at $1,399 ($1,599 with electronics); the AD17 Blacktop at $1,499 ($1,699 with electronics); and the AD27 at $1,399 ($1,599 with electronics)
Learn more about the American Dream series at taylorguitars.com
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