Description
The Taylor Builder's Edition 816ce acoustic-electric guitar joins the ultra-premium collection created by master designer Andy Powers. First debuting in 2018, Powers' Builder's Edition models offer the most player-friendly experience in both sound and feel. With the 816ce, Powers introduces V-Class bracing to Taylor's Grand Symphony body shape. Developed with a revolutionary soundport cutaway, this model is built to unleash the uniquely immersive acoustic experience that customers crave. Combining Powers' design expertise and Taylor's advanced manufacturing capability, Builder's Edition models are produced with incredible precision and consistency.
Taylor Builder's Edition 816ce Main Features
Solid Lutz spruce top with solid Indian rosewood back and sides
24-7/8" scale tropical mahogany neck, 20-fret genuine West African ebony fingerboard and bridge and a soundport cutaway
Gotoh 21:1 antique gold tuners with gold buttons, Taylor Expression System 2 Professional Audio-Grade pickup design and V-Class bracing system
Silent satin-finished body and satin-finished neck
Compelling Tonewood Pairing
When combined with Taylor's V-Class bracing, the Lutz spruce top of this acoustic-electric guitar uncovers another compelling side of rosewood. The Lutz top has the power to kick the volume up a notch. With a similar powerful tonal response to older, high-grade Adirondack spruce, the Lutz spruce provides players with a higher volume ceiling. In an amplified setting, this guitar shines.
Revolutionary Soundport Cutaway
With its Grand Symphony body, V-Class bracing and revolutionary soundport cutaway, the Builder's Edition 816ce delivers a powerful voice with more projection and volume. Powers designed this model with a soundport cutaway to build the acoustic guitar equivalent of an orchestra instrument. The soundport cutaway generates an airier, more complex "symphonic" acoustic sound. This unique design also enhances the sustain of each note, helping players' sound extend across a longer period of time. In tandem with the V-Class bracing, the soundport's sloped position produces a rich, high-fidelity voice with a unique acoustic dispersion pattern.
Shorter Scale Length and Light-gauge Strings
Two other important design choices for the 816ce are Powers' choice of a shorter 24-7/8" scale length and light-gauge strings. Both of these features are departures from Taylor's previous Grand Symphony models. A shorter scale length and light-gauge strings improve the playability and responsiveness of the Taylor Grand Symphony body style. With the 816ce, Powers brings a completely new approach to this classic Taylor body style. Players can expect a meaty lower midrange and strong treble shimmer from the Builder's Edition 816ce.
Taylor ES2 Electronics and V-Class Bracing
Two signature elements of the Taylor Builder's Edition collection are the revolutionary Expression System 2 pickup design and V-Class bracing system. The crux of Taylor's ES2 pickup design is its patented behind-the-saddle pickup. This pickup design features three uniquely positioned and individually calibrated pickup sensors. The pickup doesn't sit under the saddle. Because of that, the bottom of the saddle comes in full contact with the bridge. This full contact allows all the nuance of the guitar's tone to come through clearly, whether playing acoustically or plugged-in. Paired with Taylor's custom professional audio-grade preamp, this pickup system is designed to produce great amplified tone and responsiveness.
Taylor debuted its V-Class bracing with the first line of Builder's Edition guitars in 2018. V-Class bracing is essentially a "sonic engine" that optimizes the response of an acoustic guitar in three important ways: boosting volume, sustain and intonation. Guitars with Taylor's V-Class bracing system are also easier to tune. With V-Class bracing, players get more pure and orderly notes that don’t cancel each other out or sound off.
All in all, the Taylor Builder's Edition 816ce offers a uniquely immersive acoustic experience.
About the Taylor Builder's Edition Collection
Each model in Taylor’s Builder's Edition line is essentially Powers' "director's cut." Powers was able to apply refined craftsmanship details that aren't typically offered on standard Taylor models. Each model showcases the highest levels of Taylor guitar design innovation. In essence, the Builder's Edition is an ultra-premium class of guitars offering the most player-friendly experience in both sound and feel.
With the introduction of the 2020 Builder's Edition models, Powers' line grows to four different body styles and nine total models—each boasting their own dramatically different musical personality.
Taylor Builder's Edition 816ce Grand Symphony Acoustic-Electric Guitar Specifications:
Body- Body type: Taylor Grand Symphony
- Cutaway: Soundport Cutaway
- Top wood: Solid Lutz Spruce
- Back & sides: Solid Indian Rosewood
- Bracing pattern: Taylor V-Class Bracing with Relief Rout
- Body finish: Silent Satin Finish
- Orientation: Right-Handed
Neck- Neck shape: Taylor Standard Profile
- Nut width: 1-3/4" (44.5 mm)
- Fingerboard: Genuine West African Ebony
- Neck wood: Tropical Mahogany
- Scale length: 24-7/8"
- Number of frets: 20
- Neck finish: Satin
Electronics- Pickup/preamp: Expression System 2 Professional Audio-Grade
- Brand: Taylor
- Configuration: Behind-the-Saddle Transducer with Adjustable Sensors
- Preamp EQ: Volume, Active Bass and Treble
- Feedback filter: Onboard Phase Switch
- Tuner: None
Other- Headstock overlay: Genuine West African Ebony
- Tuning machines: Gotoh 21:1 Antique Gold Tuners with Gold Buttons
- Bridge: Genuine West African Ebony
- Saddle & nut: Micarta "Wave" Saddle; Teflon-Infused Graphite Nut
- Number of strings: 6
- Special features: Beveled Armrest, chamfered body and fretboard edges, Silent Satin Finish, Curve Wing bridge, Gotoh 510 tuners
- Case: Taylor Deluxe Hard Shell Case
- Accessories: None
- Country of origin: USA