Taylor 220ce-K DLX Cutaway Koa Acoustic-Electric Guitar (with Case)

No longer available at zZounds
The Taylor 220ce-K DLX has a gorgeous koa top, a full gloss body, and ES2 electronics for a sound that's as naturally beautiful as the guitar itself.

What's special about this item?

Feature: What it does:
Koa top Unique, beautiful look; great tone and clarity
Koa laminate back and sides Adds high-end sparkle that mellows well over time
Sapele neck Straight grain wood with strong midrange response
Taylor Expression System 2 Captures dynamic range of acoustic sound

A gorgeous Koa top plus playability, tonal clarity and impeccable workmanship, the Taylor 220ce DLX is a great guitar for the musician progressing to the next level. Featuring a cutaway dreadnought body shape, the 220ce DLX has layered back/side construction featuring outer and inner veneers of Hawaiian koa, solid koa top, and sapele neck (1-11/16" nut width). Appointments include a shaded edgeburst top, black binding, single-ring faux pearl rosette with interlocking "fishbone" pattern, black pickguard, Italian acrylic small diamond fretboard inlays, full-gloss body, and chrome tuners. The guitar comes with Expression System(R) 2 electronics and ships in a Taylor deluxe hardshell case.

Dreadnought Body Shape

The most traditional of guitar shapes, Bob Taylor has evolved the Taylor Dreadnought over time to honor its enduring sonic heritage yet also refine the look and sound into a more modern package. The Taylor Dreadnought still boasts that powerful dreadnought tone that old school pickers expect, with deep lows and crisp highs, but with a voice that, like every Taylor, is more evenly balanced across the entire tonal spectrum. Perhaps more than any other shape, the Dreadnought remains linked with roots music like bluegrass and folk, in part because of its traditional role in defining those sounds. Pickers and strummers with an aggressive attack will love our Dreadnought's blend of power and articulation, which allows for clear lead lines and crisp, driving rhythms. read more

Taylor's refined take on the classic Dreadnought shape produces a robust voice with low-end power, a snappy midrange, and strong, clear treble notes, retaining the essence of the balanced Taylor sound. The guitar will appeal to flatpickers and lovers of traditional guitar shapes and tones.

A traditional shape for flatpickers, refined for the modern era.

Expression System 2

The Taylor Expression System(R) 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 patented behind-the-saddle pickup, 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.
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For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 800-943-6782

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars. (1 ratings)
Submitted February 3, 2017 by Tony Wall in Phoenix, AZ

"Impressive"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
Just got it today and WOW!!! It sounds great and plays well right out of the box. It's a beautiful guitar and the case is just classy. The guitar itself is gorgeous and so impressive. It has a smooth and mellow sound that I love. I would describe it as very well blended or balanced. The bass isn't overwhelming and the trebles are not ear piercing. Very smooth sound that i love. This is my 32nd guitar so I have a few to compare it to. I own Martins, Takamines, and about every other brand you can think of 6 and 12 string and this one became my favorite as soon as I tuned it and played it.

Musical Background:

Hobby player

Musical Style:

All genres
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No longer available at zZounds

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